Puritans like John Bunyan, Thomas Watson, Richard Baxter, and Isaac Watts knew their hearts, their Bibles, and their God much better than we do. Many of them wrote down their prayers not to be published, but to assess their own spiritual growth and to encourage themselves in times of spiritual dryness. These prayers reveal a personal, humble, passionate relationship with an awesome God, a living Savior, and an active Spirit. Reading their meditations inspires us to pursue the same level of reality as we worship God.
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, the the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess everything, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive. Let me find thy light in my darkness thy joy in my sorrow, thy grace in my sin, thy riches in my poverty, thy glory in my valley, thy life in my death
We arrived in Florence with no problems-trudged through an open market place with our heavy luggage to find our hotel (Hotel Europa). It is a great place and a great location. We were off to discover Florence. We found the Duomo and Basilica and were amazed at the size and beauty (a lot of construction going on though). We went across the street to a museum and saw Michelangelo's Pieta- it is a statue of Nicodemus holding Jesus with Mary Magdalene and Mary. Awesome!! Next we were off to the street markets to find some good deals on leather jackets, gloves, purses and bags. They were everywhere! I purchased 2 pair of gloves for L52.000 which equals $40.00. Great deal. We grabbed dinner at a pizzeria- had pasta- bad waiter and off to explore more of Florence. We found delicious gelato and roamed the nicer streets of Florence. Then it was off to Hotel Europa to catch some zzzzzz's.
Without the blessing of the Lord, your best endeavours will do no good. He
has the hearts of all men in His hands, and except He touch the hearts of
your children by His Spirit, you will weary yourself to no purpose. Water,
therefore, the seed you sow on their minds with unceasing prayer. The Lord
is far more willing to hear than we to pray; far more ready to give blessings than we to ask them ; — but He loves to be entreated for them. And I set this matter of prayer before you, as the top-stone and seal of all you do. I suspect the child of many prayers is seldom cast away.
Look upon your children as Jacob did on his; he tells Esau they are "the children which God hath graciously given thy servant" (Gen. 33:5). Look on them as Joseph did on his; he told his father, "They are the sons whom God hath given me" (Gen. 48:9). Count them with the Psalmist to be "an heritage and reward from the Lord" (Ps. 127:3). And then ask the Lord, with a holy boldness, to be gracious and merciful to His own gifts. Mark how Abraham intercedes for Ishmael, because he loved him, "Oh that Ishmael might live before thee" (Gen. 17:18). See how Manoah speaks to the angel about Samson, "How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?" (Judg. 13:12). Observe how tenderly Job cared for his children’s souls, "He offered
burnt-offerings according to the number of them all, for he said, It may be
my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually" (Job 1:5). Parents, if you love your children, go and do likewise. You cannot name their names before the mercy-seat too often.
As I look at our six years of life in China, (yes, almost 6 years!!) many memories of joy and delight come flooding into my mind. However, some memories of regret and discouragement come as well.
One of the most discouraging series of events took place in the summer of 2003 when a 19 month old boy named Wu Xiao came to see me at the clinic. Wu Xiao had bright eyes and was as sharp as could be. (see photo) His language was quite precocious in two dialects. His Mandarin was better than mine.
But Wu Xiao could not walk. Birth injury had left him with severe cerebral palsy primarily affecting his legs. A CT scan of his head clearly demonstrated where an area of his brain had essentially dissolved after his birth trauma.
We started Wu Xiao in the physical rehabilitation program at Project Grace, and his progress was remarkable. Within a week, he was able to stand by bracing himself with his arms.
Then something happened. Wu Xiao’s family took him out of rehab and had him admitted to a local hospital. There, local doctors claimed they could heal Wu Xiao by injecting fetal stem cells into the injured area of his brain. Instead of healing, Wu Xiao developed encephalitis, a severe infection of his brain. After several weeks in the hospital, he and his family just disappeared.
For almost four years, I thought he was dead . . . until this past week. There he was, sitting in the exam room with his dad. I could hardly contain myself! His language is now a bit slurred, his eyes are crossed, and he has an ugly scar across his temple. He still cannot walk. But he is alive; a precious little boy and the apple of his father’s eye.
Wu Xia is now back in rehab learning to stand. I am so thankful for a second chance to help this boy.
It would be easy to chastise Wu Xiao’s family for the damage and delay this boy has suffered. But how often do I do the same thing? The Great Physician has clearly prescribed what is best for me. Yet in unbelief or impatience, I walk away. And just like Wu Xiao, I bear the scars, the consequences of my disobedience. I too am grateful for the mercy, grace, and patience of the Master Healer.
Please remember Wu Xiao and his family. May they come to know the Great Physician who can bring true healing.
From the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is scheduled to appear tonight on CNN's Larry King Live. Mohler will discuss the alleged discovery of the "tomb" of Jesus and his family by archaeologists and genetic scientists. A documentary "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," which is said to present the evidence, is scheduled to air next week on the Discovery Channel. Scheduled to appear with Mohler are James Cameron, executive producer of the documentary; Simcha Jacobovici, the director; and James Tabor, chair of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Larry King Live airs at 9:00 Eastern Time on CNN. The segment on the "Lost Tomb of Jesus" is scheduled to air tonight following an interview with First Lady Laura Bush.
Hello Family and Friends,
We wanted to let all of you know about the good news we have received regarding Joshua’s most recent tests – everything is clear and there doesn't seem to be any return of the cancer!
We know that so many of you have continued to pray for Josh and we are so thankful that God has healed his body. He is back to his old self, including a new head of hair! He has gone through such a growth spurt that we can hardly keep up with clothing and shoes for him.
We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthday celebration for Josh. He turned 13 on December 27th. Several of his buddies even waited to celebrate their birthdays so that they could all do it together when Josh was finished with treatment.
We don’t have to return to the hospital until the end of May, at which time they will repeat all of the tests again. I will be sure to let everyone know those results.
With much love,
Mike and Stacey
