Let Us Pray

I don't know about your community but it is very difficult to get people together for times of prayer in my community. I have heard the call of God on my heart for us to gather together seeking His Face. 11 chronicles 7:14 has been placed on my heart and I believe it is also on more than a few others in our nation. I confess when I hear about the prayer that is going on through out the nation and how people are responding to and seeking the Lord on behalf of our nation-I am a bit jealous. I have a great deal of respect of those who are alone in the church day after day seeking the Lord in prayer. They are pouring out their hearts before the Lord, standing in the gap for their communities and our nation. They have not grown weary of well doing. If the Lord has put this call to prayer on your heart and you know of someone else in your community who is standing in the gap- join them...If you find that in your community it begins with you then be willing to step up and stand in the gap- invite and encourage others to join you. Pray that Pastors, deacons, elders and leaders will join with other Pastors, deacons, elders and leaders in your community for a time(s) of prayer. To those who reside in communities that are gathering together in prayer - Please pray for those of us who are not yet experiencing that kind of commitment to prayer. Please keep our Pastors and Leaders in prayer that they will reach out to each other and we will have unity in our communities.

Summer Games

It won't be long before all eyes will be on China watching the Summer Olympics. The athletes have been preparing for this event-each wanting their chance to earn the gold. The crowds cheering them on. While all this is happening...Christians in China are being placed in prison, Bibles and Christian materials are being taken from them, some are being taken from their homes, some are suffering torture and beatings....for specific information check out sites such as Voice of The Martyrs and Open Doors. Remember those who are in bonds! Remember to keep them in our prayers. Thank God for faithful people who give all and will not deny the name of Jesus even at the cost of family, home and life. Pray that the Lord will strengthen, encourage, protect and embolden those who have not denied His Name. Let our prayers cheer them on to finish the race that the Lord has called them to. Let us pray that many will come to salvation through these precious saints.

GRN

Tom Zurowski from Global Response Network recently visited Uganda and the Sudan this is a video from that trip...

The "E"Ticket ride

While spending time outside, enjoying some time in the shade, I found myself remembering a time spent with my sister and her family. We were at an amusement park and my nephew Michael wanted to go on the roller coaster. No one else would go on the ride. So I volunteered. Once on the ride I was screaming to get off- I could not wait for the ride to be over. Once off the ride I was boasting about how much fun I had. I also remember taking steps only to find out there is no turning back, no turning to the left or the right. Times when I would say oh why, oh why did I take that step. I felt thrust into a situation where there is no turning back, I was moving forward but not on my own strength, I was not in control (not the same as being out of control). I believe the Lord showed mercy by propelling me through situations that I was not strong enough to handle but needed to go through. Only to be overjoyed and filled with peace when it was all over. I believe there are times when our steps are ordered by the Lord and there is danger on every side but we are covered and protected by the Lord. There are times when we may not even remember the destination but we remember the journey and how the Lord guided and protected us. My friend used to call this the "E" ticket ride...Exciting and Eternal...

the two week challenge

I am currently reading a book written by Elizabeth Elliot and last night what I read offered a challenge...the challenge...stop complaining for the next two weeks! In the book the question was set before me...is complaining what is keeping me from entering into the promise land? This morning was to be day one and before my feet reached the floor...there it was...the first complaint of the day...this is going to be a struggle....I am looking forward to victory in this area and I assume those who have heard my many complaints throughout the years will be blessed by the sounds of silence where there once had been a barrage of complaints. That may be my first step- if you don't have something nice to say- Don't say anything. I look forward to the day where Praising the Lord in all my circumstances will be my immediate and constant constant response.

Still Waiting

Still waiting....I want to jump into something else...go forward with prayer meetings...yet this seems to be a not yet time...the same seems to hold true for employment(this has been one long -not yet)
I go so far with okay I'll wait and trust the Lord...then I get impatient, fearful and think well maybe I didn't hear right and jump in and take action...so far this has been a mistake...
At times it is physically, emotionally, psychologically uncomfortable. I liken this to losing weight- I have gained 10 lbs for every year since I moved back to N.Y.- It has been 8 yrs that I have been overweight...so I have been wanting to lose weight for a long time...within those eight years I have attempted to change my eating habits and exercise...but I have not been consistent for one reason or other...
So while it seems like I have been "waiting" a long, long time...because I have jumped in and tried to have things my way - I have not truly been waiting...waiting on my Lord and Savior looking to Him for direction and guidance...trusting His timing...not panic during the quiet times....I see that sometimes I want to jump into something, just do something is because I don't want to face what is confronting me at the time. I don't know how to stay put when it gets uncomfortable...sure there is a time to move out of uncomfortable situations but there are other times that dealing with the uncomfortable will lead to healing and deliverance...and my uncomfortableness seems to be more an internal rather than in an external circumstance.

Still

Still struggling to walk the surrendered life...so many, many times I want to do things my way and in my time. I have often ran ahead only to be disappointed and have to acknowledge that the Lord did not give me the go ahead. I still lack maturity...as soon as an idea or thought forms in my heart or mind-I want to go forward with "my" plans. I don't like to wait!!!