HOPE!
SOMETIMES, IT'S JUST A FLICKER.. SOMETIMES IT'S A BRIGHT FLAME!
THIS STORY CAME TO ME THIS MORNING.. (I AM NOT TRYING TO TAKE THE CREDIT FOR WRITING IT.. BUT I SURE WANT TO SHARE IT WITH YOU.. PLEASE READ AND ENJOY!
Dear God, Where Are You? By Lysa TerKeurst
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
"Mom, I didn't make it. Please pray for me. I just feel confused about God." I felt my daughter's deep hurt as clearly as if it were my own. I know what it feels like to want something so badly and have that dream shut down. That door closed. That opportunity slipped away. She had been talking about trying for this special achievement at summer camp for 3 years. But she wasn't old enough to try until this year, her 4th year at camp. She met every challenge and could see the goal in sight ... until it was time for her to light a large campfire with only three matches, one small square of newspaper, and a few sticks of wood. She struck the first match and held it to the newspaper but it didn't ignite. She struck the second match and held it to the newspaper. It still didn't ignite.
She stared at the third and final match. Knowing a big part of the challenge was teaching the kids how to communicate with God and fully rely on Him, she'd been praying through every stage. But now, she didn't just pray—she cried out to God. "Please help me, God. Please," she mouthed as she struck the third match. She held the flame to the paper and watched in complete disbelief. The matchstick burned but the paper did not. As the final match burned out, she lowered her head in defeat. Nine girls tried for this highest honor of finishing the challenge. Three girls didn't make it, including my daughter. When I picked her up a week later, she asked if we could process this situation. What bothered her most wasn't not getting the camp honor. What bothered her most was not experiencing God's power like the other girls. They all had stories of God answering their cries for help in amazing ways through the challenge. "Mom, I didn't get that with God. Why?" It was one of those questions you don't want to mess up in answering. I asked her to recall every step of her challenge so we could intentionally look for God's hand. I listened intently for anything unusual and unexplainable. When she got to the fire, I found it. There was no reason her newspaper shouldn't light. None at all. Everyone else's paper lit. "Honey, that can only be explained by God intervening. He was there. He was listening. And we just have to trust there was some reason you shouldn't have continued that challenge. We may not know that reason, but we can certainly trust God was protecting you ... loving you ... revealing His power to you." She put her head on my shoulder, "You really think so Mom?" I whispered, "I know so." I know so because I trust the truth God has given me. Truths like these are anchors that hold me to the reality of who God is. He is the One in whom I find comfort and reassurance: 
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
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He is right here with me in the midst of my trouble, I am not alone: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 (NIV) He is the One who can use my tears to water the soil of my heart so that it can one day be a harvest of joy: "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy." Psalm 126:5 (NIV)
Sometimes God's power is shown as much in preventing things as it is in making them happen. We may never know the why. But we can always know and trust the Who.
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I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT, THAT GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS.. SOMETIMES REALLY NOT THE WAY WE WANT THEM ANSWERED, OR EVEN THINK AT THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.. BUT HE DOES ANSWER... SOMETIMES HE ANSWERS, "SLOW" SOMETIMES, THE ANSWER IS "NO!" AND SOMETIMES HE ANSWERS US IN SUCH AWESOME WAYS.. IF HE SHUTS THE WINDOW ON YOUR DREAM OR WISHES, HE WILL OPEN THE DOOR TO SOMETHING EVEN BETTER.. HE DOES HAVE HIS PLANS FOR US..
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AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THE HOTTEST PART OF THE FIRE IS THE EMBERS (*.*)
AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THE HOTTEST PART OF THE FIRE IS THE EMBERS (*.*)
Refiner's Fire - Vineyard - YouTube
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All Things Are Possible - by Hillsong feat. Darlene Zschech - YouTube
HE HAS MADE THE FIRE, AND THE RAIN.. THANKS GOD!
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SPEAKING OF CAMPFIRES, WE ARE GOING CAMPING AGAIN THIS FRIDAY EVENING FOR THE WEEKEND.. PLEASE PRAY WITH US THAT GOD WILL BE RIGHT THERE WITH US, AND FOR OUR SAFETY, HAPPINESS, AND GOOD WEATHER.. ALSO THAT WE WILL WILL MAKE A LOT OF GOOD MEMORIES.. ESPECIALLY FOR THE GRANDCHILDREN! THANKS!
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SHOUT TO THE LORD (LYRICS) - YouTube
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3 John:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. NKJV
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