Lord, protect our children

"Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril,
Father, hear us for our children.

From the whirlwind that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them,
Father, hear us for our children.

From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Father, Father, keep our children.

Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them.

Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleading thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

And wherever they may bide,
Lead them Home at eventide."

Amy Carmichael - The Gold Cord

I often wonder how to effectively pray for my boys... this sums it up beautifully. I look at my boys, so young, so innocent and I am aware that they will one day be exposed to this wicked world and most importantly the fallen wickedness inside themselves. I pray that God would always have them in his care and he would lead them home one day.

Times and Seasons

"He changes times and seasons" Daniel 2:21

I believe my life is moving into a new season and while a part of me wants to cling to the previous season this verse brought me much relief to think that actually this is God's will... He changes times and seasons. He is in control. There is always an element of grief with the ending of one season and moving into a new one. I feel somewhat torn... one side of me wants to cling to the last season in fear of what the future holds and another part of looks with hope to the future and what goodness there is to come.

I know a new season is beginning in my heart as I try to rid myself of the deep selfishness that so often has control within me and to allow God to have his way once again.

Amy Carmichael's wisdom was once again entirely relevant this morning...
"It is not a little matter to leave all- all of self, its desires, pride and ways. But if we do we shall find all that our Lord has to give us. Do we want to live this life? Are we earnest about it? Or do we still want to hold on to the wretched rags of self and self-pleasing? God can deliver us from these, and strengthen us in very truth to leave all, that we may find all."

It seems so foolish to think this world has something worthwhile to offer. Oh to find my identity completely in the One who created me and knows me deeper than anyone can ever know me. He knows the good and bad yet loves me unconditionally despite it all! That truth brings comfort and peace. Thank you Jesus!

Seeking approval

Amy Carmichael's wisdom again...

"If the praise of others elates me...
if the blame of others depresses me...
if I cannot rest when I am misunderstood, without defending myself...
if I love to be loved, more than to give love...
if I love to be served, more than serving...
then I know nothing of Calvary's love"

Talk about get me where it hurts! Ah to know Calvary's love, my heart's greatest desire!

A heart after His own

I am reading a book by Amy Carmichael "Gold Cord". There is a part that has moved me, she is quoting a letter she received:

"I have stood, as it were, on the edge of His sea of suffering, and have hastily diverted myself with something else, lest He should call me to enter that sea with Him. And yet there is nothing I long more to do. To me there is no more tragic sight than the average missionary. A Hindu bowing down to his idol leaves me unmoved beside it. We have given so much, yet not the one thing that counts; we aspire so high, and fall so low; we suffer so much, but so seldom with Christ; we have done so much, but so little will remain; we have known Christ in part, and have so effectively barricaded our hearts against His mighty love, which surely He must yearn to give His disciples above all else."

Food for thought indeed... to break through the mediocre faith and to die in order for Christ to have control.