Worship Wars

My older brother, Jay, and I must have been traumatized as kids.  Jay was 15 and I was 13 when our youngest brother, Wayne, was born.  Wayne made child number 5.  At the time our family was living in a 32’ trailer that had no washer or dryer.  Jay and I had to take the dirty diapers to the washhouse, housing several coin-operated washing machines, and wash them.  Then we would haul the wet diapers back to our lot and hang them on the clothesline.  Being the spoiled offspring of the greatest generation we must have had in the back of our minds that we would never be without a washer and dryer of our own again!

As adults this proved true.  Jay made sure that his motor home he bought, and planned to tool around the U.S. in, had a washer and dryer.   Wherever my husband and I moved I checked first for a washer and dryer hook up.  When our boat didn’t have a washer and dryer we hired our laundry washed, dried, and folded.

This behavior may have been genetic, however.  It was my grandmother on my dad’s side who would not marry my grandfather unless he promised her that she would never have to do “wet wash.”  I believe this involves scrubbing the laundry in a washtub and wringing it out by hand.  Subsequently my dad and his brothers had to work to make money to hire the laundry done.

So what is my point in telling this story?  It seems my children, born in the 70’s, like to sing hymns in church, unlike many in their generation.  Could this be genetic or just some trauma in their lives?  Recently, I read this blog about the millenials in Washington D.C. and their choice of attending a church where the church service is formal.  Click on the link to open.

http://ib2news.org/2014/06/19/youll-never-believe-whats-drawing-millenials-to-church/.

I forwarded that link on to my son and this is what he said. “I think in many places it's just gotten a little bit too much like Starbucks. So millenials are looking for a more "authentic" experience.” 

It appears that the 20 somethings like similar worship services to what people in my generation like.  I think we have something going here!   

“18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual  songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord ;”Ephesians 5:18-19

Steadfastness

At any given time during the day moms are praying for their children all over the world.  Through Moms in Prayer, an international organization, started by Fern Nichols, volunteer groups of moms gather and pray for their children and their schools once a week.  More and more schools are being covered in prayer.  We need even more moms to get involved.  With the threat of our children being murdered by the criminally insane, jihadists, or abused by evil people, we need to pray to put on the whole armor of God, and for our children to put it on as well. Check out the website.  https://www.momsinprayer.org/ .  MIP will celebrate 30 years of steadfast prayer ministry during The Festival of Joy.  

I am so thankful for the friends I’ve made through Moms in Prayer.  They are steadfast. We can count on each other to pray no matter what is going on in our lives.  My friend, Joyce, arranges get together with our long ago prayer partners who have moved away or are on to other things.  My friend, Peggy, will send me a text now and then with suggestions for something that caught her interest.  When I send her a prayer request she replies—on it!  And I know she will pray.  Linda keeps us laughing with crazy birthday cards and observations about things happening in her life.  I collect cards with water scenes and if my friends see a card they think I would like for my collection they will buy it or take a picture of it for me!

Now we have 2 more moms who have joined our group.  I’m looking forward to the years ahead praying with them. 

One tradition we started was celebrating our birthdays with each other.  But now we have moved on to different seasons in our lives.  One mom goes to Florida for 6 months of the year.  Another moved. We have dealt with illness and loss in our group.  So now we just celebrate birthdays twice a year.  All the summer birthdays we celebrate in July and all the winter birthdays we celebrate in October.  It’s just one way we can make each other feel special.  I enjoyed this blog about special traditions in this blogger's family.  Click on the link to open.  http://townhall.com/columnists/jackiegingrichcushman/2014/06/19/traditions-time-and-treasure-n1853252/page/full

Traditions are a way of taking time to pause and remember good things.  That is why observing the Lord’s Supper is so important in a Christian's life.  We take time to remember the good thing that Jesus did for us!

Luke 22:19 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them,saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

A Special Prayer For Father

God, bless all the fathers in the world. Guide them to be good role models and loving to all their children. Help them to be a father like You are. Give them grace and patience to handle situations in a loving way. 
In the name of Jesus, Amen

Alone Yet Not Alone

Alone Yet Not Alone Based on the inspiring, true story!  Look forward to viewing! Alone Yet Not Alone is the gripping, true story set in 1755 about two young sisters who were captured and raised by Native Americans during the French and Indian War. The sisters are sustained only by their unflinching and abiding trust in God, and their hope of escape against all odds to be reunited with their family. Alone Yet Not Alone releases nationwide on Friday, JUNE 13 (Father's Day weekend) and we're inviting everyone to buy advance tickets or if you're interested in buying tickets for a large group (church, school, etc), please click here >>

Loss and Grieving

Young man who saved his classmates at SPU June 5, 2014

I have never been acquainted with or been in the area of any one who has been murdered.  But I have lost a sister to cancer.  I know about the pain I suffered and still suffer from her loss.  But I can’t imagine what the families of people who have been shot in mass shootings go through.  How can we as a country deal with such evil?

Of course we have our faith.  It has been demonstrated big time at Seattle Pacific University after the death of one classmate and wounding of two others last Thursday.  Immediately a prayer vigil was scheduled.  Another one followed directly.  (Gifts of thanksgiving and gratefulness to Jon Meiss, who pepper sprayed the perpetrator and took him down, have been pouring in.  Not only has his entire registry for his wedding been completed but also at least $40,000 or more has been donated to his honeymoon fund.  He and his fiancé will be married in 2 weeks. He has requested that anymore donations be made to the 3 who were wounded in the shooting through SPU.)

Another way of coping is through organizing a movement.  John Walsh, after the kidnapping and murder of his small son, started "America’s Most Wanted,” as a way to track down criminals through publicity.   A mother who lost a child to drunk driving created MADD.  Many other speaking events and publications are useful to educate the public on harmful things, such as teen drinking, and how to avoid these things.

The government considers laws that may prevent murder; it tries, convicts criminals, and punishes them. The debate about the right to bear arms is going strong.  Here is a blog that tells of the various conflicts:  http://gawker.com/its-really-hard-to-be-a-good-guy-with-a-gun-1588660306?utm_source=recirculation&utm_medium=recirculation&utm_campaign=tuesdayPM

Doctors and researchers work on finding cures for mental illness.  But now we need prison reform and funding for treatment facilities for the mentally ill.  Jails have become the new insane asylums.  Watch the 4 minute video below:

But the greatest thing that I think about is how Jesus will come back soon, and put everything right.  There will no longer be any evil in this world.  Come quickly Lord Jesus!

I Peter 5:10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Enjoy Every Minute And Try To Make A Difference

Here is a trailer for a movie from 2012 that I do recommend.  If you liked "October Baby" you may like Doonby. I admit I had to fast forward through some parts.  I found it streaming on Netflix.