Chipper: You Can't Take That Away From Me

Chipper met us at the dining room door for treats almost every day. My children delighted in feeding the fat little fur-ball. Several times I caught my one-year-old son “holding hands” with the red squirrel through the glass door wall — as Chipper’s little paw reached inward and Charles’ pudgy toddler hand pressed against the glass.

My husband’s spinal column had collapsed about six months before Chipper began his visits. Pete had been home on disability since that time, and Chipper brightened otherwise dull days. Our family gathered to watch when Chipper scurried to the door, perched on his haunches with front paws folded, and peeked in at us with reserved yet amazing boldness. Then, quick as a wink, he snatched the cracker, chip or old bagel and rushed it off to the top of a big rock or up a tree to dine in privacy.

Chipper received his name from my husband who dubbed him after a feeding frenzy on a bag of Better Maid potato chips. Some days he arrived before we were out of bed, evidenced by tiny tracks in the snow on the flagstone patio. We regretted the times we missed the little fellow.

One day, as I sipped a cup of coffee between the squirrel’s breakfast courses, I smiled and thought about the many blessings I had received in my life. I thought about Chipper and how he had everything he needed provided by God through His creation. Chipper didn’t need the morsels we gave him, but they were treats for him in the cold winter months, and our family took pleasure in giving them to him and watching him nibble away.

My musings came to a halt, and my smile quickly faded when a huge black bird, almost as big as our plump furried friend, landed on the patio beside him. The bird seemed to make no threatening gestures or sounds, yet Chipper darted into a bush, hid his cracker and ran away. The bird pecked around in the snow, shuffled over to the shrubs and snatched Chipper’s treat. He ate it with gusto, and I became angry as I watched through the glass.

How dare that unwelcome, uninvited ugly black bird take what did not belong to him!

In a flash, my thoughts turned again to God’s blessings…how He “daily loadeth us with benefits”…and how our enemy comes to steal them. I wondered how God feels when He sees blessings He’s given to His children stolen away.

I don’t know that Chipper had to forfeit his cracker to the old, black bird; but he put it down . . . and the bird took it for himself. 

Perhaps my thoughts seem like apples and oranges, but the scene that played outside the glass door gave me pause and made me consider for myself how easily I "drop" my blessings. Whether a real or perceived threat, or just a simple distraction of life, I am determined to hold on — hold on to the blessings I’ve received. 

Each day I hope to remember to choose to keep them fresh in my mind so there will be no opportunity for the enemy to deceive or distract me — to rob me of what it pleased God to give me. I will keep my blessings — among them: forgiveness, peace, truth, love and joy — and nothing will separate me from my gifts because I’ve chosen to lay them down.

Like the old Shirley Caeser song says, "This joy I have, the world didn't give it to me, and the world can't take it away!" Click on the link to hear it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFr9U-o3GKM

This past week was amazing! My husband and I were blessed to participate in The Summons in Washington DC. On behalf of the National Day of Prayer, we joined people from several organizations who gathered to pray for our nation.

While there, exactly 300 people (a modern-day Gideon's army) contacted their state's government officials/offices in the House and Senate -- giving them gifts of appreciation for their service and offering to pray with them. We also conducted solemn assemblies near the Washington Monument and in front of the Capitol building at the Upper Senate Park. In addition to scheduled activities, we prayer walked around DC and visited Mt. Vernon, the Pentagon, and enjoyed a private tour of the Capitol.

A couple of highlights: 

My husband and I finished our assignments in the House Office Building and had a couple of hours of free time. We walked to the Museum of American History and joined the tail end of a tour. The last stop inside was the Star Spangled Banner exhibit. I was so moved in the darkened room that housed this national treasure that after we exited I told my husband, "We have to go back. I just want to sit on the bench and pray."

What impacted me was the sight of the very standard that flew during a time of great strife. Our nation had been compromised by enemy forces. Yet through the night, the flag, the nation's banner still waved . . . bringing joy to those who saw it at dawn's early light. They knew they were winning when their banner remained raised.

As the set-apart nation of God, we Christians have a banner of our own. The Lord is our banner (Exodus 17:15)! And He is still in sight! Though the nation is compromised . . . though the night is dark and long . . . our banner of love still waves! And banners mark victory!

Seated in the Star Spangled Banner exhibit, I was encouraged, but at the same time felt a heaviness. I was thanking God for His righteous banner still waving in our world, while I was also compelled to pray, "Don't give up on America, Jesus!" Even in the Church, our "land" has been compromised -- the teachings of our Lord watered down, the consecrations of His people lacking. I began to pray:

Don't give up on us, dear Jesus! I see You! I want to be Your righteous bride! There is still in me both flaws and flesh . . . and in our nation, America has her flaws and failures . . . but don't give up on America! Don't give up on Your people!

It's not over yet!

One word spoken by a presenter at the conference was that in the biblical record when God was "finished" with a nation, prayer ceased. In America, God's people are still praying! Doesn't that encourage you? There is so much prayer going up it seems God just can't be "done" with our nation yet!

On Guard?

One more thing worth sharing from the conference was something I learned on the Pentagon tour. Coincidentally, in conjunction with this story, the "Old Guard" was having a convention at the same hotel hosting our event.

Since 1937 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded by a member of the Old Guard 24 hours a day -- regardless of weather, threat of terrorist attack or other factors. "Walking the mat" is a privilege attained by few elite soldiers. 

While touring the Pentagon, our guide (a member of the military) told us the badge bestowed on those who guard the Tomb is a rare honor, and the only badge that can be taken away due to the conduct of the soldier after receiving it. The example he gave was that if a member of the Old Guard, even after his term of service was complete, dishonored himself by receiving a DUI, he could be stripped of his award.

With that in mind, the conduct of the guards must be impeccable, especially while on duty. Our guide at the Pentagon told us that during Hurricane Irene a call was sent out for handcuffs to be delivered to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The thought was the conduct of the guard was inappropriate, but what was discovered when the handcuffs were delivered was that the guard on duty wanted to cuff himself to the rail so that if he was to perish in the hurricane his body would not be washed away.

I have no documentation of the story other than that it was told to me by a military officer on duty at the Pentagon during an official tour; but that, my friend, is dedication! That is commitment to service! I commend the members of the Guard for their diligence and sacrifice! 

As tears pooled in my eyes at the telling of this story, my thoughts turned again to the Church. The members of the Old Guard are willing to suffer to the point of their own harm to honor deceased soldiers they don't even know. What are you and I willing to sacrifice for our God? For those living among us? For our future generations?

Let's keep praying! Let's keep believing! Let's keep working while we have the opportunity! Stand for righteousness -- it's greater than "Old Glory!" It's God's glory; and it's my prayer the Lord reveals Himself yet again in a great revival in our hearts, our nation, our world!  

Speaking at the Summons General Session

Regardless of the results of the upcoming elections, our nation will still need prayer! Be on guard! Stay on your watch! Stand your ground! I believe our prayers and our commitments to live righteously unto the Lord in our generation can make a difference! Amen and amen!

I hope you enjoy some of the pictures! If you're on facebook, here's a link to our singing "Amazing Grace" in the rotunda of our Capitol: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4661082646469

Blessings!

Leading "Amazing Grace" in the Capitol Rotunda

The Wagners Prayer Walking the Capitol Grounds

With Senator Louie Gohmert of Texas

With Mrs. Shirley Dobson, NDPTF Chair

With Sue Stoltz, Midwest  National Area Leader

With Vonette Bright, NDPTF Founder

With many of the Midwest NDPTF
Team

After prayer with Rep. Hansen Clarke's staff

At the first prayer event at the new MLK memorial

With Bishop Harry Jackson of High Impact Leadership Coalition

With Mr. & Mrs. Dave Butts of Harvest Prayer Ministries

Why a National Day of Prayer?

Lori Wagner, Michigan State NDP Coordinator

Americans are privileged to live in one of the richest nations in the world, yet a question cries out to be answered: Has America lost her true treasure? Are her families intact? Her children secure? Are sacred principles of integrity, loyalty and the sanctity of human life respected and protected?

Most of us would agree, America is in need of prayer.

Prayer has been a vital component of our national heritage. The first official call sounded in 1775, when the Continental Congress requested prayers for wisdom to form our government. President Lincoln proclaimed a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.” In 1952, Congress unanimously voted on a joint resolution that established an annual day of prayer, later amended to secure the date on the first Thursday of every May.

National Days of Prayer are more than significant activities in our nation’s history; they are critical to our future. They are days set aside to remember our rich heritage—and like our founding fathers, humbly seek God’s wisdom, guidance and grace.

Thursday, May 3, will mark the 61st annual observance. Thousands of events with millions of expected participants are being planned across the nation with a unifying theme, “One Nation Under God,” supported by Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

In Lansing, a noon event will take place on the steps in front of the State Capitol Building. For one hour, legislators, community leaders, children, and men and women of all ages, walks of life and Christian denominations will stop their usual activities and gather to ask God’s blessing and protection upon our nation.

The public is invited. For more information, including confirmed participants and sponsorship opportunities, as well as a link to find other events, visit www.ndpmi.blogspot.com. You may also contact Lori Wagner at (248) 909-5735

Oh My Darlin, Valentine!

If you have a couple of minutes, I hope you'll click on the link below to read my newest article:

"Oh my darlin', Valentine"

Blessings!