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Yesterday,
I'd hoped to convey the only way we can be too far gone (for salvation) is
if we continue to walk away from God's outstretched hands offering grace!
God is waiting for us to make our decision, to win or lose. I just wrote
to a friend about victory. We often consider our successes in terms of
size and time. But no war is ever won in one large battle. There are
always casualties with the victories. Life is filled with thousands of
small skirmishes, battles and sieges. Our relationships, marriages and
work are filled with struggle. If we only looked at life in this way, it
would look bleak. But, as the Psalmist sang, "weeping may endure for
a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Life is not bleak, though,
when we're entirely focused on battle, pain or anger... we don't see the
sunshine or rainbows.
Music helps to open my mind's eyes. If I feel embattled or beaten, music
can carry me to a place where I can glimpse the sun, or... Son. It's when
I let myself become distracted by the struggles and low points; they
swallow me. Now here's some good news! Every step ahead, every 'small'
win... is not small at all. Each and every one of them is victory! Use
music, scripture, the psalms, poetry or walk, drive or jog... find a
distraction from your war, to help you see the Son. If you don't, you may
focus only on the casualties of life's battles. When our troops hit the
beach at Normandy, casualties were extremely high. It appeared to be a
disaster. But the soldiers continued to forge ahead. Most every inch; foot
and yard of gain came while crawling. On their bellies, soldiers crawled
under a barrage of bullets and shrapnel toward a victory that was just one
of many leading to the end of a terrible world war. But without those
inches, nothing would have been gained and there would only be casualties
to count and remember. Those soldiers carried letters, pictures,
harmonicas and bibles... which distracted them from their war when they
needed it.
Neil Armstrong's famous; "One small step for man, one giant leap for
mankind" was a statement of victory. John Kennedy had declared
America would put a man on the moon (May 25, 1961) by the end of the
1960's. It wouldn't be till July 21, 1969 that this 'victory' came. What
is not generally remembered about this victory are the near disasters that
could have easily brought defeat. First, the Lunar landing Module was
miles west of where it should have been when it landed with a scant 25
seconds of fuel left. After the 'walk' planting an American flag and some
exploration, Armstrong and Aldrin returned to the Lander. While entering
the cabin, Aldrin accidentally tripped a control switch that threatened to
leave them stranded on the moon. With some ingenuity and a felt tip pen,
he was able to reset the control. If he hadn't, the rocket to return
couldn't have been fired. After returning to the Apollo spacecraft, Aldrin
gave this to us: "Personally, in reflecting on the events of the past
several days, a verse from Psalms comes to mind. 'When I consider the
heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the Moon and the stars, which Thou hast
ordained; What is man that Thou art mindful of him?'" Our battles are
real our victories are real. What is important is that we continue to wage
our war against the things that harm us, physically, emotionally and
spiritually. What is man that God should be mindful of Him? God answered
this question in sending His only Son to live with us, teach us and die
for us. His resurrection is promise, and proof of victory!
Continue to pray for Susie and Miles. Susie is
still losing weight and finds it difficult to eat or use protein and
vitamin supplements. Her pain is still great and she will see her doctor
again next week because of pain in her jaw again. Pray she has no
infection and that the pancreatitis continues to improve. Pray for all who
are struggling with emotional, mental or dependency issues. This is a very
difficult time of year for these conditions. Kathy tells me she's made
three days and nights without alcohol. This is a great victory. Pray they
will continue to come.
Father, let me see every 'small' step forward
as a victory. I ask the help and guidance of Your Holy Spirit and Jesus in
my life. When I find myself faltering or in distress, send Your people to
help me regain my balance and 'reset' my controls. I place my 'controls'
in Your hands, Father. Help me to take my hands off the switches. Give me
strength when I am weak. Lead me away from temptation, because I may fail
to resist it. Deliver me from evil, forgive my sins as I forgive other
sinners. Give me strength to forgive myself, leading to more victory. Give
me today what I need as I honor Your name above all. These cares and
concerns I offer for Your touch: Susie & Miles P, Kathy, Ginny,
Kristen - Chryl - Jim, Smokey, Carolyn's mom & family, Nancy, John,
James - Rockie - Stacie & family, Groeber family, Eldon & Delores,
Ed & family, Scott - Linda & children, Cheryl, Terry, Adam,
Virginia, Ruby, Wilma, Maria - Lucas - Sierra, Keith, Donna, Cheryl,
Alethea, Glenna, Glenn, YWAM missionaries, Lettie - Gayla & Barry,
Terry, Chuck, Ben,Mary, Shawn & Heidi, June, Johnnie, Ken, Chris,
Dale, James B, Misty, Dianna, Carley, Victoria, Ralph - wife & son,
Doug & Debbie D, Brandelyn & Brock, Meg, Lisa & sister, John,
Katy, adoption of Grace, Don, Dean, Kera, Steve V, Tina, Seth, Larry C,
Becky, Larry S, John & Carolyn, Jason, Jay & Rick, Linda, Delores,
Gary, Melinda, Glen, Lisa, Nadia, David, Beulah, Aaron, John S, Ian,
Lynda, Thelma, Mike, Rosetta, Carolyn, Kaitlyn, Judy, Dan F, Tim, Austin,
Pam, Lou, Larry, Pastor Dave, Margaret, Ruth, Rick, Carla & children,
Baby Kurt - his family, John, Rick, Stan, Lynn, Roger & family, Tom,
Valerie, Judy, Paul, Allen Michael, Irene's family, Lacey, Bobby, Donald,
Amy - her daughters & husband, Lucinda, Summer & family, Steve,
Matt - his 2 year old son & family, Richard, Ma Glenda, Charlie, Amy,
Karen, Tia, Ron, Patsy, Leola, Don, Jack, Wendy, Eula & her family,
Rob & family, Iris, Carrie - Brandon, Judy, Freddy, Arianne, Corey,
Robin & husband, Mark, Georgiana, Martha, T. J., Jerry & Donna,
Cubby, Bill, Ted, Silas, Julia, Cathy - Brandon & Ed, Fran, Kris, Joe,
Kristie, Mike, Pat, David, Dylan, John, Robin & husband, Eric, Ray,
Heather - Scott & family, Warren, Thelma, Bergen, Kenny, Dawn, Jeff
& Vicky, Myra, Frances, Jim, Ron, Phil, Randi, Jack, Randy, Dick,
Larry & Vicki, Pam, Dave, Archie, Gary, Josh, Tim, Catherine, Lisa -
Sam, Woody, Curt, Dustin, Larry, Burt, Jack, Cline, Johnnie, John, Lynn,
Norma, Olivia, Drew, Our loved ones in need of salvation and guidance, all
who are dependent, depressed or grieving, Those fighting / working for
freedom and safety from terror, neglected / abused / missing children,
God's servants and churches, those looking for work, in rehab programs,
our own families and everyone we hold dear in our hearts. I pray Your
kingdom to come, Your will to be done, for Yours is the kingdom, the power
and the glory forever.... Amen.
I praise you, LORD, because you have saved me
and kept my enemies from gloating over me. I cried to you for help, O LORD
my God, and you healed me; you kept me from the grave. I was on my way to
the depths below, but you restored my life. Sing praise to the LORD, all
his faithful people! Remember what the Holy One has done, and give him
thanks! His anger lasts only a moment, his goodness for a lifetime. Tears
may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning. I felt secure and
said to myself, "I will never be defeated." You were good to me,
LORD; you protected me like a mountain fortress. But then you hid yourself
from me, and I was afraid. Psalm 30:1-7 GNB
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