Therefore, Do Not Worry

Hi Friends~

A post will be shared on Tuesday now that our computer router is working.  I will announce the winner of last week's He IS Able blog's Card Set Give-Away.  Please remember to leave a comment before Midnight on Wednesday to be eligible for this Thursday's announcement of a new winner!

 And, a quick reminder that there will be a BIG HE IS ABLE GIVE AWAY very soon...and you never know when the details will be announced.  I'm talking stamp sets, papers, embellishments...you name it!

"So we may boldly say:  The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?"  (Hebrews 13:6)

I would ask everyone to please pray for everyone to have His protection and safety from Hurricane Sandy.  May His arms reach around those who are frightened and comfort them.  May there be no homes lost, or worst of all...may people not lose their faith in the storm.  This is a time to gather in person (if safe to travel), on the net, by phone, skype, however you can to read Scripture and pray together.  He hears every prayer, and sometimes He answers them the way we want, and sometimes He has a different plan for us, but He always hears, because He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  If you have a prayer need, or are in the path of any storm in life...please leave a comment and our Prayer Team will pray for you.  Please read comments and lift up others to the Lord.  You don't have to leave your real name.

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For after all these things the Gentiles seek, For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, an all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33)


I will be praying for you.  May God bless you!

He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather

The Power of Prayer and a Surprise Announcement

Hi Friends~


I hope you are all well and seeing God's glory all around you.  I think that is one of the special blessings He has given us. We can look at a flower and see that it is the work of His hands. That the smell of the flower was created in just a special way to represent this one type of flower. I am feeling overwhelmed with all of the beauty He has created,  I can't even imagine what Eden must have been like...can you?


Thank you for leaving such warm comments these past few weeks.  I am feeling relieved from my cold.  I am humbled how you took your personal time to remind me (and others) that we do not grieve like others. That my dear Father-in-Law is in a much  more magnificent place with the One we praise. You told me again and again, which I needed to hear again and again, that my son would be safe and healthy and living an adventure at his Air Force base in England.  (His 23rd birthday was yesterday.) That you told me to hang in there. You are such great friends.  Thank you for being in my life through this blog and emails in some cases.

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Today I have a beautiful piece to share from the book Quiet Moments in the Presence of God which is published by Bethany House.  This is taken exactly from this wonderful book:

Prayer Power

 

 

"The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous."  (Proverbs 15:29)

 

 

Prayer changes things.  Prayer has power.  When John Knox got on his knees to pray, the queen feared his prayers more than she did all the armies of Scotland.  When John Wesley prayed, life-changing renewal came to England.  When Jonathan Edwards said his fervent prayers, a great revival spread through-out the American colonies.  Over and over, history records the power of prayer.

 

 

Your prayers have power.  God works through praying people.  He makes His way known to those who submit themselves prayerfully to Him.  He accomplished His purposes through those who offer their urgent and sincere prayers to Him.  God sends your prayers out with power to affect, change, and bless.

 

 

"Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed.  The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect." 

(James 5:16)

 

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I would like to once again invite you to join our Prayer Team.  I feel so blessed to be a part of something bigger than myself.  Praying for others needs and requests, praying that the government will bend to God's will, praying for others that live where they could be imprisoned or killed for praying or having a Bible.  All that we ask is that you tell us how much time you would be willing to pray for people per week or day.  It could be 10 minutes.  And, we will match you up with a prayer need or needs to fit your time. Just leave a comment or email Traci and I or Joan, our Prayer Team Leader, will send you some info to consider.

 

 

Also, on the top of the right hand column there is a place where you can subscribe to the blog.  All you need to do is put your email in the place provided, and whenever I write a blog post, you will receive an email about it. That way you don't miss out no matter what day it is posted.  Just so you know, I do not ever see the email this way either. And, you won't want to miss out on any posts because a SPECIAL HE IS ABLE GIVE-AWAY is coming on an unannounced day!

 

 

One last thing to share with you...Thanksgiving is a holiday here in the United States.  It is celebrated during November, and has many reasons for different people.  Gladly we can give thanks any day, several times a day, even!  But, I would like to ask everyone, from every country that visits this blog...to leave 1 thing that they are thankful for- for each day in November.  Let's really praise the Lord!  Let's think of every thing in our life for which we are thankful.  This will start on November 1st!  Please join us! 

 

 

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather

Three Winners and Lessons Learned by You

Hi Friends~


It's odd that they call Florida the "Sunshine State."  It has been pouring here every day!  That means no computer. Whenever it rains here, it means we have lightning.  And, when we have lightning, our computers go "BOOM!" if they are on!  Fortunately, I have chose the perfect time to be ill...I don't want to have a cold when it is perfect weather, and I could be searching all of the awesome websites!  I'm starting to get better.  It was some congestion in my chest.  Scary!  But, I can breathe without pain...and life is getting more back to usual for myself and Dave.


We have skyped with Joshua a couple of times.  It is a life-saver.  Getting to see that he is well...still himself...healthy...laughing...means everything!  I miss him so much!  I am working on making him a Scripture book for Christmas.  He told me that the Chaplain during Basic Military Training showed Josh the Psalms and Proverbs, and told him that they are part of his heritage.  He told me he found courage and strength in the Psalms and Proverbs...so a little decorated, masculine book will be one of his gifts for Christmas/Chanukah.


I keep reading your comments.  They are so uplifting and comforting, and I thank you with all of my heart for your reminding me of God's place in my life.  And, what I should be doing while grieving.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

                ________________________

 

Winners of the He IS Able Blogs Card Sets of the Week!

(By the way, "Winners" means more than one!)

 

Please email me (on the right side of the blog) before next Wednesday at midnight and let me know if you would like to receive your 2 beautiful cards.  If I don't receive that email, the cards will be put back in the He IS Able card stash!  To be entered into the next drawing please leave a comment about anything:  a prayer request, a request for something to write about, what you do to have time alone with the Lord, how you serve the Lord...anything!  Just have it in by Midnight on Wednesday, Eastern time.

 

 

Congratulations:

 

Leanne:  "Traci, My sincerest condolences to you and your family for your DFL.  I pray that your son will remain safe and the good Lord will continue to bless you all.  Hugs."

 

 

Grace:  "Dear Traci...I'm sorry for your loss...but so thankful that he knew and loved the Savior and is now basking in His glory...celebrating and singing like he's never sung before!  You will miss him, but as Christians...we don't grieve as those who have no hope!  May God comfort you and Dave, and I'll be praying for you all as you travel...and as you come back to send off Josh!  So much to deal with in such a short time...praying for your health as well...I know this will tax you to your limits, but may He give you the strength you need!! hugs, Grace"

 

 

Jan Marie:  Oh Traci, Lifting you in prayer that the Lord would continue to bring comfort to  you through His promises...all of which are yes and amen! in the Lord Jesus Christ!  Praying that you feel the closeness of His Spirit as He ministers through His Word and by His people!  Thinking of you during this difficult time as you mourn the loss of one so dear, all while celebrating, knowing that he has is now home!!  Hugs!

 

  

Yes, you have been randomly chosen to receive 2 cards.  Please send your complete address, even if you think I have it, and please keep in mind that I can only mail them to US addresses.  I just can't afford overseas rates.  I am looking for someone (still) who would be willing to serve the Lord, by making a digital card that we could share with people that are randomly chosen that live out of the United States. If you have this special talent and can help out, PLEASE contact me.  This is something that I have felt led to add to the blog for over a year. 

 

 

God Bless each of you!  Have a wonderful week!  Do a random act of kindness to someone!

 

He IS Able!

Traci Starkweather 

In Times of Comfort

My Dear Friends~

I thank you for hanging in here, when I was away, when I came home and asked "why?", and you left comforting messages for us while we went through the motions...and Kleenex. Thank you so much for sharing so much love--your love and His love in your comments. And, thank you for continuing to visit the blog to see if it was started again.

I wanted to share some beautiful reminders that I received from a gift I was given years ago. It is called Precious Bible Promises. If you are going through times of loneliness, sadness or grieving, I would love for you to read the following Scriptures to lighten your days:

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

"Casting all your care upon Him. for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

"And those who know Your name will put their trust in You: for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm 9:9-10)

"Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

The Scripture that helped me the most when dealing with my dear Father-in-Law's passing is this:

"And, God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

That Scripture especially brought peace to my heart--though my eyes still cry for the times we will miss in the future. I know I will see him again one day...I pray that my Atheist husband will know the Lord and Savior soon, too. But, to know that my Father-in-Law is not in pain, not sad, not missing his wife. Instead he is with the Lord, and his wife, and so many others who have passed before him. Praise the Lord!

I am feeling depressed, even though I know the Truth is in those Scriptures. I know that our Lord, Christ Jesus is faithful and loves us. I am really missing my son. He is stationed at an Air Force Base in England for another 100 weeks. We are texting. But, I just miss him so. His birthday is in two weeks, and we usually celebrate both of ours together with a family dinner out.. It will be odd not celebrating this year. I am glad Josh is in a safe area. I just feel like it is two (different types) of loss in our lives within a week. Trying to write this blog post today is my first step into putting some norm back in my life.

I will announce 2 winners of the He IS Able Blog's Card Set Give Away! They will each receive 1-5 cards. The number will be randomly drawn....just like the people's names! It will be announced on Thursday. You can win next week...just leave any type of comment or prayer request in the comment section or email me...do this before Midnight on Wednesday of next week. That will make you eligible for NEXT week's drawing! If your name is chosen, please email me your mailing address, within a week, and I will get your cards out to you!

By the way, I don't make all of these cards. Most of them have been made by people who want to serve the Lord in this way. If you can put a Scripture on the front of the card, and leave the inside of your A2 (only)card/envelope, it will be perfect for our recipients to share with their friends. It is a way to easily share His Word, His Love and His Gift of Free Salvation with others. I am always praying for more cards. If you don't put a Scripture on the outside of the card, I will put one on the back, or on an empty spot inside. But, we want to leave room for people to share the card, and be able to write in it. Just email me, and I will send you may address if you would like to share some cards. Please think of serving in this way.

Thank you again, My Dear Friends, for helping my heart to heal. May God bless each of you with such loving people in your life.

He IS Able!
Traci Starkweather