Wouldn't you like to have God's blessing? One morning, because frankly, things have not been going as we hoped and prayed, I asked the Lord for a word of encouragement. As I opened my Bible it fell open to Jeremiah. I'm not sure why, but God has often used passages there to speak to my heart in big ways. I read a few chapters and came to these verses... But I will bless those who trust me. They will be like trees growing beside a stream— trees with roots that reach down to the water, and with leaves that are always green. They bear fruit every year and are never … [Read more...]
Is there something going on in your life that you're praying about and seeking God's help to see you through? Maybe you're like me. When I'm facing something big... I pray like crazy... I ask my close friends to pray like crazy... and when things don't seem to be moving along... I enlist others to pray... and possibly even seek advice. You know what my problem is? I lack faith. Recently I read a story about an elderly woman's exchange with a young man. He asked her what he should do to get God's help with his need. Her reply might surprise you. She told the … [Read more...]
When I was in college I traveled to Europe. I saw and did some amazing things. One memorable event was to see "Carmen" performed. Don't be jealous. I watched it from the nose-bleed section of the Vienna Opera House in the standing-only section. Have you ever stood in one small spot to watch an entire opera? Let's just say it was extremely difficult. I wanted to sit down. It was painfully tiring to say the least. There I was, watching this incredible opera after spending a day of sightseeing, shifting from leg to leg. I remember the standing to see "Carmen" much more than anything from the … [Read more...]
Have you been facing many challenges and difficulties in your life? Do you resist them? Do you get angry and frustrated with God? Especially when circumstances don't change, no matter how hard you pray? My week was full of small challenges... on top of big ones that are already enough. Maybe you identify? Somewhere in the midst of my troubles I have come to realize that my role is not to wiggle out of these situations... but instead to move gracefully through them in God's strength and power. I'm not saying that there aren't ugly moments. Because there are. I have my melt-downs. I … [Read more...]
Did you step into the new year with a new planner and a new plan to make this the best year ever? The success experts encourage us to set goals, to map our days, our work, even our relationships. As you penned those good intentions into your life planner have you set holiness as one of your goals? What? Who in this day and age, talks about being holy, let alone list it as a life-goal? That's a good question. Most of us would agree God calls us to holy living, but really, making that a penned-on-paper life-goal... whom among us is that purposeful? As obedient … [Read more...]
Praise God for this incredible, unbelievable, indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 The Voice Most days are filled with the common, the ordinary, nothing spectacular happens. And we just keep rolling along in a field of gray. As I write this on Christmas Eve just a little more than an hour before the 11 p.m. service at church, I'm reminded that incredible moments come in the midst of pain and ordinariness. Early this morning I awoke with a terrific pain in my stomach. I am pretty sure it was that glass of egg nog cut with some Vernor's, in addition to the chocolate truffle I enjoyed earlier in the day. … [Read more...]
Jesus taught us a prayer that is filled with power. It really is the key to learning how to pray in a way that matters. Today we'll discuss how we should pray as if our lives depend on it. If this is your first time in joining us for this series on prayer... you can jump in right here... or take a moment to scroll down below for a recap of what we have discovered so far on this prayer journey. Matthew 6 where Jesus taught his followers this prayer has been the focus of our prayer journey: “This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your … [Read more...]
We've been on a journey of learning how to pray in way that matters. Today we're discussing a hot topic for many of us... how we forgive others. Jesus packed a lot of power into this prayer he taught us and his followers to pray. The Lord's prayer is a life-giving prayer. It teaches us how to pray in a way that makes a difference. Its concepts are life-changing. At the end of this post there is a recap of what we have discovered so far. If you like, scroll down and read that first if this is your first time joining us. Or.... jump in here, now. Our source for this prayer journey has … [Read more...]
We've been on a journey of learning how to pray in way that matters. I am so grateful that some of you have mentioned that this has been a helpful journey. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with prayer. Especially seeing the results of powerful praying and wondering how I can pray in a way that matters. At the end of this post there is a recap of what we have learned so far. If you want you can scroll down and read that first if it's your first time joining us. Or.... just jump in now. Our source for this prayer journey has been Matthew 6 where Jesus taught his followers this … [Read more...]
We've been on a journey of learning how to pray in way that matters. We began by looking at Matthew 6:6-8 NLT and discussed the first steps in learning how to pray in a way that matters. The first is to recognize that our prayer time is something to be treasured, it's a time of intimacy with God, and God rewards us for spending time talking with him. Second is to remember that God already knows what we need before we ask. Because of this intimate relationship we have with him we don't have to explain things and we can relax and be completely honest. Third is to follow Jesus' very specific guidelines for … [Read more...]
Prayer is this amazingly simple yet complicated communication we have with God. It's simple because God is always ready and listening... it's complicated because we tend to be rather selfish in our praying. And yes that includes praying for other people. I'm reminded that a great marriage is one where we adore listening to our partner talk... we want to know their thoughts, their ideas, their hopes, their dreams, and even the crazy little details of their day. But, sometimes, we have another agenda and we quit listening and we start dwelling on our desires. For most of us... our prayer time is more … [Read more...]
We want to pray in a way that matters. We want God to hear our prayers. And we want our prayers to help make things happen. Last week we looked at Matthew 6:6-8 NLT and discussed the first steps in learning how to pray in a way that matters. The first is to recognize that our prayer time is something to be treasured, it's a time of intimacy with God, and God rewards us for spending time talking with him. The second is to remember that God already knows what we need before we ask. Because of this intimate relationship we have with him we don't have to explain things and we can relax and be … [Read more...]
Do you pray and wonder if you're praying "the right" way? Do you pray and feel like you don't see any results to your prayers? Do you pray and wonder if it even matters that you've prayed? For the next few weeks, we're going to delve into prayer and together we're going to discover this wonderful conduit we have with God, and learn how to pray in a way that matters. Prayer seems like it should be so easy. After all it's just a conversation with God. Yet, somehow, it seems we don't really know how to pray. Evidently it was an issue when Jesus walked the earth, because he … [Read more...]
Have you ever felt like you were on the cusp of something new and big? That's how I feel right now. I can't exactly explain it, but this week God got our attention with some scripture verses that he put in neon lights so we wouldn't miss them. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 God is the One who gives seed to the farmer and bread for food. He will give you all the seed you need and make it grow so there will be a great harvest from your goodness. 2 … [Read more...]
Last night I spent the night in a hotel room. It was clean, nicely decorated, and the bed was fairly comfortable. But, while I was laying in bed, I moved my arm against the headboard... and it felt like it was buzzing. There was some sort of low-level vibration in the headboard and I felt it in the bed too. It was a bit disconcerting. When I went to breakfast, I noticed that the room next to my room was labeled, "Electrical." On my return from breakfast the door to that room was open and I peeked inside. On the adjoining wall to my room... right where my bed was... were three enormous breaker … [Read more...]
God is good! That's the comment that many make when something good has happened in their life or in the life of another. We know that goodness is one of God's characteristics. God IS good. All. The. Time. Examine and see how good the Lord is. Happy is the person who trusts him. Psalm 34:8 NCV It's interesting to me that the psalmist is suggesting that we examine and see how good the Lord is. You might be more familiar with the verse in another translation. It's more commonly translated this way. Taste and see that the Lord is good; Psalm 34:8a NIV When was the last … [Read more...]
Do you feel like you've been endlessly walking through the rain? Your shoes are wet and squishy... but you trod on. Some days it just drizzles and other days you're diving for cover... hoping lightning doesn't strike anywhere near you. You wonder... will the sun ever come out? Maybe you even have Annie's song running through your head. The sun'll come out tomorrow... Believe me... I identify. The rain... the dark clouds... the thunder and lightning seem relentless... but we cannot let these challenges... great or small dampen or douse our spirits. We … [Read more...]
