Letters to My Children–Dating and Marriage

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Apr 26, 2012 in Christian Living, Marriage, Personal | 0 comments

To my dearest children,

Your hearts are some of the most open hearts I have ever seen. Your lives are beyond the life of others because your compassion is present every week.

Sooner or later you will fall in love and begin the rollercoaster ride of emotions during the dating stages of life. One of the greatest  principles taught by my parents was simple and had powerful benefits. The principle was this, “you should date someone you could marry.” The thought of dating someone becomes different as society progresses. The thought of dating whoever and whenever has become the style in many places. But I am encouraging you to date a person of your values.

When your values are in line, the person to whom you will date will be inline. The values a person possesses determines their actions. Look for the value in the person, not necessarily the value of looks. The value of a person of God will greatly outweigh the value of riches, wealth and good looks. A mate found as a child of God is a true gift.

When you find a date, treat them with respect and be sure they treat you with respect as well. When you are not respected, you need to leave. Call me, call your mom, call someone. The moment the respect stops, so does the date. Respect is a trait which shows the inner thoughts and the heart of a person’s soul. Even if they do not respect you, you respect them.

Pray! Pray before the date, during the date and after the date. Be assured that your mother and I are already praying for you and the spouse you will choose, if that is God’s will. It is our desire to see the best person for you come into your life and we petition God to allow that to happen.

When the day comes for you to leave father and mother and be joined with someone to become one flesh, your mother and I will cry. We will shed tears of happiness because you are making an outstanding commitment. This commitment is not between you and your spouse, but it is a commitment between you and the Lord as well.

Honor your spouse. Forgive often and love daily. The trials of this world will press upon your relationship, but it is my prayer that you both will find security and trust in the Almighty. As the Bible says, you are not one flesh. You are in a relationship as one, not two. 50%/50% will no longer do and never has, it is 100%/100% now. Give your lives to each other, but give them to God first.

As the bumps happen in marriage, turn to the Lord. Do not talk to others until you have both approach the Lord. Be faithful to each other in good and bad as you are faithful to the Lord. Approach your marriage with success in mind and that success is reaching heaven together.

Most of all, be a person after the heart of Christ.

Your praying father,

Sunday’s Prayer

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Apr 1, 2012 in Prayers | 0 comments

To the Almighty Creator,

As the sun has risen, may we, as Your servants, rise to meet the day which You provided. Allow our lights to shine as bright as the sun You have fashioned with Your words. May our actions show the light of Your blessing of salvation.

While we meet with those of the precious faith, may we remove all the material things from our minds and dwell on Your unmatched protection, Your unwavering word and the gift of Your Son. Help us to worship You as our God and lift Your name to the heavens.

May those we come in contact today learn of You because of us. May their minds be confident that when we leave, they know we are Your children.

Be with us, hold us and forgive us.

Through Your Son,

Amen.

May you be blessed today.

My Prayer for the Saints

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Mar 11, 2012 in Prayers | 0 comments

My prayer for the saints is a prayer to…

• …move you out of your pew and into the world.
• …make the saints uncomfortable in a comfortable world.
• …challenge your life by asking you to remove sin.
• …grow the kingdom by growing yourself.
• …give more financially by giving yourself.
• …be known as a child of God not a citizen of Earth.
• …share the message of Christ instead of sharing gossip.
• …encourage the saints daily, not just in troubling times.

Almighty Father,

Each day You give us is a blessed day to be alive; and to You, and You only, we give thanks. Allow us to live each day in service to You and Your Son Jesus. May our lives be enriched by appreciating each blessing which You have provided.

Change us today. Stop us from wrong and show us the door of escape. When we need broken, break us. As our lives become callused to sin, remind us the destructive nature of sin and hold us close.

Break our hearts when we see the lost. Remove the callus of everyday and replace it with thoughts of eternity. When we see spiritual suffering, may we weep. When we see spiritual rejoicing, may we rejoice.

Change us today and change us forever. Change us through Your Word. Give us the wisdom to allow Your Word into our lives and to grow each day.

In Your Son’s name,

Amen.

Just my thoughts,

Sunday’s Prayer

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 8, 2012 in Prayers | 0 comments

Almighty Father,

Today is the day You have made. There has never been one like it, nor will there ever be. You have seen fit to bless both, your children and those who are not your children, with the beauty of your creation today. May we all see You in every thing.

Lord, today I pray for this week. I am convinced You are working in this world and convinced You allowed us more time to fulfill the mission of sharing Your will. Allow us time to reach those who need reached. Allow us time to reach and strengthen those who are weak. Allow us time to reach those who have strayed.

I pray for your disciples. Encourage us each day by allowing us to see You. May we see You in the world. Let the sky speak of Your handiwork and the land proclaim the greatness of Your hands. May our eyes be opened to see You at work in our lives. May our hearts be as compassionate as the heart of Your Son Jesus.

Change Your children this week. Change us and allow our eyes, hearts and hands to be open to Your will. May the thoughts of this life be closed by the promise of Your enduring care.

Father, thank you for Your gift of Your Son and the forgiveness and cleansing found in His blood.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen.

A Sunday Prayer

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Oct 16, 2011 in Prayers | 0 comments

“Father,

“Today, my Sunday will be different than previous days. I ask today that you bless my brothers and sisters at the Orange Grove Church of Christ in Gulfport, Mississippi.  As they bond together today, give them extra strength. This week has been hard on them, but they know You, and  You are their shelter and confidence. Be their Shield and Guide.

“I ask a special blessing on Les Ferguson and his family. Lord, they have been through a week no one even wants to imagine. As Karen and Cole are comforted in Your arms, allow Your arms to reach Les and his children. May Your arms shield and comfort them. As they worship today, may they see Your love.

“For the brothers and sisters around the world, may they look to You as the ultimate giver. You gave us heaven and earth, every blessing we have and most of all, Your One and only Son – Jesus. May our focus be on Him. May the blessing of Your Son be in the forefront of our minds and our lives.

“As we begin this week, guide us and correct us in Your love. Hold us fast in Your arms and allow us the opportunities to show the love You have provided us to those we meet each day.

“Father, I ask You to change us and make us whole; not whole in the world eyes, but whole in Your eyes. Allow our spiritual lives to reflect You each day!

“In the name of Your only Son,

“Amen.”

Just my prayer for today,