a life blessed

During my quiet time today, I read a good word in relation to the disappointment you might face with your world leaders. It was geared towards world leaders, but it is a good word for ANY disappointment we might face in any arena of our life. The following is an adaptation from this devo with words extracted straight from the reading mixed with my own gleanings: "WE HAVE MISPLACED OUR FAITH. Buried beneath the panic we feel due to the state of our 'world/church/job/life' is systemic disappointment. This makes us feel weak and pathetic, so instead of owning our disappointment - in our country, in our world leaders, in our church, in our jobs, in one another, and God help us, in ourselves - WE RAGE. Mad feels better than sad. It's painful to long, in the words of Hebrews 11:16, for a better country and embrace the hard, cold fact that we are strangers and exiles on earth (Hebrews 11:13). " Grieve, mourn, and weep, " James 4:9-10 says. " Turn...

In the book 'The Circle Maker', Mark Batterson speaks of the life of a carob tree, stating that we must have a carob tree mentality when praying, praying long and praying hard.   I did a bit of research on the carob tree, as I was intrigued by this.  The carob tree takes years to start bearing fruit, as early as 6 years, but it can bear fruit for up to 80-100 years. Although irrigation does help its production, it can thrive in dry areas.   In a world of instant gratification, we are not accustomed to bearing these times of drought in our lives.  We pray 'pop-up' prayers wanting them to be answered as soon as we finish praying. We pray, and then expect a "presto" answer as toast popping out of a toaster.   The truth is, "As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given" (Daniel 9:23), however, you may not see the answer for quite some time, maybe not even for years and years.  The ability to withstand these periods of drought is the s...

My grandmother, Ms Oleta Clementine Frazier (pictured above with my granddad, Kirk Morror Frazier) loved this hymn, and it has become one of my favorites over the years for two reasons:  1) It reminds me of her, and 2) It is so true.   🎼 What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness; Take it to the Lord in prayer. 🎼 I had the privilege of having my grandmother around for 7 years of my life.  She died at age 67 (if my memory is correct) of colon cancer.   There are three things that come to my mind about my grandmother whenever I think of her:  #1) I don't th...