Focused Living

"What I've Learned" by Perry Bowers

I've learned that…

You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. Age 7
Grandma always has a treat for me in her purse. Age 9
Just when I get my room the way I like it, dad makes me clean it up. Age 13
If you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up. Age 14
Wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there. Age 2
You can tell a lot about a man by how he handles lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights. Age 33
The chances of peanut butter toast falling buttered side down is far greater than Las Vegas odds. Age 41
Even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. Age 56
I still have a whole lot to learn! Perry at 69

So here is what I am currently learning (relearning) after walking with Jesus for 53 years, being married to Janet for 47 years and serving men through Focused Living Ministries for 30 years.

I need His grace at the cross more now than I did when I first received Jesus as my Savior.
“be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2Tim 2:1

The Christian life is not difficult, it is impossible apart from the Holy Spirit.
“Apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

My Father in heaven will never abandon, reject, forsake or let me down.
“I am with you always.” Matt 28:20

Peace rules my day when Christ rules my heart.
“My peace I give you. Do not let your heart be troubled.” John 14:27

My security rests in the fact that I am an adopted son in the Father’s forever family.
“But you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” Rom 8:15

He who is wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.
“God so loved the world that he gave.” John 3:16

God’s plans are better than my purposes.
“Follow Me!” Mark 1:17

Absolutely nothing enters my life apart from my Father’s approval.
“The Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” Psalm 139:5

Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so!
“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us.” 1John 3:16

Thank You Father for Your extreme faithfulness to Janet and me over these decades in Focused Living and we praise You for the amazing faithfulness of those who prayed for us all these years!

Prayer Requests

After 29 productive and faithful years of ministering to men under the umbrella of Focused Living, Perry and his bride, Janet, will follow God’s call to Chattanooga, TN to invest in their 6 grandchildren. They hope to be moved by June 1st of this year.

It goes without saying that Perry brought a lot of strengths to Focused Living Ministries. In sports we call that guy a "franchise player." We are grateful to have had front row seats to his day in day out following of the Lord Jesus. He modeled, taught, exhorted, and shepherded us toward maturity in Christ. He was obedient to God's stirrings in his heart in 1993 to launch the ministry and he is obedient to God once again to pursue this new season of pouring into his grandchildren. As a disciple of Perry's since 1988, I (David) will tell you that he has "set the table" well for Focused Living's continued outreach to men in the Midlands. Our staff is embracing the opportunity.

The Israelites were told to follow the ark (representing God's presence) across the Jordan river to enter into the promised land... "for you have not passed this way before...consecrate yourselves, for the LORD will do wonders among you" (Josh 3:3-5) Our staff and board ("core") invite you to 'cross the river with us' following God into this new season of Focused Living. We covet your prayers.