Thanks to all of you that have been praying for my father-in-law. He was able to go to church yesterday and stay the whole day. When my wife called and asked how he was doing she was shocked to hear him reply, "I am remarkably better! Tell everyone thanks for praying for me."

Someone has been praying for us! That's the only answer for this recent improvement. Just want to tell you all thanks so much for keeping us in your prayers. All of you, here in the blogosphere, mean so much to us. You are a constant encouragement. Some of you are specifically praying for our health and spiritual predicaments. That means more than you will ever know. I am convinced that THE greatest weapon against certain sins, curses, and addictions, can only be relieved and defeated through prayers from others for you.

So, thanks again, for waging spiritual warfare on our behalf through your specific and fervent praying.

May God bless you all with overwhelming joy and peace! Our love to you all!

WOW! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Father! Thank you, Holy Spirit! How can I describe what you placed in my heart today? What words can convey what I feel? There are no words. Words are so insufficient to describe this feeling. Yet, I have only words.

Occasionally, God draws near to me. I feel him. It’s like he removes the veil between flesh and spirit. He comes in, powerfully. I don't know how to describe this. It is good, real good.

It is pure. It is purity. It’s a fresh shower beneath a natural spring waterfall. It’s the smell of a baby after his bath. It’s the air after a thunderstorm. It’s a walk in a field full of Texas wildflowers on a clear day. It’s a cool summer evening on the porch. It’s a stroll along the beach. It is God. It is his presence.

Does God remove the gap between heaven and earth for a short while? The connection gets clear. The static disappears. His pure love and complete forgiveness pours down, deep inside.

The last time I felt this was when I was baptized. David prays, “Restore unto me the joy of my salvation!” This must have been what he meant. No guilt! No shame!

Guilt and shame have always been in my life. Some of my earliest memories are guilt and shame. I knew it wasn’t my fault, but I couldn’t shake the guilt. It was overwhelming. The shame, unbearable. Then God removed it all when I was baptized, but the feeling lasted a short time. I awoke this morning with that same "clean" feeling. It is pure heaven!

“Lord, stay near. I need this badly. I’m so sick of the shame and guilt. Take it away, Lord, forever!”

I did nothing to deserve this, but I accept it. I listened to him. I've been sharing him lately with so many who need him. I know this is his reward. He always rewards obedience.

He also rewards diligent seeking. So, keep seeking! Don’t give up on him. He is true to his promise. I know, I have it in my heart today. He has all the peace, the joy, and the love you need. No other person can give you this. There is no feeling like this! There is no guilt and shame with him! He provides. He sustains. He rewards.

Submit. Obey. Seek. He will draw near to you as you draw near to him.

“Holy Father, please stay near. We cannot do this without you.”

You will find it easier to listen while someone is speaking to you if you look at them. Pick an eye and focus on it. Either eye will do. (They can’t tell which one you’re looking into.) Don’t stare a hole through them. This will make them uncomfortable. Break the stare, occasionally, but come back quickly. Refocus on the eye. Looking at them while you are listening to them conveys genuine concern and respect.

Our children learned to hate family meetings. Family meetings often meant one was in BIG trouble, and everyone else would have to endure another of Dad's lengthy sermons. Ugh!

This one would be different. One of the children was indeed in BIG trouble. And, as customary, I asked the other two to join me and Mom in the living room.

I don’t remember what I said. I only remember my wife’s response when we were done. She said,

“Wow! That was amazing. You did well, Dad.”

I said seriously, “That wasn’t me. That was God.”

“I know," she replied. That’s what I mean.”

If you presently manipulated and coerced a person into a relationship with you, don't be surprised when someone much stronger manipulates and coerces them away.