Rock New Haven

Amazing Grace a Long Way from Home

My July '09 trip to Rwanda left me seeing a new levels of possibilities when it comes to the realm of reconciliation. It's absolutely amazing what is happening in that nation only 15 years afer an incredible 100 days of genocide that left nearly one million "neighbors" brutally murdered.

Live from the inauguration, Part 1

COTR member Mary Barber gives her first report, "front and center" at the "Let Freedom Ring Concert" yesterday, a prelude to today's inauguration. Among those nearby were Aretha Franklin (left) onstage as well as Cicely Tyson and Judge Mathis in the crowd.

Mary is feeling "blessed" right now.

Listen to her first "Moblog" (i.e., audio report) below:

The Poor Connection Part 5

Richard Everett brings us do an undeniable conclusion to the Poor Connection series. Unquestionably, we must now DO SOMETHING!!!

The Poor Connection Part 4

Pastor Todd Foster speaks about the kind of witness to the Lord Jesus Christ that we can and should be as we minister to to the poor.

The Poor Connection - Part 3

Rev. Bonita Grubbs, Executive Director of Christian Community Action, New Haven, CT. called us to action in the fight against poverty. We'll never see M&Ms the same way again!

The Poor Connection, Part 2.

Rev. David Mills, founder of Compassion by Design gives us a great context for affecting the lives of those who experiencde poverty in its many manifestations.

The Poor Connection-Part 1

God placed it upon Pastor Todd's heart to do a series that spoke of God's love for those experiencing poverty as well as His mandate to the church concerning them. Part one is the introduction.

Urgent! Pray for India!

The persecution on India is real. I've heard directly from two of my ministry contacts there, and one of my own church members, an Indian native, confirmed the reports after coming back from a month long visit. Here is the report from Bishop M. Prakash, a personal acquaintance of mine:

September 25, 2008: Additional forces were deployed and curfew clamped in nine sensitive areas of Orissa's Kandhamal district on Thursday in the wake of fresh violence and arson in the region. More then 100 houses and a couple of churches and prayer houses were either set afire or damaged in about half-a-dozen places under Daringibadi, G Udaygiri and Tikabali police stations in the early hours on Thursday and late Wednesday night, our missionary reported. Road blockades took place at around 42 places in Tikabali and G Udaygiri areas, making it virtually impossible for security forces to proceed. Clashes broke out Wednesday night after police tried to prevent mobs from torching Christian homes. In a bid to check further flare up, curfew was clamped in nine places of the district where 42 companies of security forces including CRPF and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed. About 30 houses and a church were burnt and damaged at Sikacheta village under Badapanga gram panchayat in Daringibadi area by an unruly mob, police said. In a similar attack at Telenga village in G Udaygiri area, 20 houses were damaged, adding as many as 55 houses and a church were damaged at Beheragaon under Tikabali police station area. The situation turned worse as the telecommunication system virtually collapsed in the tribal dominated district since Tuesday. Vital road links including the one between Berhampur and Phulbani were snapped due to blockade, while the process to clear the roads was delayed in view of unavailability of adequate personnel of Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF, sources said adding that many of them had been engaged in flood relief. Trouble had erupted on Tuesday after a brief gap when a mob had attacked the police station and securitymen at Raikia demanding release of some tribals held on rioting charge. SISWA requests prayers for the protection and safety of Christians even when the police seems inadequate to contain the situation in riot hit Orissa and despite Governments assurance the communal flare up is still going strong. With prayers, Bishop. Dr. M. Prakash,

Day 31-35 Devotionals -

These five devotion conclude our adventure, but hopefully they have only begun the process of deepening your journey with the Lord!

. Click the underlined Book Title (Beyond the Veil 40 Day Devotional) to be brought to Amazon to order it (or visit our bookstore). If you're serious about deepening your relationship with God, this is a book you'll want to have! Each devotional is followed by a prayer that will be led by a variety of COTR folks. Please drop us a line in the comments section below, especially if these devotionals are a blessing to you. And please buy Alice Smith's books. Let's bless her back! 

Click Here to return to the Church on the Rock Web Site.
Click Here to go to Days 1-5   

Click Here to go to Days 6-10

Click Here to go to Days 11-15

Click Here to go to Days 16-20

Click Here to go to Days 21-25

Click Here to go to Days 26-30

Day 31, Monday, September 15, 2008; Handling Crisis; Reading by Anissa Porticelli and Prayer by Pastor Todd Foster.

Day 32: Tuesday, September 16, 2008; Perservering Prayer; Reading by Anissa Porticelli and prayer by Pastor Mike

Day 33, Wednesday, September 17, 2008; God's Prayer Partner; Reading by Anissa Porticelli and prayer by Pastor Leslie

Day 34, Thursday, September 18, 2008; Clashing Kingdoms: Reading by Anissa Porticelli and Prayer by Pastor James

Day 35, or final devotional, September 19, 2008, Exercising Authority; Reading by Anissa Porticelli and prayer by Evangelist Gail Roundtree

GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!

 

Delaware Powwow

On Sunday, September 7, 2008 at this year's Nanticoke Indian Powwow in Millsboro, DE. members of our own "Heart of Worship" sang in sweet, anointed harmony and made the way for Pastor Todd (AKA "Living Water") to bring forth a Word from the Lord on the topic of harmony. Tribe members confirmed that this was a timely and desparately needed message from the Lord! We thank God for the privilege of serving near and far! God is doing something there among the Nanticokes. The new chief is born again and spirit filled, as is the new pastor of the Indian Mission Methodist Church!