encouragement – Blue Collar Theologian

Mercy

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matt 5:7 NIV)

As everyone across the globe knows, there is much emotion centered around the USA’s Inauguration today, January 20, 2021. From those who are posting decals saying, “Bye Bye Don,” to those like myself who are concerned about Biden/Harris policies, to those who outright say, “Biden is not my President,” there is no shortage of anxiety, outrage and turmoil in the USA and the world at large.

Whether we like it or not, “The Lord made mercy a foundation for his teaching” (Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible vol 2, 1988, p 1441; see also Matt 9:13; 12:7; 23:23; Luke 6:36; 10:37; James 3:17). The first four Beatitudes (poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness) are God centered in that our mindset and attitudes are centered on Him. The next three Beatitudes (5:7-10) are centered on a life lived rightly. Turner states, “God’s approval comes to those who relate to others with mercy, which includes pity plus action” (Matthew, BECNT, 2008, n.p.). As a present participle in Greek, showing mercy is continuous. When we show mercy we “exemplif[y] the conduct God demands of his people” (Osborne, Matthew, ZECNT, 2010, p. 168).

Like the previous Beatitudes, this one begins with a principle and ends with a reward, they will be shown mercy. “When we show mercy to others, we will receive mercy from God” (Osborne, p. 168). Praise God for the mercy that He has given and shown His people who are in Christ.

As such, regardless of what emotions you are experiencing today, regardless of where in God’s Creation you are located, regardless of your political leanings, I beg you in the name of Jesus to show mercy. Show mercy on those (especially other Christians) with whom you disagree. Whether you are elated, concerned about policies or think the election is illegitimate, I humbly ask you to show mercy and in return God will show mercy to you.

Lord God, if there is one thing this world is it is unmerciful. It is unrelenting in its sin, darkness and cruelty. I ask Lord that for those of us who are in Christ teach us what it looks like to show mercy in these rapidly changing times. Lord God, have mercy on Your people when we get it wrong in these rapidly changing times. Lord God, direct our minds, hearts and hands to extend mercy rather than hate and rage. Lord God, may we never forget that the mercy You showed us with our salvation was costly, the death of Your Son. Thank You Jesus that You are still seated on the Throne and that whatever happens is of no surprise to You. Lord God, prepare us and strengthen us today. Thank You for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Hunger, Thirst and Psalm 1

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matt 5:6 NIV).

Hunger and thirst are both present, active, participles in Greek, signifying continuous action. I do not know a better way to start 2021 then by hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

This is a deep longing like when you are famished and in need of food or “dying of thirst” so to speak. This righteousness is one that can only be filled or satisfied (ESV) by God. The righteousness that Jesus is speaking of here isn’t forensic, imputed righteousness, our right standing before God we receive at the time of salvation. The righteousness that Jesus is speaking about here is practical in that we are to want to do what God says is right and see what God says is right done on earth as it is in Heaven.

In light of Jesus’s call to upright living and correct conduct, I cannot help but to think of Psalm 1 which says:

1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish (ESV).

In Psalm 1 the blessed person does NOT walk, stand nor sit with the wicked, sinners or scoffers. The blessed person is the one who delights and meditates on God’s law, applying what He says.

As God continuously knows (qal, participle) the way of the righteous believer in Psalm 1, so too does He know the heart and conduct of the believer that is continuously and longingly hungering and thirsting for righteousness. The person whose conduct delights in meditating on the Word, seeking His will and righteousness to be done on the earth is the one who will be filled and satisfied both now and in eternity.

May this New Year be one where we hunger and thirst to know God and His righteousness more than ever before!

Father God, thank You that You Word is alive and practical! Thank You that when we famished in our hunger and thirst for You and Your righteousness that You will fill us. Lord God, stir this reader to want to know You more! Lord God, when we meditate on You and Your attributes, we decrease thinking about ourselves. Lord God, forgive us for all the ways that we fall short and bring shame to Your Name rather than glory, honor and praise. Lord God, thank You that You will one day hold all false prophets and false teachers accountable for the way they confuse and mislead people. Lord God, draw us closer to You today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Happy New Year! January 2021 Prayer

Father God, thank You for this new year and month! Thank You for new beginnings, new mercies each and every day! Lord God, prepare us for 2021 and 2021 for us! Lord God, may we seek and desire to be prepared to live even more fully and authentically with and for You in 2021!

Lord God, thank You that You call us to keep moving forward! While we are to reflect and learn from the past, our past is not to be an anchor weighing us down but a propeller moving us on. Lord God, may we be reminded that we are living in the land of in between. Your Kingdom has come but it is not yet consummated. May we persevere and have even greater awareness that this world is not our home!

Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord God, for those who are in Christ may they start this new year with the reminder of who they are in Christ and their position in You as well. Lord, for the reader who does not know you, may today be the day of salvation. May today, the start of 2021 be the day where they come to trust Christ by grace through faith. Lord God, thank You that You are still saving sinners, sanctifying believers. May we thank and praise You that You are sovereign, controlling world events!

Thank You Jesus there is NO moment where you are not seated on the Throne! Thank You that NOTHING in 2021 will catch You off guard or surprise You! May we be optimistic about our walk with You this year regardless of our circumstances! May we be better prepared to handle change, challenge and hardship because of what we learned in 2020.

Lord God, may we trust You more this year rather than longing for comfort. I know this is an area where You are convicting me. I pray that I will grow in love, trust and obedience this year! Lord God, may we strip off our clothes of mourning and put on clothes celebrating You, manifesting Your fruit.

Lord God, may You strengthen this reader to hold fast to You this year. May this new year and new month be a time of renewal and refreshment. Lord God, may this time be one of excitement in what You will do knowing that You have been faithful in the past.

Lord God, thank You that Your Good News will continue to spread and thrive even when Satan, the world and the flesh does everything they can to stop and suppress it. May believers be reminded more this year that praise and prayer have power and both connect us to You and focus us on You and not our situations and circumstances.

Lord God, thank You for the gift of this reader! Lord, lead this reader by still waters today, where they will know that You love them and so do I! Thank You again Holy Trinity for the gift of new mercies and beginnings. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen and Amen.

Meek

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:5 ESV)

Meek would not be in the top fifty or even one hundred words that my family and friends would use to describe me. It has long been said that “meekness is not weakness” yet, we tend to perceive meek with weak. Meekness means gentleness and self-control. Both gentleness and self-control are listed as fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the believer (Gal 5:22-23).

Meekness has to do with our attitudes toward people. It is one thing for us to confess our spiritual poverty (5:3) and mourn (5:4), it is far more difficult to respond with meekness when someone else confronts us about our bankruptcy, inadequacies, sin. Believers, myself included, need to start responding to this hostile world in meekness (gentleness and self-control). The last thing this world needs is more harsh and angry responses. I need to learn to respond in meekness so that I may deescalate a conversation rather than throwing and adding fuel to the fire.

The reward for the meek person is a fulfillment of Psalm 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the land [in Hebrew land can also mean earth] and delight themselves in abundant peace.” While in Psalm 37:11 inherit the land refers to the Promised Land, here in Matt 5:5, Jesus extends this inheritance to all those who will believe in Him.

For the meek person, this promise of inheriting the earth is in the future; however, “it is an encouragement in the present, for Jesus’s followers know their present sacrifices will be worth it and they will be vindicated” (G.R. Osborne, Matthew, ZECNT, 2010, p. 167). May we persevere and endure in meekness knowing the great reward that lies ahead!

Father God, as the Greeks viewed meekness as a vice, so does our society today. Lord God, help us to be a people who are humble and gentle displaying self-control in this chaotic and out of control world. Lord God, thank You that when we actively call on You and authentically seek You, wanting to obey You, that You will help us to respond in a manner that brings You glory. Lord God, I am sorry for all the times where my attitude toward others has been anything but meek. Lord God, while the internet is a wonderful tool, it can also be wielded as a weapon. Lord God, help us to be meek when engaging in online discussions. May we not seek to provoke people whom we disagree with just for the because of it. Lord God, prepare us for whatever it is that we are to face next. Prepare our families and friends. Lord God, thank You for this reader. Thank You Jesus for the example of meekness that You have set before us. May we long to be more like You each and every day. In Your Name Jesus. Amen.

Mourning

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matt 5:4 ESV)

While my focus is on mourning, each Beatitude builds on the previous so allow me a minute to address what it means to be both “blessed” and “poor in spirit.”

“Blessed” means to be a recipient of divine favor or approval. The opposite of blessed is cursed. There are only two paths, blessed or cursed. The blessed person in Matthew 5:3, the one who is “poor in spirit” is the one who is humble and acknowledges their need for God in every area of their life. God’s divine favor, approval, endorsement rests on those who are “poor in spirit” and their reward is “the kingdom of heaven” life spent in eternity with the Holy Triune God.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (5:4). In the Greek mourning is a present, active, participle which means that we should be repeatedly mourning. This is not a one time event! Only the person who is poor in spirit is the one who is able to authentically mourn. And how do we do this? Why should we mourn? Pastor Keith yesterday (6 Dec 2020) gave three layers or reasons for why we mourn: over personal sin, over the persistence of sin, over the pervasiveness of sin.

Many cultures today (especially in the States) do everything they can to run from or mask pain and discomfort. The world promotes that we should be as happy as we can because the world is bad enough. As Lloyd-Jones states, “The whole organization of life, the pleasure mania, the money, energy, and enthusiasm that are expended in entertaining people, are all just an expression of the great aim of the world to get away from the idea of mourning and this spirit of mourning” (Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, 1976, p. 43).

The Gospel does indeed say, “blessed are those who mourn.” Once we acknowledge that we are “poor in spirit” we have no choice but to authentically progress to mourning over our sins personally and corporately. We are called to mourn, to rejoice and to be content. I mourn and lament the sin that is within me that has helped promote the problems that we have in this world today. Like Paul, I mourn and hate the persistence and pervasiveness of my own sins and the sins of others that are causing the problems that we are seeing in society today (Romans 7:18-24).

Folks, I will be honest, I have been mourning what has happened and is happening in our world today. I am fully aware that for those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ that we are Kingdom citizens first and foremost. I am NOT asking God for things to go back to how they were prior, I acknowledge and am fully aware that God’s ways, plans and thoughts are NOT mine and I am following Him! However, I also know that if I do not acknowledge my grief and admit that I am mourning to God, myself and others two things will happen definitely happen 1. I will become angry and 2. Anger will cause me to sin in which I miss/forfeit God’s comfort. There’s also a 3rd component which is more of a risk, if I do not acknowledge to others that I am mourning, I may miss the comfort that God has given them to give to me.

Unlike the first hearers of Matthew’s Gospel, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We have the Comforter of comforters inside of us who will help us, strengthen us in our mourning when we acknowledge our brokenness over our sin, when we express our hurts, pain and fears to Him. We should not stay in mourning, we should experience His comfort and the comfort of others; however, we cannot deny that we have a need to mourn. Again, mourning is a byproduct of the one who is poor in spirit. Being poor in spirit and mourning both have to do with our vertical and our horizontal relationships in the face of oppression and opposition.

Mourning requires self-examination and self-reflection. This Advent season, may we not run from mourning but rather run to mourning, knowing that in the Incarnation, God Himself took on Flesh to reconcile sinful man to Holy God by dying a criminal’s death on a cross, buried and in the grave for three days, Resurrected from the dead, who is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Fifty days after Jesus Ascended to Heaven, the Father through the Son sent the Holy Spirit to indwell, comfort, advocate on behalf of all those who will believe in Him.

May we mourn knowing that God will comfort us now and even more so in eternity. I have no idea what mourning looks like for you dear reader, but know that Jesus is with you and that He loves you and so do I.

Father God, help us to mourn and lament our sin and the sins of what we see around us. Thank You Father that although we are called to mourn we are also called to rejoice. Lord God, thank You for being a God who allows us to express our emotions and that You will help us process our emotions and circumstances in a manner that honors You and brings You glory. Lord God, Your glory is the manifestation of Your Holiness. Lord God, make us more aware and more sensitive to our spiritual poverty in this Christmas season. Lord God, 2020 has been a tough year for just about everyone in so many different ways. Lord God, make us sensitive to NOT look down on those who are mourning but to comfort them, being quick to listen and slow to speak. Lord God, thank You that mourning and comfort go together. Lord God, thank You for the gift of this reader. Meet with them today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

December 2020 Prayer

Lord God, thank You for this new month. Thank You Lord that You are bringing to a close this wild, crazy, tumultuous and humbling year that is 2020!

Lord God, thank You that although to most of us this was a really hard and difficult year, we know that Your Greatness and Your Goodness prevailed. Lord God, for those who have lost loved ones this year, I ask that You comfort and strengthen them. Lord God, thank You for new life for those who experienced the birth of a child, grandchild, niece, nephew.

Lord God, thank You for the children who were adopted and placed into loving foster care families. Lord God, may we be reminded that new life, physical and spiritual is occurring all the time. Open our eyes to see Your beauty in the midst of the flames, rubble and ashes.

Lord God, help us to end 2020 well. Lord, thank You for using 2020 as a means to show us the things to come. Lord God, prepare us for the growing hostilities, persecutions and costliness of being Jesus followers in 2021 and beyond.

Lord God, prepare our hearts for Christmas. While everyday is Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and Thanksgiving may we be even more mindful and in awe that with the arrival of Christ, man could look in the face of Holy God and live. May we never forget that to those under the Law, seeing God meant fear and death. May we fear You Lord, not out of a sense of doom, gloom and punishment but fear You out of respect, love, devotion, worship. Lord God, fearing You is the beginning of both wisdom and worship. May we worship You even in the midst of our trials, struggles and hardships.

Lord God, again, prepare us for this new year by helping us end 2020 well. Lord God, thank You that we will be better equipped to handle and respond to changes because of what we have went through in 2020. Prepare us to endure!

Lord God, thank You that Your church is a Body. Thank You that we do not have to go to the Church Building to be purified, we are purified, made clean by Your Spirit in person not in place. Lord God, may we be reminded that what You long for is not sacrifice but a pure, humble, obedient and repentant heart.

Lord God, reveal to us our hidden and habitual sins. Lord God, may You use this new month to help us reflect on 2020 holistically. May we seek to grow in You this month asking You to prepare us for 2021. Lord God, no geopolitical agenda will change hearts. Only You, our Triune God changes hearts, minds and behaviors. Lord God, may we be reminded that good theology moves from the head, to the heart to the hand. May we think on You, be stirred in our hearts to action with our hands.

Lord God, prepare us to stand for You. Thank You that absolute truth exists. Thank You that Truth, Peace and Justice is a Person and His Name is Jesus. Thank You Jesus that when You administer Your Judgment that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Lord God, may hearts be turned to Christ while there is still time!

Lord God, thank You for this reader! Thank You that You hear and answer prayers. Lord God, speak to this reader through Your Word making clear to them whatever it is they are seeking. Lord God, prepare us and grow us to be an even more devoted and faithful pray-ers. Lord God, no government, no think police can stop the silent prayers offered by Your faithful people. May this encourage us and motivate us to pray with power, boldness and perseverance!

Lord God, for those who are discontented in their prayer life, I say, “good!” Anyone Lord who is content in their prayer life and in their time spent with You is probably not in the best spiritual condition. You have given us a heart that longs and desires You. Lord God, may this holy dissatisfaction continue to drive us to You! May we desire to grow and become like You as well as interceding for others.

Lord God, once again, prepare us for this new month, prepare us to celebrate Christmas and prepare us for what we will face in 2021. Thank You Lord that over this past year You have impressed on me what truly matters most: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. I love You Lord and I love you reader. In Jesus’s Awesome and Mighty Name I pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer 2020

Father God, thank You that NO matter where we live for those of us who are in Christ EVERYDAY is Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost!

Lord God, no matter where we live may we stop and give thanks to You today. Praise You Father that You command us to give thanks in all things NOT for all things.

Lord God, 2020 for most of us has been the hardest year ever. It is a fight to be thankful and to see Your Hand working in our lives. Lord God, this Thanksgiving, help us to reflect on all the ways You have sustained us. Lord God, for those of us who are unable to meet and gather with family and friends due to COVID restrictions, I ask that You will help our hearts to not be bitter, angry or frustrated. Lord God, thank You that You are still in the heart changing business, both for the unbeliever toward salvation and the believer toward sanctification, transforming us more and more into Your holy and glorious image!

Lord God, for those who suffering the loss of a loved one I ask that You bring them comfort. Lord God, for those who are alone feeling isolated and shut out I ask that You fill them with the peace of Your Presence.

Lord God, thank You for WordPress. Thank You for the community that You have given us on WordPress. Lord God, while we may not be able to raise our voices together proclaiming Christ is King in person, may we do so with boldness and authenticity online. Lord God, may we be an army of believers coming together to encourage, praise and thank You our Triune God.

Lord God, thank You for the gift of salvation. Prepare us to serve You in eternity by giving us practice in this life. Lord God, thank You that even though Your way is narrow and unpopular, it does indeed bring satisfaction, joy and life! Thank You that we may cast our cares on You. Thank You that Your burden is light compared to the anxiety, fear and death the world offers. Lord God, thank You for helping us to discern Your truth from all the lies. Thank You that You have preserved Your Word from generation to generation. And even if all the Bibles in the world were burned or destroyed, thank You Jesus that NOTHING will ever change the Good News of who You are and what You have done.

Lord God, thank You that You will not abandon us or leave us alone. Lord God, thank You that You desire for us to know You and to draw close to You. Thank You Jesus that You are only a thought a way! May we fix our minds on You each and every day.

The more that we practice thanking You each and every day, the more we will decrease and You will increase. Lord God, may we pursue goodness rather than greatness. May we share and encourage people in Christ while there is still time.

Lord God, thank You that You hear and answer prayer. Thank You that You are God and that we are not. Thank You that while we may not know the end of our own stories, we know the end to Yours, and You win! May we NOT lose sight that You are our Overcoming, Victorious and Soon Returning King. Thank You Jesus for Your presence in our lives and interceding on our behalf before the Father.

Lord God, thank You for this reader! Lord God, thank You and praise You that You are good and that Your love endures forever! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

November 2020 Prayer

Father God, praise You that You are God and You are in control. Praise You Lord that You know what we will face. Praise You for knowing our needs and how to meet them!

Lord God, prepare all people who will be affected by the USA election. Thank You Jesus that You are King and that no earthly ruler will EVER replace You. Lord God, help us to be calm citizens on this earth looking forward to Your kingdom that is coming!

Lord God, thank You and praise You that You are sovereign over the weather. Lord God, be with Your people who are in the path of wildfires, hurricanes, typhoons, blizzards.

Lord God, help us to trust You more this month! Help us to dig into Your Word and delight in You. Praise You Jesus for giving Your people a new identity and position. May we live in a manner that honors and pleases You. May we bring You glory this month. May we desire what You desire more this month. May we choose to love even when it is hard and difficult.

Help my heart Lord to honor You and others with my words. Oh how short I fall on this! Lead us Lord. Guide us. Stir our hearts to prayer and praise. May we be reminded that praise changes our focus from looking at what’s in front of us to You and who You are. May we meditate on Your Greatness and emulate Your Goodness. Praise You Lord for this reader! Praise You Lord for Your love and care for us.

Holy Trinity, Father, Son, Spirit thank You for Your Greatness, Goodness and Presence in our lives. May we be known for our love for You and others this month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Psalm 51

      7       Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
      wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
            8       Let me hear joy and gladness;
      let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
            9       Hide your face from my sins,
      and blot out all my iniquities.
            10       Create in me a clean heart, O God,
      and renew a right spirit within me.
            11       Cast me not away from your presence,
      and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
            12       Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
      and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:7-12 ESV

This is David’s well-known psalm of repentance after Nathan confronted him with his sin of adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12).

In verse 10 the word create (bara) is the same word used in Genesis 1 where God created (bara) the heavens and the earth. “Strictly used, this word describes what only God can do; to create ex nihilo, out of nothing” (Boice, Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary, 2005, p. 432). David is commanding God to create a new heart in him. “Derek Kidner writes, ‘With the word create he asks for nothing less than a miracle.’ He desires what only God can provide” (Boice, p. 432).

Robert Altar translates the first half of verse 11 as “Do not fling me from Your presence” stating “this Hebrew verb has a connotation of violent action for which the conventional translation of it as “cast” is too tame” (Altar The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary vol 3, 2019, p. 134). Fling/cast is a hiphil in Hebrew which is a verb of causation. David is asking God not to cause him to be violently or forcefully flung/cast away from His presence.

I cannot help but to think that David had King Saul in mind when he says in the next half of verse 11, “and take not your Holy Spirit from me.” I want to be clear, David is not worried about losing his salvation; however, he is worried about losing God’s Presence, anointing and fellowship like King Saul did in 1 Samuel 16. James Boice states, “Today most commentators recognize that David is not talking about eternal security or the fear of losing his salvation at all. He is only acknowledging that he is unable to live a holy life without God. Therefore, he needs the help and power of the Holy Spirit every single moment if he is to be able to overcome temptation and follow after godliness” (p. 434).

In verse 12 David commands God to restore (hiphil, imperative) to him the joy of His salvation. David knew that his fellowship with God had been broken and needed God to cleanse and restore him. David, again, did not lose his eternal salvation, but he did lose the joy of it. What’s true of David is the same with us, there is NO joy when we are living in sin. There is no peace when our relationship with God is broken.

“Many think that the way to joy or a good time is by sinning. They think that godliness is dull. Actually the opposite is the case. Sin brings sorrow. Righteousness brings rejoicing. Allowed to continue, sin will remove every good thing from our lives—joy, health, wealth, and at last even life itself. Only righteousness will restore them” (Boice, p. 434).

“The fact that the psalmist prays for so many things [in vv. 7–12] indicates how many things he knew he had lost when he plunged into sin” (Leupold, Exposition of the Psalms, 1969, pp. 405-406).

Father God, thank You that Your saved and redeemed people never need to fear losing their salvation. Thank You for the gift of salvation by grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Trinity, for those who have lost the joy of their salvation due to sin or looking at current events, I ask that You will lift their minds, hearts and hands to You. Lord God, thank You that when we confess our sins to You that You will forgive us. Lord God, forgive us for the times when we put the things of this world before You. Lord God, restore to Your Body the joy of Your salvation, whether we are gathering together in person or online. Lord God, in these ever changing, challenging and tumultuous times, I ask that we will desire to dwell in Your Presence, growing in Your character and serving You with passion, authenticity and boldness until You call us home. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Prayer for Paula

No matter how many times I type and delete this post asking God to give me something better or more eloquent to say, about how amazing and wonderful Paula is, nothing better is flowing out of me. I do not want this post to be about me but about Paula. With that said, here it goes!

Paula and I first crossed paths in January 2008 in a fundamentals of Physical Therapist Assistant course at Central Pennsylvania College. To say Paula was NOT a very big fan of me would be an understatement! As Paula told me yesterday she thought I was “loud and annoying.”

The next class Paula and I together was an oral communications class with like six other people. Paula had NO choice but to hear my “loud and annoying” voice (yea God!). Through this class, Paula and I became friends.

As our classes advanced Paula and I became study partners. Now you have to understand, I am NOT science nor math minded at all! So, to help me learn the origin of muscles, their insertions and primary functions, I made color coated poster board charts of each region of the body and then tacked them all over the walls of my townhouse. The first time Paula saw my work of art all she said was “overachiever!”

What I appreciate the most about Paula and her husband Mike is their heart for Jesus. Paula, Mike and I over the years have had many beautiful, hard and at times heated talks on what it means to live for Christ.

Paula and Mike’s daughter was born on September 17, 2011. It still excites me that Katie and I have the same birthday! (I was 30 when she was born. Less than two years later Paula gave birth to Chris). In November 2011, I found out my dad had stage IV lung cancer. Paula and Mike rallied around my family praying for us. Paula was constantly checking in to see how we were doing. I cannot express in words how much this meant to me!

Paula is one of the most authentic, real and optimistic people I have ever met in my life. Paula is consistent, loyal, funny, a real salt of the earth woman. There is no fakery with Paula. She is who she is. Paula never compromises her faith, nor does she shy away from calling sin, sin. I am SO thankful for my friend Paula!

In the beginning of 2018 Paula was diagnosed with cancer. Paula has been a warrior and fighter for her husband and her children, enduring chemo and radiation. Paula has never waivered in her faith and her love for Jesus. On Monday September 21, 2020 Paula was in the hospital with liver failure. As of yesterday, September 23, 2020 Paula was sent home from the hospital on hospice.

Only Jesus knows what the future looks like for Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris. With tears in my eyes, I humbly ask that you would keep the Weimer family in your prayers.

Father God, thank You for Paula. Lord God, I ask that You surround Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris with Your Presence. Lord God, give the Weimer family peace. Holy Spirit, thank You that when we do not know how or what to pray, that You make our prayers known to the Father. Thank You Jesus for interceding on our behalf. Lord God, I ask that You comfort Paula, Mike, Katie and Chris. Remind each one of them that You know them and that You see them and that You will not abandon them. Lord God, give Paula and Mike courage. Lord God, I ask for Your grace and mercy to be upon each one of them. Lord God, keep the Weimer family in perfect peace. May we never take our time with our loved ones for granted. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.