Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Our Father,
I suppose we should not be surprised by fiery trials,
For those who have not been tested,
Or Who Have Not Been Trained, Refined, and Educated,
Are really not very useful for Your Kingdom!
We have seen first hand what it is like to have our Nation ruled over but someone who has not been "Refined in the fire".
We Thank You for the Dramatic Changes That Have Taken Place, But we also see that there are still those who would try to destroy what You have Built.
Let us not be like those who refuse your instruction.
Even when it is painful, Your Refining Fire makes us grow to be more like You.
Strong, Patient, Compassionate, Just, Understanding, and Wise.
Refine us, Oh Lord, that we may possess and exhibit the Gifts and Fruits of your Holy Spirit,
We pray for the Repentance, Restoration, and Renewal of Our Beloved Nation.

May the Leaders of Our Own Beloved USA
Receive Wisdom from You
to do the Right Thing.

We Pray For The Swift and Sure Coming of Messiah,
Blessed Be He,
To Establish His Kingdom,
and Make All Things Right.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

As I mentioned in a Previous Thread, I happen to be re-reading the 1100 page book by Ayn Rand, called "Atlas Shrugged". This time, however, I am reading it with a "Navigational Guide" written by two beloved FReepers who have published! WE have an amazing collection of minds here on FR.

Although Ayn Rand professed to be an atheist, there are some interesting parallels to her work and our present study.

Let's look at the main characters in her book's major characters

Protagonists(The "Good Guys")

1. Dagny Taggart, A Railroad Executive
2. Francisco d'Anconia, Owner of Huge Copper Mines
3. John Galt, An Inventor of a Wonderful Motor
4. Henry "Hank" Rearden, An Inventor and Refiner of Metals
5. Eddie Willers, A Faithful and True, Loyal Employee of the Railroad
6. Ragnar Danneskjöld, A "Pirate" who actually returns wealth to those from whom it had been stolen

There is also a character who writes beautiful music, and several Judges, Doctors, Businessmen, and other productive and creative characters who "go on strike" and form their own hidden community in a "Secret Place" in the Colorado Mountains.

Now, Right away, you may have noticed that two of the most important characters are involved with refining metals. There is even a scene where Hank Rearden and Francisco d'Anconia struggle together to save a refinery that has had a breakout fire in one of the furnaces. In a very exciting scene, Francisco proves he is not a worthless playboy, but a courageous, almost "super-human" character. He could very well be seen as being "Refined In The Fire". Hank is also a part of that exciting scene, and together the two of them avert disaster. They become best friends, although it doesn't help that they are BOTH in love with the same Woman!

In creating "godlike" characters, Ayn Rand has created her own mythology. Did she realize that her characters embodied the very Names of the One True God? (Creator, Prime Mover, Refiner of Metals, Restorer)? Did she consciously create "Galt's Gulch (The Secret Place, The Fortress) as a place where her "gods" dwelt? I'm sure she would vehemently deny this and say that I had TOTALLY mishandled her work, but it is what it is!

Hank Rearden, the Refiner of Metals, creates an amazing substitute for Steel called "Rearden Metal". It is strong, lightweight, and shimmers with a green-blue glow. The ANTAGONISTS in the book want to steal this from him, destroying the Patent and Copyright, and changing the NAME to "Miracle Metal". Never mind that Hank worked for 10 YEARS developing it and refining it!

In our own times, we see the work of our predecessors, Our Culture, Our Symbols, and Our Language under attack.
Years ago, if you decorated your home with a rainbow, it meant one thing...now it means another. Words are attacked, the meanings changed, and new words invented to change our thoughts.

St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (KJV)

By The Way...The One True God will NEVER "Go On Strike".

Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.

This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance? He’ll be like white-hot fire from the smelter’s furnace. He’ll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He’ll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He’ll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they’re fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago. (Malachi 3:2 MSG)

Praying with you today for this Refiner’s Fire to cleanse the Israelites.