This is the poster for the youth workshop in Iasi last night. "Christians in a unisex world. We had a good time with the group and it was helpful to them. Today (Saturday) one more workshop with youth for our time here.

Hi this is Tristen. I have learned a lot from this trip so far, like to be grateful for what I have back at home. The people here in villages don't have much for themselves especially food,water, and very few clothes. They still love and trust in God even in hard times of their lives. Which it gives me a lot to be thankful for in life. I have had a wonderful time here so far. I have met some great people at the churches and they have been welcoming to us. God bless.

Thursday morning 6:45 Romanian Time

We had a busy and profitable Wednesday after catching our breath and getting some rest for a good part of the day. Then it was back to work:

Youth workshop - 5-7 pm another workshop with youth on Sex, gender, marriage and God. Over 60 students were there and feedback from youth leaders and parents was that this material is what the youth need to hear. We then when to a pizza shop owned by one of the church members and we spent a time of fellowship. The 2nd part will be tonight.

Preaching - Denis went with Pavel to one church  and I went with Tristen to a little gypsy church near the Ukrainian border. Christy and his wife Elaina joined us with some of their family as well as Amanda Spencer from our church.

We arrived home tired but thankful that God in his grace would use us.

Today -

Funeral at 1:00 of a dear brother who died in his sleep at age 58. He was a vibrant Christian. I have been asked to preach at his funeral. I plan to preach on Psalm 90. Then the 2nd installment of the youth workshop started the evening before.

Thank you for your prayers.  

Barry, Denis, and Tristen

The Three Amigos

The three amigos on a hill overlooking a lake in Romania. We are now in Suceava and will be doing ministry around the area preaching at churches and leading workshops.  Appreciate your continued prayer.

Tuesday morning July 8

We finished another busy day yesterday. Two conferences - First one was with pastors in the area. The Lord moved deeply in encouraging and challenging the pastors. In the evening another workshop with youth at the church in Petra Nempt.

Today, we are meeting late in the morning to encourage some of the seasoned saints at the First Baptist Church in Petra Nempt. Then we head back to Bacau to have lunch with the Pastor and his family where we have spoken. This evening, we are having another workshop with Christian leaders and workers encouraging them. After the meeting we head to Suceava to stay at Pavel's house where we will stay the rest of the trip.

Thankful for your prayers.

Monday morning, July 7 - 

Just a recap of our first days in Romania:

Saturday - Over 150 youth gathered to hear God's perspective on gender, sex and marriage. God was gracious. Pray that the conference would have a lasting impact.

Saturday night and Sunday - Denis and I have shared in numerous churches and visited an old people's home as well. Tristen has been asked at almost every church to share his testimony.

Monday - In Petra Nempt - During the day a pastor's conference and at night another youth meeting sharing with them God's perspective on sex, gender and marriage. 

Lord willing Tuesday, will head back to Bacau (where we were the first two days) and in the evening Christian workers will gather for the evening and we will share with them.

Update: We just arrived in Petra Nempt (Sunday evening we are ahead of you 7 hours eastern time zone) a beautiful mountain city Northwest of Bacau. Tomorrow we have a pastors conference in the morning and early afternoon and a youth meeting in the evening. Pray for those two events and pray for Pavel who lost one of his best friends who went home to be with the Lord. We may be attending the funeral with them and Barry may be asked to preach.

As  internet connections get better, we hope to include photos and more full updates. Thanks for your prayers.

Greetings from Romania. Sorry for the delay in updating our blog. We have had some difficulties in internet connection.  We will give a fuller update later. God is blessing. Spoke to over 150 youth on Saturday on sex, gender and marriage. We have preached in numerous churches and preparing to preach in another church tonight (Sunday). Denis has used of God in preaching and Tristen has been sharing his testimony in numerous churches. We are tired but God is giving us the strength. Plan to be in Bacau area for a few more days before leaving for Suceava mid week.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE NEEDED

As we begin our trip tomorrow, please pray for the following:

1. For stamina and health during the trip. The temperatures are predicted to be high and there is generally little air conditioning in homes and churches.

2. Good travel connections for the trip and patience if we are delayed. 

3. Preaching opportunities for Denis and Barry praying that the Lord would use the Word in people's lives.

4. Sharing in the services for all of us that this would be an encouragement to the people.

5. Youth workshops on what the Bible has to say about gender, sex and marriage. Pray for clear communication and impact on the youth.

6. Pastor's workshops would be an encouragement to all the pastors who attend.

7. All three of us would grow in the Lord as we serve for His glory.

Not to us, not to us, but to your name be the glory! Psalm 115:1

Just a week away from getting airborne to Romania. Looking forward to the trip and how God will use us. Stay tuned for updates as we land in Romania July 4.   Thanks for your prayers.

10 Daily Prayers from the Psalms

Barry Lawrence

The book of Psalms was the prayer book for the Old Testament saint. The Psalms are filled with examples of the Psalmist seeking God. Below are ten prayers that I attempt to pray on a regular basis in my life.  I would encourage you to pray these individually and with your family.

1.      

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:5 

This is a big picture prayer. This is the goal of everything. One day the glory will fill the earth when Jesus returns and shines as bright as the sun and peoples from every tribe, tongue, and nation will rejoice. But today, in every square inch of this earth, may his glory spread starting with my life.

2.      Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:12-13

This is a prayer expressing the desire that all my words and motives would be pleasing to the Lord who is worthy of all praise. Give me words saturated with your gospel and dripping with your grace to others. Give me a heart that points to you as my Treasure and obeys you wholeheartedly.

3.      Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there is any grievous way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 

This acknowledges the reality that although my new heart desires to please the Lord, I am still in my sinful flesh and need the light of God on my life to rout our indwelling sin. Praying this prayer is dangerous as God uncovers sin in my life but wonderfully liberating as we run back to the cross.

4.       Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 

I constantly need his cleansing in my life and a reorientation of my heart to seek God. This prayer naturally follows God searching my heart and pointing out sin in my life.

5.      Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 

Unless God is empowering and blessing me today, nothing will last and have eternal impact. I am not looking just to do big things for God, but I want him to help me be faithful in the little things as well so that I will have a lasting impact for his glory.

6.      Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I might walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 

The Christian life is obedience to the path that God has called me. But the heart is the key. There are constant battles in my heart between the flesh and the Spirit. Knowing that I am prone to wander, this prayer is a cry to have a united focused heart to fear the Lord and obey him bringing glory to his name.

7.      My soul melts away with sorrow; strengthen me according to your Word. Psalm 119:38 

This prayer may not apply all the time in my life. But there are others in difficult situations in which I can pray this prayer discouraged and weary that can only be strengthened by the promises of God in Christ.

8.      But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your name say continually, "Great is the Lord!" Psalm 40:16 

This is a prayer that keeps me in awe of the great salvation exulting in Christ alone. This is my heart for my family and for Journey. This is my desire for the millions still unreached that by his grace they would love Christ and be glad in him.

9.      Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations. Psalm 82:8 

This prayer is both a comfort and reminder. When I pray this prayer I am reminded that justice will be served in this fallen oppressive world when Jesus returns and that he will reign forever and ever and I will reign with him. Come Lord Jesus!

10.  Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1 

This is the ultimate and foundational prayer of any Christian. All glory to God alone. The basis of this prayer is that he loves me forever and will be faithful to all the promises that are in Christ.