Where is our Focus?

 
Found these two items on WND. The first is by former linebacker for the Dallas cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks. The second is an interesting piece just to warm you where you are right now.

"Popular Hymn "Amazing Grace" a 237-Year Inspiration

On March 10, 1748, during a church service in Warwickshire, England, the captain of the slave ship Greyhound converted to Christianity. John Newton, who was just 22 years old at the time, vowed to spend the rest of his life making amends for what he had done.

A quarter of a century later then ordained Rev. Newton delivered a New Year’s Day sermon on the subject of faith. Although the text of that sermon has been lost, a hymn he wrote based on his notes went on to become one of the most popular gospel songs of all time. “Amazing Grace” has been recorded more than 1,800 times by such disparate musicians as Aretha Franklin, Rod Steward, the Dropkick Murphys and the Blind Boys of Alabama. In the early 1970s, a version by Judy Collins spent 67 weeks on the single chart in the United Kingdom. In 1972 an instrumental version by the Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards was No. 1 in England for five weeks.

In the past 237 years, Newton’s grateful, graceful lyrics have given comfort and inspiration to many millions of people. And they no doubt will continue to do so for many centuries to come. We're all familiar with the first stanza of that lovely, memorable hymn. But here is the complete text:

'Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

''Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

'Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

'The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

'Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

'The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.'

May you be richly blessed, too."

—Chip Wood

I know that God's amazing grace can extend even to Congress and the present administration. Intellectually I know this. But it's really hard to pray for these people. Someone once said to me, "Pray to be willing." I can do that. It's a start.

Dr. Charles Stanley gave us this on Inauguration Day, while I was hunkered down in my house wearing black and crying uncontrollably. I printed it off and hung it over my computer monitor for about a year. Finally took it down because I couldn't bear to look at it in light of what's going on in Washington now. But it really needs to be back up—now more than ever. Here it is:

"Most of us realize that we should be interceding for our country’s leaders. But sometime we have difficulty knowing what to ask. Below are a few suggestions.


Pray that our elected officials would:

1.Recognize their personal sinfulness and need for the cleansing power of Jesus Christ.

2.Understand their inadequacy for the task before them and their need to pray for God’s wisdom, knowledge and courage.

3.Reject all counsel that violates the spiritual principles of God’s Word and be willing to trust God to lead them in the right direction.

4.Resist the pressures of those who would lead them astray or tempt them to disobey the Lord and His will for their lives.

5.Work to reverse the trend towards ungodliness in our land and to restore America’s Christ-centered values.

6.Be prepared to make godly choices in the best interest of America, regardless of the cost.

7.Rely on the Word of God and prayer for strength and success.

8.Maintain dignity, honor, trustworthiness, and righteousness in office.

9.Strive to be a godly example to the men, women, and children of this land.

10.Remember that while in office, they are accountable to God for their attitudes, actions, and motives.

If God’s people pray consistently and passionately for those in authority, the entire nation will be affected.

'The effective prayer of a righteous man [or woman] can accomplish much  (James 5:16)."

Love

Granny