THE GOD WHO HEALS NATIONSBy: Jürgen Bühler, ICEJ President International Christian Embassy Jerusalem – USA, Inc.

"For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land" (Haggai 2:6). The prophet Haggai foresaw a time of global shaking. He saw not only the earth but also the heavens shaken. A shaking heaven does not mean that the heavenly dwelling place of God would be shaken in any way. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His rule and throne is everlasting. It rather refers to the heavenly realms where principalities and rulers of darkness influence our world (Ephesians 6:12), which shall be in an uproar such that demonic principalities even over nations become unsettled, possibly leading even to changes in government. We are definitely in a time of unprecedented global shaking. The COVID-19 virus is causing global upheaval, resulting in an unseen flood of unusual government decisions worldwide. Like never before, a plague is impacting every part of our planet and affecting every nation on earth all at once. Also the riots and demonstrations caused by the recent death of an African-American man, George Floyd, are spreading like a wildfire around the world. Its greatest, most disconcerting impact is felt in the USA, where it has already enflamed the existing polarization within society and even could sway the upcoming presidential elections. Many of these demonstrations have been taken over by destructive forces that do not seek racial harmony and the peace of a nation, but rather their destruction. I personally sense much of the violent fallout is of an evil spiritual origin and thus needs to be addressed in spiritual battle through prayer. Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the riots together are opening a national wound in America and around the world that cries out for healing. And it is exactly here that the word of God gives us hope.

“[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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). This verse teaches us that prayer can lead to the healing and restoration of entire nations. Prayer is not just a weapon to fight our own personal wars regarding our finances, health or family. Prayer can be a strategic missile with national impact and combined with fasting it can break any yoke and stronghold. God inspires us to think on these levels. “Ask of me,” God says, “and I will give you the nations for your inheritance.” (Psalms 2:8) When Daniel prayed in Babylon for the dispersed people of Israel, his prayer impacted angelic principalities which ruled in the heavenly realms over the world empires of Greece and Persia. That means focused and intentional prayer can shift the atmosphere in nations and regions. One example of this is what happened in Germany during the late 1980s. After World War II, Germany was severely judged and experienced a national division into two parts. East Germany was controlled and suppressed by the Soviet Union (with the East German region eventually overseen by a KGB officer named Vladimir Putin). The other side was part of the free Western world led by the United States of America. The fault-line of the Cold War, between East and West, ran right through Germany and especially through the city of Berlin. Germans spied on each other and were even trained to fight each other in case of war. Even still in mid-1989, the reunification of Germany looked impossible. Some of the prophetic voices who foresaw a unification like the British Bible teacher David Pawson and Loren Cunningham of YWAM were laughed at by pastors in Germany. What separated Germany was not just a national rift, but global political blocks that were willing to defend and fight for their piece of Germany. As a child, I well remember the US military maneuvers close to my home town near Stuttgart.

Burnet Presbyterian Church Newsletter for July, 2020 P. O. Box 126 Burnet, Texas 78611 E-mail: burnetpres@gmail.com Phone: 512-756- 4366 Website: www.bpcburnet.org

When I was in Germany last summer, it was 30 years after reunification, so I talked to pastors and leaders from east and west and was greatly encouraged by what I heard. Already in the late 1970s, prayer groups emerged in particular in Eastern communist Germany who prayed for the healing of our land. In the year before reunification, various individuals and prayer groups, led by God and unbeknownst to the others, went to the wall and prayed that it might fall. On both sides people held Communion at the Berlin Wall, not knowing others were doing the same. The demonstrations that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall actually started out of the Monday prayer meetings of the Nikolai church in Dresden, a weekly prayer gathering that started already in 1986. And God answered these prayers! What really happened on the night of 9 November 1989, no one knows until today. But everyone agrees it was a miracle when an East German high-ranking official declared the border to be open. I am writing this today as the nations of the world need healing. There is a wall going through the United States – and I am not talking about the wall that secures the southern border of the USA. But it is a wall that separates and polarizes the nation and can endanger not only the fabric of America but the global leadership of the USA as a “nation under God.” America needs our prayers more than ever before. In particular, we Christians in the Western world owe this to the USA more than any others as they stood with us for decades. God also can heal and reunite Korea as he healed and reunited Germany. North Korea was once known as the “Jerusalem of Asia” as a revival greatly touched that nation. What looks today impossible is possible with God. The key, however, lays not with politicians but with the people of God. Note that it does not say “If the President” or “if the government” or “if the parliament”, but God says “If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray …. I will heal their land.” The key to the healing of our nations lays in the hands of ordinary people like you and me who will stand at these walls of division and call for them to fall in the name of Jesus! Please join us in prayer for the USA, for Korea and for Israel. Maybe your own nation needs a touch of God. God is the healer of nations. “The

effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” says James 5:16. Our prayers can break the demonic powers of division, liberalism and racism, because Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Nothing is impossible for him when his people pray. Let us join hands and do this together! God bless you from Jerusalem as we change the world together!Posted on: 12 Jun 2020 International Christian Embassy Jerusalem – USA, Inc.P.O. Box 332974, Murfreesboro, TN 37133615-895-9830; icejusa.org

** Our Newest Elders

Armour Shin, Nancy Allen, Pat Collins, and Pastor Josyph

On Sunday, May 31, Armour Shin, representing the Nominating Committee, presented Nancy Allen and Pat Collins for installation as members of the Session, Class of 2022. We are blessed that these talented women have consented to serve an additional three years, and, as members, we can show our gratitude by making ourselves available to support them in any way we can. Even when we cannot do too many things in a group, we can pray for God’s guidance and direction for their lives and the life of our church. Together we can spread God’s love from our little corner of Burnet to as far as the Holy Spirit will take it!

** LACare Update

During the month of May, LACare served 392 individuals and 129 families. At this time, LACare is in need of monetary donations. We appreciate the generous donations we have received from our community recently, and hope that they continue so that we can continue this good work.

Submitted by – Hap Zimmerman

CELEBRATING DELANEY DAWSON The Presbyterian Women were so looking forward to celebrating the graduation of Delaney Dawson from Liberty Hill High School at the annual PW Birthday Lunch. It has been many years since we had a member graduate from high school. Unfortunately, the COVID19 situation prevented us from gathering for the Birthday Lunch, but it did not prevent us from celebrating Delaney’s accomplishments. During worship on May 31, Alice Anglin, representing the Presbyterian Women, presented Delaney with a James Avery silver bracelet with a charm that says “I love you” in sign language. Delany has been learning sign language since she was a freshman – below is her story:“I started learning sign language when I was a freshman in high school and fell in love. I knew that I wanted to do something with sign language as a career so I started working on my sign language interpreter certification. I will continue to work on my certification as I study communications at Angelo State University. I chose communications because most universities do not offer sign language as a degree.” I also asked Delaney to tell me about her interests and here is how she responded:“There is a joke in my family that I am a mermaid because I have always loved the water. When the water is calm, you can usually find me on my paddle

board with my puppy dog, Charlie. I also spend my time painting. I paint anything from people to plants to sea creatures. But, my favorite way to spend time is with family. I love my family so much and spending time with them is always such a blessing and so much fun. That also includes my church family. I’m so thankful for everyone there.” Delaney, it has been our privilege and joy to know and to celebrate you, and we will continue to pray that God’s love and protection surround you as you make your way in the world.

** The BB’s Read Again!

  Thursday July 23    9:30 am  Fellowship Hall

  The BB's will meet to review David McCullough's very thick book written in 1977, The Path Between The Seas, about the creation of the Panama Canal during the years of 1870 until 1914. Christopher Lehmann-Haupt in The New York Times wrote that it was "a chunk of history full of giant-sized characters and rich in political skull-duggery. . . told with breathtaking dramatic cadence." We hardly have experienced anything like that lately. This book has won several prestigious awards; we shall see if it wins The BB's award! Someone in our church has actually visited the canal. We will see about meeting in the Fellowship Hall using a table arrangement that provides comfort zones as well as hearing distances. As always there will be coffee, food and fellowship so please feel free to join in.

Submitted by Pat Collins

** Pastor’s Report

Miles Driven Last month -- 0Miles driven month to date – 0YTD Miles driven to date – 770

Visits - 10Home – Hospital Visits – Nursing Home – Phone Visits --10

** Meals On Wheels Gift Bags

Thursday, July 9 9:30 am 

"The Congregation of Burnet Presbyterian Church extendsto you COOL blessings during a WARM summer."

This is the message which will be included in the Meals on Wheels Goody Bags to be packed on Thursday July 9 at 9:30am in the Parlor Dining Room. Eighty bags will be packed, each with a Nabisco Savory Cracker package, Nabisco Cookie package, a Juicey Gel Cup and a Fruit Snack Mix. Total cost of July's bags is $107.77. This delivery will be the second of three deliveries for 2020, using the donations from Thanksgiving Offering 2019. There will be $108 remaining for the October bags. So please come join the packing for fun and fellowship, not to mention exercise!

Submitted by Pat Collins

** PW Women June 8, 2020Present: Armour Shin, Sue Hosterman, Danielle McDonald, JoAnn Holt, Jean Andrews, Bette Roberts, Mary Richmond, Alice Anglin, Laura Atkison, Cissy Butler, Pat Collins, Kathy Frankum, Jamie Horn and Janie Howell. Fourteen women met in the Sanctuary so that we could adhere to the social distancing guidelines in place due to the COVID19 pandemic. This was our first time meeting since March and we were clearly happy to be gathering together again. Moderator Alice Anglin opened the meeting with prayer. She conducted a very short business meeting as no events are scheduled at this time. Treasurer Kathy Frankum had reported that we have $2787.82 on hand. The Birthday Offering yielded $175.00 which Kathy has submitted to Mission Presbytery. Horizon Study Books will be ordered for 2020-21 and we need to know if you are interested in receiving a book. If so, please let Kathy know and also let her know if you would prefer large print.

Remember that the PW voted last year to pay for the study books from our treasury. Reports are that the Study Book is excellent – the text is on Lamentations – certainly timely! Armour led us in Lesson 7 of our Horizon study Love Carved in Stone by Eugenia Anne Gamble. This lesson was Thou Shalt Not Steal. The author brought out many ways to look at this text other than taking someone’s property. As always, the discussions were lively. Alice closed the meeting with our no-touch friendship circle as we recited the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted,Janie Howell, Secretary

** Session Review The Burnet Presbyterian Church State Session Meeting took place on June 16, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in a Zoom meeting. Present: Nancy Allen, Pat Collins, Jamie Horn, Armour Shin, Carl Spinner, Treasurer, Billy Don Weaver, Rev. Josyph Andrews, Moderator, and Marsha Spinner, Clerk. A quorum was present. Pastor Josyph opened the meeting with a prayer. After a time for “Sharing and Caring,” Pastor Josyph gave an opening devotional based on Matthew 10:24-39. Josyph gave the Session his Pastor’s Report. The following motions were passed:

that barring unforeseen circumstances, starting July 12, allow Cissy’s Sunday School class to meet in person and Carl’s class meet virtually or in person

to change the communion date from July 5 to July 12 when Josyph will be back from vacation

While other issues were discussed, no other decisions were made. The meeting was duly adjourned and Josyph closed with a prayer.

Respectfully submitted, Marsha Spinner

** Financial Report

The May Financial Report is attached at the back of the newsletter, along with the July Calendar, or if you are getting the newsletter via email, they are attached as additional documents.

So You Think You Know the Bible!By Ernest O. Hauser(Contributed by Cary West)

So You Think You Know the BibleQuestions continued

Dear friends,I have for years written new hymn texts for old hymn tunes. I share with you below the one I wrote this past week. May God bless you and your family during these days. God is faithful; the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. Grace, peace, and blessing, Carol Clarke

We’re All in This Together(Can be sung to the hymn tune, AURELIA, Presbyterian Hymnal #442, The Church’s One Foundation and #321in the Glory to God Hymnal.)

Sheer heartbreak heaped on heartbreak,From nature’s fury made,A tiny little virus tremendous power displayed.This outbreak leaves us shocked and we strive to understandWhat brought such pain and havoc abroad and in our land?

The cancelled fun vacations, the end of this school year,Leave us in isolation, in turmoil and in fear.Our hearts go out to all those whose future is unsure.May families find the strength and the courage to endure.

We yearn to be together to share our joys and woes,And yet by staying home our compassion truly showsHow much we love each other and want for each the best.In fellowship deferred, we find hope and we are blessed.

We weep with those who weep and we pray: “Lord, meet their needs.”We long to be good neighbors; we want to do good deeds.To offer hope and help we take off’rings to give aid,And for relief and solace, we fervently have prayed.

These burdens are so heavy; they seem too much to bear,And yet Your love sustains us and shows us that You care.O Lord, You are our rock, our redeemer, and our friend,You offer us the promise of life that knows no end.

Copyrighted © 2020 by Carol J. Clarke. Permission is granted for use in non-commercial settings, especially in worship services, including those live streamed.

Keeping in touch!Yes, we are trying to stay hunkered in. Just doctor appointments and grocery store. Although, we picked up our first order of groceries from HEB in Marble Falls this week . . . not a bad experience. Have an idea will continue doing that.Thanks for all the prayers and cards have received in last few weeks. We do appreciate the concerns and thoughts. Miss being with the church family. Look forward to things getting back to normal in the near future. With our love to each of you,Deanie and JC Smith

Answers:1. (a) Ruth 1:162. (c) Genesis 9:20-273. (b) Judges 14:5-94. (c) Genesis 19:15-265. (a) Job 39:256. (a) Matthew 3:77. (c) Genesis 39:1-238. (b) I Samuel 16:14-239. (a) Isaiah 3:16-2610. (c) Genesis 29:16-2611. a-c-d-b12. (b) Luke 2:3-513. (b) John 2:1-1114. (a) Luke 10:29-37; John 4:915. (c) Luke 4:16-2416. (c) Matthew 5:317. (b) Luke 22:1018. (a) Matthew 27:519. (c) Mark 14:51-5220. (c) Luke 23:43