tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88648171106933995172024-03-04T22:32:50.873-07:00Prayer Matters"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live" (Psalm 116.1-2).Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-45055673307809660712016-02-11T22:36:00.001-07:002016-02-11T22:36:51.815-07:00Prayer Matters! (Relaunching an old blog.)<em style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;</span></em><br />
<em style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He heard my cry for mercy.</span></em><br />
<em style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Because He turned His ear to me,</span></em><br />
<em style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I will call on Him as long as I live.</span></em><br />
<span style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;">Psalm 116.1-2</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;" />
<span style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;">Enough said. There is no need for commentary.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;" />
<span style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;">This blog is devoted to prayer. Each day, I will post a prayer (either from the pen of contributors, or from my own hand). You are invented to add your comments and questions, and your prayers, prayer requests, needs, celebrations, and remembrances.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;" />
<span style="background-color: #446666; color: #cceedd; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; line-height: 18.915px;">All who visit Prayer Matters are asked to "join together" in the prayers presented on this blog.</span>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-57449652028145824002013-11-04T21:48:00.001-07:002013-11-04T21:48:24.984-07:00Prayer Matters! (Re-launching an OLD blog)<em><span style="font-size: large;">I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">He heard my cry for mercy.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Because He turned His ear to me,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">I will call on Him as long as I live.</span></em><br />
Psalm 116.1-2<br />
<br />
Enough said. There is no need for commentary.<br />
<br />
This blog is devoted to prayer. Each day, I will post a prayer (either from the pen of contributors, or from my own hand). You are invented to add your comments and questions, and your prayers, prayer requests, needs, celebrations, and remembrances.<br />
<br />
All who visit Prayer Matters are asked to "join together" in the prayers presented on this blog.Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-31065158855262207552011-10-10T14:01:00.000-06:002011-10-10T14:01:29.784-06:00Father, Give Me a Good Kick!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhIk8WEOKj8V39xKTaa1U3kbylnGqR6OeVghUZC5WqewP5kiMghceBNStOOyKkK29RoHkS2j94-hgGVmkpuYxpIEYdMf9MNQLyX_wCCkic7fiZykdlcyZTIOpiQWT03Z5u_jlVl03SmU0/s1600/Full+Moon+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhIk8WEOKj8V39xKTaa1U3kbylnGqR6OeVghUZC5WqewP5kiMghceBNStOOyKkK29RoHkS2j94-hgGVmkpuYxpIEYdMf9MNQLyX_wCCkic7fiZykdlcyZTIOpiQWT03Z5u_jlVl03SmU0/s1600/Full+Moon+1.jpg" /></a></div>
Father, in the abundance of your blessings, you give me opportunity. Opportunity to serve, to love, to share, to give, opportunities to bless others. But, so much of the time, my fervor to serve, to love, to share, to give, and to bless wanes. I am so preoccupied with my own concerns, needs, activities, and ambitions. With the opportunities you give me, grant to me also a willing heart, motivation, give me a good kick and move me out of my comfort (or my rut) so that I may be about your business, your concerns, to share the blessing of your love with others.Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-46300121106194284972011-09-20T15:49:00.000-06:002011-09-20T15:49:04.059-06:00Teach Me Lord To Wait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqqd1yoYPPE0JLX1cHxooE87Wacxbw63_JuvnG_2Y7zsV6zrWlT8O71w0_ARelxof1KRIixMbqs-xwvXHl9kQkZoe2h3AxQwCk6x6_39-GIh6Bqbtxn7dTYm9OjF_wRemh_nDmqq3-3Ih/s1600/1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqqd1yoYPPE0JLX1cHxooE87Wacxbw63_JuvnG_2Y7zsV6zrWlT8O71w0_ARelxof1KRIixMbqs-xwvXHl9kQkZoe2h3AxQwCk6x6_39-GIh6Bqbtxn7dTYm9OjF_wRemh_nDmqq3-3Ih/s320/1797.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Teach Me Lord To Wait," by Stuart Hamblen, (c) 1953, ren. 1981 Hamblen Music Co. Inspired by the words of Isaiah 40.30-31.</span><br />
<br />
<em><strong>Teach me Lord, to wait</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Down on my knees</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Till in Your own good time</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>You answer my pleas</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Teach me not to rely</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>On what others do</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>But to wait in prayer</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>For an answer from You</strong></em><br />
<br />
<em><strong>They who wait upon the Lord</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Shall renew their strength</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>They shall mount up with wings like eagles</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>They shall run and not grow weary</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>They shall walk and not faint</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Teach me Lord</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Teach me Lord, to wait</strong></em><br />
<br />
<em><strong>Teach me Lord, to wait</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>While hearts are aflame</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Let me humble my pride</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>And call on Your name</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Keep my faith renewed</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>My eyes on Thee</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>Let me be on this earth</strong></em><br />
<em><strong>What You want me to be</strong></em><br />
<br />
<em><strong>They who wait upon the Lord</strong></em><br />
<strong>Shall renew their strength</strong><br />
<strong>They shall mount up with wings like eagles</strong><br />
<strong>They shall run and not grow weary</strong><br />
<strong>They shall walk and not faint</strong><br />
<strong>Teach me Lord</strong><br />
<strong>Teach me Lord, to wait</strong>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-62264843604991430492011-09-15T16:31:00.004-06:002011-09-15T16:43:11.867-06:00For You Will Answer Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpw87y1FEO6lrSO-ND9YUNxylgpLO9ULrr0Pj7iwpcYbLa09jfC-9oVO4UY6rSX-lIHSMBYsTUSZ1dBa-MdNviWQqCRdsQm7Ox7JxZA3mXiyd4kVV_ONpfsodXEwCWpIm_uNegPSiGtE9/s1600/1391.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652720543874798658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpw87y1FEO6lrSO-ND9YUNxylgpLO9ULrr0Pj7iwpcYbLa09jfC-9oVO4UY6rSX-lIHSMBYsTUSZ1dBa-MdNviWQqCRdsQm7Ox7JxZA3mXiyd4kVV_ONpfsodXEwCWpIm_uNegPSiGtE9/s400/1391.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Psalm 86</strong></span><br /><br /><em>Hear, O Lord, and answer me,</em><br /><em>for I am poor and needy.</em><br /><em>Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.</em><br /><em>You are my God; save your servant</em><br /><em>who trusts in you.</em><br /><em>Have mercy on me, O Lord,</em><br /><em>for I call to you all day long.</em><br /><em>Bring joy to your servant,</em><br /><em>for to you, O Lord,</em><br /><em>I lift up my soul.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>You are forgiving and good, O Lord,</em><br /><em>abounding in love to all who call to you.</em><br /><em>Hear my prayer, O Lord;</em><br /><em>listen to my cry for mercy.</em><br /><em>In the day of trouble I will call to you,</em><br /><em>for you will answer me.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;</em><br /><em>no deeds can compare with yours.</em><br /><em>All the nations you have made</em><br /><em>will come and worship before you, O Lord;</em><br /><em>they will bring glory to your name.</em><br /><em>For you are great and do marvelous deeds;</em><br /><em>you alone are God.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Teach me your way, O Lord,</em><br /><em>and I will walk in your truth;</em><br /><em>give me an undivided heart,</em><br /><em>that I may fear your name.</em><br /><em>I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;</em><br /><em>I will glorify your name forever.</em><br /><em>For great is your love toward me;</em><br /><em>you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>The arrogant are attacking me, O God;</em><br /><em>a band of ruthless men seeks my life--</em><br /><em>men without regard for you.</em><br /><em>But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,</em><br /><em>slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.</em><br /><em>Turn to me and have mercy on me;</em><br /><em>grant your strength to your servant</em><br /><em>and save the son of your maidservant.</em><br /><em>Give me a sign of your goodness,</em><br /><em>tht my enemies may see it and be put to shame,</em><br /><em>for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.</em>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-75407865228797415152011-09-06T17:54:00.002-06:002011-09-06T17:58:11.336-06:00Pray for Rain!!!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJxoyxySJO17oAau0kr-j42YhROVG7Tx0q_BFXOrYma6WzJHaRR3Dv5YpU16VIrET6eGsI7UnWjxGVPQTC8_-86AHLdnfb9k6Y8nKZkQrgPBaDp2c3CuNVySWQ6HgpV4rpwDOUgzaJM9F/s1600/Wildfire+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649399960093638322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJxoyxySJO17oAau0kr-j42YhROVG7Tx0q_BFXOrYma6WzJHaRR3Dv5YpU16VIrET6eGsI7UnWjxGVPQTC8_-86AHLdnfb9k6Y8nKZkQrgPBaDp2c3CuNVySWQ6HgpV4rpwDOUgzaJM9F/s400/Wildfire+1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div align="center"><em>A photo certainly worth a 1,000 words . . . and some tears!</em></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Photo of wildfire burning near Bastrop, Texas)</span></div><br /><em>Please pray for rain to come to Texas and drench these awful fires.</em><br /><em>Our God is much greater than any wildfire.</em><br /></div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-79211366214470191552011-09-05T15:17:00.004-06:002011-09-05T15:25:47.068-06:00Thank You For Our Labor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVIxQew3TxRaloMXapETpSMxE2CqaZ2Df9oYoWA-v9ESLc8OmJxfQThz6dKhLFBINOxkblwrmYBDgYAzxTalcFXQmiw8Gjl-5P7nUqIUOYZjj8AexB10IhCXb_I4uD0T079ggMxU8uvXP/s1600/Wild+Flowers+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648989831050787810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVIxQew3TxRaloMXapETpSMxE2CqaZ2Df9oYoWA-v9ESLc8OmJxfQThz6dKhLFBINOxkblwrmYBDgYAzxTalcFXQmiw8Gjl-5P7nUqIUOYZjj8AexB10IhCXb_I4uD0T079ggMxU8uvXP/s400/Wild+Flowers+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Father, thank you for the work you give my hands to do.<br />You have made me to be productive:<br />To create just as you do;<br />To sustain;<br />To aide and to help;<br />To bless others who are in need;<br />To lead and direct;<br />To teach;<br />To heal and to soothe;<br />To plan and to build;<br />To grow;<br />To mentor and inspire;<br />To entertain;<br />To learn and discover;<br />To recover and rebuild;<br />To counsel;<br />To protect and defend.<br />You did not create us to sit and be still,<br />for you gave us two arms and two legs,<br />hands that grip and feet that move,<br />and a mind that initiates and executes.<br />Thank you for our labor.<br />May we ever use our work as praise to You.</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-30042175709254085452011-09-02T17:07:00.004-06:002011-09-02T17:17:48.968-06:00Forgive Me For My Absence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9kjwp9SXkpQRVffpECc8sbuIg34gRUfyteF05fLLAzxvmHYJRofD72LMfXQljoCzkvoWunfbaZEb6Pt_EgaIFSZm44XL4SJt9cfqgjEpzu0eqnpxGp8jMmn8_YFvHzGSDSmBpLuI9-AR/s1600/Apollo+Sunrise.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647905447352260914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9kjwp9SXkpQRVffpECc8sbuIg34gRUfyteF05fLLAzxvmHYJRofD72LMfXQljoCzkvoWunfbaZEb6Pt_EgaIFSZm44XL4SJt9cfqgjEpzu0eqnpxGp8jMmn8_YFvHzGSDSmBpLuI9-AR/s400/Apollo+Sunrise.gif" /></a>
<br />
<br /><div>O Lord my God
<br />To you I lift my praise
<br />You remind me daily of your love
<br />And I don't have to look far to see your presence
<br />
<br />But, forgive me for my absence
<br />In my busyness I shove you out of the way
<br />In my selfishness I give you no time
<br />But my neglect only brings worry
<br />Anxieties and stress
<br />I can't do it on my own
<br />That becomes clearer each day
<br />
<br />So thank you for staying with me
<br />For your long-suffering patience
<br />For your love that knows no end
<br />
<br />May I learn to pray to you daily
<br />Not merely in those moments of despair
<br />But also in gladness and smooth sailing seas </div>
<br />Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-1467607341280087592010-03-21T15:24:00.004-06:002010-03-21T15:30:24.237-06:00Out of the Depths<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqqpQxmt5Dj3wIWfD-k7KYcVB4uLTTckNaPb5nhxr-pBH0ia11E3uLtYVaUJskhjzurPjJxlpAnsYOezDOLKZb_i903Sgoi1qfXSIO_Yj64SeyEugek7KPBcsqu7SCW1kryujyZmTpewb/s1600-h/New+Zealand+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451202541862257554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqqpQxmt5Dj3wIWfD-k7KYcVB4uLTTckNaPb5nhxr-pBH0ia11E3uLtYVaUJskhjzurPjJxlpAnsYOezDOLKZb_i903Sgoi1qfXSIO_Yj64SeyEugek7KPBcsqu7SCW1kryujyZmTpewb/s400/New+Zealand+3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;</em><br /><em>O Lord, hear my voice.</em><br /><em>Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,</em><br /><em>O Lord, who could stand?</em><br /><em>But with you there is forgiveness;</em><br /><em>therefore you are feared.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,</em><br /><em>and in His word I put my hope.</em><br /><em>My soul waits for the Lord</em><br /><em>more than watchmen wait for the morning,</em><br /><em>more than watchmen wait for the morning.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>O [man], put your hope in the Lord,</em><br /><em>for with the Lord is unfailing love</em><br /><em>and with Him is full redemption.</em><br /><em>He himself will redeem Israel</em><br /><em>from all their sins.</em><br /><br /><strong>Psalm 130</strong></div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-70132775740873835592010-03-20T12:36:00.001-06:002010-03-20T12:38:32.101-06:00My Whole Being, Praise the Lord<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96Sz1iE90E90SSEmBGDfVeyAus3vGJ6_K-6CCO8D7OEYyq2W9oPdGX9om5eJSR-6kG98Tu4dbWic6YL-5p3oKV-wSnxibeGTwsF3rSLLVf8dgNr8KqZNduNwVEFMWp7R3yZdX9Bppmyev/s1600-h/Oran+Mts,+NM.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450787248087858130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96Sz1iE90E90SSEmBGDfVeyAus3vGJ6_K-6CCO8D7OEYyq2W9oPdGX9om5eJSR-6kG98Tu4dbWic6YL-5p3oKV-wSnxibeGTwsF3rSLLVf8dgNr8KqZNduNwVEFMWp7R3yZdX9Bppmyev/s400/Oran+Mts,+NM.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The prayer of Psalm 146:<br /><br /><em>My whole being, praise the Lord.<br />I will praise the Lord all my life;<br />I will sing praisies to my God as long as I live.<br /><br />Do not put your trust in princes<br />or other people, who cannot save you.<br />When people die, they are buried.<br />Then all of their plans come to an end.<br />Happy are those who are helped by the God of Jacob.<br />Their hope is in the Lord their God.<br />He made heaven and earth,<br />the sea and everything in it.<br />He remains loyal forever.<br />He does what is fair for those who have been wronged.<br />He gives food to the hungry.<br />The Lord sets the prisoners free.<br />The Lord gives sight to the blind.<br />The Lord lifts up people who are in trouble.<br />The Lord loves those who do right.<br />The Lord protects the foreigners.<br />He defends the orphans and widows,<br />but he blocks the way of the wicked.<br /><br />The Lord will be King forever.<br />Jerusalem, your God is everlasting.<br /><br />Praise the Lord!</em></div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-57168929896199879612010-03-18T21:35:00.004-06:002010-03-18T21:46:04.539-06:00The One Who Hears Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rwTrIxiNPrf2rerny8tsEvRpNR6U74ctGZNmFMU1yGWEZ6WCXGdDHzC0BHQ6-Dmfvt0nkQgf-CjkCn-MTZwEhaOYi4FwYD9OUy3Ipr9viutN4Mg27dl7_uJmTYteXqfJ-FzluPwV7keI/s1600-h/Pink+Rose+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450186171531308034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rwTrIxiNPrf2rerny8tsEvRpNR6U74ctGZNmFMU1yGWEZ6WCXGdDHzC0BHQ6-Dmfvt0nkQgf-CjkCn-MTZwEhaOYi4FwYD9OUy3Ipr9viutN4Mg27dl7_uJmTYteXqfJ-FzluPwV7keI/s400/Pink+Rose+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>Praise is rightfully Yours, God, in Zion;</em><br /><em>vows to You will be fulfilled.</em><br /><em>All humanity will come to You,</em><br /><em>the One who hears prayer.</em><br /><em>Iniquities overwhelm me;</em><br /><em>only You can atone for our rebellions.</em><br /><em>How happy is the one You choose</em><br /><em>and bring near to live in Your courts!</em><br /><em>We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,</em><br /><em>the holiness of Your temple.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>You answer us in righteousness,</em><br /><em>with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation,</em><br /><em>the hope of all the ends of the earth</em><br /><em>and of the distant seas;</em><br /><em>You establish the mountains by Your power,</em><br /><em>robed with strength;</em><br /><em>You silence the roar of the seas,</em><br /><em>the roar of their waves,</em><br /><em>and the tumult of the nations.</em><br /><em>Those who live far away are awed by Your signs;</em><br /><em>You make the east and west shout for joy.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>You visit the earth and water it abundantly,</em><br /><em>enriching it greatly.</em><br /><em>God's stream is filled with water,</em><br /><em>for You prepare the earth in this way,</em><br /><em>providing people with grain.</em><br /><em>You soften it with showers and bless its growth,</em><br /><em>soaking its furrows and leveling its ridges.</em><br /><em>You crown the year with Your goodness;</em><br /><em>Your ways overflow with plenty.</em><br /><em>The wilderness pastures overflow,</em><br /><em>and the hills are robed with joy.</em><br /><em>The pastures are clothed with flocks,</em><br /><em>and the valleys covered with grain.</em><br /><em>They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.</em><br /><em></em><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">The prayer of <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Psalm 65</span></strong> (HCSB)</span></div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-1722438667015240102010-03-16T14:11:00.003-06:002010-03-16T14:16:55.143-06:00A Night Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxl6W7O8gY7es10YF2YYCA1r9yu4MU6lp4ecs9Tn2vO4Qosbi1KNGR69hWRF5KPOqNoNxwDRU_nqQOHBtvWzwvLpsiyUnhOc-sA8SbmF-U9t9mcntFiBq28VAZeaG8mhdtlLPXoix39Od/s1600-h/Sunset+over+Sleeping+Ute.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449328247651491538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxl6W7O8gY7es10YF2YYCA1r9yu4MU6lp4ecs9Tn2vO4Qosbi1KNGR69hWRF5KPOqNoNxwDRU_nqQOHBtvWzwvLpsiyUnhOc-sA8SbmF-U9t9mcntFiBq28VAZeaG8mhdtlLPXoix39Od/s400/Sunset+over+Sleeping+Ute.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Answer me when I call,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">God, who vindicates me.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">You freed me from affliction;</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">be gracious to me and hear my prayer.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">How long, exalted men,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">will my honor be insulted?</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">How long will you love</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">what is worthless</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">and pursue a lie?</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Know that the Lord has set apart</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">the faithful for Himself;</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">the Lord will hear when i call to Him.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">be angry and do not sin;</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">on your bed, reflect</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">in your heart and be still.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Offer sacrifices</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">in righteousness</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">and trust in the Lord.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Many are saying</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">'Who can show us</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">anything good?"</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Look on us with favor, Lord.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">You have put more joy</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">in my heart</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">than they have when their grain</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">and new wine abound.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">I will both lie down and sleep</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">in peace,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">for You alone, Lord, make me</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">live in safety</span>.</em><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Psalm 4</span></strong> (Holman Christian Standard Bible)</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-84095151538425919132010-03-05T14:40:00.004-07:002010-03-05T14:43:09.835-07:00The Meaning of Worship<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryrPWKNx1mamRUN9G6IC7jZgJPDb0P0E0NY6MaD6fvPrtvopfHt8TlaMfJQvqYO4Il28h0UB_gBzp_m_JoqqY7dC0Cio61NnKr-u6vU2SsnZPFzsCeFySGiwMbf5aqCZ6cFZY6VDCf74R/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445268547821979570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryrPWKNx1mamRUN9G6IC7jZgJPDb0P0E0NY6MaD6fvPrtvopfHt8TlaMfJQvqYO4Il28h0UB_gBzp_m_JoqqY7dC0Cio61NnKr-u6vU2SsnZPFzsCeFySGiwMbf5aqCZ6cFZY6VDCf74R/s400/006.JPG" /></a><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To worship is:</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To quicken the conscience by the holiness of God.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To feed the mind with the truth of God.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To purge the imagination with the beauty of God.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To open the heart to the love of God.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To devote the will to the purpose of God.</span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">by William Temple</span></div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-69885258248492912012010-02-28T14:47:00.003-07:002010-02-28T14:55:55.222-07:00The Power of the Bended Knee<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRq19HWf8f4qwUWHy-2eNgBg9lokmgskpyA9kS8jponCZkBEOqyT2S8DZMyr_n9fLVz9YpW8GoMTO0YA9zlYRO4R2AUi6OFoxljiL00mWvVmCGDiJ19BQjue5RBqZmIgR3qiI6aIVO9dQy/s1600-h/Hermit's+Peak.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443416417628498770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRq19HWf8f4qwUWHy-2eNgBg9lokmgskpyA9kS8jponCZkBEOqyT2S8DZMyr_n9fLVz9YpW8GoMTO0YA9zlYRO4R2AUi6OFoxljiL00mWvVmCGDiJ19BQjue5RBqZmIgR3qiI6aIVO9dQy/s400/Hermit's+Peak.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Birds go to sleep on their perches, but they never fall off. This is because of the tendons in the bird's legs. They are so constructed that when the leg is bent at the knee, the claws contract and grip like a steel trap. The claws refuse to let go until the knees are unbent again. The bended knee gives the bird the ability to hold on to his perch so tightly.<br /><br />Isn't this also the secret of the holding power of the Christian? Daniel found this to be true. Surrounded by a pagan environment, tempted to compromise with evil, urged to weaken his grip on God, he refused to let go. He held firm when others faltered because he was a man of prayer. He knew the power of the bended knee.<br /><br />From sleeping birds we can learn the secret of holding things which are most precious to us--honesty, purity, thoughtfulness, honor, character. That secret is in the knee bent in prayer, seeking to get a firmer grip on those values which make life worth living. When we hold firmly to God in prayer, we can rest assured he will hold tightly to us.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">--Rollin S. Burhans</span></div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-84681781709756650122010-02-27T12:16:00.003-07:002010-02-27T12:27:56.424-07:00Thoughts on Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6OOjd_eRzVWSntUpanxWv9PkC8Qs1Ioz5uesCt7oGIyTrFENpHFziU6WY5MpIEaOHVlwKp69jB1oKaggM-2FDLBz3lseKri9TQ_rbuQRbvhRBK0lfhyphenhyphenMbwou0X9S30HJ9_g5JXOfkUHI/s1600-h/Navajo+Falls+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443007187272046370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6OOjd_eRzVWSntUpanxWv9PkC8Qs1Ioz5uesCt7oGIyTrFENpHFziU6WY5MpIEaOHVlwKp69jB1oKaggM-2FDLBz3lseKri9TQ_rbuQRbvhRBK0lfhyphenhyphenMbwou0X9S30HJ9_g5JXOfkUHI/s400/Navajo+Falls+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>They never sought in vain that sought the Lord aright!</em> (Drummond Burns, b. 1823)<br /><br /><br /><em>Between the humble and contrite heart and the majesty of heaven there are no barriers; the only password is prayer.</em> (Hosea Ballou, b. 1771)<br /><br /><br /><em>Prayer is the voice of faith.</em> (Richard Horne, b. 1803)<br /><br /><br /><em>You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.</em> (Kahlil Gibran, b. 1884)<br /><br /><br /><em>O God, if in the day of battle I forget Thee, do not Thou forget me.</em> (William King, b. 1663)<br /><br /><br /><em>God warms his hands at man's heart when he prays.</em> (John Masefield, b. 1878)<br /><br /><br /><em>Pray as if everything depended upon God, and work as if everything depended upon man.</em> (Francis J. Spellman, b. 1889)</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-79219569388940334842010-02-26T09:51:00.004-07:002010-02-26T09:55:19.460-07:00Higher Thoughts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XDXgEcAsIfvlQcuaQ2NUHcnL1hIGvdXpCdnft6yF_UVgf_G1rl5CMvdpi5Byckkq_WAAl32e9NAEmSr4hjJy-2azcI0BjSwsft8Fy-btZYwDyFkE5o8ayE_LJLskthi9T3FNOmZ9fUQa/s1600-h/Aspens.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442596666817226722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XDXgEcAsIfvlQcuaQ2NUHcnL1hIGvdXpCdnft6yF_UVgf_G1rl5CMvdpi5Byckkq_WAAl32e9NAEmSr4hjJy-2azcI0BjSwsft8Fy-btZYwDyFkE5o8ayE_LJLskthi9T3FNOmZ9fUQa/s400/Aspens.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Lord, let me not be too content</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">with life in trifling service spent--</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Make me aspire!</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">When days with petty cares are filled,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Let me with fleeting thought be thrilled</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Of something higher!</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Help me to long for mental grace</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To struggle with the commonplace</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">I daily find.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">My little deeds not bring to fruit</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">A crop of little thought to suit</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">A shriveled mind.</span></em><br /><br />Author Unknown</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-63321337000977304652010-02-25T08:26:00.003-07:002010-02-25T08:30:19.283-07:00Sincere Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOkh9BoEzbHhdx5oCByVelqDaT_RSis3ZESiWGZ2EJPExun3DBz4ZC9SO2bDcjUEkj9Ncl1VcD9cIzpfn6GKMAsabR0Xs2Ej99Eyvy4vqGPuZsmjuLj0iE3eAsMuxS5MujBrp9DgDyVUR/s1600-h/Landscape.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442203775879943426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOkh9BoEzbHhdx5oCByVelqDaT_RSis3ZESiWGZ2EJPExun3DBz4ZC9SO2bDcjUEkj9Ncl1VcD9cIzpfn6GKMAsabR0Xs2Ej99Eyvy4vqGPuZsmjuLj0iE3eAsMuxS5MujBrp9DgDyVUR/s400/Landscape.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">'Tis not enough to bend the knee,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">And words of prayer to say;</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">The heart must with the lips agree;</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Or else we do not pray.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">For words,without the heart,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">The Lord will never hear;</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Nor will he to those lips attend,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Whose prayers are not sincere.</span></em><br /><em></em><br />Author Unknown</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-46741060485256821652009-10-12T14:43:00.003-06:002009-10-12T14:53:12.051-06:00The Five Finger Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqSY6nInEzPIi5N6qpblFSynSKkZcrfNTt9qV_5-j_xlW0rF9Fx7YcHUyqTMR0HXiC_hAP__kdG6weOFuUdVQc6U522pTrrEUxlEgVIZdi27C54-3lL4KNTeRwykvBize0j6-er0mk2y_/s1600-h/445.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391819351008652370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqSY6nInEzPIi5N6qpblFSynSKkZcrfNTt9qV_5-j_xlW0rF9Fx7YcHUyqTMR0HXiC_hAP__kdG6weOFuUdVQc6U522pTrrEUxlEgVIZdi27C54-3lL4KNTeRwykvBize0j6-er0mk2y_/s400/445.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, "a sweet duty."<br /><br />The next finger is the pointer finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.<br /><br />The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.<br /><br />The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as an piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.<br /><br />Lastly comes our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pinkie</span>; the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "the least shall be the greatest among you." Your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pinkie</span> should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Author Unknown</span></div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-7635273541684170042009-10-10T20:02:00.003-06:002009-10-10T20:07:13.705-06:00Be Sincere<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBgwPq13Pb8bhcOAaeoLNPPc3b8DjkIsZSjCI_aUvAv9GSZnB5JOAF49oAM17r5IU50aFBx-FyjRwp1tzW7vj0th_7AW4riAgXbrei6fSSVd_Gp6OcAOCfdXHUszfAYiz1uYp8GQaZB43/s1600-h/Waterfall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391158150588843490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBgwPq13Pb8bhcOAaeoLNPPc3b8DjkIsZSjCI_aUvAv9GSZnB5JOAF49oAM17r5IU50aFBx-FyjRwp1tzW7vj0th_7AW4riAgXbrei6fSSVd_Gp6OcAOCfdXHUszfAYiz1uYp8GQaZB43/s400/Waterfall.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">We often say our prayers,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">But do we ever pray?</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">And do the wishes of our heart</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Go with the words we say?</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">We may as well kneel down</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">And worship gods of stone</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">As offer to the living God</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">A prayer of words alone.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">For words without the heart</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">The Lord will never hear,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Nor will He to those lips attend</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Whose prayers are not sincere.</span></em></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">Author Unkown</span></div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-35740591417789429952009-09-28T09:21:00.003-06:002009-09-28T09:28:36.340-06:00More On Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTkHdjaqUSb31QRHk1XPb4US-UHWUnH1l7mwc8KvXwTfVzaU4rXGftB4cZqo4rZiDt-u63C1I4GrBscgFGXkQg-Rggw_gTWzm2LpfASnDxRuE-jwylWfpFD7cD69q2RUY9q4T_t_Pc8x-/s1600-h/Creek.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386540570820042146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTkHdjaqUSb31QRHk1XPb4US-UHWUnH1l7mwc8KvXwTfVzaU4rXGftB4cZqo4rZiDt-u63C1I4GrBscgFGXkQg-Rggw_gTWzm2LpfASnDxRuE-jwylWfpFD7cD69q2RUY9q4T_t_Pc8x-/s400/Creek.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>Every time we pray, our horizon is altered, our attitude to things is altered, not sometimes but every time, and the amazing thing is that we don't pray more.</em> (Oswald Chambers)<br /><br /><em>It would be rash to say that there is any prayer in which God never grants. But the strongest candidate is the prayer we might express in the single word encore.</em> (C. S. Lewis)<br /><br /><em>When life knocks you to your knees--well, that's the best position in which to pray, isn't it?</em> (Ethel Barrymore)<br /><br /><em>Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.</em> (William Cowper & John Newton)<br /><br /><em>Any revitalization of faith in this country will have to start with prayer, in which we gain a sense of the living presence of God.</em> (George H. Gallup, Jr.)</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-37562980351613036002009-09-27T11:17:00.004-06:002009-09-27T11:22:53.211-06:00On Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwT1S5JfH7ygjjtzhKXZ1-wcd5bjzunHrOYrNk4tVxgv2fmyVhJbL4QMcCgoUsowT79w69krWnXJgCPK6kASmbtthcm7PH0E8UA0n2iuS-f7Z__gdUqH4qffvO669Nace4A2gYk_QkCny/s1600-h/La+Sal+Mountains.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386198932623600802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwT1S5JfH7ygjjtzhKXZ1-wcd5bjzunHrOYrNk4tVxgv2fmyVhJbL4QMcCgoUsowT79w69krWnXJgCPK6kASmbtthcm7PH0E8UA0n2iuS-f7Z__gdUqH4qffvO669Nace4A2gYk_QkCny/s400/La+Sal+Mountains.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>I have often learned more in prayer than I have been able to glean from much reading and reflection.</em> (Martin Luther)<br /><br /><em>He who prays fervently knows not whether he prays or not, for he is not thinking of the prayer which he makes, but of God, to whom he makes it.</em> (Francis de Sales)<br /><br /><em>The penalty of not praying is the loss of one's capacity to pray.</em> (Edward J. Farrell)<br /><br /><em>To pray is the greatest thing we can do, and to do it well, there must be calmness, time, and deliberation.</em> (E. M. Bounds)<br /><br /><em>In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without heart.</em> (John Bunyan)<br /><br /><em>I am often, I believe, praying for others when I should be doing things for them. It's so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see him.</em> (C. S. Lewis)</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-73238595638414234952009-09-26T18:26:00.003-06:002009-09-26T18:31:12.922-06:00O Give Thanks to the Lord<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakG-2SEOjMpu_B8yE5X8uVhvrxHopRHRwqwcWHmiWOHgLqWB3YVF9MwozeEl5i77hD4OeCe6Ab5ULFVbjYHx8unoXGF68DCAHm4GMhZ8_MyBm3awJermLUfCc9TPwNbGb4cRn7A3E9BYN/s1600-h/Forest+Flowers.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385938223253375890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakG-2SEOjMpu_B8yE5X8uVhvrxHopRHRwqwcWHmiWOHgLqWB3YVF9MwozeEl5i77hD4OeCe6Ab5ULFVbjYHx8unoXGF68DCAHm4GMhZ8_MyBm3awJermLUfCc9TPwNbGb4cRn7A3E9BYN/s400/Forest+Flowers.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em>O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;</em><br /><em>for His steadfast love endures forever.</em><br /><em>Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,</em><br /><em>those He redeemed from trouble</em><br /><em>and gathered in from the lands,</em><br /><em>from the east and from the west,</em><br /><em>from the north and from the south. . . .</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>For He satisfies the thirsty,</em><br /><em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">and</span> the hungry he fills with good things. . . .</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>He brought them out of darkness and gloom,</em><br /><em>and He saved them from their distress. . . .</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>He sent out His word and healed them,</em><br /><em>and delivered them from destruction. . . .</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Let those who are wise give heed to these things,</em><br /><em>and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.</em><br /><br />(Excerpted from <strong>Psalm 107</strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">NRSV</span>)</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-63070654467102452982009-09-25T08:36:00.003-06:002009-09-26T18:31:57.791-06:00A Child's Prayer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6tq3Aj18p3pw91BtsBgijWNhfzJjktgj7BUVemGbKjDHgAvxgHAqChiZifAP8aIfgslvu2XkUaa8wMswoXdhcfCl27-kBS_i_M-a54YPgV4D0kooZ0OKv1ky1AsdCQhBEL7WcrMTrlTd/s1600-h/Tree.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385938418282446050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6tq3Aj18p3pw91BtsBgijWNhfzJjktgj7BUVemGbKjDHgAvxgHAqChiZifAP8aIfgslvu2XkUaa8wMswoXdhcfCl27-kBS_i_M-a54YPgV4D0kooZ0OKv1ky1AsdCQhBEL7WcrMTrlTd/s400/Tree.jpg" /></a><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">God make my life a little light,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Within the world to glow;</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">A tiny flame that burneth bright</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Wherever I may go.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">God make my life a little flower,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">That giveth joy to all,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Content to bloom in native bower,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Although its place be small.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">God make my life a little song,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">That comforteth the sad;</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">That helpeth others to be strong,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">And makes the singer glad.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">God make my life a little staff,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Whereon the weak may rest,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">That so what health and strength I have</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">May serve my neighbors best.</span></em><br /><br />(M. Bentham-Edwards)</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-75462087152107467172009-09-15T13:17:00.003-06:002009-09-15T13:22:38.849-06:00Three Things<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf9_rfJao4-nHAdWZwsQRb-1WaUi9P9m4An8EV6xVLSeLDrrJ96UymKuXltPMqlly_GCGg0XxsknrrQYFaGiSCGb_mJvFeL5vCCpizVwoEKm3KohoG9aU_XEEzR0HM5SWNCLNPcnkAAG2/s1600-h/GardenatMtCarmel50.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381776770802169970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTf9_rfJao4-nHAdWZwsQRb-1WaUi9P9m4An8EV6xVLSeLDrrJ96UymKuXltPMqlly_GCGg0XxsknrrQYFaGiSCGb_mJvFeL5vCCpizVwoEKm3KohoG9aU_XEEzR0HM5SWNCLNPcnkAAG2/s400/GardenatMtCarmel50.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">I know three things must always be</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To keep a nation strong and free</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">One is a hearthstone bright and dear</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">With busy, happy loved ones near</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">One is a ready heart and hand</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To love and serve and keep the land</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">One is a worn and beaten way</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">To where the people go to pray</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">So long as these are kept alive</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Nation and people will survive</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">God keep them always everywhere</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">The home, the heart, the place of prayer</span></em><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Author Unknown</span></p>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8864817110693399517.post-34557621289644698522009-03-26T21:35:00.003-06:002009-03-26T21:45:04.147-06:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OPImWtGWqOrj_u4i23dt2acxWEDArlkccSOC5E1s_EBnBb9ruqNQVOCdvsTruMKIhYMT0jhntpJmllN_uqBlFltayO1N9spvTJyQlcCwtcrXuyQYlvzUDdVSNrcTNdVZM-sU2BYxAqFJ/s1600-h/Grand+Canyon+(Navajo+Pt).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317708467747333778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OPImWtGWqOrj_u4i23dt2acxWEDArlkccSOC5E1s_EBnBb9ruqNQVOCdvsTruMKIhYMT0jhntpJmllN_uqBlFltayO1N9spvTJyQlcCwtcrXuyQYlvzUDdVSNrcTNdVZM-sU2BYxAqFJ/s400/Grand+Canyon+(Navajo+Pt).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The prayer of Psalm 84<br /><br /><em>How lovely is your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!</em><br /><em>My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord;</em><br /><em>my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.</em><br /><em>Even the sparrow has found a home,</em><br /><em>and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young--</em><br /><em>even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.</em><br /><em>Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;</em><br /><em>they will still be prising You.</em><br /><em>Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,</em><br /><em>whose heart is set on pilgrimage.</em><br /><em>As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring;</em><br /><em>the rain also covers it with pools.</em><br /><em>They go from strength to strength;</em><br /><em>each one appears before God in Zion.</em><br /><em>O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;</em><br /><em>give ear, O God of Jacob.</em><br /><em>O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of your annointed.</em><br /><em>For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.</em><br /><em>I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God</em><br /><em>than dwell in the tents of wickedness.</em><br /><em>For the Lord God is a sun and shield;</em><br /><em>the Lord will give grace and glory;</em><br /><em>no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.</em><br /><em>O Lord of hosts, blessed in the man who trusts in You!</em><br /><br />King James Version</div>Jeff Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166795303041280556noreply@blogger.com