City Prayer - Walking on Mustard Seeds

Are Your Emotions Stealing God’s Best for You?

A way to easily gain a positive expectancy, outlook, and a smile in your heart if not on your face–is to

"Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord."

Psalm 119:1, NLT

The early morning glory of red and purple playing back and forth in the sky is erased when the sun soars upward. Like your once-wrapped packages under the tree that were poised to be opened, the treasure is now fully exposed.

As you walk into the New Year of our Lord, the newness will lose its grandeur of the gifts and the expectancy of a new year. That is normal and dare I say okay. There is nothing wrong with not being as thrilled with the gifts or the anticipation of a new year.

Newly opened gifts and perhaps a new goal or two in mind, the ‘newness’ of the gifts and new year always dulls.
Michele Marie Weisman

However, the joy of God never dims or diminishes. What was true of God yesterday is true today and will be tomorrow.

Easily gain a positive expectancy, outlook, and a smile in your heart if not on your face by simply serving in your community. Your City. Remember, Jesus says we are serving him when we serve another.

Ideas to Serve: Call a friend or acquaintance and ask how they are doing. Pen a note to someone and put it in the mailbox. Are you running errands today? Who can you let go before you in line at the check out, or can you pay for someone’s items at the store?

Pray with me.

God, my emotions will fail but you always have an abundance of joy to give away. Show me where to serve. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Thank you!

Thank you for visiting in 2023! I consider it an honor when you stop by Walking On Mustard Seeds.

I am able to see what country a reader visits from. A total of 41 countries stopped by to read my blog this last year!

Because I can’t offer you tea or coffee, please know I pray for you and thank God for you.

MVP 2023 (Most Viewed Post)

If you share a post with others, thank you! That is the greatest compliment I can receive, that you would tell others about a piece I wrote.

What was the most popular blog post of 2023? Nine Benefits of God’s Will for You

What was your favorite post of 2023? Your comments brighten my day!

Please know you are always welcome here. I look forward to crafting more blog posts for you and thank you for your grace as I learn to juggle the blog and finishing my manuscript for release in the Spring of 2024

Keep Walking On Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Image by Azmi Talib from Pixabay

Can You Influence Your City?

Black woman with arms raised, smiling, as confetti rains down on her.

Yes, and after reading this article, my hope is that you will have confidence knowing you are doing some great work with God in your community.

You may live in an urban area, with the ease of drive-through eateries and the pick of grocery markets within a short walk or quick drive. You may live in a rural area, that is the quiet backdrop to all the hustle and bustle. My family lives in a place in between the two, we have neighbors but it takes a quarter of an hour or more to run errands, besides our local Dollar General.

Every time you drive, shop, or otherwise come in contact with your neighbors, you are influencing them. I looked up influence, (don’t fall asleep on me yet!) in the trustworthy Webster’s Dictionary from 1828; the online version.

Webster explains we can identify influence by its effects. Influence is completely unseen, a power, like a superpower, brings a person to respond for good or bad.

A driver who becomes angry on the road can influence another driver to an angry response. This is defined as road rage. What happens when a driver practices the opposite behavior on the road, giving way when it is legal and safe? There is an influence that the other driver will know and anyone who witnessed the courtesy given.

You can dismiss the example as not sweeping enough to bring a big change to your City, but how do you know? We have all heard stories of how a simple kindness turned someone’s day around.

In fact, what you do may be a great benefit to you but it also influences others.

A fellow writer and friend of mine writes for a foundation that is holding a 5k in October. The run is not located in my state and I will not be attending the actual 5k, but, I signed up and am training because I believe in the foundation. I will run a few laps in my somewhat rural neighborhood, waving at the deer and squirrels as I jog to the lake and back.

Why am I doing this? I want to help the foundation. The organization’s goal is to help the families of First Responders who are in need. Is my thirty-dollar entry fee going to change one life significantly? Not at all. But if the power of influence is true, it will encourage the foundation, my friend, and myself.

You see, the world has done its darndest to make you overwhelmed with every single tragedy that occurs as it is occurring across the globe. Of course, you care. But not one of us can take it all in, and that is not our job. It is God’s job. Ours is to do our part, where we are when we can.

What does the 5k give me?

Health goals I can reach.

Something to look forward to.

Feeling good that I am helping First Responders.

An example to my children.

Most of the time, only God and the person will know the influence you have on another soul. In your City, I bet there are testimonies on how you have impacted someone for a good effect.

Continue to use this unseen power wisely.

Christ sacrificed himself so you can have eternity with his father. Does it make sense that as God calls you to pray for and do good for others in your City, there will be a benefit for you and your family? I sure do believe this to be true. Scripture tells us that very fact.

Would you take a moment to pop onto the Trooper Black Foundation to learn about Trooper Black?

Keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

City Prayer –It’s About Time

You have heard the slogan, buy local. I like to say Pray Local. Come on by Walking on Mustard Seeds to see why time is important — in prayer and in your local community.

An old-fashioned pocket watch swinging side to side a galaxy of stars in the background.

“TO EVERYTHING there is…a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, AMPC)

You have a purpose in this moment, this very time that is ticking with the clock. I thank you for using this time to read my post. There are reports saying we are consumed by social media and news outlets.

If you are like me, after catching up on news, the updates can run through my mind while I go on with my day. That is not good.

No one needs the plague of modern news to bat around. God would rather we be about our purpose than trying to wrestle out the times.

Let’s figure out how to be in step with God’s plan for time.

I think it starts with thanking Him FOR time.

It goes something like this while walking my dogs in the morning, I say, “Thank you, God, for time to walk my dogs.” When I am driving into town to run errands, I say, “Thank you God for time to shop.” While researching curriculum for my youngest’s freshman year of high school, I say, “Thank you Lord for time to gather information.”

At these times, when my thoughts regularly turn to to-do lists, worry about the economy, and any number of other thoughts, I can thank God for the joy and gift of time.

Without time, we can do nothing.

As we turn our hearts to pray for our City this week, we can thank God for the time he has provided to pray and serve where we live. I am sure your town has slogans to buy local. Local farmers, local crafters, and local shops. I believe in praying local.

Pray for the farmer, the artists, the entrepreneurs. The farmer needs time to prep their land and for their crop to grow. The crafter needs time to design and make their art. And the shop owners need open hours and time to shop for products or services provided.

Time is precious to you and your neighbor. As schools start back up and summer vacations are in the past, may we each keep focused on how precious each moment is. Thanking the Lord for it on behalf of our fellow citizens too!

Keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

#praylocal

#Cityprayer

#prayforyourCity

P.S. Have you Checked out Deana Farrell’s new book, You’re a Beautiful MESSterpiece: A Guide to Prioritizing the God-Given Dream You’ve Been Entrusted to Pursue & Share? If you have been thinking about that God-size dream inside of you, I HIGHLY suggest it!

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Are You Guaranteed a Reward for Praying For Your City? And Updates!

Do you want to see change locally–pray with me over your City, and see God change some things.

And–you never know when your City has a wonderful surprise for you, like my attending our local 4th of July parade in Belton, Texas.

Today’s blog post falls in line with the spirit of my devotional designed to pray for your City. I am grateful for any prayers for the writing process. Thank you!

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way…” (3 John, 1:2a AMPC)

When your grocery cart emptied of its items and bagged, does your jaw drop at the total on the register?

And your gas tank is taking a whole lot more money to fill up. Are you taking fewer trips out because of the higher cost of gas?

There is scripture instructing us to not be shocked by things we see or hear. How are you doing with non-shock? I have told myself to stop gasping out loud, but I still hear an inner groan.

The news does not help the concern as they report that Americans have less in their savings and are using their credit cards more.

Financial stress on a family can create a feeling of isolation and worry, which leads to tension.

Do your neighbors feel isolated by their financial worries too? I bet some of them do.

There is a story in the bible, of a man who reestablished his outcome by praying for others, specifically his friends.

Mini Bible Story

Job was a man who loved and lived for God and lost everything, except for his wife and a few friends. His money, children, and livestock–gone–and he developed a terrible skin condition that tortured him.

This all came into Job’s life as a gift from the devil. Satan thought he could get Job to reject God, but his plan did not work. In fact, it backfired!

God restored him, and people find that fascinating, actually giving him back more than he originally had.

But, this is NOT the best part of the story.

Main Point

God did end up giving Job a ‘God size’ lecture. God had some correcting to do in Job’s heart. But at the end of the lecture, God gave Job one task to do.

Job, was instructed to pray for his friends, the ones who rushed to his side to comfort him in his great loss. Their attempt to help Job was overshadowed by misrepresenting God’s view and care for Job in this painful time. Theirs was such an error in judgment that God required sacrifices from them.

Ouch! Can you see their pride burning up in their chests?

Job was restored times two after he prayed for them.

Bottom Line

Prayer is not a frivolous, last-ditch effort. Nore is it a groundless proposal for a serious situation.

We honor God when we pray, turning to Him to solve what only He can. Praying for someone in your City, at the next gas pump, or behind you in line at Walmart, that their finances be blessed and their burden lightened, honors God.

That is it — P R A Y for them. It is a simple act of obedience void of pride.

What About You?

God has answers to prayers for you too, but first, what prayers does your neighbor need? If you don’t pray for them, what will the loss be for your community?

I am not saying or implying that you, or they, will receive Job’s fortune after you pray. How God blesses you is up to Him. He always deposits peace, joy, love, or grace, with prayer.

Is that enough–or better yet–isn’t that what is really needed to combat daily stressors?

Who in your City is coming to mind that you can pray for?

Father, You do want to provide a way for each person in my City to prosper. As prices rise, I am focused on my own struggle, but people all around me have similar concerns. Bless everyone that I pass on the road or in the store. Bless their day with financial wisdom and sound sleep tonight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Some News

Forth of July float with black sign that says in white writing, Prayer changes things while riders wore black t-shirts, writing in white, Can I pray for you? — New friends, from Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Temple, TX.

Does this float photo say everything that needs to be said about prayer? I have seen this group on the weekends at different events with a booth set up ready to pray for anyone who asks. They were a beautiful sight as Greg and I were in line at our local 4th of July parade. By the way, the large flag says, “Jesus is King”. A needed reminder.

Greg and author Michele, wearing cowboy hats and red, white, and blue, on the float. — Greg and I at Belton’s 4th of July parade.

You’re a Beautiful Messterpiece, by Deana Farrell

Have you ever been over the moon about a book?

There are few titles that make me feel like it was written by a friend who wants me to succeed at by biggest dream. Deana Farrell brings a unique voice to the conversation of getting your “God-given dreams” in motion. Perfection is NOT the goal. This VAL (me)–you have to read at least the back cover copy to find out what a VAL is, is starting to see that my ‘mess’ is part of the story and not to be shunned. Check out Deana Farrell here to find out about her new book!

Invited Guest

I was honored to be asked by a fellow writer and ministry-minded friend to start writing a monthly prayer for her ministry’s newsletter.

Naomi Fata resides in New York and is the author of, Beyond Head Knowledge: Knowing Christ Who Satisfies Our Hearts. She also writes God’s Corner for her local newspaper.

To read more about her ministry and sign up for her encouraging ministry email, go to Christian Resource Ministry.

Keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

PS Walking on Mustard Seeds can be sent directly to your inbox!

AMPC link is to lockman.org

Photos were by Greg and Michele Weisman

Four Reasons to Pray for Your City, Scripture Included

See back of woman looking out over a city.

You and your neighbors, which is a biblical code word for everyone, are hit daily with news reports revealing a shift far away from God’s plan.

He sees all that is happening in the City and wants to hear your prayers for everyone in it.

How do you know this is true?

1. God tells you to pray for everyone in your City. (1 Timothy 2:1)

God created inclusiveness, wanting everyone to experience the benefits of prayer. When prayers go up in line with His will, he can answer them.

2. Gell tells you how to pray for the people in your City. (1 Timothy 2:1) Yes, same verse.

The Bible gives you instructions and God has provided how to pray for everyone in your City.

3. God tells you what to pray for on their behalf. (Romans 8:26)

When words or ideas don’t come easy, the Holy Spirit can deliver the message of your heart to the Lord. I hope this builds your confidence, no matter the need you pray for someone, you have the authority to do so.

4. God has a promise for you, as a result of praying for your City. (Jeremiah 29:7)

Is it okay to receive something good in return for your prayers? God seems to have created this system and I am not about to question His decision.

The main point:

Part of God’s view for your City is you praying for it.

Your City job title: Prayer Warrior

If it sounds overwhelming to pray for your City, good!

That is the best place to start.

Keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash

An Easter Prayer for Your City

Everyone wants to feel invited. Invited to the birthday parties, and the barbeques. God’s desire is for people, all people to know His son. It starts with an invitation.

I have prepared a prayer for us to pray over your City. Before you pray, ask God to show you all the people you have seen this week as you drove around town, shopped, and worked. Or any other activity you took part in. Really capture some faces.

The silhouette of people standing on the other side of a glass wall. It looks like a subway line.

I’ll give you a minute.

Do you have some images from the week? God sees them too, and many more. The ones you don’t see within your regular routines. God is as aware of them just as He is of you.

Your prayer today can affect the ones you do and don’t see. It’s that simple, City Prayer.

Easter is upon us, and churches are ready to receive an overflow of guests.

A Welcome mat at a door. Brown leaves lay on the mat and around it. A person is standing at the mat, feet facing the door. They have a long coat on.

Let’s Pray

Lord, we lift up my Prayer Partner’s City boldly to Your throne. You see every person, the joy, hope, worry, and fear in their heart. Some have questions about You, a deep curiosity. Some are walking away from You, believing lies. And some don’t think you exist, as they enjoy your creation. May each of them be drawn to a local church. May they feel welcomed and wanted, invited inside. May Your love greet them at the door and the gospel truth capture and resurrect their hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Stone grave with large round stone rolled to the side signifying Christ's empty grave.

Happy Resurrection Sunday to you and your family!

If you don’t want to miss out on a single post, please sign up to receive these via email.

I am excited about the devotional I will be reviewing next week. It is called PSALM 91, Fronliner, and First Responder Edition. The author is Peggy Joyce Ruth.

Keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

Photo by Yolanda Suen on Unsplash (people)

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash (welcome mat)

Where to Pray for Your City

You are a walking ministry.

Hand holding push pin over location on a map. Several other push pins laying in the forefront awaiting placement.

“Thy kingdom come. They will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 KJV)

Welcome to our monthly post, Prayer for your City.

I thought it would be fun to explore; where exactly are we supposed to pray? (Do you have places or opportunities to add?)

Seeing woman from the back as she holds a map up, viewing it with a park in her foreground.

Pray Here

when reading or watching the news

while driving (with your eyes open)

at work

at home

on a walk or run

at Church

waiting in line or on hold

Grouping of blue butterflies against a plain pink background.

Who to Pray With

Are there times when you are looking for someone to pray with? That is normal and prescribed in the Bible. “…where two or three gather in my name.” (Matthew 18:20 KJV) Jesus is describing Christians praying alongside each other! How exciting is that?

Praying with others brings accountability to your commitment.

My prayer ministry, Two or Three, prayed together through email and delivered Sunday mornings. Everyone could set aside time to pray when it fits their schedule. And, more people could be involved; living out of state and in different Cities did not cut them off from the gift and work of praying as one.

You, too, can pray with others for your City.

in person

over text

through messenger

a phone call

a Facebook page

When you came into relationship with Jesus Christ, you became a resident of heaven. Everywhere you step is an opportunity to bring heaven to the situation through prayer and action; you are a walking ministry.

Does that feel like a heavy responsibility? Allowing God to lead your thoughts and actions, brings His will to earth. You affect heaven by affecting the earth, through our obedience to God.

Disobedience in Your City

When a child rebels in the home, as we all did and ours do, it brings discord. Do you see this played out in your City, people rebelling outside of the house?

Prayer works. Jesus asks us to actively pray together, crying out for His perfect good-will on earth. You, too, can pray for God’s plan for your City, with two or three–or more. 🙂

God, I am sorry for the times I worry about my City more than I pray for it. Your instructions call me to action. May I seek deliberate times to pray for the people around me. Show me who to invite into this devotion of prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional Update

Laundry machines, side loading, a young person is sitting inside of one, with their legs outside of it. Contemplative image.

Still in research mode for the book, aka Devotional, Two or Three for Your City, last month, I attended a showing of, Miss. Virginia. The film, based on TRUE events, promised to give an understanding that I can apply to education in our Citites. It was held in my favorite local movie theater, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2022. 🙂

Miss. Virginia is an excellent film depicting a mom who, upon wanting a better educational opportunity for her son, made education better for all kids in Washington. It was a powerful testimony to the human spirit, love, and commitment.

I cried I cheered, and I cried again. If you have not seen it, please do. It has strong language and some parts that are not appropriate for little ones, so preview it first.

My Movie Takeaways

We were created to learn. Like breathing air and our hearts beating, these come naturally and are out of our control. Our minds were created to observe, learn, do, observe, learn, and do again.

A baby in the womb can see light, hear voices, and, observing it, learns from it. When the child is born, learning continues for a lifetime. But, obstacles to learning are real and too common.

So stay tuned as I continue to research, in person rather than from behind my keyboard. #shynomore

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

PS Who are you going to invite into prayer for your City?

Photo by GeoJango Maps on Unsplash (pin map)

Photo by Elio Santos on Unsplash (woman with map)

Photo by __ drz __ on Unsplash (butterflies on wall)

Photo by Mennie on Unsplash (laundry)

How to Serve Teens in Your City and Why*

Light green back ground. Large egg shell with one end broken open. Smaller speckled eggs fill the shell and pour out onto the green back ground.

It starts with prayer—it did for me, anyway.

Last year, a friend of mine and I started praying for direction with our teen daughters. We saw more was needed to sow God’s love into their lives.

She and I began by praying, desiring God’s guidance and will.

God sees every person and situation with absolute clarity making him the most trustworthy guide.

Out of those prayers for our teenagers, we began a bible study. Last year met weekly, a little ambitious without much planning time. This year, in prayer again, we switched things up to capture our hope for them as they step into adulthood.

This is what our bridge into adulthood goals were and are:

To love God’s word.

To always serve.

To intentionally gather and eat together, mini celebrations of relationships throughout the year.

We meet three times a month to do the above the best we can.

Once a month, we gather to study God’s word.

Once a month, we gather to serve together at a local food bank.

Once a month, we gather our families for a barbeque.

Nine yellow sticky notes in three-by-three rows, with a female hand removing one from the lower right corner.

What I have learned from teens:

The fewer words, the better. This is a season to ask questions and listen. It is hard to stop giving advice all the time. (Where did this know-it-all come from? Oh—right—parenthood.)

Encourage and guide gently. Use words to encourage and right a wrong where needed.

Welcome them with love and joy. They can pick up on a bad mood just like we can, so let it all go and embrace the gathering.

Teens have a unique pressure upon them that will be lifted soon enough, but they can’t yet comprehend the end of this process.

What I have learned about teens from God —in no particular order.

Keep engaging. Don’t give up, no matter what.

They are intimidated by life and the pending responsibility of adulthood.

Don’t be put off by a strong pushback. In other words, don’t take offense.

Pray and pray again.

Engage with a humble heart.

What can you do for teens in your City?

Pray first. (I bet you saw that coming. 😊)

There are many creative ways to serve teens in your own town.

Is there a youth group at your church? Do they need an extra hand? Are they planning a summer camp you can help with or provide a scholarship for?

Is there a youth program in your City where you can volunteer?

When you’re running your errands, can you smile at the teens in the stores? (One of my kids experienced adults actually frowning at her once she got older and were still grocery shopped together.)

View of a city at night, from the sky. The image is in blue, while, and black colors only.

Once you start praying for the teens in your City, you will notice more and more of them. A smile and a kind word can do some much for them. Even if they don’t know how to respond, keep it up! It isn’t about what you get back but what you plant in them.

God, help us see the teens in our City the way you do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you know some issues facing teens in your City?

Stormy day, clouds looming over to children. The taller one is holding an umbrella over them both. They are in silhouette.

I am convinced prayer leads to action.

First, in the heavenly realm. God can answer the prayers or start a ball rolling here on earth, encouraging people to take action and create provisions for the requests.

Second, in the person praying. When a person prays, they see they can be that answer to prayer or help in some small way.

Prayer brings something to the one praying, peace—when done right—

Peace between you and God.

Peace between you and your City.

Peace within yourself.

Announcement!

I have added a visual on my website that you can see from a PC or Laptop. It shows you my up-to-date progress on my devotional about praying for your City. I hope you find it helpful.

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

PS My teen approves of this message.

PSS If you like this blog post, will you share it with one friend?

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

Photo by Laurentiu Iordache on Unsplash (eggs)

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash (post-its)

Photo by J W on Unsplash (coverage)

Photo by Hoover Tung on Unsplash (electrified city)

Is there sex trafficking in your zip code?

The heartbreaking reality of sex trafficking is the topic for January’s City Prayer. This particular crime viloates children and adults, both male and female.

2023 is a year for action in Prayers for your City, and while we will discuss prayer, there are actions you can take locally. Researching how to help locally may give you hope, discovering organizations that are making possitive steps to help those affected by sex trafficing, and how you can join their efforts.

A light blue background with ten squeaky ducks.

Sex trafficking is occurring in overwhelming numbers in our nation and, this means it is happening in a zip code near you. My family moved from a state that has a major freeway system that is known for moving stolen people for this trade and landed in another state with the same freeway transit occurring.

Ug!

Raising girls, it was no comfort when I found this out. And that is where I should begin this thought process. We are, no doubt, self-thinkers first. Thinking of protecting our own. But who wants this to happen to anyone else’s child? I sure do not!

The news reports can leave me feeling helpless and unable to be a possitive impact for the situation.

Do you feel powerless too?

I recently discovered a website that local to me, that helps young women avoid or heal from this abuse. The site is Hilltop Recovery Ministries | Assist Young Women Be Self-Supportive. Their site says that in 2016 there were about 70,000 children sex trafficed in Texas.

70,000 C H I L D R E N in one state.

Sex trafficing is closer than you think.

Google the image for Huskies Stadium that seats about 70,000 people. (There are photo licence laws and I could not find one that was free-use to provide for you.)

Please pop onto Hilltop Recovery Ministries to see what they provide and their fundraising efforts to purchas their own building.

Your turn

a dirty poll with a sticker that says "you are important" in all caps.

Maybe you already know a resourse to help people in similar situations in your City. If you do, would you share about it in the comments? If you don’t know of a local resourse, would you take a few minutes to search online?

Or maybe you feel God tugging at you to start your own ministry to aid those who have been or are at risk to be sex trafficked.

A final note — prayer.

Lord, stumble the plans of those who are plotting and planning to use children and adults for the sexual purchases. Put a spotlight on the sellers and hunters of these precious children. Thank you for turning my fear and worry into action locally. Help me invite a friend on this journey with me. In Jesus name, Amen.

I would love to hear from you and what you disover! Let’s spread the hope!

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds!

Michele Marie Weisman

Photo by Jackson Simmer on Unsplash (broken)

Photo by George Pagan III on Unsplash (post sign)

Photo by Melissa Walker Horn on Unsplash (ducks in a row)

Who Lights Your City?

This being the first week of the month, I take this time to share the ideas behind the devotional I am writing.

Update

I have turned a corner in my book and see a finish-line approaching … of writing the book, not publishing it. Yet. Writing is a long process.

On with the blog…

God began pestering me about nine years ago to pray for the City my family lived in. The daily headlines were disturbing because crime and violence were on the rise.

Eating at me were the negative comments end of the news feeds. I am sure you have seen them, too, people tearing down their fellow citizens being reported about. These rebuffs of the news articles held no help.

God continued to tell me to pray over that City as I felt helpless in my prayers and over the negative tumbling of words on the news feeds.

Sticks and stones

Words do hurt. Do you remember the old saying … “your words will never hurt me.” This is contrary to the word of God. There is a verse about the tongue – or in this case, the pen, bringing much damage to others. And another comparing our words to honey. Compassion, love, and truth are what we are called to speak and, thus, to write.

The comments on social media and online news pages were stirring more harm. It was not a balm to anyone’s wound.

An invitation

Inviting others to pray with me over that City, Two or Three was birthed, and we prayed weekly for six years.

Until my family moved out of state, bringing us miles and miles away from that City. As I continued to write the devotional, I wanted to do more in our new City. I needed to dig deeper into God’s word to live as God asks us to live in our Communities.

The New

An orange brick wall with large text in all caps that reads "NEW".

What would that new and more be? City Council Meetings.

Scripture asks us to be involved where we live, and this seemed like a great way to do more.

Full disclosure, my husband and I do not attend each meeting. Our schedule does not allow for that. But our City Council Meetings are recorded on YouTube. This way, I am able to watch it when my schedule allows. In all honesty, it is a better experience to attend in person.

If you do attend in person, there is time before and after the meeting to meet Council members and your neighbors who are attending. It is a golden opportunity to meet your neighbors.

Perspective

There were a few things I wanted to accomplish in attending my first meetings.

1. To see how the meetings are run. It was quite orderly and civil. They open with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, and the Pledge to the Texas flag. My husband and I had no previous knowledge there was a Texas flag pledge, but we thought it was pretty cool.

2. I wanted to get an understanding of what issues were for neighbors. Boy, oh boy, people have strong opinions. From license plate readers, Airbnb’s, and I have even heard people voice strongly against the deer. (We love the deer, and thank God they are protected by the state of Texas.) Although I may not hold the same opinions as my fellow citizens, I can see why these are actually complicated issues. Except for the deer. God bless the deer. 😊

3. Who attends the meetings? It is a small number of people who attend, and I find them to be very interesting, thought-provoking citizens.

My husband and I have lived in this community for over two years. During that time, we have had the opportunity to vote for new City Council members and even the Mayor. It is an awesome process, and I hope would be in agreement that we care about our community.

Your Turn

Do you attend your local City Council Meetings? Have you ever served on your City Council?

Prayer

Will you pray for those who serve on your City Council?

Prayer Pro Tip

Pop onto your City website and learn a few of the City Council members’ names.

God, help us not to hide our light under the roof of our houses. May we exit our doors to gather, in peace, with those making decisions about where we live. Amen

Publishing News

An old-fashioned typewriter with a white background.

THIS MONTH, Inspire Christian Writers will be publishing their newest Anthology, Inspire Courage. Appearing in it is a short fiction I wrote about a little girl who wants to help her family and, to do so, has to face her biggest fear.

The gathering of several authors’ works in Inspire Courage promises to be a great read over the holidays.

I will provide a link on my blog once the book has been published.

Are you a writer too – or thinking of writing? Inspire Christian Writers is an informative and award-winning website for you to investigate.

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash (new)

Photo by Rene Böhmer on Unsplash (City lights)

Photo by Nina Strehl on Unsplash(Love your neighbour)

Photo by Florian Klauer on Unsplash (typewriter)

Photo by Brandi Redd on Unsplash (unwritten letters)

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash (group)