A Prayer For the Child in the Midst

Father God,
We come in agreement today asking that You touch the lives of
children who have never known what it is to receive affection,
warm arms that offer love, or a place of safety and security.
We are sorry because we have not always opened our hearts
or arms to speak and act on behalf of children at risk in order to
serve them and make Your will known in the earth.
We pray that the cries of children who suffer would be heard by
those who carry Your name Lord Jesus. We pray that You would
send more workers into this ‘harvest field’ of millions. We pray for
more intercessors, mothers and fathers to show Your love in this
needy world. We pray that communities would be transformed
as children discover Your love and that the world will know the
good news of Your Kingdom as people work together in unity
and love.
Amen.

‘And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.‘ Mark 10:16

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10: 13-15

At the time Jesus lived on earth people didn’t fully understand the ‘good news’ message He preached. The disciples tried to stop the children coming to Jesus, yet Jesus did something that must have shocked the local people. He took a child and placed the child in the middle promising them that if they truly wanted to be part of the Kingdom the only way to follow Him would be to become like that child. Jesus modeled important principles; in this same story we are told that ‘He took them in His arms and blessed them.’ We are called to continue Jesus’ mission on earth. We need to pray that we would take to heart in our prayers and actions the millions of children at risk living in our world today. Let’s pray together and see transformation!

The Viva prayer team.

Ah-Ha Moments!

I've been reading Richard Stearns book, A Hole In The Gospel. The book tells a bit about Richard's life growing up, becoming CEO of some top companies, and leaving it all to become president of one of the world's largest relief organizations--World Vision. Though I've heard some of the stories before, including the Bible stories, they struck me in a different way this time as I read them. This is what I heard:

The good news Jesus proclaimed had a fullness beyond salvation and the forgiveness of sins; it also signified the coming of God’s kingdom on earth (thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven). The kingdom of which Christ spoke was one in which the poor, the sick, the grieving, crippled, slaves, women, children, widows, orphans, lepers and aliens--the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40) were to be lifted up and embraced by God. The perfect kingdom of God was to begin here on earth.
I’ve heard the Lord’s Prayer many times and have even recited it over and over. However, while reading the above passage from THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL, I saw something I’d never really thought about I guess. I’m talking about taking care of the “least of these” while here on earth. That makes since doesn’t it? Heaven will be a perfect place, and we can strive to make things a bit more perfect while we’re here on earth. I realize it will never be perfect but we can work towards that. Since God mentions the poor and the needy throughout scripture, it sounds like they’re important to him. In fact, I think there are 2,000 verses that deal with “the least of these”. What can we do in our communities and around the world? What can I do? What can you do?

The story of the sheep and goats was another. (Matthew 25:31-46)
The sheep were put on the right. They fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, invited the stranger in, clothed the needy, took care of the sick, visited the prisoners as if they were doing it for Christ. The goats did none of this and were told to depart. The criterion for dividing the two groups is not that the sheep confessed faith in Christ while the goats did not, rather the sheep acted in tangible and loving ways toward the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and the vulnerable--while the goats didn’t. Those whose lives were characterized by acts of love done to “the least of these” were blessed and welcomed by Christ.
Here’s another Bible story that I have heard before. However, I never really thought about the sheep taking care of the poor, the hungry, the sick. Maybe I didn’t really pay that much attention in the past. Though I’d heard the story, it really “clicked” with me this time. Taking care of “the least of these” is so important to our heavenly Father.

Faith and works were never meant to be in dichotomy. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Look at the next verse: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (vs. 10) We are saved through faith alone, the amazing gift of a loving God, but we are saved for a purpose: to do the good works God actually prepared beforehand for us to carry out. We are:
--saved BY faith
--saved FOR works
Now, as for these verses, we were meant for good works. God has prepared these works for us to do. Could it be to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, give the thirsty a drink, visit the prisoners, set the oppressed free--care for “the least of these”?

Though I've heard these things, it was a great reminder for me. Now, I need to get up and get busy.

More of Natchez Trace

Today’s travels took us further south on the Natchez Trace. There are several stops all along the highway--bluffs, lookouts, trails, campgrounds, etc. Our first stop took us to the Gordon House and Ferry site. We didn’t walk the 1/2 mile to the river but hope to another time. From 1801 until traffic on the trace declined, the Gordons ran a ferry across the Duck River. The small house was built about 1818. The brick house had some flood damage so there was no entry today.
We then stopped at the Tobacco Farm and drive. We drove the two miles down a mostly gravel oneway road but it was beautiful and green on both sides. We ended up back on the paved Trace and drove back down to the tobacco barn. Really old tobacco leaves were hanging from the rafters, tiered to keep from being ruined by mold. Depending on the weather, the large leaves dry quickly.
Sheboss Place had nothing standing but once served travelers along the Trace with an inn.
We stopped at the Old Trace which marked the boundaries of Chickasaw lands ceded to the United States in 1805 and 1816.
At Fall Hollow, trails lead down through limestone and forest as a backdrop to the falls.
The Merriweather Lewis Monument sits at milepost 385.9. Lewis lived in the area and owned a home nearby. He died at the age of 35 from gunshot wounds and is buried on site of a campground there. Nearby is the model of a cabin in which he spent his last night at Grinder’s Stand.
(If you’d like to see other blogs of Natchez Trace, see older posts.)

Flood Cleanup At Our Creek

It has been almost a month since the 2010 flood of Nashville. Carey drives past a mound of trash daily on her way to work. It gets higher and higher. They are trying their best to get the debris out of the neighborhoods and onto one location before it goes to the landfill. So many homes have been destroyed or in need of a lot of work. A friend's house has been gutted. It received around 5 feet of water rising 2 floors. She's the one trapped in her house over night with her dogs and no communication. With good friend's help, carpet was removed and steps taken out, drywall cut out and the kitchen gutted. Now, she waits and waits for the insurance, FEMA and help. Samaritan's Purse has 2 stations and Hands on Nashville is coordinating volunteers, along with churches and individuals. Today Cory and I decided to take Elijah over to the bridge that was covered with water a month ago. Now there is less than a foot of water in that creek. However, twigs, branches, logs, and other debris covered half of the bridge. Elijah has his two little hand trowels and we took the big shovel over to start some cleanup. We were able to shovel most of it off onto the bank, away from the water. I'll go back with the push broom to finish our job. Only one board came up and stuck on a tree trunk, and a board at the very end of the bridge came off. Other than that, the bridge is intact.

Nashville Flood May 1-2, 2010

(written May 3)

Middle Tennessee has been declared a state of emergency. Franklin had a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. this morning. The Cumberland River in Nashville crested at over 50 feet, flooding several blocks of the downtown area. Opryland Hotel is filled with water--over 10 feet. About 3,000 guests were evacuated to a local high school. There has been so much damage all over. People have lost homes, belongings, cars--material possessions all but lives have been lost as well. I think of the father and child that are missing. Haven’t heard if they’ve been found. 17 flood deaths, many elderly people. Carey’s friend, Shannon, the one rescued from her home yesterday (Sunday), had at least 4 feet of water in her house. To get out, water was over waist deep. She did get to rescue her dogs today and work has begun to clean up. Not sure of the damage yet. Schools were closed, colleges and universities were canceling classes/exams, and hospitals cancelled elective surgeries.
Carey couldn’t get in to work today. The family moved to another house until their electricity gets turned back on. So she’s playing it day by day.
Charley spent the day at the church pulling up carpet, throwing it in the dumpster and scraping carpet glue off the floor.
Mom had to delay her trip back to TN until Saturday. She promised me a box of See’s chocolates if I got her home before Mother’s Day! LOL!
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Continue to pray for this area of Middle Tennessee.

More Flood Pics

Tennessee Floods

I’ve read about floods in the midwest. I know the story about Noah and his ark. However, I’ve never been this close to flooding. So far, 8 people have died because of the flooding and tornadoes here in Tennessee. Watching scenes on the news and keeping tabs online is frightening. We’re hearing stories of friends trapped in their homes with no communication and shelters being set up throughout the area. The national guard is evacuating homes just 15 minutes away from us. Not only are the rains a problem with flooding, but there are tornado watches and warnings. What’s the difference in a watch and a warning? Well, a watch is merely watching out for the tornado. A warning is there’s a tornado coming so get in a safe place--if there is a safe place to stay out of the way of a tornado. Right now we’re having a watch but it could change at any time. The thing is, our warning sirens haven’t been going off. GREAT!! So it’s pretty much keep the news on or the weather website.
Mom is due to fly in from 3 months in California, tomorrow, but I think she’s going to have to change her flight. There are so many road closures, including parts of freeways that I’m not sure we could make it to the airport to pick her up. We’re about 45 minutes away from the airport. Sorry mom.
Carey has been working out of Nashville so moved in with her friend in south Nashville. She comes home on the weekends so she’s safe with us. However, her friend hasn’t been heard from since yesterday afternoon. We’re concerned. The bottom floor of her house was flooding and the mid-floor was ankle deep. She was up on the upper floor with her dogs. (it’s a tri-level house) Her cell phone had gotten wet so isn’t working. She was chatting with us online then nothing. She may have lost her power. A friend tried picking her up but couldn’t get through because of the flooding. We’re praying for her safety.
Pockets of water are covering parts of major freeways and highways. Semi’s are getting stuck in some areas, halfway covered with water. A portable school building was seen floating down the same highway and dismantling before our eyes (on the news). In another town, a shed was seen floating down the road. Two children and their mother trapped in their attic--rescuers are trying to get to them. I’ve read about floodings like this (and worse) but never been this close. Our town has been okay so far. I have heard of a couple of streets in the area closed because of creeks flooding over onto the road. And the creek near us has been washing over the bridge and flooding out the field across the street.
Now we’ve got a severe thunderstorm watch. So the rains aren’t over. Please pray for friends and family in this area.
We stayed home out of the storms today--our church was cancelled and Carey's as well. However, Charley's church didn't cancel and he had to play guitar for the kids for 3 services and now has a meeting. Praying that he gets home safe.