An Appeal For Seth Jackson

An Appeal For Seth Jackson

July 12, 2012

Friends, we have found a very exciting exercise machine that is ideal for helping Seth to build and maintain muscle mass in his legs.  Besides this considerable benefit, this machine is excellent for building back strength, which is critical with Seth’s present battle with spinal curvature (a condition that has developed due to a wheelchair malfunction which has since been corrected).  It is called the Cardio Strider 2, and costs about $2000.00, and there is one available at a store here in Cedar Rapids.

That’s the good news.  Now for the bad news.

We don’t have enough money to purchase this unit.  The Seth Fund at River of Life Ministries had $1100, so we have withdrawn it with the hope of receiving at least $900 more dollars from friends such as yourself, thus enabling us to obtain this machine for Seth’s development toward walking again.

Some of you may remember how far we had come until we had to curtail Seth’s exercises due to a serious pressure sore in the waning months of 2011.   He was able to move both his legs in an outward motion, and he had just started moving his left foot.  Since the sore, though, we have lost a lot of ground.  We would love to be able to see Seth catch up faster and go even further through the use of the Cardio Strider 2.

Please take the time right now to give whatever you are able for helping Seth’s quest for recovery.  We need your generosity - especially now!  Any amount - from a few dollars to the full $900 - would be so incredibly appreciated by Seth and his family. 

The Cardio Strider 2 enables Seth to place his feet on the two platforms, set securely in an adjustable seat, and by moving the upright levers with his hands simulate the act of walking.  By using this machine, Seth would be able to do many more repetitions on a regular schedule than is presently done with human assistants, and would solve several major exercising issues.  See www.inspirefitness.net. 

For tax deductible giving, write a check or transfer funds to

2C Miracle Fund, River of Life Ministries, 3801 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA  52402.  (If you prefer, writing the check to The Seth Jackson Fund will work.)

If you want to give directly, but without tax deductibility, then write your check to

Seth Jackson, 4210 Morris Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

To ask a question, call Will or Jacquelyn Jackson at their home phone, 319 654 0039.

As always, your prayers and generosity are greatly appreciated, and mean more to us than you can ever know.

Blessings To You All, and In Christ’s Peace,

Will and Jacquelyn Jackson

More Prayers To Fill Space

O Lord of the Resurrection, we have celebrated the wonder of Christ being raised from the dead.  Let us now become the evidence for this truth, that your Holy Spirit may live in us, and that we may continue to do Christ’s work in this world.  May our lives bring glory and honor to you, O God, because of the presence of the risen Christ in us. Amen. 
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Lord of life, through your Son’s obedience in dying on the Cross, we have been lifted up to new and everlasting life.  God calls us to proclaim the Good News of the risen Christ, and to invite others to share in the eternal joy of walking and talking with Jesus.  May our lives glorify you forever, and may our hearts always be yours.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.
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God of all, Christ is our Great Shepherd, for he laid down his life for us, and rescued us from death.  Indeed, he protects us even now as we follow him.  All honor and praise belong to you, our God and Savior, for we are the people you have called, we are the sheep of your pasture.  Feed us now with the knowledge of your Son, so that we may proclaim his name throughout the world, for it is in Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.
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Everliving God of all, you reveal your glory in Jesus Christ, and in Him we discover all the wonderful things that are to come.  Your promises give us hope, for your Holy Spirit shows us that your Word is faithful.  Jesus your Son shows us that we can trust you.  As followers of Jesus, may we bring the hope we have been given to a dying and despairing world, for it is through Christ we pray.  Amen.
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O wonderful Saviour, it is with the utmost joy that we come before you this day.  We give you all honor and praise, for you are not a God who demands of us great and magnificent deeds to win your approval and favor.  Rather, you are a God who accepts us as we are, is merciful beyond measure toward us, and who delights to give us the gifts of your grace.  You lift us into your presence, where life is new, is full, and is forever.  Amen.
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Gracious and Everliving Lord, you have showered us with kindness upon kindness.  In Jesus the Anointed One, you have opened the way for us to live in your presence, not as mere servants but as the very friends of God. Indeed, you lift our hearts when you call us by name, you dispel our fears with your grace, and you stir our souls with your healing love.  We praise you, and with our voices we sing your praises this day forth and forevermore. Amen. 
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Gracious Lord of all, we come before you this day in Spirit and in Truth.  You are a holy and awesome God, the very essence of all truth and love.  We are completely unworthy to stand in your presence.  Only through Jesus the Anointed One dare we approach your throne, for he offers us to you as the prize for his sacrifice, the reward for his obedience.  All praise and honor to you, ruler of the universe, for bringing truth and grace together in Christ, whose name we exalt this day.  Amen.
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O God, Ruler of the Universe, we give you all praise this day for your Holy Spirit, your life in us, making us new, renewing the world.  You have called us forth from death to life by the power of your Word, and we call upon your name with the breath of your Spirit in us.  You are the Creator who delights in the art of your creation, sculpting us into your image, and you are the Gift-giver who comes into our hearts, making us into the very temple of the Living God.  In the name of the Holy One of Israel, the only true God who is revealed through Jesus Christ as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen. 

Still Alive

Yes, I'm still alive.  I just haven't had much to say lately.  However, I thought I would throw in a couple of the prayers I've written lately for the worship services at Calvin Sinclair Presbyterian Church.

PRAYER OF ADORATION

O Lord our Lord, we give you praise and honor, for you alone are holy.  We are not worthy to enter into your presence, yet you are most merciful, and overflowing with love for your people.  Weak and frail though we are, you come to us in your Son, Jesus, and you speak to us of your salvation and you embrace us as the children of your grace.  We give you thanks, dear Father, for your great and wonderful kindness toward us.  Amen.

prayer of confession

Most merciful and loving Lord, we confess to you that we have taken your grace for granted, and that we have counted a couple of hours in church as all you should receive from us.  We read the Bible, but do not hear your Word.  We sing the songs, but forget their meaning.  We claim the Name, but our hearts are far from you.  Forgive us, gracious God, and grant that we would be made alive through your Spirit.  Fill us with the joy of your grace, and give us the passion to serve and honor you in every moment of our lives.  In the name of Jesus, who died that we might live, we pray.  Amen.  

PRAYER OF ADORATION

Gracious Lord of all, we stand before you in the shining light of your love.  We celebrate your presence with us, for you do not hold us in contempt, nor do you condemn us.  You embrace us through Jesus Christ, and in him we discover that the Creator of the Universe is also our closest friend.  Glory to you, O God!  We praise you, our Lord forever more.  Amen.

prayer of confession

Great God and Creator, you have ripped apart the heavens so that you can walk with us in the world.  Yet, we fail to see you, for we are preoccupied with the shortcomings of those around us.  We complain that you are distant and uncaring, as we struggle with the daily limitations of being human.  Forgive us, gracious Lord, and grant us hearts to see that you are close to us, and give us faith that reveals your amazing glory in the midst of the ordinary.  We ask this in the name of the One who died that we may live, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

Staying Alive,

Will