Out Of The Darkness

Out Of The Darkness
In thy light I long to be
Darkness to loose its grip on me

Today I stumble on things unseen
The future is hidden and things between

I’ve seen the light – I know its there
Somehow I’ve lost it – I know not where

I remember how certain things then did appear
There was no doubt, no pain, no fear

As I continue on this path unknown
The light becomes dim and the darkness has grown

Yet what causes that shadow ahead of me
Is it that of a tall and towering tree

I turn and I look and guess what I see
The shadow is caused by the light still upon me

The light has not vanished
But by the source is still lavished

I find as I turn and toward the light do I walk
No longer does the darkness beckon or stalk

Into the light I fully proceed
Until I’m surrounded – surrounded indeed

The light has two sources – but yet only one
The source from a cross and the source from God’s Son

Now may I walk the rest of my days
In the light of God’s light and singing His Praise!

When You Pray

When You Pray


The next time you pray please close your eyes. With your eyes closed and your focus on communicating with God - imagine ... imagine where God is when your words reach Him.


What do you envision? First try to imagine where God is and what He may be doing as your prayer reaches Him. Is God sitting in an "easy chair" reading the news paper? Is He intent on listening to another "incoming prayer" and asking you to hold on until He is available to receive your prayer? Is He sorting through the "incoming prayers" seeking the most righteous person - to hear their prayer first? I think not.


I believe that God is seated where He should be - one the one and only Holy Throne - where He alone can be seated. His throne is a throne much greater than the throne of any earthly King. His throne was - is - and will always be the throne of the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Try to imagine that Throne Room.


Now imagine your prayer reaching God and catching His attention. I believe that He, in a way that only He can do, turns His complete attention to you requests, your praises, your cries for forgiveness, your petitions for healing, and your intercession for others. When God created you, I believe that His greatest desire was that you would remain in communicative relationship with Him always. Because of this desire I can imagine a smile come across His face, much as a parent receiving a welcomed phone call from a child - whom they have been hoping to hear from.


I believe that God anxiously waits to here our voices in prayer. Those that are parents remember when our children could only cry, or smile to express what they were feeling. Sometimes the crying went on for so long as we felt so inadequate in being able to understand and to be able to address the pain or discomfort that they were feeing - because they couldn't express what was bothering them. We worked with our children to develop their speech and vocabulary so that they could express themselves to us and to others. Then and only then could we expect them to verbalize their needs or emotions.


I believe that God, through the prompting of Holy Spirit, continues to help us develop our "speech and vocabulary" so that we can speak to Him the pains, desires, joys and sorrows that we are feeling in our hearts. He longs to hear our voices. He treasures of prayers s much that He saves them in golden bowls (And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8) much as a parent saving treasured pictures drawn by their children and displaying them on the refrigerator.


Now continue your prayers to God - tell Him all of the concerns, joys, sorrows and hopes of you heart - He, in all of His Majesty is listening and will respond - according to His will and in alliance with what and who He has created you to be and to do.


Believe, when you pray you have the undivided attention of the Creator of the Universe!

File Room

This is a wonderful story with a powerful message, that I received from a friend, for us all. Please read it and reflect upon your own life as you give thanks to Jesus for what he has already done - it is finished

THE ROOM

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class.. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the last.

Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teays Valley High School . Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and teachers, his homework.

Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven. "It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr. Moore said.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven.! I know I'll see him" Brian's Essay: The Room... In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked" I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird "Books I Have Read, "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exa! ctness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me

I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me.. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say ! a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door.. There were still cards to be written.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." If you feel the same way forward it to as many people as you can so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how about yours?

He has Risen!

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay”.

Matthew 28:5-6

My Lord has risen! He has risen INDEED!!! Please rejoice with me.

Jesus faced the cross, knowing his fate yet realizing the promise His Father made through Him.

Jesus came to earth as a human; He left the glorious splendor of God’s kingdom above to live as we live, to experience what we experience, and to feel what we feel. He came to teach us how to live and to make it possible for us to experience life eternal with His Father in the place from whence He came.

I can’t help but wonder what Jesus truly saw through his Holy eyes as He looked upon the world that His Father had created and upon the people that were the living continuance of that creation. As He looked down from the cross at those who had placed him there – what did He see? What did He see?

As He saw sin, suffering, pain and despair He knew that the death that He must suffer. He knew that He must be sacrificed that those that would come after Him would be able to overcome the things of the world into which they were born to receive what His Father had promised to them. He didn’t look at the past, or even at the present, but He looked into the future – a future that God had already prepared for those who love Him.

At the angel’s invitation we are called daily to look at the place where Jesus was placed. He was placed among us and for the first time man could physically witness the love that God has for us.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

Just for today – try to imagine a love like that of God. He gave His Son, a part of Himself, as a sacrifice of love. Even though the world that He had created continues to turn their backs on Him and hide in the gardens of this world, like Adam and Eve, He still loves us enough t sacrifice His Son so that we might be able to live into eternity with Him.

God doesn’t look into the past and our failures there. He doesn’t look into the present and our sins and our shortcomings. God, our Father, looks forward at that time that we will live with Him in His Kingdom. We can’t see what He sees and we can’t even see His face. What we can see is His love, the love expressed in the sacrifice of His Son, a love that calls us homeward to His side.

Just today I heard the following statement that has given me new insight into God’s love:

“Love does not require that two people look at each other, but that they look in the same direction.”

As we celebrate our risen Messiah let us turn our eyes, with God’s, to the direction that He calls us to – a life eternal.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Amen

JMc 4/7/2007

I was given the following words and visions to aid my understanding, may they add to your understanding as well.

When I asked what was keeping us from getting fully into the presence of God, it was revealed to me that mankind has “compartmentalized” all aspects of our lives. We live in our countries, within our states, within our cities, and a part of our neighborhoods in our private houses, sleeping in specific rooms, eating in specific rooms, and in general living pieces of our daily lives in predefined compartments. This has carried forward into our places of work and even into churches.

Our worship and each activity of the church have even been compartmentalized by our own agendas. When we worship we place the Pastor in a specific location at a specific time during the service to lead a particular portion of the pre-established worship service following a pre-existing and somewhat rigid time schedule. The worshippers arrive and sit in orderly rows, many times sitting in the same specific seats in the sanctuary as they have for years. Our worship services traditionally contain a prescribed amount of time for songs, for reading of the word, for teaching on the word, for prayer, and for closing of the worship service with dismissal.

How can we enter into the presence of God if we keep bouncing off of the borders and boundaries that we place around every aspect of our lives as we seek Him? Since our Creator God can not be contained in a “box” we can not expect to find Him in one – especially one that we have built.

Once again I asked what was keeping us from getting fully into the presence of God. I realized that what I was about to “see” was being shown to me because I did not have full understanding of the words that I had just received.

I saw the familiar vision of a church sanctuary, with the altar flanked by rows of pews stretching orderly from a specific distance from the altar to the back of the sanctuary. The front few rows of pews were mostly empty as if all feared to sit too close to the altar.

As the worship service was about to begin the entire altar was illumined and a layer of what appeared to be a cloud floated above it. The illumined altar began to expand to fill the entire sanctuary as the pews and the choir loft and the balcony all disappeared in the illumed a cloud that filled the room rising above the ever expanding altar. The leading edges of the altar were brightly illumined as if they were on fire. The light from the “fire” caused the cloud to glow.

The altar continued to expand beyond the church, across parking lots and streets into adjacent neighborhoods. As the altar passed over each house and building they would disappear from sight to be covered by the consistent layer of the illumined cloud.

The altar continued to expand across the limits of the city, then the county, then the state, the country … until the entire world was covered by the altar and the encircling layer of brightly illumined cloud.

From upon the altar and within the cloud, across the entire surface of the earth, was heard the sound of people praying, singing, and praising God in “one voice”. As the voices could be heard a layer of sweet smelling incense rose from the cloud into the heavens and God smiled upon the earth, for the prayers and praise of His creation had come into His presence and pleased Him.

Almighty and ever-loving Father, May I seek each day not my agenda and my familiar “compartments” but seek the altar of sacrifice of self that you have set before me. May I seek to be enveloped by the fire of your Holy Spirit and spread among my Brothers and Sisters as an illumined blanket of cloud bringing light, hope and peace? Father, may the fire of your Spirit rage upon the earth until it is completely encircled by the children of your creation praying, singing and praising you, my Lord. May these true sounds of worship rise like incense into your presence and bring you joy? Then Father, may you call the children of your creation to rise into your presence and fall at the foot of your throne to worship you for eternity. Amen

4/25/2005 JMc

What is your Faith?

Faith

Someone asks me “what is your faith?” The questions start flooding my mind as I stumble for a response.

Is “my faith” my denomination”? Is faith a compilation of my beliefs?

Is faith just trust? Is faith just belief? Is faith just hope?

What are the foundations of faith? What can faith be compared to?

Is faith developed, created, instilled or inherited? Where does faith reside, in my head or my heart?

Is faith maintained or is it constant? How big does faith need to be?

Just how can I explain what faith means to me?

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Now how can I explain what I can’t even see? I can’t tell them that it is just a feeling that I have – it’s much more than a feeling.

I recall Jesus healed people that witnessed their faith, but what did he see in them? I also recall that Jesus rebuked his disciples and others because of their lack of faith.

Jesus seemed to be always telling people that they could do much more than they thought they could if they had stronger faith. The size of faith doesn’t seem to be significant because Jesus said that if we had faith the size of a mustard seed that we could move mountains.

I do know that I need to hold onto my faith – no matter what struggles I may be facing. In Matthew 24: 9-13 Jesus warns, "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

My friend is standing there still waiting for my answer to his question – what can I tell him? It seems that my faith must be rock solid, void of all uncertainty; it must be a large part of who I am and how I respond. What ever I tell my friend should not be a “smokescreen” it must be what I really believe my faith to be, it must be the truth.

Yes! That is what my faith is! My faith is the truth of my belief in God, my trust in his guidance in my life, and although I can never “do” enough to “earn” my way into heaven I have the assuredness of my salvation through Jesus His Son who suffered, was crucified and died for my sins and the sins of so many others. Jesus rose from the dead and is alive and will come to claim his kingdom, once and for all time.

OK, time to respond to my friend … here goes.

My friend, my faith is the truth of God and in the gift of salvation through His Son Jesus. All faith, all truth, all hope is in God - God above me (in the Father), God for me (in His Son, Jesus), and God in me (in the Holy Spirit). My faith is a gift. My faith is a gift from God!

JMc 3/9/2007

On My Father's Lap

My favorite time is when I climb into my Father’s lap. I know He’s always there waiting and inviting me to sit with Him awhile. I know He’ll always welcome me no matter how I’ve grown, what I look like, where I’ve come from, or how long it’s been since I was with Him.

This is such a special time. It’s a time when, though my family is large, my Father has reserved for just He and I to be together. He invites me to talk with Him and to share what’s on my mind and in my heart.

My Father listens to my every word. He seems to understand my pain, concerns, heartbreaks, and worries, and He shares in my joys and sorrows. While sometimes He may respond, in His quiet voice, other times I know that through His silence His response will come later, and that He will faithfully respond at another time.

He knows all of those that I talk to Him about and through His responses; sometimes I believe that He knows them much better than I do. His words of wisdom I may not immediately understand, yet I have grown to know that sooner or later I will see that what he speaks will make all things clear.

My favorite time, while in my Father’s lap is when neither He nor I say anything. How wonderful the assurance that at that time there is no one else around – just my Father and me. I lay my head against His chest, hear His heartbeat, listen to His breaths, and feel the warming comfort of His arms around me.

My Father’s lap, no safer place, nowhere more comfortable – an ever-present place of solitude where love is expressed and felt like no other. I love to be there, yet often forget to go there when I am so wrapped up in things going on in my life and in the world around me.

While I know that I can’t stay there every hour of every day, I know that when I most need Him He will always be there ready and waiting for me to climb back into His lap and find the comfort, reassurance, healing and hope that can only be found there.

He told me of another Son that died before I was born. He said that His Son also climbed upon His lap when He needed comfort, reassurance, or just to listen to His Father’s heartbeat. He said that, though it might be hard for me to understand, because this Son died it was possible for me and His other children to climb into His lap.

My Father has shared with me that one day I, and my brothers and sisters would all be able to gather around Him, along with His Son. He said that His Son would come to gather us to take us to our Father. He said that then we would never need to leave Him – how grand that day will be.

I don’t know when that day may come, but I do know that until then my Father is just waiting for me to climb into His lap - no matter how I’ve grown, what I look like, where I’ve come from, or how long it’s been since I was with Him.

JMc 2/16/2007

In God's Will

As I awake today where shall I go?

When I get there will I even know?
What does God want me to see?
I wonder, just what He wants me to be?

I long to just serve Him and not to seek fame.
I want Him to love me and know me by name.
I'll swim any river or climb any hill
I just want to please him and be in God's will

JMc

Please go to this web site for a wonderful movie about God's Will.

http://www.inspiringthots.net/movie/wog.php

The Trap

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer

and his wife open a package.

What food might this contain?

He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning,

"There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the

house!"

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said,

"Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is

of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap

in the house."

The pig sympathized but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse,

but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you

are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow. She said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm

sorry for you but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected to

face the farmer's mousetrap alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house; like the

sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the

darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the

trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the

hospital and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you

treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his

hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came

to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer

butchered the pig.

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people

came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to

provide enough meat for all of them.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think

it doesn't concern you, remember when one of us is threatened,

we are all at risk.

In the book of Genesis, Cain said this about Abel, his brother,

to our God: "Am I my brother's keeper?"

We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep

an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage

one another.

REMEMBER: EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S

TAPESTRY; OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

~Author Unknown~

Expect The Unexpected!

"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, ‘above all that we ask or think’. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" - Andrew Murray



Pray possibility into the impossible, hope into the hopeless, strength into the weak, healing into the terminal, and love into the unloved ... Wait for His response, being alert, and be prepared to give thanks to Him for the unexpected ways that He will answer your prayers.

A CHOSEN VESSEL

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;

On the shelf there were many - which one would He choose?

Take me, cried the gold one, I'm shiny and bright,

I'm of great value and I do things just right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest

And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!

The Master passed on with no word at all;

He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;

I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine

And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,

My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,

And my silver will always compliment You.

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,

It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.

Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,

Place me on Your table for all men to view.

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,

My transparency shows my contents so dear,

Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,

And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide.

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,

Polished and carved, it solidly stood.

You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,

But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.

Empty and broken it helplessly lay.

No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,

To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,

I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of its self;

Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;

Nor the one who is bigmouthed and shallow and loud;

Nor one who displays his contents so proud;

Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;

But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.

Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.

Spoke to it kindly. There's work you must do,

Just pour out to others as I pour into you.

~Author Unknown~

God has a positive answer ...

"Nothing I can do will please Christ more than
my joining Him in daily prayer. And when I do, something happens
in the world that could not happen through any other means."

Dick Eastman

HANDY LITTLE CHART - God has a positive answer:

You say: "It's impossible"

God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"

God says: I will give you rest

(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"

God says: I love you

(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"

God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"

God says: I will direct your steps

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"

God says: You can do all things

(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"

God says: I am able

(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"

God says: It will be worth it

(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"

God says: I Forgive you

(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"

God says: I will supply all your needs

(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"

God says: Cast all your cares on ME

(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"

God says: I give you wisdom

(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

(Hebrews 13:5)

"Waiting To Talk To You'”

As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me,even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear. When you ran around the
house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me, but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead.

I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities, I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet.

You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me.
Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may
not realize that I am always there for you… I've got patience, more than you will ever know… I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well.

I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought, or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well, you are getting up once again. Once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time.

Have a nice day!

Your friend, GOD

Can You Hear Me Now?

Remember the commercial for a cell phone company where the guy walks into all kinds of different places to see if his voice can be heard from each location? Also think of the expression on his face as he asks the question "can you hear me now". When he asks the question there is a look of uncertainty on his face and he stops to wait for a reply. When he hears a response, a confirmation that his voice has been heard, a smile comes to his face and he begins to move forward again.

This is how many people view their prayers to God. They stop just long enough to question if God hears their prayers; they wait for a tangible reply before they move on - satisfied that their prayers have been heard. If they don't get a tangible reply immediately they think that God hasn't heard their prayers. They question if they were somewhere down the path of life where "the signal" was distorted by local disturbances.

Unlike sometimes-unreliable cell phone transmission, our loving and faithful God hears every prayer lifted to him in faith, at any time (even nights and weekends), from any location. It is in the faith of that ever present line of communication we can depend and know without a doubt that God has heard our prayers. If we don't get a response right away it doesn't mean that God hasn't heard the prayer or that he will not respond. This delay of transmission just means that God has selected a perfect time, different than what we are expecting, to respond to our prayers.

As we learn to trust that are prayers are always heard and will be replied to we can walk along the high paths and the low paths of our lives with a smile on our face that God is walking beside us listening and replying to our thoughts of praise and concern. We need not cease our forward movement to wait for a reply - we need only to listen and respond.

He could hear you then, He can hear you now, and He will hear you into eternity - loud and clear!

JMc

How can I pray for you?