Heart Hope by Olga

It was the first Valley wide concert for a Christian artist at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater. All of the local churches had come together to support an outreach to the community and it looked as if it would be a huge success. Fifteen hundred people waited in line for the gates to open, pallets were laid on the ground, all in anticipation of the concert. A young local girl was the first on stage, a rapper followed her and then a rock and roll artist. Each of them shared their faith through their style of music and through their testimony. And then came the star performer, Jeremy Camp. Sitting on the lawn on an evening when it should have rained, but instead the sun shone brightly I was reflecting on the music, but my real focus was elsewhere. As I gazed at the crowd, I saw many people I knew whose private journey was one of hurt and pain and began to pray for them. The woman whose husband had died The friend whose son had just gotten out of prison The one facing surgery ...

The texts and emails looked like these: “Sending love and prayers” “Keeping Lynn and you all in our prayers. Big hugs.” “Praying sweet friend…2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole world over to strengthen the hearts of those fully committed to Him.” “We are praying fervently for this.” “Praying.” “We have you in our thoughts and prayers.” “Been praying for you and family without ceasing! Love you.” “JPFY”—code for “Just prayed for you” These and many more were flooding in as the emergency happened last week. People from all over the country were on their knees taking Lynn before the throne of God.  We welcomed each and every one of the prayers and knew that we were blessed beyond measure to have the hundreds of people who cared enough to speak to God on our behalf. It made me start thinking about prayer as a spiritual gift. Although it is never mentioned in the lists of spiritual gifts along with things such a...

Mother had been on a shopping excursion to Chico’s. It’s on her regular route of places to shop so she knows all of the women who work there. One of the ladies approached Mother, but not to ask if she needed assistance, but to request help for herself. Apparently her daughter had called with some sort of emergency and needed her right away, so she frantically asked Mother what she should do. The store manager had been called to relieve her, but there was no response. None of her coworkers seemed to know what to do either, so the panic continued.  There was no way that my 88 year old mother could cover for her, so she was not sure how she could have helped. She picked up the phone and asked me the question, “As a Christian how should I have responded?” It sounded like a difficult situation, but my response was simple, “You could have asked her if you could pray for her.” You might say, but what if she was not a Christian? She could refuse your offer. What if t...

Mother recently reminded me of the incident that happened when I was an adolescent. Even though I didn’t recall it happening, it is profound even for today. My grandmother had just been diagnosed with breast cancer at a time when there was not much that they could do other than a total mastectomy and radiation. Often times it was like a death sentence. Surrounded by loved ones she was asked a poignant question by my mother - was she upset. The answer that followed tells a lot about the woman, her faith and her relationship with her Lord. “I will be fine after I go to Gethsemane,” she responded. It might seem an odd response, but what she meant was that she needed to get alone with her Father and pray about her dire situation. And once she had told Him her desires she could then repeat the words that Jesus had spoken, “If you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Grandmother had a difficult situation to face, but we all have some ...

"Be careful what you pray for…" may seem like an odd statement, but I have seen some of my most earnest prayers answered in ways that I didn't necessarily want or expect. Years ago there was a song that my children would sing with these lyrics: Make me a servant Humble and meek Lord let me lift up those who are weak And may the prayers of my heart always be Make me a servant Make me a servant Make me a servant today As the kids would sing it, I would use it as a prayer that God would help me to be willing to serve others and to keep me humble. I didn't really mean that I wanted to be placed in lowly positions, but at times that's exactly what has happened. How silly of me not to realize how this prayer was going to be answered. Would I go back and change that prayer? If I could would it sound more like, "Lord help me to be in positions of power, authority and prestige. Help me to be puffed up and proud of all that I have accomplished....