Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"We are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses. (Hebrews 12:1)

Reflection:

Along the old Oregon Trail in Idaho there is a marker—
a giant lava boulder known locally as Register Rock.
It’s located in an area which was one of the favorite
overnight camping areas for westbound immigrants
who traveled the trail in the 19th century.
Travelers often inscribed their names on the rock as
a memorial to their passage. Register Rock stands
as a monument to their courage and tenacity.

When I think of Register Rock, I think of other people
who have passed by me on their journey.
Hebrews 11 lists some of those hardy souls—
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and
Samuel, to name a few.

But there is one recent person, whose name is not
inscribed on register rock but is written in my heart
and my memory.  "Lillie Marie Olson", my mother
who went to her father May 21, 2009. 

My mother was a Christian.  She spent her life speaking
and doing the Word of God. Because of her Christian
example I have always considered the outcome of my
conduct throughout my life.  My mother was and is my
Life.  Her presence is always within me.  Most importantly,
my mother brought me to my faith in Christ and encouraged
me to follow that faith.
My mother's name may not be inscribed on Register Rock,
but it is written in the heavenly book of the living God, and
her name is written in my heart, forever inscribed, forever
loved.

THANK YOU MOTHER YOU ARE WITH ME ALWAYS

Prayer:

Oh Lord thank You for my mother.
Thank You for the path of leadership she
walked. 
Thank You for her beautiful always fixed
eyes on you.
Thank You for her steadfast spirit that
pointed Your way to me. 
Thank You because of my mother I
follow You day by day.
In Jesus Holy Name,  AMEN

Remember:

People who follow Christ lead others in the right direction.

Scripture:

[The Lord said,] "I have made you a light to
the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the furthest
corners of the earth." When the Gentiles heard
this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord
for his message; and all who were appointed
to eternal life became believers.
Acts 13:47-48 NLT

Reflection:

Jesus want's us to see, I mean to really see.
He wants us to see that neighbor next door, or
even the person that is sitting next to us on
the plane.  He wants us to see them, not
just as interruptions in our daily lives, but He
wants us to see their needs, their unhappiness,
their loneliness, the dreams they long for.
Jesus wants us to have the courage to
reach out to them.

When I read this verse in Acts, I am reminded
that there are a lot of people around us whom
God wants us to see.  It could be that aged lady
who lives down the street, or a very lonely co-
worker, a very tired single parent, a teenager
who is struggling for acceptance, or even some
one standing next to us in the grocery line.

God wants us to see that the world is full of men,
women and children who have been literally crying
out to God in the quiet desperation of their hearts.
GOD WANTS TO USE US TO BE A LIGHT TO THEM
AND BRING THEM THE GOOD NEWS OF HOPE IN
JESUS CHRIST!

Prayer:

Lord help me to see the needs of others.
Equip me to be a light to those who don't know you
and to love them for Christ's sake.  Lord help me to
see their needs through your eyes.
In Your Name    AMEN

Remember  Marcus Welby the TV show?
Well their running reruns right now, and
I've really gotten into the old doctor.
The episode I'm watching now is about
an alcoholic doctor.  Immediately, it was
brought home to me as a reminder that
I'm an alcoholic.  I'm a recovering drunk.
I can now add a very important word to
that phrase, I'm a "Christian" alcoholic.
That's right, I'm a Christian and I'm a
drunk.
The oldest rivalry in the world, saint
vs. sinner, and praise the Lord, the saint
is winning.  The saint won yesterday, the
saint is winning today, and God willing the
saint will win in the future.  Saint vs.sinner
and in my life God is winning.  PRAISE BE
TO GOD!
They call me a dry drunk, in other words,
I'm a drunk who is not drinking at least
not now.  I could be a wet drunk tomorrow,
accept for one very important reason, my
higher power, my only power, my God.
God gives me a future, and that future is
WITHOUT  alcohol  or drugs and WITH GOD!
ARE YOU WITH OR WITHOUT GOD?

Prayer

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things that I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference. AMEN.