How are We Building Our House?

Here is something to consider...
Are we building our house through wisdom and understanding?
Or are we building it on worldly values and selfishness?

Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Prayer - To Kiss the Face of our Father

"One of the words in the original language for prayer literally means 'worship.' Another means 'to kiss the face.' Prayer is worship and worship is prayer. Prayer is kissing our Father's face. Prayer is loving and communing with God." -- Andrew Wommack

How much time are you spending worshiping in prayer, and how much time are you asking God for what you need? (or want?) The primary purpose of prayer is to love God, and to grow in your relationship with Him. In Acts 13:2 it tells us that we are to minister to the Lord. We minister to Him by praising Him, thanking Him, loving Him, singing to Him, and worshiping Him.

When your primary focus is loving and worshiping God, you'll find that you won't have to spend much time praying over things. That doesn't mean that you can't petition God. The word tells us, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22 There is a right way to ask, just not all the time, and it must line up with the word of God. James 4:3 says, "When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." If you are spending time building your relationship with God, your desires will line up with His will for you.

Finally, don't let prayer become a religion. Don't struggle through an hour of prayer just so you can check off that task. If you are getting bored during your prayer, chances are God is not caring much for it either. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to "Pray without ceasing." That means that as we go throughout our day we should be in communication with God. If we only spoke to our spouse once a day ... telling them what we wanted, and not listening for a response ... our marriage would not be very good. The same is true with God. We cannot spend a little time each day telling God what to do and expect to have a growing relationship. I love the quote I placed at the top of this. The thought that prayer is kissing my Father's face is overwhelming to me. That is what I want. I want to spend my day, everyday, loving on my heavenly Father.

Why We Vote

Jason and I, along with our children, went to vote as a family first thing this morning. When we got there, we had to wait in line for a few minutes. Both kids noted that there was a line today. You see, we always take them with us when we vote... and usually we can get in and get out with no waiting. We explained that there are always bigger crowds during presidential elections, and that this election is particularly important because so many Biblical values are being challenged. They know the issues, because we discuss them openly at our house.

We checked in, and waited. As the line was moving along, we noticed that some people voting needed more instruction than others. When we arrived at the front of the line, the supervisor greeted us. She recognized us... because we always vote, and the kids are always with us. She loves that we bring our kids, and always makes a point to tell the kids how important it is to vote. Then she told us that they have a lot of first time voters, and so it was taking a little longer than usual to explain how to use the electronic ballots.

This saddened me. Why? Because the ones needing the instruction were all older. These are the people that should have been voting for years... they are the ones that should have been setting the example for others. They should have been training up their children... yet they weren't.

I am not sure what their reasons were for not voting... or even what their reason is for voting now. But here is the reason Jason and I vote...

We want our children to know the importance and the privilege of voting. We want our kids to understand how our country was formed. We want them to understand how many men and women have died, and continue to die, so that we may live in a free country. We want them to understand how God blesses our country, and that He will only continue to do so if we recognize Him. We want them to understand the need to vote Biblical Values. We want our children to know that they live in the greatest country in the world!

Our children and their future is why we vote.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

We the People

"We the People" of the founding generation formed this country on Judaeo-Christian Values. "We the People" of this generation need to vote in the same manner.

As you prepare to vote, and I pray that you do vote, please pray over your choices. There will not be perfect people on the ballot... but please ask yourself, which people line up closest to God's word.
Blessings,
Kerry

Look at the Tree

Ethan came in this world wanting to know everything that was going on around him. He openly pays attention to conversations, and usually adds to the conversation. I have never been real surprised by what he may or may not say. Erin on the other hand, is reserved. She doesn't seem interested in what is going on when adults talk. I think this is why she does manage to surprise me quite often with the depth of her understanding.

This morning, she and I were driving to town. On the radio, we heard a commentator discussing the presumption that any one not voting for Obama does so because of the color of his skin. She knows that our family will not vote for Obama. She also knows that we do not judge someone by the color of his skin. So, she began asking questions about why this statement was made.

So, we began discussing Biblical values. I was explaining why Romney's values lined up closer to ours, and therefore we would be voting for him. It was at this point that she surprised me.

She said that everyone should look at the persons tree. I asked, their tree? She said yes, a good tree has good fruit, and a bad tree has bad fruit. She said the color of skin has nothing to do with their tree... but their heart has everything to do with it.

For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Luke 6:43

I wish more people would spend time looking at the tree of others.

It is Well with My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Billy Graham's Ad Urging Biblical Values

I was so excited to see this in our local paper this last Sunday.

“On Nov. 6, the day before my 94th birthday, our nation will hold one of the most critical elections in my lifetime. We are at a crossroads and there are profound moral issues at stake. I strongly urge you to vote for candidates who support the Biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman, protect the sanctity of life and defend our religious freedoms. The Bible speaks clearly on these crucial issues. Please join me in praying for America, that we will turn our hearts back toward God.”