Friday, May 8, 2009

Control

What in our lives can we control?
Our families– only if our children are small.
Our plans–not really.
Our schedules–not always
Our friends–not really and we shouldn't try.
When we realize we aren't in control of events happening around us,we wait for things to fall into place. While we bide our time, we can either seethe on the inside or we can take the news or lack of it in stride. As children of God we do a bit more. We turn the circumstances over to Him and ask for His guidance through the situation.

If we react to things with anger, we harm only ourselves–either physically, emotionally, or relationally.

Physically: Blood pressure rises, ulcers develop, acid reflux becomes a concern.

Emotionally: We feel hurt. We may cry.

Relationally: The ones who hear our outburst can either view us differently, distancing themselves from us or they merely treat us using a different approach.

When we accept the information and try to be ready for whatever comes next, we find ourselves calmer, better able to cope with the event and all it's allied problems.

The best way a person can endure all the stress is through prayer. When we have people praying for us we can feel the effect of their petitions to God. We experience a peace because God hears those pleas and surrounds us with His arms of love and guides us through the time of uncertainty.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

http://http://jeanmatthewhall.blogspot.com/2009/05/national-day-of-prayer.html

Following My King: Two Prayers

Two Prayers

Prayer for Revival

Dear Lord:
Please pour your Holy Spirit out on all our world. Let each nation feel your presence as they go through these traumatic times. Enter into the hearts of the people who inhabit Your lands. Allow your children to petition you with their needs and desires before they make any decision especially if it affects another’s life.

Let your Holy Spirit be felt in your houses of worship. Enter into each service with those in attendance. Strengthen us who call on Your name. Guide us as we walk with You. Comfort those of us who grieve. Direct us who seek our way. Help us as we sometimes fall short and miss the mark.

Allow Your Spirit to be present in each marriage and family in our lands. Speak to each heart, tell them of Your love for them and of Your plans for their lives.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

Prayer for Unity
Dear Lord:
We see a lot of heartache and sadness around us. We see people hurting others, people not enjoying one another's company, senseless acts of violence. We don't always understand the reasons for this dysfunction but You do. Please help us to put away our differences and learn to work together in this world, so we may work with one another and with You in the next one.

Please restore unity and peace to our world.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Sheltered

Basically speaking, humankind has three needs in life—food, clothing, and shelter. Food sustains us and allows our bodies to thrive. Clothing keeps us warm and safe from certain illnesses. Shelter protects us from the elements of nature.

In our Christian walk, we speak of God's Word being food for our souls. Clothing is described as attributes or qualities God wants us to exhibit to those around us. Shelter is God's protecting us from harm.

When we face events causing us to fear or feel helpless, God shelters us Whatever our need, He is close to us. All we have to do is call on Him.
We never know when our world will bring grief or stress into our lives. But we have a Lord who will guide us through and comfort us as we make our way. Sometimes we have great stresses that we can only share with God and He is always there to listen and to help.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Ted's Promise

Ted is at peace. He's in heaven with Jesus. He fought a good fight against Cancer. I attended his funeral last Thursday. Our pastor had a lot of good things to say about Ted and his relationship with Jesus. I wish I could have known him better.

In his obituary, his wife and family included a promise Ted made when he was first diagnosed in 1998. I quote it here. “When faced with a mountain I WILL NOT QUIT! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath–or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine, with God's help!” I don't know if this is his thought or if he found it and quoted it but I like it.

In the fall of 2005, our church decided to go out into the neighborhood and knock on doors. Those walking the streets invited the people to our church and gave them free tickets to the upcoming chicken noodle dinner. That evening,our pastor and another gentleman decided to knock on one more door before returning to the church.

These two men knocked on this one particular door. Finally, a woman answered, listened and explained their plight. She and her husband received his diagnosis of recurring Cancer that afternoon. The two guests prayed with them, invited the couple to church and left. This was on Wednesday. On Sunday they church family was informed of the need and the circumstances of the pastor knowing of it.

Ted and his wife Jan have been appreciative of all the church family has done for them these three and a half years. Ted fought Cancer for a total of ten years. He lived a full life. After retiring from his job as a production control supervisor, he worked two other jobs.

What I will always remember about Ted is he always seemed glad to see people. When we greet people on Sunday mornings during the Worship Service, he always smiled, his eyes gleaming.

When I heard his promise, I thought he had such a courageous attitude. He gave us all something to ponder. I replaced my screen saver with the first part of the quote the afternoon of the funeral. The next day the Lord reminded me of the words I had input. I will always be grateful to Ted's family for sharing that promise with us.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...