Cloud by Day
"The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on
your right hand..." Psalm 121:5
It's over 100 degrees here in Texas, and the nightly news
reports of heat waves across the country. Some would say it's global warming,
but I remember 1980 when there were 42
consecutive days over the century mark. Those times are seared in my
memory, and probably my body -
I was 6 months pregnant with my first
child.
This is also the time of year when I found myself (still
find myself) in "dire" need of funds and prayers. I have my prayerful
pleas noted in the margins of the Psalms (where my Daily Reading schedules me).
Today is no different,
still, but ...
"Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful
shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall
indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
Psalm 126:5-6
The Psalms of the Ascents were prayed as pilgrims made
their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the prescribed Feasts of the Lord. They
united the people with their past and brought to remembrance the faithfulness
of their God. They prayed about repentance (120), providence (121), worship
(122), service (123) and help (124). There were songs of security (125), joy
(126), work (127), happiness (128), perseverance (129) and hope (130). All
aspects of living, spiritual life and
struggles were addressed; from humility (131), obedience (132), community
(133), to blessing (134). God's people remembered, and they prayed.
It's good to remember.
It's good to unite with you in prayer!
For the past 90 days, I have been working in partnership
with Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas and the Veterans Resource Center to
bring to light efforts in Washington D.C. to privatize veterans' medical
treatment*. I've spoken with Generals
and Congressional representatives, Union officials and the leadership of
Veterans Service Organizations across the country. In most meetings I have been
the only civilian AND the only female.
"Had it not been the Lord who was on our side, when
men rose up against us. Then they would have swallowed us alive..." Psalm
124:2-3
Most days I have felt like the little kid who showed up
with the bread and the cheese (1 Samuel 17:17-20), astonished by what happens
behind the political curtains. I have kept the faith, and fought the good
fight.
The battle is not over, but this warrior is weary.
Finances are critically depleted. After twenty years in
full-time ministry, asking for support has not gotten any easier. But I'm
asking. It takes an ARMY to accomplish the work the King has placed before us.
We've been fighting on behalf of our nation's heroic men and women through our
military initiative Battle-Buddy Info. We've had over 150,000 hits to our
resource directory website, and tomorrow, I will be meeting with the most
powerful individual in Veterans' Administration.
HELP!
PRAY!
Visit the website and pledge your support for the battle!
All amounts matter and make a difference. www.sunshineafterrain.org
Smiling still in His service
Serving those who served,
Charlynn
*For more on the efforts of the Commission on Care to
privatize veterans' healthcare visit www.facebook.com/TexasVetsCare
or request information from battle-buddy@sbcglobal.net
