Prayer: Just Do It!

Prayer is an active affirmation of seeking His ways above our ways;

seeking to come into His presence;

seeking to obtain His blessing;

asking for His guidance for our current circumstances.

Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving in your Heart — Enter into His Courts with Praise

This is a wonderous holiday.  It lacks the commercial spin of some of the other holidays.  It is a time for getting together with family and friends and remembering the One who made us; the One we are here to serve with thanksgiving in our hearts.  Bless Him and be blessed in the process.

Some scriptures about Thanksgiving for you to proclaim:

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

—Psalm 9:1

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”

—Psalm 50:23

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

—Psalm 92:1

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

—Psalm 97:12

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!

—Psalm 100:4

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!

—Psalm 105:1-2

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

—Philippians 4:6

More scriptures and references here >>>

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This week I received a special historical reminder from Norlyn Raisch (Nebraska) via email which is reprinted below.  It refers to one of our first Thanksgivings in 1789 with a proclamation from George Washington and a timely opening comment from Norlyn:

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When we pray for our nation this Thanksgiving Day, let our prayer be first that its people return to God; only then can our nation return to the government and freedoms that God blessed us with at it at its founding, wherein we recognized that all men have been endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights..  It is only when we understand from whence our rights come that we can have the proper perspective on what are our political responsibilities as believers.

THANKSGIVING DAY 1789
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor – and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

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Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be – That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks – for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation – for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war –for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

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And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually – to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed – to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord – To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us – and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

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Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

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GO. WASHINGTON.

[More on George Washington available via The Papers of George Washington]

Also published here via OK-SAFE >>>

My political graphic on the holiday is a composite of the flag and the cross here (2010)

Thanksgiving Celebrations are about Thanking God and Celebrating with Family!

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My little ‘sermonette’  on the matter of the importance of the holiday is here (2009)

A Thanksgiving Prayer

And so once again I send blessings from my house to yours.

I thank God for both your friendship and for your labor

for Life and Liberty in our land.

Blessings,

Sandie

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Posted by Sandra Crosnoe for Finding Gems & Sharing Them

Cross-posted with OKGrassroots

Recommending — The Path to Holiness by Jesse Jones

When I was growing up in Pasadena Texas, my parents met the Lord in a life changing way and were friends with the author of this book. They established a bible study for the children of the adults getting to know the Lord and studying the Word together.  We met in the ‘upper room’ at Jesse’s house and we studied so we could grow in the knowledge of Jesus and His Word.  I have a lot of love and a depth of gratitude to this author for helping guide me to the Lord at an early age.

I am so glad he has written this book. It is like none other that you have read — probably because Jesse is an engineer rather than a story teller. It is not a long book, but it is dense with scripture; some printed out for you and more references to take you as deep as you want to go with each chapter. I have suggested to Jesse that it would be perfect to provide online for small groups to use as guidance for bible studies. It is both foundational and for the believer who wants to go deeper. Isn’t the Word like that though?

I marvel that eternity may not be long enough to get to know our Creator!  It is like an expanding understanding whether you go outward or inward. Time and dimensions seem to expand and contract as needed as we move in Him. I marvel at both the complexity and the simplicity of the Gospel.

One other thing that is very special about this book is the way Jesse had it published and what he does with the proceeds.  He self published and any profits go to help a food bank in his community.  So read the book and bless your life and a local community as well.  What a roll model for us all!  Thank you Jesse for oh so many things.  May the Lord bless this effort in ways beyond your comprehension~

Click pic to see current online ordering options

Here is a little more from the author and part of the back cover to the book:

“I chose this book title to reflect my understanding of what the Bible tells us about God’s plan and purpose in sending His only Son to earth in the form of a man,” Jones said. “We know that Jesus came to restore God’s chosen ones to favor through spiritual regeneration. The path He chose is marked with milestones described herein.”

Jones went on to say, “Several years ago I became aware of the fact that I did not really understand what Jesus did for me when He went to the cross and shed His blood. Questions arose in my mind about how His forgiveness could be made real to me personally. What would change within me when I actually received forgiveness, and what did Jesus expect of me thereafter? How could I become born again and, what do terms like the washing of regeneration and sanctification mean? I began looking for answers in the Bible.”

About the Author:  Jesse C. Jones retired from his position as Manager of the NASA White Sands Test Facility in December 1981, after spending 29 years as an Aerospace Engineer. After retirement He accepted a position as Instructor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, Texas Tech University (TTU), Lubbock, Texas, where he taught senior mechanical design courses and performed research. While at TTU Mr. Jones co-authored two textbooks, one of which was widely used as a senior mechanical design course textbook. Since his retirement from TTU Mr. Jones spends his time teaching Bible classes and studying and writing articles and books on biblical subjects.

For additional Christian books and resources Jesse and I recommend the following ministries to you:

Derek Prince Ministries

Living Stream Ministry (Watchman Nee and Witness Lee)

Covenant News Blog (multiple ministries)

Chuck Baldwin Live

Chuck Missler (Koinonia House Ministries)

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Review posted by Sandra Crosnoe

Crossposted:  Finding Gems & Sharing Them

Constitutional Liberty Coalition

Grassroots in Nebraska (Reading Room) — pending addition of Christian book category at present (coming soon!)

Are you a Carrot, an Egg, or a Coffee Bean?

original source: unknown

but here is where I discovered the post 

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed that, as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” the young woman replied. The mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were

soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity – boiling water – but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened! The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” the mother asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?” Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong but, with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit but, after a death, a breakup, or a financial hardship, does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

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As a Christian, I would add to this article that my experience is when you encounter problems – look up.  

Ask for the Lord’s help and intervention in your behalf and for His direction in the matter as well.  

You will be amazed at ways He is able to turn trauma into blessing & defeat into victory as we seek Him.  

As our creator, He knows what is best always and loved us enough to give Himself for us.  

Now it is our turn to be poured out for others and bless them as we go through life.  

Opportunities abound to be like the coffee bean and change the situations around us.

Blessings all,

Sandie

Crossposted

Finding Gems & Sharing Them

OKgrassroots

Constitutional Liberty Coalition

Wise Men Still Seek Him and Give Gifts

While pondering the practice of gift giving this year, I realized that the story of the Wise Men and the ‘Gift of the Magi’ is a profound expression of seeking Him earnestly and giving Him your most precious gifts.  I realized that not only do Wise Men Seek Him while He may yet be found, but Wise Men offer Him their lives as well as their earthly treasure. The result is unspeakable, unexplainable, profound and mind bending — life changing.  I highly recommend that you enjoy the search and the gift.

You thought you were giving up something?

Look again at what He gave you.  We have eternity to enjoy unraveling the mystery and the awe of it all!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year~

The Christmas Story by Kids

December 16, 2009

The story of Christmas told by preschool & kindergarten students from Hilltop Preschool & Kindergarten.

Got a Leader for You!

[Special thanks to my friends at GOA for posting this amazing and timely piece.  My how we need leadership and the right kind.  I find that our military men if not our government leaders 'get' this message, please pray with me that the nation will once again recognize real leadership and humble ourselves and pray and seek Him first above all else!/sc]

– by Sen. H.L. Richardson Seems as if Americans today are constantly complaining about the lack of leadership — someone to lead us out of the political and moral mess in which we now find ourselves. No doubt about it, there’s a batch of political figures clamoring and posturing for the job, but as yet — no one stands out above the rest. May I make a suggestion? Why not use the criteria our forefathers used to pick their top leader. In fact, one like that may still be available. Well now you ask — who might that be? Let’s start by asking our American founders who did they pick — and pick they did! Let’s start by asking John Jay, George Washington, Sam and John Adams, James Madison and Patrick Henry. Who led them in thought and action? John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court wrote “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based on and embody the Redeemer of Mankind…it is impossible that it should be otherwise and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian.” Read more here >>>

Your Time is a Real Treasure

 

or Volunteering 101

by Sandra Crosnoe

It has come to my attention that there are some people and organizations trying to abuse the grassroots (i.e. middle America, the silent majority, the real people).  They are doing it in some very manipulative ways and I want to be sure that you are properly informed and warned.  We need to vet the organizations that are seeking to solicit our help.  Now as you read this you are going to think you know the organizations and the people I am referring to.  And you very well may.  But I assure you the guidelines that I am going to spell out for you make sense even if you think you know the people and know them well.  Trust is an interesting commodity.  Once lost it is difficult to regain.  So proceed with caution.  You are about to have your eyes opened wide and may well learn to vet before you trust and even then proceed with caution!

Salt and Light

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  (Matthew 5:13-16)

You are called to be salt and light.  You are a light upon a hill.  You are a treasure in the kingdom of the Lord.  You are called with purpose.   You know this is true!  It resonates within your being.  How could it not be so?   Thus, you have a purpose and a calling and anything that takes you away from your purpose to do what someone else wants you to do – no matter how right it seems, should be evaluated in the light of your own calling.  It really needs to be a constant question of whether it is indeed something that you are called by the one who made you to go and do.

A Double Minded Man is Unstable

What does that have to do with the matter at hand?  Well this, there are lots of people and groups trying to get you to do something for them.  Does what they want have anything at all to do with your purpose and calling?  If so then proceed.  If not stop right there and learn to say NO!  Say it nicely or not now or let me think about it, but go no further until your purpose lines up with theirs!

If your calling is in one direction and you are giving your time to a group or person walking in another direction, then you are actually working against yourself and your calling to please a group or a man in conflict with your own purpose.

Do you see the instability here?  You become a person at war with your own self by virtue of bringing your time and talents under someone else’s agenda.  What if you don’t know they have a different direction and agenda than your purpose and calling?  Doesn’t make any difference in the result – only in your awareness of the result and the abuse.  They say ignorance is bliss, but I don’t find much bliss in being used and/or abused and I rather suspect that you don’t either.

Vetting Process

Thus it makes sense to spend some time investigating the people that you are connecting with and pondering giving time and money to help.  I wish this were easy and that I could make it easy for you, but it is a bit of a dance through life and you will find that no matter how good you think you are at the process, you still have something to learn.  I will say that there is some gifting of discernment and some are more gifted than others about these matters.  So if you are not so gifted, find a friend who is and prayerfully ponder how you proceed.  Here are some very concrete practical ideas, but they should be surrounded with prayer and the wise counsel that you are privy too:

1)    Know the history of the person or group.
2)    Know who is on the inner circle or advisory team for the group.
3)    Know who is on the board of directors.
4)    Know how the group is chartered (501c3, 501c4, 527, Nonprofit, Corporation, Business, Association)
5)    Know the written policy about money, lists, and information flow.  Find out if reports are filed routinely and properly if donations are collected and find out what percentage of costs are used to raise money.
6)    Find out if information flow is two-way and if you have appropriate and timely access to leadership.
7)    Find out if the goals of the group both stated and when put into action line up.
8)    Find out what people/group(s) have been endorsed or supported in the past and/or whom/what groups have been given money, assistance and list access.
9)    Find out what authority the leadership is under and if you agree with both the jurisdiction and the calling of the group. (Note: one must be under authority in order to have authority)
10)   Is the group top down or bottom up? If it is bottom up name local leaders in your area.
11)   Website(s)
12)  Contact information (national/state/local in your area)

 

Be a Fruit Inspector

Many people will tell you not to judge people.  Well I just say that I am a fruit inspector.  By their fruits you shall know them.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (Matthew 7:15-18).

Words are cheap unless backed up by actions and repetitively as well!  You will find that good fruit is properly connected to the vine and planted in good soil and living quiet and respectable lives too.  Does the person asking for your help in politics have his or her own household in good order?  This is not rocket science, this is really practical biblical wise counsel!

A good friend of mine Shelli Dawdy (@stubborn_facts) recently wrote an article about Ducks that comes to mind here.  If it waddles, has a bill, and quacks, guess what, it’s a duck!  So determine who you are dealing with and make wise decisions up front in the relationship.

Be instant in season  (or why put off until tomorrow what you can do today!)

On the other hand, we have much work to be done to take back our country and minister to the needs of a hurting community, so don’t procrastinate!  Be instant in season and don’t put off what you can do today.  What if tomorrow never comes!  I have a little post about things that everyone can do – so if you don’t know what needs to be done, take a look at this for some ideas—–> Easy Volunteer Ideas for Everyone

 

Top Down vs Bottom Up

The pyramid has been inverted in our system for way too long.  The grassroots are beginning to wake up and understand that the pyramid balanced on the point is upside down and top heavy and will topple over.  Our system of a constitutional republic was structured to reserve rights (freedom and liberty) to the people with very limited government (both federal and state).

Let’s be sure that our organizations and relationships work the same way.  You simply can’t build a house from the top down.  You must lay a firm foundation.

. . . . so let the Silent Majority Speak UP

Let the people control the groups and decide who their leaders are.  Let the cream rise to the top.  The media and the power people will not move aside willingly, but they will become irrelevant as soon as you look behind the curtain and discover how few of them there are and how many of you there are.

And now for a practical exercise:  If you volunteer with an organization and you would be willing to tell us the answers to Items 1-12 above, we will publish a chart with your answers.  If you want additional items added, let me know that too.  Happy Vetting!  Comments and findings welcomed below!

For Life and Liberty,
Sandie Crosnoe
@scrosnoe on twitter

Originally published July 13, 2009 @2:09

 

Can you Walk on Water? Can you Run on Water? Can you Swim?

TheUlfG — April 28, 2010 —

Liquid Mountaineering is a new sport which is attempting to achieve what man has tried to do for centuries: walk on water. Or to be more precise: running on water. We are developing the sport from scratch. By accident we found out that with the right water repellent equipment you can run across bodies of water, just like a stone skimming the surface.

Liquid Mountaineering

[Note:  Does this in any way take away from or support the miracle of Jesus walking on the water?  I believe it shows how difficult a task it was for someone to achieve; except, of course, for our creator who is indeed the force that holds the universe together, the glue in our molecules, the one who came and died to rescue us.  What a delight to serve Him and know that if we need to walk on the water with Him, we don't have to run with special shoes to do so!]

Now would you like to begin to understand the science between a drop of water skimming the surface?

(third video on Liquid Mountaineering Blog Spot – thanks guys for a great video and a little of the science behind it and for sharing your delight in and zest for life too!)

So is this video real or fake?  Comments welcomed~

Basilisk Lizard (sometimes called the Jesus lizard) in action here:

WWJD? Here’s a thought from Claystation360

BIBLE REFERENCES:

Matthew 21:12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Matthew 21:11-13 (in Context) Matthew 21 (Whole Chapter)

Mark 11:15
And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
Mark 11:14-16 (in Context) Mark 11 (Whole Chapter)