Peter's Prayer

"I need Thee, O Lord, for a curb on my tongue; when I am tempted to making carping criticisms and cruel judgments, keep me from speaking barbed words that hurt, and in which I find perverted satisfaction. Keep me from unkind words and from unkind silences. Restrain my judgments. Make my criticisms kind, generous, and constructive. Make me sweet inside, that I may be gentle with other people, gentle in the things I say, kind in what I do. Create in me that warmth of mercy that shall enable others to find Thy strength for their weakness, Thy peace for their strife, Thy joy for their sorrow, Thy love for their hatred, Thy compassion for their weakness. In thine own strong name, I pray. Amen."
~Peter Marshall

"A Man Called Peter" is my favorite novel. It is based on the life story of Peter Marshall, written by his wife, Catherine.
Most people are familiar with Catherine Marshall's books, "Christy" and "Julie" but I hope that more people will read "A Man Called Peter". Peter Marshall was a Scottish immigrant who traveled to America because he felt the Lord wanted him to spread his message there. It took him awhile, but eventually, he saved enough money and he earned his Seminary degree. He preached at a few churches in Georgia before receiving a call to preach at "The Church of the Presidents" or better known as "New York Avenue Presbyterian Church". His influence in Washington was phenomenal and he went on to become the chaplain for the US Senate. The prayer above is one that is taken out of a book of prayers that Catherine compiled after his untimely death.

If you don't want to read the book, I would suggest watching the movie at least. It is a very inspirational story that will give you another view of how great the Lord's work is in the lives of His people.

My Backyard

One thing I love about living near Lake Hefner are the beautiful sunsets that I get to enjoy. I took this on August 10 while I was on a walk. Occasionally I go for walks with my camera and I am so glad that this particular evening that was my agenda. Sunsets are one my favorite things. They remind me of God's faithfulness, majesty, beauty, grace, mercy, power, sovereignty, love, etc.

I'm amazed that people in every part of the world see the same sun setting that I see and it reminds me that His love extends much further than my own little world. I love so many other things about sunsets. I love sharing my love of sunsets with others. I hope that the next time that great ball of fire in yonder west is cascading its light upon you that you will see a bit of the Creator and your love for Him will grow even more.

Our "Thorn"

The following is from Grace Gems, a daily devotional I receive.

Our "Thorn"
(J. R. Miller, "The Building of Character" 1894)

"Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Corinthians 12:7

Paul tells us that his "thorn" was given to him--to keep him humble, and save him from spiritual peril. Without it, he would have been exalted above measure and would have lost his spirituality. We do not know how much of his deep insight into the things of God, and his power in service for his Master--Paul owed to this torturing "thorn". It seemed to hinder him, and it caused him incessant suffering--but it detained him in the low valley of humility, made him ever conscious of his own weakness and insufficiency, and thus kept him near to Christ whose home is with the humble.

There are few people who have not
some "thorn" rankling in their flesh--
In one it is an infirmity of speech;
in another an infirmity of sight;
in another an infirmity of hearing.
Or it may be lameness;
or a slow but incurable disease;
or constitutional timidity,
or excessive nervousness;
or a disfiguring bodily deformity;
or an infirmity of temper.
Or it may be in one's home--which
is cold, unloving, and uncongenial;
or it may be some moral failure;
or it may be a bitter personal disappointment
through untrue friendship or unrequited love.

Who has not his "thorn"?

We should never forget that in one sense, our "thorn" is a "messenger of Satan," who desires by it--to hurt our life, to mar our peace, to spoil the divine beauty in us, and to break our communion with Christ.

On the other hand, however, Christ Himself has a loving design in our "thorn." He wants it to be a blessing to us. He would have it keep us humble--and save us from becoming vain. Or He means it to soften our hearts--and make us more gentle. He would have the uncongenial things in our environment to discipline us into heavenly-mindedness, give us greater self-control, and help us to keep our hearts loving and sweet--amid harshness and unlovingness. He would have our pain teach us endurance and patience; and our sorrow and loss teach us faith.

Thus, our "thorn" may either be a choice blessing to us--or it may do us irreparable harm. If we allow it to fret us; if we chafe, resist, and complain; if we lose faith and lose heart--it will spoil our life! But if we accept it in the faith that in its ugly burden--it has a blessing for us; if we endure it patiently, submissively, unmurmuringly; if we seek grace to keep our heart gentle and true amid all the trial, temptation, and suffering it causes--it will work good for us, and out of its bitterness--will come sweet fruit!