"LORD, you have examined me and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions. Even before I speak, you already know what I will say. You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power. Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding."
Psalm 139:1-7, GNB
Most of us hate the feeling of being misunderstood. You mean one thing but somehow it either comes out wrong or the other person just simply gets the wrong end of the stick – it’s a horrible feeling. We end up wondering how do I reword this or make this better – how do I express what I really mean, what is really on my heart? Navigating this kind of things in relationships can be tricky, and if we aren’t careful we can be driven to keep people sweet by a fear of simply being taken wrong or being misunderstood.
One of the things I treasure most about the Lord is that He never fails to “get” me. Even if I can’t adequately articulate the struggles of my heart or put into the right words what is going on inside – He knows! He knows all about each one of us with such an intimacy and love that there are no doubts – there are no misunderstandings. Even without words or drama, He understands all that we are feeling, thinking, struggling with and trying to express. Coming into His presence doesn’t mean we have to have things clear in our minds and neatly articulated, wrapped up pretty with a ribbon to present to Him! We can simply come to the Lord and rest knowing we are safe because he knows us.
When reading this poem recently by George Matheson, I was struck especially by the last line: “This cross is too great” I cried “More than the back can bear, So rough and heavy and wide. And nobody near to care”. And One stooped softly and Touched my hand: “I know. I care. And I understand”.
Prayer: Lord Jesus thank You that You do understand me and that You “get” me. There is never any confusion in your thoughts of me, even when I’m not sure myself what I feel. Lord let the reality of Your acceptance go deep in my heart today and lay a strong foundation in me. Teach me Lord to rest in Your knowledge of me and give me a desire to know You more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today's Writer : Cath Taylor
Daily Smile:
Three absent minded writers were busy discussing a writing project on the platform, while waiting for the train. The announcement was made, and the train finally arrived. There was complete panic among eagerly waiting passengers as the train made its way to the platform. Passengers rushed inside the train, and the train left. However, one of the writers was not able to catch the train in the confusion.
A passerby who saw all this came up to the writer and told him not to worry and catch the next available train. The writer replied, “I am not worried for myself, but the real problem is that I was the one who was suppose to catch the train, and the two of them who went on the train, actually came to see me off”.
In The News:
Obama Administration Caves, Agrees to Let Girls of Any Age Access Morning-After Pill
The Obama administration announced Monday it would end age restrictions
on emergency contraception, allowing girls and women of all ages to
purchase the morning-after pill without a prescription, Fox News reports.
The Department of Justice notified U.S. District Judge Edward Korman it
will submit a plan for compliance with his recent ruling that allowed
unrestricted sales of Plan B One-Step. If he approves it, the department
will drop its appeal of his April ruling. According to the department's
letter to the judge, the Food and Drug Administration has told the
maker of the pills to submit a new drug application with proposed
labeling that would permit it to be sold "without a prescription and
without age or point-of-sale prescriptions." The FDA said that once it
receives the application it "intends to approve it promptly." Last week,
an appeals court dealt the government a setback by saying it would
immediately permit unrestricted sales of the two-pill version of the
emergency contraception until the appeal was decided. That order was met
with scorn from conservatives, who argue the drug's availability takes
away the rights of parents of girls who could get it without their
permission. Planned Parenthood and other advocates for abortion rights
said Monday the federal government's decision to comply with the judge's
ruling could be a move forward for "reproductive justice" if the FDA
acts quickly and puts emergency contraception over the counter without
restriction.
Air Force Removes Painting With Biblical Reference
The U.S. Air Force has removed an "inspirational" painting because it contained a Bible reference, WORLD reports.
The painting, which featured a medieval crusader behind an Air Force
pilot, was in the dining hall of Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
In bold letters was the word "INTEGRITY," and in smaller letters was a
biblical reference, Matthew 5:9, which reads, "Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." The Military
Religious Freedom Foundation said the painting was "repugnant" and an
"overt display of Christian nationalism."
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo introduced his long-promised Women's Equality Act in early June, a portion of which loosens New York's abortion laws and establishes abortion as a right. At a press conference announcing the bill, Cuomo faced a barrage of questions about the abortion section, the most controversial proposal in a bill that contains popular equal pay and anti-trafficking measures. The abortion rate in New York is one of the highest in the country, and in New York City, 41 percent of pregnancies end in abortion. New York currently offers legal protections to babies older than 24 weeks. Abortion, with an exception for the life of the mother, is a crime after 24 weeks under current state law. The bill released June 4 would legalize abortion at any point in a pregnancy for the sake of the life or health of the mother; health, in Supreme Court precedent on abortion, has been widely defined to include emotional health. Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos, who controls the Senate with a coalition of a few breakaway Democrats, has said previously that he would not allow the abortion measure to come to the floor. Cuomo said Tuesday he wants all 10 measures in the act passed, including the abortion measure, and he is counting on Republicans who support abortion to come to his side. The governor has a few weeks to defeat Republican objections: the legislative session comes to a close at the end of June.
Forced Marriage Immigrates to the U.S.
WORLD reports
that the Tahirih Justice Foundation identified 3,000 cases of forced
marriage in the U.S., mostly immigrants from Muslim countries, but also
victims from Hindu, Buddhist and Catholic backgrounds. Tahirih found
that non-profits and government agencies lack a clear definition of
forced marriage, which the organization distinguishes from arranged
marriage, where individuals can object to their partner. A forced
marriage occurs without willing consent, and most victims are women
under 18. Parents continue the practice to follow custom, settle debts
and create family alliances. If the girl actively refuses the marriage,
abuse soon follows. Many child brides never return to school after
marriage, often have children early, and their husbands control where
they can go and who they can visit. U.S. courts have granted asylum to
women fleeing forced marriages, and Internet searches reveal groups that
offer help, along with two U.S. government-sponsored websites with
material on forced marriage. Few private organizations have been
involved. The United Kingdom has a state bureau devoted to the issue and
multiple advocacy organizations; a United Kingdom advocacy group,
Against Forced Marriages, specifically addresses the connection between
Islam and forced marriage, using verses from the Quran and Hadith (a
book of Islamic practice).
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