Newtown, CT. Needs Prayer !

As we watched television and heard about the horror that unfolded in the town of Newtown, Conneticut on Friday, my wife and I started to pray.  We prayed for the families of all the victims.  And, yes, we even prayed for the soul of the attacker, and his surviving family members, because they are victims too.  We prayed that these families believed in God, and knew Jesus, and that if they didn't, that through this horrific tragedy they would get to know Them, because right now that belief will be the only thing that get's them through this tragedy.  Understand, this belief will be strained and tested deeply.  So many questions will come to mind for so many, in so many different ways, for so many different reasons --  How could God let this happen?  Twenty 5 year olds plus adults needlessly murdered?  Why?  Most were just babies, who never did any harm to anyone, just beginning life, with so much promise ahead of them.   God gave man free will  and freedom of choice.  We can choose to do evil or good.  If God stopped everything evil from happening, He wouldn't be God, but everybodies personal genie.

This tragedy is a wake up call to a dying world.  We must turn to God, and teach our children and grandchildren to do the same.  We must keep God on our minds; we must acknowledge Him daily, and the fact that we can't do anything without Him. 

I personally pray for the world at-large, but I also specifically pray the blood of Jesus over my husband, children, grandchildren, Godmother, and myself on a daily basis.  Not because I'm so holier than thou, but because I know that this is war Saints, and the only way we, Christian soldiers, are going to win is to stay with Jesus on our minds, in our hearts, and in every area of our lives - relationships; marriages; jobs; schools; material gain; finances; health and so on.  No time is promised to any of us, and none of us are exempt from the pain and horror that the people of Newtown, Conneticut experienced, but whatever we have to face in this life we'll get through it if we have a real and right relationship with Jesus.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.  II Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

No Test, No Testimony; No Mess, No Message!

It has been a week of test.  One thing after another.  First, the axle broke on the car.  This attacked our material, finances, and physical all at the same time, but don't miss the blessing.  We had just traveled down the highway  from Dallas to Fort Worth, but the axle didn't break until we were pulling out of a parking space in Fort Worth.  And, thank God for AAA plus.  Second, the apartment complex had scheduled for all units to get fumigated.  This process called for emptying out all kithcen cabinets, and draws which was diligently done.  They missed our unit and wouldn't be back until a week later, but don't miss the blessing.  Thank God, that first of all, we don't have an insect problem because we spray monthly.  We used the opportunity to do some extra cleaning, insect spraying, rearranging, and reorganizing as we put everything back in place.  Third, we had to travel to take care of some personal business by bus from North Dallas to South Dallas, but don't miss the blessing.  It reminded us of what we are capable of doing when we have to.  Also, it showed us how removed from interacting with all that is going on on the outside, when you go from point a to point b in a car.  Fourth, our resistance got low, and one of us has a cold.  Well, after everything else has been attacked all that is left is your health.  And with all that had previously happened that weakened our resolve, we were perfect candidates, but don't miss the blessing.  We're still alive, hallelujah!

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4 (NIV)