Prayer

"But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered together;
Attackers gathered against me,
And I did not know it;
They tore at me and did not cease;

With ungodly mockers at feasts
They gnashed at me with their teeth.

Lord, how long will You look on?
Rescue me from their destructions,
My precious life from the lions.

I will give You thanks in the great assembly;
I will praise You among many people.

Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies;
Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without cause.

For they do not speak peace,
But devise deceitful matters
Against the quiet ones in the land.

They also opened their mouth wide against me,
And said, "Aha, aha!
Our eyes have seen it."

This You have seen, O Lord;
Do not keep silence.
O Lord, do not be far from me.

Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication,
To my cause, my God and my Lord.

Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness;
And let them not rejoice over me.

Let them not say in their hearts, "Ah, so we would have it!"
Let them not say, "We have swallowed him up."

Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion 
Who rejoice at my hurt;
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor
Who exalt themselves against me.

Let them shout for joy and be glad, 
Who favor my righteous cause;
And let them say continually,
"Let the Lord be magnified,
Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."

And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all day long."

Psalm 35: 15-28

POSTSCRIPT WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH

Ray and I are sitting with coffee, talking about my earlier blog. Both of our dads were in the Air Force. My dad fixed planes to be sent back out. He heard shells exploding in the distance but remained unharmed.

Ray's dad was in a battle. He jumped into a well for safety. If a tall black man had not seen Ray's dad and pulled him out, he may have drowned. 

There are all kinds of pictures in that that I love--not the least being a black arm and a white arm bound together.

Ray and Lonnie

DINGS AND SCARS OF BATTLE

"My favorite piece . . . the shield of faith. There's something appealing in the notion of carrying this picture of who you are into war. Then when, God willing, you come home, it comes, too, changed, as you are, by the dings and scars of the journey and the battle. Your faith can't emerge unscathed or untouched-- not if you've really fought."

Jeff Chu
Does Jesus Really Love Me?   P. 259
Harper Collins 2013

In our human wars, wow! Absolutely true and so well put. In our spiritual battles, what do you think? Is it true that if your faith emerges, unscathed, you haven't fought? I would love discussion.

Picking Up My Shield,
Lonnie

Prayer

I continue to pray Proverbs 3:5-7 for President Trump. I pray that God will help President Trump to recognize His voice.

Lord, when he is walking in Your will, making decisions according to Your will, help him to be as strong and determined as iron, but with humility. God, how do  we do that?! Show him how. Show us.

To You be all Glory and Honor,
Amen

DEATH INTERRUPTED

"If you do not interrupt your life with convictions of death to come, neither shall your death, when it comes, be interrupted by life."

Walter Wandering, Jr.
Reliving The Passion  p. 22
Zondervan

Boy Scouts teach us to be prepared. And so we do: for college, job interviews, children, vacation, possible job loss, retirement; and even our funerals. 

How is it, then, that we don't prepare for the inevitable? 

Planning For My Death To Be Interrupted.
Feel My Anticipation!
Lonnie

AGE-LONG MINUTE

"Hold us quiet through the age-long minute,
while thou art silent and when the wind is shrill,

Can the boat sink, Lord, while you art in It?
Can the heart faint that waiteth on thy will?"

Amy Carmichael
Quoted in Craving Connection  p. 70/Stacey Thacker
Broadman and Holman 2017

Our own pain is hard to bear. Our own fear. But oh, the pain and fear of our child!
Stacey Thacker holds her child through ugly tests--through the age-long minutes.

She asks, "Does our God do any less for His daughters?"

Humbled By The Faith Of Those In Pain,
Lonnie

Prayer

GOD,
It feels like Trump is in a lion's den. Daniel emerged unharmed because of his innocence and his trust in You. None of us are innocent, apart from the blood of Jesus; and I am not so naive as to think that President Trump is free of wrong actions or motives.

I do ask that You would help him to depend more on You every day; that You would grow his trust in You.

GOD, I can ask no less for myself and the Body of Christ.
Amen.

THE KING'S FAITH

"Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve constantly, been able to deliver you from the lions?"

Daniel 6:20b
 New American Standard Bible

We recognize Daniel's faithfulness and amazing faith. 

What about the king's? 

He walked up to impossibility and spoke to it.

The impossible spoke back . . .

My God IS able. I'm alive and unharmed.

In Awe,
Lonnie

Prayer

God woke me in the night to pray for our nation. It felt so critical. Ray and I took time to pray together. He prayed around a verse that says a curse without cause will not land; he prayed that the curse would return to the one who sent the curse; not for destruction but for rebuke.

You may agree, or not; that's okay. You pray as God prompts you. I prayed that Christians would circle their wagons around Trump and his family--those wagons being prayer. I prayed that God would raise up an army to pray for our nation. I want to be a part of that army, but I prayed for protection for me and my family. Satan doesn't like pray-ers. I prayed for God to raise up intercessors in churches across the nation. I had a distinct feeling of battle. I could be crazy, but God can sort crazy prayers from right ones. So, all is well. May we see God intervene.

FREE TO CHOOSE

"You can choose how you want to live. You are free to choose the actions, but not the results. You are free to have your kicks, but not to avoid the kickbacks. You are free to make choices, but not to avoid the consequences."

Dr. David Jeremiah
What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do  p.52
David C. Cook  2016


I choose anger, and it ruins my day . . . and at least one other person's.
I choose sugar . . . and complain about my weight.
I choose coffee and kindness . . . and I feel much better.

Enjoying A New Friend,
Lonnie

Prayer

"God,
President Trump, his family, and our leadership are under constant attack. Trump attacks back.

Help him to know when to speak up and when to shut up.

Give him self-control to shut up. Give him the ears, of others, to hear and understand when he speaks up.

Help him to know that silence can be as effective as speaking, given the right timing and attitude.

God, protect he and his family. Protect our nation.

Let us not have to be "in crisis" to keep us in prayer.

God, I pray that we would see the undeniable presence of Your Hand in our nation, today.

To You be All  glory and honor.
Amen

CONSCIENCE

"One can no more prevent thought from recurring to an idea than one can the sea from returning to the shore: the sailor calls it the tide; the guilty man calls it remorse."

Victor Hugo/translated by Isabel F. Hapgood
Les Miserables  p.296 Nook
Harper Perennial Classics   epub 2012

He had convinced himself that circumstances proved his fortune was God's will. Yet, he found no joy in his fortune.

Because, deep down, his conscience spoke the truth.

Loving This Classic,
Lonnie

DID YOUR TOUCH THE KITTIES?

A mom noticed her 4 year old hurrying away from their newborn kittens.

"'Did you touch the kitties, Elias?'

"'No!' He said earnestly. So Mom had another question: 'Were they soft?'

"'Yes . . . And the black one mewed.'"

Tim Gustafson

Our Daily Bread  2/15/17  Volume 61 Number 11

Caught! As are we all.

That's why 1 John 1:9 is so precious.

Forgiven . . . Way More Times Than I Can Count,

Lonnie

PRAYER

God,
I pray that the Trump family would honor this Sabbath day, together. If, for now, it is for appearances or to please others, I pray that it would become a most cherished time.

Protect this time from crises and decision making. Help President Trump to trust You with the nation for that hour or two. Bring he and his family fellowship with people who love and enjoy them for who they are.

Amen

SHAME IS A BULLY

"I had wanted someone to reach over to me at eighteen, sit in that church pew next to me, someone to touch my shoulder, to steady things and say, 'Shame is a bully but grace is a shield. You are safe here.'"

Ann Voskamp
The Broken Way   p. 20
Zondervan  2016

If we needed that sort of person and didn't have one,  perhaps we can be that person for someone else.

Let It Be Me,
Lonnie

TO OR THROUGH

Our "feelings" may not match facts.

Feel forgotten? Worried about children/parents/church direction? Feelings may be accurate--or not. Either way, Jesus understands.

He will walk us TO the truth, or THROUGH it.

Safe and Loved In His Hands,
Lonnie

PRAYER

God,
The job of President--even senator or Congress person, etc. has to be overwhelming. Would You make them so conscious of Your love Today?

Help each one to rest, if only for a few minutes, in that love.

As they go forward from those minutes, may they discover their thinking to be clearer, and their ability to work together more possible.

Please strengthen President Trump's family toward each other, and toward You.

For Your Glory and Their Joy,
Amen

TID-BITS: RE-ENJOYING THE IF GATHERING

"I've gone scared and stayed scared."

'Doesn't God give you peace in those dangerous areas?'

No, He gives courage."

Jill Briscoe

"You cannot self-preserve and give freely."

Rebekah Lyons?

(Concerning Bibles translated into other languages.)

A Hindu man said, "I knew there was one true God, but I didn't believe until I heard Him speak in my language."

I went tired and introverted. I stayed tired and introverted. I fell into bed before 8 Saturday night. I am so glad I went.

Thank you Open Door for hosting the Event and for allowing us to pay what we were able to pay. It's unlikely that I would have taken the risk otherwise--or received the blessings.

Still Tired

Still Introverted and Shy

But grateful for conversations deeper than the weather.

BLESSED,

Lonnie

DREADED TASKS?

"Looking at our everyday tasks and responsibilities, we see that not all of them are enjoyable. But we can ask, 'How can this spark joy in God's heart and in my own?' A change in why we do things can bring a transformation in the way we feel about them.

                                               . . . 

Lord, show me how You want to spark joy in the tasks I face today."

David McCasland
Our Daily Bread  Vol 61, Number 11 (Feb. 7, 2017)

I think that today is as good as any to try this out.

Expecting a Transformed Day,
Lonnie

I subscribed to Our Daily Bread this year (Asking only for a donation that fits your budget). It's been a tremendous blessing. I haven't missed a day. If you're looking for a short, but inspirational, day-starter, give it a try.

PRAYER

"Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous;

Do not be afraid; 

Do not be discouraged,

For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9 NIV (emphasis mine)

God, help us obey this command. Is it possible that You would show us how fallible any man/woman is so that we would depend on the only One who IS dependable? 

Give us a glimpse of Your love today. Help us trust that love.

Amen

WHY NOT START HERE?

"Author C. S. Lewis describes a walk in the forest on a hot summer day. He had just asked his friend how best to cultivate a heart thankful toward God. His hiking companion turned to a nearby brook, splashed his face and hands in a little waterfall and asked, 'Why not begin with this?' Begin where you are."


David Roper
Daily Bread Magazine  2/2017



Beginning Where I Am,
Sunshine--Friends--Talented Children--Huggable Teenage Grandchildren
Thank You, God.

A Recipient of Your Gifts and Blessings,
Lonnie


Did I mention Faithful and Funny Husband--Coffee--Books--Twelve Steps Folk--

Begin your list. Don't stop 'till you are almost smiling . . . I "get it."

PRAYER

Lord,
As a nation and as Your Church, help us to be strong and courageous. Help us to not be afraid or discouraged; for You are Lord and God. And You are with us wherever we go.  (Joshua 1:9)


Thank You!

PRAYER

Supreme Court Justice. Both sides of the aisle are fearful, God. You, alone, know the character of each nominee. May Your will be done. If the result doesn't look like we think it should, help us trust You. For You can open doors that no man can shut. You can close doors that no man can open.

While in the Presidency, give Donald Trump the desire and ability to hear your voice. Guard him from deceit and pride. Give him courage to make hard decisions. Hold his heart and those of his family.

Busy, busy; God help him to take time each day to read Your Word. May he ever be amazed at how fitting what he reads is to his days

To You be all glory, honor, and praise. Help Trump to give credit where credit is due-- first to You, and then to men and women who share wisdom, talents, and efforts. 

Open our eyes to see Your Hand, 
Amen