[The Mayor]

July 6, 2006

Father Knows Best

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READ: 2 Samuel 16:5-12

It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing. —2 Samuel 16:12

Unlike David in 2 Samuel 16, we  like to take revenge, silence our critics, insist on fairness, and set everything right. But David told those who wanted to defend him: “Let [Shimei] alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him” (v.11).

It seems to me that as the years go by, we grow—as David did—in the awareness of God’s protective love. We become less concerned with what others say about us and more willing to give ourselves over to our Father. We learn humble submission to God’s will.

We may, of course, ask our opponents to justify their charges, or we may meet them with steadfast denial if they charge us falsely. But when we have done all we can do, the only thing left is to wait patiently until God vindicates us.

In the meantime, it’s good to look beyond the words of those who vilify us to the will of the One who loves us with infinite love. We need to say that whatever God permits is for His ultimate good in us or in others—even though our hearts break and we shed bitter tears.

You’re in God’s hands, no matter what others say about you. He sees your distress, and in time will repay you with good. Trust Him and abide in His love. —

Each day we learn from yesterday
Of God’s great love and care;
And every burden we must face
He’ll surely help us bear.  —D. De Haan

It takes the storm to prove the real shelter.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year:   Job 32-33; Acts 14

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
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Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Dutchess, The Mayor, DollyCali or GodBlessUSA and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

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We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son mhking.........................cousin eaglesiniowa.....................son visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt.............................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews Kramster.....................stepson Alouette................................son Q6-God...................twin brother jkphoto........................nephew Socratic......................nephew LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law JesseJane...............cousin Previously A-Lurker.....brother MississippyMuddy........sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews tiggywinkle...............cousin CyberAnt..................nephew JFC........................nephew Earthdweller...........nephew Anthem..............2 cousins Pragmatic Warrior..2 nephews Tarheel................cousin WakeUpandVote............brother MEG33....................grandson Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque..............active duty JRios1968..............active duty NoLongerFreeState..active duty CMS.......................active duty AlaskaErik.........active duty

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin Doug from Upland............soninlaw Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons homeschoolmama...............nephew kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband Leofl...........................................son chena............................................son campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew ProudAFDad...................................son Misty4jc................................husband Bykrbayb........................................son Hope and Glory.........................son ak_daddoo..............................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter ariamne.........................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13...................cousin Sageb1...........................3 cousins Chairman_Dec_19th_Society...BIL DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law nelibeli..............................nephew Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew thehumanlynx..........brother-in-law Palladin...............................grandson freema......................son, nephew meanie monster.......family friend JulieRNR21......friend's grandson Jen'smom.........................daughter Rose0508.............................son Jemian...................................son rahbert.................................son Azvbushgal.............................son kimmykay...............................son NavySEAL F-16.......................son ike......................................son wolfcreek..........................daughter repubmom..............................son SoldiersPrayingMom...............son Skyraider..............................son Jen'sMom.......................daughter US Army EOD...................daughter weldgophardline................son

[dutchess]

As always thanks for bringing us the daily devotional. Also, really enjoyed the pictures of your visit to your grandmother. What a special time that must have been for you (AND her).