WHAT Can You Say? HOW Do You Pray?

You’re thankful for Who God is and what He’s done ! 

You’re relieved about some problem’s outcome.

You appreciate your blessings, and then you name some. 

Confess to God what you thought, or said, or did that is wrong,

Be grateful for His forgiveness; ask Him to make you strong. 

Pray when you’re driving, or jogging, or just sitting still.

Pray when you’re feeling OK, or when you’re feeling ill.

Pray for the challenges you face and the opportunities.

How do you properly pray?  Stand, or bow, or kneel on your knees. 

Raise your hands or fold them together.  You can pray aloud or silently.

Ask the LORD to give you wisdom, protection, help, and ability.

Bless everyone who comes to mind because you’re a person who cares.

Intercede for those who misbehave; they’re labeled for prayer ! 

Yes, pray honestly to God — pray now and later, here or anywhere. 

by Elaine Hardt ©2015

Deal With It

Face up to your Past,

Face up to your Now,

Face up to the Future,

You need to deal with it somehow.

Something you once heard,

Something you saw then,

Something puzzling,

You’re not sure what, you don’t know when.

Deal with situations,

Deal with memories,

Deal with new events,

Revise all your priorities.

Maybe in small steps,

Maybe start today?

Maybe good results?

Give it a try, what do you say?

God gave you this time,

God hears when you pray,

Trust and obey Him,

Then you can welcome your new day.  

By Elaine Hardt ©2015 

Awake? Alert? Aware? Available!

Father, there’s so much I don’t remember, don’t know, can’t do!

Keep me focused on the Great Future when I’ll come to You.

Things down here are sad, confusing, mean, and harmful,  bad!

You are the only One who loves me, best Friend I’ve ever had. 

Keep me awake, alert, aware of what I need to know,

I want to be available: show me how to come or go;

I need words to say, wisdom for the day’s necessities, 

All of this You will provide, giving  ample energies.

by Elaine Hardt ©2012

A Miracle for David

What a relief to hear the good news. It was time for cheers and tears. Linda phoned to tell us about David’s miracle so we could all celebrate.

The habit of smoking had gradually become a problem, but there were other things that kept his attention. He was a hard worker at his job at Lake Tahoe, had a wife and two sons and a set of twin daughters.  But that sneaky nicotine did its worst.  He smoked for 30 years. 

Finally, his lungs had too much of a struggle and David was admitted to the hospital where the doctors' opinion was he was in “end stage respiratory failure.”  They offered to keep him comfortable or they could try using drastic measures and medication to try to reverse their diagnosis.  

Doctors suggested and prescribed and did their best, but of course, the battle was up to David.  Their pronouncement was a horrible shock.  His condition would be fatal, and there wasn’t much time left.