For My Good

It was a night I will never forget. My Dad had to go into heart surgery in Little Rock, Arkansas, and I was in Lawrence, Kansas. I couldn't get there in time to see him before his operation, so I stayed home. I felt like the Lord was going to take him home that night, but I held out hope that I was wrong. At around 3:00 on the morning of July 29, 2004, the phone rang. Someone on the other end, I don't even remember who, told me that my Dad's blood was not clotting after the surgery.
I began trembling with fear of losing him.I went into our tiny bathroom in our duplex. I sat down beside the tub with tears flowing, begging God to allow my Dad's blood to clot. I've never prayed such a specific and strange prayer in my life! I wept uncontrollably. I pleaded with my Savior, I reminded Him that my Dad was a soul winner, he'd knocked on 20 doors just the night before his surgery! I told Him that Dad was a faithful man, a man who would sacrifice his very livelihood for Christ's sake, if necessary. I prayed with all that was in my aching soul.
The phone call came an hour later. Dad had, in fact, shed the confines of his earthly body and was now meeting our Savior face to face. I was happy that Dad was now free from pain and sin, but I missed him so much. We were very close. I literally wept for hours. My mouth was dry, my face was swollen, my head throbbed and the desire to live was taken away. I cried until I felt I had no more tears left, but then, more came! Where could they be coming from? I knew not.
The days and weeks stretched out ahead of me, long and bleak. I managed to keep breathing, to keep going, step by step. God provided grace for each new day. Some days, I was amazed at how I felt His presence. Other days, I just barely eeked by. I got to know my Lord on an entirely new level by experiencing that trail. He was so real to me, that I felt I could touch Him!

The night was not as bleak last night, as it was on July 29, 2004, but it was close. In January, we will be getting a president who does not believe the way I do. I do not feel that he loves our country very much. I do not agree with most of his ideas. But through this trial, we Christians can know Jesus like never before. If persecution does come our way, we can draw closer to our Savior than we ever have before.
You never know, America may draw so close to our Lord that they feel they can touch Him.

I am thankful that God took care of me through those very dark days of my life. I have learned so much, and I can assure you, it was for my good as Romans 8:28 states. No, it didn't feel good, but I think I put too much stock in feelings. This time in America's history is also for my good. He knows that I live in America. In fact, He knows each one of His children, down to the number of hairs on our heads! I believe that when it's all over, we will most assuredly say,"It was for our good."

...He hath done all things well:.. Mark 7:37

My Election Day Theme Song

No matter what the outcome of today's election is, I am thankful for America's system of government. I am thankful that we have a peaceful passing of the baton in our Presidential leadership. We have not had to go to war to get a new leader...praise God!
I'd like to share the song that is on my heart and lips today. I'm singing it whenever fear of the future (which isn't given to me by God!) creeps upon me. I am also in prayer for our nation today, that regardless of who takes the Oval office, our nation will experience revival.

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name!

On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Verses I'm claiming today:

Psalm 118 :5- 9
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Whatever happens, may God get the glory. My hope rests upon Him.

Is Washington's Model Going to be Chicago?

I just had to post this. I received this in an email. I personally confirmed that these leaders are, in fact, the current Illinois leaders. I also checked on the number of murders in Chicago this year and the number of deaths in Iraq this year. I did not confirm the economic information and if it's not accurate, I'm sure it's close. If you live in Illinois, and believe this information to be incorrect, please let me know.
This sure makes interesting reading. I am praying for God to be merciful to our nation. I realize that neither man running is perfect, but I pray we get the "lesser of the two evils."

CHICAGO POLITICS

* BODY COUNT IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS*
392 MURDERED IN CHICAGO*
272 KILLED IN IRAQ
* OUR LEADERSHIP IN ILLINOIS: - SEN. BARACK OBAMA
- SEN. DICK DURBIN
- REP. JESSE JACKSON, JR.
- GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH
- HOUSE LEADER MIKE MADIGAN
- ATTY. GEN LISA MADIGAN
- MAYOR RICHARD DALEY
ALL DEMOCRATS
THANK YOU FOR THE COMBAT ZONE IN CHICAGO OF COURSE THEY ARE BLAMING EACH OTHER. CAN'T BLAME THE REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ANY.!!!!!
*STATE PENSION FUND $44 BILLION IN DEBT, WORST IN THE NATION.
*COOK COUNTY (CHICAGO) SALES TAX 10.25%, HIGHEST IN THE NATION.
* CHICAGO SCHOOL SYSTEM ONE OF THE WORST IN THE NATION.
*THIS IS THE POLITICAL MACHINE THAT OBAMA SAYS HE COMES FROM IN ILLINOIS.AND NOW OBAMA SAYS HE'S GONNA "FIX" WASHINGTON POLITICS.!!!!

THIS IS WHY I WORK IN CHICAGO BUT LIVE IN INDIANA!