Willow Praise Church - Passion for Jesus, Compassion for Others

June has been a busy month of Graduations and vacation traveling. I had two nephews and a neice graduated from High School, so I made what has been an annual pilgrimage to visit family in Minnesota for the past 27 years. Family is important to Candy and I and so the pilgrimage which gave us about 50 hours in the car together to reflect on our lives.

Here is a couple of reflection during this season.

1. Cleveland ranked #1 as the most miserable city in America. http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/11/americas-most-miserable-cities-business...
- 71,000 less people in Cleveland in the past 5 years
- In Northern Ohio 309 public officials in the past 10 years and Cleveland currently has 12 top tier officials that are under investigations which are serious to their position of service.
My response to this is the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.

2. Many are going through difficult trials physically, spiritually and relationally. The Daily news is enough to put a person into depression, but hearing the personal challenges that good people face on a daily place reminds us of how fragle we are right now. The prolonged downturn has put many in a difficult place. My conclusion is to actively be in prayer and acts of compassion.

The challenges are great, but the God we serve is greater. May the Lord give us strategies to overcome our current context.

God Bless!
Pastor Larry

 This past Sunday the service was a season of prayer, and especially praying for strength in the inner man. Galatians 6:10, “Be strong in the Lord in the power of His might. Ephesians 3:14-19 is Paul's apostolic prayer, and in verse 16 prayer is, “to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.”

Youth Group went down to Chagrin River last Tuesday and eleven youth and two adults were baptized.  I love going to the river for water baptisms, as it is the way that Jesus himself was baptized. 
Check out the Photos.  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=513273&id=1466124232&ref=mf

Wednesday we had a guest, Dr. Gregory Thompson who shared on social justice.  He related a story of Mother Theresa who was shadowed by a couple of reporters.  As she walked down the street she noticed a leper whose wounds were oozing.  She stooped down and with her own garment began to wipe the leper's wounds.  One reported spoke out loud and said I wouldn't do that for a million bucks. Mother Theresa heard the comment and said, "neither would I".