I have been studying Acts this year in my women's Bible Study group at my church. To say that this has been a fascinating book would be an understatement. I am inspired by the apostles' Spirit-led boldness, power, and grace as I have witnessed them spread the good news of Jesus Christ in spite of the persecution that they faced at every turn.In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are in prison, having been beaten with rods for their faith. Their feet were in stocks in the inner cell. Bloody, weary, cold, and with darkness surrounding them, they chose to do something quite amazing:About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God...They were doing what? Shouldn't they be groaning in pain, or grumbling with anger, or trembling with fear, or sinking in despair, or all of these at once? But, they chose to pray and sing. The rest of the verse is as follows:...and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25Ahhh, they had an audience (a "captive" audience at that!) Can you imagine the soothing sound of these hymns and the words of hope that traveled peacefully through the iron bars, reaching the ears, and then the hearts, of different prisoners who were also experiencing their own personal despair?After reading this verse, I think the question I must ask myself is this, "What will I choose to do in my darkest hour?" Will I sing as Paul and Silas did? Hmmm, I hope so. The passage unfolds:And suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened , and everyone's chains were unfastened. And when the jailer had been roused out of sleep and had seen the prison doors opened he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Acts 16:26-27This heaven-sent miracle had just enforced the jailer's darkest hour upon him. He had most likely fallen asleep to the peaceful hymns of the apostles, only to be awakened by absolute chaos of his personal world. The escape of the prisoners meant his certain death, so he chose to go ahead and end his life himself. But Paul and Silas intervened. In the chaos, the desperate jailer cried out to none other than the men who were singing songs of hope in the night. The jailer asked them the greatest question that any man could ask this side of heaven, and the apostles answered it with certainty:"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:30-31And the jailer believed, as well as his household, and they rejoiced greatly. Acts 16:34Friends, I encourage you to sing in your darkest hour. I know it won't be easy, but it will be good--good for you in the midst of your chaos, and good for others who are in the midst of theirs. You have an audience, and they are listenting. So choose to sing...sing of His love, His faithfulness, His forgiveness, and His grace. Mighty things will happen as a result...chains will break, rocks will move, questions will be asked, hearts will be softened, and lives will be saved.For your sake and for the sake your audience, God Himself urges you to sing. Will you?The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night. Psalm 42:8

A couple of weeks ago, I joined my sister Peggy in Pheonix, Arizona for our 8th marathon in our 8th state. Lord willing, we hope to do 50 marathons in all 50 states… taking one marathon at a time, one step at a time. Peggy and I have a ministry called Hope Walking aCross America. Our purpose is to pray for each state we walk in, present His word while there, as well as provide a financial donation to a local ministry.

Why marathons? Both Peggy and I feel that running/walking 26.2 miles is something we do that really is "bigger than ourselves." We do it together, encouraging one another along the way, trusting the Lord to get us to the finish line. In a sense, a marathon is an ideal representation of our life's journey: we need God, and we need each other--in the highs and the lows, in the joys and the struggles. Sometimes in marathons, and in life, the struggle is almost too much to bear. Again, that's why we need God and His provision of a like-minded friend(s) to get us through to the end! All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Heb. 12:11-13

Tom and Doreen Strohm--Life changers!Why did we choose Arizona this go round? Well interestingly, about a year ago, a woman, Doreen Strohm, who is from a city near Pheonix, happened to come across my website and was intrigued with HopeWalking (*see below). Out of Doreen's kindness, she offered Peggy and me a place to stay whenever we came her direction. We took the offer with gratitude, and the pieces of our trip to AZ were slowly being put together. From this sweet encounter, my sister and I felt the Lord's leading to raise support in our marathon for their ministry called Jesus Cares, which is an amazing outreach for families in crisis. Their "marathon ministry" has been changing lives for more than three decades. Indeed, through them, Jesus Cares. I love how the Lord created this divine appointment between us. We now have dear friends in Arizona! Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you are doing. I Thess. 5:11My prayer for you, reader, is that you would be encouraged today in your walk of life. You may be struggling on an uphill climb, feeling like you're on mile 23 and the end is nowhere in sight. (I'm referring to this mile because it was mine and Peggy's almost breaking point this time…"ugh! help!") If you are at this desperate place right now, hear these words in response to your weary cries: Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Is 40:31Trust in the Lord and press on, preferably with a friend who knows and loves you. It makes the struggle a little lighter and the enduring journey more beautiful. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for (sisters) to dwell togehter in unity! Ps. 133:1

Sister fun at the Pheonix Suns game

Grand Canyon--An Amazing Master-piece*If you are interested in what intrigued Doreen, see my website at www.respitefortheweary.com and search the sidebar for the post label: "From Passerby to Crossing the Street".

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

O God, You are Supernatural. It is the eleventh hour, so I am asking for Your abundant grace and Your mighty power to intervene this very minute. I am pleading for something heavenly to happen in this very human situation. I cling to this story of old, and ask for the same supernatural power today: So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. And on the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and roused him saying “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him,“Gird yourself and put on you sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap you cloak around you and follow me.” …and when they passed through the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out along one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.” O Lord, my God, I ask You to do this very same work today. There are so many hearts that are locked in a prison of lies and deceit. Come into their darkness and shed Your light. Awaken their souls to Your freeing truth. Cause Your wonder-working power to strike hardened hearts with Your tender mercy and Your gentle love. Remove chains of deception and addiction that bind them to this world; by Your grace, help each one of them to get dressed with Your garments of salvation and Your robes of righteousness. Open the gates to the One way that brings complete freedom, which is Jesus, only Jesus. O God, I ask for You to show up in this mighty way right now. I believe in You, Father, I believe in Your Son, I believe in Your Spirit. I am tired, I am weary, and I have no fight left in me. Yet because of You, I am not without hope. So I will continue my rock solid stance; and in this place, I will lift up my fervent and faith-filled prayers to You, without ceasing. Please do Your supernatural work in the hearts and in the lives of the ones I love. For I cling to the promise that You have come to proclaim liberty to captives, and to set prisoners free.

Acts 12:5-8; Acts 12:10; Is. 61:10; I Thess. 5:17; Is. 61:1

Every year at Christmas time I look forward to a few of my favorite things. It's what makes Christmas, Christmas. Here are three (of many) traditions that I cherish over the holiday season: love exchanged through Christmas cards, joy shared at family get-togethers, and peace given in quiet moments with my Savior. I think each of you can relate to one or all of these Christmas traditions.

I John 1:7

But have you ever thought why certain things are our favorites? What is the deeper root, or the  foundational rock of the different traditions at Christmas? Could it be that we are made in the image of God and that He is the originator of the beautiful things that we habitually do this time of year? I believe so… A long, long, long time ago, God spoke to the Israelites: These are the appointed feast of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies (Lev. 23:1). These feasts were to be celebrated every year, generation after generation. And all these feasts pointed to…Jesus. So, we humans are not the originator of traditions, or the author of Christmas for that matter! Perpetual acts of celebrating are a God-designed decree; and it pleases Him. He is the author of love and joy and peace and fellowship and family and faith.

    So over this next week, invite Him into a few of HIS favorite things. Dig deeper into these traditions and stretch your arms wider with His love that is ever present and that conquers all; then, hear Him rejoice over you with singing (Zeph 3:17).

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As we are getting into the thick of the holiday season, the pace seems to get faster by the day… the every day to-do list gets bombarded by other must-do lists: gift lists, grocery lists, Christmas card lists, packing lists, etc. My personal challenge, that I will offer to you as well, is to start the day s..l..o..w and q..u..i..e..t. Wake up, drink your warm cup of coffee, and just sit in silence before the Lord. Breathe. Allow Him to invade your heart and mind with His sweet peace. And then, meditate on His word. Breathe deeper. Allow Him to infuse you with His strength. Time with Him in the morning will set the mood and tempo of the day. Remember, afterall, Christmas is about... Him.

If you need guidance during these holy-days, please feel free to use the Christmas devotional "Who is this Jesus and Why did He come?".  The devotional can be found in its entirety at www.respitefortheweary.com.Below is a sample of one day:

December 12 ~ He is the Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6
.and His name will be called...the Prince of Peace.
Ephesians 2:17-18
And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Colossians 1:19-20
For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Psalm 119:165
Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.
Mark 4:38-39
And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.
My Child,
I am your Prince of Peace. Realize I have the power and authority to calm every “storm” that arises in your heart and mind. Cry out to Me and I will answer. The “wind and the waves” might continue in your circumstances, but My incomprehensible peace will be ever present in your soul.
Immanuel

As we are entering Thanksgiving week, and then the Christmas season, there has been a heavy weight on my heart for those who have suffered recent and great loss. Please know I am bringing you before the Lord, asking Him to give you His peace that passes all understanding. This "God, You are…" prayer is written for you:

Man of Sorrows

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.

Is. 53:3

O God, You are a Man of Sorrows. Yes, Jesus Son of God, You are the great high priest who has passed through the heavens…In so doing, You became a man who can sympathize with our weaknesses. Every emotion that I have experienced, You have endured as well, yet without sin. Right now dear Lord, You know the depth of my sorrow, not from the outside, rather, You are deeply moved within. Please make sense of this mess; this grief is too much for me. Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life. I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood overflows me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail while I wait for my God. Come Lord Jesus, comfort me; hold me; hear me. Help me not to push You away in anger; help me not to blame You for this chaos; help me not to become bitter with this loss. Help me to trust in You; help me to cling to You; help me to hear You weeping with me. The only answer is the cross. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Jesus, in Your life You experienced grief of Your own, in Your death You experienced mine, and in Your resurrection You promise to walk with me step by step. Yes Man of Sorrows, I am not alone. I have to trust You, for You are my only hope. Please help me carry this load; please enter my grief. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears my burden, the God who is my salvation.

Heb. 4:14; Heb. 4:15; John 11:38; Ps. 69:1-3; Ps. 63:8; Is. 53:4; Ps. 68:19

***Other prayers like these are now availble for free on YouVersion, under "The Heartbeat of God". This a 30 day on-line devotional; all prayers begin with the statement, "God, Your are…"