Answered Prayers

I believe that God always answers our prayers.

Sometimes in His resounding yes, He hurtles mountains into the sea and we GASP at His power and might.  And sometimes He says no.  Then, sometimes - maybe even often, He says wait.  Wait and see what I am going to do.  So, we wait.  And too soon we begin to manipulate, because like Sarah, we think that maybe the God of the Universe needs our help. 

Because see, we say we believe.  We even think we believe.  But, do our actions (or inactions as the case may be) demonstrate that?  Do we walk around thinking that if we work hard enough, finagle the circumstances, or try to fix things in our own power - that God will come through like a blast of fireworks?  Splitting the sky with His miraculous display.  Because He could do that - and one day friends, one day He will.  I can't wait!!

But for now I find that mostly He doesn't.  Mostly He quietly works out His plan, using simple ordinary people who serve an anything but ordinary God.  He calls us to trust Him when things seem so crazy.  He calls us to continue about His business - leading the way He led - from the back.  Serving, loving, feeding, visiting, praying, washing feet, being moved into action by compassion - these are the things that characterized our Savior.  These commands have not changed.  Not even because the world is spiraling out of control.  Not even because our enemies want to kill us.  Not even because we can't be sure we will be safe.

Our family has home schooled for 18 years.  During that time we have used the very same curriculum - God has taught all of our children using that curriculum.  I have read those same books four times now and I have at least two more to go.  One constant during our years has been a book called Praying Through the 10/40 Window.  Along with that has been From Arapesh to Zuni - and another, You Can Change the World.  My children and I have intensely prayed for the people who live in the region of the world that is most opposed to the Gospel.  I know many others that have as well - in fact, my husband has a dear friend who recently founded a ministry based on this very concept.  Jesus said in Matthew 24 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."  His ministry, Catapult Labs, is focused on encouraging indigenous leaders inside of this "window." 

What is my point?  Well, today I was scrolling through my Facebook, and like I am sure yours is, mine is blowing up with opinions on the current state of our world.  The refugees, the terrorists, the danger we are in.  I get that.  It scares the crap out of me too.  The world is not safe - and I am a MOM.  I feel an intense responsibility and desire to keep my kids safe.

But, what if safety was never God's goal for us?  What if throughout the ages God's people have been persecuted, terrorized, torn apart by lions, burned at the stake - what if we are created for another world?  Meditate on Hebrews 10 and 11 for a bit - and of course Matthew 25.  What if God, in His infinite mercy is raising up an army, and what if we are part of it?  What if He IS answering our prayers?

As I said, my children and I have prayed almost daily and very specifically for almost two decades for God to move mightily in the 10/40 window.  We have begged Him to DO something.  Well, friends, the 10/40 window is bleeding refugees.  What if the prayers of the saints have ripped a wound in that area of the world?  A wound that is now free flowing with opportunity.  Are we going to squander that opportunity in the name of safety?  Are we going to look into the eyes of Jesus and shrink back saying, "We didn't mean for you to answer our prayer like this."  Oh friends, I know it is so much easier to think of others risking their lives, rather than us.  Missionaries.  They are the ones who choose to risk their lives.  In foreign countries - far, far away from America.  We are not supposed to be at risk here.  We are supposed to be safe and happy - God wants us to be happy, right?

Meditate some more on Hebrews 10 and 11.  I don't have all the answers.  There are valid points on both sides of the refugee argument.  I hear them, I feel the fear.  But, at the end of the day all I know for certain is that this life is HARD.  We should not be surprised by that, nor should we be offended.  Jesus warned us.  And try as I might, I can find nothing in Scripture that calls followers of Jesus Christ to safe, cushy, "American" lives.  Nothing.  All I find about life on earth is pretty messy stuff - like love your enemies, leave everything and follow Me, welcome strangers, feed the hungry, stand up for the oppressed, care for orphans and widows, clothe the naked.  Be holy, because I am holy. 

So, what if there is a better way than living a life of self-preservation?  What if this Jesus life really is the good stuff?  Because I did find one part that didn't seem too messy - it seemed goal worthy in fact.  It said, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Come and inherit the Kingdom prepared for you before the foundations of the earth."  That is what I want to hear at the end of it all, because truly at the end of it all - what else is there?  What can we take with us besides those that He gave us to love? 

What if He does answer ALL of our prayers? 

    

America, America.......

Independence Day is upon us.  I have much to say, but I will try not to ramble.

 I admire so much the men and women in our military who daily risk their lives to preserve the freedoms that our Founding Fathers fought so hard to secure for us.  I feel those freedoms slipping away from us with startling speed - however, the men and women in uniform still deserve our respect and honor.  They will get that from my family and me.

I will continue to teach our children the truths of history.  Some of it is good and right and some of it  very bad.  All of it is necessary so that we do not repeat it.  Many, if not most, people in this country do not understand that concept and therefore have not learned the lessons that history begs to teach us.  We are enduring the fallout of that ignorance, again with startling speed.

Of course, as a follower of Christ, I believe the truths of Scripture to be the most important of all.

Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

The "sin" in my mind when reading this verse is likely not what you are thinking.  I refuse to debate the recent court ruling or anything else that falls into the realm of "moral judgement" in this light.

The sin that most concerns me, is MINE.

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

As Bible believers, the sin that is destroying this nation is not the sin of others - it is all OURS.  The blame for the state of the union can be laid squarely at the feet of His followers.  God is ON the throne, He is IN control - and I believe He is grieved right now.  Not because our nation has strayed so far.  Not because atheists don't believe in Him.  Not because other religions worship other gods.  No, I believe He is grieved over the hard hearts of His children.

We, who insist on blurring the lines in our own lives and then throwing stones at everyone else.  We, who insist on screaming "immoral" at others while our own hearts are wrought with adultery, lust, fornication and pornography.  We, who ignore justice - which God mentions in Scripture many many more times than He mentions the things that appear to "offend" us so deeply.  We ignore the millions of babies who go to bed every night without a Mommy or Daddy - you KNEW this was coming, didn't you??  We ignore the widows who cry themselves to sleep wondering how they are going to put food for their tables.  We ignore the hungry, the cold, the homeless.  And we cry "FOUL" at something else, simply because it offends our sensibilities.  Or, maybe to deflect from our own sin.

I have an idea - and I think it is a pretty good one, no matter which side of the political line you land on (or maybe you, like me, are sick of politics and political correctness in general).  If you claim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, let's be about His business.  HIS business.  Hint:  You are going to have to actually read the Bible to know what that is.  The answer will likely surprise many of you.

Friends, we have more than enough to do to keep us busy until He returns.  Both within our own hearts and in the world.

America, as great of a nation as it is - and I still believe it is - is NOT the Hope of the world.  We are not that great, and frankly we never were.  Jesus is the hope of the world.  The ONLY hope.  America, however, still tenaciously holds on to the virtue of freedom.  Those who want to rip that from our fabric may be loud, but they are not the majority.  Not yet.  I realize most Americans foolishly believe that the rest of the universe revolves around us - but if you take the time to learn about other countries and the plight of their people (particularly their orphans - there it is again, sorrynotsorry) - then you will know that we still have it pretty good.  For now.

Teach your children the lessons that history is begging them to know.  Teach them about Nazi Germany.  Teach them about the Confederate flag and the Civil War.  Teach them the things that have oppressed us in the past.  Don't rewrite history - but learn from it.  This country - this world -  needs more educated, brave, humble and loving men and women who are willing to STAND firm for true freedom.  And folks, that only comes from ONE source.

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to the yolk of slavery."

Happy 4th y'all!!!