Never Give Up

At last I found the box with my camera attachments so I would like you to meet my frequent visitors…two Sand Cranes.  They frequently come up and look through the glass in my porch door, cocking their heads from side to side.  They are beautiful birds and quite something to see lift off in flight.  I enjoy watching the wildlife along the lake outside my porch windows.  Today I saw an alligator also watching the birds along the edge of the water.  They also kept an close eye on him, so he didn’t find his lunch while I was watching.   

Last evening I was invited to have dinner with several retired missionaries.  After a delicious meal, we shared some of our career experiences and I was captivated by the stories they told of God’s provision and answers to prayer.  Every answer did not come quickly and some were not answered as they had planned.  But in every situation after time, they could see that God had responded in the best way to accomplish the greatest good for His purpose and glory.  We chatted rather late into the night, but I could have listened much longer.  

As I was reflecting on our conversations I was reminded of the importance of never giving up when praying.  In our fast-moving, get-it-now society, we tend to expect an immediate response to everything including prayer.   Luke reports that while teaching the disciples about prayer, Jesus told a story about persistence and then said; “…keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”  (Luke 11:9-10) A good reminder not to give up praying!

In my search for a church, I visited the third one today and enjoyed having dinner with a couple of friends that are members.  We are blessed with a variety of good churches in the area, so it a matter of selecting the one that will best meet my needs and provide the proper outlets of ministry for me.  Please join me in praying about that decision.

I suspect that many of you may be visiting family and friends this weekend, but as much as I would love to do that, I felt a greater urgency to deal with a few more boxes. 

Enjoy the long weekend!

Chuck

P.S.  I just realized that this did not publish...so here goes again.