Praying for you, Mr. President

"What I hear most often as I travel the country are these words that never, ever fail to touch my heart. I hear it so often. 'I am praying for you, Mr. President,'" Donald Trump has said many times.

When I think about all the major catastrophes that America has had to deal with since January, in addition to strife among elected officials, riots in the streets, and threats from other nations, I know it is by the prayers of believers and God's grace that our leaders are able to keep on going.

Chaplain of the Senate Barry Black says, "When we pray we are making our voices heard in heaven."

Praying for Iraq, Iran and Kurdistan Quake Victims

A missionary couple that are dear to me, posted this today:

Jesus is beautiful enough to keep us looking at Him; Jesus is good enough to keep us drinking and eating from Him; Jesus is bright enough to never be affected by the darkness; Jesus is faithful enough for us to never doubt Him; Jesus is powerful enough to never fear. Jesus is enough!!

For several years they have faithfully ministered to refugees in an area where there has been fighting. And now today a 7.3 earthquake.

HELP!

When I was very little

I wanted to 'do it by myself''.

Let me make the biscuits, Mom

I don't need grown-up help!

But Mother would soon lose patience,

She had so much to do

It's quicker for me to do it myself

Than to clean up after you.

When I grew up and married

And supper was up to me

I'd call my grandma on the phone

Please give me your recipe.

Oh, just add a smidge of salt

And a dab and a half of spice..

A splash of milk 'til it looks just right

And bake it til it smells nice.

Now I have senior moments,

My doctor says with a frown.

But I got my very first smart phone

(My antique flip phone drowned).

Please teach me how to use this thing!

I begged my granddaughter today

Oh, Nana, it's intuitive!

And off she went to play

No Longer in the Dark

Yesterday, just after sunset, the lights went out and our community was without power for many hours. I had forgotten just how dark "dark" can be! It reminded me of my college days as an usher at the Atlanta Auditorium on Courtland Avenue. Trusty flashlight in hand, I would guide guests to their seats before the concert as the house lights began to dim.

We knew the star was about to appear on stage when the auditorium became completely dark. Then suddenly, the spotlights illuminated the one everyone had been waiting to see.

As the darkness of evil increases in our world, we look for Jesus Christ to appear, but we also realize that the time is short to guide people to their reserved seats. Jesus is giving a personal invitation to all who will come to Him: 
I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in the darkness.John 12:46

Pastor Francis Frangipane wrote: "Too many of us are so focused on what the devil is doing that we fail to see what God is doing. The focus of the Lord is not on how dark evil becomes, but how Christlike the Church becomes!"

Though None Go With Me

I watched the movie: Though None Go With Me on youtube and thought this was timely advice:
Pastor Ben Phillips, in his farewell sermon to his congregation before being deployed to the Korean conflict in 1951 says:

"Our own power isn't enough to get us through the difficult times.

Inevitably some things happen that make us see that our power is limited

but God's power is infinite. All He requires of me is one simple prayer:

'Not my will but Yours, Lord.'

 I accept whatever it is that You have chosen for me.

Though none go with me still I will follow

No turning back."