Reading the Bible

I am not the most diligent person when it comes to reading the Bible. I have read the New Testament a number of times. I have listened to both Old and New Testament readings at church throughout my life. I have even turned to random sections of the Bible and read them when the mood struck me. During the past 10 years I have increased my reading of the Bible but again in a rather random manner. So you ask...what's the point?

Well, I have a very good friend who reads her Bible everyday. I have known this about her for quite a while but we never really discussed it all so much. I have always admired her dedication but never felt the desire to follow her lead. Then, I moved away. We no longer meet every week and I wondered how we would be able to keep in touch. Little did I know that the Lord had already taken care of that. Immediately upon moving I started receiving daily texts from my friend. They never say much. It is just a Bible notation such as 1 Cor. 1-3. That's it. No comment, no direction, no greeting per se-nothing. Surprisingly, getting these little texts challeng me. I don't understand it. I don't know why. But getting that little text everyday is leading me to read my Bible regularly. This is the first time I have ever come close. Okay, I admit the everyday thing is still really hard for me, however, I am making a point to follow along and do all of the reading my friend has done. So, I may read what she texts the day I receive it. I may read a weeks worth at one sitting.

I can sense the Lord teaching me something about self-discipline through this unforeseen communication with my friend. Discipline is a word I have never really liked. I have viewed it very negatively. Even as an adult who knows discipline is not a bad thing nor does it have to be a harsh thing; I have just never liked the word. I have been asking the Holy Spirit to help me increase my self-control in various areas of my life. I never expected it to be so fun and challenging. It sure helps to have a friend with me, leading me on this journey. God is good and can teach us in ways we never expected.

Elsa

Elsa is my wonderful grand-niece. She brings sunshine and laughter to all who meet her. Unfortunately, she has been through many struggles in her short life with her health. So, today I am asking that all of you join with me to pray for Elsa. Earlier this morning Elsa had her second seizure. She is fighting off an infection of some kind that has given her a high fever. Please join me in prayer that she has no more seizures and that her temperature comes down.

Hot Summer Days

Well, it is July and it is HOT, Humid and did I say HOT, HOT, HOT? The Minneapolis area is and the entire Midwest is experiencing the worst heat wave in over five years. The Midwest also has experienced an extremely cold winter, and an extremely long and wet spring. All of the moisture from earlier this year has made the conditions right for extremely high humidity to join with the high temperatures to cause the dangerous heat. Reuters does a wonderful job describing this heat wave. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/18/us-weather-idUSTRE76G1CW20110718

I was praying this morning with my two long-term prayer partners and we realized the entire Midwest seems to be under such unusual weather this year. As we prayed the Lord showed us how there is a battle going on right now in the heavenlies. It has been prophesied by a number of Christian prophets (Kim Clement, Chuck Pierce, and Kenneth Copeland) that a new revival of the Holy Spirit will be ignited and come out of the Midwest in 2011. I believe that the weather has been impacted by this raging battle. So, dear readers, join with us as we pray that the Lord set the jet streams in order. The earthquakes, tsunamis, floods etc. are not from God but from the enemy. We can take the authority in prayer to release a "healing" of the weather worldwide. God loves His people and is calling us to turn to Him with trust and love.