Shout For Joy...Be strong, do not fear...he will come and save you

The desert and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and SHOUT for JOY.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

Isaliah 35:1-2

“Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.”

A Message from Friday March 9, 1956

By the Rev.Dr.Pascal DiFlorio
Pastor, Methodist Church of the Redeemer

_In the Everglades in Florida, cypress trees grow with their roots under water. At certain intervals the roots rise above the water, then submerge again. Whenever this takes place the exposed roots develop huge bulges called “knees,” through which the trees breathe and keep alive, and without which they could not live.

In order for us to keep spiritually alive, we too need to make frequent use of our knees to pray and to realize that prayer is the Christian’s “vital breath” and “native air,” and without it we, like the cypress trees, cannot keep alive.

So let us pray earnestly, and in praying, remember that the effectiveness of prayer does not depend on the formality or on the multitude of prayers, but on one’s intimate and personal Fellowship with God and Godly-minded people.

For be it known, prayer is an act of worship and of self-surrender to God and of dedication to the will of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, who prayed:“O, my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” (Mt. 26:39). And again He prayed: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” (Lk 23:46)______________________________________________________________

(The New International Version, Luke 23:46 "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.")

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After over 40 years with the Methodist Church, Pascal DiFlorio served part time at the Community Church in Palma Sola, Fl. and that church today supports AGAPE FLIGHTS and Agape's mission to help the missionaries in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Eluthera...will you?

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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- 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 has been providing continual service for their member missionaries for 32 years.

Founders Keith and Clara Starkey’s vision for the ministry Agape took hold back in 1980 and their remarkable walk in faith continues to glorify Christ.


Agape Flights Aircraft “Bandit,” the Embraer 110 is in the trusted hands of the missionary pilots, staff and board members. Bandit has been lighting up the skies, carrying hopes and prayers to the missionary families that count on Agape for critical supplies. Agape's work is carried out by faith and powered by God each and every day of the year!

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Mark 10: 46-52

Then they came to Jeicho. As Jesus and His disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."

So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.NIV.

Photo by Michael Pignotti...with my blind camera

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- 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 has been providing continual service for their member missionaries for 32 years.

Founders Keith and Clara Starkey’s vision for the ministry Agape took hold back in 1980 and their remarkable walk in faith continues to glorify Christ.


Agape Flights Aircraft “Bandit,” the Embraer 110 is in the trusted hands of the missionary pilots, staff and board members. Bandit has been lighting up the skies, carrying hopes and prayers to the missionary families that count on Agape for critical supplies. Agape's work is carried out by faith and powered by God each and every day of the year!

Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and form and the mountains quake with their surging.
NIV

Not having an answer to a question I have been asking myself...I went to the only book I know to shed light on the matter...

WHAT DO YOU THINK...am I moving in the right direction...maybe there are many answers to the question.

WHAT QUESTION DO YOU SAY?

HOW DO YOU HELP A PERSON REACHING OUT FOR THE DIRECT LINE TO GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE?

The person may by their comments not even know that they are reaching out... And responding to one person may be different than to somebody else. This said I looked into the Bible and ask God to help us.

Prayers Requested for so many folks as we begin the New Year…



We know it to be true, that life can be down right tough. Without notice trials can be upon you, and troubles can land in your lap as silently as crumbs from a donut. Unlike donut crumbs that fall to the ground when you stand up a trial is something that you go through.



There are three ways to go through a trial:

• With faith in God











• Reaching out to God











• Without God

How might I reach out to somebody that is going through a trial...and they have a belief that you trust in God...and ask you to reach out for them.

Another words...how can I respond to somebody going through a very tough time when they ask you to pray for them...

Their trial could be the reason that they may now see...that there is something about faith in God that somehow might help them. Seeing that what they were unable to see prior to their current situation.

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through or Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Romans 12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:13
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.








Trials can cause someone to reach out to somebody that has visible faith-



In the mist of their trouble they think you can help because of your faith-



They know you believe and this is the beginning step for them...praise God!



So it is good news that a person believes in your faith…







In 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, you may see a pattern to follow when somebody shows an interest in your faith. When Timothy went to the church in the city of Thessalonica for Paul and reported back to him about the faith he saw while on his mission trip.

It’s Paul that talks about Timothy’s encouraging Report of the beginning of their faith.
It’s Paul that is thanking God because of the beginning of their faith.
It’s Paul that wants to God to strengthen their faith.
It’s Paul that wants their hearts strengthen by God giving them the Holy Spirit!


It's Paul that wants the Thessalonians to have a correct understanding of their new found faith.







SO IF WE FOLLOW THE PATTERN, LIKE PAUL WE ARE THANKFUL TO GOD BECAUSE OF THAT BEGINNING FAITH...AND WE PRAY GOD WILL PROVIDE THE HOLY SPIRIT SO THAT SOMEONES HEART WILL GAIN STRENGTH! ALSO SO THAT THEY WILL TRUST DIFFICULT TRIALS TO GOD.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encourage about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you. Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

"The Righteous will Live by Faith"

Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." NIV

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- 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 has been providing continual service for their member missionaries for 31 years.

Founders Keith and Clara Starkey’s vision for the ministry Agape took hold back in 1980 and their remarkable walk in faith continues to glorify Christ.


Agape Flights Aircraft “Bandit,” the Embraer 110 is in the trusted hands of the missionary pilots, staff and board members. Bandit has been lighting up the skies, carrying hopes and prayers to the missionary families that count on Agape for critical supplies. Agape's work is carried out by faith and powered by God each and every day of the year!

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)