Don't Pretend To Know

In My Job:
Part of my role at work is to help educate others on how to respond to a surveying process when they are asked to explain the how's and why's of the way they are doing their job.  Having someone question you and/or watch you do your work can be very unnerving, so we discuss in advance what to expect and how to respond in an effort to help ease the stress when the moment comes.

One of the responses we educate to is, "If you are asked a question and you don't know... don't make something up.  Don't pretend to know.  Instead, respond that you aren't sure but that you will get the answer."

We have discovered that to pretend to know gets us in trouble with incorrect responses more often than not. 

And then that plays out in my life....

In My Life:
Not so long ago I was meeting with someone who I hadn't had contact with for quite some time.  Our paths have often crossed as acquaintances in days gone by, but we hadn't really ever spent much time together.

She went through a horribly tragic and horrific situation a few years ago.  I knew her as an acquaintance, and in that connection fervently prayer for her in the midst.

I knew her to be involved in a church, working for a Christian employer, and knew many of her mutual friends. I assumed her to be surrounded with care, concern, support, friendship....  And initially she was!

As I recently met with her and this situation came up, our conversation revealed that perhaps she hasn't been as surrounded and supported in more recent months/years as I had assumed.

And the hard but needed lesson came to my heart. "Don't pretend to know."

I left our conversation feeling overwhelmed with grief that I had assumed she was being supported in ways that she has not been.

I am thankful to say that God has used that time in her life to grow her in Him... and he has now used it in my life to teach me to not assume.  To not pretend that I know. 

Note to self: ASK!  "How can I best come alongside, support, and encourage you?  How can I be a friend to you during this time?"


In My Prayers:
And then it trickles into what I have learned and am trying to increase in my conversations as I pray for people.  I can assume I know what's going on in their lives, their hearts, their minds.  I can assume how they would want to be prayed for.  But once again I am prompted, "Don't pretend to know."  And so I am learning to ask this one simple question in increasing measure.... "How can I be praying for you?"

No Response:
As I am intentionally trying to put this into practice, sometimes I get a response.  Sometimes I don't.  Regardless, at least I know the other person knows I am wanting to pray, to care, to support, to be a friend.  And I continue to love and pray... no matter what!

What about you?  Have you learned the art of asking these types of questions?  Have you ever been praying for or supporting someone in a way you thought was needed, only to find out something entirely different was needed?  What other ways do you connect with others to discover how to love them well?


Donnetta

How to Begin Quiet with Just 5 Minutes a Day

Do you feel like you are running with no time to rest?  Do you drop into bed each night exhausted and falling asleep before your head even hits the pillow?  Do you find days filled without time for even a minute to reflect?

Do you find yourself experiencing mounting frustrations?  Dreading what the next day, the next minute has in store because you haven't even completed yesterday's tasks... or can't even remember what those were?

I have experienced those very frustrations of busy, overwhelmed, noise, chaos, and no time for much of anything or anyone... especially time with what was most important... Jesus.

It was a desire of mine to learn and implement the rhythms of...

Quiet
Simplicity
Solitude
Pace Slowing
Moment Enjoying 
Time Treasuring

What if I told you I started with just 5 minutes a day?
 

Would you be up for the 5 minute challenge?

A Couple FAQ's I have been asked when presenting it to people:

~~WHERE DO I GO?
* a closet
* your car
* the back porch

Location doesn't matter so much as you find somewhere that you can get away for complete solitude.  


~~WHAT DO I DO?
Nothing!  That's right.  Don't do anything in that time but just be... you and God.

Start out without even bringing a Bible during that time.  So often my Bible reading became just another "to do". 

Just use this time to be honest with God.  Talk to Him. Perhaps even out loud. Be honest.  (He's even okay if you share your frustrations, anger, etc.  Just read the Psalms some time if you aren't convinced...)

And then just sit.  Be in His presence.  

Quiet.  

Listen.  

If you aren't hearing anything, just picture in your mind Him sitting there with you. 

His Presence.

I often picture myself just bowing at the feet of His throne worshipping and praising Him for all that He is...  and listening, and proclaiming with the heavenly beings... 

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.  Who was, and is, and is to come.  Worthy....

Note: you may want to bring paper and pen for the purpose of writing down any distractions that will come to mind.  I say "will" because it's almost guaranteed it will happen.  Write them down to refer to and deal with later.  Don't waste this precious time with what will fill the rest of your day!

~~SET A TIMER if needed

 I realize that even 5 minutes may seem like a very long time to begin with.

But be intentional.  Setting a timer helped me to not glance at the clock every 30 seconds wondering how much longer I had to go.  It helped me to really work at just quieting, knowing that the clock was keeping time.

~~NO EXPECTATIONS
Don't go into this time with any expectations other than to begin training your own heart and mind in the practice of sitting with Him in His presence.   

"Wasting time with God."

I remember beginning to train myself to this practice.  It wasn't easy in the beginning, but oh the benefits this practice and the sweet and special moments that have come out of it!

Once you have 5 minutes, increase to 10. And then 15.  And then 30.  And then 60. And then...

Once you begin to learn the rhythms of quiet, the stillness, the settled-ness...begin to bring in music, and Bible reading, and journaling, etc.

Quiet
Simplicity
Solitude
Pace Slowing
Moment Enjoying 
Time Treasuring

Keeping company with God...

Challenge Modifications:
* If you already have consistent time with Jesus, the challenge I issue to you (and that I am taking on) is to consistently increase that by at least 5 minutes.  And does some of that time include setting everything aside and just "being" with Him?


What about you?  
* Are you in?  Would love to hear if you are taking on this 5 minute challenge!  
* What other ways have you found to quiet and still yourself to just be in His presence?


 

My Battle Plan... and a Freebie!

I shared last week that, although I don't have a "war room", I was using a journal and 3x5 cards during my prayer time.  I also shared that I was going to re-work them to be more strategic after having seen the movie "War Room".

I wanted to share with you what I have done in the event that it helps you to begin to picture how you might be more strategic in prayer if you can't create a room.  I combined my cards and journal into one...

Here, my friends, is my Strategic Battle Plan!

I found this ringed, plastic covered, elastic strap securing set with some blank cards already in it at the store for right at $2.  Sold!

I brought it home and, having already had a hole punch at home, took my current cards and punched them.

I also created cards for the different areas that I pray through every day.  These are all written out on colored cards and inserted into the stack.

Those categories are as follows:

* Preparation
* Praise (recognizing who God is)
* Confession
* Thanksgiving (recognizing what God has done)
* Silence
* Intercession (praying for others)
* Supplication (requests for myself)
* Guidance
* Commitment and Empowering

After each one of these colored category cards, there are cards with quotes and thoughts that help to get me focused, challenged, and thinking on that specific category of prayer.

I had already created and have used for a couple of years now 30 days of varying Scriptures on a document that I have put onto my Kindle that correspond with each of the categories listed above. (This idea and excerpts taken from the book:"Quiet Moments in Prayer: Experiencing Life-Changing Conversations with God" by Lloyd John Ogilvie)

When I get to the intercession part of my praying, I have cards in my ringed stack with names and specifics for those names included so that I can just flip right through my stack.

When I get to the supplication and guidance categories, again, I have cards outlining areas that God is working in my own heart and items that I need specific direction on.

At the very end of my stack are hole punched blank cards to have on hand at any time I want to add something else.  I will not need to go looking for a card or hole punch to implement it.  


Although I have been using this specific format for my battle plan for just a few days now, here are a couple of things I've already recognized that I like about it...

Portable:
It is in such a format that I can take it with me wherever I go.  I've prayed my strategy on the back porch, in my living room... I can even take this with me when I travel.

Changeable:
As the battle plan needs to change, that can be done with easily inserting or removing any particular card that I might need to.

What about you?  I would enjoy hearing about your strategy to approach the battle!  What is your Battle Plan?  Do you have a War Room?  Has this helped you to begin thinking more creatively about what that could look like for you?...

FREEBIE!:  If you would like an electronic copy of the 30 day's of Scripture that I put together that correspond with the categories listed above to begin praying through Scripture every day, please let me know, provide an e-mail address, and I'd be happy to send a copy to you!

 

War Room: What I Appreciated Most... and a Caution

War Room.  Yes, I've been to see it!

Here are a few things I appreciated about the movie...

It Models Praying Scripture

I remember years ago learning the importance of this for myself!  It used to be I would just ramble on and on to God, quickly losing momentum and interest.  Praying Scripture specifically helps me to:

* stay focused in what I'm asking and praying
* be reminded of the promises God has already given
* affirm God's will and heart in what I am praying and what He has already said

It Models Praying for Someone

I remember the moment God clearly convicted me that I needed to stop talking to my husband (more like nagging) and start talking to God for my husband!

Not that my husband was being ungodly, we just couldn't seem to communicate well.  (God also had huge lessons for me in learning to control my attitude that came out via my words.  Can anyone say "ugly spirit"?)

When I am tempted to respond to my husband in a manner that would not be helpful to the conversation in the moment... I try to use that as a cue to instead shut my mouth, say nothing to him directly, and instead pray for him. (and for my own attitude in the moment)  I also pray Scripture specifically for him every day!

This movie did a great job of modeling what that could look like.  (Although I have to say this transition in my heart was not resolved in 2 hours.  ha ha  In fact, this is something I have to work on daily... and sometimes even moment to moment.)

These same principle's and actions can be implemented for other relationships in life as well.


It Models Prayer

* As a first line of defense
* As a battle - the spiritual warfare that it is
* As practical and possible to every day living
* As more than just even a once a day event... but a happening all through the day event

I could go on and on about all the things I so appreciated, but these are just a few.

All 3 of these things I appreciated about the movie are still such areas for growth and change for me... and so the challenge the movie brought to these areas was exciting and inspiring to my own heart and resolve!


A CAUTION

Since the release of the movie there has been quite a "buzz".  And rightly so!!  However, in the midst of all of the conversations and comments, I have become aware of something that is directing how I pray for the impact of this movie.

Although I have not personally talked with anyone with direct connections to the filming, I would dare say they would have a similar message...

War Room is not about the room... but the war!

I have heard people that are concerned that they don't have a room.  A space large enough. A place to designate for just this.

I fear we can miss the point if we're not careful.

My take away was that it is about...

* Having a strategy
* Being intentional
* Being consistent
* Being willing to fight in prayer
* Implementing God's Words (Scripture) and not just my own
* Staying persistent
* Changing my own heart to be more like Jesus regardless of what another does

Let us not lose sight that the power doesn't come from the place, but rather from the One being prayed to.

Is it wrong to create a room in which to do spiritual battle?  NO!  By all means... if you can make it happen... DO IT!!

I love the idea of having a place such as this!

But it doesn't have to be a room... 

STRATEGIC & INTENTIONAL

Right now I am using a journal.  And notecards.  (And I'm re-working both to be even more strategic since having seen the movie.)

But what if it was....

* Post it's on a mirror?
* Or fun paper on a bulletin board?
* Or lists created on a kindle?
* Or other mobile device?
* Or a plain notebook?
* Or steno book?
* Or 3 ring binder with tabs?
* Or......

Friends, the options are endless, which is so super exciting!!

Be strategic.  Intentional.  Consistent.

I don't want to spend so much time wondering about the method that I lose the moments... to PRAY!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~
What about you?:  Have you seen the movie yet?  What did you most appreciate?  What were your take away's?  What is your strategy and/or strategy ideas?  Where/How do you be intentional in prayer?  And if you've not yet started... what obstacles are you facing to begin?
~~~~~~~~~~

P.S.  If you've not yet seen the movie, plan to!  It is well worth it!!

 

What Wins

Have you ever felt like something (maybe even life itself) was a battle?  Like resistance was rising up against you?  Like you may be consumed and defeated?

I know I have!  In fact, I'm in a couple different situations even right now that could cause me to feel this way.

In light of these times I think we can take our cue's and learn from a couple of different people... mentor's if you will...


Jehoshaphat

Word came that armies were rising up against him and the people.  (2 Chron. 20)

"The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord." (vs. 4)

Jehoshaphat then prayed and ended with these words,

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (vs. 12)

As we face times that do not make sense and/or seem certain defeat, may we also not hesitate to say to God, "I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on You."


Jahaziel

After Jehoshaphat's prayer, Jahaziel stood and encouraged,

"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God's. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." (vs. 15, 17)

Worship

It was then that Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground and all the people fell down in worship.  (vs. 18)

As we pray and seek God, His face, His plans in the situations facing each of us... may we not forget to also bow and fall down in worship to Him alone!

And as we continue to march forward in our battle, may we be encouraged by Jehosphat's words...

"Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld." (vs. 20)

The People

We can also learn from and duplicate the behavior of the people in their fight.  Let's...

"sing to the Lord and praise Him for the splendor of His holiness... 'Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." (vs. 21)

Victory

For it was "as they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the" armies invading... and those armies were defeated.  (vs. 22)

Response for Today

I'm freshly reminded of my role in my battle.  I am called to:

* seek the Lord
* admit that I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on Him
* not be afraid or discouraged, for this battle is not even mine, but God's
* take position
* stand firm
* watch for deliverance that the Lord, alone, will give
* go out in battle and face resistance with the Lord in lead

In the midst of all of that... my top priority roles are to:

* fall in worship
* praise Him

For it was as the people worshiped and praised that the Lord responded...

Friends, in addition to prayer, I firmly believe that as we worship, sing and praise, the Lord is going to move.  At just the right time, He is going to set ambushes and we will experience victory...

I am being reminded that His victory most often looks and comes very differently than what I think victory will be!

His way in His time

And in that victory every last piece of it will belong to Him alone!  For HIS glory!

Though our "battle" is a different opponent, the strategy works much the same.  So as I stand and sing praises in my battle, I'm eagerly watching the horizon for the deliverance and victory the Lord is going to bring!

My prayer and hope for you is that you are also encouraged by these mentors of days gone by, suiting up for the front lines of your battle... leading out your fight in worship, song and praise to God.

Let's go friends... we've got a victory, HIS VICTORY, to witness and be a part of!


 

When Your Efforts Seem Useless

Have you ever felt like something you were doing or had done was useless?  Have you ever wondered if you were wasting your time, energy, and strength on something that didn't even matter? 

Recently I have been encountering a couple of different situations that left me with those same type of feelings. 

I have been sharing my mornings the last few weeks with Isaiah.  As my personal feelings of discouragement were increasing, he reminded me that he had felt the same way.  And then he shared with me what he did in his own moments such as these...

"I (Isaiah) replied, 'But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.'”  ~Isaiah 49:4

 And just a couple days after Isaiah modeled his response for me in this way, Paul encouraged me with the following:

My dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."   ~I Cor. 15:58

And so I move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and hope.  Just as Isaiah reasoned and determined, I want to do the same.

Regardless of whether I think a difference is even being made in what He has called me to... the results and reward for my obedience are competely up to Him and in His hands!  And so I trust completely.

Believing that He is working for His purposes and His glory... even when I can't see it!

Be encouraged today!  God sees and does not count it useless!  Leave it all in God's hands and trust Him for His reward!

How to Respond When the Direction Makes No Sense

Imagine this... 

It is the end of the day.  It has been a long, hard day.  Your child is tired, exhausted, and feeling a bit discouraged from the situations of the day.

You are wrapping things up to be ready to head to bed when you remember there is one more errand to run.  So, you all pile in the car and head out.

While out on the errand, you look to your child and ask them to do something that seems absolutely ridiculous.  They look at you and say, "I don't really understand why you want me to do that, but because you say so I will obey."

I don't know about you, but this reponse would probably have me flat on the floor in disbelief.

Now...

Travel back with me to a time in the past. (Luke 5:1-5) Jesus is walking along the shore and sees some fishermen cleaning their nets, wrapping up a night of working...their boats nearby. 

He climbs into one of the boats and asks to be taken out a little from shore.  There He begins to speak to the people.  We aren't told how long He spoke.  5 minutes?...  5 hours?...

When Jesus had finished speaking He said to Simon, "Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch."  Simon responds that they "have worked hard all night and didn't catch a thing."

They are, no doubt, tired. (Anyone who has worked a graveyard shifts knows the "tired" from working all night.)  They are likely discouraged.  (They are fishermen.  This is their livelihood and they didn't catch a thing.)  They were done for the day.  (Remember, they were cleaning their nets.)

Keep in mind this is the beginning of Jesus' ministry.  They have not yet spent time living with Him, watching Him, knowing Him. 

Yet, what is Simon (Peter's) response?  "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.  But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

Observations...

WHAT?  Because you say so?... That means for Simon that was enough... because Jesus said so.

No whining.  No questioning.  No arguing.  No pretending not to hear.  No procrastinating. No asking to wait and rest a bit.

Just an explanation of why that seemed absolutely ridiculous but... OK, because you say so, I will obey. 

End of discussion.

Life Implications...

When God asks me to do something, what is my response?  Do I respond as Simon did? I'd like to be able to say my response is that of Simon's.

It think it probably is... when things make sense, when I'm well rested, when it's something exciting, when it's something I want.

But what about those times when I'm exhausted, I'm discouraged, the command given seems to make absolutely no sense, when I'm preparing to do something else and this is a change of plans?  What is my response then?

Oh Lord, (regardless of the physical, emotional, and/or mental state that I am in) may you find me responding more and more to You like that of Simon.

Yes. 
Because You say so. 
That is enough. 
I will obey.
Just because You say so!

What about you?  Have you taken the time to consider lately how you respond to His direction? 

~~~~~~~
Be sure to head to Luke 5:6-11, read the results of their obedience, and be encouraged.  It was literally life changing!!  Their lives would never be the same again!
~~~~~~

 

Rate Your Marriage

I was posed with a question from my husband and it was my turn to answer. I could have just as easily been the one to ask him, but that isn't how it played out this time. He asked first...

"How would you rate our marriage?"

My husband and I have a practice that we have implemented in our relationship from the very beginning. It has helped us to keep a pulse on how things really are.

The guidelines are that either one is allowed to ask the question at any time. The one who was asked must respond first and then is permitted to ask the spouse the same question.

 "How do you rate our marriage?"

The numbers we use are on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being fighting for survival and 10 being absolutely heavenly.  I have learned to keep the following guidelines in mind. Without them, this practice would be not be a successful, beneficial, or helpful experience.

Guidelines when Rating:

1. Be Honest: Do not answer how you think the other person wants or expects you to answer. Be honest. It is only in the honesty (hard to swallow at times... I know from experience) that the low rating has a hope of rising to a better rating.

2. Accept Spouses Appraisal: Whatever their response, do not argue, become defensive, or rationalize why they have responded the way they have. Accept it for what it is.

3. Be Willing to Talk: Ask how or what you could do better, or differently, or stop doing to increase the rating. Again, refrain from arguing, defending, or rationalizing why you may or may not have been responding in the way that they are suggesting.

4. Be Willing to Work: Whatever was communicated in #3, if it is something you can affect or change... work on it!

 5. Smile and Be Cheerful: As you are working on improving any areas that came up, do not become angry or bitter. If you do, your next "rating" session may reveal that a positive and happy attitude would be something you could work on to improve the rating.


Sometimes when we have asked this question of each other, we discover that the biggest thing to work on at the time is that life is in a busy season making it difficult for us to connect... to have time for us!

 When we discover this to be the case, we talk about what is making this season in life so busy, and when it is expected to end. If it is caused by things that have no end date, then we decide which thing or things have to go so our relationship can be restored to greater health.


The best times are, of course, when the question is asked and a very positive rating is received. The response is to "just keep doing what you are doing." A response like that makes for a very good day.


What communication methods have you found useful to implement in your marriage? Your friendships? Any relationship with other people?

 

3 Ways to Reward Yourself for Under $15

When I think of rewarding myself, too often my first thought turns to food of some kind.  Can you relate?

And when the reward is to be for a few pounds lost, a day of good food choices, etc., then a food reward seems to defeat the purpose.

Now, instead of a food reward, I have found 3 ways to reward myself that I enjoy without spending a lot of money (less than $15) and does not involve food.


1.  A New Candle

2.  A New Book

3.  Flowers

What other ways can you think of for $15 or less to use as personal rewards for a goal achieved (that does not include food)? 

Our Radical Experiment

One of the books that we read some time ago was "Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream" by David Platt.  At the end of the book he extends a challenge for the next year.

My husband, myself, and our oldest son all read this book.  When we got to the end, we had a family meeting and decided that we would take this challenge.  We committed to the one year experiment.

Little did we know that God would use this to begin a stir in our hearts that would be life changing...

I do not share the following to give the impression of "wow, look at us."  Instead, I offer it as an example of how it might look for a normal family taking it on.  I also hope it might encourage and inspire others to take the challenge as well. 

We're just an average American family convinced there is more to life than living what we call this American dream.
~~~~~

*  Our trip to Guatemala was part of that commitment: To give our time in another context. (By the way, there are many more stories of Guatemala still to come!)

*  We began using the book "Operation World:  The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation" to meet the challenge of praying for the entire world. 

This book gives information on countries alphabetically and covers the entire populated world.  It also gives us a side of geography with our prayers as we have our globe right with the book.  As we are reading about each nation, we locate it on the globe to give an even greater perspective on that country and their needs.

*  Another of the challenges is to sacrifice your money for a specific purpose.  Over a week's time we sat down as a family and re-worked our budget.  We cut out many items we considered "essential", agreeing that for a year we would do without those items and that money would all be given away to others.  We then agreed as a family what those needs would be. 
 
*  To read through the entire Word is another one of the challenges.  Although we have done this before, we have committed to do it again. I have never read through chronologically, so I am using the "NIV Once a Day Bible Chronological Edition" to go through this time.

*  To commit our lives to multiplying community:  Our church body is in the process of making some radical decisions and changes for the sake of reaching others for Jesus.  We have renewed our own personal commitment to this body and this vision in the days and months ahead.

"If we are going to live in radical obedience to Christ, we will need the church to do it.  We will need to show one another how to give liberally, go urgently, and live dangerously." ~ David Platt

~~~~~

And in the process of this one year radical experiment... there has grown a pull on our own hearts.  A draw to an area.  A draw to a people.  But a process will be required to land us in that place with those people.

This week the actions to begin the process of answering that radical pull on our own hearts have been put into place.  Logically, it doesn't make complete sense.  It won't make sense to a lot of onlookers.

It will cost us.

But it is right.

"Christ's command to make disciples is an invitation to give our lives for the sake of others." ~ David Platt

How to Help Others Memorize (without them even knowing it)

Have you ever wanted to encourage your children to memorize more Scripture?  Or maybe there is someone else that would like to memorize more themselves, but it's just more difficult.

I have recently discovered a way to help others memorize Scripture.  And honestly, we came about it all unknowingly.  It just happened...

I am embarking on a challenge I have never done before.  I am attempting to memorize a huge chunk of Scripture.  Bigger than I've ever attempted before.

I am fully aware that without the help of and supernatural intervening of the Holy Spirit, I will not be able to accomplish this challenge.  And so I have been praying!  And then praying some more.  I also recognize that just praying for His help will not be enough.  It will require determination, hard work, time commitment and perseverance.

Now here's the "surprise", "wow", and "ah ha" moment all wrapped in one.

My daughter has become my biggest companion on this journey.  She is the one that checks me multiple times a day/week.  The beauty in this?... She has mostly memorized the first 8 verses of the selection I am memorizing just by listening to me.

LOVE IT!

In order to help others memorize (without them even knowing it), start working on something yourself.  Something that will allow for repetition, review, and more repetition.  Ask that person to help you in the process.

Each time you say it they will be looking at it, listening to it, and even saying it as they correct whatever mistakes you may have made.  Oh yeah, and in the process... they will be learning and memorizing it for themselves.

I wonder how much my daughter will have learned by the time I get to my goal?  It excites me just to think of it...

What about you?
  
Have you found ways to help others memorize with little to no effort on their part?

What are you memorizing?  It doesn't have to start with something large.  Just start with one verse at a time.   Guess what I'm finding?  Even the big sections happen... one verse at a time!  

And if you aren't memorizing, what's holding you back?... 

How to Pray With Your Latte

Human trafficking is a reality in our world.  There are 27 million people in slavery today.  I heard it said that this number is more than in all the 400 years of slavery in the past.  I can't even begin to truly comprehend a number like 27 million...

I have learned that in some countries, the cost of buying a young girl for s*x is the cost of a latte in American dollars.

From now on, when you buy a latte (or drink coffee for that matter), would you pray specifically for these young children? (Boys are also being trafficked just much more underground.) Would you pray for our world to become passionate about seeing it's end no matter the cost? Would you pray for hearts to be changed that would in turn put an end to the demand?

Would you pray and ask God how He might like you to be involved?  

Prayer is a great place to begin...

Silence: My Training Ground

Have you ever read Scripture and wanted so desperately to apply it, but weren't sure how?  Or wondered what it might look like lived at it's fullest extent?

I was repeatedly encountering reminders to "renew my mind". (Rom. 12:2)  A variety of situations continued to be brought to my attention reminding that I was to be "taking all of my thoughts captive". (II Cor. 10:5) 

About that same time I was also reading "The Practice of the Presence of God" By Brother Lawrence.

I began to pray and ask God to show me how to renew my mind, take my thoughts captive, and practice His presence in the every day of my every day's.

"Your mind is the battleground.  The front line is always the mind.  Never forget that principle, for understanding it is the key to winning the war." ~~ Kay Arthur

I presented myself with a challenge.  One that I thought would be easier to implement than it turned out to be.

I almost always had music playing, especially when I was in the car.  It seemed easy to keep my focus on the things of God when praise and worship was always present in the form of music.  But what if that was turned off?  What if there was nothing.

Nothing... but silence.

Where would my mind, my thoughts go?  Could I keep them focused and God centered even in silence?

It seemed to me that if I could train my thoughts in silence, then when the "battle" ensued it would be an established practice of negotiating and keeping them in check.

Can I tell you the beginnings of this practice was so very difficult?  I struggled.  My mind wanted to race to the plans for the day.  The conversations had with friends or family the night before.  The things I was behind in.  The driver in front of me.

"Either you must learn to take your thoughts captive - or the deceiver will take you captive with your thoughts!" ~~ Kay Arthur

I was shocked to discover that my thoughts did not naturally drift toward the things of God.  It took work.  It required focus.  It demanded concentrated effort.

But I was determined to learn how to take control.  And so I persisted.  And I still persist.

Not that I have arrived.  But encouragingly I find myself choosing more and more to have the music off in others parts of my day.  And I notice the intentional focused effort is not near what it used to be.

In fact, there are even times now I catch myself thinking on things of God without having consciously chosen to do so, only to stop and recognize that is where my mind has drifted.

It's in those moments that my heart is greatly encouraged.  This renewing of the mind, this taking thoughts captive, this practicing God's presence... worth every discouraging realization of where my natural inclination is and the effort to get it where I want it to be.

What about you?  Have you ever been in silence for any length of time?  Have you consciously observed where your thoughts go in those moments?  Have you purposely tried to control them to go in the direction you want? 

What does renewing your mind, taking your thoughts captive, and living in the presence of God mean and look like to you? 

 

Darkness Praise

If you've been around for any length of time, then you know that last year was a difficult one for me personally.

I learned that one of the most effective ways to work out of the pit I found myself in was to generate praise, even in the darkness.

Hebrews 13:15 (NLT) "...Let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name."

A sacrifice of praise. 

Praise, even when it is the farthest thing from my human heart's bent and desire.  To sacrifice what I humanly wanted to focus and center on, and instead turn my focus and direction to Him... in praise.

And so... during this time of personal darkness I created a playlist on my iPod that I titled "Darkness Praise".  This playlist became my "go to" songs.

In the beginning...

These songs felt like my survival.  I would play this playlist repeatedly, almost to the exclusion of any other songs.  It was as if I needed them constantly infusing into my brain just to keep my thoughts in some sort of direction that was Truth centered.  Praise centered.  Hope centered.

As time passed...

I began to regain some mind and emotion clearing.  I wasn't in quite such a difficult place.  I began to understand more and more where I was and where I needed to be.  I learned to recognize what I call "the spiral".

I could now sense when my thoughts and feelings were beginning to spiral me downward on a trend that did not land well if I didn't consciously choose to intervene and re-direct my thoughts.

By sacrifice. Praise. Truth.  

During those times of  "the spiral",  I was/am drawn to this playlist.

Most recently...

I have found myself listening to this playlist, not in need of survival.  Not even to gain solid footing as I begin to recognize "the spiral".  Instead... in worship, gratitude, and thankfulness.

Each of these songs are now packed with such powerful truth and reminders of what HE alone has done in and for my heart.

Ps. 40: 2-3

(AMP) "He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord."

(MSG) "He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God."

I have learned that there is always a place for praise, even in the darkness.

Especially in the darkness.    

Darkness Praise...

Do you have a song or group of songs, or anything, that you are drawn to when things seem more difficult?

Hello. Goodbye. & I'll Be Praying for You.

Tears were flowing freely.  I handed her a few more tissues hoping her state of vulnerability was not embarrassing to her.  I wanted her to feel safe to share with me.

We talked for some time, and then as we were leaving I uttered, "I'll be praying for you."  Eyes red and swollen from her tears, she forced a smile and quietly responded, "Thank You."

As I walked to my car questions came to my heart.  "Will you pray for her?  I mean, seriously, will you pray?"  Of course initially I convinced myself I would, but those questions continued to linger and challenge me through my week.  

Have you noticed?

To offer to pray for someone seems to be as much a formality as any other greeting.  Listen...

Hello.  Goodbye.  I'll be praying for you.  See you next week. 

God challenged me some time ago with this and I have worked to change it since.

I realized that I was not taking the words I spoke to someone seriously.  And when I did speak, my promise to pray for them was not necessarily one of true intentions.  It was often a polite form of greeting.

Taking the Offer to Pray Seriously

I realized that when I offer to pray, someone is counting on that.  And when I offer to pray, and don't follow through, I have not kept my word.

Ways to Pray for Others

1.  Ask to pray with them in the moment.  Ask them how you can best pray and then do so, right then and there.

2.  Commit to pray as they come to mind.  Ask God to bring them to mind throughout your days.  As He is faithful to do so, stop right then and offer a prayer.

3.  Put their name in a location you will see.  I write names in my prayer journal.  Under a person's name I write their specific needs.  I have also been known to carry names on index cards and place them in my car.  As moments allow, prayers can also be lifted then.

4.  Ask for specific ways to pray.  Contact those you are praying for and ask how you can be praying.  This helps to see answers to the things that you have been focusing on, and gives new ways to keep prayers for them current.


Are you intentional and sincere in your offers to pray, or do you offer as a polite form of greeting? 

What ways have you found and implemented that make your offers to pray a reality?
  

Overcoming Fear with Thanksgiving

I have found myself challenged for some time to learn thanksgiving and gratitude at a deeper level.  To just say the words seems like it would be so simplistic, so basic to live out.

However, I am finding that it is taking some time to learn this as a natural way of life.  Not necessarily so difficult when things are going well.  There is so much to be thankful for then.

But what about when moments are more difficult?  Or what of those moments that are even instilled and overflowing with fear?

Not so long ago I had an opportunity to put it into real life practice.

We were out taking a family hike.  When ready to head back, our oldest wanted to take a different trail... by himself.  Both he and my husband were convinced it would only be a short time before the two trails looped back around and joined each other.

The idea of the adventure was gripping my fifteen year old son in his eagerness to venture off for this short jaunt on his own.  And so we agreed, convinced we would soon meet up once again.

That is not how it turned out.

It didn't take long for us to realize that our paths would not meet up with his.  We were veering down the side of the great hill we had climbed in a different direction than we had projected.  We chose not to back track assuming that the trails would both dump out at the bottom in the same location.

Again, we were wrong.

Soon we realized that we were lost.  I was not so concerned for us.  My hubby, myself, our girl and the little guy were all together.  There was no fear in that.  But what about our oldest?  Where was he?  Had he found his way down?  Was he lost too?

Fear began to seize my heart.  My imaginations began to run wild.  Visions of what "might be" began to cloud out any sense of rational thinking.

This was my chance.  The challenge of giving thanks came to mind.  Yes, even in this situation as I felt my heart rate increase by the minute and found my mind racing in fear.

Thankfulness?  In this?  What was there to be thankful for?  And as I prayed, out of sheer determination of will my list started...

Lord,

*  I'm thankful that he has the backpack with the granola bars and bottles of water.
*  I'm thankful that he has the dog with him.
*  I'm thankful that he has done this hike before.
*  I'm thankful that it is beautiful weather for a hike.
*  I'm thankful that he is healthy and in good physical shape.
*  I'm thankful that we have a cell phone.  Once we are again in some type of coverage we can call for help.
*  I'm thankful that we have watched many survival type shows and have done a lot of camping.  At least he knows basic survival tips.
*  I'm thankful that the rest of us are still together with only one being separated.
* I'm thankful that You, God, know where he is, even if I don't.
* I'm thankful....

And on it went, coming up with every thankful thought I could given the situation.

As my thankful list grew, my heart noticeably began to calm.  My panicked thoughts began to turn to the good in this situation rather than all of the frightening "what if's".  My pace settled in and my goal became to just get down to cell coverage.  To think of a realistic plan rather than be caught up in a panicked frenzy.

After some time we did reach cell phone coverage.  We called and arranged for family to go to the base of where we started our hike and had parked our car.

If he had made it down, we knew he should have been there by now.  We had already agreed that if they called back saying he wasn't there, our next call would be to emergency services as the sun was setting and night was quickly falling.

Not long after we made the first call, we received a call and my thankful list found itself increasing in great abundance as we learned the news that both he and the dog were sitting by our car... waiting.

As our walk continued to find exactly where we were and get back to our son and our car, my heart soared in thankfulness to a God who not only kept us all safe that day, but taught me a life changing lesson about overcoming fear with thanksgiving.

I Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

When was the last time you offered thanksgiving in what seemed the most unlikely of circumstances?  Have you ever tried it?

Something to consider...

Changing the Way That I Pray

These last few months I have been challenged and am learning to change the way that I pray.  I am beginning to believe more and more that I have not fully understood what it means to really pray.  

You see, when a difficult situation has come, when the things of life seem too much to bear... I pray.  Believe me I pray.  But I have started to examine what I pray.

I pray for things to be resolved.  I pray for situations to change.  I pray for difficulties to be removed. 

When I look even deeper into the motives of my heart... I am really praying for comfort.  I am really praying for ease.  I am really praying for things that make it about me.

Recently my theology turned upside down as I began to consider that perhaps, those situations come into my life... because I prayed for them.

I pray to be more and more like Christ.  What if those situations are really allowed to enter my sphere, because something in them (or many things in them) are designed to make me more like Christ?  To learn to share with Him in His suffering.

It's almost as if I pray, "Lord, make me more like You."  And then the difficult situation comes that was intended to do that and I find myself praying, "Lord, take this situation away."

How silly of me.

I have been reading back through the book of Acts.  I am seeing more clearly than ever before how the believers of that day prayed.

Acts 4:29 (NLT) "And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word."

In the midst of threats, trials, difficulties and persecution... they didn't pray for those things to be removed.

Instead, they prayed for strength to endure.  They prayed for boldness to continue the very deeds that put them in those situations in the first place.  They prayed for each other.  They prayed for God's Kingdom work to continue to advance.  They rejoiced and counted it a privilege to be a part.  Yes, in all of these things... even unto death.

I am finding that my prayer life is evolving into something new.  Something different.

Not that I don't pray for God to work His will in each and every situation, especially the most difficult ones.  But what if those are His will for me... to help to make me more like Him?

So I find myself praying more and more instead for things such as strength, boldness, perseverance, discernment, love for God and others, a grateful heart, wisdom, and a willingness to learn what He has in mind for me in each situation.

And praying, "How can I become more like Christ in this?  What can I learn that teaches me more of His character, His very nature... Him?"

Have you considered recently how you pray?  

Lord, teach us to pray...

Called to Love... Like That

Knowing Judas was just hours away from betraying You... You washed his feet.

You served him... in love.


Knowing all of the disciples were just hours from leaving You in Your darkest hours, to even death... You washed their feet.

You served them... in love.


Knowing Peter was literally hours from consciously denying You.  Not once.  Not twice.  But three times.  Even after committing to follow you even to death.  Even after being warned that he would deny you, and then emphatically doing so... You washed his feet.

You served him... in love.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)  "A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

God help me.  Help me to answer the call to love... like that.

Even knowing... especially knowing...
to serve another in that kind of love!