You may not be entirely happy with the slate of presidential candidates making the rounds in the United States this year, but any of them would be better than the thug leading the people of Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe has been the Prime Minister there since 1980, stubbornly holding on to power now at the age of 92 after several fixed elections. He has been responsible for many grotesque human rights violations and an unbelievable assortment of outrages. Of great intrigue in Zimbabwe – as much of the nation eagerly awaits Mugabe’s passing – is the state of his health. The Prime Minister has taken several mysterious flights to Asian countries for medical treatment of unknown ailments.

Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life.

Psalm 49:7

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; J.R.- A Matter of Time →

On October 14, 1987, Jessica McClure became America’s baby when, at 18 months old, she fell into a well behind her aunt’s Midland, Texas home. When her rescue made national news, President Ronald Reagan said all of America became Jessica’s godmothers and godfathers. Due to the nature of the small pipe in which Jessica was stuck and the rock surrounding it, rescue was complicated…but after 58 hours, the little girl was set free.

He drew me up…and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Psalm 40:2

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Out of the Pit →

What’s the scariest movie you’ve ever seen? Many Boomers will say The Exorcist, a despicable tale of a young girl possessed by a demon and the ensuing battle between the evil spirit and a priest. While the story is fiction, in reality there are dark forces active on Earth, and though a demon cannot possess a child of God, Satan’s minions delight in wreaking havoc through circumstances.

In you our father’s trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.

Psalm 22:4

In the Bible, Jesus encounters a man under demonic control. People described him as running wild in the hills, screaming madly, cutting himself, and breaking any chain they used to bind him. Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave the man – and soon he was seen clothed and in his right mind. Jesus told the man to go and tell everyone what God had done for him.

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; G.C.- Set Free →

Christian comedian Michael Jr. is used to commanding an audience’s attention. Yet he didn’t expect the reception he got from his newborn daughter. Shortly after her birth, the baby was wailing loudly. Suddenly, she stopped crying when she heard Michael’s voice. Then when she became upset later, he told her, “I love you.” In response, she not only stopped crying, but opened her beautiful eyes. “We’ll always have times when we’re not as comfortable…where life is just heavy,” Michael said. “The key thing to do in those moments is to be still and listen for the Father’s voice. Because He is trying to talk to you. And I can tell you what He wants you to know is that He loves you. All you got to do is open your eyes.”

Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always.

Proverbs 28:14

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – The Father’s Voice →

Who was America’s laziest president? That’s a judgment call and highly subjective. But among the finalists, you would have to include Calvin Coolidge. His 1924 campaign slogan was “Keep Cool with Coolidge.” He was known as “Silent Cal.”

As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.

Proverbs 26:14

If these monikers don’t hint at his lack of activity, perhaps these facts will: Coolidge typically worked four hours a day at the White House, and then went to play golf. He required 11 hours of sleep each night, plus daily naps. The writer H.L. Mencken characterized Coolidge’s work ethic by saying that an ideal day for him “would be one in which nothing happens.” And Gertrude Stein was said to have remarked, upon hearing of the president’s passing, “Coolidge dead? How can you tell?”

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Legacy of Lethargy →

If you happen to kill someone – either by malice or by accident – New Guinea is definitely not the place to do it. Although the practice of “payback killings” has been illegal for a century, many of the Pacific island’s inhabitants continue to adhere to the ancient tribal code. It works like this: if a relative of yours is killed, you have a right to personally kill the offender. However, retribution must be delivered on the same day as the original offense. If for some reason that isn’t possible, the families of the victim and the perpetrator must arrange for monetary compensation instead. Then, if the payment demand isn’t met, the “payback killing” becomes permissible again.

Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

Proverbs 24:29

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Perilous Paybacks →

Have you ever wondered why your dog has floppy ears? With the exception of the elephant, only domesticated animals have floppy ears. When an animal is bred selectively for one trait – like compatibility with people – often something unexpected happens; for instance, floppy ears.

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise.

Proverbs 22:17

Genetic engineering can’t predict or control every result. Should the lessons of history cause one to pause for a moment of consideration before eagerly tinkering with the blueprints of human life? Many scientists are shouting – yes! But others don’t want to wait and are using the courts to move forward. The world has yet to see the results of these moral dilemmas being played out daily in genetic laboratories and universities.

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Doggies and Dilemmas →

Water is a powerful force, but it changes direction very easily. Men can redirect the flow of water by building canals and dams. Even a small beaver can change the direction of a stream by piling up rocks and sticks.

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

Proverbs 21:1

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – Directing the Flow →

Are you thinking of next year’s tax bill yet? Strangely, some are – and with anticipation! They are recipients of “tax extender” provisions. It’s the federal package in which lawmakers offer tax breaks to a select few. The practice started with the Technical and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, which wrapped several tax breaks together in an effort to make reauthorization a simple process. It was meant to be a temporary measure, but like many government benefits, it has ballooned out of control.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 19:17

Continue reading Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Extenders →