I can remember when these words washed over me as a senior at Skyline High School back in 1987 (almost 25 years ago).

“The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:  “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” (Jer. 31:3)

And the N.T. reading today:

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (I Timothy 2:1-2)

I pray for President Barack Obama, today.

We prayed with a sister last Monday night in her home.  She ended up in the emergency room at EIRMC last Thursday.  She did not look good.  She felt like she was dying.  We put her on the church prayer chain.  Yesterday, she joined the Body in our corporate worship to the Lord.  She literally felt that the Lord had touched her body and her soul.  Such happiness.

Does God answer prayer in Idaho Falls?

We shout with joy to Jehovah-Rapha!

Yesterday morning, God spoke to my wife, warning her of what physical harm our son would face.

I clasped my son’s hand in mine and prayed to the Lord.

Our oldest son got in our big, Ford 250 truck and took off down 17th street for PSAT testing at Idaho Falls High School.

A gentleman in his new jeep rear-ended Josh on 17th.  The impact set off air bags and mangled steel.  Both drivers were disoriented but physically safe.  I am thankful my son was driving our big pickup rather than our small Buick.

That is our great God directly answering prayer on the behalf of His children on one of the main streets in Idaho Falls.  He is real.  He is King of this city.

We lift up our hearts in prayer to God on this Sunday morning in Idaho Falls.  We exalt Him.  God alone.  This is our passion.  Forever.

Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like your works.  All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and you shall glorify Your name.  For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God (Ps. 86:8-10)

Look at God’s heart for the underdogs . . .

For thus says the LORD:  After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive” (Jer. 9:10-14).

Wow.

I have placed a brilliant, red maple leaf on the open text of my Bible.  I plucked it last night from a tree in the back yard.  The red contrasts with the white pages but highlights the color of Jesus’ words in the scriptural text.

I like the color of red (especially when so carefully caught on camera in southeastern Idaho by my pastor friend, Chris).  I like looking through our window at the red tree yonder.  It makes me think of the crimson flow long ago shed on a tree.  The red manifests the beauty of the cross, Jesus dying for you and me.

And if you look closely at my maple leaf, it contains 3 lobes.  A trinity with the blazing glory of red at the center.  Like me, have any others thought of the Father, Son, and Spirit, when enjoying a maple leaf?  When you see the red, do you get a glimpse of Jesus?

Additionally, my maple leaf has scores of little teeth edges.  My mind imagines even more, thinking of all of God’s children.  Jesus prays for all the believers and that they will be one with Him.

Yes, Jesus is in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The Post Register published Malcolm Bud Russell’s view today in the opinion’s page.  Here is an excerpt:

On religion:  The Republicans arguing that only evangelical Christians (southern Baptists) are eligible for American political office is pathetic.  I believe that American politicians should be judged on the attributes of “love and indomitable spirit” that they personify.

Internationally, I perceive the horrid strife from arguing over whose God is the greatest myth.  If the Christian God’s will had anything to do with the sorrow in my little world, I don’t endorse it as being admirable.

This in a nutshell is politics and God according to Malcolm.

But I tend to look beyond American politics to the King of the nations.  Today, the psalmist declares what He is like:  “Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed” (Psalm 85:10).

In Idaho Falls, I pray to Him.

Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation.

One Year Bible reading today:

“Thus says the LORD: stand . . . speak . . . do not diminish a word” (Jeremiah 26:2).  That takes courage.

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).  I think often of this prayerful plea by Paul.

“Restore us, O God of our salvation . . . Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:4,6).  A revival of joy in God.  In God alone.

The One Year Bible for today:

“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran.  I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied” (Jeremiah 23:21).

“And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully” (23:28).

“Is not My word like fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (23:29).

An LDS landmark television series on the KJV starts this Sunday.  I would like to watch this.