Dear CCPC Family,

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and
grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
-Psalm 51:10-12

Can you believe it's fall already? Even though it doesn't feel like it when you walk outside in the afternoon, you must admit there's a moderate chill in the air in the early morning hours.

This is my favorite time of year! If you've lived in Texas very long you know that Texans don't base the beginning of fall on the weather. We base it on the realization that football season is upon us, and some of us base it on the appearance of Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas decorations adorning our favorite shopping venues! We are eventually blessed with cooler temperatures though, and that reduction of heat helps to bring about a feeling of refreshment and renewed energy.

This is also the time of year that I begin to take notice more insightfully of my own level of commitment to my faith. It is a time for a "renewal" of faith for me in that I get back into the routine of attending my Wednesday morning Women's Bible Study class, helping with the Middle School evening Bible Study, and the Sunday morning programming of the Middle School Ministry. The quiet time that was at arm's length over the summer is now upon me as I struggle with the balancing act of working and caring for my family. Can any of you relate?

That's why one of my favorite Scriptures -- printed above -- is found in Psalms. During my daily prayer, I recite it as the opening to my time of confession, asking God to purify my heart and restore in me the joy of His salvation through Jesus Christ. It is a time when I ask Him to be present in my daily walk as I continue to struggle to do His will and not my own. It is a time when I ask Him to fill me with His Holy Spirit and to sustain me through all my trials, tribulations... and yes, through my joys. What an awesome God we serve!

Dear God, as we approach another season of new beginnings,
create in us a pure heart so that we might better serve You, our Lord and our Redeemer.
Let us be reminded each day that Your Holy Spirit is within us to guide and lead us
in Your path of righteousness. Help us to remember that we are never alone
in our struggles. We are so grateful for Your love.
We are so grateful that You came in human form so that we may have
forgiveness of our shortcomings. Sustain us, O Lord! Amen.

Judy Howle
Director of Middle School Ministry