Be granted the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and to have the wisdom to know the difference...

It has been a while since I have written on my 43T tablets. My goal is to reach out to my old friends here. It seems like a major goal but I bet if I take it one step at a time it can happen…we will see…

This day is filled with opportunity…I pray for the serenity and the courage to see and act on those things that i need to act on in order to seize the opportunity hidden in the action…Opportunities to develop new ideas, new frontiers in my life…

for the serenity to accept people, places and things exactly as they are at this very moment. For the courage to change the only thing I can change…me, and for wisdom to know those things I can change in me vs. those things i need to accept…

Believe or not, this is the one goal I have that has been cheered the most. I have loved the Serenity prayer for the last 16 years of my life…It has given me hope when I was totally hopeless, it has given me Knowledge, Serenity, Wisdom, Courage, Faith, Love, and many other good, positive and admirable ideals…But, most importantly, it has taught me that it is ok to trust God…And God has let Himself known to me thru and thru while I have held on for dear life to it…
God knows best!...

I’ve been feeling kind of stressed out lately (I know I am not alone with thisone…). I just blogged on my one main blog, that, maybe the dude that wrote Revelation in th eBible is not that whacked out and that I ought to pay closer attention to what says there. I and my household do not want to be left behind…(Ast Tim LaHaye’s series of books have forewarned all of us), the thing of it is that I have not read Tim LaHayes version, but only have dabbed on and off, here and there in the Book of Revelation…

The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all evil and peserves your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalm 121:5-8

Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer. Save me from my enemies, LORD; I run
to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
Psalm 143:8-10

“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Proverbs 26:20

Psalm 91:1-16
Published March 13, 2003

‘The final prayer Jabez offered to God was a request for God to keep him from evil (1 Chron. 4:10b). The petition expressed a threefold request-to keep him from committing evil acts, to shield him from satanic assaults and to protect him from physical harm, especially in military battles. The sentiments of Psalm 91, a favorite of military personnel, express the same desires for God’s protection.
Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
The Holy Spirit led the psalmist to the realization that the only real protection depends on God’s nature (vv. 1-2). The opening prayer is an appeal to the Most High God (Hebrew Elyon). It speaks of the One who is elevated above all else. Dwelling in the “secret place” alludes to the intimate relationship required of believers. The Almighty (Hebrew Shaddai) invokes the image of a high and impregnable position. Picture a flock of sheep sleeping serenely in the shadow of a mighty rock while a storm rages around them. They find security while resting in the shadow.
The writer then calls on the God of Creation (v. 21), the same word used in Genesis 1:1 (Hebrew Elohim). He is the fortress and place of refuge. The next name for God (Hebrew YHWH) is the One in covenant with Israel. The Psalmist’s sacred commitment is seen in the personal pronoun “my,” concluding with the words, “in Him will I trust.”
The writer then moved to a personal application in relying on God’s strategies available to believers (vv. 3-8). The concept of these verses is reflected in 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says that with every temptation from Satan, God provides a way out. Note that throughout verses 3-8, the speaker shifts from the psalmist to a second person who confirms the spiritual direction of the one praying. He began with the assurance God delivers from the traps Satan sets, compared to snares set to catch the unwary. The idea centers around the different kinds of bait to be used. Likewise does Satan direct his allurements to appeal to the desires and tendencies of each person.
The friendly adviser also described the other kinds of hidden dangers such as diseases (vv. 3, 6) and terrors brought about by robbers who strike at night (v. 5). In open warfare, God protects His own (vv. 6, 7). The one trusting God will observe how others succumb and fall as God sustains the one trusting Him (v. 8).
The friend points out another way God protects, by sending His angels (vv. 9-13). Hebrews 1:14 asserts that angels are “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Satan also knows about the promise of Psalm 91:12 and quoted it in his attempt to induce Jesus to cast Himself from the temple pinnacle. The angels could suddenly materialize to lift Him up in a dramatic rescue scene (Matt. 4:6, Luke 4:10-11). Jesus did not bother to remind Satan he had omitted the key words from 91:11, that the promise applied only to those walking in God’s way.
Further, the believer will not be defeated by secret, malignant enemies (the “adders”) nor by open, horrendous assaults (the “dragons”). Likewise will the believer withstand violent foes (lions) or even enemies at the height of their military might (young lions).
The last three verses shift speakers again as God Himself broke into the conversation to guarantee His protection through His promises (vv. 14-16). He acknowledges the primacy of love (v. 14), an important corollary to trust in Him (v. 2). As a consequence, God sets him “on high” as He honors the one calling on His Name. He listens to those in trouble, grants deliverance, bestows long life and satisfies the soul.

I wanted to find a full version of the Serenity Prayer, and I found this site that has it and another Powerful prayer alongside with it:

The Serenity Prayer
Path

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/special/serenity.html

I know God’s listening…

I really am positively charged as I write this tonight (actually it is morning already), I have no words to express my feelings, but I know that somehow, someway, GOD has all to do with it.