iPromote Up

August/2014

iPray eVotional iPray eVotionals exhorts those who pray.  It's the glass of water held out around each month's turn for the runners who can use a quick and easy quench in order to finish strong. iPromote Up Approx. reading time: 10 minutes One belt leads to the next   I was to test for my next Karate belt in a few short days.  At my last class before testing a fellow student watched me review my one steps, forms, defenses as well as my hands and feet combinations. "I feel like I've got this but at the same time I hope I remember everything."  I confided. He said, "I know what you mean."  He went on, "It's funny because I feel like I know so much as I prepare for testing. I'm confident on test day, but after I promote up and start to work on the next belt level, I am immediately reminded of how much I do not know and how much more there is to learn.  It all starts again." The reality of that one statement sent my mind on a journey.  When are we ever in a place where we know everything there is to know?  God prepares us for each season so that we can perform the duties and tasks of the present belt around our waist with the ability to confidently promote up to the next.  By staying focused and dedicated to mastering the requirements, the present belt's completion will end with a culmination of one belt and the beginning of another.   The learning process starts again. When test day came I felt ready.  "I've got this!"  Confidence seemed to beam from my every pore while another part of me didn't want to mess up.  "I hope I remember everything." Most of the elements I had repeated a number of times and the delivery felt natural.  One element I had only recently learned but it was fresh in my mind.  I knew what was going to be asked of me and I was ready! As the testing began I performed each task.  Until a weaponry defense was asked of me that I had not yet learned.  My partner went first and performed perfectly.  I couldn't believe that I was being tested on something I had not learned.  I did the best I could to copy what my partner had done before me, relying on the awareness I had gained from my training.  After the test I stood up tall, hoping that the one unknown element would not make everything else I knew and worked so hard for stand for nothing. My name was called. I approached my Sensei. "Congratulations."  I was presented with a new belt. "What an accomplishment," I thought. Then the moment was flavored with new information.  Before the promotion had a chance to set in, my Sensei gave a summary of what I would be required to learn and achieve while wearing my new belt.  "You will have new forms, kicks, weaponry..." As I listened I realized my moment of excitement seemed brief.  I held everything I needed to know just a moment ago.  In a matter of minutes I was being told of new things I would be required to master.  There was work to be done! "Always a student," I thought.  "No room for a cocky know-it-all attitude.  Not in training, nor in testing, and especially not when promoting up." After the promotion I took pictures and was congratulated but in the back of my mind I knew that with the new belt also came new challenges, additional layers of knowledge and a new set of requirements that must be achieved. Life is full of promotions.  Walking into High School for the first time, getting a first job, getting married, or my latest promotion, becoming a mom of a middle schooler.  God's training and our preparations include all kinds of elements.  Many times we are not even aware that what we are learning is related to a promotion, but it usually is.  The testings are rarely a predictable experience.  Rather they always seem to contain some unknowns. Promotions bring excitement and joys flavored with the knowledge of new challenges and amazing life lessons to come. When I look at past belts, I am excited at all God has achieved in and through me.  It reminds me of God's faithfulness, how I can trust His training in my life to see me through every test, and if I can get past those belts then surely I can master all that is involved in wearing the next.    Prepared, Tested and Promoted Up Daniel 1-3  Prepared... Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in the middle of being typical teenagers unaware that they were in training, preparing for belts they never dreamed they would have to wear.  The boys were soon stripped from the life they had known, taken from their homes and became slaves in the courts of Nebuchadnezzer. They were forced to obey, respect and humble themselves to the ones that enslaved them.  During a three year training period the boys received an education that would determine where their services would land. God allowed Daniel and his friends to excel in their training.  It must have been difficult to be educated by a people that did not fear or know God.  Still the boys humbled themselves and worked as if they were working for God.  He had mighty plans for them to be an example of faith and devotion to Him over man, even while they were serving men.  Can you imagine how easy it would be to slowly let your guard down and compromise in thoughts and actions while gaining in status?  Instead, when it came to the things that they felt would cause them to sin against God, the boys stood strong and promoted up to the next belt. Tested... The first test we read about comes when the boys were given food designed to keep them healthy and strong but Daniel felt that eating it would defile themselves before God.  When Daniel asked if they could eat only vegetables their caregiver knew it would be the end of him if the boys started to become weak as a result of the food they were not eating.  God gave Daniel the courage to ask if they could be tested for 10 days, eating only the vegetables.  If they became weaker then they would eat the food they were told to eat, but if they were not weaker they could eat how they wished.   God showed favor to them!  Not only did the caregiver agree but at the end of 10 days Daniel and his friends were stronger and healthier than all the other servants. They were allowed to continue to eat in a way that honored God and they were promoted up. Next we hear about how the boys were educated in Neb's way and God gave them discernment, knowledge, understanding in what they had to learn, Daniel even had the gift of understanding visions. At the end of the three years Neb could not find any men equal and they went into high service. The test came when Neb had a dream that none of his men could figure out.  Daniel was brought before him as one who could interpret.  Daniel boldly gave God all the credit as the one who would reviled the meaning of the dream.  Daniel and his friends asked for God to give the meaning and He did.  Daniel gave God the credit and the glory for He had given him the answers.  Daniel was promoted up. In karate, a white belt would never test for a black belt without first passing the other colored belts.  They would fail the test.  God built Daniel and his friends up to the point that they could trust God over the threat of loosing their very life.  Several times Daniel was plotted against, his faith used against him to eliminate his influence and his life, yet his faithfulness always ended with a new "belt". (See Daniel 6)  He was continually promoted up! Promoted Up... It really doesn't matter how wonderful they performed to Nebuchadnezzer because Daniel and his friends remembered that ultimately they were to obey God. Although they gained so much favor and were put in the highest place of service that many would only hope for, they remembered that it was God who held the authority to promote up. The Bible tells us that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made the choice not to bow to a statue made by human hands.  Worshiping anything other than God was idol worship to them.  A law was passed that whoever did not bow would die.  They did not have to cause a riot or turn tables, all could see the stand they made. Many around them were astonished at their boldness to show that they would only bow to God at the risk of facing death. That it was not out of disrespect to the earthly people they were serving, but out of respect and obedience to their God. The boys obeyed God first and accepted the consequence for not bowing to Nebuchadnezzer and were put into the fire for not bowing. In all earthly understanding they deserved it.  No matter the high position they were in and how great Nebuchadnezzer once thought they were, it was the consequence.  The king was furious and his attitude toward them changed.  What kind of promotion was this? As they were in the fire they did not burn and God showed His presence with them while in there.  The King was surprised and humbled to the point of recognizing that no other God could save in this way.   God set things right not at the point of not bowing, but at the point of full submission and climbing into a fire raised to a heat that no man could bare, so that He could be seen. The Bible tells us that the boys were again promoted up. iPray   iPray you will STAND strong to earn your next belt. iPray you will STAND and not compromise in your training. iPray you will STAND with confidence when testing. iPray you will STAND strong in your faith when the test is less than predictable and in the face of unknown elements. iPray you will STAND and rely on your training, trusting everything you worked so hard for stands for something. iPray you will STAND when the rest of the world sits down. iPray you will STAND knowing that it may mean the death of an earthly position or title for a season. iPray you will STAND in devotion to God above everything else, trusting Him over the seen and unseen, trusting that God IS being seen. iPray you will STAND when God chooses you to make a stand. iPray you will STAND by remembering past belts God has seen you through, believing you can master all that is involved in wearing the next. iPray you will STAND and be promoted up. In Jesus name, amen! ALL for Him, Michelle Fozounmayeh

In This Issue One belt leads to the next Prepared, Tested and Promoted Up iPray Join iPray eMailing List Michelle Fozounmayeh Michelle Fozounmayeh A joy filled wife and mom that enjoys writing, praying, speaking at women events and being an Area Coordinator with the ministry Moms In Prayer International. Blog: 7tothirty7.blogspot.com Website: http://7tothirty7.com/ 4 Traditions 4 New Years 4 Traditions 4 Valentines 4 Traditions 4 St. Patricks 4 Traditions 4 Easter 4 Traditions 4 Mother's Day 4 Traditions 4 Father's Day 4 Traditions 4 Fourth of July 4 Traditions 4 Summer 4 Traditions 4 Back to School 4 Traditions 4 Halloween 4 Traditions 4 Thanksgiving 4 Traditions 4 Christmas       iPray Links: Dec. 2011 iPray link: iTeeter-Totter   Jan. 2012 iPray link: iPray Newness Feb. 2012 iPray link: iLove DEEP and WIDE March 2012 iPray link: iPraise April 2012 iPray link: iEmbrace  May 2012 iPray link:   iSmell a Stain June 2012 iPray link: iPray 4 Purity July 2012 iPray link: iPray 4 Protection August 2012 iPray link: iReminisce September 2012 iPray: iWork Out   October 2012 iPray:  iFollow November 2012 iPray: iThank God for That December 2012 iPray: iFinish Strong   January 2013 iPray: iNeed a Reminder   February 2013 iPray iPray in One Accord March 2013 iPray: iRest April 2013 iPray: iListen May 2013 iPray: iHold On June 2013 iPray: iStretch July 2013 iPray: iDream   August 2013 iPray: iGet Dressed September 2013 iPray: iSurrender October 2013 iPray: iSpill November 2013 iPray: iMad Pray December 2013 iPray: iMine January 2014 iPray: iColor February 2014 iPray: iClip Show March 2014 iPray iShelve Not April 2014 iPray iKnow in Part May 2014 iPray iRespond June 2014 iPray iHope July 2014 iPray iPray Head To Toe Poem links: Time to be Free Ms. Marry McMoo Only You I Delight in You A Bat's Perspective The Ins and Outs Green Things Treasures in the Darkness To My Mom No Longer Hidden 70 Years of Marriage Saint Sadie Discovering Little One Wide Long High and Deep My Son Knowledge Hoard Short Stories: Cream of Corn Battle of the Food Face Singing the Night Away See You Later, Alligator Don't Touch Fried Nuts Annoying Brother Missy's Puppies High Dive Something Big! Stretching First Rainbow Promise

iPray Head-to-Toe

July/2014

iPray eVotional iPray eVotionals exhorts those who pray.  It's the glass of water held out around each month's turn for the runners who can use a quick and easy quench in order to finish strong. iPray Head-to-toe   Approx. reading time: 10 minutes Stories in my Head A stop sign means stop, it's at many street corners.  An exit sign tells of a way to get off or out, you can find it at freeway off ramps and in parking lots.  There are many common signs that give us direction and we are conditioned to follow them without effort. Sometimes we come across less frequent signs, like Falling Rock.  What does this one mean?  Where does it pop up and what does it alert a driver to do? I know the answers!  My father told me all about it when I was young.  Falling Rock is a wise old Indian that is very swift.  To this day he lives in the thick of the forest and lives off the land. Whenever you see one of those signs, it is a spot where Falling Rock has been spotted.  If you look around you might see him too.  The best places to spot him would be on mountain sides. Don't believe me?  Of course you don't.  But every time I see a Falling Rock sign I'm not thinking about rocks near the road that may be sitting on unstable foundations and I'm not driving with an awareness that may help quicken my reaction if a boulder does happen to fall.  To this day I am conditioned to let my imagination about an Indian take over. My father certainly made what could have been a boring ride up a mountain a lot more interesting.  I remember focusing on the road to spot every Falling Rock sign.  Each time I spotted one I tried to catch a glimpse of the tricky fellow and then I'd draw conclusions of how he might have first been seen there. At one spot Falling Rock must have been climbing steep rocks looking for snakes and bugs to eat when a hiker saw him.  At another spot he must have climbed out of a hidden cave when a small plane flew by.  Further down the road there was a lake, he could have been spotted by a hunter while coming back from fly fishing.  Think on Your Toes There are many signs God gives us that should prompt us to be prayerful.  The obvious signs get us praying right away.  Someone is in the hospital, we pray.  Another person is fighting depression, we pray.  There are also less obvious signs that we are wrongly conditioned for.  That is when we tend to let the tall tales from society determine how we react.   For example, when I was really young I remember a particular adult in my life responding to a weakness in another.  He managed to not only humiliate the other but to make himself appear to be the better one.  This was not the right way to respond to a sign that read, "Falling Apart." His tactic was a tall tale on how to edify and sadly I became conditioned to it. It took many years of scriptures, prayers and God's spirit to turn this sort of thinking around in my life. The other day, I again struggled with how I should react to the sign, "Falling Apart." I sat at a restaurant with a waitress that was obviously having a very hard day as it was reflective in her service as well as her attitude.   She was falling apart.  A sign designed to initiate a heart of mercy and prayers for God to be the glue she needs. I knew to pray, not only for her good but for my own spiritual safety as well.  I was starting to see the foundations of a judgment boulder of how a waitress should treat a customer loosen up in my heart.  A part of me wanted to point a certain mistake out to her, so that she would not do the same thing to the next customer.  I thought about praying for her but didn't and chose to point out her flaw.   Instead of being a part of what puts people back together, I just loosened up the gravel a little more!  Then the boulder fell, I appeared so much better than she did since a falling rock never falls pretty.   God could see right through my words and straight to my heart.  Like the Falling Rock sign and the pretend Indian story, a sign of weakness caused me to imagine a false scenario of superior knowledge in how others should or should not handle the stresses in their life. My waitress was falling apart and I chose to point it out instead of being a blessing to her. I knew nothing about my waitress but as I drove away I knew that I needed to stop talking about her weaknesses to justify my actions and start covering her in prayer.  My flesh wanted to pray like this, "Lord, help her use common sense with her customers."  That was not right.  Praying our own motives over another is never right.  I needed to pray God's will.  "I'm sorry for not praying sooner.  Help her with her troubles.  May she see You, Lord, as the solution to her troubles."  It still felt sort of weak.  I didn't know her so that was as far as I got. After returning home a little pamphlet on my shelf caught my eye.  It was a tool I received years ago that can be used to cover a person in prayer.  To pray over the very foundations of a person's life!  I've used it several times to pray over family members.  In 1989 Deborah Doggett's then 14 year old daughter was away from home.  Her daughter was a student at the Black Forest Academy in Germany while Deborah was in the United States.  Deborah's heart cry was to intercede on her daughter's behalf.  While she couldn't be right there with her for her day to day needs, God responded by showing her how to cover her daughter in prayer from head-to-toe.  In this pamphlet she shares how she literally prayed for her daughter from head-to-toe, starting with her head and ending with her feet. How can I reverse my initial reactions to the sign?  Pray for the foundations that need to be constantly stabilized, pray from head-to-toe! In her book Praying for your Husband From Head to Toe, Sharon Haynes talks about this idea when she writes, "For most couples, life is just daily.  However, the accumulation of small struggles can nibble like termites to undermine the foundation of what appears to be a healthy structure just as surely as an earthshaking rumble of sudden disaster."  She goes on to describe an effective way to pray for a husband, starting with his head and moving all through his body, right down to his feet, making sure that the prayers are in line with God's word. More head-to-toe prayer guides comes from Doug and Jennifer Flanders.  They published three different visuals on praying from head-to-toe. Click: Praying for your husband from head to toe Click: Praying for your wife from head to toe Click: Praying for your children from head to toe Praying from head-to-toe is not an exclusive tool to use for those we live with, it can be used for anyone!  It's for those we don't really know, like the waitress I recently had.  It's for when distance keeps us from knowing the daily things our loved ones are encountering, like Deborah Doggett's daughter in 1989.  It's for the hard-to-pray-for people, who don't even want it.  It's for when strong emotions and opinions get in the way of praying the way God wants us to. Some will never know how you have covered them, but these prayers play a part in God's working in their lives as well as our own.  When we don't know how to pray outside of the obvious boulders, this head-to-toe format comes in quite handy in praying right at the foundation of their lives and praying over every pebble as little as it may seem.   When you see the sign, think on your toes! Save your pretend Indian stories for your next essay and abandon your faulty accusations of knowing better. Instead pray, from head to toe. Your Turn, Head-to-toe By now someone has popped into your mind that needs prayer.  No?  Wait for it...yes that one.  Let's cover him/her with prayer. (Adapted from previous mentioned resources) HEAD Dear Lord, I pray that you will be ___________'s focus.  Set his/her mind "on things above" remaining centered on the truth of Your Word.  May he/she desire to know You more and understand Your power, strength and comfort.  Help him/her to seek Your favor in his/her thoughts and motives always rejoicing in Your truth. Give him/her Your discernment to protect him/her from being deceived by empty philosophies.  Give him/her a love for learning, a wonderment of your creation, and a clear and healthy mind free from headaches and head colds.  Most of all may his/her faith be ever-growing and his/her trust be in You alone - not dependent on his/her own knowledge. Scripture References: Proverbs 2:1, 6, Philippians 1:9-10, Proverbs 3:4-6, 21, James 1:5, Psalm 119:97, Colossians 2:8, Proverbs 16, Isaiah 55:8, Colossians 3:1-2, Colossians 1:9-10 EYES Dear Lord, help ____________ to see beauty in Your creation. Teach him/her to guard his/her eyes in what he/she watches understanding the powerful impact of visual things.  May he/she focus attention on doing what is right and see You in the details of his/her life.  With eyes of compassion may he/she see others as You see them and how he/she can be helpful. Scripture References: Psalm 101:3, Psalm 119:18, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 16:19, Proverbs 4:25, Matthew 9:36, I Samuel 16:7 EARS Dear Lord, may ____________ listen to You over wrong influences.  May he/she be quick to hear and incline his/her ears to listen to instruction.  Lead him/her to good counsel.  May he/she listen for Your still, small voice and remain ever attentive to Your promptings. Scripture References: Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 18:15, Jeremiah 33:3, Romans 10:17, James 1:19, Isaiah 55:3, Proverbs 8:32-34, Matthew 11:15, I Thessalonians 5:19 MOUTH Dear Lord, guard ____________'s tongue, may his/her speech be seasoned with grace.  Keep his/her tongue from evil and lips from speaking lies.  I pray that all his/her words would be pleasing to You Lord and edifying to others.  May praise be on his/her lips.  I pray that he/she will have a ready defense, an apt answer and a timely word.  Heal his/her sore throats.  Give him/her health for how his/her voice needs to be used.  May he/she always feed upon Your Word.  Fill his/her mouth with skillful and godly wisdom, that the law of kindness would remain on his/her tongue, and that he/she would only and always speak the truth in love. Scripture References: Psalm 34:13, 19:14, Psalm 119:103, Psalm 145, Proverbs 15:23, Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 4:6, Proverbs 31:26, Ephesians 4:15 HEART Dear Lord, give ____________ a heart for You and Your Word.  Save him/her for Your choice of mate or to be satisfied with singleness.  May he/she have unconditional love for the one You have given to him/her.  May he/she be 100% faithful, loving, respectful and have tender patience.  Please give him/her a happy, cheerful heart.  Keep his/her physical heart healthy, with proper food, exercise and function. Scripture References: II Chronicles 16:9, Proverbs 15:13, Psalm 19:14, 27:14, 28:7, Psalm 119:97 SHOULDERS Dear Lord, is ___________ carrying a burden?  May he/she cast it upon You.  May he/she understand Your yoke, may his/her posture and poise be pleasing to You. Scripture References: Psalm 81:6, Matthew 11:28-30, Galatians 6:2, I Peter 5:6-7 LUNGS Dear Lord, May ____________ exhale the impure and inhale the pure.  Keep his/her lungs healthy and free from congestion. Scripture References: Psalm 32:5, Psalm 42:1, Psalm 150:6, I Peter 5:6-7 HANDS Dear Lord, may ____________ be diligent in the work of his/her hands. May they be fruitful, serving others, lifted in praise and holding tight to what is right. Scripture References: Psalm 16:8, 63:4, Psalm 90:17, Ecclesiastes 9:10, 11:6, Isaiah 41:10, 13, Proverbs 10:4-5 ABDOMEN Lord, keep ____________ well. Teach him/her healthful habits.  May he/she balance rest and exercise.  May he/she hunger and thirst for Your righteousness.  Bless the fruit of her womb by giving her children who walk in truth. Scripture References: Proverbs 31:27, Matthew 5:6, John 6:35, Psalm 127:3, III John 1:4 LEGS Dear Lord, I ask that ____________ would not walk in step with the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners, but that he/she would find wise and godly companions along life's journey.  Strengthen and sustain him/her so that he/she can walk and not faint and not tire of doing good. Scripture References: Psalm 1:1, Isaiah 40:31, II Thessalonians 3:13 KNEES Dear Lord, May ____________ be kneeling before Your throne in worship.  May he/she intercede for others.  I ask that he/she will place her life in your control, to be still before You.  May he/she cease striving and know You are God, may not his/her will be done, by Yours.    Scripture References: Psalm 46:10, Acts 21:5, Ephesians 3:14, Philippians 2:10 FEET Dear Lord, Please direct ____________'s steps, help him/her to stand fast, and to protect him/her from stumbling.  May he/she flee from evil, run and not get tired, walk and not become weary.  May he/she run to Your protection, to Your fortress.  May he/she serve you, walk in Your ways and have beautiful feet that bring glad tidings of good things.  May he/she walk in the Black Forest and see Your majesty.  I ask that his/her feet would be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace so that he/she might faithfully pursue righteousness and love.  Lead him/her in the path of wisdom and truth and keep his/her foot from stumbling. Scripture References: Psalm 17:5, 37:23, 24, 119:3, 119:133, 121:3, Proverbs 18:10, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 10:15, Ephesians 6:15, Proverbs 4:11-12 iPray iPray that you will recognize the signs God gives you to be prayerful.  When you receive the prompting I pray that you will be faithful to cover others in prayer, head-to-toe. In Jesus name, amen! ALL for Him, Michelle Fozounmayeh

In This Issue Stories in my Head Think on your Toes Your turn, Head-to-toe iPray Join iPray eMailing List Michelle Fozounmayeh Michelle Fozounmayeh A joy filled wife and mom that enjoys writing, praying, speaking at women events and being an Area Coordinator with the ministry Moms In Prayer International. Blog: 7tothirty7.blogspot.com Website: http://7tothirty7.com/ 4 Traditions 4 New Years 4 Traditions 4 Valentines 4 Traditions 4 St. Patricks 4 Traditions 4 Easter 4 Traditions 4 Mother's Day 4 Traditions 4 Father's Day 4 Traditions 4 Fourth of July 4 Traditions 4 Summer 4 Traditions 4 Back to School 4 Traditions 4 Halloween 4 Traditions 4 Thanksgiving 4 Traditions 4 Christmas iPray Links: Dec. 2011 iPray link: iTeeter-Totter   Jan. 2012 iPray link: iPray Newness Feb. 2012 iPray link: iLove DEEP and WIDE March 2012 iPray link: iPraise April 2012 iPray link: iEmbrace May 2012 iPray link:   iSmell a Stain June 2012 iPray link: iPray 4 Purity July 2012 iPray link: iPray 4 Protection August 2012 iPray link: iReminisce September 2012 iPray: iWork Out   October 2012 iPray:  iFollow November 2012 iPray: iThank God for That December 2012 iPray: iFinish Strong   January 2013 iPray: iNeed a Reminder   February 2013 iPray iPray in One Accord March 2013 iPray: iRest April 2013 iPray: iListen May 2013 iPray: iHold On June 2013 iPray: iStretch July 2013 iPray: iDream August 2013 iPray: iGet Dressed September 2013 iPray: iSurrender October 2013 iPray: iSpill November 2013 iPray: iMad Pray December 2013 iPray: iMine January 2014 iPray: iColor February 2014 iPray: iClip Show March 2014 iPray iShelve Not April 2014 iPray iKnow in Part May 2014 iPray iRespond June 2014 iPray iHope Poem links: Time to be Free Ms. Marry McMoo Only You I Delight in You A Bat's Perspective The Ins and Outs Green Things Treasures in the Darkness To My Mom No Longer Hidden 70 Years of Marriage Saint Sadie Discovering Little One Wide Long High and Deep My Son Knowledge Hoard Short Stories: Cream of Corn Battle of the Food Face Singing the Night Away See You Later, Alligator Don't Touch Fried Nuts Annoying Brother Missy's Puppies High Dive Something Big! Stretching First Rainbow Promise