Abba's Girl

My town like many is decked with American Flags this weekend. I am fortunate, of all the men in my family who served our country during war time came home to their families. I personally know 1 person who died serving our country. I was 4 years old when my dear neighbors' son Tony was killed in Viet Nam. He was such a nice young man. He let me "help" wash his car and played Fish and Battle with me while our parents prepared dinners on the patio during the summer. I can't really see his face anymore, just his smile and his hands dealing cards. I ask you to remember the families who've lost loved ones defending our freedom in your prayers. Freedom is not free - men and women make the ultimate sacrifice daily just as our Father in Heaven did when He gave His Son as a sacrifice to save us. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

It's so odd how I can memorize some memory verses so easily and struggle to memorize others. I still mess up a verse from March 1. My current verse is John 5:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I've seen in my life and ministry the lack of fruit at certain times because I had wondered away from God and could not even reach the vine much less discern God's will for me. I think it's a common problem for Christians upon occasion. If you feel you cannot reach the Vine, remember Jesus has His arm extended to you and wants you to grab hold of His hand. If you are not sure how to find your way back, Revelation tells us: Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Remember the joy you experienced when 1st saved? Return to the things you did ba...

While I do not celebrate the death of anyone, Bin Laden's death brings a certain sense of relief. I am glad he was buried at sea and his grave will not become a shrine to fanatics. I was shocked how quickly the jokes about Saddam welcoming him to hell began. No matter what, hell is no joke in my opinion. I am thankful for the CIA and our SEALS for doing an extraordinary job, but the War on Terror is not over by a long shot. I hope Christians continue to pray for the safety of the US, our allies and Israel. I hope Christians continue to pray protection over our military. It can be easy to slack off a bit when we breath a sigh of relief over a situation when in fact we need to step up prayers because the enemy will retaliate. Lord God, I ask You to protect the USA and our allies from all terror attacks. I ask You to thwart the evil plans of our enemies. I ask You to protect our military and our allies' military personnel as well. Lord God, I pray for you to reveal Yourself ...

Millions of people, possibly 2 billion watched the royal wedding and were amazed by the pomp and circumstance. Due to insomnia, I was awake at 4:15am, I gave in and tuned in myself. As I watched the ceremony, I prayed for the couple, I prayed people watching the wedding would be touched by the Word of God to the very depths of their souls. What viewers and guests saw is paltry compared to the royal wedding that is to come. One day the Bridegroom is coming for His Bride - the Church. Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men. "He is not here, but He has been resurrected!

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” Jesus entered Jerusalem on the ancient version of a red carpet. The mood was jubilant, many people though their version of the Messiah had arrived, they thought Jesus would overthrow Rome and take Israel back to the glory days of David and Solomon. The mood would turn in a matter of days, Judas and the religious leaders were already plotting against Jesus. People who loved Jesus and knew he was the Christ would abandon Him...many times we think what was wrong with those people! The answer is - the same thing that is wrong with us - we are people.. How many times have believers been disappointed when God did not answer prayers in their time in their way or more specifically the way they told Him to accomplish what they tho...