ROCK BOTTOM

"I presented my clueless self to God, and in the middle of rock bottom I discovered rock bottom is not where people go to die but where people go to be recreated."

Matthew Barnett
Misfits Welcome  p.15/Nook
Nelson Books  2017



As For Me

Ah ha! Great news for 12 Step Groups.

 Rock Bottoms are full of tears, anger, worry, and an unruly crowd of other emotions. Yet, as much as rock bottoms feel like painful endings, from which we can never recover; they are, instead, hopeful beginnings. Second Chances.

We already know what doesn't work; so with the help of understanding friends and a faithful God, we explore new paths and discover new lives . . . one day at a time.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold new things have come."

2 Corinthians 5:17  New King James Version

Lonnie

PRECIOUS PIECE OF HISTORY

"On September 7, 1774, the Continental Congress held its first official meeting at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. Their first official act was prayer. And it wasn't some perfunctory prayer that was nothing more than protocol . . . Our founding fathers prayed with fervency and intensity. Earwitnesses heard them interceding several blocks away."

Mark Batterson
Draw The Circle   p.91
Zondervan 2012


As For Me

Sometimes I quit praying for our country because I don't see changes. (good changes) Sometimes, I'm just lazy, or bored. Often times, I tell God, "I just don't get it! I don't get whose responsibility is whose--how the branches of government connect--how proposed solutions touch the problem. Grrr. Why have You called me to pray?!"

Then I read something like this precious piece of history and get excited.

So I determine, once again, to spend my first few minutes in the car each day, praying. Radio off--praying--as best I can for the leaders of our country.

God, help me be faithful,
Lonnie

WHATEVER IT TAKES

"The Red Sea may roll before us; the desert may entrap us; the enemy may press on our heels. The past may seem implausible and the future impossible, but God works in ways we cannot see . . . God will always make a way for His tired, yet trusting children, EVEN IF HE MUST SPLIT THE SEA TO DO IT." (emphasis mine)

Robert J. Morgan
Reclaiming The Lost Art Of Biblical Meditation   p.81
Thomas Nelson 2017
The Red Sea Rules   p. xi-xii
W Publishing  2014

As For Me

I asked God for a word today. This is what I needed.

Lonnie

"OUR" SON

Muslim, Omar Aziz walked five days -- through mine-fields, mountains and deserts--to attend a Christian funeral!

He sat between Nik and his wife Ruth, after the death of their son Timothy.

"I was stunned to hear him say, "I have walked here from Somalia. I had to help bury our son, Timothy."

Nik Ripken with Gregg Lewis
The Insanity Of God   p.132
Broadman & Holman  2013

As For Me

Love like that between a Muslim and a Christian? 

Besides this, from the time of Tim's death, March 28, and Nik and Ruth's departure for the U. S. in June, every meal was provided by friends and neighbors. These lessons would be huge in just a Christian context. 

BUT  . . . their neighbors and friends were Muslims.

I'm pretty sure I have God in a box------and I need to let Him out!

Lonnie

TESTING . . .TESTING . . .

Serious?

I'm rereading "Draw The Circle" by Mark Batterson. This morning's thoughts centered around someone who prayed for the Ebenezer Coffeehouse to become a Dream Factory. 

A regular customer shared that he, indeed, had a dream birthed there. Great coffee and free wi-fi made it a great office for him.


Grrrr. Ray and I often complain about sales-folk who abuse coffee shops. 

But the dream this man birthed saves millions from starving!

I was convicted concerning a man who, daily, picks the best table by a fake but warm fireplace. He's there when I come and there when I leave. He talks on the phone or to a friend--volume 8 on a 1-10 scale. I put earbuds in to help (and to make a point).   8-/

I should pray. Who knows what kind of dream he might be nurturing? Or if he knows the Lord.

He's here! I heard a voice projecting over my shoulder and across the coffee shop. This isn't my normal time of day! It can't be him. But sure enough . . .

Testing . . . testing . . .

God, I need your help with this one. Can I start small? Like, "help him have a nice Christmas."?

Or while I'm praying for him, could you prompt someone to pray for me?

And oh, God, thank you for the fireplace seat.

Lonnie 

NEVER SAY . . .

Were you ever cautioned by a parent or English teacher to "never say never?"

"Always" was included, or at least implied, yet . . . the Holy Spirit, through Peter, tells us,

"ALWAYS be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15 NIV (emphasis mine)

So are you? Ready?

Am I?

Lonnie

Perhaps, we should practice with one another: asking believing friends, "Are you hopeful--in your financial situation? In your health situation? With the state of our nation/world? With eternity? 

If so, why?

LET IT BE ME

If I were an artist, this would top my list of painting projects. Sculpture would be fun too.

"One of the secrets of (Jonathan Edwards) success was that he always thought through his subject matter. Even on walks and while riding horseback through the woods, he would jot down items and pin them to his coat. When he returned to the parsonage, he wrote out the fuller explanation of the bits noted on the scraps. It is said that at times the whole of his coat front would sometimes be covered with bits and pieces of paper."

Quoted by Robert J. Morgan from:
The Life and Ministry of Jonathan Edwards by Ed Reese  p.12
Fundamental Publishers   1975


Anne Kerr, I miss sharing these little writing ditties with you. I miss your "real mail" in my "real" mailbox.

Lonnie