Mitchell Swaback Foundation

VOLUME 61 • OCTOBER 1, 2009

JESUS LISTENS

What do you think about prayer? Do you think that God really wants to talk to you? Do you think He really wants to hear what is on your heart?

The answer is, yes, He really does. He is an attentive counselor who listens to you. You understand this picture if you know what it's like to sit and talk to someone who really knows how to listen. They hear you. They get it. You can see in their eyes that they're tracking with you. Psalm 116:1-2 says, "I love the Lord, because He has heard my cries. Because He bends down and listens." Picture your closest friend, turning his ear to you, and you cup your hand around your mouth and whisper your need. That's the picture.

God knows exactly what's going on in your life. He's aware of your needs and your heartaches and your worries about the future. God totally gets it—that one truth has inspired and comforted and ministered to God's people through thousands of years of history.

Not only is God listening to your prayer, but He will give you wisdom about the difficult season of your life if you ask Him for it. James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." That phrase "without reproach" means literally that God won't sink His teeth into you. God won't be like, What? What are you asking Me that for!? He's not the impatient parent who doesn't have time for you or the irritable boss who snaps back. No, He's the attentive counselor, listening to you. Hebrews 4:16 assures you to, with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Take to heart the comfort of Psalm 62:8: "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

¹⁴Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

~ Dr. James MacDonald

For more from James MacDonald on "igniting passion in the people of God through the proclamation of the truth," visit Walkintheword.com.

1	JESUS LISTENS
2	FIFTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
3	NEW NAME & NEW LOOK FOR MSF
4	MITCH'S JOURNAL

FIFTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Mitchell Swaback

It's hard to believe five years ago in October 2004 we started "The Mitchell Swaback Foundation." The reason was to carry on the legacy of a young man who truly had a servant's heart. At the time we really didn't know how many lives Mitch had touched. After Mitch went home to be with the Lord, we started getting phone calls, letters and e-mails describing many things he had done to help so many in need. With much prayer and support from family and friends the foundation was started. Instantly, we had many opportunities where we could help others picking up where Mitch left off.

As we prepare for our next five years our focus will be to impact and touch many lives through local and international communities. Our goal is to do more projects with more people. Please consider being one of those and partner with us prayerfully, physically, and financially.

Proverbs 19:17 "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deeds."

NEW NAME & NEW LOOK FOR MSF

Mitchell Swaback Charities

Over the next few month's you will start to see some changes. We are in the final stages in changing our name from "The Mitchell Swaback Foundation" to "Mitchell Swaback Charities." Changing from a private foundation to a public charity will allow us to do more in helping and impacting lives. The name will change, but our address will remain the same.

Please watch for our new website which will launch in the next few months. Besides a brand new look our new site will feature updated news stories as events happen. We'll also be on Facebook and Twitter so you will never be out of the loop on what MSC is doing!

Mitch's Journal

Over the past two years we have posted some of Mitch’s pages from his daily journal that he was keeping before he went home to be with the Lord. A few months back we stopped posting comments from his journal because that’s where Mitch had ended his daily entries. We have received many suggestions that we continue his journal again from the beginning. Many have not had the opportunity to read any of Mitch’s own words. So once again we’ll post comments from Mitch’s daily journal. It’s our hope that in some way this may touch or impact your life.

Monday 2/9/2004

Today I learned that most of us develop our Christianity along the lines of our own nature, not along the lines of God’s nature. We all want to be a Christian the easy way, go to church, pray and worship, but God’s way is to Disciple and go out and proclaim his name from all the roof tops. We need to do something radical. I don’t want to live the typical Christian life I want to go out and proclaim his name. I want to tell as many people as possible about him and how mighty He is. I talked to a friend today about God and got her thinking. I’m going to lead by example and strive to be more like Jesus.