Chandler F.U.M.C.
by Linda G. Keeling

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. And all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." Isaiah 40:3-5

Jennifer Kennedy Dean explains in her book Living a Praying Life that the only reason we have an inclination to pray, the only reason that we have any thought that the answer to our longings and our needs might lie with God - the only reason is because God is drawing us. When we pray we open our lives to God's power and provision. She gives this illustration from Watchman Nee's book Let Us Pray. "He suggests that God's will is like a locomotive and our prayers are like a railroad track. A locomotive has all the power necessary to travel from one location to another, but it only travels to places where tracks have been laid."

Dean says that our prayers fulfill the conditions for making straight paths for Him (Isaiah 40:3-5). His power is released by our prayers. It is my joy to tell you that tracks of prayer to Chandler United Methodist for the "Blessing Locomotive" of God Almighty have been laid. I continue to implore all in the area to take advantage of the opportunity to hear Jennifer Kennedy Dean in our church on Feb. 16-18. God's "Blessing Locomotive" is filled to the brim ready to spill out on all who make themselves available to Him.

Registration is $25 a person for non-members and $25 a couple/$15 singles and for Chandler UMC members. Pre-registration is necessary for preparation. You may get a registration form at the church office or call Sandy Dinsmore at 903-849-3887 for more information.

Submitted by Shirley Murray, Coordinator for Prayer Ministry of the Church Council.

Please put on your calendar:

January 28 - The Education Committee, chaired by Mrs. Natalie Smith, will be meeting next Sunday after the 11 o'clock service. Bring a dish.

January 30 - At 9:30 a.m. the "Bread of Life" program will start again. Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend.

February 16-18 - "First Love Revival" with Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

February 26 - First meeting of the 10am Disciple Bible Study.

Happy Anniversary: James and Tommie Cagle, James and Charlotte Thompson, and Elvin and Melva White. "Lord! Help! Godly men are fast disappearing. Where in all the world can dependable men be found?" Psalms 12:1

Happy Birthday: Polly Dunklin, Sara Jo Hamilton, Alyne Jackson, Anna Kitson, Pauline Barnett, Ragan York, Claire Rains, Taylor Cramer, Gary Payne, Betty Donald, Dennis Murray, and Amy Ibarra. "You will give me added years of life, as rich and full as those of many generations, all packed into one. And I shall live before the Lord forever." Psalms 61:6-7

Thought of the Week: Does Satan catch your attention with a "good" movie so that you become careless about what you watch? Does he make those internet sites tempting? Remember we must at times "Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil." Ephesians 6:11