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The vision and dream for a prayer garden began in early 2003.
The dream and vision became a reality during the summer of 2003.
God provided the volunteers, the resources, and the
encouragement needed to accomplish his work.
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On April 7, 2003, the decision was made to begin the Prayer Garden. Tillie Burgin, Executive Director of Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex, discusses the garden with
Kevin Estes.
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Jenny, Kevin's wife, helps Neal Estes with the plans he drew for the garden.
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Neal and Wanda Estes work side by side from June until October in the garden.
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Mission Arlington Staff cleared the area for the construction to begin.
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Soon several of Neal's friends came to work along side him.
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ANGEL OF HOPE – Matthew 19:14 Children ~ of such is the kingdom of heaven. The bronze angel honors all the children in heaven and acknowledges the grief of the families.
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Cate and Carol Estes Novak come to see the first shipment of granite plaques.
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Tillie sits on the "Rock of Agony" after the first granite plaque is installed.
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Finally, in October, 2003, the Prayer Garden bench was installed. We thought the garden was finished. In fact, we claimed the scripture, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8, KJV).
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Slowly, God revealed that the Prayer Garden should continue to be an ongoing mission. The Prayer Garden, located at the corner of UTA Boulevard and Oak Street in Arlington, provides a place for people to pray, worship God, and honor loved ones. There is room for more additions and memorials. Slowly, God revealed that the Prayer Garden should continue to be an ongoing mission. This garden is for everyone -- not just Mission Arlington and First Baptist Church. The Prayer Garden is for our community and anyone who wants to come.
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FAVORITE LINKS
Prayer Garden Dedication or http://hometown.aol.com/wandaestes/page2.html
REMEMBER OUR CHILDREN or http://hometown.aol.com/runningramma/page1.html
WHY I RUN or http://hometown.aol.com/runningramma/myhomepage/faith.html
MEMORIALS FOR OUR CHILDREN or http://hometown.aol.com/runningramma/myhomepage/howto.html
RACES AFTER NEW YORK CITY MARATHON or http://hometown.aol.com/wandaestes/page3.html
GREETINGS FROM ARLINGTON TEXAS or http://hometown.aol.com/wandaestes/myhomepage/index.html
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Please come to the garden, either in person or through the following tour of the garden.
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Prayer Garden
MISSION ARLINGTON/MISSION METROPLEX
August 1986 ~ Until Jesus Returns
210 W. South Street, Arlington, Texas 76010
http://www.missionarlington.org
The Mission Arlington Prayer Garden, located at the corner of UTA Boulevard and Oak Street, is God’s gift for all who desire a place to pray and worship. The Prayer Garden provides a sanctuary where people can reflect, worship, pray and be able to experience Christ’s love, joy, comfort, peace, hope, encouragement, and inspiration.
Prayer Garden Guide
One goal of the prayer garden is to bring joy from sorrow.
Friends of Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex provide commentaries on the scripture granite plaques and sculpture in the garden.
1. GOD LOVES: GOD GIVES JESUS – John 3:16
“The most important word is whosoever – ‘Hang out and hover around John 3:16.’ ” Tillie Burgin
2. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE – John 14:6
“When Jesus identifies himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, he says that he is God’s Son and the Savior. As the Savior, Jesus says the Way to heaven is belief in him as Savior and Lord. Jesus says that the Truth of God is found in him because he died for our eternal life. Jesus says that as the Life, he gives those who believe in him eternal life.
“Jesus then says that no one comes to the Father except through him because he and the Father are one. Some years ago, I read a beautiful explanation of this scripture. The paraphrase stated: ‘Without Jesus there is no going, without Jesus there is no knowing, and without Jesus there is no growing.’ We all want to go to heaven, we all want to know and learn about heaven, and we all want to understand how we grow into heaven. It is all in Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” James Scirratt
3. THE ROCK OF AGONY – Luke 22:42-43
“Jesus shows two views of himself. Jesus shows his humanity as he asks the Father God to find another way for the salvation of the world, and he shows his divine nature in his submission to God’s will as he goes on to the cross. We see Jesus’ human weakness and also see a loving Father God who sends an angel to strengthen his Son."
John Sieren
4. STAND IN THE GAP – Ezekiel 22:30
“God continually calls us to ‘stand in the gap’ for people or situations. The word gap indicates there is a hole or opening that should not be there and needs to be closed. The gap may be caused by any number of things and the person called is to intercede in prayer, stand with someone during a very trying time, or simply be in a place because support is needed. These are the situations when God has a work to do and gives us the privilege to be a part of God's solution in a life or work.”
Sue DeShong
5. BE KIND AND FORGIVING – Ephesians 4:32
"As children, we were taught this verse as a Christian-moral lesson, be kind and loving to others. Now, as I read this verse, I am drawn to the end, ‘even as God in Christ has forgiven you.’ In the first part of this chapter, Paul teaches ‘unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ As he writes, ‘there is one body, one Spirit. . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism.’ He calls for unity through love and acceptance. We find, however, that Ephesians 4:32 is in the midst of a much longer passage that teaches
relationship and community.
“Toward the end of Chapter 5 Paul speaks to the marriage covenant, ‘and the two shall become one flesh.’ This passage once again emphasizes unity and oneness; not only to couples, but also to everyone. Paul writes that we would not choose to hurt ourselves, or even those closest to us.
“In 4:32 the concept of protecting ‘self’ takes a new turn. Not only are we inspired to be kind and tenderhearted because we are all ‘oneself’ through the Holy Spirit. But also, as Christ and God are ‘One,’ we have a loving model of the humility of God the Father lowering himself to humanity in Christ, and this example empowers us to lower ourselves to love one another.”
Kevin L. Estes
6. REJOICE AND WEEP – Romans 12:15
“Paul wrote the book of Romans on his third missionary journey and it is the most systematic statement of Paul's faith. Romans 12:15 instructs, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.’ This is a Christian’s privilege and responsibility. God’s blessing is available to those who choose to participate in compassion and love to others.” Nita Boozer
7. SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE – Isaiah 40:31
“Isaiah tells me that if we wait for God’s good timing, then we can move forward with direction, purpose, and abundant energy (strength).” Dot Allen
8. HAVE FAITH – 1 Peter 5:7.
“In the most difficult and frightening times in life, the promise that God cares for you brings immense comfort, courage, and hope. Peter’s encouragement to those early Christians kept them focused on God’s promises as they faced a pagan world. Their faithful service resulted in the growth of the gospel and the advancement of the Redeemer’s Kingdom throughout the Roman Empire. Still today, this promise sustains and energizes God’s people as they face the challenges and opportunities of these present times. You can cast all your fears on him, for he cares for you!”
Charles R. Wade
9. ANGEL OF HOPE – Matthew 19:14
Children ~ of such is the kingdom of heaven.
The bronze angel honors all the children who have gone on to heaven and acknowledges the grief of the families.
“In the midst of a busy day of ministry, Jesus took time to bless the children who were brought to him – he honored their presence by giving them his full attention. The tenderness of God is captured in this moment. We too can approach him and receive comfort at any time. Eloquence is not required. In fact, he prefers that we come to him honestly and without pretense, just as a child would. He answers us with tenderness when we do.” Jenny Estes
10. PURE IN HEART – Matthew 5:8
“The Living Bible reads, ‘Happy are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God.’ Pure means to be clean, uncontaminated, undefiled. A good illustration is honey. A jar of honey, naturally made by bees, is pure.
“Perhaps no portion of Scripture is as well known as Jesus’ Great Sermon that begins with the well-loved Beatitudes. In his Kingdom or reign, those who are considered fortunate include the poor, sorrowing, humble, righteous, merciful, pure, peacemakers, and persecuted. Jesus appears to set an impossible standard; however, he gave people the power to live up to it. The humble, the forgiving, the pure and those who set their mind on what is right have a future with God. Attitude and actions provide a portrait of God.
“No one is pure. God gave his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal, everlasting life, a home in heaven with God and Jesus when they die. Jesus said, ‘Unless you have faith as a little child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.’ Each person who confesses to God that they are a sinner is automatically made a child of the King. Our reward for being pure, saved by the blood of Jesus, is that one day we will see God.” Helen Waldrop
11. THE BLESSEDNESS OF LOVE – 1 John 4:7
“We are to love unconditionally. Only the Holy Spirit enables us to do this. Love for Christ is only as real as our love for others. Love focuses attention on the needs and well being of others. We show love by actions of kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering. Giving is the true measure of love. True love expects nothing in return and loves the unlovable. Love is seeing everyone through eyes of compassion as Jesus did. He calls us to do the same.” Mary Lou Mc Kaig
"1 John 3:23 is a complement to 1 John 4:7. Both verses proclaim the blessedness of love. The only authentic way to indicate that we know God is to love one another."
Wm. David Kirkpatrick
12. HIDE GOD’S WORD IN HEART–Psalm 119:10-11
“When I was an avid tennis player, there were many flaws in my game. To be a good player, I had to overcome my tendency to take my eye off the ball as it approached my racket. It takes a conscious commitment to focus on God and to let go of distractions. And it takes the discipline of Bible Study to really know God.
“This illustrates to me what it means to ‘seek the Lord with your whole heart.’ When we keep our hearts and minds focused on God and keep hidden in our hearts the Word of God, then we will be able to ‘hit the ball’ of life right where it should go.”
Gayle Taylor
13. LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN – Mark 10:14
“ ‘Let the little children come to me.’ We can glean many truths from this passage. First, children are an important part of God’s kingdom. Also, God has time for children as well as adults. Moreover, we can learn from children. As you read further in this Bible passage, you will find that Jesus says that we must become as little children in order to enter the kingdom of God. We must have the trusting faith of a child, willing to follow when we don’t know the way.
“Although children can be mischievous, most young children have a particular innocence about their spirit. Recently, I learned a lesson about this virtue from my eight-year old son when I overheard a conversation he was having with a friend. The friend was talking about his uncle. Drew told his friend that he used to have an Uncle Keith, but that he died. I listened as my child shared his story. ‘My uncle was in the hospital because the doctors were trying to fix his heart. I could see where they tried and tried to fix it. But they couldn’t fix it and he died. I really loved my uncle; he was very nice to me. Now he is up in heaven with God.’
“What I learned that day was the acceptance Drew had about the situation. I could hear it in his words and in the tone of his voice. It was ‘matter of fact,’ as though he accepted what happened without questioning God for taking his uncle away from him. It is a normal part of the grieving process to question why and to question God. We don’t always understand God’s way. That day my son taught me about having an accepting faith. I may not understand God’s way, but I can trust God to know what is best. One day we will understand; but for now, God wants me to have the trusting faith of a child.” Carol Estes Novak
14. ROCK OF COMFORT – (Matthew 5:4,KJV).
“May the same God who suffered the loss of his only Son for the sins of the world be with you. Out of his suffering and loss comes our salvation and peace. Out of God’s Son's death and resurrection comes eternal life for those who know and are known by God.” Joseph R. Frazier
15. TRUST JESUS – John 14:1
“Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust in me.’ This verse, and those which follow, are generally read as comfort for a family grieving over the loss of a loved one. At his death and resurrection, Jesus was going to prepare a place for them and would come again for them. However, when Jesus first spoke these words to his disciples, they were more concerned about how they could live without him and he was promising them in their daily lives through the presence of his spirit.
“Reflecting on my life, as I have trusted in Jesus, I have experienced his leadership in the large and small things of my life and his comfort in times of trouble. At no time was this more evident than when as young adult parents in Del Rio, Texas, Peggy and I experienced, as a result of an accident, the loss of our first child, ‘Eddie,’ a robust little boy of 22 months. The night of his death was the longest and darkest night we ever experienced. But God comforted our troubled hearts and, just six months later, blessed us with our second son, Lynn!” Bob Fuston
I’m so glad I learned to trust him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that he is with me,
Will be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
16. COMMIT WORK TO GOD – Proverbs 16:3
“The Lord gives us many tasks in our short journey on earth. God always prepares us for the things he has for us to accomplish.
If we will only trust God as if everything depends on him and ask him to guide in all we do for his kingdom, we will succeed.
God is always ready to show us the way to success.”
Neal L. Estes
17. THE PLAN – Jeremiah 29:11-13.
“Life sometimes seems so random, but God's assurance for us is that he has a good plan for our lives.
He is not distant or unaware of our daily concerns, and he wants us to have a relationship with him.
You can talk with him at any time about anything. You will find him and his love for you when you look with all of your heart."
Jim Burgin
18. JESUS BLESSES THE GENTLE WITH A PLACE – Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
The name “Keith” means “a place.” Keith was often characterized as a “gentle giant.”
Jesus promises that the gentle will inherit the earth.
Now Keith has a place to live in heaven, a place on earth, and a place forever in
Neal and Wanda’s hearts.
19. SHARE GOD’S COMFORT – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“ ‘God comforts us in order for us to comfort others.’ Through the years, I heard that saying; now I have experienced it! When Keith, our son, told us that he was going to need yet another open-heart surgery, he consoled us.
Keith said, ‘This is not for me. It is for someone else.’ We did not understand then; we do, in part, now.
“A few days before his March 20, 2003 surgery, Keith stood on our back porch and said for a second time,
‘I think this has happened in order for me to help someone else.’ The scripture came to mind,
‘After you have suffered for a while, strengthen others.’ We talked for a long time that night.
“Keith hugged me and told me not to worry about him. After he died, a friend from Poland sent me the scripture that
Keith and I discussed that night, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Neal and I experience God’s message in these two verses.
God and our friends comforted us during the days, weeks, and months following Keith’s surgery. The comfort increased
after Keith’s subsequent death. Now God wants us to comfort and encourage others. This will be a life-long mission.”
Wanda Estes
20. AVOID SIN: RUN THE RACE OF LIFE – Hebrews 12:1
“The imagery of Hebrews 12:1 is some of the most powerful for Christians. The writer explains that the race of faith parallels with the race of an athlete. We are told to throw off everything that hinders us. What hinders you? Money? Job? Hobby? What would free you to follow Christ? We are also told to lay aside the sin that entangles us. No particular sin, just – sin.
“Sin entangles us and won't allow us to run our best race. Sin to the Christian is similar to injury to the runner. Healing must occur before the runner can run again easily. What is the sin in your life? We must do at least three things to ‘run the race.’ (1) Get rid of everything that hinders you from serving God.(2) Free yourself from the entanglement of sin. (3) Keep your eyes on Jesus. God keeps us on course – as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus.”
Larry Link
Places for more memorials are available. Contact the Mission Office if you want to add a memorial.
Phone 817 277.6620 Email mission@missionarlington.org
Sin separates us from God. Read Isaiah 59:2.
Do you want the new life that God provides through Jesus?
Read Romans 3:23, 6:23A, 5:8, 6:23B and 10:13.
Pray and ask God to forgive your sins.
Lord, I know that I am a sinner. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins.
I believe and accept Jesus Christ as my Savior today and forever.
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Name Date
Share your decision with another Christian.
“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
Ecclesiastes 7:8, KJV
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