My Cat

I'm sure I have a picture of my cat somewhere, but it occurs to me tonight as I am trying to do my Bible reading for the day, that he is a good object lesson. He has the most annoying meow in the world, and he will usually meow until someone lets him out. I am reminded of what our Lord said. Continue to ask. Continue to seek. Continue to knock. Pray without ceasing. In fact, Jesus uses the illustration that if it is late at night and a friend knocks on his other friend's door asking for food, the insistence will get that friend to get out of bed. I don't let my cat outside because I want what is best for him. I let him out because he just won't hush!!

Don't our kids do the same thing? They keep asking, and sometimes we just give them what they want so we can have a moment's peace. Interesting. And here we are, thinking our prayers should be answered the first time we go whining to God. And then when He doesn't give an immediate answer, we give up and get mad.

I think we could take a lesson from our cats and kids. Don't give up. Never stop asking. Keep on praying. Today may be the day that Martin is saved. Today may be the day my niece comes back to the Lord. Today may even be the day that God works a miracle in my dad's life. Far-fetched on the last one, but it could happen.

The Murderer's Daughter--A Book Review

Thought I'd start adding other things to this.

The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was what I would call realistic fiction. I don't remember why I initially made the decision to read it, but it must have been recommended to me on a reading list at some point. And I am glad I read it.The story is sad--and it ends rather sadly. Again, while realistic, it does not resolve like I would like it to. I sometimes have a love-hate relationship with realistic fiction. And this is probably one of those instances.I found myself going to bed each night thanking God for the wonderful family I have and everything for which I have to be thankful. I am a teacher, and I have taught students in the past who have gone through situations like the book describes. I had never considered how a family murder can continue to affect children throughout their lives. In the end, I would have liked the two sisters to have truly resolved their issues, but then again, I guess it is pretty common that people don't. I loved that the author acknowledged at the end that she had worked with people for ten years in the situations described in this book. The characters at times seemed 2-dimensional, and I got tired of the foul language and the more intimate sex scenes. I probably enjoyed the first part of the book better than the other two. Although the author throws us a curve or two in Parts 2 and 3 that are worth reading.All things considered, I liked the book more than I disliked it. Thus, my 3-star rating.

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Spiritually speaking, it was nice to have one character in the book==she was dying of cancer--that had some good things to say about God. The only person in the book who did. All the characters were Jewish, but only nominally.

Here's what I did every night before dropping off to sleep following my reading for the night:

I would pray and thank God for the family I have and that I am so grateful I never had to go through something like this. I thanked God over and over. And I filed away what I read for those times when I have students who have experienced this.

All right. First book review completed on my blog.

Quick Prayer for Tuesday

Tonight, I don't have a lot of time. It's always tough when my daughter has swimming lessons. But I am determined to pray.

First of all, I am again thanking You, Lord, for blessing our family in the way You have. You have blessed me beyond belief even when I struggle in my personal life. It's so easy to look like I have everything together. How ironic that the church would deny my mother membership, and yet, I am the one who has probably messed up more than she has. How many times, Lord, have I gone into church knowing how I have behaved the night before or that I have just chewed my dad out in the car, but now I look like I am so holy??

Secondly, I want to lift up my niece to You. You know what she is going through. I pray that she will turn her heart towards You. May she not listen to men's counsel but only to Yours. I pray that my other niece will not make the same mistakes her sister has. They both need a touch from You.

And I lastly pray for the missionaries who still remain in countries like Yemen and Afghanistan. I know there must still be those who are there. They are secret missionaries, and they are relying on You for everything. I pray that You will keep them safe and that You will draw people to them. May they present the true witness, not the false witness that America likes to portray. May Your Word continue to go forth in spite of persecution and Satan's fiery darts.

In Your Name, I pray.
Amen

Inspired to Start Again

All right, as I follow so many blogs now, I am sensing the leading to return to this. I began this originally to get my prayer life going. I began to pray through facebook, and I still do to a degree, but some nights, I sense no leading to post a prayer. So maybe it's time to try this again.

First of all, I want to thank God yet again for the wonderful health He has given me and all His many blessings. I am currently reading The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers. It has certainly caught my attention maybe because I feel like I am reading the story of students I teach. Okay, not all of them--probably very few of them, actually--have ever experienced the loss of both parents in such a way, but there are those who probably feel like they have. Their parents are never around, and they have never felt true love. So they turn to drugs, sex, alcohol, and so much more.

Which brings me to my next prayer. God, please use me in the lives of those I teach. So I'm a sub. That merely means that God has allowed me to touch the lives of many different kids rather than just a few. I pray that I will always be a caring teacher and that I will not become jaded. I pray that as I enter each and every classroom that I will seek to show the students Your love in whatever way You choose.

Moving along. I pray for the members of our church who are now in Alaska seeking to minister in Your name. I know not what their plans are, but I know that there is much work to do. I pray that You, Oh God, will continue to direct me in this church in spite of anything that has happened.

My heart has been touched as I hear about these workers in Afghanistan. It reminds me of the time that I knew the missionaries who were killed in Yemen many years ago. I still have the precious thing that one of those martyrs made hanging in my room. It means the world to me, and I cannot part with it in spite of anything. I even crossed out the name of my ex-husband--but that's another story. I am very glad that I chose to keep it.

Lord God, I pray that You will guide my mom and me as we decide which Bible study to do together. I pray You will direct us to the right one. Lord God, I pray that as the upcoming school year comes that my daughter will turn to You. I sometimes worry that maybe she really doesn't know You and that I am not the best example to her. I pray that You will touch her in a special way this year and that she will desire to truly know You.

And finally, as the time grows closer for Martin to return, may You continue to work on his heart. May you strengthen me from within. I can only withstand temptation with Your help. I never see you as someone trying to spoil my fun--I'll wait. But I need Your help. And may Martin be saved sooner rather than later. Please.

If anyone does follow this blog, know that I spend about half of it praying to my Heavenly Father. I don't know how I will continue to keep this blog, but I pray that I shall deepen my relationship with God through this.

Another Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

How good You have been to me, Oh Lord God. Since I last wrote this prayer, You gave me a dream job out of the blue! To have this long term sub job in music. And You are using me in the lives of the students and Bart, I do hope.

My hormones are wacky tonight, God. I pray that I won't do anything foolish. I sure know what I want to do, but I don't want to do or say anything You wouldn' t have me do.

I want to pray for the situation at home. I know how Dad is affecting all of us, but most principally, Martin. My heart does cry for him. I long for him to be able to relax enough to just let it run off his back. I pray that You will use this time to bring him to You. He needs You--period. He doesn't need me nor Martha nor my mom, for that matter. He needs You--end of story.

Lord God, help me as I prepare for the tests I must take. Strengthen us all as we work around the house. I pray that You will continue to mold me into the woman of God You want me to be. I pray that You will guide me as I work with the students and as I work with the adults at church. May we bring glory to You as we sing.

In Your Name,
Amen

First Time in a While

Dear Heavenly Father,

I know I'm a little behind on here, but I have been praying quite a bit as you know. In fact, something really strange has been happening. Lord God, I have found that I am giving thanks in everything. Everything! Martin and I are physical--thank You. Martin refuses me--thank You. I lose my high school job to an elementary position--thank You. I find myself giving thanks in all circumstances. In fact, with the exception of my Dad, I don't feel like sitting around and complaining. I have really been putting into practice what You have been teaching me. Everything, Lord, is in Your hands. Romans 8:28--all things work together for good. You know it all, Lord. I still need help with living in the present. I still spend my time going too far in advance. I also still have tendencies to overreact and not roll with things, but it is better.

I do pray for Martin's salvation. He seriously is softening to the things of You, Lord. I can see it. He actually talks about church, the Bible, and Christianity. He still has his excuses--Dad is the major one. Lord God, I don't know what You have to do, but do it. I'm willing to wait. And sometimes, my faith fails me. But I know, Lord, that He will be saved, and we will be married.

Speaking of Martin, keep me from doing what I should not. Our physical relationship has really taken off in some amazing ways. It would be so easy for me to say "Go for it!" But God, I know that's wrong. I sometimes feel like I'm playing with fire. Please help me to keep my mouth shut. I so badly want to say something. I'm glad Martin is feeling better. Continue to heal him, and speak to Him as only You can.

I continue to pray about jobs. Lord, I pray You will always put me where You want me--not where I want to be. Help me to know Your will. Provide the job You want for me next year--either subbing or elsewhere.

I do pray for the rest of my family--Mom, Dad, David, Jane, Kristina, Alex, Katie, Nick, Grandma Bales, Frank and Ingrid, Bob and Judy. Please save those who don't know You. Use us in their lives. Bring the ones back to You that need to. I pray that I will be open to how You want to use me in their lives.

I pray that You will show me how You want me to serve at the church. I have lots of dreams and visions. Help me in all things.

In Your Holy Name,

Ruth

Quick Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

As I have read about Your Son, I realize that Jesus relied on His prayer life. It was important to Him to make His prayer life a priority. He didn't allow anything to take away His time with You. And if He thinks that it is important to spend time with You, then I must make it a priority. Especially now in light of things. Lord God, Saturday night floored me. I can't quite get my mind off it. I long to approach Him, but I'm not sure if I should. Please guide me, God. May I only do what You would have me do.

God, it seems like the time is getting away from me again. Please help me this week as I teach these children. Keep me safe, and keep all of us safe as we do work. I pray that You will guide and direct me in everything, Lord. May I only do what You would have me do. Please save Martin. He needs You. May I not continue to be interrupted. Tonight, I pray for Melody and Bill. I don't know where they are with You. I rarely think of them, but tonight I feel impressed to do so. May You get a hold of their lives and conform them to Your image.

In Your Name,

Amen