Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †
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God Bless America 🙂
Thanks Jay.
😃
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! My favorite hymns. You have given me a wonderful peaceful day. Can’t wait til my hubby is in to hear them too. He loves Slim Whitman music.
Since we both had and rode horses for over fifty years we are definitely into western music and the old country music by Hank Williams.
Hank is number 1 by me , sure glad I don’t have to feed any hay with alfalfa at $33 bucks a bale in our town. I hear that eastern Wa. hasn’t even cut the first time yet too wet. 🙂
Music starts at 25 seconds.
Jay, this is such a beautiful song. Hubby and both love Hanks music. He said he likes the song Setten The Woods on Fire. He was out in the woods all afternoon cutting wood for next winter. We heat with wood, only use the oil for back up when needed.
My horse passed away five years ago but I had my grand daughters horse here so I still had something to ride. When she was done college three years ago we shipped Frank down to Florida to be with her. That horse really loved her and would nuzzle her. He tolerated me because I fed him. He is 23 now and very happy.
I think he had one of the smoothest, most pleasing voices ever, jay. Perfect for his genre. These are beautiful.
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday, Treepers! 🙂 Tonight I found much needed solace in prayer. These past few days have been more than a little trying. My wife’s decline increases. My role as caregiver is basically to observe it all happening. What I’m seeing is the progression of a deadly, insidious disease that never stops and is always, at least not for now at least, fatal. My job is to make that eventuality as gentle as possible. When you are a strong believer and your need is strong, it is times like this that belief and prayer come into play. Talking to Our Lord tonight, I asked as I always do for help in making good decisions. When I ask for that help, I can feel His presence. Can’t really explain why. The mystery is what it is. But it is simply there when I need it most. Faith is real. Belief is real. Our Lord is real. May Our Lord bless us all!!!!
Garrison, thanks. I’m thankful God is giving you strength and faith and pray he continues.
May the Lord bless you and your beloved wife today and always.
Garrison, my thoughts, emotions and prayers are with you during this time of trial for the two of you. I went through this process two years ago, slowly watching the woman I love decline because of that insideous disease, Cancer. The emotions are so strong and pulling in opposite diretions, sorrow for what she is experiencing and at the same time thankfulness for being able to be there for her and with her when she most needed someone. Just know without question that the Lord is there for both of you, even during those times when it seems he is not. For now, just know you are in my mind and heart and those of many others as well.
Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope.
Thank you for your encouraging words as you serve your dear wife. Praying for you both. ✝️🙏🏻
Prayers for the peace that only our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can give as you move through these days. It is such a tiring, heartbreaking journey and yet an incredible privilege to love with such selflessness. Thy will
be done🙏🏻.
I am praying for both of you!
Good morning Garrison. My heart aches for you and your beloved wife. I am a firm believer that the caregiver is almost always the more difficult of the two positions. I say that as a patient and stage 4 survivor and knowing what my wife, as caregiver, went through for me, lifting my head to spoon feed me.
You are absorbing your strength from where it is supposed to come. Prayers to you and yours that your strength continue. If you haven’t come across this up to now, I hope it helps you along the way. God bless!
Unknown and often unnoticed, you are a hero nonetheless.
For your love, sacrificial, is God at his best.
You walk by faith in the darkness of the great unknown,
And your courage, even in weakness, gives life to your beloved.
Your presence, the knowing, that you are there.
You rise to face the giant of disease and despair,
It is your finest hour, though you may be unaware.
You are resilient, amazing and beauty unexcelled,
You are the caregiver and you have done well.
Thank you for posting the above. I’m going to send it to my 80+ year old cousin who is her husband’s primary and for the most part only caregiver. He is in late stage alzheimers, kidney disease, heart disease and COPD. My heart weighs heavy for her. I pray the piece will uplift her and renew her strength. She is a strong Christian with deep faith carry her through this storm.
Hello gramadeb. She most surely needs the strength of her faith. Prayers for her continued strength delivered. God bless.
…. She brushed her hair.
The Lord answers prayers
And gives gifts
🌹
Garrison, my Prayers go out to you and your wife!
Garrison, He has promised He will not leave us ever. You are so much more than a carer for your wife. You and she loving travellers together on this earth, walking each other home. His grace and mercy are with you as she reaches her destination first. How truly blessed is she to have your steady unwavering help. He will keep both of you in the palm of His mighty hand in this journey. I’m so glad He is answering your prayers….with affection, Bet🙏
Blessings upon your house 🙂
Good Sunday morning, Mr jay🙏 Those are just gorgeous! What a gentleman you are, my friend. Thank you so much. And may He bless you and your life and home today and every day. Bet🤗
Hi, Bet. I’d like to thank everyone here for their prayers and kind words. They mean a lot to me because I know they’re honest and real.
You said we’ve created a church here and I think you’re right. When strong believers gather together we can have church. And we have and we do. I’ve shared my thoughts and caregiving experiences not because I think they are unique but because I think they are mundane—I know I’m hardly alone in this nor am I special. I’m just a guy who’s living this time and developing a deeper understanding of what the power of belief, the power of faith in Our Lord, and the power of prayer can accomplish. I want my message to be His message.
Garrison dear friend, I have a message for you, well done, good and faithful servant!
Yes yes! With you on my mind this morning, and spending an hour or so on this thread responding to all, when I finally got the day under way, my singular thought was that I’ve just come from church. A church like no other, where I’m positive God Himself was and always is in attendance.
What you say about your situation not being unique is true. Which when we understand that brings our humanity to the fore.
“Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep tonight, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ, rest Your weary ones bless Your dying ones, soothe Your suffering ones, shield Your joyous ones, and all for Your love’s sake.”
The above is a small prayer I left at the end of yesterday’s thread. It is by St Augustine. For me it is a perfect prayer for the end of a day which reduces my wordy evening prayers to heartfelt simple entreaties to our Father not only for the night time but for anytime.
You in your humility call yourself “just a guy”. But, Garrison, you are OUR guy whom we love and wrap our arms around. I hope you can feel them because they are there, as are the Almighty Father’s. 🌷Bet
Hi Betsy, this is a church like no other. It is filled with caring, loving, praying Christians. I know we are all praying for Garrison as he takes care of his wife. He is our guy and we love him like a brother. It is wonderful to see so many offering support for him. It is good to be surrounded with so many fellow Christians.
Hi Marti🌷I’m so glad you feel it as well. For me it simply feels right and meet. I truly did stumble on this thread after being a lurker for a long time. It has been one of His greatest blessings in my life.
And I’m so happy to see you first a few weeks ago and now every day. All of us watched over I am certain by our Father, His Beloved Son, and the Holy spirit. Blessings to you🤗 B
Yes my friend,you are definitely not alone in this,but in my opinion,you are far beyond special.I pray to be as strong as you when my time comes to deal with such matters.My sincerest wishes for the Lord’s blessings upon you and your lovely wife and for as many of the “in betweens” as possible compadre.
💞 ⛪ ✝
My Prayers go out to you and your wife!
Garrison, praying for strength, wisdom, and peace for you, and for peace and comfort for your dear wife. 🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻
Praying for you and your precious wife, Garrison. To deliver one another into the Arms of the Almighty is a difficult and honorable privilege. Difficult because we love them and selfishly want them here with us. Honorable because we know that as they go to be with our Father, their race is won! Ours to be finished as He Wills it. For her it is not the end, but the Beginning of eternal bliss, excellent health in our purest Holy form, and love in Paradise. We will see them again! Praying for you, brother
Everyone has said all the right words, thoughts, prayers. I’m adding, I’m giving you my strength, patience and boundless prayers Garrison ❤️ 💕
Thank you Garrison for your daily music. You are a blessing to all of us perched on the limbs surrounding the Treehouse.
My heart aches for you and your beloved. I keep you both in prayer daily, you for continued strength and patience, and your wife for peace. May you be surrounded by God’s attending angels.
Garrison, my prayers are with you for God to give you strength as you take care of your wife. It is a blessing that you have such a strong Faith. I do believe that He is there with you when you are praying and He will guide you as you make difficult decisions. Bless you.
So much of this music is evocative of the era. If you’re at all interested, I recommend that you read Hotel California, a really well written history of LA music in the 70’s. Also, again if you are at all interested, by all means check out the movie Almost Famous. Pure escapism and most enjoyable.
One more . . .
Thanks for “Take It Easy” and persistence for your continued clarity of purpose in a most difficult and personal caretaker role of a loved one in decline. We all collectively benefit from you living your best life.
My current efforts are focused on arousing the neighborhood to gather in a personally curated 2 acre “meadowed forrest” (the Flood District’s label) for physical rehab, (the plot of land is the border of the Prairie at the Willow Waterhole—Houston. Rehab made easy for folks of a given age. I am reworking the lyrics to “Take IT Easy” to the altered theme of “Make It Easy”. Any physical effort given to maintain personal mobility as the years go by is best addressed by the theme of “Make It Easy”
As a retired Geriatric NP, the soft landing for people in decline is a universal preferred in elderly care. As a person who dealt with human decline as part of earning my daily bread, I can appreciate the effort of care taking. And I can appreciate the difference between the effort given as part of the work a day world and the effort given to the closest person in your life.
My support goes out to you.
“When I say I am a Christian, I’m not shouting I’ve been saved. I am whispering I feel lost sometimes. That’s why I choose this way.
When I say I am a Christian, I don’t speak with human pride. I’m confessing that I stumble needing God to be my guide.
When I say I am a Christian I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing I am weak and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say I am a Christian I’m not bragging of success. I am admitting I’ve failed and can’t ever pay the debt.
When I say I am a Christian I don’t think I know it all. I submit to confusion asking humbly to be taught.
When I say I am a Christian I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are all too visible but God thinks I’m worth it.
When I say I am a Christian I do not wish to judge. I have no authority. I only know am loved.”
~~Carol Wimmer, 1988~~
I’ve kept this for years, and thought on this Serene Sunday, it might be time to share with my friends. May God cover everyone with His grace and supply you with your every need.🙏
A glorious morning to you, Betsy🌻!
That really captures what it is to be a Christian; indeed.
Thanks for sharing.
-To have conscience is to know Christ.
Good morning, patience🌷 Thank you. I thought it did as well, we being fallible creatures, trying, failing, dusting ourselves off, and through His infinite mercies being loved and given new days to begin again. Where on this earth would we be without Him? All His blessings be with you🙏
Thank you, beautiful soul.
~May all His blessings be with you…
🤗🌷!!
Good morning Bet and thank you for sharing this! The devotional reminds me of the countless times in my working life that I’ve said silently or out loud, OK Lord, I need your help right now, and have had that prayer always answered. Baruch HaShem!
Have a blessed Sunday, dear friend!
Good morning, G💖. Spontaneous prayer is most times the most powerful prayer I’ve always felt throughout my own life. And it has amazed me, though shouldn’t have, how most times the affirmative answer has arrived. A most precious sign that He is listening and is most definitely there. Faith in all things unseen.
I hope your giant brain was able to come up with something to entertain Nipper. And I do pray your discomfort is diminishing, or better, completely gone. It’ll be time to get out those fetching summer shorts before you know it 😉! Blessings as always, G. You are my dear dear friend, and I’m so grateful for you.🌷Bet.
Bet, the discomfort last just for a day. Not even a trace of it today. The Nipper was easy Friday night. He is extra sensitive, though because his mama and daddy are going through a very difficult time, both of them being equally contributors. His daddy (our son) has decided that he is done , and the fact that they never got married makes it very easy to get up and leave.
Anyway, daddy picked Nipper up yesterday and they spent the day together. brought him back last night and after going to church this morning I just handed him back to mama.
Would appreciate your prayers for God to work a miracle in their lives. Nipper’s mama has already started to work on herself, daddy – not so much, head still stuck up in his a$$.
💗
You shall have them from a loving friend who understands this completely because our first daughter went through the same thing. While she was married, it was nonetheless something that needed doing for a long time. One incident was the fabled straw. There is more but as difficult as it was, for her and the three kids (the ones nearest us), it had to be done for everyone’s sake and safety. This is why I have alluded to God’s grace in putting us here when all was well, as we never ever expected to be needed as much as we have been. Suffice it to say, Almighty God knew.
I tell you this because none of us knows what or why things happen in a family. And I am so sad for Nipper who must be really feeling this. I am so thankful you and your wife are there, in a perfect position to give him the stability he will need while things are getting sorted out. I wish for all it weren’t happening. And my heart breaks for everyone.
As for dad, I hope he recognizes he is about to lose the most precious gifts God has ever given him. And this is what I’ll pray for. Perhaps he will receive the tap on the shoulder he seems to need. In our case, there was a hard slap across the face of my son in law. He ignored it.
May God please in his infinite mercy awaken Nipper’s dad, for Nipper’s sake as well as for his mother’s…and his. If this is repairable, He will be there with them all.
If it is not, He will provide a loving path for everyone. I know this is true, G. So I will most definitely be praying for each one, and give thanks that in you, Nipper has a strong loving grandfather who will prove to be the rock he needs in the coming days and months. I love you, G, my dear friend. You are a wonderful human being. That’s just the gospel truth. Bet😘🙏
Thank you, dear Bet! we have given it to God and are hear to provide support.
Good evening GrandpaM.May I tell you something from personal experience that I’d like to share with you.I drew a really,really crappy hand when it came to parents,but my grandparents were the best.My one grandfather was my guiding light,and it still pains me to this day that I was not able to be by his side when he passed (I was in Argentina).I have to say that despite all the problems,I would not be nearly the person I am today if it weren’t for him.I miss going to mass with him on Sundays,as they were times I will never forget.Prayers for you and your family.
I know what you have written will strike a deep cord, Casco. I doubt your beloved grandfather is far from you now. You were probably as a much a blessing for him as he was for you, and I know how much you miss him.
My husband has been an extraordinary blessing for our grandchildren. I give thanks, so many thanks, that we were here by His hand, so he could be that strength for them. Had we not been here where we were needed, I dread to think that our sweet, respectful, hard working grand twins might potentially be on a different path.
Thank our Lord for grandfathers who step up and step in wherever and whenever they are needed, and do so with immensely huge hearts and the love that comes from them.🤗
Amen Bet! So true. 🙂
second Bet, CBB, and thank you for sharing that.
He has this in hand, as Cat says below, and will make the way which is best for everyone.
Couldn’t say it better than our Betsy, grandpa. Prayers for the best outcome for all. ❤️ will keep you all in my thoughts, my prayers 🙏
Prayers made for them and for you too. You are in a difficult position, being in the middle of all this Nipper really needs your stability. God guide you in being there for Nipper. Enjoy him, they grow up too soon. Hugs to you.
Thank you Marti!
Good morning Gramps. A happy and blessed Sunday to you and yours. Cheers!
Good afternoon Levi! Blessings and happiness back at yah!
Breathe in breathe out
Yahweh 🙏
GLORY BE TO GOD THE FATHER
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. They cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
— Revelation 7:9-12
This is one of the hymns we’ll sing today, Trinity Sunday. I like songs for this festival time almost as much as the ones for Christmas.
This hymn and the prayers after it are a nice way to start the week, I think.
If you stick around through the prayers, you’ll hear the pastor ask God’s blessings for our nation “oppressed at this time by many burdens,” for “our President, Donald ” (as this was recorded in 2020), and for “all in rightful authority.”
Especially good prayers for today.
Hope you have a blessed week, Treepers.
Amen, 1530. In rightful authority indeed.
Good Mornin all!
At 01:00 Monday I depart to once again do the Toyota replacement parts run to Kansas City. And once again I go up to Saint Joseph, MO to pick up dry car batteries and then take a break and bring that load home. Probably get back late morning on Tuesday.
I really don’t know why we salary drivers have to do this load constantly. It has good miles and would pay well. But it seems many wimps these days don’t like being away from home over night.
Morning, rah💖 They don’t make ’em as they used to. Stay safe. You are of a generation that understood hard work done with diligence and honour. And yes, there is honour is doing a job, any job, to the best of ones ability. God go with you.
Thank you Betsy. Have a blessed day.
💖!!
. . . but deliver us from the Evil One.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
Amen!
Prayer of Saint Ioannikios the Great of Bithynia (+ 846)
My hope is the Father, my refuge the Son, my protection the Holy Spirit. O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.
The 50th Psalm (Septuagint)
From Small Compline
Rejoice Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Savior of our souls. (thrice)
Pentecost
Saint Isaac the Confessor, Founder of the Dalmation Monastery (named after Monk Dalmatos) in Constantinople (+ 383). Confessor against the Arian heresy.
Saint Hubert of Maastricht, Bishop of Liege in Belgium (+ 727)
May 30th – Patristic Calendar of the Orthodox Christian Church
June 12th – civil or commercial calendar
Holy Pentecost
(with Kneeling Vespers)
Orthodox Christian Church
On this day, the eighth Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate Holy Pentecost.
Apolytikion. Plagal of Fourth Tone.
“Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them didst draw the world into Thy net. O Befriender of man, glory to Thee.”
Kontakion. Plagal of Fourth Tone.
“Once, when He descended and confounded the tongues, the Most High divided the nations; and when He divided the tongues of fire, He called all men into unity; and with one accord we glorify the All-holy Spirit.”
May 30 (June 12)
June 12
Morning
Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean. Num. 31:23
The LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul. Deut. 13:3
He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Mal. 3:3
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. I Cor. 3:13
I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin. Isa. 1:25
I will melt them, and try them. Jer. 9:7
Thou, O God, hast proved us; thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. We went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. Psa. 66:10, 12
When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isa. 43:2
Evening
We, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. I Pet. 2:24
Put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and … put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 4:22-24
Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:3
As Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our LORD. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof; but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom. 6:4, 6, 7, 11-13
J. Bagster
I often come here for the spiritual solace your stories and comments provide.
Today I come here with a problem that saddens me deeply. Maybe I am not alone. Maybe some of you have suggestions and answers.
Here it is. I have seven beautiful grandchildren who rang in age from 11 to 17. None of them are being taught about religion, spirituality, God, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, you name it. They have no spiritual foundation in their young lives.
Their parents, my three children, were raised as Catholics for a short time, but for many reasons that ended. However, they at least had a sense of God, a Higher Power, some spiritual basis.
All three are good people and great parents except that they are godless Democrats. Their political views are unbearable to me and we cannot talk politics.
The worst thing is that my grandchildren are being raised with no religion or spirituality in their lives.
I have tried over the years to talk to them about spiritual things, even just about God and creation, to try and give them the idea that there is something more, something higher than we mere humans.
My efforts have not worked and it breaks my heart to see these children growing up without the comfort and strength that people like us get from our religions and faith.
The things we discuss and think about every day.
I couldn’t live during these times if I didn’t pray constantly and read as I do.
I am not talking about churches and organized religions.
How can I help my grandchildren find God or a higher power, or even some spirituality?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks to all of you for your daily posts.
Praying for you and your family – Reaching out to many sources and Prayer Groups to help with suggestions, Seneca.
Please know you are not alone in your distress – and know – where there appears to be no way – God will make a way.
God Bless You today and onward for your caring heart!!!
Thank you my friend! Your kind words are much appreciated.
I recently listened to the story of a man raised Buddhist who came to Christ. I so appreciated the way the Lord lead him.
He was praying for his unsaved parents, and the Lord asked him, Do you love Me more than your parents? At length, he answered, Yes, Lord, I love You more. Then the Lord said to him, Do you realize that I love your parents more than you do? He answered, Yes, I know you love them more than I do.
Based on this realization, he was inspired to keep praying for his parents and his brother. If they are on our hearts, they are most certainly on the Lord’s heart.
On a practical note, because this helped me when I was young, perhaps a gift of a kid microscope? It is truly amazing to see the intricate detail on, for example, a housefly. The wing, the legs (yuck, but still). Dead insects are a treasure trove of wonder, curtesy of God. You can grow up some bakers yeast, and see the budding as it reproduces. The best is pond water with all sorts of one-celled creatures swimming by.
The creation can help them realize their Creator. Then you are there, asking Socratic questions like, Wow, how could that happen just by chance?
I love this story and the microscope idea. Thank you very much!
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
There is a wonderful DVD, “God of Wonders,” I think you and your grandchildren will enjoy. Praying for you.
Find then vacation bible school at a large baptist church. Sell the idea to parents that it is fun activity. Salvation will be presented in a non threatening manner.
That’s a good suggestion.
It is Bible School season. I used to love going to VBS.
Good morning Seneca. I feel for you and sympathize with your frustration/concern. My only suggestion would be that you become their conduit to religion. And I recognize that could be much easier said than done.
Do you live near your children/grand children? Would your children resist efforts by you to introduce your grandchildren to religion? If the stars align, you might consider an occasional Saturday sleep over and traditional Sunday morning (church and breakfast afterward).
Our grandchildren have some foundation but not like we had (some catechism but never church). When they visit I remind them of God and Jesus. Not in an overbearing manner but more the gentle nudge. Holidays explanations. My survival of stage 4 cancer. How they are blessings to my wife and I and how we experience blessings daily. How I pray for them and others daily and why.
It is, quite sadly, very different today. And, with where we all see it going, I am afraid in another generation or two, creator based religion will become an endangered practice if not extinct.
I hope you find a way. God bless.
I live near two granddaughters and sadly, both their parents are atheists including my daughter, their mom. She does not want me to “teach her kids about religion” as she puts it and I have had to work around that over the years.
When I talk to them, it is mostly about the wonders of creation that we see around us- The beautiful sky, the trees, the mountains. I talk to them about who they think made these things, that it was not made by man or woman. This seems to at least get their attention enough to have a conversation.
But with all the screens and technology, it is getting almost impossible to have these conversations. I can’t compete with an Iphone.
Sadly, your hands are tied. You can only continue to do what you are doing. Just like our parents had to grin and bear our maturation (with all the mistakes of adolescence) and who we became as adults, we must do the same.
One difference, I feel for myself (and perhaps you feel the same) is that as I matured and made my mistakes, I still ALWAYS wanted to be like my dad. I used to tell people that if I could be half the man that my father was, that I’d consider my life a success. And I absorbed mom’s commitment to education. What I mean is, I/we accepted so many of our parents values and treasure them to this day. Many of our generation became so much more like them than not.
I don’t see nearly as much of that today. The fracture from generation to generation seemingly continues to widen. Why is that? Because of indoctrination. As you’ve already pointed out, we can’t compete with the power of the screen.
Seneca, perhaps the only thing you can do at this moment is turn them over to God, a terribly difficult thing to do. But you have a deep faith and the trust which goes with it that will tell you He is doing better things for them than you can hope or pray for.
And then when you are with them be the Christian man that you are. The ages your grands are are years when attention spans are short and focus is on everything but the important sustaining substances of life. Be that example of faith and love. They will remember it as they get older and life provides the education our reprehensible schools did not.
These are feeble words for your very real and heartfelt concern. But remember… CS Lewis came to his profound Christianity when he was 32. And there are those who arrived at much later ages. The solution you’re looking for may just be as simple as turning them over to God, and trusting He will make Himself known to them at a time of His choosing.
Seneca, how about you don’t teach them about religion, just tell them about Jesus, the Creator of all the beauty around us.
And I know in this situation it’s easier said then done but may be you could have a “slip of the tongue” every now and then.
I will have you and your family, for God to move in their lives and for all to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have been trying to do this since they were toddlers when it was much easier.
I am very close with my two granddaughters who live near me. As they have gotten older, I can see how much they are being brainwashed in school. It is a tragedy what they are doing to these kids.
One thing you might try is to find a nice poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments and hang it right by where you sit so they can see it, and read it every time they come over? Don’t know, just thinking out loud.
Or a cross. We have several, one so beautiful my husband made which is on a wall by our front door. And your Bible, Seneca. Leave it out where you might sit and read. So they know when they visit your house has His presence in it.
Thanks- I have some religious art in my home office that they look at occasionally, but the biggest thing so far is when we go walking in the woods or near the lake and I start a discussion about who made all this beauty. They do respond to that which is wonderful.
A good friend of mine put a telescope in his backyard for when his kids, then the grandkids, and their friends, could come over to look at the night sky, and would add stories about the wonders of creation, God, etc. to get their minds to expand into thinking that way. Usually during the meteor showers and such.
Thank you- that’s a good one!
Seneca, you and your family are in my prayers. You obviously know that prayer is the first step. I would encourage you to ask for the intercession of St. Monica. Because of her many, many years of determined and faith filled prayers, the world has the great gifts and teachings of her son, St. Augustine.
My life as a child was pretty bad. My parents sent me to church, but weren’t Christian. My dad was not a good man, and my mother was not a good protector. I had a really good uncle, a Christian and a trained counselor. He lived in Nebraska, and I had a special relationship with him and his daughter, who is close to my age.
They modeled Christ for me. I saw them only every few years, but when I did, their few grace inspired conversations with me were laying the foundation for my eventual conversion. They even greatly supported me when the faith I chose was so very different from theirs.
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak through you. You don’t have to give them sermons or lessons, although you can. Use opportunities to live your faith, openly discuss why you pray, say blessings, offer up thanksgiving. Model faith, hope, love.
Lastly, I’m going to say something many will disagree with and be angry over, but I firmly believe. Each can have their own views, but this one comes from my childhood, and what my parents taught me through their religious mixed signals.
I don’t think kids get what they need from the you don’t have to go to church to be religious attitude. It gives them nothing to hold on to. It makes Christianity a vague concept, not a reality. If you aren’t a church goer, I’d encourage you to set that example for them.
Dear Ad Rem- many thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to respond so thoughtfully to my post. I will take your advice about St. Monica and include her in my prayers for sure. My other favorites are St. Anthony (patron saint of lost things), St. Jude (patron of the impossible) and St. Francis who loved animals. Over the years they have never let me down, and neither has my Higher Power whom I call God.
I agree that actions speak louder than words which is why I have such a problem with their parents (my own children). They are all great people. They are much better parents than I ever was and given their childhood with parents who had issues with alcoholism and drug use, they are remarkably sane, thoughtful and caring individuals. Which is why it bothers me so much that they have no religion or spirituality. It makes no sense.
As far as going to church, I am no longer a practicing Catholic for many reasons. My church and spiritual fellowship today is in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. I get more from doing service and participating in those groups than I ever got from any Catholic priests or nuns. Mine is a very long story that I have shared bits and pieces of during the years I’ve been posting at here at the other wonderful fellowship of the Tree House.
I am beyond grateful to you and the other readers who always have time to help a fellow Treeper or any other person who comes here looking for help and hope.
In one of those strange coincidences, this popped up on my screen. I thought you might enjoy it.
https://www.undergroundthomist.org/children-who-lose-their-faith-what-can-you-do
“ It is not possible that the son of all these prayers and tears should be lost.”
❤️
Menagerie- thanks for that!
No, Menagerie…no coincidence. None whatsoever. 🙏
How right you are, it’s like the coincidence of a certain “random” arrow that killed King Ahab.
Seneca, I have the same anxiety about my own adult children. When they were growing up, our family was unchurched. It was only after they had left home that I felt pulled back to church — quite a different one than I grew up in. The kids have been quite willing to visit church with me from time to time, but so far it has not visibly “stuck.” But I think it has an effect over time.
As others have said, people from the Treehouse will be including you and your family in prayers. Sometimes our prayers are answered when we don’t expect it. If you don’t already, pray yourself, God is listening.
If I may, I’ll suggest you might visit some churches on your own, a variety of them, just to see how it feels to you now. You might be surprised.
If you do, you would probably want to focus on the ones that are politically neutral, since so many churches engage in left-wing, woke political activity. For this, and speaking from experience, I’d suggest that if you look at the Lutherans , look at the LCMS, WELS, and ELS denominations.
May God bless you and your family.
Thank you very much. There are several churches in my area that I visit periodically, but none of them felt right to me. I feel most at home in the rooms of AA.
My son found that support there as well, Seneca. And I’m so grateful they were there.🙏
My son, Nipper’s dad needs to get there, too, but so far has refused.
My son in law as was as well, G. Went, relapsed. The most important thing in his life is alcohol.
Totally understand. What really infuriates me is the churches I go to complain about people not going to church, but yet the refuse to look in the mirror as to why that might be? I could write a book on it.
The older I get the more I find myself asking St. Anthony for help. I am not Catholic, but I find he answers my prayers often in the knick of time.
St. Anthony, who I call the patron of lost things, has been one of my go to saints for many, many years.
I can still remember my mom saying the St. Anthony prayer: St. Anthony, St. Anthony, please come around. Something is lost and cannot be found.
It works every time.
At meals (anywhere) together, let them see you quietly give thanks.
I’m very sorry Seneca and will pray as I have done for those in my family, for God to soften the hearts of your children.
Thank you- that’s a wonderful suggestion!
A blessing before meals by my father in law who we never considered religious. This might be one you would consider.
“Gentle Jesus, be our guest.
Share this food thy Life hath blessed.
We in humble turn shall feast
Upon thy kindness, love and grace.”
We called this The Amazing Grace, because we had no idea of his convictions. And I think grace played an amazing part in his composition of this wonderful blessing.
That is a both a heartache and a tough situation. You are walking a tightrope over alienating family versus fostering a spiritual awareness for your grandchildren. Live your good life and hopefully they will follow your example. You have my sympathy and understanding. God bless!
You are exactly right. Thank you!
This.^^^!
It is good that you pray and read , but when you wrote: “None of them are being taught about religion, spirituality, God, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, you name it.” or “…find God or a higher power, or even some spirituality?” ….. it comes across to me as not having made a spiritual decision on who you believe in spiritually.
What I found, finding my way back through all the religions to my belief in Jesus is most religions believe there was a Jesus. They also teach there are many ways to be saved, but Jesus says He’s the only way. Jesus would not go through all the trouble of being born into this world (God in the flesh), go through torture, die on a cross, be buried, resurrected, and ascend back to heaven, if there were other ways to be saved.
You don’t want your grandchildren to just go anywhere spirituality, because what would they be connecting to…..
13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
The Bible talks about a (good & evil) spiritual world:
“For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms -Ephesians 6:12”
It goes on to talk about in Ephesions putting on the “Armor of God”. You don’t want them to connect to evil in the spiritual world.
Stormie Omartian started with a group of families that met at her home to collectively pray for their children. It grew and she wrote the book The Power of a Praying Parent. Each chapter has a discussion, sample prayer and Bible verses on different areas of their life.
Go to the direct source and ask God for answers. We will all be praying w/you.
A friend of mine found it when one day her mother dropped her off at Vacation Bible School w/the intent of Bible School being a baby sitter. My friend loved it and then insisted her mother take her to church on Sundays. Her mother would drop her off and come back to pick her up. Over time for special services, picnics etc. her mother slowly started going. Then eventually became a member. Your grand-kids sound too old for VBS, but your dilemma reminded me of that story.
I will pray for your grandchildren to find a way. I feel sad that they have not been exposed to anything spiritual. If nothing else it is a way to learn and strengthen intuition, and I think that is a part of society that is missing. No-one seems to have intuition and common sense anymore.
There are tons of cards out there, I have Zen and Angel cards, both as gifts. They are not Tarot cards, but positive words on a card. You ask the Angels, or Universe a question, pull a card, and then ponder on what the message is of the word you pulled out of the box. You might try something like that and use it as a tool to learn to listen to what God or the Universe is saying to us. I dont’ know, just a thought.
Many thanks to you and all the other wonderful Treepers who responded to my post and questions. This is by far the most special place online that I come to- there is no place else where people have the care, understanding and compassion that I have found at the Tree House.
I continue to pray and have been told about some other saints to add to my list. First and foremost I know that every one of my children and grandchildren have their own “higher Power” and that God is watching over them at all times. I hope that I can use some of the suggestions that were given here to see if they will work with the grands.
Thank you all again!
Blessings be with you in your most important efforts, Seneca. And God will be with you, without question He will be.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it certainly generated lots of reflection and pondering. The answers will come. Ask and ye shall receive. Sleep well Seneca.
Thanks again for your kind words.
Agree 100% with Menagerie and would ask, have any of your grandchildren shown a curiosity about things religious?
I imagine the strength you derive from the AA associations, comes from the spiritual muscles you developed at a young age, yes they may have gone fallow, but when you needed them the most, when you got to the point of finding the AA, there they were, and they began to flex when you needed them to.
It is those spiritual muscles, prayer, learning the graces of giving and receiving, the ‘do unto other’s rules and principles that are taught to young minds, knowing when to ‘dig deep in the desert and the waters will come’ (stamina) – can all be learned without formal religious training, just makes it harder for young minds to realize they are even there because the stories of the Bible are perfect for little ones to recognize their own inner, spiritual muscles, muscles that become the foundations we naturally fall back on when the tough times come.
Yes, parents have the last word in how they raise their children, but there are ways that you can find to expose your grandchildren. Simple (though over 100 years old now) New Thought passages from writers such as Florence Scovil Schinn, (in her book ‘The Game of Life and How to Play It” for example) or, my favorite, Norman Vincent Peale’s ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ -those writers use the stories of the Bible, both old and new testament, and bring them into modern day applications. Explain to your daughter, if she’s open to the idea, that you would like to share with your grandchildren how they too can develop their inner, personal spiritual muscles, find their own morals, that will help them to recognize when, how, to say no, when it’s okay to say yes, how to rely on their inner faith to endure things for when their parents aren’t around.
If you can get her to think about that, that opens the door for her to understand children do need to have their spiritual muscles worked before they are out in the world on their own. It’s tough, like you say, their Democrats; but miracles do still happen.
Praying for all involved.
It just drives this old soldier nuts to hear the ignorant, officious A-holes on TV talk about firearms they know nothing about.
Joe Scarborough for example:
Joe Scarborough Claims AR-15s Are ‘Deadlier’ Than The M16s Used During The Vietnam War | The Daily Caller
This is a flat out lie. The M-16 issued to the Marines and Army had full automatic capability while the AR-15 by definition is a semi-automatic weapon. Both fire the same 5.56 mm round. They use identical magazines.
The M-16 had some initial issues with jamming when first issued in Vietnam but soon the troops learned that keeping their rifle clean greatly reduced such malfunctions. Then in 1969 the M16A1 replaced the M-16 and with the improvements, including a forward assist, stoppages were no longer as much of an issue.
There was another issue that caused jamming that every combat arms troop that used and was trained with the weapon knows. Always load the magazine (20 and then later 30 round mags were the standard issues) with one less round than its capacity or otherwise you can end up with a miss feed when you attempt to chamber the first round after changing mags. The troops in Vietnam learned that the hard way in combat. We that came later learned it the easy way in training.
I have put 10s of 1,000s of rounds down range out of the M-16A1 in all kinds of conditions and situations and I never once remember having a problem when using regular ball ammo. I do remember however dealing with problems several times while training soldiers not as familiar with the weapon.
I still remember the immediate action drill as taught in Basic in the event of a jam and which we trained so many others in over the years.
S- Slap the Magazine three times
P- Pull the charging handle to the rear
O- Observe the Chamber to ensure no blockages
R- Release the Charging handle
T- Tap the forward assist
S- Squeeze the trigger
Oh BTW, in the same rant our weapons expert Joe, claimed that M-16 was “more lethal” than the M-14. Another absolute lie. All the later versions of the M-14 had full automatic capability. In fact even today a modernized verion of the M-14
The M-14 is the rifle the M-16 replaced. It fires a 7.62 x 51 mm round. A round much more powerful than the 5.56 mm round used in the M-16. I carried the M-21 sniper version of this rifle sometimes when in SF. It is a much more powerful weapon than the M-16. It’s greatest downfall is weight. But with that weapon I could reach out and touch someone at 800 meters which is about 40% further than the maximum effective range of the M-16A1 using standard ball ammo.
It also has much more penetration power. Think your safe hiding behind an oak tree the diameter of a standard telephone pole? Well with the M-16 you are but not with the M-14. That 7.62 round will go right through it. Same for a standard 8″ block wall.
Modernized versions of the M-14 were issued primarily to special operations forces for use in Iraq and Afghanistan and remain in service today. If I were in SF now it would be my weapon of choice for many situations. The SEALs love them to.
One of the things that bothers me is that this alleged “reporter” is talking about things that have no bearing on the debate, which is our second amendment rights as Americans to keep and bear arms.
Which weapons are worse in Joe’s opinion is completely irrelevant, and I hate how the media has set themselves up as, I don’t know, maybe a third party? What makes Joe think his opinion on weaponry matters?
People get angry with me because I keep bringing up the Johnny Depp trial, but what the media is doing in that case is arguing the trial all over again,and bringing up irrelevancies, such as personal behavior of Mr. Depp.
That case was simple, did she defame him? This case is simple, do we not have a Constitutional right to keep and bear arms?
The MSM has staked out what they want to be the outcome, and will not let it go.
Somebody ask Scarborough how the AR-15 is more deadly than the antique gun that killed Halyna Hutchins? Dead is dead.
Oh, the fools are abundant in “news” rooms as we all know.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Their recycled kick now is now that we who support the 2nd amendment fail to understand that the first sentence is a qualifier for the 2nd sentence. This is BS. And even if it weren’t the fact is the US Code defines militia.
(a)The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b)The classes of the militia are—
(1)the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2)the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.
The ages stated above obviously only apply to the “organized milita” as stipulated in section 113 of title 32 which says:
(a)To be eligible for original enlistment in the National Guard, a person must be at least 17 years of age and under 45, or under 64 years of age and a former member of the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps. To be eligible for reenlistment, a person must be under 64 years of age.
(b)To be eligible for appointment as an officer of the National Guard, a person must—
(1)be a citizen of the United States; and
(2)be at least 18 years of age and under 64.
IOW we citizens or any who have declared their intention to become a citizen are the milita!
Apparently (Zerohedge) bipartisan Second Amendment haters have agreed in the Senate on the next step by steps to disarm us. It’s in the details which will never be scrutinized until after the wretched plan is approved. Headlines only…then the essence of it.
Good Sunday morning, everyone. Hope you are all awakening to a mind soothed from the restful night and aware of the many blessings that are our lives. Sundays are gifts from above and remind us that heaven is happy with our being here. We were chosen to be here. Embrace the day with purpose. And may the morning sunshine brighten your path throughout the week ahead.
God bless, all. Cheers!
Amen. 🙂
Good morning Casco. Hope you are doing well.
Great morning to you as well my friend! Golden pen…ha…lol.You and our friend Bet have the most incredible way with words.I’m constantly amazed by the way you two say the most meaningful things,without being “flowery” or excessive.Natural or not,it’s a gift that only a few share…with me obviously not being one of them!
I’m out again today cutting traveler palms and eureka seed pods.I’m taking it easy (not climbing higher than 20″) in light of recent events.Yesterday “the sauna” here was cranked up full bore.Not a bit of wind,and humidity you could cut with a knife.I went in last night at dusk drenched to the bone…it feels good.
May the good Lord bless you as well my friend.. y Dios te bendiga igualmente mi amigo.Ciao! 🙂
Casco. Don’t sell yourself short. Sorry, couldn’t help that after your big burly guy description the other day.
On a serious note I would say you like so many others here represent yourself very well with your words. They are genuine which is what I like about this place, this forum. Feelings are expressed with sincerity here. Free and flowing. It’s a joy to be here and I thank everyone for allowing me to crash their wonderful party.
That said, none of us can touch Betsy but we can all appreciate her. And that’s a win for all.
Thank you sir and may the good Lord bless you and yours, my friend.
Lol! There are many times in certain circumstances that I really wish I was short.When I reread what I wrote,I really have to laugh…20 inches…I meant 20 ft (20′). 20″…that would definitely make me short!
Your sentiment about us here in the “church by the blessed tree” certainly ring true with me,and I thank you for the compliment as well.
Blessings to you as well amigo and please,continue “crashing”! 🙂
🙂
Good morning, Levi💖 Here arrives our Serene Sunday. By His grace we “bloom where we are planted”. May we honour Him by thanksgiving and praise for our lives and all the blessings He bestows upon us. Enjoy your day, my friend.
Good morning Betsy. Lovely words. Your golden pen is alive as always. Thank you. I arise each morning eternally grateful for all those undeserved blessings. Best to you and yours. Stay cool. Hot here too but a breeze that makes things tolerable and reminds me again to be thankful. Cheers!!!
😘!!!
And a great morning to you Bet! I’m heading out into my yard to sweat out room for a barley pop later.Stay out of the heat if you can… it’s not good,even for youngins’ like you! Mental cocktails of joy and diet ginger ales being sent you way… 🙂
😁😁😁!!! The best combination ever, Casco. I hope you are feeling great and hopeful this Sunday. We’ve warmed up early and the heat advisories have been out since yesterday. Staying hydrated and after a busy week, staying inside and inactive… except for the things that have to be done.
Dinners are whatever keeps me in the kitchen less. Summer fare, such as tonight… Black forest ham, fruit salad with Poppy Seed Dressing made by a Texas company, Briannas near Bryan where Texas A&M is located near enough, delicious cheese (Kerry Gold Dubliner), and deviled eggs (just enough time to boil them, then stove off)…easy clean up, done.
I hope you’re not as hot as we are, but then you have humidity to contend with as well…like being under a soggy hot blanket. Just one barley pop?
Busy thread this morning with all our congregation. Our small church is growing. Such a wonderful thing. May His Holy protection continue to cover you, Casco🙏. My prayers for your complete good health continue of course. I’m so glad you are able to take a couple or three days to recover from your procedure before you must drag ye olde hard hat back out. Be well, my friend…that’s an order from the bossiest person on the planet🤗😘
Mmmm. sounds delicious.Briannas…ha.Love them.Just finished the one with the artichokes on the label (Caesars?).I’ve tried the one with the grapes on it too.It’s a little pricey,but well worth it.God bless Texas!
I’m rather disappointed with myself today.It was hot,but there was a nice breeze.I didn’t finish what I set out to do (I just ran out of gas),and that’s rare for me.But I figured better save some energy for the mine this week.
Prayers for you and yours my friend…Yep,just one barley pop (saying while winking one eye and a wry smile on my face),and your orders will be followed!!! (Lol) 🙂
June 12 Oswald Chambers
Getting There (2)
They said to Him, “Rabbi…where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” —John 1:38-39
Where our self-interest sleeps and the real interest is awakened. “They…remained with Him that day….” That is about all some of us ever do. We stay with Him a short time, only to wake up to our own realities of life. Our self-interest rises up and our abiding with Him is past. Yet there is no circumstance of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus.
“You are Simon….You shall be called Cephas” (John 1:42). God writes our new name only on those places in our lives where He has erased our pride, self-sufficiency, and self-interest. Some of us have our new name written only in certain spots, like spiritual measles. And in those areas of our lives we look all right. When we are in our best spiritual mood, you would think we were the highest quality saints. But don’t dare look at us when we are not in that mood. A true disciple is one who has his new name written all over him— self-interest, pride, and self-sufficiency have been completely erased.
Pride is the sin of making “self” our god. And some of us today do this, not like the Pharisee, but like the tax collector (see Luke 18:9-14). For you to say, “Oh, I’m no saint,” is acceptable by human standards of pride, but it is unconscious blasphemy against God. You defy God to make you a saint, as if to say, “I am too weak and hopeless and outside the reach of the atonement by the Cross of Christ.” Why aren’t you a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not believe that God can make you into one. You say it would be all right if God saved you and took you straight to heaven. That is exactly what He will do! And not only do we make our home with Him, but Jesus said of His Father and Himself, “…We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). Put no conditions on your life— let Jesus be everything to you, and He will take you home with Him not only for a day, but for eternity.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
The great word of Jesus to His disciples is Abandon. When God has brought us into the relationship of disciples, we have to venture on His word; trust entirely to Him and watch that when He brings us to the venture, we take it.
Good Sunday morning, FC. Hope you find yourself walking on sunshine and/or colored popcorn throughout this day. God bless. Cheers!
Amen! 🙂
Good morning, Cat💖. Praying your Sunday with God watching over you and with you is serene. Of course, the Bible has something to say regarding Chambers’ sermon…
“In his pride, the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his thoughts, there is no room for God.”
~~Psalm 10:4~~
Goodaye everyone! Levi 1530, poyeema, Betsy, grandpa, Lonestar, jay, ms Idaho, and everyone else I didn’t mention. Even our sml lurkers!!! I’m exposing myself, thanks to all your contributions, to all things God and am enjoying him writing on my blank slate. I’d like to express my gratitude for all contributions on this thread. They mean more than just words on a screen ❤️ may all continue to be the working hands of our Lord 🥰
May god bless each of you and hold your hand throughout our journey. Love you all 😘
Good afternoon Cat and many blessings! 💜
PLEASE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
PRAYING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD
Father God, I now follow your command to put on the full armor of God, because my battle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the unseen world.
I first pray on the Belt of Truth that it may be buckled around my waist, may I be centered and encircled by your truth dear Lord. Hem me inside all that is true and right, and may I be protected and held up by the truth of your living word, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Breastplate of righteousness, please protect my vital organs and my inner man, cover my integrity, my spirit, and my soul. Guard my heart for it is the wellspring of life, please strengthen and guard the most vulnerable places in my life with that which is right, good, and noble that I might not receive a fatal blow from the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Gospel Shoes of Peace. I choose to stand in the shoes of your good news, and on the firm foundation of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the solid eternal rock. All other ground is sinking sand, I pray that I will not slip or fall, but that my feet would be firmly fitted on your lordship, my Lord Jesus. I choose to stand on you, so that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, the eternal Rock of Ages. I receive your holy peace now my Lord, from the sole of my feet to the crown of my head, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray the Shield of Faith into my hand now. As I take up the shield of faith, I ask that you might extinguish every dart and arrow, that is launched from the enemy to take me down spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and every attempt of the enemy to destroy my joy. I ask that my faith in you would make it flame out. Extinguish every flaming arrow that would come against me, my life, my family, my home, or my ministry. May my faith always be out in front of me like a shield. Give me the courage to “faith my fears” by choosing to walk by faith and not by sight, in my Lord Jesus name.
I pray on the Helmet of Salvation, that you might protect my mind from the thoughts that can lead me astray. I choose to take every thought captive, and arrest all intentioned ideas and motives that would harm others, or distract me from your holy will for me. I submit every captured thought to the Lordship of my Lord Jesus Christ, and ask that you would imprison those thoughts that are not of you my Lord. Transform my mind and renew my thinking that I may think God thoughts, and have a sober mind that is focused on your glory. Please protect me from being double minded that I may allow my mind, I reject to live an earthly life, because I choose to live a holy one, governed by you My Lord Jesus, the prince of peace, please have my mind to be saturated with the holy mind of Christ, in my Lord Jesus name.
Finally, I take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the holy word of God, I pray this powerful offensive weapon into my hand, and ask that your holy word would be fitting for every encounter I face. As the enemy gets close to me, please give me the insight, wisdom, and skill to wield the word of God to drive away the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.
May the enemy and his team flee from me, upon hearing the word of God spoken by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Give me the sword of the spirit to cut through the wiles of the devil, so that I may discern the schemes of the enemy when he is near.
With all kinds of prayers, supplication, and intercession I pray to you my Lord God as the one who fights my battles. Now that I’m in your holy powerful armor, I walk away covered and ready to face my day as you go before me, and please protect me in the midst of the spiritual warfare in this unseen world, in my Lord Jesus name.
Thank you my Lord, for the spiritual weapons of armor and prayer that you have given me. It is written no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses me.
Thank you Father God, my Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that I am more than a conqueror in my Lord Jesus. I pray all of this in the mighty name of my Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.
AMEN.
Verse of the Day for Sunday, June 12, 2022
✟
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
Proverbs 15:3 (KJV)
Thank You, Jesus, for blessings received and prayers answered!!!
BE MY VOICE
BABY LIVES MATTER
JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN
Suffer them unto me 🙂
Bless-ed child, jay. It is unfathomable to me how anyone could harm any of His little ones. A truly gorgeous innocent in those stunning tulips.🌷
Americans must at this point, know that our politicians, bureaucrats, medical “professionals”, Law Enforcement, professors in academia, media, captains of industry etc. look straight into the camera, right into our eyes and lie to us while knowing that we know, they know, we know they are lying.
The aforementioned are actively engaged in a no rules of engagement war, against we the people.
We are living now, through a slow motion, Event Horizon that is gradually sucking us all into more lockdowns, election frauds, bizarre, purposeful accusations against us of the very crimes being committed against us, while millions of bureaucrats, who are literally soldiers in this war, take up arms against us. Picture Alexander Vindman – fat, bespeckled, seemingly innocuous paper pusher, Beta Male, intellectual retrograde sophist, solemnly testifying under oath about HIS interpretation of an illegally recorded phone call from the President of the U.S. about the now obvious corruption relating to the Biden Crime Family in Ukraine. Of course, he has a twin. Tell me that is not a sign from God.
Decades ago, while we slept, the Institutional singularity of our Federal Government, like “Judgment Day”, was a volte face that shifted the priorities from tax payer interests to the perpetuation of Federal power that see now. The “Deep State”.
The FBI, is the tip of the spear in this war on the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights.
There is no longer, ANY legal or moral authority from this de facto Gestapo, renegade organization.
True, they can and will arrest you, shoot you, frame you, incarcerate you in the Lubyanka/Washington D.C., but they are a godless, Fascist, totalitarian organization that derives it’s power from the end of Mao’s gun barrel.
If the 2022 elections are as rigged as the 2020 elections, there will be war.
That war, is justified, legal, morally and predicated upon the absolute betrayal of our Government and it’s war on us, the people.
I have told you these things, so that you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world.
John 16:43
Wishing all of you a peaceful, blessed day!
Good afternoon, Lorrie💐 I hope you have a wonderful day as well, and a blessing filled week.
Australia has had the coldest start to winter in a Century:
Record Cold In Australia | Real Climate Science
And one ski resort reports “There’s almost too much snow”.
‘There’s almost too much snow’ | Real Climate Science
Five years ago “scientists said” that the ski industry in Australia would face severe challenges due to lack of snow due to warming.
Rah, that’s why the climate charlatans changed the boogey man from “global warming” to “global climate change.” This way, any seemingly unusual weather can be blamed on human activity, requiring further restrictions on industry and energy production. This regardless of historical patterns and variability.
It is a lot like when people blamed illness on witches and swamp gas.
I know that but I used the same word as in the article:
“……….A snow retreat has been observed for half a century, with rising temperatures rather than reduced precipitation to blame, according to a major CSIRO-Bureau of Meteorology report. Under high greenhouse gas emissions pathway, snow at lower-elevation sites such as Mt Buffalo could all but disappear by 2050.
Warming springs have led to stark impacts at the end of the ski season. Early October snow depths fell 30 per cent during the 2000-13 period compared with 1954-99, a separate study in 2015 found………”
“Climate Change” is a total BS concept as used by the proponents, because they try to blame weather events on it when in fact they have no evidence of any significant claim in the global climate. Try as they might, they can’t even fabricate any evidence for it.
The upper Troposphere still shows no permanent hot spots in the tropics as their “climate change” models say there must be. The Gulf stream has actually strengthened the last few years despite their claims that “climate change” will cause it’s collapse. The Great Barrier Reef has more live healthy coral now than it did when the surveys began according to two government sanctioned surveys. The Arctic Sea Ice extent has been running higher than the 30 year mean this year according to DMI. Winter before last Antarctica had it’s coldest winter since systematic temperatures first started to be recorded in 1956. Despite more named storms, the total ACE of Atlantic cyclones was only 89% of what it was 10 years ago and global ACE has been below the 30 year mean two years running and is expected to be so this year.
The evidence in the weather does not support their “climate change” claims at all but they get by with lies.
Try asking someone who believes the climate nuttery, what was the official weather/temperature that was not supposed to be deviated from?
What, exactly, is the correct temperature and weather for say, June 12, in eternity?
I’ve tried that one time and again with the nutters. They would not answer. Not a single one. As with all such people they try to deflect.
Rah, I have a wonderful meme which shows first the size of the sun, side by side with the planets, including the size of earth relative to all of them then an arrow which points to the almost imperceptible speck that is earth …writing says beside the arrow “you live here”.
The caption above all of says ” Who do you think controls the climate?”
It is simply a big meme shutdown of the arrogant fools who actually believe they are the ones who can calm the winds and the seas. Blasphemy of the highest unholy order.
Two phrases that one reads or hears on climate are a huge tells that your being lied to. They are:
“scientists say” and “climate models predict” or any variations there of. Such BS will almost always use weasel words like: may, could, possibly, and so on and so forth ad nauseum.
Say it Loud
Say it PROUD
niech Bóg błogosławi
that’s a lot of letters for God Bless
Sure wish I had a garden full of those beauties.
Hi ms Idaho 🙋♀️
Thought you might be interested, that pick up stick brings good luck game you spoke of recently? All I got was a bunch of spilled spaghetti to pick up. 😂
i don’t suppose the folks who have to pick up sticks on the grass like it any better
wonder – does bending over and picking up count as exercise?
Let’s ask Betsy. She’s our boomerang specialist 😂 😉 she’s always throwing!!!
Good afternoon ms idaho!
😎😎
Gracious Sunday to you, ms Idaho. Jay certainly knows how to make a day shine.🌷
“The Letter”
“The Letter” is a song written by Wayne Carson that was first recorded by the American rock band the Box Tops in 1967. It was the group’s first and biggest record chart hit, reaching No. 1 in the United States and Canada. Original was recorded at American Sound studios in Memphis, TN.
A nice cover by Patty Larkin:
Or maybe you prefer the original? Recorded in Memphis but has a “Mersey” sound to me. The Box Tops were all from Memphis.
Oooll Ugly 🥰
Such wonderful memories this time capsule reminds me of!! 😍 💋
May your day be filled with all the happiness you spread to others 😘 ❤️
Good afternoon, UC. My husband grew up on the Mersey, and was a frequent visitor in his youth to the Cavern where he watched the Beatles and other groups right before they hit the big time. You’re right…Mersey sound indeed.
Blessings to you, sir.
Sunday greetings Betsy ❤️ 🙋♀️
FIRST BAPTIST DALLAS CHURCH – SUNDAY SERVICE – 06/12/2022
“What Every Christian Should Know about the Bible” | LIVE Service from First Baptist Dallas
https://icampus.firstdallas.org/livestreams/icampus#0
Sundance, would you please be so kind as to tell us of your covid experience. Where, when and how did you get it? symptoms? medication you take? how it differs from flu?
I have thought covid a scam until you got it.
thanks merrie
I had it merrie about 4 months before it hit the news. I had gone over 11 years straight without calling off work and worked through various flus and bad colds about every one of those years. But when Josh called I had to tell him I was far to sick to run. If you can’t breath and are dizzy when you try to go, it’s time to get help.
So I went into the immediate med clinic. For three days I was fighting to breath. Nebulizer treatments got me through that acute initial period. I did not work for a total of 5 days. But I was not completely well for several weeks afterwards. Ibuterol inhalers got me through when working. I actually slept better in the truck than at home. The vibration of the truck acted helped me breath better.
That was what it did to me. As of last year I still had antibodies.
Husband’s symptoms same. He never tested, but there is no question he had it. Breathing was almost nonexistent. He said he thought he was for the box, as he put it.
Nebulizer with food grade hydrogen peroxide, inhaler, Zelenko protocol. Recovered but now taking NAC plus glutathione on top of the supplements to get rid of the spike protein covid left.
thank you, Betsy, for your input. so your husband had it but you didn’t get it?
rah was your Nebulizer jet or ultrasonic or mesh? so you basically cannot breathe? dizzy? probably feel like something very heavy on your chest.
thank you for the input. merry
Jet.
Understanding the longer term roots of our energy crisis.
Short and not so sweet.
Energy Crisis Is a Taste of What the IEA Has in Store for Us – Watts Up With That?
Someone recently told me, or I read somewhere, that attending a Latin mass is a good way for people to become interested in, or reconnect with, church attendance.
Unfortunately, Clarion, Bergoglio has banned the Latin mass, which has upset traditional Catholics, as I understand it. Those priests who rightly have continued to use it have been disciplined. Archbishop Vigano has addressed this many times in is writings and in his speakin..
This article makes me sick.
https://www.cfact.org/2022/06/07/is-it-ethical-to-purchase-a-lithium-battery-powered-ev/
Hardly earth friendly is it? I wish more would educate themselves about how devastating the mining actually is. But information would get in the inconvenient way of their ideology.
It was a joy to confess the Athanasian Creed (aka, “The Big One”) on this Holy Trinity Sunday in my church year calendar.
targeting W Virginia (dunno why)
A West Virginia man had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind it. Then he got back in the car to wait. A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was. The man replied, “I have a flat tire”. The passerby asked, “But what’s with the flowers?”
The man responded, “When you break down they tell you to put flares in the front and flares in the back! I never did understand it either.”
LOL… 🙂
YOU’VE GOT TO SEE THE QUEEN’S SATANlC RITUAL OF LIGHTS FOR THE TRANSFORMATION THAT’S HAPPENING…..
Amen
Amen
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
And Lord, please remove the evildoers from all positions of power. In Jesus Name, amen!
Yes, please.
💖Always end your day with a positive thought and grateful heart💖
The law is a guide to grace because the law is a guide to Jesus
✝️ Lord, thank You for the day. Amen.