Dear Family & Friends,
Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother who sins against me? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times! … “‘Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?’ And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him until he repaid all he owed. So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matt. 18:21-22, 33-35 NET
Forgiveness is so important, but at times it is very difficult for us. When we are hurt by someone, especially if they are close to us. It is easy to focus on our pain and forget what God has already done in forgiving us. When we are able to contemplate the sacrifice of Jesus that our sins might be taken away, it becomes much easier to forgive. Pray with us that we might be good examples of people that are willing to forgive.
We ask that you continue to pray for the discipleship groups as they meet this summer. Today especially pray for Maggie as she is struggling to learn to how to forgive her husband. They have often had troubles in their relationship, but things have been better since she has begun seeking a relationship with God. We heard about two days ago that something had happen and she was having a hard time forgiving him. I suggested to one of the leaders that they use the passage from Matt. 18 about Peter’squestion to Jesus and the unforgiving servant. She seems to be responding well to the instruction from God’s word. Keep praying for Maggie to learn the importance of forgiveness.
Pray for Dave Atkin’s mother, Juanita. She is having some health issues. Dave & Brenda are in the midst of preparing to move back to the US as well as to have Sports & English Camp. Pray Dave & his sisters to have wisdom as to how to best proceed with their mother’s health care.
Cheryl, Bethany, and the little girls all flew to Seattle yesterday. They made it safely. Cheryl will be returning today. It was good to be with them. John & Moriah will be reporting at the Keensburg Christian Church today. Andrew will be at Parkview Christian Church preparing with the youth group for a conference they will be going to next week. We will be reporting to Christ’s Church in Effingham next Sunday morning. Then we will be at Oil Belt Christian Service Camp that week until Thursday. Our summer is full of blessings.
Speaking of blessings, we certainly have been blessed by many people this summer already. Some have given us gas money. The people at Christ’s Church loaned us a church van while Bethany & the girls were with us. Now we are using a mini-van that belongs to family in Newton. Thank you all!
Thank you for praying for us and those precious people in Taiwan.
God Bless,
John & Cheryl
1. Please pray for us to be models of forgiveness to those around us.
2. Please pray for the discipleship groups to grow and for Maggie as she learns to forgive.
3. Please pray for the Atkin family as they deal with moving and Dave’s mom’s health.
4. Please pray for us as we continue to travel, report, and visit.
5. Thank you to everyone that has blessed us in some way this summer.
Posted on June 22nd, 2014 by dunns
Filed under: Uncategorized