Can a Prayer Save America

Hi folks, I've been on "sabbatical" for a bit. I got this in e-mail today and rather than send it on, I'm posting it here. More later from me. You are all in my prayers. Blessings and love, Penny

Can a Prayer Save America?

During the Civil War, a friend of Abraham Lincoln was a visitor at the White House. "One night I was restless and could not sleep...From the private room where the President slept, I heard low tones. Instinctively I wandered in, and there I saw a sight which I have never forgotten. It was the President, kneeling before and open Bible. His back was toward me. I shall never forget his prayer: 'Oh, Thou God that heard Solomon in the night when he prayed and cried for wisdom, hear me...I cannot guide the affairs of this nation without Thy help. Hear me and save this nation."

When the leaders of our country assembled to write the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin proposed that each session be open with prayer. Franklin said, "I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth--- that God governs the affairs of men."

Our nation is great because it was founded upon God's Word and prayer. But today prayer has been replaced by political intrigue, materialism and a mistaken notion that our private and national affairs can be run without God.

Be here and there throughout America voices are heard, as individuals and groups begin to call on God in prayer. But this whole nation must be moved to prayer. So great are the dangers, so grave the perils, so tremendous the problems, that it is imperative that we lay hold upon the Lord God in prayer for His will.

Prayer can save America. There is only one way out, and that is up! If we do not turn to God, we will be overcome by the godless. It is either revival or ruin! It is now or never! The answer will not be found by the UN or NATO. The answer will be found only when we call upon the Lord God. Spiritual values must be restored. We must return to the faith of our fathers and to family prayer and the Bible.

Christ's death and resurrection make it possible for you to have victory over sin and a vital relationship with God. Only then can He hear and answer your prayers...both for America and your own personal needs. Receive Him today. "For as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

Then you can claim God's promise: "If My people, which are called by My Name, shall 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 the land."

THE AMERICAN'S CREED

I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established on those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies (and to pray for its leaders).

Flu and them some

I can't believe I got the flu! What in the world are flu shots for? Last Sunday, I was insisting it was allergies. I never get the flu. By Monday night, I was overwhelmed. Goodness gracious - or as Mom used to say - goodness gracious godness agnes! Did you get the flu this year? I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

After writing my last post, I searched a bit more for my step-family. Thanks for all the suggestions. I still hit dead-ends. I got discouraged and gave up. I figured I could at least find ONE of his 4 children or his ex-wife. Their names showed up . . . nothing current. Then a few days ago, my grandson Doug calls.

"Grandma? Chris passed away."

Chris was my late husband's firstborn. He had a lot of problems. He gave the world 3 wonderful children. He died from a blood clot to the lung. He'd been treated for clots in his leg, but couldn't afford the blood thinning medication to save his life. He died alone and unknown. By a fluke the coroner managed to find Chris's oldest son Andrew. I had looked for him, too.

I hadn't spoken to Andrew for many years. He came to visit on the year anniversary of his grandfather's death. I was ill and not much help to a young man looking for answers. We kept in touch for a little while then he seemed to disappear. He called. He's married now and in the military. He and his wife have a 7 month old son. Can you say great-grandma? The joy of reconnecting with him is a bit tainted by his father's death. Andrew has taken the responsibility for the arrangements. He wants to find his other grandmother and his aunt and uncles. He believes as I do that the family would want to know.

I wonder why people disappear like that? I would never have found Chris or Andrew. Andrew changed his last name. I try to keep myself out there just in case. Say my dear friend from high school wants to find me. I'm out there with my maiden name and current name. I guess it's hard for me to understand. Are some of you out there being anonymous and unfound? Can you explain to me? I really want to know. Then perhaps I will be more clear.

I wanted to put a picture of my new great grandson here, but I forgot to get permission from them. Their myspace page is set to private and I don't want to violate their trust. Maybe next time.

It's been raining here. Finally. I doubt that this 2 - 3 days of rain will make a difference in the California drought, but it's a start. I really like the rain. Everything seems new and clean when the sun comes out. Little birdies in the nearby trees sing incessantly. Sunshine makes everything sparkle. Just beautiful. I see God's hand everywhere in creation. And some people think it was all a big bang. I wonder what sound was made when God created the heavens and the earth? BANG!!!??? I wonder if it suddenly rained stars and suns and planets as we see drops of rain today?

Rob is making me Sunday brunch. I love this man! His first thought after Jesus is me. I've been cooking more lately, but it makes me feel so very special when he caters to me. I know he is commanded in the Bible to love me ("Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her . . ." Eph 5:25), but that doesn't always happen. I know ~ I've been married a few times. I am so grateful to have had this kind of love not once but twice. Cool, huh?

Even though I don't post as often lately, I still think of you often. I read blogs and sometimes comment, but find myself "lurking" more often than not. I pray for each of you and for all of you. Blessings to all in Christ,

Saddened

I've been searching on the Internet for my late husband's children. I never had a chance to see or speak to his youngest son after he died. I heard through the grapevine that Peter was looking for his dad about a year after Roger's death. He went into an Alano Club and some jerk yelled out that Roger was dead. He turned and hurried away. For years, I have searched and found nothing. Today I found his name, his brother and sister's names and their mom's name. Apparently all living, but the phone numbers are all bad. I passed the information on to my daughter and she will continue.

While talking with Heather, she tells me that there is a big problem. A boy that Andrea rides the bus with and likes committed suicide over the weekend. Actually 2 boys from the same school shot themselves. Heather hasn't seen Andrea as she spent the weekend with a friend to go to the winter formal dance. The school called to advise parents this morning. My poor baby daughter! After all the changes in her life over the last couple of years, this seems just too much. I'm thinking about the boys' parents as well. How will they cope? Why? Please, friends pray for the families, friends, schoolmates - my Andrea - of these two boys. This is too much trauma for a small high school in a mountain town.

I had a post ready a few days ago, but everything kept messing up. I decided to let the whole thing go. So I'm back for another opportunity. I've been reading some of your posts, trying to catch up. There are so many people struggling physically, emotionally and financially. I'm one of those people who would like to run out to fix it. Fortunately I've learned that my answer is often not yours. So I pray. I pray for your health, your relationships, your finances. Then I pray for you to be surrounded by the love of Jesus Christ. I have your names written down - my memory's not that good! - so that I will remember your needs. I feel full of joy after I have prayed.

On my other blog, I will be posting about relationships ~ probably sometime today.

Tina came by on Thursday. She called early to ask if she could do laundry. When you live on the streets in a motorhome, there just isn't any way to get it done. I couldn't give her any work that day. It's the end of the month for us. So we spent most of the day together. I encouraged her to sign up to work for the pre-census. It's part-time and good pay. Then when the census actually starts, she will have a leg up. I hope she's in there taking the test today. We went out for a little bit to take pictures from a hill looking at the ocean. It was gray and overcast, but beautiful. I've added a small slide show for you.

It's dull and cloudy outside today and quite cool. In the area I lived when I was younger, about 50 east of here, hail stuck to the ground and housetops this morning. Brrrrrr! I left the heater on for the first time in a long while last night. We're hoping to get rain over the next couple of days. Strange to be at the ocean still having desert weather . . .

I hope your day is truly blessed. I keep you in my prayers.

need prayer? firestormkids04@aol.com

If you are complaining . . .

I have been having some thoughts . . .

First of all, on the way to church Rob and I were discussing the upcoming inauguration of President-Elect Obama. Lots of discussion. I'll tell in a minute. It boiled down to the fact that we will be praying for this new president to be a good one.

After the praise and worship, the pastor came to the front. The topic of his message was posted in the bulletin. We were ready. When he started to speak, he was talking about the new president coming in and how everyone lies in wait for a president or leader to make a mistake so they can go in for the killing words. He said we are a world of complainers and we get used to it. Then he said something remarkable (quoted from another pastor):
"If you are complaining more for the president than praying for him, you are in sin"

Wow. Confirmation. This has been the point of most our discussions lately when it comes to the presidency. Who ever this man turns out to be in history and whether or not we voted for him, the office is now his and the authority must be respected.

I have been dismayed at the lack of respect shown for President Bush. Whichever good decisions he made, whatever mistakes he made, he was duly elected by the people and he deserved respect given by the people. Still does. It's a tough job.

It seems that we forget that our leaders are simply people. We hang our hopes on them. We forget that as we do, they put their pants on one leg at a time. Have you ever made a promise you couldn't keep? I have. They do. Human. Not God.

I wonder if all the hoopla for this inauguration is and will be leading people straight into disillusionment. It seems the press (don't even get me started) has made it even bigger by touting it for months. How many grade school kids across the country are going to perform? How many bands? How monumental does this have to be? What happens when Mr. Obama sits in the chair and can't fulfill his promise? Will those same millions of people and the press dump on him as they have done for the man who is leaving office? You betcha.

It won't matter then if he is black, white, yellow or brown. It will matter that people put expectations on him that they won't even pray to God about. There is no person on this earth who can solve it. We gotta do something. In 1Tim 2 there are instructions for Christians. Pray. If you are not Christian, what does your faith if you have such tell you to do? I only know that this new president needs our prayers and our support.

Every leader inherits some kind of mess. When you get that promotion to supervisor or manager or president/CEO, what happens? You have to pick up where someone else left off. You can't keep blaming stuff on your predecessor. You have to step up to the plate. It's your mess now. Do you then lay your head on your hands and say, "Oh, God!"? Wouldn't it be nice if those you left behind you would respect your new position, support you fully and pray for you to succeed? Yep. It doesn't happen often, does it?

There's been a lot more stuff running around in my brain about this. If I wrote it all here, it would be too much. My pastor hit the nail on the head for me this morning not only with that quote, but with his message from Col 1:15-23. I need to recognize who is the Leader of my life and put my faith in Him, not in man.

May the Lord richly bless your lives today,

If you would like prayer . . . firestormkids04@aol.com

I'm 60!!

Can you believe this? I'm 60 years old today!!

I have wondered for some time what this birthday would bring. There have been times I wasn't sure I'd live this long. These last couple of years have been rough for me . . . for us. We seem to have hit every crisis possible for a family. I got through and I'm stronger. Praise God!

I want to thank my mom for giving a childhood to remember. She's gone now 11 years, but she was the best mom a kid could have (I was spoiled rotten). Thanks to my kids for growing me up and my grandkids for breathing new life into me.

I joined a group of people who have tournaments on Pogo. The held a birthday tour/party for me last night and a couple of dozen people showed up to wish me well. I want to thank those Gamers. I have played a lot of games on Pogo, especially while in bed. It's nice to have met a group that plays and chats together without bad language or criticism.

I love having the friends I have made here on the Internet. Many of you I wouldn't know if you walked up in front of me, but I feel as I know you well. If you are new to my journal, welcome. I love to meet people and hear your comments.

Rob got me a new digital SLR camera for my birthday. Yesterday we went out to take the first big group of pictures. I feel almost guilty posting this slide show because I hear of the terrible cold in so many places. We have had a few days of Santa Ana winds and the weather has been wonderful. I have not walked on the beach in over 2 years. What a glorious day it was for me. I felt like I got full deep breaths for the first time since we cracked my rib (love those hugs). These pictures are a glimpse of the wonders of living on the California coast. We drove just under 3 miles to reach the shore. Please enjoy.

Something is happening to me that I consider miraculous. I live in constant pain. For the last couple of weeks the pain has been the same, but infinitely more bearable. I've spent more time in bed than out of it over the last year and I have been up and about more lately than even I can believe. We walked on the beach for some time yesterday as I snapped pictures. I felt joy like a bubbling spring inside me. I've been afraid to go because walking on sand is so difficult for me. I can only thank God for this change. My prayer life has changed. I quit asking for myself and started thanking Him instead. I pray for all of you every day. I don't think I can express in words the gratitude I feel. Just praise the Lord. "If ye ask anything in My name, I will do it." JOHN 14:14 KJV

Remember: I'm praying for you anyway. If you have a need, I'm here. Let me know. firestormkids04@aol.com

Love and many blessings,

Happy New Year

Here it is the 10th of January and I haven't even posted yet. I actually haven't done much of anything for the last 3 weeks except to wallow in self-pity. A few days before Christmas, I got a rousing hug from Rob and cracked a rib. Pain aside, I had such problems getting a deep breath that I sent myself further into the dumps. Well, phooey!!

I had a talk with God a couple of days ago. He listened, I prayed. He actually hears me when I talk to Him. I told him I was fed up with being in the pity-pot, had made myself so stressed that my whole being; body, mind and soul were out of sorts. I told him I had managed to get lost yet one more time. I asked for help. Whew! Just that admission gave me a small burst of energy. Isn't that the best?

Now when you pray ~ expect results! The Lord doesn't fool around. I got my help. I am breathing better, don't have to look up to see snails and believe it or not, the pain is bearable. I have some experience with prayer. I do it every day. I expect action. Sometimes I don't get to see the action, but I know it happens.

In early 1988, my late husband and I were finishing up a Marriage Encounter weekend. We were both sober a long time, brought up as Christians, but kind of lackluster in our faith. In the last 90 minutes of the weekend, we were writing letters to each other and suddenly he burst into tears saying, "I just love the Lord so much!" I cried as well, because I did too. Right then and there, we dropped to our knees and asked the Lord for forgiveness and offered our lives to him in whatever capacity He desired. By the end of the year, we were living part-time in Mexico as "retirees" and in less than a year more, we were serving God full time in that country. I was there for 15 years.

Maybe it's not all that dramatic for everyone or ever dramatic, but I know this: Jesus said that whatever the faithful ask in His name will be done. I don't know how much clearer that can be. When I tell you that I pray for you all every day ~ I do. Always it's for you as a whole, sometimes for individuals or situations. I don't know how you believe or what God is doing in your life, but know this. I pray.

So for this day in 2009, I'm asking you to tell me when you have a need. Ask me every day~I don't have to know all the details if you'd prefer not. I will pray. If you aren't already Christian be aware that I will also pray for you to become one. That's my word to Christ. My word to you is that I will pray. You can send me an e-mail if you don't want to leave a personal request in the comments, but I urge you to use me. (firestormkids04@aol.com)

Please try not to leave negative comments. Take me as I am.
For now lots of love and prayers,

Joy, Joy, Joy

You are looking at my Christmas present. I have a brand new smile! Three years ago I received the gift of new bridges for my teeth. I lost so many teeth while I was in Mexico. I was thrilled to get the bridges. I did have the smile I wanted. Then a little over a month ago, one of my teeth broke and had to be pulled. Since I had no more anchors for the bridge, we decided to have the few remaining pulled and get an upper for me. I've been walking around for abut 6 weeks with only my two front teeth showing. Saturday morning that all changed. The last 5 teeth came out and in went my smile. I am deliriously happy. I actually cried when I saw myself. Praise the Lord that my gums haven't been painful. The best thing . . . the doctor (oral surgeon) who took care of me on Saturday was wonderful! I told him it was a miracle that he got my teeth out so fast and he said, "Not my work, not a miracle, all credit goes to the Lord". Is that cool or what?
This week is also the week of Hanukkah. This celebration of the Festival of Lights is important to all Jews. A couple of years ago, I told the history of Hanukkah as I found on the internet. It wasn't just one day out of many, but a time when the Temple was returned to the Jews after a long time of suffering and oppression. They had only enough oil to light one of the eight lights on the Menorah. However after the first night, they found they had enough to light the second and so on until the eighth day. This was a miracle wrought by God to His chosen people. I want to say Happy Hanukkah to all of you who celebrate the Festival of Lights.

I can't believe that Thursday will be Christmas already. We have invited another guest, made her stocking and purchased small gifts for her. Rob's sister may be joining us as well. She's been super depressed. Christmastime depression is all too common. We talked with her and prayed with her on Saturday. Later, a very good friend of our offered to pay for the train ticket to get her here for a week or two. Perhaps time with family will be good for her. I called with the news, but she hasn't given us her decision yet. If y'all would pray for her and for our Christmas guests, I would really appreciate it. Their names are Timothy, Dora, Tina, Shawn & Denise. It will be our great pleasure to share the Christmas Story from the gospel of Luke with them all.

Tomorrow I will be making/baking the pumpkin roll. I hope I can still find the recipe. The roll is so decadently delicious that Christmas cannot pass without me fattening up on it. Besides, it's a hit with everyone. Ham is ham and pies just pies, but that dear pumpkin roll lights up their eyes!

As always you are all in my thoughts and prayers. If I am not able to post before then, Merry Christmas to you all. I posted to my other blog Blessings by Day today as well. Drop on by . . . it's a divine appointment.
Blessings and love,