Special Prayers to All the Airmen This Week...

A HYMN FOR AIRMEN

Our Father, whose unerring sight,
Regards the eagle in its flight,
Watch o’er the craft that wings its way
Where storm clouds lower and dangers play.

Grant wisdom for the trying hour,
Sustain the spirits’ hidden power,
To heavenward thought attend thine ear
And manifest Thy presence near.

And may our airmen come to be
The messengers of harmony,
To haste Thy kingdoms glad increase,
And usher in the age of peace.

Remember those who fondly yearn,
For those who never will return;
May skill prevail till every plane,
Comes safely to its part again.

written by, Minnie A. Conklin
and shared by her granddaughter Shirley
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~twigs2000/grandmother'spoems.html#6








Minnie Conklin the author of the poem was the choir director at the Brownville Methodist Church in New York where my grandfather Rev. Dr. Pascal DiFlorio was the pastor for 3 of the over 40 years he served with the Methodist Church. Minnie wrote this poem or song in the mid 1940's and her granddaughter Shirley not only has shared the poem but memories she had of both my grandfather and grandmother...all because she got the "History Bug” and has never stopped adding to her web site.

Thanks Shirley for your permission to use your grandmothers words that still sound wonderful all these years later. And I have printed them again and send out the prayer to all those that will be traveling this week to Haiti. Oh, and by way...Carole printed out the poem and taped to the dash board of the "Bandit" on its 1st official flight to Haiti in June 2010 on "Bandit's" to Haiti, Dominican Republic and Eluthera, for the airmen at Agape. Thanks again Shirley!




Agape FlightsAgape Flights Blog ...Another way to connect with the ministry.

Agape Flights is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, Christian ministry that provides ongoing and critical support services to close to over 350 missionary families that serve in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.
Agape provides coordination and support in getting supplies and services to the island nations in the Caribbean for the missionaries via air support on “Bandit,” from Agape’s hanger and home base at the Venice Florida Airport.YOU CAN help by praying for the missionaries and checking out Agape Flights web site to find out more about this important ministry. You can see the missionaries’ current needs and you can read the stories about the missionary families- their victories and struggles plus updates from missionaries in the field, many from the earthquake regions of Haiti.Agape has been providing continual service for their member missionaries for over 30 years.





“airman” Another definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airman…"Airman" is capitalized when referring to enlisted members of the United States Air Force. More informally, it can refer to any member of an air force, or to any pilot, aviator, or air crewman, military or civilian, male or female.Further, people in these services who are involved in flying are also "airmen".) In the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) usage, an airman is any holder of an airman's certificate, male or female. This certificate is issued to those who qualify for it by the FAA Airmen Certification Branch.The definition of “Airmen”Airman may refer to: *Airman, a term which describes a person serving in an air force or other military aviation service.

Romans 15: 13-33-May the God of hope....(I pray) that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God. so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.


Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done- 19by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit.

So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather as it is written:

"Those who were not told about Him will see,

and those who have not heard will understand."

This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.

26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

There were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them.

For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.

28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.

29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there,

32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Amen. Amen.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (c)

Jacobs Song & 1st Timothy

Well, the day we got news that Amy and Scott’s baby boy was born…I just knew that somehow, someway the song “Patiently Wait” was for Jacob. And from Jacob's "BIRTH DATE" on I have called the song "JACOB'S SONG." HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB!

At Agape Flights many have been praying for little Jacob ever since Amy and Scott shared the good news about the baby they were expecting! Each Wednesday at the devotional as staff members, board members, volunteers and other friends of Agape Flights gather we would remember and pray for baby Jacob. And yes it happened Monday the 13th of June 2011- a beautiful baby boy all 7 pounds- healthy and wealthy with the love of Amy and Scott and those that have surrounded him with prayers because of the love of Jesus.

1st Timothy 2:1-8
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants ALL men to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men- the testimony given in its proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle- I am telling the truth, I am not lying- and a teacher of the truth faith to the Gentiles. 8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSIONS ® Copyright©

Again the old melody and words came to mind. So, I argued back to God… “This song is not finished and besides- when the original words came to me they were in response to thinking about my mom.”

I searched 1st Timothy the night Jacob was born and thought for sure the rest of the verses would come tumbling out just as the original words did many years ago…15 years ago the words and melody came to me... I mean...the words spilled out like milk from a cup…all at once, so of course I thought the night Jacob was born the rest of the words would also come tumbling out in the same fashion. NO, but what did come to me was the verses in 1st Timothy that never seemed to fit in with the song now seem to fit.

I often pondered why 1st Timothy was so much a part of the song and now that I feel comfortable that it is not just a rhyme…it means something and is an important part of the song from a theological stand point- I still had the question…why is this Jacob’s song?

patiently wait
For the Son of God
To shine His grace
Light up your face

No-
It’s not by your works
It’s by your faith-God does it naturally

One day you will see
Just what I mean
He states it perfectly clear
In 1st Timothy...

So anchor your soul
with the power of God

He does it naturally!

For me Jacob’s song points to the fact that we waited and prayed for Jacob and in all God’s glory the day came when he was born and all of us can see what a gift from God Jacob continues to be.

And not just Jacob but all the children God has blessed the moms and dads with in your neighborhood and mine.

It is a privilege to be called to pray for others. With humility, Agape prays for the many orphans that are entrusted to the missionaries in Haiti, Dominian Replubic and Eluthera. We seek God's direction in serving the missionaries that are stationed abroad by the grace of God. Our privilage is to continue to pray for little ones…

Agape's BLOG has a picture of baby Jacob picture or click below from the facebook page.


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.342407755039.156081.260196135039#!/photo.php?fbid=10150221165315040&set=a.342407755039.156081.260196135039&type=1&theater

Most of all, it is a reminder how blessed we are to have all the children at Agape to pray for and how special it will be when we find out that they too have faith that will anchor their souls with God’s saving grace. May we all continue to pray for Jacob and all the other children that cross our paths in this great journey that God Himself directs.

YOU CAN help by praying for the missionaries and checking out Agape Flights web site to find out more about this important ministry. You can see the missionaries’ current needs and you can read the stories about other missionary families-YOU CAN see how God is working in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters...their victories and struggles plus updates straight from missionaries in the field, many from the earthquake regions of Haiti.

Agape's BLOG is another way to connect with the ministry. Agape Flights provides continual service for their member missionaries for 30 years...stay posted with FACEBOOK for events

Join in any Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. for an hour of Devotion...where the Agape staff, volunteers, missionaries and the public pray for the ministry, share concerns and needs and praise Jesus in the reception area of the hangar in Venice.

Another note about the Wednesday AM Devotional, it is not only open to the public, but Lance books area pastors, missionaries that are traveling through the area and other speakers that are grounded in the word of God to lead the devotional. "Elder Pete," came in one Wednesday and we sang old hymns while Linda played her violin and several weeks ago Allen's wife Jennifer lead the devotional...we hope they both will come back. The point is- Wednesdays are always uplifting and never the same.

MISSIONARY OF THE WEEK...at Covenate Life Church ALLEN SPEER

Missionary Of The Week
___LOCAL_______NATIONAL___________________INTERNATIONAL

Agape Flights:

New Executive Director; Allen Speer

Dear Friends, Thirty-five days. Five weeks. A little over one month. This tells you how long I have been with Agape Flights. I can not speak to you from vast experience or long tenure but I can share with you that this ministry relies upon partners like you who generously invest so that Agape Flights may continue to minister.

Here at Agape Flights we have adopted 2 Corinthians 9:12, as a verse that describes what we do and who we are. This is what it says; This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Recently I had the privilege of visiting with Agape founders, Keith and Clara Starkey. As I listened, they spoke with passion and humility. Their love for the missionaries was contagious, their calling was sure and their desire was for God to receive all of the glory!

As I reflected on that visit I laughed at all the funny stories that Keith told about the airplanes, mechanics, pilots, volunteers and missionaries. I cried as I heard about the hurts and burdens of the missionaries that Agape served. I rejoiced that God had given me this great opportunity to follow these two wonderful servants of God.

There were three things that I wrote down from the visit with the Starkey’s. Here is what they said about Agape, and these things hold true for me today.

· We are dependable- that is Agape was dependable and the missionaries could count on us to get their supplies to them.

· God could and He would provide- God always makes a way, even when we cannot see it or understand it.

· Step out in faith- the Starkey’s did this and we must also.

Your partnership with Agape Flights is a blessing today, just as in the early days of Agape Flights. We’ve grown to supply the needs of more saints, but more importantly, God’s Kingdom has increased while HIS work and stories continue…one life at a time.

_Allen's words...copied from the flyer in the church bulletin___

Well, from a volunteer's perspective I was so happy that the new director who moved his family to the Sarasota Venice area was welcomed so warmly by Covenant Life Church. Allen and his wife Jennifer have kids that will also be making the adjustments that families have to make when moving to a new town -

So keep please keep the WHOLE Speer family in prayer, the younger kids that moved to Venice and the older ones that will remain "up north," as Allen walks in faith to provide leadership to a ministry that has a tremendous responsibility.

Allen will have over 350 missionary families in the "field," staff members, board members, missionaries here at home and volunteers and many churches like Covenant Life that will be walking in faith to do the will of God- That's exciting...Welcome Allen and Jennifer!

I mention Covenant Life Church, because August 7th in their Sunday bulletin- To my surprise ALLEN SPEER’S picture and caption, “Agape Flights: New Executive Director; ALLEN SPEER."

Larry Edison the senior pastor at Covenant Life also mentioned AGAPE FLIGHT's ministry during his sermon...Larry has had a continued commitment to Agape for the last 30 years-

A personal note about Larry, he and a handful of committed Christians began Covenant Life Church in 1981- and Larry will retire in February 2012…so If you have not seen Larry preach (this is a sermon I love from 2 years ago…August 8, 2009) You better hurry-up to hear him in person, in Sarasota, Florida.

Allen and his wife Jennifer their daughter and son-in-law at Allen’s Birthday Fish Fry that was held at the Agape Hangar in July 2011.

YOU CAN help by praying for the missionaries and checking out Agape Flights web site to find out more about this important ministry.

You can see the missionaries current needs and you can read the stories about other missionary families-

You can see how God is working in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters...their victories and struggles plus updates straight from missionaries in the field, many from the earthquake regions of Haiti.

Agape Flights Blog is another way to connect with the ministry. Agape Flights has been providing continual service for their member missionaries for 30 years...stay posted even via FACEBOOK for events. So stay in touch via Agape Flights !

Join in any Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. for a Devotional ...where the Agape staff, volunteers, missionaries and the public pray for the ministry, share concerns and needs and Praise Jesus in the reception area of the hangar.

Another note about the Wednesday AM Devotional, it is not only open to the public, but Lance books area pastors, missionaries that are traveling through the area and other speakers that are grounded in the word of God to lead the devotional. "Elder Pete," came in one Wednesday and we sang old hymns while Linda played her violin and several weeks ago Allen's wife Jennifer lead the devotional...we hope they both will come back. The point is- Wednesdays are always uplifting and never the same.

"YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"

Matthew 5:14-19

14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

YOU CAN help by praying for the missionaries and checking out Agape Flights web site to find out more about this important ministry. You can see the missionaries’ current needs and you can read the stories about other missionary families-
YOU CAN see how God is working in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters...their victories and struggles plus updates straight from missionaries in the field, many from the earthquake regions of Haiti.
Agape Flights Blog
Is another way to connect with the ministry.
Agape Flights has been providing continual service for their member missionaries for 30 years...stay posted even via FACEBOOK for events.
So stay in touch via Agape Flights !

Join in any Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. for a Devotional ...where the Agape staff, volunteers, missionaries and the public pray for the ministry, share concerns and needs and Praise Jesus in the reception area of the hangar.

Thanks Pastor Chad for your leadership in the devotional...

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (r). Copyright(c)

And by His Stripes we are healed

ISAIAH 53 3-5





He was despised and rejected by men,


A man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.


Like one from whom men hide their faces


He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.





Surely He took up our infirmities


and carried our sorrows,


yet we considered Him stricken by God,


smitten by Him, and afflicted.


But he was pierced for our transgressions,


He was crushed for our iniquities;


the punishment that brought us peace was


upon Him,


And by His wounds we are healed.


NIV





(I like the King James verse on the last line)


And by His stripes we are healed.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Inspirational Song written 25 years ago called "I Remember," the words in Isaiah above have been read many times prior to the song...I hope you can hear the melody in your head as I do.

I REMEMBER (c) Mike Pignotti 1986


I remember when You first,
Called me Your friend
Watch the devil run from my,
Run from my mind.

Feeling of constant companion You filled up my heart soul and mind are all Yours.

On the cross at Calvary
Died for every man
With Your grace and
Love You saved
All from deadly sin.

Under gentile forces through demons drive, over any mountain Your power will arise.

Walk me in Your footsteps
show me where to go…
Sharpen up my conscience
for You I want to grow.

Thank You for healing praise upon Your name, Father Son and Spirit we shall know.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For you I want to GROW ...is how Mike wrote the song...but when I get a hold of it...I love the song...I always sing "For YOU I want to glow."
Happy 25th Mike...and I pray that God will keep inspiring you with gifts that you are able to share- through your music and the inspirational words you write.

I also thank God for the time I have been able to spend at Agape Flights mid-week...Every Wednesday at 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for the devotional time...

If you would like to join Agape Flights devotional time it is open to the public
Join the volunteers, the staff and Agape's missionaries that are based in Venice...
To refresh your week with the word of God
Led by a different leader each week- pray with us for our Country, for our missionaries, for each other.

It is casual...folding chairs, non-denominational and right inside the door at the hangar!

Agape Flights is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, Christian ministry that provides ongoing and critical support services to close to 400 missionary families that work in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Agape provides coordination and support getting supplies and services to the island nations in the Caribbean for the missionaries via air support on “Bandit,” from Agape’s hangar and home base at the Venice Florida Airport.

YOU CAN help by praying for the missionaries and checking out Agape Flights web site to find out more about this important ministry. You can see the missionaries’ current needs and you can read the stories about other missionary families-

YOU CAN see how God is working in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters...their victories and struggles plus updates straight from missionaries in the field, many from the earthquake regions of Haiti.

Agape Flights Blog

Another way to connect with the ministry.

Agape Flights has been providing continual service for their member missionaries for 30 years...stay posted even via FACEBOOK for events.

So stay in touch via Agape Flights !

His faithfulness continues through all generations!

“SHOUT FOR JOY,” came to my mind when Ella, a 1st grader walked into the hangar at AGAPE FLIGHTS, on the last day of the year to give water and money to help the people of HAITI.




SHOUT FOR JOY

SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD
SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD
ALL THE EARTH

SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS
COME BEFORE HIM WITH JOYFUL SONG

SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD
SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD
AHH…

SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD
KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD
KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD

IT IS HE WHO MADE US AND WE ARE HIS
WE ARE HIS PEOPLE
THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE

KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD
KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD

ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING
AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE

THE LORD IS GOOD,
ENDURES FOREVER
FAITHFULNESS THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS

SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD
SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD
SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD!

Michael Pignotti adopted the words from Psalm 100 over 20 years ago, for singing and worshiping the Lord. “SHOUT FOR JOY”



*Note…AGAPE FLIGHTS now buys the water in route in order to save space for other critical needs going to the missionaries. But the case of water from Ella… Steve Koch (Pilot and one of the Board of Directors) said, “what we can do is fill up a cooler with the water bottles and deliver the water ice cold when we get to Haiti …for Ella.”
Psalm 100, The Holy Bible NIV
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are his; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Thanks For Sharing Your Hope Ella...

THANKS ELLA,

The year 2010 just closed; a year like no other at AGAPE FLIGHTS, or for you I trust. As a volunteer watching the ministry at AGAPE FLIGHTS I thank God for both the high points and the low points of this past year…Agape was truly a testimony to me as I witnessed them as they walked by faith and trusted God for ALL things.

I pray that the people God placed in Agape’s path last year were also blessed and will continue serving Christ with us in the year ahead. Because of the LOVE shown through prayer, donations of time and generous gifts for the people in Haiti, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas the work and HOPE continues. In spite of the many setbacks faced by all of us we can “Shout For Joy to The LORD,” and not lose HOPE.

The January Earthquake in Haiti may long be remembered well after the year 2010. Outlandish death tolls in Haiti still shock even most seasoned relief workers. The devastation ended up highlighting the political unrest, the high unemployment, the orphans and just the plain fact that Haiti is a country that is hanging on by a thread. BUT DON’T LOSE HOPE!

The flooding from Hurricane Tomas would hardly be worth a mention with all the other woes that Haiti has endured… except the storm caused flooding that triggered a deadly cholera outbreak that spun fear further than the eyes can see. Families that have lost everything near and dear to them…friends, furniture, and finances still in shambles ELEVEN months after the quake struck. And still MANY are living in tents. BUT DON'T LOSE HOPE…Ella didn’t!

In walks Ella…a first grader that walked into the reception area at AGAPE FLIGHTS hangar at the Venice Airport with her mother. Why because of HOPE! Because she wanted to share her money and give some water to the people in Haiti. “SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD!”

Thanks Ella!


*Note…AGAPE FLIGHTS now buys the water in route in order to save space for other critical needs going to the missionaries. But the case of water from Ella… Steve Koch (Pilot and one of the Board of Directors) said, “what we can do is fill up a cooler with the water bottles and deliver the water to Haiti ice cold for Ella."

Comments and or corrections appreciated.