Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Praise Reports

A few weeks ago, I asked a small group of women to pray for someone having knee replacement surgery. Our prayers were answered, the patient recovered in record time and was back home with her family soon after surgery and rehab. Her rehab time was cut from 4 weeks to 10 days. Thank you Lord. I am still praying for her as well as her husband to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.

A few days ago, I sent an emergency prayer request for a woman who had a plan, said goodbye, and picked a date to kill herself. I was contacted yesterday, she did not do it and is in a hospital. I continue to pray for her spiritual and emotional healing. I call her Daughter of the King for prayer purposes as I cannot put her name on the Internet.

I am so thankful for those of you who prayed with me over these situations. I am so thankful the Lord moved in a mighty way on behalf of these precious people.

Bless the Lord O my soul...let me not forget His benefits!!!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

49 and Counting

I turned 49 yesterday. I can remember when I thought that was ancient, almost fossilhood. I guess it's time for me to buy into the "it's the new 30 thing", though I think I'll just buy industrial strength spot remover (think Clinique) and moisturizer and keep smiling.I mean it could always be worse, I could be 49 in dog years.

I rarely think about my age, though I do miss the physical energy of my youth. I certainly appreciate being more mellow with age, more compassionate with age, and way more patient with age.

I have an 85 year old in my Bible Study group who is mentally and physically going strong, she is a true testimony to the sustaining power of God as is her husband of 66 years. Scripture is filled with senior citizens living active lives. Think Abraham and Sarah, St. John the Divine.

So in a culture which says I should fight aging like the Israelites fought the Philistines, I say - HA, I am going to serve the Lord and my family, work hard, have some fun and whatever else I am called to do. I continue to run the race with joy in my heart and a bottle of moisturizer in my hand.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Oil Is Not the Only Thing Spewing

I must confess as I've watched the almost non stop news coverage of the BP mess in the Gulf of Mexico, I've said some pretty sinful things. BP = Broken Promises, BP's motto is drill and kill, to name of couple of things I said.

As oil is spewing in the Gulf, many people - Christians and unbelievers - are spewing evil words about BP, the govt, etc...

The Lord convicted me to spend more time in prayer over the situation and no time dissing BP or the govt.

I am now praying for a solution to be found if resolution does not come by the hand of the Almighty God Himself. I am praying about all the chemicals being spewed into the air. I am praying for the people whose livelihood has been jeopardized. I am praying for the economy of the areas involved. I am praying concerning the wildlife and ecosystems.

Since I quit bashing/spewing evil about BP, I do not feel so out of sorts. The Bible has much to say about the words of my mouth. Following are just a few Scriptures:

Pro 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

James 3:5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

James 3:6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Let's pray about the situation instead of spewing evil with our words.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Familiar Fatigue & Uncomfortable Chairs

I cannot go into details because I do not want to announce another person's private information on the Internet, but I spent several hours in the hospital where my father died earlier this week. I was shocked at how quickly the chair in the various waiting rooms became uncomfortable and how quickly I became tired. When dad was sick, it took several days before I was this tired.

Starting two days in a row at 4:15am and staying up until 11:00pm took it out of me. I then had to work until 9:00pm Thursday night and worked late Friday night. I didn't think I was capable of a coherent thought Friday night when a friend came over because they wanted me to pray with them over a situation.

I knew then it was a Matthew 11:28-29 moment. (Every moment should be, but I sometimes try to operate under my own steam and strength.) Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

These words used to be spoken every week in our church service. Sometimes I think I heard them so often, I quit thinking about them and certainly never thought about living them out.

My friend and I prayed for a young man and his situation. We prayed for the Body of Christ. We prayed for Israel. We prayed for our government and the President. I was so refreshed afterwards. The presence of the Lord was so thick in my den, I could barely stand.

If you are operating in your own steam and or strength, if you are in the middle of a situation, remember you (and I) are yoked to our Lord and Savior. He strengthens us, He gives us rest.

I want to learn from Him and I know you do too.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Treading Water

My friend Valerie and I have been in a season of treading water, for very different reasons but with the same results. We cannot move forward. Occasionally the feeling of treading water is comfortable, we've both been at it for 2 years. Mostly, it's a feeling of being stuck but knowing the Lord is present in our situations. We are both waiting for the swim forward season to arrive.

I will say if I have to choose, I prefer treading water to a wilderness experience. Done that one too, it was miserable. Most Christians told me it was a wonderful thing; well this Christian did not think so.

If you are stuck, stagnant, flailing, or drowning - Please know the Lord is right there with you. Sometimes these seasons are results of our own actions or inactions, sometimes it's due to a situation with a loved one, but we must remember the Lord knew all of this before the foundation of the world. He knew we needed our Savior. He knows the number of hairs on our head.

Hang on tight, stand firm, call friends and or your pastor for prayer. He is not going to let you go or as I have said before - He will not EVER drop you in the grease.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.