Making an Impact

Some time ago, our church created a new logo, with a tagline underneath that reads "Impacting our World for Christ". You see this everywhere at our church, from the sign out front, to the bulletins each week... it is even etched into the beautiful new pulpit that our pastor stands behind.

About a month or so ago, we were saying our bedtime prayers and Miles added a little tagline of his own. The prayer was the usual: "Thank you, God, for Daddy and Mommy and Reedy. Thank you for this fun day we had. Thank you for Grandma and Grandpa and Stephanie and Daisy. Thank you for Nannie and Pop." (and on and on until he has named almost everyone he knows - and their pets) And then at the end he said "and please help us to impact our world for Christ". Wow. It isn't like he has heard us say it, and he can't read yet, so although he sees it repeatedly, he isn't reading it. He obviously heard it at church, and it stuck.

So now, it has become our family's prayer. At breakfast or lunch or dinner, whoever is praying adds on the tagline. When we say our bedtime prayers, we all pray it. I pray that it isn't just something we say. I pray that it becomes who we are.

May we all impact our world for Christ. And let the little children lead us.

Maria Chapman

Simply praying for comfort for the Chapman family, as they have suffered a terrible loss. You can go here to read the full story, as well as watch some sweet home videos of Maria and her daddy taken just recently.

Also, if you aren't familiar with the tragedy earlier this year of the death of Bronner Burgess, please click here to read more. You can also watch video of his memorial service. I promise you will be blessed.

Both of these families need our continued prayers.

When I look into the mirror...

...these days, I see more and more of my mom... and I love what I see. Happy Mother's Day, to my sweet mom. I adore being your daughter!







The following I received in an email this week, and I thought I'd share it here. This is my prayer as a mama to my two sweet boys:



Despite my many mistakes, perhaps my children will some day arise and call me blessed. The next time you need encouragement, let God whisper to your heart: "I hear when you pray for your children, and I'm there when you teach them about who I am. I watch you love, care, and sacrifice for them. You're not perfect, but hang in there. You're doing better than you think."



Dear Lord, help me to be the mother my children deserve. Encourage my heart when I feel like a failure. Erase my errors from the hearts and minds of my children. Instead, help them to see Jesus in me, in Jesus' Name, Amen.