And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.                                               Ezekiel 22:30

Dutch Sheets, senior pastor and teacher, defines intercessory prayer as an extension of the ministry of Jesus through His Body, the Church (believers), whereby we mediate between God and humanity for the purpose of reconciling the world to Him, or between satan and humanity for the purpose of enforcing the victory of Calvary.

Our Pastor, Brother Stan, was transferred and our new Pastor and his wife were older and more experienced.  He gave us good marital advice and we respected both of them.  Brother Bev, as we affectionately called him was beginning to suffer some memory loss.  He had probably forgotten more than I ever knew!  I distinctly remember an incident, the exact time frame eludes me, but it was before we moved to Main Church.
I was sitting at our kitchen table in our new smaller home, we had downsized due to financial losses, making a grocery list and just started weeping.  I was not emotionally upset about anything and for some reason the boys were not at home.  I remember saying, out loud, “oh no, you can’t take him now”.  It was about Brother Bev and he had some kind of blockage in the blood supply to his brain.  It was very intense and I just prayed through it until I felt released from the pain.

            Mark was at the church and I called immediately and asked if Brother Bev was okay.  Mark related that he had a bad headache.  I didn’t know it then because this was the first time the Lord had used me in this capacity but that was my first experience with intercessory prayer.  After it was all over I felt very special and precious to the Lord!

Prayer: What an honor to be used by you Holy Spirit to intercede for my Pastor! 
                          
Thought: Are there ways to serve the Lord that we have not experienced yet?  Does the Holy Spirit reside in each of us as the Body of Christ? Ask the Lord how you might honor and serve Him and let Him have complete control. 
 
  

Financial Pressure and God’s Provision

 …where is the lamb for a burnt offering…God will provide himself a lamb…And Abraham lifted his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.  And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day…           Genesis 22:7-14

 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression…                          Proverbs 19:11    
                                                                                                                               
The family business was at an all time low financially and we needed family health insurance, which Mark could not provide and I could not get unless I worked full time.  I was being strongly pressured to work full time by the Director of the Department.  The two hour commute and one specific colleague made my work situation extremely unpleasant.  I did my best to pacify her and not escalate the problem.  In my flesh I desired to strike out, but prayer negated that reaction.

 My confidence was also at an all time low with the tense work environment.  We all had to adjust to new computer software that summer to be more efficient in our work production.  Much to my surprise the training was easy and it really did increase our productivity. However, I did begin to look for a new work environment.

As a result of the provision and favor of the Lord I secured a full time position as Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) Specialist for the Mid South Foundation for Medical Care (MSFMC), the Professional Review Organization of Tennessee.  It was twenty minutes from my home, a pay raise, and the most excellent health insurance we ever had as a family.  We could afford excellent child care for both the boys at Main Day Camp during the summer, which they both absolutely loved.  The job was very challenging but my supervisor was a kind, compassionate, encouraging Pastor’s wife.  Mark and I attended a couple’s weekend sponsored by her church.  Only God himself could have secured this kind of provision!

Prayer: You are Jehovah-jireh, God our provider!

Thought: When we have a very immediate and specific need and refuse to succumb to the impulse of flesh to strike out against an adversary can God be trusted to provide?  Give God the opportunity, He never fails, but provides in a way we never thought or imagined!

Fruit that Remains After Experiencing the Holy Spirit
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father, in my name, he give it to you.                                                                                                                   John 15:16
Mark and I were consumed with serving the Lord after our spiritual retreat weekend and volunteered to become the Evangelism Committee at our small church.  We were somewhat naïve but our enthusiasm and desire served us well and we believed pleased the Lord.

We canvassed the neighborhood for new members and personally visited anyone who showed up at our church.  I will never forget the Sunday afternoon we visited an elderly widow, Mrs. T., with our boys in the van.  Mark and I stepped into her home, loaded with precious breakables.  The boys were so rowdy the van was swaying from side to side.  It is funny now, but not then!

 Mrs. T. could see our distress and she suggested Bobby and Jonathan come in.  I prayed and pretty much held my breath the entire time we were in her home.  It was as if the boys picked up on the Christ-like atmosphere and were perfect gentlemen.  She became a foundational member of the church and always bragged about the boys that day. 

Mrs. T. and I did vacation bible school together, she was a retired school teacher, and she remained a pillar of that church until Jesus called her home.  

 Prayer: Please use me for your Glory Lord and to serve in the Body of Christ

Thought: Does realization of the Holy Spirit as a Living Person open the door to the Spiritual Realm and “lasting fruit.” Try it out once the Lord initiates the introduction of the Holy Spirit in your life!

Strict Confidentiality in Accountability Groups  

Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.      Proverbs 2:11
 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.          Luke 17:3
Mark and I joined or were recruited into a “Reunion” or small accountability group after our Christian retreat weekend.  There were four couples in the group, including our Pastor and his wife.  We did not know each other very well but we thought it would be a spiritual growth experience.  Unfortunately we did more gossiping than praying and confidential information about seeing a marriage counselor before the weekend spread throughout the church.   I was livid and felt betrayed.  The couple who leaked the information passed it off as unimportant, that all married couples go through hard times and see counselors.  They never apologized or addressed the betrayal at all.  My trust and ability to be transparent in the group never returned and after a period of time the group self-destructed.

We did sponsor three other couples and a widow for the retreat over time but we never found another accountability group as a couple.  Mark has met with a group of men for about twenty years now and it has at times literally been a life saver for him.

The experience taught me the value and necessity of confidentiality in any intimate group such as a prayer group, spiritual accountability group or even a small bible study group that the Lord draws together in vulnerability and trust.

Prayer: Help me to forgive and the grace to forget.

Thought: Does the Lord allow us to suffer the consequences of sin so that we don’t commit the same sin and hurt others?  We must forgive to go on with the Lord however; I believe, trust is a separate issue and must be reestablished.
 
 

A Cloud on the Horizon

 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through    Christ Jesus.     Philippians 4:6

Our financial situation was so strained when Jonathan started kindergarten in a private church school I went back to work part-time.  The commute was an hour both ways and the competitive nature of the other Registered Record Administrators (RRA) was difficult, not to mention the learning curve of a new job.  I had resigned when I was seven months along with Bobby.

Jonathan’s teacher was Mrs. Armstrong and he seemed okay with the first day as he slid into the front seat of the car.  He told me later that Mrs. Armstrong really didn’t have strong arms and was genuinely relieved!   Children’s thinking is so literal at that age, I rationalized.  It had only been a few months when Jon’s teacher approached me one day to talk about some odd behavior she had seen in him.  I was shocked and had no explanation.  He had always been a solitary player in pre-school but no one saw that as odd.  But there was no pressure to perform, time limitations, comparison to other children, competition, and social interaction.  All of this was new to Jonathan and it seemed to unreasonably terrify him.

Jonathan would hide behind the bookcase and hope Mrs. Armstrong didn’t see him.  I had noticed that one week his work would look like a pre-schooler had done it and the next it would look like a fourth grader had completed it.  Mrs. Armstrong was very kind and just coped with Jon’s behavior of not being able to stay in his seat or complete assignments.  I knew how bright Jonathan was, so what was the problem?  At the end of the year I was summarily warned about the first grade teacher, Mrs. Black, more clouds were gathering.

Prayer: Lord, do you allow confusion to warn us of problems we did not know existed?

Thought:  We can cry out to God for wisdom and understanding.  He can handle our concern and provide peace despite the circumstances.
 

Nina’s Introduction to the Holy Spirit

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seethe him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.    John14:16-17

…Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.            Isaiah 43:1b  
       A key verse is prayerfully selected by the lay leader for the weekend.  Isaiah 43:1b was selected for both the men and women, which was somewhat unusual. It became our first “life verse”, which is a verse that the Holy Spirit highlights to you personally in a particular time and situation that speaks to your deepest need.

            Mark talked to me at length the next two weeks about his experience. It was obvious something extraordinary had happened to him. I despised being among strangers and speaking in public due to my low self-esteem issues although the Lord had been dealing with me concerning them. Mark told me almost everything or he knew I would not go. It seemed to mean so much to Mark that I reluctantly and fearfully went.

            I was overwhelmed and shocked. I had never experienced such unconditional love period much less from total strangers. I simply had no reference point! I was confused about all these women who had mothers, sisters, aunts, etc., who taught them about God and prayer. I threatened to leave, but decided to stay and met someone I had never known before, the Holy Spirit. I had so many moments of calm reflection and feeling totally loved in the midst of these not so perfect yet kind people.

            It took me months to sort the download from the weekend and at times I perceived the Lord and the enemy was fighting over my very soul! Brother Stan knew I was struggling and watched over me prayerfully. Finally, Praise the Lord, He won my free will and choice to serve Him. I was one more step further along to being a Christian rather than doing Christian work. I had an insatiable desire to know more of the Lord through prayer and Bible study. And to serve Him according to His will.

Prayer: Provide the courage and boldness to follow you Lord to the next step in relationship.

Thought: We must over-ride negative emotions, namely fear, to level up with our LORD!

Mark’s Introduction to the Holy Spirit
 What?  Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God,   and   ye  are not your own?                                                                               I Corinthians 6:19

We moved to a small church home closer to our home when our boys were four and six.  Our Pastor was about our age.  We began to hear about “The Walk to Emmaus” retreat for church leaders based on Luke 24:13-32.  Brother Stan, our Pastor, came to our home and explained to us the effect this weekend had on him and his ministry and urged us to go. 

The situation in our home was very tense; Mark was working in his Father’s business with his two elder brothers.  His hours were extremely long and relationships within the company were strained to the breaking point.  Mark brought all the conflict home and could not let it go.  I even tried taking the boys to the lake house for a month to ease the tension, but we were not the problem.

An elderly couple in our church dropped out of the weekend retreat due to his health and Mark was asked to go.  We were not prepared, but Mark was determined.  I was ready for anything that might help us.  The men went first and two weeks later the ladies (spouses) went.

No sooner than Mark literally flew out the door to go, Jonathan developed a strange out of nowhere fever!  It kept going up in spite of medication, rest, fluids, etc.  My in-laws lived next door, but my father-in-law had just come home from triple by-pass surgery so I was not going to bother them.  At 104 degrees, I put Jonathan in a lukewarm bath and it finally broke!  The next day he was “rung-out”, but suffered no more symptoms.  About one a.m. the next morning Bobby woke up screaming at the top of his voice because the electricity in our huge home was off.  I ran down to get Jonathan out of his crib.  He was awake but calm.  His huge “owl” eyes spoke of his bewilderment.  I will never forget the sight of my six year old gripping the windowsill like it was the only link to life!  We all piled into my bed for the rest of the night. I had committed to bringing food and singing in our very small choir Sunday morning.  The weekend had been an emotional nightmare for me.

That night Mark appeared at our front door with this angelic expression on his face wanting to talk, pray and kiss!  He had gone short-tempered, demanding, non-communicative and just plain mad at the world, including me!  I took one look at his face and wanted to say, who are you and what have you done with my husband!

Prayer: Teach us as couples to take time for prayer together and thus avoid difficulty and heart ache.

Thought: When your spouse has had a mountain top spiritual experience and it seems quite apparent that you suffered the spiritual warfare for it can you respond appropriately?
 

Love Triggers Heart Felt Prayer and Builds Faith

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children…according to the good pleasure of his will…in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will…              Ephesians 1:3-5 and 11

Jonathan and I were unusually bonded and emotionally tuned into each other from day one.  He was my “easy” baby.  He was a content, laid-back, happy child as long as he was with me.  He was a bright, sensitive child.  As an infant I instinctively met his needs before he expressed any discomfort.  I never had to discipline him because he remembered everything that was a no-no and would not dream of displeasing me.   During times of stress or sadness holding Jonathan would relieve me of any negative emotions.

 He adored his big brother and vice versa but would be present when Bobby engaged in risk taking activities, sometimes without my knowledge.  I learned to pray almost constantly and trust them to the Lord.  We had no major accidents or even illnesses, except croup, during their pre-school years, which was nothing short of a miracle and due to prayer.  My faith in prayer grew daily.

Prayer: Father, assist me in giving you everything in prayer and the wisdom to leave it with you.

Thought: Constant heart-felt prayer is a faith builder.  As my current Pastor says when you get serious with God, He gets serious with you.
 
 
 
 

God Uses Experiences to Teach His Precepts
 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.      James 1:19-20

 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.   Ephesians 4:32-32

Mother and Daddy’s relationship had always been turbulent at best and unbearable at worst.  Daddy was brilliant, but he suffered with uncontrolled and not properly treated bipolar depression. Their arguments usually ended in physical altercations when I was a child, and of course, that terrified me. 

Mother decided to leave Dad and come to my house for “protection” which was actually a form of manipulation to get her own way.  Daddy was livid and wrote many threatening letters to me, he could be quite intimidating.  Finally, while Mark and I were out he came to our home and, so I thought, broke in.  Actually Mother had left the back door open on purpose.  She hit the panic alarm button for the police.

 Bobby, only three years old told me Mother ran to get Jonathan, four months old, and physically placed him between Dad and herself.  I did not know this at the time; I just thought Dad had broken into our home.  When I saw the anger and overwhelming rage on his face I told him to get some help or never return to my home again.  He replied, I will not do that for you and I said don’t do it for me do it for yourself.

 Mark had to reinforce my words and for a moment I thought they were going to physically fight.  But the whole situation seemed to “strike a chord” of reality in him.  The next few days Dad checked into the psychiatric unit in a hospital in another city.  In time I forgave both of them but Mother never made any attempt to regain my trust during Jonathan’s lifetime.  I learned the precept that forgiveness must occur but trust must be earned.

Prayer:  Lord, give us understanding that mental illness must be dealt with not hidden.  It affects every relationship in our life.

Thought:  Is there someone in your family that needs professional therapy and medication and most importantly prayer and forgiveness for their actions when under the influence of the disease of mental illness?