"But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, the glory and the lifter of my head..."  Psalm 3:3

This morning I came to my place of prayer with heaviness.  I turned to Psalm 3 and took up my lament about a difficult situation I've been faced with.  The voice of my inner man was harsh and over-bearing; I was beating myself up!

As I focused on the Word of God in this verse, I pictured the Lord as a shield surrounding me, my thoughts changed..."I got a new GameChanger thought!"

The Scripture reminded me that the Lord is a very present Help in time of trouble so I  started to look for Him, to seek for Him, and to find Him as my shield in this situation.  I saw Him then...in all His beauty as He began to form a lovely shield around me. What had previously looked like a "thundercloud" surrounding me was now a lovely flower.  You see, I'm not a flower lover and don't usually pay attention to them; but this lovely image came to my attention and it seemed to speak to my heart that He is altogether lovely and I am sheltered within this beautiful shield and nothing can by any means harm me...He affirmed that I am following the things which are good and that He is my defense!  

After getting this image, I was able to pray with boldness and confidence telling the Lord just how I feel and asking for just what I need in this current difficulty. I poured out my heart to Him on behalf of all involved in this difficult situation and am assured there will be correction and blessing to Everyone because He is my glory and the lifter of my head.  "Fear knocked on my door today; but Faith answered and there was no fear when I looked up!"  

Chaplain Cynthia 

Chaplain Cynthia's Christmas Letter

Dear Friends of Grace Ministries, Inc., 

With Christmas just a few days away, I extend my very best wishes to you and your family as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank you from my heart for the outpouring of love you have shown me, our Board of Directors, Volunteers and to our community throughout this past year, culminating in the restoration of the free clothes ministry shop after the flooding in the Curry Mini-Mall and the opening of our new Chaplain Ministry Office located in Suite 116 of the mini-mall.

It overwhelmed me to see us pull together at Grace Ministries, Inc., as one body, to give away literally hundreds of pieces of free clothes.  In addition, we gave more than 100 prayer clothes/shawls, food and personal care kits to those struggling to provide for their families.  And what blesses me most is how we gave emotional and spiritual support to mnay who are hurting and facing challenges.  Lives were touched and relationships strengthened. 

Your spirit of generosity to this ministry demonstrates the deep understanding of the mission God has called each of us to do:  to Glorify God, transform lives and impact the world.  

I ask for your prayers as we seek to reach more people in 2019.  As more opportunity comes our way, your continued gifts of time, talent and finances will help us to fulfill our mission. As always, tax receipts are available for your giving.  If you did not receive a tax receipt for previous giving during the year, please let me know and one will be delivered to you.  

May you enjoy peace & special memories with family and friends this Christmas Season--

Chaplain Cynthia Patton
Grace Ministries, Inc.

5100 Curry Hwy., Suite 110-111 & 116
Jasper, AL  35503

My "Thank You, Jesus" Vase!

Last week, I attended a community meeting and participated in a "White Elephant" Sale.  I bought a vase identical to this one for 50 cents!  My vase has a small chip on the lip; but I only wanted to use it to collect change.  Here in Florida, we have found we need change to pay toll road fees!  But God had a greater purpose for me to purchase this vase.

I placed my vase in a heavy traffic area of the house so I would not forget it's purpose.  I loved the caption, "Thank You" on the vase; so I started saying, "Thank You" and added the Name of Above All Names to my expression saying, "Thank You, Jesus!"

The expression of thanks to Jesus caused me to remember that I can be filled with faith, hope and love through believing to see His goodness around me.  The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see just how much I needed to SEE HIS GOODNESS in my life.

Psalm 37:21 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

All week, whenever I look at or think of my pretty vase, I say, "Thank You, Jesus" and I smile too~
He has opened the eyes of my heart to see His goodness all around me.  I've seen His goodness to lead Robert and me to Florida for the winter.We are here on Mission - to share the gospel and show the love of God to those He places in our path.  I have seen His goodness to give my children and their families NEW & Unexpected OPEN DOORS for their homes, families and careers!

One example of this week's "Thank You, Jesus" insights is that  Matt, our son, launched his own record label, Dial Back Sound, the same name as his recording studio in Water Valley, MS. We see God's goodness to increase and expand Matt's place in the music business; we are so very grateful!  I'll share specific news about other developments in another Blog as I have permission.

 I tell you, Friends, we have worked, prayed and waited for some of these things to unfold for a very long time.  This week they seemed to happen "suddenly"; but God's timing is perfect isn't it?

Psalm 27:131 "Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."

In Closing, I just want to say, "Thank You, Jesus!"   I just want to "Thank You, Lord!"

Evangelist Cynthia Patton

"If We Partner With God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE."

Since the "start up" of the Jasper Aglow Lighthouse, our mission has been about helping people grow in faith and in relationship with God and Others.  Our mission has been carried out through weekly Bible Studies, prayer ministry, fellowship, Random Acts of Kindness and frequently hearing life-changing testimonies by Special Speakers/Guests. GROWING OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS have been Kingdom Keys God has used to transform our lives and show us Who We Are In Christ.  However, personal spiritual growth and "good works" are not enough.

Jesus (Yeshua Our Messiah) has called us out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of Light and He has planned for us to be His disciples/followers...Our purpose is to fulfill His commandment to carry out the Great Commission.  He said, "Come Follow Me and I will make YOU fishers of men"  and to "(YOU) Go Make Disciples..." (Gospels).  The time has come for us to be on Mission to intentionally SHARE our faith.  If  Evangelism scares you...don't let it!  Here are some Prayer Evangelism Tips you will need to practice as a Lifestyle before you step out to share your faith.  Remember this:

"If your gospel hasn't touched others, it hasn't touched you."  (Curry Blake) 

Beginning today, humbly accept the call to Evangelism/The Great Commission from Jesus/Yeshua Our Messiah.  Tell Him that you are ready to be fully obedient to His call and ask Him to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit that produces boldness of faith.  Once you are fully surrendered to Him for His work, you might begin to incorporate these spiritual activities into your lifestyle. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach and train you to be a "fisher of men"...and Jesus (Yeshua) said, "...lo I am with you always; even unto the end."

1. Make an "Unsaved People" Prayer List:    Pray and ask the Lord to make a list of three lost people who live or work near you.

2.  Commit to Pray Regularly for the Lost on Your List:  Select a day of the week/month that you will spend time praying for these Lost People.

• Ask God to fill your heart with His love for the Lost.  
• Ask God to let you have a growing concern for the eternal consequences---Hell, which the Lost person will face without knowing Jesus (Yeshua Our Messiah) as their Saviour and Lord.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER FREE RESOURCE from Aglow, Eight Keys to Intercession, can be obtained on the website:  www.aglow.org see Free Resources for this 12 page document.  

Jesus (Yeshua) promised His followers that He would be with them in their ministry.  That promise is just as real for you and me today.  He has called us, commissioned us and is sending us forward to do the work of the ministry.  

Scripture tells us that "...the harvest truly is plenteous; but the laborers are few.  Pray ye therefore (ASK) the Lord of the Harvest (Yeshua/Jesus) send forth laborers into His harvest..." (Luke 10:2)

"If We Partner With God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE" 

Cynthia Patton, President 

Jasper Aglow Lighthouse