It’s exciting to hear more and more God-fearing people speaking up on Substack, Facebook, LinkedIn, and among govt officials (Texas AG Paxton!) and high-profile professional athletes. When we are faithfully in the Word—“in the Spirit”—the Spirit is in us and “we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Because we are praying for a new Great Awakening, praise God, He is answering our prayers.
I love the “pray by name” principle and today I’m including Jalen Hurts, Judges Doughty, Porzio, Worrell, Steinmann, Willett, Elrod, Clement, and you, Jennifer. The more you post, the more peaceful and confident you sound. God is blessing you for speaking up, testifying to your faith, taking a stand, and being a blessing to your readers. More power to you.
At different times in my life, different passages have appeared in unexpected places and often in His still, small, undeniable voice. E.g., despite getting a little less steady on my feet, I’ve taken on a construction project that demands more physicality than I’ve tapped into in a long time. On more than one occasion, I’ve stumbled or tripped on something but quite miraculously recovered my feet. Clearly and immediately, I heard in my mind’s ear, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone,” or in my case, a 2x4 or the ground below a ladder rung I missed (Psalm 91:11-12). It's a simple formula: believe and trust in His goodness and mercy, and “goodness and mercy shall follow” (Psalm 23:6). Or as my childhood pastor used to say, “Believing is seeing.”
I have found so many inspirational posters on LinkedIn. My feed is now full of Bible verses and inspiration. But the wisdom applies to business, in how we treat other people. Just tonight, I was at my volunteer activity. There is a kid who is always on the outside. I have made a point of being kind and trying to include them. Sometimes I have failed. Sometimes I have left the meeting with - I messed that up. Tonight, this kid came up to me and asked me to be a reference. That kindness made a difference. This kid has gotten more comfortable - with me and with others (and I got to tell them that tonight) - and I am honored to have been asked to provide a reference. More than anything, I want this kid to not feel uncomfortable in their skin or on the outside. It has been a very conscience act on my part, with this kid in particular but in general, to try to live a "fruits of the spirit" kind of inclusion. I fail more often than I succeed, but, in some of the most spectacular failures, when I gave up the hurt (that led to the failure), it was easier to act the way I hope to act. Chalking up tonight as a win! I thank you all for your part in that. I needed the encouragement in my faith walk and the "two or three gathered." Have a blessed evening! "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6 Thank you for that reference.
It’s hard for me to tell sometimes who is sullen and standoffish and ready to lash out or just shy and standoffish and ready for some kindness. I like your approach. Love ‘em anyway, and far more often than not, we'll make a friend.
I wish that was true for me. I struggle with friends. I always have. Too many walls erected in my childhood. I never thought I would get married so very thankful that my husband and I connected despite those walls, because my family is my biggest blessing. Still, more and more, I try to be kind and sincere.
Jennifer, I love the people you brought together here. Such a blessing for me and I hope for all of us. Maybe your former employer needs to hear, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Adding to my log. Thank you for sharing your verses. That is why I have begun to find peace. God used this for good. Father Mike made the point you just made when he read that passage. But you noting it puts it on my log. Thank you.
I've been getting this verse in my mind alot lately:
"And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith: I will return into my house from whence I came out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation." (Matt 12:44-45).
Encouraging? Not really, but it tells me that if society does not replace the medical industrial complex and all the fascists with God, the future will be much worse. It's like we are finally getting rid of the former, but we refuse to replace it with the latter. I'm feeling quite downhearted about the head of the Roman Catholic Church and it's refusal to save men's souls. No Pope, you don't have to save the earth, you have to save souls. This spiritual battle continues...
I am with you on the disappointment in our Church. I am very seriously wondering if Francis is actually the Pope or if he is an Anti-Pope since Pope Benedict's abdication was so irregular. I've been reading multiple people saying that since the resignation wasn't valid that Francis is not valid either. It would explain many things if he wasn't truly Pope and give me hope for our Catholic Faith that things can be restored and a true Pope duly installed to fix everything that he got wrong...
I was thinking of the Pope when I put in those verses about false prophets. I do not know what to think about him. Acts 5:29 - I follow God and not man.
Those first 2 verses really touched my heart today. I'm in a quandary right now and not sure what to do. We had a Thanksgiving gathering on Friday and on Saturday we heard back from one of the people who had come that he had tested positive for Covid that morning. For my part, I couldn't care less. I know I'm healthy, I know the vitamins that I take daily will keep me healthy so I'm not worried for me. B/c my husband took those 3 shots, I worry about his continued good health, a LOT. I started him on multi-vitamins b4 I knew he had taken the shots and have continued them since.
When I heard about the Covid test, I started giving him Vitamin D in the evening in addition to the daily vitamin, zinc, and quercetin I had been giving him in the morning. Last night, when I gave him the Vitamin D he became very exasperated with me and asked why I keep giving him more and more things that don't do anything. I just looked at him, told him it was just Vitamin D and walked away. I doubt he will ever acknowledge the harm he has done to himself, as well as, our marriage and how much it hurts me when he does things like this when all I'm trying to do is keep him healthy.
I am torn right now between continuing to give him vitamins or to just stop and let the pieces fall where they may. I'm coming to a point where I don't think I will care anymore what happens to him and that scares me. I know God has a plan here somewhere but I'll be danged if I can see it and staying strong and staying true becomes harder and harder. I will never give up on God and I hope to never give up on my husband but right now it feels like I've been blindsided by him again and I'm trying to find my center and my charity and my faith with him...
I am glad they touched you. Encourage the vitamins. Vitamin D likely has benefits far beyond this. Show him love, even in your pain. I know how very hard that is. I am praying for you today and sorry that I have to run be mom and put my computer aside for the next several hours.
It’s pull-your-hair-out frustrating being “unequally yoked” and yet mandated to love and honor a misguided spouse. If I may, let me suggest that just as you and I should not be forced to take the jab, neither can we force our loved ones to take care of themselves. Turning a loved one over to God IS continuing to care for him or her. Besides, they’ll be in better hands, and we’ll be under less stress. I've quoted Judge Braude here before, but this is so practical it’s worth repeating: "Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others." From the spiritual point of view, I hope you find encouragement in these two passages. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). May God’s grace and strength sustain you, ceecee. Love and peace.
Thank you so much for this. It seems God is speaking to me thru all of you today and this one came at the perfect moment. I had begun thinking about not being able to change him, that he is the only one who can make that decision. I have been pushing him to lose weight. I have been pushing him to exercise more. I have been pushing him to take vitamins. None of this has come from him. I have turned it over to God now and will let God work on him. I am powerless in this situation just as my mom was when my dad was drinking. God came thru for her and he stopped, I know God will come thru for me and for my husband. I will continue to pray for him but I am leaving it up to him how he wants to care for himself now...
You know everything is going to be alright! I’m already thanking God for what He’s doing for both of you, bumpy as things are right now. You reminded me of a leadership lesson from Dwight Eisenhower. He stretched out a string on his desk and said, “Look what happens when you push.” He pushed one end and of course it all wadded up. “Look what happens when you’re out in front.” He gently touched one end and of course it followed his finger wherever he led it. I don’t know how relevant that is in your situation, but it felt like being shared. All the best to you.
Thank you both for your responses. So many times I've told my kids to offer up their suffering and pain or hurts and I forget to do so myself!
I have been praying for my husband but more for my wants than for what God wants. I need to change that and turn it over to Him again. I have seen God work in our lives so I need to give Him control again and let Him do His work in His time...thank you for this reminder!
First Napoleon - love your approach with prayer and your ex. That is beautiful. Ceecee, I have said I pray for my enemies. At first, I just prayed that I forgive my enemies. Now I pray that they are blessed. I do that because the Bible tells us to do that. Like Napoleon said, that act brings peace. Blessings to you all.
Praying blessings on an enemy is super uplifting. For one thing, it’s wildly inconsistent with human nature, and faith is that. “Lord, thank you for that obnoxious person, and please pour out your grace and love on him” works like judo, embracing negative power and flipping it on its head. Turns out, it’s fun!
I'm still working on the prayers of blessings for my enemies, and really mean them. I like your short prayer for the obnoxious - I shall try it. Lord knows I have many many opportunities each day.
Funny that you mention Judo...I do Aikido and always talk about needing to do it both on and off the mat...take his energy and redirect it elsewhere where it can't hurt or harm me but that it will change his mind....peace and harmony... 🤗
And that is the prayer I say for Francis as well. I may not consider him Pope but I can pray for the conversion of his heart that he may see the harm he is doing and renounce his papacy and allow the Church to elect a new true Pope. But as you said above, my hope is in the Lord and not in man, so regardless of what he does I trust that God will set all things right if I but follow Him...
Bishop Strickland who was just ousted by Francis said he also prays for Francis' conversion. Makes you wonder what Francis is conversing from? I feel God wants Francis there until his demise, but it would be nice if Francis could speak about God and Jesus during this Christmas season rather than social justice issues and the earth. That would be a miracle in itself!
I shudder to think but his second in command does give one thoughts on what it might be...do a search on Tucho Fernandez to see what I mean...he was just named an ArchBishop to boot. I pray for the conversion of our Church back to its roots in the teachings and preachings of Christ Jesus our Saviour and our Lord...
"I'm coming to a point where I don't think I will care anymore what happens to him and that scares me."
I came to this point with my ex-husband six months ago. I gave it all over to God and told God all I would do is pray for him daily. Since then, peace has come. God took over and is working on him and I do not need to know or do anything right now. You might want to try that with your husband. You are not giving up, you are giving over, to God.
It’s exciting to hear more and more God-fearing people speaking up on Substack, Facebook, LinkedIn, and among govt officials (Texas AG Paxton!) and high-profile professional athletes. When we are faithfully in the Word—“in the Spirit”—the Spirit is in us and “we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Because we are praying for a new Great Awakening, praise God, He is answering our prayers.
I love the “pray by name” principle and today I’m including Jalen Hurts, Judges Doughty, Porzio, Worrell, Steinmann, Willett, Elrod, Clement, and you, Jennifer. The more you post, the more peaceful and confident you sound. God is blessing you for speaking up, testifying to your faith, taking a stand, and being a blessing to your readers. More power to you.
At different times in my life, different passages have appeared in unexpected places and often in His still, small, undeniable voice. E.g., despite getting a little less steady on my feet, I’ve taken on a construction project that demands more physicality than I’ve tapped into in a long time. On more than one occasion, I’ve stumbled or tripped on something but quite miraculously recovered my feet. Clearly and immediately, I heard in my mind’s ear, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone,” or in my case, a 2x4 or the ground below a ladder rung I missed (Psalm 91:11-12). It's a simple formula: believe and trust in His goodness and mercy, and “goodness and mercy shall follow” (Psalm 23:6). Or as my childhood pastor used to say, “Believing is seeing.”
I have found so many inspirational posters on LinkedIn. My feed is now full of Bible verses and inspiration. But the wisdom applies to business, in how we treat other people. Just tonight, I was at my volunteer activity. There is a kid who is always on the outside. I have made a point of being kind and trying to include them. Sometimes I have failed. Sometimes I have left the meeting with - I messed that up. Tonight, this kid came up to me and asked me to be a reference. That kindness made a difference. This kid has gotten more comfortable - with me and with others (and I got to tell them that tonight) - and I am honored to have been asked to provide a reference. More than anything, I want this kid to not feel uncomfortable in their skin or on the outside. It has been a very conscience act on my part, with this kid in particular but in general, to try to live a "fruits of the spirit" kind of inclusion. I fail more often than I succeed, but, in some of the most spectacular failures, when I gave up the hurt (that led to the failure), it was easier to act the way I hope to act. Chalking up tonight as a win! I thank you all for your part in that. I needed the encouragement in my faith walk and the "two or three gathered." Have a blessed evening! "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6 Thank you for that reference.
It’s hard for me to tell sometimes who is sullen and standoffish and ready to lash out or just shy and standoffish and ready for some kindness. I like your approach. Love ‘em anyway, and far more often than not, we'll make a friend.
I wish that was true for me. I struggle with friends. I always have. Too many walls erected in my childhood. I never thought I would get married so very thankful that my husband and I connected despite those walls, because my family is my biggest blessing. Still, more and more, I try to be kind and sincere.
Jennifer, I love the people you brought together here. Such a blessing for me and I hope for all of us. Maybe your former employer needs to hear, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Adding to my log. Thank you for sharing your verses. That is why I have begun to find peace. God used this for good. Father Mike made the point you just made when he read that passage. But you noting it puts it on my log. Thank you.
I've been getting this verse in my mind alot lately:
"And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith: I will return into my house from whence I came out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation." (Matt 12:44-45).
Encouraging? Not really, but it tells me that if society does not replace the medical industrial complex and all the fascists with God, the future will be much worse. It's like we are finally getting rid of the former, but we refuse to replace it with the latter. I'm feeling quite downhearted about the head of the Roman Catholic Church and it's refusal to save men's souls. No Pope, you don't have to save the earth, you have to save souls. This spiritual battle continues...
I am with you on the disappointment in our Church. I am very seriously wondering if Francis is actually the Pope or if he is an Anti-Pope since Pope Benedict's abdication was so irregular. I've been reading multiple people saying that since the resignation wasn't valid that Francis is not valid either. It would explain many things if he wasn't truly Pope and give me hope for our Catholic Faith that things can be restored and a true Pope duly installed to fix everything that he got wrong...
I was thinking of the Pope when I put in those verses about false prophets. I do not know what to think about him. Acts 5:29 - I follow God and not man.
Those first 2 verses really touched my heart today. I'm in a quandary right now and not sure what to do. We had a Thanksgiving gathering on Friday and on Saturday we heard back from one of the people who had come that he had tested positive for Covid that morning. For my part, I couldn't care less. I know I'm healthy, I know the vitamins that I take daily will keep me healthy so I'm not worried for me. B/c my husband took those 3 shots, I worry about his continued good health, a LOT. I started him on multi-vitamins b4 I knew he had taken the shots and have continued them since.
When I heard about the Covid test, I started giving him Vitamin D in the evening in addition to the daily vitamin, zinc, and quercetin I had been giving him in the morning. Last night, when I gave him the Vitamin D he became very exasperated with me and asked why I keep giving him more and more things that don't do anything. I just looked at him, told him it was just Vitamin D and walked away. I doubt he will ever acknowledge the harm he has done to himself, as well as, our marriage and how much it hurts me when he does things like this when all I'm trying to do is keep him healthy.
I am torn right now between continuing to give him vitamins or to just stop and let the pieces fall where they may. I'm coming to a point where I don't think I will care anymore what happens to him and that scares me. I know God has a plan here somewhere but I'll be danged if I can see it and staying strong and staying true becomes harder and harder. I will never give up on God and I hope to never give up on my husband but right now it feels like I've been blindsided by him again and I'm trying to find my center and my charity and my faith with him...
I am glad they touched you. Encourage the vitamins. Vitamin D likely has benefits far beyond this. Show him love, even in your pain. I know how very hard that is. I am praying for you today and sorry that I have to run be mom and put my computer aside for the next several hours.
It’s pull-your-hair-out frustrating being “unequally yoked” and yet mandated to love and honor a misguided spouse. If I may, let me suggest that just as you and I should not be forced to take the jab, neither can we force our loved ones to take care of themselves. Turning a loved one over to God IS continuing to care for him or her. Besides, they’ll be in better hands, and we’ll be under less stress. I've quoted Judge Braude here before, but this is so practical it’s worth repeating: "Consider how hard it is to change yourself and you'll understand what little chance you have in trying to change others." From the spiritual point of view, I hope you find encouragement in these two passages. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). May God’s grace and strength sustain you, ceecee. Love and peace.
Thank you so much for this. It seems God is speaking to me thru all of you today and this one came at the perfect moment. I had begun thinking about not being able to change him, that he is the only one who can make that decision. I have been pushing him to lose weight. I have been pushing him to exercise more. I have been pushing him to take vitamins. None of this has come from him. I have turned it over to God now and will let God work on him. I am powerless in this situation just as my mom was when my dad was drinking. God came thru for her and he stopped, I know God will come thru for me and for my husband. I will continue to pray for him but I am leaving it up to him how he wants to care for himself now...
You know everything is going to be alright! I’m already thanking God for what He’s doing for both of you, bumpy as things are right now. You reminded me of a leadership lesson from Dwight Eisenhower. He stretched out a string on his desk and said, “Look what happens when you push.” He pushed one end and of course it all wadded up. “Look what happens when you’re out in front.” He gently touched one end and of course it followed his finger wherever he led it. I don’t know how relevant that is in your situation, but it felt like being shared. All the best to you.
It is God's battle, not mine. I just need to remember that if it is not His time for justice.
Thank you both for your responses. So many times I've told my kids to offer up their suffering and pain or hurts and I forget to do so myself!
I have been praying for my husband but more for my wants than for what God wants. I need to change that and turn it over to Him again. I have seen God work in our lives so I need to give Him control again and let Him do His work in His time...thank you for this reminder!
First Napoleon - love your approach with prayer and your ex. That is beautiful. Ceecee, I have said I pray for my enemies. At first, I just prayed that I forgive my enemies. Now I pray that they are blessed. I do that because the Bible tells us to do that. Like Napoleon said, that act brings peace. Blessings to you all.
Praying blessings on an enemy is super uplifting. For one thing, it’s wildly inconsistent with human nature, and faith is that. “Lord, thank you for that obnoxious person, and please pour out your grace and love on him” works like judo, embracing negative power and flipping it on its head. Turns out, it’s fun!
I'm still working on the prayers of blessings for my enemies, and really mean them. I like your short prayer for the obnoxious - I shall try it. Lord knows I have many many opportunities each day.
Funny that you mention Judo...I do Aikido and always talk about needing to do it both on and off the mat...take his energy and redirect it elsewhere where it can't hurt or harm me but that it will change his mind....peace and harmony... 🤗
And that is the prayer I say for Francis as well. I may not consider him Pope but I can pray for the conversion of his heart that he may see the harm he is doing and renounce his papacy and allow the Church to elect a new true Pope. But as you said above, my hope is in the Lord and not in man, so regardless of what he does I trust that God will set all things right if I but follow Him...
Bishop Strickland who was just ousted by Francis said he also prays for Francis' conversion. Makes you wonder what Francis is conversing from? I feel God wants Francis there until his demise, but it would be nice if Francis could speak about God and Jesus during this Christmas season rather than social justice issues and the earth. That would be a miracle in itself!
I shudder to think but his second in command does give one thoughts on what it might be...do a search on Tucho Fernandez to see what I mean...he was just named an ArchBishop to boot. I pray for the conversion of our Church back to its roots in the teachings and preachings of Christ Jesus our Saviour and our Lord...
"I'm coming to a point where I don't think I will care anymore what happens to him and that scares me."
I came to this point with my ex-husband six months ago. I gave it all over to God and told God all I would do is pray for him daily. Since then, peace has come. God took over and is working on him and I do not need to know or do anything right now. You might want to try that with your husband. You are not giving up, you are giving over, to God.
Beautiful and so true. We change ourselves when we pray for others, and sometimes that's the most important touch on a tough situation.