out of the mouths of babes you have ordained praise

*a post from Emily

Wednesday evening, as I lifted Corban, I felt a pop in my lower back. I knew it was going to be trouble. I asked Corban to pray for me. This is what he prayed, "Jesus, help mommy, back feel better [followed by words I couldn't understand], Amen." It was precious to have my 2yr old son pray for me. And today, my back doesn't hurt. In fact, it hasn't hurt since Corban prayed. The Lord hears, the Lord answers. Even the prayers of a little boy for his mommy. I am grateful.

oh how sweet to trust in Jesus

Today a major burden was lifted, all praise to Jesus!  Thank you for your prayers, they are effective, and mean a lot.  I don't want to rob you of your joy, therefore I'm telling you that the LORD hears and the LORD answers.  Praise the LORD and rejoice with us!

If you have a burden, ask the LORD for grace and mercy.  His ears are open to our cries.  He is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  I thought it a sweet providence this Sunday that during our time of corporate worship, Nat proclaimed verses from Psalm 34 amidst my wrestling, and broke my heart to tears.  Oh how kind the LORD is to us!

It IS so sweet to trust in Jesus, I don't know how dismal it must be for those who don't know Him.

a prayer for today

Lord Jesus, please take this burden from me.  I know your ears are always open and you are attentive to my cries.  Give me the joy that's mine as a sheep in your fold.  Cause my face to turn to you and be radiant.  Let my mourning be turned to rejoicing, for that is far better.  Give me grace to not worry about tomorrow, but trust in you for today.  Renew my soul, lift my countenance, save the soul of your servant.  Help me to be a confident father who trusts in you, and inspires confidence in my family.  Send your peace over me like a title wave and enrapture my soul with your benevolence.  Only in you, Jesus, is there any consolation for sorrow, and all the reason in the world for rejoicing and satisfaction.  Keep my mind fixed on you and rule in my heart.  Take it Lord Jesus, you are entirely trustworthy and good.  Amen.

encouagement from Scott

I received this email yesterday, and it blessed me to tears.

I also know what it's like to have emotions function as the engine of your train.  There are three cars to everybody's train: the mind, emotions, and will.  When we take our eyes off of our heavenly Father and the truths of his word we often start to let our emotions become the engine of the train.  Fight to keep you mind and intellect and the truths you know from Scripture as the driving force of your life.  Keep your emotions in check as the second car.

But this analogy breaks down in that our emotions ALWAYS follow what we're thinking.  It is NEVER the other way around.  If we're depressed it's because we can't see beyond the hurdle and trial in front of us, and thus we think things are hopeless.  If we're joyful, it's because we remember that God loves us (as you talked about loving Corban) and seeks to give us exactly what we need most at every given moment.  (Or we are just stupid and choose not to see any hurdles or trials before us.)

But you're not stupid and you do see the trials in front of you.  The difficulty you seem to be having is remembering the love God has for you and his promise to provide.  (Matt 6:25-34)  And don't forget Rom 8:32!!!  "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"  God already did the greater thing, how will he now not do the lesser for those he loves.

So brother, these days look often at Corban and Emily.  Meditate on and FEEL the love you have for them, and then transpose that into the love that God has for his children and that Jesus has for the church.  Let these truths lead your emotions.  "Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth."

my prayer that the LORD heard and answered

Oh Lord Jesus, overwhelm my heart with peace today.  Cause me to wait on you, and put on the courage you have for me.  Give me a trust in you that surpasses human logic, and give me eyes to see beyond this momentary, light affliction.  You are good and faithful, ever extending your constant care over me.  Bring my countenance from fear and sorrow to that of joy and contentment.  You own the cattle on a thousand hills.  You clothe the lilies of the field.  You feed the sparrows.  You didn’t spare your own Son, but gave him up for me.  How will you not give me all I need?!  Oh God cause me to seek your kingdom and your righteousness.  You are gracious, good, and always faithful.  Thank you for loving me.  You are the great Provider, and you care for my soul.  I praise you Lord for the perfect peace found in you.  Give my soul rest in you.  I love you Lord.  Amen

A prayer request

Hello,

We are spending the week up in Grand Marais for a time of prayer and planning.  Many of you know, mid October I was laid off.  Unfortunately Piper Construction had only enough work to keep one person busy.  I have been staying busy where I can, and the Lord has been faithful.

With much prayer and consultation, I decided to start a business!  It's called "Phil Carlson Custom Wood Craft."  I am registered with the state and have been working on logos and websites and all the other 100 things I have to think about during this time.  In the next couple days here I will be hopefully be launching the website, I will send you a link when it's ready.

Please pray:

that I would be wise with my time up here.  That I would devote much time to prayer and fasting, as well as getting on the computer and making things happen.

that I would get a clear vision and mission for the company, and that the Lord would use us to serve people.  Pray that the Lord would lead us to the people who need our help.


that I would have peace.  I have been very overwhelmed and worried lately, and that's not what the Lord wants for me.  Pray I would trust the Lord, and lean on him in all things and that he would continue to be perfectly faithful in our lives.


that the van would be sold.  I just listed a van on craigslist and I would very much like it to sell, its a big burden on me right now.

that our other vehicles would make it through the winter with out any major repairs.

that the bathroom remodel I'm starting on Jan 4th would go smooth and I would be prepared. 

This scripture has been very sweet and prophet to me lately.  Please also pray this text over me.

"Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" Psalm 27:14

Thank you so much!