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Length of Days - Search for Freedom

Monday, June 29, 2009

Fourth of July - WHAT A BANG!

The fourth of July is this Saturday. What a great celebration of the freedoms we all enjoy! However, we are at a point in history when we see our freedoms eroding with the intent of leveling the playing field for everyone. However, when we lower the field, we end up with an equal distribution of fewer freedoms, fewer opportunities, and less income, not a chance for all to rise to higher levels of living and greater chances to share more with others, since we will all have less. This is not progress! We, in the United States, still have the choice of making our voices heard this July 4th by attending a Tea Party in your area, speaking out and speaking up on behalf of our Constitution, and singing the praises of the greatest nation which was inspired by God and blessed with his protection. Do not allow others to take our Christian heritage and influence away from our country. We see what is happening in Iraq, suppression of those who would stand for freedom. If we will not stand up here in America, how can we expect those in the Mid-East to stand up in a country whose freedoms are being taken away as rapidly as they were won. Do not be afraid! Stand up, speak up, and let the world know we are still a Christian nation, home of the free, and blessed by God. Let us pray:

“Oh loving Father, God, we praise your name and acknowledge your rule over our lives. May our country never forget that you forged the concepts of freedom and justice on a high mountain at the feet of your servant Moses. Let us not forget that your son, Jesus, brought equality and love to a world consumed by hate and revenge. During this week, leading up to the Celebration of the birth of our Country, we pray that you will reveal your presence and love to everyone, both here and around the world. Remind us of the blessings of our freedom and the urgency for not letting go of even a tiny sliver of your precious gifts. Give us the courage and fire, to not only stand up for the principles of democracy within the founding documents of our country but also for freedoms fought for and won by other people and nations across your world. Forgive us when we have been silent and indifferent as we sat on our couch and watched freedom being sold to the highest bidder, to meet the goals of more, at a lower level of living. Let us find ways to raise others up and set them on higher ground, where they too can experience more of what our country has to offer, not less. To you oh God we will give all praise, honor, and glory. In the name of Jesus, our savior, we pray. Amen”
Doris
“Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”

Monday, June 22, 2009

FATHER'S DAY

Yesterday was Father’s Day and I want to remind everyone that every day belongs to our father in Heaven when we are his own children. Some people don’t have fathers they can remember with love and celebration. For those children, young or adult, we as the Family of God can encircle then into our own brood, leaving no one fatherless. No child, of any age, need be without a loving family who is in contact with God’s children. Does it take time, energy, and resources to parent children, our own or those next to the heart of God? Of course it does. But, participation in the family of God is Kingdom building right here on earth. Do I want to be stretched so thinly? No. Do I want to serve God? YES! He will give me the strength, courage, and resources to meet the loving needs of His children. Will I be able to meet everyone’s material needs? No. But, Kingdom building is not about material possessions and that’s not what you have to offer. You are offering the love of God the Father and through that uplifting love, God’s children can find a new hope for their future, and new possibilities will flourish around them. Praise be to God! Let us pray:

“Oh loving father, God of all, father of our Lord Jesus, father of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and yes, father of even me - holy, holy, holy is your name. To whisper, Come Daddy, Abba, in my heart is to invited you to dwell within me and create a right relationship between you and me. On this very day, Father, let me be part of the telling of your story, the imparting of your message of love, hope, and salvation. Forgive me when I have claimed that I am unworthy, unprepared, and without adequate strength to represent your love here on earth. I am none of these, but you are all and so much more. I am a flawed vessel, carrying the cooling water of your love to those around me. You are the life saving water and will keep filling up this leaky pot with so much love it will spill out all around me as I am on my way, serving you. You will therefore bless even those who remain unaware of my passing but they will quietly blossom in your love. May all glory and honor and praise go to you Father, for you are the water; you are the love. In the name of Jesus, the Christ and my Savior I pray. Amen”
Doris
“Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”

Monday, June 15, 2009

CALLED

God doesn’t choose great people. The people He chooses reveal a great God!

Yesterday’s Sunday School lesson was based on God’s call to Moses and how inadequate Moses felt. So, God called and provided a spokesperson in his brother Aaron. But, be not mistaken, it was Moses God saw as His leader of the Israelites. God also calls you and me, imperfect as we are. We know from scripture that God will provide helpers along the way and we will not have to walk the way alone. From Jesus Christ, we also get the Holy Spirit to guide us and speak to our soul. Answer yes when you receive the blessing of God’s call. The Lord will provide our needs when we are doing His work. Praise the Lord! Let us pray:

“Oh Holy Father, precious is your name. May your kingdom come and dwell within me for I am willing to be used by you. Today, I ask that you lay on my heart the work you would have me do. I recognize that there are no small jobs. I don’t need to be called to Africa to be in missions and ministry. The harvest is within my own home and community, and is equal in importance to your heart as is any foreign land. Forgive me when I have said no, or I can’t, or later, or I have no time. Let me see the needy ones around me that I may bring your hope and invitation to them. I will give you all praise and glory for only you are worthy. In the name of Jesus, my Savior I pray. Amen”
Doris
“Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”

Monday, June 8, 2009

GRADUATION DAY

For many high school and college students, this is the season for graduations, as former students begin their real life. My friends, today is as real as it gets! And, today is a commencement, a new beginning, for everyone who awaken each day with opportunity ahead of them. When you postpone living for a hoped-for tomorrow, tomorrow never arrives and today is lost forever to the past, along with the joy, love, presence and favor of God in the present day. If living is saved for the future, beginning never happens and your future never comes, just another tomorrow. The secret of living is to graduate every day to the promises and opportunity the present has to offer. History is unchangeable and the future is illusive and distant God is in the present. Live your new day, every day, with the Lord, in His exquisite presence of His present moment. Let us pray:

“Oh Lord God, sacred and holy is your name. I pray that you come and make your home in my heart this very day, not just tomorrow or some day, but in this very moment. Open my eyes to the beauty of your present moment and the love that can be shared in the now. Your breath is felt in the fresh excitement of today, not the stale air of yesterday or the not-there-yet tomorrow. I pray that you will touch my shoulder today and reveal your presence in the present. Forgive me when my own plans and daydreams have placed me in the future and not in the reality of how I can serve you and love others in each new day I’m given. Let me never forget, I won’t find my completion and identity in what I have, but in how I love. To you, oh God, I give all praise and honor and glory. In the name of, and by the power of, your precious son, Jesus the Christ, I pray. Amen”
Doris
Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”

Monday, June 1, 2009

SUMMER!

For many of us, summer begins today! Why? Regardless of your age - school is out! I know . . . summer doesn’t start until June 21, but not to the inner child. We say, “Welcome to summer!” Summer means freedom, more outdoor play, sleeping late, and vacation. To most adults, during times like these, we hardly realize the beauty of the season because we are worried about finances, political decisions, and the attempt at silencing the Christian voice in America. I encourage you to stop stewing about it and make some stew. Throw in a carrot for the politicians - your letter promising to withhold your vote if their radical policies are carried through; a potato with its roots deeply planted in the word of God through regular Bible study, a pound of meat as you lean on the strength of God through faith and prayer, and broth as you seek out a tea party for July’s big opportunity to make your presence visibly known. Add in the spice of your own positive, forgiving, accepting, loving personality, and you have a stew fit for a banquet for the Lord. The key is doing rather than complaining. Look around your corner of God’s kingdom, the flowers are blooming and everything is green again, just as He promised. And, He promised to bless His children who call upon His name and acknowledge Him to the world. On this day, rather than creating negativity all around you, begin to make stew in the beauty of His world, and serve generous portions to those around you. Let us pray:

“Oh Loving Father, you are far more than we know or will ever understand. We cannot hold you in a bottle like our genie in a jug, but you hold us each day in the palm of your hand. Holy is your name. May your Spirit come to my life, so I may experience your Kingdom of God on this very day. I ask that you so fill me with your love and energy, so I move out of my safe place and step into a great new adventure of standing for you within my community and country. Show me opportunities to speak up and speak out, before our voices and your witness, are silenced. Forgive me when I have only repeated the problem but have not stood up and become part of your solution. Mark your paths clearly, for I am blind in this new world that has been thrust on us by the very people we have elected to represent us. You can bring Glory out of chaos, oh Father. In the name of your precious son, Jesus Christ our Savior, I pray for presence in my life, that blessed burst of pure white light that will cleanse our world and save us from our own laziness and lack of watching at the wall. Amen”
Doris.
“Copyright 2009 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to his love. Let me tell you mine.”