Where Does the Time Go?

Seems like yesterday that I got a call from Elizabeth to tell be that the baby she was carrying was a girl. "You got your girl!" were the words I distinctly remember hearing. What a day that was. Anna was born on Mother's Day after a long night of unproductive labor. She was stubborn even before she was born!

Anna turned 15 a few days ago. She wanted to take her driving permit test. Anna has only driven once...in my old beater truck on my hunting land a couple of years ago. Well, I had to go to the DMV to renew my drivers licence last month. I asked for the book so she could begin to study it. The lady behind the counter informed me that they were out. I took that as a sign from God & told Anna as much. A few days later she had the book from a young man in our church who took his earlier in the year.

Well, she passed it...amazing! I let her drive my current - not a beater - truck home from the church. She did well in light of her nearly complete lack of experience.

I'm still trying to figure out where the time went. She & I were headed to the church yesterday & I came out to see her in the driver's seat with the engine running. She gave me a 'deal with it Dad' look & I prayerfully climbed into the passenger seat.

The way the 'Speed of Life' is going for me, Emma will be driving soon!

I was asked to read the theme scripture & offer the opening prayer for the NDP event on the steps of Macon's City Hall today. Below is the text of my prayer:

Psalm 91:1-2
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
Father God,
We come boldly before your throne of grace seeking help in our time of need. We’re in trouble Father & we finally know it. We’ve gathered today as your sons & daughters by your grace though faith in your Son Jesus Christ. The scripture for this National Day of Prayer is Psalm 91:2 where David said, “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’”
A Refuge & a fortress are places of Rest, Relief & Protection. We – your people – have no concept of You as our Refuge & Fortress. We have the government for that, we have 401ks, IRA’s, & fat bank accounts for that. We would never say it with our lips but our lives loudly declare, “Who is the Lord that I should need Him?”
Help us Father! We come to City Hall today the way we should come every day – not with hands out but with hands up. Not looking to GET something but coming to GIVE something. Not looking for HELP but rather GIVING HOPE.
David also made his statement personal – He called you MY GOD, MY Fortress, My Refuge. That’s what our country so desperately needs today – Citizens who’s first allegiance is to your Kingdom & your will & your righteousness. A nation who’s God is unashamedly – Jehovah.
David also concludes his bold declaration by stating that His trust will be in you. The prophet Isaiah echoed that in 31:1 when he said, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD!”
That’s exactly what we’ve done and are continuing to do as the church – your called out ones. We’re looking to Egypt for help instead of Heaven. We’re looking to capital hill for answers that can only be found in Calvary’s Hill.
We’re trusting in our Military might to execute the Bin Ladens of our would & keep us safe while the real terrorist of the World, the Flesh & the Devil laugh in victory. There is only one execution that holds the answer & it happened at Calvary’s hill not Capital hill.
We are an unfaithful people who are so prone to wander from the God we love. So today we gather to seek true repentance – a changing of the way we think & act. The hope for America is standing here today but we must turn from our Idolatry & truly trust in you again as our forefathers once did at the miraculous founding of this great nation. Change our hearts that we may declare with some level of integrity, “We will say of Jehovah, ‘He is our refuge & our fortress; Our God, in Him & Him alone we will trust.” Help us Father in Jesus Name