Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting.
God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. (2 Cor 9:6)
This is a very (VERY) difficult subject. The thing is, our hearts will either hang on to things lightly, believing that GOD will look after all our needs as He Promises, or we’ll not trust Him and hang on to what we have for dear life, and this second option will be reinforced every time WE make a bad decision - and end up getting ripped off.
Lord Jesus, break our hold on 'things'. Help us to trust in Your Loving Care and lead us away from all the things we’ve decided will bless/protect us, and have surrounded ourselves with.
Help us to understand what it truly means to be FREE. Amen. 
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URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
My friend Ian - who's undergone some pretty severe, invasive and intense head surgery to remove a growth. Although recovering in many small ways he is exhausted and worried about a couple of things. He has a drain in his leg wound and it is collecting quite a lot of blood. Also, his face is a bit more swollen than it was before. The nurses didn't seem too worried but they were constantly checking which has made him afraid something isn't right. He asked if everyone could pray that the flap (transplant) still holds and that nothing is going wrong. Peace, health and Grace please upon this precious family as they are all dealing with their own extremely painful individual issues ...
A - A close family member who's struggling with her second episode of painful and debilitating shingles. Peace, salvation and healing please ...
M - She's struggling with severe chest and lung issues and refusing all assistance or medication. Peace, salvation and healing please ...
S - A close family member who's just given me the following update: "Surgery complete and am now on my way home! Histology results in 3 weeks…. I am very confident I’m going to be absolutely fine - all your Love and Prayers are absolutely working!" Continued peace, salvation and healing please ...
W - a beautiful lady who's already struggling with the self-recrimination of an ugly divorce, and now alcoholism! Peace, salvation and healing please ...
Rory - Only 30 years old and has just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Peace, salvation and healing please ...
Terry - Please can we pray for reconciliation with his daughter and especially her husband who won't let him see his grandaughter...
Tonia - A close family member who is still bravely struggling with the effects of chemo for breast cancer and now also serious heart and lung issues. Peace, salvation and healing please ...
Tracey - So, the bubble has (finally) disappeared, and Tracey says she can now see an outline of me, "but everything about you is blurred!" I told her that's exactly how I am (lol). We continue to watch the progress by faith. Hallelujah! Peace and healing please ...
Emma - who's still awaiting 'positive' oncology results. She's currently physically incapacitated through severe pain and due to circumstances needs urgent financial assistance with a disability chair that seems to cost as much as a small car...! We've begun fund raising so message me please if you can offer her (any) help. She says a BIG THANK YOU for those who have already given ...
Young Lydia - For those who want to know more about how she's coping, and what to pray into, she's actually pouring out her life thoughts on Instagram under the title: stoma_life_lydia ... Peace, salvation and healing please ...
Chrissy - who has undergone some serious treatment for cancer of the oesophagus. Crissy lives alone and needs love and help. Peace, salvation and healing please ...
Barbara - who is undergoing severe treatment for pancreatic cancer. Peace, salvation and healing please …
Mark - who's suffering the effects of long-term sexual abuse. Please pray that his relationship with Jesus strengthens and he can be healed of all past hurts ...
Damien - who at only 13 years old has had to have emergency surgery and a colostomy bag fitted due to having developed Crohn’s disease. A lot to deal with at such a young age. Peace, salvation and healing please ...
Norman - who is back home now - but has been having dizzy/ fainting spells. He is hoping to see the GP and get it sorted. Peace, salvation and healing upon him and his family ...
Shad - who's been in hospital for approx 18 months now after waking up one morning and finding he couldn't move his arms and legs. Please pray also for his wife Joy ...
As well as quite a few others (and GOD knows who they are), who wish to remain anonymous but are really going through some yukky stuff right now ...
NB - What started off as just a few people crying out for help, is slowly manifesting as an exponential reality of just what's going on in our neighborhoods, and on our very doorsteps!
Brothers and Sisters, we know a LOVING GOD who answers prayer, and wants to work His Peace and Kindness through us - Love is as Love does - THANK YOU