Praying Psalm 103: 2-5
Posted by Marjorie on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 12:47am
Normally I'm a good sleeper, but Tuesday I awakened at 3:00 a.m. and was unable to return to sleep. I decided to spend the wakefulness praying for those I know who seem to be hopeless causes--except that I know with God there is no such thing. I had been memorizing Ps. 103:2-5 during previous days and these words became my prayer. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases; He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion. He satisfies my desires with good things, So that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. I personalized this by adding the names of those who seem trapped in the pit of evil. This became a rewarding prayer time. I remind you (and myself) to never underestimate the power of your prayers. Try praying this way the next time you are stuck, unable to pray for your hopeless causes. Blessing, Marge Faith-building Prayers
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Caution: Construction Ahead (Part 2)
Posted by Marjorie on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 3:50pm
I’ve saved three cartoons showing that their creators also shared my observations. Ziggy® is driving down the road and sees two signs. The first: THE ROAD TO SUCCESS. The second: BRIDGE OUT. Frank and Ernest® from their auto see two signs: HIGHWAY OF LIFE and NEXT REST STOP 42 YEARS. In a similar scene, they see two more signs: ROAD TO SUCCESS and BE PREPARED TO STOP. The Spiritual Truth Construction causes temporary inconvenience but improves the future. It involves creating, and building—the opposite of destruction. Corrie ten Boom, a concentration camp survivor, said, “The life of a Christian is an education to higher service.” She saw beyond the trials of the moment. When grief, hardship, catastrophe or failure threaten to push us over the ABRUPT EDGE the signs warn us about, there’s a promise in Jeremiah 29:11to cling to: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (NIV). Three More Signs In my travel I noted three encouraging signs. POWER OVERHEAD made me smile. The construction crew referred to a dangerous power line, but it reminded me I’m always in the company of Almighty God. FLAGGER AHEAD suggested the promised Holy Spirit would guide me through my trials. With the comfort of the Holy Spirit my preparation days filled with peace. Surgery was successful. The biopsy report: negative for cancer. This detour is behind me. In the journey of life there’ll be other detours. END OF CONSTRUCTION is a sign we may not see until we arrive at heaven’s gate. May the Power overhead bless you, Marge
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Caution: Construction Ahead (Part 1)
Posted by Marjorie on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 11:51am
© 2010 by Marjorie Gordon Everywhere I drive I end up in a construction zone. On my way to Seattle for a doctor’s appointment, I got stuck on Interstate 5. Construction was underway for new carpool lanes. On the next trip for x-rays and an ultrasound, I decided to use the Valley Freeway, only to discover major delays while new lanes were being excavated. Going toward Bellevue on I-405 I got stuck again. Subsequent trips for blood tests and a radioactive thyroid scan moved me closer to impending surgery. The nodule on my thyroid gland had developed unexpectedly. I experienced enough stress without having to deal with traffic tie-ups. I thought how Jesus used items from daily life to teach spiritual truths: lilies of the field, birds of the air, grain, seeds, a pearl of great price. I considered what he might teach from all these construction signs. Warning Signs CAUTION. CONSTRUCTION AHEAD. BUMP. SLOW. PREPARE TO STOP. DETOUR AHEAD. ABRUPT EDGE. FINES DOUBLE IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE. These warnings remind me of Jesus’ words: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV). This isn’t one of those verses we put on the front of the refrigerator where we like to post promises. This is the opposite of the big lie we teach our children—the one at the end of every fairy tale: “They lived happily ever after.” Snow White and the prince, Cinderella and her prince, Beauty and the Beast-turned-Prince all faced no tribulation, no construction zones in their future. A passage in the book of Isaiah promises a companion during our tribulation. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy one of Israel, Your Savior” (Isa. 42:1-3). ( I'll post part 2 next week.) Blessings, Marge Faith-building Prayers
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Unanswered Prayers & "Impossible" Situations
Posted by Marjorie on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 10:46am
June 30, 2009 I’m embarrassed about the great lapse of time since my last entry. All is well with family health now so I have more time to think, etc. One day when I was feeling discouraged I started a list of all the apparent unanswered prayers I had experienced—the kind that make me feel what is the use of continuing to pray for these? Then I realized I could make a list of answers to my prayers for seemingly “impossible” situations: • After 10 years of prayers a son-in-law invited Jesus to be his Lord and Savior and is now attending church with his wife and teen-age son. • After decades of prayer my brother declared, “Jesus is my Savior,” just days before he died of lung cancer and joined his Savior in heaven. • Following 2 years of prayers for a teen grandson who had made some very bad choices at age 16—he was being charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors. His court date kept being postponed. During that time my prayers had been, “God, give him a new heart and a right spirit.” He finally made a major change, got and held a good job and paid off thousands of dollars of restitution. When his case was finally heard, God intervened mightily: three felony charges were dropped, one misdemeanor was dropped, and he was given 100 hours of community service with the possibility of his record being expunged. With a faith-building list like that, I can continue to pray for those other needs, the “apparent” unanswered prayers. I hope you are encouraged by my list. Let me know. Blessings, Marge
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Pray without ceasing
Posted by Marjorie on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 12:04am
April 2, 2009 I’ve spent lots of time in prayer recently. My husband, Darrel, had surgery to repair a seriously enlarged aortic aneurysm in his abdomen. I’m an R.N., so I can summon up more details to worry about and fear than the average person. I reminded myself of passages from the Bible that encourage me: “I am thy God that heals you.” “I will never leave you or forsake you.” “Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything, and don’t forget to thank God for his answers.” “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, for this is the will of God….” The advice to “Pray without ceasing” seems impossible to accomplish, doesn’t it. It invites lots of questions. How can we always be talking to God? If we constantly talk out loud to Him others will think we’ve lost it. We’ve got lots of other things on our minds--the daily business of living, for instance. I think the answers are found in Psalm 94:11 and other passages that tell us “The Lord knows the thoughts of man.…” That tells me that even my thoughts can be my prayers. So I don’t need to be kneeling in some holy place to have my prayers heard. I can direct my thoughts to God and feel confident He hears me. I’m grateful the surgery went well and Darrel’s recovery has included only minor complications. I’m glad God knows my thoughts. I hope you'll share your thoughts with me. Marge
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