Sharing the Word of Faith

When Trouble Comes. . .Look to the Hills

2008-09-30T21:19:00.000-05:00

The other day my husband Harry started out on a trip. Everything that could go wrong did. He wrecked the shock on his truck. He tore my bumper loose from my car. He all but ruined a car dolly we own. One disaster after another was happening to him. All of Satan and his imps were out in force against him. He called me and we prayed the bad things that were happening would cease and desist. Later that afternoon he had a blowout on a brand new tire. Talk about trouble, he was experiencing trouble on major overload. His problems didn't go away, they stayed a while.

If I can, I will go out of my way to avoid trouble. But we cannot go through life without facing everyday struggles, trials, concerns. Misfortune just happens. It comes in all shapes, forms, sizes, and strengths. However, living as long as I have, I’ve learned over the years how to cope with and handle difficulties when they come my way. I can’t say I’m successful all the time, but when I place my trust in God, my troubles seem to lessen or completely vanish before my eyes.

Sometimes difficulties come and stay a while. That’s the kind I like least of all. Other times, trouble comes then goes just about as quick as it came. If I had my druthers, I would live without any type of conflict, battle, or misfortune. But the Bible tells us that we are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. Meaning we cannot avoid facing problems in our life.

I have learned to cope when I am faced with situations that are not of my making or I do not have any control over. I lean wholly upon God’s word and upon His ability to work in my behalf. He is the author and finisher of my faith. When I turn my worries, heartaches, any disappointments over to Him, I release Him to work on my behalf. He is always faithful to bring me through my difficulties victoriously. Sometimes it’s instantly. Other times my pesky torments are here to stay a while. My secret of living in and through my troubles is Psalm 121:1-3.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved and he that keepeth thee will not slumber.”

We as Christians can stand upon God’s word. And when we do we can watch God move in our behalf. So if you are in the midst of troubles, difficulties, or even dilemmas. . .lift up your eyes to the hills – He will be your strength, your provider, your everlasting joy.

Go for the Gold

2008-08-23T15:14:00.002-05:00

By
Janice K. Olson
I would hazard to say that for two weeks everyone owning a TV, at one time or another, tuned in the Olympics while the games were being played. Every country for four years or even longer have prepared their athletes to become the very best they could be. When the Olympic day rolled around, only the very best athletes were sent to China to compete. There goal. . .WIN THE GOLD!

When I think of the race that is set before me, the training I continue to go through—the mental gymnastics, the foot races, the tug of war, hand-to-hand combat, the leap of faith, etc.—I have to remember I’m in a race for the gold.

While in this race, I don’t want to carry any needless or unnecessary baggage, nor do I want anything to hinder me. If I’m successful, at the end of my race, I will stand before the Judge. He has my name before Him. My score card is in his hand. He will tally my score. If I have persevered and run my very best, if I have stayed to the course marked out for me, I will have won. And for my victory I will receive a crown and all the awards that go along with being a winner.

My motto while I run for Him is. . .GO FOR THE GOLD!

Paul speaks of this very thing. “. . .let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1b NIV

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are

2008-08-01T20:51:00.000-05:00

As a child I loved to play Hide n’ Seek. My grandson to this day still plays the game. I love the hiding part, but wasn’t so keen on the finding. Sometimes, the kids were easy to find, then other times, it would take me forever to locate them.

So many times in our walk with God, we play Hide but not necessarily the Seek part. We hide things in our life even though we are fully aware that God sees and knows all about them. We simply try to forget that He knows.

David became all too conscious that nothing was hidden from God. He speaks about this very thing in Psalm 139:1-16: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.. . .Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? David continues speaking of how God is and sees and know all about him.

Everywhere we go, anything we do, every word we say, all of it is in full view of God. There is nothing hidden. In those private moments, when no one is around, God is there and sees us. Those times when we speak those words best left unspoken, God hears us. Every one of our actions and deeds do not go unnoticed for God is fully aware of what is taking place, because we cannot flee from His presence. He is everywhere. . .all knowing.

We as Christians need to become deeply aware that God’s Spirit dwells within us, and grieves over us when we do those unseemly things—un-Christ-like things. But He also rejoices over us when we walk upright and strive to live our life in a Christ-like manner.

So we need to remember, when we try to hide those deeds that even we know are wrong, it is impossible. God knows, but He still loves us. However, just as with David, the murderer and adulterer, God wants us to step out of hiding, expose our sins, confess them to Him, then walk uprightly before Him.

Father, as we seek Your face, help us to uncover those unhidden sins. Yes, those sins that You saw the moment we did them. We confess them all and lay them at the feet of Your Son Jesus. Remind us over and again how Your Spirit dwells within us, that He will lead and guide us in the path of truth. Father we love you and we pray this in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen

Seeing is believing. . .or is it?

2008-07-15T13:18:00.002-05:00

Have you ever told a friend about something that seemed too good to be true? Or something that was too preposterous to believe and the only way for them to believe would be to see it for their self? However, even after seeing it, they still didn’t believe, but instead thought there was some kind of trick involved. Much like with a magician. A slip of hand.

In John 6:16-36 we have the account of Jesus walking on the water after he fed the 5,000. Then He met the same people that were fed by the little boy’s lunch in Capernaum. These people had seen the miracle of the loaves and fishes, actually took part in the miracle. They heard a rumor Jesus somehow got to the other side of the lake, but didn’t board a boat to get there. They questioned how He got to Capernaum? They asked what they must do to do the works of God. They inquired as to what miraculous sign He would do so they could see and believe.

These people questioning Jesus are the same people that were just fed by a miracle. No doubt many of them had seen miraculous healings that Jesus had done with their own eyes. They had even heard Jesus was the Son of God. Yet they did not believe.

Jesus heard them grumbling, heard their complaints, even heard their discord, but he still had compassion upon them. He said, “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. John 6: 47-48 niv. He offered them life, still they did not believe.

There were many that day returning to their homes still in disbelief in what they saw. Or worst yet, they believed, but turned back to their old ways.

All that is asked of us is to believe without seeing, trust in His abilities, and have faith in the one true and living God. If we believe that God sent His Son Jesus for our sins, that all who believe upon Him shall not perish but have everlasting life, then we too will be saved.

We don’t need to see with our eyes to believe. The words that He has spoken to us are spirit and life. In faith we believe as we place our confidence in Him.

God Moments

2008-07-06T16:42:00.002-05:00

I had the opportunity to attend a small writing conference that offered several mini-workshops. The first day, my friends who were also attending the conference got to the class early. When I arrived, a woman was sitting where I thought I should have been sitting. Though I hate to admit it, I was a little piqued at my friends for not saving me a seat next to them, and a little disturbed at the women sitting in my chair.

After a few minutes of stewing, I told myself, Well ninny, you have an opportunity to meet someone new—go for it.

Not overly anxious to put myself forward because of fear of being rebuffed, I did anyway. I introduced myself. In turn, she did the same. I began making polite conversation with genuine interest. But to my every question or remark she gave a short and to the point answer. My one-way conversation was falling flat and going no where fast. After deciding it wasn’t my breath or smell turning her off, I determined I would continue to be friendly.

After completing a writing exercise, everyone had to read their story. When this woman read her piece, it exposed the reason for our one-way conversation.

From the time she was little, she had a hard time putting thoughts together except on paper, but there she excelled and wrote elegantly. Her learning disability and how she worked to overcome it, was a testimony to her hard work and tenacity. It was also the reason for her short answers to my questions. It wasn’t me or something I said after all. It had everything to do with her inability to articulate her thoughts. I was glad I had continued to be friendly.

Jesus said it so succinctly, If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:47-48 LB

The Bible tells us to put our feelings—our inhibitions—aside, and emulate our Father. We are to be friendly to the friendless. How else are we to reach the lost? So often, that timid person or the person who is a little different than we are is looking for someone to show genuine interest and love and make them feel wanted.
We need to take advantage of those God moments—those appointed meetings. As Christians, we are to reach out to others known and unknown to us. We are to become friendly and show genuine love toward those we meet daily.

Father, when we have the opportunity to be friendly to those we do not know, help us take advantage of those occasions as a God moment for a new friend or witness of your love and compassion. May we look beyond our own familiar group and become available to those in need and alone. Teach us Your ways, Your love, Your kindness towards the lost and lonely. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Saved Alone

2008-06-17T19:28:00.001-05:00

Just about every Christian has heard or even sung the song written first as a poem by Horatio G. Spafford, “It Is Well With My Soul.” That wonderful old hymn came into being due to a tragic loss.

Mr. Spafford received a telegram from his bereaved wife about the lost of their four young daughters at sea due to shipwreck. Her message said, Saved alone.

On his way over to England to be with his wife, as the vessel passed over where the ship went down, it is said that Mr. Spafford penned the verses to the all too familiar song. The first verse says:

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.

How can someone in such tragedy and utter sorrow, say it is well with my soul? Dr. Spafford knew where the foundation of his faith came from. Even though his loss was profound, and his grief deep, he knew God, his Father.

I can’t help but believe that this man of God in the face of the unthinkable, was encouraged by the Word of God. The Word his life was based on. The Word he taught his children to believe in. The Word he now had to stand upon and declare.

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. . .Blessed is he whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever. Ps. 1461-2 & 5-6 niv.

God hasn’t promised that when we become a child of His everything will be good and wonderful. No, we are human, made of flesh and blood, and because of the sins of Adam and Eve, we are susceptible to the tragedies of this world. But when those tragedies do come, we don’t have to allow them to affect and rule our life or even steal our joy. We have a peace that passes all understanding. We have a heavenly Father that is touched by our infirmities. We have a Savior that will bear our burdens. If we trust in God our Father, when tragedy comes into our life, then we too can say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

"Who Touched Me?"

2008-05-30T21:00:00.003-05:00

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:24-34; Luke 8:40-48

And Jesus said, “Who touched me? . . .” Luke 8:45a

A simple question, or was it?

With the people that were crowded around him, touching and possibly reaching for Him, how could He know? But, the moment the woman, with the issue of blood for twelve years, stretched out her hand and touched His hem she was made whole and He said, “. . . the power has gone out from me.” Luke 8:46b(niv)

Everyday we need to touch Him. We may not have a great need, as this woman did, but in this world that is begging for our attention and our affections, we need daily contact with Christ. We need His power to sustain us through times of testing, trials, and daily living. There is no other power that can banish the effects of this world like the power of Jesus Christ.

Whether Jesus is your only hope for your needs today or you just want His touch in your life, you can reach out and touch Him through your prayers of belief, through the Word of God, and through your praise. Just as the women with the issue of blood had faith to reach out, we need faith to reach out and touch Him and expect results.

Lord, help us today to know that You care and are concerned about us and want the very best for our lives. When we have a need of healing in our spirit, mind or body, please help us to have the faith to reach out and touch the hem of Your garment. We pray this in the wonderful name Jesus. Amen.

A Way of Escape

2008-05-12T20:32:00.002-05:00

A Way of Escape

A few years back I worked as the personal assistant to the Vice President, Chief Counsel of a corporation and for his Associate Counsel. I loved my job. About six months after I was hired, the associate quit and a new man was hired for his position. I had expectations that everything would run smoothly and operate in the same manner.

Boy, was I ever wrong! My job went from wonderful, to terrible, then down hill from there.

Financially we couldn’t afford for me to quit. I complained and complained to my husband until one day I’d had enough. It was either quit a company and boss I loved to work for and hope and pray that I would find another one, or stay on my job. Staying on my job meant that I would have to put up with the constant nightmares I faced with this individual.

Yes, I talked to God about this person, his treatment of me, and how terrible he was. But there were no changes.

At the end of my rope, and ready to turn in my resignation, the verse in Matthew 5:44b “love your enemies and pray for those that despitefully use you” hit me square in the face.

I asked God, “What are You trying to tell me?” His answer struck a chord in my heart and mind. He didn't speak in an audible voice, but it was close enough. I knew in my heart what I was supposed to do. It was something I thought I was already doing, but on closer inspection, realized I hadn’t been doing it all.

“Pray for him, Janice, but also pray for your attitude to change towards him—then wait see what happens.”

Let me tell you, it wasn’t an easy prayer to pray. However, from that day forward, in my prayer time or when I couldn’t handle anymore verbal abuse from this individual, I prayed.

“God I don’t know what he’s been through or is going through right now, but help me to treat him decently, fairly, and help my attitude to change toward him”

Guess what? . . . it worked! My attitude changed.

David prayed, “May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer! Psalm 19:14

I believe if our thoughts and words, and I’ll go a step farther, our actions also, are acceptable to God, He will be our refuge and redeem from those that would seek to do us harm. In other words, that guy on my joy making me miserable.

I’d like to report God changed him or moved him out of my life instantly, but it didn’t happen. My work was the same; his complaints were probably the same, I don’t remember. However, each day as I prayed, though God didn’t change him, He did change me.

I began to notice I wasn’t complaining anymore. I started loving my job once again. The man that could barely say a civil word to me, began to smile at me, and did less complaining about my work. Each day got better. The working atmosphere changed. The day-to-day situation was no longer a drudgery.

About a year later, this individual took a new position with another firm. However, it wasn’t important to me any longer for him to leave.

You may be going through circumstances beyond your control, but God is able to make a way of escape for you. He is aware of the situation you are in at this very moment. He is able to help in your time of need. As with me, it may not come in the form you expect, but if you ask for His help He will give it to you.

Lord Jesus, You see us today, where we are, and the difficulties we are facing or about to enter. We thank You that You are concerned and ever mindful of our needs before we even ask. We pray that You will help us to have a right attitude and spirit in dealing with our circumstances. When difficult times and situations arise, please lead and guide us in the path and manner we should go. We pray these things in Your wonderful name. Amen

When Life Throws A Curve

2008-04-28T15:54:00.009-05:00

There are many times when life throws us a curve. How we react during these curve ball moments directly relates to where we have placed our trust, where our confidence lies.

I encountered one of those curve ball moments not too long ago. What I thought would be a simple procedure with my husband Harry, in one day and out the next, turned out to be a whole week ordeal, open-heart surgery included, with over a three-month recovery period to follow and a year to full recovery.

Around midnight Monday evening, waiting for someone to tell us the prognosis of Harry’s operation, many thoughts rambled through my mind. The very first thought that gripped my heart and I held on to—God is able and more than willing to heal and do what is best in Harry’s life.

Without a doubt, I knew and still know that God is a healer. There have been many instances that God has shown His miraculous healing power within me, our children, and Harry. Throughout the many years of serving God, I have seen Him performed miracles of healing for other individuals also. However, during this time God was showing us another manifestation of His miracle working power through the surgeon’s hands.

During the interminable suspension of time, as my children and I sat in the darkly lit waiting room, the enemy came and began to shout his words of hopelessness and doubt within my spirit. I immediately rebuked his words of doom. I took hold of the God’s promise.

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. . . and saved him (me) out of all his (my) troubles. ” Psalm 34:4 & 6

Three hours of waiting was difficult while Harry’s future hung in the balance. However, a peace surrounded my soul as to the outcome. It wasn’t that I knew for certain he would come through the operation unscathed, but I knew whatever the outcome, it was in God’s hands. I had peace. I also knew that if Harry died, I had the hope of seeing him again one day. It wasn’t the final chapter.

Tuesday morning around 1:15 a.m. the OR nurse entered the waiting room. Harry’s operation was over and had been completed without a hitch. He was in recovery, and the prognosis was great. The first words out of my mouth—“Praise God.”

Why? Because I knew Whom I had my faith grounded in. God is able and more than willing to keep that which I have committed into His hands.

Harry has recovered quiet nicely, quicker than everyone expected. It will take him some time to be back to normal. But what I hold on to confidently is the truth of God's Word—God is in full control of our lives.

We may be thrown a curve from time-to-time, but God will straightened the path.

We, as Christians, need to realize God is in complete control of every aspect of our life. Regardless what curve is thrown at us, we can have faith in God. He is able and willing to do what is best for us as He holds us in the palm of His hand.

Father, I praise You for Your saving, healing power. You are more than capable of keeping us safe as we trust in You. For those of us that are going through difficult and trying times, reveal Yourself to us and help us realize You are in total control. Be with each of us in the coming months and teach us look to You as our help. We pray this in the wonderful name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.

Daddy, Daddy, Pease. . .

2008-04-14T12:15:00.013-05:00

One Saturday afternoon I needed to run some errands. Harry chose to stay at home and watch our two-year old daughter Carolyn. At the same time, he was studying for his sermon he would be preaching the next day.

Carolyn was aware that we had chocolate ice cream, her favorite, in the freezer and she wanted some. She walked into the room where Harry sat at his desk, went straight up to him, and said, “Daddy, I want sclockit ice ceem. Pease.”

At first, Harry ignored her. But Carolyn wasn’t about to be discouraged. She knew it was only a matter of time if she were persistent. She began pulling on his shirtsleeve repeating, “Daddy, I want sclockit ice ceem. Daddy, Daddy I. . .”

Harry continued to ignore her just to see how relentless she would become. He didn’t move, arms resting on the desk, his head bent as though he were reading his Bible. However, the whole time his attention was completely on Carolyn.

Carolyn wasn’t about to be deterred from her goal and give up. She had a desire, a hunger for sclockit ice ceem. She went another step further. She put her little head up through his arms, climbed up his legs, wiggling her little body into position, then planted her little posterior on the Bible he was reading. She took both of her hands, grabbed his cheeks, pulling his face up to meet hers, then repeated, “Daddy, I—want—sclockit—ice—ceem. Peeeassse.”

Needless-to-say, Harry got Carolyn the chocolate ice cream she worked so hard for and believed she would receive with her persistence. Why was she persistent? Because she was asking her daddy and Carolyn knew her daddy loved her and wanted to give her the very best of everything, even at the tender age of two.

As Christians, when we come to God, many times we don’t expect Him to hear or even give us His attention. We believe His focus is elsewhere. Our problem is insignificant and not worthy of God’s notice, time, or trouble. We act like orphans.

Our heavenly Father wants us to have faith, just like Carolyn. We need to believe and not waver. Ask and not doubt. Makes our request known and expect it to happen because we are His children.

If we are persistent with God in the same manner a child is with their parent, we will begin to see wonderful miracles take place in our life. Those mountains of impossibilities will be lowered and become realities. The valleys of despair raised to pathways of hope. But, all too often we fall short of our goal because we see God as unapproachable. We lack the persistence to pursue God for our needs and desires.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16NIV

We need to know that God is aware and concerned for our needs. He hears us when we call. He is willing and anxious to move on our behalf when we learn to come boldly to His throne with our desires. He wants us to be persistent, just like our daughter Carolyn asking, “Daddy, daddy, pease.”

Father, once again, we come to You boldly in faith that You will hear and answer our call. You are concerned for us. There is no problem, situation, or trouble too big or small that You will not take care of when we come to You asking in faith. Lord, allow Your Holy Spirit to rest upon our lives. Help us to rely on your strength and grace in the time of our needs. We pray this in Your son’s wonderful name, Jesus. Amen.

God's Gifts

2008-03-10T09:34:00.002-05:00

As parents, Harry and I provided for the needs of our children as they grew up in our home and while they obtained their degree from the University. We supplied them with the necessities of life: food, clothing, shelter, and more. But we went beyond the essentials and gave them other things they asked for or we knew they desired.

We took pleasure in seeing to not only our children’s needs, but their wishes also. If our daughter or son asked for something within reason, wasn’t harmful, was in their best interest, and if we had the money to spare, then most of the time we would tried to provide what they wanted.

Our relationship with our children is much like what Jesus taught his disciples and the crowds of people that followed him.

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. . . . If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matt. 7:8 & 11 niv

Our son Harry Lynn, told us many years after the fact, that there were several times that he wouldn’t ask for what he really and truly wanted because he thought we couldn’t afford it.

We told him, “Son, if you would have only asked, we would have found a way to get what you wanted.”

All too often, as Christians, we are just like Harry Lynn. When we come to God for our needs, wants, and desires, we fall short in asking and believing that God will supply these needs. We believe He doesn’t care about our puny wants or desires. Oh, we know God can afford it, but is He really concerned with what we want? In our minds, on the scale of 1 to 10, we rate somewhere close to the bottom—we’re too insignificant. We are afraid to approach God. Surely, if we ask, He’ll just slap us down and tell us NO!

This is just what Satan would like for you and I to believe. Then we too, just like Harry Lynn, will not get what we truly desire from God. But the scriptures tells us otherwise.

God knew us before we were formed. The hairs of our head are numbered. He even knows the length of our days. The plans He has for us are already set, and yet, we have not because we don’t ask. God’s word tells us to come boldly before the throne and ask of our heavenly Father, and He will meet our needs.

When there is something that you truly desire from God, all you have to do is come in faith, believing that God will and you will see result. However, most times, we give up just seconds before God is ready to open the heavens and pour out that blessing we’ve been praying about. We need to remember it is much like the old spiritual, “He may not come when you call Him, but He’s always on time.”

Now go forth today in faith and believe that He is and He will!

Father, help us to remember You are mindful of us, where we live, who we are, and what we have need of. You do and will supply our needs if we ask. Help us to remember to seek Your face for needs and desires to be met by You, and learn to rely upon You and Your word as our source. As we go about our daily lives help us to look to you for your guidance and to realize you are the source of our strength. This we pray in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen.

Scattered Pieces

2008-03-06T18:54:00.005-06:00

My grandson Collin and I had Lego pieces strewn all over my coffee table. With the instructions open, Collin proceeded to build a spaceship, constantly scanning the pages as he put the pieces together. My job was to divide the gazillion parts in the various colors, shapes, and sizes, as he built the ship.

All during the process, his little eyes scanned the many pieces before him. Little fingers would snap up parts then position them in the right place, always referring to the manual for the next step. From time to time, he would hold up a piece for my inspection and say, “Grandma, I need another piece just like this. Do you have one.” Together we would diligently search through the sorted and unsorted pieces until we found the exact shape, color and size. Then Collin would resume building the spacecraft.

When Collin had finished the project, he was proud of his accomplishment. He stood, took several laps around the inside of our home, all the time, his mind and ship in space. Collin demonstrated the ships finer qualities and sleek design to his Grandpa and I, and of course, we ooohed and ahhhed.

Just like the Legos, when we come to God, we need to pour the many complex pieces of our fracture life out upon the table of heaven. God, the Master Builder, has a plan. He has an intent, a purpose, a design for the pieces of our lives. He takes the gazillion, fractured pieces and forms them into something beautiful and useful for His glory. After He is through with us, the angels rejoice over His creation. In other words, they oooh and ahhh over the beauty of what we have become.

All too often, we fail to realize our worth and cut short the potential of all that God has set out for our lives. He has the plan, he sees the pieces, and when His work is complete in us, we are whole. All we need do is come willingly and lay bare the scattered pieces of our lives. When we do, the Master Builder will shape and form us into his image.

". . .He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives. . ." Isaiah 61:1b

"Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8

Father, help us to spread the fractured pieces of our lives before you so that You can bind them together again. Remind us that we are in Your capable hands and You will form us into something useful and beautiful. Help us to realize You are in complete control, and are the Maker of all good things. This I pray in Your Son’s wonderful name, Jesus. Amen