Prayer for wisdom at work where discussions of persecution against Muslims (and some raising the specter of Christian “extremism”) came up yesterday and will likely come up again. A couple of those discussing this yesterday were folks I would especially like to see come to Christ, so I am being especially careful and praying for much discernment (especially in knowing when to be still & quiet & not engage or respond; which on this topic and in this setting/circumstance — for me — is most of the time, but it is hard).
Unfortunately, so many of these conversations are emotionally-charged on all sides, so discussions can quickly turn into a cause for offense and “jumping in” or popping off, as the President likes to say, is very tempting (but not necessarily wise).
Trying to remember that, first and foremost, winning souls — not arguments — is our God-given charge.
I am venturing into that arena, in connection with the posting of husband’s letters in the local paper. He has heard positive and negative. But the negatives tend to be very deep. You are delusional. You believe in fairy tales. Not exactly conducive to conversation which was the point of the letters. He has learned there are a lot of Christians with no idea of Islam, where it came from, or where it is headed. Sounds like an opportunity to put out the Gospel, just in comparison of the religions.
Still need prayer for my right hip. (It maybe my right hip, but something’s not right with my hip. 🙂 ) From reading about hip pain, it looks like I have a case of bursitis.
After weeks of thinking it would eventually “just go away”, as it has in the past, I am finally treating it with more care, such as taking the stairs one at a time (left foot on step, then right foot on same step) & using an ice pack a few times a day. But it seems like it is going to take a long time to heal, & although it is usually “only” an ache, it can be painful at times.
Conversation yesterday included comments like “all religion is just interpretation anyway” “what if we said the bombing at the PP was what all Christians really want to do.”
And the person who inputs our letters to the editor (which mostly are from older people, who tend also to be conservatives, as they’re are what remains of our “print edition” subscription readers) was complaining about people actually saying (according to her) that all Muslims are terrorists …
Only thing I said is that you can always find some people who will say most anything, but is that really a representation of what most Americans think, that “all” Muslims are terrorists? I don’t think so.
She responded that she’d be glad to “show” me the letters to prove her point. What if, she said, we substituted “Christian” instead of “Muslim” in all of these complaints?
What I didn’t say: There are legitimate concerns that people have right now about these issues (especially in light of our own country’s leadership vacuum). And, at the same time, Trump’s statement yesterday was scary and easily could be a threat to religious liberty for all people.
But of course there is no real middle, rational ground anymore on these topics, you’re on one side or the other. If you’re not, you’re automatically & very quickly pushed into that category by others. Sigh.
I’m seeing the doctor later today, just to get checked out. Both shoulders hurt, my left side, and back. Elizabeth is having pain in her shoulder when she lifts her arm or straightens it out in front of her. Waiting to hear back if they can squeeze her in too.
And I’m trying desperately not to cry and have another PTSD freak out. Didn’t sleep well, and the nightmares returned. It’d been awhile, and I didn’t miss them at all. Yay. 😦
Plus, I’m quite terrified to get back behind the wheel today. My wife still can’t drive, so it looks like it’ll be a white-knuckle ride for 8 blocks to the doctor. Then when I arrive, they’ll tell me my blood pressure is high….
No kiddin?…. 🙄
And I don’t get to see my regular doc either, the one who is familiar with me and my history. 😦
AJ, they say when you’re thrown you should get back on the horse. But I DO understand about having an accident shakes your confidence in driving–it happens so quickly and wow. May God give you what you need today.
The closer we get to court time 4pm Central and it will last a while…the more jittery and unsettled I become. I still don’t think she “gets it” and she said something to me today that I recognize as her “yanking my chain” but it has me all over the emotional map. (were there enough idioms in that sentence?)
HER choices, Kim, not yours. You’re not responsible for what she chose to do with the teaching and training and opportunities you gave her for 18 years.
Kim, a court room is a sobering place, even if you aren’t the one standing before the judge. I can’t help but think it will feel pretty real two hours from now. I will pray for you, though, and for her and the others involved, that God will grant wisdom to all parties, and genuine repentance to your baby girl.
For those who may have something out of joint, the last time I mowed my knee seemed to get out of joint so I could hardly walk. It helped me to lie down on my back and lift my leg straight up and massage the leg for a bit in that position. I was amazed afterwards that I could walk on it again. I am trying new strategies like that when things don’t work right.
My husband is still having some pain in his leg. That is bothersome since his next kidney stone blasting is on Monday and he will be in the same position as he was before which put him in agonizing pain. At least he will start out on the right pain relief from the beginning..
Unless the courtroom is running behind, it is that time when BG’s case will be brought before the judge. I don’t know exactly how to pray over that so I just ask for the Holy Spirit to pray for me with my heart aligned with what is groaned in words I know not how to speak. I know and trust You want what is best for BG. Thank You for being her loving Father in heaven Who wants to see her saved and count her among those to be with Jesus for all eternity. Whatever it takes for the long run to make that happen even if for the short term it brings pain…You know best.
Abba, Your children in the Jackson family need a healing and relieving touch from Jesus. They all are knowing pains that are distressing to them. Please help AJ with his PTSD. I don’t know if it is from his accidents, from being in the military, or from both, but You know, You care, and You see the dreams and nightmares that are afflicting him. Please shoo those demons away that bother his sleep. Please keep all the financial worries at bay. Please help him to know Your strength when he feels weak. Please help him to feel lifted up by the many who are aware of their situation and are praying. I call on that incredible power, the power that is unimaginable to humans except that Your word makes record of it over and over, the power that is in the name Jesus and His shed blood to be a rescue for AJ, Cjheryl, and Liz from their pain and suffering. I know You do things in Your timing, but I urge You to quicken the earthly time frame in which You work on this special request. We do not call on false gods to do such impossible feats. You get all the glory for all You accomplish that is prayed for by all the prayers here on this blog. Just please act soon on this. Please!
I lift up Donna for all she is dealing with at work. Help her to remain diplomatic and winsome as she speaks truth into conversations where people are blinded by what they want the world to be like rather than the reality of what our nation is up against. Please protect her from any who are riled up into a rant who may foolishly look to her as a Christian as one to take out their prejudices against. Please, may the Holy Spirit inform her speech with apples of gold in silver fittings. May the wisdom she speaks into situations be found worthy of consideration. Please help her to find favor not only with You but also with those who are close to her in the work space who need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
I lift up Karen and Lee for the blessing of good health and increasing stamina. Thank You for the continuing blessings of Forrest in their lives. Thank You for the help they receive through their daughters. Please bring both daughters around to better understanding of Christianity and how it may have been misrepresented by their peers or through their school situations.
As always, Abba, I feel like my prayers could be non-stop for hours on end except that breaks are needed from mental and spiritual efforts. I need to move around or else I get stiff. And my eyes get tired. But I know You are fully aaware of all the needs even before they are mentioned. Please help us to be patient as we wait for Your best answers.
I pray in the blessed name of Jesus. Thank You for all You are doing. Amen
I am just catching up from a long weekend that was a complete whirlwind. Praying for all.
I am also in a discussion with a young couple (on fb) who put out a quote that basically said all sacred texts have been changed or eroded over the years and Jesus, Mohammad and Buddha are all right. I hesitated to say anything, because there have been past nastiness. I just could not leave it alone. So far there has been some good discussion, although only a couple of comments from all. I reduced the comments to discussing whether there is truth at all. Faith and belief is also involved. So many lost souls. 😦
Wandering Views 
Something popped in the back of my left knee in the gym class this morning. No pain and I’ve been icing it but . . . Unhappy.
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Prayer for wisdom at work where discussions of persecution against Muslims (and some raising the specter of Christian “extremism”) came up yesterday and will likely come up again. A couple of those discussing this yesterday were folks I would especially like to see come to Christ, so I am being especially careful and praying for much discernment (especially in knowing when to be still & quiet & not engage or respond; which on this topic and in this setting/circumstance — for me — is most of the time, but it is hard).
Unfortunately, so many of these conversations are emotionally-charged on all sides, so discussions can quickly turn into a cause for offense and “jumping in” or popping off, as the President likes to say, is very tempting (but not necessarily wise).
Trying to remember that, first and foremost, winning souls — not arguments — is our God-given charge.
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deleted, praying for a de-popping.
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I am venturing into that arena, in connection with the posting of husband’s letters in the local paper. He has heard positive and negative. But the negatives tend to be very deep. You are delusional. You believe in fairy tales. Not exactly conducive to conversation which was the point of the letters. He has learned there are a lot of Christians with no idea of Islam, where it came from, or where it is headed. Sounds like an opportunity to put out the Gospel, just in comparison of the religions.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Still need prayer for my right hip. (It maybe my right hip, but something’s not right with my hip. 🙂 ) From reading about hip pain, it looks like I have a case of bursitis.
After weeks of thinking it would eventually “just go away”, as it has in the past, I am finally treating it with more care, such as taking the stairs one at a time (left foot on step, then right foot on same step) & using an ice pack a few times a day. But it seems like it is going to take a long time to heal, & although it is usually “only” an ache, it can be painful at times.
Thanks for your prayers.
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Donna & Mumsee (& Mike) – Praying for wisdom & insight for you, & open eyes & ears from the others.
Kim – Praying God’s will is done at BG’s court hearing.
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Conversation yesterday included comments like “all religion is just interpretation anyway” “what if we said the bombing at the PP was what all Christians really want to do.”
And the person who inputs our letters to the editor (which mostly are from older people, who tend also to be conservatives, as they’re are what remains of our “print edition” subscription readers) was complaining about people actually saying (according to her) that all Muslims are terrorists …
Only thing I said is that you can always find some people who will say most anything, but is that really a representation of what most Americans think, that “all” Muslims are terrorists? I don’t think so.
She responded that she’d be glad to “show” me the letters to prove her point. What if, she said, we substituted “Christian” instead of “Muslim” in all of these complaints?
What I didn’t say: There are legitimate concerns that people have right now about these issues (especially in light of our own country’s leadership vacuum). And, at the same time, Trump’s statement yesterday was scary and easily could be a threat to religious liberty for all people.
But of course there is no real middle, rational ground anymore on these topics, you’re on one side or the other. If you’re not, you’re automatically & very quickly pushed into that category by others. Sigh.
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AJ here,
Today I’m the really sore AJ. 🙂
I’m seeing the doctor later today, just to get checked out. Both shoulders hurt, my left side, and back. Elizabeth is having pain in her shoulder when she lifts her arm or straightens it out in front of her. Waiting to hear back if they can squeeze her in too.
And I’m trying desperately not to cry and have another PTSD freak out. Didn’t sleep well, and the nightmares returned. It’d been awhile, and I didn’t miss them at all. Yay. 😦
Plus, I’m quite terrified to get back behind the wheel today. My wife still can’t drive, so it looks like it’ll be a white-knuckle ride for 8 blocks to the doctor. Then when I arrive, they’ll tell me my blood pressure is high….
No kiddin?…. 🙄
And I don’t get to see my regular doc either, the one who is familiar with me and my history. 😦
Sooooo….
Yeah, we could use some prayer.
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AJ, they say when you’re thrown you should get back on the horse. But I DO understand about having an accident shakes your confidence in driving–it happens so quickly and wow. May God give you what you need today.
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The closer we get to court time 4pm Central and it will last a while…the more jittery and unsettled I become. I still don’t think she “gets it” and she said something to me today that I recognize as her “yanking my chain” but it has me all over the emotional map. (were there enough idioms in that sentence?)
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HER choices, Kim, not yours. You’re not responsible for what she chose to do with the teaching and training and opportunities you gave her for 18 years.
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Kim, a court room is a sobering place, even if you aren’t the one standing before the judge. I can’t help but think it will feel pretty real two hours from now. I will pray for you, though, and for her and the others involved, that God will grant wisdom to all parties, and genuine repentance to your baby girl.
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And she may not be woken up by the court room. It may actually take some time in jail.
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Again, lots and lots to cover in prayer!
For those who may have something out of joint, the last time I mowed my knee seemed to get out of joint so I could hardly walk. It helped me to lie down on my back and lift my leg straight up and massage the leg for a bit in that position. I was amazed afterwards that I could walk on it again. I am trying new strategies like that when things don’t work right.
My husband is still having some pain in his leg. That is bothersome since his next kidney stone blasting is on Monday and he will be in the same position as he was before which put him in agonizing pain. At least he will start out on the right pain relief from the beginning..
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Heavenly Father,
Unless the courtroom is running behind, it is that time when BG’s case will be brought before the judge. I don’t know exactly how to pray over that so I just ask for the Holy Spirit to pray for me with my heart aligned with what is groaned in words I know not how to speak. I know and trust You want what is best for BG. Thank You for being her loving Father in heaven Who wants to see her saved and count her among those to be with Jesus for all eternity. Whatever it takes for the long run to make that happen even if for the short term it brings pain…You know best.
Abba, Your children in the Jackson family need a healing and relieving touch from Jesus. They all are knowing pains that are distressing to them. Please help AJ with his PTSD. I don’t know if it is from his accidents, from being in the military, or from both, but You know, You care, and You see the dreams and nightmares that are afflicting him. Please shoo those demons away that bother his sleep. Please keep all the financial worries at bay. Please help him to know Your strength when he feels weak. Please help him to feel lifted up by the many who are aware of their situation and are praying. I call on that incredible power, the power that is unimaginable to humans except that Your word makes record of it over and over, the power that is in the name Jesus and His shed blood to be a rescue for AJ, Cjheryl, and Liz from their pain and suffering. I know You do things in Your timing, but I urge You to quicken the earthly time frame in which You work on this special request. We do not call on false gods to do such impossible feats. You get all the glory for all You accomplish that is prayed for by all the prayers here on this blog. Just please act soon on this. Please!
I lift up Donna for all she is dealing with at work. Help her to remain diplomatic and winsome as she speaks truth into conversations where people are blinded by what they want the world to be like rather than the reality of what our nation is up against. Please protect her from any who are riled up into a rant who may foolishly look to her as a Christian as one to take out their prejudices against. Please, may the Holy Spirit inform her speech with apples of gold in silver fittings. May the wisdom she speaks into situations be found worthy of consideration. Please help her to find favor not only with You but also with those who are close to her in the work space who need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
I lift up Karen and Lee for the blessing of good health and increasing stamina. Thank You for the continuing blessings of Forrest in their lives. Thank You for the help they receive through their daughters. Please bring both daughters around to better understanding of Christianity and how it may have been misrepresented by their peers or through their school situations.
As always, Abba, I feel like my prayers could be non-stop for hours on end except that breaks are needed from mental and spiritual efforts. I need to move around or else I get stiff. And my eyes get tired. But I know You are fully aaware of all the needs even before they are mentioned. Please help us to be patient as we wait for Your best answers.
I pray in the blessed name of Jesus. Thank You for all You are doing. Amen
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I am just catching up from a long weekend that was a complete whirlwind. Praying for all.
I am also in a discussion with a young couple (on fb) who put out a quote that basically said all sacred texts have been changed or eroded over the years and Jesus, Mohammad and Buddha are all right. I hesitated to say anything, because there have been past nastiness. I just could not leave it alone. So far there has been some good discussion, although only a couple of comments from all. I reduced the comments to discussing whether there is truth at all. Faith and belief is also involved. So many lost souls. 😦
LikeLiked by 2 people