Being obvious about it......

I'm up early this morning, because later today there will be a crowd of hungry people at my door. The turkey is in the oven, and I'm getting ready to go make bread, and dressing, and green beans, and other things........ though not the noodles. I relied on the good Amish folks to make those for me (thank goodness!)

Anyway, once I got the turkey in the oven and a cup of coffee in my hand, I decided to sit down and read my devotion for the day. It came from Zechariah 8:23 where it talks about 10 men from every nation grasping the sleeve of a Jewish man because they've heard that God is with him. Ahhhhh..... to be like the Jewish man in that scripture - with others holding on to me because they've heard that I know God and He is with me. I hope that I live my life so that others can tell that I know God. I hope that I live my life as if it were my last day! As Missy mentioned in her blog earlier this week, she heard Ed Duke say at an invitation after a service, "you never know when it will be your last day" - and then he passed away the next day. (I didn't know Ed real well, but I'm certain that he was living his life as though it might be his last day - and because of that I'm certain he's having a feast with God today!)

So this Thanksgiving Day, I am giving Thanks that I can live as though it might be my last day, which hopefully in turn will show people WHO I live for...... I am so thankful to live here and now, with the ability and right to love and serve God and be obvious about it!!

Black or White.......... NO Gray Area

I have been asked to participate in an event this Spring. I’ve known for a couple of months that this event was going to take place, and have said that I would ‘attend’ and ‘help’ but not REALLY participate. And then I was asked to be ON the team again - REALLY participate. So, I said that I would pray about it and let them know by the end of the week. So here it is the end of the week, and I’ve received no real clarification with regard to my prayers.

Am I praying enough? Earnest enough? Is my heart truly in it?

I read a devotion this week on obedience that was based on Deuteronomy 28:2 – “All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God.” I wondered why I was reading about obedience when I haven’t really received any clear guidance yet on WHAT to obey. So I read further, and read about the consequences of obedience – Blessings or Curses. Still no real clarification on my participation level in the event next spring, but definitely some clarification on the consequences!

Blessings – Deuteronomy 28:2-12 OR Curses – Deuteronomy 28:13-19

So with regard to obedience..... it’s either Black or White….. there’s no gray area.

Post-Election.... prayers and concerns

Last night, Caleb was glued to the TV watching the election results. In fact, David and I were doing other things but he just wouldn't leave the TV. Occasionally, he would yell out the results of various races, and I was amazed at his commitment to follow them. I don't know to many kids who gave a rip about the election much less spend time watching the results.

So, when I told him it was time for bed at 9:00, he was honked off because he couldn't finish watching the results, even though I told him it was FAR from over and it would be several hours before we knew anything (although at that point in time, we had a pretty good inkling of the outcome). David promised him he would get him up early so that he could check the news before breakfast. Unfortunately for all of us.... he forgot!

Each night when Caleb goes to bed, one or the other of us prays with him - we pray, and then he prays - pretty simple, huh? When I prayed last night, I asked that God would work the election according to His plan and purpose.

This morning when Caleb got up, he immediately went to the TV to see what was happening, and to learn the outcome. With tears in his eyes, his first question was, 'Dad, WHY didn't you get me up early like you promised?" His next comment was, 'Mom, you prayed last night that God would work the election to his plan and purpose. He's done just that, and this must be what God wants for us at this time.'

And to that, we both said, 'Yes, Caleb. We may not agree with some of the views or ideals held by our new President, but sometimes God uses these things to grow us, and make us stronger and no matter how we feel, we should be respectful of our leaders.' And so my prayer now is......

Dear God - Grow us like never before and if takes making us weak to make us strong, then break us down God. Help us to keep our focus on You! Help us to honor and respect our leaders which ultimately, honors Your plan and purpose for our lives. I believe that you have guided us here because it's where you want us to be. I continue to pray God that you would protect our leaders from Satan, and that you would create in them the desire to seek your guidance and direction. I continue to thank you for a country in which we can worship freely and express our opinions, and I pray that you would cause us to be in a constant state of prayer for our leaders so that we continue to enjoy those freedoms. In all that we do, may we be a Godly example not only to our children, but to others who may have different ideals and beliefs than our own.

I pray that we WOULD worship freely - holding nothing back - giving our best - giving our all. Create in us a hunger and a yearning for you God, and help us to be obedient and pliable so that we become the people you desire us to be. You are the potter - we are the clay. Mold us, dear God.

Amen.

Election Day Prayer

Dear God – I pray that you will guide our country today. At the end of this election day, I pray that the leaders that you want and need in place are right where you want them to be. I pray that you would protect them from Satan, and I pray that you would create in them, the desire to look to you for guidance and direction. I thank you Dear God for allowing us to live in a country in which we can vote freely for our leaders, and speak openly about our hopes and dreams for the future. I thank you for the right to worship freely and openly, and pray that you would enable me to be bolder and more convicted in my faith and in sharing it with others. Bless this country today, God and at the end of the day, let all that we’ve said and done glorify You.

In Your name I pray, Amen.