Recession/Restoration

September 29, 2008

Our country is on the brink of a financial depression unlike anything America has seen since 1929. The symptoms of the financial “disease” have spread to Europe and around the world. Our congress is voting today for a bailout. God connected us to this world when he placed us here. We have all corrupted his world by believing that the “garden” itself was the miracle, not the creative God who breathed his breath into us and claimed us for his own. We, as a nation of believers, must turn our faces back to God and thank him for ALL of his blessings. Rather than looking at what we think we have lost, let us focus our hearts on what we have been given. Let us pray:
“Oh mighty God, creator of life and all there is, we humbly bow before your Holy name. You continue to create and recreate, even when we refuse to acknowledge your omnipotence. May we see your hand on our country as we dig out from under what greed has caused. Restore our country, your people, to the mighty nation you have called us to be. We pray today for wisdom, insight, unselfishness, and inspiration from you, for ourselves and our lawmakers, as they vote on these grave issues that underpin our national and personal financial security. Forgive us when we have wanted more and more of anything and everything, without considering the consequences of our childish desires. Forgive us when we have failed to be thankful for what we have been given and have neglected the care of what you have already intrusted into our safe keeping. We are like locusts, devouring the very blessings you have given us. Give us thankful hearts, an appetite for your love rather than for “things,” and the wisdom to insure that greed does not have a chance to destroy the very blessings you have given us. Forgive our laziness when we have not stood vigil over this “Shining city on a hill” and have allowed evil to creep across our borders. As stewards of your blessings, we have been called to stand guard, within the breech between our families and the world. Like Peter at Gestheme, forgive our falling asleep when we have been called to “wait and watch.” We cannot say like Peter did, “Our spirit is willing but our body is weak.” We have been weak in character, not body, for allowing this chaos to threaten our homes and families. Grant us awareness and discernment, so that we may each do our part in the crisis. To you, oh Father God, we will give ALL the glory for your healing of our land, if we but turn to you. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ your son, we pray. Amen”
Doris
Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”

Treasures in Heaven

September 22, 2008

“Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourself treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6: 19-21.
We all know what is going on in the financial world of today. Please, Dear Ones, know that the “financial world” is not part of the Kingdom of God. It isn’t anti-Kingdom, it’s just a separate entity. The Kingdom is “other” just as God is “Other” - not a piece of us. We are a piece of God when we are in keeping with his plan. As the financial world, even our own financial security come into concern, remember, our true treasure is in heaven. We must not choose to be financially illiterate or ignorant, by playing a “Pollyanna” (immature, unaware) game of - “God will send manna from heaven to settle in my back yard if I just believe He will.” We must be financially aware and responsible and do what we need to do to handle our physical house. But, our heavenly home is not contingent on what we have, what we do, who we are, or how much we have put in the bank. Our heavenly home is “other”. We are called to live responsibly in the world, while our heart is drawn toward “home.” Let us pray:
“Oh Father, God, who lives above the financial turmoil and within the hearts of those who invite you there, your name is Holy, not “Banker.” May your Kingdom dwell in our hearts so that we may be aware of your presence every day of our lives. We pray for our leaders, that their wisdom and unselfishness may bring about stability and restore prosperity to our country so that we may be a beacon of Freedom throughout the world again - for your sake. We also pray for a peace and calm to settle on our hearts, knowing your love and safety for our souls, and our place at the table in your Kingdom, are the security of which we seek. Forgive us when we have been irresponsible or have clung to security through ownership of “things” rather than finding safety in the bosom of your family. We wait humbly at your feet, Father. To you we give all honor and glory Father. In the name of Jesus, your son our savior and brother we pray. Amen”
And now we pause and wait for that blessed assurance that you have heard our sincere pray and will bless your people once again We will live today in the knowledge that we are a blessed people.

Doris
Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”

A Mighty WInd

September 15, 2008

A line from a song floods through my mind this morning. “Blow in like a mighty wind. Bless thy people once again.” A force of nature called “Ike” just blew through our southwest, then turned and burst though the Midwest on its way to the east. Our daughter, her husband and family, live in a Houston suburb, Katy, Texas, just beyond the third beltway to the west of the city. Even out there, they sustained damage to their home. There’s a hole in our granddaughter’s bedroom roof and the dining room window leaks, both at the front of the house. Their fence is down and a neighbor’s mailbox is in their front yard. They have no electricity. With the Katy Schools closed (both are teachers, Donna teaches in Houston) until the utilities are back on, they’ll do a complete assessment of their home today. The larger picture? GOD IS IN HIS HEAVEN AND ALL’S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD! He blew in like a mighty wind and can bless His children once again for those who seek His blessing. Let us remember those whose live’s were lost in hurricane Ike and those who are in the midst of the cleanup. Let them feel God’s loving hand upon their shoulder as they work to restore their homes to a safe haven. Let’s pray:

“Oh father of the wind and rain, we thank you for your blessings. Your name and presence were above the terrible wind. Your love reached out to all. At this time of grief, loss and “cleanup” we pray that your will and your plan may rise above the devastation so that heaven may be experienced by those who dig out. While some are now gone, we know those who sought your face and forgiveness are with you. For those who remain, we ask that you bless them with your strength, patience, hope, and perseverance. Surround and fill them with your love to calm the winds of fear, frustration, exhaustion, anger and doubt that may dwell within them. Forgive us when we become self-absorbed - “Why did this happen to me?” - for we know we live in the world where we are all subject to the winds of time. We are not yet in paradise. Still, we know you are even here, at the bottom of a rubble pile or in our comfortable homes. Let us, who have been untouched, find ways to help those less fortunate. To you we give all honor, and praise, and glory. In the name of your precious Son Jesus, our redeemer and savior we pray. Amen.”
Doris

Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”

911

September 9, 2008

As we approach 911, let us remember we are all in a war, a war for our Christian beliefs, a war to maintain the values our country was founded on, a war for our very lives and safety. Let us pray this prayer today - on 9/09, and again on 9/10, 9/11, 9/12 and for many days to come:

“Oh most merciful God, whose hand stretches out and keeps us all, either safely in this world or in the next, we praise your precious, Holy name. May your kingdom come to dwell in our lives so that your will may be done there. We pray for the lives of those lost on 911 and strength for their families and loved ones through your presence. We pray for your love to drive out all anger from our lives so that only your grace and peace remain. You are God. Justice and consequences belong to you. We can let go of all hate, frustration and anger. We pray also for discernment that we might see evil where it exists, call it by name, and rely on you to destroy it. We ask your forgiveness where we have not spoken up and spoken out, and pray for courage to do so in the future. We pray that the events of 911 never happen again and that we will always be vigilant for signs that could detect the developing circumstances before they would ever happen. Deliver us from our own sin and the evil that is around us. We give you all the praise and glory. In the name of, and by the power of, your precious son’s name, Jesus our Savior, we pray. And now, we will live this day, secure in the knowledge that you have heard our prayer. Amen”
Doris

Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”

PRAISE THE LORD FOR HE IS GOOD!

September 2, 2008

September has blown in on our southern coast with gusto. Some people are temporarily displaced, and some have lost their homes or businesses. We also know it’s not over, as new hurricanes move in from the Pacific. Still, it could have been worse. Too often, we forget to give God praise for all He has done. We certainly see His hand at work through care-givers who acted in a timely manner, and we were amazed when the force of the wind was tamed. We now take time to give glory to God for His hand in our lives and the lives of those in the recent storms. We also pray for those who will be hit by the storms to come. The prayers of the faithful are always heard and they are answered in keeping with His plan. Let us praise the Lord for His power, love, and saving grace:

“Our Father, God, Holy is your name. We thank you for hearing our prayers and know you are answering them in keeping with your plan for us and for your people. Give us hearts that feel the concerns of your children, eyes that see their need, hands that reach out to help, and lips that give honor and glory to you and your son, Jesus, our blessed redeemer. Sometimes we are very self-centered and moan that you have not answered our pleading supplications, when, in fact, we were seeking to placate our own interests. We also pray for those who will be entering into their time of trial as new storms approach our coast. We thank you for your blessings, your love, your awesome power, your forgiveness and your grace. In the precious name of your son our savior, Jesus, we pray. Amen.”
Doris

Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”