John 16:2: Is this a verse about terrorism today?

Lord, I started to look at cross-references on Matthew 24, a chapter on Bible prophecy. [In fact, check out the previous journal entries today on verses about Bible Prophecy.]

And, look at the one I just found:

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John 16:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

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Today is the day where arrests have been made after three states were impacted by terror over the weekend (New Jersey, Minnesota, and New York).

John 16:2, in the second half, from "in fact" on, this describes what the terrorist Jihadists think. They think they are killing all infidels in the name of Allah, their god. Furthermore, they think they will be rewarded for doing so.

Did this verse talk about today's age? 

Did Jesus Christ, in John 16:2, refer to the Islamic terrorists of today?

I am going to study this verse now. 

Here is a place to read several commentaries on this verse:

http://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/16-2.htm

It's hard fining more information on this subject. Ugh.

I will continue to try to dive into this verse. 

#BibleProphecy

Remember Benghazi

Another anniversary to remember is Benghazi.

May we never forget.

Remember and Pray on 9/11

Remember what happened 15 years ago today.

September 11th, 2001.

Pray for those still alive and carry around the scars from that day and pray those who were lost that big beautiful blue sky Tuesday morning.

Pray for the families and friends, first responders, law enforcement, and all those that were there on September 11th.

Pray for the U.S. military and their families who responded because of September Eleventh.

Pray for our government that they do not forget this day in 2001.

And above all, never forget. Keep praying without ceasing about this day and for our nation.

September 11th, 2001... The day the world changed.

Lord, help us never forget this day and may we live every day with September Eleventh in mind. May it bring us to our knees in unceasing prayer for our nation. May this day remind us how important prayer and confession is for us individually and as a nation.

Lord, comfort and strengthen everyone touched by this day.

Prayer, Thanks, and Terror on Monday (Cont.)

November 23, 2015, Monday
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Thank You, Lord, for...
I am thankful, Creator, for 22,843 words so far with my National Novel Writing Month book, "Prayer, Thanks, and Terror."  This means I have reached my word count goal of at least 4,700 words today. (Yay!)
That I have journaled 78 pages between November 16, 2015, and now. Letter-size pages. Single spaced. 12 point type/font.
That I am seeing more of my life's purpose. Prayer. Thanks. Terror. Prayer journaling. Blessings Counted Journaling. Living a life of gratitude.
The size of our backyard--it is one of the larger ones in this neighborhood.
How my husband holds my hand.
B's whiskey colored eyes that I want to get lost in.
How I like my husband and do not just love him.
How B is my best friend.
How B puts up with me--warts and all. In which I have plenty. Too many.
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How do I fully live today?
Have I lived more ingratitude than gratitude? As a whole, yes. Over the last two years, yes I have. Over the last month? Yes. Ingratitude seems to prevail--when I want with everything I have and am to live every moment with gratitude and a life of giving thanks.
Do I live fully or do I live empty? This is a question Ann Voskamp reminds me of in her book, "One Thousand Gifts Devotional: Reflections on Finding Everyday Graces."
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Is my wanting to write a book on living a life of giving thanks pointless and futile? Isn't the market drowning with books on giving thanks?
I cannot help but wonder if rather than a title that says, "Prayer, Thanks, and Terror," is should be, "How to Give Thanks in Spite." After all, this is a lesson I have sure learned--and learned well, I must admit.
Ahh. Yes. That is it. "How to Give Thanks in Spite." Or something like that.
How can we look around this great, big, ugly world and find the beauty in spite?
How can we give thanks when we don't feel like it?
How can we give thanks when we are so busy we can barely breathe, let alone take time to count our blessings?
How can we give thanks in spite of the latest challenge we face?
How can we give thanks when we feel anything but thankful?
How can we give thanks in spite of the ugliness of this world and all of its challenges?
How do we count our blessings in spite of terror?
How can we give thanks during a new holocaust?
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News article title: "Geological Discovery Proving Source of Earth’s Water Amazingly Similar to Biblical Account of Creation"
Read more at this link: https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/54514/geological-discovery-proving-source-earths-water-amazingly-similar-biblical-account-creation-health-and-science/#SB20Zg2IHoAwqxFP.99
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What do I want to devote my time to?
Giving thanks.
Truly. That is what I want. It is, also, what I crave.
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Prayer, Thanks, and Terror on Monday (Cont.)

Written: November 23, 2015, Monday

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Before I begin, it is time for a cappuccino. Please pardon me, my prayer journal. Lord, I will pray as I go get the delightful drink. (1102 a.m.)

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Thank you for twenty-one thousand twenty-three words so far out of fifty thousand for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), in which I am writing a book on prayer, thanks, and terror. 

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My prayer: Lord, teach me how to pray about terror and teach me how to always give thanks. I realize that it would be impossible to ever perfect either one, but I can continually strive to learn a better way. Lord, please teach me how to best pray for terror and always give You thanks. The truth is, I cannot do either without Your help and assistance. 

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Inspirational article title: "The One Simple Trick to Help You Notice God in the Every Day"

Link: http://sheridacon.com/2015/11/23/the-one-simple-trick-notice-god-in-the-every-day/

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I am grateful for...

Caramel cappuccino

How first the cat had to come check out out what I did as I took a bath. Then, the beagle decided to join him. They both opened the bathroom door wide open and let out all of the hot air. Sigh. I pretend to complain. The truth is, I would not have it any other way. 

Cat and beagle are hanging out with me again as I sit in my study and start to count my blessings once again. 

Losing two pounds over the weekend. Two of many, many, many more to go. 

The new bluejeans we bought over the weekend since I had a pair split open on my in the seat last week since I have worn several pairs so much. They are all at that stage, where each of the four remaining pairs could tear any day, any moment now. (Sigh.) I only bought three new pairs, with the hopes I will lose weight. (Weight has always been a struggle for me--ever since I was twelve or so.)

Finding a birdbath warmer that helps prevent the water from freezing. It should arrive in the mail later today. The birds will sure appreciate it. 

How my hair is slowly but surely growing out from a very short pixie. It's far from being anywhere near likable, but it is what it is. Hopefully when I go to get my hair trimmed the week of December Eleventh, my stylist will be able to give it some style. My hair just needs to grow a great deal more between now and then. 

I am looking forward to setting up our Christmas trees and other Christmas decor after Thanksgiving. 

That B and I found a really good pizza joint over the weekend. B loves pizza, so it's a pleasure to find something that pleases him. It's a little whole in the wall, which is our favorite kind of establishment. 

For veterinarians.

Watching Zack beagle sleep. Warms my heart. Thank God for such a major blessing. I still cannot believe, Lord, how he is almost sixteen years old. 

Our washing machine and dryer.

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Inspirational article title: "Sunday Scripture"

It's about giving thanks.

Link: http://www.incourage.me/2015/11/sunday-scripture-17.html

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Inspirational article title: "6 Steps to Find More Gratitude in Your Life"

Link: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/the-life-changing-nature-of-gratitude/

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Inspirational article title: "How Gratitude Can Change Your Life"

Link: http://www.thechangeblog.com/gratitude/

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I am thankful, Lord for...

The rumble of a purring cat.

How Sinan cat came to bed several times last night to snuggle. 

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Inspirational article title: "What does the Bible say about thankfulness/gratitude?"

Link: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-thankfulness-gratitude.html

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Inspirational article title: "A Life of Gratitude"

Link: http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/life-gratitude/

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I am thankful for yesterday when I cooked our white chili. Both Zack dog and Sinan cat came into the kitchen and begged. They thought it smelled good. It's too bad dogs and cats shouldn't have chili because of the spice. At least their noses liked what they smelled. 

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Inspirational article title: "Living a Life of Gratitude: It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and overlook God's glorious gifts."

Link: https://www.guideposts.org/faith-in-daily-life/living-a-life-of-gratitude

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Inspirational article title: "How You Can Live a Life of Thanksgiving all Year Long"

Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/how-you-can-live-a-life-of-thanksgiving-all-year-long-1442749.html

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Why have I tried to live a life of giving thanks, a life of gratitude, since November 06, 2013:

The truth is living a life of thanksgiving grew out of desperation. My husband and I just went through a nightmare of life circumstance. It was a storm that tore us to shreds on the inside. Just thinking about this time and I tense. And, it's been over two years now. 

I reached the point where it was either give thanks--or fall apart. There was no middle ground in this terrible, trying, heartbreaking situation. The situation was so poignant and life-changing. Sink or swim. 

I have always been someone who tries to live a life of excellence. I always try to give it my best. I push myself, needless to say. Sometimes too hard. 

Therefore, when God presented this passage to me from the Bible, His Word, I decided to seek living a life of excellence in giving thanks:

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Expanded Bible (EXB)

17 Pray ·continually [without ceasing], 18 and give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus.

-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

I realize I have quoted this before, but this passage of Scripture becomes a way of life and a way to live. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 presents the best way to live. 

Here's another version of the Bible of this passage:

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

This passage became the bane of my existence and why I existed at once. 

How on earth could I give thanks in this nightmare? (I thought in November 2006.) How is this even possible? How can I give thank when I am so hurt? So sad? So deflated, so frustrated, so angry, so confused? How could I give thanks for the very thing that was one of the biggest nightmares of my life (literally)? And, how can I give thanks in the very thing that destroyed marriages? How could I? 

How could I offer thanks for infertility? Every day for thirty-nine years, I wanted to have a baby. Every day. There was never a time I didn't want to have one. 

How could I give thanks to this--when B and I were both only children, so our family was already small? How could I give thanks knowing one day I would have no family at all? At least with children, and larger families, the odds are that you will most likely have someone survive past you. 

How could I give thanks where every single place I went, I saw a child--and I could not, would not have one? How could I?

The pursuit of living 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 made me angry and it hurt, on the one hand. However, on the other, I realized it was, frankly, the only lifeline I had. 

IVF didn't work out (two rounds of it). Neither did adoption. Consequently, B and I had to let go. How do you give thanks for this? 

I sit here, over two years later, and I am grateful, oh so grateful, that I tried to give thanks in spite. I really had no choice. I either had to learn how to give thanks or I think I would have curled up into a ball of despair and I do not think I would have ever come out of it. The pain was so deep. 

The truth is giving thanks saved me--and keeps saving me. It is my lifeline. 

Giving thanks in and for all things has changed me and my life entirely. 

The challenges I have gone through since I started to try to life a life of thanks have been quite doable. It's made me a great deal stronger and has given me purpose. Great purpose. Life purpose. I simply cannot emphasize this enough. 

Giving thanks at all times, in and for all things, even in times of storm and challenge, creates joy in my life. Joy is something that isn't dependent on anyone or anything. Joy lasts in spite. Joy is deeper and long-lasting. Counting my blessings, and living a life of gratitude, has taught me how I do not want to live a shallow life of happiness. Happiness is fleeting and short-lived. It depends on different people, things, circumstances. Joy lasts through everything and everyone. 

This is why when I deal with a challenge now, I am to thank God. I know that in the times of storm and challenge, the Lord has always, and will always, bless my socks off. The key is I need to look past myself, past the challenge, and look for the blessings of each and every moment. In which, there are several. 

Yes. It is true. Every moment is full of multiple blessings. Not just one or two. The catch is we have to look for them and count them. 

Ever since I have started to count my blessings in spite, and search for the multiple blessings of every moment, I have learned how beautiful life is and can be. Even in times of storm.

I never would have been able to handle Kara's death (our cat) as well as I did if not for my counting of blessings. The truth is that since I counted my blessings all along (or at least tried to over the last two years), it was far easier to realize that it was because of her I wanted to life a life of thanksgiving and gratitude all along. It would, and will be, the best way for me to honor her and her life. 

That is not to say I still do not cry about Kara no longer being with us. I do. In fact, I got a little weepy earlier thinking of her. But, I realize that thanking You, Lord, is not dependent on anything--other than simply doing that--counting my blessings. 

Counting my blessings means I can get through anything and at any time. 

Blessings are eternal. They are not temporary. The blessings I count today, I can count in one year, five, ten, twenty, and decades from now. They are continual and life on. 

I would much rather live a life of gratitude than ingratitude. Life is so much sweeter because of this.  

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Lord, thank You for...

Cheese

Cheese crackers

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Prayer, Terror, Thanks: My Personal Journaling on Nov/23/2015/Mon

Readers and friends, welcome to the week of Thanksgiving in the United States of America. This means I am going to make sure gratitude and giving thanks is my main focus for my personal journaling entries, which I turn into blog posts. That being said, though, I will still try to include articles of current events and news.
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I am participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in this month of November, and am using my personal journaling of prayer, terror, and thanks to create a book of at least 50,000 words in this yearly writing contest. I just started writing this book for NaNoWriMo last week. Therefore, between now and mid-December, I will be blogging a great deal more than usual as I participate in this contest. Please forgive the additional material each day. I know I already mentioned this, but I wanted to make sure I was clear and explain the reason why. Writing at lease fifty thousand words in less than two weeks creates a great deal of writing.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
(Note to self: I need to write a total of four thousand seven hundred words per day for the rest of the month of November in order to obtain this objective and win the writing contest of NaNoWriMo. Gulp. That's a lot of words for me to write, before the end of November. that being said, though, I know for a fact that it can be done. I have been known to write 10,000 words in one day, after all. Given this, I need to move up to my study immediately and use a keyboard with my tablet so I can write as much as possible today. Another gulp. I know I can do it. It's just a little pressure. The pressure is of the self-inflicted, of course.)
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Saturday and Sunday I didn't get much writing done at all since I started reading a book on spiritual warfare to help me learn how to pray about terrorism. It's a book called, "The Strategy of Satan" and it is by Warren W. Wiersbe. The book was written in 1979, but it reads like a modern book. It is extremely informational.
Check it out here: http://smile.amazon.com/Strategy-Satan-Warren-W-Wiersbe-ebook/dp/B0066E8WR2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1448287876&sr=1-1&keywords=the+strategy+of+satan
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Now, I am going to focus on giving thanks and counting my blessings. Hence, here are some inspirational blog posts about thanksgiving:
Title: "What I Learned about God from 365 Gratitude Posts on Facebook"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/what-i-learned-about-god-from-365-gratitude-posts-on-facebook.html
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Title: "The Power of Your Testimony of Thankfulness - Powerpoint - November 23, 2015"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/powerpoint/powerpoint-november-21-2013.html
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Title: "Thanksgiving's Greatest Enemy"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-s-greatest-enemy.html
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Title: "2 Words That Will Change Your Life: Thank You"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/2-words-that-will-change-your-life-thank-you.html
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Title: "A Story of Persistence - Thanksgiving Devotional - Nov. 22"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/thanksgiving-devotionals/a-story-of-persistence-thanksgiving-devotional-nov-2.html
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Title: Thanksgiving Devotionals on Crosswalk.com
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/thanksgiving-devotionals/
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Title: "The Power of a Thankful Heart"
Link: http://www.ibelieve.com/faith/the-power-of-a-thankful-heart.html
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Title: "What I Learned From Keeping a Gratitude Journal"
Link: http://www.ibelieve.com/food-home/what-i-learned-from-keeping-a-gratitude-journal.html
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Title: "yada, yada, yada: a secret way to cope when you are pretty much sick of the world, the holidays & a crazy life"
Link: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/11/yada-yada-yada-a-secret-way-to-cope-when-you-are-pretty-much-sick-of-the-world-the-holidays-a-crazy-life/
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Title: "A Prayer for a Thankful Heart"
Link: http://www.ibelieve.com/food-home/a-prayer-for-a-thankful-heart.html
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Psalm 100:4-5 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
4 Enter his gates with a song of thanksgiving.
Come into his courtyards with a song of praise.
Give thanks to him; praise his name.
5 The Lord is good.
    His mercy endures forever.
    His faithfulness endures throughout every generation.
A psalm by David.
-- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW). Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
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2 Corinthians 9:15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Expanded Bible (EXB)
17 Pray ·continually [without ceasing], 18 and give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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Each of these statements requires a different mindset and way of life. They are not one in the same. There is a difference with each. It is my goal, and my hope, to live each of these in gratitude and thanksgiving:
We either live a life of gratitude or ingratitude. Which will we choose?
We either live a week of gratitude or ingratitude. Which will we choose?
We either live a day of gratitude or ingratitude. Which will we choose?
We either live each moment today in gratitude or ingratitude. Which will we choose?
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My Blessings Counted Journaling, Gratitude Journaling, Thanks Journaling, and My Blessings Counted List:
Thank You, Lord, for...
Yesterday terrorism was prevented. Terrorists around the world made threats to attack and either didn't or were thwarted. Thank You, Jesus. To You be the glory forever and ever.
Thank You, Lord, for last week. Thank You, for speaking to me, guiding me, and helping me see things differently. Thank You for the insight You gave me into prayer and terror last week. I pray it only increases this week, and the week following, and the week after that.
I am quite grateful for this week. I cannot wait to see where You lead me and see all of the blessings You give me and those around me.
Thank You for the holiday of Thanksgiving. Lord, I cannot believe it is the week of Thanksgiving and that it is already here.
Lord, thank You that I know the true origins of Thanksgiving here in the United States of America--not the origins Massachusettes has chosen to focus on, hence the U.S. focuses on. I know that the true and first official Thanksgiving took place at Berkeley Plantation in Charles City, Virginia, and was when the first men landed on this land from England to establish the first permanent English colony back in 1607 (well before Plymouth and the pilgrims). (See this link under the tab of "The New World": http://www.berkeleyplantation.com/four-centuries.html) They gave thanks to God for their safe passage from England to the shores in modern day Virginia. The first official Thanksgiving was about thanking You, Lord, and was not about Plymouth, turkey, pilgrims, the Native Americans, etc. It was about giving You thanks. This was the premise and foundation of this nation. And, this should be the foundation of my life, Father.
Thank You for my time in Virginia and how I was able to step foot at the place of the First Landing, at Historic Jamestowne and the site of the original fort (which is above water), Berkeley Plantation (which was also the place "Taps" was written), Yorktown Battlefield, Surrender Field near the Yorktown Battlefield), etc.
Thank You for the beautiful mountains I can see outside my study window. Purple mountains with a slight dusting of powder sugar.
Abba, I am so thankful for my husband and best friend. He is such a good man and is so good to me.
Thank You for the weekend we just had.
Thank You, God, for...
Coffee
My tablet
The keyboard that goes with my tablet
My journal
The way I journal
Clean sheets
Clean bath towels
That my husband and I can actually go home this year for the holidays, since it's so close, and is a nice day trip.
That my dad does not mind us bringing Zack Beagle over so that he does not have to wait so long to be let outside and so that Zack can hang out with us.
That the weather looks better as far as traveling to my family home on Thursday and then returning to our home the same day.
The really good white chili I made yesterday. It's been years since I made it. I am not sure why it took me so long to make. I guess I just never think of it. Well, it is certainly on my mind now. Yum! I also am grateful that B (my husband) enjoyed it as well. Also, I am thankful we have at least two more meals of the chili, so I may not need to do any more cooking for a few days.
How the birds love coming to our home and know that they can find food and water here, so this is the hangout for the sparrows in our neighborhood.
Pumpkin. I just so thoroughly love and enjoy pumpkin. Yummers!
I just remembered a recipe I keep wanting to try, but I haven't. Sigh. Therefore, I think I will try it today. Thank You, Father, for bringing it to my attention once again. It included pumpkin, one of my favorites. (Thank You, Jesus.) But, it also includes another favorite: coffee. (Another: Praise the Lord and thank You!) I will try this recipe in a bit and see what I think. Only, I will cook it in a bowl, not in a mug. The recipe is: Title: "Pumpkin Spice Latte Mug Cakes. " Link: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte-mug-cakes/e9a9f174-c088-467f-a5e6-2a4c464c9776?src=SH
I am quite grateful that my word count toward my National Novel Writing Month, prior to today, was: 17,924 words. (By the way, you don't have to write a novel in November in order to be part of NaNoWriMo. The only requirement is you write 50,000 words of a project, whether it is fiction or non-fiction. This is why my personal journaling of: "Prayer, Thanks, and Terror qualifies.)
Thank God for my home. What a major blessing it has been, is, and will be.
Thank the Lord for my coffee maker. Goodness. I shudder to think what I would do without it or without coffee.
Thank You again Lord, how even though construction is going on nearby, a lot of it let me add, how quiet it is and has been. I see big tractors doing their thing in a field nearby and know they are making noise, but I hear little to none.
Thank You for the Warren Wiersbe book, "The Strategy of Satan."
Thank You for one thousand seven hundred words for today so far.
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(838 a.m.) I am hungry. Therefore, I think I am going to go try the mug pumpkin spice latte cake. Be right back.
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Thank You, Lord, for the new recipe. The pumpkin spice latte in a mug recipe. I changed a few things in the recipe, though, so it would have less sugar. I used sugar free maple syrup rather than sugar. I also used a little more pumpkin than they recommended and I added a hint of vanilla extract. Then, when I cooked it, I cooked it all in  large soup bowl, which is also where I stirred up the ingredients. It wasn't pretty when I pulled out, since it wasn't in a mug, but I really could care less if it's just me eating the recipe. Rather than using whip cream on top when I served it, I used half-in-half. The consistency is like pumpkin pie with how I added the additional ingredients and I can see making this a couple of times each week and whenever I have a sweet or a pumpkin craving. (Now that I ate my helping for today, I cannot help but think that I might want to add a packet of the sugar substitute and maybe one pack of sugar to add to the flavor, plus the sugar free maple sugar. Thank You, Lord, for this realization.)
Which just reminded me, thank You, Lord: I haven't made pumpkin soup this year. What was I thinking? Never mind how that's something I can do with the leftover canned pumpkin if I don't finish it in a few days after making mug pumpkin spice latte cake, and after I make pumpkin lattes.
Thank You, Lord, for canned pumpkin.
Thank You, Lord, for pumpkin lattes.
Thank You, Lord, for reminding me the little things often mean a great deal more than a big thing.
Whew. Yes. Dividing the mug pumpkin latte cake recipe into two would have been wise. One is much too much. I will finish this tomorrow or the next day. Thank You, Lord.
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It's my goal between now and Thanksgiving to see how many things I can thank God for. I want to move my heart and mind to giving thanks in and for all things, in spite of terrorism or the threat of terrorism. I want to give thanks because You are so good to me, Lord, and because You tell me to do so, pure and simple. Never mind how every single moment is full of blessings to count, if only I would stop, look around (search for them), and count them. Then, if I would only remember the blessings You, Lord, have given me for the rest of my life.
Isn't it better to give thanks than not?
Isn't it better to count my blessings than focus on all of the blah and yuck of this world?
Doesn't giving thanks move my focus to what really matters and what really is important in my life? It shifts my perspective and helps me to live a life of joy, not just happiness.
Lord, I realize that You waste nothing. Everything that happens in my life, You can use for Your glory. Therefore, I would really like to bring You even more glory through living a life of gratitude than ingratitude. I would rather focus on Your blessing than the blah and yuck. I would rather find Your blessings in times of storm than focus on the what-could-should-be's.
As a Christian, Lord, I know I deserve no blessing whatsoever. But, I also know that You bless me anyway and in order to bring yourself glory.
Thank You, Lord, for helping me want to try to always give thanks--in all things and for all things, in spite of the storms.
I also realize well how it's been in the storms You have blessed me the most.
Lord, help me to keep my focus on living a life of blessings counting and not on if-only or this isn't fair.
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Thank You, Lord, for...
This day to give You thanks.
This moment to give You thanks.
Zack Beagle
Sinan orange cat
Kara, our deceased black and white cat, who was a feral. She was also deaf, declawed, and had lung and breast cancer before she marched into our lives and adopted us in September 2014. She was only supposed to live to February 2015, but made it to September 26, 2015.
The life lessons we learned from Kara.
The faith lessons we learned from Kara.
My favorite coffee mugs
How Zack just came upstairs to join me on his dog bed in the study.
This new personal journaling system. I am writing my journal on my tablet in a document, then, I email it to myself once I journal enough pages. Then, I save it in/on the Cloud. Then, I save it to my laptop, to my eternal hard drive, and to an app. I also print it out so I can set it on my bookshelves. It sure makes it easier to review my journaling with the print out. I also save it to my e-reader as an e-book.
Lord, thank You for the new vision You just gave me, which is also a reminder. I want to count as many blessings as I can between now and Thanksgiving, because it is that time of year. But, also, given that it is this time of year, I want to count as many blessings from this past year as possible. Therefore, I will do precisely that after Thanksgiving as well.
Thank You, Lord, for putting this on my heart: I want to count the blessings from 2015 and from the past as well. This will be my focus between now and New Year's Day.
Thank You, Lord, for helping me to remember this in the middle of praying about terrorism.
I am grateful Sinan is hanging out on the floor outside the study so I have my two favorite furry critters hanging out with me. It means so much to me, Lord. Thank You for trusting me with them.
Lord, thank You for 2,704 words so far of my 4,700 word count goal for today. Needless to say, I am well beyond the halfway mark for today for my NaNoWriMo word count goal. The halfway point is 2,350 words.
How Zack beagle wags his tail in his sleep from time to time. It is so precious and touches me so.
I am thankful for the couple of snows we have had so far, along with the cold snaps we have had. I love the beauty of the snow and the way I can actually breathe, and not feel stuffed, when it's a cold day.
Thank You, Abba, for the reminder that I now have a bathtub I can use. I have had one since we moved in the last part of July. But, I am so used to not having a bathtub to use that I forget to take a bath. Lord, You jsut reminded me of it, and now that I am at my halfway point of my word count goal, I can plan to take one soon. I can then pray about terrorism as I do that and thank You, Lord, for things that I just simply won't share with the world.
I am grateful for email, for the internet, for my cell, for technology, for apps, and how I can carry all of my journaling on my cell and on my tablet.
I am thankful for all of the resources on the internet for and about giving thanks.
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Article: "Beyond Sunday: Worthy of Thanks"
Link: http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/beyond-sunday-worthy-of-thanks.html
Article: "12 Things to Thank God for in the Midst of Affliction"
Link: http://www.biblestudytools.com/blogs/mark-altrogge/12-things-to-thank-god-for-in-the-midst-of-affliction.html
Article: "The Power of a Grateful Heart: 21 Verses of Thanksgiving"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/debbie-mcdaniel/the-power-of-a-grateful-heart-21-verses-of-thanksgiving.html
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Thank You, God, for...
Vinegar and water for cleaning.
That we have two bathtubs and a full-size shower in our house.
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Regarding terror:
News article: "Emails show DOD analysts told to 'cut it out' on ISIS warnings; IG probe expands"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/23/emails-show-dod-analysts-told-to-cut-it-out-on-isis-warnings-ig-probe-expands.html?intcmp=hpbt1
My personal thoughts and commentary:  I thought we lived in a free country with a free press. To tell the DOD what to say as to the truth about ISIS (I'm not talking about their intelligence) means censoring. Censoring is what communism and socialism does. This is disturbing. But, it isn't surprising.
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What else am I thankful for? Let me think.
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Lord, teach me how to pray

There are times I do not know what to pray because I am so stunned by what has happened. But, there is something far more prevalent in keeping me from praying as I want or should. I am not sure I really, truly, fully, deeply know how to pray. Or, at least I am scared that I don't. Therefore, I doubt if it would hurt if I prayed this prayer: Lord, teach me how to pray.
Almighty God and Holy One, if I am realistic, I do not think it is ever possible to learn enough on how to pray to You and communicate with You, the Eternal One and All-Powerful One.
And, I want to learn and know more about prayer just in general. I want to
Luke 11:1 Expanded Bible (EXB)
11 One time Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his ·followers [disciples] said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his ·followers [disciples].”
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Lord, teach me how to pray without ceasing for those touched by terror and for the terrorists. Show me how. Give me the words and remind me to pray about these things. Guide me.
Teach me how to stand in the gap and be a watchman in prayer aobut terrorism.
In the name of Jesus Christ, my Messiah and Lord, my Redeemer and Strength, I pray that You bring each terrorist to believe in Jesus Christ--and if not, that You bring justice.
Thank You, my Rock and Refuge, for being the One who saves and that it isn't up to me to make or force someone to believe. Thank You for being all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, so You do not depend on me to bring people to believe--nor do You depend on me to bring You justice. You do all of that just fine on Your own. You are the One True God and You do not depend on man for anything.
Lord, help the wicked to know that there is a better way. In fact, there is only one true way.
John 14:1-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Lord, help terrorists to learn and believe in John 14:6.
There is something else that is strongly on my mind and in my heart right now, Lord. Protect people, in Brussels and anywhere else there is a plan of a terror attack. Put a hedge of protection around them.
Lord! You just spoke to me and made my prayer book aobut how to pray about terrorism very clear. You said that this is to be a book about "Spiritual Warfare Prayer and the War on Terror." Period. End of story.

Prayer Focus: Praying for the world and about terrorism

Saturday, November 21, 2015
Last night as I tried to fall asleep, I prayed. As I prayed, this came to me:
Lord, the world seems like it's falling apart at the seams. I realize there is nothing new under the sun as it says here:
Ecclesiastes 1:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
9 What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing new under the sun.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
The world turmoil is not new. We just know more about it because of the internet and social media. (For instance, when hearing about breaking news, social media is usually the best way to find out information because social media posts in real-time. That being said, you have to know most of the information is marginally true and is subjective, so you have to filter it for the facts later.)
Lord, none of this is a surprise to You. However, Lord, it is a surprise to me. It hurts knowing the suffering of people. I wish I could go give them a hug and just be there for them. I pray instead and I realize well this is best anyway. Prayer offers them more than anything or anyone of this world.
The world is in turmoil and seems so... ugly... Bleak. Hurtful and hurting. Busy. Lost. Confused. Angry. Sad. There are so many challenges and so much ugliness, God. We are all trying to find our own way and are trying to find some beauty and at least one blessing to count. First, there was Paris. Then, Mali. Then, now, there is a threat in Brussels. They are in lockdown and are on alert. Americans are told to leave there or not to go there.
Lord, so much ugliness in this world.
Where is the beauty? Where is the light in this dark mixed up world?
Wait. We are all looking inside of ourselves, and all around, so we are not looking where we should. We should look for You. We should seek Your face. You are eve good, beautiful, and light. You are our only hope.
As our hearts break...
As we learn of more ugliness...
As we crave beauty in this muck...
We should look for You. Search for You. See You alone. You will never fail us and always want what is best for us. You are our one and only true and absolute hope.
We should also remember how You have a purpose for and in everything.
Acts 17:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Lord, I wish You didn't have to get my attention with events and circumstances. I wish I turned to You first and foremost... and I wish I stood in the gap and on watch without having to remind me and get my attention. Help me to remain focused on looking for You in all I do, think, feel, and say. You alone, Lord. In these times... You first and You alone. The world will fail me every time and is a man versus man world. You are the only sure foundation.
Isaiah 28:16 New Living Translation (NLT)
16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,
    a firm and tested stone.
It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.
    Whoever believes need never be shaken.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I should search for You, seek You and Your face, at all times. Yes, Father, in the times of sunshine, clouds, rain, snow, and storm, we should seek You and Your face. First and always. For, when we do, You reward us and bless us.
Matthew 6:31-34 New Living Translation (NLT)
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Another terror attack? We should not worry. We should pray instead.
Lord, it is sometimes difficult to look for You in this vile and mixed up world at times that leads only to trouble. People are so self-centered they forget about You or are so focused on self they have never known You at all.
Psalm 53:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
For the choir director: on Mahalath. A Davidic Maskil.
1 The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.”
They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds.
There is no one who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven on the human race
to see if there is one who is wise,
one who seeks God.
3 All have turned away;
all alike have become corrupt.
There is no one who does good,
not even one.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Lord, help me be the one. Help me be the one who seeks You first. Help me be the one who stands in the gap. Help me seek You every moment. Help to stand on watch.
But, Lord... all of this can be difficult at best. I cannot possibly do any of this, let alone all of it without You.
First, Paris, then terror attacks in Israel, then in Mali, and now Brussels is on high alert. People are dying. People are being murdered because of a difference in belief and a difference in a way of life. Ouch. There's so much tumult and turmoil... I feel like I am drowning in this sea of ugliness. Therefore...
Psalm 63:1-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
A Davidic psalm. When he was in the Wilderness of Judah.
1 God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You.
I thirst for You;
my body faints for You
in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.
2 So I gaze on You in the sanctuary
to see Your strength and Your glory.
3 My lips will glorify You
because Your faithful love is better than life.
4 So I will praise You as long as I live;
at Your name, I will lift up my hands.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
I long for stability in this topsy-turvy world. I know that it's only found in You.
Lord, I know it isn't just me who struggles with these things and is grasping at anything to make sense of things and in order to stop myself from drowning in this sea of terror, never mind everyday life.
God, I realize that the fact that I am finding so much ugliness means in part that the terrorists are getting what they want. They want to disrupt lives. They want to cause terror and incite a war. I ahve fallen into that trap. That is why I should seek You first, always, and alone, so I do not fall into their trap and get my eyes off the prize.
Philippians 3:13-14 Expanded Bible (EXB)
13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not ·yet reached that goal [taken hold of it], but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the ·past [L things that are behind] and ·straining toward [stretching/reaching forward to] what is ahead, 14 I keep ·trying to reach [pursuing; chasing] the goal and get the prize for which God called me ·to the life above [heavenward; L upward] ·through [or in] Christ Jesus.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
My goal should be to focus on heaven, not on the things of this earth. The things of this earth are only temporary. Heaven is eternal.
Colossians 3:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Help all of us to turn to You and seek You. Helps us all to pray for what we should, when we should, in all things, for all things, and at all times.
I pray this for myself and for everyone who has been touched by terror the last few decades:
Psalm 91 New King James Version (NKJV)
91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”
-- New King James Version (NKJV). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Love, prayer, and terrorism

(Prayer about terror, standing in the gap, acting as a watchman for prayer)
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Here is a passage of scripture that separates Christians and terrorists:
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Ephesians 3:17-19 Expanded Bible (EXB)
17 I pray that Christ will ·live [make his home] in your hearts by faith and that your life will be ·strong in love and be built on love [L rooted and grounded in love]. 18 And I pray that you and all ·God’s holy people [T the saints] will have the power to ·understand [comprehend; grasp] the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is ·greater than anyone can ever know [beyond comprehension/knowledge], but I pray that you will be able to know that love. ·Then [L …so that] you can be filled with the fullness of God.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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The only way we can fully know love is through knowing Jesus Christ. His life is a representation of God's love.
If we know Jesus, we know love. True love. Unconditional love.
And, God expects us to show others this love.
This is what the terrorists lack. True, unconditional love.
Christianity is based on the love of God.
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John 3:16-18 Expanded Bible (EXB)
16 “[L For] God loved the world so much that he gave his ·one and only [only; unique; T only begotten; 1:14, 18] Son so that whoever believes in him may not ·be lost [T perish], but have eternal life. 17 [L For; Indeed] God did not send his Son into the world to ·judge the world guilty [condemn the world], but to save the world through him. 18 People who believe in God’s Son are not ·judged guilty [condemned]. Those who do not believe have already been ·judged guilty [condemned], because they have not believed in [L the name of] God’s ·one and only [only; unique; T only begotten; 3:16] Son.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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If you do not know Jesus, these verses mentioned throughout this blog post will not make sense. See the following verse for an explanation:
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1 Corinthians 2:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
-- New King James Version (NKJV). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Here is a more simplistic version of the previous passage:
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John 3:16-18 New Living Translation (NLT)
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Here is a more simplistic version of the earlier passage:
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Ephesians 3:16-19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, 17 and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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Our God is Love. And, He expects us to make love our focus--not judgment. (Also, He is the only one who judges. We do not.) Christianity is centered on love.
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Matthew 22:37-39 New Living Translation (NLT)
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Nowhere does the Bible say we are to judge other Christians. Nor does it say that we are to judge those who are Christians.
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Matthew 7:2-5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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God does not tell us to murder other Christians we disagree with. Terrorists will murder, and have, others of their own faith who do not have the same faith and belief as their own. They do not believe in the saying: "Let's agree to disagree."
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Lord, help me to take all of these verses to heart and think on them so I can apply them to my life. Help me to fully grasp these verses. Then, I can pray more about terrorism and for terrorists. Help me to know You and Your love so much that it helps me to pray about terrorism, Father.
Lord, help me to fully, completely grasp and understand Your love. Help those touched by terrorism to know your love as well. Help this world to know Your love today--not tomorrow. Today and tomorrow even.
The love of Christ is perfect. The love He has for us and the love we have for Him. To know Christ is to know love. Without Jesus Christ, there is no love. There's false love and shallow love, but not true, deep, unconditional, eternal love.
Lord, help those touched by terrorism to know love through what they are going through. Help them know that circumstances and feelings cannot diminish Your love one millimeter. Love is beyond emotion and circumstance.
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1 John 4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 3 But every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist; you have heard that he is coming, and he is already in the world now.
4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us.
13 This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us: He has given assurance to us from His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world’s Savior. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God—God remains in him and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
17 In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, for we are as He is in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love because He first loved us.
20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother he has seen cannot love the God he has not seen. 21 And we have this command from Him: The one who loves God must also love his brother.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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Lord, I pray all of these verses and will keep praying them for those touched by terrorism and I pray this for those who do not believe--that they may know Jesus and these verses.
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Prayer about terror and standing in the gap

Note to the readers of this blog and my personal (prayer) journaling:
Reader of this blog and my personal journaling (and prayer journaling), I ask that you bear with me as I post a few blog posts today. However, since today is a self-declared prayer retreat for all the victims of terror this week in particular, I determined the material I have to share is too precious not to share. I hope to arm you with prayers as well regarding everyone that has been touched by terrorism in general and this last week.
There will be a couple of more blog posts as well today and through the weekend as well regarding praying about terrorism and all of those involved and all touched by terrorism.
Hence, if you enjoy reading this blog, and do not want to get bombarded by multiple blog posts per day, you might want to consider setting it up as a bookmark and checking it once a day (or more) and at your convenience. Otherwise, I pray each blog post I publish will be a timely one for you and you will not find it annoying to receive yet another one.
My goal is as of December 1st or so to limit my blog posts to one a day, but only five days per week. Until then, I want to arm us with as much material so we can fight the war on terror with the most powerful and effective weapon out there: With prayer. I hope to give you the material needed to do so.
Here is another passage about the importance of watching and praying:
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Nehemiah 4:8-9 Expanded Bible (EXB)
8 So they all made plans to come to Jerusalem and fight and ·stir up trouble [cause confusion/a disturbance]. 9 But we prayed to our God and appointed guards ·to watch for [L against] them day and night.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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Lord, I have thought for years how you want me to be a watchman of and for prayer and stand in the gap. Lord, help me to do so. Teach me fully what this means and how to put it into practice. Once and for all. If You want me to make this a full-time endeavor, please tell me. Guide me and instruct me.
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Proverbs 3:5-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
-- New King James Version (NKJV). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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There are always slight nuances between versions or translations of the Bible. Just a one word difference adds more understanding so we can grasp further what God is telling us in His Word. This verse and translation is no exception:
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Proverbs 3:5-7 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
5     Trust the Lord with all your heart,
        and do not rely on your own understanding.
6     In all your ways acknowledge him,
        and he will make your paths smooth.
7     Do not consider yourself wise.
    Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
-- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW). Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group
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Lord, please guide me in my prayer life and in all of my prayers. Show me how to pray about terrorism and what to pray about terrorism. Help me to act as a watchman and to stand in the gap both. Help me to know what this means and apply this knowledge. Lord, help me to understand Your Word fully and be able to apply it fully as I pray for and about terrorism, for all those touched by terrorism and all of those who commit terrorism.
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Ephesians 1:17-19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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Lord, the fact is not everyone can stand in the gap like I can. I am unique in what I can offer as I stand in the gap. Therefore, it is my responsibility to pray as only I can, as others pray only as they can. I understand that this is why everyone should pray. for, each of us bring something different to the fight.
I realize I am in a very unique position in my life in general and in my prayer life. My husband works. I stay home. We don't have two-legged children. Therefore, I can pray for an extensive period of time each day, on top of praying as I go and in my mind in God-talk, rather than self-talk.
Lord, how do YOU want me to stand in the gap? What does it look like with my gifts, talents, and abilities?
What does it look like just in general, god, to stand in the gap in prayer?
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Ezekiel 22:29-31 Expanded Bible (EXB)
29 The people of the land ·cheat others [practice extortion] and ·steal [commit robbery]. They ·hurt [oppress] the poor and needy. They ·cheat [mistreat; extort] foreigners and ·do not treat them fairly [deny them justice].
30 “I looked for someone to ·build up [repair; 13:5] the walls and to stand before me ·where the walls are broken [in the gap/breach] ·to defend these people [L on behalf of the land] so I would not have to destroy them. But I could not find anyone. 31 So I ·let them see [poured out] my ·anger [wrath]. I destroyed them with an anger that was like fire ·because of all the things [L bringing down on their heads all] they have done, says the Lord God.”
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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Lord, I know for a fact I have not prayed far more than I have--in general and regarding terrorism specifically. Even though I knew You wanted me to do so. I make praying for and about terrorism an intentional goal from time to time, but then I get off-track. And, then I stop. Lord, help me to stand in the gap in the way You want, for as long as You want, even if it means for the rest of my life. Help me to make this a priority--once and for all. Help me to finally and totally commit to the endeavor.
There is only one I can influence and control. That is me. Help me to do so. The fact is, I know how surely I cannot without Your help. Father God, teach me how and guide me. Be with me and Holy Spirit, speak for me when I don't have the words.
I want to stand in the gap about terrorism and be a watchman. Now, help me to learn what that means, Lord.
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Or a more simple version of the passage:
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Ezekiel 22:29-31 New Living Translation (NLT)
29 Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice.
30 “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. 31 So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
///
Not one. You looked and there wasn't one who stood in the gap. Abba, I cannot even begin to imagine how often this has been me and will be me. However, Father, help me to focus intentionally and purposefully on standing in the gap regarding terrorism.
Forgive me for not standing in the gap as I could and for not being a watchman.
Forgive me for all of the times I couldn't sleep, because You wanted me to pray, but I didn't for whatever reason.
Lord, help me.
Now, let's look just at verse 30 in another version or translation of the Bible:
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Ezekiel 22:30 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
30 I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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Lord, I know that since September Eleventh, 2001, You have put standing in the gap, and acting as a watchman of prayer, on my heart and in my mind about terrorism. There have been times I have heeded the call. However, there have been other times I have not. As I have said several times already, and in different ways. Lord, help me to know how You want me to do this and help me to commit to do so. I cannot without You.
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Prayer retreat and prayer about terror

Prayer retreat and prayer about terror
I just read a really good article. Take a look:
Article and blog post title: "Should We Pray for ISIS to be Defeated or Converted?"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/russellmoore/should-we-pray-for-isis-to-be-defeated-or-converted.html
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It's also our responsibility to pray. If we do not pray for others, it's a sin. This verse describes how seriously we should take praying for others:
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1 Samuel 12:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 Moreover, as for me, (A) far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but (B) I will instruct you in the good and right way.
Cross references:
1 Samuel 12:23 : Rom 1:9; 1 Cor 9:16; Col 1:9; 1 Thess 3:10; 2 Tim 1:3
1 Samuel 12:23 : 1 Kin 8:36; Ps 34:11; Prov 4:11
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
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That verse applies to prayer for individuals, families, businesses, governments, organizations, countries, etc. We are told to pray always and about everything. Period. End of discussion.
So, how do we do this? How do we put this into practice? Here are a couple of hints and tips:
Rather than doing self-talk in your mind, do God talk. Talk with the Lord. Turn all your thoughts to Him. If you journal make Him alone your audience, then all journaling, and all thought, becomes prayer.
We can, also, pray in the background as we do our everyday life's activities, as we work, as we clean, as we drive--and... While we converse with others. We can have prayer going on in the background and at all times.
Prayer is something that God wants us to do at all times, for all things, and there is no exception. Through talking to God in our minds, and in our journals, as as we do all that we do, we are praying at all times.
1 Samuel 12:23, however, is talking about a specific type of prayer: Praying for others.
This is my goal and aim today. It was one week ago that there were the six Paris Terror Attacks (on Friday the Thirteenth) and there was another terror attack in Mali today, never mind all of the other terror attacks that have happened this week. There were several. This gives me/us a great deal to pray about and for. We can (and should) pray for: the victims of the terror attacks, their familes and friends, the first responders, the military, the government, the church (all Christians as a whole, each denomination, and each church in the world, and all Christians indiidually) and the world response of each attack.
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Now, I am going to stop about how to pray, and why we should pray, and start praying. (It's about time. 1130 a.m.)
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My personal prayer journaling and prayers on Friday, November 20, 2015:
Lord, first of all, I pray that the Holy Spirit conveys everything to You that is on my heart and in my mind. I know for a fact I will not get all of the words out on the page. This week has been intense at best. So many things have happened. I do not know if it is possible for me to pray for all of it in words. That being said, God, I do pray that You help me to do precisely that.
This week has been... What are the words to use here? Tragic. Terrible. Full of turmoil. Emotional. Mental. Thought provoking. Tough. Surreal. A surprise. A week of grief and fury. A week of conviction. Stirring. Motivational. Heart breaking. A nightmare. Sad.
I cannot even begin to imagine what Paris, Jerusalem, Mali, etc. are going through... Three places with terror attacks this week. I lift all of them up to You. Comfort them. Bring them closer to you. Help them to seek You. After all, You alone can bring them the comfort they need.
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2 Corinthians 1:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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He is the one and only true source of ALL comfort. Complete comfort. Without exception. All comfort means precisely that--ALL.
Lord, bring everyone involved and immpacted by all of the terror attacks in the alst forty years, plus this last week in particular, know ALL of YOUR comfort. May they seek comfort from You, the true source of comfort--and in no one and in nothing else.
Just that verse is a comfort. It's a balm that soothes the mind and heart.
Let's also be realistic. If any of us have watched the news over the last week, we have all been touched by terrorism, whether we acknowledge it or not.
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Romans 5:3-5 Expanded Bible (EXB)
3 [L Not only this, but] We also ·have joy [rejoice; boast] ·with our troubles [through suffering/trials/persecution], because we know that ·these troubles [suffering; trials; persecution] produce ·patience [endurance]. 4 And ·patience [endurance] produces [tested and proven] character, and [tested and proven] character produces hope. 5 And this hope will never ·disappoint us [let us down; or put us to shame; dishonor us; C honor and shame were among the most important values in first century culture], because God has ·poured out his love to fill our hearts [or flooded our hearts with his love]. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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Romans 5:3-5 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
-- New King James Version (NKJV). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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The only true way to learn about true hope is through experiences, through living it. The true hope is found in Jesus Christ alone. This brings the peace that transcends our grasp and understanding (see Philippians 4:6-8). This true hope is something we can stand strong in. Our hope in Jesus will never fail, for He will never fail, has never failed. Lord, help all of the world to know the only true source of hope. It is Jesus. It is found in Him alone.
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James 5:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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Psalm 105:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Search for the Lord and for His strength;
seek His face always.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
///
I pray this verse for all touched by terrorism. The only true strength and comfort there is can be found in Him alone.
Lord, help them to search for You. AND, help them to search for YOUR strength alone. Human strength is finite and comes from sinful people. Your strength, however, is limitless, infinite, and is perfect.
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1 Chronicles 28:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
9 “As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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In times of suffering... in times of terror... when we are trying to make sense of the unthinkable and unimaginable, the only thigns we can do is turn to the Lord. It's also the only things we should do.
Lord, help every individual, group, business, church, organization, military, government, and nation that is touched by terrorism this week and in the past, learn to seek You and Your Word alone. Without hesitation. With faull heart and mind. After all, when we search for You, You promise that we will, without fail, be found by You.
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Hebrews 11:6 Expanded Bible (EXB)
6 [L And] Without faith no one can please God. [L For; Because] Anyone who comes to God must believe that he ·is real [exists] and that he rewards those who ·truly want to find [earnestly/sincerely seek] him.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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And, if we seek You, You will reward us. You will bless us.
Isn't Your blessing what we need most in times of trouble?
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Psalm 46:1 New Living Translation (NLT)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
///
Oh, help people to know this verse firsthand, Father.
Help all who have been touched by the terror attacks this week in particular know this verse personally.
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Prayer Retreat

Prayer Retreat
Today I am going to spend the day in prayer. This passage will be my focus:
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Isaiah 62:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Jerusalem,
I have appointed watchmen on your walls;(A)
they will never be silent, day or night.
There is no rest for you,
who remind the Lord.
7 Do not give Him rest
until He establishes and makes Jerusalem
the praise of the earth.(B)
Cross references:
A 62:6 : Is 52:8; Jr 6:17; Ezk 3:17; 33:7
B 62:7 : Is 60:18; Jr 33:9; Zph 3:19-20
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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Isaiah 62:6-7 Expanded Bible (EXB)
6 Jerusalem, I ·have put guards [post watchmen] on your walls.
    They ·must not [or will never] be silent day or night.
You people who ·remind the Lord of your needs in prayer [or call on the Lord]
    should ·never be quiet [take no rest].
7 You should ·not stop praying to him [L give him no rest] until he builds up Jerusalem
    and makes it a city ·all people will praise [of praise/pride in the earth].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
///
Here are some commentaries explaining Isaiah 62:6:
Link: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/isaiah/62-6.htm
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Is God calling us to act as watchmen today? Is He wanting us to watch and pray about terrorism around the world and enter the war on terror through and with prayer?
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(837 a.m.) It's snowing! When did that start? I just looked out the window. Thank God for the moisture and the beauty of a layer of snow-cake frosting on the land.
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So what is a watchman in prayer and intercession?
See this blog post:
Title: "THE TASK OF THE WATCHMAN" By Dave Butts
Link: http://www.harvestprayer.com/resources/articles/intercession/task-of-watchman
Please read that article. It's a fantastic explanation.
In the biblical times, a watchman was someone that stood, alert, guarding, watching for the enemy or any signs of the enemy. Then, if they spotted the enemy, they sounded the alarm. They stood on watch.
Our military still uses the watchman today. They are referred to as a sentry, security force, and defense force.
We are all called to pray and to pray always (see verses in previous blog post of: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 and Philippians 4:6-8).
Here is another article and blog post about the watchman:
Title: "God's Watchmen"
Link: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/god-s-watchmen.html
Please read the article.
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(1019 a.m.) Update:
Article title: "Dozens feared dead as hostage situation in Mali hotel apparently ends"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/20/mali-hotel-attack/
The prayer retreat continues.
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Hebrews 6:19 Expanded Bible (EXB)
19 We have this hope as an anchor for ·the soul [our lives], ·sure [stable; secure] and ·strong [reliable; unshifting]. It enters behind the curtain in the ·Most Holy Place in heaven [L inner place/sanctuary],
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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How to pray effectively about terrorism #2 and a prayer retreat

How to pray effectively about terrorism #2 and a prayer retreat

(Topics: Journaling, writing, news/current events, history, prayer, terror, thanks and blessing, and the Bible: Dabbling with a little of this and that)

November 19-20, 2015

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TOPICS OF THIS BLOG POST:

AN INSPIRATIONAL BLOG POST TO HELP PREPARE US FOR ADVENT

MY PERSONAL JOURNALING 

ARTICLES, NEWS, CURRENT EVENTS, AND OPINION

PRAYER RETREAT

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NOV/19/2015/Thurs.

AN INSPIRATIONAL BLOG POST TO HELP PREPARE US FOR ADVENT

I am grateful for this inspirational blog post by Ann Voskamp:

Title: "when the world feels dark & angry & scary: How To Carry Light through this season anyways" 

Link: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/11/when-the-world-feels-dark-angry-scary-how-to-carry-light-through-this-season-anyways/

I am convinced everything Ann Voskamp writes is dynamite, and I have thought this for over three years now. What a blessing. She allows the Lord to speak through her, that is for sure. 

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My personal journaling: Ugh. About the time I start feeling less yucky... less wound up... less dread... less blah... Then, I see this:

Article, News, Current Events, Opinion

Title: "Report: ISIS Trying to Develop Chemical Weapons"

Link: http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2015/11/19/report-isis-trying-to-develop-chemical-weapons-n2082880

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My personal journaling: I must admit I would love to have a prayer retreat. Stop. I will tomorrow. Yes. That sounds like the best thing to do. I feel like I need a break or a vacation. I feel like running away from all of the turmoil in this world. So, I plan on running to the Lord and the Bible instead in prayer. 

Care to join me? You can follow this blog post at any time and have your own prayer retreat, whether it's tomorrow or twenty years from now.

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Nov/20/2015/Fri.: The Prayer Retreat

Today is my prayer retreat. I am going to spend the day in prayer. It's really quite necessary because terror has struck again and it's in Mali.

Let me begin by sharing some specifics I'm going to pray about today:

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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion

Title: "At least 3 dead, dozens of hostages held as gunmen storm Mali hotel"

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/20/mali-hotel-attack/

///

Article, News, Current Events, Opinion

Title: "UPDATE: Hotel Stormed By Police; Terrorists Storm Hotel in French Mali, Take Nearly 200 Hostages"

Link: http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2015/11/20/terrorists-storm-hotel-in-mali-take-hostages-releasing-some-n2083147

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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion

Title: "Islamic extremists attack hotel in Mali's capital"

Link: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_29143207/shooting-reported-at-mali-hotel

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(726 a.m.) Sure. I should spend more time learning the history of terrorism. But, I think prayer is mandatory right now. A day of focused prayer will help me his world and will help me soul.

I will post another post later today about this prayer retreat. Here are some verses to get us started. Let's start with this:

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We are to always give thanks. 

Psalm 95:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1 Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord,

shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!(A)

2 Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving;

let us shout triumphantly to Him in song.(B)

Cross references:

95:1 : Jb 38:7; Ps 81:1; 98:4, 6

95:2 : Ps 100:4; Jnh 2:9

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

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1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 Pray constantly.

18 Give thanks in everything,

for this is God’s will(A) for you in Christ Jesus.

Cross references:

5:18 : Eph 6:6; 1Th 4:3; 1Pt 2:15; 4:2; 1Jn 2:17

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

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Philippians 4:6-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Colossians 2:5-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.