Grateful Prayer | Thankful Heart

Centered in Prayer Quote from Anne Graham Lotz

By Lorraine

“If prayer is our compass in life, then the needle that points north is the focus of our faith in prayer on the living God.” This quote is just one of several that I that have really liked from a new book I am reading. The Daniel Prayer, Prayer that Moves Heaven and Changes Nations by Anne Graham Lotz is part of an online Bible study I have recently begun.

He is the “North” on our “compass. “He is the center-point. When our prayers are focused, regardless of what life throws at us, whether it’s a long, hard climb to the top of our profession or career, or the steady trail of perseverance as we set out to achieve our goals, or the confusion and lost feeling that can envelope us when we find ourselves in a thicket of problems and pressures and pain, if our prayers are focused on the living God, they will make a difference. (Page 65)

Of the many things that come across my Facebook homepage, this one caught my attention. It came from Gateway Online Bible Studies. I signed up and really glad I did. It is an online study, free and short, just 6-sessions where Anne teaches how to pray powerfully and passionately. Each week she shares a video about the lesson. The series can be used in small group setting or done individually, which is what I do. The book and study guide can be purchased through the online site but I got mine from Amazon. There is a link below if you want to take a look.

Known to me only because of her dad, Billy Graham, I was not familiar with Anne. Viewing her videos and reading this book, I am impressed with the way she speaks with clarity and her knowledge of scripture.

Using the life of  Daniel as an example, Anne covers the following topics.

  • Preparing for Prayer
  • Prompting in Prayer
  • Pleading in Prayer
  • Prevailing in Prayer
  • Battling in Prayer. 
In her real and down-to-earth manner, Anne includes personal stories and gives an approach to Bible study that challenges the reader to hear and apply God’s Word in a systematic way. First by listing the facts, then asking yourself what does it mean, next thinking about what is means in your own life and finally how you might respond to the Word.
With a little practice I can see that I am gaining a deeper understanding of the passages I read and study.
Well, I didn’t intend for this post to be a promotion for this study as it turned out to be. Just thought I would share something I think valuable and that you would like to know about.
As you may have noticed, my husband John is becoming more involved here at Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart. I love that we work together so well as a team. He has volunteered to write our Think on These Things Sunday Posts. It has become his lunch hour project while he is at work. Right now he is fighting a nasty sinus and ear and eye infection but I want to thank those of you who have commented or sent him a note. He appreciates each one and finds it to be a great encouragement. It seems like our days are filled with new and stretching opportunities. John will be back with his thoughts next week because he is so much better at it than I am. I’ll head back to the kitchen with my recipes and leave (most of) the faith posts to him 🙂   
Perhaps you will take a moment to join me in praying for our nation as we celebrate the 4th of July this week. I can’t think of a better verse to pray than this one as we look at the great needs of our land.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

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Gosling Cuteness Overload

By Lorraine

All Creatures Great and Small Gosling Cuteness Overload. Soft and fluffy baby geese are relocated to a local wildlife refuge.
When a pair of fluffy little abandoned goslings come along, one can’t help but stop all activity and take in all their gosling cuteness. These two puffballs were found wandering between parking lot traffic at a local WAWA by our daughter. Of course she brought them home for us to see before taking them to a nearby wildlife refuge. 

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What Will You Say When the Question Comes?

By Lorraine

 Thoughts of Good Friday are on my mind. Thoughts of the immensity of what the cross means and what it means for me. Thoughts of a love that goes far beyond my ability to grasp. But it is real.
In the words of an old hymn writer… What shall I do with Jesus?  What shall my answer be? Question with question I answer, What will He do with me?


This hymn, written in the late 1800’s, caught my attention asking the question of utmost importance. A personal question. A question that can make us feel uncomfortable.

You have probably heard the Easter story. About forgiveness and redemption and that word no one likes to talk about, namely sin. It is a word that makes us want to walk away and think about other stuff. But sin is supremely important to God because it separates us and puts an impassable chasm between Himself and his beloved. Important enough to God that he provided a solution for it. A costly solution.

The Easter story tells of Jesus Christ’s journey to the cross, His glorious resurrection in triumphant over sin and death, His ascension into heaven where He reigns as our Lord and Savior. This gives us HOPE and JOY. We no longer have to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus paid it in full. We can be forgiven and accepted and forever enjoy fellowship with God through Jesus. That is what Jesus meant when He uttered His last Words, “It is finished”.  That heavy burden of sin we carry is dropped from our shoulders. That is amazing grace.

I hope you, dear reader, will take a moment to listen to the beautiful video below, listen to the words and if you haven’t already, consider the question, “What will you do with Jesus?” Because, neutral you just can’t be.

What Will You Do With Jesus?
Excerpt from David T. Clydesdale’s “How Great Thou Art”

Jesus is standing there in Pilates’ hall; friendless, forsaken, He’s been betrayed
by all.  Suddenly comes the fateful call, “What will you do with Jesus?”

Now Jesus stands alone on trial, ready to face the crowd.  To walk His
destined mile. In your heart you’re hearing all the while, “What will
you do with Jesus?”

Chorus:
What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you just can’t be. Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will You do with me?”

Will you deny Him just like Peter’s done? Will you reject Him?  He is the
living Son.  What will you say when the question comes?  What will
you do with Jesus?

What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you just can’t be.  Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”

What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you just can’t be.  Someday
your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?”
What will he do with me?

Below are the words of the original hymn. They are similar to the words in the video and were probably the inspiration for it.

Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall

Author: Albert B. Simpson (1905)
Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall–
Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call!
What will you do with Jesus?
Chorus:
What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking,
“What will He do with me?”
Jesus is standing on trial still,
You can be false to Him if you will,
You can be faithful thro’ good or ill:
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
Will you evade Him as Pilate tried?
Or will you choose Him, whate’er betide?
Vainly you struggle from Him to hide:
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
Will you, like Peter, your Lord deny?
Or will you scorn from His foes to fly,
Daring for Jesus to live or die?
What will you do with Jesus? (Chorus)
“Jesus, I give Thee my heart today!
Jesus, I’ll follow Thee all the way,
Gladly obeying Thee!” will you say:
“This I will do with Jesus!” (Chorus)

What will you say when the question comes?
Neutral you just can’t be 
someday your heart will be asking
what will He do with me
What shall I do with Jesus?
What shall my answer be?
Question with question I answer,
What will He do with me?

 


Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20


For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2

Trust His Heart

By Lorraine

God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind, So when you don’t understand, When you don’t see His plan, When you can’t trace His hand, Trust His heart. These words were popularized in 1989 by Christian singer-songwriter Babbie Mason and are sometimes credited to Charles Spurgeon. Scroll to bottom of post to hear her sing this beautiful song.

Babbie Yvett Robie Wade Mason  was born February 1, 1955. She is an American gospel singer, songwriter, writer, and adjunct professor of songwriting at Point University and Lee University, and also a television talk-show host. Mason’s father was a Baptist pastor and she hails from at least five generations of ministers. Mason has also been the church pianist and choir director for the church her father pastored. source


Babbie Mason with Eddie Carswell wrote “Trust His Heart”. In an interview, Mason said the song was influenced by a North Atlanta pastor who “became inspired by the words that Charles Haddon Spurgeon had coined in his writings, ‘God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. And, when you can’t trace His hand, you can always trust His heart.’”


Similar quotes are found in The One Year Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible.


Spurgeon’s actual wording is found in his sermon “A Happy Christian”:



The worldling blesses God while he gives him plenty, but the Christian blesses him when he smites him: he believes him to be too wise to err and too good to be unkind; he trusts him where he cannot trace him, looks up to him in the darkest hour, and believes that all is well.source

Trust His Heart

Babbie Mason
All things work for our good 
Though sometimes we don’t see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two 
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim 
And you just don’t see Him 
Remember you’re never alone
God is too wise to be mistaken 
God is too good to be unkind 
So when you don’t understand 
When you don’t see His plan 
When you can’t trace His hand 
Trust His heart
Trust His heart
He sees the master plan 
And He holds our future in His hand 
So don’t live as those who have no hope 
All our hope is found in Him 
We see the present clearly 
But He sees the first and the last 
And like a tapestry 
He’s weaving you and me 
To someday be just like Him 
God is too wise to be mistaken 
God is too good to be unkind 
So when you don’t understand 
When you don’t see His plan 
When you can’t trace His hand 
Trust His heart
Trust His heart
He alone is faithful and true 
He alone knows what is best for you
God is too wise to be mistaken 
God is too good to be unkind 
So when you don’t understand 
When you don’t see His plan 
When you can’t trace His hand 
Trust His heart
Trust His heart
When you don’t understand 
When you don’t see His plan 
When you can’t trace His hand 
Trust His heart
Trust His heart

always a beautiful song

By Lorraine

Here is a glimpse of some of the music playing at our house…

I peeked into Abbey’s room while she was working on an assignment for her digital animation class and found it very interesting to watch her progress.  Yes, she has two black lights and a blackboard bolted to the wall, black-out coverings on her windows and only about 3-feet of empty floor space in her bedroom with way too much stuff bursting out everywhere.  
 but, she loves what she’s doing!
Jared enthusiastically shows John each step completed as he creates a computer game.
 My favorite $3.00 bench purchased from a garage sale 25 years ago and painted and repaired dozens of times got to the point that John just couldn’t fix it and keep it fixed. Mostly it was the arms that took the brunt of the abuse but even the legs were not staying together any longer.
{ha, that sounds like my body recently}
 We considered making a porch swing from the bench but I really wanted it back in the kitchen to hold all of those little grandchildren. So we sent it off to a furniture maker for a complete overhaul .
Please, please, little bench, stay strong!
We have been moving furniture, boxes and rearranging rooms as Erin and Jared return home. The nursery has become Jared’s room and the guest room is now Erin’s room. Making them feel loved and comfortable, and though sad about the circumstances, we love having them home.
The painting above Jared’s bed was something my sister gave me when she moved out of her house last fall.  I wish I had taken a photo of the before when it was in shades of bright green.  I knew when I saw it I would paint over the canvas. Wanting something masculine for this room, I went to work. Nothing artistic but it works to fill a big blank wall.
We’ve done lots of yard work and home repairs.
Weeding, planting, painting, edging, raking, digging, dividing, potting, sweeping, blowing, washing and, well, you know.  You are probably doing the same things at your house.
 Who would had thought removing 20-year old, dead boxwood bushes would be so hard! Eighteen in all.
 The last five with some much appreciated help from Jared.
Always the sentry, Raider keeps watch while we work.
Now, it hasn’t been all work.
My streptocarpus is blooming profusely in our bathroom.
Jared, the oldest grandson, and Keri, our oldest granddaughter, had a great time together. Last weekend we went to his high school spring musical, Mary Poppins. The following day, after getting those bushes out, Jared tried his best to hit Keri’s wild wiffle ball pitches (one that had to be rescued from the roof) and they had some impressive exercise challenges. As if push-ups aren’t hard enough, imagine doing hand clap push-ups! {The thought takes me back to the old broken bench feeling}
Our favorite time to visit Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery is Memorial Day weekend when all of the graves are decorated with an American flag. Both my parents are interred here. A perfect place to find a bench, remember loved ones and the Veterans that gave their service for our freedom.
Haven’t had much time with the littles through all of these changes but John snapped this pic of Chloe sleeping soundly the last time she was over. Playing it tiring work!
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Psalm 40:3

catching up with family

By Lorraine

Spring days ~ busy days!
April was filled with lots a family activities and get together’s!

 The son of our cousin, Caroline, was married in a lovely wedding.
Caroline, with her family including the newlyweds, Dan & Abbey 
(photo taken from facebook. Tyler Boye Photography)

As is so popular now, they had a photo booth situated in an obscure corner. All I can say is that my sister, John and I got some of the funniest pics ever!  So silly, that Carol made me promise never to share on any social media! Just imagine, John in the center with a crazy hat and over-sized glasses with basically the same expression in every photo and my sister and I making every goofy face we could possibly think of. Oh, my! Each time I look at the photos, I crack up all over again!
(photo taken from Stephanie’s facebook page)
Then there was a christening for our cousin Karen’s grandson, baby Mark.
 Together again with Carol, her daughter, Christine, John and I. Later noticed the framed photo on Karen’s mantle. It is of our daughter, Erin when she was just three year old performing flower girl responsibilities in Karen’s wedding. Such sweet memories!
 There were random, every day moments too.  I caught this scene of, Erin, Jared and Abbey studying in the family room.  Erin is completing her master’s degree, Jared is a high school Junior and Abbey is studying digital animation.

Noah and I went to breakfast one morning and later we did some cooking together.

I even got a pic from Erin as she drove through center city the other day and saw the old Divine Lorraine Hotel. 

 We had a trip to The Pop Shoppe with the kids, celebrated our dear friend’s 91st birthday during Bible study and peeked in as the kids helped Aunt Abbey create a 5-little monkeys video for a class assignment.
Noah went to work with PopPop and learned about nuclear engineering. 
Jared was inducted into his schools Technology Society.
pics with his proud mom and PopPop
Each day that passes, each achievement obtained, each celebration shared, each difficulty acknowledged, each experience learned, each encouraging smile, each laughter and giggle, each conversation, each hug and embrace are all gifts.
“We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary,
small (and yet really not small) gifts.” 
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches.” 
Richelle E. Goodrich
Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, & Grumblings for Every Day of the Year

Little Pigtails

By Lorraine

“Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people. They are born with a little bit of angelshine about them, and though it wears thin sometimes there is always enough left to lasso your heart.”
Alan Beck
{snatched this photo from my daughter’s fb because it totally melts my heart}

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