For a nation at war, we seldom demonstrate an appropriate wartime mentality.  Little interest in news from the frontlines, minimal sacrifice (how foreign even the notion of rations), squabbling politicos.  All the while, battles ensue in distant lands [yawn].  Perhaps we disagree w/the war.  Fine.

Yet a war (ie, the War) rages w/which no child of God can disagree, and our response proves equally poor.  Little interest in news from the frontlines (eg, Algeria, Belarus, -stan, etc.), minimal sacrifice.  Our missionaries oft go w/scant resources and few intercessors, while we, in our fattened complacency, lose ourselves in postmodern entertainment and squabble over the pettier things of life.  By sustained prayer do bastions of darkness fall!  O God, may we pray grand prayers of “Your kingdom come” which rise as incense before You (Matthew 6:10; Psalm 141:2).  Yes, He hears “heal my sickness” and “help me in this distressing situation,” but the glory of His grace revealed to all peoples remains His chief concern.  Sense the urgency and simplify.  Give!  Pray (http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1012_pray_global_prayers/)!  Enjoy the finer things of life?  By all means, but do so strategically, using the charms of this world to build lasting relationships.  This hoagie goes six ways, ten spoons for that Häagen-Dazs, newcomers over for the Suns game, etc.

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Yesterday, a guest speaker at church stated the imperative, “Do good deeds to provoke questions to which Jesus is the answer.”  I often wrestle w/the thought that my life of good deeds seems similar (if not inferior) to those of individuals w/out the Spirit.  What then?  There arises a temptation for one-upmanship.  I suppose I lack faith in His perfect timing.  After all, “Each [wise man/sorcerer] threw down his staff and they turned into serpents.  But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs” (Exodus 7:12, NASB).  I should simply “let love be genuine” (Romans 12:9, ESV).
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I love YouTube, b/c it allows me to enjoy copyrighted music for free, particularly favourite hymns from Hillsong.  For a Christian recording artist, should he/she/they allow this piracy to persist (to the glory of God)?

More than an adolescence under three females, a mere three weeks of OB/GYN has vastly increased my appreciation for what the fairer sex must face in terms of hormonal changes, potential cancers/dysfunctions/infections, etc.  My condolences.

Thank You, God.
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It seems we have a prolonged autumn (global warming?), since by this time last year, all the leaves had already invaded the lawn.  No complaints here--less leaves to rake (now) and a lovely commute.