May the Name of Jesus, the Son of God, who is mightier than all the hosts of Satan, and more glorious than all the angels of Heaven, abide with you in your going out and your coming in; by day and by night; at morning and evening; at all times and in all places.
May the Name of Jesus protect, defend and deliver you from the wrath of evil persons; from the assaults of evil spirits; from foes invisible; from the snares of the Evil One; and from all low passions that beguile the soul and the body.
May the Name of Jesus protect, defend and deliver you.
And the Blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you this day and always.
Amen.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
My Blog List
Links
- A Christian Thinktank
- Bible Prophecy Today
- Dr. Constable's Bible Study Notes
- Israel, Epicenter Of The World
- Joel C Rosenberg
- Joels' new blog
- Koinonia House Online
- Lambert Dolphin's Library
- Middletown Bible Church
- Olive Tree Ministries
- Persecution.Com
- Study Light Resources
- The Official Ray C Stedman Library
- The Omega Letter
- The True.Origin Archive
Discernment Ministries
155 comments:
Me first, me first!
(Not fair, yes, I know!)
Alesia, I thought I would beat you to it... oh well too late!
Alesia
While i like this one I really think you should have gone with the first one and I didn't think it was sinister at all
North American Army
Obama on AntiIsrael Board with Terrorist
Alesia,
I agree with Jib. What a wonderful prayer! Because it is in the name of Jesus, that we have authority over the power of the enemy of our souls.
Maybe you could post it for the next Blog? Just a suggestion.
Anyone for the Academy Awards? LOL.
Jib, I thought so too. Let's use it next time, Alesia.
Alesia, I left a note for you on the previous comment page. I agree with Jib.
Marge, on Perry Stones topic at the site Mac gave us links too: They were discussing the place America has in prophecy for the end times. It was really interesting and Perry has a published book about it. To sum up in a nut shell, Perry said that when Israel rebelled against God, Isaiah tells us that Israel's favored status would be given to another nation. That set up the passage in Matthew 21:33-46 about the owner of the vineyard giving the property to others who would take care of it and provide the fruit. Perry really brought it all together and related the other country as the USA. I am going to see if there is a way for you to listen to it at least. Sometimes they have that available for dialup.
The more I read about Obama the more I am wondering why this information is not being presented on TV even by Glenn Beck. I think it is time to take some very forward steps in letting them all know this is not acceptable and make it strong enough that they listen.
You all have a wonderful week and keep the Joy of the Lord in you whatever comes.
Grany
On the last post, someone mentioned the NET Bible. I thought you might br interested in what Jack Kelley from Grace Thru Faith emailed to me.
gracethrufaith.com wrote:
Hi Leanna,
Although the NET Bible was compiled exclusively by students and professors of Dallas Theological Seminary, traditionally thought to be a
conservative school, there have been many criticisms of the work as being a "dumbed-down" translation good only for casual readers who aren't interested in the deeper theological implications of the original
text. I personally would not use it, nor would I buy it for anyone else.
Lord bless,
Jack
Mac - You're not getting off that easy, mister! :)
I changed the post to the original prayer I wanted. I'm glad everyone approved of that one, it just spoke to me when I first read it & I had it saved in case I had to make the next post. But then I second guessed it.
Um, hello, anonymous. Thanks for the Net bible critique.
I wasn't aware that Jack Kelley felt that way about the NET Bible. It seems to be the favorite for some of the Pre-Wrath people (Dr Cooper). One of the OL members swears by it as well. To be fair to the NET it does have the most number of notes compared to most Bibles.
My two favorite translations are KJV and NASB but I'd be happy to own a NET...if for nothing else, the notes.
Grany, Shalom!
From the last post: The bit about the napalm-carrying spiders I learned about on a History Channel (Discovery Channel?) show on unusual weapons. If I remember right, the guy who thought it up was a dentist who was friends with someone who was friends with Eleanor Roosevelt. He had most of the details thought up; the only thing he was missing was the actual species of spider (they decided on a common Texas cave spider) and the fact that napalm wasn't invented until the early part of the war.
The delivery device was a multi-level tray. The units were kept cool until deployed to keep the spiders sleeping. As the parachute opened, it extended all the trays, which let the spiders warm up and wake up. The deploy was timed so that by the time the spiders were active, they were only a few hundred feet off the ground -- close enough that they could deploy their silk strands and float to the ground, carrying their small napalm charges.
What's interesting is that the Japanese were also planning to use a similar method to drop spiders infected with bubonic plague on San Fransisco. The difference is that the Japanese plan called for the spiders to be carried in small ceramic jars. The balls would be dropped, and timed charges would break the jars, allowing the spiders to float away. What kept them from doing this was the lack of a delivery system, i.e., they didn't have an aircraft that could cross the Pacific. If the war had gone on for another 6 months, they would have.
Speaking of 6 months, there's a great deal of circumstantial evidence that the second atomic bomb was not the one dropped on Nagasaki, but one the Japanese detonated on an island off the Korean coast on the day after Hiroshima. This island is now controlled by North Korea, so that part can't be confirmed. If this is the case, and if the Japanese had found another couple of weeks to process enough uranium for another bomb, then they would have used a submarine to carry the device as close as possible to San Francisco before doing a kamikaze and detonating the device. Alternatively, if they had been able to develop the trans-Pacific aircraft, they were going to disperse the uranium powder over San Francisco.
Yeah, I got abso-bloomin-lootly no problem with us having dropped those nukes on Japan.
<><
Campsmore, Shalom! About Sharon waking up from his coma:
I think the "mortal head wound" refers to a country, specifically, Turkey rebuilding the Ottoman Empire. The problem with having a person being restored from a "mortal" head wound is that the Evil One cannot bestow life or save a life or preserve health. If Scripture talked about recovering from an illness, then possibly, since the Evil One could remove an illness it had caused. But Scripture specifically talks about a mortal (deathly) wound to the head. The Evil One cannot raise a person from the dead. The Evil One can raise a country back to a state of political health.
Again, I think there's no question that there will be a number of red herrings. But...
<><
Hope of the Entire World?
how sad is this that the Actual Hope of the Entire World isn't mentioned.
BTW Alesia
I agree that if he truly were a Christian he'd be telling people not to say things like this and call him a messiah
Wilma, am praying re your comment in previous post.
Grany,
Thanks for the great notes from Perry Stone. It is a wonderful teaching, that I've heard Perry Stone teach, for the most part, before, though.
Many thanks! I appreciate your taking the time to go thru it, a LOT!
Alesia,
Thanks for the poem! It's wonderful!
I am dragging this morning but it is OK. We had a very leisurely breakfast and caught up on our inch worm mail. We call it that because every inch of distance takes at least a week to move forward. Our poor mailman is just beginning and he is having a terrible time with the addresses matching the mail. We have become acquainted with some of the nicest neighbors as a result of it all. God bless our mailman.
MAC, Thanks for the prayers! By the way, I have been told that this is a common thing for men who are pilots! I guess it doesn't count for me too! On top of all that hubby also loves to chase the stock markets and the last time I looked, he was still chasing.
I have an Ophthalmologist appointment today so I will be out of pocket for most of the day. Hope you all keep the gateway to the Kingdom lit up and welcoming.
ALESIA, you sneaky! I love it and the other was good but this is right from the heart.
Love you all,
Grany
nate,
Those articles you posted were really good! The article about the "Orthodox Church unholy alliance with Putin" was especially interesting. The global food shortage articles again reminded me that I need to start stockpiling supplies. My wife and I intend on planting a good sized garden this year and freezing a lot of vegetables.
The Global church article had to talk about "climate change" of course. Unfortunately, many of these people are going to be in for a very dramatic climate change when they die without Christ.
jim,
You had some interesting things to say about the Ottoman empire and the mortal head wound. I have been doing a lot of reading lately on the Ottomans. You could be correct.
God Bless,
Harold
Praying for Jason!
Nate,
I'm agreeing in prayer, for Jason to receive a miracle healing from God, in the mighty and blessed name of Jesus Christ.
Evening, all,
I had to share the following dream I had last night since it really made me giggle and things seem to be getting tense at our other 'home' across the way.
I realize this isn't a Biblically-sound dream, but it was funny and I thought you all might get a good chuckle from it as well. I've definitely been watching too much Disney/reading too much Rapture Ready!
In the dream, I was standing along our street with dozens of other people looking toward the western sky which was illuminated with sunset-ish clouds of the prettiest kind. There was also loud rumblings and lightning flashing horizontally through the clouds. I had the realization that things were very different and something big was about to happen. My husband was with me and several other family members (who don't live near us) who aren't Christians and they were poo-pooing my comments about the Rapture and "are you ready to see Jesus coming?", etc. I could hardly wait to be scooped up into the sky, but instead, I began to see these tiny colored lights coming down from the clouds, the size of Christmas tree lights and in similar bright colors. Each person who was to be raptured had a light come to them and I was grief-stricken to see that no light had come to my husband. I remember pausing in my dream to remember that yes, he was indeed saved, so something must be wrong. Then the light that came to me said, (here's the chuckle part) "Don't worry. His light ran out of batteries but will be arriving shortly." Sure enough, it came and we were taken away from the street to a warehouse of sorts where we had to wait in line. There I saw people from my childhood that I haven't thought of in 20 years or more. I was surprised to see certain people while others I expected to be with me (hubby included) weren't there. We waited for awhile and then went to a counter and were given a rolled-up carpet (mine was pink and purple - more chuckles) which we were told to unroll and sit on. They were flying carpets and would take us up to Heaven.
After that, the dream turned very dark and tragic as I was able to see my unsaved family members in the aftermath of the rapture. Interestingly, that part of the dream had no color...all shades of gray. I was trying to explain to them what had happened and what was to come, but they couldn't hear me and so I left. Soon after that, I woke up to my daughter singing the song from Sleeping Beauty...."I know you, I danced with you once upon a dream...." The whole thing was very bizarre but I was laughing all day at the thought of hubby's light running out of juice on the way to fetch him.
Blessings!
Jen
Jen, what a hoot! I wonder what I'll dream tonight?!
Jen, Shalom! Your husband's angel sounds like my kind of angel! It always takes me two or three tries to leave when I'm going on a long trip. I always have to turn back to get something I forgot
That would have been a more appropriate dream for my family. My husband is always looking for batteries!
BTY, I love that you woke up to your daughter singing that song. That is incredibly sweet
I know you you walked with me once upon a dream, I know you the gleam in your eye is so familiar a dream. And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem, but if I know you, I know what you do. You'd love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream....
Morning, Lori,
Yes, the singing part was really cute. That's her latest obsession...Aurora. We've seen it a thousand times this week and I actually think that's why my dream included little 'Christmas' lights coming down. They look like the 3 fairies buzzing through the air in the movie.
The flying carpets, of course, are from the last obsession...Alladin! LOL!
But I don't know where I got the batteries comment. That was my favorite part. As if God's plan could be delayed due to dead batteries!
Blessings,
Jen
PS. John, left you a note at your place a few days ago.
what a great dream!
btw
Joel has posted an excerpt from his new book on his main website. It is quite interesting especially the authors notes
Jen,
I got your message - my wife and I have been discussing a suitable reply, based on what we did with our two boys - but that was 25+ years ago!!
I will, hopefully, post a rely on my blog and let you know.
John
John, you may be interested in this. The author agrees with you (and Dr Tommy Ice) that when Paul is talking about apostasia in Thess, it is actually the rapture that he's referring to.
The Rapture - Precisely When?
Personally, I think the time has come to ignore the anonies at Joel's, whoever they are. I suspect they get satisfaction at causing strife and we may be playing into their hands by engaging them too often.
Grany Wilma,
WHAT will you be recuperating from next week, may I ask???
I feel just HORRIBLE about Justme's comment - I haven't had time to read the 1st chapter! Can we all just "love her all up"?
Mac - Can you please post the Perry Stone interview about America on Joel's for Justme?
I'm sorry to put this on you, but I can't quickly find it (and don't have time right now to look) or I would do it myself.
Thanks!
Mac - Nevermind, slow poke, I found them!
(you must be out building muscles)
LOL
Speaking of Perry Stone, has anyone read any of his material? Some of the books look very interesting. Any recommendations?
Grany, I've been thinking a lot about your husband and how he thinks all of this is nonsense, etc. I just wondered...how have you handled it and do you have any tips? It sure gets kind of "old" after a while.
I got "unequally yoked" knowingly, so its my own "fault". (I thought he was "close" at the time but that was...hmm about 30 years ago!)
Is it just me or has there been a lot of earthquakes lately, last one being in Britain of all places (first one in 20 years there?).
Harold! - I think all the nephilim landed up in North America.
Check this out:
Hidden Proofs Of A Giant Race
Now, before anyone gives me a hard time - this is in jest. (I think, I didn't read the whole thing)
Alesia, and everyone;
On Thursday March 6th, I will be evaluated by a Retinologist for eye surgery to attempt to close a hole in the retina of my right eye. I have been gradually loosing my vision in that eye for over a year now and it has progressed quite rapidly of late. There is a web site that has a lot of the information on a surgical procedure for the macula. Here is the link in case you want to explore it more. www.eyemdlink.com/EyeProcedure.asp?EyeProcedureID=52
I need you prayers that this hole will be healed in the name of Jesus and by his stripes. That is a sacred promise to the believers and I have great faith in it.
I AM NOT FEARFUL OF THIS IN ONE LITTLE BIT! No need for it. The truth of the matter is I am so very thankful that the medical clinic in Ft. Smith, Arkansas had the equipment to pinpoint the problem and also have made arrangement for a specialist from Little Rock to come to their facility to perform the surgery.
My concern is hubby! He is more upset than I am. Kinda like having a baby and the husband forgets to get the wife in the car to go to the hospital for the delivery. LOL
MAC, I have read many of Perry's books and I have enjoyed them greatly and learned much in the process. I truly believe that he searches out and digs until he knows that he knows before he writes. I have the book on the 40 Days of Teshuvah that I just found and boy, talk about learning. I highly recommend it to you all. I have several more but I love loaning out my library to others and so, the titles elude me right now.
I also agree whole heartedly with you about Anonymous. We have said all that needs to be said and the only way I will respond to her again is if she asks about salvation or shares that she has come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
DONNA, you asked about living handling hubby's attitude. Well, to tell you the truth I was having a lot of distress over his attitude until one day I was about to explode and the Lord just said "Give it to me" and I promptly responded, OUT LOUD, "you got him Lord, he's is all yours". Later, after trying to share with Jim about the rich young ruler and Jesus' response, the Holy Spirit told me to quit contending with him on any matter pertaining to the scriptures. It is hard to do but I was promised at that time it was all in the Lord's hands and it was the Holy Spirit who would bring him in.
I can't be the Holy Spirit! No one else can no matter how great or how Holy they might seem. No one can do it like Jesus Can~! So when things start leaking acid around here I just remember the Lord telling me to give Jim to him and I stop fussing. At one time I was making an apple pie everytime JIm would put on his ugly costume but then we found out he is diabetic. I almost sent him to an eternity of hot fires without realizing it. So, now, I just remember that song, No ONe Can Do Me Like Jesus Can and the battle is won.
I know that when Jim asks me a question about the scriptures I can respond to him and then hand him my Bible and tell him where it is and let him do the searching. Saves a lot of frustration in the process. If the person you are talking to doesn't want to know the Lord you can cause more harm than good in forcing the issue. Just live your faith and your love of God in front of them all of the time. I am not talking about putting on airs. That is like putting on falsies and pretending you are Marilyn Monroe. NO, stand firm in your faith and keep a firm grip on the Saviors hands. Better to leave a discussion in the middle than to destroy the ground that the seed is planted on.
Remember Donna, God's word always accomplishes what it was sent for. It never returns to Him void but produces good fruit.
You can do it and you can enjoy the battle all the way because God told us that the battle is his and the victory is ours. Hosannah!
Good nite friends! I am getting sleepy again.
Grany
Grany,
A great analogy about Marilyn Monroe, LOL. And, very true.
Mac,
I have ordered many tapes by Perry Stone, and the one book I thought was especially good, by him, is entitled, Unlocking Secrets in the Second Coming Scrolls." Not only is it a great read, but it has lots of charts, and illustrations.
Jib, and everyone who has lost a kitty,
I received this from a friend, that someone sent to her after the recent death of her pet cat, "Crash."
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near...
And if you listen with your heart you will hear
All of my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a meow and a welcome home.
Okay, okay. There are a few holes there, perhaps, but the sentiment is sweet, no matter what anyone believes about heaven :) Personally, I have a strong feeling that our pets will be waiting for us in Heaven. After all, God created the animals, too.
I just wanted to share the poem.
Everyone,
Have a good nights rest! And God bless!
If our pets are waiting for us in heaven, I'm going to need a kennel.
My brother had a pet iguana that whenever you got near it, it hissed, tried to bite and also tried to whip you with its tail. He gave it away and the family had a little girl. She taught it to sit on her shoulder and she would always walk around with a big smile on her face. Then it bit her really hard on the ear one day. The iguana, Kramer, then just disappeared.
That evil lizard pet, my dear friends, will spend eternity in hell.
Dave,
Thanks for starting off my day with a good hearty laugh!
I often think that after the judgment, I'm going to be assigned the duty of "Head elephant pooper-scooper"!
alesia,
Wow! That "Hidden Proofs of a Giant Race" article is extremely interesting! It is also quite lengthy. I have read about half of it so far, but I will finish the rest of it later. I have been doing a lot of reading lately about the Gauls, the Celts, and several other ancient races. One of the books I am currently reading is called, "Chronicles of the Barbarians." This article fits in nicely with some of that reading and even includes some quotes from Julius Caesar which are also in this book. Thanks for posting the article link.
God Bless,
Harold
Nate - will continue praying.
Wilma - what day next week? You know we'll all be praying for everything to go well with the surgery (can't go to the site, might get grossed out)
Nate & Harold - Felt the need to put a disclaimer on that comment with the link, because I didn't read the entire thing & didn't know how crazy it might get. It actually did seem pretty fascinating, a little scary too because the Stargate book talks about - what if someone found a nephilim & did cloning on it? Hmmm.
alesia,
I read the rest of the article and it did get pretty out there in the last half. However, I think much of the article could be based on fact.
If Only Terry Schiavo Was a Horse or a Bird
This Obama is such bad news. I cannot tell you people enough how disconcerting it is to think that he may be your next president.
Alesia, I appreciate you precious prayers and my appointment is at 1:30 P.M. (CENTRAL TIME) on March 6th, which is Thursday next week.
I found out today that if the facility in Ft. Smith does not have the correct equipment needed, I will have to travel to Little Rock for outpatient surgery. My daughter has said she will take me to Little Rock if that is the case. That makes me feel better because hubby hates driving and especially in Little Rock.
I am praying for Nate's church family and their situation. God is an awesome God and there is none like him. I do know that when my brother was brought down by a massive brain hemorrhage in Kent, Washington in 1990, God became so real to me that my life totally changed. He took over when I prayed and even though the brain surgeon told me that my brother probably wouldn't live much longer and if he did it would in a vegetive state, God said "This sickness is not unto death but to the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified. John 11:4. My brother moved to Oklahoma in 1992, his feed tube was removed within a month and he did learn to walk with great assistance but the main thing that happened was my brother Bobby was saved, and even baptized in the lake along with all of the other believers. Bobby loved the Lord with all of his heart and his home going was beautiful. But that was 7 years after the main event in Washington.
That is another long story but take my word for it, it was glorious to the believer what God did along the way. Not only that but God even did it in front of some of the highest regarded names in medicine.
Nate, tell them to just love on the Lord with all their being and keep the negative reports out of Jason's territory. Let only praise be the word at all times.
It is getting late and I am going to retire for the night.
Alesia I loved reading your links. I found something on the giants issue on another Christian Web site but I have to re find it tomorrow.
TAke care everyone and keep the love flowing.
Granhy
Wise words, Wilma. You always make me smile and you are all in my prayers.
HI Folks,
Grany, please know that you and your husband will be in our thoughts and prayers.
We hope all works out with your eyes. In this fallen world we live in there are so many things we have to deal with.
We are so grateful that you already are able to "see" and share with us.
Thanks also for your words of wisdom regarding husbands!
Nate we will be praying for your friends, and praying for everyone else on these blogs and their families.
"the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed".
<><
Nate,
Tell Cheryl to hang on to her hope.
I have a friend who had an anyrism (sp?) She didn't come out of surgery so they ran another dye test and found a second anyrism.
She had two brain surgeries in one day. The doctor said that things don't look good. Her family was told to be prepared because in her situation, the odds of survival was slim and if she survived, she'd be in a vegetative state.
She spent a month in a coma. (during this time there was another event happening in our lives that would be thought of as a disaster, but it allowed us to go to the hospital daily)
We lied to the hospital staff. I told them I was her sister. Well... wait a minute.. I wasn't lying was I?
Anyway, everyday we laid hands on her and prayed for God to intervene. We asked the nurses and doctors what kind of progress would they like to see and then prayed for those to appear. The progress began and continued.
Her husband had emotionally given up, so the doctor was asking me questions. He told me he wanted to go back in... I said, Go for it. He found swelling in one area and relieved the pressure.
She woke up the next day... after 30 days! To God be the Glory!!!!
Two weeks later I caught her shopping at Walmart. She had driven herself.
This was more than 7 years ago.
She is still doing wonderfully. She's actively involved in her church and helping others.
Tell this family not to give up, no matter what the doctors say.
Tell them to speak the word of God over this man daily.
Tell them to pray with him daily even if he cannot pray.
Tell them to lay hands on him daily and to expect results... God is faithful to his word and will perform it.
Tell them to refuse negative reports.
God's word is the final authority... My friend, MJ, is just one proof of that.
We'll all continue to pray for him and the families involved.
This is TOTALLY off the subject...but I just read in the paper that a snake ate a (small) family pet dog in Australia?
Anything you've heard about, mac?
Geez!
Hi Donna,
Yesterday, Foxnews had a PHOTO of the dog sticking out of the snake's mouth on their homepage! YUCK! They said that the dog had been suffocated first, but still.....
And two young children watched the whole thing happen. Apparently, the snake had been stalking the dog for a few days, which makes me wonder, why was the dog left out if the snake was obviously around? And couldn't it have been the children instead?
To top it all off, they said that the snake had been moved to protective custody so that it could finish eating the dog. Trying to remove the dog may have caused internal damage so the snake was resting comfortably in a reptile facility.
There was a similar case near where I live about a decade ago, except it was a young child being eaten and the police got the baby pulled out in time.
What a way to start the day!
Blessings ;-)
Jen
nate,
I agree. As I have read your comments over the last year or two, I have often been encouraged by them and thought that we have very similar views on things. If we never meet this side of heaven, I look forward to some good chats in the eternal coffee shop with you and the others that hang out in the cave and Joel's blog.
God Bless Brother,
Harold
OH JEN, I am going back to bed on that one! Just Kidding or k/j like JustMe says on Joel's blog.
It is going to be a beautiful day in my neck of the woods and I am so enjoying it. My little friend, the gray furry one, prefers the outdoors right now and I just realized how much I cherish my kitty kat. I think I will go grab hubby and put him on my lap and try to pet him for a change. Wonder if he will purr as pretty as Shabot?
All joking aside, I heard a news commentator making the remark that if Obama is elected president of the USA, his term in office will be the end of the Liberal Left in the Democratic party. He said that the extreme liberal slant of Obama to tax the people who have any funds invested or in savings to provide for those who will not work are the very weapons to be used in turning all of the working class and private businesses against that liberal agenda. I wonder if he could be right?
But when he said that I was in the doctors office waiting room with a Mexican momma with four children. They ranged from 10 to 2 and the two oldest ones were getting their eyes examined. They obviously do not speak English as the nurse was addressing them in Spanish. The Mother gave the nurse a green card and the nurse indicated it was not the one she wanted. Then the momma of the children said something and took out her wallet to show she was paying in cash. I don't think that was what the nurse wanted either but the point is, not all of our visitors from south of the border are freebies. The ones that live here in my area are hard working people and not much trouble to anyone. The thing that gets me is how precious the little children are to the parents. I loved watching this family and laughed with them when the little boy got up on the little platform in the waiting room and started singing "Jesus Loves Me". I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. Now that touched everyone's heart.
I know that doesn't have any input into the search of the scripture but I just had to share it with you.
LORI, you told it like it is with the friend who had 2 serious brain surgeries. Oh, yes Nate! That is what we did with my brother. Remember something everyone! God setup the family structure with precision and great wisdom. As a family unit, there is a power base of authority that is God given. Notice it was the father of the little girl that came to Jesus. Then the woman with the issue of blood came by herself because she was probably not married. All the way through the Bible we see evidences of this authority. Abraham with Lot because Lot was his nephew and yet his relationship was more fatherly than an uncle. However, uncles count in that family chain.
When we ask someone else to pray for ourselves or a family member, we are extending that family authority to them. That is why it is important to choose wisely who you ask. You better make sure they are of the same persuasion as you are. But you are giving them authority to pray in power regarding your situation. Now that might seem kinda strange but remember when Paul was called the Father of the church in one of the pioneer locations? It wasn't just a compliment, it was an appointment to authority in their lives. They accepted him as their head family of God member. He could and did intercede on and in their behalf.
Let me give you an example. My brother was in Renton, Washington, a long ways away from Oklahoma. He was in extreme critical condition and had to have an additional surgery to remove the fluid that had caused him to become hydrocephalus and no one but a blood relative could give the approval for the surgery. We couldn't get to the place he was hospitalized but we gave the doctors the authority to proceed with the surgery by phone. The prognosis was not good but something had to be done quickly. That authority to act on his behalf was delegated or transferred to the doctor. Now, after surgery, his condition wasn't making much progress but I had the promise from God that it would glorify Jesus Christ.
My brother's girl friend had a daughter who was Holy Spirit filled fire baptized that agreed to pray and minister just like Lori and her family did. They anointed with oil, laid hands on my brother and believed that by the stripes of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that brother was healed. Now people, this wasn't accomplished in a day or two! No! They continued praying and believing for over 3 months until the day he was relocated to a rehab hospital in Puyallup, Washington. They still believed, laid hands on and prayed during all of that process and never gave up until he relocated to Oklahoma where he made his home with my mother until both of their deaths, 5 weeks apart. He lived 7 years almost to the date of his massive brain hemorrhage.
Delegate the authority but do it wisely! That is why I can ask you to pray for me without fear. Know what you are asking and be specific because God has already given us the promises in his word and we use those words and promises to stand on for our needs.
For instance, in God's word he tells us "there is salvation in the name of Jesus and all that call on his name will be saved"; the name of the Lord is a strong tower and they that run into it are saved. Another passage to remember is that one I use so very much "The name of Jesus is above every name; in heaven, on earth, and below the earth". There are powerful words that God's heavenly hosts are waiting for us to speak so they can bring it into being as soon as they are spoken. Remember when the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and called him a mighty warrior of God? Gideon probably said something like this "Who? Me? You gotta be kidding!" The angel called him something he was not as though he were and Gideon did become.
So, Alesia, you asked about speaking out loud the words of your prayers. When Jesus went into that garden to pray in John 17 he wasn't whispering! He was praying out loud and fervently. That prayer in and of itself is more powerful than anything we have ever been taught. Dig in it and come out knowing who you are in the sight of God. Jesus has already spoken it!
It is great to be humble but you are the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. Now start believing it. Don't get on your high horse about it though. Being haughty and proud of power that comes from God is sure to bring you down with a loud crashing sound.
Love you all,
Grany
That wasn't enough!
Put this up on your focal point and keek it in your heart at all times.
Luke 10:19
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Still loving you all,
Grany
Well, I am now convinced that Jeffrey and Annonymous are the same. Nevertheless, Annon did provide Blood Bought what she requested (the statements of the various churches on the Iraq war) and I for one don't have a response to give him/her. Is someone working on this behind the scenes?
Say, this is nice to be able to talk privately in the cave!
The snake story seems a couple of days old and this is the first time I've heard it. It happened up in far North Queensland where they have crocs as well. Fortunately I'm a Southerner and an inner city dweller.
Shalom, all! I posted another scenario over at Joel's. As usual, it didn't start out being a scenario, just a comment on two news stories, but then it just took off.
I also posted it as a way to distract people from the sniping that's going on. Yes, it is nice to be able to talk privately in the cave!
<><
Jim, perhaps I should have worded it differently but ultimately I stand by what I said to Jeffrey.
Oooh, I saw that Jeffrey messing with Mac & my claws sprouted out quicker than I could stop them or even knew what was happening!
Sorry!
yeah... I think that was supposed to be "sprung" out NOT "sprouted"
Oye
I'm taking my own advice and repeating my question. "Well, I am now convinced that Jeffrey and Annonymous are the same. Nevertheless, Annon did provide Blood Bought what she requested (the statements of the various churches on the Iraq war) and I for one don't have a response to give him/her. Is someone working on this behind the scenes?"
I understand about not engaging, etc and generally agree, but he/she responded to a question politely and thoroughly. It seems to me that we should respectfully respond...but I don't know how.
Mac and Alesia, I feel like jumping in right with you! :]
Anne:
IMO - This person is playing games with being nice to Marge.
I say we should all ignore this person - no matter what.
I know it's really hard, but let's try, ok?
Alesia, Shalom!
I have to disagree. If he is being nice and respectful to Marge, then I think we should respond in kind. While we have had too many people who have come on to throw stones (do you remember the poster who did almost a hundred messages with just the same three lines?), if we are going to be witnesses for Christ we have to be open to getting stoned.
(Somehow, that doesn't sound right...)
;-)
(although in all honesty, I'd have to do a lot of reading just to figure out what the original question was. That will have to wait until later tonight.)
Afternoon all,
The current tit-for-tat with Jeffrey/anony brought to mind a news story that the USA people are familiar with....the internet bullying/suicide-as-a-result story that was in the news alot a few months ago. For those not familiar, a girl and some of her friends (including an adult) created a "boy" via MySpace who befriended a particular girl. This girl thought she had met a nice boy who was interested in her, etc. etc. when in reality, the "boy" was only a front for the bully girls to gain info on the victim's personal life. They eventually turned against her and the "boy" began berating her and telling her lots of terrible things because "he" had heard these things from others. It affected the victim so deeply (apparently she had been struggling with depression before hand) that she committed suicide one night in her home.
I know of another family to which the same is happening, although the victim has a strong support at home and her parents know who the bullies are. They aren't having much luck getting it to stop, however.
I illustrate this because I think J/annony likely comes from the generation that is very comfortable and savy with technology (I've noticed a deterioration in J's spelling and grammar, a certain sign that he's younger and familiar with texting.) I'm also guessing he's Asian because of some of the constructs he's using with idioms....somewhat supported by the post saying his friend is going to medical school in Singapore ("He will be leaving to Singapore"). That doesn't matter to my point, but it's a detail I've picked up on with my linguistics background.
It looks very similar to the online bully set-up. Befriend, gather info/determine soft spots and then attack/divide. There's no accountability, no need for remorse or repentance; it's just a game that's fed by our willingness to play along. I'm in my mid-thirties and can't imagine presently such falsehoods to another person, but many members of the younger generation do it quite fluently when it serves their purpose (I'm not ripping youth here, for those with older children! I'll have my hands full in a few years ;-) But as a teacher I saw it daily, hourly sometimes. Technology promoted a lot of it since it allows people to hide their true selves and I just don't think we realize how deep that goes, those of us not born with an IPod in our hands.
I don't know how I feel about responding. If I sensed a true desire to debate, then bring it on. I've started a few responses and then deleted them because I didn't get a sense that they were Spirit led. I know the Lord can win hands down and we can be encouraged in the process.
But a cat-n-mouse game with us as the mice? I think if we play along, we need to make sure we're including something meaty that goes beyond the taunts and feeds any truly hungry lurkers.
I'd recommend writing stuff out ahead of time and letting it sit for awhile before posting...make sure the words aren't emotionally generated.
And sandwich them with stuff that is truly of the Lord...Scripture and Biblical wisdom....so we don't slide into another free-for-all that delights the devil.
Just my 2 cents.
I'll be doing lots of behind-the-scenes praying for the warriors who do go the the battlefield.
Blessings,
Jen
Jim,
Your post crossed mine. While I agree in concept, (nice to Marge, we should be nice in return), I get a really strong sense that being nice to Marge is a way to locate a soft spot. I didn't get any sense that his kind words to Marge were genuine at all. In fact, the hairs on my neck stood up when I read it and the story I mentioned about the MySpace bully came to mind at that point.
Just an FYI :-)
Blessings,
Jen
PS. Our anony cave poster hasn't shown up again, but that, too, gave my hair a jolt. Are you still out there?
Anne, most of these churches are hardly bastions of Biblical truth, anyway. And where are their protests about Christian persecution by Islamic fundamentalism in the ME, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kosovo or anywhere else?
These churches are typically silent when Israel is attacked yet try to punish her by trying to boycott her economy when she defends herself. The NCC and WCC are basically socialist Marxist organizations with leftist beliefs along the lines of Tony Campolo and Jim Wallis. They are political busybodies who lack the intestinal fortitude to comment about Islamic terrorism but are happy to take pot shots at their own government. Do a search on FrontpageMag.com for a list of articles on these two orgs.
In northern Victoria, we have a country town with a hefty ex Iraqi population that had fled the Saddam Hussein regime. Any Christians leaving Iraq now are doing so primarily because of Islamic extremism not because of the US presence. Quite the contrary! The annony will only believe what it wants to believe.
Jen, Shalom!
There's a book you should read: "Generation Me" by Jean Twenge. She's a sociologist who did a longitudinal study of attitudes of teens from 1950's until today, and her conclusions are (to me) frightening. Usually I read before bed to relax. I couldn't read this book before bedtime because it upset me too much.
There's more info at her website.
<><
I certainly wouldn't recommend going tit for tat, Jen. It's too easy to get into that sort of thing and too easy for me to get carried away. Been there. My carnal nature wants to react in a non Christian way so best to ignore from now on - but cannot guarantee it.
BTW, I too had the same thoughts re Jeffrey. He sounds young and asian.
I found me a real neat nook back here in the remote part of the cave and I am enjoying the quietness of it all. I have a little candle to put some light out but I am of the opinion, WACO! We ain't coming out! That mess on Joel's is just going to lead up to another ugly situation like "T"Bird created with our help. So, I agree totally with Mac and Alesia that J is not sincere and is fishing with everyone. His purpose is not yet clear but it will be shortly. God can remove what is hidden from us and if we are to minister to him, let God direct the Holy Spirit to inspire us all.
You know I can mean mouth with the best but I'm not going to. Let them ask the questions that will bring healing to their thinking but until then, clicky click!
By the way, didn't you all get a bang out of Alesia's claw statement. Now Alesia, with me it is fangs.
Take care you all,
Grany
I DID get a bang out of Alesia's claw statement!
I'm in an extra special mood today. The hot water service blew up last night so I haven't had my shower yet and am waiting for the plumber to arrive.
Stinky.
I will take everyone's comments to heart. Thank you all.
Right now I'm supposed to be working (thank goodness I'm my own boss or I might be fired) but his/her response to Blood Bought just stays on my mind. I'm praying on this and appreciate your prayers as well. Who knows, maybe my thoughts are not because of Jeff/A but rather because a lurker needs to hear something. Oh, fiddle-dee-dee, I can't think about that right now, I'll think about it tomorrow, Rhett.
BTW, is Blood Bought on this blog or just Joel's?
LOL
Now, Grany, I was making reference to a mama lion protecting her cubs (Me way too protective of people I care about). WHAT were you referencing with the fangs, a vampire? ~chuckle~
Mac - Just this one time, can I say I'm thankful you're on the other side of the world, with your stinky self! ;)
Hope they come out soon to fix the water tank.
Anne - yes, Blood bought knows about the cave.
Everyone,
I just stopped by, but I gotta say, I have no idea as to what is happening on Joel's blog, since it won't allow me in, or connect me.
So no worries, at least from me, until I read the comments, after I posted this morning.
The only thing I would add is that I felt led by the Holy Spirit to reply to Jeffrey.
However, some Christians are like concrete.
Mixed up, and thoroughly set in their ways. (it's just a joke :)
BUT, whatever is going on at Joels
(Jib, how about e-mailing me the comments, please?) Jesus did say, that we are to love one another. True, sometimes "tough love is required."
BUT, sometimes people can be sincere,......and be sincerely wrong, as well.
Grany,
I'm with you. Got an extra comfy place to sit?
Oh, while I seem to be on a roll :)
I found this little blurb about Joel's new book, Deat Heat.
"As the Presidental campaign narrows into a dead heat, the Secret Service learns of a catastrophic plot to assassinate one of the candidates--but which one?"
I don't recall reading that bit, but perhaps I'm wrong. I just wanted to share :)
No matter where you stand on the Jeffrey/Anonymous issue? Remember, that God doesn't just love,......God IS LOVE. No greater love,......
God bless, and keep smiling!
"However, some Christians are like concrete. Mixed up, and thoroughly set in their ways. (it's just a joke :)"
I like that :-) I actually have some gravel and steel reinforcment in my concrete so am probably a bit tougher to crack than most.
Mac,
I'm glad you appreciated the humor.
I did (finally) break into Joel's Blog. I have no idea what the problem was, but it appears to be correected now.
And yes, Jeffrey IS VERY immmature! Although, I had to laugh at his comments to me. Can we all say, "sucking up?" LOL. You know, Jim isn't too far off base. If Jeffrey is nice to us, why don't we return the favor? Some of these young guys have a two ton chip on their shoulders, and sometimes, (not always) it is best to give them a little love, and ignore the "attitude." Time will tell. But, Jesus does call us all into a walk of love. God's love. And just as Angie was commenting on the subject of walking in Faith? Faith doesn't work without love. Nothing new. Just a reminder for all of us.
Well, I need to do some housework. Good times :)
Love to all, and God bless!
when I told my dad my son thought I was the marshmallow parent his comment was that he should watch the steel rod in the middle of the marshmallow!
marge just say the word just make sure I know which comment you left off with
my thoughts on Jeffery are to ignore him for the most part-he talks a lot about how we should be teachable (by him or anony) but doesn't take his on advice
Well said Nate, Angie, Wilma et al!
Not quite sure what to make of this article, nor how it will pan out - but in any case, I would have said that trying to negotiate with Hamas is akin to making a Faustian pact with the devil.
Israeli leaders approach mediators for a ceasefire with Hamas
I still believe we need to keep Israel in our prayers, praying for the peace of Jerusalem, and asking God to raise up some real political leaders with backbone and courage to do the right thing.
John
I think this article makes some valid points, but at the end, it is clear that nobody really knows what to do about Hamas' stranglehold on Gaza, not the Israelis, nor Egyptians and Saudis, nor the EU (Javier Solana et al), let alone the US State Dept (Condi Rice, et al).
Test Hamas' desire for a Gaza solution
John
Just had to check in briefly. I had to laugh when I read about Alesia's claws coming out re: Jeffrey's statements to Mac! I felt the same way! My claws were coming out, too!
Hopefully things will mellow out!
<><
Thanks, Alesia & Donna - much appreciated.
I actually chose my words carefully and not hatefully and expected that response. I said want I wanted to say and was happy to leave it at that.
I think I learned something from last year's exchanges at Joel's - just because you call a spade a spade does not necessarily make you less loving. Jeffrey, by his own admission, was deliberately being provocative.
NATE, joining you in prayer for God's revelation of Jeffrey's intents and purposes to us all. But I also agree and will try to keep it grandmaish for his sake. I can't let him see the tiger's fangs yet! Now I am just being ornery about it but truthfully this is a good lesson in communicating with our youngsters. People, if you knew the terrible things being done to children in this area of the world, you wouldn't be able to sleep at night. My first desire when I find out about the unnatural acts being committed against them is, put on my Anne Oakley outfit and come out firing. The Old Wilma tries to take over but I have found in many years of one on one counseling that genuine loving care is all they really want. They need someone to tell them how great God loves them and that we love them and care deeply for their welfare. Love always works miracles. Tough love and holy love are the same thing.
I got plenty of cave space Marge, pull up a piece of sod and join me anytime. I love your comment and you need to talk to Mac. More stones don't make the concrete stronger my precious friend. But the steel rods do.
I like the idea of the cave being a regrouping area for us all so we can come out in power to destroy the works of the enemy. Good thought Nate!
Grany
Evening all,
Yes, Nate, something isn't quite right. I'd agree that being wary with J is a good idea. He's had too many shifts in his approach and many inconsistencies as well. It could be anyone.
BTW, did anyone wonder about the anony poster we had earlier on the 24th at 6:31? I was almost ready to email Jack Kelley to see if he really had that take on using the NET Bible since that post came out of nowhere and the person's name isn't familiar. Maybe we're being watched here, too.
Anyway, off topic question....
Does anyone know how the remnants of the blown-up satellite are being tracked? Tonight I walked outside to get the mail (it's a completely clear night...stars were beautiful to see) and as I was looking at them, I saw a bluish/green wobbling light streak straight down and fizzle out above the horizon. I couldn't tell how far away it was, but it felt big enough that it was probably located somewhere near our town, within a mile of our house. I've seen plenty of shooting stars and this wasn't like that. It looked more like an ember from a fireworks display, one that nearly reaches the ground before burning out. But I waited and listened and there were no more and no sounds that would indicate someone was setting them off. Then my mind went to the satellite....
Anyway, got lots of laundry to attack so I'll say good night!
Blessings,
Jen
Hi everyone,
I've been gone w/o computer access for over a week so hopefully I didn't miss anything.
My dad passed on so now I'm trying to help mom out w/paperwork, etc...
I did come back to find an urgent message from my former pastor so I thought to post it for you. I'm not sure if any of you have heard of this "prayer date". I and I think many of us have been sensing something is headed to us in the near future.
Lisa
"I am not an alarmist. In fact, I usually try to present my ideas in a fairly calm, diplomatic manner. But now I feel an urgency to tell you what the Lord is showing me.
One day, according to Genesis 18, the Lord and "three men" appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of his desert home, where Abraham sat in his tent during the heat of the day. Many things were discussed, including God’s extraordinary promise to Abraham and Sarah, of a son in their old age. Then the conversation turned to more somber issues.
As Abraham walked with his visitors, they turned to look toward Sodom, and the Lord suddenly asked, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?” Then He declared, Yes, I will tell him. I will tell this mortal human being what the God of all creation is about to do, because I have a relationship with Abraham. I know him, and his future and I want to be sure he can guide his household and keep My ways, to be just and righteous (see verse 19).
God told Abraham that He was going to visit and judge Sodom and Gomorrah because their sin was “so grievous.” Judgment was coming.
What if God revealed something that momentous to you? How would you react? I had to ask myself that, because there is a temptation to relish the idea of judgment—especially for someone else. The response or attitude is, “Well, good. It’s about time. They deserve it. After all, we reap what we sow,” and on and on.
But what did Abraham do? The Scripture says he “stood before the Lord” and challenged Him! He interceded on behalf of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying boldly to God, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? …Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
Abraham didn’t tell God, “Good, go get ‘em.” Instead, he entered into a deep, passionate, courageous, personal intercession, as God knew he would. As he agonized with the Lord over impending judgment, he acknowledged, “I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes.”
The Lord knew Abraham’s heart. God had poured His heart into Abraham’s, and Abraham in turn loved God and had a relationship with Him, which caused him to trust God and know His nature. On the basis of God’s justice, Abraham said, “Don’t let the righteous be judged with the wicked.” And in the knowledge of God’s mercy, Abraham prayed, “Spare all the inhabitants of the city, including the wicked, for the sake of the righteous!”
By telling Abraham what was coming, the Lord gave him the opportunity to intercede. Through Abraham’s intercession, the heart of God was being poured into him, and compassion, justice and mercy were being formed in his character.
Today, to put it bluntly, the storm clouds of judgment are gathering around our nation and the world. The radical, jihadist Muslims hate non-Muslim civilizations, and are a threatening force around the globe—and have backed up their threats with deadly action. We view them through our own fears and prejudices and cast our judgments upon them. We also look at the world, at the turmoil, sin, disease, and destruction that do horrible things to human beings, and we can easily think, God needs to bring His judgment upon the world and His sworn enemies. He needs to do something about this mess. And so He will.
What will be our response to this knowledge?
Will we, like Abraham, intercede before the Lord? Will we go boldly before Him, knowing, like Abraham, that we can trust in His character and His love for all human beings? After all, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 1:9). Or will we turn away, and hope that our lives are not touched and pretend it all isn’t happening?
I feel an urgent need to pay attention and realize that God’s judgment is coming. We need to pray and fast for God’s mercy and compassion to fall upon all of us, including the wicked. Let us pray for revival, and an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon our nation and the world. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” says Psalm 91:1. The “secret place” is the place of prayer, where we draw near to God and find safety and comfort under His wing. This place of prayer is where God “will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Prayer opens our hearts and lives to the very center and source of life: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3
I’m asking you to join me and thousands of believers for five days of prayer and fasting, March 3-7. You can also join us every Thursday morning from 6:00 -7:00 am for DAWN WATCH, a wonderful time to gather and go before the Lord.
Let us seek the Lord together and prepare for what is coming through the power and passion of prayer.
May God pour His Spirit out upon us all,
Pastor Ray Bentley"
I wouldn't worry too much about the NET Bible anonymous poster. It sounds like a genuine comment by Kelley and certainly presented accurate info on how the NET came to be. The NET Bible has been revised BTW.
If we do get unwanted posters, we can weed them out by first disabling anony comments, and further, by granting permissions only to those invited...drastic as it may be.
Mac,
I apologize profusely for coming to your site and posting uninvited.
My cousin told me about your site, and said it was a really neat place.
I've been reading for weeks now, and never dreamed that I would give anyone the heebie jeebies.
When I saw the question about the NET Bible, I just jumped in without thinking.
God bless all of you.
In His Love,
Leanna
Leanna, welcome.
We've only kept this place under wraps because of the problems Joel's site experienced last December, which is why we're a little wary.
Thanks for explaining and, by all means, stick around.
Latenight Lisa,
I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad.
Praying for you & your family during this grieving process.
Leanna,
Welcome!
This is our super safe haven, which is why we got a little nervous seeing an anony poster. Please understand that & please, I ask, that you not post this site anywhere else.
BTW: Who is your cousin here?
Hi Guys,
I am away again this weekend, doing the Nippers Carnival(junior life saving) thing with the kids so have a Christ filled weekend! Anyone got any feed back on 'The False Prophet', if so let me know you thoughts? Thanks!
Also not sure about Jeffrey, time will tell.
Marge - how are the grand dogs doing?? Good to see your humour still so strong.
Gran and Nate - holding you and yours up in prayer.
jeri
Lisa
will be praying for your family in this time
Alesia
LOL you saved me the trouble of asking! Leanna-your cousin isn't likely to get in trouble but might very well get some major ribbing :-)
Lisa
interesting note from your pastor. I assume it refers more to America than the ME? I would note however that God did not judge the wicked in S-G until a way of escape had been made for the few righteous that there were to escape. I'm not saying we shouldn't pray, we should but I think we should keep in mind that the righteous have not to this point been judged with the unrighteous and have always escaped God's judgement.
just my 2 cents
Welcome Leanna!
Lisa, I'm sorry about your dad. We're praying for your family.
I'm so glad I read all your posts this morning... first! I haven't been to Joel's since yesterday morning. I had been getting weird vibes from the two posters who continually make each other feel so giddy. It reminded me of a cartoon I watched as a kid. These two characters were constantly preferring the other and complimenting one another. Or any episode of Barney; "you go first," "no thank you, it's your turn," "oh, how kind of you,".... it makes me want to puke.
So pray for me.. I'm going in.
Oh my goodness! That was something.
Mac, thanks again for the cave dwelling.
Good God's morning everyone!
I see we have a new member of the cave battalion and I just wanted to say, "Hey, it is great having a name now for the brave Anonymnous that got our attention real quick and welcome".
Late Nite Lisa, my heart goes out to you and your mother in your loss. I will be praying for you both.
Now, your pastor's message to you is very important. Lisa, I have never heard a better description and reason for our prayers at this time than his. I really do believe it will be the prayers of the saints that keep the evil from our households. I would encourage you to join in with the prayer group in dedication and submission to the word of God. The 91st Psalm is about your prayer closet relationship with Abba Father, make no mistake about it. As you know, that is our hiding place and place of safety.
The rest of us need to hear what the Holy Spirit is telling us through this pastor's message to Lisa. We have discussed many times here and at Joel's the inner witness we have all had about judgment coming and a lot of us have even taken measures to ensure the necessary things in life are in supply in our homes.
NOw you might wonder, "what in the world is Grany getting so worked up over?" This isn't the first clarion call I have heard and received of late. Now I say Late because I am not talking about 2 or 3 years ago or even 2 or 3 months ago. I also do not believe it will anything that terrorist do! I believe with all of my heart and soul it will be equal to and overtake Katrina in scope, destruction and chaos. I do believe God when he said "If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and heal their land". In Fact, I TRULY DO BELIEVE IT GREATLY!
I want to post that passage so that you can see the power and meaning in context to what God was saying to Solomon. Remember, this was at the dedication of the Temple and God's Glory filled the temple to the place that all who were inside had to go outside because of the power and radiance of the Glory.
Here is the passage: "2 Chronicles 7: 11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace, 12 the LORD appeared to him at night and said:
"I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."
In Isaiah God told Israel because of their rebellion and wickedness towards Him, he was dispersing them and removing them from the Promised Land, and the anointing to bring mankind into the presence of God would be given to another nation. Perry Stone discussed this with Joe Van Hovering (not spelled right) on the previous link that Mac gave us.
That nation that got the anointing was USA and we were the main source and support of all the missionaries and bible translators for centuries. But take a quick look at Hollywood and the mess those bimbos are making of the west coast. Then take a gander at all of the Gay Pride Parades being staged to stick it to God, and on we go with all of the purely evil things man has accepted to do to dishonor our Creator.
You get the picture I am sure. Now get the inspiration to be earnest and sincere in praying for God's forgiveness towards all. But, that the righteous shall not be judged with the wicked.
Love you all,
Grany
Amen!
Welcome Leanna,
Let me apologize if I started you off on the wrong foot here. With the new dust up at Joel's I was extra wary of new posters here, but I want to extend the same warm welcome that I received when I was invited to join the group.
Blessings,
Jen
Praise God!!!
Nate - that's fantastic news.
Holy Spirit, thou art welcome in this place
Holy Spirit, thou art welcome in this place
Omnipotent Father of mercy and gracy
Thou art welcome in this place
Omnipotence (literally, "all power") is power with no limits i.e. unlimited power. Monotheistic religions generally attribute omnipotence only to God
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.
Great Grany,
Since Pastor Ray is on the Southern West Coast-I think your insticts may be quite realistic.
He requested feedback from his "Message" and I would love to copy and paste what you wrote if that's ok with you.
The further explanation you gave re:Solomon is comforting.
I will join in on the prayer group but I don't know how to fast. Do you do it from dusk to dawn or ?
Lisa
LISA, When I fast it is mostly generally an all liquid diet or juice or water. I do this from the time I get up until I go to bed. The whole idea of a fast is to get our attention onto God and away from ourself. It is a precious time and the more you pray, read and study the Word of God, the less you think of your fasting efforts. There is no need to get sick over the whole thing but it is a real fight between the flesh and the spirit man. Some people only fast during certain days of the week but others will fast 3, 4 or 5 days at a time and that will work out too. Just don't get carried away with the extreme. Fasting doesn't get God's attention because His eyes are already on us 24/7/365 but it gets us in tune with God. We don't move God by fasting we move ourselves and that is the important thing to remember.
You can certainly copy my remarks because after I put them down on a blog they become public property. God is warning a lot of his people that judgment is at hand and those warnings are coming from all over the world, not just the USA.
A precious friend sent me a copy of the Charisma emagazine today and the first article was about a vision that a minister had received while sleeping and it went right along with what you posted. I can't take you to a link because it is in an email but I am going to copy and paste it here because I feel it is important to the other letter regarding the vision.
"Larry Stockstill’s Urgent Plea: “We Have a Window of Time for Repentance”
The Louisiana pastor is mobilizing American church leaders for a new movement of holiness and integrity.
Louisiana pastor Larry Stockstill had a disturbing dream last week. He saw military trucks and armored vehicles getting in formation for a surprise strike on an American city. Stockstill felt alarmed, but when he tried to warn a pastor in his dream, the man ignored him.
“I knew in my dream that a siege was going to happen the next day,” Stockstill says. “The enemy was being positioned. But no one would listen to me.”
Stockstill, pastor of the 10,000-member Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, believes his dream was a prophetic warning about the spiritual condition of our nation. While America teeters near an economic and political precipice, many American church leaders are going on with their business as usual—without realizing that the church is in a state of serious moral crisis.
“Unless the pastors wake up to avert judgment, there will be judgment on America. If we don’t respond we are going to lose this nation.”—Larry Stockstill
“I believe we are facing a window of opportunity for repentance,” Stockstill says. “Unless the pastors wake up to avert judgment, there will be judgment on America. If we don’t respond we are going to lose this nation.”
Stockstill became alarmed about the anemic condition of American churches in 2006, when he had to step in and help bring discipline to Ted Haggard, the Colorado pastor who was removed as senior leader of New Life Church because of a moral failure. Stockstill offered correction and oversight to Haggard and his family and helped the leaders of New Life pick up the pieces after the scandal. Many observers praised Stockstill for his level-headed leadership and compassionate but strict adherence to biblical principles during the crisis.
What Stockstill learned during that painful process became the basis of a new book, The Remnant: Restoring Integrity to American Ministry. He hopes the message will trigger a movement of holiness and integrity in the American church, which has suffered a long string of embarrassing sexual and financial failures since Haggard’s fall 15 months ago.
“We look like a sleaze bucket in the eyes of the nation,” says the 54-year-old pastor, who has avoided the national spotlight during most of his 33 years in ministry. Once a missionary in Africa, Stockstill has focused most of his ministry on church planting and missions. Bethany has helped start more than 17,000 churches worldwide since 2000.
Stockstill says the level of dysfunction among American ministers concerns him because their unhealthiness is then passed down to their congregations. He sees five types of common dysfunction among ministers today, especially in the independent charismatic movement:
1. Lack of fathering (no affirmation, encouragement or spiritual covering)
2. Lack of correction (no accountability, resulting in pride and moral failure)
3. Lack of fruitfulness (no training in evangelism and discipleship, preventing churches from multiplying as they should)
4. Lack of healing (many pastors suffer silently because of sins and addictions)
5. Lack of teaching (many in ministry today are untaught, resulting in biblically illiterate churches).
At a conference Stockstill is hosting in Baton Rouge from March 4-6, he hopes to blast his trumpet and rally hundreds of pastors to address this crisis while there is still time. “We really have to relay the foundations of ministry in this country,” he says. “Many pastors have not been fathered, so they become ‘posers’—they are just looking to impress people.’”
Pride, Stockstill says, is a primary reason why so many leaders in the American church have fallen in recent years—including mature spiritual fathers who had years of successful ministry behind them but stumbled in their later years. “You look at leaders in the Bible like Solomon, or like Samson, and you find that years of success can lead a person into pride. And when pride comes, it brings a lack of accountability,” he explains.
“We don’t have a lot of time,” Stockstill says, recalling again his dream about impending danger. “We need a quick work of the Holy Spirit.”
The word of God tells us that judgment will begin in the House of the Lord and it will always begin from the head and move right on to the tail. In case you don't know the meaning of the tail; the tail is that which moves the dog. A lot of very influential members of various church bodies work in the background with their money and influence trying to change the direction and focus of a church. Sometimes the result is a benefit but most generally it is a conflict of their own personal likes that disagree with God's perfect will.
All is about to change and change always brings rebellion.
Shalom everyone,
Grany
Lisa, Shalom!
The Catholic Church actively discourages complete fasting (i.e., totally abstaining from food and drink, or from solid food only) for more than one day as that is unhealthy and potentially dangerous. For extended fasts (like what your pastor is promoting), the best type of fast is to have one full meal each day, with two smaller meals that together don't add up to a full meal.
For example, have eggs, hash browns or toast, bacon or sausage, juice, and milk for breakfast, then for lunch have a piece of fruit or some yogurt, and for dinner have a small salad. Skip the coffee if you can function without it, drink water with meals, and don't have anything between meals except water. This allows you to have prayerful sacrifice while still getting the balance of nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.
If you want to increase your sense of sacrifice, try abstaining from meat when you're fasting. Fish, eggs, peanut butter, beans, cheese -- that's OK, but no bacon, chicken, or beef.
<><
Hi Lisa,
We are really sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I urge you all to read Mac's newest post - it's marvelous!
Worshipping God
Great job Mac!
Good Morning Anne and all others,
It's wonderful to know about this 'secret garden' where we can meet as brothers and sisters and find solitude and peace and family!
Prior to November-December 2007, I had become addicted to Joel's place and could hardly stay away. Though I did not post too often, I checked in as often each day as possible to read all the good posts. When the antagonistic posters got really involved, I had to back off, but still checked in each day. Evidently, I missed out on the last few days prior to Joel's place being 'taken down,' and it was awhile before I knew what had happened.
My sister-in-law, Linda, was in the last stages of kidney/lung cancer during October and November and succumbed to this dread desease on December 7. Much of these two and one-half months was spent traveling back and forth to Lafayette, LA, to be with her and to help my brother deal with his situation. You may remember me asking for prayer for them. If you prayed, thank you so much. Though Linda did go to be with the Lord, God was faithful to answer our prayers. Linda's faith was beautiful and strong, and my brother came back to the Lord after a long time being a prodigal son. James is once again reading and studying God's Word and is in a church family from which he is receiving support and love.
Now I have another prayer request: my husband and I are traveling to Israel on March 7 through March 15. I ask for traveling mercy as I'm not a great 'flier' - inner ear and nausea.
Thanks again for inviting me in to your safe haven.
Blessings, everyone! (Mary)
Hi Mary,
I love your description of our gathering place...secret garden!
I can enjoy all my favorite flowers there, which is hard to do in the cave ;-)
I'll be happy to pray for your journey in March and will also add your brother's renewed faith to the 'praise' side of my prayer journal.
I agree with Mac about having trouble knowing exactly what worship (outside of church) should be like, but when I hear a report like that, it's easy to worship the Lord!
Today I'm praising God for iPods and the power of music. Hubby has been spending a lot of time worrying about finances of late and this month's mortgage had to be written out of our savings account due to his almost non-existant comissions earnings. I feel no fear about the matter and know that all our needs and many of our extras will be provided in due time. But he's been having a hard time separating his hard work ethic from the Lord's storehouse and can't be budged to take that leap and let go.
Just before he sat down to write out the bills (he had been avoiding it all week), I said, "Just sit there and praise the Lord for all the things we DON'T have...a sick child, elderly parents across the state, a crazy neighbor."
I came back an hour later to see if he had made any progress and he had a sheepish look on his face. He said "I shouldn't even tell you this, but just as I was writing the mortgage check, my iPod began to play "Believe" by Brooks and Dunn." He has over 400 songs on his iPod and it was on shuffle, so any song could have popped up. So God got his attention last night and that wasn't the funniest part either...just to show He's got a funny bone, the next song God sent him was "Low Budget" by Ray Davies. LOL! Seriously, if that isn't evidence that the Lord is aware of the smallest details of our lives, I don't know what is.
One of the Scriptures I have on my blog fits perfectly for this occasion:
Genesis 41: 53-54
Then Egypt's seven good years came to an end and the seven years of famine arrived, just as Joseph had said. All countries experienced famine; Egypt was the only country that had bread.
God is faithful and I'm full of praise today because of it!
Blessings,
Jen
Shalom, all! Just wanted to pass on the URL to a great posting on the "Revival School" web site:
POWER of your WORDS
<><
Thanks Jen,
It seems our Lord works in your husband much the same way He has worked in me. God is faithful...ALL the time. It is we who are sometimes weak in our faith.
May I share something similar?
A few weeks ago, upon arriving home from a shopping trip, I turned on the television and heard a couple of news items that were rather upsetting. Then I opened what I thought was my bank statement, only to learn that a check that I had deposited was returned for insufficient funds and I had been charged a fee (I guess for depositing the check.). The amount of the deposit and the fee was insignificant; what upset me was that someone I love had written me the check to partially pay back a loan which was way past due. Again…the money was not a big problem; it just gave occasion for the attack I found myself facing.
As I tried to settle in for the night and forget these troubling issues, I turned on a movie to occupy my mind for awhile, really to drown my anxiety. Though somewhat reluctant, I knew I needed to go to the Lord with these issues and about my attitude as well as my anxious heart regarding the situation.
My husband decided to go to bed, and soon the movie ended. I got my Bible, opened it to my bookmark, and proceeded then to talk to the Lord – not specifically beginning with the issues, but rather confessing, “Lord, I know I belong to You, and I am thankful for Your forgiveness when I mess up and Your assurance that my eternal security does not depend on me, but on Your finished work on Calvary. I know that this attitude and this anxiety of spirit and heart are not from You, but from my enemy and Your enemy—Satan.”
As I continued in prayer, with my Bible in my lap opened to my bookmark, I glanced down and my eyes fell to the first verse of the chapter which was the place I was to begin my on-going study from the Gospel according to John. The first verse of Chapter 14 reads: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”
In that one brief moment, my heart melted and tears began to flow. My prayer continued, “Lord, forgive me for fretting and for doubting.” And as the man in Mark 9:24 whose son Jesus healed said, “Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief.” “I trust that You are God and there is no other. I trust that You – All-Powerful God – are in control of all things and that nothing happens that takes You by surprise. Forgive my unbelief – for allowing unpleasant issues to overwhelm me and cause such depressing and enslaving moments of unrest. Forgive me for fretting and holding on to my troubling thoughts rather than stopping immediately and releasing them to You and finding Peace and Comfort in my spirit.”
These verses in John 14 were words the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to His disciples just after announcing to them that He was soon to leave them – to be betrayed by one of them, denied by another, and forsaken by all. Jesus told His disciples to ‘not be troubled, but rather to trust Him.’
And when Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, He knew then that some 2000 years later – in fact, on January 8, 2008, at 11:54 p.m. - these same words would be spoken to Mary: “Don’t let your heart be troubled….trust Me!” His words through His Holy Word comforted my heart and gave me peace when only moments before I felt I had been caught up in a whirlwind.
Oh, isn't it so WONDERFUL to know our Lord Jesus and because of Him, we know His Father and our Heavenly Father? Oh, that everyone would submit to Christ and believe in and on Him!
If you haven't, please visit my blog and visit sometimes. You are a joy to know as are others on this site.
Blessings! (Mary)
Blood Bought: Mary that was beautiful and I needed to read it too. Sometimes we get a sneaky punch that seems to come out of nowhere and it is such a shock that we don't realize we have responded in the flesh. The present financial mess is one example but your experience just relates to me greatly. Thanks for sharing.
Jen, you too! I would say that God was more than getting your hubby's attention with his symphony selections. I know you are pleased and I would be too. My hubby likes to groan and moan about paying bills and one day I asked him what he would feel like if that blessing was taken away from him and given to a court appointed administrator. He hasn't groaned since then. Will be praying for your hubby's commission checks to flourish and multiply.
JIM CARROLL, thanks for the web site. Good reading my friend.
If you don't get Perry Stone's Manna Fest or his magazine, you might want to take a exploratory jaunt to his web site, www.voiceofevangelism.org and look around. He has a new design and added features. I also suggest you check out the lead article in his magazine that is available on PDF format. He is discussing something that we have been talking about here. What is coming at us.
You know this is a very pretty day here in Okieland and the sun is shining so very brightly. It is 75 degress and perfect weather. The trees aren't budding yet but it won't be long until they do and then the butterflies, bugs and birds will begin to hum and fill the air with their songs and sounds. Isn't God Good! What he does is complete, perfect and gives us joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Grany
nate,
I agree with what you are said. I haven't been keeping a really close eye on the Middle East lately either, but from what little I have read, things seem to really be heating up again. I mentioned a few months ago that I think March 21st could be significant. There are all kinds of significant celebrations that land on March 20 and 21st.
Good Friday is of course the most important event that lands on the 21st to all of us here, but the 20th and 21st are also significant for several other religions, as it is the spring equinox. There is going to be a full moon on the 21st. I have given up trying to figure out whether the full moon is significant or not, but I thought I would throw it in there anyways. :-)
God Bless,
Harold
Nate - I know what you mean. I haven't really been posting much lately because I'm feeling very mixed up right now.
2 nights ago, I felt instructed to get on my knees. I did so, but just knelt there & cried because I didn't know what to pray for. Since then I've been having a two way conversation with the Spirit OR I'm becoming schizophrenic! I'm not understanding what is being asked/instructed of me. I just have been feeling so, so sad, without knowing why.
I have been crying out to God to help me know what it is that has me feeling so desperate & crazy.
I feel a sense of panic, I've never gone through anything like this before.
Shalom, Harold!
I think things will happen before the 20th of March. The 20th is the Birthday of the Prophet, and the 21st is Purim.
<><
alesia,
I felt very messed up myself about a month ago. Nothing was making sense to me. Like many of us here, I have spent a huge amount of time and effort over the last few years trying to figure out end times prophecy. Then I watched a few short videos that Grumpy sent me a link to that totally contradicted most of what I thought I knew. I felt really confused and upset. Normally I can find holes in things I disagree with and move on, but these videos really ate at me.
At that time, I was also getting really discouraged about trying to witness to some of the people at work. I seemed to be getting no where. I was really lamenting the fact that there was no solid piece of evidence that I could plunk down on someone's desk and say, "There is the evidence that God exists and that Christ died for our sins!" I realized that there was no piece of evidence that I could produce that the people at work could not dismiss as a coincidence or my imagination, or some other scientific explanation.
I wished I could raise someone from the dead or heal someone in front of them to prove that Christ is real and risen. I also lamented that I had never actually witnessed a miracle myself that couldn't be dismissed by the general populace as chance and that God had never actually spoken to me in my life. I still had faith that everything I believed was real, but I just didn't have anything concrete.
Then it happened. Not two days after feeling this way, my wife and I were at a super market a couple of blocks from our house. It was a Friday night and we were picking up a few things on the way over to my brother's place. We were late and in a big hurry to get the stuff we needed and get out of there.
We had justed finished going through the check out line and we were heading for the door. My wife was a little ways behind me as she was stuffing her credit card back into her wallet. Out of nowhere, I heard someone call my name. I turned around and asked my wife if she had called me. She said she hadn't. I had very distinctly heard a voice say "Harold". I quickly scanned the checkout lines looking for who might have said my name, but there was not a single person I knew who would have called me.
I immediately realized that it had been God calling me. I became extra alert because I sensed that He wanted me to do something and I didn't have a clue what.
As we approached the store exit, I noticed an old man who was struggling to get his grocery bags out of his shopping cart and into his hands. He was trying to get the shopping bag handles over top of his winter gloves and he was moving very slowly. The shopping bag loops were small and his gloves were thick.
I sensed that I was supposed to help this man. I asked him if I could help him to his car or carry his groceries. He said no, but he said he would appreciate it if I could help put the bags in his hands. My wife grabbed the grocery bags I was holding so I could help this man put his grocery bags in his hands. After helping get his bags picked up, I asked him if I could assist him further with anything, but he said no and thanked me for my help.
As I walked to the car, I was almost in tears as I explained to my wife what had happened. Obviously, she had no idea what had gone on as she hadn't heard the voice.
We were in such a hurry to get out of the store that night, that I probably would not have even noticed that this man was struggling with his groceries if I hadn't heard God calling my name.
Nothing like this has ever happened to me before and it really has encouraged me. God may never speak to me verbally again, but I am always going to remember this occasion.
God is Great!
Harold
Nate - My brain is in a tizzy (sp) because I feel an overwhelming sense of I'm to DO SOMETHING, but know not WHAT.
PLUS, I really feel as though something is keeping me an arms length away from the Lord, I can't explain it.
Harold - that's a great story, thanks for sharing it.
I have one to tell that happened to my daughter about a year ago.
My daughter had been going through a really hard time, spiritually. She was questioning if God really existed, stopped going to church, etc.
We were in a bookstore one night & as I was in the checkout, she was a ways away, looking at something. All of a sudden this girl (about the same age as her) comes up to her & I see them hug. I didn't think much about it, thought they must have been friends. I then see my daughter run out of the store, when I was finished & got to the car, she was crying hysterically. She told me this girl (total stranger) came up to her & said "God told me to come up to you to tell you Jesus really loves you & you need to know this NOW." and she hugged her.
Can you believe that? How fantastic!!!
We just sat there, for the longest time, in the car, crying. When she felt composed enough, she went back into the store & talked to the girl to tell her what had been going on with her lately & thanked her, for she really needed to hear that.
Needless to say, everyone was then crying & praising God for this little miracle!
alesia and nate,
Those were amazing stories!!! Thank-you very much for sharing them. I love hearing about miracles!
It sounds like the three of us are going through similar struggles as I can identify totally with everything you two are saying.
nate,
I totally understand what you are saying about Satan's attacks being turned up more when you witness to people. I have experienced the same thing.
It is a good thing that people cannot read one another's thoughts because I also struggle with my thought life daily. It seems to have gotten worse recently. I stuff my head full of Christian books, but bad thoughts still seem to creep in.
One of my dad's favorite sayings is, "Keep looking up my boy." It took years of rebellion before I finally took that advice to heart.
Keep looking up,
Harold
Alesia,
You said:
I have been crying out to God to help me know what it is that has me feeling so desperate & crazy.
PRAY IN TONGUES OUT LOUD - I beleive God is calling you to intercessory prayer for something that at the moment He does not want you to know the details of - either because it is something concerning you directly, or it is about a very critical situation somewhere, that if you knew about, you would not be able to pray effectively. Keep going until you feel a release in your spirit - or the sensations you are experiencing go away.
As it says in Romans 8:26-28:
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings [gr. meaning: words that are not in an articulate - native human - tongue] which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He [God] who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [NKJV]
Note here that praying in the Spirit (in tongues until you learn to do it in your native tongue) means you are praying out the perfect will of God. This is how your words (even in your tongue language) can release or authorize God to do mighty things in the earth.
Also in 1 Cor 14:14-15
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. [NKJV]
And in Ephesian 6 (the purpose of putting on your spiritual armor is to pray):
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints [NKJV]
The sensations you are experiencing are typical of those you get when God is calling you to intercede in the Spirit. In addition, take authourity over the enemy, and tell him to leave you alone - as it says in James 4:7:
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [NKJV]
The devil HAS to flee from you if you tell him to.
Go for it, and God bless you for your faithfulness.
John
Grany & Jim,
Thanks for the fasting tips.
My normal routine would be considered a "Catholic" fast.
(Terrible, isn't it? Needless to say food isn't my driving force in life.Just something to stop my stomache from hurting.)
So I'll fine tune my normal pattern and keep what you said in mind.
We are taking my mother to Church tomorrow for the first time since she was a child. My parents both believe in God of the Bible but other than the "Ten Commandments" and other Bible Movies I think that would be the extent of their knowledge.I always got the feeling of "we're good people" attitude.
As you know my Dad just passed and had Alzheimers the last few years of his life.
There was a Baptist minister who would visit the nursing home my father was in for the last 3 months but my father @ that time was pretty well in the last stages of the disease.
I tried to talk them into going to Church over the years but they didn't do it. Then my Father became house bound and Mom practically killed herself taking care of him.
Now she admits it was a mistake they never attended Church and when she would hear the Baptist preacher at the Nursing home it would make her cry. (Granted she is quite a cry baby)
She now thinks she's going to cry tomorrow at Church-I asked her why and the respone was "I don't know" then proceeded to cry.
My guess is that she feels a sense of guilt and remorse. She probably fears that my Dad may not have made it to heaven-although she hopes so.
I just rely on the Holy Spirit who has been my strength during this and accept it's in God's hands. I've prayed alot over this but really am not grieving.
I loved my father dearly and he was a good man. I'm sorry that's about as much as I know of his spiritual side. He didn't even talk with my mother about it.
Thank you for your prayers. My mother is definately in great need.
Lisa
Thank you John.
It was like you were poking around inside my head!
I'm still not able to speak in tongues. One time I thought I prayed in tongues, in my head, but not out loud. I've read your blog, which was quite helpful, thanks, but still can't do it.
The thing is, I do feel filled with the Holy Spirit. Since feeling this way, I don't know HOW anyone could question that God is real. It transforms you, completely.
I also do think warfare is going on with me. I have been asking for protection numerous times a day, lately. Just like Nate & Harold, horrible thoughts keep coming into my head. I am spending most of my day thinking about God, talking to Him & even still feel like I am moving further away instead of moving closer.
The good thing is I am very aware of these bad thoughts (thanks to the Holy Spirit, I believe) I'm very aware of having problems with pride & authority issues right now.
Maybe something is going on with us.
I've said this before... I can't thank God enough for all of you. That all of us have each other is such a tremendous blessing!
Thank you Lord for giving us one another for fellowship & aid!
Hi all,
in light of what Alesia, Nate and Harold have been sharing I feel compelled to share an uplifting story from my own life.
I became a Christian just after I left school. At one time, in my second year at University, I became extremely restless with the idea that I had to walk into the room of one of the students which I knew to be rather godless. He was extremely popular and had plenty of charisma and everyone loved him...but he was godless.
Anyways, I was TERRIFIED every time I walked past his room (he was in the same dorm as me - a couple of rooms on and everytime I left the dorm I had to pass his room). Everytime I walked past his room, for 3 days!, the Holy Spirit told me "This Room!". I had no idea what I would say to him when I entered his room, but for three days I walked up to his room door and then stopped, turned around and went back to my room as I JUST COULD NOT DO IT. My heart felt like it would bounce out of my throat every time I walked up to his door.
Anyways, the third night came and the feeling was OVERWHELMING that I had to walk into his room and tell him something...man I was scared as I thought here comes BIG TIME humiliation. So I was praying a lot asking for what to say.
The third night the dorm was extremely quiet...it was a Saturday night and everyone was out drinking and partying, but curiously this guy was locked up in his room. At this time his door was closed and I did not know whether he was there or not. So this was my chance to walk up to the door, find out it was locked and then walk away telling the Lord, and myself, that the thoughts in my mind are made up by myself and that I did what I could in any case...he is not there!
So I walked up to his door, knocked, turned the knob...I was ready to turn around and walk away as I was sure no one was there and the door was locked.
To my surprise the door opened!
I had been praying a LOT about what to tell him if I do get the chance and all I got was..."Tell him Jesus loves him and that he cares".
Wow, so the door opens, and there this guy is lying on his bed. He greets me enthusiastically (in his very charismatic way) and asks me what I want. I thought I'm gonna die of a heartattack so I wanted to say what I came to say very quickly and leave.
So I blurted, "I just came to tell you that Jesus told me to come to you to tell you that he DOES exist and that he loves you!"
Just that, that's all I told him.
To my surprise he was stunned silent. He was on the verge of tears.
He told me that in the last couple of days he was CHALLENGING G_d to prove that he existed! He told G_d that he did not believe in Him and that he basically was a fairy tale...so show Yourself otherwise get lost he was saying.
In my stunned state I took him downstairs to the dorm that my youth pastor was in. There he burst into tears and promptly gave his heart to Jesus. Wow...and amen!
He was studying law at the time, he promptly cancelled his studies and went to study at a bible school the next year to become a pastor. He is now a full time minister and has been for many years.
Praise G_d!
Sorry for the long post, but I felt compelled to share this story.
Have a blessed Sunday all!
Alesia,
Thanks for that post about worshipping G-D...it meant a lot to me.
I have a dachshund that adores me...and I him...joined at the hip we are, so that analogy spoke volumes to me as lately (lately being years) I have been struggling with an intimate relationship with my Father.
Hi Alesia,
Going along with John's explanation about praying in tongues, it was very hard for me at first and some times nothing happened. I had to have the entire house quiet and if anything distracted me, even the cat walking in the room, I shut down.
Sometimes I would just sit at the desk with my eyes closed and my mouth open, waiting for ANYTHING to happen!
I kept at it and finally had the breakthrough. I think I had to truly believe that it was going to happen, not 'hope' it would and not be afraid of it (I have no upbringing in tongues so I felt kinda like a double agent about it.) I also had to stop caring if anyone else knew. The day I said to myself "I don't care if hubby hears me" was the day it happened.
As John told me, it was like a rubber band snapped and I wasn't held back anymore.
Shortly after, I had 2 strange and somewhat alarming visions (?) while I was praying in tongues and at the time I had no idea where they came from or what they meant. In the first, a picture of a little boy with a terrible facial deformity flashed into my mind. But he was smiling and didn't seem to mind his problem. There were kids his age standing around him and they all seemed happy. I had no idea where that image came from, but I prayed for him for several minutes. A few days later, I saw a report on CNN about an Iraqi boy who had been terribly burned by militants as revenge for his family helping the Americans. His face was nearly melted off and he was having reconstructive surgery at an American hospital. I immediately knew that he was the little boy I had seen during my prayers.
The second vision came shortly after that and was more of a movie clip. It was a terrifying scene in which an Asian man was lying on his back and dirt was being shoveled on his face. (I thought he was being buried alive, but I only saw him, not anyone actually doing the shoveling.) The next day, there was a news report about a bus that had been crushed by a landslide in China and they were digging for survivors. I knew at that instant that I had been praying for a man involved in that incident, maybe prayers that he would survive or maybe prayers to warn him not to take the bus. I never heard a follow-up report from that incident, so I don't know if there were survivors or not. But it was very clear to me that my vision was connected to that tragedy.
I thought then that maybe praying in tongues was going to be quite a thrill ride! I haven't had any more experiences like that, but I can tell you that the things I pray for (combo of praying in English and in tongues) are moving almost daily. And I'm sure there are other things I'll never know about.
When I do my daily prayers, I've started to first claim the time in Jesus' name and command any workers of darkness to leave. (I'm easily distracted and wandering off during prayers is a constant struggle.) I go through my journal in English and then ask Holy Spirit if anything else needs to be said and I just wait. It's kinda like a welling-up feeling that takes place and the words flow out. Sometimes it's less than a minute, other times I spend a lot longer. And just today I had that welling-up feeling happen while I was curling my hair, so it does happen apart from that time I set aside for prayer.
Anyway, I don't know if this will be helpful, but I wanted to share it as an encouragement. I'll be praying for the attacks to cease, too, and for clarity in what God is calling you to do.
***
Lisa, my prayers will be with you tomorrow. I would say that your mom's willingness to attend church is a great step in the right direction. May the Lord provide you comfort and strength as you serve Him.
Blessings,
Jen
Thuunda,
No, no, don't thank me.
That was MAC'S post. I was so moved by it, I wanted to make sure everyone else saw it too.
Jen,
WOW! That's amazing. Thanks!
Thuunda - I forgot to say what an awesome story that was about you in college.
Thanks for sharing it, we all need to hear those kind of stories.
I wish the Lord would use me that way.
Praise God!
Lisa,
I want to send my condolences to you about your dad.
You had mentioned your pastor's name in reference to the fast coming up and I looked him up.
I have been listening to some of the archived sermons from your church and have been so blessed.
Your church is sooooo worshipful. Your pastor has a very worshipful heart for the Lord.
I will be praying for you and your mom tomorrow as you go to church. I pray that she gives her heart to the Lord and has ears to hear what He has to say to her.
Thank you all for sharing. I have felt so much of the same thing. So aware of my sinfulness and feeling like something is about to take place.
I have an invalid neighbor that I need the courage to go visit. I thought about her all day today but could not muster up the courage. Oh that I would just respond to the Lord.
I was reading in Isaiah lastnight in my old Living bible and read "I will put my words in your mouth and hold you in my hands." What more could I ask for?
I know I do not post much, but I am so grateful for this place and appreciate reading all of your input. It is fellowship in the purest form.
Grace
Some years ago, when I was still searching for answers I prayed to Jesus to somehow reveal Himself to me - if He really existed. Intellectually, I believed in a God but the God I knew then was an impersonal New Age version. I wanted to believe in a personal God and I rejected the teaching that the answers were to be found within us. I was familiar with a few “scholarly” works that sought to debunk the existence of Christ and they had me bluffed. This was before I had access to the internet and the resources available to me now.
My prayer went something like this; “Lord, I want to believe in you, but how can I possibly know for sure that you really existed after seeing all these books that deny your existence. Please help me.”
That same week a customer came into the office where I worked at the time and, out of the blue, handed me a brown paper bag. He was an older Greek gentleman who had been buying from our company for many years. I actually had very little to do with him so when he handed me the brown paper bag with that strange smile on his face, I was a little confused. I remember him saying it was for me, specifically. Inside the bag were several (seven I think) Greek Orthodox plywood crucifixes. The incident was so unexpected and startling I knew I had received my answer. Even my colleagues were mystified as to why the man had done it. I still have one of those crosses as a memento.
Three years ago, while I was performing some very heavy donkey calf raises in the gym, I felt a rip in my calf muscle. The pain was so acute; I let the weight drop in agony. I could barely manage to hobble into the change rooms and to the car. In fact I could barely use the accelerator. I even had to brake with the wrong foot. My friend who was present at the incident concluded that I would be in crutches for about six weeks.
Having had more injuries than I care to admit, I can tell you from bitter experience that a severe injury may start as a slight innocuous pain and become debilitating a few days later. This would have been a major problem for me as I provide care for my mother and I had a bunch of other work commitments as well. I couldn’t see myself doing the chores and getting the shopping done while in crutches. It’s the only time in my life when I can recall praying for healing. I felt desperate and vulnerable. Well God healed me so thoroughly; I was running and sprinting two days later. Severe injuries like that take ages to heal. God worked a miracle for me.
Thank you all for sharing your testimonies. This is very encouraging.
Hi Alesia,
thank you for those kind words (if I did not obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit then G_d would've used someone else I believe - all glory to Jesus!) and thanks all for sharing the stories that shows how mighty our G_d is...I believe these kinda stories strengthens ones faith even further...knowing that G_d answers prayer.
A lot of awesome things happened while I was at University...incidentally it was the most difficult time in my personal life ever...makes me think about 2 Cor 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". How true this was for me.
btw...I don't post here often, but I read often and I wanted to say that everyone's posts here blesses me greatly.
Alesia,
Praying in tongues is a "faith" thing - you have to believe that if you have asked God for the gift of the Holy Spirit (which you already have done, according to your comments), then you have ALREADY received the ability to pray in tongues.
You just have to open your mouth, and start to speak - it may sound like gibberish or babbling to start with - but then so does a baby when it starts to talk (no offense intended).
Go somewhere where you won't be overheard (e.g in the car alone) and start practicing (fear of man and being embarrassed can somewhat hinder the work of Holy Spirit - again not meaning to cause any offense - just speaking from my own experience).
Go for it - it sounds like this is what God needs you to do, so you can pray out what God needs you to do so at this time.
The examples given by Jen [whom I haven't forgotten about re your earlier request on my blog] are increasingly typical of what God wants to do in and through all of us, especially as we get closer than ever to the end of days. Just remember what it says in Joel 2:28-29.
As I said, and I cannot stress this enough, God CANNOT do anything on or in the earth unless we give him the authority to do it - because Jesus gave us that authority back after His resurrection (the authority to take dominion over the earth and everything in it) that was first given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - see Genesis 1:26)
Matthew 28:18-21:
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 “Go therefore [= delegation of "all authority" to US, the Church] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. [NKJV]
John
Where is everyone?
I've spent the day cleaning, I put on some old motown music & danced around, to make the cleaning fun. Which is a very comical sight, let me tell you - I can't dance for diddly-squat! My daughter could make a fortune from secretly video taping me, it definitely would win Funniest home videos.
I just down to relax & read some comments & there aren't many!
John - Believe me when I tell you, I HAVE tried. I will keep at it, when the Lord wants me to, it'll come, I guess.
Grumpy - I miss you!
AND
GT - where have you been off to?
Also, where is my beautiful Grany?
Mac - this ones on you, brother.
I'm post 150 - get busy! ;)
Grany's having some eye issues and is going to have a procedure done this week. She'll be off the computer for a few days afterward. But you know that tenacious wonderful grandmother of ours, she be back in full swing in no time!
If you're reading this, Gran, we love you!
Grany's having some eye issues and is going to have a procedure done this week. She'll be off the computer for a few days afterward. But you know that tenacious wonderful grandmother of ours, she be back in full swing in no time!
Let's pray for a quick and full recovery...
If you're reading this, Gran, we love you!
Grany's having some eye issues and is going to have a procedure done this week. She'll be off the computer for a few days afterward. But you know that tenacious wonderful grandmother of ours, she be back in full swing in no time!
Let's pray for a quick and full healing.
If you're reading this, Gran, we love you!
Hi alesia and all; Just been "lurking" and trying to catch up to all you busy posters. I am so blessed to read about your encounters with the Lord and answered prayer. Keep them comming!
I had an answered prayer the other day. I needed to receive a phone call from a work related matter, and asked the Lord to have this person call me real soon. I had just finished that prayer when in 2 seconds the phone rang. I knew that it was what I had prayed about before I even answered. I must admit I have not had a prayer answered that quick, ever!!
Harold, where is Grumpy??
God Bless!!
There's a new post.
Post a Comment