Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 97
June 15, 2014
Happy Father’s Day
This video is a touching tribute to dads.
Touching Tribute To All ‘Daaads!’ – You Know You’ve Hollered It Before, Too! from sermonspice on GodTube.
June 11, 2014
Happy Blog Birthday!
When I wrote my first post eight years and 1,578 posts ago, I didn’t have many plans for the blog. I had thought I would write about writing, editing, and publishing, and I have.
There are 193 posts in the Writing and Publishing Advice category, as well as 274 posts combined in Books and Publishing News, Author Interviews, Book Reviews, and Business (freelancing) categories. I’ve also posted about Blogging 162 times, and there are 177 posts in Lillie’s News and Events categories.
But almost half of my posts have been about other things important to me—there are a total of 772 posts in the Christian, Causes, Patriotism/Troop Support, and Lillie’s Musings categories. These include Advent and Lent devotionals, pro-life and anti-abuse articles, pieces honoring our troops and veterans, and posts about other topics I’m passionate about.
There have been many changes in the world of blogging in eight years. I didn’t get any comments for many months after I started, then for several years I got many comments on almost every post. Now I have a few loyal commenters, but most posts get few if any comments. People tend to post to social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, rather than on individual blogs today.
Another reason comments have declined is changes in search engine algorithms and policies. At one time, websites were rewarded in Google for having many external links. People left comments primarily to get a Page Rank 4 Do-Follow link to their own blog or website. Now those same links that generated rewards in the past now generate penalties, and webmasters are requesting links be removed.
One thing hasn’t changed, though. I still love writing posts and interacting with readers. I hope to be doing that for many more years to come.
June 9, 2014
90 Days of Blessing
Yesterday was the Global Day of Prayer, and today starts 90 Days of Blessing, a period of intense prayer for the unreached people of the world. You can download a daily prayer guide to use for the 90 day period. The introduction to the guide describes it as follows:
This Prayer Guide focuses on the Unreached People of the World
Seven sections are included in the Prayer Guide for every day:
One chapter from scripture to read and meditate on;
A blessing or proclamation;
An unreached people group for whom to pray;
A city for which to seek God;
A high place over which to take authority;
A declaration of faith in who God is; and,
A suggestion of a practical prayer action you can take somewhere in your own city.
Jesus told His disciples:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” ~ Matthew 28:18 (NASB)
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” ~ Luke 10:2 (NASB)
Prayer does not replace our need to share our faith, but prayer helps spread our faith far beyond our own corner of the world.
O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ 1928 Book of Common Prayer
June 7, 2014
Pentecost Sunday and the Global Day of Prayer
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the church, the day when the apostles received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues to reach everyone present in their individual languages. It is also the Global Day of Prayer, when Christians around the world unite in prayer for the nations.
They lifted their voices to God with one accord…” ~ Acts 4:24 (NASB)
Today Christians are encouraged to unite in the following Prayer for the World:
Amighty God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
We gather with believers all over the world,
to glorify You as Creator of heaven and earth.
You alone are holy and righteous.
We submit to Your authority.
We praise and adore You alone.
Father, we honor You
Lord Jesus Christ, we honor You
Holy Spirit, we honor You
Our Father in heaven,
Thank You for loving the world so much
that You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ,
to die on the cross for our sins
so that we could be reconciled to You.
Fill us with your love as we faithfully intercede for the lost,
the hopeless, the helpless and the world.
Thank You Father, for adopting us into Your family.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You died on the cross and
redeemed us to the Father by Your blood.
You are Head of the Church
and Lord of all heaven and earth.
Let Your kingdom be established in every nation of the world;
bring transformation among peoples of all tribes and languages,
so that righteousness and justice will prevail.
May Your Name be great, from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Jesus Christ, You are Lord of all.
Father of mercy and grace,
We have sinned.
Our world is gripped by the power of sin.
Our hearts are grieved by injustice, hatred and violence.
We are shamed by oppression, racism and bloodshed in our land.
We mourn all loss of life in murder, war and terrorism.
Our homes are broken and our churches are divided by rebellion and pride.
Our lives are polluted by selfishness, greed, idolatry and sexual sin.
God of mercy, forgive our sins.
Pour out Your grace and heal our land.
Spirit of the living God,
Transform Your Church into the image of Jesus Christ.
Release Your power to bring healing to the sick,
freedom to the oppressed and comfort to those who mourn.
Fill us with compassion
for the homeless and the hungry
for orphans, widows and the elderly.
Give us wisdom and insight for our world’s problems
to use the resources of the earth for the well-being of all.
Holy Spirit, guide us and lead us.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You destroyed sin, conquered death and defeated Satan.
Remove the veil of darkness that covers the peoples.
Restrain the evil that promotes violence and death.
Deliver us from demonic oppression.
Break the hold of slavery, tyranny and disease.
Help us to tear down strongholds and ideologies
that resist the knowledge of God.
Almighty God, deliver us from evil.
King of Glory,
Come and finish Your work in our cities, our peoples and our nations.
From all continents and islands we cry:
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Be lifted up ancient doors
so that the King of glory may come in!
Come fill the earth with the knowledge of Your glory
as the waters cover the sea.
The Spirit and the Bride say:
Amen! Come Lord Jesus!
May 31, 2014
Internet Evangelism Day
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a fan of the Internet and social media. But have you ever thought of the Internet as an evangelism tool?
exists to help Christians understand the huge and growing potential to share the good news of Jesus through digital media.
Readers of my blog know I share my faith regularly in blog posts. Because of my health, I don’t get out much, so the Internet is the primary way I have to reach people. Although most of my posts are more likely to appeal to believers, I have had contacts from nonbelievers who asked questions they had about my Christian posts.
Our parish, All Saints Anglican Church San Antonio, has a public Facebook page as well as several private pages for prayer and ministry.
The web is an ideal mission field, with easy access to millions of unsaved souls. You can find helpful resources on how to reach them on the Internet Evangelism Day website.
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)
O GOD, who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the whole earth, and didst send thy blessed Son to preach peace to them that are far off and to them that are nigh; Grant that all men everywhere may seek after thee and find thee. Bring the nations into thy fold, pour out thy Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten thy kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ 1928 Book of Common Prayer
Remembering Jack
Today I am remembering Jack. Of course, I remember him every single day, but I’m remembering more than usual because we would have been married 47 years today. I’ve re-read Jack Stories
and enjoyed laughter, smiles, and tears as I read stories his friends told about him. I love these stories because they remind of just how special Jack was and how caring and funny and loyal his friends and family are. A new friend read the book recently, and she thoroughly enjoyed it, even though she had never met Jack.
Several people told me that Jack’s obituary was the best they ever read. I described him this way in the obituary: A dedicated husband, a loyal friend, and a patriotic American, Jack was smart, funny, opinionated, assertive, upbeat, generous, tenacious, independent, determined, self-confident, perfectionistic, and unconventional.
Here’s a short excerpt from my sister’s contribution to Jack Stories.
Jack’s philosophy was it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission. Once when we were taking care of the plants at a Mama’s restaurant in Austin, the technician was using a ladder to reach plants in planters all the way up the wall. The ladder slipped, and she fell and broke her elbow. To ensure safety Jack decided that he would drill a hole in the “foot” of the ladder and in the floor and place a large nail through the holes to hold the ladder in place. He walked into the restaurant with a drill, placed the ladder in the appropriate place, and proceeded to drill a hole in the floor. Soon enough, the manager walked in demanding to know what was going on. Jack calmly explained what he was doing. He then placed a chair leg over the hole and said, “See, you can’t even see it.” The manager turned and walked away, and it was never an issue.
May 29, 2014
10 Days of Day and Night Prayer
Ten days of “day and night prayer” begin today, Ascension Day. During these ten days between Ascension and Pentecost, Christians are encouraged to
find ways to pray night and day throughout the ten days leading to the Global Day of Prayer, following the pattern of Christ’s followers before the first Pentecost.
The day and night prayer help us to gradually build a lifestyle of prayer in our communities, as well as to focus our prayers much wider than our personal and national needs as we pray with millions during this time.
You can download a prayer guide with special grayer points and Scriptures for each of the ten days. Pentecost will be the Global Day of Prayer, when millions of Christians around the world will unite in prayer for the nations.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, guide, we beseech thee, the Nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen;
All day and all night they will never keep silent.
You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves;
And give Him no rest until He establishes
And makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. ~ Isaiah 62:6-7 (NASB)
May 25, 2014
Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives in service of our country. They sacrificed their lives so we can keep our freedoms, and we can never give them all the honor they deserve. And let us remember their loved ones, who lost fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and other loved ones. God bless them.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15:13 (KJV)
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; We give thee thanks for all those thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence, that the good work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; Comfort their loved ones and give them your peace that passes all understanding; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen. ~ adapted from 1928 Book of Common Prayer
May 22, 2014
Prison Break
On the day of my father’s funeral, family and friends gathered in the church fellowship hall following the funeral and burial service at the cemetery. The ladies of the Methodist Church in Dilley, Texas, served a lovely meal, and the sounds of loved ones sharing memories of Daddy filled the large room. A while after we finished eating, I looked at my mother and saw fatigue etched in her face along with the grief.
I spread the word to family members that we needed to get Mama home so she could rest. My husband Jack headed back home to San Antonio, accompanied by my youngest brother who had a flight to South Carolina a few hours later. My other brother and his family headed out in their car for Arizona. My sister Nancy and I took Mama home to the farm six miles out of town. Mama took a nap, then my sister Mary and her family came out to have dinner with us.
That evening about 9:00, Mary and her family left to go back to their home in town. Nancy, Mama, and I were left alone in the big, old farmhouse. All of us were tired, but none of us was ready to go to bed. We had the television on, though I doubt any of us could have told you what we were watching.
About an hour after Mary left, she called and told us they had just arrived home. When we asked why it took so long to make a six-mile trip, Mary explained that they had been stopped at a roadblock just outside town—in front of the state prison. The officer told them that there had been a prison break; most of the escapees had already been captured, but there were a few that were on the loose. The road was blocked on each side of the prison, and no traffic was allowed through. Mary and her family had to drive through back, country roads to make their way into town.
Nancy, Mama, and I discussed the situation. It was likely the escapees would come our way, since the highway was the best way to get in or out of the area. If they got as far as Mama’s place on foot, they would be looking for transportation. We had three cars parked outside, and we decided we wanted to avoid a confrontation with the prison escapees at all costs. If they found ready transportation, maybe they would take the vehicle(s) and run without bothering us. So we left all three cars unlocked, out in the open, with the keys in the ignition. Then we checked every door and window in the house to be sure we were secure inside the house.
None of us got much sleep that night. We would probably have been restless after burying our father and husband, but knowing convicted criminals had escaped from prison five or six miles down the road really kept us awake. The next morning, we looked out window and saw all three cars, parked just where we left them.
Later that day, we learned that the escapees had been captured within minutes of the time Mary and her family were stopped at the roadblock. They were probably safely locked up in their cells by the time we heard they had escaped.
All our fears and worries had been unnecessary. We were in no danger from violent convicts that night. And aren’t many of our worries just as baseless? We take a small thing—a rumor, even a fact—and blow it out of proportion, convinced something terrible is about to happen. Later, we discover we were never in danger or the danger was much less than we believed.
Precautions, such as locking doors, make sense, but staying awake all night expecting the worse only robs us of sleep and peace of mind.
Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ~ Matthew 6:25-27
O MOST loving Father, who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee, who carest for us; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ 1928 Book of Common Prayer
Image: © Depositphotos.com/Elnur
May 19, 2014
National Military Appreciation Month
May is National Military Appreciation Month. It’s a time to honor and show our appreciation for current military members as well as veterans. The freedoms we are blessed with in the United States are possible because of the sacrifices of those who have served as soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines. We also honor military families, who make more sacrifices than we realize so that their family members can perform their military duties.
Thank you to all our military members and veterans!
O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines of our country. Support them in the day of battle, and in the time of peace keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; Grant that they may be a safeguard and security unto the United States of America; that the inhabitants of our land may in peace and quietness serve thee our God, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
