Christmas time is a very cheery time– or, at least, it should be. Unfortunately, Fulani herdsmen are slaughtering Christian men, women, and children, and Christmas is not keeping them from it; it is, in fact, encouraging them all the more.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Observations & Insights
Reblog: When God Says “Not Yet”
I read this post over again and felt that while this news is old, the message in it is very relevant to the craziness happening in this world, today. I wanted to reblog it to remind us of these truths, and to come back, in a way, to the original focus of this blog.
Do you ever ask God, “Please show me what you’re doing in all of this?”
Yeah. That has been me, lately.
It’s not been without cause. Recently, Ahmed Salkida reported that more of the Chibok schoolgirls are alive than what was first thought; yet, little to no news has been shown about their whereabouts. And I’m not the only one craving more information on the girls; the president of the Nigerian senate, Mr. Bukola Saraki, wants regular updates on the rescue efforts of the Chibok girls, simply so that speculations like the ones journalist Ahmed Salkida is making.1
It’s hard to be in the dark about things that you care so much about.
But, that is precisely where one needs to trust Jesus.
“Everything in this world requires patience and prayer,” said Bashir Wasai, a leader in Northern Nigeria, when speaking about the remaining Chibok girls in this video (at 2:07). He is exactly right.
I have no idea what Jesus is doing, here. I’m starving to see, to understand, and to know.
And while I do that, I pray knowing who Jesus is; knowing that He knows, cares, and is actively involved in this situation, though no one outside of it may see it, yet. I know that He hears my cry, and cares for my request.
Jesus will make all things clear; but, for now, we must wait—and trust Him in all of the details. It is in this place where we will learn to love and trust Him, more.
When we pray for Christ to move, it is a prayer that opens our eyes and keeps us sensitive to where Christ has already been leading.
Please pray with me that Christ would make what is happening in the Chibok girls’ situation, clear. He is faithful, a Promise-Maker and Promise-Keeper! ❤
This post is in tribute to the countless mothers and fathers of those kidnapped by Boko Haram. May Jesus save and comfort their souls.
Do you know Jesus?
3,000 years ago, a man stepped on the scene who was, and is, like no other. He gathered good friends, disciples, and went around healing the sick and preaching the coming of the Kingdom of God. His name is Jesus.
At the time, the people who saw and knew Jesus thought He would set up His kingdom on earth in their presence; they thought He came to give freedom from the oppression of Rome. But He didn’t.
Instead, He died on the cross for the people’s sins—yours and mine. This didn’t make sense to anyone; yet, it was what God, Jesus, had planned to do, all along.
Jesus once told His disciples, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7, NIV). Later on, after His death and resurrection, they finally did understand. Jesus is not a God who can be fit into our boxes of presuppositions and our own logic; He is beyond our reasoning (though to believe in Him is not unreasonable!). Learn more about Him, and who He is, here.
Please pray for (you can find the prayer sheet for this post, here)…
- Jesus to show the public what is truly going on in the Chibok girls’ situation.
- That the remaining Chibok girls are not hurt/harmed in any way, and that they come home soon. You can find their names and pictures, here.
- That Leah Sharibu, part of the “Dapchi Girls,” would also be freed, soon.
- That the family members of these girls would not lose Hope, but would be renewed in Hope.
Thank you for your prayers!!! ❤
The State of This Blog
Dear Friends,
I have to admit, my heart is not where it used to be when it comes to loving, remembering, and praying for the Chibok girls and those in Nigeria. As I’ve read some of my past posts on Nigeria and the Chibok girls, I had a real hope and passion for their lives, and wrote just as passionately.
I want this to change. No more writing because “it’s what I should do”; I want to believe for and pray about these blessed and beautiful people just as I did in the beginning, all those years ago. Now that I am done with school, I want to spend more time on this blog, and I ask that you would pray that Jesus does a work in my heart about returning it to what it once was.
I want to thank each person who has been with me and prayed alongside me as I have written over 600 posts on this blog. May you all be blessed by having a closer relationship with Jesus.
Love to you all in Christ,
Annalee
Do you know Jesus?
It was over 6 years ago that Jesus Christ led me to start praying for Nigeria and the Chibok school girls. Jesus is real and alive! Learn more about Him, here.
Prayers, please.
It’s been a little over a week since this all started. I am jarred, shaken, and feel as if I can’t muster the strength to praise the Lord.
My mom could have liver cancer, or it could be benign. It’s hard for me to hope for the best outcome. Yet, Jesus beckons me to have hope. To rejoice in Him. To rest in His Sovereignty.
Yet, Jesus beckons me to have hope. To rejoice in Him. To rest in His Sovereignty.
Would you please pray for and with me? For my family, for my mom especially, for this whole ordeal? Please pray that I would be like that verse in Habakukk:
“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
(Habakukk 3:17-18, NIV)
I’ll keep you updated, my friends. Please lift up our family and pray for the strength to rejoice, not in the circumstances, but in our God.
“Dear Jesus,
Please lift our family high to You now. Help me to rejoice in You despite any dire circumstance, despite the unknown. Comfort my mom and give her Your Peace and strength. Please save us from this prospect of cancer; and if not, lead and guide us step by step through the valley of the shadow. I pray this in Your Name, Jesus.
In Your Name we pray,
Amen.”
Do you know Jesus?
He is our ultimate Healer, healing us of our sin problem and conquering death. Learn more about this Almighty God here.
Children Playing: Experiencing Joy Amidst Pain
Hey friends,
I just wanted to share this article with you from GPB today. It documents photos of children, in some of the scariest and most crime-ridden places in the world, playing together. They are admirable, in that they are not allowing the war and pestilence to keep them from experiencing joy. It reminds me of Philippians 4.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! …Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
(Philippians 4:4, 8-9, NIV)
Their joy, and this passage from Philippians 4, has shown me that we can rejoice– even in the suffering and unknowns. I hope it inspires you, too.
Love in Christ,
Annalee
Do you know Jesus?
We can be sure that our future is in the Hands of a God who truly does love us. We can know this by how He died for our sins. Learn more about the great Love Jesus Christ has for you, here.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am SO thankful for each and every one of you! Have an amazing day!
As Shots Ring Out: Hope despite Scary Times
On Friday, the 20th of November, shots rang out in a mall close to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eight people were injured: one teen and seven adults. The people cowered in fear, afraid that this “reaction to an altercation” would do them in (source).
Meanwhile, those in Nigeria are being ran out of home and villages or being put under Boko Haram law enforcement, terrorists brandishing their weapons and scaring all who come into contact with them.
What do these two have in common? Violence and fear. It’s worldwide; people face it every day. This is not about guns—people felt the fear and oppression of men long before guns were created.
Jesus came to give life to the full (John 10:10). Satan comes to smother us with fear over anything and everything, while keeping those in danger hiding and under oppression.
But, without the use of ammunition and guns, swords and fists, our God fights for us. He fought the fight against sin and death at Calvary, and has given us victory after victory!
But, without the use of ammunition and guns, swords and fists, our God fights for us.
Friends, loved ones, please remember this truth: Though the times are scary, Jesus defends us—and tells us not to fear. He even gives us His Peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
(John 14:27, NIV)
He fought the fight against sin and death at Calvary!
Much about the future is unknown, but Jesus is faithful. May we remember that as we move into the Holiday season, COVID, and yes—even during shootings.
Do you know Jesus?
As stated above, Christ came that we might have life, and life abundantly. Learn more about what Jesus has done, and why it concerns you, here.
Please pray for (find the prayer sheet here, if you like to write out your prayers like me):
- Those who were injured by the shooter on Friday.
- Those who were scared and affected by the shooting.
- Those who live under Sharia law
- Those under Boko Haram
The Moral Failing of Carl Lentz
I come to you with a heavy heart tonight. I have learned about the recent accusations made toward one of Hillsong Church’s former pastors, Carl Lentz. Apparently, this man was fired by Hillsong’s lead pastor, Brian Houston, after “leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures” (source). Laura Lentz, his wife, was also on Hillsong staff and was fired.
This tugs on my heart so much. Moral failure and disobedience toward Christ has now deeply hurt Lentz’ family, as well as his church family. Guys, the world is coming to an end; things will only get more and more dark. But instead of gossiping and shaming Lentz for his sins, we need to be lifting up this man and his family—who are supposed to be the most important people in his life.
We need to be lifting up this man and his family.
My heart is heavy, but I know that we can give this to Christ. Please pray with me for this man and his family.
“Dear Lord Jesus,
It hurts my heart to see such destruction happen after such a moral failing. It reminds us that we MUST stay close to You as the world gets darker and darker, its morality becoming darker and darker by the minute. Please bring Carl and Laura closer to You through this experience, and repair the wreckage that has been done. Heal his family, Jesus, and bring about restoration where the enemy meant death and destruction. We give this family to You now.
In Your Precious Name we pray,
Amen.”
Let’s continue to pray over Hillsong, the Houston family, and everyone involved in this ministry. May Jesus uncover all that is in the dark, and bring all sin and evil to light, as only He can do.
Do you know Jesus?
Jesus Christ died for all people, to forgive the world’s sins (1 John 2:2). Learn more about His completely free offering of salvation and eternal life here.
HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!
Thank you to every person who went to war for our freedom!
Let’s be praying for our Vets today.
Do you know Jesus?
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”
(John 15:13, NIV). Jesus showed us the ultimate expression of this passage when He came to earth to die for our sins. Learn more about Jesus, and His Mission, here.
Katelyn Miller is Missing!
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE RETURN OF KATELYN MILLER!!! SHE HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE OCTOBER 30TH IN NORTHERN COLORADO!
