I CARE

When we hear or know someone who is going through a tough time or trial, we so often want to "fix it".  But that power is God's. We were given the ability and power to pray, based not on our emotions or will but solely upon The Word of God, the scriptures.

When reaching out to someone who is hurting sometimes words are not needed.  Just our presence, gentle touch, caring smile and even shared tears is what is needed. There are many times there are no words.  Even when we cannot be there in person this can be conveyed with a card or fb comment.  I know during our struggle with Suzette's illness and death quite often someone just posting "((((((hugs)))))" on my update meant so much and let me know they understood and cared. (Even as I type this the tears are flowing as I recall those times and the emotional and Spiritual pain we were going through and what those understanding (hugs) meant.)

Likewise, the knowledge that MANY prayers are going up for us, for our loved ones, to our God is a comfort that only those who have been blessed in such a way can truly understand.  Surely, we are carried by others prayers and the peace of God that passeth understanding enfolds us.

Then the joy of celebrating, and shouting Hallelujah and Praise the Lord when victory comes.  Even when the outcome is not what we had hoped for, prayed for, believed for, there is the knowledge that God is Sovereign and we realize when we get to Heaven we will not ask "why?" but will say "of course!" because we will see the entire picture and Gods Sovereign plan.  

For those of you who I know that are going through a difficult trial just know - I care.

Don't forget to leave a comment for my Blogiversary giveaway on the 21st.  Only 5 days remaining.    

a 2 z - D = DAILY

DAILY we must make a choice to stay in the wonderful, gentle, caring hands of God or try and do it all by ourselves.  I choose to stay safely in His hands.

DAILY - Mickey and I many years ago, while we were both still working and had to get up very early each morning to do so, began a DAILY routine that we do unto this day, and will do as long as God gives us. 

 We begin our day by first reading 2 devotionals:  My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers (a birthday/Christmas gift to me 12-25-97) and recently adding The Word For You Today (a 3 month devotional given to us by our church). We continuously read through a different version of The Bible.  We are currently reading The Scofield  Reference Bible that was given to Mickey on March 27, 1959, at the time of his salvation, by Pastor Charles H. Yates.  This morning we read Amos 2&3.  We then add a Chapter of a current book we are reading or studying.  This morning it was the final chapter of The 10 Second Rule by Clare De Graaf, which we are finishing up this Sunday in our small group Real Christianity. Then we sit side by side, on the couch, hold hands and pray.  Mickey prays first and then I pray.  

I give praise & glory to God, and God alone, for helping us establish this DAILY start to our day.  It has not only helped each of us to grow steadily in The Lord but it has built the very strong marriage that Mickey & I share and enjoy.  Believe me, you cannot be in His Word and in Prayer DAILY and be at odds with each other for very long.  

DAILY - This book of the law shall not depart out of they mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

DAILY (actually moment by moment) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalms 119:105 

I would love for you to share your DAILY routine in your comments.  If you don't have one please begin to start each day in The Word and Prayer. 

WELCOME HOME DEAR FRIENDS

True friends are few and far between!!

Acquaintances and casual friends can be many, and praise God we are blessed with them, but true friends who can weather separation (whether willful or forced by circumstances) and remain close, abiding friends is truly a gift of God. Such is our friendship with this family.

(left to right from back) Michael, Brittany (Britty), Emily, Kahri, Mickey, Ethan & Kaedra (Kaedy)

Our Pastor recently taught on prayer and said "God always hears and answers our prayers. Some times it's "yes", some times it's "no", and some times it's "wait". Their return and move back to their home in Broken Arrow is one of those "wait" prayers that was answered two days ago.

Our ties date back to November, 2004, shortly after Kaedy was born. I invite you to read Kaedra's story. If you have meet me through this Penless Writer blog it is due to Kahri who first exposed me to blogland and was responsible for my finally stepping out in January, 2007 and becoming Penless Writer.

ANYWAY!!!!! We are just so happy to have them back & become an active part of our life once again.

So Thursday night, to welcome them home we were blessed to take dinner in to them.

The cold stuff: ice tea, milk, salad, salad dressing, & ice.

The hot meal: Swiss Chicken, green beans, hot french bread, & brownies.

Utincils!!


As always, this family always gives more than they receive and our Kaedy had drawn this lovely heart for us!!!!!!!

It was such a joy to get our long awaited hugs from them and we look forward to getting acquainted with Ethan who we had only seen as a new born in the hospital!

You'll be hearing a lot about Kahri & her family in my blog posts as they are truly "part of our family".

WELCOME HOME!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

A big thank you to granddaughter Oksana who help me prepare the Swiss Chicken & the brownies!!! Grandson Aric was really wanting to sample a brownie, but that was not allowed :o)

I know this is long, and a lot of you don't have time to always read throughly when skimming through blogs but because this is so IMPORTANT and if you believe in PRAYER I ask you please, "Take time to read it".

A Prayer Summons to American Christians! America stands at the crossroads! It is either revival or the dissolving of the church, the home and the government.

History records that in time of crisis in America in the past, God has moved to avert catastrophe overtaking His people. In such crises hours, He has found some who would work with Him in bringing new mercies to His people. In every national crisis in the past God has found some who would stand in the gap and make up the hedge against the adversary. Upon them God has moved by arousing them to a deep sense of need, which in turn has moved them to intercede for His intervention.

The world and the Church are in a mighty conflict. The spiritual warfare is intensifying. The powers of darkness are massing for the last awful struggle. The church has a powerful weapon with which to fight. If she will but take to her knees she will be victorious.

The need is for godly intercessors in every church and in every American home and community. More than any other need is that for men and women of prayer and faith who will stand in the gap and stay the frightful spirits of lawlessness, immorality, infidelity and corruption which are swarming over the land.

"I sought for a man among them, that should stand in the gap before Me, for the land, that I should not destroy it," declares the Lord to Ezekiel, "but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30).

This was the pitiful condition in Israel. No one could be found to stand in the gap for the land, hence it was destroyed. Can it be in this hour of chaos and crisis more dire, that there is no man or woman in your community or in your church who will stand in the gap? Is there no man or women who, seeing the peril, will give himself or herself continually to wrestling by prayer against principalities, against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickedness in high places? (Ephesians 6:12).

The greatest need in every church, in every community, and in every home, is for a prayer leadership that will stir the people of God to prayer. Talking about the conditions, bewailing the need of America for a spiritual awakening is not enough. The most difficult thing to do is to get men and women to pray. This is not a day when people readily pray. Few men and women will actually pray. The greatest spiritual need in America is for a praying leadership who will bring the preachers and the Church back to prayer.

True prayer means the expenditures of serious devotion of time, heart, and soul that the flesh does not like. To get under the burden of prayer is too strenuous a labor for our present-day, pleasure-loving, ease-indulging membership and ministry. Too much hardship is involved. The children of Zion today do not like the "solemn feast garments" of weeping, mourning and fasting that enables Zion to bring forth.

"Woe," pronounced the prophet, "to them that are at ease in Zion" (Amos 6:1).

God help Zion to travail at this crisis end-of-the-age hour! God help us to see the need and necessity of prayer and God help us to meet conditions! The all-important need is for men and women whose hearts are right with God to make prayer a supreme passion of the hour--men and women whose supreme labor for God and country is to cry, "Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them" (Joel 2:17).

To pray is the greatest thing we can do to save America and avert national chaos and crisis. There are plenty of preachers and writers who deal eloquently with the need of revival, but not many there are who will at this catastrophic hour give themselves to the necessity of prayer. There is one chief battle ground in the nation today, and that is the battleground of prayer. The prayer forces must be summoned. The Church must mobilize on her knees. Christians everywhere must be put to praying. Revival comes in answer to the heart cries of God's people. The most insistent and urgent pleas, the most fervent exhortations need be sounded forth at this hour to put the saints everywhere to praying.

"Sound an alarm in my holy mountain…for the day of the Lord cometh…Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders…Let the ministers of the Lord weep…then will the Lord pity His people…And He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former and the latter rain in the first month, and the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil, and I will restore…I will pour My Spirit on all flesh...whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved" (Joel 2:1-32). --Sarah Foulkes Moore (1890-1973)

I do know know the date this was written, but since this dear woman died in 1973, at the age of 83, we know it had to be before then so probably over 40 years ago.

Please join me in praying for our country, our world, and the people of Haiti.

ISRAEL & JERUSALEM

2 Chronicles 6:6: "I have chosen Jerusalem that My Name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel."

Psalm 132:13-15 "For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitationl. 'This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her with bread."

In I Kings 11:32, the Lord calls Jerusalem "the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel."

A fight is raging over Israel & Jerusalem - God's Chosen Nation.

Many are wanting Israel to give up even MORE of their land and now even Jerusalem .

The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem

THIS is the size of Israel

THIS is the total size of the Arabic States

From THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL by Norma Parrish Archbold

AND YET ...The battle to divide Jerusalem is intensifying.

Sweden is pushing hard to pass an initiative to persuade 27 foreign ministers of European Union states (EU) to endorse a plan to recognize unilaterally East Jerusalem as the capital of a new Palestinian State.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, is doing everything he can to counter the Swedish effort.

The following excepts from Haaretz. Go here to read the entire article Haaretz.com.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has phoned several European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, asking them to oppose the plan and to pressure the PA to renew negotiations with Israel. Meanwhile, in an attempt to counter Israeli pressure, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad convened a group of European diplomats to ask them to support the Swedish proposal.
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Sweden's initiative calls for the division of Jerusalem and the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The 27 European foreign ministers are to discuss a draft of the proposal.

Sweden, with the support of Britain, Ireland, Belgium and a number of other countries, continues to promote its original formulation of the proposal calling for East Jerusalem to be the capital of the Palestinian state.

Israel is continuing in its efforts, together with the United States, to advance a renewal of negotiations with the PA. Netanyahu's envoy Yitzhak Molcho met secretly a few days ago in New York with the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East peace process, George Mitchell. The two discussed developments in the PA ahead of the meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organization Central Council in Ramallah on December 15. On Friday, after the talks with Molcho, Mitchell phoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and discussed the possibility of renewing talks with Israel.


The Bible teaches that the Lord will judge the nations who seek to divide Israel and Jerusalem.

Joel 3:1-2: "When I restore the fortunes of Jerusalem (in the last days) I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.l Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance Israel whom they have scattered among the nations and they have divided up My land."

Please join me in praying for the Peace of Jerusalem.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW...

AND HE WATCHES OVER ME.......

We have all heard this song and love it, not only because of the beautiful melody but because of the beautiful words and the very thought that HE watches over each & every one of us.

This was truly brought home to me this morning when upon checking in on my blog this morning I found this comment left on this post by

a King's daughter You probably don't know it, but I was at your house just after the ambulance. I talked with Shirley and she told me what was going on. I left just as your pastor was pulling on the scene. God has more people praying for you, and watching over you than you will ever know! ;-)
October 20, 2009 12:17 AM

Yes, I am becoming increasingly aware of just how many people were praying for me that day and how quickly the word of my "distress" and "need" was being sent literally around the country.

The internet, in a funny sort of way, has become a teaching tool to us about prayer and the instant-ness in God's kingdom ........ we "say" (by means of our fingers typing away) something and then hit that "post" or "send" key and instantly our words are everywhere. We utter a prayer to God and instantly our words are in the Throne Room of God in Heaven.

So, while I am in distress and being treated by those around me: the Bible Study women who I was with and brought me home,, my husband, and the EMC personnel who arrived on the scene, God sent my neighbor and friend, A King's Daughter - Tammy, down the street at the very moment this is going on. Tammy is a pray-er!!!

Mickey had told me that Tammy was here, but the impact of that has truly been made aware to me as the days have progressed. Thank you Tammy, ..... Sandra, ..... Kathy, ..... Pastor Gary Rogers, ..... Thelma, .....Shirley, .....Judy, ..... Linda, .....Betty, ..... Martha, ..... Mickey and the many more I'm not even aware of,

Thank you God that not only is your eye ever upon us but that you surround us with these extension of Your Hands.

Many have inquired as to what was wrong....... I don't know. I'd had the regular flu shot that morning at 10 and the EMC personnel thought that might have been a factor. I have had the flu shot for years and never had a reaction from it. I think perhaps it might have been food poisoning, , but we had all eaten at the same place and I was the only one who became ill.

I personally believe it was an attack by satan.......we had just had our first Friday night in-home prayer meeting three days earlier and it was glorious. I, along with these other ladies. am excited about the new Klothes Kloset Ministry that Judy is heading up and we are all helping with. I think satan is attacking many of us in different ways to try and discourage us from being and doing all God is calling us to do.

I serve notice to satan..... your devices and schemes will not work. You are a liar and a thief .... but WE are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord!!!! God is building an army of PRAY-ERS!!!!!!!!

A BUSY WEEK

Last week was another very busy week.. We had Stan for lunch on Sunday as I fixed a roast with all the trimmings.

..

We had Aric & Oksana with us Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday as their dad, was out of town on business. Here they are ready for school. We enjoy having them with us. The big time consumer is so much time driving back and forth twice a day to Tulsa for school and then the time difference, 45 minutes to an hour, between the school times starting and ending. Really ends up eating up the day.

Thursday morning I had the privilege and honor of joining 3 other woman, and the mother and grandmother, of an almost 5 year old girl. Her name is Erica and her autoimmune system has been attacked with HST. We met at her home to pray for her, that God heal and raise her up. We know God not only hears our prayers but answers prayer. Thank you JESUS who paid the price for our healing, as well as our salvation.

The Coweta Fall Festival began on Thursday evening and ran through Saturday. We went down on Friday evening, taking Stan with us. This is small town America at it's best......food booths, carnival rides, several blocks of Main Street (in our case it's actually Broadway) blocked off. Cars parked everywhere around the main blocked off areas and people milling up and down the entire midway area. I had Corn on the Cob on a Stick and Mickey & Stan each had a Corn Dog. Food always tastes so good at a fair. They were choosing a teen, Miss Fall Festival, and a younger Miss Fall Festival. Two girls from our church were running in the teen contest.

The big event for us was the prayer tent. The Ministerial Alliance goes together and puts up a prayer tent. People sign up to pray around the clock in the tent for the entire Festival. The main prayer is for EVERY church in Coweta to be filled and over flowing and many brought to the Kingdom of God.

I forgot my camera...again!!! But this is a picture of the tent 2 years ago and it is the same tent. The special thing this year was that since Friday night was the start of the New Jewish Year, and Rosh Hashanah, they had a man & woman who were blowing the Shofar in the tent. It was wonderful.

Saturday from 2-5 was a car show held down the street at the First Baptist parking lot.

The two cars in the center of this shot belong to friends of ours, Mike & Trish. Naturally we had to go down and vote for them!!!

This is a 1932 Model T and Mickey was born in 1932!!!

Wonderful specimens of 76 years of age wouldn't you say????? MY GUY sure is :o)

Saturday night we had the joy, and privilege, of celebrating our friend, Don's, 72nd birthday. We had a wonderful meal at a new Ol*ive Gard*en near us.

Then we came to our house for his Birthday cake and ice cream. Isn't it adorable? No.....I did not make it. The Adult Singles of our church were making creative cupcakes of all kinds, and a few cakes, to sell Sunday at church as a fund raiser for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. I called the lady, who's house they were baking at, and asked if I could come and select and buy a cake ahead of time. It pays to know the right people, in the right places!! :o)

Here's the honoree and his lovely wife, Barbara. You who are faithful readers know that Don & Barbara are L-O-N-G time, forever friends and wonderful Christian Brother & Sister to us. Love you guys and Happy Birthday Don!!!

Thank you Lord for such a wonderful, busy week.

A REMINDER- CRY OUT AMERICA!

THIS IS THE DAY TO

CRY OUT AMERICA!!!!

I am reposting this again today.

PLEASE join us in prayer from Noon-1 in your time zone.

On 9/11/01 we vowed never to forget.

Just a reminder about Cry Out America TODAY at County Court Houses around America. Go here for my post about it if you missed it the other day.

I am asking each and every one of you to please mark your calendar for noon-1:00 (in your local area) to join in with us in Crying Out in Prayer for our country. Our country is in such need to return to the God of the Bible upon which she was established.

If you can't make it to your County Court House by all means lift up your heart and voice with us during that hour in the privacy of your own home, or during your lunch hour at work, in your area. There is no time or space with our God and He not only hears our prayers but longs to answer them.

CRY OUT AMERICA

What is Cry Out America all about?

It is a NATION WIDE PRAYER GATHERING

WHEN: September 11, 2009

WHERE: Your Local County Courthouse

TIME: Twelve Noon to 1:00 p.m. Local Time

COST: None

WHAT: Prayer gathering - focused prayer for

community, friends and family and for the

spiritual condition of our nation.

Prayer led by your local county coordinator.

For more information and how you can get involved go to

CRY OUT AMERICA

or call 1-888-9 AWAKE US

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

Let's ALL join in and put ACTION and FEET behind this verse we so often quote and say we believe.

We will be at the Wagoner County Court house. We invite all in our area to join us there. Seating will not be available so you might want to bring lawn chairs

A good friend of ours, Carmel Field, is the Coordinator for our County.

Please let me know what is going on in your area about this.

EVERY MOVE OF GOD IS ALWAYS PROCEEDED WITH PRAYER.

WE CRY OUT FOR A GREAT AWAKENING IN OUR NATION.

PRAYER REQUESTS

THE LORD'S PRAYER

This is in two parts: the prayer (white type) and God's response (gold type).

Our Father Who Art In Heaven. Yes?

Don't interrupt me, I'm praying. But...you called ME!

Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying.

Our Father who are in Heaven. There -- you did it again!

Did what? Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven" Well, here I M. What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.

Well, all right. Go on.

Okay, Hallowed be they name. Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?

By what? By "Hallowed be thy name"?

It means, it means..good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean? It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before. Thanks. Thy Kingdom come, They will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that? Sure, why not? What are you doing about it?

Doing, Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know. Yes, I know, but have I got control of you?

Well I go to church. That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read? Movies you watch? Music you listen to? Friends you hang out with?

Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me? I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church! Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. It that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you -- for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others. So could I.

I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free. Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME. I'm proud of You.

Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread. You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is. Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang ups. Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying (..pause..) Well, go on.

I'm scared to. Scared? Of what? I know what you'll say. Try ME.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. What about Ann?

See. I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!

But -- your prayer -- What about your prayer? I didn't mean it. Well, at least you're honest. But it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it? Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born. No you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are -- Well, I can change that. You can? How? Forgive Ann, Then, I'll forgive you, and the hate and the sine, will be Ann's problem -- not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned. Oh, you know, you're right. You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You.. (sigh) All right, all right...I forgive her. There now! Wonderful! How do you feel? Hmmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know. Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on. Oh, all right.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted. What do you mean by that? You know what I mean. Yeah, I know. Okay, Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory -- What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be.

So tell me....How do I make you happy?

You just did.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

We reside in the small community of Coweta, Oklahoma which is about 20 miles S.E. of Tulsa.



This small community has a great heritage in the Lord. That is one of the reasons we are thankful God placed us here 11 years ago.



One of Coweta's claim to fame is that Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, is a native son.



Bill's wife, Vonette Bright, was very instrumental in the drive to set up a National Day of Prayer.



The National Day of Prayer was signed into being by President Harry Truman in 1952.

This special Day has been honored by every President since this Bill was signed into effect. Our current President is "playing down this day". Please make this truth one of the items YOU pray for today.

As you celebrate this 57th National Day of Prayer I trust you will pray for your individual community, as well as for our Nation and our world. Don't forget to pray for the peace of Jersusalem as we are told to do.

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall proper that love you." Psalma 122:6

Coweta will celebrate this occasion today with a noon prayer meeting at the Fire Station. We will be there.......wish you were here to join us!

VOICE OF THE MARTYRS - Prisoner Alert

As I enjoy the MANY blessings that God is bestowing on me, I am ever mindful that none of us know for sure what our future here in this life holds for us.

Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Arrested: March 2009

Days Imprisoned: 41



On March 5, Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad and Maryam Rustampoor were arrested by Iranian security forces and labeled "anti-government activists," according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN).

Thirty year-old Marzieh and 27-year-old Maryam are being held at Evin Prison, which is notorious for treating women badly. "Both women are allowed just a one-minute telephone call everyday to their immediate families. Both are unwell and in need of urgent medical attention," FCNN reported. During their last call on March 28, Mazieh said that she was suffering from an infection and high fever. She said, "I am dying."Marzieh and Maryam's apartment was searched and their belongings were confiscated.



"Their only crime is that they are committed Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus,"





FCNN added. “They are being unfairly labeled as 'anti government activists' because of the hostility of the government towards practicing Christians."The women have reportedly been interrogated numerous times and were held in three different police detention centers before being sent to Evin Prison. FCNN reported an exorbitant bail amount of US$ 400,000 has been set even though Marzieh and Maryam's families have been told on numerous occasions that a judge is not available to discuss the case.

Marzieh and Maryam's arrest is the latest incident highlighting increased government intimidation of Christians in Iran. Believers are subjected to surveillance, arrests, imprisonment, and sometimes torture.

Please join me in prayer for these two young woman who are paying the price for their faith.

Comments & then VERY SERIOUS STUFF

Thank you so much to the 31 people that signed my guest book since I reposted it. I truly appreciate it.

Now to all of you who have not yet left me a comment:

'nuf said????

Truthfully, I would be so honored if you'd leave me a comment so I could come visit your blog and truly "meet" you and get to know you.

************

Now to really SERIOUS STUFF: .......I hope you all appreciate what a dire (Webster = dreadful; terrible) time our nation and our world are facing. Please join me in praying for these three critical things that are taking place this very week.

Tuesday TODAY - Israel will be getting a new Prime Minister. Netanyahu will be taking office at a time when Israel is under more threat than perhaps ever before. Pray for God's wisdom to lead and guide him. We are commanded in scripture Psalm 122:6a "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."

Tuesday TODAY - The United States and Iran begin talks in the Netherlands for the first time since 1979.

Thursday - The G20 Summit opens in London and among many OTHER things will be discussion of Russian & Chinese proposal of creating a new, single common global currency!!!!! WHAT????? Did you HEAR that? Do we have ears to hear and eyes to see what is coming?

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Last but not least: BE SURE AND MAIL IN YOUR TEA-BAG on April 1st - TOMORROW. If you missed the information on this please go here to read about this movement and a peaceful way of protesting the massive spending that is taking place in Washington D.C. and the fact our children's and grandchildren's future is being indebted to such an extent life, as we have known it in the United States, will never be the same.

MONDAY MORNING & CATCHING UP

I missed my weight report last week because my internet was down for 4 days!!!!! So I'm catching up with it here. Last week, 1/12-1/18, I did BAD and gained a lb. This week, 1/19-1/25, I did INDIFFERENT and stayed the same. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time getting with the program this time but, as I've said before, I am not quitting and I am not giving up.

We had Aric with us from Friday afternoon until this morning when Mickey took him to school.

Aric all ready to attend church with Grandma & Grandpa


Mickey & I. Doesn't Mickey look great 3 1/2 months since his double bi-pass heart surgery? Praise God!!!! The tie Mickey has on is one of my Christmas gifts to him. The new slacks and sweater I am wearing is my Christmas BD gift from my daughter, Jacque. I had to have the slacks hemmed up because I'm getting shorter!! I still can't get over that fact.

One of the woman, Judy, in my church began a home Bible study on Monday, January 12th. I am so excited about this!!!! The first week there were only three of us: Judy, a friend she used to work with, Linda, and me. Last week there were 5 of us: Judy, Shirley, Wantha, Peggy (a friend of Wantha's) and me. Linda could not make it because she was ill. We meet at 11 o'clock. I have ALWAYS wanted to be part of an in-home Bible Study and am very excited about what God is going to accomplish in and through this group. We are praying that God add those woman who He wants to be part of this group. It is not a "church" function as such, but just a desire the Lord placed on Judy.

I am hoping we will still meet together today, but that is kind of up in the air at the moment. They are predicting sleet and rain beginning around noon today and it could turn into an ice storm.

I'm praying it doesn't turn in to one like above that we had in December, 2007 when the above picture was taken.

If you remember, one of our goals this year is to entertain more. Well on Friday night, the 16th, we took Ronnie & Carol out to one of our favorite Italian Restaurants for dinner. It is a lovely place that even has a violinist playing as you eat, and he is very good. He was doing a lot of Classical Spanish songs, which is a favorite of mine. Ronnie and Carol attend church with us, they are LONG time members, and Ronnie is Mickey's bee mentor and was such a blessing and help during our Anniversary trip and during the months that Mickey was unable to take care of his bees. Can you believe I didn't get a picture???!!!! Anyway we had a grand, good time.

This past week, since we had Aric all week-end we did not do any entertaining.

The prayer group is aware of this because they have been praying with us, but I hadn't posted on Penless about it. One of our friends, Lee, has quadruple heart bi-pass surgery on Thursday. On Friday he began bleeding and they were afraid they were going to lose him. They finally got the bleeding stopped but then he was unresponsive. Mickey and another friend, Jack, drove over to Oklahoma City and the VA Hospital to be with him and his family on Saturday. Yesterday we got the report that he is responding. His blood pressure is way to high and they are keeping him sedated at they figure out the proper medication to get the pressure under control. NEVER under estimate the power of prayer!!! I don't. Praise God for touching our friend, Lee, with His Mighty Hand.

I just got a call that our Bible Study has been called off for today because of the impending storm. Judy lives way out in the country so a long drive was deemed not the best choice for today.

Since I'm not going to Bible Study I'm going to go make some home made bread. See ya.......and enjoy your day.

HEARING EARS & SEEING EYES

Over and over again, in the four gospels, Jesus himself tells his disciples to have ears to hear and eyes to see.

In John 10 Jesus is talking to His disciples about being His sheep and His being their
Shepherd. Then in John 10:4 He says: "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for theyknow not the voice of strangers."

As we enter this period in our country, and in our world, of so much change & uncertainity I feel the Lord is telling us, as Christians, to be alert . To use our ears to really hear, and use our eyes to really see, what is going on around us and what the Spirit of God is truly saying, and showing, each of us.

• Whether it is the President, or anyone of his cabinet, or a spokeman for him.


• Whether it is your Governor of any spokesman for them.


• Whether it is a congressman, or a senator, on the national or state level.


• Whether it is a corporate leader, or a business owner.


• Whether it is someone speaking for the medical profession.


• Whether it is your local school board.


• Whether it is your city councilor.


• Whether it is your local Pastor or any pastor or spokes person who claims to speak for God.

On the last one we know that if what is being said cannot be supported by Scripture then it is to be doubted and checked out.

We truly must listen and watch what is going on around us and being told to us.

As I posted in the previous post I am totally and utterly disheartened that one of Obama's first acts in govering is to reverse the abortion fund policy. I, for one, and I KNOW I am not alone, cannot understand how one can claim to be a Christian and stand for and support abortion. Supply of funding for abortions is certainly supporting abortion.

I am praying for President Obama daily, as we are instructed to do. I am praying for the Peace of Jeresulem daily, as we are instructed to do. I am also keeping my ears and my eyes open. I am praying that each and every one of us do that.

WILL YOU JOIN ME?

Having said all this.....one thing I know for sure.......God is in control...

we have nothing to fear if we stay under HIS covering and protection.

FIVE REASONS FOR LOVING CHRISTMAS - 2 Awards

I got this lovely award from my dear friend, Ginger. This one means a whole lot to me because Ginger does not usually participate in Awards and for her to pass this one on to me makes it really special.

Along with the award comes a Meme to list my 5 reasons for loving Christmas and I am to pass the award and Meme on to 5 other blogging friends. EASY!!!

1. My number one reason for loving Christmas is because it is a double blessing to me, because it's my BIRTHDAY, too. How blessed I have been to share my birthday for, yes it will be, 71 years with the day we commemorate the birth of our Lord.

2. I love Christmas because it is still the one time a year, in our country, that there are still a lot of us that CELEBRATE, not Santa Claus, but JESUS

3. I love Christmas because if The Son Of God had not left the glories of Heaven and come to this earth, in human flesh, as a Virgin Born Baby I would still be lost in my sins.

4. I love Christmas because it is a time of Family Celebration and I love and adore the family God has blessed me with.

5. I love Christmas because it is a special time of letting Friends know how very much they mean to us and I am blessed to have the greatest, real life, and blog friends in the world.

Now for the difficult part....selecting five people to pass this award and meme on to.

1. Brenda

2. Saija

3. Jennifer

4. Leigh Ann

5. Barbara

********************************************************

I received this lovely Butterfly Award from Sioux with these sweet words: Susan is a good Christian woman who has encouraged me, through her blog, in my prayer life. Thanks, Susan! Thank you so much Sioux that is the highest compliment you could ever give me and I am very touched by it.

Now I will pass it on to 10 bloggers. Here are the rules :1. Put the logo on your blog.2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.3. Nominate 10 other blogs.4. Add links to their blogs.5. Leave a message on the blogs of your nominees.6. Give a reason why you consider their blogs cool

I am going to not only list 10 other blogs but am passing this one to all those who are Prayer Warriors with me on Hearts In One Accord (in the order they joined !!!):

Michelle - Jennifer - Diana - Dawn (private blog) - Annie - Rhonda - Pam - Leigh Ann - Mickey (my dear sweet husband of 50 years - he has no blog but know about each and everyone of you prayer warriors!) - Shirley - Sue Sioux - Ginger - Retha (our first International Warrior) - Amy (A friend of Leigh Ann's who has a private blog) - Nancy
- Lori - Jenileigh - Kim - Kitty (Kitty's blog is now private) - Sandra (another International Warrior) & Brenda.

These 21 Prayer Warriors join me as we pray daily for The Body Of Christ - Our Local Church Assembly - Our Nation - Our Community and special prayer needs that are posted for prayer. You 21 bless me......but the important thing......I know you bless the heart of our Father God: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16

WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN US IN THIS!!!!!!!

BILLY GRAHAM'S PRAYER FOR OUR NATION

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; clease us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story', and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "One nation under God.'

ANOTHER CALL TO PRAYER FOR THE ELECTION

Now is the time to walk on waves like Peter as we pray for these elections!



We must obey every prompting of the Lord instructing us how to pray, and every command He gives, even if it seems as crazy as walking on water.



We must keep our eyes on Jesus - not on the polls or the pundits, but on the risen Jesus who vanquished every principality & power on the cross!



Obeying the directions of the Lord has led us as a ministry to DC on several trips this month. We've participated in 24/7 prayer lifting up the cross of Christ on the Capitol grounds, seiged with LIFE tape at the Supreme Court, interceded at JHOP DC, and waged war in the heavenlies at Lafayette Park next door to the White House. We're going for one last prayer strike this weekend before the election.



Obeying the directions of the Lord has meant praying out of the revelation He's showed us:


Fasting as He directs us


Praying for the women voters of America to rise up as Deborah, and as Jael, who defeated the enemy with a tent peg - Judges 4


Believing for the women in the families of each of the candidates to have a revelation from God, as Pilot's wife did - Matthew 27:19


Declaring Jesus victorious over all principalities & powers, triumphing over them at the cross


Rebuking fear of economic uncertainty, as well as spirits of anarchy, racism, death, and occultic influence, in Jesus' name


Praying Psalm 91 protection over each candidate & his or her family


Prophesying Psalm 103 over the nation, that youth would be renewed like the eagle's, and for removal of transgression as far as the east is from the west


Proclaiming that Sarah Palin would fulfill her destiny in God's timing, and have a George Washington anointing of protection, statesmanship, and leadership


Asking for the cry for mercy to be louder than the cry for change


Proclaiming that strategy from heaven will be given to intercessors, as Joshua received strategy to defeat Jericho



How is God directing you to pray? Obey his promptings! If He calls you to pray with anyone, anywhere, in any specific way, obey Him with all your heart!



Obeying the directions of the Lord has led us to take our stand regularly in TheCause Prayer Room on Wednesday nights, to seek the mind of Christ & earnestly intercede on behalf of a nation at a piont of decision.



God is on the move in America. Let the Church walk on water for the elections, and the Awakening that is to come.



Faith-walking,
TheCause team