Zelenskyy, the Oscars, and Westies

 I made the mistake this morning of commenting on this photo on President Zelenkyy's Instagram account.

"You have the full support of this American, Mr. President." 

Two Ukrainians thanked me, a Russian said vile things, which then caused 104 more comments, arguments, etc. I learned my lesson. I will keep my thoughts to myself, or share here. It's not like President Zelenskyy will read it anyway.

I do want to share what he said when he posted the photo: 

"More and more people in the world are on the side of Ukraine, on the side of good in this battle with evil. And if politicians don't know how to follow people, we will teach them. This is the basis of democracy of our national character."

A lot of our politicians need to heed that and listen to the people they are supposed to be representing.

Battle with evil: 

'Peacemaker' Roman Abramovich flew to Russia to 'give Putin a handwritten note from Zelenksy dictating Ukraine's terms' in a bid to end war...but was told, "Tell him I will thrash them."

Слава Україні

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Did you watch The Academy Awards last night? Even if you didn't I'm sure you were told about the slap heard round the world. The best line from Will Smith's acceptance speech?

Denzel said to me a few minutes ago, he said, 'At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you.'

Too bad Denzel didn't give him that bit of advice sooner.

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Something purely innocent and delightful to end the evening:

 

I Need to Start Blogging Again

Ukraine lies heavy on my heart. I need to start blogging about it. If even one person reads and can join me in praying, then it is worth it.

I have updated the header with a beautiful picture (taken by Polina Rytova) of a wheat field in Eastern Ukraine.

I listened to President Biden's speech in Warsaw this afternoon, maybe one of his best speeches. I was shocked by the way he ended it, so was the White House as they back pedaled and said he was not speaking about regime change. The more I've thought about it I think he spoke from his heart:

"A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never erase a people's love for liberty. Brutality will never grind down their will to be free. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia, for free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness. We will have a different future, a brighter future, rooted in democracy and principle, hope and light. Of decency and dignity and freedom and possibilities. For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power."

 I have been very frustrated that we aren't doing more to help Ukraine. I think President Zelenskyy is too. He has shown remarkable restraint. Here is his nightly broadcast to the citizens of Ukraine:

I've also been forcing myself to pray for Putin. It is so easy to hate him.

Слава Україні

He's Enough

These verses spoke to my during my devotions tonight.

First an admonition to myself:

"Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him."   I Chronicles 16:11

Second, these verses bring comfort that God does see what's going on and will bring justice.

"LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them."      Psalm 10:17-18

Photo from Kaitlyn Bouchillon's July 12 Instagram Stories.

According to His Own Mercy

I Will Help You

I AM THE ONE WHO HELPS YOU, DECLARES THE LORD. —ISAIAH 41: 14 

This morning let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: “I will help you.”“It is but a small thing for Me, your God, to help you. Consider what I have done already. What! Not help you? Why, I bought you with My blood. What! Not help you? I have died for you; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less? Help you! It is the least thing I will ever do for you; I have done more, and will do more. Before the world began I chose you. I made the covenant for you. I laid aside My glory and became a man for you; I gave up My life for you; and if I did all this, I will surely help you now. In helping you, I am giving you what I have bought for you already. If you had need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it to you; you require little compared with what I am ready to give. It is much for you to need, but it is nothing for me to bestow. Help you? Fear not! If there were an ant at the door of your granary asking for help, it would not ruin you to give him a handful of your wheat; and you are nothing but a tiny insect at the door of My all-sufficiency. I will help you.”O my soul, is this not enough? Do you need more strength than the omnipotence of the united Trinity? Do you want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring here your empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Hurry, gather up your wants, and bring them here—your emptiness, your woes, your needs. Behold, this river of God is full for your supply; what else can you desire? Go forth, my soul, in this your might. The Eternal God is your helper! 

Fear not, I am with you, oh, be not dismay’d! I, I am your God, and will still give you aid.

Morning and Evening by CH Spurgeon

The Story Behind "Praise You in This Storm"

Praise You in This Storm

My absolute favorite Casting Crowns song.

I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
That it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone how can I carry on
If I can't find you
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth

And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm