THE UNLIKLEY

 

John Piper, an influential pastor and writer, in a recent Christian Post article,  criticized both candidates running for U.S. President in the 2020 election. See here.  I immediately thought of the sermon series from Cascade Community Church in Monroe, WA. The series covered the activities of some of the people God called to help Israel in the Old Testament book of Judges in the Bible. 

From Cascade this description is given-- "The book of Judges covers a period of hundreds of years that ultimately ends with everyone in Israel doing what is right in their own eyes. Israel chose to only partially obey God, which led to a repeated cycle of sin, oppression, crying out to God for help, God’s deliverance of His people through a Judge, short-term peace, complacency, and sin yet again. Over and over this cycle occurred in the land.

Yet throughout this chaotic time period, God raised up the unlikely Judges – the broken, the injured, old, young, men and women – to ultimately rescue His people. Even in darkness, He worked through them to accomplish His will, and continues to use the unlikely today."

If you would like to listen to any of the 6 excellent sermons click here.  One sermon tells the story of Jepthah.  He was a gang leader and an anti-hero.  Here is an article about him and some of the other Judges.  Click here.

We may have a couple of "gang" leaders running for office but Jesus is still King!

WHAT KILLED MICHAEL BROWN?

 

Shelby Steele’s new documentary, What Killed Michael Brown?, ostensibly focuses on the tragic case of a black teenager killed by a white officer in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014. But what it tells us about cultural myths—how they develop and why—goes far beyond a single flashpoint.  Click here to read the review from World Magazine.

MOMS IN PRAYER INTERNATIONAL

Donna, me, Peggy, Joyce

Today I received from Revive Our Hearts (https://www.reviveourhearts.com/ ) the daily devotional for this month's prayer challenge.  We were encouraged to pray with our children.  I had prayed bedtime prayers with my children but never prayed with them in times of crisis.  This author encouraged us to pray with our children in times of stress.  She quoted Lamentations 2:19 which reminded me of all the ladies I met through Moms In Prayer International(https://momsinprayer.org/ ).  We supported each other through prayer for many years.

Kathy, Judy, Claudia, Linda, Becky, ?

Linda, Friedel, me, Kathy, ?, Linda, ?, ?

?, JoAnne, Donna, Kay, Friedel, me, Joyce

Peggy, Friedel, me, Joyce, Jean

Fabiola, Connie, Fran, Rose, Lynn, me

I pray for my grandchildren now.   Praying with grandkids is fun.  I remember one time when Samantha was about six years old and Natalie was about four.  Our family had assembled at Heather and Jessie's house for Thanksgiving.  Something upset Natalie. Her parents took her upstairs to talk to her.  She was crying loudly.  We could hear her downstairs.  I asked Sammy if she would like to pray that Natalie would not be so upset.  Sammy prayed that Natalie would stop crying.  Suddenly Natalie stopped crying.  Sammy said, "Thank you Lord!"

I was blessed to learn how to pray with Moms in Prayer groups.  I can now pass the habit of prayer down to my grandchildren.  

LOOK TO JESUS

The only place to go is to Jesus.  Only He has the words of life.  Click on the arrow in the You Tube above to hear the easy praise hymn.  It was in the devotional for Revive Our Hearts-- Cry Out-- This morning.  Click https://mailchi.mp/reviveourhearts.com/cryout-challenge-day-11?e=bea4c7e6d0  to read and listen.

WHY SOCIAL JUSTICE IS NOT BIBLICAL JUSTICE

 

Tim Challies, blogger, author, and book reviewer, says that the recent book by Scott David Allen-- "Why Social Justice Is Not Biblical Justice,"   is among the first book-length responses and it is one that makes a valuable contribution. Its strength is not just in calling people away from unbiblical notions of justice, but in calling people toward a fully-formed worldview in which Christians care more for justice—true justice—than anyone else. “This is my plea,” he says. “Recognize and reject the counterfeit. Remember what true justice is. Hold fast to that truth, no matter how unpopular. Speak it out. Demonstrate it. Be the salt and light Jesus commands us to be.” To that I give a hearty “Amen!”

Click here to read the whole review. 

THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

 In the book of Revelation we are told that some day the earth and heavens will be made new by God.  Here is a new look at how this may happen in a short sermon by David Jeremiah.  He is a pastor in San Diego, California.  We attended church there one time when we were living on our boat in Chula Vista.  What do you think?  Does this ring true for you?  Click on the You Tube above to watch.

THE CASE OF THE MISSING CONTACT LENS, NECKLACE, CAT, AND OTHER THINGS

 

1973 Jay and Martha' rehearsal dinner in Asheville, N.C.

Pastor Tom, in his sermon today, encouraged us to tell our children of how God has worked in our lives.  One way to do that is by telling of God's provision in difficult circumstances.  

One story I remember happened when our family traveled from Washington and California to attend my older brother, Jay's, wedding.  On the trip, six of us, Dad, Mom, Wayne, Chris, Heather, and me, drove across country in the old Ford station wagon. We were late setting off for the wedding. Dad suffered heat stroke on the way.  Chris and Wayne finished the drive.  Among all the confusion Heather, two years old, found grandpa's reading glasses which had been dropped on the driveway at Martha's (the bride's) parent's house.  They were right behind the wheel of the station wagon and would have been crushed if we had backed up.  

Another time, back in Spokane, we had traveled to Coeur d' alene Lake to do some sailing.  As we were getting ready to drive home one of my hard contact lenses popped out.  We looked and looked but finally gave up.  The next day we drove back to the lake, and went to the area where I had lost the lens. Chris walked right up to it and found it.  No damage done.

Heather 1981

Heather was a junior bridesmaid in Davy and Sue's wedding.  Sue gave each of the ladies in the wedding party a heart necklace.  We all wore ours for the wedding.  Heather wanted to leave hers on after the wedding.  She played in the neighborhood park for several hours.  We noticed that her necklace was missing after that.  I do remember praying this time that we could find it.  The next day we went back to the park and Chris walked right up to it.

Our cat Twinkles would escape occasionally from our house.  One time the neighbor, Heather's friend Kristi, 8 years old, came over to our house.  She was very upset because her cat, Pepper, was missing.  Twinkles was missing too.  We prayed and soon Twinkles came into the house through the open sliding door and Pepper was right behind her.  Kristi was overjoyed!

When I was about forty-six I was suffering with fibromyalgia pain, and dealing with difficult people.  I said to the Lord--"I need a vacation."  Suddenly Chris started traveling for work and kept his frequent flyer miles.  I had 2 trips to Europe, Ireland, the Carribbean, and even Tahiti.  I then said the to Lord.  I don't need anymore vacations!  

I didn't ask for a lock down because of the Coronavirus but I'm enjoying it.  Because I'm staying home I have a lot less pain!  Sometimes God answers our prayers in unexpected ways.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.