The Stretch

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray continually. (NIV)

Remember, before cordless phones, how those old, curly phone cords could be stretched and stretched and stretched? In fact, I recall that when my kids were small, the four-foot phone cord in the kitchen eventually stretched to more than three times that length due to the fact that I was always stretching it to its limit. A friend would call, and during our conversation, that curly cord would stretch over to the sink as I washed dishes. It would follow me to the washer and dryer on laundry day, to the back door to let the dogs in or out, and over to the living room door to check on the kids in the play area.

All this stretching occurred because communication between stay-at-home moms was invaluable. Sorrows as well as joys were shared. Problems were discussed and worked through. Decisions were made. Friendships were forged, and relationships were strengthened, all because that old, curly phone cord had the ability to stretch and stretch and stretch.

Learning to pray continually is also a stretch. And yet, the forging of this discipline is invaluable when it comes to the results that continual prayer offers. When we stretch ourselves to include God in everything we think and say and do, sorrows are more easily borne; joy is multiplied; decisions are wiser and less stressful; problems are seen from new perspectives; and our relationship with Jesus Christ is strengthened as we discover that He is the best and greatest friend we will ever have the privilege of knowing.

Prayer: Father God, we thank You for the privilege of prayer: being able to speak with You at any time, under any circumstance, in any place. Bless us daily through the prompting of Your Holy Spirit to stretch our times of communication with You, more and more, until it becomes natural to pray continually.

In Christ's name, we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps

Heavenly Sunshine

Walking in sunlight all of my journey
Over the mountains, through the deep vale;
Jesus has said, “I’ll never forsake thee,”
Promise divine that never can fail.

   Refrain:
     Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight,
     Flooding my soul with glory divine;
     Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
     Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,
Never conceal my Savior and Guide;
He is the light, in Him is no darkness;
Ever I’m walking close to His side.

   Refrain:
     Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight,
     Flooding my soul with glory divine;
     Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
     Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,
Pressing my way to mansions above;
Singing His praises, gladly I’m walking,
Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love.

   Refrain:
     Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight,
     Flooding my soul with glory divine;
     Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
     Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

5-Year-Old Rebuked for Praying at School, Parents Call 'Religious Discrimination'

Carrie Dedrick | Editor, ChristianHeadlines.com

A 5-year-old girl in Florida was rebuked by a lunchroom worker for praying in her elementary school cafeteria before her meal reports Charisma News. The incident occurred last month; now Marcos Perez, the father’s child has hired lawyers to demand that the school stop “engaging in such religious discrimination” as stated in a letter to the school.

The letter from the Liberty Institute Lawyers explains that the child bowed her head in prayer, but was told by a lunchroom supervisor to stop.

The girl said, “But it’s good to pray,” to which the supervisor responded, “It is not good.” When the girl tried again to bow her head and pray silently, she was stopped again.

The Liberty Institute argue that the Carillon Elementary School is violating state and federal law. “...we expect the school district to apologize to the Perezez and the community as well as take steps to ensure this does not happen again,” the letter states.

Since the exchange in the cafeteria, the Perez family has started homeschooling. Perez said, “...we have exercised our option as parents to teach our daughter at home. We live in a very good school district, but we cannot, in good conscience, send our daughter to a school where her religious liberty has been compromised.”

Have A Blessed Day,

Richard