It’s Wednesday, so don’t forget to pray for The Gambia.
Anyone else?
Psalm 141
¹Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shall hear my words; for they are sweet.
7 Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.
8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
9 Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.
The closing for Lee’s route is supposed to be sometime this afternoon, but as of yesterday, the papers had not come in yet. He isn’t too worried about that, saying they can be signed Thursday afternoon, or Friday. He seems sure that Mike is not going to pull out at the last minute. (Mike is nervous but excited about buying the route.)
I have a kind of silly reason for hoping the papers come in & are signed today. . .
You see, not having money of my own, I can’t buy anything for my husband that he doesn’t actually pay for. And not driving means I am limited in doing things to surprise him. But I do have a little surprise celebration planned. I had Emily buy a bottle of sparkling apple cider (in lieu of champagne 🙂 ), & yesterday I made a cake, & hid it.
If the papers are not signed today, the “champagne” will wait, but the cake needs to be eaten soon, so that part of the surprise would be spoiled.
I know, it’s not that important, but it would be nice to have it all fall into place.
From yesterday’s prayer thread, also for AJ & family, this has got to be a tough time for them all. But I was glad to hear that Cheryl’s PT is coming along and that there has been some progress on that front.
Thank You for the blue sky today. Thank you for the chill in the air. Thank You for meeting all our basic needs that we rarely give thought to such as fresh air to breathe, a piece of bread to eat, and the water and other nourishing drinks we consume. Thank You for these things and the seeing us through difficulties and challenges we never imagined facing.
I lift up AJ and Cheryl for a special blessing this morning. You know the need. You see every moment of wondering why accidents have brought such pain and disability into their lives. Thank You that You are in the midst of making a way of recovery for Cheryl. Help her to overcome obstacles that feel too great. Help AJ with pain management. I ask that You would help them to see the good plans You have for them that could not happen except for going through this down time.Please keep their gaze steady on You and what You can do instead of thinking only about what is humanly possible to take care of. I bring before You their bills and need for salary. Sustain them, Lord, in Your way with Your supply. May they constantly cast their cares on You instead of falling to the temptation to worry. Please continue to bless Liz through these days with a good attitude and helpful spirit, a level of maturity that exceeds what would be expected for her age and stage. Thank You that she is able to keep pace with her school work even as the times have been so stressful. Please bless her with unshakable faith in Jesus as Lord for all the days of her life. This has been a tough year for the Jackson family as well as for other families here on the blog. Thank You for being our living God Who cares for all of us. We look to You for provision, comfort, love, and the good gift of continuing faith.
I pray in the precious and beloved name of Jesus, Amen
Thank You for opening up employment opportunities for Stargazer, Kim, and (hopefully) Lee. May each one know quickly if what is offered is right for their situation and needs. I pray that their salary requirements will be met, and that the employer of each will be a good person with a staff of positive rather than negative employees. I pray for the best situation which would be a position that helps these children of Yours to keep growing in faith. Thank You for Your help along the way, with each step of the processing, and please remove any anxiety over competition for the work.
Please help Donna with her long days and stressful work environment. Thank You for giving her witness to the changing heart of one she works near. Please sustain her through this difficult time with trust that You will take care of her no matter what.
Thank You for watching over Art and helping him to see the difference it makes when he eats a better diet. Help him to do all he can to keep things going well for him. Please make him want to try new foods that seem bland to him that will be good for him. Help me not to fall into frustration as he rejects certain helpful foods. Please help him to drink more water and less colas.
I ask in agreement with Karen O that the sale go through today so they can have that cake she made. You are in charge of times and seasons, so please, if it could fit into Your will to make this little request happen, it would be great. You are the One we look to for both small and big things. Thank You for being such a God as only You could be.
Second Arrow (oldest daughter — the vet tech who has not lived at home for a few years) has been promoted to a new position at the veterinary hospital where she works, and will no longer have to work weekends! (She will have three 13.5-hour shifts, overnights, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, finishing work at 7:30 a.m. Saturdays.) Praise to God that after three years away from home, and work nearly every weekend, she will finally have better opportunity to get to church again!
Our request is that you would pray that she will use this opportunity to again worship regularly, as she did during her years at home.
I have not said much on here, but my husband and I have had some concerns over the years she’s been gone with her possibly straying from the faith. There are worship service times other than Sundays at various Bible-believing churches, but she tends to spend her non-work hours (and non-school hours when she was a student) in pursuits like getting a gym membership and working out there, spending time with friends, and the like. Nothing related to seeking out opportunities for spiritual growth.
In the past, when we’ve asked her if she’s found a church, she hems and haws and talks about “no time.”
I am relieved, though, that she has always been willing to go to church with us the few times she’s been home on weekends.
I don’t know if she’s been regularly reading her Bible over the years her church attendance has waned. I suspect she hasn’t, as she doesn’t have it with her when she comes home for a few days, and I believe she would be more proactive in seeking out other believers for regular fellowship if she were in the Word frequently herself. Just a guess, but I think regularity in one would lead to regularity in the other, and, conversely, laxity in one would probably yield laxity in the other. I don’t really know any Christian who reads the Bible often who doesn’t also desire to make time for worship.
Please pray that when she begins her new work hours (early/mid November), the Spirit will lead her to worship and immerse herself in the Word again. Thank you so much.
It’s been a weird day, as we awaited word about the closing. Lee didn’t get the message until almost two this afternoon, so he hadn’t felt free to start any projects or whatnot. (He did get his orders done, though.) As for me, I’ve been feeling odd today, physically & emotionally/mentally.
I did bring out the cake this afternoon, & he enjoyed it very much, but I’m still saving the sparkling apple cider “champagne” for tomorrow.
Prayers 6 arrows. Sounds like she’s going through a not-uncommon period for someone her age. I saw a post recently (wished I’d saved it, but I didn’t) about how the hard intellectual questions will (almost) always come as kids come of age and drift from church to spread their wings a bit (or simply get out of the spiritual habits). I suppose those issues can either be resolved quickly or over a longer period of time, as God wills.
But I’ll be praying she’ll return to the fold in a sound church sooner rather than later. 🙂
Thanks, Donna. You’re right, and I think the college experience, on a number of levels, helps facilitate that drift. We’re praying, too, that her return will be sooner rather than later — easier on a parent’s heart. 😉 Although it’s been good for our faith to learn to trust God in this these past few years. And to rely on Him to give us the words to speak to her about it, and wisdom to know how often to bring it up.
And there’s so much going on during those years, everything’s so new and exciting — a time to be wrapped up in studies, job and career possibilities, dating (plus we’re going to live and be young forever, remember 🙂 )
Wandering Views 
Very interesting job opportunity has turned up for Stargazer . . . But this is only the first step.
LikeLiked by 6 people
The closing for Lee’s route is supposed to be sometime this afternoon, but as of yesterday, the papers had not come in yet. He isn’t too worried about that, saying they can be signed Thursday afternoon, or Friday. He seems sure that Mike is not going to pull out at the last minute. (Mike is nervous but excited about buying the route.)
I have a kind of silly reason for hoping the papers come in & are signed today. . .
You see, not having money of my own, I can’t buy anything for my husband that he doesn’t actually pay for. And not driving means I am limited in doing things to surprise him. But I do have a little surprise celebration planned. I had Emily buy a bottle of sparkling apple cider (in lieu of champagne 🙂 ), & yesterday I made a cake, & hid it.
If the papers are not signed today, the “champagne” will wait, but the cake needs to be eaten soon, so that part of the surprise would be spoiled.
I know, it’s not that important, but it would be nice to have it all fall into place.
LikeLiked by 7 people
Praying Karen! How exciting, finally, at last … ?
From yesterday’s prayer thread, also for AJ & family, this has got to be a tough time for them all. But I was glad to hear that Cheryl’s PT is coming along and that there has been some progress on that front.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the blue sky today. Thank you for the chill in the air. Thank You for meeting all our basic needs that we rarely give thought to such as fresh air to breathe, a piece of bread to eat, and the water and other nourishing drinks we consume. Thank You for these things and the seeing us through difficulties and challenges we never imagined facing.
I lift up AJ and Cheryl for a special blessing this morning. You know the need. You see every moment of wondering why accidents have brought such pain and disability into their lives. Thank You that You are in the midst of making a way of recovery for Cheryl. Help her to overcome obstacles that feel too great. Help AJ with pain management. I ask that You would help them to see the good plans You have for them that could not happen except for going through this down time.Please keep their gaze steady on You and what You can do instead of thinking only about what is humanly possible to take care of. I bring before You their bills and need for salary. Sustain them, Lord, in Your way with Your supply. May they constantly cast their cares on You instead of falling to the temptation to worry. Please continue to bless Liz through these days with a good attitude and helpful spirit, a level of maturity that exceeds what would be expected for her age and stage. Thank You that she is able to keep pace with her school work even as the times have been so stressful. Please bless her with unshakable faith in Jesus as Lord for all the days of her life. This has been a tough year for the Jackson family as well as for other families here on the blog. Thank You for being our living God Who cares for all of us. We look to You for provision, comfort, love, and the good gift of continuing faith.
I pray in the precious and beloved name of Jesus, Amen
LikeLiked by 4 people
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for opening up employment opportunities for Stargazer, Kim, and (hopefully) Lee. May each one know quickly if what is offered is right for their situation and needs. I pray that their salary requirements will be met, and that the employer of each will be a good person with a staff of positive rather than negative employees. I pray for the best situation which would be a position that helps these children of Yours to keep growing in faith. Thank You for Your help along the way, with each step of the processing, and please remove any anxiety over competition for the work.
Please help Donna with her long days and stressful work environment. Thank You for giving her witness to the changing heart of one she works near. Please sustain her through this difficult time with trust that You will take care of her no matter what.
Thank You for watching over Art and helping him to see the difference it makes when he eats a better diet. Help him to do all he can to keep things going well for him. Please make him want to try new foods that seem bland to him that will be good for him. Help me not to fall into frustration as he rejects certain helpful foods. Please help him to drink more water and less colas.
I ask in agreement with Karen O that the sale go through today so they can have that cake she made. You are in charge of times and seasons, so please, if it could fit into Your will to make this little request happen, it would be great. You are the One we look to for both small and big things. Thank You for being such a God as only You could be.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
LikeLiked by 4 people
A praise and a prayer request along with it:
Second Arrow (oldest daughter — the vet tech who has not lived at home for a few years) has been promoted to a new position at the veterinary hospital where she works, and will no longer have to work weekends! (She will have three 13.5-hour shifts, overnights, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, finishing work at 7:30 a.m. Saturdays.) Praise to God that after three years away from home, and work nearly every weekend, she will finally have better opportunity to get to church again!
Our request is that you would pray that she will use this opportunity to again worship regularly, as she did during her years at home.
I have not said much on here, but my husband and I have had some concerns over the years she’s been gone with her possibly straying from the faith. There are worship service times other than Sundays at various Bible-believing churches, but she tends to spend her non-work hours (and non-school hours when she was a student) in pursuits like getting a gym membership and working out there, spending time with friends, and the like. Nothing related to seeking out opportunities for spiritual growth.
In the past, when we’ve asked her if she’s found a church, she hems and haws and talks about “no time.”
I am relieved, though, that she has always been willing to go to church with us the few times she’s been home on weekends.
I don’t know if she’s been regularly reading her Bible over the years her church attendance has waned. I suspect she hasn’t, as she doesn’t have it with her when she comes home for a few days, and I believe she would be more proactive in seeking out other believers for regular fellowship if she were in the Word frequently herself. Just a guess, but I think regularity in one would lead to regularity in the other, and, conversely, laxity in one would probably yield laxity in the other. I don’t really know any Christian who reads the Bible often who doesn’t also desire to make time for worship.
Please pray that when she begins her new work hours (early/mid November), the Spirit will lead her to worship and immerse herself in the Word again. Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Amen.
LikeLike
Well, the papers will be signed tomorrow.
It’s been a weird day, as we awaited word about the closing. Lee didn’t get the message until almost two this afternoon, so he hadn’t felt free to start any projects or whatnot. (He did get his orders done, though.) As for me, I’ve been feeling odd today, physically & emotionally/mentally.
I did bring out the cake this afternoon, & he enjoyed it very much, but I’m still saving the sparkling apple cider “champagne” for tomorrow.
Thanks for the prayers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Continuing in prayer, Karen. May tomorrow bring that last bit of closure to the deal, and God grant you peace tonight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good news, Karen. … Almost there …
Prayers 6 arrows. Sounds like she’s going through a not-uncommon period for someone her age. I saw a post recently (wished I’d saved it, but I didn’t) about how the hard intellectual questions will (almost) always come as kids come of age and drift from church to spread their wings a bit (or simply get out of the spiritual habits). I suppose those issues can either be resolved quickly or over a longer period of time, as God wills.
But I’ll be praying she’ll return to the fold in a sound church sooner rather than later. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Donna. You’re right, and I think the college experience, on a number of levels, helps facilitate that drift. We’re praying, too, that her return will be sooner rather than later — easier on a parent’s heart. 😉 Although it’s been good for our faith to learn to trust God in this these past few years. And to rely on Him to give us the words to speak to her about it, and wisdom to know how often to bring it up.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And there’s so much going on during those years, everything’s so new and exciting — a time to be wrapped up in studies, job and career possibilities, dating (plus we’re going to live and be young forever, remember 🙂 )
LikeLiked by 1 person