Waiting on God

by Sue Huey
Used by permission

Who likes to wait?  No one that I know enjoys waiting.  We're so impatient.  In a world of instant and immediate gratification for so many things, waiting seems so tedious.  Why does everything have to take so long?  Sometimes we're waiting for God to work in our lives and we feel like nothing is happening.  Does He see me?  Does He hear me?  We feel like waiting on God is wasted time.  But I love this verse I read this morning.

Isaiah  64:4  Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Wow!  What a verse!  God is not just doing nothing while we are waiting.  He is up to something!  He's acting on my behalf while I am waiting!

Several years ago God gave me a perfect illustration of this. Clay bought me a beautiful plant for Mother’s Day. At that time I knew almost nothing about plants. Other than some purple petunias I recognized, I thought the rest was just different types of greenery. But a couple days later, some tiny yellow flowers popped out. Then a patch of bright pink flowers, and then some little white ones. I was so surprised to see the plants blooming when I thought it was just greenery. And then much later, another plant with very dark green leaves that I had been tempted to pull out because I thought it was not very pretty was suddenly bearing the most beautiful lavender flowers! What a surprise! I had no idea these late bursts of color were coming.

I felt like God spoke to my heart and said, “That is what I’m doing in your life. You sometimes feel like you are just wasting time and waiting for nothing. But you can’t always see what I’m doing, and so you have no idea of what I am planning while you are waiting. Just trust me. Not only are you growing, but what I am doing in your life will become more beautiful with time.”

I’m so thankful for this beautiful illustration that God gave me of His promises. God doesn’t work on our timetable, and sometimes things take way longer than we ever expected. In Ephesians 3:20 He tells us that He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. If God cares that much to surprise us in nature with flowers when we expect none, surely he wants to do so much more in our lives.

How to Pray for Others

contributed by Barbara Campbell

Unknown source

Sometimes I am not sure what to pray for someone, especially if I 

don't really know what's happening in their life right now.   After searching I found this.  It gives some great suggestions!

The Bible instructs us to bear one another’s burdens. Many problems

are too heavy for us to bear alone. Faced with extreme hardship, Paul

 wrote that he counted on the prayers of his friends for victory 

(2 Cor. 1:8-11, Phi. 1:19, Rom. 15:30-32)

1. Pray that their love for others will grow. 1 Cor. 13:4-7, Phi. 1:9-11.

2. Pray for unity, agreement, unselfishness, humility, and oneness in Christ.  Phi. 2:1-5, John 17:11, 21.

3. Pray that they will have the mind of Christ and acknowledge the 

Lord daily to direct their lives. 1 Cor. 2:11-16, Pro. 3:5-6.

4. Pray that they will present themselves as living sacrifices to God. 

Rom. 12:1-2.

5. Pray that they will know who they are in Christ. Col. 1:28, 2:10,
Eph. 1:3-4, 7-8.

6. Pray that they will hunger daily for the word of God and grow daily

 in Christlike maturity. Mat. 4:4, Eph. 4:11-16, Phi. 2:12-13.

7. Pray that they will put on the full armor of God and be alert to

Satan’s strategies. Eph. 6:10-18.

8. Pray that they will not love the world system but set their mind on Christ.  1 John 2:15-17, Phi. 4:8.

9. Pray that they will have a servant’s heart with a spirit of brokenness and humility. Mark 10:44-45, Psalm 51:17.

10. Pray that they will develop a praying heart, worshipping, praising,

 and thanking God as they see His hand of blessing extended to them.  Psalm 103:1-2, 1 Thes. 5:17-18

Life Principles to Live By

A Message from In Touch Ministries

Do you ever wonder what God is doing in your life?  Do you wrestle with doubt when your prayers seem to go unanswered?  Almost every believer can relate to the struggle you may feel during challenging times.  While the Christian life is an amazing adventure, it is not without suffering at times.

Even in the midst of difficult seasons, we can be grateful for the wisdom and encouragement found in God's Word.  Over the years, Dr. Stanley has discovered biblical lessons that have helped him navigate the challenges of his life and ministry.  It is our pleasure to share these Life Principles with you on the enclosed bookmark (see below).

Of course, these principles are not shortcuts to knowing God or replacements for in-depth Bible study.  And there is no substitute for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  However, we pray these Life Principles will become tools that God will use to teach you more about His character, draw you closer to His heart, and bring powerful transformation to your life.  May God bless you as you obey Him and leave all the consequences to Him.

Twelve Principles to Live By
by Dr. Charles F. Stanley

1.  Our intimacy with God--His highest priority for our lives--determines the impact of our lives.

2.  Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

3.  God's Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.

4.  The awareness of God's presence energizes us for our work.

5.  God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.

6.  You reap what you sow, more than you sow, later than you sow.

7.  The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.

8.  Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.

9.  Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.

10. If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.

11. God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.

12. Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.

13. Listening to God is essential to walking with God.

Morning Prayer for Moms

by Phyllis Brokaw - March 2005 - Used by permission

Good morning, Dear Lord,
My day's just begun.
Please guide me and help me to honor Your Son.
Help me to walk in the path you have planned.
There are so many options---so many demands!

Help me keep focused, Your Word obey,
Teach me to trust You each step of the way.
Don't let me wander, don't let me stray,
May Your will be done in my life today.

Amen.

Recall the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

Used with Permission by Michelle Gill
 

One day last week I was struggling with letting go of something I have been waiting for from God.  He had shown me and confirmed in many ways that I am to have more children.  I am forty-four years old and the world's ideas about age began to creep in and I am tired of waiting to be honest.  A common battle ensued of letting go and moving on versus believing, waiting, and battling through.

Then I heard this verse:  "Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well."  I Tim. 1:18 NIV

Paul tells Timothy to recall to mind the prophetic words spoken regarding him.  This can mean a promise God has given you or an actual prophetic word spoken over you that He has confirmed in your spirit.  First, recall it.  Remind yourself of it.  Then use it by fighting the good fight with it.  Believe. Stand firm.  Speak it.  Pray it.  Battle.

The following verse says that many have shipwrecked their faith by not standing firm, stepping out of the battle.  Waiting is a battle.  Believing when we can't see it is a fight.  It would be much easier to let go.  He has spoken to me to believe Him for a larger family.  He told me to buy a painting of a little boy and girl playing by the sea when I first lost my husband.  To me it made no sense at all but I did it purely out of obedience.  It hangs in my bedroom still.  He has given me confirmations time and time again.  Yet I still wait and it is easy to get used to the life you live and lose the want altogether.

My desire a long, long time ago was that my life would show that He still answers prayer on a regular basis and works in mighty ways in our ordinary everyday life.  I first heard of George Mueller, who fed ten thousand orphans through prayer only in his lifetime, as a child.  His reason for opening the orphanage was not primarily to feed and shelter orphans but to show the church that God indeed answers prayer, provides, and is the only answer we need.  So he never asked for money or provided it himself.

God is faithful.  Faithful to the ordinary everyday person.  He is faithful in the smallest needs and the largest.  He has extraordinary plans for your ordinary life.  So instead of letting go of His word to me, I let go of my reasoning, my waning desires and passion, and I recall His words to my mind and fight the good fight of my ordinary day.

I will report His extraordinary fulfillment to you when it comes.  So be watching for Him and may my life be an encouragement to you to believe and trust Him for your ordinary life. 

Prayer of Humility

by Charles Belmonte

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Lord Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
From the desire of being extolled,
From the desire of being honored,
From the desire of being praised,
From the desire of being preferred to others,
From the desire of being consulted,
From the desire of being approved,
From the fear of being humiliated,
From the fear of being despised,
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
From the fear of being calumniated,
From the fear of being forgotten,
From the fear of being ridiculed,
From the fear of being wronged,
From the fear of being suspected,
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease,
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
That others may be praised and I unnoticed,
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
That others may become holier than I, 

provided that I may become as holy as I should.

The Knot Prayer

Author unknown

Dear God,
Please untie the knots that are in my mind, 
my heart and my life.
Remove the have nots, the can nots 
and the do nots that I have in my mind.
Erase the will nots, may nots, 
and might nots that find a home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots, 
would nots and should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all, Dear God,
I ask that you remove from my mind, 
my heart and my life
ALL of the am nots 
that I have allowed to hold me back, 
especially the thought
that I am not good enough.

Praying for Your Adult Children

 

 

If you’re just starting to pray for your adult child, it takes a while to turn that ship around and head it in a new direction. Keep on praying no matter what happens and don’t give up. If you’re praying to the God of the impossible for an adult child who is himself (herself) impossible—or who seems to be in an impossible situation—that means you will have the opportunity to witness a miracle.

 

–Power of Praying for Your Adult Children http://stormie.co/gc

FREE CHAPTER DOWNLOAD:

http://harvesthousepublishers.com/media/epr/excerpts/9780736920865_exc.pdf

The Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you.  So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.  They are the easiest to remember.  To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty.'

2. The next finger is the pointing finger.  Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal.  This includes teachers, ministers, and doctors.  They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.  Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger.  I reminds us of our leaders.  Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators.  These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.  They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger.  Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify.  It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.  They need your prayers day and night.  You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others.  As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you."  Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.  By the time you have prayed for the others four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

 

Our Wedding Prayer

by Lois Walker (written in 1968, a few months before I became a Breneman)

This is a song I wrote for our wedding to the tune of the hymn, "Oh Jesus, I Have Promised,"  which I love.  This was sung during our wedding ceremony (by Jere Boyer, brother of Dave Boyer) while we knelt at the altar. 

Oh Father, how we thank Thee
        for sending us your best;
You've led us both together -
        we'll trust you for the rest.

This love that You have rendered
        so tender and so pure,
We leave in Your control, Lord,
        to blossom and endure.

You've planned our lives so fully,

        a blueprint so divine!

Our human minds could never

        be nearly so sublime.

Our goals and our ambitions

        we give to You to hold,

And with your glorious blessings,

        we'll see each one unfold.

Again, Oh Lord, we thank Thee!

        In Thy dear name, Amen.

How to Pray for Your Children and Grandchildren

Author unknown - Thanks to Beth Cummings in Virginia for giving this list to me which she has used for years!

Mothers and Grandmothers, YOU can make a huge difference in the lives of your children and grandchildren by praying daily for each one!

1.   Pray that they will know Christ as Savior early in life.  (Psm. 63:1, II Tim. 3:15)
2.   Pray that they will have a hatred for sin. (Psm. 97:10)
3.   Pray that they will be caught when guilty.  (Psm. 119:71)
4.   Pray that they will be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, and physical. (John 17:15)
5.   Pray that they will have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships.  (Dan. 6:3)
6.   Pray that they will respect those in authority over them.  (Rom. 13:11)
7.   Pray that they will desire the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong friends. (Prov. 1:10-11)
8.   Pray that they will be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one.  (II Cor. 6:14-17)
9.   Pray that they, as well as those they marry, will be kept pure until marriage.  (I Cor. 6:18-20)
10.  Pray that they will learn to totally submit to God and actively resist Satan in all circumstances.  (James 4:7)
11.  Pray that they will be singlehearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ.  (Rom. 12:1-2)
12.  Pray that they will be hedged in so they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places and that the wrong people cannot find their way to them.  (Hosea 2:6)

Praying the Scriptures for Wayward Sons and Daughters

There are so many hurting parents and grandparents as they watch their children and grandchildren stray from the godly way in which they were taught.  We all know there are no perfect parents, but even God, the most perfect parent of all, watched as his own children, Adam and Eve, strayed from Him.  Satan knows his days are short and I believe he is working overtime to destroy our families. 

There are three things I believe that we as parents can and should do when one or more of our children is wayward. 

(1) Keep the lines of communication open.  

(2) Love him unconditionally.  

(3) Pray constantly for him, using scriptures as you bring him before the Lord. 

As you learn of families in this situation, keep a prayer list of those who have gone astray, and pray for them (and the parents) regularly.  We in the body of Christ need to uphold others in prayer.  We are all in need of the prayers of others.

Here are some examples of praying the scriptures for wayward sons and daughters:

Give him a singleness of heart and put a new spirit within him. Take away his heart of stone and give him a tender heart instead, so that he will obey you. Let him know that he belongs to you. - Ezekiel 11:19-20

As our children have been taught by the Lord, give them Your great peace. - Isaiah 54:13

Help him to have his shame replaced with double honor, and in place of confusion cause him to rejoice in his portion. - Isaiah 61:7

Remove any trace of a veil from his eyes. Take the blinders off of his mind – wherever he is prone to unbelief – so that he might understand the gospel and see the light of your glory.  - II Cor. 4:3-6

Cause him to seek You and call upon You while You are near.  Let him forsake his wicked way and his unrighteous thoughts.  Let him return to You and receive Your mercy and pardon. - Isaiah 55:6, 7

Give him the same Spirit that Jesus had as a young man. Let him be an eager listener and an active participant at church, and bless him with wisdom and understanding. - Luke 2:46-47

Lift him out of the slimy pit he is in, out of the mud and mire. Give him a firm place to stand, and put a new song in his mouth – a hymn of praise to you. Bring people into his life who will gently instruct him. Grant him repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, so that he will come to his senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken him captive to do his will. - Psalm 40: 2-3; II Tim. 2:25-26

Help him to realize that his body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives, and that it belongs to you, Lord God. Remind him that he was bought with a price and that he should honor you in the way he treats his body. - 1 Cor. 6:19-20

Ah, Lord God!  Behold you have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm.  There is nothing too hard for You. - Jeremiah. 32:17, 27

Beth Moore has written a wonderful book which I highly recommend entitled, Praying God's Word.   This is the same idea.  Search the scriptures for guidelines to use in your own personal prayers concerning any need.  Don't forget to also praise the Lord, using His Word as you thank Him for His many attributes.

When You Need a Little Extra Strength

by Holley Garth - Heart to Heart with Holley - http://www.holleygerth.com/heart-to-heart-with-holley/

Used by permission

 

The sky blazes blue above us. The road whirs beneath the wheels of my bike. It's early morning and the heat is just beginning to nip at our heels. We race it. 

 

My husband says, "Get behind me and you can draft."

I've heard this term when the Tour de France comes around each year but I'm not really sure what it means. 

I pull in snug to his back tire.

 

And suddenly everything is better. I'm going faster with less effort. 

When we come to a smooth stretch, I slip in beside him.

"Why did it get so much easier?" I ask. 

"I took the wind for you. I faced the resistance so you didn't have to."

 

I smile in recognition--I may not have done this on a bike before but my heart knows the feeling. Oh, yes.

When a friend stands in front of me with uplifting words as the enemy tries to breathe down my neck. 

When someone helps me with a hard task--one that seems too much for me in the moment. 

When a one of you leaves a comment with the four words that perhaps break the opposition most effectively, "I'm praying for you."

 

When a biking team is racing, they take turns drafting off each other. Each rider gets to be the one who benefits and then at some point its their time to stand in the gap for someone else. 

Isn't that what we're called to do as well?

 

Encouragement is a lot like "drafting" for the heart. 

Who stands in front of you and takes the resistance sometimes? Tell them thank you.

And who are you letting come behind you so that you can help them along? Keep it up--you're making a difference even more than you know. 

 

We pull into home. 

My legs are tired but I feel good. 

I look at the one who helped me make it and I smile. 

Yes, we really are better together.

You, me, all of us.  

Getting stronger as we go.

 

Note from Lois:  Prayer works like this, doesn't it? 

A Parent's Prayer

by Roy Lessin
 
Lord, as my children grow help me to train them with... 

~ VISION ~
So that they may discover all you made them to be. 

~ DISCIPLINE ~
So that their hearts may be tender and yielded to You.
 

~ WISDOM ~
So that they will make good choices and hold right values.
 

~ FAITH ~
So that they will live free of fear and depend on You for all things.
 

~ TRUTH ~
So that they will grow strong in character and in favor of You.
 

~ LOVE ~
So that their hearts will come to know Your heart and express it to others.

Is Anything Too Hard for God?

 God had promised Sarah a child

But her years were passing fast,

And Sarah knew without a doubt

Her childbearing years had passed.

So she devised a special plan,

For no longer would she wait.

Her servant girl bore her a child,

Her life to complicate.

But God’s plan was not yet finished,

For Sarah would bear a son.

Many nations would be blessed through her.

God’s perfect will would be done.

When Sarah overheard the news,

She laughed and thought, “Oh, my!

Can a woman of my age give birth?

Will God’s blessings multiply?

“Is anything too hard for God?

Is there nothing I can’t do?

God said, “When I return again,

A son will be born to you.”

Like Sarah we may question when

God’s hand seems slow to move,

But then regret our choices made

That God did not approve.

Is anything too hard for God?

Is there nothing He can’t do?

The lesson we learn from Sarah

Speaks loudly to us, too.

As we wait and we watch and pray

With confidence, rest assured,

In perfect time He’ll answer us

As promised in His Word.

© 2005 Linda J. Stevenson

Mother's Covers / 31 Ways to Pray for Our Children - A Special Prayer for Each Day

MOTHER’S COVERS
by Dona Maddux Cooper

When you were small and just a touch away,
I covered you with blankets against the cool night air.
But now that you are tall and out of reach,
I fold my hands and cover you with prayer.

31 WAYS TO PRAY FOR OUR CHILDREN -- A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR EACH DAY

Author unknown ~ contributed by Barb Campbell, Mississippi

1. Pray for a spirit of Humility. "The willingness to submit" (James 4:10)

2. Pray for a spirit of Reverence. "The fear of the Lord." (Proverbs 9:10)

3. Pray for a spirit of Purity. "A desire to be clean." (Matthew 5:8)

4. Pray for a spirit of Purpose. "A wisdom to set goals." (Proverbs 4:25)

5. Pray for a spirit of Simplicity. "A lifestyle uncluttered." (Romans 12:8)

6. Pray for a spirit of Commitment. "A dedication to the ‘cause'." (Josh. 24:15)

7. Pray for a spirit of Diligence. "A willingness to work hard." (II Peter 1:5)

8. Pray for a spirit of Servant hood. "The ministry of helps." (Galatians 6:9,10)

9. Pray for a spirit of Consistency. "The quality of faithfulness." (James 1:8)

10. Pray for a spirit of Assurance.  "A depth of faith." (Hebrews 10:22)

11. Pray for a spirit of Availability.  "A willingness to go." (Isa. 6:8)

12. Pray for a spirit of Loyalty.  "A zeal for fidelity." (Ruth 1:16)

13. Pray for a spirit of Sensitivity.  "Openness of heart." Luke 10: 30-37)

14. Pray for a spirit of Compassion.  "Love in action." (Mark 8:1,2)

15. Pray for a spirit of Tenderness.  "A willingness to weep." (II Kings 22:19)

16. Pray for a spirit of Maturity.  "The capacity to grow." (Hebrews 5: 12-14)

17. Pray for a spirit of Holiness.  "Christ-like behavior." (I Peter 1:16)

18. Pray for a spirit of Reliability.  "A depth of dependability." (I Cor. 4:2)

19. Pray for a spirit of Revelation.  "Learning to listen." (Ephesians 1:15,18)

20. Pray for a spirit of Denial.  "A sacrifice to surrender." (Luke 9:23)

21. Pray for a spirit of Confidence.  "A baptism of boldness." (Philippians 4:13)

22. Pray for a spirit of Integrity.  "The quality of truthfulness." (Rom. 12:17)

23. Pray for a spirit of Repentance.  "A willingness to change." (Luke 3:8)

24. Pray for a spirit of Trust.  "A fearless reliance." (Psalm 125:1)

25. Pray for a spirit of Submission.  "Choosing to yield." (Ephesians 5:21)

26. Pray for a spirit of Teachability.  "A quality of meekness." (Titus 3:2)

27. Pray for a spirit of Prayer.  "A longing to wait." (Isa. 40:31)

28. Pray for a spirit of Unity.  "A respect for others." (I Corinthians 1:10)

29. Pray for a spirit of Restoration.  "A ministry of healing." (Isa. 61:1,2)

30. Pray for a spirit of Authority.  "A capacity to command." (Matthew 16:19)

31. Pray for a spirit of Generosity.  "The desire to give." (Matthew 10:8) 

Train Them Up Early

by Mia Cronan - Main Street Mom - mia@mainstreetmom.com - © 2006 - Used by permission

The following list represents but a few of the things that some parents tend to put off until a rainy day. Chances are, by that time it's too late for the children to be able to appropriately incorporate these behaviors into their repertoire of good conduct and virtuous activities. This is something of a potpourri of things for them to learn.  Nonetheless, they should be taught -- and early.

PRAYER.  Children should understand that, as much as you love them, there is a God who loves them even more. Prayer builds that relationship, and if started early, can lead to a life of spirituality that will guide them through the tough and the great times.

MONEY MANAGEMENT. Just simple talks at the grocery store about why you don't care to purchase certain items can foster an early appreciation for money and how far it goes. Or while your child is dropping coins in his piggy bank, you can explain how money should be handled so that it's not wasted.

VIRTUES/FABLES/PARABLES:  HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND CHARACTER. Aesop's Fables are a great way to introduce children to the virtues in life. Bill Bennett also wrote a book called The Book of Virtues which offers great stories for kids on the less tangible things in life that offer us value and give us character.

ETIQUETTE.  Mealtime, respect for adults, saying "please," manners and writing thank you notes ... Sadly, these are lost arts in some families. As parents, we need to teach them early so that they are a built-in part of our kids.

THINKING OF OTHERS' FEELINGS BEFORE OUR OWN. Here again, this is something that our culture no longer promotes, unfortunately. We now live in a society which grossly supports getting all we want for ourselves, regardless of how it affects others. We can see it today in road rage, for example. If the parents of the up-and-coming generation do we all we can to reverse that, maybe we can turn our culture around and back to the days when people had consideration for others, too.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE.  Many children are encouraged to park themselves in front of a TV for hours on end because it's a convenient babysitter for the parents. Granted, there are times like the very long and cold days of winter when there simply isn't anything else to do. Video and computer games are another culprit. And we wonder why there are so many overweight, slothful children out there! As a rule, there are much healthier ways for kids to get entertainment. It takes some imagination on our part, but it's well worth the effort. And it will teach them to get active and creative at an early age.

MODERATION. Here again, our society is really into "bigger and more is better." Not always -- not when it teaches a child to be self-indulgent and possessive. If taught early that moderation is appropriate, it will become commonplace for our children to limit the bad things that seem so good at the time, but in reality are bad for them.

Mia Cronan is a happily married at-home mother of five children, living in Ohio. She owns and edits http://MainStreetMom.com, the magazine for modern mothers with traditional values.

Celebrating Fathers / How to Pray for Your Husband, Sons, Sons-in-Law Every Day / History of Father's Day

CELEBRATING FATHERS
by Susie Cortright, http://www.momscape.com, Copyright 2001, Used by permission

On Father's Day, we celebrate the guys in our lives. Not just our dads and the fathers to our children, but all the men who have made a positive impact on a child’s life.

A number of recently published studies call attention to the effects of good fathering. Men who play an active role in their children’s lives stimulate all aspects of development: emotional, academic, behavioral, and social, even when those men don’t live in the same home as their children.

But we don’t need a study to understand that the men in our lives matter, whether he’s a husband who lives at home, an ex-husband who lives across town, a stepfather, a grandfather, an uncle, or a mentor in the community.

Even from a child’s conception, a supportive father makes a difference in the lives of mothers, their children, and the world-at-large. In fact, research shows that women with supportive partners experience fewer health complications in pregnancy and have better attitudes about the inevitable physical changes to their own bodies. Studies indicate that even labor and delivery may be shorter and easier when your partner is by your side.

Men lend a sense of self-control. They model their work ethic. They make us laugh and help us develop a sense of humor. Men teach self-reliance, self-confidence, discipline, independence, and the ability to deal with frustrations, large and small. They help their daughters understand how to relate to men and the meaning of trust and intimacy in all relationships. They help their sons understand what it means to be a husband and a father and a man.

This Father’s Day, let us remember the father’s role. Let us actively engage him in this day-to-day process of parenting. Let us stand back so he can take charge and do things his way once in a while. Let us see his parenting style as a complement - and not an opposition - to our own.

Let us celebrate our fathers and honor them for making a difference in our world.

About the author:
Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape.com
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HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR HUSBAND, SONS AND SONS-IN-LAW EVERY DAY
From Wisdom's Way of Learning - Contributed by Barb Campbell in Mississippi
Note from Lois:  Tape this somewhere in your bathroom and pray for your husband, sons and sons-in-law as you get ready for each day.  Imagine if we women all did that!  I'm certain these special men in our lives would all feel the power of answered prayed in their lives!  Try it!

Sunday
*  That he might become a holy man, a man of prayer, mature in the Lord, growing in his knowledge of God. (I Thes. 5:23, Col. 4:12, Eph. 6:18, Eph. 1:18-19, Eph. 3:16-19).
*  That he might daily seek God with all his heart, walking in the Spirit moment by moment, growing in his dependence on Him.  (Psm. 119:1-2, Psm. 27:4, Prov. 3:5-6, John 15:5).

Monday
*  That he might learn to take every thought captive, to not be conformed to the world's thinking and to think scripturally (Rom.12:2, 2 Cor. 10:5)
*  That he would learn to not depend on his circumstances for happiness but on God alone (Hab. 3:17-19)

Tuesday
*  That he might have new strength in the midst of his busy schedule and that the Lord might infuse him with His strength (Isa. 40:31, Eph. 3:14-19).
*  That his self-image might be a reflection of the Lord's thoughts toward him (Eph. 1:17-19; Romans 12:3, Psm. 139)

Wednesday
*  That he might become a called man, not driven, with well thought-through and prayed-through goals in life (I Cor. 9:24-27).
*  That the Lord might give him wisdom to lead his family physically, emotionally,  mentally, and spiritually (Eph. 1:17-19, James 1:5-7)

Thursday
*  That he might stand firm against the schemes of the devil and resist Satan in all circumstances (Eph. 6:10-18, James 4:7)
*  That he might not be deceived into unbelief or sin (Gal. 6:7)

Friday
*  That the fruit of the Spirit might be exhibited more and more in his life (Gal. 5:22-23)
*  That he might learn to love as God has commanded (I Cor. 13:4-7, Rom. 12;8-10)

Saturday
*  That the Lord might protect him, guarding his course (Prov. 2:8).
*  That he might learn to manage his time well (Eph. 5:15)


THE HISTORY OF FATHER'S DAY
Father's Day is June 18!  The celebration of Father's Day can most likely be credited to Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington State, who first suggested the idea of the holiday in 1909.  Then in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father's Day, but it wasn't until President Lyndon Johnson signed the presidential proclamation in 1966 that it became official.  Ever since that year the 3rd Sunday of June has been set aside for Father's Day.

The Poem that Could Really Change Your Eternity

Author unknown ~ Thanks to Karen Coughlin in Florida for sending this poem!

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work, for bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, and jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done; my soul could rest at ease.....
All day long I had no time to spread a word of cheer;
No time to speak of Christ to friends, they'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do, that was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need, but at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;  It was the Book of Life.
God looked into his book and said, "Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down, but never found the time."

 

 

SCRIPTURE THAT WILL DEFINITELY CHANGE YOUR ETERNITY FOR THE BETTER

Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation. - II Corinthians 6:2

* Rom. 3:23
* Rom. 6:23
* Rom. 5:6-8
* I Jn. 1:9
* I Jn. 5: 11-13
* Rom.10:9,10, 13

Couples Praying Together - and How to Get Started

by Lois Breneman, © 2006, Heart to Heart

 

On the way home from visiting family over Christmas, as my husband and I stopped at a super service station for gas, a friendly young man who worked behind the counter was enjoying talking to John as he got his coffee ready for the road.  The young man was so friendly and even offered John a big thick peanut butter cookie -"on the house."  In the conversation John mentioned that his wife was with him too, and he was generous in offering an extra cookie for me. 

When I came up to the counter, the man jokingly said to me, "Oh, don't tell me you're with this guy?"  I laughed and patted my husband on the arm as I said, "Yes, I am - I've been married to him for more than 37 years now."  He said, "Wow!  You know, I've been thinking how I'd love to sit down and talk to people who've been married for a long time and ask them what their secret is." 

So I just had to give the Lord credit and share with him how we pray together every evening.  He seemed grateful that I had shared that and hopefully it made him think about the best Source of couples staying together - a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and communication with Him.

 

I receive many requests to pray for others, and try my best not to let any slip away without praying.  I never want to be someone who says, "I will pray," then forget all about it.  What I try to do is pray right away for each request as I receive it.  Then I write down as many as I can on a pad by our computer and pray later too.  The Lord brings many people to mind throughout the day and night, and I pray again. 

 

Some of you may wonder how to get started in praying together with your husband.  When John and I started a regular, consistent time of praying together each evening, we began praying for just a few minutes, in bed, for the details of our children's lives and ours.  That's not the best way, but it did get us started!  Soon we had a large index card of written prayer requests and prayed together in the family room.  In time that card grew to three, as we saw so many prayer needs.  Now it has grown to five cards, which we alternate, so every request is covered at least once every five days.  Now I type the lists on the computer to make it easier to revise the prayer requests without starting all over again.

 

We pray together for these prayer concerns every day:

Our children (protection, good health, close walk with You, wisdom, guidance, to be led to a godly mate - the one the Lord has chosen for them, a good marriage, their job, etc.)

Other family members' needs

Our pastor (plus each associate pastor and his family also covered twice every 5 days)

Our president, vice president, and their families - by name

The House and Senate, Supreme Court, Cabinet Secretaries, FBI, CIA, other agencies

Military Leaders and Troops (by name) - and their families

 

We spread these topics out among the 5 lists and list specific people's names under each topic:

Missionaries (divided into 5 regions of the world - separate list each day)

Those who need salvation

Those who need healing

Those whose marriages need mending

Wayward children and young adults

Single moms

 

For the Heart to Heart Newsletter:

        For my wisdom and guidance in putting it together

        Encouragement and blessing for the ladies who receive it

       For each Heart to Heart lady and her family to love, serve and glorify the Lord in their lives

In order to keep us accountable, after we pray I write the date and initial of the one who prayed, as we take turns praying, on a separate index card.

The prayer lists get updated at least once a year.  By keeping the five different lists in Word, that helps the updating to go pretty quickly.

 

There have been so many blessings and answers to prayer (ATP's, as I like to call them) through the years!  Praying together has made us so much more aware of the needs of others and seeing God's hand in their lives has been amazing to experience.  I wonder what ATP's the Lord has in store for us all this year!   Let's continue to pray and wait, expecting great things from His loving hand!