Faith and Foxholes

A couple of years ago on Fourth of July weekend LIVE published my article entitled, "Faith and Foxholes." It is a practical article which suggests ways to encourage and pray for our troops. I have scanned it for you to enjoy and use.

Pray for the Entertainment World

Are you disgusted by the things you see on TV? Do you go nuts trying to find good movies for your teens? When was the last time you were enjoying a video, but a raunchy scene made you turn it off? If you are like me, I am fed up. Since complaining didn't seem to help, I decided to go on the offense and pray. Here is a prayer guide I devised to pray for the various aspects of entertainment that impact our society.

How to Pray for the World of Entertainment

TV, Radio, Movies, CD’s, Video Games

1. Ask God to give wisdom, knowledge and understanding to those in entertainment who make decisions.  Help them to not take advice from evil people.  (Proverbs 2:6; Psalm 1:1)

2. Pray that the leaders of the entertainment world will understand the power that pictures, sounds and words have for good and bad.  Make them remember that one day they will have to tell why they made their choices.  (Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 12:36)

3. Ask the Heavenly Father to give those in media eyes to see kids as You see them.  Give them a tender heart that wants to protect innocent children. (Mark 9:42)

4. Pray that producers will make programs that show Your truth.  Lead them to make things that are good, worthy of praise, true, honorable, right, pure, beautiful and excellent.  (Philippians 4:8)

5. Ask the Lord to open the eyes of Christians to keep away from bad entertainment.  Help them to make good choices in music, TV, movies and electronic games.  Help them to be self-controlled and not spend too much time on pleasure.  (Acts 26:18; Titus 2:11-12)

From Tragedy to Triumph

Today, my doorbell rang and I received a dozen copies of "From Tragedy to Triumph." It is difficult to get copies of this book, because it is part of a set called "Extraordinary Answers to Prayer" published by Guideposts. They prefer to sell you the entire set. They didn't even bother to get an ISBN number for the book. But I wanted several copies because of the story "Three Moms" inside. It recounts the failed adoption of our daughter Stephanie Joy. This had such an impact upon our family I hoped this writing would be a source of healing. So after much pleading with the publisher, I managed to get these twelve copies. If you are able to come across a copy of "From Tragedy to Triumph," you will find Stephanie's story on p. 91. If not, don't worry. The contract I signed gives me the copyright of the manuscript back next year when it goes out of print. Then, I am free to give a copy of the article to anyone who wants one.

National Day of Prayer

I would love some year to be able to go to Washington D.C. to attend the National Day of Prayer. With teenagers in the middle of end of school activities, it will not happen for several more years. If you're like me, you'll be spending time at the NDP website.  National Day of Prayer

Prayer for Missionaries

Even though most missionaries have access to e-mail and cell phones which enable them to keep in touch with family and friends, the service maybe too expensive or unreliable. They may serve with joy and dearly love the people they try to reach, but thirst for things "back home." Since I thought prayer might help, I pondered what I should pray. When my petition, "Lord, be with John and Mary in Unbeleafia," went up, it seemed so inadequate.

Several years ago I picked up a brochure on a table of a representative from OMF International. I have found these prayer tips for missionaries invaluable and powerful. They are not copyrighted, but please be courteous and site the source when you use the prayer guide.

7 Ways to Pray

For your Missionary

Sunday - Relationship with God

     Loving and studying God's Word

     Have a strong prayer life

     Be filled with the Holy Spirit

     Maturing spiritually

     Progress over personal sin

Monday - Physical and Emotional

     Adaptation to climate

     Health in the midst of disease

     Safety in danger

     Victory over loneliness and depression

Tuesday - Family Relationships

     Husband / Wife

     Children / Parents

     Family life as a model to
            nationals

     Coping with singleness

Wednesday - Communication

     Language study

     Continual improvement in fluency

     Cultural adaptation and understanding

Thursday - Effective Ministry

     Teaching, preaching, witnessing
     Boldness and open doors

     Prepared hearts and fruitfulness

Friday - Team Relationships

     Other missionaries

     National evangelists, pastors and teachers

Saturday - Country of Service

     Government - national and local

     Political situation

     Visas and a continued open door

     Outreach to cities, villages and tribes

By Bill Wilson of OMF International

10 West Dry Creek Circle

Littleton, CO 80120

http://www.omf.org/us

Called to Write Conference

What a blessing the Called to Write Conference at the Lamplighter in Pittsburg, Kansas was. Cecil Murphey was our main speaker. I also attended sessions by Deborah Vogts on Marketing and Sally Jadlow on writing poetry. I can hardly wait until next year's conference. My daughter Heather also attended the conference with me. I am so proud that she is blossoming into a delightful poet. These photos are courtesy of my dear friend and camera buff Debi Downs.