Summertime in hot climates is a challenge. Recently, I have accepted a new challenge in my life. I have been praying for a couple of years now about a specific prayer. About a month ago, God answered that prayer and led my family and I exactly to the spot where that prayer was answered. There was only one problem with that location…it had no air conditioning in one area of this location…and it is July at this point…and very hot.

Funny how God does this with me in my life. I kind of have to smile at this because every mission trip I have ever been on has been to an extremely hot climate zone in the heat of their summer season. Once again, I am finding myself with a major change in my life, going into another “mission trip,” even though it is only across town, in the highest heat season of my state in the middle of our summer.

My heart feels that God is speaking into my soul that when we are on a mission for God, He wants us to be on FIRE. He doesn’t want us to be cold or just mediocre. He wants us to just be full of passion and fire for His work, wherever it is. No matter if it is across the world or across town.

And…how does that affect my migraines?

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame” (Isaiah 58:11).

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers”

(Ephesians 1:16).

The other day I was speaking with a lady who was a dinner guest at my home. After dinner, she informed me that when we prayed, saying grace, before dinner, that was the first time that she had ever prayed in her lifetime. She wasn’t sure how to pray, why we were praying, or what happens when we pray.

It reminded me of many children and teens who do not grow up in a Christian household. They are amazed to discover what the act of prayer actually is. When we pray for someone, it provides the Holy Spirit access to those hearts.

Psalm 145 tells us that the Lord is faithful to His promises. God promises to answer prayer and work all things together for good in Romans 8:28. We can lift up others, by name, to God in prayer with confidence in faith that He will answer those prayers. It may not be the answer we expect, but it will be answered by a loving, living, just and eternally passionate God. There is power in prayer. There is power in praying for others.

As Aletha Hinthorn states, “Could it be that someday we’ll say, “But, Lord, if I had known You were going to answer all those prayers, I would have prayed more; I would have put more people on my prayer list”? By that time we will have said farewell to the “sweet hour of prayer.” How wonderful that we still have time to touch others with our love and prayer.”

Who is in your life today that you can lift up by name, to the Lord in prayer while you still have time? Who needs your prayers? Prayers are not your last resort, they are your first action to take for them. “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23).

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers”

 (1 Thessalonians 1:2).

I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “high maintenance.” Perhaps, you’ve even used it. This term is sometimes used when one is considering purchasing a home or a commercial building. This term is also used concerning people. I can recall a phone call that I had with a friend and this friend said to me, “I can’t date him. He’s just too high maintenance.”

In relationships and marriages, the Bible clearly states that we can’t be unequally yoked. This “high maintenance” topic can creep into marriages, also. For example, the wife may want to purchase an old historic Victorian Queene Anne style home that she can take on as a project with her husband in the marriage to restore and rebuild to it’s original beauty. The husband, however, may see that as “high maintenance” and require a new contemporary brick home that requires little, if any restoration beyond the normal maintaining requirements that come with a home.

Lets think about people. When you consider dating someone, do you look for people who are healthy and fit that can climb mountains and run marathons or lift weights? Do you require a person to be able to receive a preferred rating on their life insurance? This type of person is not going to be high maintenance, for now. Everything has it’s season.

Perhaps you are someone who feels that this type of thing doesn’t matter, however, and you are just looking for a good heart in someone and feel that someone that is that into their physical features is just not for you. Maybe you feel that someone who is a bit overweight and a little more “high maintenance” with some health issues is just fine, as long as they love you, and are of the same religious beliefs, and have the other qualities that you seek in a person.

Sometimes, I feel that we are too quick to state, “Oh…that’s too high maintenance,” or “She’s, too high maintenance,” about people and places,” and can sometimes miss a blessing and lesson from God.

 Last week I posted Isaiah 58. I’d like to show you some specific lines from that chapter, beginning in verse 10.

  “ If you take away the yoke from your midst,
      The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
       ¹⁰ If you extend your soul to the hungry
      And satisfy the afflicted soul,
      Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
      And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
       ¹¹ The LORD will guide you continually,
      And satisfy your soul in drought,
      And strengthen your bones;
      You shall be like a watered garden,
      And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
       ¹² Those from among you
      Shall build the old waste places;
      You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
      And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
      The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

We can learn from these verses, that if we if we extend our souls to those who may be high maintenance in body and soul…who are hungry and afflicted, then He will guide us continually. He will strengthen us. Then We shall build foundations of many generations, and through that, (by whatever means that means in  your life…I know this means a thousand different things to many different people…this means something specifically personal to me)…we can restore those high maintenance houses and streets to dwell in. Another meaning is….high maintenance marriages can be restored…homes can be restored…literally old houses can be restored.

Pray for God to guide you continually. Meditate on Isaiah 58.  We can’t be high maintenance when we are a child of the King. We are exactly how Christ means for us to be. Wherever Christ places us, and whatever task He sets before us, He will guide us continually and will give us the strength to accomplish it.

Today’s blog is from Isaiah 58:

  ⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
      And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
      When you see the naked, that you cover him,
      And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
       ⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
      Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
      And your righteousness shall go before you;
      The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
       ⁹ Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
      You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

      “ If you take away the yoke from your midst,
      The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
       ¹⁰ If you extend your soul to the hungry
      And satisfy the afflicted soul,
      Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
      And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
       ¹¹ The LORD will guide you continually,
      And satisfy your soul in drought,
      And strengthen your bones;
      You shall be like a watered garden,
      And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
       ¹² Those from among you
      Shall build the old waste places;
      You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
      And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,
      The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
       ¹³ “ If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
      From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
      And call the Sabbath a delight,
      The holy day of the LORD honorable,
      And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
      Nor finding your own pleasure,
      Nor speaking your own words,
       ¹⁴ Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD;
      And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
      And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
      The mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Many readers who follow many of my published articles which depict some of my life experiences with my mother, know that my relationship with her isn’t completely rosey. In fact, my relationship with her has been difficult and a very burden-filled situation for me in my life over the years growing up, and it still is, today. In fact, it is hard for me to even write about it. I think sometimes she makes it her weekly task to be negative towards me or to spout negative remarks. She hasn’t been one of my encouragers in my life, at all, and as a matter of fact, basically has no clue as to most of what goes on in my life, yet she chooses to make spiteful comments about choices that she thinks I have made. Sound familiar?

I have had many experiences with women, teenage girls and young girls, who have faced the same or similar difficulties with their mothers. I have grieved with them over their broken hearts, and have been able to honestly say to them, “Oh, honey, I know how you feel.” Sometimes it does take empathy to better be able to know how to pray for someone in specific painful situations.

However, before I go any further, let me ask you something. When you read the first paragraph, did you feel like raising your hand and yelling, “That’s me! I have the same relationship with a parent, also.” If so, then I have some news for you.

Yes, it is good to go to others for prayer support and for encouragement and help in bearing one anothers burdens. But, never forget that, just as Aletha Hinthorn said, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever so He weeps with us just as He wept with Mary and Martha. He shares instantly every burden we bear. He invites us to cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7).

Let me simply remind you of this scripture in Romans:

“The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me” (Romans 15:3).

We don’t have to bear our own burdens. We can give them over to God. The best part is that He actually invites us to. He hears everything that happens to us. He cares about every tear. He wants to take the burden upon Himself. Set yourself free from feeling the burdens and that pain yourself, if you are facing any turmoil  from emotional or verbal pain from a parent. Just give it over and let it go to God.

One very hot day a couple of weeks ago, we were driving through town and suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man walking down the street. I just caught a fleeting glimpse. I kept driving.

I drove onward, but God stirred my heart. I could feel God saying in my spirit, “Go back and get him.” I felt an urgency right then.

I immediately turned into a parking lot. Those who were in the vehicle with me, said, “Where are we going? Why are you turning around?”

I simply answered,”I have to go get someone on that street.”

They asked,”Who?”

“I’m not sure,” was my answer.

I turned around and drove down the street until I found the man who was indeed, still walking down the road. He was walking with a purpose toward a specific house and carrying a plastic bag. I pulled up beside him, not quite sure what I was suppossed to say, but I was trusting God with this one.

“Hi, do you need a ride or something?” I said this, knowing full well that he could be an unsafe person, but, as I said, I was trusting that God would not lead me somewhere that His will would not protect me.

The man looked at me and said, “No, I’m going here to my cousin’s house. I just walked to the store. I’m just kind of down, I’ve been looking for a job.” He then started telling me about his job problem and his day. He just needed to talk about the fact that he was having a really bad day.  In his bag was a Gatorade and an Oatmeal Creme Pie. I couldn’t help but to grin at that, for this guy was a very large fellow, indeed. As my Aunt Joanna would say, “Ewes not fat, ewes fluffy.”

Anyway….it just so happened that at that very moment, someone was at my home doing some job training with some independent business owners with an in home business that I am a large part of. So, I asked “Ben,” I know of a great idea for you, if you’ve ever considered owning your own business. He said that he had, many times. Before I knew it, he hopped in the vehicle, and was riding home with me.

Since then, Ben has become a good friend of the family. He is as much a part of our lives as we are of his. He mentioned to us that he used to go to church when he was growing up, but walked away from God, somewhat. He has the best light in his eyes. He kind of reminds me of Santa…with a twinkle in his eye, kind of thing, going on about him, if you know what I mean. Ben is street-wise and smart, and has a heart of gold.

So, “Ben” now has a job, and is moving forward with his life and now doesn’t feel so downtrodden. He has made many changes in his life in just the last few weeks. He has big plans to make many more. He has plans to start going back to church and has a hope for his future. He has hope, now, and faith. That’s what makes all the difference.

“Ben”…AKA Buford T. Justice, Go with God and build that thing! Never stop. You are loved.     CSY

Anna lived in another part of the country and I didn’t see her, at all, however, she kept coming into my mind. I was aware of Anna’s predicament through a friend. Anna had financial burdens and emotional burdens and was having problems keeping her head above water. She often times didn’t have enough money to make it through the month, and it was a regular cycle in her home to have electricity shut-off notices and to run out of food before the food stamp card was recharged and etc.

I received a call from Anna. I honestly do not remember the entire phone conversation, to tell you the truth of it. But she asked me for money to pay her electric bill and she was asking for twenty dollars for food. I explained to her that even if I sent it, it would take two or three days to get to her, at least. To make a long story, short. I invited her to ride a train and come visit me. She did so.

Once she got to my home, I wasn’t sure where to start. She wasn’t sure where to start, so we just started from the beginning with normal life. The first time she had dinner with my family, she seemed a bit confused. After the dinner, she said to me, that she was shocked at the prayer that we said before the mealtime. She told me that she had never prayed before and that she had not grown up in a home where they had even eaten a meal around a table together. They had always taken their food into the living room and watch t.v. while they ate. She said to me, “That is the first time I have prayed. I’m not sure who you prayed to.”

I explained to her who we prayed to and what prayer was and walked her through the truth of Jesus Christ and who He is and the power of God’s love. Over the few short weeks that she visited with me, I learned about her mental illnesses and how they affected her life and the roots of her pain. But, I still didn’t know how to help Anna.

I will be honest, that I was worried and wondering how to help her. I knew God had placed Anna in my life for a reason. But, in truth, there were many frustrationss. Trying to help someone with mental illnesses is difficult at times. Sometimes it is a new world every day. I kept praying for God to show me the direction that I needed to use to guide her to Him. I knew that Isaiah 58:11 tells us that God will guide us continually.  I kept reminding myself of that.

When things got their darkest, Anna decided to give her heart to Jesus and she got saved in my den. When she said the sinner’s prayer, I could feel the change in her, as her entire body relaxed. She talked openly to God and surrendered her life and spirit to God with full commitment. She understood completely and was ready for a new life.

A few days later, I had an “aha” moment. I realized that many of her issues with daily life were that she just “couldn’t” do many things she was trying to accomplish in the world. Through a series of phone calls and events and a very large door that God opened up just for her, Anna will be going into a residential living center on the 30th of June that she is very excited about and that will be perfect for her needs. As a matter of fact, this center had one opening that opened up fifteen minutes before I called them.

God is a great God. He was waiting for Anna. He had a plan for her life. He had a place for her. She just needed to make the decision to get there.

Please be praying for Anna as she walks down her path as a new Christian in her new home.

I will keep you posted, of course, on how things go with Anna. If any of you feel led to help Anna, she desperately needs a Bible, clothing items and cards or letters of encouragement. Please email me or my website staff for her size information and we will make sure it gets to her.

It’s funny how God works, isn’t it? As I have been praying about “Those of the Night Bell” and how God wanted me to live and move and serve and help them…I was thinking that I would first recognize them clearly as night bell people and then after recognizing them clearly as such, I would take action as I felt led by  God to do.

Well, God surprised me in this and taught me an important lesson. The lesson is, that sometimes those who most need our help, are those who are most unexpected and who, we might be tempted by the enemy to see as a “problem.”

In truth, people are not our problem, but our purpose. Those of the Nightbell, can be those who are suffering darkness on the inside, not just those who suffer an outward physical predicament.

 At first I thought I would just find them stranded at night.  I envisioned them homeless, or poor, or lost. Being lost has many different implications. There are many different ways of being homeless.  There are many different variations of being poor, as well.

God bless those of the Nightbell.  God is with you wherever you are.

As I blog about my progress that I experience with God’s guidance, I will be changing the names of those I encounter, to protect their privacy. 

Dad & Papa 

Born: February 22, 1942

Promoted into Heaven: June 24, 2004

I’M FREE

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call.

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found peace at the close of the day.

 If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh or kiss.

Ah, yes, these things I too, will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow;

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much-

Good friends, good times

A loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my times seemed all too brief.

Don’t lengthen it now, with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now, He set me free.

Farewell my loving wife and family.

We will meet again.

Written by Gary E. Yarber~

Dad, you are loved and missed so very much. I will see you soon.   Starr~

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ.”

2 Corinthians 2:14 

 My favorite words in this verse are “always,” “triumphal,” and of course, the phrase, “procession in Christ.” My calling and my craft of writing is nothing without Him. I am nothing special without God. I am called according to His purpose, not my own. There are times when I sit down to write, the overwhelming reality of that fact, that I AM, in fact, nothing but dust without God, makes it difficult for me to write what I feel I wish to accomplish. But then, I call on Him to help me.

I simply try.  I simply ask. I simply look up.

My friend, God loves to use our weak efforts. He will bond with us and bond His power, grace and mercy to us, and through Him, we can do all things.

I am not a writer because I think I’m a good writer. I didn’t start this blog site because I think I have all the answers. I’m writing and I’m blogging in this little corner of the world to give God an opportunity to lead me in triumphal procession.

CSY