“A grandfather was walking through his yard when he heard his granddaughter repeating the alphabet in a tone of voice that sounded like a prayer.He asked her what she was doing.The little girl explained, ‘I am praying, but I can’t think of exactly the right words, so I ‘m just saying all the letters and God will put them together for me, because He know what I’m thinking.’”Charles B. Vaughan … [Read more...]
Organizing your Prayers – Prayer Calendars
I am an organized person. In fact some people think I am hyper-organized. Call us Type A personalities, high strung, or detail crazy – we are the planners, system thinkers, and get it done people. So it should be no surprise an idea called a “Prayer Calendar” excites me.I found this great concept the other day on the blog, Scripture Dig. The post was called “The Type A Person Prays” by Teri Lynne Underwood. Immediately I knew I found a soul sister. (By the way, Scripture Dig is a great web site too)Teri defines a prayer calendar as a “a prayer calendar is a tool for organizing the major areas of prayer in your life.” She uses both a weekly and monthly format and in the post lists the categories. Her suggestions are great and will give you many ideas on how to model this for your prayer life.I keep a list of people and ministries to pray for daily, but haven’t designated days or months like Teri has. I googled prayer calendars and found many organizations and churches share them … [Read more...]
Changing When I don’t want to or Teaching this old dog a new trick.
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” Alvin TofflerThe quote above challenged my thinking this week.Change is occurring at a faster pace all the time. We are called upon to adapt, let go, and learn new technologies, systems, and patterns. I try to grasp a moment of time, but reality slips from my hand as the spinning disorients my thinking and steals my breath.I don’t know about the rest of you, but sometimes I just want to dig in my feet and say, “NO MORE!!” I slam on the breaks and my shifting gears grind to a stop.I suffer from change fatigue. Sigh.What frightens me is the study I read once that discovered one of the most common characteristics of people who lived to be 100 was their adaptability. Do you think resisting change is a cause of death? If not, that form of stubbornness probably leads to a miserable life.The reality is that the foundation of life is metamorphosis or change. … [Read more...]
Praying with Joy – Lectio Divina
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:4I always pray with joyOk Lord, that is not entirely true for me. I do not always pray with joy in all of my prayers.Maybe most of them.Well, some of them.To be honest, the majority of my prayers are not with joy.The other emotions demand center stage – fear, anxiety, desperation.Sprinkle in a little trust, devotion, and thankfulness - all waiting on the sidelinesI even express love - once in a while. But joy?Joy is an element often missing. That makes me sad.Lord, help me remember to pray with joy each and every time. Joy is Your essential ingredient that makes the bread rise. Joy is the yeast that ferments and grows the batch. I need Your joy.Whenever I approach Your throne, may joy be the first and last taste on my lips. … [Read more...]
Waiting for God – Quote of the Week
“I think Christians fail so often to get answers to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God. They just drop down and say a few words, and then jump up and forget it and expect God to answer them. Such praying always reminds me of the small boy ringing his neighbor’s doorbell and then running away as fast as he can go.” E. M. Bounds … [Read more...]
Spiritual Lesson from Going Back to Kindergarten
Ahhh, back to school time. Remember being in kindergarten? My biggest memory of that grade is being happy and whistling while I played in the large sunny room. “There is no whistling in school, Jean Anne,” the teacher scolded. But I was happy…..I hold good memories in my heart of my own kids first day of school entering kindergarten. New backpack, shiny shoes and smiles from ear to ear. I never had a shy child who wouldn’t let go or one who cried. Perhaps since their dad was the principal and never far away helped to make this new experience seem less scary. (They cried later when they were older though and in trouble. You can’t get away with anything when Daddy is the boss, but that is another topic for a future post. LOL) Kindergarten – the word comes from Germany and means kinder – the plural for kind or child and the word for garden. In a child’s garden – what a delightful name for this early step away from home and into the terrifying, unknown world.I think all of us need … [Read more...]
Hymn of Promise – In the End is our Beginning
This past weekend I reheard a song I had forgotten and its melody and words have wrapped their arms around my heart. Thought I would share them with you today:Hymn of Promiseby Natalie SleethIn the bulb, there is a flower; In the seed an apple tree;In cocoons, a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free!In the cold and snow of winter There’s a Spring that waits to be,Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.There’s a song in every silence, Seeking word and melody;There’s a dawn in every darkness, Bringing hope to you and me.From the past will come the future; What it holds a mystery,Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.In our end is our beginning; In our time, infinity.In our doubt there is believing; In our life, eternity.In our death, a resurrection; At the last, a victory,Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.You can hear Hymn of Promise here.Natalie Sleeth wrote this song in 1985 as a choir anthem and later adapted it into … [Read more...]
Remembering my Leaders – Lectio Divina
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (NRSV)Remember your leaders.Thank you Lord for all who have led me to You.I remember them today with gratefulness.The older lady who played piano in our Sunday School classroom. My mom using a colorful washcloth to tell my four year old self the stories from the Bible like Joseph and his coat of many colors.The preacher who I thought looked like God.My best friend praying with me at 3 a.m. when my father unexpectedly died.The friends who knelt beside me during tough times in college.The neighbor who welcomed me when loneliness smothered my heart.Your children who walked with you in ancient times whose quotes continue to inspire me today.The writers who poured out their hearts on paper with words that I cherish.The artists who painted visions of You in imaginative styles that feed my eyes and my soul.The hymn writers who glorified You with … [Read more...]