Pray for those in authority

God’s Word tells us to pray for those in authority.  That means our president elect, Barack Obama.  He is still taking alot of hits with people trying to disprove that he is a U. S. citizen.  I confess that I don’t know alot about his background, but I do know that I am called to pray for him, so I do.  There are those, who are racist, jealous, and even think they could be a better president than Obama could be.  They are full of hot air! 

I am a member of the presidential prayer team, and this week, I received a prayer directive, which I will post here.  This is how to pray for president elect, Barack Obama.

For the new presidential administration to desire to know and do God’s will in all things.  Eph. 5:17

For freedom and openness on the part of the president and vice president elect regarding matters of faith.  1 Chron. 16:24

For God’s leading and guiding to be with the president elect and every part of his administration as he takes the oath of office.  Psalms 25

For the president and vice president elect’s families to be protected by God moment by moment.  Psalms 5:1

For citizens to be faithful in interceding for all leaders of the new administration. 1 Tim. 2:1-2

God bless you as you pray for Obama and our nations’ leaders.

snow

It’s snowing tonight – probably the first real snowfall for this season, of any significance.  I recall several years ago when I was attending a Christian retreat.  A Pastor talked about the snow.  He made reference to our sin and how God covers us.  Though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.  The Pastor said that the ground is brown in the winter time, and our sins are that way, too, brown, or dirty.  Then God sends a covering, snow, to cleanse us from our sins and purify our hearts. 

There’s real peace in watching the snowfall.  It’s silent, beautiful and awesome, just like our God.  The snow comes without us even realizing it’s falling.  God is like that.  He’s with us always, and we may not even be aware.  Glory to His name!  Thank You, Lord, for the snow, which symbolizes Your beauty.

trust and believe

I have been asking God how to receive restoration in my life for my health.  God has said, “Trust and believe.”  The key to victory over anything in life is to trust God and believe that He will accomplish that which is at hand.  I have tried to figure things out myself, but that just gets me off course and further from God’s perfect plans.  Trust and believe.  I did that, surrendered my issue to God, and He gave me the answer I needed.  Thank You, Lord!

When you get into a dilemma or situation and you don’t know what to do, the best thing you can do is ask, “God, what do I do with this?  How do you want me to handle this?”  He will answer you and give you guidance.  Trust and believe. 

God responds to how we respond to things.  Trust and believe!

Pray for the President

Well, folks, the election has come and gone.  It seemed so far off, but now it’s over with.  Alot of people are really worried about Obama going into office over our nation because of his agenda.  I have been praying for President Bush for a few years, and for our new President since last year.  God’s Word commands us to pray for those in authority, so I intend to keep praying.  No matter what happens, God is in control and I trust Him.  I believe this will be a time when the church gets on its knees and prays like never before.  My prayer life has changed significantly over the last few months.  I often read and pray God’s Word out loud.  What we speak into the atmosphere can either curse or bless.  I want as much blessing to go forth as possible. 

Don’t be despaired over this election.  God has a purpose and a plan.  It was a let down that Measure 11 didn’t pass, yes, but let’s keep on going and not look back or wonder what went wrong.  There needs to be a uniting of the churches, and I believe that was a big downfall for 11.  Some believers opposed the Measure. 

Be blessed and encouraged!

Upcoming Election

We have just a few days before the election.  It’s a very important time to be praying and seeking God for what His heart is for our nation.  One of the biggest challenges we face is protecting the unborn.  South Dakota actually banned abortion two years ago, but opponents challenged it and the ban was lifted.  Now we have a measure that would make most abortions rare and includes exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother.  I recall being a college freshman in 1988.  Some peers and I were discussing abortion and actually talked about how we felt about it and what we would do if we were a rape or incest victim or had a medical emergency that would put our lives at risk.  Would we carry our baby to term or would we abort?  At the time, I didn’t know much about abortion, had never talked to anyone about it, but I really felt that I could never go through with one.  Ten years later, I did go through with one, and now 10 years past that, I am still suffering from the consequences.  God, in His grace and mercy has been so faithful and loving and has never left me nor forsaken me.  He was right there when I had my abortion, and He has been there for me since then.  The hardest part was realizing that God saw it all, every grizly detail.  Yet, He cares enough for me that He paid the ultimate sacrifice for my sins by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die on the cross for my sake, then to gloriously rise from the dead so that I may have eternal life with Him.

Most days, I am carefree and happy.   Then there are days, where I feel like I am falling apart, depression comes and goes, and so do other feelings.  Some people talk about anniversary dates, but for me, those don’t mean a thing.  My post-abortive struggles surface whenever and wherever, not during the times when I would have been giving birth or at the anniversary of my abortion. 

When I was in sixth grade in 1981, I had a best friend, who was killed in a three-wheeler accident.  It took me around 17 years to get over her death.  Her mother has never gotten over it.  The loss of a child for a mother is probably the most painful thing that someone can experience and some never get over it.

I am one of these people, who believe that God takes us through things in life, no matter how painful to build our character, develop our maturity and to take us to a higher place.  We all experience troubles in life, pain and sorrow, joy and peace.  It’s all a part of life; it’s all part of learning to find comfort in the grace of God and His sovereign love for us. 

I experience alot of emotional healing.  For me, the emotional stuff is more painful than anything physically I have ever dealt with.  Just two nights ago, I was in my bathtub, kneeling with my face over the water, watching it drain out, and I cried, “Lord, I am so sorry.  I didn’t know what I was doing.”  God has forgiven me.  I have not quite forgiven myself yet, but I had major breakthrough in that area.  Thank You, Lord! 

The greatest challenge for me has been dealing with menopause.  Yes, I am too young for this, being only 38.  I tend to blame myself for this early onset, and the lie from the enemy has been that it’s my fault because I aborted a child and lost out on motherhood and won’t have that chance again.  That’s a lie from the pit of hell.  It’s been prophesied to me that I will have many spiritual daughters.  Through World Vision, I sponsor a child from Congo, and her name is Gracia.   When I saw her and her name, I knew she was a special girl and that God wanted to express His grace to Gracia through me.  It’s been such a blessing to pray for and support Gracia while sending her things through World Vision.  I want to help children around the world as much as I can, and God has opened up an avenue for me.  What the devil intends for evil, God uses for GOOD.  Thank You, Lord!

If you are a post-abortive man or woman, I want to encourage you.  God loves you with His whole heart and He is not mad at you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Reach out to Him, call upon His name and you will be saved.  I called upon the Lord at the darkest time of my life, and He heard me and changed my life.  He wants to change your life, too, so call upon Him.  He really cares for you! 

God bless you!

Survive

I am reading a book called “Survive.”  It’s the story of three men, who went flying in an airplane and crashed in the Sierra Nevadas of California.  The story is the first person account from the pilot.  WIth 16 broken bones, including a shattered ankle, he spends 13 days going for help.  His survival mode amazes me.  He burrows under a blanket of bark, pine needles and branches at night and breathes into his jacket to keep his body temperature warm.  During the day, he endures snow up to his neck at some points, boulders, scaling some mountains, basking in hot springs, nearly getting rescued, and finally getting rescued.  Even though this story only mentions God a few times – basically, the pilot and his family praying for his safe return, I see some Christian themes.  The pilot uses a rock for his pillow.  As he tries to make decisions about how to survive, what route to take to find help, etc., he sometimes talks out loud.  He receives responses, telling himself what to do, but it’s almost like God is giving him guidance, even though he may not realize it.  At the start of his trek for help, he sees a very bright star in the sky, but never figures out what it is.  He uses it as a guide and even talks to it.  I got the feeling it was an angel. 

I see in this story how perseverance, even in brokenness, allows us to survive.  The decisions we make can result in life or death.  The pilot tells himself, “You make a mistake, you die.”  The analogy here, to me, is that if we keep persevering, even in our brokenness, we survive.  If we make the mistake of not following Christ, we die.  Survive!

parents’ anniversary

Today is my parents’ 46th anniversary.  That’s a big milestone!  I remember when we celebrated their 25th and 40th anniversaries.  Those were special times.  Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!  Thank you for shaping my life into what it is today!

I love you!

Check out my new blog!

I just built this blog.  After trying to figure out how to design and set it up, I think I have the basics down.  I am not a rocket scientist, just wanted a place to write stuff and connect with others.  Hope to see you here!