THE WORST AND THE BEST

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," so Charles Dickens (1812-1870) wrote in A Tale of Two Cities. That was last Saturday for my husband Bill and me. His cousin Paul’s funeral was in the morning and we drove the two hours to attend the service. While there, we also had the blessing of visiting with other sweet family members—so, the worst became the best.

As a singer, a real "best" was a song that was sung during the service. While the words of the pastor reminded us all of what Paul had meant to his family and his church, there was still a deep sadness over his leaving. As various family members pass on to Glory, the beautiful song of Bill’s extended family is slowly coming to an end. Yet, in the middle of sorrow, the minister of music sang a favorite song of Paul’s, a recent hymn I had missed. The words also reminded us of something else, the glorious promises of God.

". . . the prophet gave this promise, the Spirit will descend,
and from your inner being, a river with no end."

From David and Max Sapp’s beautiful hymn, There is a River (©2011).
God has sent his prophets, and even his only son, to tell his children of his deep and healing love. He promised us that he would be the headwater to the river that will flow through our soul and guarantee that we will never thirst again. Will you fear the water or dip your cup in? Will you dwell on the worst or embrace the best? Both are in front of us every day. We are left with the choice—the best of times, or the worst of times? Let us pray:

"Father God, you place us among your earthly children with a mission and a choice. We are called to be witnesses, to walk the path you have given us, and tell of your great love and work in our lives. We sometimes forget the mission. We make our own plans, as noble as they are, and then ask you to bless our small efforts. When, the miracle is the amazing mission you have planned for us, if we chose to accept your leading. Forgive us when we do not trust you. We claim we cannot take a step until you tell us what to do, when our mission is to walk blindly in the world and let you led the way. That is a life full of amazing miracles. Holy Father, we praise you for your river of holiness that flows from the fountainhead of your throne to the quenching waters in our heart. In the name of Jesus, your son and our redeemer, we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

FATHER'S DAY PLUS ONE

. . . "an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1: 20-21 (NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®)

　

Yesterday was the day to celebrate fathers but rather than honor them, some people stayed away from church, avoided family cookouts, and others found their own secret way to protest the presence or absence of their own father. I understand that some people had such an abusive father they cannot comprehend the love and grace of God, the Father. However, today, the day after Fathers Day, I hope you will begin to embrace the concept of "father" so that you can forgive the man who offended you and embrace the God who calls you unto Himself.

I am not a theologian. I am a psychologist and author. I only hope to present you with the possibility of once again loving your father, if not your earthly father, then certainly your Heavenly father—through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament, God revealed Himself as the One True God Almighty, God the Creator, God the Law Giver and the Organizer of His People. The New Testament identifies God as Abba (Daddy)—the Lover of your soul, God the grace giver, God the Redeemer. If you did not have a daddy in your life, then perhaps you can begin to embrace God-the-Creator and Law-Giver from the Old Testament. If you cannot embrace love, turn to God the ever-present Guide through your life.

As you go through the Old Testament and learn about what God has done for those who love Him and walk in His ways, practice that faithful walk through the pages of Creation and Promise. Then, when you are ready, begin the New, unfolding of the Promise and come face to face with the Glory of Love the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and embrace the God of Abba, Daddy, the Origin of your soul. Receive His grace and promise. Let us pray:

"Dear Lord and father of our Savior Jesus Christ, I bow before your full majesty. You are all I need, for you are the One revealed in the Old Covenant in which you gave your laws for a life of Holiness, and you are the God of the New Covenant, in which I am reconciled back to You. Holy is your Name and the name of your Son, Jesus. May I overcome my old disappointment with one of your flawed children, for we are all imperfect, and embrace you as my daddy. Forgive me for blaming you for what mere humans have done. Let my eyes be open to your Majesty and Holiness, and, where it is your will, let me pass that spark on to those around me. In the name of Jesus, your son and my redeemer, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

THE AGE OF SILENCE HAS BEGUN

Today is Flag Day in the United States. Let this not be the beginning of The Age of Silence. To help us be aware of the effect of silence, I am offering a copy of my book, Length of Days - The Age of Silence, a novel that takes place in 2112, one-hundred years after we chose to be bullied into silence. For details, go to www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com. The drawing ends at 10 p.m. Sunday, June 17, 2012. The winner will be posted on this blog, the Length of Days blog and Facebook on Monday, June 18.

GOD BLESS OUR NATION

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV ©1984

Thursday, June 14, is Flag Day here in the United States. To my readers in other countries, "Do you set aside a day to recognize what your flag means to You?"

Our flag represents Freedom to us. Your flag may represent loyalty, bravery, or love of country. Whatever the words behind your banner, may today be the day that those words are forever linked to God the Creator.

May your LOYALTY be to God, the author of Life and Love; your BRAVERY, the courage to speak truth to those around you and testify to the blessings from God in your life. May your LOVE OF COUNTRY be an acknowledgment that the Lord God of Love and Peace is the ultimate authority over your people. Where FREEDOM is represented by our flag, we lift up the name of the one true God and thank Him for the blessing of Freedom He has given us.

We are all His children, across the entire expanse of His creation. May the banner that flies over all of us represent Loyalty, Bravery, Love of Country, and the Freedom He has given to all His children who will humble themselves before Him and acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives. Glory be to God, the Father of us all. Let us pray:

"Holy Father, Abba, Daddy to all of your children who bend their knee to you, we lift up your name in praise. May your kingdom unfold to all of your people, wherever we may be. We ask that Love and Peace flow from you and fill our lives to overflowing. Where there is no Love, the people parish from the inside out. Where there is no peace, your children destroy themselves. Where loyalty does not reside, your children follow false gods. Where no bravery abides, your children live in fear and do not receive the blessings of the testifier. Where there is no love of country, your children sell their country short and do not lift up what it offers the children of the world. Without freedom, no one is free. May we all realize that freedom that comes to those who are willing to be independent and to live as the free people we have grown up to be. Forgive us for our lazy faith and our apathetic ways because our indifference will cause our freedoms to erode and disappear. May today be the day that we reawaken to our responsibility to carry on the Freedoms you have given us. May we be loyal to you and brave when our freedoms are attacked. Let our love of country shine like the promises it represents. In the name of Jesus, our redeemer, we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

LAY DOWN GLORY

"But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation." Psalm 13:5 (ESV 2001)

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.* (Mattheson)

Do we ever try to run away from the Cross that gives us new life? We try to flee whenever we remain silent, when we should defend Christ with our own testimony. Think about it. Where could we run to outrace God? If we were to grow wings and strap a rocket on our back, we could never be shot farther into space than the reach of God’s love and grace.

Now is the hour. My Friends, we can lay in the dust of life the glory that we had sought. Not the glory of fame or wealth, that is obvious. But, also the power that comes from our status as boss; the influence attached to our birth order—big brother; or our position of leadership in our church and community. We can name many other situations in which we try to control others. I know I can.

We are to give up whatever it is that has puffed us up and made us feel powerful and therefore not in need of God’s help and strength. Lay it all down in the dirt and in that place around our feet, God will grow new flowers, bright red blossoms that will say to us that Life is Eternal for those who trust in Him! Let us pray:

"Holy Father, power and creator of life, for you are Life, I humbly bow my head to you. I finally acknowledge what I have always known—I cannot live Life on my own. You are my strength and my guide through this life of Yours. May your Kingdom spring forth within me so that I am in You while Your Word is in me. Today, Father, I lay down my life and pick up the blossoms of the life of Love you have for me. Forgive me when I try to walk the Way of Christ alone, drawing on my own strength which is never enough. I give up and give my life to you Father that from the dust and dirt of my life, you may bring forth blooms more beautiful than I can imagine. I choose those flowers of Life and when I am weak, I ask for the power and strength of your Son Jesus Christ to bear me up and carry me along. In His precious name I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

*Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go
George Mattheson 1882 Public Domain

Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
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