HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

For this past year.... 
-Thank you Lord for being there for me and my family.
-Thank you Lord for reassured me that no matter what you were there for me.
-Thank you Lord for lifting me up when I was weak.
-And most of all, Thank you for bringing my son safe back from Iraq.

For the New Year to come....

-I pray that You Lord will keep watch over my family.
-I pray that You will protect our Country.
-I pray that You will remember the ones in need.

Thank you Lord for the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!!

Love...

Love is not based on feelings or emotions. The Bible tells us that “God is love”. Unlike humans, God’s love is unconditional. He doesn’t love us because we’re lovable or because we make Him feel good. He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His only Son (who also willingly died for us) so that we will not spend eternity separated from Him. This is an amazing love because we are the ones who choose to be separated through our own sin, yet God mends the separation through His intense personal sacrifice. There are no conditions placed on God’s love for us. God doesn’t say “as soon as you clean up your act, I’ll love you” or “I’ll sacrifice my Son if you promise to love Me”. God wants us to know that His love is unconditional, so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us while we were still unlovable sinners. We didn’t have to get clean or make any promises to God before we could experience His love. His love for us has always existed, and because of that, He did all the giving and sacrificing long before we were even aware that we needed His love. The only real love is God’s unconditional love. HIS love endures forever.


For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.
1John 3:16

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1John 4:10

GOD IS LOVE

His love endures forever.

Miss my Blog

I have been so busy that I haven't have time to post anything in my blog.
I just want to share with everybody about my son.
Well, like many of you know my son was deployed to Iraq, this is something that broke my heart.
I was scared and worry about the safety of my son, but...
The Lord kept me calmed and I knew that the Lord had my son under His wings.

Then the Lord blessed us by bringing my son back to the States a lot early than scheduled.
The Lord is good and His mercy endures for ever ♥
I give all the Glory to my God Jesus Christ ♥

THANK YOU LORD FOR LOVING MY SON ♥

Feeling good today

Thank you Lord for letting me see that there is light at the end of tunnel!

One of my friends from church has lost everything....when I said everything I mean everything. Things started happening little by little...first work started getting slow to the point that they couldn't afford their mortgage, then her husband was gone, then her children, the hope of becoming a resident of this country is gone.

All this miss fortune came to her not by her choice but by the wrong doing of her husband, something that no one has expected from this Christian husband.

Never the less I'm happy that the Lord is using me to help my friend in need, the way I feel is that I've never done enough for anybody, but this time I want to help my friend the best I can. She needs so much help at this time and is not only material help but spiritual help also.
I'm so happy to see how some members of her church and my church are stepping out to help her...this is what the love of Jesus is all about.

some people are telling me not to bring a woman into my home because it can easily go wrong!

The Lord has always protected my home and my marriage and there is no doubt that He always will, the Holy Spirit dwells in my family's heart...how then can I deny help to my sweet friend.

Leviticus 25:35
'If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you'.

Please keep us in your prayers til the end of this tunnel!

Pleasing Walk with God, by Faith

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death…for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)

Before Enoch was taken to heaven, he walked with God in a manner that pleased the Lord. Enoch's faith in God is what was pleasing unto Him. "Before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him." Pleasing God, as Enoch did, should be our desire.

Many people waste their lives by aiming to please themselves. Their lives are choked with self-indulgence. "And the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity" (Luke 8:14). They have ignored the fact that pleasing self cannot lead to spiritual growth and Christlikeness. "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves… For even Christ did not please Himself" (Romans 15:1, 3). Others live in carnal bondage to human opinions. Their consistent priority is to please people. This was part of King Saul's downfall. "Then Saul said to Samuel, 'I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice'" (1 Samuel 15:24). We cannot aim to please man and still serve God. "Do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).

Living to please God is what we were created for. This can never happen apart from faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Coming to the Lord in true biblical faith begins with a conviction that God exists. "For he who comes to God must believe that He is." Additionally, God-pleasing faith eagerly anticipates the Lord's gracious response to all who truly seek Him.. "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Although there are many blessings that result from pursuing the Lord, the ultimate reward is God Himself. God told this to Abraham. "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward'" (Genesis 15:1).

Lord God Almighty, too often I have aimed at pleasing myself. At other times, my goal was to please people. Thank You for Your patience and forgiveness. Now, my heart desires to please You in all things. By faith, I know that You exist. By faith, I seek You, anticipating the grand reward of knowing You better and better, in Jesus' name, Amen.

---  Bob Hoekstra

Your Convictions!

We need to love one another and help each other in time of need...this is what a good Christian is suppose to do!
But??? What about when people want you to agreed with what they are doing even dough that goes against your morals principles, and what do you do when their ultimatum is either you accept it or you will be out their lives!?!?!?!? all of the sudden you find your self trying to reason with someone who's not in the position of listening to reason...no matter what! at the end of the day you'll be the bad guy anyways.


My Convictions are base on God's word. I won't accommodate my convictions based on every person's life style....that's not me!
Jesus is my rock and He is the base of my principles, morals, convictions and no one will alter that..if that brings strife between people and I, sorry but that will be their choice not mine.
The Bible tell us that in the last days we are going to be persecuted. We might think that persecutions is about killing Christians, but persecution can come in different ways and through different kind of people and some times from people that you least suspected.

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  (Mathew 5:11-12)

 GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH TO DEAL WITH THESE SITUATIONS THE BEST I CAN!

Walking away fromGod.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3

Unfortunately what Timothy is telling us in these scriptures it's already happening all around us. I have seen how some of my friends and family members are departing from the faith and have opened the door to sinful perverted sexual life style.


I just hope that one day they will repent of their sins and come back to God.

Happy B-Day to my baby girl Kaelin

Thank you Lord for giving me such a wonderful family.
Today was my baby girl Kaelin's 13th Birthday, family came to celebrate her life.
I cherish every moment that I spend with my children, they are growing up so fast that I can't keep up with the changes they are going through, one thing that will never change in my home is the word of God.
I'd enjoyed my life as a mom and wife and Thank the Lord everyday for this opportunity He has giving me.

Pastor Rick, Kaelin, Zoe and baby Zeal

My son Kyle and cousin baby Zeal

My friend Vita and her family

Cousin Zoe, Kaelin and friend Jaime

Uncle Jacques

My son Kyle

Aunty Kristi

Family and friends

Jaime and Kaelin opening the first present

Food and frienship

Presents!!!

Ice-cream cake

awww! so much love.

awwww! nice gift card

Kaelin and Candace

Brother and sister

She is a teen now...my sweet little girl!

Washington D.C.

Thanks Lord for your blessings!
I thank the Lord and my husband for giving us such a wonderful vacation! we went to Washington D.C. and New York.
The state that left a big impression in my heart is Washington D.C.because this is where our country was founded, here is where the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence are store. The trip to see the Declaration of Independence was very important and emotional for my son Kyle (15 year old) who appreciates the country where he was born.
For me the whole trip was great but my favorite part was to walk on the streets where Lincoln once walked and to be at the places where he spend his last moments on this earth, this part was very special to me.
I love this country and it's history and I'm teaching my children to love and appreciate it too.
My husband was in the Army, National Gard and Navy and now our older son is in the Air Force.
I'm from a third world country, that is why I know what I'm talking about when I say that there is no other country like the United States of America.

Our arrival in Washington D.C. about 10:30 pm. - 7:30 California time

Lincoln's Memorial, it's a breath taking memorial, not only because is big but is the history behind it.

Washington Monument

We stopped for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe, Kyle was thrill!

Hard Rock Cafe view from second floor

This is my favorite ever!  Ford's Theater where Lincoln was shot by John Booth

Across the street from the Ford's Theater is the house where Lincoln die. This was very emotional for me.

This is inside Ford's Theater, this is a replica of the balcony where where Lincoln sat minutes before he got shot.

This is the actual room where Lincoln die. I got very emotional here!

This is a view of the White House from the top of Washington Memorial. Great view!

Another emotional Monument is the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.

 Thank God for this Country!!

Good Times!

I want to start by giving all the Gory to God and Savior Jesus Christ.
My family and I had the most wonderful vacation for a very first time.
First we spend a weekend at Disneyland and a week later we went to Washington D.C. and New York, these two states are nice in their own way.

I will post some picture of my favorite sites in Washington D.C. soon.

I missed blogging
Bless you!!!!

Those little things ♥

Some little things can make us feel so happy and make us smile once in awhile. Those little things are gifts from out Lord Jesus Christ ♥


My life right now is not going the way I wanted it to go, but with God in my side even the bad times can be put a side with the little details God does for us, to help us face difficulties in this life. 

That little detail that God has done for me is that my God-daughter found me on Facebook, this was a very special moment, my God-daughter is my best friend's daughter, who I haven't seen for the past 16 years, I was so happy to heard from them and see their pictures that brought tears to my eyes.

These are the little things God give us to make us smile when we are facing hard times ♥

Thank you Jesus ♥

Month of July...why have you been so hard on us?

I just want to share with you, some of the stuff that have been happening in this month of July..

My father in-law passed away on the 11 of July.
My co-worker had a car accident where his wife and mother in-law lost their lives on the 15 of July.
My brother in Christ lost his dad on the 19 of July .
Another co-worker lost his life after being very sick.
30 years ago my brother lost his life at the hands of a guerrilla fighter.

God's plans are not our plans!

James 2

I was looking for Scriptures to post on my Facebook page, this is something that I always do. I like to share God's word with everybody, and most of all, I like to show people that my God is a living God and that He wants us to walk according to His Word.

I was going through my Bible, I came across the book of James chapter 2. As I was reading it God spoke to me saying..."this is mainly for you...you can share it! but this is for you" .... how awesome is that?
As always, I like to take God's word into heart, so now I'm studding that chapter and sharing it with all of you.

Beware of Personal Favoritism

 ¹ My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. ² For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, ³ and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” ⁴ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
⁵ Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? ⁷ Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
⁸ If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”^[a]9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ you do well; For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. ¹¹ For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,”^[b] also said, 

Faith Without Works Is Dead

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your^[d] works, and I will show you my faith by my^[e] works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?^{[f] 2122} Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”^[g]And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Happy Father's Day!!

Thank you God for letting me have my dad for many, many years. Lord bless my dad and give him health. ♥ ♥ ♥

Thank You God for my wonderful husband who works hard for his family, he is a great daddy to our three children. I wouldn't ask for a better father for my children. ♥ ♥ ♥

God thanks for been my Omnipotent Father who forgives our sins and gives eternal life ♥ ♥ ♥

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ

 HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS AROUND THE WORLD!!

YOU SAY / GOD SAYS

 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

You say: 'It's impossible'

God says:  All things are possible!  

You say: 'I'm too tired'   

God says: I will give you rest!  

You say: 'Nobody really loves me'   

God says: I love you!  

 

You say: 'I can't go on' 

God says: My grace is sufficient!

You say:  'I can't figure things out'   

God says: I will direct your steps!

You say: 'I can't do it' 
God says: You can do all things!

You say: 'I'm not able'   

God says: I am able!

You say:'It's not worth it'

God says: It will be worth it!  

You say: 'I can't forgive myself'   

God says: I Forgive you!  

You say: 'I can't manage' 

God says: I will supply all your needs!  

You say: 'I'm afraid'

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear!  

You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'   

God says: Cast all your cares on ME!  

You say: 'I'm not smart enough'   

God says: I give you wisdom!  

You say: 'I feel all alone'   

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you!  


BIBLE VERSES

(Luke 18:27) (Matthew 11:28-30) (John 3:1-6 & 3:34)
(2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalms 91:15)  (Proverbs 3:5-6) (Philippians 4:13)
(2 Corinthians 9:8) (Romans 8:28)
(1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
(Philippians 4:19) (2 Timothy 1:7) (1 Peter 5:7)
(1 Corinthians 1:30) (Hebrews 13:5)

GOB BLESS!

How Thick is Your Bubble?

I was reading about the "Boy in the Bubble" an amazing story from the 1970s. I always thought that this was a fairy tale story, but surprisingly it is a true story and very controversial also.
As I was thinking about the life of this poor boy who lived in that bubble and the fear he developed later as he grew  older, got me to think...

Unfortunately many of us built a bubble around our selves and don't realize that as we grow older, the bubble gets thicker and thicker and it gets harder and harder to come out of it.

These Bubbles that we live in are built of.....
Pride,
Envy,
Depression,
Resentments,
Fear,
Self-Centered,
Neediness of others,
Hatefulness, etc.

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

A lot of people are comfortable living in their own bubble, and many refuses to come out of it. It is always safe to stay with what you already know. Many times we do this out of ignorance and many times we stay because there is a lot of blackness in our hearts and nothing or no one can make us come out the bubble of bondage.

There are many people that come to Jesus, but they missed the point of the meaning "Accepting Jesus" they  don't grasp the reality of having Jesus in their lives, many take this very lightly, which is wrong because Jesus is our eternal destiny.

Romans 5:21
so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

What "Coming to Jesus" mean to us?....It means...
The forgiveness of our sins.
The beginning of our Relation Ship with Jesus.
The chance of getting to know Jesus.
Our way to the Father.
Getting our name in the Book of Life.

What about the meaning of "To Be Born Again" (what's that mean)
Your sins have been forgiven,
You are white as snow,
You are a new person,
You have joy in your heart,
You have love for everyone in your hearts,
The ticket to our eternal life,
You had gotten one more chance.

If we understand all these things...Why are we still in our Bubble and Why our Bubble is getting thicker?
The greatest Commandment Jesus has giving us in the New Testament is...

Mathew 22:37
Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your [fn] mind.' 

Where God is, there is Freedom!! Jesus came to this world to freed us from our sins (the bubble) with Him all things are possible, lets trust Jesus in all things. He can help us to get out of our addictions, problems, attitudes, and everything that is hindering our walk with Him.
I believe that where is Love there is not room for things of this world.

LETS COME OUT OUR BUBBLES AND BE FREE...FREE INDEED!!!

What's Beauty?

What do you imagine when you hear the word "Beauty"?
The colors of the rainbow? The fragrance of a garden? The sunset? The sunrise? Movie actresses? Models?

Most of the time we apply the term only in describing physical attractiveness. But there are so much more to genuine beauty than that!

The world is becoming more and more concerned about the way people look, than what's really inside of a person. These days, looks are more important than wisdom, morals, inside beauty and fear for the Lord.
Many people worry about buying brand clothes, brand purses, brand shoes, etc. most of the time, people spend the money they don't have and do the impossible to get those brand clothes.
All because they have the wrong idea of what Beauty is!


Remember physical beauty is temporary, material beauty is temporary, surgical beauty is temporary.

The real and eternal Beauty is the one that exalts the mind and the spirit and can only come from God.
We are made Beautiful by Christ's perfect love for us. Love made visible in the beauty of the Cross.
As we consider that love, the Holy Spirit shapes our hearts and makes it beautiful and we become more like Jesus Christ in love and service (that is Beauty).




Proverbs 31:30
Charm [is] deceitful and beauty [is] passing, But a woman [who] fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

1 Peter 3:4
rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

Signs of the End

Why be scared? Why be confused? Why make up stories? Why pray to idols?
Don't you know it's the end of the world? Don't you know the DAY is approaching?

Many are scared, many are ignoring the signs, many are just too stubborn, many have hardened their hearts.


Well...I used to be one of those people.
I remember when I was in El Salvador going through that horrible civil war.
One night my mom, my sister and I were the only ones in the house (my brother had been killed days before)
we were experiencing a big storm with lighting and thunder and my mom kept saying,"God is punishing us for this war" and all of a sudden one of the lighting hit this big electrical transformer on the post and the whole thing caught on fire right in front of our house, we were scared to death, we just sat in front of the window in the dark, staring at the electrical transformer on fire. My mom kept saying how angry God must be with us.

At that time, I was 18 or 19 years old and I didn't have any relation ship with God and didn't know why Jesus had died on the cross. I knew of them but I had never been close to them.
That is why at that time I couldn't understand why these things were happening. I couldn't understand why my dear brother had to die and I couldn't understand why brother was against brother.

I'd been saved since 1993, and as my relation ship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit grows, I get to understand more and more why these things are happening. As I get closer to God, the Holy Spirit reveals more things to me.
Now I know why these events are taking place and why it's getting worse instead of getting better.
I'm not scared to death any more. "I have the hope of Salvation", and I can't wait for Jesus to return.
I know that we are going to experience some of the pain that the end will bring, BUT I don't think that we,  "followers of Christ" will see the wrath of God. I believe that we are going to see the signs....Just don't be afraid or surprised for what's to come...because all these disasters, wars and the persecution of Christians, it's just the beginning of the end.

If you are not sure what to do to be safe from the wrath of God that is at hand...you can either visit a church to learn more of what's to come, or read God's word (Bible).
God wants us to know all the things that are coming. He had made it very easily for us to interpret the signs.

Do Not Be Afraid....Just Be Prepared!

Luke 21:25-28
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;26-men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27-Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28-Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

Roman 5:9
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

1 Thessalonians 1:10
and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, [even] Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10-who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Oh God Help Us!!

Oh God help me to understand the things that don't make any sense to me.

This past Saturday May 1, my cousin's daughter hanged her self, she was 20 years old.
All I know is that she had some health problems (seizures) and depression, she was under doctors care, but my cousin never thought that her daughter will hang her self.

I pray to the Lord that He will bring peace to my cousin's heart.
I pray that the Lord will send His angels to comfort the whole family.

Please, pray for my cousin in this time of need.

Lord Change our hearts ♥ ♥ ♥

Prayer Request for all of us...

Lord change our hearts that we might do Your will, and not satan's will.
Let us see our weakness and help us to walk with You instead of walking with the world.
Lord help us to be one body in Christ, that we might not be divided when the enemy comes to attack Your church.
Teach us Lord how to love one-another.
In Jesus mighty name...AMEN!

John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one-another.

Romans 13:8
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

-----

Can anybody tell me why "men" in general is separating from God?
I have noticed, that even within the church brothers are against brothers. How can we be one body to fight this great fight against satan, who is taking over our country?

I would like to see a revival when we all sing and praise God in one accord.
Let God renew what we had lost in our hearts and minds, pray for God to give you love for one-another, pray to God to take away the things of this world that are hindering your relationship with Him.

2 Peter 3:7
But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

There are way too many "Christians" these days that have two faces...the one they put-on at church...and the one they put-on for the world. Some of them are good at switching faces back and forth.
Is this the reason why satan is wining the battle in this world? are we the reason? are we that weak?

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

I hope for the day when we all read the word of God, and the Holy Spirit will live in us.
The day when we all put on the Armor of God and nothing will defeat us.
The day when instead of singing Kumbaya, we all will be fighting against a common enemy (satan).
The day when I say Jesus out loud, nobody will get offended, because we (Christians) had won the good fight.
The day when God is back in our court houses, and in the government.

History of the National Day of Prayer

	1775: The first day of prayer was declared when the Continental Congress "designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation."
	1783: "...the conclusion of the Revolutionary War marked a temporary end to the National Day of Prayer." 12
	1795-FEB-19: George Washington proclaimed a day of public thanksgiving and prayer.
	1863-MAR-30: Abraham Lincoln signed a Congressional resolution of MAR-3 which called for a day of fasting and prayer durin the Civil War (1860-1865). 4
	1952-APR-17: A bill proclaiming an annual National Day of Prayer (NDP) was unanimously passed by both houses of congress. President Truman signed it into law. It required the President to select a day for national prayer each year.
	1972: The National Prayer Committee was created. It is an Evangelical Christian organization. The National Day of Prayer Task Force is a project of that committee.
	1988: A bill was introduced to Congress which fixed the annual NDP at the first Thursday in May. The Senate bill, S 1378, was introduced by Stron Thurmond (R-SC); a matching House version was initiated by Tony Hall, (D-OH). It received broad bipartisan sponsorship and support, and became Public Law 100-307. It was signed into law by President Reagan on 1988-MAY-5. He commented: "On our National Day of Prayer, then, we join together as people of many faiths to petition God to show us His mercy and His love, to heal our weariness and uphold our hope, that we might live ever mindful of His justice and thankful for His blessing."
	1993 to 1998: The concept of the NDP as a multi-faith event which recognizes the extensive diversity of religious expression in the U.S. was echoed by subsequent presidents in their proclamations. President Clinton has written: 1993: "Through prayer our people take a moment away from the concerns of everyday life to understand the greater power that gives us guidance.  We come together in an act common to all religions."  1994: "I encourage the citizens of this great Nation to gather, each in his or her own manner, to recognize our blessings, acknowledge our wrongs, to remember the needy, to seek guidance for our challenging future, and to give thanks for the abundance we have enjoyed throughout our history." 1995: "I call upon every citizen of this great Nation to gather together on that day to pray, each in his or her own manner, for God's continued guidance and blessing." 1996: "And though our citizens come from every nation on Earth and observe an extraordinary variety of religious faith [sic] and traditions, prayer remains at the heart of the American spirit." 1997: "...let us uphold the tradition of observing a day in which every American, in his or her own way, may come before God seeking increased peace, guidance, and wisdom for the challenges ahead." 5 1998: "In every city, town, and rural community across our country, people of every religious denomination gather to worship according to their faith. In churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques, Americans come together to pray." 9
	2001: The 50th National Day of Prayer was held on MAY-3. Its organizers estimate that about 2.5 million people attended the approximately 40,000 events across the U.S. Several representatives of American Atheists protested at Andover, KS, city hall where one event took place. They objected to the apparent violation of the principle of church and state which occurred when the religious meeting was held in a government building. Chairperson Shirley Dobson stated that all of the state governors recognized the NDP this year. In the year 2000, Jesse Ventura of MN had refused to sign a declaration on constitutional grounds. He felt that it would have violated his oath of office which requires him to uphold the U.S. constitution. Pastor Phyllis Gregory stated that a prayer would be offered "the lost, those in sin, in need, living in lack and Cassadaga." The latter is a small town in Florida known for its Spiritualist camp. The camp president said that he didn't feel that they were lost souls, but welcomed the prayer anyway.
	2002: The National Day of Prayer Task Force reported that "...approximately 40,000 events were held nationwide. Local volunteers and coordinators held a variety of activities ranging from prayer breakfasts, Bible reading marathons, concerts of prayer, rallies, church prayer vigils, student flagpole gatherings and observances held in sports stadiums." 8 President George W. Bush stated in his proclamation that the two purposes of the NDP were: "...to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society and to honor the religious diversity our freedom permits..." 9
	2003: The National Day of Prayer was held on MAY-1. It coincided with three other celebrations: International Workers' Day, recognizes the contribution by workers throughout the world. It is recognized in almost every country except the United States, Canada, and South Africa. This will be the first annual observance of the National Day of Reason. Future celebrations will also be scheduled the first Thursday in May. It is a response to the National Day of Prayer by various Humanist, Agnostic, Atheist, and other secular groups. It is intended to support those Americans who do not believe in a personal male deity who listens to prayer and responds to it. Dr. Luis Palau, an internationally-known Fundamentalist pastor wrote a prayer for the NDP. The NDPTF encourages Americans to recite this prayer at noontime on MAY-1 local time. Some interesting notes about NDP for 2003-MAY-01: Almost all events were located at or sponsored by conservative Christian churches and/or are led by conservative Christian pastors. There are a few exceptions; most involve Presbyterian or Methodist pastors or churches. A few events emphasized that everyone in the community is welcome to attend. There was at least one Jewish NDP event. It occured in Arizona. There was at least one ecumenical Christian NDP event in Texas and three in Florida led by conservative Pastors, mainline Protestant ministers and Catholic priests. In some cities, including Munci IN, a pair of NDP events were held: one for conservative Christians, and the other for persons of all faiths, including conservative Christians. Pastor William Keller, president of the Delaware County Evangelistic Association organized the exclusively conservative Christian event in Munci. He expressed concern that "My people wouldn't come to a meeting that is an inter-faith event." 10
	2004: According to the NDPTF web site: "In 2004, approximately 40,000 events were held nationwide. Local volunteers and coordinators held a variety of activities ranging from prayer breakfasts, Bible reading marathons, concerts of prayer, rallies, church prayer vigils, student flagpole gatherings and observances held in sports stadiums." 11 It is not known whether this is an estimate of the NDP events that it coordinated, or whether it is an estimate of the total number of NDP events across the U.S.
	2005: Americans United for the Separation of Church and State organized a truly inclusive NDP event in Oklahoma City, OK, for Christians, followers of other religions, and persons who followed no religion. A similar inclusive event was scheduled in Troy, MI, and probably in other locations.
	2006-MAY-04: The theme is "America, Honor God."
	2007-MAY-03: According to Shirley Dobson, chairperson of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, the theme for the 56th annual National Day of Prayer is "America, united in prayer." It comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV): "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."