Archive for June, 2008
June 24, 2008
[12:30pm] Father, as You know now, and knew long before it would happen, I just sold the car to a Christian man in Philadelphia who loved getting it. He has been taking public transportation for years now, but is looking forward to his new commute. =) this makes me happy, Father. I hope he will learn good lessons as I have from the car and having to pay for it.
There are a number of great things to report on here. The first is the car itself, the engine light and it going on, and then how well it did driving over. The rattling noise even stopped when I started putting in regular fuel, rather than the premium. The premium caused the loudest ratline, and then the last two tanks without it, there was next to no rattling at all.
Later today I will need to call in to cancel the insurance on the car, and also count the money that the gentleman gave me. But also fascinating is that he said he could give me travel vouchers for half-price airline tickets on USAir. That could certainly be a real blessing. Maybe to even use it for tickets overseas as well, as he mentioned.
Father, You have provided for all these things, including certainly the most remarkable of all right now—Charrissa sending me $1600. Oh what a blessing that is, and what a generous thing for her to do. She wants to pay me for helping out. It will cover the cost of airflights so far, and it was exactly the money I needed, at exactly the right time. Thank You, Father, for I know from where all blessings come. =)
All of this happened following the buying tour this past weekend. There may be another buying tour the second or third week of july. I would not be able to come out on Friday, and then would leave on Sunday evening immediately following the tour. I have some money on deposit with USAir from my cancelled ticked, so that may work well with this extra money having come in. Father, Your blessings do not seem to have any end. I am gratefully Yours. =) —
June 23, 2008
Dear Lord, thank You for giving me a new day to serve You, to bring You honor and glory. I don’t do a very good job of giving You the credit in front of others. But it is from You alone that come success, wealth, provision. You provided a buyer for the bmw, which is good and will hopefully complete——-I just want Your will and Your way, Father. If You don’t want the car sale to close and for me to miss the loan payments, then that is what I want too. I’m sick of trying to figure things out—I throw myself into Your hands. (I will catch you, John.) =) Thank You so much, Father. Please help me give up the things of this world and my desire for them. Will You please help me to begin seeking hard after You again, Father? (I will help you, John. Enjoy your trip back east now. I will be with you.) =) =) the Lord, my God. My Savior and Redeemer; my Rock, in whom I find hope and shelter. =) —
Handwritten Notes
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:31
June 22, 2008
Dear Lord, I am confused and scared, but I put my trust in You alone. About the car, You’ve told me to think it through. In doing so, I can see that I need the money from the car sale to pay for the loan payments due out in the next week. One is due on the 30th, the larger, and the other, about $324, is due on the 28th. that’s just next week, and at present, there is enough money to cover the first one out, but not if I spend that money on gas to go to Philadelphia to deliver the car. That may be paid for by the seller, but it is certainly a risk. Do You want me to walk by faith, Father? (I do want you to walk by faith, John.) Do You want me to walk by faith here, Father? (I do want you to walk by faith here, John.) Thank You Father. I must trust in You alone.
I just wrote Denise, the buyer of the car, with the instructions to wire funds and another payment on the car to me tomorrow morning, if indeed that’s what she wants, and I will leave for Philadelphia Monday morningish, getting into St Louis some 15 hours of driving time later, if You’re willing, Father. I am scared, for example the car could break down and then not only would I not have the money from the car sale, but would have to refund $500, and not have the money, likely, to pay the loan payments on time. It would certainly be a small disaster. All these things I leave in Your hands, Father, and I look up for Your will. If You have ruin in mind for me, what could I do to change that? And if you have blessing in mind, what could the world ever do to change that? All things are in Your hands and under Your control. I give up today, Father, I cannot do any of these things, I must lean on You to even make it through this one day ahead, and then through tomorrow. Father, please let Your will be done, as it will be, and give me the faith to believe You and carry through Your plans and instructions for my life. Thank You, Father. You have never left me, or turned me away. In Your hands I leave this life… —
Handwritten Notes
“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the Moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” -Psalm 121
[9:25am] Buying tour day 2 – very tired and depending on the Lord for provision. =)
June 21, 2008
Handwritten Notes
[7:08am] Father, thank You for this new day and this time with You. Thank You for bringing me here again, on the buying tour. I don’t know the point really any more. You’re putting distance in my heart, to look at things for the long-term, and also taking away my desire for the ‘things.’ I want a closer walk with You, Father, and to carry out Your work; to help advance Your Kingdom if possible. But Father, I feel so lost much of the time now, and purposeless.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest of the shadow of the Almighty.” -Psalm 91:1
[8:50pm] lease option? =) $5000 plus monthly income. Nehemiah project?
Father, You know the desires of my heart. You know that the only real reason I want to make a lot of money, fast, is to receive praise from people. But I know where that leads and I’d rather spend that time with You; well, honestly I know that is what You want. And that’s what I want to want… I will content myself in You, for I know that a big income and success is a disaster for me, at least rule where it seems I am now. Father, thank You so much for guiding me along Your path. =) I find my joy in You. =)
[buying tour day 1 recap]
June 20, 2008
[10:35pm] Dear Lord, You have brought me on yet another buying tour. We lost two of our first three properties. Well, actually no. You asked us to give one up, and then we lost the other, in part mostly because of my poor decisions financially. I guess I am pretty uncomfortable, but that’s part of this process You’ve said. You said to get comfortable being uncomfortable. And I can think that that plays a potential role certainly with the idea of starting to pass out CDs and talk with people in DC. But You’ve told me that this time is about becoming a nobody, and nobodies do not get recognition, and certainly if they ever do, they pass along that credit and all the glory to You, Father. It is uncomfortable for me, as I’m used to getting credit and getting praise for my age. Father, please forgive (I forgive you, John.) my doubting heart and my resistance too. I know You may take real estate away as part of this nobody process, and especially, I imagine if I place more dependence on that than I do on You. I am confused, Father, and trusting You. That’s all I can do. I trust You. —
Today’s Prayer
God, I know that you had the power to part the Red Sea, and that You still have that same power. It was scary for Moses and the people of Israel to step out into that fast-moving water. But, by faith, they obeyed and you blessed. When I face my “Red Seas” of life that look scary, that make me feel helpless or uncertain, please give me the courage and faith to step out and follow You. Help me to keep moving through the doors of opportunities You provide; through the difficult decisions and circumstances of life, because I know You are here with me, just like you were with Moses at the Red Sea. May you get the glory for all that is accomplished. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Paul’s Disagreement with the Prophet by Os Hillman
“Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles’” -Acts 21:10,11
June 19, 2008
Today’s Prayer
Dear God, I need to learn to take one day at a time. Your Word reminds me, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). I give all my worries and concerns to You, God, the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, Almighty God. Please give me peace, grace, and wisdom for the day. Lord, I also pray for the people in this world who live in war-torn nations, poverty, unhappy homes and abusive situations. Please reach down and show them Your love, that they may know that You are God and that You care about them and will give them rest. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Removing Hindrances
“But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us” -1 John 4:18-19
I was in another country and had just completed a teaching on how spiritual strongholds (2 Cor 10:4) can hinder us from fulfilling our destinies. A woman approached me at the end of the meeting and asked me if I could join her and her friend for lunch so that she could learn more. I just happened to be available, so I agree to join them. I noticed the woman was slightly overweight and exhibited extremely high energy and was aggressive.
Before she began asking me questions I asked her to tell me about her relationship she had with her father. “Why in the world would you ask me such a question? What does that have to do with spiritual strongholds?” I pressed her for the answer to my question.
June 18, 2008
Well, today I went to look at Ro’s properties and I didn’t even get a thank you when it was all done. Father, I want only to work for You. Thank You for keeping my roots shallow; thank You for training my eyes on You. =) I am joyful in Your service, and eager to meet You one day. =)
Isaiah 5
The Song of the Vineyard
I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. ‘Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.’ The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.
Woes and Judgments
Read the rest of this entry »
June 17, 2008
Handwritten Notes
Blessed be the name of the Lord! =) My Rock and Refuge in the times of storm. And my Hope when skies are blue too. =)
[9:15am] what are some of the core beliefs for staying on the right path in this life?
- The Lord is supreme over all; He is all-knowing, all powerful and the only God. The fear of Him is the start of wisdom.
- My chief responsibility is to fear the Lord, love Him and keep all of His instructions—doing what He says.
- All I have is not mine, but His. He has provided it all and none of it I will take with me. Only that which I give here will go ahead of me. Besides it is so much more enjoyable to give the time and money.
- Saving souls and sharing the Lord Jesus Christ with people is of paramount importance. ‘Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.’
- Time spend in His word, time spent seeking the Lord is the best time I have. It is the most profitable time as well. It is also the way to not be derailed by this world, its enticements, its distractions and its traps. It is how to know the Lord more.
- It is the Lord from whom advancements come. Contentment is my goal each day and gratitude is what He’s provided.
- I trust God’s leading in my life. =) And I love and fear Him.
Thank You, Father. =)
I am thinking that I can tell people that my work with Charrissa is a part time job because that’s true now with her wanting to pay me. And then maybe some more can access. Father, I want to be humble, I really do, but I struggle because if I tell, or even allude, to what I do it sounds like I make lots of money. Will You please help me Father? (I will help you, john.) =) Thank You so much, Father. =) Read the rest of this entry »
June 16, 2008
This morning my heart wanders to worry about the loan payment, which is due out on Friday this week, five days from now, and there is nothing in the bank account to clear the $807 due out. The car is due to end sometime today I believe, and the payment terms specify $500 deposit by paypal, so that could help, and if the buyer comes through this week, that would help of course, too. I remind myself that it’s not how much money I make or lose immediately in the sale of the car, but rather, how much money it will save us over time by not having it to drive around. There is also the two hundred or so dollars from geico that I’d receive back, but likely that wouldn’t be in time. Perhaps in time to help with the other loan payment of $350 or so.
Father, I can see how, if these finances in my hands, are not addressed, how I’ll never be able to take care of more for You. How can I learn how to do this? (You’re learning right now, John, are you not?) Yes, Father, that is true. It feels like I need to become the bookkeeper, and have that level of attention to our books. (That’s a pretty good idea, and a fine place to start.) =) Thank You, Father. —
John 9
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’
June 15, 2008
John 3
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’
In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’
Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’
‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked.
‘You are Israel’s teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
