SelahV Today by hariette petersen

FOR WHAT ARE YOU PRAYING?

Praying is one of those deeply unuttered groanings going on within me–it seems like all the time–anymore.  The older I get, the more needs I recognize--the more potential problems I foresee.

With every sad news account of abuse–to children, to women, to men–my heart cries out for justice and comfort.

With all the political lies and usurping of power, I moan and beg for God’s intervention and protection.

For all the daily sadness I see, I pray for God’s abundant grace to be sufficient to meet the needs of hearts I cannot touch–with hand or word.

For the apathy within my own heart in areas most important to my Lord, I confess and pray for the restoration of my early faith in Christ.

It seems to me each day brings me new opportunities to pray for others–for ministers who break the bread of life to their congregations, for the lostness of souls, for the reconciliation of marriages, and other relationships.

Yet, all too often, at the end of any given day, I sense how little I have prayed for what God sees most important.  I recognize that much of what I've brought before the throne of grace is mundane, mediocrity--for that which the heathen might pray.  I realize how much is about my comfort, my needs, my desires--the daily comforts of others.  So little for the increase of the Kingdom of God.  Because of my fleshly self-interest, I weary myself and am grateful the Spirit joins mine and cries out for what is best and most beneficial for the purpose of God to be completed in and around me.  selahV

Thanks to my friend Bill for stimulating my thoughts on this subject today.

PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE

Some of you know I volunteered to help teach an Iraqi lady conversational English.  Linda came here with her husband and their 4 year-old little boy.   Her husband was an interpreter with our soldiers while they served in Iraq, and is here on a 10-year green-card.  He hopes to become an American citizen.  Unfortunately, because of some very tangled circumstances, Linda was unable to bring her two little girls with her.  Her girls are 6 and 7 years-old.  Linda misses them so much.  It tears my heart out for her.

Each week she and I work on learning how to talk English, and Linda is doing really, really well.  She can read very well and pronounces words clearly.  She's so excited to be learning our language and she goes to our Friendship Internationals ministry on Tuesday at a local church to further her ability to speak our language.  Today after Linda and I had read some of her lesson book, I asked her if she had any pictures of her family in Iraq.  She did and she showed me photos of her two little girls.  As we both wept for the pain she feels because of the separation from her girls, I told her I would pray for God to open the doors and bring them to her in America, soon.

Linda really loves it when I bring my granddaughters to visit with Abodda.  He gets to play with them, and she loves to watch them play.  Below is a photo of them playing with playdoh that I brought to Abodda. [continued after photo]

 

Please pray for this miracle with me.  It will literally take a miracle for this to happen.  I cannot imagine what she must feel being in a strange country and not being able to see her little girls.  Her mother and father are their care-takers in Iraq and by their laws, they are the guardians--almost as if Linda was not the mother.  It will take a miracle to change that situation, too.  Please pray God moves in a way to release the girls from this guardianship so that they can come here.

I sense the Lord doing something extraordinary in Linda's life.  My heart goes out to her in this time of separation.  Pray for me as I try and minister to her...I know God has placed her in my life for far more than lessons in English.  selahV    

CELEBRATING NEW LIFE

Jocelyn Emma was born to a Christian mother and father, Christian grandparents, and Christian great-grandparents on Friday, the 22nd.  We're celebrating her life into our lives and praying for her new-life into Christ as the Lord so draws her unto Him in years to come.  She weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz., is healthy and sweet as can be.  Jocelyn is my third great-grandchild, my first great-granddaughter.  Must I say we are all tickled pink?

Her little brothers think she is pretty special.  We all agree.  If you are so led, lift a prayer on her behalf to our Father.  May she grow in wisdom, grace and love.  selahV

WHEN CONGRESS WORSHIPPED GOD

Just last week I heard where a young man was told he could no longer wear a cross to school as a symbol of his faith. All across our nation we're told we have no right to express our faith as Christians in any place the government's fingers touch. Students have the lights turned out and the microphones muted when they bring up Jesus Christ in a high school commencement address. I still ask why? In light of the following video I think all Christians might also ask why.

IT MAY BE TODAY

It may be today that grace is manifested in all its glory--when truth is more than another's opinion of reality.  It may be today that we see pride swallowed, and grace truly abound.  It may be today we read truth instead of embellished fiction.  I do not know.  I can only hope.

Sometimes I so long for Christ to come, my soul burns.  My heart reels, my stomach churns.  I so yearn to hear the trumpet sound, the Eastern sky to part and see my Savior's face--to greet Him and see man perfected--flawless, pure and holy--without guile, deceit, and self-centered ambition.

I am not alone.  Paul wrote, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:22

I sometimes grow weary.  I really do.  I groan so deeply I cannot pray when I see some things Christians write about other Christians.  I am comforted to know that the Lord Himself bears witness with my spirit and cries out to the Holy, Holy, Holy for me.  For my heart breaks that some people show so little regard for fellow Christian brothers, they write falsehoods and call them truth.  I know I am not alone.  I have brothers and sisters who join in heart and mind, who seek a more fruit-filled spirit manifested in the lives of the Body--the Bride of Christ.  Peace.  Love.  Forgiveness.  Tolerance.  Patience.  Kindness.  Humility.  Joy.

Where is the fruit in our words, our actions, our deeds?

Where is the ministry of reconciliation?  Hidden behind words of retaliation?

I'm not so naive that I think Christians will all agree on every iota of every issue.  But our words mean things.  And some words are just plain mean.  They're hateful.  They are unholy, unkind, and unworthy of the blood shed to forgive us of our sin.  If this is the kind of witness we are to the lost in the world, it's no wonder our efforts are fruitless, our baptismals are dry. 

I've been praying quite a while for another spiritual awakening.  How, pray tell can this occur when God's people find nothing but fault to lay at one another's door?  Can we not look at our own hearts and see the evil within and praise God for the attoning grace we have in Christ?  Can we not smell the stench our unholy attitudes and careless words offers up to the nostrils of our Lord?  What kind of sacrifice is this?  Where is truth?

Oh, Lord, forgive us.  May we all bow down and confess and repent and seek Your face.  May we weep for the souls of men and the growth of each brother and sister.  We cannot know.  It may be today You come to take us home.  May we be found faithful in Your sight, true to our calling, and abiding in You.  selahV

CELEBRATING DILIGENCE, PERSEVERANCE and FAITH

Diligence and persistance are synonymous with my 19 year-old grandson.  Even as a little boy, he played ball while hurt because his dad had taught him to persist and persevere--even when you don't feel like it.  The team was counting on him.  Through his life, I've marveled at the perseverance he has shown in multiple ways, through many difficulties he's faced head-on.  Again and again he followed through on commitments when more tempting situations and social events were ignored.

A year ago eighteen-year-old Ryan sat on the sofa in my living room and told me he simply was not interested in becoming an engineer, even though he had a scholarship to college.  He knew he had the potential to be anything he wanted to be--he's just that bright.  He didn't want to disappoint his teachers who'd recommended him for scholarships.  But he felt God was leading him to be a fireman.  He had joined the volunteer fire department in a little rural town near his home in the county before he even finished highschool.  He immediately started getting certified and training.  He loved it.  When he got his equipment, he came to our house to show us all of it.  Everything was used and old, but he spread it out and explained it all like it was Christmas in July.  He was so proud.

When he happened to be the first responder to a horrific fatal accident a half-mile from his home, Ryan called in the accident; he didn't panic.  He simply assessed the situation and ordered all the right things--including jaws-of-life for the nineteen-year-old girl trapped inside her vehicle.  He told me he couldn't believe how calm he was in the midst of it all.  He believed God was using him as he sat on the bank--just talking to a little boy who'd been in the accident while other responders attended to the boy's grandfather.

When Ryan went to his first structure fire, they were able to save the trailer.  But Ryan wasn't satisfied with that.  He felt he needed to hook up the family with churches in the area to minister to their needs.  He even organized a few meals for them through his mom, and his youth minister at church.  Ryan felt God could use him in the fire-department.  "It could be a ministry," he told me.  I remember telling him that he could do anything he wanted to do and no matter what he did, God could use him to minister to people.  But if God was calling him to be a fireman, then He would make a way for him to do all he needed to do to become one.

Within a few months, he was in the top three applicants out of 60 who made it through the rigorous testing required for firefighting applicants in a nearby town.  When folks told him he was in--not to worry about it, he hoped, but knew his age might be against him.  When the position was given to another who had more certifications, he didn't give up; he dug in.  He got more certifications.  He went to every single training event he could.  Before long he was training others.

A couple of weeks ago, when he went for his interview with Lawton's Fire Chief, Ryan knew his youth was still against him.  However, he had taken every class and prepared in every way necessary to get hired.  He scored well on all his tests and excelled in every training exercise.  While he awaited the Chief's decision, Ryan attended another school--this one for smoke jumping.  He figured if he didn't get the Lawton position, he'd find one somewhere else.  Fortunately, he didn't have to, he got the call that he'd made it through.  All that was left was his physical.

Last week he took his physical and though he passed it, he had to have an x-ray of his back where he broke his neck a few years ago while riding motocross.  Remember me requesting prayers for him then?  We wondered, would that accident be his undoing?  We prayed as we waited to hear the results of the x-ray and the doctor's recommendations.  Tonite we celebrated.  We've held our breath and prayed for him.  He has been so diligent...so persistent, so faithful and trusting.  He is now cleared and officially part of our town's fire department.

I have no doubts Ryan will be one of the best firefighters our town has ever had.  It will not surprise me to learn he saves another's life or that he boldly faces challenges others shy away from.  He's just that kind of man.  In a day when jobs are harder and harder to come by...when budgets are tight and firefighting positions are scarce, God has blessed my grandson.  In our state 97% of all fires are fought by volunteer firemen.  This is an incredible blessing for Ryan, and for us.  I'm so grateful, I just had to share my joy with you all.  selahV

ARE YOU AN INFLUENTIAL BLOGGER?

Does your voice matter?  Do your words count?  Do your thoughts, ideas, opinions?

When I think about being influential, I think of how things affect me and mine.  Does another person have the power to change my mind...look at a situation from another perspective...stir me to action?  Can an op-ed prick my conscience so sharply, stir my soul so deeply, I am compelled to pray for the writer? his or her concerns?  Or does a writer's words simply cause a yawn to claim my mind?

Depending upon the situation, every single person has influence.  For instance, I have plans today to get some writing assignments completed.  Yet, if my 6-year-old granddaughter asks her momma to call me and see if she can come over and play, I am more than likely going to find her request quite a compelling force upon my heart and time.  Some things are just more important than others; tea parties, painting birdhouses, and swinging in my hammock with my grandchildren are such things.

Influence only has the power another gives it.  We do not have to be influenced by others--their words or their actions.  However, when their ideas and views line up with our own, they are more than likely going to draw us beneath their wings of thought.  We're apt to find ourselves subscribing to their blog-feed.  Some writers have only one influence upon me---they make me mad everytime I read their words.  This kind of influence compels me to one action--ignore them.  I do not read their blogs, I do not listen to their opinions of another's writing or words.  If I have a minimal amount of respect for a writer or their views, I tend to skip their comments in a stream.

I admit it.  I am not influenced by what many people write--even when others claim them to be influential.  Nevertheless, just because I don't think someone is influential--just because I do not agree with them, and view their influence as nothing but a growling rottweiler, a slobbering bulldog, or a yapping chihuahua, does not negate the fact that they may indeed influence others.  Just because I am annoyed by a barking hound--does not mean that dog won't hunt and bring home the game to the doorstep of others...just as surely as my newspaper man delivers my newspaper each morning.  I may never pick up the paper.  I may never click on a highly-trafficked link; it doesn't change the fact that others are most certainly influenced in some way--good or bad, positively or negatively--when they do.

As Christians who blog, we must therefore, weigh our words, and bring our thoughts into the captivity of Christ to use as He sees fit.  In the end, no matter how man judges us, the Judge most worthy of consideration is Jesus.  He'll have the final word, no matter what you or I say. selahV  

 

The Flaw of Communication

When we write articles and blogposts which produce questions and encourage thought, it only follows that people will misconstrue our words to fit their own train of thought, idea or viewpoint.  It's just the way things go in the writing world--especially blogging.

Most writers know, without a shadow of doubt, that someone somewhere will be doing surgery on their words.  A good writer knows it's inevitable and makes every effort to address the questions before they're even asked...to cover possible arguments before they're ever considered.  Many writers take excruciating pains to word their posts, thinking through various ways an illustration might be taken or argued.  Even though a writer should have reasonable expectation to be taken for what they say in a piece, they need to know their expectations are more like a wish than a reality.

That never happened with Jesus.  He knew exactly what He was saying and He didn't give a fig's leaf of thought to whether He'd be misunderstood.  He knew exactly who would understand Him and who would not.  He knew His mind, His heart, His motives with every word He spoke.  He was God and man, susceptible to the flesh--yet sinless, pure and holy.  Not so with man...when we speak, or write, we can only hope that folks will "get" our point.  We hold reasonable expectations that they'll read what we are saying.  Writers write, ever mindful that another can misinterpret the substance and the purpose of what they write.  Unlike Jesus, we may question our own words at times...we know we are not infallible.  We know we are not always pure in thought.  We may have the best of intentions but still fail in our desire to succinctly relate our thoughts to others.  Even the most prolific writers have unrelenting critics who read standing sideways on a cliff of understanding and discernment.  People read with their own slant and bias, often overlooking critical points when analyzing. 

I call that the flaw of communication.  Perhaps it's an unwritten law of human nature?

Folks just tend to jump to particular conclusions.  They tend to hammer out a particular sentence or word, to make it fit an argument they want to make or interpretation they prefer.  They weigh in and judge a writer's words by presumed intent rather than content.  Happens about every time I read a blog.  Some commenter, or several, take the op to levels it never intended to go, to extremes it never meant to imply.  They twist it into something it does not say, nor ever will say--no matter how many blog-posts are written to analyze it.  Quite often, when the author re-explains his/her rationale and point, commenters and critics respond with retaliatory remarks dripping of condescension, accusation, and repudiation. 

That can be hurtful--to the writer.  However, it can be the least of damage done by a reader.

The worst happens when a sliver of what one writes or says is delivered to another group of readers or listeners--a group which is all too eager to rip another's words into snippets and reduce it to one-liners and soundbites far from the point of a writer's original words.  It reminds me of when I toss a leftover hambone to my daughter's three canines.  They each tear into it, growling and running away with choice chunks to devour.  None of them know the delight of sitting down with the family and conversing over dinner with all the trimmings of mashed potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, and bacon-flavored green beans.  They're satisfied with a ragged edge of gristle, fat and marrow.  Such is the flaw of communication: folks who do not desire to discuss ideas, or consider inevitabilities--but have fore-drawn conclusions and myopic patterns of discourse.

It's a wonder we communicate at all.  selahV

RELATED THOUGHTS: LIFE IS TOO SHORT 

WHAT THE CHILEAN MINERS REALLY WANT TO SAY

Finally!  Someone reveals what was on the shirts of everyone of the 33 coal miners trapped in the bowels of earth as they rose and walked into the light of an open sky:

 

AM GLAD TO KNOW...

I'M WORTH MORE THAN MANY SPARROWS.

If I didn't know that, the hailstorms of life would consume me.

Sometimes the storms are close--so close, I hear the threatening stones against my window pane, expecting glass to shatter any moment.  Sometimes they thunder loudly in the distance--instead of my roof, they pound my loved one's or friend's.  Even when winds destroy the strangers in my life, I feel the force, the power of destruction in their lives.

And it hurts.

I feel so incompetent, so helpless.  But that is because my eyes cannot see beyond the space of circumstance.  I must rely on faith to carry me to the other side of the storm--beyond the horizon of looming mountains--into the peace afforded at the still waters of God's grace.  I must believe.  I must see what cannot be seen in the midst of blistering difficulty.  I have to let go...and let my Father do what I cannot.

That is why I am glad to know my life is worth more than many sparrows.  It's why I rest in Him when there is no rest elsewhere. selahV

FOR MORE RELATED THOUGHTS:

ANSWER ME

ONE GOOD WORD

MORE THAN MANY SPARROWS

MORE THAN MANY SPARROWS

It's an amazing thing.  Jesus could have chosen any bird in the sky to compare the value of humanity to God.  He could have picked the regal eagle, the beneficial purple martin, the peaceful dove.  Yet, He picked a sparrow.

^"29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. ³⁰And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

Could we not be "worth more than many" eagles? Bluebirds? Doves?  Perhaps.  Yet, as I consider our Savior's words, I think how perfect His sparrow analogy is.  An eagle is a majestic, powerful bird.  A dove depicts a gentleness, amiability.  Bluebirds are colorful, shy and guarded.  Of course we'd assume God would care about those birds, just as we favor them in our environment.  However, a sparrow--the near-worthless sparrow, is the lowly fowl.  It sports no peacock plumes of grandeur.  In fact, sparrows are drab and unattractive in comparison to most birds.  They are notoriously nasty little creatures. They carry and spread multiple diseases; they destroy eggs and young of bluebirds and helpful birds, such as purple martin.  They push and shove all other birds from feeders; they're mean and menacing.  Sparrows are self-centered, self-serving and greedy.  Considering that "all [men] have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", could there be a better bird to show the least of the kingdom?

Ask any birdwatcher; you'll learn quickly that sparrows crowd out the beautiful cardinals, are arch enemies to the bluebird and purple martins.  They are annoying and eat the majority of seed in every feeder filled to attract other birds.  I wonder.  Could the Lord have wanted us to see that the lowest of low fell under the watchful eye of our Father?  He desired that we see even the least of this earth is watched and considered by the Most High God?  Even the worst of nature is not unnoticed.  How much greater we are to our Heavenly Father!  "Worth more than many sparrows.

When we are threatened by life's circumstances or man, we have every reason to rest in God's grace.  He knows.  He cares.  Jesus said so.  Rejoice, my friends, rejoice! selahV

LIFE'S TOO SHORT FOR

1...pettiness.  People who are petty have little else to do with their lives and thoughts.  Best to walk on and away from those who treat you as though you are dirt beneath their feet.  Combat this in your own life by letting go of little things; ignore the small stuff.  Focus on the best of others and give others your best, instead of your least.

2...game-playing.  Some folks find sport in twisting words, adding spin to interpretation and condescension to another's motives and intent.  Best to ignore folks like this and let them play solitaire with their own thoughts.  Combat this in your life by asking God to show you why you are so filled with distrust.  Then ask God to remove the guile and deceit within your mind. Commit your thoughts to Him and ask Him to capture them and keep you from sin.

3...futility.  Do not entertain it.  Stay away from gloom and doom negativity.  If folks do not look to God, you cannot give them hope they will not seek.  They weave a web of negativity around all that's good or could be good.  Combat this in your life with praise.  When you catch yourself feeling as though all is lost, remember the victory you have in Jesus.  He has overcome the world.  You have favor in God's eyes, don't let Satan tell you differently.

4...disagreeable attitudes.  Most disagreeable folks are not happy unless they are disagreeing--no matter what the topic.  Find some amiable and positive folks and don't let them go.  Combat this in your life by letting go of chains that bind you.  Pray for God's deliverance from the bondage you have. If you find yourself in one of those no-where arguments, end it. Stop talking.  Let it go and move on.

5...critical attitudes.  Some people think they have license to criticize everything you say.  When you try to explain, they find something to criticize about that.  Stay clear of them.  Combat this in your life by looking for things you can praise, affirm and validate in others. Validate yourself, too.  Repeat after me, "I am a child of the Most High God. He loves me as I am."  Don't fret the warts in your life; the Lord will take care of those in His time.

6...touchiness.  Some folks are so touchy that no matter what you say it will be the wrong thing.  You can't please them, nor encourage them.  Combat this in your own life by letting go of the small stuff.  Pray God removes the log from your eye so you can see others with His eyes.

7...discontent.  Some folks wallow in discontent.  Nothing will make them happy because they enjoy being discontented and miserable.  Rise above their mire and walk in the sunshine of contentedness of God's grace.  Combat this in your own life by counting your blessings and giving God the blessing of a grateful heart.

All in all, you cannot feed these things.  If you spend much time in the midst of these attitudes and situations, with these kinds of people, you will be quickly drained of energy and spirit.  They will drag you down into the pit of despair, and you'll wonder how in the world you got there.  Don't let Satan get a foothold in your life with these attitudes or feelings.  Be vigilant, on guard.  Pray without ceasing, seeking to be more like Jesus every day in every way.

How about you?  Fill in the blank: Life is too short for _______________.  selahV   

BEFORE YOU CONFRONT SOMEONE...

In 1 Kings 18, before Elijah confronts the worshippers of Baal to prove God was God, the only God, he got his marching orders from God.  Then he put his wood in order.  He prepared the altar of the Lord which had been torn down.  He placed 12 stones for the twelve tribes.  He had them dig a 13-inch deep trench around the altar; put the wood upon the stones, cut up the bull, then drenched it all with water until it filled that trench.  He did all that before He called on God to ignite that wood and consume it.  When the trench of water surrounded the drenched wood, all was in order.  Elijah called on God to burn up the water-saturated wood.  Four-hundred and fifty Baal prophets (with all their chest pounding, body slashing, and self-masochism) could not get their god, the god of fire and lightning, to produce a single spark to consume their own dry sacrifice.  Yet when Elijah called on God, His fire consumed the entire sacrifice and left the water-soaked ground dry as a desert sand.

I've used this as a guide on many occasions when I consider confronting another. I should first wait upon the Lord and be certain God is leading me to confront them--and that it is within God's timing that I do so.  Often we jump too soon; we're impulsive to right whatever wrong, to "help" God out.  Instead, we should put our wood in order; Elijah based his argument on the 12 tribes of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  On what do we base our argument to confront?  That we've been offended?  That we don't like the way someone does a certain thing?  That they aren't saying things we want them to say?  How solid is the foundation of our argument?  What is the purpose for our confrontation?  To do good, or simply to point out another's failings and create greater diviseness?

As we consider confronting anyone we'd probably do well to ask: am I able to discern another's situation with a clean heart--washed free from any prejudice or preconceived ideas?  Is the "log" out of my own eye?  Have I asked God to forgive any anymosity hidden in my heart regarding the situation and people involved?  If I can answer these things affirmatively, then it's safe to proceed in considering a confrontation.  If not, I should get myself right with God, and let go of any irritation I have with the party I am about to confront.  I find that most times, when I get this part straightened out, I have no need to confront anyone.

Have I thought objectively about the issue and prayed about it?  Can I truthfully say that God is leading me to confront them?  If the answers are affirmative, then it is safe to move forward.  However, if I have no peace with my answers, and am convicted I could be seeing this through flesh-filled eyes, then it is best to delay a confrontation until I am able to see the situation through God's eyes--with everyone's best interest at heart.

Will the confrontation be one with healing in mind? with reconciliation? with restoration?  If so, then am I willing to heal, reconcile, and restore another?  Or should they disagree with my assessments, will it spark anger, dredge up previously unresolved grievances, and lead to my sinning against God?  If it is the latter, I must sit back and rethink my purpose for confronting another.  I need to so bathe my situation with prayer that there is absolutely no questioning Who is at work to help right the situation.

Can you forgive the transgression before you meet with them?  Are you confronting with love?  Can you speak with gentleness, concern, kindness and without condemnation?  Can you do this with a humble heart, a controlled Spirit, yet a boldness resting upon truth and consideration for all concerned?  Then drench your meeting in prayer and pray for the Holy Spirit to move ahead and prepare the heart of all concerned.

A word of caution in confrontation: If you see a lull in the conversation, be vigilant to deny satan access with an impulsive answer, question, or corrective advice.  Don't let him wiggle his way into the conversation because you don't wait upon the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. This is a good time to pray for God to work within the situation and heal and give you more words to bring this about.  selahV