Click the image or the link or
Copy and paste the link into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJvEjYfTqx4
or search YouTube for Footprints In The Sand - Instrumental
(HD)
by I surrender
“What shall we say then?
There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on
whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.,’
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the
man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For
the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I raised you up, to
demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout
the whole earth.’
“So then He has mercy on whom He desires. You will say to me then, ‘Why does He still
find fault? For who resists His will?’ On the contrary, who are you, O man, who
answers back to God. ‘The thing molded
will not say to the molder, ‘Why did you make me like this,’ will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the
clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honourable use, and another for
common use?
“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath
to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared
for destruction? And He did so in order
that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which
He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among
Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”
Romans 9:174-24
My first adventure in Australia surprised me. I prayed every day before I arrived and every
day of my trip that the Lord would surround me with His people.
There was not a billabong, a train ride, a climb up Uluru/
Ayers Rock, a bus tour driver, small plane flight over uranium mines or a hotel
stay where Australian Christians weren’t there to welcome me and talk about
their life in Australia. I don’t think I
even met a ‘regular’ Australian in all 17 days of the tour!
I returned the next year, with a portion of my trip paid for
by a software creator in the USA who was establishing a branch with a local
business in Melbourne Australia. They
eventually sponsored me through a special visa to work in the country for two years.
It took more than a year for the paperwork to be completed
and at least that amount of time to convince my Mom, brother and best friend,
Annette Whittemore, that I would be fine-- that it was JUST two years!
Every day since I arrived in Australia for those ‘two years’
(in March 1989) has been filled with challenges, heartbreak and even a bit of
occasional chaos. Yet, so many prayers
have been answered! The Lord opened new
doors of ministry for me (specifically in writing) and through His people, He
has strengthened my walk in His Truth.
My biggest lesson would be the most difficult for the Lord
to convince me of -- that is that, like those proverbial ‘Footprints in the
Sand’, He is always with me, even when I feel afraid and alone and unsure. And that the warmth of His mighty arms guide
me, hug me and sometimes carry me through the all the days He has prepared for
me.
Someday, I pray the Lord will provide a way for me to return
home. I long to be with my sweet (little)
brother, Tim, and his faithful wife, Barbara and to see my friends.
Yet, I have learned that whatever happens, no one can stop
His hand in my life and no one can say to Him, ‘what are You doing!’. How wonderful.
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you each day)
PS: Find my
statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com
(where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to
share). You can easily find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google
search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’. (Also,
there is an android ‘Google
Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone. Not sure about Apple.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
· Tonga – volcanic explosion and tsunami – destroying one third of the island, unknown number
of deaths. The island is without water,
normal services, communication and further damages continuing. Please pray for those on the island and all
those rushing to aid those left behind.
· Christians in Afghanistan – Many Christians went to this country to
share the Good News to many who would never have heard of Jesus. These leaders and baby Christians are now in
heightened danger and need your prayers to protect them and sustain them during
this time.
·
Ray Jr. –Pray the Lord holds Ray Jr. (and his brothers) closely
as they deal with the practical matters after the loss of their father and
comfort their hearts.
·
Family of Eric – Eric at 52 died suddenly leaving his 47-year-old
wife and three girls (ages 16, 19 and 23).
Pray the Lord comforts the family through this time of mourning. Pray for their wisdom and that Go-d will send
trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based councilors for the many decisions that now
must be made.
·
Grant’s brother
- still has quite severe headaches. Had
a shunt put in his skull to drain fluid from around the brain, as the fluid was
putting pressure on the brain and affecting balance. Pray for his health carers
as they work to adjust the flow rate and help minimise the pressure.
· Peyton - eldest granddaughter of Jeff and
Rachael – now in her second year of college.
Please continue to pray for her that she does well, makes good decisions
and continues having a good relationship with the Lord.
·
Adam –
please pray for his strength and peace as he pursues new job possibilities and
that the Lord will guide him clearly in his decisions and to know without doubt
the depth of forgiveness; and that his wife will be the loving supporter he
badly needs.
· Barb – my brother’s
faithful and kind wife. Thank you for
praying for her. She needs prayers to
sustain her and protect her health and energy during this time of additional
stress and challenge at work.
·
Sophie – three-year old daughter of a friend. She is chronically unwell and frail. Please pray for her, her parents and health
carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, the cancer seems to be stable for now. Pray for his financial situation to improve
and for his ongoing strength through the pain when it comes. Pray for his patience and God’s mercy. Pray for his healthcare providers and that he
is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support
him through this journey. Pray for his
Mom (age 84) who is also unwell -- that their time together is filled with
extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
·
Callilah
- a lost child. Pray the Lord will
capture her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
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