Posted on 11/09/2006 6:49:58 PM PST by Knitting A Conundrum
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Psalm 127:1>
At this time, when feelings run high, the world seems crazy, and anger seems to be the one thing the peoples of the world have in common, I invite you, my fellow FReepers, to join me in prayers and meditation for guidance, God's help and for our fellow man, for America, our troops, and all our own needs.
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
William Bradbury
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
Psalm 46: 1-3
Amen, and thank you.
Use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where
I love that hymn. I rejoice in those lyrics. Thank you. The words, this heartcry, cannot be overused, could never be said enough.
BTTT
Friday Morning Meditation:
It was no clean thing, this,
no easy walk into that dark night
filled with memorable soundbites
and photo op moments,
soldiers in their dress uniforms
and dignitaries in their solemn regalia.
No clean thing, this,
filled with the sweat of pain
and the taste of blood,
the dust of the road,
the tears of grief,
the reality of betrayal,
the weight of sin.
No calm thing, this,
filled instead with noise:
the noise of mockery, bitter and undeserved,
punctuated with spittle and blows.
the noise of pain:
the slap of the flagellum against bare skin,
the sound of hammers driving spikes into wood
through human flesh,
cries ripped unbidden from the depths of the gut,
as flesh protested the hot sudden agony
that would not go away.
The noise of expediency: "Crucify him yourselves."
No easy walk this,
rushed through the crowded streets
beneath a crushing weight,
stripped of everything that matters most to man,
standing naked in the light of day
bruised and bloody and battered,
with nothing left to give
except the acceptance of pain,
except the final acts of love,
surrender
death.
Help me see, O Jesus,
beyond the pretty pictures
and soundbites
and images
of how God descended to death
in the dirty, miserable realness of it,
of man's willingness to be inhuman,
and you did this knowing how dark we can be,
and how unloving we can be,
and how we cling to the dark in spite of your light,
and you still chose to go.
Alleluia!
---
O Lord, teach me to truly appreciate what you were willing to do, and what you did to offer salvation to this poor, sin-sick world.
Help me, Lord, to act out of that appreciation, in full love that says, Let me do this for you, Lord, as if I were doing it to you, Lord, through your power, Lord!
This day, and always,
Amen.
BTTT
This morning dawns anew,
Soft with light above the mountain,
A moment to savor, to plan, to do,
To share with you, O Love's true fountain.
Teach me this day to recall
Your words to me when I would turn away,
How easy it is to slip and fall
Away from the heights where I wish to stay.
Love is not easy, this is true,
Each moment a choice that must be made,
But help me to pick those choices with you,
Here in the light, not there in the shade.
Dawn moves from dark into light -
May my life follow that way,
From the black of sin's midnight,
Into at last, the light of your day.
BTTT
Thanks, Knitting. :-)
A great start for the day's work!
Please include GretchenM's cousin, Carrie in your prayers. Here's the thread (with updates): http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1773590/posts
I meant to put your name in the To: spot... ;-)
Thank you very, very much, pinz.
:-) It's so awful to not be able to do more in such situations, but I guess on the other hand, praying is doing practically everything! :-)
"For a Child has been born—for us;
The gift of a Son—for us!
He'll take over
The running of the world.
His names will be:
Amazing Counselor, Strong God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
And there'll be no limits
To the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
Over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
And keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
Beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
Will do all this."
We Love You, King Jesus, and Pray for Thy Kingdom to Come. 'I Pray to God; my Life a Prayer; and Wait for what He'll Say and Do.' (Ps.130:5) Our Glorious Master, Your Compassions are the Strength of our Life. 'It's with Lasting Love that I'm Tenderly Caring for you.' (Is.54:8) Thank You, our Father, for Loving and Keeping Your Sheep. You are Beautiful, You are Holy, You are Kind; You are our Magnificent, Loving God. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be Worshipped Forever, O King, amen.
Meditation on a few Scriptures........
Psa 119:88 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
...THE REASON TO LIVE, TO OBEY GOD AND KEEP HIS WORD.......
Psa 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
Psa 119:100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
...JESUS AS A YOUTH IN THE TEMPLE TEACHING THE ELDERS...
Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
.....
Psa 119:104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
......
Rev 19:13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
...THE WORD OF GOD IS TRUTH. ALL ELSE BOWS BEFORE ITS SUPREME PLACE.
Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead [ones] and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the One loving us and having bathed us from our sins in His blood
...HE, THE WORD OF GOD, ALONE CAN MAKE US HOLY...John 17:17
How precious is your Word.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/i/hilotlaw.htm
How I love Thy law, O Lord!
Daily joy its truths afford;
In its constant light I go,
Wise to conquer every foe.
Thy commandments in my heart,
Truest wisdom can impart;
To my eyes Thy precepts show
Wisdom more than sages know.
While my heart Thy Word obeys,
I am kept from evil ways;
From Thy law, with Thee to guide,
I have never turned aside.
Sweeter are Thy words to me
Than all other good can be;
Safe I walk, Thy truth my light,
Hating falsehood, loving right.
--The Psalter, 1912.
Amen. Wonderful is His Name.
BTTT
Karleigh update.....written by Karleigh in hospital...
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2007 07:42 PM, CST
Hey!, its me again, well im doing about the same, the only thing is that they are going to remove my central line out of my chest either tonight or tomorrow. My roomate went home today : ) I can't wait until I come home, I miss everyone back at home. I know God will continue to do a work in my life.Thanks to all who have been praying for me,came to visit me,sent a card, or called me, its just been overwhelming. Looking forward to Friday, I'll write again tomorrow. Love Karleigh
thanks FR intercessors for praying for her.
bp7
Mal 4:2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/t/e/atevener.htm
At even, ere the sun was set,
The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;
O, with how many pains they met!
O, with what joy they went away!
Once more ’tis eventide, and we,
Oppressed with various ills, draw near;
What if Thyself we cannot see?
We know that Thou art ever near.
O Savior Christ, our woes dispel;
For some are sick, and some are sad;
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had.
And some are pressed with worldly care
And some are tried with sinful doubt;
And some such grievous passions tear,
That only Thou canst cast them out.
And some have found the world is vain,
Yet from the world they break not free;
And some have friends who give them pain,
Yet have not sought a friend in Thee.
And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.
O Savior Christ, Thou too art man;
Thou has been troubled, tempted, tried;
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide.
Thy touch has still its ancient power.
No word from Thee can fruitless fall;
Hear, in this solemn evening hour,
And in Thy mercy heal us all.
--Henry Twells
Luk 1:50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
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