Annoying & Destructive: Raccoons

      Raccoons are such destructive, irritating animals!  If you live in the country you are very familiar with the destruction they can cause--mostly at night because coons are usually nocturnal animals. They seem to get into anything and everything.  They dig up my newly planted flowers.  They eat the cat's food and even carry their bowls away--especially if they are shiny metal.  If they can get into a barn they will tear feed bags open and overturn buckets.  It looks like a disaster area when they leave.  If possible, they climb onto bird feeders.  Many of the plants I have planted near the feeders have been smashed as the coons fall on them in their attempt to get past the squirrel baffle attached to the pole of our main feeder.

      This aggressive and determined coon broke the baffle in two, climbed the pole, and was eating bird seed in broad daylight.  So annoying!

Dan Smith

     Here is one remarkable man--Dan Smith.  Even though he is in the midst of battling pancreatic cancer he took the time to install the donor plaque on the new Linn Park Amphitheater.  Isn't it beautiful?

     Dan is an inspiration to hundreds as he shares his adventure in healing with his Facebook friends.  He has many people praying for him and carries a list of all the churches (over 100 the last I heard) whose prayer chain he is on.  

    The doctor told him yesterday he has handled the aggressive chemotherapy they are giving him better than anyone in his 13 years' experience.  Of course, Dan gives all the credit to the Lord Jesus who is hearing and answering prayers.

       If you would like to read his meditations go to his Facebook page and ask to be his friend.  He loves sharing with others.

For The Saluting Marine

Such a touching and inspiring video!  I wish I had seen it yesterday so I could have shared it on Memorial Day but no matter.  It is worth watching any day.

Marine Staff Sergeant Tim Chambers out again for Rolling Thunder...with ...

This video tells why Tim Chambers--the man in the above video--does this.

What We Accomplished on Tuesday

Here is what the area looked like when the land was given to the City as a park.  This is the old blacksmith shop, the front of which, was totally covered in vines.

This is the same area after we planted the garden Tuesday.

Eight hard-working volunteers came on Tuesday to plant the garden.  Now we only need to mulch it, label the plants, and get the old wrought iron fence sandblasted, powder coated and installed and the garden will be finished.  Quite a difference from 3 years ago, don't you think?   Last year we had the garage painted to match the new Amphitheater and will use the bay of the garage next to the Garden as a concession stand for our events.  It is exciting to see the plans we have been working on for 3 years come to pass!  We are very pleased with the results!

Dr. Ben Carson

    I get so tired of hearing about racism and particularly about how racist whites are, don't you?  How often do we hear how racist blacks are, and yet it is angry, bitter, black men whose anger toward 'whitey' is fed by the news media (and our President & his wife) who are destroying their own neighborhoods.  I am certain most people are not racist.  The problem is we are not allowed to applaud black men & women of integrity.  I believe Ben Carson is one of those--a man to be applauded because of who he is and what he has done--not for the color of his skin.

    Every time I read something about, or listen to him speak, I am impressed!  I believe he would make an excellent President because he listens to God, he prays, and he is not afraid to speak his mind. This article is from Breaking Christian News and was re-posted on The Elijah List today.

"God Gave Me a Prophetic Dream That Changed Everything"

Ben Carson, West Friendship, Maryland

"I really began to understand early in my life the incredible power of prayer and our connection to God, and what a difference it made throughout my entire medical career." –Dr. Ben Carson

(Washington, DC)—Dr. Ben Carson, retired pediatric neurosurgeon and recently announced Republican presidential candidate, gave a moving personal speech at the National Day of Prayer event in Washington, DC, May 7.

One key story he shared was of a prophetic dream that changed the course of his life while he was a pre-med student at Yale.

Failing his chemistry course, a prerequisite for medical school, he had one last opportunity to pull off a passing grade. But the night before his final exam, still not comprehending the material, he cried out to God for a prophetic move.

"'Lord, medicine is the only thing I've ever wanted to do,'" Carson recounted his prayer at the breakfast. "'I thought that was what You wanted from me. And yet, it looks like I'm going to fail chemistry and I'm not going to go to medical school. (Photo via Charisma News) 

"And I said, 'So would You please tell me what it is You really want me to do. Or, alternatively and preferably, work a miracle,'" he continued, eliciting chuckles from the audience.

After praying, Carson had picked up his Chemistry textbook, determined to learn the whole course overnight. But his efforts were futile, and he fell asleep.

His slumber, however, bore more fruit than his attempts at all-night cramming ever could. While he slept, God answered Carson's prayers with a prophetic dream.

"I was in this large auditorium," Carson described the dream. "Just me, and a nebulous figure working out chemistry problems." When he awoke early the next morning, the dream was fresh and vivid in his mind as he looked through his textbook.

"When I went to take the test the next morning, it was like The Twilight Zone," Carson said. "I opened that [test] book and I recognized the first problem; it was one of the ones I'd dreamed about. And the next, and the next, and the next."

"I aced the exam," he said to rousing applause.

"I really began to understand early in my life the incredible power of prayer and our connection to God, and what a difference it made throughout my entire medical career," Carson said at the end of the story.

To continue reading click here. 

Dr. Carson is a prolific writer and author, having published eight books, including his autobiography, Gifted Hands, and two titles that were New York Times Bestsellers, America the Beautiful, Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great, and One Nation, What We All Can Do to Save America's Future, which was on the New York Times Best Sellers List for twenty weeks, five of those weeks at #1. Gifted Hands was the subject of the award-winning, made-for-television movie under the same title as the book in which Cuba Gooding, Jr., played Dr. Carson in the leading role.

Linn Park Garden & Brick Path

  Progress is being made!  The brick path has been laid.  There still needs to be locking sand poured in the cracks and a sealer put on it after the bricks have had a chance to settle for a week or so, but already the path is beautiful!

We had an impromptu work day on Saturday where several people appeared at different times to work on preparing the soil.  We have another workday scheduled tomorrow.

Today Sue & I talked with a landscaper to determine the best plants for the garden and then visited nurseries accumulating most of those plants.  I then came home and dug up & divided several of my plants to add.

Here is a picture of the path and the area ready to plant:

This is the Day!

    This is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it! --my intention and declaration for today.

What a Busy Time!

We had a Binga fundraiser for Heritage Days last Saturday night, Mother's Day Brunch which my sister who came from AZ especially to help Mom celebrate, organized then out of town guests arrived on Monday and a Texas Roadhouse 10% fundraiser on Tues. while they were here.  In the meantime Dahnke's started work on the path to the Amphitheater using the engraved bricks that were donated to help pay for it.  We are going to make a garden of flowers and shrubs around it and want to finish it in time for Heritage Days (June 12-14) so on Wednesday after our guests left, Sue (one of our garden committee members) and I laid out the edge of the garden with a garden hose to see how large to make the garden.  We want it to be a beautiful attraction but also manageable since there aren't many on the committee to care for it.

Thursday I decided I might as well work on the 3 gardens we had planted in the fall.  They were beautiful this spring--filled with tulips and daffodils, and the daylilies which were coming up--but they needed something to keep them beautiful through the summer.  I re-edged them all and then planted 9 more Knock-out rose bushes to fill in (we already had 3).  After placing them and moving several of the volunteer iris and peonies which were growing there when we made the beds and were now coming up between some of the daylilies given to us last year from the 5 Acre Daylily Farm, I went to the local garden store and bought a bunch of annuals--mainly Wave petunias to add more color.  When I got them all planted Yvonne Dahnke delivered a truck load of mulch.  Country Guy came in to help me and now the gardens look beautiful again!  Of course, they will be even more beautiful when the new plants are established and the tulip and daffodil leaves die back.

Yesterday Norma & I spent the day putting up posters for Heritage Days & the Martinsville Fair.  We went as far as Villa Grove & Tuscola--over 50 miles away.  One reason we went to that area is because the Heritage Days Horse Show was held in Brocton for almost 30 years.  We wanted to inform everyone who might  be interested that we are carrying on their tradition.

Randy Dyer, the chuck wagon guy, is coming through M'ville today and asked me to meet him to see the chuck wagon and to talk about where he could set up to cook an authentic chuck wagon meal for the crowd on Saturday night during the Country Music Concert at the Festival.

Next week is our second grandson's high school graduation so our daughter and family are coming for that, as well as our daughter-in-law's family who have been our good friends for over 40 years.  They will be staying in Marshall with Doug & Amy, but we will want to spend as much time with them as possible.

As I said this is a very busy time and I'm loving all of it!

Diet Pepsi will soon contain sucralose, aka Splenda

      As many of you who read this blog know, I am very much opposed to artificial sweeteners so it will come as no surprise that I am posting this article from Dr. Mercola's website about Pepsi's switch to sucralose to replace aspartame.  It is just as bad for you!

 

Could This Headache Causing Neurotoxin Be on Its Way Out?

May 14, 2015 

By Dr. Mercola

Diet Pepsi is getting an image overhaul, and as of August will no longer contain the artificial sweetener aspartame, PepsiCo. has announced.1,2

The decision came in response to dwindling sales, mirroring consumers' concerns about aspartame's health hazards, which includes research3,4,5,6,7,8 showing that aspartame is a multipotential carcinogenic agent.

It is clearly a move in the right direction and we have provided much of the impetus as our site comes up number two in Google for aspartame and many publications, like the LA Times,9 credit us for the increased awareness.

It's hardly a major victory, however, as the company plans on replacing aspartame with sucralose, aka Splenda.10,11

The irony of this has not gone unnoticed. On April 26, US Right to Know tweeted the following message: "#DietSodaScam: @PepsiCo switching from aspartame to sucralose is like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic."

Indeed, sucralose is associated with many of the same adverse effects asaspartame, including:

Respiratory difficulties	Migraines/headaches12	Seizures
Gastrointestinal problems	Heart palpitations	Weight gain

Continue reading here.
 

Cowards & Provocateurs by Roseann Salanitri

      As usual, I wholeheartedly agree with Rosann Salanitri. This article was posted today on The Daily Rant.  We are going to have to develop a backbone and stand for our beliefs no matter what, or we are going to lose the freedom to do so.

Cowards & Provocateurs                                                                                      by Roseann Salanitri on May 13, 2015 in Faith & Family, Race & Politics, RoseAnn Salanitri

Recently I had the privilege of speaking at a National Day of Prayer event at our state’s capital.

The event was well-organized and there were several speakers, all of whom were assigned specific subject matters. Mine was religious liberty. Regardless of our assignments, the Spirit of God and His overriding message regarding cowardice soon became evident. The message from on HIgh: stop whining and start speaking truth.
Whether the subject be abortion, loss of religious liberty, or same-sex marriage (which is a misnomer, as Rev. Craft established), the existence of these things in America today serve as an indictment against believers who conduct themselves more as cowards than warriors of the faith.

Consider this: no-one, not even mighty Uncle Sam, can strip you of the right to believe what you want to believe and worship God as you see fit. Acting like you have no choice but to do what government bullies demand equates to not standing up for what you believe to be right. Since the Garden of Eden, God has blessed the human race with liberty of conscience, but with our ability to think came the responsibility to live according to our convictions.

What are Christians required to do when there is a conflict between God and government? The Apostle Peter put it best when he said that we must obey God rather than men. Unfortunately, that has not proven to be the case in America. Today we sacrifice boldly speaking God’s truth – afraid of appearing intolerant or like some kind of fundamentalist. We are more concerned with the approval of men than the approval of God. Additionally, we lack the intestinal fortitude to stand up to the government bullies. Have we forgotten our school yard lessons: that bullies can only exist in the midst of cowards? And have we forgotten that cowards are the first to be thrown into the lake of burning fire – before liars, murders and the sexually immoral?

But what makes a modern day coward a coward?

A modern day coward may seem like a “nice” person according to earthly standards. The problem is that they value “niceness” above truth, which often demands boldness and they fear men more than God. The Bible tells us that the fear of man is a trap. They also value comfort more than righteousness. It is comfortable to live nicely without controversy and without challenging the powers that be. BUT – it is not always godly. You see, a coward knows right from wrong and chooses to keep silent in the midst of wrong. To be sure, there are many clever-sounding excuses one can develop to defend cowardice: I have to make a living; I don’t want to offend my neighbor; we need to “love” everyone; it’s a woman’s choice, etc., etc., etc. If you know the truth but are afraid to speak it, is it compassion or is it cowardice? If it is compassion, it is misplaced. If it is fear, it is cowardice.

Recently Pam Geller was involved in an event in Texas that featured cartoons of Mohammed. As was expected, this event was noticed by Muslim extremists who sought to murder as many people at the event as possible. They were unsuccessful and were quickly sent to their Maker. Afterward, the media interviewed Donald Trump. Trump’s position was that Ms. Geller deliberately and unnecessarily provoked the attack. Trump’s analysis may have seemed reasonable. But was it?

Although there is no good reason for provoking the anger of those who are peacefully going on about their own business, Ms. Geller’s actions may have been biblically defendable and admirable.

Most realistically believe that Muslim extremists are already among us – just waiting for their opportunity to launch an assault – whether it is on a massive scale or orchestrated by some lone wolf somewhere. Additionally, the extreme faction of the Muslim religion continues to grow unabated – all while we sit silently by – not wanting to offend anyone. We also sit silently by when we watch young men burned alive before us, or Coptic Christians beheaded, or when news clips of children’s heads on sticks are displayed in parks. Normally our reaction is that Obama must do something – that our military has to stop these atrocities, but seldom do we realize that we are to do something personally about stopping the evangelism that glorifies these devils. And that, my dear friends, requires us to speak out against the religious system that sanctions these abominations. That is exactly what Ms. Geller did. She did not sit idly by complaining about how these extremists are gaining ground; she spoke out against it in a very provocative manner.

Ms. Geller’s admirable credentials as a provocateur are not unusual. History is filled with people who stood up for what they believed to be right – and sometimes they did it provocatively. Consider the prophet Daniel. As a captive in ancient Babylon, Daniel was under a government edict not to pray to anyone except the king. Not only did Daniel disobey this edict, he did it in a rather provocative manner. He kneeled beside an open window where everyone could see him, and prayed to his/our God. He could have prayed silently in some corner where no one could see or hear him . He chose not to. As a consequence, he was thrown into the den of lions. We are told that angels entered the lions’ den with him and protected him there. His deliverance served as inspiration to those in authority, as well as the masses. In other words, God used his provocation.

Steven is another example of a provocateur that made a difference. In worldly terms, Steven’s story did not go so well. He was stoned to death for daring to challenge his religious leaders and preach in the name of Jesus. But the death of Steven did not end in tragedy, as some would conclude. His strength and boldness helped to instill the strength and boldness truth required into a culture that sorely needed it. Steven didn’t fear death, and so those who found themselves in similar circumstances knew how to stand strong under intimidation – even unto death. Christians owe them a great debt. Once again, God used his provocation.

Of course there are many others – including Moses who lost his status as Egyptian royalty out of compassion for a Hebrew slave. His contemporaries may have thought him foolish or perhaps even a provocateur, but his righteous bravery delivered an entire people from bondage.

In more recent history, there was Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Martin Luther King, Jr. – as well as a whole multitude of others, such as Margaret Thatcher, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Nelson Mandela, Lech Walesa, and Rosa Parks – just to mention a few. None of these men and women were cowards, and yes, they were all provocateurs of a kind. Many of them suffered, but we are all better because of their boldness in the face of adversity because God used their provocations. Today, as in days of old, we need boldness to stand against the evils that are permeating our way of life at every level. But boldness does not exist in the character make-up of cowards. It only exists in those who do not fear the reprisals of men or government. Donald Trump may think they’re provocateurs but personally, I think they’re heroes. And they should not be shunned; they should be welcomed and encouraged.

Think About This - From the Patriot Post

Rhododendrons

       It has been an unusual year weather-wise.  Almost everyone I know hunts for morel mushrooms but there were hardly any to be found this year.  I don't know why they didn't grow when the shrubs and flowering trees have been more beautiful than I can remember.  Our white dogwoods have bloomed profusely and the lilacs under our bedroom window are covered with blooms.  It is such a pleasure to wake to their enticing smell as they perfume our bedroom through an open window.

    Right now the rhododendrons are spectacular!  Each year I try to capture their beauty, but never quite succeed.  Here is my latest attempt:

These blooms on this one haven't fully opened since they are more sheltered but already it is beautiful.

Notice the climbing hydrangea to the right of the rhododendron.  It almost entirely covers the front of the garage and now wraps around the corner.  The white hydrangea blooms are almost ready to open so I am hoping the rhododendron lasts until they appear.

      A storm is forecast for tonight so I wanted to be sure to get photos in case the blooms are ruined by the wind.

"The Incense of Intercessory Prayer – Prayers Have the Potential to Alter History!" by Bobby Conner

The only hope for our country is prayer.  Bobby Conner has an encouraging word to continue praying because our prayers make a difference.  Sometimes I get a little discouraged when I don't see immediate results so I'm always glad for a reminder of why I pray and that God hears our prayers.

"The Incense of Intercessory Prayer – Prayers Have the Potential to Alter History!"

Bobby Conner, Bullard, TX

Never underestimate your prayers. Your prayer life is a sweet fragrance before the face of Almighty God! Our prayers are a vital part of the worship and adoration at the throne of God. It is important to understand what the Word of God has to say concerning what happens to our prayers in the heavenly realm.

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8 NKJV

This passage gives outstanding Divinely inspired insights and revelatory information concerning the value of our prayers uttered on earth. What our prayers accomplish is absolutelyawesome. Your prayers have the potential to alter history! Many of the defining moments in the affairs of mankind are the result of someone's prayers. Truly our prayers move the hand of God.

Today we discover that the Church is at a crossroads and in transition, the saints of God must spend time in God's presence, and asking for divine wisdom and Holy Spirit guidance (see James 1:5). It is almost unbelievable to think that the cries of our soul on earth have such a place of prominence in Heaven. It is truly stunning to note what Scripture reveals is taking place in Heaven's realm because of our prayers.

A Place of Prominence Before God's Throne

Our prayers have a place of prominence before the Lamb upon His throne in Heaven. Each golden bowl is filled with the flowing fragrance of the incense of our prayers that are ever rising before the Lamb. The aroma of faith-filled prayers is scenting the throne of Heaven. Our prayers, being precious and extremely valuable in Heaven, are caught and kept in vessels of the purest gold.

Many times the foe of our soul, satan himself, will seek to hinder and even stop us from praying by slandering and saying, "It's no use! God will not hear nor heed your prayers." We must be reminded that every time the devil speaks, he speaks a lie (see John 8:44). A lie is the direct opposite of the truth, so be encouraged when the enemy tries to lie to you in that way. If he attempts to convince and persuade you that your prayers are worthless, understand the truth: your prayers are powerful and priceless.

Be confident of this fact: your prayers are heard in Heaven and watched over by powerful, holy angels. The Word of God contains countless precious promises of God's willingness to answer our prayers. The Spirit of God is releasing an anointing for intercession on an extremely high level.

All across the nations saints are being mobilized to pray. It is awesome and thrilling to see prayer meetings are beginning to take place in many of our public schools once again. 

Powerful prayer gatherings are being led by some outstanding, young radicals who have one goal in mind—establishing God's Kingdom on earth. (Photo via National Day of Prayer)

We can clearly see from these verses that our prayers are priceless. We read in Revelation 8:3-5:

New idea for my deck pots

This year I am trying something different in my deck pots.  We have cats, which we didn't invite, living with us.  They seem to love sleeping in the pots on the deck--thereby killing any flowers I plant, so I have filled them with small shrubs--2 knock-out roses, 2 gold mound spireas and 2 cotoneasters.  I don't think there is room for the cats to get in now and I actually like the look as a change from the usual flowers.

We had a nice rain last night right after most farmers got their corn planted so we are grateful.  That's also why the deck floor looks unusual.  It's still wet in some places.

A Wise Word

New Addition to Heritage Days

 
   There will be a another new addition to the Heritage Days Festival this year.  Randy Dyer will be bringing his authentic chuck wagon to participate in the Equine Parade.  He will also be giving Dutch oven cooking demonstrations during the Festival and his chuck wagon will be on display.
    We have invited him to cook a meal for us during the Country Music Night on Saturday, June 13, at the Amphitheater.  More information will be coming.

Rick Joyner: Prophetic Bulletin: "The Supreme Court and the Mark of the Beast"

     Rick Joyner has an entirely different perspective on the "mark of the beast" than I have heard preached.  Hopefully, it is as he says, the sleeping giant known as the church is beginning to wake up.  We must stand for righteousness no matter what the cost.  Are you willing?

May 4, 2015
Rick Joyner: Prophetic Bulletin: "The Supreme Court and the Mark of the Beast"

In Revelation 13 it is prophesied that at the end of the age there will be a false prophet that arises to prepare for and give power to one called "the beast." This "beast" deceives the nations and requires all to take a mark, 666. Without this mark no one can "buy, sell, or trade." This "mark of the beast" has been a dominant subject in eschatology (the study of Biblical prophecies of the end of the age) since the first century, and many things have been called this that turned out not to be so. However, we know it will come, and it may be upon us.

Few events in history have so remarkably fit the Biblical scenario of this mark as the potential U.S. Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage. As bizarre as this may sound, this is an uncanny parallel to the Biblical prophecy. Even if this is not the actual mark of the beast, it is at least a precursor, a "dress rehearsal" that sets up the world for this ultimate test.

Understanding "The Beast"
First, taking the mark of the beast is not the sin, but rather worshipping the beast. The mark is just the evidence of what one is doing. So to understand the mark, we must first understand the beast.
This "beast" has been presumed by many Bible scholars to be an individual, such as the "antichrist" figure. He is also called the "man of sin," or "abomination of desolation" prophesied by Daniel. Others have seen it as a system, a world power such as a world bureaucracy. Some have believed it to be the spirit that dominates the world at the end of the age. Some have concluded that it could come in all of these forms. There may be some merit to all of these assumptions, but the principles given in Scripture for identifying the nature of the beast are clear enough for any seeker of truth to discern it, regardless of the form in which it comes.

This beast "comes up out of the earth," which is a term for "earthly mindedness." Such is the root of what is popularly referred to as "secular humanism." This is the philosophy, perspective, or "worldview" promoting the exaltation of man, his wisdom and abilities, above God. This philosophy presumes that man does not need God and should not consider Him as a factor in human affairs even if He does exist.

Because man was created at the end of the sixth day, the number six is often symbolic of man in Scripture. For this reason, many have presumed that the number 666, or three sixes, was man's attempt to displace the Trinity, and could fit with this belief.

The "abomination of desolation" that was prophesied by Daniel, Jesus, and the first century apostles could have been translated "the abomination that desolates." Because homosexuality is referred to as an abomination in Scripture, and its impact on Western culture is so quickly and profoundly desolating the moral fabric of Western civilization, it is to be expected that many will start to consider this "the abomination that desolates."

Who could have dreamed just two decades ago that we would have major cities celebrating "Days of Decadence" with all manner of perversions being performed and flaunted openly in our streets? Who would have thought that such a moral and religious nation could fall so quickly to the ultimate national depravity spoken of in Isaiah 5—calling what God calls "good," "evil," and what God calls "evil," "good," while the dishonorable are honored and the honorable are dishonored? Is that not precisely what has happened to America in just the last generation?

The meltdown of morality in our military could be happening even faster. Just a few years ago, the U.S. military was such a bastion of morality and integrity that adultery was considered grounds for dismissal because one's vows had been broken. "Don't ask, don't tell" was the handwriting on the wall that a devastating change was coming. But who could have foreseen the pace of the desolation of our military since homosexuality was openly allowed in the ranks? It moved quickly from everyone having to accept it, to everyone having to celebrate it if you expected any further promotions, to now being forced out if you do not celebrate it.

Christians are now openly discriminated against, if not persecuted, in the U.S. military. Not only are some of the best and brightest leaving the military, they are no longer choosing it as a possible career.
The same is taking place throughout government services on all levels, as well as corporations, education, and the media, as was once the case for a long time in arts and entertainment. Now, with a single Supreme Court decision it could be that Christians, Muslims, and Jews that honor their books as the Word of God will not be able to "buy, sell, or trade" in America without the constant threat of losing your business, or your position and livelihood, because of an offended homosexual.

Even if this is not "the mark of the beast," it will be for those who are now losing what they, in some cases, have given their lives to build, because they would not compromise their religious convictions in order to buy, sell, or trade. If the Supreme Court decision falls the way it is expected to, we can be sure that very soon every Christian in America will have to make a similar choice between obeying the Word of God or this beast.

Frank Laubach Meditation for May 4

Another meditation (Tuesday, May 4, 1937) from Frank Laubach's Learning the Vocabulary of God:

1 Thessalonians 1                                                                                          Zanzibar

GOD, the laboratory of each day's experience teaches two lessons and proves them valid.  First, when a man is speaking with me, pouring out his long story, he as opened his mind to me, he is tuned in; and while I listen I can be sending back to his mind my silent prayers for God to enter.  All over the world are people anxious to talk to us.  Let them tell it and call it God's opportunity.  Second, I am like an oarsman rowing against the current.  My will-pressure must be gentle but constant, to listen to God, to pray for others incessantly, to look at people as souls and not as clothes, or bodies, or even minds.  The moment the pressure on the oar ceases, I drift, and downward. . ."Let go and let God" does not fit my experience; "take hold and keep hold of God" is what it feels like to me.  There is a will-act, and I can feel the spiritual muscles growing from rowing!

WND article: DOBSON: 'FALL OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION' AT HAND

WND EXCLUSIVE

DOBSON: 'FALL OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION' AT HAND

'Barring a miracle, the family will likely crumble'

Published: 4 hours ago

 BOB UNRUH 

Dr. James Dobson, who founded the highly influential groups Focus on the Family and Family Research Council and now runs Family Talk Radio, is warning that if the U.S. Supreme Court redefines marriage as analysts predict, the ruling will presage the “fall of Western civilization.”

“I do not recall a time when the institutions of marriage and the family have faced such peril, or when the forces arrayed against them were more formidable or determined,” he writes in a letter distributed to his hundreds of thousands of supporters.

“Barring a miracle, the family that has existed since antiquity will likely crumble, presaging the fall of Western civilization itself. This is a time for concerted prayer, divine wisdom and greater courage than we have ever been called upon to exercise,” he writes.

The author of staples to families around the world such as “Bringing Up Girls,” “Bringing Up Boys” and “When God Doesn’t Make Sense,” frequently has tangled with the Obama administration.

At one point he described President Obama as the “abortion president” and warned America is heading toward “depravity.”

He also, amid his lawsuit against the administration over Obamacare’s abortion requirements, told the president he would refuse to obey any law that required him to participate in the killing of an unborn child.

Read Dr. James Dobson’s full commentary: ‘High court on verge of destroy the family’

“I believe in the rule of law, and it has been my practice since I was in college to respect and honor those in authority over us. It is my desire to do so now. However, this assault on the sanctity of human life takes me where I cannot go,” he wrote in an open letter to the president.

“I WILL NOT pay the surcharge for abortion services. The amount of the surcharge is irrelevant,” he said. “To pay one cent for the killing of babies is egregious to me, and I will do all I can to correct a government that lies to me about its intentions and then tries to coerce my acquiescence with extortion. It would be a violation of my most deeply held convictions to disobey what I consider to be the principles in Scripture. The Creator will not hold us guiltless if we turn a deaf ear to the cries of His innocent babies. So come and get me if you must, Mr. President. I will not bow before your wicked regulation.”

WND also reported that when Dobson spoke to the National Day of Prayer in Washington, hundreds stood and cheered his condemnation of the abortion-funding plan, now defeated multiple times in U.S. courts.

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National Day of Prayer - Thursday

     Thursday is our National Day of Prayer.  I pray we will take advantage of this opportunity to join our prayers with millions as we ask God to release a new wave of the Spirit and cause a great revival to begin.

"National Life of Prayer: Defining Moments Can Change History"

Lisa Crump, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Defining Moments

Defining moments – have you had one? This one was a while ago, although as relevant today as it was then. It was November 18, 2006 in Kansas City, Missouri. George Otis Jr. had been sharing about his research of the Holy Spirit moving in the nations. 

A stranger approached me after the message and shared what the Lord had impressed on him that concerned me. I can recall this moment well from my handwritten note on that day. A defining moment from God needs to be recorded, kept and revisited from time to time, ensuring the fire of His assignment is kept lit.

The stranger illustrated a locket representing my heart and that it had been closed. But now, I was at a tender place open to the Lord and He was pleased. The man unlocked the locket and inside on soft, rich velvet was a message folded up. As the stranger, a Missouri pastor unfolded the message, it read, "National Life of Prayer". The pastor said, "It will affect the nation, a life of prayer to the Living God, Who seeks your permission to open your heart to this."

My recorded response reads, "Father, whatever, please keep me tender...I invite You, beg You to unlock my heart, do what is necessary to keep me tender to You."

National life of prayer has become my life's mission field. The National Day of Prayer Task Force is a Judeo-Christian ministry to the nation that mobilizes prayer through thousands of volunteers in America.

Prayer – the Most Powerful Thing We Can Do For Our Country

The United States of America is the only nation I know of that, byFederal law, has aNational Day of Prayer. This gives these Believers hosting prayer spiritual, governmental authority that originates from God. Through God's providence, President Reagan, in 1988, by Public Law 100-307, amended previous law by, "a suitable day each year, other than a Sunday, and inserting in lieu thereof, the first Thursday in May in each year" (click here to read more about facts/history for the annual National Day of Prayer). (Photo via National Day of Prayer)

May 7th, 2015 is the next annual National Day of Prayer in the U.S.A.

Friends in Jesus, if we do not exercise this day, we will lose it. The principalities at work are evident everywhere to remove anything holy and Christian from the United States of America.What is my responsibility and your responsibility then as followers of Jesus? What can we do to affect the nation? Who are we?

We are sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. We can pray to Him as Jesus modeled for us. The whole chapter of John 17 is Jesus praying to His Father. We must follow His example.

Prayer is the most powerful thing any of us can do for our country and the nations of the world. Thus you are seeking the Almighty's heart and hand to move for the families, the churches, marketplaces, schools, governments; every facet of your nation. In America, we must also repent for letting our nation decline and move away from God, hurting us internally and affecting the world.

Jesus Prayed, "That They May Be One..."

On the global scene, America has had a great destiny to protect and defend justice. We must pray for what we are to be in the world going forward. The whole world is groaning and shifting. Yet friends, I am very encouraged by God's movement in response to many praying with Jesus. He prayed that we, His Church, would be "one":

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me." (John 17:20-23).

I am seeing the Lord connect us very intentionally. The silos of denominations, ethnicity, and other man-made divisions are falling away. The Church as the Bride is rising to answer Jesus' prayer for us to be one:"...brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me." (Photo via National Day of Prayer)

Well the little note (I shared above) resides in its safekeeping place in the Bible I keep on my desk at the National Day of Prayer Task Force office. Many times the enemy has worked to make me weary or discouraged and wants to stop this national life of prayer and the sacrifices that go with it. It's important to capture defining moments to remember the Lord's activity in your life. I don't believe any of us wants to stop short of God's destiny for our lives. Yet, in our humanness we need the reminders sometimes like my note.

I tremble writing this and revisiting my assignment: National Life of Prayer. It is a sobering place of increasing surrender and with you as my witness, also great thankfulness. I cannot think of a better way to invest our lives than the relationship and power through God that prayer offers. There are not more devoted followers of Christ than those who will pray, who intercede for others, without ceasing.

Would you consider joining us for National Day of Prayer for the USA? There are many who oppose the work of this Christian Task Force of the federal day, but we have God on our side.Isaiah 45:22b instructs about Him, pure and simple, "...for I am God, and there is no other."

Visit http://nationaldayofprayer.org/event-finder/ to find events to participate in. Or start a prayer event yourself, begin under Volunteer. I can be contacted from this page:http://nationaldayofprayer.org/meet-your-team/

Lisa Crump, Senior Director, Prayer Mobilization
National Day of Prayer Task Force
Email: coordinators@nationaldayofprayer.org
Website: nationaldayofprayer.org