#please keep the women of afghanistan in your prayers

[curtwilde]

Taliban has announced that women in Afghanistan will be stoned to death in public for adultery.

The Afghan Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, has issued a disturbing proclamation, vowing to implement brutal punishments against women in public. In a chilling voice message broadcasted on state television, Akhundzada directly addressed Western officials, dismissing concerns about violating women’s rights by stoning them to death.

"You say it’s a violation of women’s rights when we stone them to death," Akhundzada stated. "But we will soon implement the punishment for adultery. We will flog women in public. We will stone them to death in public," he declared, marking his most severe rhetoric since the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021.

These grim statements, purportedly from Akhundzada, who has seldom been seen in public except for a few outdated portraits, emanate from Afghanistan’s state TV, now under Taliban control. Akhundzada is believed to be located in southern Kandahar, the Taliban's stronghold. Despite early assurances of a more moderate regime, the Taliban swiftly reverted to harsh public penalties reminiscent of their previous rule in the late 1990s, including public executions and floggings. The United Nations has vehemently criticised these actions, urging the Taliban to cease such practices.

In his message, Akhundzada asserted that the women's rights advocated by the international community contradicted the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Akhundzada emphasised resilience among Taliban fighters, urging them to oppose women's rights persistently. "I told the Mujahedin that we tell the Westerners that we fought against you for 20 years and we will fight 20 and even more years against you," he stated.

His remarks have sparked outrage among Afghans, with many calling for increased international pressure on the Taliban.

"The money that they receive from the international community as humanitarian aid is just feeding them against women," lamented Tala, a former civil servant from Kabul.

"As a woman, I don’t feel safe and secure in Afghanistan. Each morning starts with a barrage of notices and orders imposing restrictions and stringent rules on women, stripping away even the smallest joys and extinguishing hope for a brighter future," she added.

"We, the women, are living in prison," Tala emphasised, "And the Taliban are making it smaller for us every passing day."

Taliban authorities have also barred 330,000 girls from returning to secondary school for the third consecutive year. University doors were closed to women in December 2022 and participation in the workforce is heavily restricted.

[hmslusitania]

13 + 99 for buddie 💖

13. Detective AU + 99. Magical Accidents

So, urban fantasy. That’s what I’m hearing here.

Because, see, Private Detective Eddie Diaz believes in magic but only because he can see it. His clients can tell him about angels and epiphanies (in the literal, traditional, “I saw god and my face and flesh were rent from my bones by holy light and then seared back together” sense), and they can tell him about witches laying curses and monsters that come up from the deep of the Pacific Ocean, but... But Eddie keeps his scepticism up, because, well. Magic didn’t save his unit in Afghanistan and magic doesn’t dispel the worst of his PTSD and it didn’t save his wife.

So, y’know, he’ll track down wayward husbands to siren-staffed bordellos and he’ll find a missing wife by tracing which of her jewellery she traded at the goblin market for the ability to disappear. He believes in magic, but there’s no such thing as Magic.

The woman who comes into his office looking for her missing kid brother is possibly the most normal client he’s had to date since he set up his practice.

The kid brother’s name is Evan, easily identified by the angel’s kiss over his left eye because he was born from a wish and a prayer to be a saviour and it...well. It hadn’t gone correctly. And Maddie tells him that when Evan found out about this, found out he was barely even a person, let alone a beloved brother or cherished son, he’d taken the news badly and he’d run away to LA.

The problem is, well, Maddie can talk to ghosts, and for a very brief -- but alarming for how ephemeral it was -- moment she spoke to her brother’s ghost when her plane was landing in LA. She hasn’t been able to contact him since, and, well, he’s her kid brother, so please, Mr Diaz, anything you can do to find him.

And, see, Eddie doesn’t believe in Magic to such a extent he doesn’t realise that’s what he is. He doesn’t realise that most people can’t find the goblin market unless they have something to trade, and he doesn’t realise that most people who end up at the siren-staffed bordellos are there because they were lured, and he doesn’t realise that the seamonsters that come out of the Pacific aren’t usually amenable to conversation and usually just, like, eat whichever sorry bastard wanders into range. Most people become the bones the monsters cough up, rather than being the person to convince the monsters to cough up a skull for ID.

And so Eddie sets about trying to track down the kid with the angel’s kiss over his eye. And the seamonsters don’t have any fresh bones to share with him. The shopkeepers at the goblin market can get him a good deal on his own angel’s kiss if he wants it, cost of your hair and eye colour and all your memories before you were five? but they don’t know about the kid. The sirens have nothing to offer except an invitation to stay, which he turns down (he doesn’t realise the fact he can turn this down is unusual, to say the least).

He isn’t expecting his first real lead to come from his abuela’s neighbour. But all the old women on his abuela’s street have been hearing rumours about the ghost boy who isn’t really a ghost and may not really even be a boy, ever since November 1st, and that matches up with Maddie’s description of the ghost she’d so briefly seen.

Eddie eventually finds Evan Buckley. He recognises him from the angel’s kiss over his brow, but discovers on first sight that, perhaps, he’d taken Maddie a bit too literally when she described him as her “kid brother” because he’s nearly thirty.

And he’s stuck in a liminal space because after he found out about the nature of his...creation...he’d attempted to find a witch who could make him real, make him a proper, living person with a soul and everything. They’d attempted the spell on the night of November 1st, All Soul’s eve, the Day of the Dead, because, obviously, when else would you find a spare soul?

But, it had gone wrong and now Evan -- Buck -- is stuck. And Eddie is the first person to be able to see him.

It doesn’t feel like fate or providence when Eddie takes him by the hand and drags him back into the land of the living -- a real man, his own soul and all -- it feels like Magic.

Because it is.

And maybe, a while later when Buck’s decided to stay in LA, and Maddie has too, and the three of them have gone into business together to expand Eddie’s detective agency, well. Maybe Buck has pointed out a few too many times the magic Eddie does without thinking about it, and maybe Eddie starts to believe that there’s a chance he’s just as magical as the man with the angel’s kiss.

And maybe, after Buck kisses him that first time, and all the times after, Eddie starts to believe in Magic.

There are Other Mashups

[petrataylorsversion13]

Please keep Afghanistan in your prayers there has been over 200 people killed. It's really hurting me and especially that little girls and women from age 12 to 45 are taken for marriage an if not that age then you are being killed, OUR world is out of control for years now and we have to help it heal so we better act now and quick!

[josiewe]

I saw your state of the union! I cannot believe you said Iranians instead of Ukrainians! I cannot believe how weak you truly are! WAKE UP PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN! Please open the keystone pipeline! Reverse the gas and oil leases! And please lead for the people of this country! And 5000 barrels of oil you bought from Russia are you kidding me!!! DISGRACEFUL! The American people cannot continue to strive with your horrible policies! Everything you touch hurts the American citizens! While, your add it close our borders! Stop making our country dangerous for terrorists! You lost Afghan individuals in 49 states without vetting them! How do you lose all those people???? I'm an immigrant that my parents brought me to this precious country legally!!! My parents were not given money, medical, food stamps they worked hard! This country gave our family opportunity to strive in this country! You failed with Afghanistan and now your failing Ukraine! Maybe you should take notes from the President of Ukraine! He is courageous, and stands for freedom of his country! Have to admire him. After President Vladimir Putin is such a bully!!! He is killing women, babies, children, and men. INNOCENT CITIZENS! For what???? We're all watching this in real time!

If you continue to buy barrels of oil from Russia after what he is doing to innocent citizens then you're no different from the President of Russia!

Wake up Mr. President Joe Biden! Do the right thing for our country! You have the power to change all of this!

Just cannot believe how much everything costs I blame you President Joe Biden and all of your administration's! A President that cannot articulate anything. You mumble, whisper, confused! We're all seeing in real time! We need a President for the citizens of The United States of American's to stand for our country! A strong leader not a weak one. We cannot continue in the path you're leading our country. What is going to take?

Also do something about the crime! I mean your defunding of police! And please stop with the mandates! We need our military, police, doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, truck drivers. All of these people worked through the pandemic without vaccines! Oh please tell General Milley and the rest of them to train our military as they always have! Stop making our military weak as you're! Mr. President Joe Biden!

Let me let you in a little secret United States of America is a strong country with so many intelligent personnel! Stop with the garbage of hiring personnel due to race rather than character, knowledge, and integrity!

You have single handedly divided our country! Insult Americans! You're the worst President in American history! And your term isn't done yet! First time I am afraid for our country due to a weak President!

I pray that God keeps the President of Ukraine safe! My prayers and heart goes out to all of the Ukrainians and also all the Russian citizens that disagree with and are protesting against President Vladimir Putin!

Sending Angel's to all.

I believe in humanity! I believe in love not hate! I believe in Peace not War.

I declare peace for the world!

[ramon-balaguer]

I’ve been asked by Minister Bailey to pray this lovely first Saturday in September morning that God will purge and cleanse our life, Our Leaders, and Israel, Israel with no end in sight to the turmoil in the Middle East, all signs and prophecies seem to point to an escalation in the violence and conflict. Yet no matter where you stand politically or spiritually regarding the current unrest in Israel or here, as Christians we can unite on one front: prayer because God calls us to always pray not just for ourselves and loved ones but people, even our enemies, nations, and for our leaders— that they would submit to His leadership for the sake of His will being done and for the advancement of His Eternal Kingdom. As followers of Christ, we need to pray for our leaders both in and out of the election season. But I’ll pray for Israel first and then for US. With all hearts and minds clear let us go to GOD in prayer:

Almighty God Creator and Sustainer of the Heavens and the earth and all there is… How Great thou are Everlasting, All powerful, All knowing and ever present King of Kings and Lord of lords, I adore and trust You wholeheartedly and thank you day and night for my life and salvation from the enemy, myself and Sin, for my wife, sons, family, friends, for your calling and ministries You have me serving in and your favor, provisions, healing and help. Help me to Love and forgive as you’ve forgiven and continue to love and forgive me and keep from sin and temptations…

My God, You are the Rock and Redeemer of Israel. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We are sad to see the violence and suffering as men, women, and children are injured and killed on both sides of the current conflict. We don't understand why it has to be this way, nor do we truly know if war is right or wrong. But i pray for justice, your sovereignty and righteousness, Lord. And at the same time, i pray for mercy. For everyone involved i pray, for governments and peoples, militants and terrorists, i ask for your kingdom to come and rule over the land. Shield the nation of Israel, Lord. Protect the soldiers and civilians from bloodshed. May your truth and light shine in the darkness. Where there is only hatred, may your love prevail. Help me as a Christian to support those who you support, Lord, and to bless those who you bless, my God. Bring your salvation to Israel, dear God. Draw every heart to you. And bring your salvation to the whole earth. Amen.

Now Lord, we know that in the midst of this time, You have kingdom purpose. You have brought our country to its knees through many crises. But Nothing that is happening is a surprise to You. You see the big picture, and You are at work in ways that we cannot see. Please guide the direction of our country to seek you, turn back to you and away from evil and wickedness. Lord, You said in Psalm 47 that the leaders Kings, Queens, Presidents, PMs of the nations in the world belong to You the King of Kings…

King of the Earth, i pray for the President. Please give him divine wisdom to lead our nation. i pray that he would serve and revere You in his words and actions. I humbly ask that You grant him grace to know how to unify our country when it feels so divided in so many ways.

We are facing immense crises regarding public health, a seemingly unending politicized pandemic with unprecedented mandates for masking and vaccines, financial hardship while Big Pharma and Big Tech reap the profits, social discords, sexual sins, gender neutrality, cancel culture, economic shutdowns, racial relations and tensions, illegal aliens, suicides, overdoses, devastation from violence and riots in the streets by BLM, Antifa, Proud Boys and other gangs to raging fires, water shortages to too much water from hurricanes, homelessness, drugs, porn, addictions, rapes, mass murders and more murders, and great political division among many other things. Our President faces fierce challenges and crises on the domestic and international fronts with the failed Afghanistan withdrawal and tensions with Iran, North Korea, China, Israel and more. Please grant our President divine wisdom to navigate our country through the uncertain path that lies ahead. His failures are a reflection or representation of US. I don’t want him to fail.

I lift up the Vice President who has also been harshly criticized, cabinet, and advisors to the President. The Bible and history texts are full of examples of counsel to the king resulting in laws and decisions leading the entire nation toward peace and prosperity or toward division, destruction, and even collapse.

I pray that You would give this President wisdom to surround himself with wise Godly counselors who have our country’s best interest at heart. Grant them all wisdom to advise the President in the course of action he should take. We pray that You would surround the President with sound, wise even Godly counsel to direct him as he tries leads our nation.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 You said we should pray for our leaders and others in authority that we may live peaceful lives in Godliness and Holiness…

Prince of Peace, i pray for the Senate and Houses of Representatives as they make laws to govern our land and delegate our nation’s resources. Grant them wisdom to allocate our resources wisely. Please raise up people who will make laws to protect our freedoms so that we can live peaceful, quiet lives in Godliness and dignity.

As with the general political climate throughout the nation, members of Congress are fiercely divided into tribal political parties unwilling to work together and compromise for the good of the nation. I pray against this divisiveness that plagues our land. I humbly plead that, by Your miraculous power, the members of Congress would put their agendas aside to work together in humility to serve for the good of our nation as our nation’s leaders that are suppose to be representing US as we elected and expect them to do.

Lord Jesus, You are the Righteous Judge who will judge the nations, so I lift up our Supreme Court. We pray that they would judge rightly before you and uphold what is true independent of conservative or liberal lean. We pray for balanced judgment that upholds our Constitution as they are appointed to do for the benefit of all Americans. Grant them divine wisdom to decipher what is right.

And then I pray for the judges across our land from the local level to the high courts. Help them to judge wisely and fairly. Please give them wisdom and discernment to balance justice and mercy blindly and not for political reasons. Raise up righteous judges who fear You and will judge in accordance with the laws of the land. Give them wisdom during these divisive times to do what is right no matter the social or political pressures.

Father God, I pray for our governors (especially those facing recalls or calls to resign to do the right thing and if they’re replace that their replacements do better) and our state and local officials. Grant them all grace to face their unique challenges or crisis in their states, cities or borders; and regarding secure voting measures, political unrest, COVID restrictions, financial crisis, law enforcement, racial division, schools and so on. Please give them insight into the needs of their communities and those concerned or affected. Give them discernment to make decisions to lead their states and communities well, especially when natural disasters strike and or the federal government is not doing enough or failing them.

Dear Heavenly Father, we are confident that You sovereignly place every leader and that You have marked the days for which You use them for Your purposes. By Your mighty hand i pray that You would be merciful to our nation to work in the hearts of those to whom You give authority. We pray for peace. We pray for unity. But whether in conflict or unity we are confident that You are implementing Your plan and accomplishing Your will.

Lord of lords, You appoint the nation’s leaders, in Congress and at the state and local levels. I pray for our leaders to protect our freedom so that we might live out our Faith freely without fear or persecution for Living, Preaching and standing on Your Word even in our businesses or places of employment.

I pray for the salvation of all of our nation’s leaders that they may know You. Place people in power who revere You and will serve You for the good of their communities to Your glory.

Lord Jesus, though our hearts are heavy for Israel, our nation and its leaders, may we not lose sight of the fact that our hope is in You. One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11). You are our only hope.

Forgive us for placing our hope in the government, political ideologies, comfort, financial security, social groups and other circumstances. We repent that, in our prosperity, we have forgotten You and have become self-reliant (Deuteronomy 8:11-14). Our hearts are so quick to wander. We repent of idolatry. Help US Holy Ghost.

Holy Spirit, teach us to live with the realization in the forefront of our minds that our citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20) The New Jerusalen. We commit our future as a nation and as Υour people to Your Hands. Your will be done. Hallelujah and Amen. 2 Chronicles 7:14 🥰🙏🏼����🇸♥️🌎 #REBTD 😇 #FAITHoverFear 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[deltamusings]

If he really means it, this may be one time I’m rooting for a Cuomo.

Monday on CNN’s “Cuomo Prime Time,” host Chris Cuomo was joined by an American citizen identified as “Sara,” who was unable to leave Afghanistan before the last U.S. military plane departed Afghanistan.

“Sara” told Cuomo there were 37 women and children in her home that she was trying to get them safe passage for out of Afghanistan, and did not know the U.S. plane had left.

Transcript as follows:

VOICE OF “SARA,” AMERICAN CITIZEN TRYING TO LEAVE KABUL, AMERICAN CITIZEN STILL IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN: Just very sad to see the women, they have to kiss my feet. It’s heartbreaking. And I can’t leave them behind. I have 19 kids, in my house, and two of them are disabled. I feed them. I take care of them. I can’t leave this country.

Chris. I can’t leave. I can’t leave these families. They were there with us. They were, just like I did. And I can’t leave them behind.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CUOMO: Now, Sara is joining us from the phone in Kabul.

Sara, do I still have you?

“SARA”: Yes, sir. Hello, Chris.

CUOMO: Hi.

Now, we were talking, before we came back out of the commercial.

But let’s pretend we weren’t, Sara, so everybody can hear the same details you already relayed to me. How do you feel on the ground there, now that the United States is gone? Is the mood shifting?

“SARA”: I just found out that they left. And I was just silent for a little while.

And I just went walk around the rooms. And I saw the young kids are sleeping. And they have no clue what happened this morning that the last flight is gone, and we are left behind. It’s heartbreaking to see that.

With all this, what’s going on, no one heard us that we are in danger, and we need to be safe. It’s just heartbreaking. I don’t know – I just don’t even know what to say to you.

And what – whoever was trying to help me and support me, even they did not tell me that the flight is – this is the last flight. So, I still had hope that we will leave. If not all of them are kids, some kids, and some mother, who had disabled kids, I had hope for them, at least they can leave.

But for past 48 hours, we were all, 37 of us, were on the street, going from gate to get, because they were – the State Department was giving me the instruction to follow. And I was doing that. We went gate to gate, places to places.

I failed to do that, because, yesterday, I was in front of MoI, and we had the chance to get in. But it was a lot of people there. But I started controlling the whole crowd.

I asked the crowd, “If you guys want to go to States, you guys have to allow me to talk to the military.” So, all the crowd pushed back. And I was the only person I was in front. I also sent the video. You can show that to the world, what I did.

And I just went there by myself. And I took six of the SIV kids, with me, with one of the guy, who I pretended that he’s my husband, with six kids, so I can pass all the checkpoints of Taliban.

I left all the family behind, in my house, And I went by myself to the airport, to see if I can make it – get out of here, so I can go to States, maybe I can start working, and home, and help those people, who I left behind.

But I went with six kids. And there’s three checkpoints. Taliban asked me who are they? So, my pretender husband told him that “She’s my wife. And these are my kids. And we’re trying to go to – we’re trying to go home.”

We didn’t tell them we’re going to the airport, because as soon as we tell them, we’re going to the airport, they wouldn’t allow us to go anywhere. So, we just told them that our house is on other side, and this is the only road that we can take us there.

So, we made it to reach to the gate that the State Department told me to go to. And I went there, and they told me all – they told me that “Make sure you have your umbrella with you. They will recognize you. Make sure you have a secret code.”

I said “OK, that’s fine. I’ll have that.” “And just get to the gate.” I said “OK.”

Now I got closer to the gate. And they just throw, a gas, I don’t know how to say that, the tear gas, or whatever, they put that.

And then I was keep messaging them. I said, “Hey, if they’re putting this gas, I cannot get in.” They’re like “Well they’re putting the gas, for you, so you can get in, closer to the gate.” I said “Fine.”

So, I got closer to the gate. And I knocked the door, and I used that secret word that they asked me to give. I had the umbrella really high, up high, so they know that it’s me. But nothing worked.

And then I finally got closer to the gate, and I saw the tower fill up, with all the American soldier, and some civilian, who had that civilian clothes on, and I start shouting “Hey, I’m an American. Please leave – open the gate. I’m here to go home.” So, they didn’t hear me.

And they throw another gas. And I was knocked out for like – for like maybe 15 minutes–

CUOMO: Jesus!

“SARA”: –I was knocked out. And I lost all the young kids. I did not even know where the kids were. And I have a picture of one of the bullets actually, the gas bullet hit one of the kids, and he’s hole – were ripped. So, that did not help. Then I told the crowd–

CUOMO: So, what happens now, Sara, like now that they’re gone? They say, “We’ll keep working with people there” that the Taliban has said that people can leave, if they want to leave, and the airport will be open. Do you believe any of that?

“SARA”: I don’t know anymore, what to believe anymore. I don’t believe in anybody anymore. Because they’ve been fooling me, for past 10 days, back and forth, back and forth, stories after stories.

I know, I have a group of people, who are supporting me, and helping me, and they are working very hard to, for me to leave this country. But the only thing is I don’t have one specific word to say, “OK, Sara, you’re clear! Go.”

And I’ve been doing this. And I don’t know what to believe anymore. I’m completely like, speechless. I don’t know what to say. But I just can’t believe no one told me that this is the last flight, you know? And this–

CUOMO: What is your biggest fear now, Sara?

Now look, all I control is what we do on the show, and the phone calls that we can make. And as I’ve said to you, more off television, than on, I will keep telling your story.

I will call anybody, who you tell us, you’re working with, to help understand the logistics, of how you get out, and the other people. That isn’t going anywhere that commitment, but that’s all we control.

And until we figure out, how you’re going to get out of there, what is your biggest fear now?

“SARA”: Am I safe? Now the question is my life. Am I safe? Are these people are safe? I don’t even think they are safe because they will be – they’re in my house, because now they are more targets than ever before because they are living in my house.

And I’m an American. I’m a former interpreter. I worked for 14 years. And what is next for us? We just smell the death. I’m afraid to let them go out, or myself to go out. There is 37 of them in my house right now. And what is next move for me? I have no idea. But I never felt like this. I went to so many different missions with military, so many different missions, in different provinces. I never had that heartbeat, like I have it today, this morning, when they told me the American left. They left us to whom? To those people, who they were always wanting to kill us?

And now, I’m by myself here, with 37 people. This is my fear that if American could not help me, when they were on the ground, how will they help me now, when there no one is here? That’s my question.

CUOMO: Well, that’s our question also.

“SARA”: Is anybody is going to come rescue me? That’s my–

CUOMO: And the President’s supposed to speak on it.

“SARA”: Is anybody is going to come rescue me?

CUOMO: The President’s supposed to speak about it yesterday, but – tomorrow.

“SARA”: Is anyone – anyone is going to rescue me now?

CUOMO: But Sara, listen, I don’t want to keep you on the phone either, because I understand that you don’t have all the time, to be on the phone. I know you got a lot of different things going on.

We will stay in touch. I will talk to you every day. And we will figure out what’s going on. And obviously, I’ll reach out, not on television, but I’ll reach out to–

“SARA”: But, sir?

CUOMO: –the people that you’re working with.

“SARA”: Chris?

CUOMO: Yes. Last word to you.

“SARA”: Chris, please allow me to mention one more thing, please.

CUOMO: Please?

“SARA”: I know it’s time. I asked – a few of my friends went to Qatar. And they’re reporting to me about what’s going on there. They told me 7,000 people are right now, are undocumented. They never worked with U.S. military. And they made it to the – to the Qatar.

And those people, who are really qualified, and I was screaming day and night for them, fighting for them, showing them their approval of SIV, and they are still here with me. This is what breaks my heart that–

CUOMO: Sara?

“SARA”: –our government system is so broke that they put so many people on aircraft.

CUOMO: Shoot! Listen, I mean, we’ve been hearing this–

“SARA”: Chris? Chris?

CUOMO: –by the way that they – who did they get out? Were they the right people? Were they not? We’re going to be hearing these stories.

Sara, your connection is breaking up. I’ll call you after the show. And we’ll loop back with each other, and figure out what the next step is for you. Stay safe. You understand that place, and how to keep yourself safe as well as anyone.

“SARA”: Thanks, Chris.

CUOMO: So, I’ll talk to you right after the show. Thank you for talking to me. And please keep up your hope, OK?

“SARA”: Thank you. You too.

CUOMO: Thank you. We’re doing.

“SARA”: We need prayers.

CUOMO: You need more than prayers. You need help with logistics, and a way out, and we’ll do whatever we can. All right, so God bless, stay safe. But I’m going to do more than pray.

[dailyaudiobiblechronological]

8/21/2021 DAB Chronological Transcription

Jeremiah 41-45

Welcome to Daily Audio Bible Chronological. I'm Jill. It's the 21st day of August. We are just boogiein' right along in the Bible in chronological order. We do it every day until we get through the Bible together in a year and we're more than halfway there. It's been incredible so far. I hope it's been incredible for you. If you are back with us, welcome. If you are just joining us. Welcome. If you are accidentally here, you have no idea what's going on. Welcome. Please don't leave. Your life will never be the same if you give the Bible 30 days. My husband always says it: 30 day challenge. Listen for 30 days and see if you are not the same. We are back in the book of Jeremiah today and we're reading chapters 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45- gonna be a lot of words and it is the last day together in the Good News translation for this week. We will start a brand new translation tomorrow. Jeremiah, chapter 41.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for another week here together in your Word. Thank you for every person on this journey to go deeper, to be intentional with their time together. For those who are allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to their ears, open their eyes, to see, their ears to hear and their hearts to receive all that you are doing, all that you are saying, speaking, changing within us. I thank you that they are here and they are willing. And I thank you, God, that you are changing us from the inside out. I pray that you would continue to do so. Continue to have your way, continue to do the work that is needed in our hearts, through your word and through this intentional time together. We thank you and we praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Announcements: 

Daily Audio Bible, that's home base. Check it out. If you haven't, take a look around, you can download the app as well, if you haven't. If you'd like to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, we thank you so much for your partnership. We would not be here without you. And that is no exaggeration, that is the honest to God truth. If you are giving by mail it's DAB PO Box 1996, Spring Hill, Tennessee 37174 or you can hit that give icon. It's up at the top right hand corner of your mobile device, your tablet, whatever you're using, or look for the gift icon on the website as well. It's all there and ready. And once again we do thank you. If you need prayer, reach out. We are here. We are a community that prays for one another. You can do so by the phone 800-583-2164, or you can hit that red circle button. It's up at the top right hand corner of your mobile device as well. Make sure you hit, submit and turn that dial to chronological and it will get to the right place. It's gonna do it for me today. We'll start everything new tomorrow as we turn the page together. And as we look at the stories of our own lives as it is mirrored through the pages of the Word of God. Until then, I'm Jill. I love you. Love one another.

Community Prayer Line: 

Aloha, DABC family, this is Robin from Hawaii. I wanted to give an update on my friend Pam, so sadly, she passed away about a week and a half ago. But praise God, there was a miracle she was able to leave the hospital and spend her last two days at home. And if you had seen her in the hospital you would never have believed that that occurred. It truly was a miracle that she got to go home and spend some quality time with her family. So thank you, Lord, for that. And I also just wanted to encourage us all to pray for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. My heart is just aching for that country. And especially the Christians, the women and children. Oh, God, it's so heartbreaking. And so I encourage us to pray. And I also am praying for God's Smile and so many others out there. And the lady today from Oklahoma that called in. I can't remember your name, but you were just so cute. And I love the reminder about Job that sometimes we need just to love people, listen and keep our mouth closed. Thank you so much again for this wonderful podcast. It is a blessing. Love you all. And Aloha [unable to transcribe] God is love.

This is Beth from Georgia. I asked for prayer for my friend Jeff, who just was diagnosed with bladder cancer. And it's an aggressive cancer. I just found out last night at his birthday party when the doctor called that it's the aggressive kind. And we're not sure exactly what is in store for him as far as treatment, but he's a very dear friend and it's...I would just really appreciate prayer for Jeff. Thank you.

[aajjks]

Girl... Please don't get this wrong but your prayers should be with Turkey too. The government keeps letting people from Afghanistan in, which wouldn't be a problem if they were actually the ones needing help. They let in the young Afghan men who do nothing good for our society and just become nightmare for our women. I'm not even exaggerating at this point. They rape and disturb women and the government just lets them. You may think I'm a 'monster' for this but I'm sick of it.

I did not know, my prayers stand with Turkey too, I think I've said that alot of times.

[archieimagines]

Major | Owen Hunt One Shot

requested by: anon “Owen Hunt Oneshot please! Male!Reader is ex-miliatary, so during the shooting they they to stop the shooter, by tackling him. They do, but get shot several times, Owen and reader have chemistry but neither actually acknowledges it. So after the reader almost dies on the operating table and is in ICU recovering, Owen has a go at them. Because he can't believe how reckless the were and how he couldn't live without having them in his life even if they were only friends.” word count: 2070 words warnings: guns, violence, blood, mentions of death, comas.

Silence fell over Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, the only thing to be heard was the occasional gunshot, signalling the loss of another life. To some it would have been the most frightening experience they could experience. But for you, that would be your time deployed in Afghanistan and the many nights that you came an inch away from dying. You had thought that after coming home you would get away from that kind of violence and terror. But here you were, trying to calm a frightened patient while a disgruntled widower took his revenge on the staff.

You shushed the woman who kept muttering prayers to her lord, creeping up to the door, you peeked out of the blinds. Only to see Cristina and Meredith pulling a bloody Derek across the floor, you rushed out of the door. Affectively scaring both of the distraught women, you bent down and reached underneath his legs and neck. Grunting, you lifted Derek up, covering yourself in his blood.

“Where?” You asked, thanking your stars that you were strong enough to carry him.

“An OR…OR 1.” Christina blurted out while Meredith sobbed. You nodded and made your way for the OR. As you made your way, Christina managed to grab a scrub nurse and an anaesthesiologist to keep Derek sedated, you would all the man power you could get. Meredith opened the door, letting you and Derek in, you gently placed him down on the operating table.

While the anaesthesiologist and scrub nurse prepared Derek for surgery, Meredith, Christina and yourself got ready to save Derek’s life. You personally thought that Meredith should’ve sat this one out, but if it where someone you loved you would be in the same state. Another gunshot rang out, just as Christina made the first incision, you clenched the suction with a death grip. You were wondering if everyone else was safe, but you were worried about Owen.

The both of you have served in the military as surgeons, and it was the first thing you bonded over. Talking about your experiences really helped you psychologically and after a while, you and Owen got closer. Close enough for you to start to fall for him, but you had locked those feelings away, you guessed that you had started feeling that way for him because he had helped you get over things. But it didn’t stop your stomach doing flips whenever you saw him around the hospital.

Your train of thought was cut off by a loud crash that came from the hall. Christina looked up, her hands still inside Derek, you could see how terrified she was in her eyes. You motioned for Meredith to take over suction, you were going to check what was going on. Tip-toeing out the door, you made your way to see what had caused the crash. When you reached the end and turned the corner you were met with a horrible sight. The gunman standing over a bloody body, he was facing away from you. Stepping back, you tripped over another body, making you groan in pain. The gunman froze, turned around his grip tightening on his fire arm. You jumped up, the gun followed your movements ready to be fired at any second. “Sir, I need you to put the gun down.”

“Are you a surgeon?” He asked, slurring his words.

“I really need you to put the gun down,” you repeated again, trying not to rile him up.

“ARE YOU ARE SURGEON?” He screamed again, storming over to you and putting the gun to you head.

“Yes,” you answered, he nodded and breathed in, preparing to shoot. Your training kicked into action, jabbing him in the neck causing him to stumble back and gasp for breath. You punched him in the face and knocked the gun out of his hand, which fired when it hit the floor. Rushing to get the gun, you didn’t notice him come up behind you with a metal tray. He hit the back of your head, knocking you down. He climbed on top of you, punching your face multiple times until you saw stars. He stood up, stumbling to grab his gun, you closed your eyes knowing that death would soon come.

Before he could shoot, you heard a man call out, followed by gunfire. The gunman retreated to find more surgeons to punish. A frantic voice called out to you but you were already too far gone.

Owen was in overdrive, he had to make sure everyone was okay. He heard several gunshots go off in the south end of the hospital. Owen decided to check that no one was in the OR’s and if anyone was that they could get to safety. Running down the halls he heard another gunshots and yelling. He slowed down, peaking from the around the corner to see the shooter picking up his gun.

“Hey!” He shouted. The elderly man fired, missing Owen completely, the same that the man had been punched in the face. The man turned around and ran in the opposite direction, Owen went to chase after him, but he looked down for a second and saw your bloody face. He dropped to his knees, calling out to you, begging you to stay awake. But you had already passed out.

You were taken to the nearest hospital for emergency brain surgery, because the force of the punches you received parts of your skull had shattered and had bleeding on the brain, it surprised everyone how much damage the shooter had caused. Owen demanded to be in the room while they tried to save you. But the hospital refused, letting him watch only from the gallery. The surgery lasted for 11 hours and in those hours you had died and been brought back 3 times. Each time you died, Owen’s heart broke, and he had a breakdown. He had never told you this, but he was pretty sure he was in love with you. At first he tried to deny it to himself, but after he had to accept that he was falling. But he felt like he wasn’t stable enough to even tell you how he felt.

After you got out of surgery Owen was beside you the whole time, never leaving you alone even in your unconscious state. He was there when your family finally arrived and he was there when your friends and coworkers visited. After a week the surgeon assigned to your case had to tell your parents that the chance that you would wake up was small due to the injuries you had and the ones prior to the shooting that hadn’t been dealt with properly. After that, everyone seemed to begin to mourn you even though you were still here. It really pissed Owen off, it was like he was the only one that was hopeful that you would wake up.

“Please, you have to wake up,” he pleaded for what seemed like the millionth time, holding your hand tightly. He lent over and brushed your hair out of your face. “You can’t leave me, you don’t even know I love you,” he sobbed, his ginger head dropping, Owen was finally starting to loose hope. He however didn’t notice that you were squeezing his hand, he pulled his hand away to wipe the tears away.

You were so frustrated! You could hear everything people were saying, you could even feel their gentle touches but you couldn’t let them know that you were there. You knew your time was running out when your parents stopped visiting, it meant that they believed that you were brain dead or something similar. But there was always someone with you, at first you couldn't figure out who it was but they once called you ‘Major’, and the only person who called you that was Owen. You had heard all of his declarations love for you during your coma, it was the only thing that gave you the strength to keep fighting to wake up. You were not going to die before you got a chance to kiss the man, dammit!

Your progress was evident to you when you squeezed his hand, he mustn’t have noticed since you didn’t hear shouts of surprise or joy. Straining yourself, you attempted to wiggle your toes. Nothing happened. If you could have thrown something at a wall you would have, it was that frustrating. That’s when you noticed a white light in your world shrouded in darkness. You were terrified, people always said you saw a white light when you died. Was this it? Are you about to die? Those questions were running through your head as the light grew until it was almost blinding.

The light was replaced with a grey roof, it was old and had cracks running through it. Huh, you thought the afterlife would have better ceilings. And why did you hurt so much, wasn’t it supposed to be paradise? Pain isn’t supposed to come with paradise. You tried to breathe, but were shocked to realise you had a tube shoved down your nose and throat. Sudden realisation hit you. This wasn't the afterlife, you were alive, in a hospital that should really get it’s roofs redone. But, alive all the same. A laugh tried to escape you, but it turned into a painful groan. Your eyes scanned the room, landing on a ginger mop of hair that was sleeping in a nearby chair. Tears gathered in your eyes, all of your pent up emotions spilling out of you. You tried to reach the nurse button, but couldn’t move your arms far enough. Slumping against the pillow you decide to just wait for Owen to wake up or for someone to walk in.

Thankfully it was only 5 minutes before your mother walked in, she looked up from her phone to see your smiling face, still covered in tubes but awake. She started screaming running over to you and enveloping you in a bone crushing hug. Doctors and nurses started to make their way into your room all talking at you at the same time, you were so distracted you hadn’t noticed that Owen had woke up in the ruckus. He was stood of to the side, not bringing any attention to himself until the staff left, your Mom following after giving him a reassuring smile. It felt like forever before he spoke, both of you waiting in silence for someone to say something.

“I-I thought you were going to die,” he started running his hands through his hair. You gave him a half smile not sure how to respond. Owen paced at the end of the bed, at first he looked nervous but after a couple of laps he looked angrier. “How could you be so reckless?” He asked a hand resting on his hip, you looked down not wanting to meet his gaze.

“What, you wanted to play the hero card? What do you think would have happened if I hadn’t been there?” He continued, steadily getting louder. “You would have died! And then I would never see you again. You died in surgery, did they tell you that? You died on the freaking table! You left, without saying goodbye.” He stopped pacing, looking at you with tears in his eyes, making their blue hue even more entrancing.

“I-I…” You tried to speak, but your voice was very raw from having a feeding tube down through your throat. Owen made his way to your side, helping you sit up, his anger disappearing almost instantaneously. You coughed then took in a deep breath. “I love you too,” you confessed, cringing mentally, you sounded horrible. Silence filled the room, you felt your face heat up, starting to regret your confession. Owen’s face was blank, not one emotion written across. Instead he brushed a stray hair out of your face, then leant down.

Nurse Yolanda watched the couple from the nurses station head on a slant. The newest nurse came to her side, confused at the sight.

“Does this happen a lot?” He asked, watching in horror and envy as the couple kissed each other deeply. Yolanda looked over to the boy and chuckled.

“This isn’t the worst thing I’ve seen today, bud,” she joked, patting the boy on the shoulder, as she made her way to the couple to talk about the recovery plan.

written by: spaz

[cksmart-world]

The completely unnecessary news analysis

by Christopher Smart

May 5, 2020

IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD

Oh boy, are things crazy. It's the 50th anniversary of the Kent State massacre where National Guardsmen shot and killed four student protesters and wounded nine others on the Ohio campus. At that time American deaths in Vietnam were approaching 50,000 and the war was tearing the country apart. Eventually 58,220 Americans would die in Southeast Asia. Fast forward — now deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in this country eclipse 70,000 and it seems like to many it doesn't really matter all that much. (We won't mention Afghanistan and Iraq because no one cares.) Some have downplayed the pandemic, comparing it to automobile and gun deaths, which, by the way, are not communicable. And Fox news pundits keep repeating that more than 60,000 died from the flu last year. Nonetheless, coronavirus is 10 to 20 times as deadly and spreads much faster. These days, protesters aren't college students but middle-aged people carrying “Liberty or Death” placards and firearms. Imagine being transported from 1970 to 2020 and showing up in Lansing, Michigan in bell bottoms and tie-dye with peace symbols and coming across old fat guys wearing camouflage and brandishing AR-15s. Talk about a bad acid trip.

MITCH THE MENACE

That great American Mitch McConnell, the Cardinal de Richelieu of Washington, is a master at blowing smoke up Donald Trump's pant leg while doing the bidding of corporate fat cats. All this while many working-class Americans are waiting in long lines at the food bank. Well, let them eat cake. When it comes to looking out for the little guy and his fellow Kentuckians, there's no one quite like Misery Mitch, who lords his power over the country like a corporate thug. Most recently, he's been pushing legislation that would release companies from liability during the coronavirus pandemic, all while President Trump has ordered meat packing plants to remain open. As such, those companies and others who force their workers into unsafe conditions could not be sued by employees or the families of workers who die from Covid 19. But that's just where the fun begins. Maniacal Mitch made sure corporations got more than their share of the so-called stimulus dough, while anxious workers waited on tenter hooks for 1200 bucks that would easily get them through the crisis. But why should working men and women complain after they swept up crumbs from Trump's $1.5 trillion tax cut, while the big boys hauled away 80 percent of the largesse. It's a tried and true strategy from Money Man Mitch because Wall Street repays him with tens of millions that keep him in Washington's driver's seat — he's holds the whole country hostage but only Kentuckians can vote him out. It is a democratic republic, after all.

(You can make a donation to his Democratic opponent, Amy McGrath, retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Colonel, at amymcgrath.com.)

DEMOCRATIC LAMBS TO SLAUGHTER

Every four years, the endangered species known as Utah Democrats select one of their own to sacrifice to the angry gods of politics in the “election” for governor. In 2016, Gov. Gary Herbert, the Republican, defeated Democrat Mike Weinholtz by 38 percentage points — slaughter would be an understatement. One reason: there is no Utah Democratic Party. Not really. Here at Smart Bomb, the staff attempted to find the Utah Democratic Party but could only locate a phone number and a recorded message: “We'll get back to you one day, maybe.” Up into the 1970s, Utah had Democratic governors and senators, but the Republican culture wars successfully branded Dems as baby killing faggot lovers who would steal your guns and tax you to death. Mormon faithful bought it hook, line and sinker. The Democrats just kind of rolled over, while the Republicans robbed working-class folks blind in favor of their rich supporters. There are, of course, pockets of Democrats in Salt Lake, Summit, Grand and maybe a few other counties. But until Democrats go on a statewide grassroots offensive, Utahns will have to endure patriarchal self-righteous leaders who continue to embrace the debunked theory of trickle-down economics. As one cold-hearted observer said: In a democracy we deserve the government we elect.

WHO NEEDS SCIENCE? SHINE A LIGHT

As some have noted, science is not President Trump's strong suit. But he isn't alone. There is an entire segment of America that doesn't believe in science. Galileo who? Climate change is hoax, don't you know, perpetrated by tree-huggers and Democrats along with French people who eat snails. It's nothing new, of course. In 1925,  high school teacher John Scopes was put on trial for violating a Tennessee law that made it illegal to teach human evolution. The notion that humans and apes had a common ancestor was an affront to God — or at least some Tennessee Christian churchgoers. And if evolution is true, why isn't every other baby born a chimpanzee? Fuckin' Darwin. Didn't he hear about Noah's Ark? The earth is 4.6 billion years old? Kiss my ass. The fact that we have put someone on the moon, changes nothing. Cure for cancer — nothing. The technology that allows us to listen to Rush Limbaugh and watch Sean Hannity couldn't possibly be based on science. So when Donny No-Dange suggested curing Covid 19 patients by shining a light up their ass, it was kinda funny, but not really a surprise. The United States has more confirmed coronavirus deaths than any other country — twice as many, per capita, as Canada — because Trump ignored scientists early on, failed to test and failed to stockpile enough medical equipment. He now is eager to reopen the economy while case counts are still surging. Say a prayer.

Post script — Well chillens, another week of The Twilight Zone is in the rearview mirror and the beautiful May weather beckons. Pandemic or not, folks who live near the beach are simply saying, fuckit, let's go surfing. And who can blame them really. How can coronavirus get you as long as you make sure to use plenty of Coppertone. Meanwhile thirsty landlubbers want to hit the bar and what are the chances that you could die, anyway — except if you drink too many Jagermeister shooters. Now, that shit is dangerous. And as Billy Graham Jr. says, you're gonna die someday, anyway. He's a gem, ain't he. Hopefully, there's no heaven, because his father would be looking down and shitting his pants. So, anyway, you can play it safe and stay home and go batshit (unless you've got the right drugs) or you can go out and live life and bring coronavirus back to your friends and loved ones, who may or may not die. Sure, you'd be taking chances with their lives, but this is America where we apply cost/benefit analysis to everything. For example, before this whole pandemic thing, how many weighed the probability of going on a cruise and dying of food poisoning or boredom. See how it works. And how many have thought twice about going to the company summer party? Talk about scary. Times do change, although you'd have a hard time convincing our youth of that. Fifty years ago, the scariest thing that could happen was you'd get your ass drafted and end up in Vietnam where you'd probably get it shot off. If you were a young woman, your boyfriend or husband could end up in Southeast Asia dead for absolutely nothing. Like it or not, we are a warrior nation. Last week as nurses and doctors were dying on the front lines of  the coronavirus pandemic, our jet fighters — the best killing machines ever invented — were flying overhead to thank caregivers and buoy the spirits of Americans who apparently don't mind spending $67 million on a single aircraft while many can't afford healthcare. Funny place, this United States of America.

Alright Wilson, tell the band to put down their beers and take us out with a little something for the occasion:

Tin soldiers and Nixon coming, We're finally on our own. This summer I hear the drumming, Four dead in Ohio. Gotta get down to it Soldiers are cutting us down Should have been done long ago. What if you knew her And found her dead on the ground How can you run when you know?

(Ohio, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)

PPS — During this difficult time for newspapers please make a donation to our very important local alternative news source Salt Lake City Weekly at PressBackers.com, a nonprofit dedicated to help fund local journalism. Thank you.

[feeamanallah]

Ramadhan...Dua, day 27

Ya ALLAH, on this day, bestow on me the blessings of Laylatul Qadr, change my affairs from (being) difficult to (being) easy, accept my apologies, and decrease for me [my] sins and burdens, O the Compassionate with His righteous servants. Ya Allah, we have reached the 27th night by your mercy. Tonight may be the night of Laylatul Qadr. On this night we ask you by your beautiful and excelled names for your forgiveness, your eternal mercy, and your love! ❋ ☆ ►Ya Raheem, you are the exceedingly Merciful, Gaze upon us with the gaze of mercy tonight Ya Allah. We seek that sincere moment tonight where you forgive all of our sins and make us of those whom you free from the blazing fire! We will not put or hands down and we will not cease to stop our plea until you forgive us, have mercy on us and free us from the fire Ya Allah! ❋ ☆ ► Ya Rahman, you are the exceedingly Compassionate, write us down us those who have been saved from engulfing fire, save us from its wild flames and save us from its darkness. Save us from its food and save us from its drink. Distance us and protect us from its horrors in the akhirah. ❋ ☆ ► Ya Malik, you are the sovereign and King, save us from the punishment of the grave and its trials. There are people who will be granted Jannah without any hisaab Ya Quddus, make us of those fortunate people. Save us from the darkness and constriction of the grave. Let its embrace be that of a loving hug and not that of a crushing torment! Make the grave expanse, wide and make it an illuminating abode!| ❋ ☆ ► Ya Mussawir, You are the Fashioner. You have created our souls long before we were granted a physical body. We attested to your Lordship and we made a covenant with you. Our souls were with you Ya Allah. Return our souls back to our home. Grant us Jannatul firdaws! Allow us to enjoy from its pleasures but most of all allow us to see you for that is the ultimate pleasure! ❋ ☆ ► Ya Salam, You are the source of peace. Grant peace and security in our lives. We have been consumed with materialism and we have filled our hearts with the love of this world in a manner in which our hearts are clouded. Our physical bodies are fed but our spiritual souls are starving or dead. We neglected our souls and as a result we fell in depression, anxiety and constant worry. Free us from these by nourishing our souls. Ya Mumin, nourish our souls through your remembrance. Nourish our souls through the sunnah of the Prophet, nourish our souls through selfless khidmah of the creation and nourish our souls by your Quran. ❋ ☆ ► Ya Muhaymin, make the prayer a coolness of our heart. The prayer is the foundation and if it is solid then everything else is solid. If our foundation is weak then everything else is weak. Ya Aziz, make the prayer a source of comfort to us. When we have been tired by this world and its trials. When we have been exhausted by the hurt and pain inflicted to us by others. When we have been frustrated by our situations, let us find comfort in bowing our heads down in sujood. Grant us the ability to fulfill it with khushoo and with the utmost sincerity. Ya Jabbar, give us the tawfeeq to be of those who stand in Qiyam ul Layl and make us of the successful who establish Salah. ❋ ☆ ► Ya Mutakaabir, rid us of the diseases we contain in our heart. Outwardly we present our selves to be pious and God fearing but you alone know the sins we commit in secret and the thoughts that occur in our mind. We ask you to purify our actions, our thoughts and intentions. We ask you Ya Khaliq to rid us of the impurities we have in our heart of greed, jealousy, wantonness, pride, self righteousness and arrogance. For we cannot enter Jannah even with a mustard seed of arrogance! We ask you to instill in us those qualities that will raise us in status with you and not debase and humiliate us. ❋ ☆ ► Ya Bari, bless our families, our parents , our spouse and our children. Ya Allah make the men qawwamun. Allow them to be the epitome of manhood by embodying the ways of the Prophet (SAW) in all aspects. Allow our women to be the embodiment of the mothers of the believers. Do not let one oppress the others. Allow them to live in harmony and peace. Ya Muzil, keep our families under your guidance and fill our homes with love, understanding, care, and light of your guidance. ❋ ☆ ► Ya Wahhab, You are the Bestower, those that are sick, cure them. Ya Qahhar, those that are childless, bestow upon them righteous children. Ya Razzaq, those that are struggling financially, make a way out of them and grant barakah in their wealth. Ya Fattah, those that are single and are seeking a spouse, grant them a righteous and God fearing spouse. Ya Alim, those that are in any pain, heal them. Ya Qabid, whoever is struggling with anything but still trying with every little strength they have, grant them ease and make firm for them their resolve to continue on. ❋ ☆ ► Ya Basit, aid our Ummah. Aid our brothers and sisters in areas of conflict. Help our brothers and sisters in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Palestine, Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey and anywhere else were people are being oppressed and killed unjustly. Destroy those who cause oppression and have their hearts sealed. Destroy those that kill innocent children and dishonor our mothers and sisters. Destroy those that leave our men and fathers helpless to help their families. Destroy those who seek to cause chaos and corruption by using the words of the Quran. Ya Sami, you are the all hearing and you hear the call of the oppressed. Protect them and send angels and men to defend them from the zalimun. ❋ ☆ ► Ya Muizz, bless our beloved prophet Muhammad (SAW). Bless our teacher, our father, our brother, our prophet! Our eyes yearn to see him, our hearts seek to gaze upon his noble face. Our hands wish to drink from him at the fountain of Kawthar. Our feet ache to sit by his feet. Bless us with his companionship in Jannatul fridaws and grant us his intercession by your permission! Our prophet cried for us and wanted to see his brothers and sisters whom were to come after he passed. We are also crying in hopes to see him. Bless us with his presence in the akhirah Ya Basir! ❋ ☆ ► Ya Hakam, every passing day is one step closer to the meeting with you! Ya Latif, when we have neared the end of our journey in this life, do not give us death until you are pleased with us. Grant us death when we are at our peak of emaan and we have earned your pleasure and love. Grant us a death of a shaheed. Grant us a good ending Ya Karim. ❋ ☆ ► Ya Mujib, you are the Responsive. We have reached the night of 27th, the night which might hold the night of power. We are asking you with tearful eyes and a hopeful heart. We will not release our hands from dua nor will we cease our pleas to you! We will not leave your door until you answer all our duas Ya Rafi! We will keep knocking. We will keep whining. We will keep crying. We will not leave until you hear our duas! Accept from us, forgive us and enter us into your Jannah! Ameen Ya Rabbul alameen! :)

[blackchristiannewswire]

LISTEN: Whyte House Family Devotions #351 (05/07/18): "Truth Brings Freedom," by Billy Graham

https://soundcloud.com/danielwhyteiii/whyte-house-family-devotions-351-050718-truth-brings-freedom-by-billy-graham

[caption id="attachment_40916" align="alignleft" width="156"] Daniel Whyte III[/caption] My family and I have had morning devotions, or family altar as some people call it, every day ever since my wife, Meriqua, and I were married 30 years ago. We have prayed and read the Bible together as well as other devotional books as a family, and it is the only reason why this family has stayed together, and the only reason why God has blessed our family and used our family in ministry all of these years. We read Ephesians 5 and 6 every morning as it relates to the role of each member of the family and how that we need to put on the whole armor of God to fight against the devil who is seeking to destroy our family and all Christian families, churches, and Christians. So, now after 30 years of doing this in our home, we are opening this up to others who don't have a family to pray with, who don't have a spouse, or who are single by choice, and to encourage all families who are still intact to go back to the family altar and have devotions together every morning. In these devotions, you may hear me deal with a temptation I'm facing in my life, you may hear me rebuke my wife about not doing what she should be doing, or you may hear me get on one of my children's cases about something they're doing. Don't be shocked; this is real life. SING "DOXOLOGY" Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen Billy Graham said, “Don’t let failure or disappointment cut you off from God or make you think the future is hopeless. When God closes one door, He often opens another—if we seek it.” ------ RECITE: THE NEW NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, bled, died, and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He was seen alive by Mary Magdalene and the other women, the disciples and over 500 other brethren; He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy universal and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen. ------ EPHESIANS 6:12-13 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stephen J. Cole writes in his commentary on this passage: "The spiritual forces of wickedness are terribly evil. The name Satan means adversary. Devil means accuser or slanderer. He is also called Abaddon and Apollyon, which mean 'Destroyer' in Hebrew and Greek. Satan appears as the serpent that tempted Eve and caused the fall of the human race into sin. Jesus said that Satan is a murderer, a liar and the father of lies. He deceives the whole world, accuses believers before God’s throne, and persecutes them relentlessly. In short, Satan and the fallen angels are evil to the core." ------- PRAYER ------- DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE: Psalm 137:5-9 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. 6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. 8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. Regarding this passage, Matthew Henry writes: “What we love, we love to think of. Those that rejoice in God, for his sake make Jerusalem their joy. They stedfastly resolved to keep up this affection. When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow our forfeited mercies and our sins by which we lost them. Far be it from us to avenge ourselves; we will leave it to Him who has said, Vengeance is mine. Those that are glad at calamities, especially at the calamities of Jerusalem, shall not go unpunished. We cannot pray for promised success to the church of God without looking to, though we do not utter a prayer for, the ruin of her enemies. But let us call to mind the grace and finished salvation provided for those who have hope of being brought home to the heavenly Jerusalem.” --------- PRAYER FOR THE ESTATES 1. Family 2. Clergy (church) 3. Government 4. People (citizens) 5. The press (media) 6. New media/Online journalists PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY PRAYER FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP GOVERNMENT LEADERS 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." President Donald Trump and his administration Vice President Mike Pence First Lady Melania Trump Second Lady Karen Pence All White House staff including: Counsel to the President Donald McGahn All leaders of federal agencies including: Government Publishing Office Deputy Director Andrew M. Sherman All state governors including: Washington Governor Jay Inslee All city mayors including: Coral Gables, FL, Mayor Jim Cason All members of Congress including: Florida Representative Ted Deutch All law enforcement officials including: Coral Gables, FL, Police Chief Edward J. Hudak, Jr. All military leaders including: Defense Secretary James Mattis / Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford Leaders of nations around the world including: Nepal’s President Bidhya Bhandari and Prime Minister Khadga Oli PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE / CITIZENS PRAYER FOR THE MEDIA PRAYER FOR CURRENT EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD - For the comfort of the 12 people killed and the recovery of the over 30 people wounded in a bombing in Afghanistan - For the comfort of the families of 7 people killed in a mining accident in South Africa - For the protection of the people of Hawaii who have been displaced because of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes PRAYER REQUESTS Vicki please save and comfort all women suffering from miscarriages Christina please be with her family after her grandson died; protect her son and daughter Shelley please give her assurance of her Salvation THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR Fai Augustine Lorelie THOSE WHO HAVE RECOMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST Samantha Munguacel Sai DEVOTIONAL READING: “Truth Brings Freedom,” by Billy Graham John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” “The mark of a true Christian is found in his personal relationship to the Person of Jesus Christ. Christianity is Christ. Christ is Christianity. I speak reverently when I say that Jesus is more than His ideas. All that He said was true, but without Him even the truth would have been powerless. Men know the power of truth, and truth is that which sets men free. Jesus said, ‘I am the truth.’” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Him for Salvation from sin and Hell. First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God's law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death…" Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Now that is bad news, but here's the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read "What To Do After You Enter Through the Door". Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Until next time, May the Lord Bless You!

Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry. He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University's Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree. He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.

[gospellighthouseofprayer]

Whyte House Family Devotions: Prayer for the Family, Church, Nation & World #349 (5/5/18)

https://soundcloud.com/danielwhyteiii/whyte-house-family-devotions-prayer-for-the-family-church-nation-world-349-5518

[caption id="attachment_40916" align="alignleft" width="156"] Daniel Whyte III[/caption] My family and I have had morning devotions, or family altar as some people call it, every day ever since my wife, Meriqua, and I were married 30 years ago. We have prayed and read the Bible together as well as other devotional books as a family, and it is the only reason why this family has stayed together, and the only reason why God has blessed our family and used our family in ministry all of these years. We read Ephesians 5 and 6 every morning as it relates to the role of each member of the family and how that we need to put on the whole armor of God to fight against the devil who is seeking to destroy our family and all Christian families, churches, and Christians. So, now after 30 years of doing this in our home, we are opening this up to others who don't have a family to pray with, who don't have a spouse, or who are single by choice, and to encourage all families who are still intact to go back to the family altar and have devotions together every morning. In these devotions, you may hear me deal with a temptation I'm facing in my life, you may hear me rebuke my wife about not doing what she should be doing, or you may hear me get on one of my children's cases about something they're doing. Don't be shocked; this is real life. SING "DOXOLOGY" Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen Billy Graham said, “Salt makes one thirsty. Does your life make others thirsty for the water of life?” ------ RECITE: THE NEW APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell. The third day He arose again from the dead; He was seen alive by Mary Magdalene and the other women, the disciples, and over 500 other brethren; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. ------ EPHESIANS 6:12-13 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stephen J. Cole writes in his commentary on this passage: "Nothing delights Satan more than when people do not believe in him or take him seriously. Years ago the liberal theologian Rudolf Bultmann dogmatically stated, 'it is impossible to use electric light and the wireless, and to avail ourselves of modern medical and surgical discoveries, and at the same time believe in the New Testament world of demons and spirits.' In 1980, a Christianity Today poll showed that only 52 percent of Baptists, 24 percent of Methodists, and 34 percent of Lutherans believed that the devil is a personal being. Only 34 percent of the general public believed in a personal devil. Such views make Satan’s work easy for him! But Satan and the demons are not just an impersonal force of evil in the world. The devil is not just a figure of speech or the figment of the primitive, minds of the biblical authors. Rather, he is a real spirit-being. He is a created angelic being who rebelled against God and led a number of angelic hosts in his rebellion. Jesus referred to him as the ruler of this world. Paul called him “the god of this world” and “the prince of the power of the air, … the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”" ------- PRAYER ------- DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE: Psalm 136:21-26 21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever: 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. Regarding this passage, Matthew Henry writes: “God's everlasting mercy is here praised for the redemption of his church; in all his glories, and all his gifts. Blessed be God, who has provided and made known to us salvation through his Son. May we know and feel his redeeming power, that we may serve him in righteousness all our days. May He who giveth food to all flesh, feed our souls unto eternal life, and enliven our affections by his grace, that we may give thanks and praise to his holy name, for his mercy endureth for ever. Let us trace up all the favours we receive to this true source, and offer praise continually.” --------- PRAYER FOR THE ESTATES 1. Family 2. Clergy (church) 3. Government 4. People (citizens) 5. The press (media) 6. New media/Online journalists PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY PRAYER FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP - For all pastors, church leaders, denominational leaders, Bible teachers, missionaries, and ministry workers. GOVERNMENT LEADERS 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." President Donald Trump and his administration Vice President Mike Pence First Lady Melania Trump Second Lady Karen Pence All White House staff including: Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro All leaders of federal agencies including: Congressional Budget Office Director Keith Hall All state governors including: Vermont Governor Phil Scott All city mayors including: Cocoa Beach, FL, Mayor Dave Netterstrom All members of Congress including: Florida Representative Stephanie Murphy All law enforcement officials including: Cocoa Beach, FL, Police Chief Scott Rosenfeld All military leaders including: Defense Secretary James Mattis / National Guard Bureau Chief General Joseph L. Lengyel Leaders of nations around the world including: Namibia’s President Hage Geingob and Prime Minister Saara Kuu-gon-gel-wa For the peace of Jerusalem PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE / CITIZENS PRAYER FOR THE MEDIA PRAYER FOR CURRENT EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD - For the comfort of families and church family of the 26 people killed in an attack on a church in the Central African Republic. - For the comfort and salvation of the families of 26 people killed in bombings in Kabul, Afghanistan. - For the protection of the people of Hawaii who have been displaced because of PRAYER REQUESTS Bhima please provide them with the money they need to build orphanages and plant churches; bless the seminary students with all that they need Eric please heal his daughter and provide him with the money he needs to repair their church building, pay bills and buy medicine, Bibles, bikes, and print tracts Vicki Please end the drought in Israel; for the peace of Jerusalem THOSE WHO HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR John Margret Domnic THOSE WHO HAVE RECOMMITTED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST Marena Billy Maggie DEVOTIONAL READING: “The Need For Love,” by Billy Graham Jude 1:21 says, “Keep yourselves in the love of God...” “A husband and wife visited an orphanage where they hoped to adopt a child. In an interview with the boy they wanted, they told him in glowing terms about the many things they could give him. To their amazement the little fellow said, “If you have nothing to offer except a good home, clothes, toys, and the other things that most kids have—why, I would just as soon stay here.” “What on earth could you want besides those things?” the woman asked. “I just want someone to love me,” replied the little boy. There you have it! Even a little boy knows that “man shall not live by bread alone.” Our deeper yearnings and longings can be met only by a renewed fellowship with the One in whose image we were created, God.” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, allow me to show you how you can place your faith and trust in Him for Salvation from sin and Hell. First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God's law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death…" Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Now that is bad news, but here's the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read "What To Do After You Enter Through the Door". Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Until next time, May the Lord Bless You!

Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry. He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University's Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree. He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.

[comicralph21]

The @gisofcomedy spent 10 days downrange sharing laughter with our troops in Afghanistan. Sharing the stage with my brothers Daniel Betts (Navy), Benari Poulten (Army), Key Lewis (Navy), PJ Walsh (Navy) and Kirk McHenry (Marines) was an experience words can't even begin to describe. THANK YOU @armedforcesent for the opportunity to share the laughter with our brave men and women stationed so far away from home. Please keep our troops in your prayers that they stay safe and come home soon. Stay blessed everyone! #GisOfComedy #SouthwestAsiaTour #ComicRalph21 #ArmyVeteran (at Afghanistan)

[travisbumanglag-blog]

We are asking everyone to say a prayer for the US "Darkhorse" 3rd Battalion 5th Marines and their families. They are fighting it out in Afghanistan and have lost 9 Marines in 4 days. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE IT ON EVERYONE'S PAGE...Even if its only for an hour. I am HONORED to re-post this! Thank you to ALL of "OUR" Service men and women. Happy to do this! Sending prayers, strength and encouragement to the marines and other soldiers and their families who lost their lives, and to the soldiers that are still fighting. R.I.P. Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matthew Weikert 29, Justus Bartett 27, Dave Santos 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew Johnson 21, Zachary Fisher 24, Brandon King 23, Christopher Goeke 23, and Sheldon Tate 27.... All are Marines who gave their lives this week for us ....for our freedom! There's no media for them at all... not even a mention of their names. Please honor them by copying and pasting this post.R.I.P. Please keep these soldiers families in your prayers.🇺🇸 #prayers #nation #soldiers

[dailyaudiobible]

04/07/2017 DAB Transcript

Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27 ~ Luke 12:8-34 ~ Psalm 78:32-55 ~ Proverbs 12:21-23

Today is April 7th.  Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible.  I’m Brian. It's good to be here with you at the end of another work week as we move toward the weekend and here we are in the mountains of North Georgia.  The More Gathering has begun.  Everyone has arrived.  Things are well, and we’ll talk about that in a bit.  We’re reading from the New International Version this week.  Today, Deuteronomy chapter 31, verse 1 through 32, verse 27.

Commentary

Jesus is speaking and someone yells out of the crowd about an inheritance and Jesus is basically ‘you can’t interrupt what is going on here.’  He's like, ‘I'm not the arbiter here about your inheritance,’ but it turns his attention to a small teaching that he gives that is profound and he is basically saying this:  There are two ways you can live your life, one that is more self-absorbed and focused where you are trying to store up everything you can and accumulate your possessions unto yourself for yourself or you can seek first the kingdom of God.  You can do either one but think about it.  Think about how you got here in the first place.  Where did that breath of life that is within you come from?  Is it not your Heavenly Father?  Did you not get here intentionally?  And think about what is around you.  The flowers, how did they grow?  They don’t labor and spin and accumulate possessions and try to build a fortune for themselves.  Yet, even King Solomon wasn’t beautiful like they are.  And if God can care for the grass of the field which is here today and gone tomorrow, then he can certainly give you clothes.  You of little faith, don’t put your heart on food, what you’re going to eat and what you’re going to drink.  Don’t worry about it.  That's not what is going on here.  Your Father knows what you need.  

So he is saying there are two ways you can do this, the self-absorbed way or the seeking the kingdom first way, but if you’ll seek his kingdom first, then all those things you’re trying to do will be given to you as well.  So you can do your own thing and not have the kingdom or you can immerse yourself in the kingdom and have everything.  I love these words that Jesus uses to sum this up:  Don’t be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Prayer

Father, we take that counsel because once again that really mimics the shape of our lives in many ways and it certainly imitates the shape of this culture that we find ourselves in where we are encouraged to chase after everything possible.  So Holy Spirit, come.  We each have our own life story and life circumstances.  We each have a history.  We each have a future and although they may be similar, they are very unique because you have made us individuals.  Show us what it looks like for us to seek first your kingdom.  But for each of us, no matter our story, that begins with our intimacy with you.  And it begins with us fearing you.  This is the beginning of wisdom and we see that we are going to need it.  And we do need it.  So come Holy Spirit, apply this to our lives.  Overlay this over our hearts and even as we say this prayer, you are bringing things up within us, the things that we have been turning to that have been making us crazy, that have been stealing all the margin in our lives, things that probably we need to begin to extricate ourselves out of. Show us the things that need to remain and the things that we need to begin or to immediately let go of, things that are keeping us from seeking your kingdom, from creating space in our lives for a relationship with you because we get so busy that everything may be about you, but nothing is with you at all.  Come Holy Spirit, we pray.  In Jesus’ name we ask, amen.  

Announcements

Www.DailyAudioBible.com is the website.  It's home base.  It is where you find out what is happening and the More Gathering for Women is underway. Today is the first full day and we’ll have all day tomorrow and part of Sunday.  Today is, I guess in my mind, has always been sort of the day of heavy lifting.  It is a day when there is some space to explore some things.  And just like we were praying, we all have our own stories, so we’re not here to unpack everybody's everything.  We’re here to create and set the table for the Holy Spirit to come.  So we ask for your prayer over the hearts of the women as we move into this day.  Pray for them as they kind of acclimate to a little bit of a different pace than maybe life normally looks like, a pace where there is some margin, where there is lots of margin, where there is plenty of space to consider, but also to fellowship, become intimate with a sisterhood, and just grow.  So thank you for your prayers.  

The other announcement that we have right now is for the pilgrimage that we’ll be taking to the land of the Bible and that will be in early 2018, February 19 through March 4.  You can find out all the information about that at www.DailyAudioBible.com.  Just look for Israel 2018 or go to www.DailyAudioBibleIsrael.com.  That will get you there as well.  

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at www.DailyAudioBible.com.  There is a link on the home page.  Thank you for clicking that link.  If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible App, you can press the More button in the lower right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996, Spring Hill, TN 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, (877) 942-4253 is the number to call.  

And that's it for today.  I'm Brian. I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer Requests and Praise Reports

Good morning.  This is Steve from New Hampshire and I first of all wanted to just pray for the Daily Audio Bible family the prayer from Ephesians chapter 3.  And Lord, I just pray that each member of the Daily Audio Bible family would just know your strength according to the riches of your glory, Lord God, that you would strengthen us by your spirit in our inner being so that Christ would dwell in our hearts through faith, that we would be rooted and grounded in love, Lord, that we would be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and depth and height and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, Lord, that we would be filled with all the fullness of God.  We just thank you, Lord, that you are the one who is able to do far more abundantly and above all that we can ask or think according to your power that is at work within us.  We just thank you, Lord, that your glory would just be so manifested in your people. In the name of Jesus, amen.  A couple of prayer requests I wanted to pass along.  My son Benjamin, he has had some issues, depression, I guess, kind of thing.  He's had a couple of episodes recently where he has literally for, one time it was four days, he would sit on the couch and rock with a blanket over his head and just would not talk, head down.  We actually got some intervention last night to try to get some answers, but still as of this call he is still sitting on the couch and rocking.  Anyway, I just ask you to pray that we would have just answers and wisdom and that he would be set free from that dark cloud.  One other thing is I would just ask for prayer for our financial situation. It has been a strain for a while. That we would have God's wisdom and that he would bring some new streams or increased streams of income.  Thank you very much.  Appreciate you, everybody.  God bless.  Bye.  

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling for you have been called by God.  Always be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the spirit, binding yourselves together with peace, for there is one body and one spirit.  Just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future, there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all, in all and living through all.  Ephesians 4:1-6.  Hi Daily Audio Bible family.  I'm sorry it's been so long since I’ve called.  It's Kayla in California.  I haven’t even called yet this year, in 2017.  I just wanted to share that as I was remembering what I wrote in my husband's wedding band.  So I was just rememorizing it recently and the Lord just put it on my heart to call it in and remind you that it is not only for marriages, but it is for the whole body of Christ, that we would be united and humble with each other and gentle and patient and that we would ignore our faults because of our love for each other and for the Lord.  I hope you guys are having a fantastic day and thank you guys so much for continuing to pray for all the prayer requests and please know we are praying for you as well. Bye.  

Hi DAB family.  It's me, __________, from Texas.  I wanted to say thank you for all of your prayers.  Thank you so much.  If you can please pray for this request that I received last night for the…  It’s called Darkhorse.  It's the third battalion, the fifth Marines in Afghanistan.  They lost nine Marines in the last four days. These are all the nine that have laid down their lives for us this week.  I will lift their names and their age.  If you will please lift them up, their families up for their loss.  It's Justin Allen, 23 years old.  Brett Linley, 39 years old.  Matthew Weikert, 29.  Justus Bartett, 27.  Dave Santos, 21.  Chase Stanley, 21.  Jesse Reed, 27.  Matthew Johnson, 21.  Zachary Fisher, 24.  Brandon King, 23.  Christopher Goeke, 23.  Sheldon Tate, 27.  This is such a tragic loss for all of these families.  Please don’t forget to lift up the people that are serving our country and that are sacrificing their lives, whether it be here physically or they are sacrificing their family and their time and everything that they are sacrificing for us. Please let us not ever take it for granted, the blessing that it is that they choose to serve for us.  

Hi everybody.  This is Kathleen in Mount Zion, IL and I just really feel like I absolutely have to call in when there is something that I see that is just outrageous to me.  I just saw that in Syria where somebody dropped a chemical bomb once again on these people.  I mean, this is just a horrible, horrible death.  Chemical weapons, there is no place for this.  I just pray.  I just want you to pray with me, people, that whoever did this as they did before and should have been caught and they should have been tried for this, I just pray that whoever, whatever government that is doing this, whatever group, whatever person is behind it, that they will be caught this time and taken to justice.  Please pray with me throughout the world, all of you, for the sake of the people who had to suffer under this chemical attack. This is just ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.  Anyway, thank you.  I love you guys.  Annette in Oklahoma, I love you, sister, and I am praying for you and your son.  I love my son so much and I am praying for you and yours.  I just want you to know that.  I love you. Bye.  

Good evening DAB family.  This is Sherry calling from British Columbia, Canada.  Candace in Oregon, this song is for you.  This is written by Sherry Youngwood and it is based off of Psalm 61:1-4. [singing]  Hear my cry, O God.  Attend to my prayer.  From the end of the earth I will cry to you.  When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in your tabernacle forever.  Oh, I will trust in the shelter of your wings.  In the shelter, in the shelter, in the shelter of your wings.  I will trust in the shelter of your wings.  In the shelter, in the shelter, in the shelter of your wings.  I will trust in the shelter of your wings. [end of singing]  God bless you, Candace.  May his comfort surround you at this time.  In Jesus’ name.  

Hello Daily Audio Bible community.  This is David in Kansas.  It's been quite a while since I’ve called in.  Those of you who have been around for a while may know that about a year ago I called in.  I was in really bad shape.  As the year progressed I got in better shape and was even praying for those who needed prayer.  And I did really well.  I lost 33 pounds and I got past a lot of the health issues that were nagging me and then when the winter hit, for whatever reason, I just kind of gave up and I put 20 pounds back on.  I began to feel the pressure and I kind of took a step back from everything and now it is April and I'm pretty much back where I was a year ago.  I'm about to go to the doctor because I'm in really bad pain again. I'm terrified that they are going to find something, that I might have to have surgery again or something, but I'm even more terrified that they are not going to find anything like last year. They didn’t find anything.  I was just in tremendous pain and I just had to, I don’t know…  I just need prayer.  I'm feeling really down __________ alone.  I'm feeling like everything I did last year was for nothing because I'm right back to square one and it's really disheartening, so I'm asking for prayer.  After I go to the doctor today, after I find out anything, I’ll call back in and give you all an update.  Thank you for praying for me, as always.  I love you.  Goodbye.