So the extreme introvert, recluse, live in the Bat Cave thing is out, huh....?

I guess so, if you want to fulfill your dream of being a University Professor. God knows, they could do with some good ones!


"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."

* Martha Washington (1732 - 1802)

so be it! and this guy will be alone in the end-

Romans 3.21
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.



Sometimes we all need to vent a little, no-one is perfect. As Christians we should try to lift one another up, rather than tear down.

Prayers for our Troops and Civilian workers overseas


My twin brother is in Iraq at the moment, as a former soldier, I wish it was me instead of him but it is not so and can't be.

May God look out for them all and guide the aim of his Marine escorts

Letters from War - Mark Schultz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmjhUPa65mk

She walked to the mailbox
On that bright summers day
Found a letter from her son
In a war far away
He spoke of the weather
And good friends that he'd made
Said I'd been thinking 'bout dad
And the life that he had
Thats why I'm here today
And that the end he said
You are what I'm fighting for
It was the first of the letters from war
She started writing
You're good and you're brave
What a father that you'll be someday
make it home
make it safe
She wrote every night as she prayed
Late in December
A day she'll not forget
Oh her tears stained the paper
With every word that she read
It said "I was up on a hill
I was out there alone
When the shots all rang out
And bombs were exploding
And thats when I saw him
He came back for me
And though he was captured
A man set me free
And that man was your son
He asked me to write to you
I told him i would, oh I swore"
It was the last of the letters from war
And she prayed he was living
Kept on believing
And wrote every night just to say
You are good
And you're brave
what a father that you'll be someday
Make it home
Make it safe
Still she kept writing each day
Then two years later
Autumn leaves all around
A car pulled in the driveway
And she fell to the ground
And out stepped a captain
Where her boy used to stand
He said "mom I'm following orders
From all of your letters
And I've come home again",
He ran into hold her
And dropped all his bags on the floor
Holding all of her letters from war
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home


Mark Schultz's comment on the song: ["Letters From War"] was an idea that I got from reading my great-grandmother's diaries. Three of her four sons were in WWII. She would write them letters and kept all of theirs that they sent her. I was reading her entries, and a letter that my Uncle Gus, who spent a lot of time in Germany, wrote. The letters and the diary entries were like reading a script from a movie. I am so proud of this song, because it speaks of my Great-Grandma's faith in god that she instilled in her sons, which in turn gave them the strength to become great men.

I'd like to pray for those who are not looking forward to the holiday season. Some are alone, some have no family to join them, some are heart broken because their children are not joining them, some have been ostracized by their own families; whatever the circumstance they need prayer. The holiday season can be the most depressing season for some and I would like to pray and have agreement that the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort would be felt by them. That His presence would be felt strong during this time, and that thankfulness would resound in their hearts for the comfort that only He can bring. I am thankful for a God that is close to the broken hearted and comforts those who are crushed in spirit and I pray that they would be able to look past their circumstances and trials and find those things in life that there are to be thankful for. That just like Paul and Silas in their midnight hour, in their darkest hour were able to sing praises and soon were set free, I pray that they would be able to sing in their dark hour and that healing, forgiveness, peace, joy and freedom would come to them in the name of Jesus.

I pray for those that don't know the Lord and are hurting this season, that God would draw them to Him and place them in a church family that knows and preaches the Word of God in it's entirety. That hearts would be softened and would be ready and receptive for the planting of the Word. I am thankful that He sets the lonely in families and brings us up from the ashes and dung heaps and sets us with princes. What a mighty God we serve!

And that the church would be ready to minister to the lost and hurting inside the church and the ones that will be coming. That we would be ready to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and willing to forego our own agenda and pleasures to be a blessing to others in this season and in every season. That we would be ready to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good deeds and praise God in heaven. Not that our works are needed for salvation, but out of thankfulness for all that He has done for us. That we would not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. Faith without works is dead. Whether it is a smile, an encouraging word, a gift, an invitation, Lord may we be willing vessels to be used by You and show Your love to ALL people. That we would be willing to carry each other's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ and not grow weary of doing good in the name of Jesus.

God bless.

That's a lovely prayer Laura. I will agree with you on that.

And welcome to the site.

God bless.

God has always provided for me, and right now I need to ask folks to pray about my financial situation.

I live off of financial aid from the college, and I give my all in my studies. I believe this is my calling (2 Tim. 2:15). December, April and August are my toughest months because they are the end of the semester each time. I get financial aid money only once every 4 months. I have lived like this for 5 years. I am an honors college student, I received an induction into the McNair Scholars program, and I believe God has been with me every step of the way.

I get assistance for food, but right now I do not have any money at all.

My rent was due on the first, and it is still not paid. If it is not paid by 11am today, they will tack on a $188 legal fee to commence the eviction process.

I do not have money for household items. I am out of computer paper, dog food, Diabetes medicine, and other things that are necessities and not frivolities.

I believe in prayer, and I have lived by faith for many years and have saw God do things for me that were remarkable. Perhaps later on in this thread I will testify about some of the many things He has done for me.

Right now I need folks to pray.



Thanks.

Dear Lord,

I come before you to pray for this situation. Lord, you have always been "Jehovah Jireh" the Lord that provides. You tell us to seek and we shall find, ask and we shall receive. Cleanse my heart from every sin, Lord. Whatever thing this might be, even things I do not remember or understand. Wash me with your blood, Jesus and in your eyes, let me righteous. before you.

More importantly then helping me, Lord, I put my Christian friends here on Mingle before you. Help their families, help their loved ones who do not know you to come to saving knowledge of you. Help my brothers and sisters to be strong in their walk with you. Help them to walk the narrow path, and bind the Enemy who would attempt to deceive folks in walking the wide road to destruction. Loose your Holy Spirit and keep these that you have selected Lord. Help them set their eyes in your Word. By reading, and hearing the scriptures proclaimed, help their faith to increase.

Lord, you know my need before I even ask it. You see my life, and you know I am obedient to you in my walk. Life throws us trials at times but I remain steadfast to concentrate my intent on the cross. Help my life to be a light for you, Lord. You are the God that offers us peace, you tell us you will give us the desires of our heart, you will meet all our needs according to your riches in glory through Christ Jesus. In you I have hope, in your arms, I lay my life. I stand for you, God, and I pray your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.

You are my God and you are in heaven. To whisper your name is to whisper that which causes my heart to leap and my soul to dance. All I ask is for the things that I need in my daily life. Please forgive me as I am a sinner saved by Grace. I cannot live without you. You, oh Lord, are life. Clear my mind of any people that may have taking up sides against me, and forgive them, Lord. Somehow bless them and bring them to you. I forgive all people how have done something against me, it is my desire to live in peace until you take me home. Steer my life away from temptations and evil, and keep me oh Lord. Keep me by your Spirit. You are my Deliverer.

Though I was young but now am old, I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or His seed begging bread.

So that they will know that You live, Lord. Not for me, for I am nothing, but for your Kingdom and for your Glory. Let my light shine Lord, let me put this flame on a candlestick so that it will light my path, and the path of anyone my light might influence. Set their torches aflame, oh God, and help us to remember to be the salt of the Earth, and to allow our light to so shine before men.

In your name I pray, Jesus.

Amen.

Its is now 10:10am and I want to give testimony of my need being met.

About ten minutes ago, one of my relatives agreed to put my rent on her credit card, so my rent has been paid!!!

I did not expect that she was going to be able to help me, but in faith I asked anyways. It was one of those moments where I sort of was prepared for her to say no, but it was not that way, nearly without hesitation she said yes, and within minutes my rent was paid.

Sometimes it is hard and humbling to ask God for help, but sometimes asking is the only way our needs can be known to people God can use to help us.

Praise the Lord.

In January I became a grad student, and I will receive $2,500 more in financial aid than I did as an undergraduate student. I also have to take less classes (9 credit hours) in order to get full-time allotment for financial aid (undergrad was 12 credits full-time).

Thank you all for praying with me. I am very blessed.



I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread.



Jim

I am happy to hear that TM. God is good.

Thank you for posting the praise report. Rejoicing with you.

From the need request I posted above...



Its always cool to thank God for the big stuff. I honestly had no idea how I was going to pay my rent. My rent is paid.

But I needed a few things around the house.

I had forgotten that I had $4.35 in my checking account.

I stopped by the pharmacy, and I was able to get my prescription filled for the metformin I take for my Diabetes today. My co-pay is only $1.00 with my county health insurance.

I stopped by a Dollar store on the way home and they had dog food for $1.00 per 2.75lb. bag. I bought two bags for $2.00.

Last night when I gave a guitar lesson, once of my students told me he is going to bring by two 500 reams of paper for my printer.

I wasn't going to say which household item I was out of, but I think its cute, and sort of funny.... I was down to one roll of toilet paper... LOL...

At the grocery store where I usually buy it, it is over $4.00 for 4 rolls.

At the Dollar store, they had 4 rolls for $1

So for the $4.00 in my checking account I got...

... my Diabetes medicine I needed ($1.00 co-pay)
... 5-1/2 lbs of dog food ($2.00)
... 4 rolls of T.P.... ($1.00)... lol

Here in Michigan they put a ten cent deposit on every aluminum soda pop can and plastic soda pop bottle. I remembered I had a couple small bags of bottles in the back of my truck. When I took them back to the store, I had $6.10 worth of bottles.

After getting everything I needed for $4.18 (including tax) I tapped out my checking account, but was able to lay a five dollar bill and a single one dollar bill back in my wallet from the bottle returns.

Its less than 24 hours since I posted this prayer request, and I have more than when I started.

Oh, I got a dime with that five dollar bill and that one dollar bill. But when I came out of the grocery store where I returned the soda pop bottles, there was a Salvation Army bell ringer standing out in the very cold weather. I think the temperature here in Michigan was about 15 degrees tonight. And this fellow was standing out there ringing his bell for the Salvation Army.

I couldn't just walk past him and not give at least something, so I put the dime into his red can. I know it isn't much, but I am very much needy myself. I stopped for a few moments and I thanked the fellow for standing out there and ringing his bell. I told him it was for a very good cause.

Had I not been able to find my rent money this morning, I was going to call the Salvation Army to see if they could help.

All the way home to my apartment after that I sang the Christmas song "Silent Night." It has always been my mother's favorite Christmas song, and it eventually became mine, too. I rolled down my window a little bit and sang extra loud at the intersections when I was stopped at the lights. I was hoping somebody could here my voice and hoping that maybe it would make somebody smile or grin to hear somebody singing so loud.

And just now I remembered a section of verse from the book of Luke...

*******

Luke 2:8-14

v8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

v9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

v10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

v11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

v12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

v13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

v14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

*******

I especially want to point out verse # 10...

v10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

You know, even folks who don't even believe in Jesus can find good tiding of great joy during the Christmas season.

There is a lot of joy during this particular time of the year. I know there are some who will be alone on Christmas. I am one of those people. My family has decided to celebrate the day on December 20th this year. So when the 25th comes, I'll be home alone at my apartment with my doggie Koko.

But that doesn't mean I will be sad.

God meets all my needs. Even if their aren't any other people here on Christmas, Jesus will be here. There is no greater joy that I have ever found than to just be alone with my Lord.

Everything I have is his... all my computer stuff, all my books, all my clothes, my guitars and amps, all this stuff belongs to Jesus. When I buy something new, I hold it for a second and say a prayer and I give it to him. Its all his stuff.

One day this old body sick with Diabetes is going to lay down and it will not get up anymore. I will one day fall asleep in the Lord, and he will take me home. And in that day I will have run the race as best as I can, the prize is to just praise God here in this life, and give testimony that He lives. I know he lives, because I see Him work in my life.

I hope folks will stop and just thank Him for what he has done in your life today. I am so grateful for the cross.

Lord, help me to live for you all the days of my life.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

And just plain....


YAHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

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PRAISE GOD AMIGHTY!!!

KEEP DANCING LIKE DAVID DANCED...TOO!!!