Yesterday, today and this week, severe thunderstorms are predicted for the mid-west and other states, with lightning, hail, high winds, and the possibility of tornadoes. Storms can be deadly, as the Tri-State Tornado was in March 1925, the worst tornado in US history, killing 625 people, injuring over 2,000 and leaving almost $2 billion in damage.

In our lives we face spiritual storms as well – financial problems, job loss, marriage difficulties, children being sick, business struggles, health issues, relationship tensions, ministry challenges, etc. These storms are all designed to hinder or destroy your purpose and anointing from God.  Join Beth Jones for her podcast, When Storms Come: How Satan Uses Storms to Destroy Your Purpose.

Just click on the link below to download it by mp3.

When Storms Come – Download by mp3

Would you rather read this? Just click on the link below to download the pdf.

When Storms Come – Download pdf

prayer

This past week I received a prayer request from a Christian forum that I am on. Please keep Japan in your prayers!

Posted by: mrsmom910
Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:33 pm (PDT)

This was sent to my sister from a missionary her church supports in Japan. I wanted to share it with all of you

On a personal note: Many of you know one or both of our former exchange students from Japan: Miho and Kaori. I have attempted to contact both of them. Miho responded and is apparently fine (or was four days ago). I have not heard from Kaori. Please pray for these girls and their families.

Please read the letter below and pass it on to anyone who will pray.

In Jesus,
Lynda Coats

Subject: A Time To Pray for Japan

Dear All,

It’s the sixth day after the earthquake and the tsunami that has rocked Japan to her ancient core. The National Police Agency says it has confirmed 3,771 deaths in 12 prefectures and 8,181 people remain unaccounted for in six prefectures. Rescue operations continue in the devastated areas, with 80,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel and police officers mobilized. Thousands of foreigners have been applying for re-entry permits in preparation for evacuation from Japan. Emperor spoke to the nation for the first time yesterday. (This is the first time in the country’s history an emperor has spoken to the public on television.)

Suppose you were allowed the time or the space to word just one prayer for all of Japan right now. How would you pray? This is how John Wright is praying. John is an MK who ministers here in Japan. He is blessed with wonderful heart and a sharp mind. (He’s one of the few people I’ve ever met who can preach and teach with only a Greek New Testament, speaking in Japanese.)

Over the last 24 hours I have had a growing sense of the need to communicate a single priority prayer request for Japan. I would really appreciate it if everyone who receives this message passes it on to their own network of people. We need to unite around this request. Here it is:

Pray that the winds begin to blow eastward and stay low, out of the jet stream–toward the Pacific ocean and away from the land mass of Japan–and continue to blow EAST until the nuclear crisis is over. This is critical. Staying low, and eastward is essential for limiting the damage.

As you know, the four nuclear reactors in Fukushima are all deteriorating, and levels of radioactive emissions are rising. This has the potential to directly affect a large part of the nation, if reactors continue the meltdown process and emissions blow directly over the land. A strong, consistent, prevailing wind to the east would have a profound protective effect on future radioactive emissions. In addition, if the emissions rise to the jet stream, they will be carried as far away as Europe.

In the history of Japan a “divine wind” has played a pivotal role in the survival of the nation several times. Now is the time for Christians to arise, and lay hold of God for a powerful east wind to protect this land, and all the countries that lie to the north, west, and south. The east is the only direction without heavily populated land masses.

As you pray for physical wind, also include the request for the “wind” of the Holy Spirit to blow with great power over this land and create a spiritual revival that will remake Japan from the inside out. That spiritual wind is just as important as the physical wind–these are two aspects of one crucial prayer request for this nation.

Let us all meet at the throne of grace, and agree together for the physical/spiritual wind that will deliver and transform this nation into God’s chosen vessel, prepared to reveal His glory by serving his eternal purpose of making disciples of all the nations, until He comes.

Carlton Walker

prayer

Tonight at 7 pm MT, there will be a service for worship and prayer for Joanne Heim and Heather Noce, who suffered strokes and are recovering.

There are several options to see/hear this service. One (the best!) is attending the live service in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. This may be impossible for some of you as it is me. The other options are watching the service via a live web stream, a recorded version which you can view on Saturday afternoon or later, or you can listen to a podcast recorded version.

To find out more information, just click here for Joanne’s little sister Kristen’s post. Please keep this service and  Joanne and Heather in your prayers.

Tomorrow, Friday, March 19, after midnight marks the beginning of Purim, going through March 20. Purim is the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar, celebrated to commemorate the events found in the book of Esther when God delivered the Jews from complete destruction, using Queen Esther (a Jew) to save her own people.  Queen Esther is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. She was a great woman of faith, prayer, and courage.

What does Purim have to do with us as Christians?

Although Chrisitans typically don’t celebrate Purim, we can remember how God delivered the Jews – and how He has delivered us from our enemy satan - and celebrate in our hearts with them. So many believers don’t get that God’s heart burns with passion toward Israel, and that  as believers we are intimately connected with Israel.

Ray and I have always celebrated Jewish holidays from a Messianic viewpoint, knowing that we’re connected with the Jews. I have  a special love in my heart for them. Years ago Ray and I went to Israel on a missions/pleasure trip – a huge dream of mine that God made come true.   Also, our Savior Jesus is Jewish, and Jesus celebrated the Jewish holidays. Ray and I have done a Messianic Passover each year, and while we may not go “full out” on the other holidays, we do try to remember them in some way.

 The Jews also gave us our Bible. Gentiles (non-Jews) are tied with the Jews by virtue of God’s covenant to all mankind that He would provide a Messiah(Genesis 3:15). The difference is that the Jews are still waiting for their Messiah, but Christians know the Messiah – Jesus – has already come, and will return soon.

What do Jews do to celebrate Purim?

It’s interesting to study how the Jews celebrate this holiday of Purim, that we can apply in our own lives anytime to demonstrate the love of Christ. There are four “requirements” for Jews to participate:

• Bible reading and study – They go to a synagogue to listen to the miraculous events of the Megillah (Scroll of Esther) once during the day and once at night. They listen to the entire reading, which usually takes about 25 minutes. During the reading, they use noisemakers called graggers to show their displeasure and “stomp him out” when Haman’s name is mentioned during the reading. We can thank God that Jesus “stomped out” satan’s power on the cross!
• Charity – They give to at least two needy people.
• Help others – They prepare two ready-to-eat foods for at least one person.
• Celebrate life – They sit down to a royal feast.

Purim and prayer

As Christians we know the importance of prayer.  The Jews say the Al Hanissim prayer at Purim: “And [we thank You] for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the saving acts, and for the wonders which You have wrought for our ancestors in those days, at this time -”

“In the days of Mordechai and Esther, in Shushan the capital, when the wicked Haman rose up against them, and sought to destroy, slaughter, and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelth month, the month of Adar, and to take their spoil for plunder. But You, in Your abounding mercies, foiled his counsel and frustrated his intention and caused the evil he planned – to recoil on his own head, and they hanged him and his sons upon the gallows.”

We as believers can praise God every day, too, for the miracles and great things He has done in our lives. We can thank God how He has frustrated satan’s intentions of destruction in our lives, destroying him through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection.

Foods and fun at Purim

Special foods are made, like the traditional hamantashen cookies, made with strawberry or apricot preserves. They have hidden fillings, which relates to the hidden mystery of God in the story.

While Christians have varying beliefs about the use of alcohol, the Jews also drink to celebrate God’s deliverance of His people on this day, “imbibing more than usual” – the only day of the year they are allowed to drink more than is their custom. Whatever your stance is on drinking, their celebration isn’t a drunken party, but it has an atmosphere of great joy. (I could do an entire teaching on the use of alcohol. There are always extremes on both sides of the coin.)

One fun custom of Purim is for children to dress up in costumes and masks, an allusion to the fact that the miracle of Purim was disguised in natural garments. While God isn’t specifically mentioned anywhere in the book of Esther, His Divine Hand is seen clearly behind the scenes. Kids also play games, do crafts, put together puzzles, and sing songs.

How we can pray for the Jews and Israel

As the Jews celebrate Purim, we can pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth of Jesus Christ and for their salvation, and for the continued protection of Israel. We can also read the book of Esther and model her example of faith, courage, and trust in God, no matter what we may face ahead. As we trust in God, we can have confidence He has us in His hands as He did Queen Esther and the Jews.

Queen Esther

Here were Esther’s brave words of faith and love for her people that she spoke when she learned of Haman’s evil plans to kill all the Jews.  It is why God chose her to be the new queen, to be used as a mighty weapon of warfare against the enemy intending to destroy the Jews. May we cultivate that same believing, faith-filled heart of love for God and others.

“”Assemble all the Jews in Susa. Fast for me: Do not eat or drink at all for three entire days. My servants and I will also fast. After that, I will go to the king, even if it is against a royal decree. If I die, I die.” – Esther 4:16, God’s Word Translation

Video of Queen Esther coming before the king, facing possible death because he hadn’t summoned her (One Night With The King movie)

It’s been a week for prayer with Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, and a friend of our family’s dying suddenly in a motorcycle accident (Jim Maher – incredible worship leader with a firey passion for Christ. He played the beautiful song “Famous One” at our daughter Heather’s wedding. You can read a tribute to Jim at this blog post tribute by Tom Stuart.). Just now I got a text that a two-year-old girl with leukemia, who we’d been praying for, just passed away.

With tragic situations like this, it seems that things would come into clearer focus. And yet we’re such flawed human beings. We get distracted from what really matters.

The little frustrations each day drive us crazy. We fight with our spouse, get mad at the driver who’s tailing us, stress out over losing our debit card or cell phone (again!), and fret about the extra pounds on the scale.

Why don’t we just get a grip – knock it off? When are we ever going to grow up?

I’m thankful that God is so patient with me and extends grace as He watches me grow, like we do our own beautiful, precious children and grandchildren. I’m grateful that God holds me securely in His arms.

Please keep the people of Japan, our friend Jim’s family, and the little girl’s family in your prayers.

In memory of those in Japan who have died, our dear friend Jim Maher, and the two year old girl with leukemia, here is a video tribute with the song Held by Natalie Grant:

Video of Held - Natalie Grant

prayer

Today I enjoyed Diane Cunningham’s call, especially when she shared about how connected we are as women today through social media. Some of the best friends I’ve ever made are online. On Twitter one night, I saw that a prayer request went out for Joanne Heim, speaker, author, beloved wife and homeschooling mom of two beautiful girls.  She’d had a major stroke.

I don’t know her and hadn’t read Joanne’s blog before, but I immediately started praying for her. So many people are, and as a result of those prayers, God has done miraculous things. Her rapid progress has amazed family, doctors and medical staff.

You see the button here at my site, “Praying for Joanne.”  I don’t usually put a lot of buttons on my site, but felt led by God to include this one.  It will remind me and others to continue to pray for her. Tonight I went on Joanne’s blog and read her husband Toben’s updates. Yes, all of them. I read every single blog post that he’d written since she had the stroke, tears filling my eyes as he described all Joanne and her family have been through, day by day – the uncertainty, the fears, the victories in Christ. 

I also read many of Joanne’s posts that she had written before the stroke, and was inspired, convicted, challenged. What an incredible woman of God.

I agree in faith for Joanne’s complete and total healing, and will keep praying. I also looked at her sister Kristen’s blog where Kristen has journaled Joanne’s incredible progress with blog posts and beautiful photography.

Let’s keep Joanne and her family lifted up before God.  I encourage you to stop by and visit Joanne’s website for updates. You can also give financially via Paypal or check here, send cards or letters, and spread the word through email, blogs, and social media.

Growth in 2011

Would you like to be on the fast-track in growth in your intimacy with God, in your life’s relationships, and in your business? Join Beth Jones today for her podcast, 3 Strategies To Accelerate Your Growth in Christ, in Life’s Relationships, and In Business. With insights Beth gleaned from God’s word and personal experiences, and from the teachings of other anointed speakers and writers, Beth shares 3 effective strategies to help you grow and become all that God desires you to be. Just click on the link below to listen, or right click on the link below and save it to your computer to listen to it later.

Download by mp3

What are your thoughts on this podcast? Leave your comments below or email Beth at elizabethdjones@gmail.com.

barley

Are you satisfied?

Yesterday our daughter Leah and I spent a little time reading from the book of Ruth Chapter 2, and two verses really stood out to me about this word. I wanted to share this encouragement with you today. 

First, though, just to give you a little background, Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi had left Israel and gone with her husband Elimelech and their children to Moab because there was a famine in the land. While in Moab, Naomi’s sons had grown and married two Moabite (foreign) women, Orpah and Ruth. They were there about ten years when Naomi’s sons died, too. Naomi heard that the famine was over, and decided to go back home, and her daughters-in-law wanted to go back with her. But Naomi told them to go back to their own people and their own gods. Orpah left, but Ruth still begged to go with her, saying one of the most famous verses in the Bible (Ruth 1:16, NLT):

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

Naomi and Ruth went back to Bethelehem at the beginning of barley harvest, and because the custom of the Law was to allow the widow or any resident foreigner to gather anywhere she pleased, and landowners weren’t to completely reap the corners of his fields, leaving some of the gleanings for the strangers and the poor, Ruth was able to glean in a field of a family relative, Boaz. 

 Boaz had noticed Ruth. He had heard the news of the kindness she had shown her mother-in-law and how she had come back with her. He spoke a blessing over her, and invited her at mealtime to dip her piece of bread in the vinegar. This next verse is what stood out to me.

“So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back.”  Then in verse  18, “So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satsified.”  (Ruth 1:14, 1:18)

Boaz is called the kinsman-redeemer because he had the right and the responsibility to redeem the forfeited inheritance of the family so that Elimelech’s property remained in the family. Boaz is a representation of Christ, our kinsman-redeemer, who has redeemed us from sin. Boaz’s eye was on Ruth, just as God’s loving eye is always on us.  Boaz fed Ruth the grain, like God gives us His good word to eat each day. Ruth took the parched grain and “was satisfied.” God’s presence, His word, is what truly satisfies us.

We were created with a God-void, an ache and a longing that only God’s love can fulfill.  People try to fill up the void and the emptiness with different things -relationships, food, sugar, drugs or alcohol, tobacco, career success, wealth, sports achievement, etc. But only God satisfies.

Ruth took just what she needed and kept some back, which she then gave to Naomi. God will not only fill us up with His presence and His word, but He will refresh and refill us so much that we will have an overflow in our lives, to give to others. We can share the good news of the gospel, heal the sick, prophecy a word of encouragement, teach the hungry, help the poor.

Are you satisfied or empty?  Come to God today, and let Him fill you up and satisfy you.

***Want to learn more about God’s presence and His word?  Click here for my 7-audio, quiet time series.

Beth Jones

Were you able to join us this weekend at Cindy Rushton’s Talk-a-Latte’ retreat? I spoke Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. on Do The Next Thing – about us never operating in presumption, but always asking God what to do, like King David before each battle with Israel’s enemies. If you missed it and would still like to hear my workshop and the other great speakers, you can still grab the set for only $19.95 until Sunday, February 20 at midnight, when the price goes up to $29.95.

OR you can join Cindy’s Talk-a-Latte club, and pay the discounted price of $12.95, and receive this set and monthly audios. You’ll love them.

As usual, this weekend Cindy poured into us her secrets for ultimate productivity. We want to be productive and fruitful for God, not just busy all the time. We want to do and to be all that God has prepared for us for His glory.

What has God told you to do next? Maybe it’s:

• Write a book, article, or speech
• Do something you haven’t done before, like using video, getting a coach, doing a webinar or teleseminar
• Take a pottery class, college class, or a class on marketing or social media
• Focus on your physical fitness – start an aerobics class, walk, join a gym
• Forgive someone who has hurt you
• Start taking time out for yourself – a spa day, a hot bubble bath, a new hairstyle or color, a day at the mall or bookstore, going to Starbucks or Mexican with a girlfriend or alone
• Work on your marriage – have a weekend get-away at a bed-and-breakfast
• Go on a missions trip or to that place you’ve always wanted to travel to
• Start using your spiritual gifts. Find out what they are and begin using them. Fulfill your purpose!

What is the next thing God wants you to do? Leave your comments below.

Kimberly Ehlers

Do you have a favorite hero or heroine in the Bible? Someone who inspires you and that you admire? Maybe Noah, Abraham, Moses, Esther, Mary the mother of Jesus, or Mary Magdalene? One of my favorites is Deborah. Deborah was a judge and prophetess in Israel. She was also a great warrior for God, a woman of bold faith.

You can read more about her in Judges Chapter 4. I shared about Deborah in my recent webinar.

I also wrote an article about Deborah for my dear friend Kimberly Ehlers, and she posted part 1 of a two-part series of this article at her website here. You can read part 2 of the article at her website here.

While you’re there be sure to check out Kimberly’s wonderful bundle product, Messy Motives.

Her Messy Motives Bundle was based on her inspiration from Deborah.  At the end of the battle against Sisera, Deborah sang praise to God.  As Kimberly shared in her bundle, Deborah sang that those who love the LORD shine like the sun at full force. 

Kimberly’s website is to encourage parents who have children with serious and/or chronic health challenges. She is an anointed speaker and writer. Here is an excerpt from Kimberly’s wonderful article, Shining Like The Sun In Full Force – Even In Our Storm:

“Do our songs of praise come from hearts that adore Him?  Do our minds search His Word to find Him?  Do our prayers flow from souls that long for Him?  Do our actions share His love?  When your child is sick, our motives for doing these things easily become murky and not so pure.

When God’s people love Him passionately, great things happen.  Seas are parted.  Slaves are set free.  Evil is conquered.  The sick are healed. 

When God’s people love Him with all that they are, they “shine like the sun at full strength” (Judges 5:31b NKJ).  That was Deborah’s prayer, and it is mine now.  I want to see what life is like when I shine for the Lord, not just a little, but at FULL strength.  I want to find out what it’s like to mother and be a wife glowing with His power.”

Don’t you love it? Kimberly’s description is so beautiful – shining at full strength, glowing with God’s power. That is my prayer, too. May we shine with God’s love this day.

Kimberly’s articles and her products will be such a blessing to you! I encourage you to check out her site today.

 Have you ever wondered where God was, if He had just forgotten about you or those you love? Have you ever wondered if He was truly good? 

The 16th Century Spanish monk, St. John of the Cross, wrote a poem called The Dark Night of the Soul.  “Dark night of the soul” is a metaphor used to describe a phase in a person’s spiritual life, marked by a sense of loneliness and desolation.The main idea of the poem is the painful experience that people endure as they seek to grow in spiritual maturity and union with God. (Reference: Wikipedia)

This “dark night of the soul” is described perfectly by Ann Voskamp in her new book, One Thousand Gifts. She begins the book sharing the story of her younger sister’s death. Ann’s 18-year-old sister Amy had toddled across the country road, wandering after a kitty cat, and was hit by a propane delivery truck driver – killed instantly. Their mother saw the whole thing from her kitchen window, washing dishes. It is Ann’s first childhood memory, and where her life’s story and her book begins.

In this book, Ann asks the same questions we ask, but often never voice. “Where is God, really? How can He be good when babies die, and marriages implode, and dreams blow away, dust in the wind?” (p. 12)

And on page 14, “No, God, we won’t take what you give. No, God, Your plans are a gutted, bleeding mess and I didn’t sign up for this and You really thought I’d go for this?  No, God, this is ugly and this is a mess and can’t You get anything right and just haul all this pain out of here and I’ll take it from here, thanks. And God? Thanks for nothing.”

Have you ever felt that way?  Some of you may read that and react with shock and outrage. How could someone talk to God, the Creator, like that? Yet God knows we think it and He loves us anyway.  He is big enough to handle our questions, our anger, our confusion, our hurt,  He knows exactly the pain we feel. He, too, experienced a dark night of the soul when His creation, Adam and Eve, chose death instead of the life He made them for with Him.  He, too, knew the pain and sorrow we feel in this life when HIs only son Jesus died on the cross to redeem humanity.

Yet as Ann writes, it’s only in darkness that we understand and finally see light.

“Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” ~ Psalm 139:12

If you haven’t already bought One Thousand Gifts and joined the book club at (In)Courage, there’s still time. We just finished chapter one on Sunday. Below is a video on Chapter 1 from Sunday, with Ann. She will be there for each video session!

Thought for this week: has there been a time in your life where you wondered where God was? That you experienced a “dark night of the soul”?  Looking back, do you now realize God was there through it all, or do you still feel abandoned and wonder if He is really good?

Action step:  Journal about it today.

Video of Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts

One Thousand Gifts: Chapter One from Bloom (in)courage on Vimeo.

The face of a man who loves snow – NOT!

With the recent winter storm that hit most of the U.S. this week, Missouri had several feet of snow. In fact, it’s never snowed this much the whole 21 years I’ve lived here.  Ray and I haven’t ever had to shovel snow before.

Until now.  We found out quickly today that we needed a snow shovel. Our car was parked in the garage, trapped there by the avalanche of snow in the driveway, so we couldn’t drive to go get one. The regular shovel we had, while great for other things, was making real slowwww progress as we tried to shovel our driveway, so we borrowed our neighbor Leetha’s snow shovel.

Leetha is 90 years old, petite, and adorable. She still drives a car, gardens in her yard in spring and summer, and feels pretty good for being almost a century old. “But I don’t walk like I used to,” she hilariously told me one day, smiling with her pretty, crinkled face. Leetha is such a sweetie and was happy to loan us her snow shovel.

Today after attempting to shovel several feet of snow with our pathetic, ordinary shovel, Ray said to me, “You need the right tools for the right job.”  Leetha’s snow shovel helped us to get our driveway, front porch, and front sidewalk done so much more quickly.

Ray and I took turns shoveling the driveway (he did most of it!). After the driveway was finished (which meant we could finally drive our car!), we needed the front porch and front sidewalk done. For this job, I knew girly-girl shoes would NOT do. I needed some good gumboots. I LOVE gumboots. I love the name. GUM-boots (I like gum.)  They’re also called gummies, rubber boots, top boots, wellies, and muckboots. 

Gumboots are popular in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia, Scandinavian countries, and Canada.  In South Africa, the sound of people dancing in gumboots has been incorporated into a form of semi-traditional popular music, often known as “gumboot music.” (Info from Wikipedia)

The dance began as a form of communication in the late 19th century in the gold mines of South Africa. Miners were forbidden to talk while they worked, and stripped of the right to wear their tribal garments. So they started a system of communication using their work attire and native tribal rhythms, which included the gumboots.

I promise I won’t start dancing in my gumboots – but maybe I will because dancing IS a power tool, as you will found out in just a minute!

I love the way gumboots look. They’re great for everything from jumping around in mud puddles to kicking piles of snow to pretending you’re an Australian (you MUST have the right accent if you do this!).  Not that I do ANY of these things, mind you.  Sooo…today I went out and bought me some reasonably-priced gumboots. They are black with forest-green on the bottom. They are GREAT.

my gumboots

Should I get on with the point of this post?  All right!

Just as I needed wanted gumboots and we needed the right kind of shovel for clearing the snow, we also need the right kinds of tools for our daily lives in the battle that we as Christians face with satan, our flesh, and the world.  We need power tools. I shared about these power tools in my webinar this week (which went really well, praise you, Jesus!) 

Here are the power tools I shared about, which can help you each day with your problems, frustrations, distractions, stress, and spiritual battles:

• Our faith in Christ (Ephesians 6:16, II Chronicles 20:15)
• The blood of Jesus, our testimony and not loving our own lives -death to self  (Revelation 12:1)
• The Word of God – IT IS WRITTEN! (Matthew 4: 1-10)
• Prayer – Psalm 91:3 -10)
• Worship & praise (Psalm 149: 6-9, Judges 20:18, Psalm 9:2-3)
• Dance (King David – 2 Samuel 6:14, Miriam – Exodus 15:20, Psalm 150:4)
• A holy lifestyle that includes self-examination and quick repentance (Job 1, Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16)
• Fasting (Daniel, Esther, John the Baptist, Jesus in the wilderness, the Apostle Paul)
• Forgiveness (Matthew 18:22, 11 Corinthians 2:6, Mark 11:25)
• Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4)

To be effective, tools must be used. I encourage you to use these tools each day, and you will experience victory in Christ!

You have established a new relationship with the powers of darkness. Whatever you were before you were a Christian… you are now a sworn foe of the legions of hell. Have no delusions about their reality or their hostility, but do not fear them. The God inside you terrifies them. They cannot touch you, let alone hurt you, but they can still seduce, and they will try. They will also oppose you as you obey Christ. … If you are serious about Christ being your Lord and God, you can expect opposition. ~ John White

A noble warrior doesn’t run from fear…let’s meet our destiny.” ~The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie in 3D

Ray with Leetha's snow shovel

© Copyright 2011 Beth Jones. http://www.bethjones.net. All Rights Reserved.

Secretariat

Last night Ray, Leah and I got to watch the amazing movie, Secretariat, about the greatest racehorse in American history. Secretariat was a large, chestnut American Thoroughbred horse that  became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years in 1973, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series – the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. These records still stand today.

He was sired by Bold Ruler, one of the most important stallions of his day, and Somethingroyal’s foal.

The movie was incredible and inspiring, even though writer Steven Crist - whose article I found by googling “Secretariat” - dislikes the movie not being historically accurate, and who objects to Edwin Hawkins’ spiritual song O Happy Day at the end of the movie:  “What in the world does ”Oh Happy Day/When Jesus washed/He washed our sins away” have to do with Secretariat winning the Belmont by 31 lengths?”

Well, Jesus IS the one who made the horse and gave him the power and endurance to run like he did! ANYWAY!

Secretariat’s jockey Ron Turcotte, who rode him to historical victory in the Triple Crown, said Secretariat was the greatest and fastest horse he’d ever ridden. Ron said that the horse was a ham, loving crowds, highly intelligent, and that he just loved to run. He was not afraid of anything. Jockeys try not to get attached to horses, but Ron was to Secretariat. He doesn’t believe there will ever be another horse like him. 

Factually accurate and sentimentally mushy or not, I thought the movie was still GREAT and LOVE it!  I’ve always had a special place in my heart for horses (I want one!), and felt  the movie had a great Biblical message – that we are winners, championship material.  ”All right then,” Penny said to Secretariat. “Let’s show them what you’re made of.”

It spoke to my heart about our lives as believers in Christ. “This is about life. You run at it!” Penny said of her horse.

• The odds were against Secretariat. He was one of the fastest horses in history, but many fast horses don’t have great endurance. When he died, it was discovered that Secretariat had an abnormally large heart, twice the size of a normal horse. This large heart was probably the reason he was able to run so fast and get more oxygen pumping in his body to endure. What spoke to me about this is that even when things seem very hard or even impossible, they aren’t because nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37) And may our own hearts be enlarged with God’s love.
• Sometimes all we need is just someone to believe in us, like Miss Chenery did Secretariat. “I’m that right,” his owner Penny Chenery (played by the beautiful Diane Lane) said about him winning the Triple Crown to wealthy breeder Ogden Phipps (James Cromwell), when he offered to buy him for $9 million and she refused because she knew she had a champion.
• “I’ve run my race.  You run your’s.” – Chenery said to Secretariat the evening before the Belmont Stakes. We all have unique gifts from God that He wants us to use for His glory. We need to fulfill the specific calling God has given us. Secretariat was created to be fast by God, and I’m sure God smiled as He watched Secretariat run that last stretch, winning by 31 lengths and running the fastest 1 1/2 miles in history at 2 :24 flat! 
• “I will not live the rest of my life in regret,” Penny said about not letting Secretariat race.  Don’t live a life of regret. Live to the fullest. “Let him run, Ronnie! Let him run!” Penny shouted to his jockey as Secretariat was going down the backstretch at Belmont.  What were you created to do and to be?  Run your race here on earth well! Don’t hold back in fear, doubt, or intimidation!
•  It’s your time. I loved watching the horse in the movie when he was at the gate, just before the race began. He eyed his competitor, but as soon as the gate lifted, all he focused on was what he was made to do – to run as fast as he could. Don’t worry about other people and what they think of you. Don’t try to be anyone other than who you are. It’s your time, your season. You are uniquely you, made for a specific purpose to glorify God.  This year 2011 is going to be a wonderful year for you. God has great plans for you this year. (Jeremiah 29:11) Now is your time to shine!

Here is the movie trailer of Secretariat, and below that is a clip of the real horse Secretariat winning the Triple Crown. It is just incredible to watch him with that 31-length lead. The  movie trailer and the clip of the real race just brought tears to my eyes. “‘You’re about to see something that you haven’t seen before!” Secretariat’s groom said.  Amen! God’s creation is just amazing! Enjoy.

Video of movie trailer Secretariat 

 
Video of Secretariat winning U.S. Triple Crown

February is almost here, so most of you have already jumped on the “3 in 30″ goal-setting for 2011 and even finished your January goals. I saw it on Twitter before January hit, but have been busy, so I’m just now getting around to putting the badge on my blog here and adding the twibbon to my Twitter and Facebook profiles. I already had 3 goals for January that I wrote down (though not here yet). Here they are for you: 

• Prepare for my spiritual warfare webinar on February 2, 2011
• Work on my ebook on women and spiritual warfare
• Organize my space at home – my office desk, closets, etc. 

I am ready and excited for the webinar (you still have time to sign up!), and have already written 3 chapters on my ebook (my deadline for the new ebook is February 29). After I took down our Christmas tree and decorations, I cleaned out drawers and closets, organized my file organizer, and went through all my sticky notes on my desk, taming that paper tiger.

Or you might not have even heard of it. What is 3 in 30? It’s a joint venture between Ashley Pichea (AP Freewriting 101) and Meghan Tucker (The Tuckers Take Tennessee) to encourage and challenge you to accomplish your goals.  

By breaking up our to-do lists into more doable, bite-sized chunks and checking in with each other over the course of a month, we can accomplish our goals together. It really helps when girlfriends are encouraging you that you can do it!

Sometimes we struggle with procrastination, distractions like the Facebook black hole, or just overwhelm. It’s like you need someone spurring you!

My February goals are:

• Have a GREAT webinar that brings a smile to God’s face, and that equips and empowers the women attending!!!
• Finish (you heard me say it!)  my ebook on women and spiritual warfare
• Start the new zumba class (our oldest daughter Heather is teaching it again, and is starting a second class in a different city), doing zumba at home in between class, at least 2-3 times  week with my tapes.  Arrg - pray for my self-discipline!

God has great things for you to do in 2011. He wants us to intentionally plan and set high goals, not just float along with a c’est sera sera attitude. As we go to Him in prayer and ask Him what He wants us to accomplish this year, He will show us and help us. And He will shine His glory through His Son Jesus in it, using you as the willing vessel!

So what are your goals for February? Write them down!  I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

Mother and baby

Is there something you’ve been praying about a long time with no answer yet? Are you facing a problem and don’t know what to do or where to go?  Is satan taunting you that God doesn’t hear your prayers anyway?  Hannah was provoked by her enemy, too. She was barren, and couldn’t have any children. All she wanted was a baby boy. Join Beth Jones as she shares how God heard Hannah’s prayers and she experienced victory in her life by being on her knees, and how you can have that same victory, too.

Just click on the link below to download this week’s podcast.

Download by mp3

Want a printed version of this podcast, too?

A Hannah Heart: Victory On Your Knees

daisies

Today’s blog is a guest post by author Marsha Randolph on the subject of prayer.  I’d love to hear your thoughts in response to this. Please leave your comments below, and be sure to visit Marsha’s blog.

The key to any prayer is: knowing God’s will. God wants you well, He wants you prosperous and He wants you to grow spiritually:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2

As an intercessor there are three categories that I generally am asked to pray about: Health, Finances and Spiritual Welfare (salvation). God’s will is not a mystery not even in these areas. His will is found in His Word.
HEALING- Jesus was beaten with 39 stripes so that all would be healed.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

FINANCES- God does not want you to experience lack.

that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4:12

As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19

SPIRITUAL WELFARE- God wants all men to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4

And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. Acts 2:21

You do not have to have a title behind or in front of your name to pray effectively, just believe in Jesus. Manifestation of a prayer request involves faith and belief. Faith has been given to us by God. What we believe is based on what we know to be true.

Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

If you are a believer in Jesus then you have faith given to you by God.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Studying the Word of God; learning to focus and trust in His promises; and confessing His truths and not the reports of others will help you strengthen your belief.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Then God will give you what you ask for.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Jael with hammer and tent peg

How is your new year going so far?  I am excited about this year, and have some great new projects coming up for you! One is my free webinar on prayer, Iron Sharpens Iron: How A Stay-At-Home Mom Was On The Enemy’s Head – Women and Spiritual Warfare.

This webinar, inspired from the story of Deborah the Judge and Jael in Judges Chapter 4, will be Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at 11 a.m. CST. Mark your calendar today!

You will learn new things about spiritual warfare and make new friends.  The webinar replay will be available for a short time afterward, and you will receive bonus goodies just for attending!

Want to learn more?  Just go to my video on Spiritual Warfare, and get signed up today!

By now you have probably heard of the story of the viral video of the  homeless man with the “golden voice,” Ted Williams and how he was taken off the street, did an immediate commercial for Kraft, and offered a job by the Cavaliers and others. Ted was suddenly plunged into fame, asked to be a guest on a variety of popular news shows, and was an invited guest on Dr. Phil, who reunited him on the show with his children and confronted Ted and the family in his usual blunt, but truthful way.

A show of Dr. Phil’s confrontation will play Thursday.

The latest news reports are that Ted is now heading back into drug and alcohol rehab after an altercation with his daughter and it came to light that he drank again.

Some people are very upset about the way things have turned out. Some people are saying it was inevitable given his history and the pressures he was facing with the overnight fame.  Some people are cheering, never having wanted him to succeed and pointing to his abandoning his family, his drug use, and his criminal history. Some people are angry, saying his family is just bitter and seeking revenge or claiming the news media, Dr. Phil, and others are racists.

I personally can’t stand a lot of drama and all this drama turns my stomach.  I probably won’t be posting about this any more after this one.  But I am still praying for Ted and rooting for him. 

“WHAT????!!!!!” You might think.

Yes, I know about him leaving his family and not being there for his kids and about his criminal record.  It wasn’t right. It was terribly wrong.  The kids suffered the most from this.  It makes me so angry when fathers don’t support their children. I have a close relative, whose ex-husband doesn’t support his own kids and she struggles to put food on the table and pay basic bills because of it (he was addicted to drugs and alcohol, had an affair, and left her and the kids!). 

I feel the mom’s and the kids’ pain.  I pray they will be able to forgive him and to be healed from this great pain.

Yes, I am very upset that Ted drank again and fought with his daughter, and the police got involved.  How terribly disappointing.

 But who am I to judge Ted Williams?  And why aren’t we praying for him instead of casting stones?  Except for the grace of God, there go I – even today!

That doesn’t mean we condone any of his sinful actions!  God is holy and doesn’t wink at sin. And if someone has a drinking and/or drug problem, they should be confronted with the truth and they need to get help.

But this entire story shows just how much people need Jesus – Ted, the ex-wife, the kids, the people accusing Ted, the people accusing Ted’s ex-wife and daughter, the people accusing Dr. Phil, Ted’s mother who said to Ted, don’t disappoint her, and yes, Dr. Phil needs Jesus, too. Dr. Phil isn’t perfect either, as great a man as he is. None of us are. 

Let’s face it. All of us human beings are just a mess. We need God! I know I do!

In love, I challenge anyone – will you pray for Ted?  Pray for his salvation, for his deliverance, for his freedom, for his destiny to be fulfilled, for his brokenness.  Or will you judge him?

“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” ~ John 8:7, NLT

“So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me. If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account. This is my personal signature—Paul—and I stand behind it. (I don’t need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?) Do me this big favor, friend. You’ll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.” ~ Philemon 1:17-20, The Message Bible

Julia Williams and son Ted Williams on Today show

Ted Williams, the homeless man whose voice is described as “golden,” already received a great opportunity from God;  he recorded a commercial for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. He also reunited with his mom. A video posted by the Columbus Dispatch showed Ted walking quickly toward his mother at their New York reunion at a hotel, the first time they’d seen each other in about 20 years.  Both of them were in tears.

Ted said he just finished doing a commercial for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese that will air Sunday during the Fight Hunger Bowl on ESPN. According to Fox news, Ted recorded voiceover promos Thursday for MSNBC’s Lean Forward campagain, and the spots will begin running immediately. He’s being paid for the spots at an undisclosed amount. Can you imagine how thankful he is for these blessings from God after being homeless so long?

A position with the Cavaliers is still a possibility that could include announcing work at Quicken Loans Arena, the team’s downtown facility. They’ve offered him a two-year contract and would pay his living expenses. (Fox news)

He’s being offered lots of jobs right now, but in his interview on the Today show, he said he wants to choose just one, because the rest of the offers are just too overwhelming right now. (He’s even being offered a movie role!)  He also said that he hopes to get therapy with a pyscyhologist who’s a contributor on Today’s staff, to work on his issues, which I really hope he will do.  That way he won’t be on his own to deal with the overwhelm of offers and sudden publicity, and can have someone to help him through his addiction recovery process.

The interview of him on the Today show with his mom Julia is here.

Ted also taped an appearance on the NBC late-night show hosted by comedian Jimmy Fallon, who told him his voice “is golden.” I agree, he has an incredible voice. I believe God wants to use this man for His glory and am really praying for him to keep clean from addiction.

When I watched the video of him and his mother Julia being interviewed on the Today show, I was intrigued by his mother. She looks great for being in her 90′s and was amusing sometimes, being so stern with him live on air about getting his life straight with God and especially when she talked about the sign he was holding, which embarrassed her and her family.  The sign is what gave him his break!  Besides, this is not about personal appearances, but about someone who’s fallen down and needs help getting back up – and more importantly, staying up!

Ted’s mom Julia said she had heard lots of promises over the years, and when she first saw him at the hotel reunion in New York, some of her first words were, “Don’t disappoint me.” 

She said he is her prodigal son and is hoping he will finally get his life straightened out.  I wanted to just shake her and tell her to say something positive to the man, but I’m sure she’s been through a LOT of worry and concern over Ted.  I am praying for them both, especially that Ted won’t relapse with all this attention coming at him all at once. Some of the comments I read on YouTube were that Julia provides the “tough love” Ted needs.

What do you think?  Was Julia too harsh on Ted, especially during the interview? Did you think she was a critical person? Or did you think she was just speaking truth to him that he needed? Have you ever had to deal with someone addicted to drugs and alcohol?  (Again, the interview on the Today show is  here.)  Please leave your comments below.

Below is the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese commercial with Ted. The commercial itself is pretty funny. The little boy cracked me up when he talked about dad being in the doghouse.  The mom’s expression at the dinner table is hilarious.  You hear Ted’s voice at the very end.

He’s considering the other job offers, and hopefully will get on the right path, being accountable to others, getting the professional help he needs for his addiction recovery, and making new godly friends. Wise advice for addicts is “New playgrounds, new playmates!” 

I am praying for a happy ending to this story, for God to help Ted stay clean of drugs and alcohol, and that the rest of his life will be victorious.  Please keep this man in prayer!

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese video- Ted Williams’ first commercial after being homeless

sunrise

Yesterday our daughter Leah and I read the Bible from Genesis 32: 23-34 about Jacob wrestling with God. The backdrop of this story is that Jacob had left his father-in-law Laban, taking his wives and property with him. He sent a message to his brother Esau, who he had stolen his birthright from by deceit, and the messengers came back to tell Jacob that Esau was on his way to meet Jacob with four hundred men with him.

Jacob became very scared of his brother doing him or his family harm or possibly killing him, but prepared a great present of animals and servants for his brother from his possessions, safely crossed the fork of the Jabbok, and stayed behind to pray to God.

“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip, and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as he wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 

Then Jacob said, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?”  And He blessed him there.

So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel. “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.” (Genesis 32: 23-33)

Maybe you feel you are left all alone. Maybe you feel afraid like Jacob did, not knowing what’s going to happen.  Jacob knew where to go when he was scared – to God, the God of his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham.

The Bible says that Jacob wrestled all night with a Man. This Man was an incarnation of God. Obviously Jacob was a  physically strong man, to wrestle all night with someone, especially God! 

Of course, Jacob realized later that he could have died – his life had been preserved. All God had to do was use one finger to put Jacob’s hip out of joint. Jacob limped the rest of his life, a reminder of his great night of struggle and of God blessing him.

What amazes me about this story is Jacob’s determination and endurance. He didn’t stop wrestling, even after God put his hip out of joint. He continued to fight hard.  He told God he would not stop until God blessed him!

The Bible says that Jacob had struggled with God and with men, but had prevailed. That word “prevailed” comes from the Greek word yakol and means “to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able, to reach.”  (Blue Letter Bible, Strong’s No. H3201)

Over the last year there are four areas in my life where I am struggling. I have wrestled with God in continual prayer over these things. Jacob is an inspiration to me, because he didn’t stop fighting. I need to keep wrestling with God in prayer. I won’t let go unless He blesses me!  When Jacob left to go, the sun rose on him. As we spend time in God’s presence, His light will shine on us!

What about you? Is there any area of your life where you are struggling? Some situation you need to endure and to overcome with victory?  Some area where you need more of God’s power?  

Let’s learn from the patriarch Jacob. Spend a night in prayer to God, meeting him face to face as Jacob did, and wrestle with Him. Be determined. Fight for it. Don’t let go until God blesses you!

Beth Jones

This week a friend of mine invited me to visit a new church she found in Lee’s Summit because they were having guest speaker Bob Sorge. Several years ago I’d heard him teach, and I couldn’t wait to listen to him again. He runs very deep in the Lord, like a deep well of water. At the beginning of the service, I just soaked up the great worship there, especially the song How He Loves (originally sung by the David Crowder band).  It’s such a blessing to have corporate worship with other believers in Christ!

Mr. Sorge delivered an incredible presentation on 1 Samuel 17:54 about Joab taking the stronghold of Zion. This teaching is included in his book Opened From The Inside.  The teaching challenged me: am I willing to do whatever it takes, even laying down my own life, to follow Christ?

I was also surprised and delighted to see several friends there, who I hadn’t seen in awhile. We hugged each other’s necks – it’s awesome how God orchestrates things!

Afterward I spent the day in Lee’s Summit doing our Christmas shopping, taking time at Borders book store for a gingerbread-spice latte’ with whipped cream, that came with a cute little gingerbread man on top of the cream.  :)  I’m almost through with Christmas shopping, and just have to wrap the presents now.

Several times today – on the radio, at church – I heard the scripture on how the veil was torn in the temple by God when Christ died, and the torn veil was symbollic of  there being no more barrier between us and the Lord. We now have full access to Him. (Ephesians 3:12)

No one has to petition God on our behalf; we don’t have to confess our sins to anyone and do penance for our sins.  We can approach God with confidence through Christ’s finished work on the Cross and the power of His blood that He shed for us. What Jesus did for us was God’s love gift to all of humanity – greater than any Christmas gift we could ever give or receive!

Today you have personal access to the God of the Universe, whatever your need is. Come to Him freely. He’s waiting just for you!

***

Want to learn more about having access to God and spending time with Him each day?  Click here.

Video of How He Loves by David Crowder band

When I married my husband Ray 18 years ago, shortly after we married, his grandfather Hutchins died and Ray was one of the heirs to his estate. Ray was very close to his grandparents and this was a great loss in his life. But we were blessed with his grandparents’ beautiful antique furniture and their antique china. 

Because it is valuable and we want to handle it with care, we use this delicate china only for special occasions such as family Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holiday meals. The china pattern is called “Georgia Rose,” which is interesting since I was born and raised in Georgia (Ray was born in Louisiana and raised in Louisiana and Texas, his parents’ and grandparents’ place of residnece). Here is a picture of the beautiful china pieces:

Ray's grandparents' antique china

This Thanksgiving we had a young guest who looked at the specially set table and told me he’d never sat at a formal table like this before, which took me by surprise. I told him that almost everything in our dining room was an inheritance from Ray’s grandparents. Like Mary pondering things in her heart, I thought about how God had blessed us with the antique furniture and the china, and then thought about the inheritance we give our children, both physically and spiritually.

Several years ago, I bought a beautiful, antique, Victorian, maroon-red sofa with a high, ornate back.  Our kids have more modern taste in furniture and decorating, so none of them really like it. Ray’s friend Ed, who helped us to load and haul the big, bulky thing in his pickup truck 60 miles to our home after we bought it at an antique store, joked that the day after Ray and I die, our kids are going to carry it to the side of the curb by our house, where the trashmen will pick it up. Well, I guess some things our kids don’t want to inherit! 

Seriously. Are you giving your children, grandchildren, and generations to come a godly inheritance? If not, what are they receiving from you?  Doubt? Unbelief? Anger? Unforgiveness? Bitterness? Distrust? Jealousy? Greed? Lust? Materialism?  Strife?

Or are they receiving God’s love, forgiveness, purity, holiness, faith, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, trust, giving heart?  When you are no longer here, what will you leave as your legacy?

I am thankful Ray received the antiques and the china. But more than anything, I want to leave a godly legacy of prayer and faith in Christ for our children and their children. I want them to know Jesus intimately, to be able to hear His voice clearly, to follow Him, to fulfill their great destiny in Him.

What will leave you behind for your children and those around you?

antique china plate

Plane departing

Several years ago I was a flight attendant for a company that owned small jets servicing a major airline. Imagine that you are a passenger 10 gates away from your gate, when you hear over the intercom, “Your flight leaves in 5 minutes.” Would you leisurely stroll along, stopping for a Starbucks latte’ or to buy a book at the newstand – or would you run to get to your gate on time and ultimately to your place of destination? Join Beth as she shares about the brevity of life and the importance of obeying God, loving others, and fulfilling your purpose from two major events this week.

You can download this podcast immediately to your computer, Ipod, or Iphone.

Download by mp3

This year my father- and mother-in-law, Leonard and Judy Smyth, made a radical change in their lifestyle and moved to a rural house with acreage on Sundowner Lake in Mineola, TX.  Other than needing to repaint the kitchen and the family room’s dark, nautical blue walls and having to replace the roof after they moved in, they love it.

Judy enjoys sitting out on the deck in the morning with her coffee, watching the abundant wildlife: egrets, raccoons, hawks, large woodpeckers, and blue channel catfish in the lagoon nearby.  They can enjoy eating crappie (freshwater fish) anytime they want.  She does not like the spiders and the snakes, which also inhabit the land.

Judy and Leonard Smyth

Her husband Leonard just laughs about the little black spiders, and flicks them off Judy if they happen to get on her. I would scream if they got on me, and would especially scream about the snakes. They have had to resort to spreading Snake-Away on their property, using a hoe to kill them, and even Leonard getting out his rifle and blasting the things. (Rifles are legal out there.)

Judy said one of their neighbors is a very generous, big-hearted person, especially regarding animals. She has five dogs, three cats, and one pig.  These are all rescue animals.  The neighbors live in a  beautiful home, and all of the animals live inside, too. Yes, even the pig. The pig’s name is Sugarpie, like the oldies song Sugarpie with the lyrics: “Sugarpie, honeybun, you know that I love you.”

pig

The pig actually minds quite well and is rather spoiled. Sugarpie goes to fairs and even pig-kissing contests. (In my mind, I was wondering who on earth would kiss a pig?!)  While our family doesn’t celebrate Halloween, this neighbor of my MIL’s even dresses up the pig on Halloween and has kids over from the neighborhood. The pig loves to eat celery out of your hand, munches it and grunts, then comes back for more. My husband Ray would say the pig would make great breakfast sausage.

After she first moved there to Mineola, Judy said she was scared to death the first time she drove to town alone, as she didn’t know the area and doesn’t have a cell phone (something her kids are after her about!).  She said, “But I found my way to Wallyworld (Walmart), and I knew then all is right with the world.” (If you knew how elegant my mother-in-law was, you’d understand why this and the stories about her new home are so amusing. She is one of the most beautiful, sophisticated people I’ve ever met.)

What about you? Is everything all right with you?  Remember that no matter where you are or what you are going through right now (even if it’s moving to a new home and facing spiders, and snakes!), God loves you and is watching over you.

*****

Want to learn more about having a closer relationship with God? Click here.

Beth Jones

How do we hear God’s voice?  The Bible says that God has a small, still voice. (1 Kings 19:12)  In today’s noisy, hectic world, it can be hard to hear that quiet voice. I personally believe that all the noise in this world today is the enemy’s strategic attempt to keep us from hearing God clearly. He is trying to drown out God’s voice with noise pollution.

That is why it’s so important that we take at least a few minutes each day to pull away and be alone with God in prayer and to read His word – to “practice His presence,” as Brother Lawrence wrote about in his book The Practice of the Presence of God.

Here are a few tips for hearing God’s voice from my ebook Walking With God:

• Get alone with God.  It’s hard sometimes for us to do the “being still and listening” part, but practice each day just being quiet and listening to hear God speak to you.  He will help you with life’s problems each day.
• You can use a prayer journal or prayer box to record your prayers and answers to those prayers (with the date). Like the memorial stones in the Old Testament, this will help you and your family to remember all the great things God has done.
• Remember God will never contradict His own word.  Any voice you hear that goes against what the Bible says isn’t from God!
• Listening to worship and praise cd’s can help you to let today’s worries go and to just rest in God’s presence, so that you will be able to hear Him more clearly. It’s hard to concentrate on what God is saying when the “laundry list” of things to do is going through your mind. Remember Jesus said Mary of Bethany chose the part that would not be taken away from her.  Worship and praise music sets the atmosphere for meeting with God. (Psalm 100: 4)
• Meditating on a passage of scripture or on a devotional will help you to hear God best.

God wants to speak to you today. What is He saying? Listen closely. He will show you great and mighty things! (Jeremiah 33:3)

Be sure to check out my friend Susan Evan’s blog post today, Hearing God. Susan’s homeschool blog is a wonderful rich site, with creative hands-on activities for children to do, as well as posts on home organization, travel, finances, and Christian living.  Susan has a deep passion for Christ, is a giving and loving person, and she is HILARIOUS!  

Her website offers ideas for homeschooling with hands-on learning, 75 articles for you to enjoy, and products that will greatly bless you.  This morning I just read her ebook, Growing Up as a Missionary Kid, and loved it!

********

Want to learn more about prayer?  Click here.

Beth Jones

Today in between supervising our daughter Leah’s homeschool lessons, washing loads of laundry, and making a simple version of alfredo pasta (Ray’s recipe***), I’ve been preparing for speaking tomorrow at the Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2010.

I would love to have all of you there joining Felice Gerwitz and me for support and prayer! My session starts at 9 a.m. central time (10 a.m. ET), and the show is for approximately one hour (that includes the intro and the Q & A afterward). My speaking topic is Filled and Focused. When mom is focused on Christ during the holiday season, her whole family will be!

You can listen to the live session tomorrow for free!   But if you want copies of the audio sessions, plus the bonuses and mommy grab bag, you will need to buy a ticket.  If you don’t have a ticket already, just click here. The teaching sessions are so anointed and the bonuses are incredible! I attend this online event every year, and am always so blessed.

For my session tomorrow morning, you can listen at TalkShoe here or listen on the TalkShoe player below.  Hope to “see” you tomorrow! It is going to be fun!

***Ray’s recipe for simple alfredo pasta

Egg noodles or lasagne

1 can of Campbell’s cream of chicken soup

A little heavy cream

1/8 cup sour cream

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, a dash of dill, and Mrs. Dash’s no-salt, extra spicy seasoning

Cook noodles or lasagne until done. Drain, rinse with water. Pour noodles into large skillet. Mix in soup (uncooked), sour cream, heavy cream, and add all spices. Mix well over medium heat for several minutes.

Season with powdered parmesan cheese – add slices of warm garlic bread and salad with vinegar & oil if you like. 

Houston-KSBJ radio host Liz and singer Matthew West

Recently Christian singer Matthew West went  to a cabin alone outside Nashville, TN,  for two months to pray, to read the letters of his fans about painful things in their lives, and to write songs from them.  There were about 10,000 letters that came from people all over the U.S. and from 20 countries. One of the songs God inspired in him was My Own Little World from the album The Story Of Your Life.

Matthew had been sharing with his audience in his concerts that their lives mattered, that God cared about them and had a plan for their lives. He wondered, “What if I turned the microphone around?” where his audience could share their lives with him.  This record features songs that cover painful stories like abuse, divorce, cancer, and adoption.  It ends with an appropriate song,  The Healing Has Begun.

The song My Own Little World challenges us to unselfishly step outside ourselves for just a moment and to look at all the people around us who are hurting.  What can you and I do today to help someone else? How can we reach out to others in a practical way?

One way we can help greatly is to pray. As Matthew sings in his song, “What if there is a greater purpose that I could be living right now?”  Right now in Haiti there is an outbreak of cholera that Fox News says has killed 200 people, left 2,674 people sick, and is a possible danger to the 1.3 million earthquake survivors living in camps in Port-Au-Prince. 

Cholera can cause vomiting and diarrhea so bad that it can kill someone from dehydration in hours. Fox news said that cholera hasn’t been a problem in Haiti for decades. and emergency workers are doing all they can to teach the people the importance of washing their hands and with other preventative measures.

Our dear friend Pastor Jay, his family and his ministry are located in Port-Au-Prince. Please pray for God to protect them, to miraculously heal those who have cholera, and to stop the outbreak of this disease.

Prayer is one way we can step outside our “own little world, population me” and to make a difference in this world, as Matthew so truthfully sings.  May our hearts be broken with the things that break God’s heart, and we have open hearts, open hands, and open doors to do God’s will here on earth.

Video of Matthew West, My Own Little World

Pod

Are you experiencing purposeful, passionate living for Christ – and passing it on to your children?  Join Tara McClenahan and Beth Jones for an exciting, fun webinar coming up on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at 11 a.m. Central Time!  This is Module #2 of 3 P’s in a Pod: Prayer, Purpose, Passion.

Tara is an anointed speaker and writer, and is a Christian Parenting/Life Coach associated with Ibloom, an organization dedicated to inspire Christian women to allow God to have an impact in and through their lives.  Tara’s focus is helping Christian moms have an impact on their children’s spiritual development by being a Godly example and nurturing them as God gives us guidance in His Word.  Her website, Live Your Legacy Today, is  at http://taramcclenahan.com/.

I am SO excited Tara will be joining me for this event! I am also thrilled that this time, attendees WILL be able to chat during the webinar. Now I have my own webinar room at Christian Women Affiliate, which has great webinar features.

Now, why should you attend this webinar?

• It’s fun! You will make new friends and be able to network!
• You will be encouraged and empowered to discover and fulfill your purpose, pursue your heart’s passion, and intentionally pass on a Godly legacy to your children!
• You will learn something new!
• No expensive costs! (It’s free to attend.)
• No hassles, no crowds or waiting in line, no parking places to worry about!
• You get great bonus goodies just for coming!
• You will both see and hear the speakers on video and be able  to chat with the speakers and attendees in real time during the webinar presentations!

It’s going to be great.  Are you excited? Well, I am. I can’t wait! 

To learn more, just click here.  Listen to the video testimonials about my first webinar, 3 P’s in a Pod: Prayer, Purpose, Passion, which was the launch-off for this July 27 webinar and more to come.

But hurry!   Space is limited for this webinar, so be sure to sign up today.

This is the time of year we spring clean our homes, getting the dust, dirt, and clutter under control!  Just as we like getting our houses clean, why not let’s take some time to spring clean our hearts?  Join Beth Jones today for some practical, Biblical tools to help you do just that.

Beth Jones

Today I was riding along in my car, minding my own business, when suddenly God spoke to me – from the tailgate of the truck in front of me!  The sign on the tailgate simply said, “The groundwork for your success.” Of course, this got the wheels to moving (pardon the pun!), and I whipped out my FLIP recorder and made a short vlog. 

The key to our success will be found in our daily quiet time with God as we seek His face. Learn more below.   I present this vlog to you now, potholes and all!  (Talk to the city about the bumps in the street!) 

Enjoy!

Today’s blog is a guest post from my dear friend, Lois Graham, speaker and author. Lois has two wonderful websites you will just love, http://lois-graham.com and Building Blocks 4 Life, http://buildingblocks4life.com.

Enjoy!

*****

Quiet Time For Kids

by Lois Graham

Encourage your children to have a personal quiet time with the Lord. Having a quiet time doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. Even young children can have a personal quiet time.

Spending time in prayer and Bible study helps us to build a close and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. The content will vary depending on their age, but the habit of having a time to grow in the Lord is what’s important. Don’t make having a quiet time a drudgery. It should be like spending time with a special friend.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 (NIV)

Try these tips to help your child start a quiet time:

• Work with your child to find a time each day they can have a personal quiet time. Don’t nag, but encourage them daily.

• Find an age appropriate Bible and devotional that includes scripture.

• Get a CD or Mp3 player with the Bible on it for young children.

• Give them ideas on how to have a quiet time. Include reading their Bible and devotional and a time of prayer. Explain to young children how to listen to God’s word and pray.

• Give young children paper, crayons, and a pencil. Let them draw pictures of the stories they are listening to.

• Older children can dig into a topic that interest them or a study on a specific topic. It could be a book of the Bible, growing into a godly woman or man, or a specific character trait.

• Teach your children that their time of prayer doesn’t need to be a time of just asking for things. Let them know they can talk to God like a friend. God wants to hear our requests and praise. Help them make a prayer journal they can write request and praises in.

• Set an example. Have your own quiet time with the Lord. Dig into the scriptures and let God speak to you. Talk to God through prayer. Write your prayer request and praises in a prayer journal.

• Ask your children about their quiet time. Show an interest in what they are learning.

Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV)

Beth Jones

Do you have a busy, hectic schedule and find it hard to fit having a quiet time with God into your day? Do you feel guilty or under condemnation about your prayer life?  Well, relax!  You can get to know God in just a few minutes a day!

This week my article on just that topic was published at Ezine Articles.

Here is the link. Enjoy, and pass it onto your family and friends!  Take 5: Growing Closer to God in Just a Few Minutes Each Day

VIEW BETH’S “GET AWAY” VIDEO HERE.

Recently I shared the humorous video here with you of our only car smoking from the engine, after breaking down (again!) on the highway on our way to eat out as a family. I told you that I’d soon be sharing the praise report with you of how God answered our prayers for another car. 

After a month of not having a car with Ray having to walk to work a couple of blocks each shift, sometimes in the snow or rain, us looking at different cars, praying much, and waiting on the Lord for a car that we believed we could make payments on, God answered our prayers.  Praise the Lord, we now have a car:  a 2004 Saturn Ion.  Thanks so much to all of of you who prayed for us! 

What is it that you are praying for and believing for?  Remember, God wants to answer YOUR prayers, too.  He hears your voice. To learn more about answered prayer, click here.

“O give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!  Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!  Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!  Seek the Lord and his strength; Seek His face evermore!”  (Psalm 105: 1-4, NKJV)

Here are the pics of  God’s blessing to us:

Do you need a best friend who will be there for you forever?  Have you been praying for something for awhile and haven’t seen any answers? Do you have dreams in your heart but haven’t seen them manifest yet? Has the enemy satan been having a heyday with your life?   Then cling to Jesus!

As we draw nearer to God in prayer and in reading His word each day, we will begin to understand our true identity in Him, tap into our great potential and destiny, and walk in His authority wherever we go.

Your prayers matter. Your prayers make a difference. Your prayers are effective.  With faith and trust in Christ, you will discover GOD’S UNSTOPPABLE POWER in prayer!

God hears your voice. Do not stop praying! 

To learn more about this unstoppable power in prayer, click here for my LIVE recorded audio of my teaching in Phoenix, Arizona, Clinging to Him.

Today’s and tomorrow’s posts are guest blogs from Jonathan Pearson, an anointed young man whose posts I ran across on Twitter and I asked his permission to use here at Tablet Of My Heart.  He has deep insights from God’s word that I believe will bless you as they have me.

***

Life hurts.

It often seems like life is a series of unfortunate events.
When you think you’ve found the conclusion to one problem, two more pop up.
When you think you’ve survived one storm, another is on the horizon.

When you feel you’re growing, something tries to tear you down.
When you think you’re doing right, something goes wrong.
When you follow the rules, someone that isn’t reaps the benefits.

Life hurts.

It has since Adam and Eve in the Garden.
The Old Testament is filled with “Life hurts” kind of stories.

But also…

Life comforts.

Sometimes, life does have it’s highs.
Sometimes, we feel like we’re exactly where we were meant to be.
Sometimes, we find the good in difficult circumstances.
Sometimes, God does the unimaginable in what seems like the inescapable.
Sometimes, God parts the seas and allows us to walk through on dry land.
Sometimes, God drowns the enemy that has pursued us.

We all have those “Red Sea” moments in our life.
It’s these moments that we must remember when we’re facing a “Life hurts” moment.
You’ve always made it through.

Life hurts.

But, God has been faithful in the past.
He’s never let you slip away.

Remember the Red Sea moments.

***
Jonathan Pearson is a young leader with a heart for people that have never encountered Christ.  His passion is to lead people to live in their full potential, in Christ.  He graduated from Charleston Southern University in December 2009  and married the love of his life a week later. They moved to a small town outside of Orangeburg, S.C. to serve some amazing people. In his spare time, you will find Jonathan watching sports, talking about sports, or doing anything with sports. 

His blog is designed with the common person in mind, and his desire is that people learn from each other as they seek to become common people of uncommon faith. For specific questions, you can contact Jonathan via email at JonathanFPearson@gmail.com. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, and Flickr. You can find the above original post at http://www.jonathanpearson.net/2010/01/red-sea-moments.html.

Yesterday I finished the last class of my 2010 Spring Clean Your Business coaching class with Cindy Rushton, and learned, among many other wonderful things, that in order to get to where we as writers and speakers desire to be, we need to take one step at a time. Reaching for those goals by accomplishing our to-do lists. Pushing through every obstacle to the finish line.  When one task is done, going to the next priority A thing, not losing any momentum.  Doing and becoming what God has called us to do and to be for His glory.

Today my daughter Leah and I made home-made pancakes. Since this was not a boxed pancake recipe, we had to carefully measure each ingredient: the flour, sugar, milk, vanilla, egg yolks and egg whites (separated), salt, and baking powder. If we stirred the mixture too much, the baking powder wouldn’t react correctly. The pancakes with butter and raspberry syrup turned out delicious. To cook the pancakes though, we had to take one ingredient at a time.

In life sometimes things happen that we don’t understand, or we have prayed and nothing seems to be happening. Has God gone on vacation? Is He chatting with or texting someone else on His giant Iphone?  We as humans with our finite minds just don’t get everything that God is doing. Maybe we never will fully understand God and His ways, which are so much higher than our ways. But we must learn to trust Him and to obey Him.

We get through the dark valleys and climb the mountains of glory in life one simple way:  we take every moment, every day, every situation, one prayer at a time.

God hears your voice. Don’t stop praying.

“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!” (1 Peter 4:7, The Message)

***********

Did you enjoy this post by Beth?  Learn more about prayer here.

From Ray’s Semsar-Africa Director pastor O. J. Felix, I learned that a landslide hit part of Eastern Uganda on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, killing hundreds of people and thousands yet to be traced. The government is also warning of floods from heavy rains which will complicate rescue efforts.

Please keep these people in your prayers.  This is the third major disaster killing a majority of people within the last two months.

The story can be located on Uganda’s daily paper of the Daily Monitor at www.monitor.co.ug OR

The New Vision newspaper at www.newvision.co.ug.

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:20-29, NKJV)

As Christians we know we should pray and that we need to pray more. But there’s an even better reason than Christian duty to pray. It’s that God just wants to be with us! He is just WILD about you and me!

Would you like a closer, more passionate relationship with God through daily prayer and studying His word? Spending time with Jesus at His feet like Mary of Bethany did? 

You don’t have to pray for hours every day, or get up at the crack of dawn either.  God never goes on vacation. He doesn’t have call waiting. And He doesn’t have to try to squeeze you in on His Dayplanner. God is always there for you!

This ebook also includes BONUS goodies  – two of my articles on prayer, plus Session #2 of my 7-audio, bundle set on quiet time with God.  To learn more about my ebook Walking With God for sale for only $10.99, click here.

Join my friend Susan Evans today in her guest blog here as she shares more on the topic of prayer. In this article, I just love how Susan shares about God telling her to simply bond with her child.  Susan has a website Hands-On Learning that is full of creative ideas for teaching your children at home using a unit study approach and including Charlotte Mason’s excellent, hands-on methods.  Check out Susan’s site at www.SusanEvans.org.

How to Get Wisdom

by Susan Evans

Prayer is so powerful. It connects you to God and gives you a channel through which to receive perfect wisdom. God knows everything.  When I ask God for wisdom, I’m surprised. 

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 ESV) 

Everyone knows that Scripture contains wisdom, so by knowing the Word of God and growing in holiness, we will gradually acquire more wisdom. But how do you get specific wisdom for day to day decisions? 

One day I was having trouble with one of my sons taking forever on his math. I went to my room and got on my knees and asked God what to do to get my son to do his math more quickly. I was quiet. I opened my heart to God. 

The answer was this: Spend time bonding with him.  

What on earth does that have to do with math? It doesn’t even make sense. But I went ahead and did it.

We were lying down chatting about life together. I felt like I hadn’t connected to him in a long time, and I hadn’t even noticed. I was glad for the conversation. 

The next morning he finished his math quicker than he ever had before. And he continued being diligent for weeks. Go figure. Ask God for wisdom, and it works. My son must have needed time to talk and be understood, so that he wouldn’t feel disconnected or lonely. 

Another time, one of my children was whining and complaining first thing in the morning. Instead of getting mad, I went to God to ask for wisdom. I was quiet. I opened my heart. 

The answer was this: Put him to bed. 

That didn’t make sense because our family wasn’t doing very much at that time.  We had no outside activities, and the kids hadn’t gone to bed late. But I went ahead and obeyed. I put my child to bed. Ten minutes later I went to check on him, and he was snoring. Only God knew that he was tired. 

Many times I have asked God for wisdom when I am counseling someone, and God has miraculously given me the right words when I need them. Pat answers don’t help people. Fresh insight from God does. 

Isn’t this fun? God knows everything, and His Spirit is in us. We have access to wisdom at any time. God promises that if we ask for wisdom, He will give it to us. God is not a liar. So just be quiet and wait for the answer, because it will come. 

www.SusanEvans.org

Zaka International (Jerusalem-based humanitarian organization) treat injured quake victim in Haiti

From Fox news today, I read more tragic stories, but am continuing to pray for God to help Haiti. The world has its eye on the devastated nation as the numbers of the estimated dead rise to about 200,000 and the homeless to about 1.5 million.  Looting and violence with machetes, broken beer bottles, and guns is increasing, and doctors and medical staff are now treating gunshot wounds, in addition to critical injuries from the earthquake.  Please continue to keep our pastor friend Jay and his family, school staff, and church staff in prayer for God’s protection, strength, and opportunities to minister the good news of Christ to the people – people in desperate need of hope and peace right now, in the midst of chaos and violence.  Haitian police, U.N. peacekeepers, and other military are trying to restore civil order.  We know the greatest protection that exists is the blood of Jesus!

Fox news says that looters are stealing toothpaste from broken shops to plug their noses from the stench of death that is everywhere.  Bodies are being dumped into mass graves, burned, or left to rot on the streets.  When I saw the pictures today of the dead bodies being left, unnoticed, on the streets, all I could think of was,  “What’s their name?”  These are human beings – people who mattered.  Husbands, wives, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends, co-workers, neighbors. People like you and me. 

Every life counts. Every life is precious, and should be treated as such – from conception to death.

As I saw the videoes of the government’s dumptrucks dumping bodies into hurriedly dug mass graves – which is the government’s panicked attempt to deal with the horrible stench of rotting corpses and the high risk of an epidemic of disease – I was horrified. 

Where is the dignity? Where is the honor for these people, in laying them to rest? Yes, I realize that it’s an incredible, complex problem, properly burying the mass numbers of these people. I don’t have the answers for exactly how to take care of this.  But dumping these people into mass graves – treated worse than trash – is unacceptable, inhuman.  

If you’re wanting me to get off the subject of Haiti because it’s already splattered all over the news, what if this tragedy had happened to you and your family?  I can’t NOT talk about it. It matters too much. I look at the pictures in the news, I cry. I see the videoes, I am appalled and I cry. How can we not cry over this? God help us if our hearts are so hardened that we can’t  cry, and we flip the t.v. channel to something more entertaining or click off the site to tweet or look at our friends’ photos on Facebook. This needs to get down deep inside of us, and impact us – and then we should DO something about it in a practical way.

Fox news said that Doctors Without Borders said their specialists are behind 48 hours because their medical staff’s planes were forced to land 200 miles away in the Dominican Republic.  Our friend pastor Jay confirmed this report today, as Doctors Without Borders were supposed to come help him today with the field of injured people at his compound.  Fox said that the front-line relief workers are begging for more food and especially water to feed the hungry and to give the thirsty something to drink.

Water is the highest priority right now. People can go days without food, but not water. The whole world has pledged to help Haiti. France has even agreed to forgive Haiti of its $55.7 million debt, and promised $14.4 million to the U.N. fund for Haiti.  (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,583250,00.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a16:g4:r1:c0.000000:b29879524:z0) 

A very good lesson for all of us who need to forgive others!

We need to pray for food, water, and medical help for the people in Haiti – and to give.  Fox news said that some people are blaming the U.S. military for slowing down help to Haiti, giving preference to U.S. military flights. Whatever the bottleneck is, it needs to be opened – fast!

The most effective way that bottleneck can be opened is through the power of our prayers. God fed the millions of Israelite in the desert, and gave them water to drink when there was nothing but desert. He can do the same for the people in Haiti.

After MUCH prayer and discussion between ourselves and with others, my husband Ray and I made a decision about what to do in a practical, real, and tangible way. Today Ray and his friend Shawn went to the Kansas City airport to fly to Miami, Florida. From Miami, Ray and Shawn are planning to catch a relief plane flight along with 175 doctors, to fly into Haiti very early tomorrow morning. We are praying this flight is not turned away and not rerouted to the Dominican Republic by officials in Haiti.  

This will be Ray’s fourth missions trip to Haiti – but this time is very different and much more dangerous. They will be there at least two weeks for the medical mission, helping pastor Jay however they can. 

Today Ray’s organization SEMSAR (www.semsar.org)  had an unexpected, large donation of medical supplies  from Ray’s work (such as bandages, antibiotics, expired medications, sterile gloves, etc.). God is so awesome!  I am praying that Ray’s and Shawn’s bags filled with these medical supplies got checked okay, and that Ray and Shawn are now safely in Miami, waiting for the flight to Haiti.  These medical supplies are desperately needed right now in Haiti!

I am working on this end to get the Paypal “Donate” button on Ray’s website up and running  asap for those who desire to help (having technical difficulties currently with the button!). 

Tonight  I encourage you to ask God what you can do to help Haiti. Not everyone can jump on a plane, and fly there – nor should everyone – only those who God instructs to do so. I wish  SO much that I could be there, too, but Ray felt it was too dangerous a mission.

Please pray for Ray and Shawn to get there safely in the morning with no hold-ups for their flight arriving into Haiti, and God’s hand of protection on them until they come home. I will keep you posted on here. Ray wants to try to send me pictures of Haiti via email, but we’re not sure if there’s electricity or internet, and he’s going to be really busy while there.

For those of us here in America in our nice, safe, comfortable homes, we can pray – and can give in other practical ways, even if it’s a small $5 donation to the charity of one’s choice. 

Let Haiti break your heart tonight. Mourn with those who are mourning right now in Haiti. Do something.

My husband Ray, in uniform

Woman in Haiti crying; dead bodies lining the streets; people have to wear masks or cover their noses and mouths now with their hands, from the smell.

If you have been following my blogs on pastor Jay of Fishers Of Men International in Haiti, I received an update from him yesterday.  This was a mass email he sent out to many of his friends. I don’t believe he would mind if I shared this, as it has his urgent prayer requests in it. 

Please continue to pray for him and the people there. My husband Ray and I, his friend Shawn, and some other people are now raising support for pastor Jay and are raising funds for a missions trip there within the coming weeks to go help him.  Please pray for God to make a way, for nothing is impossible with God!

The dangers there are very great. Haiti already had a high crime rate, and now with the disaster there are reports of increased looting, carjackings, and shootings.  Water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are desperately needed.  

The Red Cross estimates 50,000 have died, and the smell of the dead bodies is now overpowering. The greatest problems now are how and where to bury the dead, treating the massive amounts of injured people, supplying food and water to the masses, and the risk of disease.

The rebuilding will be slow.  This reminds me so much of the book of Nehemiah chapters 4 to 6, when the enemies taunted Nehemiah that they would never rebuild the walls of the city of Jerusalem that were in ruins. But Nehemiah stood on the word of the Lord, told the people that God would fight for them, stationed guards as the young men worked, and they continued building until it was finished.  Let it be so with Haiti, for the glory of God.

Here is pastor Jay’s email, unedited:

“Beloved, 
Yesterday was extremely stressed as we began to uncover debree and get reports of those who died. We have incurred great loss and my heart is heavy with grief. The father of my God child has died. Pastor Estins youngest son has died. Pastor Kenold’s wife has died. Long time teacher Mr. Mark died…on and on.  Staff and friends are all burying their dead.
 
 I have a way to send out American staff today and will do so. I will stay until….. I could use 2-4 men to come in and labor in support. I must know them, they must be submitted and they must be able to tough it out with little to nothing….. Let me know….Please keep us in prayer.
 
At present we are coordinating with organizations to get relief on the ground. Very busy. Very overwhelming.  The busy ness is intense, but it does keep you from thinking on the negative and pushing to what God wants to do. We’re now coming into the time where we will have no fuel, no water, no food, no electricity. People are starting to get restless. Pray we can find these essentials.  If any one has a handle on fuel from government recourses let me know.
 
I’m receiving many of your emails, be patient and will try to respond. 187 emails yesterday. For immediate help from the average person… Send a love offering to the office. We have massive rebuilding to do.This will all take time. I’m thank ful for the response we’re getting but remember when the story goes cold on Fox and CNN, we’ll still be here rebuilding.
 
Love you all,
Pastor Jay”

If you would like to send support directly to pastor Jay, here is his website.

Haiti’s National Palace – which houses national offices and is the Haitian president’s residence - is now destroyed.

Today I found out from friends at our former church that our pastor friend Jay Threadgill and his daughter Taina are alive and okay in Haiti, as well as most of his church staff, praise God! Pastor Jay’s wife Linda is in the U.S., safe.

Pastor Jay says that Haiti is devastated. Markets, banks, houses, and banks have collapsed, and death is everywhere.  Medical attention is desperately needed. The first day, he tried to help dig out bodies buried alive.  Some people are still trapped alive, underneath the rubble.

Pastor Jay’s church will need rebuilding. Pastor Jay’s school is damaged but repairable (broken glass, broken computers, etc.). The school’s soccer field has been turned into a tent city, and they’re going to begin feeding people today, with prayers that there are no riots.  They have a limited amount of food.

He is planning a possible open air church service soon, so people can gather together, pray, and encourage each other.

The greatest needs are food, water, fuel, medical assistance, and finances. He believes the port and customs are probably closed right now, but heard reports that a hospital ship and aircraft carrier may be in today.

From reading Fox news today, the entire world is responding to this crisis.  U.S. troops, ships, and supplies are either in Haiti already or are on their way, joining with other international relief efforts.  Fox news reported this today:

“The USS Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier, is on its way and expected to arrive on Friday. The ship is carrying 19 helicopters and has several dozen hospital beds, three operating rooms and a water purification system on board. Two-thousand Marines are also leaving for Haiti on an amphibious assault ship equipped with disaster relief supplies and hovercrafts that can operate on land and water. Three-thousand troops from the Army’s 82nd Airborne will begin arriving Thursday. And the hospital ship USNS Comfort is expected to arrive by Jan. 22. It is equipped with 250 hospital beds and 12 operating rooms.”

I emailed pastor Jay today to let him know that Ray and I are praying fervently for him, his family, and all their needs, and are going to send financial help.  If you would like to contribute financially to pastor Jay, here is his website, Fishers of Men International-Haiti. His church’s email is Info@FOMHAITI.org.

Please keep them and the people of Haiti in your prayers.  My heart was going out to them today seeing the graphic news. Some of the people with head injuries and other injuries can’t even be operated on yet, and many people are homeless. There is nowhere to put the dead bodies (which may be up to hundreds of thousands), so people are piling them on the streets. One of the greatest risks now is disease from the dead bodies, unclean water, etc.  People are frightened and traumatized. 

But what satan intended for evil, God is going to turn around and use for His good and His glory.  (Genesis 50:20-21)

Here are numerous You Tube videoes showing the devastation and the needs. (Some are graphic.)