Thursday, January 24

My version of the Psalm 102.......

Wayyyyyy back when, August 1 of last year, I felt led to write in my personal way the Psalm 102. I didn't get much reading of it on the Faithwriters site. And then, scanning my profile there today, I saw 100 people had at least click on it to open the page up.

After the soaking prayer last night, with the conversation going much like this post, I found myself rereading and reliving this Psalm...... with the storms raging in my life and the still soft voice calling me to Him despite the fear.......

I felt led to repost it here. Originally I posted it on the 14th of August, 2007
Thanks,
Jim


Mighty Creator, ABBA Father,

I lie prostrate on the ground, with only the firm reality of Your creation keeping my body from sinking lower into the depths. Your child cries out in desperation and despair, can You hear the anguish that has become my daily companion? Listen, Father, Your son needs the direct and full attention of Your mercy and grace upon my pleas. Affect in my life a drastic and impactful change, removing my trials. I am standing on sinking sand; send Your angels to rescue me!

I stagger under the weight of my despair that has seized my mind,
As if there is no future, no condolence in the struggle.
Death awaits the stilling of my faith's heartbeat,
Weariness weighs my arms and legs and fatigue haunts my strength.
Enemies of my past haunt my future and surround me in the depths of my despair,
As the True King has turned His gaze from me and removed all blessings.
I am but a shadow-----
Of the man You created me to be.

But You are as You have always been, Holy and Pure.
Your creation still echoes Your Glory and the Heavens shine with the brightness of Your Sovereignty.
Your Name has withstood the changing of the generations,
Your Power and Might are undiminished from the beginning of Time.
All I see, touch, taste, and hear owe its creation to Your Desire and Will.
Your mercy gazes upon the ruin of creation and affects change.
Your promises restore and renew those whom Your servant loves and cherishes.

You have laid waste to my strength, and devastated my path,
Bringing me into a position of servititude before Your throne, prostrate upon the dirty ground.
Though You have removed Your hand from my life and mercy from my cup,
I beg You to give Your servant hope, so that I may release my hold upon this world.

Bless Your servant's wife and children, and those he loves.
Demonstrate Your mercy and grace powerfully in ways that they can understand and see.
Stand with them in their struggles, few as they will be in Your mighty hands, and bask them in Your love as they spend their days in glorious service to You.
Be with them each day so that they will not know an hour without Your love,
Covering them as if with new clothes each and every day.

Soaked in the peace of the Lord...

"When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. Deuteronomy 20:1 (New International Version)"

I spent a hour and fifteen minutes last night in a small, growing, charismatic church that forewent the traditional Wednesday night 'instructionals' to open the floor to what the Pastor's wife (who led the service) called "Soaking prayer". This was my first experience at this event. Debbie, Pastor Brent's wife, made a comment in regards to the evening's event that resounded in my heart, although at the time I didn't realize how impactful it would be. "You could use it," she said, referring to the soaking prayer………..

I could indeed. And an hour and fifteen minutes passed like a gentle whisper in a crowded room……so quick.

And at the end, though God seemed to prompt me to say something, He was content to let me soak in the wisdom imparted and the peace gained. Others spoke of the things God imparted to me in such a way that I know the Spirit was upon those in the room who listened for that gentle voice of the One True King. The Body of Christ is under attack, whether in full corporate body or individually, there is a concerted effort by the enemy and his forces to derail the warriors of the Almighty God in the battlefield of this world. Whether through the traditional methods of disinformation, disheartenment, or distraction or in an increasingly and equally evil way of revisiting the sinful desires of our father Adam in which man seeks to be god, the battle has been, is, and will continue to be joined by those who would pick up sword and shield for their King.

We fight not for our own glory, or the prizes untold. We fight for our regained and designed place in the Kingdom and to rescue the lost souls of those who are in the grip of the evil one.

The world is arrayed against the Truth and would have us to believe that we, as a Army of God, are overwhelmed and understrength. The enemy would have our eyes behold a vast and apparently unwinnable battle against numerous and horrendous numbers of his forces.

Too many are believing with their eyes and not their souls. Too few stand upon the field of faith and are willing to say, "Today is a good day to die."

But, all God needs is a few.

I believe that Jesus stands at the front of the battleline and has turned to you and I, with one simple shout..........

Ozuyewicasta Hoka Hey!!!!!!!! (Oh Zuu yay we chah shta Hoe Kah Hey) Lakota saying

"Stand fast, Warriors!"

Is The Removal Of God From Our Government Patriotic?

In the course of my 'adventures' online, seeking both things that help me in my pursuit of wisdom and understanding and those things which bolster and encourage my own faithful walk, I came across this website, hosted by its owner Steve Coffman. I have found more than meets the eye; a patriotic Christian who isn't afraid to say so.

Steve sent me this article that I thought deserved attention and I have received permission to post it to my blog. Steve has attached to the bottom of the article a short bio, so please read to the end.

Just a note, although Barna research shows that there are 86% of Americans who claim Christianity, only 8% of those are what Barna labeled evangelical born again Christians---those who believe in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, rose again and is the only way to salvation from the penalty of death, among six other core beliefs. These are, in my opinion, are the ones to which this call will echo in the heart.

That said, I believe that Steve's call to the faithful to stand firm the line of our faith and historical fact is what each and every American Christian should hear, regardless of the level of faith. If the majority adhere to Judeo-Christian tenents, Steve's article expresses questions that should be answered.

I agree with Steve's closing......

Do you?

In Christ,
Jim


Is the Removal of God from our Government Patriotic?

I fail to understand why this great country of ours is constantly attacked by civil liberties groups and others, in an attempt to abolish all forms of the word "God" from all our government institutions, or in anything that is government subsidized, like our public schools.

The Separation of Church and State should never exclude the traditions that are already established by our forefathers throughout the basic structures of our government. These were their patriotic gifts passed down to their children, and their legacy for all the generations to come.

The oath of office to be sworn in with at most government posts, whether is be legislative or judicial ends in "So help me God," as what the person answers as the binder to hold them accountable for what they do while at their post, including the office of the President of the United States. Shall we remove this ending from the oath and just take the chance that they will do the best that they can, because they are such a nice person?

When we are in a court of law, should stop asking a witness who is about to give testimony, to swear under oath the statements that they are about to give be, "The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth", and then not add "So help me God," which is meant to hold them accountable to a higher authority if they do not give a truthful testimony?

While we are on this subject, shall we burn all the U.S. currency and re-mint every coin in legal use so that we can remove the phrase "In God We Trust"? Will they then also want to rewrite the pledge of allegiance and take out the words "One nation under God?" Should also we remove the words "Laus Deo," Latin for "Praise God"? Which is inscribed on the eastern face of the apex of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., so placed as to be the first thing illuminated at sunrise in our nation's capitol.

George Washington once said, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Do not ever let anyone claim to be a true American patriot if they ever attempt to separate Religion from politics." Most historians in the United States regard George Washington as one of the countries greatest leaders. Could George Washington have felt this way, and not realize its importance? What are we coming to in this great land when some go out of their way to wipe out any form of the word "God" in our government, that has truly always been a part of our way of life in America, and we just stand by and let this happen?

A more recent example of a president's reinforcement of these feelings was Ronald Reagan, in a public speech during his presidency where he said, "If we ever forget that we are a nation under God. Then we will be a nation gone under."

Our country has always been deeply rooted with God interwoven in our history as a way of life; personally, publicly, fraternally and throughout our government. This relationship with God is a character trait as patriotic as any other identifying mark that you can associate our United States of America with as a symbol of who we are as a people and a country.

In a democracy majority rules, and this dynamic is constantly changing the face of our country but, certain established traits, I feel should always and forever stay in place! This is our history and truly our heritage. God should always be a part of the character trait of who we are as a nation, and should never be severed from the United States.

Do you realize that if we allow all this to happen, we will have lost a big part of what our forefathers initially implemented in the founding of our country, for establishing the basic character of our laws and principals that have been in place since its inception as a country?

Jeremiah 18:7-10 (NCV) says: (7) "There may come a time when I will speak about a nation or a kingdom that I will pull up by its roots or that I will pull down to destroy it." (8) "But if the people of that nation stop doing the evil they have done, I will change my mind and not carry out my plans to bring disaster to them." (9) "There may come another time when I will speak about a nation that I will build up and plant." (10) "But if I see it doing evil by not obeying me, I will change my mind and not carry out my plans to do good for them."

2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (NCV) says: (14) "Then if my people, who are called by my name, are sorry for what they have done, if they pray and obey me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land." (15) "Now I will see them, and I will listen to the prayers prayed in this place."


In 2007 a major poll was taken nationally asking "Do you believe in God", and only 14 percent that took the poll said "No."

In this day and age shall we shun the patriotic gifts that our forefathers established for us? I truly feel that the 86 percent that do believe in God should actively campaign, and do whatever we can to defend these patriotic traditions at all levels of our government!

Is there a place in your heart that tells you, this is a basic truth? Do you care enough, and will you be patriotic enough yourself to actively do your part to prevent this from happening? I urge you to contact your Congressman, your Senator, and tell them how strongly you feel about this! Do not allow the minority of a few to change our patriotic way of life.

I can only pray and hope that these words do not fall on deaf ears.

By: Steven E Coffman - Family-eStore.com


Family-eStore will try to provide you with articles of interest to a Christian and patriotic way of life. The articles are written by Steven E Coffman (Owner) of Family-eStore.com (National Essay Contest) winner 1969. I am a person with strong Christian and patriotic beliefs. Tenacity, faith, and a belief in God, Country and Family are key components to success in life.


The Christian articles are only intended to bring you closer in your relationship to our Father in heaven.


The Patriotic articles are only intended to show pride and patriotism to our “Land of the free and home of the brave, (The United States of America).


I hope that you enjoy and are enlightened by them.