Our LIfe-Its just a Vapor

I'll reference this verse later--but in James we read that our life is a vapor and but for a moment. I remember when Tim VanAcker(a friend from high school that dated my sister) preached at our church on this verse. I can't say that I took it so seriously as I do right now. Of course I didn't really have a brush with death--but I had a condition that warranted an early heart attack and quick possible death. God could have given me the strength to overcome what I had and in His grace brought me through the summer, ok. But, each night I put my head down on the coach and struggled sleeping--was an indication that something was wrong and were the results of that Aneurysm. But, yesterday the news was sad. My friend and fellow teacher, LC died by being hit by a truck on the Parkway. Devastating news for those who were closest to here and shocking to those who didn’t' know here on a day to day basis. I know that she was a committed teacher, that the kids loved her and that she was making a difference at MHS for the good. Kids were learning how to be successful in business and other enterprising pursuits. But, more than that, she was a kind encouraging kind of person. She was younger than me by three years. I'm so grieved over this. Did I tell her about Christ in my time with her? I'm not sure that I did. God only knows about her relationship with Christ. I pray that god would use this as something to draw people to the Savior. The Christian kids will have an opportunity that only happens when something like this occurs. I pray that they will speak boldly the Gospel of Christ. Our God is in control.

I'm in my backyard this morning and finding the presence of God once again. i'm reminded of the great song--that encourages believers every day:

When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot thous hast taught us to say
It is well, It is well with my soul.

When Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trumpt shall resound and the LORD shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul

James 4: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Prayer

I was truly blessed by many as I went through this heart surgery in the area of prayer. The many that just told me they had prayed for me or would pray for me or would share my request with their church group was amazing. To be honest, at church prayer meeting sometimes I grow weary of all the "requests" and want to get to the praying. But, this is such a selfish desire. Sometimes you hear of so many that are suffering that you get kind of "oh, just another one to add to my long list". I'm trusting the Lord to be more sensitive to the needs of people, even when I don't know them. I think it was just amazing how so many people knew about my surgery, either before or after, and prayed for me. A couple of things were memorable. Sarah's cousin, Luther, who is just newly taken over his father's travelling evangelist schedule called me from Indonesia the night before the surgery. He right on the phone, prayed for healing. I was touched by his concern. I was transported by ambulance to Vegas and was accompanied by three Bullhead firefighters. One of them, Chief Don Evans, goes back a ways with our church. In the early days his father and their family attended Trinity Bapitst around its founding. Since then, Don has been working for the fire department for many years here in Bullhead. His wife Donna has become a friend since she is our #1 sub at the high school. She agreed to take my classes for as long as I'm gone (a new prayer request). Getting back to the ambulance---As the Bullhead crew turned me over to the staff at the LV hospital-Don prayed for me out loud, in the presence of everyone around. It was kind of a random thing-but probably something he does to encourage believers and non-believers. It was another shot of encouragement. When speaking of prayer I must give thanks to one of the most effective prayer warriors I know, Betty Geant. She made sure my request was spread all over the valley. I was talking to a good friend who goes to another church in town and she told me that they had prayed for me on Sunday in their church service. I automatically knew that Mrs. Geant had expanded the prayer list for my case-what a great encouragement. I am thankful for the prayers fo the saints through my trial. James said it well in this verse I'll leave at the end of this blog. Every time we go to prayer may we remember "availeth much." The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16