All we need is love, and we can work it out together...

This may turn into a novel of a rambling post, but I have things on my heart that need expressing.

For the past two days I have been talking with a friend about their struggles and difficulties, both recent and throughout the past several years. Among a number of things, these conversations caused me to reflect on a very simple, very important truth. We, the citizens of earth, *NEED EACH OTHER!* Yeah, I know, in internet etiquitte terms, I just shouted, but it's something worth shouting over and over and over again...we need each other.

Yet, in our world, it's far too easy to leave people stuck in the mire of their problems, emotional, physical, spiritual, practical or financial. Any outside observer of our world would get the idea that it's easier to hate than to love, to abandon rather than care for. We get so wrapped up in ourselves, our dramas, our plights, challenges and personal hurdles that after a while, the other person or persons cease to matter.

We got it wrong, somehow. "Looking out for number one..." should never been a catch phrase in our world, and if so, it ought to mean looking out for our neighbor, our fellow man...not just ourselves.

As part of this whole thought process, it just so happened I heard a remake of the Beatles song "All You Need Is Love" (by Grace Potter), while standing in a line at a local Walgreens. Maybe, for some people, it's trite and cliche, but it is very definitely true. Pair it with the song "We Can Work It Out", and there's a double barrel shot of the idea of loving one another, and working out any problems or differences, no matter how small. To mix song images, incorporating a thought from David Crosby, life is short, and yes, these tracks in the dust won't last. We are moving through here very fast, and we need to make this ride as comfortable and enjoyable for those around us as we can. It's not about pleasing them or fulfilling their every whim. It's about seeing to their basic needs. It's about not leaving them in a situation they cannot otherwise solve on their own. In some way, shape or form, we all need help on some level or another...whether we care to admit it or not.

Love is the substance the universe is made of. If you're not partaking of that substance and sharing it with others, you do the universe a disservice. If you walk awaay from those in need because "I have my own needs to worry about..." you do the universe, and its inhabitants an injustice. Your contribution, if you will, doesn't have to be huge or herculean, but just enough to lift that person a little higher than they were when they started out. So, brak down the walls, the barriers and reach out. You never know who will accept that helping hand and smile in eternal gratitude when remembering what you've done for them.

Fight the MCP....Major Cable Providers!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a fan of the Disney movie "Tron" and it's sequel, "Tron Legacy." If you don't know me well, this will gradually become apparent as time goes on.

Anyway, for those who don't know, the original Tron was about a computer programmer and his battle against the Master Control Program (or MCP). Well, here in the real world of the 21st century, we're battling another MCP...Major Cable Providers.

The FCC recently repealed Net Neutrality, effectively handing control of the internet to major cable companies like Comcast and AT&T. This means they will have the final say over what content can be put out on the internet. I, personally, don't like seeing my freedoms stripped away.

That's why, on February 27th, I am joining a massive online protest to push congress to block the FCC repeal of the Net Neutrality act. Join me, please! After all, there are really no problems, only solutions! Go to: http://www.battleforthenet.com/onemorevote

A Sea Change for me

Wow! I actually forgot about this blog! Now, here it is, several years later, and I've undergone some fundamental changes. Where to start!

In the years since I've posted I have experienced grief on numerous levels...the worst of which was the love of my life, the one who, originally, introduced me to the Seventh-Day Adventist church. That was unlike anything I have ever experienced. The pain was the worst I had ever felt, emotionally speaking.

I've added layers to my faith. I have begun studying the Hindu sacred text, The Bhagavad Gita, and found truths in it that I didn't when I tried reading it about 15 years ago. I am also using guided meditation and yoga to help me stay balanced as a person. This is for my physical, emotional and spiritual health. I'm managing my type 2 diabetes, and the heart disease I discovered I have back in 2013.

The other new part of my spiritual/hollistic journey is preparing to learn Reiki. Reiki = guided lifeforce energy and is used for healing and balancing the bodys energies. 

The final new chapter in my life that I want to tell you about here is that, since August of 2016, I have been learning to play bass guitar. I'm starting to enter the intermediate stage. I could go on and on about that, but I want to keep this a brief overview, not turn it into a novel.

Oh, and let's not forget...I relocated to San Francisco to be with my current girlfriend, Donna, and have been in this wonderful city since May of 2014.

So, yeah, that, in a nutshell, is my new life, and the sea change I have gone through. Buckle up, and I'll take you on the rest of the journey!

Why I have joined the Seventh-day Adventist church!

Life is about choices, some bolder choices than others. To skydive or not to skydive versus whether to have fries or onion rings.

Well, I made a bold decision. About 25 years ago, I became a Christian and was baptized. The problem was, however, that no sooner than I had done that, Satan had a field day with me. If it had been a football game, and Satan’s messengers the opposing team, I would have been sacked with huge loss of yardage on the play.

Add to that, my realization there were certain things about me that, honestly, invalidated that choice to be baptized. I was not living the life I should have been, and there were certain sins that, while I regretted and even despised them, I never truly repented of them; giving them over to Jesus at the foot of the cross.

So, within the past year, I’d been challenged regarding the fourth of the Ten Commandments; the Sabbath. Okay, well, not “challenged” really, but asked to study it and see, for myself, what I thought.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8

I was astounded! I soon learned that the one commandment that starts with the word “remember” was being forgotten! Not only forgotten, but forsaken as no longer valid or meaningful!

How is this, you say? Easy! Mainline Protestantism changed the Sabbath day from the Seventh day of the week, Saturday, to the first day of the week, Sunday.

For more detail about this, read the Joe Crews message “how the Sabbath was changed.”:
http://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath-history/how-the-sabbath-was-changed.aspx


God’s law, which never changes, however, states that the Seventh day is to be the Sabbath!

Exodus 20

9 You shall labor six days, and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates;
11 for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.


So, I became convicted by the Holy Spirit that if all ten commandments are still valid, and since the Sabbath is the Seventh day of the week, and not the first, I ought to, in obedience to God and His will begin to properly observe the Sabbath!

I have learned other things, as well, I didn't even know, nor was I awareof the state of the dead, or what happens when a person dies?:

Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.


It was all of this, combined with other beliefs that convicted me, and convinced me to join the SDA hchurch.

More to come next time!

Sent to...Beatrice.

This past Sabbath, I assisted Kalvin Follett, my "boss" at Christian Record Services, in doing an offering call at a church in Beatrice, Nebraska, about an hour south of here in Lincoln.

Kalvin asked me about doing this a few weeks ago and I eagerly agreed. Naturally, as the time got closer, my excitement built. I so firmly believe in what Christian Record does, I was glad to help in this way, being part of the presentation to raise both awareness and money for them.

It wasn't until Sabbath morning, however, a bigger surprise was sprung on me. It turns out that half of the members of this particular church are hispanic, and therefore, we would be speaking with the assistance of an interpreteor, translating from English into Spanish. I immediately prayed for God to give me not only His words, but simple words that could fit neatly into a short sentence or two.

After Kalvin picked me up, we went back to his house to pick up the rest of his family: his wife, Kristine, and two children, Jannah and Nathan. It was fun getting acquainted with them all. I observed Kristine, Nathan and Jannah playing a fascinating variation of "Go fish!" that involved cards with letters, and each letter had four number cards, all with various birds and other animals. It looked like fun.

The church in Beatrice was, actually, fairly small. The sanctuary seemed comparable to a good portion of my apartment. You could easily hear children in another room singing during their Sabbath school class. It was kind of nice, actually.

The presentation went very well! Kalvin asked me a few questions after we let someone try to use my cane after I gave a brief explanation of how to use it.

After the service, we had a wonderful Sabbath meal with 3 kinds of lasagna, some other pasta dishes, fruit, juice and cookies, among other things.

The day was very warm, and as it turns out, in Lincoln, itself, we set a new record for a high temperature that day. I don't know about Beatrice, but I would assume this to be true for them as well.

Afterwards, the Follett family and I went to the Homestading National Monument just outside of Beatrice. This monument has audio descriptions for the blind. It is my understanding that all the national monuments are being (or already are) equipped with audio description like this. This was especially cool in the homesteading cabin that describes the living quarters of the early homesteaders. I really enjoyed this tour.

After that, I completed my day by getting home in time to attend the Evangelism series at Piedmont Park SDA, the Seventh-Day adventist church I've been attending.

It was a very blessed, very rich day for me, and I look forward to other such opportunities to help Christian Record in a similar fashion in the future.

As for those now wondering why I am attending an SDA church? Well, my explanation of that is yet to come in a future post on this blog. I have very valid reasons, first and foremost having to do with the importance of the fourth of the Ten commandments and my new understanding of this commandment. But, as I said, a further explanation is yet to come.

Blessings,

Alan

What more are you willing to do?

Matthew 28

19 Therefore go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The "great commission", as it is called, wasn't just for the disciples of Jesus who lived in his day, walking, talking and eating with Him. It is for all of us.

I saw something today that challenged my thinking, and my attitude about missions, for one thing, and serving God for another.

In South America, a 10 year-old child, once a week, rows a canoe, up-river, and leads a small group in worship, bible study and prayer. This little girl also hosts a radio show, praying over people's requests on air, talking about the Gospel and playing music. She's *TEN* and does this *WILLINGLY!* And why? Because she wants to see these people in Heaven some day.

If a girl of the same age in this country said she wanted to do the same thing, her parents, I am sure, would probably just try to appease her with video games or the like instead of fostering such precious, invaluable willingness to serve God.

Honestly, seeing this story convicts me. It raises the question "What more are you willing to do?"

So, I pose to you the same question(s) I am posing to myself:

*Are you willing to go wherever God sends you and do whatever He calls you to do?

*Are you ready and willing to step outside your comfort zone for the cause of Christ?

*Are you willing to give more of your time, treasure and talents, especially if you aren't giving very much of any of them now?

Anyone who has studied scripture, prophecy and the end times knows the return of Christ is fairly close at hands. So be ready to work while you can:

"The night is coming, when no one can work."

John 9: 6B

No Bones About It: Guide Dogs for the Blind's Blog: GDB Guide Dog Instructor Featured in Shoe Ad

No Bones About It: Guide Dogs for the Blind's Blog: GDB Guide Dog Instructor Featured in Shoe Ad: "We'd like to introduce you to one of GDB's many dedicated Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, Polly Dugan. Polly is featured in a new ad for Kee..."

The return.

Well, it's been 7 months, but I am back!

I've looked over this blog, and it seems it has been rather psychotic. Well, hopefully, this is the last change I will make in it. You see? I've learned some things about myself:

1. I am not meant to be a political commentator. That isn't what God is calling me to.

2. I should write what I know, and my own life, its ups and downs, struggles and joys are what I know best.

3. this should be a place for me to be real, even if I sound a bit crazy at times.

Well, if you read the description as I just rewrote it, you'll see this blog will be about blindness, faith, my exploration of the Seventh-Day Adventist church, among other things.

As I come to learn more about Adventism I will share it here, as long as I believe it will edify, encourage and strengthen others.

So, I hope you like what you read, even if it's the old, outdated political stuff.

Alan

Columbus Rescue Mission, Columbus Nebraska: food basket program

I don't typically brag on myself, but...
Columbus Rescue Mission, Columbus Nebraska: food basket program: "Normally we do not deliver food, however this person tonight does not have the ability to drive. At the apartment, this Bible was the first ..."

Interesting.

Okay, so Texas did one thing right. They kept the feds out of their business in terms of their educational system.
"Common set of school standards to be proposed"

Smart move. Now, let's just hope they're just as smart when it comes to the curriculum changes being voted on!

Part of the point!

This article from World News Daily makes my point about the text books. They're already too politically correct! Parents in Texas, and everywhere else for that matter, need to be vigilant.

"Poll: Americans say textbooks are too PC"

T is for Texas, but it's also for thought police!

I am not sure if Fox News dropped the ball or not, , but if they didn't, and their reports were accurate, this is scary. Of course, if the board isn't making the changes Fox said, why should they be so upset? Seems they could be calmer about it if they're so innocent.

It will be interesting to see how this develops. It definitely needs to be followed as a story, and here's why:

1. If it's true they want the coverage of history to start at 1877, there is a *LOT* that can be glossed over as if it never happened:

A: our country's Christian heritage as seen in our founding fathers.
b: slavery and it's damaging effects/impact on the country.
c: the way the Native Americans were treated, such as atrocities like the trail of tears.


And those are just a few examples. The changes Fox reported smack of rewriting history, or selectively editing it, and that, my friends, smacks of the thought police. Keep an eye on this school board, especially if Fox has facts to stand behind and their reports are indeed accurate. As scary as it is, I hope that Fox did report accurately so that the school board doesn't get away with something they shouldn't. I'll do my best to keep you updated here.

The change *IS* doing me good!

Okay, so I admit, I struggled with it!  Now I wonder why!  Some of you will see this note over and over again, as I plan to put it on my blog, and on my LJ page, and even My Space.  It's just I am making so much progress I want to shout it to the world I know!

 

Almost a month ago, my blood glucose readings were at about 270 and my weight about 252 or so.  I have started regular exercise, and am transforming the way I eat so it fits in with what I, being type 2 diabetic, ought to be doing!  Today was absolutely the *BEST* blood sugar reading I have had since my diagnosis two or more years ago; down to 140.  My last weight check, a month ago, had me down to 246, but I am sure that has to have changed since I have for the past week walked about 3 miles each day.  I am eating more fruits and veggies and less of the bad stuff...still working on that part...it's a struggle because, as we all know the bad stuff is so yummy! LOL!  But, anyway, I just wanted to update everyone, and show that I am making progress!  I will keep y'all up to date on that progress, too!  Sorry for, technically, cross-posting to all my different blogs, but I just finished one of my walks, and it's the only way I feel like doing things! LOL!

 

More news in the next day or so.  I go to the doc on Tuesday and will have an update about my weight!

 

It has to be here!

I am talking about Spring.  It has to have arrived!  I have that hopeful feeling I get every year at this time!  That feeling that so much good is on the horizon!  I don't mean life is bad, but living through winter feels like living in a cave...and feeling that social disconnect that people seem to have during winter doesn't help. Even that seems to be going away.  People are having that hopeful, spring feeling...I can sense it in the air!

 

I hope I don't sound crazy!  I might to those of you who have never experienced a Nebraska Winter...sno or not, it gets cold...and feels so gloomy.  People seem bundled up emotionally and spiritually as well as physically...and not always as accessible. 

Those of you who never have experienceda Nebraska winter wouldn't want to, either.  It gives you a sense of what the term "bitter cold" means if you were never quite sure you knew what it meant. LOL!

 

Anyway, the bird of hope has taken flight!  Spring is in the air, and I hope it's here to stay...no more cold for the rest of the season! LOL!

 

Two battles.

In case I haven't gone to mentioning this in this space, I am type 2 diabetic.  I struggle with it.  The dietary restrictions imposed by having to watch my carb intake, some times, makes me want to pull out my hhair. It was this very thought that brought me to an interesting epiphany.

 

 

The struggle to eat right...and do consistently, is not unlike the struggles a Christian faces when dealing with sin and temptation.

 

For the diabetic, it is knowing that some calories are empty, worthless carbs.  That huge sundae or other decadent dessert looks great in the menu, but in the end, you come away feeling empty and doing damage to your body...and for what?

 

For the Christian, it is whatever we lust after, hunger for too much in our flesh.  Let me, since I am a male, use the male propensity for lusting after women as an example.

 

The man sees (or in my case hears) the woman and she sounds beautiful...and the usual male desires arise, but the man, in his brain, knows that it would be empty, unfulfilling, and he'd walk away ashamed, unsatisfied deep down, but yet he still desires her.  The craving doesn't go away no matter how much he wills it to.

 

In my struggle with diabetes I am much the same.  I'm a meat & potatoes guy.  So, I love my starchy foods.  Not so big on veggies.  Given the choice, I'd rather heap on the mashed potatoes, but I *KNOW* it is wrong...bad for my body...and not helping my blood sugars...and yet I still want it. 

 

In both cases, you have the two sides warring...the devil on your right sholder, in the form of the cheesecake saying "You can eat me...I won't harm you..." and the angel on the other shoulder saying "That's too sweet...too many sugars..."

 

In the same way, spiritually, the devil tries to decieve us into believing that a given sin isn't that bad; "Go ahead!  Do it!  It isn't that bad...there are worse sins!" he cunningly whispers, meanwhile the Holy Spirit is practically screaming "Flee! Run the other way!  Don't give in!"

 

In closing, let me throw in one of my favorite verses from the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans.  May it encourage the diabetic, and the sinner alike:

 

For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice.
Romans 7:19

Never give up!

Okay, this entry isn't political, or about the economy (especially since economics class almost drove me insane), and will be something of a change of pace for me.

 

I have type 2 diabetes.  I have been trying, off and on for several months, to get to where I could consistently test my blood sugar.  Problem was that I was never drawing blood.  No matter what I tried.I was starting to feel hopeless about it.  Everyone I talked to steered me away from the idea of alternate site testing.  Not accurate enough.  I had no clue what I was going to do.

 

So, I set up to see a diabetic educator today. We tried something that I was wondering about...a lancet device with two extra depth settings beyond the typical device. Setting it on the highest setting, 7, actually worked!!

 

 

So, let me publicly encourage anyone who has struggled with a treatment regimen because some aspect of it or another is preventing you from not treating  your condition the way you ought to.  There is hope.  There is a solution.  It's just a matter of finding it. never be afraid to seek help and support.  Persevere and be stubborn.  Something good will come of it!

 

 

 

 

The "Joe the plumber" white lie!

Obama told a little white lie last night at the debate. He said, “Now, the conversation I had with Joe the plumber, what I essentially said to him was, ‘Five years ago, when you were in a position to buy your business, you needed a tax cut then, and what I want to do is to make sure that the plumber, the nurse, the firefighter, the teacher, the young entrepreneur who doesn’t yet have money, I want to give them a tax break now.”

But if you listen to what he said, he never mentioned anything about 5 years to Joe the Plumber. If you listen carefully to what Obama is saying, however, you do hear that he wants to give the wealth to people who make less than Joe does...just give it to them. Don't believe me, check out the video for yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAfGAcz4eY

"Spread the wealth around...?" Hmmm, isn't that rather socialist?

Yet, Obama maintains his socialist stand, even during the debate! As a taxpayer, I don't want my hard earned money going to people who sat on their collective butts and didn't earn it. A vote for McCain is a vote for common sense, and not socialist programs that are foreign, and should stay foreign to this country and what it stands for!

Associations and relations do matter, Mr. Obama!

Sen. Obama keeps trying to brush off the reports of his associations and relations to people involved in one form of terrorism or another. If you don't think this matters so much, senator, what kind of character does that show on your part? I sit here watching the final debate, and any time these associations are mentioned by Senator McCain, Obama stutters, stammers, and makes excuses.

Watch the video I am including here, and you will see for yourselves why associations matter. I hope and pray that you come to understand why Obama is a very dangerous candidate for president!The Video that could cost Obama the election

Here we go again!

So, come to find out that Fred Phelps has opened his mean and ugly mouth.  In an online rant he says that "God hates Nebraska." and all because of those wrestlers who were caught in the online gay porn site.

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Mr. Phelps, you need to stop preaching!  You have it all wrong, sir!  God doesn't hate Nebraska.  God hates men like you who preach that He is hateful, vindictive, and vengeful.  You're not preaching the real gospel.  You leave out God's grace and mercy for every person on this planet!  You are bastardizing the Gospel because of your intolerance and hatred of homosexuals.  It isn't god that hates them...it's you, Mr. Phelps.  Stop misrepresenting God, go read your bible...really read it...and come back when you can teach God's grace and mercy as much as you can His hatred of sin.  Until then, go work at a hardware store or something and get out of the preaching/protest business. 

 

I think, Mr. Phelps, if you read the four Gospels, and read how Jesus reacted to the Pharisees, you might see yourself in those Pharisees.  You ought to, anyway, but probably never will.

 

I don't claim to be a perfect person, and I have my own prejudices and biases.  Yet, in my humanity, I find I can't even think about you, Mr. Phelps without becoming thoroughly angry.  Keep misrepresenting God and He will strike you, Fred, I just know it.  I can only pray that you will repent of your bitter, angry and vindictive portrayal of God and come to see that God is just, but He is also gracious and merciful.

 

As angry as you make me, Mr. Phelps, I also believe that if you repent and are truly sorry for the vitriol you put out there, God will be merciful to you as well.  Give up your doctrine of hatred and anger and God will shed His grace on you.

 

 

Pride, small things, and the parable of the talents.

Matthew 25

 

15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
16 Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17 In like manner he also who got the two gained another two.
18 But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 "Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.
20 He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.'
21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
22 "He also who got the two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.'
23 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
24 "He also who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.
25 I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.'
26 "But his lord answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow, and gather where I didn't scatter.
27 You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
28 Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away.
30 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

 

 

What are you praying for?  A friend's job situation? Healing for a sick relative?

 

These are not bad things to pray for.  I am not attempting to discourage them.  But in amongst all those prayers are you asking that God empower and enable you to witness to the stranger on the street?  Are you praying that God break your stubborn, foolish pride where it comes to witnessing?

Now, the breaking of pride seems like a big thing, but if we look at things in context, the act of praying for that breaking, of praying that we be a better witness in our towns, cities and wherever we go should, actually, be a small thing...and yet it is something we should do as often as possible.  

 

I know that, for me, the idea of witnessing brings up an issue I have a very tough time with: being different. I think we all know that fear of witnessing to someone we've never met and having them look at us like we're space aliens who just landed in front of them, space ship and all.  We aren't comfortable with being seen as different.  We want to blend in...just melt into and become part of the scenery.

 

God, however, wants us to be set apart from the world...to be different from everyone else.  God wants us out of our comfort zones. I don't know about you, but that makes me a bit edgy and uncomfortable. As it is, I struggle with being seen as different because, growing up, I used to wear thick glasses and didn't see as well as all the other kids.  This got me branded as different.  As most of you know, peer pressure can make kids behave very cruelly. The pressure to conform...to blend in with the other kids can be overwhelming.  I grew to really resent being seen as that which I was...different.  By nature of who I am, I didn't automatically blend in with the other kids.  Things they thought were cool I found to be dumb or uninteresting. Things I thought to be cool, other kids thought to be lame and stupid.

 

Well, as a Christian, my world view is different, and those who don't believe in Christ see my faith as lame and stupid. I am far too aware of this, and that is what has kept me from not only witnessing to others, but praying for the empowerment and enabling to witness to others from God and His Holy Spirit!

 

As I said, praying for this power ought to be a small thing.  In the parable of the talents, which I quoted above, Jesus tells us that if we are faithful with small things, with a few things, he will entrust us with larger things:

 

His lord said to him, Well done, good and true servant: you have been true in a small thing, I will give you control over great things: take your part in the joy of your lord.
Matthew 25:21

 

So, should we be surprised when our ministry flounders and we discover that we haven't been faithful with a small thing such as praying for power, courage and whatever else we require to be a powerful witness for Christ?  Is it any wonder that our spiritual engine seems to be stalling when it comes to ministry and we find that we haven't been faithful with the small things?  I beseech you that if God puts it on your heart, you pray for the boldness and courage to witness and the discernment of the times and places God wants you to witness.  Pray that you might be broken of your selfish pride.  Pray that you become able to witness despite that part of you that is all too keenly aware that the rest of the world thinks faith is folly.  Remember that to love Christ and not testify to that love is the true folly.

 

Lord, enable us all with your Holy Spirit.  Make us all bold witnesses to you and your grace and mercy...wherever we may be!