Ephesians 5: 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
It is day two of Andy;s court martial trial. Yesterday was the day for Andy to stand up and take responsibility for his action. Today is the day for the judge to sentence Andy to that which he took responsibility for. I will be called to the stand to testify on behalf of my son. Lord, give me words to speak!
Our past can be like a boat anchor to our future. If we let the past remain in the present, it will truly prevent us from setting sail and moving forward. Ephesians 5:8 gives us what we need for inspiration. We walked in darkness, were darkness. But that is the past, This is now. John 8:12 reminds us with the words of Jesus "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but with have the light of life." We are forever changed in Christ, The old self is cast off and the renewed self is there. Much as a caterpillar goes through the life changing process to be formed into a butterfly, we too are changed. There is a passage in Isaiah 9 that points directly towards Jesus and how we who of followers of the risen Savior are forever changed. Verse 2 reads The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. I can think of no more apt description of the situation that Andy, my son, walked in while deployed to Afghanistan. But he now walks in the light. He knows his sins are forgiven by a loving God. He knows that there is a plan for him. He knows that it is up to him to move forward in his life walking in the light of. In closing we all can take a lesson from Psalm 119:105 in regards to how to stay in the light. Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. Stay in the light, stay on the path and move forward.
PRAYER: Abba, Father. Give me the words to speak that will make a difference. Let Your words flow from my mouth today, and everyday. Let Your Spirit fill me with Your love and let that love flow out in all that I say each and everyday of my life. To You O God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be all the glory now and forever more. Amen
This Is Where Everything Changed
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Day Of
Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
It is the day Andy's trial begins. It is a day that we have waited for with mixed emotions. Many sleepless nights have come and gone. This is the day when the truth has an opportunity to be heard. It is also the day when passing judgement on Andy formally begins.
Trials come in many different forms. Some trials are financial, spiritual, emotional, or physical in form. Some are a wicked combination of two or more of the above. Some are even a real trial within our legal system. The time leading up to a trial can be consuming of time, money, emotions, and energy. You can arrive at the trial exhausted and thus physically unprepared to endure the trial. But we are reminded in Philippians 4: 6-7 that we should not be anxious about anything. At times I look at that passage and say to myself, "Get real, how can I not be anxious, this is not going to go well. I am afraid of what could happen." And then, when I pray, I am reminded of the purpose of trials. I am reminded that there is a plan for me, and for all of us. It is God's plan. It is His will that must be fulfilled in our lives, not ours. I may not like the outcome of the trial, but I can be comforted that through the experience I will learn, be loved, be comforted, and have eternal life through my faith in Jesus Christ. That is what gives me comfort. That is what gives me strength, endurance, patience, hope, and peace. To God be all the glory in all aspects of our lives today and everyday.
PRAYER: Almighty God, You breathe life into each and everyone on earth. You love and care for each of us. You shower us with Your love. You gives us our daily bread. Your rod and Your staff comfort us. And surely, if You are with us, none can stand against us. We thank You for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. We boldly ask that by Your will, Andy will be spared harsh judgement, and be judged fairly, in his trial. This we ask in the name of Your Son Christ Jesus, who was harshly judged by those who did not know what they were doing. Amen.
It is the day Andy's trial begins. It is a day that we have waited for with mixed emotions. Many sleepless nights have come and gone. This is the day when the truth has an opportunity to be heard. It is also the day when passing judgement on Andy formally begins.
Trials come in many different forms. Some trials are financial, spiritual, emotional, or physical in form. Some are a wicked combination of two or more of the above. Some are even a real trial within our legal system. The time leading up to a trial can be consuming of time, money, emotions, and energy. You can arrive at the trial exhausted and thus physically unprepared to endure the trial. But we are reminded in Philippians 4: 6-7 that we should not be anxious about anything. At times I look at that passage and say to myself, "Get real, how can I not be anxious, this is not going to go well. I am afraid of what could happen." And then, when I pray, I am reminded of the purpose of trials. I am reminded that there is a plan for me, and for all of us. It is God's plan. It is His will that must be fulfilled in our lives, not ours. I may not like the outcome of the trial, but I can be comforted that through the experience I will learn, be loved, be comforted, and have eternal life through my faith in Jesus Christ. That is what gives me comfort. That is what gives me strength, endurance, patience, hope, and peace. To God be all the glory in all aspects of our lives today and everyday.
PRAYER: Almighty God, You breathe life into each and everyone on earth. You love and care for each of us. You shower us with Your love. You gives us our daily bread. Your rod and Your staff comfort us. And surely, if You are with us, none can stand against us. We thank You for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. We boldly ask that by Your will, Andy will be spared harsh judgement, and be judged fairly, in his trial. This we ask in the name of Your Son Christ Jesus, who was harshly judged by those who did not know what they were doing. Amen.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Day Before
2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
It is the day before the big event here in Tacoma. Andy goes on trial tomorrow. The last minute preparations are underway. It has taken 16 months to finally arrive at this point. The comforting presence of the Lord has sustained us all through this ordeal.
It is a day of reflection for me. I have the opportunity to sit back this morning and think over all that has transpired. I had a wonderful dinner with Andy and his friend, a fine Christian lady. It was an opportunity to relax for awhile and remember times that were better for all of us. Do not make the mistake of jumping to the conclusion that it was all a bowl of noodle salad ( to borrow a line from "As Good As It Gets). There were difficulties. Some big and some small. But the important aspect to remember is what popped up in my reading yesterday. Romans 5:3-5 More that that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Through all of the difficulties in life that may present themselves to us we are comforted with the sure and certain knowledge that there is a purpose, a reason, and most importantly love that runs through each and every aspect of our lives. The mantra of suffering-endurance-character-hope is one to hold close to our hearts. Think back if you will to a time when you endured a crisis (suffering if you will.) There were lessons to be learned, opportunities to grow in faith and knowledge. And more than likely you have been presented with an opportunity later on to share the love of God with someone else you encounter in your life who is struggling with a similar crisis. The is a reason and a purpose of what takes place. I have endured sufferings what were not of my choice. But through the whole of the experience I was able to grasp onto the grace of God, that love of God given by the Holy Spirit, that saw me through some very dark times. There was a light at the end of every tunnel, the light of Jesus Christ to walk towards. There will always be that light to walk towards in times of darkness. Let us all not forget that truth.
PRAYER: Lord God, Heavenly Father, You sent Your son to die for us. And for that we all are literally eternally grateful. Grant us the peace, Your peace that surpasses all understanding in times of suffering. Help us O Lord to keep our faith strong. This we ask in the strong name of Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Spirit are one God, now and forever. Amen
It is the day before the big event here in Tacoma. Andy goes on trial tomorrow. The last minute preparations are underway. It has taken 16 months to finally arrive at this point. The comforting presence of the Lord has sustained us all through this ordeal.
It is a day of reflection for me. I have the opportunity to sit back this morning and think over all that has transpired. I had a wonderful dinner with Andy and his friend, a fine Christian lady. It was an opportunity to relax for awhile and remember times that were better for all of us. Do not make the mistake of jumping to the conclusion that it was all a bowl of noodle salad ( to borrow a line from "As Good As It Gets). There were difficulties. Some big and some small. But the important aspect to remember is what popped up in my reading yesterday. Romans 5:3-5 More that that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Through all of the difficulties in life that may present themselves to us we are comforted with the sure and certain knowledge that there is a purpose, a reason, and most importantly love that runs through each and every aspect of our lives. The mantra of suffering-endurance-character-hope is one to hold close to our hearts. Think back if you will to a time when you endured a crisis (suffering if you will.) There were lessons to be learned, opportunities to grow in faith and knowledge. And more than likely you have been presented with an opportunity later on to share the love of God with someone else you encounter in your life who is struggling with a similar crisis. The is a reason and a purpose of what takes place. I have endured sufferings what were not of my choice. But through the whole of the experience I was able to grasp onto the grace of God, that love of God given by the Holy Spirit, that saw me through some very dark times. There was a light at the end of every tunnel, the light of Jesus Christ to walk towards. There will always be that light to walk towards in times of darkness. Let us all not forget that truth.
PRAYER: Lord God, Heavenly Father, You sent Your son to die for us. And for that we all are literally eternally grateful. Grant us the peace, Your peace that surpasses all understanding in times of suffering. Help us O Lord to keep our faith strong. This we ask in the strong name of Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Spirit are one God, now and forever. Amen
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