Sunday, September 27, 2009

The Bulletproof George Washington

How's this for God's Providential Hand in our nation!

George Washington's part in the July 9th, 1755, battle during the French and Indian War is indisputably one of the most significant events of his early years: his life literally hung in the balance for over two hours. This dramatic event helped shape his character and confirm God's call on him.

During the two-hour battle, the 23 year-old Colonel Washington had ridden to and fro on the battlefield, delivering the general's orders to other officers and troops. The officers had been a special target for the Indians. Of the eighty-six British and American officers, sixty-three were casualties. Washington was the only officer on horseback not shot down.

Following the battle, Washington wrote a letter to his brother in which he readily and openly acknowledged:

"By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet [I] escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me!"

Fifteen years later, an old, respected Indian chief sought out Washington. The chief, explaining that he had led the Indians against them in the battle fifteen years earlier, revealed to Washington what had occurred behind the scenes during the conflict:

"I called to my young men and said, mark yon tall and daring warrior [Washington]? ...Himself is alone exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies. Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss--'twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we shielded you. Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased to fire at you...I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle."

(From The Bulletproof George Washington)

Does God Exist?

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Alot of the time, we think of Jesus Christ as a somber or sorrowful person. I love this picture because he is smiling, and happy. (Thanks to Apokalupsis.net)

Bedtime Prayers

"When I was a child and it came the bedtime hour
I would kneel by my bed and say my nightly prayers
I would shut my eyes and ask for a lot of foolish things;
Like a new bicycle or a new wagon or a toy train

"I prayed for new clothes; those that were in style
I prayed for good grades so my parents would smile
I prayed only for me and no one else
I left it to others to pray for themselves

"The youthful things I prayed for came to pass
But I learned they were things that did not last
I look back now and see that I was vain
To pray only for me while others were in pain

"Now that I am older my prayers have changed
I no longer ask God for material things
I pray for strength to make it through the day
I pray for courage to keep my fears at bay

"I pray for people with lonely souls
I pray for the hungry and the cold
I pray for little orphans without homes
I pray for those who are shut-in and all alone

"I pray that tensions in the world will ease
I pray that we will find everlasting peace
And each night before I go to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep"
- Ellen Bailey

Just A Weaver

"My life is but a weaving,
between my God and me,
I do not choose the colors,
He worketh steadily.
Ofttimes he weaveth sorrow,
and I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper,
and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent,
and the shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas,
and explain the reasons why
The dark threads are as needful
in the skillful weaver's hand
As threads of gold and silver
in the pattern He has planned."
- Benjamine Malachi Franklin

We don't always understand why God does things, but it will all work out for our good.

Footprints in the Sand

"One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Mary Stevenson

(Copyright © 1984 Mary Stevenson, from original 1936 text, All rights reserved)

-Just a little commentary on this poem, if you don't mind:
My seminary teacher talked about this poem to our class recently, and told us this poem was wrong. He said that even though it was a nice poem, Jesus does not carry us in our hard times. (At this point, all of us were really confused). He had us turn to Isaiah 46:3, which says, "Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb." He explained that Jesus doesn't start carrying us when things get tough - he has always carried us.

The Silversmith

This story speaks of the refiner's fire:

"Some time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3).One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject.She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?""Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith; "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."God sees it necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?""That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."
-Author Unknown

Isaiah 64:8

I think that alot of the time, people overlook the scriptural quotes in Isaiah. I think that they are wonderful, and that they protray a wonderful message. They deserve to be recognized! This particular scripture talks about how we should be molded by God so that we can become like Him.

Isaiah 64:8
"But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand."

Tiny Hands - by Liz Lemon Swindle

An emotional look into the sacrifices that Joseph and Emma Smith made.

Isaiah 40:8

Isaiah 40:8
"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

I thought this scripture was really cool, because it really gives you a sense of the importance and power of the word of God. God is eternal, and so is His message!

Introduction

In my seminary class, we have a small time set aside every day where people can come up and share a testimony, an evidence of God's Providential Hand in their lives, or any story that can invite the Spirit and strengthen our faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, I created this blog so that I can record stories and testimonies like that - for a little inspiration and a faith-boost when you need it.