My life is still in a state of upheaval though I am happy to say that we have completed the journey from Virginia to California.  We were blessed with safe travels and are staying temporarily with my son (who recently returned from Afghanistan) and his wife.

We drove through a lot of desert to get here and I’m pretty sure Aaron saw a lot of desert where he was.  The reality is that just as we drove through populated areas, by abundantly fruitful fields and orchards, up mountains and down into valleys, through forest lands and deserts, the journeys our lives take often reflect the variety of scenery we experienced—and no matter where we are on life’s journey, one thing that stays constant is God’s love.  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our  Lord” (Romans 8:35, 37-39).

I recognize that there are times in our lives when joyful fellowship with church family and extended quiet times in Bible reading and prayer are just not possible; yet those spiritual activities do not determine God’s love for us.  It is in moments when we do not feel the amazing presence of the Holy Spirit that it becomes essential to hold on to God’s Word in faith—because it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).  It is through the good news of Jesus, our Christ, that “the righteous of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘the just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17).

I wrote this prayer after reading Daniel 3:

Father, this is a very familiar story; yet I enjoy reading it—I love to see your amazing ability to deliver your servants from fire.  Fill my heart with the fresh wind of your Spirit; give me new insight and renewed hope, I pray.

The position these three young men held in Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom was of no consequence to them because their citizenship belonged elsewhere and their hearts belonged to you.  I want to live with that kind of commitment to you and your kingdom, Lord.  I ask that you show me—show all of your people—the places in our hearts where we nurture compromise and sometimes bow to the gods of this world.  Forgive us, I pray; cleanse our lives from unrighteous attitudes and behaviors—lead us in your paths of righteousness.

There will always be those who hold animosity towards your people.  Please give me, give my children and their families’ courage to stand strong in your name; empower us with your Spirit and grace to remain faithful in times of testing.

Rage is evidence of demonic activity and the enemy rages against all those who choose to worship only you.  Teach your people the significance of worship and do not let us become divided in our affections.

I want to walk by your side, Lord.  I want you to hold my hand in the fire, through the calm and in the storm.  I am so grateful for your promise that you will never leave me or forsake me.  Even when I do not see the deliverance I hope for, I know that you are a good God and I rest in your wisdom and your love.  Thank you for delivering me many more times than I recognize or can count.

The enemy has no power over your people, those who surrender their lives to you.  You are mighty to save—remind us always to cast our cares on you, for you are the Most High God.

I lift my heart to you and chose to bless your name forever.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.