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

Hands that Shaped are Holding...

I've got some things weighing heavy on my heart.  This morning was a lovely morning (felt very much like fall!) so I decided to grab my ipod with music and take a walk on our property.

As I was walking...
* I was listening to my music.
* I was thinking through some things.
* I was surrendering.
* I was praying...

I've walked the path through our 10 acres many times before.  You would think nothing should surprise me about the path it takes, the forage that lines it, the terrain it contains.

And yet, this morning I rounded a bend, looked up, and stopped in my tracks with a lump caught in my throat.

THIS....

And here's what made this stand out to me...

The song actively playing on my ipod at the time was "Your Hands" by J.J. Heller.  I was singing along, as if also praying, and the chorus led in to... "Your hands that shaped the world are holding me, they hold me still."

I am not even kidding.  As I turned the corner the words "Your hands that shaped the world" played, and in that moment, as if practiced numerous times to get it exactly on cue, I looked up and saw.... 

THIS...

Not broken.  Fully intact.  Almost as if purposely shaped from the trunk, bent over, and even for this very moment with all that is on my heart.... for me to be reminded.  Encouraged.  Bolstered in spirit.

".... are holding me, they hold me still...."

His hands that shaped the world.... are holding me.  If He can do that to a tree? Just sayin'...

And in that moment I stopped and circled back to from where I had just come.  I had climbed down into the middle of this and sat for about 10 minutes...

Thinking. Singing. Praying...

The world that He shaped was literally holding me in those moments as I settled into the middle of that place...

A reminder so tangible that the pieces of bark that had fallen down the back of my shirt scratched my neck as I walked back to the house with tears welling in my eyes in gratitude.

Grateful...

* that He walked with me this morning
* that He met me in such a personal and real way on that walk
* that He shaped this world by His very hands
* that He still holds me in those hands... HIS!

No! Matter!! What!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friend, does it feel that your world is shaking, that your heart is breaking?  Do you have troubles and unanswered prayers?  Are you tired, and weary, and just plain worn out?  

I offer you this gentle reminder... Heaven Stands!  He heals.  He is still in control!

Friend, the hands that shaped the world are holding you... even still!!

"See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." ~Is. 49:16

 

Light vs. Darkness vs. Darkness vs. Light

Have you ever had the opportunity to be down in the earth?  To enter a cave?

The coolness.
    The dampness.
         The darkness.

When we had reached the very bottom of the cave, the tour guide turned out the lights.  And do you know what we saw?  Darkness!

A darkness so dark, so thick, so palpable.  It was so dark that, even when putting my hand directly in front of my face, I could not see it.   

A few weeks ago I was stirred in my heart to begin considering light vs. dark.  And the theme has continued to surface in my days (which I have learned means I am to press in even harder... I believe repetition of themes, concepts, or ideas is one of God's ways of inviting me into a deeper conversation with Him in that.)

Here is some of what I have pondered and considered...
 

Physical Light and Darkness:

Without light, dark is. The entrance of light itself is what dissipates the darkness, even from the very beginning.

"The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.  Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." ~Gen. 1:2-3

In the cave, the guide didn't turn the dark off, instead he turned the light back on.  The darkness didn't necessarily go away.  It was still there.  The light just overcame the dark.

I am also trying to open my eyes and ears to how creation speaks of the Creator.  And so I consider the darkness and the created light...

Spiritual Light and Darkness:

In addition to sin... how often our difficult, our struggles, our pain, our frustrations.... are referred to as the darkness of our lives.

So then, in that, is there light?  And if so, what (or who) is that?

"Jesus once again addressed them: 'I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.'" ~John 8:12

I am coming to a new understanding of my own "darkness".  We aren't told that it will necessarily go away.  Instead, we are promised that there is a light strong enough to dissipate whatever darkness we find ourselves in!

The darkness doesn't necessarily disappear, the light just becomes greater.

In my darkness, He is my light!

"O Lord, you are my lamp. The Lord lights up my darkness." ~2 Sam. 22:29  (Ps. 18:28)

 "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.  For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine." ~Is. 9:2 (Matt. 4:16)

New Truth and New Prayers:

* And then I wonder... instead of praying for what seems my dark situations to go away, would the greater prayer (and miracle) not be to instead pray for my eyes to be opened to seeing Light (Him) in the midst of my darkness?  What if that was His greater will (and good) for me in that?

"Let us walk in the light of the Lord" ~(Is. 2:5b)

* And then allowing that Light (Him) to shine through my darkness and brokenness for others to see Him...

^"But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us -- is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own." ~2 Cor. 4:7

* And even throughout eternity... He is the Light.

" And the city has no need of sun or moon to light it, for the glory of God and of the Lamb illuminate it" ~Rev. 21:23 

What about you? Have you found yourself praying for a difficult/dark situation to just disappear?  What if, instead, you began asking to see Him dissipate and overcome that with His Light if that was His greater will for you in that? --  And what other ideas of light vs. dark have you discovered, considered, or learned?...


Not all inclusive, but other verses to consider:
2 Cor. 4:4-6;  I Peter 2:9;  2 Cor. 11:14


 

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!!

 

Where I've Been. What I'm Learning.

Professional Student.  Do you know the term?

When I was in college this was a term used for those who were there much longer than the standard time one would expect for a degree completion to be done.  It may have been because they were part time.  It may have been because they changed major's multiple times.  Regardless, they were "professional students".

I'm discovering that I am one... spiritually.  Just when I think...

* I have learned something.
* I have graduated from that.
* I am ready to move on.

...I discover there is a "next grade"...

That is where God has had me.  Instead of being close to done in certain areas as I might have thought, I have found that I am only advancing to the "next grade".

Some lessons have me on the same topics and subjects, just more complicated lessons with deeper contexts.  Some lessons are new topics and subjects altogether.

Here is a snapshot of what I have been being challenged with and growing in... (in addition to the foundation and starting point being the Bible!)

From recent sermons at church:

*   Tension is something to be managed not a problem to be solved.
*   Obedience is not done when we feel like it, it's done when we're told to do it.
*   Small daily decision for Jesus unlock eternity.

From "Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge" by Mark Batterson:

*  "If you establish a prayer routine... You don't need to seek opportunity.  All you have to do is seek God.  And if you seek God, opportunity will seek you."

*  "Sometimes the purpose of prayer is to get us out of circumstances, but more often than not, the purpose of prayer is to get us through them."

*   "Most of our prayers have as their chief objective our own personal comfort rather than God's glory."

*  "Crazy Faith:  Crazy is normal.  Maybe our normal is so subnormal that normal seems abnormal.  Maybe we need a new normal.  Bold prayers and big dreams are normal.  Anything less is subnormal.  And when bold prayers become the norm, so do the miraculous breakthroughs that follow."

And from My Own Thoughts:

* This came the morning that I was doing a little "self preaching" about a major step I was to take but I couldn't see how it was going to end (and even though the step has been initiated, I still don't know the end).

"God, I know you to be the God of the Old Testament and the New Testament.  You are still that God today!" and in that time a question came to mind that said, "You're right.  I am still that same God.  But how is it that you expect me to be the same, but that I would expect any less faith from you than that required of the Old Testament and the New Testament?"

I then thought of Noah, Abraham, Esther, Joshua, Moses, Daniel, and on and on the list went... and the levels of faith they stepped out with... not knowing the end of the story, just believing God to be who He said He was and that He would do what He said He could do.

Their stories are serving as mentors to me in what "faith walking" really looks like, regardless of the response in my own mind or of those around me.


That's just a brief snapshot of what I have been learning. 

These haven't been just nice, little, challenging quotes and thoughts.  Rather, they are compelling me to move forward in intentional and life journey directing decisions once again.  Living it out.

Just as any grueling and strenuous learning assignment, it has been difficult and exciting.  It has left me teetering between grief of what I am giving up to the thrill of what I am pursuing.  It has left me questioning.  It has left me confident.  It has left me... well, frankly feeling like I've lost my mind. 

I sure would love to hear what your heart has been learning in recent days!  Share in the comments below and let's encourage each other with stories of what we are processing and how we are growing to become more and more the men and women that God created us to be!

 

Aroma of Heaven

I don't know about you, but I am always up for a lovely scent. I am a scented candle burner. I am a potpourri displayer. I enjoy generating warm, inviting, relaxing and soothing aroma's in my home.

Did you know that evidently sweet scents are created in the heavenly realms? Revelation speaks of angels and heavenly beings holding incense and praising God.

I was amazed at what generates the smell of the incense that is burned. Perhaps you will be somewhat surprised as well. Since I have learned of this, I have been challenged to make sure I contribute more often.


Revelation 5:8 (NLT) "They held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people."

Revelation 8:3-4 (NLT) "And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out."

Revelation 8:3-4 (Message)"He (angel) was given a great quantity of incense so that he could offer up the prayers of all the holy people of God on the Golden Altar before the Throne. Smoke billowed up from the incense-laced prayers of the holy ones, rose before God from the hand of the Angel."

Now one might want to argue and say that since this is in Revelation, it is not happening at this time. Regardless of whether it is occurring now... or will happen in the future... the prayers of God's people will be incense-laced and filling bowls on the altar before the throne.

Regardless of timing, I want to be sure I'm a part of it!

How much am I contributing to the aroma in the heavenly realms? Do I offer only a few prayers that leave just a moment of a smell with more to be desired? Or am I one of the long lasting and burning candles that will provide scent for hours?

What about you?...

God Speaking: What Might it Look Like?

How does God speak?  When someone says that He spoke to them through a song, what might that look like?

As I was driving, the song "Always" by Kristian Stanfill came on the radio.  As I listened, God's very own Word began to insert itself in my mind all through the song.  This is a snapshot of what that looked like and how I believe that God sometimes speaks to me through music.

(The words in italics are words of the song.  The words bolded are the words that flooded my mind during the song, straight from God's Word.)

~~~~~
My foes are many, they rise against me, But I will hold my ground
"Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord is going to bring to you today." Ex. 14:13 

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding... My soul will rest in You
"Be still and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10

I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
"Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God." Is. 41:10a

My help is on the way, my help is on the way 
Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
"God is our refuge and strength." Ps. 46:1

I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always 
"The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." Ex. 14: 14

I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord.... 
"Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord" Ps. 121:1b-2a
~~~~~~

Did you notice that I was driving?  That means my Bible was not immediately available to reference.  Although each of these references did not come to mind and I've had to look them up for this post, the words of the verses themselves did come to mind!

Are you spending regular time in God's Word so that you would recognize His voice and He could speak to you in the middle of your day, even while you are driving?

I want to be doing it more and more!  I want to be so immersed in His Word that every moment verses (His Word) are coming to mind and I recognize His voice to me personally!


Here is the song in it's entirety...

A Prayer Perspective

"I don't really care what we talk about.  I don't care when we talk.  I just want to talk...  To think that time was made in a busy schedule to check in with ol' ma'... that alone would be the gift."

~Thoughts I was having with my oldest now away at college.  I just wanted to communicate and have that connection with him.

And as I was thinking through these types of thoughts... a prodding came to my spirit from a still small voice...

"YES!  That's exactly how I feel about you talking to me.  You don't have to come with some laid out plan, or agenda, or list.  In fact, I like it quite nicely when we 'just be' together.  When we talk doesn't matter.  You being conscious to just make the time is enough.  No rules.  No expectations.  No set conversation or formalities.  Let's just talk..."

My boy being so many miles away.  Noticing the time that lapses between our conversations.  The longing in my heart for it to not be so.

It all helps to bring me to a new perspective on talking to Him~ my Father.... this thing called prayer.

 

Accompany? Or Lead?

I had started a practice as I would drive to work each morning.  I would envision Jesus sitting next to me in the passenger seat.  As I was driving, I would pray about the day ahead and ask him to come along and join me.

One morning things distinctly changed.

I was on my way to work.  I envisioned His place next to me.  But it became clear to me that I was approaching it all wrong.

When asking Him to join me in my day, it was still leaving the plans and all it encompassed... about me.

This particular day, my request changed.

Instead of asking Him to join me, I asked Him to lead me.

I began to envision the plans that He might have for that day.  I asked for a sensitive spirit to be aware to what plans He had, and what direction He wanted and needed to take each moment.

No longer is my request that He accompanies me, but rather that He would lead me.

My prayer is a request to join Him!

(Note:  I intended to post this yesterday.  However, a phone call first thing in the morning completely re-arranged my schedule.  Nothing like a prayer (such as I posted about above) being answered so clearly and waiting for my action.)

The Prayer Request that Challenges Me Still

Awhile back we had the amazing opportunity to hear a pastor from a persecuted country speak.  Before he was finished tears were pouring down my face.  Here is part of what he shared with us.

Just that weekend he had received a call from a very close pastor friend back home.  His pastor friend had called in tears asking for prayer.

Earlier that week his teenage daughter had been raped by a gang of men, and he was told that if he continued to share Christ, they would return not only to rape but also kill his wife.

As he made this phone call he was on his way to another village... to share Christ.  You see, when he and his wife talked about this trip, her response was... "We can not stop sharing Christ.  Don't worry about me.  When the men return, I will be waiting and ready for them."

As this man left his wife behind to the unknown, his heart was breaking as he made the walk to the next village in tears... calling his friend for prayer support.

Do you know what his request for prayer was?.... Not for protection.  Not for safety.  Not even for justice. 

But rather, that he would remain faithful.

None of us knew the outcome of that story that morning as we sat and listened to this account, for it was happening in real time.

But oh my friends, how we honored his request that morning and prayed that he would remain faithful.  And  how that account and request have resonated through my being and challenged me to my core since.

Pray... for faithfulness....

Prayer Warrior: Not so Glamorous

For some time I have asked God to give me more of His heart... His compassion. To teach me to pray. To develop my heart into one of a prayer warrior. To be a gap stander. (Ez. 22:30)

Some time ago, as I was uttering prayers while cleaning the kitchen, I realized... the answers to these personal requests that I have been asking are so much harder than I had imagined.

Don't get me wrong. I am not disappointed that God appears to be answering these personal requests of my heart.  I am not sad I have asked for these things. I am beyond honored when someone asks me to pray for them.

I was just caught off guard as to what the answers to my personal requests would look like...

This praying is hard work. And somehow, the words "prayer warrior" sound so much more "glamorous" than what I am finding it is turning out to be. I am learning that "warrior" in that phrase is not to be taken lightly.

In all seriousness, there have been times that my heart has felt as though it was dragging on the ground as I moved forward in each day pleading for others and their burdens that seemed so impossible to carry... and are, without His grace, mercy and strength alone.

My prayer is still that God would continue to teach me to pray.  My hearts desire is to be broken with what breaks His.  But I now ask for these things with a more realistic outcome in mind.

The idea of glamor has been removed.  Instead, I ask these things in full awareness that...

A warrior takes the front lines. 
A warrior fights hard. 
A warrior gets hot, tired, thirsty.
A warrior does not retreat.
A warrior fights to the end.

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

Would You Pray This For Me?

I sang the song below at church the Sunday morning before we were scheduled to leave for Guatemala.  That very same Sunday I would later receive the call and news of my brother's accident and death.

Although the easiest and most desirable prayers to ask for humanly would always be those of health, protection, excitement, happiness.....   that is not how I asked the family of my church to pray for me that morning.

And little did I know how God was going to begin to answer the requests of this prayer for my own heart...

I have listened to the words many times since.  Yes, sometimes the tears flow when I think of what all has transpired since the day that I invited others to pray these words for me.

I have wondered if I would now change the way I ask people to pray for me?

Although the answers aren't always easy, I believe and know that they are making me who He needs me to be for His glory.

And so my request remains...

Would you pray this for me?

Pray
By Kendall Payne

"I will pray for you now, for you have been my faithful friends
While the road we walk is difficult indeed
I could not ask for more than what you've already been
Only that you would say these prayers for me

May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strength all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet

May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater each stride
May your company be of humble insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride

What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the One who made us
And see Him smile when life is through

May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they'd be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see

May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you'd learn to trust the plan He has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true

I have prayed for you now all of my dear and faithful friends
But what I wish is more than I could ever speak
As the way wanders on I'll long to see you once again
Until then, would you say these prayers for me?
Oh, that you would pray for me"

Beware! When You Start... So Will He!

Have you started memorizing Scripture? Are you jumping more fully into a ministry He has called you to?  Are you spending more time with Him?  Are you pushing forward to honor and obey Him in all things?

Beware!  As you do these things, you set yourself up to become a prime target!

The first week I began intensely memorizing my goal passage was the same week my husband began a ministry he has been considering, searching, and praying about for a very long time.  

We encountered spiritual warfare that week more intense than I have navigated for some time.

I should have seen it coming.  I should have expected it.  I should have been ready to stand against it.  I wasn't. 

My human nature wanted to stand against all of those around me instead.  It took a few days to realize what was happening and get back on top of what needed to happen.

From one friend to another... as you actively take on pursuing HIM, the enemy will begin digging in his bag of tricks to detour you.  Don't let him!

Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world!

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?... 

Church~ Community~Grace

I have been reading about Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  He was a German Christian during the time of the Nazi regime. 

While reading about him it was mentioned that he, himself, wrote some books. I decided to check one out at the library titled "Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community".

According to the back cover this work is Bonhoeffer's "account of a unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years in Germany".

As I began reading it, even the first pages gripped me.   
 (underlining for emphasis mine)

"It is not simply to be taken for granted that the Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians...

It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God's Word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing. The imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the Gospel in heathen lands stand alone. They know that visible fellowship is a blessing...

It is true, of course, that what is an unspeakable gift of God for the lonely individual is easily disregarded and trodden under foot by those who have the gift every day. It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed.

Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christians praise God's grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren..."  ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Church.

Community.

Grace...

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...

Preparing for Rain

There was a drought. There were two farmers. Both were praying for rain.  After praying, one of the farmer's went out and began to plow his field. Now which farmer trusted and believed God for the rain? --from "Facing the Giants"

There are some things that we, as a family, have been praying about. We have trusted that God hears, but do our actions show it? Have we been "plowing our field" so we are ready when the answers come?

Are we preparing and ready for the answers? Do we pray in anticipation and expectation of the answer?

Psalm 5:3 (NIV) - "In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Even this week, we have made a major life decision based on what we believe God is stirring in our hearts and preparing us for.

We don't have all of the answers, but we are moving forward in faith that He will provide them as we need them... one day at a time.

We are aware that the answer may not come in the form or way that we expect it to. But we do believe that He will answer.

Will we have prepared our hearts for His answer... in His time and in His way?


What is it that you are praying for? Are you praying in anticipation and expectation of the answer? Are you putting action behind your faith? Are you "plowing your field" so you are ready when the answer comes?

"Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His word." --Streams in the Desert

Are you..."Preparing for Rain"?