Being Taught How to Pray

The disciples requested it after seeing Jesus pray. “Teach us to pray,” they asked. Andhow did Jesus go about that? He gave them a prayer. He taught prayer with prayer. Theprayer was the lesson.

The more I live this Christian faith and the longer that I serve as a pastor, I realize severalthings: the importance of prayer for everything, and our common weakness in prayer.

Nobody argues about the importance of prayer, but I think that most of us regularlystruggle in prayer. We experience far more frustration than fulfillment at prayer. What ismeant to be a source of power and life is often a source of guilt. We hope no one findsout our struggle. That the potential of prayer has been replaced by a poverty in prayer isone of the enemy’s great victories over us.

Prayer is what teaches us to pray. We need both prayer with others and a continuedattempt to pray.

The prayer that Jesus modeled was an “us” prayer and not an “I” prayer. We have likelylearned, by what has been modeled to us, that prayer is first of all a private practice. Wethink of individual prayer before we think of praying with others. We are embarrassed tohave to pray in front of anyone else. This unwillingness cuts us off from what we need.How we and others are with God in prayer can be observed and caught. Praying withothers pushes us into prayer. Each time Christians pray together, prayer is being taught.We need to push through our fears and pray with others.

We also need to keep on. Prayer requires persistence and we must give ourselvesrealizing that it will require a commitment for a lifetime. When we are prayerless, we arefar less likely to obey God, to have zeal, to witness, to give thanks and to feed well on hisWord. When we are prayerful, we are far less likely to worry, complain and discourageothers. We simply are set up for every sort of defeat when we do not use the arsenalsupplied by prayer. Until the devil finds that his attack on our prayer life is ineffective, hewill continue.

I close with a prayer: “Lord, grant us a love for you and a love for prayer.Open our eyes to see the truth. Draw us to pray again and again,especially when our hearts grow cold. Let us pray at all times and placesand for all things. Make prayer our habit and our delight. Allow us toleave other things undone so that we may pray first. Teach us to praytogether. Thank you for hearing our prayers! In the Name of Jesus, whotaught us how to prayer. Amen.”

Learning,Pastor Mark

Faith FocusDecember 2015

PUBLISHED BY:Faith Christian

Reformed Church

8383 W. 171st St.Tinley Park, IL 60477

708.532.8300tpfaithcrc@sbcglobal.net

www.faithtinley.org

PASTOR:Mark Timmer

cell: 708.469.9240pastor.timmer@sbcglobal.net

F A I T H C H R I S T I A N R E F O R M E D C H U R C H

Upcoming Messages

Dec 13: Singing with Mary Luke 1:39-56

Dec 20: A Light Has Come Luke 1:57-80

Dec 25: A Savior is Born Luke 2:8-20

Dec 27: Year End Review Communion 1 Thess 4:9,10

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December 2015

This song was born in a small church. In an era when bigger is better and success is usually measured bystatistics, it’s important to remember that small churches can still do great things,

Audrey Mae Mieir born on May 12, 1916, and attended L.I.F.E. Bible College. After marrying Charles B.Mieir in 1936, she was ordained to the Gospel ministry in the International Church of the FoursquareGospel.

Audrey was a gifted pianist and an inspiring worship leader, song directory, and choral clinician. In the1950’s she was working in her brother-in-law’s church, Bethel Union Church in Duarte, California, asuburb of Los Angeles. Christmas fell on Sunday that year, and the church was decorated with pineboughs. The choir loft was now a manger scene, and the young people had worked hard on the perfor-mance.

“As the morning service began,” Audrey later said, “I was almost overwhelmed with the fragrance, thesounds, and most of all, with the gentle moving of the Spirit in that church. The pastor stood to his feet,opened the Bible, and said, ‘His name shall be called Wonderful.’ I tell you the truth, that’s all it took. Iwrote the words and music in the flyleaf of my Bible. In the Sunday evening service, I taught the chorusto a group of young people, and it was sung for the first time.”

But Audrey had only written the first part of the song, and though it was well-received, it needed moreA friend told her, “Audrey, it’s a good song but there just isn’t enough of it. Maybe you could write abridge for it.” Audrey went to lunch that day with her friend’s advice ringing in her ears. She ordered ahamburger, opened her Bible, and found a list of names given to Jesus in the Scripture. She jotted someof them down on her napkin. After returning to her office, Audrey went to the piano and began writing:“He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He…”

Though it was inspired on Christmas day by a traditional Christmas text, “His Name is Wonderful” hasnever been pegged as a Christmas hymn. It’s been a favorite of Christians around the world throughoutthe year.

by Robert Morgan Copyright @2003 Robert J. Morgan

His name is wonderful, His name is wonderful,His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.He is the mighty King, master of everything,His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.He's the Great Shepherd, The Rock of all ages,Almighty God is he,Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him,His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.

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December 2015

God’s blesses us even in the midst of trials. This truth became evident to me on Thanksgiving morning whenwe all placed our leaves of thanksgiving on the brightly lit tree. It was a privilege for me to read your writtenthanksgivings. I thought they would bless you as well.

ParentsMom and DadMy familyA Big GodDirt BikeCubsThe ability to move and exerciseThree healthy babiesA Year of good healthYour love, mercy peace and graceThank you that I am Your ChildA Safe place to liveMinistry opportunitiesFaith Christian Preschool89.7 ShineTeachersDoctorsGod’s graceOur churchFoodOur CountryWisdomLove and PeaceFriendsSpending time with familyKids who walk in the LordMy mommy and my daddyWork/JobJesusBSFThat God is God and we are notMom is alive and alert at 93 years.My FaithPastor Mark and his familyMusicAnswered prayers in His timeMy family who jumps to help one anotherin need

Wonderful Caring Children and grandchildrenGod’s Amazing GraceDucksCatsMy wifeFaith CRCSuccessful SurgeryBabies who were not abortedDoctors and nursesEvidence of God’s presence daily in my life through family andfriendsGod’s StrengthExpectation of a ChildSalvation in Jesus ChristFellowship at Faith ChurchHusbandBeauty of natureMy dogGod’s blessings every morning in the sunrise of a new day livingfor himGod’s faithfulness to the 3rd and 4th generations of those wholove himEverything!A country where I can freely worship GodLoveMinecraftTurkeyFor volunteers who spread you love to those in need: LOVE Inc,Tinley Park Food Pantry, Self Help JobsLegosMy SaviorSurprising me everydayComing HomeGod’s desire to be close to usThe beauty of God’s creation and the way we can see himthrough and in it.A Christian mother whom one day I will see again in heaven.Jesus’ sacrifice on the crossNeighbors

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December 2015

Schools around the world3 deerThe EarthTravelEducationShelterOur minds and health to love and worship the Lord.New business adventuresJOJ animalsAnimals, games, birds, computers books, tv, toys, tables,and bricks.HomeMe, teachers, brother, football, sister, sweet potatoes,stuffing, corn and mashed potatoes.Grandchildren,ForgivenessChristian SchoolsGodOctonautsJesus Christ who died for all my sinsDessertsApplesProvidingA new baby comingFather in a safe home

God’s care of a grandchildGardensGod’s never letting us go, no matter how far awaywe stray.My life being completely in God’s handsChristA growing familyAn independent momInspiration and hopeClothesDiversity and ToleranceSportsMany people whose names covered the leafFor all participates in JOJGod’s never ending love for meKindergartenCredit CardsThe Holy Spirit’s power to soften hearts, convictminds and transform livesHoliday times

What a list of blessings!!

A few people took the time to write Bible verses:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world he sent his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall notperish but have eternal life.”Psalm 100: “Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him withjoyful songs. Know that the Lord God is good. It is he who made us, and we are his people the sheep of hispastures. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise, give thanks to him and praise him andpraise his name.Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good; his love endures forever.

May we continue throughout the year to offer our thanksgivings to our great and awesome God who delightsin showering us with his goodness and mercy.

- Sandee DeJong

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December 2015

Here are my thoughts the week after Journey of Joy.

This is the refrain of one of my favorite choir anthems, and it could be the sub-titleto every Journey of Joy we’ve done, this year included. We were blessed with exceptionally pleasantweather. No one ‘called in sick.’ We found animals, enough angels, and enough everything else. JOJ wentsmoothly this year, praise God!

No, we aren’t studying American history. This is the number of “Tourists” who went through JOJ thisyear. This was up about 200 from the last few years. Possibly the mild weather had something to do withincreased attendance. Saturday is usually our slower day, but this year it started with full tours and we neverexperienced the usual lag mid-afternoon. There were people sitting in their cars at 12:15, so apparently the“come early” idea has caught on. On Sunday, we had to get 30 extra chairs from the basement for theFellowship Hall. We had 25-26 person tours instead of the usual 23, but even so, there was often a 2 hourwait.

The Census was back due to popular demand, and according to the sheetssigned there, about half the Tourists were first time visitors. This has been consistently true for the last 7-8years. According to the Comment Cards filled out in the tent, many, many families have made JOJ a part oftheir annual Christmas celebration and tradition. Children who toured first as toddlers are now teens (andare very adept at noticing ANYTHING that is different from year to year!) One person indicated on theComment Card that this was their 13th year, and another person said, “This is my first time at Journey of Joy.It makes me regret I missed the other 12 years.”

The first few years of JOJ, we spent considerable money on advertisingin local newspapers, often with little result. That was frustrating. Our best source of advertising has alwaysbeen YOU, the members of Faith Church. Our publicity people have done excellent work making signsavailable, getting JOJ information out to local preschools, businesses, radio stations, etc. In the last few years,social media has become the new way of advertising JOJ.

As you know, we couldn’t contract with our usualanimal supplier this year, and were having a difficult time finding insured animals. The Children’s Farm inPalos Park referred us to Erin’s Farm in Monee, and they were able to provide us with Beauty, the pony, andsome goats. They really helped us out at the last minute, and will make sure we have some sheep next yearas well. As a committee, we have been frustrated for years with the previous supplier who often sent thewrong animals. So all things considered, this worked out for the best. Yay God! We appreciate all the leadswe got from the congregation.

It is absolutely delightful to reconnect with “kids” who grew up inthis church, now have children of their own, and come back to do Journey of Joy. Some of Herod’s crewhave been with JOJ since the start. We have 3 generations of a few families taking part in JOJ.

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December 2015

(Continued)

Organizing JOJ is truly a committee event. We have a lot of fun, but it is a lot ofwork, too. This year, with baby Lily expected the week before JOJ, I felt stretched a bit. When I expressedthis concern to the committee, their response was, “well, we will all just take on a little extra responsibility thisyear.” So God Bless Barb, Gwen, Jan, John, and Karen. And God Bless the members and friends of Faith whosigned up early. You wouldn’t believe how much better we committee members sleep when all of ourpositions are filled.

We are always looking for new committee members because they come with freshideas. We would especially appreciate having a few more men on the committee next year because as acommittee, we feel our biggest weakness is handling the “construction” side of things. Actually, we wouldn’teven need men on the committee, if we had a few agree to be “in charge” of organizing people to set up allthe scenes and prepare the church building for JOJ. Currently we have been doing things a bit haphazardly inthis area, and it usually ends up that a few men are over-worked to get the job done.

If you have a new idea for JOJ, let a committee member know. We are notlooking to reinvent the whole pageant, but sometimes adding little things can make it fresh, particularly forthose who come year after year. This year, Derk added a blind beggar role to the market place. Heunexpectedly took in over $30 during the two days, just rattling his tin cup and plaintively crying, “alms for thepoor.” Gail saw a need in the Angels & Shepherds scene, and stayed both days to lead that scene. So, let usknow if you have an idea to freshen the script.

You might think that the Committee or I know everything about who is doingwhat for JOJ. However, that isn’t really true. Year after year, certain things just ‘get done.’ Which is great,but it is helpful to the committee to know who is doing what, just so that we know what to plan on. So if youare one of those anonymous contributors, let us know what you are doing.

Since Audrey Dekker passed away, we do not have a person to scrapbook the JOJpictures. If you would be willing to scrapbook this year’s pictures, let me know.

Ask the Tent Hosts, Tour Guides, or Assistants how much JOJ is appreciated.People are so happy to come to JOJ, and love to make it a family tradition. They love it that their kids startedcoming as toddlers and now attend as teens. If you are a scene actor, you may not get to feel just how muchpeople love JOJ, but THEY DO! People often write, “Please continue to do this.” Many others thank us for“sticking so close to the Scriptures” for JOJ. Others are impressed that the whole church is involved, fromyoung to old.

Each year, we have traditionally asked actors from the previous year, if they would like toreprise their roles. It has come to the committee’s attention that some people at church feel that this is too“exclusive,” and doesn’t give others a chance to do roles of their choice. We will address that when we beginto meet in August, 2016. Be assured that it has never been the committee’s intention to disclude anyone, orfavor anyone.

Thanks to EVERYONE who participated in JOJ in any way this year. On behalf ofthe JOJ Committee (and everyone attending JOJ) have a very Blessed Christmas, and a Happy, Healthy NewYear!

- Carla Weidenaar

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December 2015

A group of women at Faith recently finished a Bible study together. It was called “Gideon, your weak-ness, God’s strength.” I am pretty sure most of us in the group would agree it was a worthwhile study.Other words that come to my mind are: challenging, convicting, searching, comforting, eye-and-heart-opening. The author, Priscilla Shirer, has a way of pulling meaningful insights and lessons out of the sto-ry of Gideon, and helping you to relate them to your personal circumstance. She also has a gift of cap-turing some of these lessons in meaningful phrases. Each of us probably have our “favorites”! Onecould be described as the “main” lesson of Gideon – “our weakness is the key to God’s strength.”Hmm..so we don’t just have to put up with our weaknesses, they can actually be the key to open thedoor to God working greatly in us and our lives.

Another is ”What is your 300?” Gideon started out with 32,000 men to fight the Midianites. Godwhittled that down to 300 (what?!) so that, in God’s words to Gideon ”Israel may not boast against methat her own strength has saved her.” To paraphrase Priscilla’s “what is your 300” we were chal-lenged to ask ourselves, What do I boast about/depend on/look to for strength? My own talents andabilities? Others? God? Is there something God wants me to whittle out of my life? Am I spendingquiet time with Him so I can better know these things and Him?

Another, ”God margin”, a simple reminder of that point we reach when we feel we are empty, unable,at the end of our rope or abilities or understanding or strength and again give it totally to God.One more, ”mighty warrior.” If you get a chance, read Judges 6:11-23. The progression is pretty cool.The angel comes; sits down near Gideon, who is apparently unaware of the angel, just doing his dailyroutine, hiding from the Midianites actually; the angel appears to Gideon; he speaks to him; calls him amighty warrior - before he is anything but a mighty warrior!; Gideon expresses his “ifs” and questionsand fears; the angel turns to him; empowers and comforts him with the words “go in the strength youhave” and “I will be with you”; Gideon asks for the angel to wait for him while he arranges for a sign;the angel says “I will wait”; the angel gives a sign and Gideon worships! Makes me wonder as I am do-ing my daily routine, maybe even hiding, am I watching, is this happening in my life? Does God comequietly, sit near me, appear, speak, empower and comfort and instruct, patiently wait for me? Do Irespond in worship? Do I go out into life as a “mighty warrior”, weak in myself but able with God?

Gideon is a video study, needing a facilitator rather than a leader, and only 7 lessons long, making thisstudy a more “do-able” commitment. If you want to take a look at, for a group or to do on your own,call Cindy Visser for the CD and book!

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December 2015

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a twin. (He was born just before his twin sister, Sabine.)

Dietrich’s father, Karl, was Berlin’s leading psychiatrist and neurologist from 1912 until his death in 1948.

Dietrich was so skilled at playing the piano that for a time he and his parents thought he might become a professional musician.

At 14, Bonhoeffer announced matter-of-factly that he was going to become a theologian. Bonhoeffer earned his doctorate in theologywhen he was only 21.

Though later he was an outspoken advocate of pacifism, Bonhoeffer was an enthusiastic fan of bullfighting. He developed the passion whileserving as assistant pastor of a German-speaking congregation in Barcelona, Spain.

By the end of 1930, the year before Bonhoeffer was ordained, church seminaries were complaining that over half the candidates for ordi-nation were followers of Hitler.

In 1933, when the government instigated a one-day boycott of Jewish-owned businesses, Bonhoeffer’s grandmother broke through a cor-don of SS officers to buy strawberries from a Jewish store.

In his short lifetime, Bonhoeffer traveled widely. He visited Cuba, Mexico, Italy, Libya, Denmark, and Sweden, among other countries, andhe lived for a time in Spain, in England, and in the United States.

Bonhoeffer taught a confirmation class in what he described as “about the worst area of Berlin,” yet he moved into that neighborhood sohe could spend more time with the boys.

Bonhoeffer was fascinated by Gandhi’s methods of nonviolent resistance. He asked for—and received—permission to visit Gandhi and liveat his ashram. The two never met, however, because the crisis in Germany demanded Bonhoeffer’s attention.

Bonhoeffer served as a member of the , the military-intelligence organization under Hitler. (He was actually a double agent. Whileostensibly working for the Abwehr, Bonhoeffer helped to smuggle Jews into Switzerland—and do other underground tasks.)

Bonhoeffer studied for a year in New York City. He was uniformly disappointed with the preaching he heard there: “One may hear ser-mons in New York upon almost any subject; one only is never handled, … namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ, of the cross, of sin and for-giveness.… ”

While a student at Union Theological Seminary in New York, Bonhoeffer regularly attended the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. Hetaught one youth Sunday school class and one women’s Bible study; he also helped weekly in Sunday school.

Bonhoeffer learned to drive a car while in the United States—yet he failed his American driver’s-license examination three times.

Bonhoeffer directed an illegal seminary for two and a half years until it was closed by the Gestapo. The seminary trained pastors for the“Confessing Church,” a group Bonhoeffer and others had formed as an alternative to the Nazi-influenced German Reich Church. It was atthis seminary that he developed his classic work .

Just before World War II, Bonhoeffer was invited to lecture in the United States. This allowed him to escape increasing persecution andthe impending draft. But Bonhoeffer decided he must share the fate of those suffering in Germany. In less than a month, he returnedhome.

In 1936, because of his anti-Nazi views, Bonhoeffer was no longer permitted to teach at the University of Berlin. Two years later, he wasforbidden to live in Berlin. In 1940, the German authorities forbade him to speak in public, and he had to report regularly to the police.

Bonhoeffer was engaged to be married, but he was arrested and eventually killed before he and his fiancee could be married.

During Allied bombing raids over Berlin, Bonhoeffer’s calm deeply impressed his fellow prisoners at Tegel Prison. Prisoners and evenguards used all kinds of tricks to get near him and find the comfort of exchanging a few words with him.

The majority of Bonhoeffer’s classic was smuggled out by guards who chose to assist Bonhoeffer.

Bonhoeffer could have escaped from prison but chose not to for the sake of others. He had prepared to escape with one of the guardswhen he learned that his brother Klaus had been arrested. Fearing reprisals against his brother and his family if he escaped, Bonhoefferstayed in prison.

The German underground failed on numerous occasions to assassinate Hitler. Had they succeeded, Bonhoeffer probably would not havebeen executed. Adolf Hitler was directly involved in the decision to execute Bonhoeffer and his co-conspirators.

Bonhoeffer’s brother Klaus and two of his brothers-in-law were also executed for their roles in the resistance movement against Hitler.

Some of Bonhoeffer’s best-known works, such as and were not published until after his death.

Bonhoeffer’s parents did not learn of his death until three and a half months afterward, when they tuned into a radio broadcast of a Lon-don memorial service for their son.Copyright © 1991 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian History magazine. Issue 32

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Interested in helping put the Faith Focustogether? Contact Karen Van Wyk formore information. (ksbvanwyk@msn.com,708-306-2121)

The next Faith Focus will comeout in February 2016.