All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother (Abraham Lincoln).

Abraham Lincoln lost his mother at age nine. One year later, his father Thomas Lincoln, remarried Sarah Bush Johnston. It was a marriage of convenience–both Sarah and Thomas needed a mate. Thomas needed help in raising his young family, Sarah had debt and Thomas paid her debts and with her three children, they raised a family together.

Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln

I learned a lot about Sarah, Lincoln’s stepmother in a little known book, Mothers of Famous Men, published by Lamplighter Press. When she entered the rough cabin that was to be her new home, she declared that all the children would be treated equally. Her new home was a challenge. Dirt floors, little furniture. Abraham and his cousin slept in the attic on corn husks for their bed. What was important about Sarah and Abraham’s relationship was her keen observance of Abraham’s  intelligence and yearning for learning. She encouraged him to read. It is told he brought a book with him when he worked in the field and would read when the horses rested during the day. She encouraged him to read by the fireside at night–much to his father’s chagrin–Thomas Lincoln thought it was a waste of time. Although she was most likely illiterate, she encouraged Abraham to read and provided a few books from her own household: the Bible, Aesops Fables, The Pilgrim’s Progress, and Lessons in Elocution, and later Robinson Crusoe and possibly The Arabian Nights.

It is said that Abraham and Sarah never exchanged a cross word and after her husband Thomas died, Abraham provided for her needs until he died. Mr. Lincoln called Sarah “Mother” throughout his life and she mourned him publicly after his assassination.

Why do I write about a stepmother who lived more than one-hundred fifty years ago? It might be to encourage those of you who are step mothers to either young children or adult children who you did not give birth to, but are given the task and honor of being a step mother to another person.We often have examples of step parents who are wicked and cruel to their step children, but I like it that Sarah Lincoln declared when introduced to her new children that all would be equally treated with no partiality. What a gift she gave so many people by the treatment of her step son, Abe.

This morning I read about our adoption into the family of God when we place our trust in Jesus Christ. We are adopted and treated as family! I love it that we are God’s children:

Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

Abba is the intimate term that means “daddy” which is ours to have when we believe and place our trust in Jesus.

If you are a stepmother of young children, you might consider how Mrs. Lincoln treated her step children–with love and compassion and equality.

I find myself so grateful now that I am an orphan, for both of my parents are gone, that I have a Heavenly Father–a Daddy–who loves me!  I am not alone, but a child of God. I can’t ask for anything more.

If you are on my website, go to the tab “podcasts” and listen to the podcast  interview “Getting Remarried,” with my husband, Jim–especially if you are considering remarriage. It will help you gain more understanding about a blended family.

Enjoy the last day of July!

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.

Here’s the Lord’s Prayer in music. Enjoy.

The post A Stepmother’s Legacy: How Sarah Lincoln Nurtured a President appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

Fifty-five years ago this past week, on July 20, 1969, three astronauts ventured into space and the first landing on the moon took place, Apollo 11. The mission was watched live by an estimated 500–650 million people worldwide and remains one of the most significant achievements in human exploration. Neil Armstrong was the first to leave the lunar module and said this: “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” Later, speaking before Congress he said: “To those of you who have advocated looking high we owe our sincere gratitude, for you have granted us the opportunity to see some of the grandest views of the Creator.”

Before exiting the lunar module, Buzz Aldrin read John 15:5  “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me (John 15:5 GNT), and then took communion.

Apollo 12 Astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad and Alan Bean walked on the moon for 31 hours. Alan Bean became an artist and in one of his paintings, he portrayed an astronaut kneeling in prayer on the moon. It is copyrighted so I can’t display it, but you can view it here: “We Came in Peace for All Mankind.”

There was a movie about Apollo 13  and if you haven’t seen it, I suggest you do. The movie tells of  the harrowing experience where an oxygen tank exploded, irreparably damaging the craft.  In sub-zero temperature, the crew pieced together an oxygen filter, jump-charged the command module batteries, and manually steered the ship to land in the ocean near a raging hurricane. During the harrowing time, President Nixon called the nation to pray.

The post One Giant Leap of Faith: Spiritual Moments from the Apollo Missions appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

Signers of the Declaration of Independence

What happened to them? Here are some facts you might not know:

• Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
• Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
• Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
• Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
• Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
• Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
• Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
• At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
• Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
• John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

The Revolutionary War was hard fought and those who lived in those times were heroes.

I love reading history and about those lives in the past. Our Bible has a “Heroes of Faith” chapter in Hebrews 11. They list Abel as giving a better sacrifice. Enoch, who didn’t face death, but “God took him away.” He was commended as one who pleased God. There was Noah, Abraham, Sarah–who at age 90 gave birth to Isaac. There are many more mentioned in that chapter. What stands out to me is their faith.

Moses in front of the Children of Israel

They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth (Hebrews 11:13 NIV). 

What did the signers of the Declaration of Independence have in common with these heroes of the faith? Most of the signers were clearly members of Christian churches--twenty-nine of the signers attended seminary. They didn’t see what our country would be–only a vision of what would come. Freedom. Liberty. They had security in their lives before signing the Declaration, but they valued liberty more.

Remembering what those who’ve gone before us and what they have done is so important. Those heroes died before they saw what we are living today.

More can be said about the heroes listed book of Hebrews in the New Testament. I didn’t include Isaac and Jacob and Joseph and Moses and Rahab and Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah and David and Samuel and the prophets…the world was not worthy of them (11:38).

May we be worthy of the liberty given to us by the unsung heroes and those we can easily name.

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.

I’ll close with this song–please take the time to watch and listen–I think you will enjoy it:

Check out the free books here: https://kingdomcollaborationnetwork.com

The post Heroes All appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

Henry Knox

I was interested in knowing more about him because of what he did in the winter of 1775. What about this man whose name is familiar to most of us because of locations named after him? There’s Knoxville, Tennessee, nine counties in the US, a historic site in Windsor, New York; as well, there’s Fort Knox in Kentucky and Fort Knox in Maine.

At twelve years old, Henry Knox had to quit school after his father died suddenly to help support his family. He was an apprentice to a bookbinder. At twenty one, he opened his own bookstore and married Lucy Flucker in 1774. Her parents were British loyalists and when she married, her parents disowned her. In 1776, they sailed out of  Boston with other British soldiers and loyalists and Lucy never saw them again.

Knox became famous in 1775 when in the middle of winter in New York, he led the expedition to transfer sixty tons of captured British cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. What did that mean? In the middle of winter, Knox dragged 42 sleds loaded with the cannons across snow and frozen waters. The 3 month endeavor over 300 miles from Ft. Ticonderoga to Boston was called by historian Victor Brooks “one of the most stupendous feats of logistics.” The placement of these cannons on Dorchester Heights in Boston forced the British to evacuate Boston and flee to Halifax, Canada. Knox was only twenty five years old at the time. 

There’s so much more I can write about this man who died suddenly at age 56, but I am humbled when I think about the many patriots who gave so much for the freedom we enjoy today.

He married Lucy Flucker, the daughter of Boston Loyalists, in 1774.  Ten of their 13 children died before they were grown.  They were formidable and conspicuous not only for their generous sizes—they both weighed over 250 pounds—but also for their gregarious personalities and love of the good life. DAR

A lot of people say they didn’t enjoy studying history in school. I must have had good teachers, for I loved learning and hearing about what happened in my own country and throughout the world.

In the morning, before I write, I always read passages in the Bible, another history book–but special because it is from God.

The Bible I use when reading early in the day, is special to me. Given for my birthday in 1982, it has pages that list marriages, births, deaths, family records, and church records. The pages of this book are thicker than most Bibles made today and have a nice solid feel to them. What is precious to me are the underlinings in different verses. There are splotches of what were tears and sometimes coffee stains. Here’s some of what I read today:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)…

I read this when I feared for my husband’s life in 2005.

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)…

I read this while recovering after delivering my stillborn daughter, Carrie.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (Psalm 23 KJV)…

My mother had each of her five children memorize this chapter at age four. It has countless times soothed my sleepless nights, given me strength and courage in times of trouble. 

Finally, this:

The Lord bless you
and keep you (Numbers 6:24 NIV)…

My dad often closed Sunday morning worship service with this verse. What a charge to us!

The post Secret Strength appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

We plan to stay home this year and watch the fireworks on TV where the largest ever fireworks show will be broadcast from Washington DC.

In the past couple of years, we’ve tried to include reading out loud one of the important documents declaring our intention to become a nation apart from England. One historian recommended  reading President Calvin Coolidge’s Fourth of July speech given on the 150th Anniversary of our American Independence.

John Calvin Coolidge

No other theory is adequate to explain or comprehend the Declaration of Independence. It is the product of the spiritual insight of the people. Calvin Coolidge, July 4, 1926.

John Calvin Coolidge was the thirtieth president of the United States. He was known as “cool Cal.” I knew very little about this president except he said few words and didn’t smile much. But I found a few facts that are interesting:

• He was famous for his extreme reticence
• He was vice president and became president after President Harding died in office. His father was a justice of the peace and swore him in
• He was the first president to join a church while in office (Congregational)
• He was fascinated by technology–his inauguration was the first to be broadcast on the radio
• Was an animal lover and had a variety of them at the White House, including a pigmy hippopotamus
• Born on the 4th of July (1872)
• Was president during the “Roaring Twenties”
• Deeply shaped by a professor at Amherst College whose teachings on a personal God and moral philosophy profoundly influenced Coolidge’s worldview.

• His mother and only sister died when he was a teenager. In 1924, his youngest son, Calvin Jr., died from an infected blister at age 16 while the family was in the White House. Coolidge later said he lost much of his drive for the presidency after that

• He spoke against racial prejudices and spoke out against the Klan
• He was frugal and personally reviewed Government expenses
• Named after the Protestant Reformer, John Calvin

I wonder if Coolidge was influenced by the death of his mother and only sister as a teenager and why he appeared so taciturn. He’d had much loss.

Often, we might see someone who appears unsmiling or looks grumpy. Yet, we don’t know what’s going on in their life. Have they like President Coolidge, experienced the tremendous loss of a mother and sister. And then, the loss of their child?

Just this week, I received an inquiry about our GriefShare program. In her email, she said: “Sometimes I’m great and feel like I’m over it, then out of nowhere comes deep sadness.”

As we celebrate the wondrous anniversary of our country, let’s remember the tremendous sacrifice so many have given. And perhaps give some slack to someone who seems to be unhappy. We don’t know what they’re going through. Instead of–quite honestly  I often do–criticizing their grumpiness and sour expression, say a prayer for them instead.

Enjoy our country’s birthday celebration tomorrow–and even the year 2026. Let’s celebrate the greatest country ever!

Happy Birthday, America!

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.

Enjoy this beautiful rendition:

The post Say a Prayer appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

Our small group  from church–we call them LIFE groups–of fourteen sat around the table, our meal finished. Jim, our leader, asked each person to describe something positive about their fathers. One man described his dad this way: “I was about four years old,” he said. “My dad was a weight lifter. One time–probably because there’s a photo of it–I remember my father placed my feet on the palms of his hands. I stood on his hands like a stairway and as he moved his hands up, and I stepped up too, as far as he could reach,” he paused and then declared, “I could completely trust him!”  Others shared stories of their dads. Most were tender remembrances. Of course we could have also described where our fathers had failed us in some way.

Some of you don’t have good memories of your father. At another LIFE group and another time we described our fathers. One said, “I can’t think of anything good to say about my father except his name.” A sad, yet I believe her true description.

Perhaps you can’t even describe your dad because you never knew him. He was not in your life because of death or he was detached–by his own will or circumstances you don’t understand.

I have many positive memories about my own father who has been gone for twenty-five years now. He was not perfect. My dad was part of the “greatest generation.” A hard worker–often worked more than one job–to provide for our family. Though not perfect, I knew he loved me. Yet, I don’t remember ever hearing him say “I love you” when I was young. No memories of hugs and kisses. It was only after I became an adult, that my father became more affectionate and would fiercely hug me and tell me that he loved me and was proud of me.

I’m sitting on my father’s lap

Although we have imperfect fathers, we have a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally and is perfect. When Jesus came to earth as a human, yet God, he described his father this way:

For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God (John 17:27 NET).  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6 NLT). For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will (John 6:38 NLT).

Our heavenly Father is the head of the Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Although each person in the trinity is equal, God the Father is the head of the trinity. This has been true for eternity. I can’t explain it any more than what Jesus described above. As I heard the description of the weight-lifting-father as one the young boy could trust, we can trust our Heavenly Father to be that perfect One. He is the true source:  For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen (Romans 11:36 NLT).

I hope you have good memories of your father. Yet, more than that, you have a Heavenly Father who is perfect. You have access to this perfect One through Jesus Christ. Take the time today to read John 17, where Jesus prays to his Father God. We have a glimpse of what their relationship was like and how much God loves us!

I’ll close with this song based on Proverbs 20:7: The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

You may not have had a father like the one described in the song, but you do have One in heaven you can trust.

Be sure to read to the end of this blog. I have a special link for you to check out–especially if you like something free!

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.

Here’s the link for something free: https://kingdomcollaborationnetwork.com/

Please share a special memory of your father in the comments. I’d love to read it.

The post A Perfect Father appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

I have a daily ritual of reading the Bible. Most days, I read with my Jim, but on Friday mornings, I read by myself. This is the day I write my weekly blog. Today I read several passages about the Hope I have in Christ and read one of  my favorite passages:

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am (John 14:1-3 NLT).

Reading that passage gave me comfort as I read, and brought me back to when I was with my mother the last time she was alive here on earth. She was in a group home with about eight other residents. I was sitting next to her along with the other residents, sitting in their recliners, watching TV.  “Let’s go into my room,” she said. So I helped her into her wheelchair and we moved into her room. So frail, my mother. Yet in the past such a capable, strong woman. She cooked and cleaned. An excellent seamstress. She gardened and canned produce. She studied her Bible and taught. She was an excellent teacher with adults and children. She was an artist. Everyone loved her. She had wisdom. But now, she depended on others to do for her. Today, it was me.

Our tradition had been I would visit and read her my stepson Greg’s sermon. He was a pastor and sent me his sermons each week. This week, his sermon was on the above passage.

I read the above passage and as I read, she would softly say, “Yes, that’s true.” I rarely talked to her about her dying. This time I asked her if she was looking forward to seeing her own mother, my dad, and other loved ones who’d put their trust in Jesus and were there in that “prepared place” Jesus talked about. She agreed it would be good.

As I read the sermon, I choked up with emotion a few times for I sensed this might be the last time I would be with her. I was right. Three days later, I received the call from her caregiver, “Your mom is not doing very well.” I asked some questions, and told him I’d be there soon. Twenty-five minutes later, I was there by her side. But she was gone. No longer here, but in the place that Jesus had prepared.

That Friday morning, she must have sensed she would not be here on earth for very long. She had some breakfast, but declined her medications that took so much time and energy to take. All dressed and in her chair, I am sure she was praying and reflecting on the many passages of scripture she knew by heart. Then, the angels surrounded her and might have said, “Come on Rose, it’s time.” And with that, she was gone. Gone to that prepared place with her Savior, Jesus.

I entered her room and there she was in her pink velvet chair. At peace. Eyes closed, head back. She exited that body so frail and was now in the arms of her Savior.

One day, because I’ve put my trust in Jesus, I’ll be with Jesus, too. I’ll get to see those people who’ve gone before me. And I’ll see my mama.

My ritual of reading and being encouraged by the Bible reminds me once again that He is preparing a place for us. We don’t have to be troubled. When everything is ready, he’ll come and get us so we can be with Him.

In the meantime, I suggest you establish a daily ritual of reading your Bible. Trust in Jesus. And, When everything is ready, I [Jesus]will come and get you. 

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.

Enjoy those verses in song.

The post A Daily Ritual that Brings Hope appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

I was entranced by the massive beauty of the cathedral at Notre Dam.

We gazed at the stained glass windows.

We marveled as we toured The Louve. I was surprised at how small the Mona Lisa painting.

We visited the Louvre, October, 2015. Yes, that’s the Mona Lisa in the background.

We laughed at the Love Lock Bridge nearby, where lovers proclaimed their love by attaching a padlock to the rails of the bridge.

We strolled through the Monet gardens.

Claude Monet Gardens

What astounded me the most while touring parts of the country of France was driving to the village of Normandy. In our tour group, we faced the large statue, Spirit of American Youth Rising. While standing there, the tour guide gave us information about the statue, Spirit of American Youth Rising, and then asked to turn around, as taps were played.

Spirit of American Youth Rising, Normandy

And we saw this:

Normandy, France

There are really no words to describe this sacred ground. There were 2501 confirmed Americans killed on that one day, but many more Allied troops died during the siege that began on June 6, 1944.

“The eyes of the world are upon you … The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. Your task will not be an easy one … Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely … I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!” (General Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Freedom is hard fought. Two weeks ago, we celebrated Memorial Day, where we remembered and honored those who had died to protect our freedom. D-Day is only one of the places to remember and honor those who fought and died.

Today–and tomorrow, June 6, let’s remember.

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.

Enjoy the cadets of West Point Band and West Point Glee Club:

The post Costly Freedom appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

It was my first climb up Mt. Hood. It was hard. More difficult than I ever imagined. We’d purchased the equipment we needed to make the climb. Walked through the aisles at Andy & Bax, purveyor of used outdoor equipment to save money. I resisted buying a new backpack and told my husband a borrowed pack would be fine. It was a canvas one–very unlike the multiple styles of backpacks now–with thin canvas straps. Inside the pack were all my snacks, extra gloves, all the many things a climber needs to summit the highest peak in Oregon. We began the climb around midnight and depended on the snowy slopes to give us light along with the full moon. We tramped up the mountain for hours. Daylight was coming that May morning and I was exhausted. Worse yet, that borrowed pack was giving me trouble. My shoulder muscles were stiff and screaming out to me in pain. It would have helped to have had a backpack with padded straps. I didn’t want to complain because the other climbers in the group seemed to be doing fine. Finally, I told my husband I didn’t think I could finish my shoulders hurt so bad. My husband lifted the pack off of me and dropped it on the side of the trail. “It’ll be here when we come back,” he said.

I felt like I could fly after taking off the pack and we resumed the climb. We were nearly to the top and I knew I would make it. And we did. What relief the removal of the burden off of my shoulders made to me!

“Congratulations!” our climb leader said. “You made it to the top. Turn around. We need to get down.” There was no view, for a storm was coming. It was cold and our vision was blurred with blowing snow. The climb up was done. Now all we had to do was descend. Also difficult and dangerous, but I was giddy with relief the climb up was completed.

Another ascent up Hood with a better pack

Sometimes, we are in a situation where we want to quit. We can’t see the summit of what we’re going through. We are hurting. Sometimes physically, like my shoulders that early morning so long ago.  Sometimes mentally. You’re concerned about a loved one who has lost their way. You are ill and don’t think you’ll get better. A loved one is ill and the doctor says there’s no hope. It could be you are out of money and the month isn’t over yet.  What do we do about it when we’re in one of those situations?

Today, I read numerous passages in the Bible–the Old Testament and the New. I was inspired by what God did for people long ago. Reading them reminded me of times when I was weary or scared about something or someone. They reminded me of how much God loves me and how powerful He is and how He delights in us! These words are meant for us too. King David wrote after he’d been in deep trouble,  he rescued me because he delights in me (2 Samuel 22: 20). Another passage told me who God is: He gives power to the weak…Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. ³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:27-31). In the New Testament, I was reminded, ⁸He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. ⁹ God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (I Corinthians 1:8-9). And finally, one of my favorite passages, And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3: 17-18). 

There were many more passages I could quote, but these are the ones that encouraged me and I hope you as well. Read them over again. Copy them down. Read them out loud. They will strengthen you just as removing the poorly made backpack I wore on that mountain climb gave me new energy.

I finished my reading with this passage:  God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and can give you great joy. ²⁵ He is the only God, the One who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25).

I pray these passages I’ve quoted will give you energy, courage, and strength as you face this day, just as they did me.

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.

When I was a music teacher with elementary students, they loved singing with motions. I’m including one I think my students would have loved. I hope you do, too!

The post Be Encouraged appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.

And then, out of the blue, I prayed out loud, “If this marriage is out of your will, you will have to end it, because I cannot.” Within me, the Holy Spirit guided those words. I didn’t think any more about them and went about my day.

That evening, on the phone I heard a voice sounding cold, saying he didn’t want to get married. I was shocked. I didn’t understand. And then, I remembered my prayer earlier that day. God had answered that prayer.

Sometimes prayers are answered differently than we expect.

In the disappointment of the breakup, I realizedI had moved too quickly. I wanted companionship and rushed into a relationship that wasn’t right. I learned to trust God more completely and allow Him to be the companion I so desired. In those days I spent alone, I began to know God better. I begged God to help me move forward, away from the planned marriage, toward peace and to learn His future for me. Perhaps I would never be married again. In any case, I needed to submit my will to God. After that prayer, I surrendered all my thoughts to God and began to feel peace. I was sad, yet realized I wasn’t alone. I began to learn more about God through Bible study and prayer. I began to be content in my circumstances of living alone.

I’ve been reading about prayer this week and learned how the Apostle Paul prayed for people in the  Colossian church.

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. ¹⁰ Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better (Colossians 1:9-10 NLT).

This prayer asks for 1. Complete knowledge of God’s will, 2. spiritual wisdom and understanding that will help us always honor and please the Lord. And 3. our lives produce every kind of good fruit, and 4. learn to know God better and better.

Sometimes we don’t know what to pray–for ourselves or others. We can be assured if we pray the above passage in Colossians we are praying in God’s will.

So you, dear readers, here is my prayer for you(insert your name or a loved one’s name in the blank): “I pray that ________, will gain complete knowledge of God’s will. ____will gain spiritual wisdom and understanding to help always honor and please the Lord. That ____ will produce every kind of good fruit and______ to know God better and better.”

I’ve had the pleasure of traveling this week and today, we have been watching our great grandson while his parents are at work. It has been pure joy! I pray that same prayer for him as well.

Get these Blog posts emailed directly to you.

Enjoy this song of prayer that is always perfect to pray. This young girl is now twenty-six, but age ten at this recording. Her voice is amazing!

The post Let’s Ask for Knowledge and Wisdom…and More appeared first on Shirley Mozena Speaker and Author.