To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it...
Love the Lord your God and keep His requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.
Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God: His majesty, His mighty hand, His outstretched arm; the signs He performed and the things He did...
--Deuteronomy 10:14, 11:1-2
Tiny piggy toes, little fingers clasping, the flutter of sleepy eyelids, the smell of innocence, the happy giggles, the first steps....
Thank You Lord for children. Thank You Lord for the little lives that give such love, such joy.
And thank You for growth--for bicycle rides and first days of school, for wonder and delight as they celebrate the dandelion, test the caterpillar, stare at the sky.
Help us Lord to handle these gifts wisely. To learn from them, and be like them with You. Help us to teach them, to tell them every day of Your majesty and Your might.
Help us to discipline as You would have us do. Help us to be full of encouragement and grace. Thank You for strong wills and brave hearts--help us to channel these gifts for Your kingdom.
And as they step out those doors, into Your world, Lord may they passionately follow You. May this next generation be so on fire for You that it changes the world. As our hearts swell with desire to protect them, may they fear nothing except You.
We pray for VP Biden, and others who have lost children.
Lord please show Your mighty hand for the Iraqi Christians. Save their children.
For the military children, Lord, strengthen their hearts. As friends and homes and even parents have to come and go, may they learn to depend on You.
In this PCS season, we pray for safe travels. For houses found and houses sold and houses rented--Lord we trust in You.
We pray for our leaders. We pray for the Chief of Chaplains office. For the Pentagon. For the White House.
And as people come in and out, we pray for unity in the work places. For satisfying days of work.
We remember today Lord! We remember Your glory!
Amen
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
May 25, 2015
"Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!" --I Samuel 14:6
Thank You Lord for victory!
First, for victory on the cross. Victory over sin. Victory over death.
But also for victories through the ages. Victories that people prayed for. Victories that changed the world. Victories that created America, that freed the slaves, saved the Jews, opened doors for the gospel, kept us free.
Thank You for timely storms, and timely good weather. Thank You for strategies and courage. For weapons and strength. For men and women willing to sacrifice all.
We pray for those who have taken that step forward. Lord, please hold the families of the fallen in Your arms--the mothers and fathers who did their best to raise a decent child, the spouses whose hearts are broken, the children who will never have that place in their heart filled again.
We pray for our wounded--both in body and in spirit. Lord help them in their daily battles. We have doctors and therapists and psychologists and drugs, because of Your grace. But only You can truly heal.
We pray for our active duty warriors. Lord, keep them safe. Help us to encourage them. May their tough days lead to You.
We pray for the military families. Teach us through these experiences Lord. Help us to rely on You.
We pray for our leaders. Give them wisdom in the decisions. We pray for the commanders. We pray for the Chief of Chaplain's office and those working there.
And Lord, we ask You for victory against ISIS. Please protect the innocent. Please glorify Your Name amongst the wicked.
For You are greater. You are stronger. You are higher than any other. Nothing can stand against You, and we want to be on Your side.
Amen!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God, Our God
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?
Read more: Chris Tomlin - Our God Lyrics | MetroLyrics And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?
Thank You Lord for victory!
First, for victory on the cross. Victory over sin. Victory over death.
But also for victories through the ages. Victories that people prayed for. Victories that changed the world. Victories that created America, that freed the slaves, saved the Jews, opened doors for the gospel, kept us free.
Thank You for timely storms, and timely good weather. Thank You for strategies and courage. For weapons and strength. For men and women willing to sacrifice all.
We pray for those who have taken that step forward. Lord, please hold the families of the fallen in Your arms--the mothers and fathers who did their best to raise a decent child, the spouses whose hearts are broken, the children who will never have that place in their heart filled again.
We pray for our wounded--both in body and in spirit. Lord help them in their daily battles. We have doctors and therapists and psychologists and drugs, because of Your grace. But only You can truly heal.
We pray for our active duty warriors. Lord, keep them safe. Help us to encourage them. May their tough days lead to You.
We pray for the military families. Teach us through these experiences Lord. Help us to rely on You.
We pray for our leaders. Give them wisdom in the decisions. We pray for the commanders. We pray for the Chief of Chaplain's office and those working there.
And Lord, we ask You for victory against ISIS. Please protect the innocent. Please glorify Your Name amongst the wicked.
For You are greater. You are stronger. You are higher than any other. Nothing can stand against You, and we want to be on Your side.
Amen!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
May 18, 2015
The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.--CS Lewis
Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/22-awesome-c-s-lewis-quotes/#ixzz3aSvGdvJG
God loves each of us as if there were only one of us- Augustine
The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/charles_spurgeon.html#g85mlp62AyBP6tG5.99
Thank You Lord God for the cloud of witnesses that have come before us! Thank You for calling great men and women to You, for empowering them, for speaking through them. Thank You for the millions You have saved through them.
And Lord we pray for more. As America flails around in the slime of complacency, we need men and women of dedication, of passion, of commitment. Raise us up, Lord, make us harvesters.
"...He sent them out two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." --Luke 10:1-2
Send us to where You are coming. As military Christians, remind of us of our mission no matter where You place us. Open our eyes and hearts to the harvest. Open our mouths with Your words without fear--of rejection or embarrassment or of messing it up.
"Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you."--Luke 10:9
Lord help us to believe big, to pray big...because this world is very sick and needs some big healing, as only You can do.
We pray for the heart-wounded warrior. Lord use us to wrap them in Your arms. Don't let the enemy speak to them. Calm their nerves, quiet their dreams. God only You can take away their shame, can grant them the forgiveness and the shelter they are dying for. Please do that Lord.
We pray for our wounded warriors. Let the bones You have broken make them rely on You.
We pray for our deployed. Only You can be their true fortress.
We pray for the families of the fallen. Lord grant them the peace that passes all understanding.
And we pray for Your workers:
For the Christian soldiers making the mundane holy day after day. May their witness be loud and clear, even when unspoken.
For the chaplains and the chapels. Lord may they be alive! Lord, may there be unity.
For the PWOCs and youth groups. May they be contagious!
For our leaders, the ones going before us. We pray for the Chief of Chaplain's office: for Ch Hurley, Ch Solhjem and his wife Jill, and the others working in the office.
For all of us--the prayer warriors. May we see the need and the outcome of our prayers.
And Lord we pray for the many among us who continue to struggle with health. You know our fraility Lord. Help us.
A God who loves us enough to use us--inspite of our fallibility--wow! Lord make us worthy. Deepen our love for You today.
Amen.
Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/22-awesome-c-s-lewis-quotes/#ixzz3aSvGdvJG
God loves each of us as if there were only one of us- Augustine
My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billygraha382921.html#qJSYmDARTDSPuwZp.99
There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things.--Dwight L. Moody
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/c/charles_spurgeon.html#g85mlp62AyBP6tG5.99
Thank You Lord God for the cloud of witnesses that have come before us! Thank You for calling great men and women to You, for empowering them, for speaking through them. Thank You for the millions You have saved through them.
And Lord we pray for more. As America flails around in the slime of complacency, we need men and women of dedication, of passion, of commitment. Raise us up, Lord, make us harvesters.
"...He sent them out two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." --Luke 10:1-2
Send us to where You are coming. As military Christians, remind of us of our mission no matter where You place us. Open our eyes and hearts to the harvest. Open our mouths with Your words without fear--of rejection or embarrassment or of messing it up.
"Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you."--Luke 10:9
Lord help us to believe big, to pray big...because this world is very sick and needs some big healing, as only You can do.
We pray for the heart-wounded warrior. Lord use us to wrap them in Your arms. Don't let the enemy speak to them. Calm their nerves, quiet their dreams. God only You can take away their shame, can grant them the forgiveness and the shelter they are dying for. Please do that Lord.
We pray for our wounded warriors. Let the bones You have broken make them rely on You.
We pray for our deployed. Only You can be their true fortress.
We pray for the families of the fallen. Lord grant them the peace that passes all understanding.
And we pray for Your workers:
For the Christian soldiers making the mundane holy day after day. May their witness be loud and clear, even when unspoken.
For the chaplains and the chapels. Lord may they be alive! Lord, may there be unity.
For the PWOCs and youth groups. May they be contagious!
For our leaders, the ones going before us. We pray for the Chief of Chaplain's office: for Ch Hurley, Ch Solhjem and his wife Jill, and the others working in the office.
For all of us--the prayer warriors. May we see the need and the outcome of our prayers.
And Lord we pray for the many among us who continue to struggle with health. You know our fraility Lord. Help us.
A God who loves us enough to use us--inspite of our fallibility--wow! Lord make us worthy. Deepen our love for You today.
Amen.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
May 11, 2015
Let's sing His praise today with "I sing the mighty power of God" by Isaac Watts
listen here: I Sing with orchestra
I sing the mighty power of God
That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command
And all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord,
That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with His Word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
Where e're I turn my eye;
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky!
There's not a plant or flow'r below,
But makes Thy glories known:
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee
Is ever in Thy care.
And everywhere that man can be,
Thou, God, art present there.
A single seed. Hard tiny kernel. Could crush it with my fingernail. Accidentally drop it and lose it. Yet You put life in it! Even in total neglect--even in the harshest conditions--even just a pocket of dirt in a crack of rock--even there You bring shoots of green.
In these tiny seeds we find hope. We see Your plan. We die to our life to grow--grow beautifully! abundantly!--in You.
We do not lose hope, because You have not. You continue to make the seeds grow. You continue to send the cranes and the geese and the ducks north to make their nests. You continue to surround us in beauty, just to bring us joy.
Lord may we live as children of hope this week. May we be so consumed with You that we can spill over into others' lives. May we not be the tired, the busy, the overwhelmed, the worried. May we be the joyful, the hopeful, the amazed, the grateful, the ones who press on...
We can only because of You--the never ending fountain of strength.
So many things need Your touch of life, Lord. For these, we take up our work of prayer. We ask for Your intervention:
--for the safety of our warriors, at home and abroad
--for the safety of our military families
--that the plans of the enemies to kill and destroy would be defeated
--for our Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq, and other countries, who are fighting for their lives
--for wisdom for the world leaders; for truth to be revealed amongst those tempted to join ISIS.
Lord, it seems like only death is coming out of these events. We ask that You would not hold back in bringing back life.
--We pray for revival in our ranks--that the dark times would bring them closer to You.
--We pray for our soldiers who have lost all hope. Lord be the light shining in their darkness. Please don't let them give up the fight.
--We pray for each other--for strength in the PCS season as we leave friends and have to run the gauntlet to get re-established.
--We pray for those who have been dealing with illness for so long.
--We pray for the ribbon of hope to continue running through the wounded soldiers' lives.
We follow You--a gracious and generous and fully alive God. Thank You Lord.
listen here: I Sing with orchestra
I sing the mighty power of God
That made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at His command
And all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord,
That filled the earth with food;
He formed the creatures with His Word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed,
Where e're I turn my eye;
If I survey the ground I tread,
Or gaze upon the sky!
There's not a plant or flow'r below,
But makes Thy glories known:
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee
Is ever in Thy care.
And everywhere that man can be,
Thou, God, art present there.
A single seed. Hard tiny kernel. Could crush it with my fingernail. Accidentally drop it and lose it. Yet You put life in it! Even in total neglect--even in the harshest conditions--even just a pocket of dirt in a crack of rock--even there You bring shoots of green.
In these tiny seeds we find hope. We see Your plan. We die to our life to grow--grow beautifully! abundantly!--in You.
We do not lose hope, because You have not. You continue to make the seeds grow. You continue to send the cranes and the geese and the ducks north to make their nests. You continue to surround us in beauty, just to bring us joy.
Lord may we live as children of hope this week. May we be so consumed with You that we can spill over into others' lives. May we not be the tired, the busy, the overwhelmed, the worried. May we be the joyful, the hopeful, the amazed, the grateful, the ones who press on...
We can only because of You--the never ending fountain of strength.
So many things need Your touch of life, Lord. For these, we take up our work of prayer. We ask for Your intervention:
--for the safety of our warriors, at home and abroad
--for the safety of our military families
--that the plans of the enemies to kill and destroy would be defeated
--for our Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq, and other countries, who are fighting for their lives
--for wisdom for the world leaders; for truth to be revealed amongst those tempted to join ISIS.
Lord, it seems like only death is coming out of these events. We ask that You would not hold back in bringing back life.
--We pray for revival in our ranks--that the dark times would bring them closer to You.
--We pray for our soldiers who have lost all hope. Lord be the light shining in their darkness. Please don't let them give up the fight.
--We pray for each other--for strength in the PCS season as we leave friends and have to run the gauntlet to get re-established.
--We pray for those who have been dealing with illness for so long.
--We pray for the ribbon of hope to continue running through the wounded soldiers' lives.
We follow You--a gracious and generous and fully alive God. Thank You Lord.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
May 4, 2015
With a little help from parts of Psalm 66 today:
Here we are Lord,
These crazy, little, amazing, creatures You have made.
Fiercely independent,
yet totally dependent on You.
How amazing is a God who can create such a complex body.
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!"
...All the earth bows down to You...
Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind!
Thank You for:
+hair--the curly, soft, big, in all colors--we have fun decorating it
+eyes--the jewel colors
+smell--bacon, spring earth, wood smoke--evokes memories and emotions
+taste--tang of grapefruit, spice of a green onion, cream of chocolate--all showing Your generous creativity
+hands--can hold a friend, can pen an encouragement, can rescue a child
+skin--in beautiful shades, semi permeable and washable and stretchable
+feet--oh the joy to feel movement, to run!, to jump, to dance and spin--from the time we can first manage it, it bring happiness
+the millions of actions and reactions, chemical and mechanical, that make this body work without a thought from us
+with each beat of our heart, we hear Your power, Your love.
We don't have to look further than the end of our nose to see how amazing You are!
We glory in our health, and thank You for so much.
But when the slightest little thing goes wrong, it is so hard for us. You understand. How amazing to have a God who put Himself into our situation, and felt our pain. While we know You use it to teach us, You also healed so many through Jesus.
So we ask for Your healing, Great Physician:
--for our new babies, struggling to live
--for our kids, with pink eye and strep and stomach aches and so many vulnerabilities
--for our sisters, the military moms on whom so much depends, who have mono, and bronchitis, and lyme disease, and migraines, and____
--for our soldiers, these pro athletes, who beat their bodies to do their jobs and have broke feet, hurt backs, torn shoulders, brain inconsistencies,
--for our wounded warriors--Lord, please give them the courage to face their new challenges. May their breaking be the point where they turned to You.
--and for our soldiers with broken hearts. Lord, we can name so many maladies, fix a few of them, analyze the thumping of the heart muscle and the pull of the lungs. But we can't explain, or help, the spirit, the will to live. Please heal our veterans. Save them from the despair. May they know Your presence.
He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
For You, God, tested us;
You refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs....
We went through fire and water,
but You brought us to a place of abundance...
As we use our bodies this week in Your service, may we remember You.
And we pray for the heart of our nation on this week of the Day of Prayer. You've blessed us with the best nation in the world. Such wealth! Such freedom! Such resources! From the shrimp of Florida waters, to the king crab from the Alaskan waters. From Texas beef to California strawberries to Iowa hogs to the grains of the Great Plains. Thank You Lord.
We pray we will use it well. We pray we will manage these great blessings to bless the rest of the world. We pray for our leaders. We pray for our military. We pray for revival Lord. Because while we are surrounded by all these wonderful things, we still can't make the heart beat on our own accord. We need You for every breath.
In sickness, and in health--
even if there is no food in the field or cattle in the stalls--
we trust in You.
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld His love from me!
Here we are Lord,
These crazy, little, amazing, creatures You have made.
Fiercely independent,
yet totally dependent on You.
How amazing is a God who can create such a complex body.
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!"
...All the earth bows down to You...
Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind!
Thank You for:
+hair--the curly, soft, big, in all colors--we have fun decorating it
+eyes--the jewel colors
+smell--bacon, spring earth, wood smoke--evokes memories and emotions
+taste--tang of grapefruit, spice of a green onion, cream of chocolate--all showing Your generous creativity
+hands--can hold a friend, can pen an encouragement, can rescue a child
+skin--in beautiful shades, semi permeable and washable and stretchable
+feet--oh the joy to feel movement, to run!, to jump, to dance and spin--from the time we can first manage it, it bring happiness
+the millions of actions and reactions, chemical and mechanical, that make this body work without a thought from us
+with each beat of our heart, we hear Your power, Your love.
We don't have to look further than the end of our nose to see how amazing You are!
We glory in our health, and thank You for so much.
But when the slightest little thing goes wrong, it is so hard for us. You understand. How amazing to have a God who put Himself into our situation, and felt our pain. While we know You use it to teach us, You also healed so many through Jesus.
So we ask for Your healing, Great Physician:
--for our new babies, struggling to live
--for our kids, with pink eye and strep and stomach aches and so many vulnerabilities
--for our sisters, the military moms on whom so much depends, who have mono, and bronchitis, and lyme disease, and migraines, and____
--for our soldiers, these pro athletes, who beat their bodies to do their jobs and have broke feet, hurt backs, torn shoulders, brain inconsistencies,
--for our wounded warriors--Lord, please give them the courage to face their new challenges. May their breaking be the point where they turned to You.
--and for our soldiers with broken hearts. Lord, we can name so many maladies, fix a few of them, analyze the thumping of the heart muscle and the pull of the lungs. But we can't explain, or help, the spirit, the will to live. Please heal our veterans. Save them from the despair. May they know Your presence.
He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
For You, God, tested us;
You refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs....
We went through fire and water,
but You brought us to a place of abundance...
As we use our bodies this week in Your service, may we remember You.
And we pray for the heart of our nation on this week of the Day of Prayer. You've blessed us with the best nation in the world. Such wealth! Such freedom! Such resources! From the shrimp of Florida waters, to the king crab from the Alaskan waters. From Texas beef to California strawberries to Iowa hogs to the grains of the Great Plains. Thank You Lord.
We pray we will use it well. We pray we will manage these great blessings to bless the rest of the world. We pray for our leaders. We pray for our military. We pray for revival Lord. Because while we are surrounded by all these wonderful things, we still can't make the heart beat on our own accord. We need You for every breath.
In sickness, and in health--
even if there is no food in the field or cattle in the stalls--
we trust in You.
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld His love from me!
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