Prayer

    Today as I was getting ready to post my week of photos, my computer goofed up. So I don't have all my pictures right now. Hopefully by tonight. Anyway, that's part of my challenge, but I have a different one for you.

The Boston Marathon was bombed today. As I'm posting this, I don't know much except for the fact that there were two explosions, and a controlled one. I've heard that 23 are injured and two killed, but that's not the final count. So, I sat there after receiving the news and prayed. I encourage you to do the same. And I challenge you to continue praying even after you've run out of words. To just sit there in silence. For, Romans 8:26 says, "Likewise the Spirit also helps our weakness: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Sunday morning our Pastor talked partially about just being still. We are so caught up in our lives, with technology, with work, with school, and with people. None of those things are bad, or evil, unless we use them as excuses to not just sit, and spend time with God. I've seen myself doing it more and more. Saying, oh, I have to go do this, this, and this, so I'll have to put off devotions, or praying right now. This world is hurting, and although sitting there and praying won't necessarily change the world, it will change you.

           Also, while you pray for people, please keep Ryan's family in your prayers - their blog.

Be sure not to get bogged down in the cares of this world. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." No matter what happens or has happened. Jesus won.

Small Blessings

     Just a short note of observation about how God really does work all things together for good! (Not that whether I acknowledge it or not makes any difference.)

     Several years ago, my dad lost his job. He was able to get odds and ends jobs, such as census work, or working at the library, but things were still tight. A small background piece of information for you, our family has never had "luck" with toasters. Well, our toaster  had died again, and it was definitely not on the budget to get a new one. We hadn't said anything to anyone, I mean, come on, it's a toaster. But then at a baby shower for a lady at our church, a older lady we didn't know very well came up to mom and asked if we needed a toaster, because they had two for an odd reason. We have that toaster to this day.

     When I was in grade school, I was involved in softball. For the first couple years, it's mostly just fun, but then it becomes a little more serious and girls start dropping out. The first year that I didn't know anyone on my team also became my last, and it was a really frustrating and disappointing season. I'm an introvert, and I don't make friends. Pretty much period. I did actually talk to some of the girls though. Now last fall I started looking for a part time job and one of the girls grandma runs a small dollar store which I applied at. She called me back about a month later and said that she doesn't usually do this, but because I'd played softball with her granddaughter, and she kinda knew my family, she'd hire me! What a huge blessing it's been to me so far. And if I hadn't persevered through that softball season, I might not have gotten the opportunity.

     And the most recent, and most painful. Festival. Band festival. We had districts two weeks ago, and we were the difference between a A- and a B+ from an overall one, which would mean that we could advance to state. Our whole band was disappointed because we had really done well. But the other day I was looking at my schedule for the next month or so, (FULL) and saw that the potential state festival dates conflicted with a large youth group weekend activity, and with our church's senior honors banquet. God does know best, even when we throw a fit because it isn't working out according to our human perspective. You can trust Him. Always.

His Eye is on the Sparrow, and on you and me!

      I've got a prayer request for this couple who are going through some health issues that make all my problems seem like nothing, could you pray for them with me? Living in High Definition is where they are updating their prayer warriors. 

Suffering in Silence

     Disclaimer: This post is not written by me or any of the muses, but by a guy, named Kenny, who goes to our church. I've had the privilege of seeing him come to Christ and watching his whole life change as a result. So I know that these aren't just words that he flippantly wrote, but something that he's been seriously struggling with. I pray that you struggle with some of these things while you read as well.

      A girl in the corner with scars on her wrists. A young man with a handgun contemplating whether to live or die because he things nobody cares about him. A mother who is struggling with guilt after an abortion. A father who has just lost his children to a gunman in a merciless murder.

     Suffering. It is part of the human experience, and we read of it and it breaks our heart... supposedly. But let me ask, does it really break your heart? Does it effect you enough to make you do something about it? - I would contest that most of the time that it does not. In fact, we almost do the exact opposite. We choose to walk away. It's almost disgustion to think about, but we do it all the time. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of being part of the problem and not the solution. It is our responsibility as believers to stand for what is correct. That means doing the right thing.

The Bowl

You know, that exceptional one.

       I am so very appreciative to Junior Josie, who asked me about my football beliefs. Someone who wants to know!  For, as previously mentioned, my fellow muses are less than enthusiastic about football. :(  So, I'll tell what I think about the grand game of football and the Super Bowl.

      I enjoy old fashioned football, with rough play, rivalries, and a sense of camaraderie  The Super Bowl is a little too commercialized  hyped-up, and has a ridiculous halftime "show."  I was able to avoid watching most of the halftime spectacle, but what I did see made me cringe. Is this how America is best represented? Is this who we are supposed to hold up to our youth as role models?  But lately I've been realizing that instead of complaining, I should be praying for God's help for our nation and how I can make a change, whether big or small.