The Moon Keeps Chasing The Sun

On June 25, 2016June 24, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, music, poems3 Comments

I thought I knew where I was going with this but it might just be a lot of gibberish. Basic idea is trying to live this life without Jesus is like….

The moon keeps chasing the sun all the while it is waiting to be caught

A very smart friend said I could use her thought

So there, I used it before I forgot

That got me thinking about more lines

That maybe you could use from time to time

After all not using your brain isn’t a crime

Like a dog chasin it’s tail

Like trying to slow dance with a snail

Like catching the horse in front of you on a carousel

Like the imagination of a child with a box of crayons

Like the singer dying but the band plays on

Like when the band stops but you march on

Like trying to throw darts in a hurricane

Like trying to convince you I am 100% sane

Like being caught red-handed but saying you aren’t to blame

Like being broke and but looking at all you just bought

Like going to school and forgetting what you were taught

Like writing a book when you can’t think of the next thought

Like having the answers but forgetting the questions

Like a rooster saying its a hen

Like an elephant trying to fit in a rabbits den

Like writing a poem and saying its a book

Like thinking you’re not in trouble when your mom gives you that look

Like saying that’s a river when it’s only a brook

Like catching a touchdown pass when the quarterback still has the ball

Lie wiinning the Indy 500 but on 499 your car stalls

Like having a house with no walls

Like trying to finish before you started to begin

Like saying you are perfect because you don’t sin

Like being a Christian and saying Jesus isn’t your friend

Like trying to play a game when you don’t know the rules

Like thinking you’re the smartest when you’re actually the fool

Like being in first grade and thinking you should graduate school

Like trying to out run a train

Like being a passenger and trying to fly the plane

Like knowing who you are but forgetting your name

Like seeing an empty cross on a hill

Like running when Simon says be still

Like trying to lose weight with some magic pill

Like trying to pitch a perfect game after you walked the first batter

Like trying to put the pieces of a mirror together after it shatters

Like trying to live this life like none of it matters

I don’t have to be an art critic to recognize a priceless piece of art

I don’t have the answers but that doesn’t mean I don’t start

How can I say no to someone who is chasing after my heart

There is a simple truth to be known

Three days later the tomb didn’t have a stone

Why live in the darkness when His light has shown

Some things are deceptively easy to see

A captive saying he’s really free

I guess it all depends on what you believe

Have we all become mad or are we just blind

There was a time in the distant past when people were kind

Now it just seems like everyone takes selfies of their behind

Like spilling a glass of red wine on white carpet but not leaving a spot

Like me saying I’m going to heaven while watching my soul slowly rot

I’m chasing the SON but all the while He is there beside me waiting to be caught

Be still long enough to know He is there

Stars by Skillet –

Never Stop by Urban Rescue –

Be Still by Jeremy Camp –

Chasing You by Bethel Music –

Run To You by Lacey Sturm –

Chasing After The Wind by Alan Powell –

Run To You by Third Day –

Run To You by Unspoken –

Running To You by Newsboys –

Running With Giants by Thousand Foot Krutch –

I Could Believe In God – A Story

On June 22, 2016June 22, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, Miracles, music13 Comments

Some people do not believe in God or miracles because they can not see them. Their eyes are not open to see all the miracles that happen around them every day. They look for the big miracles, the wow, did you just see that. They do not see the little miracles, how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, the blooming of a flower, or even the miracle of you. How you woke up and can breathe. This is a story of one man whose eyes are closed.

I just wanted to share some snippets of my life. Things that have happened that I can’t explain. Some people will ask me how I could not believe in God after what has happened to me. I say I would, if I could only see a miracle.

I was seven at the time. It was the largest tree in the neighborhood so, naturally, I was drawn to it. I was a climber. I climbed without fear. I climbed until the branches could barely hold my weight. That is, until I climbed too far and the last branch didn’t. I fell. I knew I was going to die. Right before I hit the ground I could feel a swoosh of air around me and the next thing I knew I was standing on the ground. I stood there for a minute, not sure of what just happened. All I knew was I was standing without a scratch on me when I should’ve been laying on the ground seriously hurt, if not dead. How did I do that?

When I was twenty, I was driving in my car and was hit by a big truck. The entire front end was separated from the back end. It was bad. Here is the crazy thing, I wasn’t hurt, not a scratch. I don’t know how it happened and it still has me scratching my head to this day. You see, I ended up in the back seat, with the seat belt on. I don’t know how I managed to get out of the front seat, place myself in the back seat and put my seat belt on all in less than a second. The funny thing is the seat belt in the drivers seat was still attached, like I was sitting in it. How did I do that?

Many years later my wife and I were expecting our first child. She was born four months prematurely and had a heart that wasn’t fully developed. The doctors told us she wouldn’t live more than a few days. We were devastated. My wife was a prayer warrior, but I wasn’t. I didn’t believe in God. I didn’t mind my wife praying if that’s what got her through the day but it wasn’t for me. There was a nurse that seemed to be there all day and all night. Every time we would go to NICU she would be there. She was also always with our daughter. One day would turn into two into four into eight. Our daughter made it through those eight days and is now a strong, beautiful, smart, young twenty year old woman. I remember asking the hospital staff about the nurse that was always there and no one knew who I was talking about. Crazy isn’t it? One of the nurses even said maybe she was our daughter’s guardian angel. I guess if you believe in that sort of thing, but I don’t.

My wife became ill two years ago. She was diagnosed with a disease I won’t even try to pronounce, let alone spell. A disease there was no cure for. The doctors gave her two- four months to live. How could this be? She was perfectly healthy one day and the next we are being told she would be gone in four months. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My wife prayed. I pulled my hair out. To be honest maybe I did say a tiny prayer to a God I didn’t believe in but….

While my wife was in the hospital guess who I saw ? You are correct. The same nurse that was in NICU that no one knew who she was. I would see her walking up and down the hall ways day and night. I would go get something to eat and my wife would tell me about the nurse who came in and made her feel at peace. Once again, no one knew who I was talking about. How could I see this nurse during these times yet no one on staff knows who she is?

Wouldn’t you know it, my wife came home two months after her diagnosis. Completely cured of her incurable disease. I said it must have been a misdiagnosis. The doctors called it a miracle.

My daughter visits often and talks about this lady she sees from time to time. Like the time she was looking at her cell phone and almost stepped in front of a bus. That was until a lady grabbed her arm and pulled her back. My daughter had my wife’s faith and said maybe it was her guardian angel. I laughed. She knew I didn’t believe in those kind of things.

It was a little uncanny however when my daughter described this lady and it was an exact match to the nurse I saw in the NICU and in my wife’s hospital room.

Sometimes I wish I believed like my wife and daughter do. This world is just too much of a mess for me to believe in God.

Maybe I could believe in God if I could just see Him do a miracle.

I Saw God Today by George Strait –

Miracles by Audio Adrenaline –

Miracle Of The Moment by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Miracles by Blessid Union Of Souls –

Miracles by Kirk Franklin –

Miracles by Newsboys –

Angels Among Us by Alabama –

When You Believe by Whitney Houston –

Let Me See Her

On June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Daughter of God, God, God in your marriage, Lyrics, marriage, music, poems, Poetry5 Comments

My neck hurts from looking behind

A memory flashed and I lost my mind

I wasn’t here but in another time

Let me see

Let me see her

It’s like I take one step forward and two steps back

I pray to God to let me move but I sit here while the devil attacks

I’ve been here so many times I think I’ve lost track

Let me see

Let me see her

I know God that she’s your daughter

Let me see her like You do

I know in your hands you got her

Let me see her like you do

I know what she did , that’s not her

Let me see her like you do

It’s crazy how life got in the way

We grew apart until that fateful day

That’s the day she decided not to pray

Let me see

Let me see her

Oh God let me forget, I just wanna forget

Maybe the lesson to be learned hasn’t happened yet

Her sins are forgiven , You paid that debt

Let me see

Let me see her

I know God that she’s your daughter

Let me see her like You do

I know in your hands you got her

Let me see her like you do

I know what she did , that’s not her

Let me see her like you do

Oh God I’m tired of being angry

Oh God I know this person isn’t me

Oh God help me to see, help me to see

Oh God Help me to forgive

Oh God I just want to live

Oh God to Your will let me submit

Let me see

Let me see her

Let me see her God like you do

Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath –

Daughter Of The King by Tricia Brock –

In The Eyes by 1 Girl Nation –

Father’s Eyes by Mark Schultz –

His Eyes by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Beloved by Jordan Feliz –

Beloved Child by Tru-Serva –

Beloved by Lara Landon –

Close Your Eyes by Michael Buble –

Angry

Bruises And Scars

On May 31, 2016May 31, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Daughter of God, Domestic Abuse, God, God can change your life, God heals, Lyrics, Poetry11 Comments

The bruises are gone but the scars remain

She will never look at you the same

You were supposed to be her protector

You were never meant to neglect her

What were you thinking ?

Do you blame it on your drinking?

That’s no excuse , that doesn’t make you a man

Tell me where do you stand?

You think those words won’t leave a mark

Man those go straight to her heart

They leave a scar only she and God can see

Why don’t you just let her go free

Let her learn to spread her wings

Let her learn how much beauty she brings

Would you want your daughter treated like that?

Always flinching, always watching her back

Man, why can’t you understand?

She was made from God’s own hand

If you keep treating her like that

I know where you will spend eternity at

Daughter, I know you want to scream and shout

On your knees, your prayers, He hears, that I never doubt

Don’t despair

Know someone cares

Daughter, I pray no matter what you go through tonight

You’ll remember the scars Jesus bears so you know there is a light

When the bruises are gone and the scars remain

Daughter I want you to know that He knows your name

He knows your name, He knows your name, He knows your name

October is officially domestic violence month but we don’t hear about it. All we hear in October is breast cancer, a worthy cause to fight also and one that needs to be fought daily as well. We don’t see any football teams wearing purple. It simply isn’t talked about. Domestic violence is something we need to look at every day, because every day someone you know is the victim of it. One in three women, one in four men are victims. One of of every fifteen children are exposed to domestic violence and 90% of these children witness domestic violence a year. Domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness in the United States. Domestic violence costs more than $37 billion a year in law enforcement involvement, legal work, medical and mental health treatment, and lost productivity at companies.

These are reported. Most domestic violence incidents are NEVER reported. Speak up, speak out, and make a difference for victims of domestic violence. The time is now to change these facts.

Silenced my Mersi Stone –

Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus –

Alyssa Lies by Jason Michael Carroll –

The Door by JJ Essen –

Leaving You Behind by Emii –

Lies and Bruises by Ryan Daniel –

Luka by Suzanne Vega –

No More by Kuzie James –

Voices Carry by Til Tuesday –

Broken Girl by Matthew West –

Beautiful by MercyMe –

God’s Daughter by Son of Adam –

I Believe You Domestic Abuse and Faith Community –

He Knows My Name by The McRaes –

He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli –

Gave You My Heart

On May 23, 2016June 1, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, poems, The Heart20 Comments

I came home from work Friday night and Kim told me Deanna, one of her best friends and mentor, told her about a vision her daughter had. Her daughter just finished her freshman year of college and truly lives for Jesus. Deanna said maybe Rob can turn her vision into a poem or a song. I took Kylie up to get her shower ready and sat down and this is what came out.

It is truly an inspiring vision and I hope my words do it justice.

Gave You My Heart

I gave you my heart and you walked away

You’re my dad, you were supposed to stay

I couldn’t keep it all together today

I grabbed what was left of my heart and walked to the beach

Walked far enough until your memory was out of reach

I screamed at you dad until I was too hoarse to speak

Then I saw a piece of sea glass so bright

It had such a mysterious light

It was like a piece of day in the darkest night

I bent down and dug with my free hand

There had to be more pieces under the sand

That’s when I felt the presence of another man

It was like a dream as my other hand held my heart

The one that you, dad, had ripped apart

Then I had a thought, this isn’t the end but a brand new start

I felt this man telling me to turn in his direction

But I couldn’t so I grabbed my sea glass collection

And I tried to hold a piece just right to see his reflection

I couldn’t turn around, I knew what he wanted me to do

I couldn’t give him my heart dad, I had given it to you

And I was scared he would walk away with it too

Then his hand touched my shoulder

My courage grew just a little bit bolder

My tears started to flow as I began to molder

I turned and as he reached for me I saw the scars on his hand

He looked at me and I knew he wasn’t just a man

That’s when I dropped my sea glass in the sand

I let him hold me for what seemed like an hour

I could feel his gentleness, as well as his power

I felt his love pour down on me like a summer shower

I whispered, “If I give you me heart will you walk away?”

He said “I’m your father. I’ve never left, I will always stay.”

I knew he was telling the truth so I gave my heart to him that day

(image credit: Kevin Carden Photography)

Busted Heart ( Hold On To Me) by For King and Country –

Let Down Your Guard by JJ Heller –

Every Beat Of My Broken Heart by Hawk Nelson –

Take A Broken Heart by V Rose –

I Let My Heart Open by Charles Billinsgley –

Here’s My Heart by Lauren Daigle –

Friend Of A Wounded Heart by Point of Grace-

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/fairytale/”>Dream</a>

What Has Happened?

On April 25, 2016May 4, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, Live for God first, music, My God Is With Me, poems, Questions for God6 Comments

Normally on my days off I “sleep in” until 7-730. This morning, I was awakened at 5:57 with these words and they just came pouring out. I can only say God was moving early this morning.

Five year old little man

Doesn’t seem to quite understand

Why he only sees his dad every other weekend

What has happened to til death do us part, do not commit adultery?

Everyone only looking out for number one

They don’t give a crap about the damage they’ve done

Only living for the moment , living for fun

What has happened to caring about someone else?

In a democracy we now have the minority that rules

We have men able to use the bathroom of my little girl

I just can’t comprehend what’s happening to this world

What has happened? God, what is happening?

When did our homes become a house of cards

My feelings, when did you start to disregard?

Man, life isn’t supposed to be this hard

What has happened to the golden rule ?

Hurting each other no matter the cost

Will there be another holocaust?

Can’t we see all we’ve lost, we’ve all lost

What has happened, what happened to my voice?

The entire world seems to be living in sin

They don’t care about the way they live

They don’t care about how little they give

What has happened to compassion and empathy?

The animals go extinct at alarming pace

The judges common sense has been erased

Since when does every one have to win the race?

What has happened to one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all?

We spend more than we make

Keeping up with Jones’ for the Smith’s sake

When are we going to wake up? Are you awake?

What has happened to saving for a future?

When the majority stands up to the few we get pulled under

Shows get cancelled , majority loses, is it any wonder ?

We sit by and watch it get worse, can you hear the distant thunder?

What has happened God, how much longer ?

Health care can’t afford, no worries, someone else will pay

Climate change, getting warmer each and every day

Claim ignorance is bliss if you can’t hear what I say

What has happened to living how Jesus taught us to be ?

The ones that are to protect us are killing

The ones that are to save our money are stealing

Our kids won’t get better when dealers are dealing

What has happened to integrity and honesty ?

People killing people in our streets, in our cities

Sending our soldiers to fight wars in other countries

This world’s a mess, has it ever been pretty?

What has happened to love God, love your neighbor?

Our government allows sugar and toxic chemicals in our food

Our tv shows, our music, our words are becoming more lewd

My words represent the majority yet they are booed

What has happened to treating people right instead of just making a profit?

Not too long ago the Cold War came to an end

The Berlin Wall fell, reuniting family and friends

Today, new rules, new laws, borders changing without end

What has happened ? God what is happening?

God and me, we love you for who you are

If you live near me or if you live afar

Look up, we are all living under the same stars

What has happened to my rights and what I believe in?

We’ve taken God out of schools, work and lives

We tell Him we don’t need Him then run and hide

Then we have the nerve to ask God why

What has happened? I ask you my friends, what is happening?

Something To Believe In by Poison (alternate lyrics) –

Something To Believe In by Poison (original lyrics) –

Happiness by NeedToBreathe –

Never Too Far Gone by Jordan Feliz –

Breathe by Jonny Diaz –

It’s Not Over Yet by For King & Country –

Faith To Believe by Shane & Shane –

Believe by Letter Black –

Believer by DecembeRadio –

She Smiled

On April 7, 2016April 7, 2016 By roberthansen1317In All Glory to God, Christian life, God, God can change your life, music2 Comments

She was born into a home that didn’t want her. She was neglected and mistreated. She was told she wasn’t good enough. She wasn’t wanted. One day they proved that to be true and they gave her away. Through it all she smiled.

She was adopted a short time later by parents that wanted her. Parents that loved her. She had nightmares. She was comforted by her new parents. She was told how much she was loved. She was taught about God. She was told how much she was wanted. Through it all she smiled.

As she continued to grow and get older people would ask what is wrong with her. How can she always be smiling? She must be hiding something. She would tell them all is good, nothing to hide. She just loves life and is so happy to be here. They would tease her but through it all she smiled.

She met a guy. She fell head over heels. Everything in her life was perfect. Until it wasn’t. He started to yell at her all the time. He started to abuse her. She tried to leave but he would convince her to stay. She would believe him when he said he would change. Slowly her smile started to fade.

She became pregnant. He didn’t change. She knew she had to leave him, not only for her but for the baby. She could remember how her biological parents treated her. She didn’t want her baby growing up the same. She moved back to her adopted parents, her real parents. Slowly her smile came back.

She read her bible and raised her little girl on her own. She knew who she was and why she was here. She taught her little girl about God. She was told she was loved and wanted. She told her about her dad and about her Father in Heaven. It wasn’t always easy but through it all, they smiled.

On her last day here she thanked God for everything in her life. The good and the bad. She thanked Him for giving her a thankful heart. For giving her a smile through everything attitude. For giving her life lessons to teach her daughter. For giving her parents that didn’t want her, and for giving her parents that did. For giving her a home to grow up in that taught her about Him. She thanked Him for helping her forgive, her parents and her ex- husband. She took her last few breaths and as she left this world she smiled.

Think of these songs as a soundtrack to the reading.

Alyssa Lies by Jason Michael Carroll –

When Love Takes You In by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Orphan by John Waller –

Everything To Me by Mark Schultz –

You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile by Sia –

Smile by Nat King Cole-

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat –

Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus –

That Don’t Sound Like You by Lee Brice –

I Smile by Kirk Franklin –

Like My Mother Does by Lauren Alaina –

There Will Be A Day by Jeremy Camp-

I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe –

I Was Thinking…

On April 5, 2016April 5, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, music3 Comments

I took last week off from posting because we were on vacation in Florida. We drove like we always do and that gave me time for thinking.

I was thinking I would try to do one new post last week and reblog some of my older ones but the wifi didn’t work that well. It was hit and miss for some reason and I didn’t want to spend hours waiting for it to work. Maybe that was God just telling me to relax and not worry about posting.

I was thinking I was going to run every day. I remember when I was younger I would wait until the middle of the day to run in the summer time. I liked running in the heat. I ran 3 the first day, 5 the second day then missed the next two days. Planned on running 10 miles but cut it short at 7. It was too hot and humid, 73 and 90% humidity average every day, at 7:30 in the morning. The old me would’ve toughed out the 10 but the wiser, older me said call it and live for another day. Being in the sun all day and that 7 mile run I think beat me so I missed one more day. Then I put mind over matter and did 5, 5, 3 three days in a row. Got used to the heat and humidity. Overall, I guess 6 out of 9 mornings wasn’t bad.

I was thinking on the drive back how much it costs taxpayers for states to put up mile marker signs every tenth of a mile. It used to be one every mile marker then they had to add one for every tenth, why? Sure, if you are broke down you can give a more exact location but I think they could find you if you said I am between mile marker 3 and 4.

I was thinking who would want to live in Atlanta? I’m sure it has a lot of positives but traffic is a nightmare. Yes, call me a fool for driving through instead of around. This is at 10 pm.

I was thinking I am getting too old to be driving straight through to Florida. 17-18 hours straight. My wife helps out some but by the time I get tired it’s one in the morning and I feel bad asking her to drive at that hour. I worry about drunk drivers and her falling asleep so I try to tough it out. Let me tell you what helps, Arbonne energy fizz. Two or three of them and I am awake. My wife is an Arbonne distributor if you want more info.

I was thinking at two in the morning I need to find a way to get all my thoughts and ideas down. I can’t talk into a recorder and wake every one else up. Anyone have ideas on something that can read your thoughts and put them down in writing?

I was thinking one of the best chorus I have heard is NF’s Mansion song.

Broken legs but I chase perfection
These walls are my blank expression
My mind is a home I’m trapped in
And it’s lonely inside this mansion

How many of us are chasing perfection, but have broken legs and will never get to perfection.

And then parts of two verses really speak to me :

Yo my mind is a house with walls covered in pain
See my problem is I don’t fix things
I just try to repaint, cover em up, like it never happen
Say I wish I could change. Are you confused?
Come upstairs and I’ll show you what I mean
This room’s full of regrets, just keeps getting fuller it seems
The moment I walk in to it is the same moment that I wanna leave
I get sick to my stomach every time I look at these things
But it’s hard to look past when this is the room where I sleep

So this part of my house, no one’s been in it for years
I built the safe room and I don’t let no one in there
Cause if I do, there’s a chance
That they might disappear and not come back
And I admit I am emotionally scared to let anyone inside
So I just leave my doors locked
You might get other doors to open up but this doors not
Cause I don’t want you to have the opportunity to hurt me
And I’ll be the only person that I can blame when you desert me
I’m barricaded inside
So stop watching
I’m not coming to the door
So stop knocking, stop knocking
I’m trapped here
God keep saying I’m not locked in
I chose this
I am lost in my own conscience
I know that shutting the world out ain’t solving the problem
But I didn’t build this house because I thought it would solve ’em
I built it because I thought that it would be safer in there
But it’s not, I’m not the only thing that’s living in here
Fear came to my house years ago I let ’em in
Maybe that’s the problem
Cause I’ve been dealing with this ever since
I thought that he would leave, but it’s obvious he never did
He must have picked the room and got comfortable and settled in
Now I’m in the position it’s either sit here and let him win
Or put him back outside where he came from, but I never can
Cause in order to do that I’d have to open the doors
Is that me or the fear talking?
I don’t know anymore

Yes I am partial to it because it reminds me of what’s in my head. Also looking forward to his new cd coming out, Therapy Session. Sounds like it will speak to me.

I was thinking how we are all like sand on the beach. Some of us get blown about by the wind and water, always trying to find where they belong and who they are. Find God, you will find who you are. Some of us are always getting in other people’s shorts, irritating and leaving some marks. Most of us are all in this together, there for everyone to enjoy and to spread the love of who God made us to be to everyone who we come in contact with.

I was thinking how great is God. The sunsets and sunrises. His forgiveness. His grace. The gifts He gives all of us to further His kingdom. How some of us are like Jonah and try to run away, others are like Peter and deny our savior to save ourselves. How some of us are like Judas and betray Jesus. How some of us are like Noah and just say yes God, whatever you want. The most amazing thing is how He loves us all the same and gives us all the same forgiveness.

I was thinking I could post a lot more if I didn’t put music to each one but then that’s part of why I started so…

Mansion by NF –

Did You Really Think by Wess Morgan –

Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Lee Brice –

Rest Stop by Matchbox Twenty –

Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It by Darius Rucker –

Dear God, Are You Hearing My Prayers?

On March 24, 2016March 24, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, prayer26 Comments

Dear God,

Are you hearing my prayers? I have been praying the same prayer for as long as I can remember but my prayer isn’t being answered. Is there another way I can reach you? Can I send an email, text, tweet, Facebook message, any other way? Can You at least send me a message received? Should I keep praying or should I move on to another prayer? Do You get tired of hearing the same prayer every day?

Am I asking for too much? Am I asking with little faith? I don’t think so. Is my heart sincere? I think so. You say ask and it will be given to me. I believe in You and believe You will answer my prayer request. I just want to make sure You are getting it. I know you probably get more prayer requests each day than there are grains of sand so I could understand if one or two get missed. I’m not saying you miss any or anything, just saying I understand if You did. How do you keep track of all of them anyway? Health requests go in one file, relationships in another, financials in another or are they grouped by person or country?

Back to my prayer, sorry I got sidetracked. I seem to do that when I pray also. Can you figure out what I am asking when I start then go elsewhere then come back to you ten minutes later right where I left off? Sorry but my mind is constantly going, thought in, thought out, start, stop, start, where was I? Oh yeah, as you know I have been praying for people I know to get their health back, to even get partial health back. I am sure to be 80% would be a lot better than where they are now. It seems like some of them are getting worse. Or they get better only to relapse. Some of them have a much stronger faith than I do and I know they are praying to get better also. It is okay to pray for themselves right? I know I pray for me. Fix my mind God. Are their prayers stuck in your inbox also? Have you checked your spam folder? I know there are many people out there that pray for bad things or things they shouldn’t be praying for so maybe they go straight to spam so you don’t have to even acknowledge them. Maybe some honest prayers get stuck there also.

I don’t know God. I am just throwing ideas out there why my prayers aren’t getting answered. How about just send me a sign that you received it and will get to it when you can get to it? I know maybe my prayer requests are probably far down on your list. Look at all the evil in the world. The people starving. The homeless. The lonely. The deathly sick. The enslaved. The persecuted. I pray for them also and honestly, I know answers to my prayers can wait so You can take care of all those worse off than me. Those with more urgent requests. Please take care of those first. I totally understand.

Just in case you have missed them here is what I pray for. I pray for my wife and daughters, God. I just pray that they walk with You in this life. I pray for my friends and family to get their health back and to trust in You. I pray for my church to follow You, the truth. I pray for my job to stay secure. I pray You heal my mind and help me resist temptation. I thank You for giving me another day to rely on You. As You know that is the super condensed, none rambling version. Whenever You can get to them. I will try to be patient while You take care of the ones that need Your help more than I do.

I have noticed as I get older my prayers have changed. Those things I prayed for in my youth, I am glad You didn’t answer a lot of those prayers. I could only imagine what kind of mess I would be in now if You had. I have learned to be a lot more patient than in my youth. I can only imagine where all the people I prayed bad things to happen to would be if You answered them. I am glad You ignored them. I am glad You handled those situations in Your way and not my way. Even if Your way was just to give them grace and mercy. I am glad You didn’t answer people’s prayers about me either, extending me that same grace and mercy.

I also just want to say thank you God for answering prayers I didn’t ask for. Giving me what I didn’t know I wanted or needed. I also want to thank you for answering my prayer to use me a few years ago. It was not the way I wanted You to use me but it has made me a stronger person. It also helped my wife be closer to You.

Thanks for taking the time to listen. More prayers coming your way. I will trust in You and wait for your answers, even if your answer is an unanswered prayer. You know what is best for me.

Healing by Blessid Union Of Souls –

Pray by Manafest –

Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks –

Pray For Me by Kirk Franklin –

If His People Prayed by Casting Crowns –

Somebody Said A Prayer by Billy Ray Cyrus –

Sinners Prayer by Deitrick Haddon –

Say A Prayer by Veridia –

Pray It Down by 7eventh Time Down –

Pray For Me by Sixx Am –

Pray About Everything by Luke Bryan –

Pray by Sanctus Real –

The Power Of Prayer by Matthew West –

One Prayer Away by Jonathan McReynolds –

A Mother’s Prayer by Rachel Aldous –

The Marriage Prayer by John Waller –

Let Us Pray by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Just Pray by Moriah Peters and Rhett Walker –

I Pray For You by John Rich –

I Only Know To Pray by Sherry Anne –

Pray For You by Blessid Union of Souls –

Expecting A Harvest

On March 16, 2016March 16, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, music3 Comments

I was looking at our garden to get an idea of what to plant where this year. I didn’t do so well last year. It was the first year I planted the seeds, my wife usually does. I either planted them too deep or we bought a bunch of bad seeds. I can’t imagine all the seeds we bought were bad so I would have to say the former.

The only thing that produced all summer was broccoli. By the end of summer we had a bunch of tomatoes and peppers come up. We finally had lettuce after I reseeded the area. Everything else was pretty much a dud. Unlike the year before when we had abundance and gave a lot away.

Strangely enough we had carrots pop up. I didn’t plant carrots. The wife planted carrot seeds the year before but we didn’t get any. Now two years later, they were here.

I have big plans this year for a big harvest. I ripped out the raised beds and will be tilling the area so wish me luck. I believe, I know, the wife will be planting the seeds. She obviously can do that a lot better than I can.

Isn’t our walk with Jesus a lot like a garden. He who made us gives us a choice to believe in Him or to not believe in Him. We can either plant a garden or not plant a garden. We all have seeds to plant.

If we choose to believe in Him and choose to plant a garden then we have to listen to His words, seeds, to help us grow. We have to believe in His plan for our lives during the rainy difficult seasons and the dry hot seasons. To produce good fruits you need rain and sunshine.

We have to tend to our faith and to our garden. We have to discern what is good in our lives and take care of the good. We have to get rid of the weeds. We have to prune. We have to read the Bible, follow His word. Take out what is bad in our life and cut out the things that get in the way of us moving forward.

I have to protect my garden. I have to keep the rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks out or they will eat it all. They will destroy our garden if not. I have to protect my life. I have to keep the devil and all his minions out. I have to not believe his lies, his tricks, and his schemes or they will destroy my life.

When the time is right to pick the ripe vegetables and fruit, we have to do it then to produce more. Just like when God gives us the opportunity to share our faith we should do it then. Not wait for the next time you see them or the next opportunity. I know I have failed in this area many times and then I never see the person again. I have to quit walking in fear and pick the produce when it is ready to be picked.

Seeds. I plant the seeds and wait for them to grow. Some come up quicker than others. Some are bountiful and others are not. Just like in life we plant seeds and wait to see the results. Some we can see right away, others take months and even years to ripen. Some we may never see ripen. They may not happen in our lifetime. But we, as Christians, have to keep planting the seeds and let God be the gardener. The seeds I plant can be the words I say, my actions, a smile, anything that would show Jesus in me.

I welcome the sun, I welcome the rain. I will look to God to bring a good harvest. I will plant the seeds the best I can and wait for God to bring the seeds to life. Both in my garden and in my words I share with you.