For God So Loved

I Surrender All

The words of this song came to my mind just before I fell asleep last night. It's a song I've know almost all my life, and maybe many of you do too.

I surrender all,

I surrender all,

All to thee my blessed Savior, 

I surrender all.

 

But even though I've sung it many times in church and I've heard sermons preached on the topic, I still sometimes wonder, what does it really mean to surrender all to Jesus? Does it mean being passive, not taking the initiative to do anything and just waiting on God? Or does it simply mean giving your life to Christ?

Someone said to surrender is to let God take full control. He used the example of the sheep to illustrate his point. Sheep are supposed to be dumb animals, because they simply allow themselves to be led by the shepherd. If the shepherd doesn't keep a watchful eye on them, they may fall off a cliff. That's how dumb they are. Really? No, they are not dumb; they have simply learned to depend on their shepherd. 

Oswald Chambers speaks of surrender this way: "Beware of surrender that is motivated by personal benefits that may result" (My Utmost For His Highest). Even if those benefits include being delivered from sin. In other words, we should surrender to God because we want to be with Him. Like the sheep, we follow Him blindly, not knowing or caring where He takes us because we trust Him.

Rick Warren says, "You know you're surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation." In other words, let go and let God.

We can rid ourselves of a lot of stress if we would only learn to surrender completely to God, to trust Him the way the sheep trust their shepherd. This Lenten season, as we focus on Christ and His death on the cross, let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us surrender all to Him just as Jesus surrendered completely to His Father's will, even though it agonized Him.

Gone Fishing

One of the most poignant stories in the Bible, to my mind, is the one where Peter and the disciples decided to go fishing after Jesus's death. I say poignant because Peter's words, "I go a fishing," (John 21: 3), and the disciples' readiness to accompany him, show a sense of boredom, futility and even a sense of loss.

I can just picture these men, sitting idly in their boat, casting pebbles into the river, watching the sun set, and occasionally emitting a sigh. They needed to be doing something, but what? Their Lord and Master with whom they had traveled the country for the past three years, had gone and left them. Oh, He was alive. They'd seen Him, ate with Him, but where was He now? Did He even care about them any more?

And so these men who had been fishermen before they began their ministry with Jesus, returned to what they once knew. Makes sense, doesn't it? When the wife, husband, friend or whomever  you counted on leaves you high and dry, you return to the old life. Back to the club, the bottle, the dope, the old lifestyle. Anything that would keep you occupied, whether it's wholesome or not.

But something strange happened. These seasoned fishermen failed to get so much as a nibble. They returned with empty nets. This is what happens when you try to go back to the old life. You are in for a rude awakening. There is nothing there for you anymore. The friends are gone. What used to satisfy, no longer does. The pond has dried up.

My heart breaks for Peter and his friends. But wait. Jesus comes to their rescue. They don't recognize Him at first because they have been away from Him for a while. And He says to them, "Children, have ye any meat?" (v 5). 

Notice how tenderly He addresses them. He feels their pain, their disappointment, their hopelessness. He also knows their needs. These men had been with Him for three years. During that time, they'd given up their means of earning a living, and now with Jesus gone, they are left to fend for themselves, and they are most likely broke. Or near broke. But Jesus, our Jehovah-jireh provides for them. He tells them, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find" (v 6).

Friends, hear me. When Jesus seems far away, when those we count on run out on us, that is not the time to go fishing. You will only come up empty handed and depressed. Those disciples could have gone looking for Jesus. They could have inquired of Him, "Lord, what should we do?" But instead they gave in to disillusionment and went fishing.

But Jesus, in His love and mercy, found them, supplied their needs and gave Peter a new assignment, "Feed my sheep," (v 16; 17).

Are you going fishing? Has life dealt you a disappointing blow and you are ready to give up? Don't turn back now. Look to Jesus. 

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 29: 13

Spring, Lovely Spring

Image via WikipediaThis is a post I wrote some years ago when I first started blogging. Having been away from my computer for a while, too long a while, I decided to search some old posts to find something that would get my creative juices flowing. And sure enough, I came across this post, perfect for the beginning of spring. I have repurposed it a little to make it more relevant.
                                                                                 
Spring is here! Isn't it wonderful the way God redecorates the landscape so there is always something new to grab our senses and delight our minds? I love the changing of the seasons. Maybe it's because I was born and raised in a tropical climate where there are only two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. It was only when I migrated to the United States that I experienced the four seasons. I remember the first time I saw snow, I was like a kid again, a grown woman making snowballs and throwing at my friends. Then fall came and filled me with awe, and still does.

There is beauty and purpose in every season. I don't mind the short, gray days and the naked boughs of winter because I know they don't last. The sun will shine again, tender green leaves will appear on those boughs and flowers will spring out of the ground. Perpetual summer or winter could not sustain life. We need heat and cold, moisture and drought in order to sustain life on this planet.

The changing of the seasons reminds me that:

1. God is faithful. He is always with us, whether we think of Him or not. Like a good parent, He is preparing our food, our comfort and doing all the extra little things to give us pleasure. Acts 14: 17 says, "... and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."


2. God is a God of order. Even though environmentalists speak of climate change, weather systems throughout the world remain well-defined. Spring comes faithfully after winter, summer follows spring and so on. We experience heat in summer and cold in winter. Hot climates remain hot and cold climes remain cold. Spring is always the season of birth and new beginnings, winter the season of death and decay.


3. God speaks to us through the seasons. Oswald Chambers says, "When you have thoughts and ideas that are worthy of credit to God, learn to compare and associate them with ... the changing of the seasons." (My Utmost For His Highest). I couldn't agree more. The seasons of the earth reflect the seasons of our lives. Just as God rearranges the environment to suit His purpose, in the same way He arranges our lives into seasons so we can grow and develop into the spiritually healthy and happy beings He created us to be. Just trust Him, regardless of the season. 

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Speaking of the seasons of our lives, I would like to introduce you to my book Women For All Seasons, which uses stories of women of the Bible to show how God works in and through us in every season of our life. Check it out here.







     

Related articles

• The Utmost for His Highest...Oswald Chambers (nwcampusgirls.wordpress.com)

Better Than Solomon

As I took this picture of my orchids this morning, these words of Jesus came to my mind: "Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these" (Matthew 6: 29). Jesus was telling His audience that they must not worry, not about what they would eat or drink or what they would wear (v 25). Jesus continued, " If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" (v 30).

Every time I look at those orchids on my patio I'm reminded of the beauty of God, the faithfulness of God and the providence of God. I care for those orchids to the best of my ability, but it is God who really causes them to grow and bloom the way they do. I went away for two weeks and watered them well before I left. But while I was gone I worried that I might return and find them all shriveled up. Instead, I was greeted with these gorgeous blooms. That was God's doing. And if He could do it for flowers, how much more would He do for us, His children?

So let's do as Jesus said:  "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (v 33-34).

Coretta Scott King

After an enforced hiatus brought about when my computer crashed, I am now back, having just received it almost as good as new from my firstborn whiz kid, Kevin. If you use your computer daily and you've had to be without it for a month, then I'm sure you can empathize. Hopefully, I won't have to go through this again for a long time.

So with Black History month also over, I'd like to repeat this post I'd published some years ago on Coretta Scott King, wife of Rev. Martin Luther King. Mrs. King was well known for her support of her husband during the turbulent civil rights days and  after his death she continued the struggle along with several of his aides. Mrs. King, herself now deceased,  remains an iconic model of courage, loyalty and dedication for women everywhere.

As you read about this famous lady, ask yourself, are you as faithful and dedicated to your husband as you should be? You don't have to be another Coretta King, but you can be the kind of wife your husband needs. If your answer leaves you in doubt, ask the Holy Spirit to help you become that kind of woman.

Letter To A Brave Girl

In my last post, Choose Love I told you about Sally - a young, unwed mother-to-be who can now find hope and support through the ministry of Embrace Grace, a nation-wide organization that is reaching out to girls like Sally. You too can get involved in this ministry by writing a letter like the one below and mailing it to the address given.

Embrace Grace Inc.

Attn: Love in a Box

700 W Bedford Eueless Rd

Ste G

Hurst, TX 76053

Remember to enter this giveaway just go to http://blessedfreebies.com/embrace-grace.html



Choose Love

Consider the case of an unwed, teenaged girl - we'll call her Sally - who finds herself pregnant. Her mother, friends and her boyfriend all advise her to get rid of "it." Doing that may seem the better way out as it will cause minimal interruption to her life. Still, Sally feels confused. Afraid.

What can she do?

Embrace Grace is a nation wide organization that is bringing hope and encouragement to girls like Sally. With the Love in a Box initiative, Sally can choose to keep her baby and at the same time get plugged in to a local church for spiritual, emotional and physical support through an Embrace Grace group.

Here's how it works. Boxes  containing a Fearless journal, a pen, a necklace, baby onesie, a Brave Girl letter and other items are distributed to pregnancy centers nation wide and given to young, single pregnant women.

The outside of the journal states, "You are Strong, you are Brave, you are Loved. The inside of the journal begins with a Brave Girl letter, and throughout the pages you are encouraged to write about your fear.When you face your fear you are on your way to overcoming it.

You also get to write about your strengths and weaknesses as well as your prayers for yourself and your child. If you have ever wanted to start journaling and didn't know how to start, this Fearless Journal is just what you need. Scriptures and inspiring quotations at the bottom of every page remind you of God's love and will give you the confidence to face the future.

There's also a necklace with the words pro-love engraved on the pendant to remind you that you are choosing love. It can also be a conversation starter with other girls.

To enter this giveaway just go to http://blessedfreebies.com/embrace-grace.html

All women can bring hope to a young girl by partnering with Embrace Grace around the world. Here's what you can do:
Start an Embrace Grace at your local church so young women with unplanned pregnancies can have a support group.
Partner with the national organization through prayer and support at www.EmbraceGraceco.com
Download and print our Brave Girl  letter (http://egrace.co/brave) and mail to the address below for us to place inside a Love in a Box.

Mail your letter to:
Embrace Grace Inc.,
Attn: Love in a Box
700 W Bedford, Eueless Rd. Ste G
Hurst, TX 76053

Finish What You Start

Have you ever found yourself taking on a number of projects, at home or at work and becoming so overwhelmed you don't really complete all of them? As a writer, it has happened to me, and I feel very guilty about it. There's just not enough time, I tell myself. So for this year, I'm going to make every effort to finish what I start.

A new year has just begun, and you may be thinking it's not yet time to talk about finishing anything. Isn't a new year about new beginnings? Maybe for some people, but for most of us, the new year is just another date on the calendar. Last year I wrote this post:  Just Do It  I hope some of you followed my advice and took that bold step to give your life to Christ. If you did, I'm happy for you, and the angels are rejoicing. If you didn't, don't put it off too long.

For those of you who gave your heart to Christ, I would like to encourage you to develop a habit of daily prayer and Bible reading. Yes, daily. It doesn't have to be an hour every day. You don't need a lot of time to connect with your Lord and Savior. He is always with you, and a few minutes a day may be all you need to acknowledge His presence and thank Him for it. Reading the Word helps you to hear from Him and get His direction for your life. Just as my morning walk energizes me for the day, so my Bible reading lifts my spirits and helps to set the tone for my day.

The other step is becoming a church member. Going to church doesn't save you, but saved people go to church. More about this in another post. Once you become a member, try to get involved in some of the various ministries. Many churches have activities for different ages, so it should be no difficulty fitting in. You don't have to be in everything. Church activity should never be a chore or a duty, but something you do because you want to give of your time to the Lord and fellowship with other believers.

If you do these things, you will grow in the Christian faith and enjoy being part of the family of God.

To help you get started on reading and understanding the Bible, I would like to recommend Know Your Bible by Paul Kent. If you are a woman, you may also enjoy Women For All Seasons written by me. These books do not replace the Bible; they are only companion literature to give you a deeper understanding of the Bible. If you do get any or both of these resources, I receive a small commission.

If you enjoyed this post, I would like to invite you to sign up for my monthly newsletter where you can get news and views about the Christian life, as well as giveaways.

It's A New Year

Yes, ready or not, 2017 is almost here. We can moan and groan as much as we like, it's knocking on our doors. Unless Jesus comes first. Which is very likely. But that's for another post. For right now, what are you doing about 2017?  Will it be the same old, same old? You know what someone said about that? If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got, or something to that effect.

So, my suggestion to you for 2017 is, begin by not making any New Year's resolution. I put it in bold just to make sure it stands out. Just decide that you're going to do the best you can in the new year. With God's help. That's what I plan to do. You see, there are many well-written books and tapes out there that tell us how to achieve our dreams. How to reach our highest potential, but from my experience, I know that I am nothing without God.

He saved me from dying of whooping cough when I was a baby (yes, that was a long time ago. Some of you have never heard of whooping cough.) Then he gave me a teaching career, found me a good husband - to whom I am still married decades later - gave us four beautiful children and a lucrative business. God fulfilled my dream of returning to school to get a BSc degree and later to become a published writer. All wonderful accomplishments, but the greatest of them all was when He saved my soul after I'd migrated from Trinidad to America. I could not have done any of this without the work of His Holy Spirit.

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4: 13).

The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2: 5, " so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power." 

Friends, we need to put our faith and trust in God in the coming year. He alone has the answers we seek, and He will deliver them if we ask Him. Happy New Year! 

The Jesus Film - A Review

This post and giveaway are sponsored by Jesus Film and the FrontGate Christian Blogger Network. The opinions about how it will serve our home well are my own. 


During this Christmas season, our hearts turn more and more to Jesus Christ who made this season possible. I would like to recommend that you watch the Jesus film while spending time with family and friends. This film will enhance your Christmas experience and reinforce your love for Jesus Christ.

Beginning with the creation in the book of Genesis, the JESUS Film goes on to highlight the various prophecies of Isaiah, Micah, Zechariah and others and shows how God had a plan of salvation for mankind from the foundation of the world. The film faithfully depicts Christ's birth, ministry, death and resurrection as told in the biblical account from the Gospel of Luke. Virtually every word Jesus speaks in The JESUS Film is quoted from Scripture, with 450 leaders and scholars having reviewed the script for biblical accuracy. Further historical accuracy was ensured using clothing, pottery and other props made with first-century methods to portray a 2,000-year-old Palestinian culture. 

The JESUS Film has been officially recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Translated Film in history and is now is available in 1,197 languages. Is it any wonder that more than 200 million individuals worldwide have indicated a decision to follow Jesus after viewing The JESUS Film? If you are one of those who has never viewed the Jesus Film, you now have an opportunity to do so. Even if you have watched it before, it is worth watching it again. Just click on this link:
https://www.christiancinema.com/digital/movie/6974

Just Do It

This saying made famous by Nike has become the catch phrase for famous, as well as ordinary people,  the world over. Marian Wright Edelman, president and founder of the Children's Defense Fund, says, "If you don't like the way the world is, change it... Just do it one step at a time."

Is there something you have been wanting to do and have been putting it off until you no longer feel like doing it? When we keep putting something off, it takes on a mammoth shape and becomes almost  impossible for us to do. If we don't take that first step, we will eventually push it to the back burner and may never do it.

Just do it! In this post, I'm not referring to something scary, like bungee jumping or learning to fly an airplane. I'm talking about something that has been nagging at your spirit every time you step inside a church and hear the pastor give the altar call. "Come," he says "come and give your life to Christ." And you sit there, playing with your hands when you know you really want to get up out of your seat and walk up that aisle.

Paul writes,  "I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation, (2 Corinthians 6: 2). 
The author of Hebrews writes, "As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion”(3: 15).

I know what you are thinking. Leaving your seat and walking the aisle in front of everyone may be as scary as learning to fly an airplane. Well, I have some good news for you. You do not have to respond to the altar call. God is everywhere and He hears you wherever you are. The Holy Spirit may nudge you while you are driving your car, preparing a meal or taking a shower. I gave my heart to Christ in the privacy of my bedroom while watching a preacher on television. But when I went to church the following Sunday and the pastor gave the altar call, I found myself at the altar. I meant to go up on his last invitation which is for believers who want to become members of the church, but I guess I couldn't wait. 

What I am saying is, the Holy Spirit will give you the courage to do what you need to do. So, just do it! Right now, where you are, pause in what you are doing and say, "Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. Come into my heart and make me your child." You can say more if you want to, but that's basically all you need to say, and the next time you go to church, like me, you may find yourself at the altar. God bless.

Just Be Thankful

I hope you had a very enjoyable - and THANKFUL - Thanksgiving holiday yesterday with turkey and all the trimmings and surrounded by your loved ones. Thanksgiving will not be the same without the presence of those you love.

I am spending the weekend with my husband, daughter, son-in-law and their children at my oldest son's house with him and his children. It's one of those rare occasions when I have all my grandchildren under the same roof with me, and I feel very blessed.

You know, this may seem like a simple thing, but when I think of the number of people who have no one to share these special times with, tears come to my eyes.

So, for those of you who have your loved ones around you, please be thankful. Thank God for them and show them that you are thankful for them too.

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And if you are among the fortunate ones who have the weekend off and you are not heading for the malls, why not complete your relaxation with a good book?

Coming Out of Egypt, a story of hope, redemption and restoration, is just .99c on Kindle and free on Kindle Unlimited.

What Are We Teaching Our Children?

The 2016 presidential elections have come and gone, but the memories will remain for a lifetime. While some of us here in the US are rejoicing and others are mourning over what could have been, my question is, what are we teaching our children? Ten years or more when our children and grandchildren ask us what happened in 2016, what will we say to them?  That we gave in to our fears, insecurities, prejudices, or we simply didn't know what we were doing?

My concern is for our children who are the future of the world. Are we teaching them that it's okay to insult others, disrespect women, disregard the law with impunity, show hate for those who don't look like us or who don't share our views and still ascend to the highest office in our land?

We need to do better. For the sake of our children and our world. We have to teach them that love and unity are what we need to build a stronger, more peaceful world. One where we treat others with respect and not view them with suspicion.Yes, we need to teach our children to be safe, but not to the extent of ostracizing others because of the color of their skin or where they may have come from.

Fortunately, there are many young people who are being brought up according to true Christian principles, not just loving those who look like them or who belong to their social circle, but who are following the teachings of Jesus -  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them" (Luke 6: 32).

Let's be Christlike in word and in deed.

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This weekend you can pick up a copy of my book Coming Out of Egypt for FREE by going here  

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Are you trying to find that special someone? Click on the link below:

Women And The Presidential Elections

Politics has always been called a nasty game, but this presidential election campaign will go down in history as one like no other. The mudslinging has reached an all-time low, and it does no one, not even those slinging the mud, any good. One notable feature of the campaign is its focus on women. And that should be a good thing because, for the first in US history, we have a female presidential nominee. But instead, the female gender is being maligned and ridiculed in a way that takes us back to the dark ages.

When Jesus walked this earth, He treated women with respect, and they followed Him wherever He went. So much so that Mary Magdalene, who had been demon-possessed and believed to be a woman of ill-repute, received the honor of being the first to see the risen Lord and proclaim the good news that He was alive (John 20: 1 - 18).

Sexual abuse, sexual assault, whatever label you put on it, is never right. It strips a woman of her dignity, her self-worth and her sense of purpose. This is why I wrote the book Coming Out of Egypt. A compelling story of characters who were sexually abused and whose roller-coaster journey out of that horrible experience is well worth reading.

The book does not deal with the abuse itself, but the deleterious effects the abuse had on the life of the main character. You will see her anger, fear and mistrust transformed into love, faith, and hope with the help of a teacher and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is not a true story, but it is based on what I saw as a teacher many years ago, and what I still see as a therapist in behavioral health. I encourage you to get this book. The content will tug at your heartstrings, but it will also entertain you and reinforce your faith in a God who delivers. If you know someone who likes to read, this book will make a great Christmas gift.

I am posting this blog today because right now you can pick up  Coming Out of Egypt  for just .99c. Or you can read it for FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

What To Do When You Can't Sleep - II

I'm finally able to get back to this post I promised you on what you can do to improve your sleep. If you are one of those people who sometimes have to take a sleep aid to fall asleep - and I think we all do occasionally - I hope you will try my remedy. It costs you nothing, it works and benefits you in more ways than one. Prayer is one of the best things you can do for yourself physically as well as spiritually.

Okay, so what's the other thing? It is meditation. Now when I speak of meditation I'm not referring to the Eastern practice where you sit cross-legged and chant. The meditation I'm referring to is the type spoken of in the Bible.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1: 8

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.  Psalm 119: 97

 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. v 148

God's word instructs us to meditate on it "day and night." With our busy lifestyle, we may not be able to  meditate during the day, but what's to stop us from meditating on God's word during a few sleepless hours? Just reflecting on God's love and greatness is enough to erase our worrying thoughts and help us get back to sleep.

I have taken meditation to a different level. I have learned to say my ABC. Not the kind your child learns in pre-K, but the kind that focuses on the attributes of God. So A is for amazing, B is for bountiful, C is for compassionate and so on. I usually fall asleep before I've got half-way through. This works for me. You may come up with your own form of meditation that you will find effective.

Unless you have a medical condition that is robbing you of sleep, I  think you would find these suggestions helpful. Sleep deprivation is not something God wants us to struggle with. He wants us to be well rested so we can impact the world for Him. But in addition to getting a good night's sleep, your spiritual life will improve and you will find yourself having a deeper and more satisfying relationship with God.

This is by no means to be taken as medical advice. Please follow your  physician's advice in addition to consulting the Great Physician.
See my other post on this topic here

Unity In Disaster

Courtesy morgue file

At the time of this writing, hurricane Matthew is making his presence felt on the North Carolina coast. The last time I checked, he was responsible for nine deaths along the eastern United States and the number in Haiti has been astronomical. I pray that there will be no more loss of lives and that any future damage from this storm will not be severe.

Here in South Florida we have been truly blessed. The rain and wind that we got were milder than the downpours we are accustomed to in this part of the world. We had no flooding, and didn't lose power. So we are praising God while praying for those less fortunate.

One of the things that stood out for me during the lead-up to the hurricane was the unity and caring that was evident as we made frantic preparations to secure our homes and stock up on food. As I entered the supermarket, one lady told me of a nearby store that still had bottled water. One of my neighbors cheerfully assured me that he'd survived other hurricanes in the area and there was nothing to be afraid of. In the stores, people smiled and helped each other.

This reminded me of hurricane Andrew which devastated parts of Florida many years ago. People were eager to help each other, sharing their goods, equipment and even their homes to ensure the safety of people they didn't even know.

Why can't we be like this all the time? Why should it take a disaster to bring out the best in us? On the other hand, there are those who use disaster to take advantage of others, but they are usually in the minority.

Maybe God causes disaster to teach us something. To teach us how much we value ourselves, our fellow human beings and what they really mean to us. But let us not wait until something bad happens or is about to happen. Let us show kindness to others every chance we get.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.Psalm 133: 1 - 3

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti that they will get the assistance they need to rebuild their lives and that that nation will turn to God as a result of this tragedy. Please pray for those in the US still in the path of the storm.

What To Do When You Can't Fall Asleep

Browse through any magazine, newspaper, or the internet and you are bound to come across articles about sleep and/or advertisements for sleep aids. With our busy lifestyle, people are forcing themselves to get by on less and less sleep. Could that be one reason we are so irritable and angry?

Age-related hormonal changes can also contribute to sleep deprivation, and this is why I have found that as I grow older, I have to make a conscious effort to get enough sleep. Since I hate swallowing pills, I searched for and found the perfect solutions.

The first one is PRAYER. Yes, prayer.

When you have difficulty falling asleep and the ticking of the clock seems to reverberate in your ears, PRAY.

When your mind regurgitates all the stressful incidents of the day, PRAY.

Instead of counting sheep, PRAY.

Instead of heading to the refrigerator for a glass of milk - you might end up grabbing a few cookies as well and then wonder why you are putting on weight - PRAY.

Instead of waking up your husband, who is snoring peacefully, so he could share in your misery, PRAY.

I mean seriously, PRAY! Don't lie there and think some prayers in your mind. Get up in the quiet of the night or early morning, kneel, sit up in bed or go into the living-room so as not to wake your husband and PRAY. Talk to God. Ask Him if there's anything He wants you to learn or do. Bring that nagging work, family, health problem or whatever and lay it at His feet. Maybe He needs you to pray for a loved one, or about a situation you never thought about before. Or maybe you need to forgive someone. Maybe there's something taking place in the heavenly realm, and God wants to reveal it to you. Prayer is a two-way street. It's not just you talking to God. You need to be still and have Him talk to you as well.

I have found that when I have trouble falling asleep and I pray out loud, not silently, I go back to sleep almost immediately and wake up in the morning feeling refreshed. Try it!

In my next post I will tell you what the other solution is. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and on social media and leave a comment. God bless you.

I invite you to check out my books on this page.

Pray For Your Enemies

Courtesy Morguefile

Like most churches throughout the US, my church Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church in Miami said special prayers in observance of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. In calling on the congregation to pray, our pastor said that we should also pray for our enemies that God may turn their hearts to Him. Little did I know that before the week was out, I would have cause to pray for my enemies in a way I never expected.

Like the attack on the WTC, the attack on me was well planned and executed, and I never saw it coming. Most attacks of the enemy are like that - sneaky and underhanded. However, unlike the WTC, I was not completely destroyed. Devastated, yes, but still hopeful, "hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair" (2 Corinthians 4 : 8).  At ground zero, but still functioning and, like Ground Zero, less vulnerable to attack.

Why did Jesus say " love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5: 44) ? 

It's because 1) when others try to destroy us, they only end up destroying themselves. 

Psalm 9: 6 says, "Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished."

2) God rewards you when you bless your enemies. 

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6: 35).

King David was a great king, but he was besieged by enemies. How did he react? He wrote psalms and set them to music to praise his God. 

In Psalm 56 he writes, "In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,

in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me" (v 10 - 11)?

 

Are you under attack? Cry out to God, sing praises to Him, and pray for your enemies. 

 

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Pray For Teachers

With the school year now underway, you have no doubt established a routine of getting your kids up in the morning, dropping them off to school and picking them up in the afternoon. Some of you may even include a time of prayer, either before or after school, for your children's safety and success in their studies. But have you ever prayed for those men and women who are responsible for your children's welfare during the day?

Children spend more of their waking moments with their teachers than they do with their parents. Teachers can and do exert a considerable amount of influence over your children.  I am sure you can recall some favorite teacher who inspired you and helped to make you the man or woman you are today. For some children, the only guidance or show of love they will ever receive is from a teacher. And this is why we need to pray for them.

As someone whose first career was teaching, I know how challenging this job can be. It's not easy to try to mold the lives of thirty-odd children with varying needs, abilities and backgrounds. Yet, this is what teachers do everyday. In recent times, teaching has become more demanding. Teachers' skills, patience and even their safety are being tested all the time. We need to pray that God will give our teachers the grace, wisdom and strength necessary to keep on giving their best even when things get tough.

Let us pray that teachers will not become "weary in well doing" (Galatians 6: 9) but will work "Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6: 6) and that God will "Make them perfect in every good work to do his will, working in them that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever" (Hebrews 13: 21). 

If you wish to encourage a special teacher in a tangible way, here are some ways you can do it:

a. Write a note to the teacher(s) letting them know you appreciate their hard work and that you are praying for them. 

b. Give a gift - a mug filled with chocolate, a small basket of apples, nicely wrapped, or a daily planner decorated and signed by you and your child. 

For more ideas, see the link below.  

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