Spiritual Markers (Joshua 4:8)
Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain,

Spiritual Markers

And the people of Israel did just as Joshua commanded and took up twelve stones out of the midst of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, just as the LORD told Joshua. And they carried them over with them to the place where they lodged and laid them down there. –Joshua 4:8 

Spiritual memory is crucial in the Christian life. Do you vividly recall times when you know God spoke to you? It would be tragic if, in your haste to advance your Christian faith, you neglected to leave spiritual markers at the key crossroads of your life. Without the help of these markers, you will lose your spiritual bearings. 

The Israelites experienced a tumultuous pilgrimage. Their doubt that God was powerful enough to give them victory cost them 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Then God miraculously parted the waters of the Jordan River so they could pass over and continue their conquest. God knew that at times the Israelites would face intimidating enemies and would need a reminder that He was powerful enough to protect them. The Israelites might be tempted to think they made a mistake entering Canaan. For this reason God instructed them to build a monument on the banks of the Jordan River. Whenever they returned to this spot, they would see the monument and be reminded of God’s awesome power. This marker would give them confidence to meet the new challenges they faced. 

A spiritual marker identifies a time of decision when you clearly know that God guided you. Can you remember times when He clearly guided you in a decision? Were there times when He spoke powerfully to you about a commitment you should make?  

Keep track of these important moments! Regularly rehearse them and notice the steady progression in the way God has led you. This will help you understand God’s activity in you life and give you a sense of direction as you face future decisions.

REFLECTION

Do you spend time reflection on God’s activity in you life in the past?
What are two spiritual markers in your life?

PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of June 1, 2008

* Indicates a new or updated Prayer Request

FOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO THE LORD FOR HEALING

*Nancy Heiden  Hospitalized with health concerns
*Daniel Shorter  [brother of Mike Shorter] suffering from progressive Parkinson’s Disease, and Hospice has been called in for palliative care.
*Dorothy Van Sant        Dealing with health concerns
*Kim Henderickson        Recovering from two broken wrists.
*Barbe Lamkin   Undergoing surgery on Monday for back surgery

FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM CANCER OR CHRONIC ILLNESS

*Joan Beck                   [Mother of Karen Young, a friend of Caron Fausel] who has been diagnosed with a serious brain tumor
Dave McCutcheon         [Friend of Luther Oberhaus] brain cancer has returned and is not responding to treatment, prognosis poor.  Please keep is family, wife Rachel; Paul and Carole, his parents, and his sister Bekah.  
Judy O’Neil                   [daughter of Nora Horecny] recovering from cancer surgery, soon to start chemo
Brock Douglas              [Brother of Tom Douglas] advanced stage of cancer and serious staff infection, poor prognosis
Daniel Shorter               [brother of Mike Shorter] suffering from progressive Parkinson’s Disease
Kim Phillips                   [Cousin of Steve Lindgren] undergoing treatment for breast cancer
Karen Gardner               [Daughter of Jean Pillischafske] Undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer
Roger                           [Uncle of a friend of the Lindgren’s] undergoing cancer treatment
Brian                             [Friend of Marvin Mueller] brain tumor
Sue Sexton                   [Friend of Jean Pillischafske] suffering inoperable cancer, will be undergoing chemotherapy.
Michael Berger              [Brother of Billie Detroy] inoperable lung cancer, age of 47, spread to brain, condition worsened,
Jana Maher                   [Friend of the Belza’s] Recurrent breast cancer, has young children at home
Warren Mounts              [Friend of Laurie] suffering from metastatic colon cancer
Bill Berger                      [Father of Billie Detroy] Prostate Cancer and suffering from TIAs
Joe Howley                   [Friend of the Mehl’s] lung cancer
Judi Rice                      [friend of Barbe Lamkin] cancer of spine
Linda Dixon                  [Sister of Billie Detroy] renal (kidney) cancer
Robert Hiegel                [Jack Hiegel’s Father] cancer
Jack Quinlan                 [Friend of the Haller’s] Leukemia
Mark Hayden                 Neighbor of Our Savior with cancer
Joanne Leeming            [Cousin of Karen Shorter] Lymphoma
Venessa Brady              Hodgkin’s Disease
Joey Eckler                   [Grandson of Norm & Sue Kendt] cancer
Jim Siegfried                [Friend of Larry Ashley] Lung cancer
Karen Netherton            [Doug Netherton’s Mother] breast cancer
Brenda Rogers              [Friend of Billie Detroy] breast cancer
Lance Muessle              [Friend of Nelson’s] paralyzed from an accident
Erin Brady Worsham      [friend of Marty Belza] Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
Nick Zimmer                  [Nephew of the Coleman’s] diagnosed with MS

FOR THOSE CELEBRATING

*Allison Koch and Kevin Mathes who were married on Saturday, May 31, in Macon, Georgia

FOR THOSE CONFINED AT HOME OR IN A NURSING HOME

Mim Hawkinson, Nancy Heiden, Mary Rose Crask, Virginia Alexander, Dorothy Ordel, James Hardin, Erna Kelley, Yvonne Detroy, Kim Hendrickson, Edith Braun, Myrtle Wiggins, Glenna Goepfert, Elvera Weltzin, Dolly Martin, Pat Rogers, Jerry and Marge Tauscher

FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY

Mark Ratterman, Zachary Holland, Joshua Burkett, Roy Oberhaus, Michael Costello, Don Wheeler, Lori Alix, James Marshburn, Tony Crespo, Donnie Tyler, Jonathan and Julian Heinze, Matthew Kuecker, Zachary Holland, Michael Alexander

FOR CHURCH WORK and THOSE WHO SERVE

We thank God for Julie Paluch, as she has answered our call to serve as our Kindergarten teacher.  Please continue to keep Julie in your prayers as she transitions to a new job and a new home.

FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE

For Ginny Jahnke’s family over the death of ner uncle, Frank McMullin (98), who died on Thursday and the funeral will be over this weekend. Please pray for safe travel for all the family, and peace and comfort for his children.

A SPECIAL REQUEST

One of our nursing home residents, Mary Rose Crask, is celebrating a birthday on June 6th. Mary Rose has been in the nursing home for some time now. She was hoping to be able to return to her own home but now will be staying in the nursing home for at least a few more weeks and maybe longer. She could use some cheering up on her birthday, perhaps a birthday card. Any correspondence can be sent to: Mrs. Mary Rose Crask, c/o Jefferson Manor, 1701 Herrr Lane, Louisville, KY 40222. 

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. --Colossians 1:10-12

In Christ,
Paul Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church
 

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