India's "treasure" dies 13 days after a brutal gang rape

India's "Treasure"

Some media members have named her "Amanat", meaning treasure. Some protestors  have named her "Damini", the Hindu word meaning lightning which was also adopted by a 1993 Bollywood film which fights for the character of a housemaid that was a victim of rape. Whatever you call this 23 year old female, who died on Saturday early morning in a Singapore hospital,  her nomenclature will be a symbol of light to illuminate the dark injustice of rape worldwide. 

 India's "treasure" was riding on the public transport of New Delhi with her male companion, when she was brutally beaten and raped by six men and then thrown from the bus to die along the roadside. I wonder how many times these men had raped before? I wonder what caused them to believe that it was within their rights to treat a young woman with such primal ruthlessness? Could it be that female infanticide continues to be so prevalent in India that the UN named India the most dangerous place to be as a girl?  Or maybe it is due to the barbaric bride burning practice in the case of dowry deaths? Despite the 1961 law forbidding dowries, the cultural practice remains and the statistics continue to rise with an estimated bride burned every 90 minutes. Even if demands of payment by the groom's family are met initially, the demands may continue after marriage and the young bride's children will be abused as a form of torture and coercion to the mother. The laws were changed in 1986 to include any bride burned within 7 years of marriage as a murder because so many young women were "catching on fire in the kitchen".

According to statistics, there is a rape is reported every 18 hours in New Delhi, and as is well known, many more rapes go unreported. New Delhi leads the nation of India for reported rapes and the number of reported rapes has increased 17%  from 2007 to 2011 according to Government data. India's Seema Sirohi, who represents the Indian Council on Global Relations says that despite the laws existing, the police do not enforce the laws and states it is very difficult to be a woman in India.

On the heels of the death of India's "treasure",  a 17 year old girl, who reported being raped by two men and a female accomplice,  committed suicide when her "demand(s) for justice" appeared  futile to her.  She was brutalized on November 13 during the Hindu festival of Diwali. Ironically Diwali, the festival of lights, depicts the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. When seeking justice through the local police she was harassed and humiliated. She poured out her injustices on the bleak lines of her tear stained suicide note before she ingested poison, taking her life.

 An American Woman is Sexually Assaulted Every 2 Minutes.

Do the injustices of women stop at the borders of India, sadly no my friend. The injustices of women are even on the most liberal feminine shores of America. Here in our progressive society that taunts female liberties to the rest of the world a sexual assault occurs approximately every two minutes.  Again, keep in mind about 54% of sexual assaults go unreported.

The Bondage of Silence

The bondage of silence is a paralytic parasite. When a woman can finally break the bonds in her own mind to speak the unspeakable, it is often met with an admonition of  "not to tell". This comes from well meaning family members, friends, school officials, workplace bosses and even law officials.


2 Sam 13 tells of the story of Tamar, the daughter of King David, attending to her brother Amnon while he faked an illness with the intentions of raping his sister. Afterwards she was so ashamed, and so distraught that she ran out, ripped her robe and placed ashes on her head crying bitterly. Her brother Absalom came to her and perceiving what had happened told her to hold her peace, this was her brother after all. What was the end result of holding her peace, she remained desolate, or in our words depression overtook her.

"And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house." 2 Sam 13:20

What is one to do?

Well Judges 19 tells of a brutal attack on a Levite's concubine that was raped and abused all night. She crawled back to the door of the house that they had spent the night in and grabbed the threshold of the door until she died. In the morning, the Levite spoke to her to get up, and when he realized she was no longer speaking because her soul had succumbed to the vicious and vile atrocity. He picked up her body, took it home, cut it into 12 pieces and sent a piece to each leader of the tribes of Israel and said...."consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds".

This woman, along with India's treasure have died.  One thing that these woman had in common was the number 13. One assault occurred on Nov 13, India's "Treasure" lived for 13 days after the assault, and Tamar's assault occured in Chap 13 of 2 Sam. This coming year is 2013, is there a connection? Regardless of the numerical coincidence, their blood echoes from the ground. Their tears have salted  the silent souls of others that have suffered a sexual assault. The violence against virginity  reverberates across the nations to protect our daughters. 

Consider of it, take advice and speak your minds.

.....and shalt call his name JESUS

Do you believe in the possibility of an impossibility?

The Holy Spirit posed that question to me a few years ago as I was in the middle of a never ending struggle of a faith walk. As I pondered on this it was brought to my remembrance the many impossibilities that had been made manifest in my life. The most obvious miracle was the finding of my father after 30 years of separation. That is an undisputed miracle in my life. Yet despite the obvious I still struggle with faith. Christmas time though, that is the time to believe in miracles.....

My daughter-in-law was so excited yesterday. She is getting acclimated to her new life in Germany and she had $150 Euro, but since she was on the PX she needed to have US dollars. She was having this explained to her as she sat with her cart full in the check out line. She said the next thing she knew a lady who was in the next aisle told her to give her the euros and she paid for her whole purchase which was actually $410, about $300 more dollars than the euros she had. She turned to explain to the woman the difference, to thank her and settle the difference and the woman was gone in an instant. She believed she was a Christmas angel sent to them.

Every day we realize the miracles of God. Being a nurse, I realize that the very breath of life takes a series of miracles. The biggest miracle starting at the very conception of life. What an amazing miracle for Mary when she was found to have favor from God to be the chosen vessel to conceive of the Holy Ghost. 

I cannot imagine what would be going through her mind. An angelic visitation that would reveal to her that she was chosen as a virgin to conceive the King of Kings. This was an impossibility. This would bring great shame and reproach upon her. This would put her relationship with her beloved espoused Joseph in great peril. Favor isn't fair! Mary was chosen for a reason, and despite all these realizations Mary replied," Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

The impossibility of the immaculate conception was achieved through the yielding will of the  virgin Mary. Seminaries are struggling still with this nugget of faith. The very existence of our faith is based on believing the possibility of an impossibility. Once I realized this, I had an easier time with faith in general. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Have a Merry Christmas as you take the opportunity to 

 

celebrate Jesus with others!

26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Lk 1:26-38

Truth Lies Fallen in the Streets of Benghazi

 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

Is 59:13 - 15

September 11, was met with a terror attack on US citizens in Benghazi. Two months later the echoes of their blood still cries out from the ground for justice. Only those four souls know what really happened. We have several men and women claiming to come to the knowledge of the truth, all for different reasons, but only God in heaven who has received the souls of these heroic men will ultimately deliver justice. 

As I read through the stories of each of these men, I find several similarities. These men held a deep love for country, had all served in the Middle Eastern countries, believed in diplomacy and peace, were full of life and adventure and none of them ever went "through the motions" because " just OK was not enough..." in their worlds.  God bless the souls of these four men and their families left behind to search for truth and meaning in their deaths.

Ambassador Chris Stevens

Ambassador Chris Stevens was finally, quietly laid to rest in Grass Valley, California yesterday. His family insisted on a private funeral with about 30 in attendance. His father Jan Stevens said he was laid to rest among his family and his happier memories of spending time with his grandparents, swimming in the Yuba River and skiing at the Donner Summit.

Ambassador Stevens comes from rich roots with his father Jan Stevens serving as Yolo County Superior Court Judge and California Assistant Attorney General. His mother, Mary (nee Floris) J Stevens was a cellist of the Marin Symphony Orchestra and direct descendant of Chief  Comcomly of the Chinook Indian Nation. Chris's sister, Dr Anne Stevens, is a pediatrician at Seattle Children's and has set up a very inspiring website in memory of her brother, Remembering Chris Stevens.

Tyrone Woods

Charles Woods, the father of Navy Seal Tyrone Woods that also gave his life in the Benghazi terrorist attack begs for the truth on Glen Beck's, The Blaze . This father's grief is obvious, but the cuts run deeper when his answers for truth were met with what he considered were an empty handshake from President Obama and disrespectful comments from Vice President Joe Biden.

Tyrone Woods had received the Bronze Star and served as a registered nurse and paramedic. He was a mother's son, a wife's husband and three children's father.  A very nice face book page, Tyrone S. Woods, US Navy Seal Memorial Page, has been set up in his memory.

Glen Doherty

Glen's sister Kate recalls her anxiety after she receives a phone call from a friend that was concerned that Glen may have been part of the terror attack in Benghazi. She describes how she settles herself remembering him coming home from several dangerous missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Mexico. This time, though, the outcome would be different. This time Glen would make one last trip home to Winchester where he was laid to rest. Kate's account of meeting with Vice President Joe Biden was very different. She felt he was genuine and great with her kids. She felt she was greeted warmly.

A Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation has been set up to honor his memory. Also a book written by Glen Doherty, Navy Seal Sniper, will be released in January.

Sean Smith

Sean Smith was a computer specialist that served in the US Air Force was also killed in the terror attack. It is reported that Sean left a chilling clue in a message to his on line gaming corporation, "Assuming we don't die tonight. We saw one of our 'police' that guard the compound taking pictures." These and many other warning signs, messages and concerns fell on deaf ears prior to the attack. Sean's mother, Pat Smith appeared on Anderson Cooper's 360 show frustrated that her son was being used in the political forums and tired of not receiving answers that were personally promised to her by Hillary Clinton,  Joe Biden, President Obama and Leon Panetta.

 "I begged them to tell me what happened..." "You can keep your political, just tell me the truth...."

Giving Thanks, An Attitude of Gratitude

Laura's story behind the song blessings is amazing. She talks about the process of praying for a miracle for her husband that was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the answers not always coming out the way they expected or wanted. This song was birthed out of the many trials they have endured on their journey through this.  This is especially touching as this is the first Thanksgiving we will be without our beloved brother -in -law Steve Chaffins. Many of you helped with financial support when he went to MD Houston but he lost the fight to leukemia on Jan 29th this year, but gained his home in heaven. It still makes it hard for his family left behind, especially his wife Marcie and his children.
So while you are praying today, please say a special prayer for their comfort during this time.

  Thanksgiving!

 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Ps 100.4

 I am so excited today! I absolutely love turkey! and I will try my best to stay away from the stuffing! I am spending today at my sister's house. My mother and adoptive father will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today as well. My family will be there and the weather is suppose to be good!
  There is so much for me to be thankful for so bear with me as I share a few grateful fors!

I am grateful for:

•  Cease fire in Israel Ps 122:6
• My family is all healthy Ps 91:10
• The military and military families in service for us. Ps 144:1
• God has supplied all my needs Ph 4:19
• My precious pastor Manuel Spencer who is seated in heaven showed me salvation. I Co15:11
• The multiple salvations we have seen this year. Acts 2:47

You hear a lot in the self help world about being grateful, having a journal of what you are grateful for, having an attitude of gratitude. That is all true, but hopefully we can see from above that it is true because they are using a Biblical principle. Not only is an attitude of gratitude a Christian virtue there is even a thanksgiving offering   that was established in Lev 7:12-15.

In America we have so much to be thankful for just by virtue of where God has placed us. We do have all our needs available to us, we do have religious freedoms, we do have freedom of speech and despite it all we do have a secure and operative government that we are instructed to pray for daily.

Yes I know there is poverty here, I have been well acquainted with the homeless population and there is always more works of compassion to be done, but at the end of the day we can raise our hands to the Lord and say we are blessed and thank God for all our blessings.

So give a few more hugs today, look around and know that you are blessed, if you are able to help serve others today thank God for that ability, if you have breath in your body, Thank God!

Yes you are blessed, Yes I am blessed and have a blessed Thanksgiving!

 the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD. Jer 33:11

Operation Pillar of Defense, Tears of Rachel fall

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Jer 31:15

Tears are falling in the land of Israel. As I sit here in the comfort of my typical American home, I can't fathom what is happening in Israel right now. Grief stricken families are burying the dead as terrorized children find shelter in drainage pipes, safe rooms, basements anything that would shelter them from the concussion of a rocket they hear whistling over their heads. People cling to their family members praying as they hold their breath and listen for impact. I'm sorry I cannot imagine this.

My tears are falling as I think of all the contacts that I have made in Israel and for the Palestinian Christians that are caught in the crossfire. What must G*d think as He looks down from heaven on his creation.

Jesus lamented over Jerusalem

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Mt 23:27

Zechariah warned of the cup of trembling

 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forthe the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.Zech 12: 1&2

While I have to search for the terrible truth of what is happening in Israel, my media continues to talk  about the election that is over, the President and his new horn-locking arguments with Congress and the Senate, but every so often I will catch a small ticker tape that something is happening in Israel.  Really, this does not seem newsworthy? But the continued lies of our politics are?

No wonder the tears of Rachel were heard again in Matthew when King Herod ruthlessly slaughtered the children age 2 and under in his zeal to destroy any threat to his governorship.

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Mt 2:18

I have no doubt that the weeping and wailing is sounding over the land of Israel again today. As the blood of the children of not only Jacob, but of Esau as well spill onto the ground, the blood cries out before G*d. Innocent souls caught in the crossfire of ancient wars that continue to culminate in our present day. 

11,11 at 11am Veterans Day, My Sons My HEROS!

Brock Begley reenlist during war

This is my eldest son. Not only did he originally volunteer to serve during a time of war, he also reenlisted under the heat of the desert skies of Afghanistan. Brock is one of my heroes. Never would I have ever imagined as I brought my baby home from the hospital, nurtured him through his first day of kindergarten, watched him finish school and marry his sweetheart, that there would come a day I had to send my son to war.

I was not prepared for the emotions I saw and felt on that deployment day. I saw young wives holding their husbands tight, unsuspecting babies playing with their daddies and pregnant wives looking with scared uncertainty.

The tears fell as showers that day as we clung to each other and the thread of faith we had instilled in our family from the day he was born. Everyday for a full year we learned to walk in faith. Days that we would hear from him would be encouraging. He was always positive as he was trained to be, but he would let us know to send him protein, hand warmers, and baby wipes in his care packages meaning they were without their basic needs. He quickly dropped weight. He then would call out of the blue and just say hi and could you pray. We understood that to mean he was going out on a dangerous mission and this may be his last "I love you", but he couldn't tell us that. I remember one day he told me he was having difficulty sleeping because two NATO members that he had come to know, had not come back to the COB, one was killed and one was severely injured.  This was my baby boy, grown to be a warrior and my HERO.

When Brock returned back to Ft Lewis, he and his friend and battle buddy took the battle to the kitchen as the won the Iron chef competition. Yes my son is a chef and that is great when he comes home! Boy can he cook!

My father is another hero of mine, I have had three fathers and they all have been a blessing in some way or another. Today I am referring to John W Baggett. He served in WWII in the Navy. He also was a cook! He has been gone for 41 years now, love you daddy!

My Uncle Wayne "Butch" Wroblewski, another hero of mine, served in the Vietnam War. Like so many others he never spoke of his service. He also has passed on but I must say that I can still hear the 21 gun salute, the solemn drone of the Taps and the sound of the jets over head as they flew in the Missing Man Formation. Yes, my uncle was a pilot, he had earned his wings and now he has his wings in heaven.

My son Bart again is a hero of mine! He voluntarily signed up for service during wartime. He unfortunately was hurt during boot camp and was not able to finish, but what a brave heart to make this step. He also rededicated his life to Christ in his time there!

Now I am facing another challenge to my faith!
Not only am I an Army Mom! Now I am also a Navy Mom! My three sons, my three heroes!
I would never have imagined that my boys would defend their country and experience all they have experienced, the good and the bad.


My youngest son Paul Andrew "Drew" has enlisted, again voluntarily during wartime. He will be leaving me soon and embark on his journey. Again I cannot fathom the bravery of taking this step.  This is my baby boy. I can only hope I can muster up the bravery through my tears as I send another son to the service of this great country.

I know you all share similar stories and I would love for you to share them on this great day that was set aside as day to honor and say thank you to all our veterans.

Oh and why 11, 11 at 11am? That is  the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice during WWI 1918. Originally called Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, the name was changed to Veterans Day in  1954 with an amendment to the original Congressional Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a.

Thank you to all who have, are and are planning to serve. 

 

 

Swat girls determined, as world celebrates Malala Day

A Sanctuary for the Criminal Exhibitionist

The definition for exhibitionism:
     Exhibitionism is a mental disorder characterized by a compulsion to display one's genitals to an unsuspecting stranger.  The  Enclyclopedia of Mental Disorders

Read more: http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Exhibitionism.html#ixzz2BgDkzBgY

Diagnostic Criteria from the DSM IV TR  302.4 Copyright 2000 American Psychiatric Association

A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving the exposure of one's genitals to an unsuspecting stranger.
B. The person has acted on these urges, or the sexual urges or fantasies cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.

 

Colleen Brenner Francis birth name Clay Scott Francis was bold enough to display his genitals in the women's locker room at Evergreen State University on the premise that he, yes I said HE, would be given sanctuary under the "non-discrimination policy" of the college.

 

The definition of exhibitionism is classified under the heading of paraphilias which are a group of mental disorders marked by sexual behavior with non consenting or inappropriate partners (such as animals or children).

 

Hmmmmm sounds like a person with a penis exposed in a locker room used by young girls fits this definition.

 

But the debate is on.... Francis is giving interviews on KIRO offended that HE was asked to leave and comparing this to the 1950's discrimination of whites and blacks not using the same water faucet.   Watch how the journalist are so "politically correct" calling this person a woman several times.

 

Here is a link of the police report provided by Alliance Defending Freedom who is taking on the rights of the young ladies that were offended by the exposure of  Francis' genitalia. Did I say OFFENDED? Yes they were offended, made uncomfortable and unnecessarily put at risk of emotional distress. This sounds very similar to the wording of the laws against indecent exposure.. “A person is guilty of indecent exposure if he or she intentionally makes any open and obscene exposure of his or her person or the person of another knowing that such conduct is likely to cause reasonable affront or alarm.”

 

It is one thing if Francis chooses to be whatever gender HE wants to be and expose himself to consenting partners in private. That is for He and God to sort out. When he sits around with genitalia exposed to unsuspecting young girls it appears abundantly clear to me that HE meets the definition of an exhibitionist that has committed the crime of indecent exposure.

 

Now for the sin of providing the sanctuary of the criminal exhibitionist. Evergreen State should take a long, hard look at what happened at Penn State when they provided sanctuary to Jerry Sandusky. Most colleges go out of their way to portray themselves as a safe campus that nurtures a young person into an intellectual adult. I do not see this stand with Francis as fostering that kind of an atmosphere. A quick look at Evergreen State website and I can't find any statistics about the safe learning environment, but I see several references to the "diversity" of the college. Parents keep this in mind when deciding where to pay your tuition fees to educate your child.

 

SSSShhhhhhhh, we don't speak of such things! Silence equates to the chains of despair. How many people realized that the young boys were being traumatized at Penn State? How many people that speak up for the young girls that are being exposed to the lewdness of Francis are being accused of bigotry, right wing extremist, intolerance..... etc, etc...

 

Is 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
 

 Right is right and wrong is wrong. We need to provide a safe, nurturing environment for our young women to grow up in. Our young women are daughters of the King of Kings and Lord and Lords and no one is to offend a daughter of the King.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Mt 18:6
 

This goes not just for the offender (Francis) but for the protector of the offender (Evergreen State).

Thank you for The Blaze and the  Alliance Defending Freedom for defending the young ladies. As this legal battle unfolds we will watch and pray.

I refuse to remain silent, I refuse to bow to the "politically corrupt correct" views of the lewd acts of this man who dares to cloak his defiance of law under the guise of diversity.

I am praying for these young girls to find peace, and justice in this unfortunate situation.

 

Praying for the Victims of Sandy

As the days go on and people pick through the rubbles of their belongings the reality starts to set in of the destruction and loss.

        Some are finding that;

•  Insurance premiums that have been faithfully paid have controversial claim clauses  
•  FEMA is a blessing and a curse. Small interest loans..... which require paperwork & patience. 
• The world revolves around Manhattan and you may or may not receive the help you need.
• The generators they bought are useless without gasoline.
• Water is sacred resource.
• Food may be a fighting point with a neighbor. 
•  Kindness still exists among strangers
•  Comfort is found from civic leaders.
• They may need to relocate, leaving the towns they lived in their whole lives.
• They are facing funeral arrangements.

As we sit from our comfortable homes in the Midwest, the south, the west all across the US and we watch our brothers and sisters in need we need to do what we can.

     But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? IJn 3:1
 

How can you help?

• Pray
• Go to New York or New Jersey
• Send resources through a respected group that is going to New York
• Give Blood
• Start a food drive, blanket drive, coat drive.....
• Provide a hug or listening ear to someone that is going through this.

We here at Rachel's Heart are going to do what we know to do and that is to pray:

Father God we ask you to wrap your arms around our brothers and sisters that are facing these monumental problems. We ask you to make a way for them to come upon the resources needed to provide food, shelter water, warmth and any other needs. We pray Father for all of the families that have lost loved ones in the storm that you provide them with comfort and peace. We pray Father for restoration of the land, the homes the families, the electricity, the businesses. We pray Lord that if the winds have scattered families from their homelands that you direct their paths as you seem fit. We pray Lord that you give the weary.. rest, the brokenhearted... peace, the devastated... hope. As we heard in the sermon we are cast down....but not destroyed.

       We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; II Co 4:8 &9
 

We thank you Father that we can lift our heads, lift our hands and lift our hearts and praise you in the storm. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Where Were You?????

Job 38

Whaaaaat???? R U Serious?????

Yes I love the 38th chapter of Job!

Can we explore a few of the highlights.

We know the story of Job, he was set up as the unlikely challenge between God and the devil.
Next thing you know the hedge was allowed to be breached and a great wind took his children,
animal and property in a moment in time. As Job goes through the process of grieving over his loses and reevaluating his situation, he gets the third degree from the church folks, the worst advice possible from his wife and he falls sick.

The chapter starts by God answering Job out of the whirlwind..... That in itself is amazing!'

Next thing you know God is asking Job "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" (4)

Who laid the cornerstone of the (earth) when all the morning stars sang together?
In recent years Nasa has recorded sounds of the stars.

Who shut up the sea with doors.....(8)..and here shall thy proud waves be stayed. (11)

Hast thou commanded the mornings (12)

Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? (16)

Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? (17)

Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, (19)

Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, (22)

Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? (28)

Out of whose womb came the ice?.....(29)

Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven?...(33)

..... or who can stay the bottles of heaven (37)

Any one of these concepts I can meditate on forever. Several scientific truths have been discovered because man became curious at these scriptures.

I am always awed by these questions that God put forth to Job. We serve an amazing, creative, perfect God!

Rachel's Tomb

Rachel, the wife of Jacob, mother of Joseph and Benjamin, matriarch of the nation of Israel and matriarch of our Rachel's Heart, is celebrating the anniversary of her death this Sabbath. This is celebrated by a pilgrimage to Rachel's Tomb which is within Palestinian controled territory making this a dangerous trip. Several times over the years Rachel's Tomb has been a target of violence but the IDF has always maintained the security of the site.

Rachel as you remember died in childbirth after giving birth to Benjamin. This was a miracle in itself after Rachel had remained barren for so long. Jacob chose to bury Rachel there on the roadside, and it became a prophetic gesture as Rachel's tomb was passed time and again as the children of Israel were taken into captivitiy.

Jer 31;15-17 was Rachel's prayer for her children's safe return to their borders and it is the basis of our mission on Rachel's Heart.

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
16Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. 17And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.

As I sought the Lord for direction in setting up Rachel's Heart several miracles took place. First He directed me to set apart Fri 6pm to Sat 6pm as a time for prayer and fasting for our children. I did not realize at this time that this was the Sabbath.

Also I was impressed upon with specific instructions to make a bracelet for Rachel's Heart. The foundation of the bracelet was to use a red string, anointed with rose scented oil. I am not a jewelery maker by any stretch of the imagination, but I did follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit. Little did I know the mystery of Rachel's Tomb and the red string.  There is a tradition of receiving a piece of red string that is wrapped around the cenotaph at Rachel's tomb to wear around your wrist. This is part of a reminder of prayer, particularly for fertiltiy and for safety in childbirth.

What a wonderful confirmation of the instructions of the Holy Spirit. We will continue to pray for our own children's safe return from the wandering in sin, as we take the time to remember Rachel weeping in Ramah for the return of the children of Israel.

Malala, a voice of religious freedom

Although most have never heard of Malala before the fateful day of  Oct 9, 2012 when the Taliban made a disgraceful attempt to quiet the voice of Malala, women everywhere are taking up her cause. Malala, the Taliban claimed, had too many "western" ideas and was too secular. They cowardly walked up to her van, asked who she was and shot her in the head and neck along with a another of her female classmates.

When researching this pearl of Pakistan I found that she first became an irritant to the Taliban in 2009 when she started a blog, "Diary of a Pakistani School Girl" that was first published in the BBC Urdu online. She started under a fictional name as she brought readers face to face with the terror that she lived with on a daily basis in her homeland of the Swat Valley. As the struggle of the Taliban took root over the local governments, the passion of Malala rang out over the internet. The Taliban did not believe in the girls going to school or wearing pretty dresses. Malala did just that, despite the chilling threats of  a man that walked up behind her on her way home that said, "I will kill you".

Well three years and a National Peace Prize later, the Taliban could not allow this child's voice to ring freedom along the hills of the Swat Valley. Some voices echo no matter, some souls refuse to be silenced, Malala is one of those.

Malala means "grief stricken" how sadly prophetic. When I heard this I immediately remembered a Biblical story of five sisters that petitioned Moses for justice. One of those five sisters had the same derivative of the name Malala. Her name was Mahlah and her sisters were; Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.  Mahlah meant "sickness" and it is easily seen that is where we get the word malady from.

These were the daughter's of Zelophehad. He had no sons and had the untimely death that coincided with those that were taken by God in the rebellion of Korah. The daughter's petitioned Moses in the male dominated Jewish justice system that they should be awarded their father's inheritance so that his name would not appear as if he had died in the rebellion. Moses then petitioned the Lord on their behalf and God upheld the rights of the daughters which caused a whole amendment to be made to the inheritance laws. Num 27:1-11 

You would think after God had spoken justice was served, but Moses died and Joshua took over and the daughters of Zelophehad had to petition Joshua and remind him of the statue that God had rewritten especially for them. Josh 17:3-6

Religious freedom is a still a struggle for women. Women be silent in the church, Women sit on the left side of the church, women have more legalistic rules and expectations upon them. Yet women are the majority of the church and women give their time and resources  to the church. Hmmmm. I'm thinking we have a long way to go yet, but as more courageous young women like Malala lift their voices like Esther, "...so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish" Es 5:16 Religious freedoms and justice will be granted to the women of today.

Conspiracy Theory

I'm not usually the one coming up with conspiracy theories, but something happened over the weekend that has me wondering.

Around 10:30am on Friday at work our internet and phones went out. It is notable that our computers are vital to submit the medicare/medicaid billing information to the government for reimbursement which is what my job is. Needless to say as the afternoon went on we were limited in what we could do and I sent my crew of nurses home.

Our administrator was told that road construction near by had cut through a trunk line of the cable network and probably wouldn't be on till late. Comcast is our local cable provider.

When I came home I told Paul about it and he went to the bank to pay some bills and they were doing everything by hand. They were told that they would be off line for four days. I thought that was odd that they were offline but the stores were all online. Also I thought it was an odd coincidence that this was a three day weekend for the government with Columbus day so the next business day would be in four days.

I thought to myself, I bet ours won't be back online till then either seeing that we are a government entity.

Then I saw that our friend Angie in Madison, IN was also having cable problems. I contacted her and she was told that her cable was cut also. Madison, IN is 3 hours away and they are run by Metronet.

Sure enough when I arrived today, the internet and phones were down until late last night.

What is up with that? Just saying it seems odd. My cell phone on Friday would not call out and today every time I called my mom it went to my voicemail.

Several people had phone problems and they said it had something to do with AT&T but I don't have AT&T and they didn't either.

Needless to say it put all our work behind. Could this be what would happen if we were to undergo a cyber attack? Are we all dependent on a system that cripple us in a blink of an eye? This fiber optic underground that travels at the speed of light can also come to a screaming stop just as quickly.

If anyone has any insight on this I would be interested in hearing it. In the meantime it reminds me to remember where my source is.

 When all the world's systems fail, my Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord is my Shepherd.

When the drug companies contaminate the drugs, Jehovah-Rapha the Lord is my healer.

When my employer cuts my pay, Jehovah-Jireh, my Lord provides!

 When wars and rumors of war fill the airwaves, Jehovah-Shalom my Lord is Peace.

When cruelty is the rule of the land, Jehovah-Tsidkenu,The Lord Our Righteousness.

 When I feel that I stand alone in the midst of my enemies  Jehovah Shammah, The Lord Is There!

 

 

Pray for me and I'll pray for you!

 

Love and Hugs

 

Heidi

Listen to the Holy Spirit

Saturday evening I was on the couch and my dear friend Tonya kept coming to mind. Every time I thought about her I would whisper a prayer to my Father for her. She is a great nurse raising seven children of a blended family. At any moment in time I am sure she can use some prayer. She is a great Christian, exuberant in her faith, I call her the Cheerleader for God!.

Her name kept coming to me with more frequency and now an urgency. I wanted to call her, but I knew she was working a twelve hour night shift so I texted her instead letting her know that the Holy Spirit was bringing her to mind and I was praying for her.

Early in the morning she texted me back. Her oldest son had been involved in a car accident that night. He flipped the car four times when he swerved to miss an opossum. Not a scratch, praise God and she thanked me for being obedient to the urging of the Holy Spirit.

How many times a day I wonder, does the Holy Spirit urge us but we overrun the Spirit with our flesh; we are too busy, that is not our usual routine, we don't believe we have the money to do that. We can come up with a variety of excuses to ignore the urging of the Spirit.

When we were in Kentucky, we were not far from the terrible church bus accident that happened. So many testimonies came from that tragedy. One in particular has stayed with me.

This was a father who had lost his teenage daughter. He always stayed home on her birthday and visited her grave with roses. Tomorrow was her sixteenth birthday and he had an important meeting that would put him on the road. He was really torn by this. He awoke the next morning in the hotel room and bought the sixteen roses not really knowing what to do with them. The Holy Spirit was telling him that he should hand them to a young girl that he would be directed to. He wrote the card to his daughter telling her Happy 16th Birthday. He passed several young girls, no, no, no then the Holy Spirit directed him to a young girl that looked haggard and worn. He handed her the roses and told her the Holy Spirit had directed these to her.

She read the card and broke down in tears. She had prayed the night before and told God that if He was real he needed to reveal himself to her tomorrow or she would talk her life. This would be her sixteenth birthday.  Needless to say she knew that God had not only revealed himself to her but gave her a beautiful birthday gift.

Little acts of love and kindness never go unnoticed. My favorite quote is one by Mother Teresa, "We can do no great things, but we can do small things with great love."

Listen to the Holy Spirit. Ask to be guided to someone each and every day. You will be amazed. It may mess up your routine, it will probably not be something you would normally do, but God has directed our steps and our destinies way out ahead of us.

Praise God, Be Still and Know that I am God!

Love and Hugs to you all

Heidi

This is the Day that the Lord Hath Made

If you are reading this you have been given the gift of another day! Praise God! This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! Ps 118:24

People react so differently to this scripture. I am a morning person to the point of being annoying. I forget that not everyone's best time of the day is dawn! I love to watch the sunrise. I love to get up out of bed and start my day. I am the most talkative and the most energetic at this time.

 I remember being on a corporate road trip one day where we left San Pierre, IN at 5 am and drove to Detroit, MI. We were almost to Detroit before I realized I was the only one talking and the rest of my coworkers were scowling!

The one of the very first things that God does for us is give us the breath of life! To wake up breathing is a gift. I remember when the children were born and I would watch their angelic faces in the cradle and just watch them breathe. So precious, so innocent, so pure children and your children's children are gifts of God.

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Pr 17:6

If this is true and Word of God is true, then why do we get the response when we say, "Good morning!", "What's so good about it?". I want to stop and tell them look around you, we are not in a war torn country, the sun is shining, the air is clean, you have a roof over you, you have breakfast at your disposal. Do you realize not everyone is that blessed?

Sometimes you get a small opening to explain this, but usually that attitude comes with a closed door. Then I see one of my elders that is smiling and joking at their breakfast table, despite the fact their bones are hurting full of arthritis as they sit in their wheelchair and it hurts to reach for a cup of coffee with arthritis filled hands. They still find joy in awaking to a new morning!

What is the difference? Attitude for one thing. We need to always walk in an attitude of gratitude! One time I saw a poster that said attitude is the crayon that colors your world! That has stuck with me! I could pick a yellow crayon today or a black crayon. I will get very different results.

Ok so how do we work on attitude? It is a challenge but it is not impossible.

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Mt: 19:26. In this particular scripture Jesus was talking about salvation, but it is applicable in this instance as well. The grace of God will help us change our attitude!

2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Ro 12:2. Here Paul tells us that transformations occur by the renewing of our minds! Joyce Meyers has a book The Battlefield of the Mind,  Paula White has a whole several part sermon on Be ye Transformed, that really breaks down the process of being transformed.

How to transform and renew your mind? We are told exactly what to think on in
Ph4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

So it is possible to create in yourself an attitude of gratitude through the grace of God! Let's all work on it and be able to say 

This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Love That Lasts

34 years ago today in the small town high school of North Judson - San Pierre, Paul asked me to "go steady" with him. Remember those days.. it was the verge of the 80's. Babe I Love You by Styx was "our song". Journey, Kansas, all those 80's ballads....... Paul was the basketball player, I was the shy freshman. 34 years later our love has grown stronger than ever.

High school sweethearts rarely last and I never take our relationship for granted. I thank God everyday for how blessed we truly are. I am still amazed to hear about a friend that is going through a divorce after decades of marriage.

Life gets hard, it is not always wonderful. Paul and I have had financial hurdles, health hurdles, raising children hurdles, all the usual hurdles that one faces. We have lost loved ones and held each other in times of grief.

Life is good and we have had more good times than bad, blessings of children, blessings of  job promotions, blessings of joy and peace in life.

We have wrestled with decisions and second guessed decisions. We are always pleasantly surprised when we are so unsure about a decision and then we see how God unravels His plan in the midst of our best and worst laid plans. It reminds us that unless the Lord builds the house, those that labor, labor in vain.

God is our source, whether it seems obvious or not. God's plans are usually hidden behind the clouds and it takes a measure of our faith to walk through to the promises of God.

God has been so faithful to us. Our children have all been healthy, we are healthy, and we are so blessed. Our love for each other has held together as our family of two has grown to a family of 12!

It seems like just yesterday I was flirting with Paul in the hallway, now as I watch him hanging out on the couch I am so glad I agreed to "go with him". I love him more than ever and I love the fact that we have kept Jesus the center of our relationship!!

Thank you God for directing my steps to a wonderful husband.

I hope and pray for the same in your lives.

Love and Hugs

Heidi

Abortion.........our Heart Cries Out

Abortion is the greatest delusion to ever hit mankind.
The argument that an unborn child is not a life and therefore disposable is a lie.
As mother after mother believes these lies, and doctors and nurses snuff out these lives without any remorse of conscious, the blood of the unborn cry out before God.

Unfortunately, after almost 40 years, our young women of child bearing age have come to believe this lie. 40 years of propaganda by politicians, media, women's rights groups, planned parenthood, drug companies and population control freaks have made abortion an acceptable option.

The peer pressure has shifted and now you are considered irresponsible if you bring a child into this world before you finish your education. I know, I have talked to several young ladies. I was actually shocked one night as I sat at work with several young college girls and all but one had already had an abortion.

The conversation came up because I was working in the hospital with a suicidal young lady who was grieving from having an abortion. She was suffering from post-abortion syndrome. No one told her that 80% of all young women who have an abortion will suffer from depression. As she struggled with her emotions, her values, her religious beliefs and the choices she made, she became overwhelmed, and felt that all was lost. She felt she had no hope, no where to turn and no one to talk to.

All the more reason 14 year old young women have no business taking a morning after pill without their parents permission. Where is their support group? How is their mother suppose to know how to console her daughter? Why shouldn't her mother be able to help her sort through this decision.

So is this really about women's right to do what they want with their body? No! This has a much more sinister motive. The population can be controlled, the schools teen pregnancy statistics go down, the drug company can sell it's drug and a young woman can commit the murder of her own child in an acceptable and even expected manner. For women to be able to exercise their rights they need to have the truth represented to them so they can make informed decisions.

It is not only a temporary sadness. I also took care of a woman in her late thirties that became suicidal on what would have been an 18th birthday of her unborn child. 18 years later, this woman did not have closure, who could she turn to?

So what do you do if you find yourself in this situation? There are all kinds of reasons you would contemplate abortion,being a teenager, career plans, money, husband or boyfriend pressure, fear of parents, or God forbid a young girl is the victim of a rapist or a family pedophile.

First thing is, get information from lots of different sources. Find a woman mentor, if you don't have a mom or a mom you can confide in, try your pastor's wife, the grandmother in the pew a woman of a good repute, that can give you wisdom.

Adoption is always an option, but it also carries with it emotional repercussions. 

The greatest thing you can do for a young woman who is faced with this is offer her support and love.
Know that these decisions come with a price and we are placed on this earth to love, not to judge. We in no way condone abortion, but so many women sit in the pews with an unspeakable secret, that I felt we need to address those that have had an abortion.

If you have had an abortion the best resource that I have found is in Chattanooga, TN where there is a National Memorial to the Unborn They do a very good job of the steps of healing that are needed after having an abortion.
Know that God is with you and never turns his back on you. God hears you and can heal your heart. Feel free to ask for prayer.

Love and hugs to you all.

Heidi

Praise God for the many Salvations

Maybe it's Rosh Hashanah, maybe it's the unrest in the world, maybe it's the signs in the sun and the moon and the stars, maybe it's revival, but whatever it is Praise God for the many salvation's!

On the Sunday night live show at www.paulbegleyprophecy.com there were 47 salvations and 51 rededications. On Monday on the blogtalkradio there were 5 saved, on Tuesday on Blogtalkradio there were 4 saved and 1 saved on youtube.

Jesus taught us: I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Lk 15:7

It is so amazing to see this many people seeking out salvation or renewing their relationships with God. This is the whole reason that Pastor Paul and I do what we do. Our hearts desire is to see people like Sofia turn their lives around. If you heard Sofia's testimony you will remember that she was so wrapped up in sin that she was addicted to drugs, lost her son and felt that all was lost until she happened upon Pastor Paul and gave her life to Jesus.

Testimony after testimony we receive and we love to hear about all the salvations.

What about baptism?
We get asked about baptism all the time. YES baptism is the next step. Jesus gave us the example when he was baptized by John in the river Jordan. Lk 3:21

Mark tells us it is a step of salvation.
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be condemned. Mk 16:16

Peter tells us to be baptized not to clean our flesh but to clear our conscious:
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: IPe 3:21

Romans explains that the baptism is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and the renewing of our lives.
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life Ro 6:3-4

What if I have already been baptized?
It is not a requirement to be baptized again, but we have seen the best results of those that do. Again I think it goes back to Romans where it says we should walk in newness of life.

What if I die before I get baptized?
God knows your heart, his judgement is more merciful then mine. I would believe you would go to heaven if you truly meant to be baptized.

Please set up your baptism with a local church as soon as possible. It is sad to say, but many churches have stopped baptizing, keep asking until you find a church that will. We would be glad to baptize anyone who wants to make the trip to Knox, IN.

Church family is important! I realize people have several reasons why they don't go to church. We need each other for many reasons, but mostly we are one body! Feel free to join our internet church body here and Pastor Paul would be honored to be your pastor. If you have a local body I strongly encourage you to get involved and participate in your local body.

Pray for each other, and please keep me and my family on your prayer list. Continue to fast and pray for these salvations as we see the end approaching.

Love and blessings in Jesus Name

Heidi

Rosh Hashanah

I do not propose to know a lot about the Jewish holidays and I really invite my Jewish friends and followers to leave comments to help us listen and learn.

What I have learned about Rosh Hashanah is that is the official start of the New Year and marks ten days of repentance up until the Yom Kippur.

This is a time to renew your declaration of G*d as your King of the Universe, with a sounding of the shofar. The sounding is a cry of repentance.

This is also the anniversary of the Creation of Adam and therefore the the creation of  humankind.

It is a time to pray about and focus about during this time sets the course for your next year.

The celebration of eating apples dipped in honey for a sweet year is one of my favorites. The apple signifies the sweet times that come naturally, or easily, but the honey signifies the sweet things that come from a struggle. The sting of a bee yet the fruit of the sting is the honey. Coming through a challenge with a sweet end. The clouds with the silver linings. These end up even sweeter than the things that come to us easily.

Lexy and I tried the apples dipped in honey as we discussed the lesson and came up with examples in our life. It is a great lesson to teach to generations.

This is just the tip of the subject I am sure, so please interact and comment.

In the forefront of all our minds I'm sure is a prayer for peace. A prayer to keep our families and our militarises safe. A prayer for Christians worldwide to have peace and safety.

Please send me your prayers and anything you want to add about Rosh Hashanah

Uncertain World

Washing the dishes around Summer's chair that she pulled up to help me with the bubbles, I thought of all the events that have taken place this week since 9/11. There have been so many terror outbreaks that I can't keep track of them. I think about Evangelist Atif Raza and Fozia as they care for the orphans in Pakistan. I pray that they stay safe seeing all the hatred towards the Christians in Pakistan that is 98% Muslim.

I am just so distraught over the safety of the Coptic Christians in Egypt after Mursi threatened to seek out them as an excuse to apply justice over this movie that has disrupted the Muslim world. I have a friend that is a nurse and her husband is a pastor that are Coptic Christians that were here to minister to America but have many family members in Egypt. The recent crucifixions of Christians in Egypt let us know that Mursi intends to back up his warnings.

Now Paul says that the violence has spilled over to the Asian countries of China and Japan that have old scores to settle. A typhoon hits the shores of Japan and I am in prayer for our friends and supporters that live in Japan. They have already went through so much with the earthquakes and radiation. In the meantime it depends on what news network you are watching on to hear  the latest criticism of your political candidates. One thing for sure, you come away uncertain and unsettled.

Still, I start a pot of chili as I pull the cupcakes out the oven, and I start of load of clothes in the wash. I go on with my Saturday, catching up on the housework and the hugs of the grand babies and wondering how long before the shores of USA will be touched by the violence. How long until my Saturday morning routine is disrupted. This stays in the back of my mind as I buy a couple extra gallons of water, just in case.  As I hand over my debit card I realize that half the groceries now cost twice as much. I am grateful that God is my source and provides all my needs and I feel a responsibility to help others that are struggling.

Unsettled, I don't like to feel that way. I told Paul that I cannot shake this unsettled feeling. For about 8 weeks now we have been sent numerous visions and dreams with three basic themes emerging. Calamity, Urgency and water. Since then the floods have run through the south, the rats have washed up on the Mississippi and typhoons rage in the Asian waters.

Yom Kippur is coming up and I have heard Perry Stone as well as Paula White preach on the fact that leading up to Yom Kippur is always a most volatile time. It is sure proving true this year. Yom Kippur is also a solemn time of fasting and prayer so as  we contemplate these things we will stay in a state of prayer and fasting for our brothers and sisters abroad as well as for America.

9/11 A Rememberance

As you know we visited Ground Zero when we went to New York City. It was an overwhelmng place filled with mixed emotions, foreboding and dread, was the obvious emotion as you stood in line not knowing what to expect. But then the vendors made a cheap attempt to turn this time of reflection into a time of prosperity for themselves. It was really sickening. It was a time for retrospection and a time for sending up prayers. A time to consider the widows, orphans, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers all left behind. Yet you would be jolted out of silent prayer to be herded up down the sidewalk.
Love was lost, someoone's parent will never give them another good night hug. Some would never look into their mothers eyes, their brothers' eyes, their lovers eyes. Lonliness and desolation swept across a nation.
Where were you when it happened? I remember that I was a sleep in my bed after working a midnight shift. My middle son Bart shook me out of my sleep, "Mom a plane w just went truough the World Trade Center.
I was shocked and I awoke just in time to turn around and see  the the second plane burst through the second World Trade Center. My heart sunk in my chest and I realized that we war! We watched and we had difficulty processing what we were seeing, we watched we prayed as we saw the buildings disintegrate to dust. How could this be?
The next few days were an eerie silence as planes sat still in the runways and tears fell around the world. Now, 11 years later we sit silent and listen as the names are read yet again and the tears continue to stream down our cheeks.
We cry for America, we cry for our peace, we cry for our service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, we cry for the vanishing pools that stood where towers soared, we still weep and we still pray.

Cast your Cares on Him

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day! Really? Why would we ever need such a day? The harsh reality is that many people are touched by suicide and many more are touched by the darkness of depression.

Most people have "down" days, "blue" days whatever you want to call it. Very rarely do you find a person that is happy all the time. Usually you take those feelings and rationalize them. What is making me unhappy? What do I need to do to change that? What is the first step, second... etc? What is my ultimate goal? Right, goal setting.

At times though, we start running on empty and simple things can become overwhelming. How can I get the house clean, how can I get the bills paid, how do I spread enough time around to all my family members? This kind of bombardment of stressors over times takes and nothing is refilling. Next thing you know your exhausted but can't sleep, restless but can't prioritze your tasks, anxious and you don't even know why! This are some classic signs of depression. These are warning signs!

This is the time to be careful of your choices. Your choices will determine if you move forward, stay stuck or slide deeper into depression. First thing is realizing you have a choice. YES you do! God designed us all with free will, remember. One of the deceptions of depression is that you are unable to change anything.


Depression is a deceptive trick of the devil. It's ultimate goal is to have you destroy your own body which God has given you to be a temple of the Holy Spirit. Can Chirstians become depressed? Absolutely, but you have been given the tools to stop the assignment of enemy.

There are several scriptures you can start posting to remind you, Ps 37:7 & 8 remind you not to fret. Ps 55:22 and I Pe 5:7 Cast your cares on the Lord. There are lots of scriptures.

Don't forget to repeat your affirmations of what the blood of Jesus has done for you!

You are made in the image of God!
You are a child of the king!
You have been bought with a price!
You are an heir of the kingdom of God!

Don't forget the prayers,

Father God touch me right now! Fill me with your Holy Spirit!

 Take this spirit of heaviness from me and fill me with your Joy.
Help me to cast my cares on you, give me peace about this.

Calm me with your Presence and allow me to feel your Love.
Wipe away the tears I shed and the tears that I withhold.

Search my heart and remove unforgiveness and bitterness and replace
it with love and peace and forgiveness.

Take me in your arms and keep me safe and secure.
As I cry out Abba Father and you comfort me as your child,

I thank you for your love, your encouragement and your peace.
I am strengthened by the joy of the Lord!
I am comforted and I am at peace.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

The Test of Faith

So I write a blog on no plague shall come nigh my dwelling and what happens? After the strange remnant rains of Isaac poured over the Hoosier heartland for two days, everyone in my household, including me came down with a terrible respiratory infection.

That is why I haven't been on the last couple of nights, I have struggled with the sniffles all the while standing on the Word of God, by His stripes I am healed!

Why is it we get tested?

12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13But rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. I Pe 4:12-13.

 

I know this scripture is in the Bible, yet every time my faith gets tested I find myself thinking how strange this is.  Especially when you speak or teach or preach the Word of God.

 

For instance, a few years ago I held a woman's Bible Study where we talked about Jael and how she took the nail from her tent and drove it through the enemy's head. Wouldn't you know that weekend a storm came up and pulled my gazebo that I had worked so hard to put up right up from the stakes and into my neighbor's field.

 

What do you do then? I get over my angry flesh and then I stand on the Word of God. Because the Word of God is true despite my circumstance. That is the only way to bring things back into the Godly perspective.

 

And then I humble myself before God and I remember that these are simple tests and trials of faith. I have not yet been beaten, jailed or had my family or my own lives threatened for the Name of Jesus.

 

I have lots of brothers and sisters all around the globe, daily that are suffering these trials. And I thank God for his enduring mercy and I pray for strength and mercy to be shown to my brothers and sisters that are facing these trials. Those in Egypt, those in India, those in China, those in Syria, those in Iran, those in the many nations of Africa...... I become so annoyed with myself that I felt any of my trials to be an inconvenience, and then I pray for forgiveness.

 

My mother-in-law and I joke that this is just a test, and only a test, but I feel so inadequate at times. Then I remember that it is nothing that I have done or haven't done. I am saved by grace, by the awesome grace and mercy of God, that sent his son Jesus to shed his blood for us.

 

So if you look around and you feel that one thing after another has tested you and how strange this is, look to I Pe 4 12& 13.

 

Bless you all,,

 

Praying for you all,

 

Heidi

Praying for our children and our grandchildren

My house has been full this weekend as my son is visiting with his family and I have all 5 grandbabies together and my 3 sons together. This is the whole reason I started Rachel's Heart.

It is such an awesome responsibility to pray for the souls of your generations. Praying for them to walk upright before the Lord and fufill their destinies. That is what Rachel wanted for her children, which turned out to be a whole nation of people. Her tomb was placed up along the roadside where she died and mothers and grandmothers still visit there today to pray for their children and grandchildren. 

Here is the mission of Rachel's Heart:

Our Mission

To pray & fast for our children

The children of the community,

And our children’s children.

To recall our children and our

Children’s children from the

Land of the enemy. Jer 31:16

To provide a place of safety &
    Prepare a sanctuary of love as they
  Come again to their own borders. Jer 31:17

I was also instructed by the Holy Spirit to call out their names before God so here is my list of my children's names and feel free to leave your list and we will join in prayer together for them.

Brock & Leeann
Cece
Drake
Tayla

Bart & Emily
Lexy
Summer

Paul Andrew

I ask you to join me in prayer for my children and I will join in prayer for yours.

Love and Hugs to all,

Heidi

Prayers for those in the midst of trouble

Headline after headline speaks of trouble and turmoil. Floods in the Louisiana and Mississippi, earthquakes in the Philippines and southern California, a young man shoots his coworkers at a shopping center it goes on an on.

People are in trouble. Our society has become a hard and sometimes cruel place. This is placing burdens, worries, and cares on all of us. Whether we are the ones experiencing the troubles or whether we are the one supporting a child, sister, brother, mother that is in trouble everyone is affected. There is trouble on every hand.

David wrote the whole book of Psalms describing the depths of his heart as he worked through his struggles. He also wrote of his victory over these troubles as he was reminded of the strength that God provided to him in the midst of these troubles.

Father God I reach out to you now on behalf of those who need a boost today. I am praying for those who are overwhelmed by their circumstances. I am praying for those who look around and all they see is heart ache and pain. I am praying for those who don't know how they can make it one more day. I am praying for those who feel hopeless, who have cried so much there are no more tears. I am praying for those on the depths of despair.

If this is you pray along with me:

Father I cry out to you now.

 I pray that you meet me in the midst of my storm.
 I know Lord that you realize my circumstance,
 and I know Lord that you are the only one that has a solution.


I pray Lord that you look into my heart and
 cleanse any roots of bitterness,
cleanse any spots of unforgiveness,
 cleanse any blemishes of unbelief.


 I pray Lord that I can be strengthened to trust in you.
 I pray Lord that you meet me at the point of my faith
and you forgive me of any points that may be lacking in faith.


I pray Lord that you send others into my path to help remove obstacles.
I pray Lord that you give me wisdom to work out circumstance.
I pray Lord that your heavenly angels be sent on assignment to provide protection to minister strength and sustenance.


I am so thankful Lord that you hear me in my troubles.
I am so thankful that your light will break forth in my darkness.
I am so thankful that you are a God that answers his children.
I am so thankful that you are sending relief my way.


In Jesus Name we pray,


Amen