Pray for Japan!

Checking In

I don't know if you feel this way or not, but when I hear about a horrible disaster in another part of the world it usually seems funny that our lives go on as usual. Coming home today from some ordinary daily life things, I said to my daughter "Here we are going on with life as always and somewhere on this earth people are suffering from the effects of something that has completely devastated their entire well-being."

Well, I came to check in after my break and Japan, Hawaii, and those in the Pacific are fresh on my mind. I'm sure the same is true of you. Top of our prayer list for sure.

I am doing my income taxes again (as always this time of year), working on finishing up homeschool here in our house and prepare for graduation, doing little writing projects, looking at movies and dvds/videos of my new favorite TV program which I wrote about a couple of entries ago (love it), enjoying the grandchildren, teaching Sunday school, etc. etc. Nothing new. Somehow it's not that important anyway.

I notice quite a few of my blogging friends aren't posting as much either. I'm sure we'll all do it when we can and will all visit each other as time and circumstances allow.

Love you all. God bless.

Epitaph

An epitaph written in a cemetery in England:

Remember man, as you walk by,
As you are now, so once was I,
As I am now, so shall you be,
Remember this and follow me.

To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone:

To follow you I'll not consent,
Until I know which way you went.

Wow. I found this in humorous stories at GatewayToJesus.com, but I hope it makes you think. Do you know where you will be when you leave this world? Do you know the one way to God? Do you know what is awaiting if you go the other way? In the Bible you'll see that the only way to spend an eternity with God is by repenting of your sins and turning to Jesus, the only Savior. And if you die without Him, it will be to a Christless eternity in a horrible place called hell.

Which way will you be going? Actually, this is not a laughing matter.

A Secret Work

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psalm 139:15

" 'My substance was not hid from thee.' The substantial part of my being was before thine all-seeing eye; the bones which make my frame were put together by thine hand. The essential materials of my being before they were arranged were all within the range of thine eye. I was hidden from all human knowledge, but not from thee: thou hast ever been intimately acquainted with me. 'When I was made in secret.' Most chastely and beautifully is here described the formation of our being before the time of our birth. A great artist will often labour alone in his studio, and not suffer his work to be seen until it is finished; even so did the Lord fashion us where no eye beheld us, and the veil was not lifted till every member was complete . . . 'And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.' 'Embroidered with great skill,' is an accurate poetical description of the creation of veins, sinews, muscles, nerves, etc. What tapestry can equal the human fabric? . . ." ~ Charles H. Spurgeon, from The Treasury of David


How dare we dispense with this marvelous work of God as if it were nothing but a "choice" belonging to us, the creatures? How dare we take it upon ourselves to even think we can make a determination whether this secret work of the Creator should or should not live? I wonder what Mr. Spurgeon would have thought if what would be happening in this day had been foretold? If God withholds judgment on our nation, it is purely a display of His long suffering and mercy!

Fellow saints, let's continue to pray that in the face of mercy, the time will soon come that this darkness prevailing over us will begin to be lifted. Let's do all we can to see that it happens, even if what we do seems small compared to the big picture. Who knows how even our littlest efforts can be used by the great Artist, who certainly recoils at seeing His works destroyed.

(Posting on both my personal and devotional blogs to recognize Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, 2011.)

Tranquility in Sorrow

Between now and this past August, five friends of mine have lost their husbands. These are all ladies whom I have been friends with for many years, and in each instance, the marriage was a solid and long lasting one. Each was a wonderful testimony of the beauty of marriage, and now each of these dear ones will face the holidays for the first time as widows. Today I went to a church to get a good tight hug from the latest widow, shortly before she went to bury her companion of 46 years. I remember going through the whole saga of her dating him and then their marriage those many years ago. . .and now our tears mingling at such a time as this.

I just wanted to remember them now for a few minutes and ask that you'd please take a moment to say a prayer for Carol, Carole, Carolyn, Joan, and Joyce during this first Christmas season without their husbands. God has blessed each of them with children and grandchildren, so we can be thankful for that.

There is something I see in each of these ladies; it's something you see when the years have been many and the relationship has been harmonious and loving. I see tranquility in their sorrow.

Rescued

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my foot upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 40:2

I have always loved this verse and what it means in the life of any believer. What is happening right now in Chile cannot but help make us think of this blessed truth.

This ongoing rescue of the miners is amazing. It is often unbelievable what man can accomplish when he sets his mind to it. What is sad is that often he (man) does not really understand (even though he make give a token acknowledgment) that he can do absolutely nothing apart from what almighty God allows. God is sovereign. He allowed this trapping of the miners and it's He that is orchestrating this whole rescue. We may not know fully what His purposes are in all of this, but He has them and all glory goes to Him.

I understand that when the oldest of the miners was taken out of the capsule that the first thing he did was get down on his knees in thanksgiving to God. Of course, we don't know what the true state of his soul is, but this miner surely did what each and every one of them should be doing. We can keep praying that as they are being rescued out of the pit, the same thing will some day be true in the spiritual realm.

Only Jesus saves from the horrible pit of sin. May He be glorified!!

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Precious Suffering Children

I guess this cured me from being down in the dumps about my sore toe. This is not particularly pleasant viewing, but one of the good things about modern technology is that it can often be used to put us right there on the scene of the sufferings and sorrows being lived out by people far away. Personally, I think we who live in such a pleasure and entertainment based society need to be put there more often. Can you add these little children, victims of the Pakistani floods, to your prayer list?

And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul. . . Isa. 58:10a

Endangered

More posts for Word-Filled Wednesday can be found at All You Have to Give.

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the

fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

Yesterday, I was listening to a broadcast over the internet and I heard this particular verse being referenced. Hearing it made me want to post this picture again and pair it with this verse. I posted this picture on several occasions, the first time being when we were waiting for the birth of our first grandchild. I've posted the same image on a couple of other occasions and it has become dear to me. I don't know where I got it, but there are many like it over the internet.

This verse and this image are just another indication of how far our country has strayed from the Word of God. I refuse to refer to the one who is pictured above as a "fetus." He or she is a baby and God refers to this baby as "fruit" and "a reward." Those who think otherwise are going to have to answer to Him.

The person who was being interviewed in that broadcast was given some hard news during her pregnancy with her child who is now nine months old. The doctor gravely looked at her and asked: "How committed are you to this pregnancy?" It was asked in such a way so as to let her know that she did not need to continue on with said pregnancy. She gave the best answer anyone can give: "I'm committed to this baby" was her reply.

It made me think about our need, myself included, to be more committed to the lives of the countless babies who are endangered. Unfortunately,there are some who are more at risk than the many animals which are on the endangered species list. And because of that, I fear our country should be on that list.

Pray that the Lord will lead us all into what more we can do for these babies and for the future of America.

The Vocation of Maternity

"The best convent," I said, "for a woman is the seclusion of her own home. There she may find her vocation and fight her battles, and there she may learn the reality and the earnestness of life."

"Pshaw!" cried she. "Excuse me, however, for saying that; but some of the most brilliant girls I know have settled down into mere married women and spend their whole time nursing babies! Think how belittling!"

"Is it more so than spending it dressing, driving, dancing, and the like?"

"Of course it is. I had a friend once who shone like a star in society. She married and had four children as fast as she could. Well! What was the consequence? She lost her beauty, her spirit and animation, lost her youth, and lost her health. The only earthly things she can talk about are teething, dieting, and measles!"

I laughed at this exaggeration. . ."As you have spoken plainly to me, knowing me to be a wife and mother, you must allow me to speak plainly in return," I began. ". . .You will permit me to say that when you speak contemptuously of the vocation of maternity, you dishonor not only the mother who bore you, but the Lord Jesus Himself, who chose to be born of woman and to be ministered unto by her through a helpless infancy."

. . . I thought of my dear ones . . .and I thought of my love for them and theirs for me. And I thought of Him who alone gives reality to even such joys as these.

~~~from Stepping Heavenward, by Elizabeth Prentiss

Don't you love the way that Katherine put it? "The vocation of maternity." And what a blessed vocation it is, even though there are times it's a painful one.

I am thinking of all the young mothers who are engaged in the years of diapering, nursing, and nurturing; I'm thinking of the ones who are going through the years of teaching their children or helping them to learn, even if it's homework; I'm thinking of those who are plowing through the preteen and teen years and guiding them in the ways of the Lord; I am thinking of the moms of young adults who are holding Christ before them as they plant their feet in manhood and womanhood; and I am thinking of those with hearts sometimes torn, as they give them or see them off in a home of their own through marriage. I'm also thinking of those who are, with delight, welcoming in the next generation after that, with all the joys that grand parenthood has to offer them.

I believe Mother's Day is a fine holiday and it's a good thing that was instituted by our country some years ago; but I usually find it difficult not to think also of those who may find peculiar pain in it. There's one who is seemingly nearing the end of a long battle with breast cancer as she spends the day tomorrow with her husband and two young children; there are a few I know who are caring for very aged mothers in stressful situations; there is one who recently lost her beloved daughter who was also her best friend; there are some who will spend the day by the bedside of a very sick child who may not make it; and there are always those who want to be mothers, but God for His own reasons has withheld it from them. I'll have all these in my thoughts today and tomorrow.

So, for those engaged in this vocation, with all its blessings and challenges, I wish you a blessed Mother's Day. For all of those for whom this calling is yet a dream and hope, I wish you the same, because you have it in your heart. May the Lord Jesus use you all in the work of His kingdom.

Praying for Our Country

I am so sorry that I neglected the National Day of Prayer, but it's not too late to post something. During the days of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln sorrowfully declared these words:

"We have been recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven...but we have forgotten God...We have forgotten the gracious had which preserved us in peace...Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us."

In the early days of this young nation, George Washington, wrote to governors of the newly freed states asking that they join him in this prayer, which ended:

"And finally that thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"

Our poor dear country is so spiritually needy now. What would these two great men, who I firmly believe loved America with all their hearts, want us to do now? They would implore us to fall on our knees and plead with God for mercy to turn the hearts of many back to Him. People have been praying all over the land in various places today. I don't know how many there were, but I sure am thankful for those who did and those who will be continuing to lift up America to our only Helper: The Creator God of this universe, in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ.

Polish Tragedy

Oh how our hearts go out to the people of Poland. Praying for them; may the Lord help them.

Faces of Haiti

Lest we forget. . .I thought I'd bring the people of Haiti to our attention once again. Did you know that tomorrow is the three month anniversary of the earthquake? Unbelievable. This morning in Sunday school we had an emotional presentation by a man who has gone down there to assist with some of the Christian efforts. Some of the photos we saw and his first hand account left many folks in tears. You may not hear much about Haiti in the news anymore, but there is much going on down there and so many precious Christian people are doing ministry in the name of Jesus. I hope we all remember to keep this needy country in our prayers.

World Vision Tragedy

Many of you know how I feel about the work of World Vision around the world. Whenever there is a terrible catastrophe, it is usually through this organization that our family gives, with confidence that the money will reach the people in need.

You may have heard the news yesterday, but having been out most of the day, I didn't hear until last night when I got the email from WV U.S. President Richard Stearns which started out: "It is with a sad heart that I write to you about a terrible loss to the World Vision family. . ." He then went on to tell about the brutal murder of six WV workers in their office in a district of Pakistan. Eight others have been hospitalized as a result of this attack by gunmen. I have to say the email left me shocked and horrified. I feel as though I am a part of the WV family (we have been sponsoring children with them for many years), and I don't remember ever getting an email quite like this one. Usually the emails tell about how they are helping in the various areas of devastation in the many countries which need it. WV often use nationals in their work, which I think was the case here. Please, please pray for those who survived, the families of the victims, and for the people whom they were trying so hard to help. Needless to say, the organization has had to temporarily suspend operations in Pakistan, but they also state their commitment to helping the people there. Such is the spirit of World Vision.

Such a Tragedy

He was always such a favorite around our house. Most of you know about the scandal/tragedy and today Tiger Woods issued a statement to his family and friends, and to the world, actually. Of all his expressions of sorrow for what he's done, there was one particular aspect of his statement that made me particularly grieved. He talked about his need to return to his faith of Buddhism. Poor thing. What he needs most is Christ. I'll be sure to pray for him about that more than anything else. Hope you will too.

May the Lord have mercy on this family. Another proof of the futility of riches.

Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. Proverbs 16:8

The Persecuted Church

For more Word Filled Wednesdays, visit Christy at Critty Joy.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Just a reminder to remember the persecuted church in our prayers.

Bringing Them In

Thank you, Jesus. God bless them.



For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in ... Matthew 25:35

Remember Samuel

Some weeks ago while cleaning out some older files, I ran across a ten year old Focus on the Family newsletter that I had purposed never to throw out. It had this photo on the front and when I first saw it, I could not for the life of me figure out what was going on. I didn't read the article first so I stared and stared at the photo and when I saw the hand, my mind was ready to explode! You probably know the story of this photo. Obviously, it was a photo you wouldn't see much in the MSM, but its story has been told by faithful folks who knew its importance. You may recall that the little fist you see in the middle belongs to Samuel Alexander Armas, who at the time the picture was taken was a 21-week old preborn baby. Sometimes a child at this stage of life is called a "fetus," but as far as I'm concerned, he is a baby. It would have been quite difficult for him to survive outside the womb at this stage, but he is still a baby. If you have never heard or read the story about this particular photo (called the "Fetal Hand Grasp" Photograph), I encourage you to read it here. Also, You might like to read Samuel's story which is written here.

I just want to say this: Snopes, in its usual fashion, has discounted some of the circumstances surrounding this photo. I don't have the time to go into all the controversy as to whether the baby reached out his hand on his own accord or what the reaction of the surgeon was. One thing to me is sure and vital. There is a hand there and that hand has fingers which are curled around or resting on that of the surgeon. He or others may not think of that in the way that some of us do, but to me it is a verification (not that I needed it) of God's work in the womb as written in Psalm 139:13-16. Snopes' assessment of the situation does nothing to move me from exclaiming "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!"

We are approaching yet another Sanctity of Human Life Sunday in what has been a long fought and continuing battle since Roe vs. Wade. I just thought it would be a good time for all of us to remember Samuel.

Haiti Quake

All we can do is pray. . . and give. It's hard to find words for these things, but I had a little to say at Scraps of Glory today. This dear woman, a pediatrician who has apparently been doing service work there, died in the quake. So very sad that so many people entered into eternity this way. But the Lord always knows what He's doing.

Another Year is Dawning

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

~Francis R. Havergal (1836-1879)

This is my prayer for you, my dear friends, and for me for 2010. I wish when saying "another year" that it meant that in 2009 I did praise Him and lean upon His breast as I should have. I wish it meant that during the year just past, I did have gladness in the shining of His face, or that it was a year of trusting, of quiet and happy rest in Him. Unfortunately, I fear that just wasn't always the case. You probably have the same sense of having fallen short. But that doesn't mean that we all can't strive for these things in this new year. Let's strive together, shall we? Let's remember a precious promise from His Word this year:

". . . and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deut. 33:25

So, I'm praying for more strength to live for Christ as I know He wants me to. Hope you'll join me in praying the same prayer. It's what we all need. It's what our children need and our grandchildren. And it's also what our country needs. Maybe the Lord will be merciful and do a work in us all. God bless each of you and may your new year indeed be blessed in Him.

Pray Righteously, Please

Apparently there is a new prayer being offered and which is being put on teeshirts and posters, which reads something like this: "Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8." A fellow Christian I know was talking about the Psalm 109:8 slogan on Facebook and he was talking about how wrong it is. I, as a Christian and conservative, would have to agree with my my FB friend. I do not want to defend our fellow Christians who would put forth such sentiments. The proper Scripture we should all have for this President, as well as all presidents, is 1 Tim 2:1-2. God has instructed us to pray for our leaders, and He did not qualify it by saying that we should only pray for those with whom we agree. I would venture a guess that the people who were in authority in Paul's day were not righteous leaders. Even though I do not agree with the policies of the current administration and I do not think Mr. Obama is good for this country, I still pray for him and the others in office. I pray for their well being and safety as well as their hearts. I know without a doubt that this is what the Lord wants us to do.

Certain people who are familiar with this Psalm 109 slogan are saying that its intent was that folks would pray for a one term office, but if that was the intent, it is totally out of context. The passage in question is clearly asking for the death of the psalmist's enemies. I for one am very disappointed on hearing about this being on teeshirts and posters and hope that it will soon come to an end. I saw a lot of hate filled photos and posters against President Bush and I abhorred that. Now, I am sorry to say, many conservatives are stooping to the same level. So sad. I haven't met anyone personally who is posting or wearing this slogan, but if anyone reading this is in agreement with it, then you and I are not on the same page. I don't want to get into an argument about it, but I do want to express my heart. I am quite upset about this slogan, because it is a misuse of the Word of God and a misrepresentation of Christians. I hope you will reconsider if you think this is the way that God would have you voice your opposition to a leader whom you don't like.

Have a nice Lord's Day tomorrow, worshipping our great God who alone reigns and is King of King and Lord of Lords. We look to Him, not any leader, no matter what his political party or affiliation. Even those we consider good men, are men at best and sinners who will fail us in one way or another. I hope we don't get too carried away with our desires to see the America we want to see. I hope our desires are grounded in a love for God and our fellow man, as Jesus said they should be. I hope as we fight for freedom, we remember that more important than anything else, true freedom is only found in the Lord Jesus Christ and that America will only have true freedom if she returns to Him.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Be blessed.