Happy (blessed) disciples serve others as Christ served them.  This was the lesson Jesus taught His disciples when He washed their feet.  If you know these things blessed are you if you do them.

     What is Jesus telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

     Glorify God today as you enjoy being His blessed servant.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Today, 4 children from our homeschool group will be receiving our Lord in the Eucharist for the first time!  I am very excited to celebrate this with them!!

After Mass, we will celebrate with the families at a reception that one of their homes.  I'm bringing jam tarts!  (One of those containers is for our priest, one is a special, personal treat for a friend, and the two pottery baking dishes are for the party.)

I chose 4 way medals for the children.... but they are much smaller than I expected. I'm quite disappointed, but because we don't have a Catholic book store nearby, I didn't have time to exchange them.  I should have known something was up when the description for that medal did not contain dimensions like the others did.  I hope they will do.  Of course (!!!!!!!) the mommies can let me know if there will be a problem with them and we can definitely exchange them.  

Prayers for and best wishes to LBP, MP, DL, & NP!!!!!!!  We are so happy for you!!!

Between stimulus and response, there's choice.

For many people, including the person who wrote the article the contained the line, the idea that one can choose whether and how to respond to a stimulus is a radical one. We so often behave as if there is no choice, reacting automatically to whatever the stimulus is.

When we react without choice, we react without wisdom, and we react without the benefit of God's grace. And we know the risk when that happens: How many times do we react automatically - particularly when the stimulus in question is something negative (for example, someone criticizing us or otherwise saying or doing something we don't like), and then later wish we could have the reaction back?

So it may be a simple truth, but it is also an important lesson to learn. And I think part of the benefit of a regular prayer practice is that a habit of contemplation helps teach us that there is space between action and reaction. There is space for wisdom, for grace, for choice.

There have been plenty of visits there, but today I thought about this trip differently. It has been a hard few weeks and for those of you who know me on Twitter, you will be aware that I am currently off work due to stress. Cambridge was a chill-out day, a de-stress day for me. I was in quite a reflective mood and because of my increased levels of recent anxiety, felt that my senses were heightened all the more for this.

Therefore, I observed my feelings more on this day out. What would have passed me by without significance or importance seemed more urgent, more acute and hence the reason why I wanted to write about it. There were times when I felt quite exhausted trotting round and others where there was a window of joy and a sense of healing, when the old me came back.

The first was the sight of a very beautiful female husky dog. I can't remember the exact breed now because at present my memory is shocking but she was three years old and we stopped and spoke to the owner, making a fuss of her at the same time. They say dogs can be therapeutic and this beauty with her soft magnificent coat certainly was. It was nice to talk to the owner and a chance encounter to talk to someone who was happy to talk back to a stranger: we moved on.

We hit the Lush shop, the eco soap and cosmetic shop my husband loves.The smell of all the perfume greets you as you walk in through the door. Some would find it too overwhelming and the riot of colour hits you with all the soaps and bath bombs out on display, but we love it. A unremarkable visit, I was waiting while my husband was paying for the purchase chosen, when one polite shop lady came up to me and the conversation started. In 10 minutes we had discussed her fine arts degree studies, her previous employment for a larger company as a manager, the Lush company ethos, and had purchased a further anti-stress smelly for the bath. This lady was different. She had buss, drive, passion. There was something special about this women. I literally felt my zest for life and my strength return as we talked. Suddenly I was chatting like the old me and I asked her name which was Mandy and when we returned we would look out for her.

Feeling more cheery, we then hit the Apple Mac shop in St Andrews Street. Swish and elegant in appearance, this shop was busy. Zooming into the store with more energy I took one of the iphone's on display and started to play. I managed to play some songs and some videos, look at maps and write a note. This was fun, and I only felt compelled to move on when my guy was politely hovering around my shoulder hoping we could make our way out to the next store.

Waterstones was next: the book shops are always a must when we come to Cambridge. We split up, at this point, and planned to meet in an hour. Hubby likes science and the environment. I head straight to social sciences, women's studies, writing skills and religion. Sometimes, I look at nursing but I tend to leave this mostly alone, and on this ocassion most definitely did, as it was work related. It was tough to read much today. The academic writing books and critical thinking skills had a glance and I found the concentration hard, content to just mainly skim the pages and look at the covers.

We walked to King's college having eaten at the start of the morning. I paid the £5 entrance fee to go in- having not been in for years and the "other half" went and looked in the National Trust shop. Camera at the ready I was able to take some shots without flash -that was the rules. There were candles, I lit one, paid my £0.20p and said a prayer for my loved ones and friends, remembering a Christian currently abroad and praying for his safe return. I gazed at the windows, looked at Rubens Adoration of the Magi Painting and tried to read the accompanying leaflet but got bored with this, just instead happy to soak up the light from the stained glass and adore the majesty of the place.

We took tea at Borders and browsed at some more books. Borders has a specific women's social section which I enjoyed and then went back to our car using the Park and Ride bus. I looked at the gardens, the people sitting and walking. It felt like a sunday, the soft late afternoon light. Driving back I, as the passenger, fell asleep for a bit and woke up outside Tesco where we needed tea bags.

We came back to find a welcome meal had been prepared by our dear friend who had cared for our daughter all day whilst we had been out. This was a very welcome change and we had bought her some flowers to say thanks.

 All in all a pleasant day and an enjoyable one.

Saints aren't just people who lived long, long ago. Nellie Gold, who ran a soup kitchen and center for the homeless in Indianapolis, first at an Episcopal church and later at a Baptist church nearby, died last week at 78. Read her remarkable story here.

Thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, "I dwell in the high and holy place and also with the one who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite." Isaiah 57:15

INVITATORY & PSALTER

Lord, open our lips,
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

The mercy of the Lord is everlasting: Come let us adore him.

“Jubilate” (Psalm 100)

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God;
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting;
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Psalm 146

Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the LORD their God;
Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 147

Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
Great is our LORD and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
The LORD lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
But the LORD has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.
Worship the LORD, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.
He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?
He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

THE LESSONS
Micah 6:1-8 (NRSV)

Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the LORD.”

“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Canticle: The Song of Moses
Cantemus Domino
Exodus 15:1-6, 11-13, 17-18

I will sing to the Lord, for he is lofty and uplifted; *
the horse and its rider has he hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my refuge; *
the Lord has become my Savior.
This is my God and I will praise him, *
the God of my people and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a mighty warrior; *
Yahweh is his Name.
The chariots of Pharoah and his army has he hurled into the sea
the finest of those who bear armor have been drowned in the Red Sea.
The fathomless deep has overwhelmed them; *
they sank into the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in might; *
your right hand, O Lord, has overthrown the enemy.
Who can be compared with you, O Lord, among the gods? *
who is like you, glorious in holiness,
awesome in renown, and worker of wonders?
You stretched forth your right hand; *
the earth swallowed them up.
With your constant love you led the people you redeemed; *
with your might you brought them in safety to your holy dwelling.
You will bring them in and plant them *
on the mount of your possession,
The resting-place you have made for yourself, O Lord, *
the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hand has established.
The Lord shall reign *
for ever and for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 4:9-16 (NRSV)

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.

I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me.

Canticle: You are God
Te Deum laudamus

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.

THE APOSTLES' CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Show us your mercy, O Lord;
And grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
For only in you can we live in safety.
Lord, keep this nation under your care;
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Let your way be known upon earth;
Your saving health among all nations.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
And sustain us by your Holy Spirit.

Collect of the Day: Pentecost Proper 23

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Collect for Sundays

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Collect for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Mission

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Please offer your own prayers and supplications here.)

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Romans 15:13++

• § For all Christians traders and businessmen.
• § When you want your wares to sell
• § When you notice a lull in your profit-margin
• § When you wish to create market-hunger for your products.

God has ordained that you should be the foremost dealer in your line or merchandise in the market. Don't be deceived by the enemy, raise up today and posses your procession. We are given an example in Genesis 26:13: "And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great".

                This is how the Bible describes the wealth of Isaac. At this point in time Isaac was in Gerar in the Philistine . Although there was famine, yet Isaac prospered. The NIV Bible says. "The man become rich and his wealth continue to grow until he became very wealthy. The reason for this supernatural growth is found in the preceding verse it says, "the Lord blessed him."

                What a simple and profound statement! To bless means to empower Isaac to prosper till he became very wealthy.

                Check your life. Check the way you are running your business as you pray these prayer with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:4), the God that empower to get wealth will step into your business and grant you profitable sales.

 CONFESSIONS

Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Hebrew 1:14: Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Phil. 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus

Num. 6:25: the Lord makes his face shine upon thee. And be gracious unto thee:

Deut. 28:13: and the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shall not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.

Dan. 1:17: as for these four children God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding inn all vision and dreams.

Ps. 5:12: for thou, Lord, with bless the righteous; with favour will thou compass him as with a shield.

Psalm 199:165: great peace has they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Praise worship

• 1. Father, i dedicate and consecrate these products to you, in the name of Jesus
• 2. Lord, bless the efforts of all who are involved in selling my products to you, in the name of Jesus
• 3. Lord, give my representatives favour with the customers
• 4. Father, help my salesmen to understand the needs of my customers in the name of Jesus
• 5. Lord, help my sales representative never to indulge in profiteering, but always to efficiently present my products and services.
• 6. Father, let the Holy Spirit teach me sales promotion and techniques for increasing sales.
• 7. Lord, help me to offer my products in the proper way.
• 8. Lord, help me to offer my products in the proper way.
• 9. Lord grants my sales men favour to make profitable sales.
• 10. Almighty father, initiate a hunger and demand for my goods and services, it the name of Jesus.
• 11. Lord, open new doors and provide new markets for my goods and services.
• 12. Lord, help me increase sales and add new markets daily
• 13. I retrieve my product from every evil attack, in Jesus name.
• 14. I break every curse of failure upon the sales of my products, in the name of Jesus
• 15. I command the devil to take of h is legs from my goods and services in the name of Jesus

Source:MFM

People pray for pain to go away. Others get their relief in no time. However, others struggle with pain their whole lives.

People pray for material and financial providence to meet life’s daily necessities. Some are rescued and alleviated from the depths. Still, others remain impoverished and financially challenged.

People pray for a special person to enter their lives and sweep them off their feet. Others find themselves meeting that person and settling down after a few years. Others remain alone for the length of their lives.

People pray for physical healing. Others are healed. But sometimes, even though we keep on praying, the people who matter the most still die.

Sometimes, hanging on to the promises of the Bible isn’t as easy as it seems. It takes faith to come before God and lay down our petition. Moreover, it takes a giant leap of faith to believe that God would grant us what we ask for. But most of all, it sometimes takes all the faith in the world to still trust in God if it seems that He is not hearing our prayers at all.

If there’s a promise given to us to ask anything in His name and it shall be given to you, what does it mean if God is saying NO? Was the promise just a joke? An overblown press release? A tease?

God answers our prayers. Sometimes, it’s obvious that His answer is a resounding YES. In other instances, He tells us to WAIT. But, God also has the option to say NO.

What does it mean when God denies our petitions? What does it mean if He says NO?

1. God sees the BIGGER PICTURE.

Suppose a 14 year old boy asks his father the keys to the car because he thinks that he is old enough to drive along the  thoroughfares of EDSA. Knowing that his son may meet an accident and lose his life, coupled by the young boy’s immaturity and shortsightedness, his father would obviously say no.

As in the case above, God says no to protect us. He sees the bigger picture. We don’t. He sees what lies in the future for everyone. We don’t.

2. God has BETTER PLANS.

My sister always prays for financial providence and guidance. Indeed, being buried in debt and providing for one’s children can be a daunting task and a huge stressor. At times, we focus our prayers on one specific result - and that result is for God to grant and for us to receive. We’re wrong.

While God can make it possible for an envelope full of cold cash to come by the doorstep of my sister’s house the next day, or a phone call telling her that she has won 5 million Pesos in the lottery, these are not the only solutions that God could think of.

Instead, God may grant a job promotion. Or He may lessen the expenses by preventing family members from getting sick. He may extend help through a generous and selfless family member, friend, or relative. He may bless one of your kids with intelligence and talent that can assure him/her with a schlarship to continue his/her education. Truly, God’s options are endless. It is His work, His ways, and His proper time that prevails.

3. God has  a GREATER PURPOSE.

Christian Adams was a 32 year old Sunday School teacher from the United States. He boarded United Airlines Flight 93 from Newark, New Jersey to San Francisco, California on September 11, 2001. He never got there.

United Flight 93 was one of the four planes used bu hijackers in the terrorist attack of 9/11. However, it was the only plane that did not reach its target - the White House or The Capitol Building. This was because the passengers worked hard, at the final moments of their lives, to thwart the plan of the hijackers. Adams was one of these passengers. Before the plane crashed, he phoned a loved one for the last time. He had a wife and 2 young children.

While his wife had sure prayed and wished that her children would grow up with a father, the events of 9/11 changed everything. 

While it may be true that Adams was a victim of an evil crime against humanity, he left a legacy of selflessness and patriotism that will never be put to waste. Though his children would grow up without his physical presence, the life led by their father would always shine upon them - giving them hope and inspiration. Adams understood that losing life is a part of life. A fairly recent interview from his wife proved to be a testament that she too understood this now more than ever. 

Indeed, when God says no to our prayers, it shouldn’t be taken to mean that He has forsaken us. He just has something bigger, better, and something far greater in store for us. We should consider it a privelege and a test of faith to still be able to follow him even if His answer is NO.

For in our short pilgrimage in this world, we can be sure that He knows better. And it couldn’t be more thrilling!

i saw people talking on their cell phones, people walking very quickly, people checking their email, people sitting together having a meal, people in deep conversation, people laughing together, people napping and people in prayer. all of it was so random, yet it all seemed to make so much sense. it all seemed to be natural, something that was expected instead of something that was so out of the ordinary that it seemed weird.

it always amazes me when i am in a place where i see all of these things and they all feel so natural. but i do remember when i didn't feel so natural to me, in fact it felt kind of odd. i remember that point in my faith journey where praying in public or even talking about Jesus was such a forbidden subject for me. it wasn't because i was afraid of people's reactions, but it was more of something that just felt odd. it felt as though this was such a personal thing for me that i need to keep it just that... personal. i felt as though it was something that i didn't need to share with anyone. i remember walking down the street or somewhere else and seeing a couple of people praying in public and thinking it was really odd.

the place i find myself now is full of relief and expectation. my relief comes from the place that i really don't care what people think when i pray. yes, i do pray a lot in private. yet, at the same time it does not really matter when i do pray because that is me talking to God. either offering up a prayer for someone on their behalf or for myself, i am talking directly to God.

my expectations are full of wanting to see others be so comfortable with their relationship with God that they are willing to pray at a drop of the hat, no matter where they are or what they are doing. the see a need, hear about a need or meet someone in need, they pray.

i saw all of this today while strolling through the halls of the convention center. two people praying with each other, someone finding a quite corner in a busy convention center to catch some time with God, a group lifting up one of their own because they are going through some rough times... all of this brought a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart.

--Hebrews 11:6

     Sometimes people think of having faith in God as merely believing that God exists.  That certainly is a starting point, but it is not all that there is to faith.  The verse above points out that having faith includes believing that God will reward the people who earnestly seek him.  In other words, we must beleive that God is actually responsive to us--not just that he is "out there somewhere" like the Supreme Being of the Deists.

     In my own faith journey I have often felt that I have sought God but not found Him, and that makes me wonder why?  If I am supposed to believe that he will reward me, then why does it seem like He is sometimes unresponsive or slow to answer.  I wonder what it means to earnestly seek Him, as opposed to just seeking Him.  I have often sought God for a particular blessing, a sign that He is there, or guidance for a particular decision I must make.  I have sometimes waited and watched and listened for a very long time.

     Why does God make us wait sometimes?  Is it because He will only respond if we pray a certain number of times or if we use the right words?  I don't think so.  Jesus specifically taught that it is not the repeating of certain words that will move God to act.  If we could manipulate God by repeating a certain incantation or performing a mystical ritual, then He wouldn't be God.  We'd be the Master, and he would be our genie.

     Seemingly in contradiction to His other teaching, Jesus also taught that returning to God with the same request can be a sign of our determination and our faith.  Does that mean that we must prove to God that we are in earnest by going back again and again with the same request?  I don't think so.

     One thing that I know about God, among the very few things that I know for certain, is that He doesn't need anyone to prove his or her sincerity.  He already knows our deepest thoughts and feelings--even before we do.  If He didn't, then He wouldn't be God.  We might even be able to trick Him by sounding or acting sincere when we were not.

     Here's what I think.  God holds back sometimes in order to give us time to verify our sincerity to ourselves.  He gives us time to ask ourselves if we have something against another person that must be made right.  He gives us time to scrutinize our motives.  Do we seek God merely to get something from Him or in order to draw closer to Him?  He gives us time to prepare ourselves for whatever His response might be.  It's not always what we expected or wanted, and we'd better be willing to accept whatever it is.  "You do not know what you are asking for," Jesus told a disciple on one occasion.  

     In short, we must come to God as a child, as Jesus taught.  We must strip away all of the adult manipulation, hypocrisy, and self-centeredness we stick into our prayers.  We need to be spiritually naked and open, like a child asking his or her father for some bread to eat or some milk to drink.  We must be willing to pray:

• "What am I, that You are mindful of me?" -- and truly feel bewildered and awed.
• "Search me, O God, and know my thoughts" -- and take responsibility for what He reveals.
• "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" -- and really see ourselves that way.
• "Speak, Lord.  Your servant is listening" -- and be willing to accept and obey what He says.
• "Not my will, but Yours, be done."  -- and brace ourselves for whatever He calls us to do.

     Once we are really honest, really humble, and really open, then God often rewards us immediately.  He often responds with either a "yes," a "no," or a "not yet."  Sometimes we still have to wait for a direct response, but the process has changed us, and that is a reward from God, too.  And, once we are honest, humbled, and open, we receive God's response--whatever it is--gratefully and submissively. 

     That is seeking God earnestly.  That is demonstrating faith.

Banyak hal - hal yang menarik dari dia. Bukan sekedar wajah dan penampilannya yang menarik tapi juga karakter dan keteladanannya yang patut diacungi jempol. Sempat sekali waktu tekanan yang kuat menghantam dirinya, ia tidak terlalu kuat, fitnahan dan keputusan yang berat harus dibuat namun banyak pihak yang harus diingat, akhirnya serangan jantung membuatnya lemah sesaat. Tapi ia tidak kalah atau menyerah. Ia bangkit kembali, bergantung pada Tuhan lagi, melayani lagi.

Kesaksian hidupnya menarik untuk ditelaah dan diteladani. Hidup sebagai anak Tuhan harus berbeda dari dunia ini. Sekali lagi , statement Bang Rully itu kuat melekat dihatiku. Dicela karena hidupnya yang tidak kompromi dengan dosa, dianggap tidak bisa diajak kerjasama atau difitnah dengan berbagai cara oleh orang - orang yang membenci ketulusan hidupnya, adalah resiko yang harus dihadapi setiap pengikut Tuhan katanya.

Dari sekian banyak kesaksian yang pernah ku dengar darinya, ini yang paling menarik. Kisahnya dimulai ketika ia masih seorang mahasiswa di ITB. Ia dikenal mahasiswa yang baik dan pintar, tidak suka menyontek apalagi curang. Nah, dia punya temen baik sekaligus lawan belajar. Aku lupa, Bang Rully menyebutkan entah siapa namanya. Hari - hari berlalu, mereka belajar bersama, diskusi dan bersaing dengan sehat. Oh iya, temennya itu Muslim, suka banget becanda, rame dan pinter banget orangnya, gitu kata Bang Rully. Tapi yang sering banget membuat Bang Rully jengkel adalah temennya itu sering banget ngeledek Bang Rully dengan bilang, eh Rul, anak Tuhan kan harusnya begini... atau eh bro, anak Tuhan kan harusnya begitu.. Atau ga jarang temennya itu mengejek bang Rully sambil berseloroh, Rul.. belajar itu modalnya pake otak, jangan pake dengkul.. mentang - mentang dia paling pinter dan bang Rully cuma pas - pas an :)

Suatu kali ada satu mata kuliah yang sangat sulit dan sangkin sulitnya di ujian pertama, semua mahasiswa tidak ada yang lulus. Berhubung tidak ada yang lulus maka ujian perbaikan digelar. Bang Rully dan temannya itu pun persiapan. Ditengah masa persiapan itu, temen bang Rully menantang. Rul, kalo bener kamu anak Tuhan, buktiin kalo kamu bisa lulus ngalahin aku, begitu katanya.

Bang Rully terima tantangan itu. Mulailah hari - hari belajar keras, siang dan malam sebelum hari ujian perbaikan. Sampai akhirnya hari pengumuman. Pagi - pagi, temen bang Rully udah siap - siap ngajakin bang Rully liat pengumuman. Sebenarnya jika boleh memilih bang RUlly enggak mau pergi tapi ia harus melihat pengumuman. Jarak rumah kost - kost an nya yang cuma beberapa meter ke kampus, seolah jauh banget sehingga ia berkeringatan, kaki nya gemetaran, jantungnya berdegub kencang. Sementara itu temennya tadi cuma cengar - cengir ngeliat bang RUlly. Diantara himpitan para mahasiswa yang sama - sama memperhatikan papan pengumuman, bang Rully dinyatakan lulus sedangkan temannya tadi tidak.

Dengan tertunduk lesu, temen nya itu bilang, bener Rul, kamu anak Tuhan. Tapi kalo bole tahu apa rahasianya Rul, kenapa kamu bisa lulus? Dengan sedikit senyum tersimpul disudut bibirnya bang Rully berkata, bro,  jadi pinter itu enggak cuma modal otak aja, pakai dengkul juga :)

Bener, selain siang dan malam bang Rully belajar giat, memakai otak, tapi siang dan malam juga, dengkulnya bekerja dalam sikap doa yang menghamba kepada Bapa, Tuhannya.  Aha, bang Rully bisa aja..

Hehe, tapi emang bener kog, jadi anak Tuhan enggak cuma modal otak aja tapi dengkul juga, bertelut dalam doa. Kadang - kadang kita buntu, otak seolah berhenti bekerja akhirnya kita ga ngerti mana yang harus dikerjakan mana yang harus ditinggalkan, mana yang harus dipilih mana yang harus diabaikan, mana yang harus dipikirkan mana yang harus dilupakan. Disinilah saat dengkul bekerja, dalam kerendahatian berdoa kepada Dia yang menciptakan kita.

VANDI DHANVANTRAIM TAM NIKHILA GADA VANA PRAUDDHA DAVAGHI LILAM.
— RIG VED

MEANING:
SALUTATIONS TO HIM, LORD DHANVANTARI, WHO IS HOLDING WITH HIS FOUR HANDS A CONCH SHELL, A DISC (OF ENERGY), A LEECH AND A POT OF IMMORTAL AMBROSIA. IN WHOSE HEART SHINES A VERY SUBTLE, CLEAR, GENTLE, AND PLEASING BLAZE OF LIGHT. THIS LIGHT ALSO SHINES ALL AROUND HIS HEAD AND LOTUS EYES.

ON THE DARK, BLUE/BLACK WATER HIS BODY IS LUMINOUS. HIS WAIST AND THIGHS ARE WRAPPED IN SHINING YELLOW CLOTH. WHO, BY HIS MERE PLAY, DESTROYS ALL DISEASES LIKE A MIGHTY FOREST FIRE.

From: www.etirth.com

The results were that the Subject blossomed on October 5th.  The control did not bloom until October 11th.  Thus the Subject that was prayed over, bloomed a full six (6) days before the control group. 

Our project did demonstrate that prayer does make a significant difference. 

The upcoming Presidential Election

What are the issues??  Here they are, not necessarily listed in the order of importance.  To learn more about each of these issues by Presidential Candidate please go to:  http://uspolitics.america.gov/uspolitics/elections/issues.html  We need to understand our each Candidate says they will address each issue.  And if the Candidate does not address the issue in an adequate way, we need to get them to address the full issue. 

Energy and Climate Change?

The Economic Crash - How will we resolve the crisis?

The Iraq War - What is our next step regarding the War??

Security

Health Care

Education

International Relations

Immigration

Trade

But it goes beyond this one candidate and this one election.  Look a little further in the same Pew study and the disconnect grows.  70% of Americans believe that many religions can lead to eternal life. I'm no statistician, but if 78% of Americans say they are Christians yet 70% deny a fundamental tenet of Christianity, something is wrong. Very wrong.  It means only one thing: Many who call themselves Christians are not and their voting this November will reflect this dissonance...unless something changes.

What do we do?  The better question is, what can we do?  Pray.  The American Bible Society is hosting circles of prayer.  The topics range but the goal is the same: healing.  God promises us that "[i]f 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."

Want to witness healing in this nation

• from a culture of death to a culture of life?  Pray.
• from a culture of selfishness to a culture of sacrifice? Pray.
• from a focus on "rights" to a focus on responsibilities? Pray.

It's important to note that in the verse above, we are told to humble ourselves, not our neighbors.  Abraham Lincoln recognized our nation's need for humility and we would do well to recognize the same need now.  If we seek to lead the nation, we must lead by example and fall to our knees in prayer.

For one minute each night, you can join people around the country in prayer (9:00 pm EST, 8:00 pm CST, 6:00 PM PDT).  On the website for these circles of prayers, I came across one prayer that I want to offer to stimulate your thinking in creating your own prayer.

Father, our nation has fallen and sinned against You and done evil in Your sight.  We are a nation that would allow unborn children to be murdered, to embrace sexual immorality, to have other gods before You, to be full of greed and gluttony. I ask You to forgive us. I stand in the gap for our nation, Lord, and repent of our evil deeds.  Of my evil deeds.  Please forgive us, and do not turn Your face away from us.  Heal our land, Lord, and let us know of Your presence! Please protect our armed forces who are doing their duty, protecting and serving the helpless. Bring them home safe and sound, with words of praise to You! In Jesus' mighty name I pray.

Amen.

The debate about God and religion is never ending.

People refer to books and words translated from ancient tongues long ago and expect us to believe the unbelievable.

Who on this planet has witnessed a miracle as described in the ancient scriptures?  A wave of a staff parting a sea.  A man walking on water and commanding a storm to stop.  The making of a feast to fill the stomachs of thousands from a few baskets and the turning of water into wine.

Scientific and anecdotal evidence would suggest these are just fairy tales.

Yet life is not a fairy tale.  It is magnificent.  We are alive and there are countless other life forms on this planet, some yet waiting to be discovered.

In the water, in the sky, in the desert, in the arctic and everywhere a person can imagine life of some type exists.  That is amazing and miraculous.

Human beings appear to be the only life form that requires or searches for a meaning for living. We also believe for the most part that an unseen force or power is responsible for our creation and everything around us.  The idea that something had to create us is a human desire, therefore not necessarily true.

I am one of those people that believe that an unseen force or power is responsible for creating all this somehow.

I have investigated religions, adopted them and found them wanting.  Not because of the people that belong, because I couldn't reconcile their vision to my thinking.  So I walked away from them and respect those that chose to stay and their faiths because it is their choice for them.

In response to a comment about my belief in prayer on a previous post I replied:

I believe in “prayer” or talking to God as I describe it. No one knows God and it is designed that way. For some inexplicable reason we have the desire within us to seek a “higher power or creator.”

My prayers or talks with God are always answered without exception. Not for wealth or to cure behavioral issues or to rid a disease or any of those things.

It gives me peace and the ability to calmly face that which would drive me crazy if I didn’t have my talk with God.

I am only human and I appreciate my life. I also find it stressful at times as no doubt others do. When life is going good I am thankful. When life is becoming a hardship my talking to God provides relief. Better than therapy and allows me the strength to accept that which I cannot change.

Based off of Eph. 6:16 and James 1:2

The music is Devi Prayer, from the Divine Mother/Sacred Chants of Devi CD by Craig Pruess and Ananda; learn more here.

Journey deep. Listen well. Enjoy ... and allow yourself to stretch into new realms!

Why is it so hard to do things for the right reasons?  Good things, I mean.  It's hard to face the fact that I almost always get in the way, pushing myself front and center the way I did when I was five and Dad was shooting home movies.  But this is Your movie, Lord.  I know it, but here I am, still vying for center stage.

A few years back, Clint Black sang this song about how wherever you go, there you are.  Well, wherever I go, there I am, and I'm sick of it.  Paul said, "Who will free me from this body of death?"  I guess he found himself wherever he went, too.

You know me.  I never cease to be amazed by the fact that You know me in all my pride and love me anyway.  You give me the gift of Yourself every single day.  Every morning, You--the Maker and Sustainer of everything that exists, the Thrice-Holy, Most-High God--are waiting when I wake up.  You gladly, patiently tutor me in Your Word--have You even once refused to explain a verse to me?  You're unfailingly kind, generous, and gentle, and You teach me the most wonderful things.

You change me.  Please, change me now.

Teach me to do this, Lord.  Teach me to do what You've called me to do, to love doing what You've called me to do, but for the right reasons and self-forgetfully.  Code "I'm nothing special" into my DNA.  Help me remember that You could raise up someone just like me--or better--from the stones littering the construction site down the street.  Let me live and breathe that truth and rejoice in it, because then I'll be free to give You the glory You deserve.

Thank You.

All my love,

Your daughter

God, You are beautiful.  I am limited with my words.  I do not know how to truly express my love I have for You.  I can't find the words.  The only way I can truly express myself to you would be through a life of obedience.  Yes - obedience - this is the word... the action... to express my love for You.

In this moment, I recall the words of My Utmost for His Highest this morning:

Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours.  Yet God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already. (Oswald Chambers, October 10).

To read a sermon manuscript by Tim Brister on this passage, go here.

I was walking down the aisle
In my local corner shop
I was thinking about drinking
Down an ice cold soda pop
When I chanced upon a counter
Laid with such delicious green
Tasty leafy little morsels
'Bout the finest I had seen
Well I had to have some lettuce
For my dinner plate tonight
With some oil and juicy lemon
I could make it taste just right
So I grabbed a bag and stuffed it
With the finest greens I saw
Weighed the tasty little bastards
98 grams nothing more
Stuck the price tag on the plastic
Made my way back down the aisle
Paid with cash and made my exit
Gave the ajumma a smile
Strolling down the little alleys
On my way to flat sweet flat
Smiling broadly, striding widely
Dodged the ugly alley cat
Climbed the stairs to the apartment
Went inside and closed the door
Unpacked all my evening's shopping
When my jaw just hit the floor
Saw the lettuce wrapped up snugly
In it's plastic oh so nice
Read the label prayed to Jesus
As I recognised the price
Those three numbers all were sixes
Telling me just what I feared
Knees were knocking fingers shaking
Understanding quickly neared
Through my purchase I'd been chosen
By that hairy nasty beast
Satan dearest lord of darkness
Stamped his message on my feast
Now I sit here in the darkness
As the bag begins to shake
Leaves are glowing red not green now
Beg the lord my soul to take
I've been cornered in my kitchen
By the devil's seraphim
To be honest my poor future
With Old Nick is looking grim
I was tempted by the lettuce
Sucked in by it's hellish charms
Now I'm doomed to spend eternity
In the Tempter's fiery arms....

Dear, God

we come humbly but boldly to Your throne at this moment to lift up all the children of the world in prayer. They need Your guidance and Your protection as they grow up in these difficult times. Some of them have parents who have reached the end of their rope with them. They've done everything that they can do with them but they still choose to go the wrong way, while others have parents who ain't worth shit and don't even know how to take care of a cactus, let alone a child. Not saying that every parent is perfect because some of us, not including myself, aren't perfect parents just like ours weren't perfect. Some of theese kids really do try to do the right thing, but it ain't easy. We ask that You continue to keep them strong as they try to be right in the midst of all the wrong doings that they face each and everyday. We ask You to be with these kids as the travel to school and even to the corner store. We don't know if they'll make it back or not because these fools out here are crazy. They'll do any and everything to destroy our children's spirits and we worry about them because they are our future. We ask, Lord, that You be a fence all around them each and every day and that they will be the people that You have created them to be. Help them, Lord, to know that they are loved by You and that they are special in Your sight. May they break every generational curse and be like You always.  We pray for those who have to raise them, also. May they have the patience to deal with raising a child in these times and we pray that you will cover them all with your blood each and every day. All these things we ask in Your Holy name.

AMEN.

Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe): "This war ain't never gonna be behind me."