Pray for Our Ally, Israel

Photo by wherejesuswalked.org

Today marks Yom Kippur, "the Day of Atonement," in the Jewish calendar. It is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has articulated numerous times that his greatest desire is to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth, is scheduled to speak at the U.N. conference on this holiest of days for the Jews.

That is equal to Hilter speaking at the Holocaust Museum (had he lived). That is equal to Osama bin Laden speaking at the 9/11 Memorial (had he lived).

Outrageous, you say? Insensitive? Indecent?

That's just the beginning.

The current administration taking up residence in the White House has not made any effort to challenge Israel's neighboring enemies in the Middle East, most of which (if not all) are our enemies as well. What they have called a "bump in the road" has resulted in the loss of scores of American lives and countless Israeli/Jewish lives.

Israel and America's enemies in the Middle East have declared that our nations are seen as one entity in their eyes. If either nation takes military action, they will attack the other. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried many times to coordinate a conference with the current President of the United States, but the President has declined with an ever-growing list of excuses. Netanyahu has been told to "wait." "Wait?" he asks. "Wait for what?" His country is being bombed daily by her hostile neighbors. Iran is on the verge of nuclear capability.

Yet he is told to "wait."

And the leader of America, Israel's closest ally, will not even make time for a conference to discuss a plan of action, let alone extend any kind of support.

Outrageous, indeed.

America's greatness stems from her roots as a Christian nation. She was founded on the principles of Biblical truth. That includes acknowledging Israel's position as God's chosen people, as is laid out in Scripture. In other words, America should be the first to lend a hand when Israel is in trouble. Many former Presidents, even those who made no claim to the Christian faith, have assisted Israel when she needed it.

Well, Israel certainly needs our help now, and the current administration has made it clear that America will not support Israel as she has in the past.

We need to pray for:

• the safety of the nation of Israel.
• the salvation of Israelis/Jews who do not know the Messiah as their Savior.
• the United States of America to remember her place in the world as a Christian nation, and her strategic role as Israel's greatest ally. 

The world is watching our nation - including those who are seeking to harm us and our ally, Israel. America's leaders would do well to remember that.

Please join me in praying for our country, the nation of Israel, and our Jewish/Israeli friends and neighbors who are in distress over these uncertain and tumultous times. 

Avinu Malkeinu, Chaneinu V'aneinu, 

ki ein banu ma'asim. 

Assei imanu ts'dakah vachesed, vehoshiyeinu.

(Hear our voice, Lord our God,

pity and be compassionate to us, and accept 

- with compassion and favour - our prayer.)

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A Cry from the Heart

Father in Heaven,


      I need to trust you more than ever . . .


                                                      . . .  to believe that you work all things out for my good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Romans 8:28

                                                   
                                                        . . . to fight this battle I'm facing.

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 

Exodus 14:14

                                                     . . . to be my God who provides beyond my limitations. 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:19

                                                           . . . to be the light to my darkness.

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 

Psalm 18:28

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

Psalm 119:105

Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 

Isaiah 60:20

  . . . when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. 

Micah 7:8

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

John 8:12

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

Revelation 22:5

                                           . . . to use these trials, these struggles, the hurt, the tears, the painful circumstances, to strengthen and purify me and to glorify You.

I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee . . . 

II Kings 20:5

 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 

Psalm 126:5

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

Lamentations 3:23-33

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 

John 16:20

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

II Corinthians 4:17

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes . . .

Revelation 7:17; 21:4

Help me take my eyes off my circumstances and the cares of life and keep them fixed on the Cross of Christ for as long as You choose to keep me on this earth. Only then will I be able to have a right view of myself, my circumstances, and Your will.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

Galatians 6:14

 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:2

My father's way may twist and turn, my heart may throb and ache,

But in my soul I'm glad to know He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray, my hopes now fade away,

But still I'll trust my Lord to lead, for He doth know the way.

Though night be dark and it may seem that day will never break;

I'll pin my faith, my all in Him, He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see, my eyesight's far too dim;

But come what may, I'll simply trust and leave it all to Him.

For by and by the mist will lift, and plain it all He'll make - 

Through all the way, though dark to me, He made not one mistake

                                                                                                    Amy Carmichael

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He Answers Prayer

As many of you know, I have been looking for employment for quite a while. God has seen fit to bless me with a job that far exceeded my expectations. But I'm getting ahead of myself . . .

Dad saw a "help wanted" ad in the local newspaper for a company in need of a secretary. He called the number provided in the ad and talked with the owner's wife (who serves as the current secretary) to find out more about the position. He mentioned that he had a daughter (me) who had recently graduated from college and was looking for work. When she asked where I had graduated from, she was shocked when Dad told her I had graduated from Bob Jones University. She's a BJU grad as well, and she had been praying earlier that day for the Lord to send her someone from her alma mater. She needs help with payroll, billpay, and other financial aspects of the business, so she needs someone she can trust. She told Dad she would call back after she had thought and prayed about this answer to her prayers.

She called the next day to set up an interview with me on the following day. The interview wasn't really an "interview," per se. We chatted for almost an hour about our families, our churches, our experiences at BJU, and about God's remarkable answer to both of our prayers. Praising God together for answered prayer was a beautiful thing to experience.

When I left the building, I was an official employee. I am so thankful to be blessed with a job that pays well, in a good environment, with such wonderful bosses. I never dreamed that God would provide in such an incredible way, but He did. He can, He does, and He will. Not because we deserve it, but because of who we are in His Son, Jesus Christ. He delights in giving good gifts to His children, because He is good.

A big, heartfelt thank you to everyone who prayed for me. God answered your prayers in an incredible way.

Don't be discouraged if God hasn't answered your prayer(s) yet. He will answer you in His timing, in His infinite wisdom, in His way. And when He does, He will surprise you with an answer far better than anything you can imagine.

God has given you His promise

That He hears and answers prayer.

He will heed your supplication

If you cast on Him your care.

He will answer every prayer,

He will answer every prayer,

Go to Him in faith believing,

He will answer every prayer.

He will not withhold one blessing,

He will give you what is best.

God will answer by His Spirit,

Every one who makes request.

He will answer every prayer,

He will answer every prayer,

Go to Him in faith believing,

He will answer every prayer.

He can hear the great petition,

And the smallest, over there.

Unto God pray without ceasing,

He will answer every prayer.

He will answer every prayer,

He will answer every prayer,

Go to Him in faith believing,

He will answer every prayer.

Take to God your plans and failures,

Any time and anywhere.

No one ever goes unanswered,

For He answers every prayer.

                                 Mary Bernstecher

 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee . . . 

{Job 22:27}

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:

{Psalm 91:15a}

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 

{Isaiah 65:24}

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 

{Jeremiah 29:12}

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. 

{Jeremiah 33:3}

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 

{Matthew 7:7-11}

 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 

{Matthew 21:22}

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 

{John 14:13-14}

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

{John 15:7}

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 

{John 16:23}

In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 
{Philippians 4:6b}

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

{James 5:16b}

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 

{I John 5:14-15}

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The Cry of a Convicted Sinner

Thou righteous and holy Sovereign,
In whose hand is my life and whose are all my ways,
Keep me from fluttering about religion;
        fix me firm in it,
        for I am irresolute;
        my decisions are smoke and vapour,
        and I do not glorify thee,
        or behave according to thy will;
Cut me not off before my thoughts grow to responses,
      and the budding of my soul into full flower,
      for thou art forbearing and good,
      patient and kind.
Save me from myself,
              from the artifices and deceits of sin,
              from the treachery of my perverse nature,
              from denying thy charge against my offenses,
              from a life of continual rebellion against thee,
              from wrong principles, views, and ends;
              for I know that all my thoughts, affections,
              desires and pursuits are alienated from thee.
I have acted as if I hated thee, although thou art love itself;
  have contrived to tempt thee to the uttermost,
       to wear out thy patience;
  have lived evilly in word and action.
Had I been a prince
        I would long ago have crushed such a rebel;
Had I been a father
I would long since have rejected my child.
O, thou Father of my spirit,
     thou king of my life,
                      cast me not into destruction,
                      drive me not from thy presence,
                      but wound my heart that it may be healed;
                      break it that thine own hand may make it whole.

{ The Cry of a Convicted Sinner from The Valley of Vision }

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Christ's Example of Godliness

"Jesus Christ" by Heinrich Hofmann

We all know that our lives are to be characterized by godliness. Many verses in the Bible mention this concept of godliness, or "the working of God in a person's life to make that person more like Himself" (definition mine). A few examples:

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 

{I Timothy 4:7-8}

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

{I Timothy 6:6}

 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. {I Timothy 6:11}

One verse in particular helps give us a better understanding of the nature of godliness.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 

{I Timothy 3:16}

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the ultimate manifestation of godliness because He was God in human form ("in the flesh"). A look at His time on earth reveals several ways in which Christ exemplified godliness. 

Christ's Examples of Godliness

1. Christ's love for all people. 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. {Matthew 22:39}

2. Christ's desire for the Gospel to be proclaimed to everyone.

 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. {Mark 16:15} 

3. Christ obeyed His Father's commandments.

 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. {John 15:10}

4. Christ put the needs of others before Himself.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. {II Corinthians 8:9} 

5.  Christ was committed to do the will of God, no matter the price.

Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. {Matthew 26:39}

6.  Christ showed His love for God's House.

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. {Matthew 21:12-13}

7. Christ set the example for how we should pray.

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. {Luke 6:12}

Christ's life is the perfect example of godliness. Why not use it as a blueprint for your own life as you seek to live in a godly way?

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Themes from Lamentations

The book of Lamentations describes the results of Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem (c. 587 B.C.). It is composed of five interconnected poems which describe a shift from horrible loss and personal shame to restored hope and prayer for God's renewing power.

The central passage in this book is 3:19-26.

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

This passage affirms that belief in God's mercy and faithfulness is the key to a restored relationship with God. This is true even for those who deserve (and have perhaps already received) God's judgment. Hope is the byword in Lamentations.

Lamentations seems to have been written to be prayed aloud or sung in worship services in a spirit of repentance, asking God's forgiveness, and seeking restoration with Him.

Sadly, Lamentations is an often-neglected book. It presents several key concepts in a creative way during an important time in Israel's history.

These concepts are still applicable today. They include, but are not limited to:


1. It offers beautiful prayers that confess sin, express renewed hope, and declare total dependence on God's grace.

2. It is the only book of the Bible written by someone who endured a manifestation of "the day of the LORD" (see Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18; Zephaniah 1:14-16). This "day" is the day God comes to judge sin. It can occur in historical contexts, such as the fall of Jerusalem, or it can occur at the end of time (the final "day of the LORD"). Regardless, such "days" do occur, and warnings in the Bible about such days need to be taken seriously.

3. The book's authorship, setting, contents, and theology underline its value for understanding the nature of pain, sin, and redemption.

4. It affirms that Jerusalem fell
      a. because of the people's sins (1:18)
      b. because they rejected God's word sent through the prophets (2:8; 14, 17)
      c. because their leaders led them astray (4:13)
      d. because they did not heed God's warning (2:17).

5. It affirms God's faithful, unending mercy. God is not finished with His people, even when they sin greatly.

6. It affirms that prayers of confession, repentance, and petition are the means for restoring a broken relationship with God. Their honest expressions of pain and their dismay over what God has allowed to happen coincide with the prayers found in the Psalms. They also share the Psalms' emphasis on God's sovereignty as King of creation (Psalm 103:19).

Do you have any thoughts or additional themes from Lamentations that you would like to add? Don't hesitate to leave a comment!

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Praise: A Sacrifice Well-Pleasing

A missionary in China was living a defeated life. Everything about him seemed to be touched with sadness. Although he prayed many months for victory over depression and discouragement, no answer came. He determined to leave his post and go to an interior station where he could be quiet and spend long hours in prayer. Upon reaching the place, he was brought into the home of a fellow missionary. On the wall of his bedroom hung this motto: "Try Praising." He took that motto to heart and began praising. His discouragement and depression vanished almost immediately.

David was forced to hide from his enemies in the barren wilderness of Judah. He cried out to God to help him with his loneliness and discouragement.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. {Psalm 63:1-7}

Paul and Silas were humiliated, falsely accused, stripped, beaten, and placed in stocks in a filthy cell. Despite the circumstances, they prayed and sang praises to God.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. {Acts 16:25}

You may not be able to praise the Lord for your circumstances, but you can praise Him for who He is. 

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. {Psalm 9:1}

 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. {Psalm 145:1-3}

Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. {Psalm 146:1-2}

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. {Psalm 150}

Your praise is a sacrifice well-pleasing to God. 

Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. {Psalm 147:1}

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. {Hebrews 13:15} 

Are you depressed or discouraged about difficulties you are facing? Try praising.

Praise unlocks heaven's portals;

Praise causes doubts to cease;

Praise brings precious blessings;

Praise leaves the sweetest peace.

Praise breaks all bonds asunder;

Praise sets the captives free;

Praise lightens every burden;

Praise is the master key.

Praise changes circumstances;

Praise establishes the heart;

When praise becomes perpetual,

Praise is a Holy Art.

                           Frances Metcalf

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Be Thou My Vision

Wicklow Mountains, Ireland

"Be Thou My Vision" is one of the most widely recognized hymns in the world (and one of my personal favorites). I did some research on the history behind this great hymn, and I thought you might enjoy reading some of my findings.

The Music

The tune is derived from an 8th century Irish melody called Slane, named after a place in Ireland called Slane Hill. According to tradition, the ruling King of the time had decreed that no one was permitted to kindle a fire until he had lit his own fire to announce the start of the pagan spring festival. Saint Patrick defied the royal order and lit candles atop Slane Hill on the eve of the festival, widely believed to be Easter. The King was so impressed by Patrick's devotion to God that he pardoned him and allowed him to continue his missionary work in Ireland. Patrick let 100,000 people to Christ and establish 2,000 churches before his time in Ireland ended upon his death in AD 493 (traditional date).

The Words

The original words were used in the Monastic tradition before they were set to music, meaning it probably would have been chanted instead of sung to a tune. A 6th century monk named Dallan Forgaill penned the words as a tribute to St. Patrick's wholehearted devotion to God. The original Old Irish text, Rop tu mo Baile, went something like this:

Rop tú mo baile, a Choimdiu cride:

ní ní nech aile acht Rí secht nime.

Rop tú mo scrútain i l-ló 's i n-aidche;

rop tú ad-chëar im chotlud caidche.

Rop tú mo labra, rop tú mo thuicsiu;

rop tussu dam-sa, rob misse duit-siu.

Rop tussu m'athair, rob mé do mac-su;

rop tussu lem-sa, rob misse lat-su.

Rop tú mo chathscíath, rop tú mo chlaideb;

rop tussu m'ordan, rop tussu m'airer.

Rop tú mo dítiu, rop tú mo daingen;

rop tú nom-thocba i n-áentaid n-aingel.

Rop tú cech maithius dom churp, dom anmain;

rop tú mo flaithius i n-nim 's i talmain.

Rop tussu t' áenur sainserc mo chride;

ní rop nech aile acht Airdrí nime.

Co talla forum, ré n-dul it láma,

mo chuit, mo chotlud, ar méit do gráda.

Rop tussu t' áenur m' urrann úais amra:

ní chuinngim daíne ná maíne marba.

Rop amlaid dínsiur cech sel, cech sáegul,

mar marb oc brénad, ar t' fégad t' áenur.

Do serc im anmain, do grád im chride,

tabair dam amlaid, a Rí secht nime.

Tabair dam amlaid, a Rí secht nime,

do serc im anmain, do grád im chride.

Go Ríg na n-uile rís íar m-búaid léire;

ro béo i flaith nime i n-gile gréine

A Athair inmain, cluinte mo núall-sa:

mithig (mo-núarán!) lasin trúagán trúag-sa.

A Chríst mo chride, cip ed dom-aire,

a Flaith na n-uile, rop tú mo baile.

The Irish Sea

Unless you've studied Old Irish, that block of funny-looking text probably doesn't mean much to you. Thankfully, Mary Byrne translated Rop tu mo Baile into English in 1905. 

Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart

None other is aught but the King of the seven heavens.

Be thou my meditation by day and night.

May it be thou that I behold even in my sleep.

Be thou my speech, be thou my understanding.

Be thou with me, be I with thee

Be thou my father, be I thy son.

Mayst thou be mine, may I be thine.

Be thou my battle-shield, be thou my sword.

Be thou my dignity, be thou my delight.

Be thou my shelter, be thou my stronghold.

Mayst thou raise me up to the company of the angels.

Be thou every good to my body and soul.

Be thou my kingdom in heaven and on earth.

Be thou solely chief love of my heart.

Let there be none other, O high King of Heaven.

Till I am able to pass into thy hands,

My treasure, my beloved through the greatness of thy love

Be thou alone my noble and wondrous estate.

I seek not men nor lifeless wealth.

Be thou the constant guardian of every possession and every life.

For our corrupt desires are dead at the mere sight of thee.

Thy love in my soul and in my heart --

Grant this to me, O King of the seven heavens.

O King of the seven heavens grant me this --

Thy love to be in my heart and in my soul.

With the King of all, with him after victory won by piety,

May I be in the kingdom of heaven O brightness of the son.

Beloved Father, hear, hear my lamentations.

Timely is the cry of woe of this miserable wretch.

O heart of my heart, whatever befall me,

O ruler of all, be thou my vision.

Irish Countryside

In 1912, Eleanor Hull worked Byrne's translation into a metrical, poetic version:

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

Be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;

Be thou my best thought in the day and the night,

Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,

Be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;

Be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;

Be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;

Be thou my whole armour, be thou my true might;

Be thou my soul's shelter, be thou my strong tower:

O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:

Be thou mine inheritance now and always;

Be thou and thou only the first in my heart;

O Sovereign of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, thou Heaven's bright sun,

O grant me its joys after victory is won!;

Great heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Hull's original poem has been used by editors since to produce versions of the hymn so widely known and treasured today. The music and words first appeared together in the Irish Church Hymnal in 1919. 

Have you asked Christ to be your vision - today and every day?

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Pray for America

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever. {Thomas Jefferson}

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse. {James Madison}

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. {Ronald Reagan} 

 Our nation is on the brink of moral, social, governmental, and economic destruction. I am all for citizens making their voices heard - please take the time to call/write your state Congressmen, and, for heaven's sake, VOTE! - and we should certainly do so. However, the most important thing we can do is pray for our ailing nation as she continues to decline.

Please join me in bringing America before the Lord during this time of uncertainty. Some suggestions to help you get started:

• Pray for the men and women serving in various positions in the government - the President, Vice President, the Presidential Cabinet, the Supreme Court Justices, members of Congress, etc.
• Pray for the men and women who will be appointed into those positions during the upcoming election.
• Pray for the safety of the American people, especially those serving in the military.
• Pray for the declining social and moral values of our nation's society.
• Pray for America to return to her biblical foundation.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: {Psalm 33:12}

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. {Proverbs 21:1}

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Quotes by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis (or "Jack," as he liked to be called) is one of my favorite authors and Christian apologists. His writings are some of the most profound works on Christianity that I have read so far in my experience with Christian apologetic literature. His unique ability to describe complex ideas in a simple ways is an inspiration to me.

So, without further ado, I would like to share with you some quotes attributed to him that I have found helpful, thought-provoking, and encouraging. I hope they will minister to your heart, as well.

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the walls of his cell."

"A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading."

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither."

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."

"Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement."

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."

"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see."

"Nothing that you have not given away will ever really be yours."

"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'" 

"We are what we believe we are."

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

 "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body."

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will be come unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time - waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God - it changes me." 

"Love is not an affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained."

"Atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning..."

"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you."

"Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a dead world."

"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."

"What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it."

"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?" 

"God allows us to experience the low points in life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn no other way."

"Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not."

"It is not your business to succeed, but to do right; when you have done so, the rest lies with God."

"To walk out of His will is to walk into nowhere."

"When you are arguing against God, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all."

"God loves us, not because we're lovable, because He is love. Not because He needs to receive, because He delights to give."

"Faith in Christ is the only thing to save you from despair."

"When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place."

"If God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it is like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him."

"If we only have the will to walk, then God is pleased with our stumbles."

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Blessings and Prayers from the Emerald Isle

Circle me, Lord.

Keep protection near 

and danger afar.

Circle me, Lord.

Keep hope within.

Keep doubt without.

Circle me, Lord.

Keep light near

and darkness afar.

Circle me, Lord.

Keep peace within,

Keep evil out.

"If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes." - Tradition

May God give you

for every storm, a rainbow;

for every tear, a smile;

for every care, a promise;

and a blessing for each trial. 

For every problem life sends,

a faithful friend to share;

for every sigh, a sweet song,

and an answer for each prayer.

You are the peace of all things calm

You are the place to hide from harm

You are the light that shines in the dark

You are the heart's eternal spark

You are the door that's open wide

You are the guest who waits inside

You are the stranger at the door

You are the calling of the poor

You are my Lord and with me from ill

You are the light, the truth, the way

You are my Savior this very day.

May you see God's light on the path ahead

when the road you walk is dark.

May you always hear,

even in your hour of sorrow,

the gentle singing of the lark.

When times are hard, may hardness

never turn your heart to stone.

May you always remember

when the shadows fall - 

you do not walk alone.

Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen today,

to the rising of this life itself;

may it be to Thine own glory, O god of every gift,

and to the glory, aid Thou my soul.

With the aiding of Thine own mercy,

even as I clothe my body with wool,

cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing.

Help me to avoid every sin,

and the source of every sin to forsake,

and as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills,

may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.

Christ be with me

Christ before me

Christ behind me

Christ in me

Christ beneath be

Christ above me

Christ on my right

Christ on my left

Christ where I lie

Christ where I sit

Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man

who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of every man

who speaks of me

Christ in every eye that sees me

Christ in every ear that hears me

Salvation is of the Lord.

- Saint Patrick

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