There are many things to be thankful for this time of year. First of all, the religious freedom that we have in America. Secondly, the different churches we are all apart of. God has blessed us with a body of believers. Most importantly, He has blessed us with his Son.

What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?

As it’s been getting closer to Thanksgiving,I’ve been thinking more and more about the last year. I think I ate Thanksgiving dinner with my left hand. That was just after my little plate collision with my right elbow.

 I was about to turn 18. 

Earlier in that month of Nov. I had become a rebelutionary,after reading the book by Alex and Brett Harris. I wanted to do hard things. I just wasn’t sure how. How do you search for hard things to do?

 Little did I know then that I didn’t have to look but identify the situation. I got many chances to do hard things.

I got to suffer a little pain,colds,the flu and bloody noses,until just breathing was hard.

I got to stand up for what I believe in. Stand up for truth. Even one of those harder things;myself. 

I got to gain and lose all friends,as some came from far away and then all moved far away. I was given opportunities for some wonderful good times,and to lay them down when they were done. 

I learned that trusting gets you hurt,but to trust anyways;especially a God who loves me.

 I had many simple moments in thanks of Him; like water droplets on the grass,like the sound of rain falling,like bright warm sunshine,and the stars at 5:30.

 Chances to sing and teach Sunday School. Wonderful times with my pastor’s family.

 Having my charge run and hug me when I pick her up from Head Start.

I really can’t complain when I get sugar in my water instead of salt. Having a matched pair of escorts is pretty handy. Even getting patted on the head. Overwhelming opinions and protection.

Good food and a warm house.

The unexpected circumstances that turn into grand adventures.

 All in all it’s been an exciting year.

          It’s life and I’m thankful for a chance to live it.

“Happy holidays!” a common comment 

May oft trigger memories of times spent.

Bittersweet feelings emerge and touch us

While we ponder loved ones, losses, pluses…

Various childhood thoughts dance in and out

As we experience those seasonal bouts.

May we savor the past, live in the now!

Use the future as a canvas and WOW!

Create a life of kindness and sharing.

Confront fear; embrace change; keep on daring!

Enjoy seasonal sparkles, on life’s way 

As we take time out to love, laugh and pray.

May you nurture precious peace in your heart

And know I think of you when we’re apart.

Many thanks to my good friend, Carl Hill,  in Oklahoma City for this simple outline and powerful message!

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TEXT: James 5:13-18

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

The people of God pray for many reasons, usually out of a particular need or urgency. James is telling us in this passage that we are to pray for those in the church who are sick or afflicted, and not only pray for them but pray with the faith and power of the prophet Elijah. As the example shows, he was a regular person, just like you and me. Yet his prayers had the power to shut up heaven for 3 1/2 years and call down fire from God as he contested the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (see 1 Kings 18:21-39). The point is that our prayers can possess the same power as we demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ. Pray for one another, pray often, and pray believing.

WHY DO WE PRAY?

(1) We Pray to Adore and Praise Our Great God

Psalms 150

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

This is vital to a full and rewarding prayer life. The simple act of recognizing our great God as the supreme creator and ruler places us in an attitude of worship and reveals to God our desire to commune with Him. He is the One we need. He is the only One who can meet our needs. We should begin praying by focusing on how great and powerful He is and understand our place before Him as loved, forgiven, and redeemed through of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

(2) We Pray to Admit Sin and Our Need of Forgiveness

Psalms 86:5

5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

The admission of sin is an agreement with God that we have violated His holiness. We are all born sinners and are forgiven when we ask Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and save us. Obviously, this doesn’t mean that we stop sinning. In fact, we live in a world surrounded by sin and we still have our “old sin nature” within us. We need to confess sin. We need to be reminded just how much we need God every day. As the verse states, when we confess our sins, God is ready to forgive and restore our fellowship with Him. The same idea is conveyed in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

(3) We Pray to Acknowledge His Goodness In Our Lives

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

How marvelous are the works of our great and loving God in our lives everyday. We should take time, in prayer, to say, “thank you, Lord,” and share with Him how meaningful His provision, protection and care are. As we closely examine our lives, God’s hand will become more and more evident and we’ll soon be thanking Him for things we never truly considered before. This is an important step towards maturing in Christ. Our lives will become a “living testimony” to the goodness of God. Our faith will increase and every day will be a day of thanksgiving in our hearts.

(4) We Pray to Ask For Our Wants and Needs

Matthew 7:7

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Why do we often feel like we’re imposing on God when we ask Him for something? He loves us, much greater than an earthly father or mother could. He wants us to be happy more than we want to be happy. He wants us to succeed more than we want to succeed. He delights in giving His children the desires of their hearts. So don’t be timid, don’t be afraid. Ask God for the things your heart desires.

CONCLUSION:

Adore, admit, acknowledge, and ask – these are important keys to an intimate commune with Holy God. Open your heart and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Leave out the flowery, church-speak and just talk to Him. He loves each of us so much and desires fellowship (a sit-down and talk) time with us every day.

I saw thick darkness, then a light grew bright until I saw a man’s figure.

President Obama stood behind a podium. He wore a navy blue suit, white shirt and blue tie. Standing straight and tall, he would turn to the left and then to the right. He didn’t speak, but looked pleased as he received approbation from the audience.

As if it were a TV program, the scene went dark.

End of First Scene

~~~~~

The light grew bright again, he stood behind the podium as before. He still wore the same clothing but now his facial expression was one of intense anger. Enraged, he hunched over the podium and stretched his arm as he pointed his finger, first to the people on his left, then to those on his right. Everyone was blasted by the President, his words a torrent of accusations and diatribes, all directed against American and her citizens.

 Then darkness fell.

 End of Second Scene

~~~~~

The lights came up again, the President was terrible in his fury. His figure remained hunched over the podium, pointing his finger accusingly as he continued his harangue. But the suit was gone – he had assumed the garb of an imam. He wore a long, flowing robe – a little round hat of cloth sat perched on his head. He had traded western dress for the costume of his Muslim faith.

 Darkness fell again.

 End of Third Scene

~~~~~

  The lights went up one last time. Still at the podium, he stood straight, his arms uplifted in a “V” as in victory, as the audience venerated him. He had changed his clothing again, but now wore the unmistakable uniform of the KKK. Sill wearing the same white loose robes as before, but now he wore the hood of a Klansman.

 Final darkness.

 End of Fourth Scene

~~~~~

Interpretation:

One term equals four years.

Each scene represents one year of the President’s term.

First year:

The nation applauds enthusiastically for the changes taking place as the result of new policies enacted.

Second Year:

Still the same man, he seethes in anger, furious with the very people who have elected him to the highest office of the land. His demeanor is one of rage. His accusations of wrong-doing flow unceasingly.

Third Year:

Now we see the underlying cause of this rage. The cause of his anger is not racial per se, but religious in nature – it is the anger of a Muslim against the “infidel”, one who does not follow the teachings of Muhammad.

Fourth Year:

The podium is missing. Now he stands with arms upraised, just as a victor in a prizefight would. He receives the adoration of the audience. Why is it that he is so pleased? It would seem that he has achieved his objectives, the infidel has either been forced to accept Islam or removed.

Mission accomplished.

~~~~~

We must pray for the President and all of those in government. As Christians we are instructed to pray for the leaders of our nation: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:1-4)

I believe that the LORD will hear us when we pray according to His will: The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1)

If the President were to continue the course of action as shown in the vision, then the LORD has something specific to say to the people of this nation.

 Just four words, simply stated:

“I WILL withstand him!”

Endless, unbroken lives of prayer are very possible.  Through some searching and with the help of some further reading, this is beginning to be clearer and clearer.

We have such a Western Christianity that we have removed a lot of understanding from original Christianity, which happens to have its roots in the East.  One large difference is in our understanding of heaven and God’s presence.

Western Christianity has this understanding which prays things like, “God, please show up tonight. ” “God, be with us tonight.” “We prayed, and God just showed up that night.”  We have this understanding of God being in heaven somewhere above the clouds awaiting our demand to show up.

Eastern Christianity; historical, Biblical Christianity has a different understanding of heaven and God’s presence.  In Biblical accounts of God’s presence, OT and NT, God calls out of heaven, but heaven is near.  Heaven is “at hand”…this means heaven is present around them somehow.  It was the very presence of God at hand, surrounding them.  God inhabits the space surrounding us.

This means we are constantly in the presence of God.  We do not actually need to ask for (or demand) that God “show up”.  This means we have only to grope out after God, or as Luis of Granada (an old century Christian) once said, “any raising of the heart to God.”

It is possible at all moments of the day to focus our hearts on God and trust that he is always present.  This means we no longer have to be preoccupied with making the sacred time, space, and words in order to really experience the presence of God.  This means that we only need to be aware of God’s presence with our hearts in order to experience God’s presence.  This means it is actually possible to experience god all times of the day, continually.  This means we can experience God even in the mundane tasks of a day.  This means we can join with Brother Lawrence in “Practicing the Presence of God”.  This means prayer for another person can be merely feeling what they feel (as best you are able) while “raising your heart to God”.  This means we may have been praying all along as long as we were placing ourselves before God.

We cannot put God into this pious little space and time and assume these are the only moments we experience the presence of God.  We cannot dissolve God out of our every day experience.  He is always present.  We only hope to grope out for him and raise our heart out to him more continually.

———–

LISTENING TO: Download binge: Mayer Hawthorne, Shad, One Republic, Switchfoot, Matisyahu, Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson

Please pray for believers who are facing political pressures
and continuous threats to stop church-related activities. Fundamentalists are trying to incite anti-Christian feelings and have repeatedly called the church their biggest enemy and a threat to the Hindu culture. Therefore,
among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. (2 Thes. 1:4)

Welcome back, brothers and sisters!!! 

Today we are going to discuss the parable of the ten virgins and the bridegroom.  Jesus was talking to His disciples about be ready for the last day when He shared the following parable:

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh;  go ye out to meet him.’  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.”

“And the foolish said unto the wise, ‘Give us of your oil;  for our lamps are gone out.’  But the wise answered, saying, ‘Not so;  lest there be not enough for us and you:  but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.’  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came;  and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage:  and the door was shut.”

“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’  But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” – Matthew 25:1-12 (KJV)

Brothers and sisters, the message of this parable is very sobering.  Let’s break this parable down and discuss the thrust of the message.

First of all, cast in the role of the bridegroom is the one and only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.  The ten virgins represent us, believers and non-believers.

Okay, so now that we know the cast, what is the tie-in to the oil and the lamps?  That’s simple, actually.  Why do we need lamps?  Lamps help us to see where we are going, right?  We are blinded when we are surrounded by darkness.

The lamps, beloved, represent our spirits/souls.  Why do I say this?  Consider the following scripture:

“The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” – Proverbs 20:27 (KJV)

So if the lamp represents our soul/spirit, what does the oil represent?  The oil represents the Holy Spirit, which is attained through Christ Jesus.  Remember, beloved, that though Jesus is not present with us physically on earth anymore, He lives here in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  This is the same Holy Spirit that God the Father filled Jesus, His only begotten Son, with after He was baptized by John the Baptist.  Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is also known as the Light of the World.  Having His light in us, we can rejoice in knowing that our lamps will be lit and shining brightly at the moment that Jesus comes for us.

You see, beloved, the Holy Spirit is the oil that shines brightly enough that all can see our light, which is the presence of the Lord in our hearts.  How can people see that light?  Well, let’s look at the type of light that the Holy Spirit emanates, as described by the Apostle Paul:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

You see, beloved, when we live in Christ, we are to be faithful and obedient servants of that which He blesses and graces us with.  Frankly, the manner in which we live should be a strong witness for Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Remember, brothers and sisters, as His servants, our lives should be lived in such a manner as to reflect to others our service to our Lord and Savior.  That means we are to let the Lord’s light shine through us for all to see.  Jesus said the following about this:

“Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;  and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV)

Beloved, the 5 virgins that heed the Lord’s word, and live by it, are those that He will find doing His work when He returns for His bride, which is the church.  The church is comprised of all those who have accepted salvation given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Only those that have Christ in them will be called home to be with the Lord.  Those that do not have Christ in them have souls/spirits filled with darkness instead of light.  Since there will be no light found in such people, they will be passed over when the believers are called home.  Consider the parable of the ten virgins, and listen to what Jesus said would happen when He calls His servants home:

“Then shall two be in the field;  the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Two women shall be grinding at the mill;  the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Watch therefore;  for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  Therefore be ye also ready:  for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, ‘My lord delayeth his coming’;  and shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites:  there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 24:40-51 (KJV)

Brothers and sisters, no one knows when Jesus will return.  Jesus Himself said that only the Father knows the appointed hour.  The point is that we are supposed to constantly live our lives doing the work of our Lord and Savior so that in that “twinkling of an eye” when Jesus does return, we are found as faithful and obedient servants, diligently doing His work and will.

Unfortunately, beloved, there are many that live without Christ in their hearts.  They do not have the oil of the Holy Spirit burning brightly within them and emanating His light in their lives.  This, brothers and sisters, is all the more reason for us to constantly have our lamps lit with the oil of the Holy Spirit.  By sharing, embracing, and living the Lord’s word and love, we will be more effective in shining His light through the darkness in order to reach those that are presently lost.  Just as we were once lost before being found, we are incredibly blessed with the opportunity to help gather many of our Shepherd’s lost “sheep” by lighting up the path that will lead them home to Him.  This is our mission, beloved, and the time is now to carry it out.

No one should take for granted that the Lord will not come back for “x” amount more time.  We simply do not know the Lord’s return date and time, as only the Father knows.  Jesus could return in 5,000 years, 5 months, 5 weeks, 5 days, or in the next 5 seconds.  Regardless of how long it is until Jesus returns, we need to commit ourselves to doing His work every single day of our lives.  When He returns for us, let’s bless and glorify Him by meeting Him with as many well-oiled lamps as possible!!!

I would like to ask each and every person taking part in today’s discussion a few questions.  If the Lord Jesus Christ were to return in the next few seconds, would you be ready?  Would the Lord find your lamp lit brightly by the oil of the Holy Spirit?  Just as importantly, are you confident and assured that all of your family, friends, and loved ones would be found ready if Jesus were to return in the next few seconds?  Are you confident that hte majority of people in this world are ready to meet the Lord?

Let’s be honest, beloved.  There are a great many people that are not yet ready to meet Jesus Christ.  If Jesus were calling His faithful servants home today, an incredibly large number of people would be among those left behind.  Evidence of this can be found all throughout the world today.  Just turn on the 6 o’clock news, or go for a drive through the city, and you will see that much of humanity is spiritually lost and adrift at sea, without boat or life jacket.  This, brothers and sisters, is the urgency of our mission.  Just as with the 5 foolish virgins, those who are not ready to meet the Lord when He calls His faithful home will find out the harsh reality that the time for making the decision to commit their lives to Him has passed.

Beloved, ask the Lord for the endurance, strength, perseverance, and courage to work tirelessly to share His love and His word with as many people as possible.  The Lord will give you the words and the guidance you need through the Holy Spirit.  The time is now, beloved, for us to increase our staffing levels of faithful and obedient servants to take part in the Lord’s harvest.  Let’s get to work!!!

If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, but you would like to, please pray the following prayer:

“Lord God Almighty, I know that I am a sinner and that I am lost.  I know that I need to be saved from sin, but I also know that I can’t save myself.  Lord Jesus, I know that only You can save me.  I know that you paid for my salvation with your own life and blood on the cross.  I know that when You rose from the grave on the third day, you provided everlasting life to all who trust in You.  Right now, I lay down my life and let go of my pride, my vanity and every other sin that has kept me from You.  Lord Jesus, I now completely trust my life to You.  I open my heart to You, Lord.  Please come into my heart.  Please forgive me of all of my sins, and please accept me as Your child.  From this point on, I commit my life to You.  Please guide me and provide me strength as I begin to live the rest of my life for You.  In Your precious and matchless name I pray.  Amen.”

Beloved, if you just prayed that prayer then you can rejoice in knowing that you now have the presence of the Lord in your heart.  While you will still face trials and tribulation in this world, you will never again face it alone.  Nurture your new relationship with the Lord and grow that relationship by getting to know Him better.  You can do this by studying His word (the bible), while also making talking to Him continually through prayer made with thanksgiving and supplication.  All you have to do to find out what the Lord had in mind for your life when He made you is to ask Him to shape your life in manner in which serves His will and then embrace the changes that He makes in you and your life.  Welcome to the family, beloved!!!  You are precious in your Heavenly Father’s eyes, and the angels in heaven are rejoicing in your decision to accept Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior:-)  We are happy to have you!!!

Thank you for joining us for today’s discussion.  I hope you will be able to join us for tomorrow’s next discussion.  Now, go enjoy this day that the Lord has made, and make the most of it.  Be glad, and rejoice in it!!!  Share the Lord, His love, and His word with as many people as possible, doing so just as freely as the Father shared His only begotten Son with us:-)

May the Lord bless you, keep you, guide you, and make His face to shine upon you and your loved ones always.

Your brother in Christ,

Rev Jason Thurwanger

So my ignorant father is apparently pissed and trying to get out of paying for everything. As if I haven’t accepted responsibility for my actions with school, but because he has some wife he is responsible for (not that I don’t like Aimee, but…) I may have to stop going to school. It is evident now more than ever that I need to seek out scholarships. Please Lord help me!

Well, Rick and Aimee, if you someday read this, this is what I have to say:

I screwed up. I overestimated my ability in school and failed. This is not to say that I am not smart. I have 12+ years of academic excellence to prove that this is a one time mistake.

I am not like others. I was stupid last year. Stupid, cocky, and underachieving. I thought I could coast through my education. But this experience has taught me how to grow into an academically adequate person, and I full-heartedly believe in myself. Yes, I hid my grades and I lied. But I was scared, and going through and identity crisis. I have always been the brainy, intelligent one that wanted to learn.Suddenly, I was the one who failed out of college. College is all I have ever wanted to do with my life thus far. And I failed. That was an emotional, self-loathing roller coaster that terrified me, yet also forced me to grow up. I am ready to return to NIU a better, older, more improved Rikki.

The important thing now is that I have taken steps that will lead me back to NIU and I can start fresh with a new slate, 4.0 GPA, and I can make things happen for myself.

Dad, if you get out of paying and I do not get to go to school as a result, I hope you know that we will be done. FOREVER. I understand the consequences of my actions but I will get my college degree, even if your bull-headed stubbornness slows me down. I am better than you in so many ways, and this is one of them. I may have screwed up, but part of being an adult is accepting responsibility. This is what I am doing.

More than once you have treated me like dirt, you have put me on the back burner. I have come to learn that I don’t need you in my life, as much as I may want you there. If you push me hard enough, you will lose a daughter.

In closing, and this goes to everyone, do not let things stop you from getting what you want, even if that thing is yourself. I made one of the biggest mistakes that I will regret for the rest of my life. But I also know that I have grown as a person, and I know that if I didn’t keep working my way through school, I would learn to hate myself. Even if it’s your own flesh and blood looking down on you as a disappointment, you can find better family out there that will believe in you, share your strife with you, and pull you up when you are so far down you can’t even recognize yourself. This person is my mother, the strongest, most amazing woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Everyone, please pray for my mom tomorrow as she goes to battle my father in court. We desperately need some financial stability as far as school is concerned, and the little bit from my Dad would be a God send. Please please pray. I know I screwed up and hardly deserve it, but I still ask for forgiveness and reassurance that me and my beautiful mom can breathe a little bit and focus on other things than my Dad’s vengeful trial. What a looooooooooser.

Dad, I hope you enjoy your life with Aimee. She’s going to be the only family you have left when it’s all over.

Our daily lives are filled with instant connections of all sorts . . . facebook, texting, e-mails, etc.  But how often during the day do we take advantage of the ultimate “instant connection” . . . talking with God? 

In the book of Nehemiah, it talks of how Nehemiah “spontaneously” prayed eight times. (Neh. 2:4, 4:4, 5 & 9, 5:19, 6:14, 13:14, 22 & 29).  My study Bible explained that Nehemiah knew he could “confidently pray throughout the day because he had established an intimate relationship with God during times of extended prayer.  And that God is always present, is always in charge and always hears every prayer.”

 Some may say that they don’t have time to pray, or are never in the “right” place to pray.  If Jonah can pray from inside the belly of a whale, the rest of us should be able to pray wherever we are!  Finding the time to pray is not always easy either, but we should always make an effort to do so – even if we have to get up very early in the morning.  Mark 1:35 says, “Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out into the wilderness to pray.” 

I like to think of prayer as just an on-going conversation with God.  I can speak to him at anytime throughout the day, in earnest for very important requests, to say “thank you” when I see the stars in the night sky or a beautiful sunset.  God wants us to be instantly connected to him.  We are to “come boldly (or to come with reverence) to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.”  (Hebrews 4:16) Or as my study Bible states, “Come also with bold assurance because he is your Friend and Counselor.”

It’s funny how these days everything i do, say or even want to do is only related to my wedding! i wonder wat is that makes me feel this way..probably i m already freaking out about saying goodbye to single hood and being embraced into the folds of matrimony!
or just that i am worried about life long commitment ( nt to worry hubby to be..i’ll be there at the altar)….

well sidey jokes apart..the idea of writing this i have had this huge list in head..my ‘bucket list’ of things to do before i got married and always wanted to do at some point of time and this post …..
so, there goes my long list of things..some of which i have done..some that i guess will only remain on the list coz i’ll never have guts to do it and some i’ll hopefully do once i am married…some of it is stuff that everyone wants to and so do i!

1. Go back packing/ camping far far away…far away from civilisation (did that a month and also the trek where i met pati to be )
2. get a tatoo ( hmm…i am scared as hell of needles..i guess i’ll have to take some sleeping pills and sleep through it! )
3. get an entire album of black & white pictures taken..of me..pictures that capture each of my mood..ya i know what you people thinking..i m a wee bit self obsessed!
4. Sleep under the stars ( yup that’s wat the intention was when we went camping, but it rained cats & dogs.. sigh! =( )
5. Find a job that i loveeeeeeeee
6. Learn how to drive & then drive the most expensive car! :d
7. Learn to play an instrument
8. want to do that one all girls trip, where all my friends are there!
9. Change my name into some really exotic! i wonder wat that wld be though?! hmmm
10.Sing in front of an audience ! =)
11.be told by that one stranger that i am the most beautiful girl he/she has ever seen!
12.to own something outrageously expensive
13.to ask someone i have just met once to go on a date with me
14.to be madly deeply in love and feel the happiest when around that person
15.wake up everyday and not crib abt anything…and tell my family i love them
16.dance..dance..and dance like i have never done all these years..in short get back to learning dance
17. make some random person smile!=)
18. Believe in self, believe even more strongly in God, love the life that he has given!
19. Write a song!
20. somewhere sometime hope to make each one of these come true! =)

On November 18, Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh were released from Evin Prison in Tehran after being held for 259 days, according to Elam Ministries.

Family members picked them up at the prison, and the women expressed heartfelt thanks to Christians around the world who prayed for them during their days in prison.

“Words are not enough to express our gratitude to the Lord and to his people who have prayed and worked for our release,” they said.

Maryam and Marzieh were released without bail, but charges against them have not been formally dropped, and they may still face a court hearing in the future.

They were arrested March 5 by Iranian security forces and labeled “anti-government activists.” Marzieh and Maryam’s apartment was searched and their belongings were confiscated. “Their only crime is that they are committed Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus,” Farsi Christian News Network reported following their arrest. “They are being unfairly labeled as ‘anti-government activists’ because of the hostility of the government towards practicing Christians.”

“We are thankful to the Lord for sustaining Maryam and Marzieh—physically and spiritually—during their time in prison,” said VOM’s Todd Nettleton. “We also thank all those who prayed for them and wrote letters to them at www.prisoneralert.com.”

Please continue to pray that Maryam and Marzieh will recover physically from their ordeal, and pray that all charges against them will be dropped. Pray also for other Christians in Iran who are persecuted for their faith in Christ.

True Thankfulness...Blossoms in the Heart

JESUS my Lord and Savior -Anastasia Diamond

Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the LORD, For He is coming to judge the earth. Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation; Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles, To give thanks to Your holy name, To triumph in Your praise.” 1 Chronicles 16:33-35

Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:12

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15

And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.  Colossians 4:1-3

But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place.              2 Corinthians 2:14

Because we know that, the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in His presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:14-16

I speak to sensible people; judge for your selves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:15-17

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Ephesians 5:3-5

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Joel 2:26

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:5-7

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Oh come, let us sing unto Jehovah; Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. Psalm 95:1-2

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5

Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.  Psalm 106:1

Oh, give thanks unto the God of heaven; For His loving kindness endures for ever.  Psalm 136:26

The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. Psalm 147:6-8

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:11-12

Saying, We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who was; because You have taken Your great power, and did reign. Revelation 11:17

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.      1 Thessalonians 5:18

For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.  1 Timothy 4:3-5

I thank Him that enabled me, [even] Christ Jesus our Lord, for that He counted me faithful, appointing me to His service. 1Titus 1:12

i didn’t write for about two weeks, because of several reasons…i’m kinda struggling in this, but i’ll try to write again…

today’s lesson is so simple…from first verse…

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. -1 Tim 2:1-3 [MSG]

Paul said, the first thing to do is pray… yeah, i suppose everyone knows that already, because it’s said that prayer is the breathe of believers…in everything, we have to start with prayers…not just 5 times a day, in the morning to start the day, at night before sleeping, and before three meals…but actually prayer should be our lifestyle, in everything, everytime, everywhere we should pray, keep in touch with God…

prayer doesn’t mean that we have to kneel down, close our eyes, or any other pose that may have been taught to us since we were kids…it’s said here, pray every way you know how…so it’s not limited to only one kind of “ritual” like i mentioned, but we can pray in any way, even when we’re driving our cars to work, taking the train to school, riding our bike, we can still pray…the essential thing is just communicating with God…God is in each of us, so to communicate with Him is so simple, just imagine He’s beside you, and talk to Him like you talk to your best friend…

and one more thing in these verse, pray for everyone you know…not only for 3 persons, I, me, and myself…or not only for our (future) life-partner, our family, our best friends, but everyone, includes people we don’t like (it still includes in the term “everyone you know”, right?)…it’s stated about praying for rulers and governments…i know so many people aren’t satisfied with their bosses in their company, their teachers at school, and also their governments…but we have to pray for them also, not just complaining, grumbling, but pray…i know it’s hard, but that’s the way of life God wants us to do…i’m also still learning to do it…let’s have Holy Spirit help us to humble ourselves, and teach us how to pray for them…God bless…