Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News
Newspaper covering Franklin County, Illinois
By Rick Warren
”Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless; be good to me, as you have promised . . . I want to obey your commands; give me new life, for you are righteous” (Psalm 119:37, 40 GNT).
So if you’re going to commit to learning how to pray effectively, you’d better buckle up! Our hearts need a spiritual awakening. The church needs revival. Our nation needs God. Things happen when people start praying together.
I love Hillary Clinton.
I wanted her to be the Democratic presidential nominee when she ran unsuccessfully against then-Sen. Barack Obama in the 2008 primaries.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.
A Prayer for When You Feel Weary and Burdened
By Debbie McDaniel
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
For many of us, activity and busyness come naturally. We’re on the go, we’re in a hurry, it’s what we’re all about. We seem to be rewarded for how much we can accomplish, especially in short amounts of time. We live in a culture that praises movement, that places value on the busy. We tend to get impatient with those who are too slow about anything.
Nothing wrong being active or on the go. Except for this one thing.
We often never stop.
And it’s there – in the slowing down – that often can feel almost unnatural, in a society that moves too fast. Like we’re supposed to be doing something more but just haven’t figured it out yet.
We rub shoulders every day with people who are burdened, weary, or lonely. Sometimes we may notice, but many times we don’t. We’re just too busy or overwhelmed ourselves. And to be honest, many days, “we” are those people – the burdened, the weary, the lonely. Just needing someone to notice. To slow down. To take time.
We desperately need Christ every day, to bring joy and hope to our own lives and to those around us. Without Him, we will most certainly run dry. For we’re not meant to run on our own, our strength can’t carry us through every hard struggle and hardship we may encounter. But He promises rest and peace for our souls even in the midst of weariness and burdens.
Slowing down takes work. Stopping and just breathing deep – takes practice.
Maybe that’s why God says it so clearly, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psa 46:10
Breathing in His grace today. And remembering to take time to slow down…
Peace.
Dear God,
Thank you that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Thank you that you promise to give the worried, the hurried, the pressured, and stressed out – rest and peace for our souls – if we’ll just come before you. Thank you that you already know all that concerns us, and you care. We’re so grateful for your reminder that we don’t have to carry it all on our own. Forgive us for the times that we’ve tried to fix things in our own power, for not taking the time to rest, or coming to you first with our needs and burdens. Thank you for the refreshing that comes from your Spirit, filling us with joy, covering us with a shield, leading us forward with hope. Equip us to be those who take notice of others who seem weary and burdened too. Help us to slow down, to take the time, to point others to you.
In Jesus‘ Name,
Amen.
Voters in 30 states will elect attorneys general this year. But only eight states are considered battlegrounds for that crucial office. Illinois is one of them.
Here’s a link to the editorial at the Chicago Tribune.
A Prayer for When You Feel Weary and Burdened
By Debbie McDaniel
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
For many of us, activity and busyness come naturally. We’re on the go, we’re in a hurry, it’s what we’re all about. We seem to be rewarded for how much we can accomplish, especially in short amounts of time. We live in a culture that praises movement, that places value on the busy. We tend to get impatient with those who are too slow about anything.
Nothing wrong being active or on the go. Except for this one thing.
We often never stop.
And it’s there – in the slowing down – that often can feel almost unnatural, in a society that moves too fast. Like we’re supposed to be doing something more but just haven’t figured it out yet.
We rub shoulders every day with people who are burdened, weary, or lonely. Sometimes we may notice, but many times we don’t. We’re just too busy or overwhelmed ourselves. And to be honest, many days, “we” are those people – the burdened, the weary, the lonely. Just needing someone to notice. To slow down. To take time.
We desperately need Christ every day, to bring joy and hope to our own lives and to those around us. Without Him, we will most certainly run dry. For we’re not meant to run on our own, our strength can’t carry us through every hard struggle and hardship we may encounter. But He promises rest and peace for our souls even in the midst of weariness and burdens.
Slowing down takes work. Stopping and just breathing deep – takes practice.
Maybe that’s why God says it so clearly, “Be still and know that I am God.” Psa 46:10
Breathing in His grace today. And remembering to take time to slow down…
Peace.
Dear God,
Thank you that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Thank you that you promise to give the worried, the hurried, the pressured, and stressed out – rest and peace for our souls – if we’ll just come before you. Thank you that you already know all that concerns us, and you care. We’re so grateful for your reminder that we don’t have to carry it all on our own. Forgive us for the times that we’ve tried to fix things in our own power, for not taking the time to rest, or coming to you first with our needs and burdens. Thank you for the refreshing that comes from your Spirit, filling us with joy, covering us with a shield, leading us forward with hope. Equip us to be those who take notice of others who seem weary and burdened too. Help us to slow down, to take the time, to point others to you.
In Jesus‘ Name,
Amen.
By Rick Warren
”Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT).
What a deal!
In fact, it’s the best news in the world. Heaven is a perfect place. You’re not getting there with all your badness. You’re only getting there with all of God’s goodness, but it’s already been paid for and it’s free—it’s a gift God offers you. Why? Because God is a good God. It’s the best deal you’re ever going to get!
Romans 4:25 says that Jesus “died for our sins and rose again to make us right with God, filling us with God’s goodness” (TLB).
So what does that have to do with prayer? It has everything to do with prayer. If you don’t understand this, you’ll never understand prayer.
What God did for you at the cross makes prayer possible.
The Bible says, “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT).
Do you see the logic of this verse? When Jesus Christ died for you on the cross, he solved your biggest problem. So any other problem you have in your life is small potatoes! If Jesus Christ, because of his goodness, died for you, don’t you think he loves you enough to help you with your bills and your health and your relationships? There is nothing you can’t bring to God in prayer.
If Jesus loved you enough to die for you, he loves you enough to answer your prayer
I distinctly remember the look on my husband’s face when I told him how I celebrated Halloween growing up. I was the kid who went to the “fall festival” at my church and my only options for costumes were women in the Bible.
Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.
Buried beneath the election chatter this week was a wonky labor ruling in a Springfield appellate court. But the issue at hand could wind up being more costly than almost anything else Illinoisans hear discussed on debate stages.
Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.
By Rick Warren
”[Jesus] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT).
But because God is always good and never bad, God will never reject you, even when you sin against him and disobey and hurt him. You can come back! He will receive you, not reject you, when you humbly confess to him.
The Bible says, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close . . . My enemies are waiting for me . . . Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:10-11, 13 NLT). You may have messed up and made a huge mistake. God is the God of second chances. Why? Because he is a good and gracious Father.
Now, because God is always good and gracious, when we pray, we can be always bold and confident. We don’t have to come slinking in to God with our tail between our legs. We can just come and say, “God, you know I blew it—that’s who I am. But you are a good Father—that’s who you are. And it’s who you are that matters.”
“[Jesus] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT).
A Prayer to Love When It’s Inconvenient
By Karen Ehman
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.” Philippians 4:5 (NLT)
Recently as I waited in line at a coffee house, a frail, elderly woman stood in front of me ordering a meal. She seemed distressed as she fumbled for her change, paid the worker, and then gathered up her bag of food and her drink. As she headed for the door, her large purse began swinging off of her shoulder, nearly knocking her, and all of her lunch, to the floor.
“Oh … how am I going to do this? Oh my … oh dear … I can’t …” she mumbled to herself, trying to shift her weight and her cargo, while pushing open the door at the same time. Though I’d just finally reached the front of the line, God used today’s key verse to tap me on the heart and shift my momentary schedule.
“Here, let me get that for you,” I uttered as I held the door open and steadied her drink. “Would you like me to carry your food to your car?” She stopped in her tracks, her bright blue eyes looking up at me with gratefulness. “Oh dear … you must have a grandmother living that you’re so kind to an old woman.”
“No ma’am, I don’t,” I answered. “I just love Jesus and He wants me to help you.”
Her face softened. She shook her head and decidedly declared: “Of course! You people have always been so helpful to me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” You people. I’m pretty sure she meant, “You Christians.”
It reminded me of the age-old truth: More is caught than taught. And it demonstrated to me that people are watching. What do they see? Do they see us being considerate in all we do? Sadly, I have been told the following:
· By a waitress: “Christians are the worst tippers, especially after a Sunday supper out. Sometimes they leave no money at all.”
· By a sweet, misguided teenager from a tumultuous home, looking for love with her heart and announcing it with her body: “I tried going to church once. There was a sign on the front door that said, ‘All are welcome, but please dress appropriately.’ I didn’t know what appropriately meant, but I knew it wasn’t me. So I turned around and left.”
I know followers of Jesus — and I count myself in particular — don’t always portray to others the considerate and loving ways of Christ, as urged in today’s key verse. But we can do better. We need to remember that people are watching our behavior. If all they see are uncaring or condemning Christians, why, oh why, would they want to become one?
Father, forgive me for the times I choose condemnation over love, rudeness over kindness, or desire to do nothing rather than do the right thing. Please prompt my heart and interrupt my momentary schedule so my actions may reflect who You are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
