No matter how packed your daily
planner is, here’s why you need
to find time with the Lord.
By Cheri Fuller
Like Martha in the Bible, I have lots to do—office
work, writing projects, laundry, cooking, cleaning.
Just this week, for instance, I had a deadline
to meet, my daughter-in-law was hospitalized,
and I cared for her baby. Add in meals to cook,
a household to run, a prayer group to lead, and
preparation for an overseas ministry trip. It’s a real
challenge to squeeze in time for prayer!
No matter how packed your daily planner is, here’s why
you need to find time with the Lord.
I used to think, If I don’t pray at a certain time of day,
then my prayers don’t really count. Then my prayer
life underwent a radical transformation. I discovered
the apostle Paul’s command to “pray continually” (1
Thessalonians 5:17) means more than just spending a lot
of time in prayer; it means sharing a continual dialogue
with God wherever I go.
The truth that God listens to my prayers wherever I
am didn’t sink in until my son, Chris, left to attend
a university 20 hours from home. Oh, how I missed
hearing his voice! Busy with premed classes, intramural
basketball, and studying, Chris didn’t call often. But once
in a while, the phone would ring, and it would be Chris.
I’d drop everything—the project I was working on, dinner
preparations—just to hear my son’s voice.
One day I realized God feels the same way about me, only
hundreds of times more, because I’m his child (John 1:12)!
Whether I’m walking, driving across town, or sending
a prayer heavenward from my computer, he delights in
hearing from me—not just once a day, but throughout the
day. Scripture says he “inclines his ear” and is “open to
hear” my prayers (Psalm 40:1; 34:15).
I became even more excited about the effects of praying
continuously when I noticed that throughout the Bible, God
used short prayers to accomplish great things—such as
raising the dead or parting the Red Sea. It dawned on me
that thoughts such as, But I can’t pray long enough, or If I
can’t pray one hour, then why pray? have no biblical basis.
It’s wonderful to have longer sessions of prayer when I
can, but remembering that my short prayers can have a big
impact encourages me to pray throughout the day.
Whether you’re married or single, with or without
children, you probably struggle with your prayer life
as I did with mine. The good news is, you don’t have to
put either life or prayer on hold. Here’s how to begin
building a 24/7 prayer life.
Get a Good Start
For me, a life of continuous prayer now starts even
before I lift my head off the pillow. I say, “Lord, this is
the day you’ve made; help me focus on you in the midst
of all I’ve got to do.”
I read God’s Word before the demands of the day flood
in, because Scripture never fails to draw me into prayer
and praise. Praying things such as “Lord, help me to
trust in you with all my heart and not lean on my own
understanding” (from Proverbs 3:5–6), or “Thank you,
Father, that you are compassionate and gracious, slow
to anger and abounding in love” (from Psalm 103:8),
helps me zero in on the Mountain-Mover instead of the
mountains I may be facing. And most days I pray these
and other prayers for my family and friends during my
morning walk.
My friend Betsy also starts her day with prayer and
exercise. Betsy—who’s active in her church’s women’s
ministry, leads a neighborhood Bible study, and serves
on various committees and boards—still finds time to
pray faithfully for many people and concerns while
walking 30 minutes on her treadmill. For example,
Betsy prayed for me to experience energy and strength
while I spoke at her church’s retreat—and I did! I know
that Betsy’s “treadmill prayers” are effective because
I’ve personally experienced God’s answers to them.
Clue into Visual Reminders
I use the things around me as visual cues to prompt
me to pray. For example, as I pass the windows of
neighbors’ houses on my morning walk, I pray, “God, let
your light shine in; bless them and draw them closer
so they’ll know you.” As I shower after walking, I pray,
“Lord, please create in me a clean heart and renew a
right spirit within me; cleanse my heart of sin” (from
Psalm 51:10). When I drive past a school and see a
school-zone sign, I make the area a “prayer zone” by
asking God to protect the students and to give all the
teachers wisdom.
Later, as I bake bread or cook a meal, I’m reminded
to pray that Christ would be the Bread of Life for the
person receiving it. Picking up a loved one’s shoes
triggers me to pray that his feet will stay on God’s path.
Seeing something lovely—a mallard duck flying through
the sky or fresh blooms on a rose bush—reminds me to
say a prayer of thanks to God for his creation.
My friend Peggy also likes using visual cues. When she
puts on her seat belt before heading to the high school to
substitute teach, she says, “Lord, I want to abide in you
and be yoked with you.” When she stops at a stop sign,
she takes a deep breath and says, “My rest is in you
alone, Lord. I may be trying to get somewhere, but thank
you that you are preparing the way.”
With visual cues to prompt us, all our daily activities—
gardening, cleaning, working, or creating—become
springboards to conversation with God.
Use Tools to Stay Focused
It’s easy for my mind to wander during prayer. One
way I counteract this is by using the acronym B-L-ES-
S as I pray for my family and friends. Each letter in
the acronym stands for a key area of life: Body, Labor,
Emotional, Social, and Spiritual.
For example, for our son, Chris, who’s now a Navy
doctor, I prayed today: “Lord, bless Chris’s body;
strengthen and protect him during his deployment.
Bless Chris’s labor; give him wisdom as he cares for
the Marines’ medical needs and injuries. Bless Chris’s
emotional life; help him trust you concerning his and
his wife Maggie’s move to Hawaii. Father, bless Chris’s
social relationships; bring him a Christian friend on
the ship while he’s deployed. And bless Chris’s spiritual
life; help him draw near to you and your Word more
each day.”
Dena, a busy mother of four, always felt guilty about
not praying more often. She needed a way to focus her
attention during the snippets of time she found herself
alone. So one day she wrote down every prayer request
she could think of—for herself, family, friends, church,
community, nation, and world. Then she divided them
into 31 equal segments and put them in a notebook.
She keeps the notebook in her bathroom, one of the
only places she has a few minutes alone. Each day she
prays over the few items that correspond to the day of
the month. Dena’s notebook helps her focus on each of
the many needs in her world—one day, one minute at a
time.
Pray on the Spot
With all I’ve got going on, I don’t want to forget to pray
for others’ struggles. So instead of saving those prayers
for a special prayer time, I pray right on the spot. If a
friend asks me to pray for a specific need, I offer to pray
with her right then. If a speeding ambulance passes me
while I’m driving, I immediately pray for the people in it
and for the doctors who’ll care for the injured people at
the hospital.
Connie, a busy mom, Bible teacher, and Christian
psychotherapist, finds time to pray for the many people
she sees each day by praying on the spot, too. At the end
of each counseling session, Connie takes a few moments
to pray with her client. She then pauses to ask God that
he would give her wisdom and discernment to help the
next patient before he or she arrives (Psalm 119:66).
Connie also prays the same prayer for the patients she
sees heading into nearby medical offices.
“Even in the midst of my busy days, God gives me ‘minimoments’
to lift those around me in prayer,” says Connie.
“Everyone we come in contact with daily is struggling
with something. It may be their job, their marriage, an
illness, or stress. Everyone needs our prayers.”
I’m still a Martha by nature, but I’ve found praying
continually isn’t just another duty or heavy burden to bear.
Prayer is how I know God, not just know about him; it’s
how I hear God, not just hear about him. Time after time,
when I pour out my burdens, concerns, and problems, I
experience his peace and hope. I see his faithfulness more
clearly. I experience his comfort in trials, his unfailing
love as I see him provide for needs about which I’ve
prayed.
E.M. Bounds, a 19th-century pastor, said, “Your
prayers will outlive your life.” Long after my address
has changed to heaven, the short prayers I’ve said
while rocking a feverish baby, working on the
computer, or moving throughout my day, still will be a
blessing to those for whom I’ve prayed.
Reflect
Paul’s command to “pray continuously” seems
impossible in our busy lives. How might you make
this a reality in your life?
Which of the author’s suggestions resonate most with
you? Why?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Parenting - The Early Years: New MOPS Summer Bible Study
Hi MOPS Moms!
I am so excited that summer is just around the corner! I have felt led to begin a summer MOPS Bible Study. I'm planning on doing it 2 Wednesday evenings per month at 7p.m. through the summer. We will meet most likely at the church but maybe at someone's home...details to follow on that. Childcare will not be available. Tentative start date is June 2nd.
I have selected a Bible Study called "Parenting - The Early Years," by Les and Leslie Parrott. There are DVDs that will kick off each evening we spend together and inspire our conversation and study together. Here is a link to preview the study:
Parenting - The Early Years Kit with Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott : Adult Small Groups at Bluefish TV
Please email me if you are interested in joining me in this study. I will also pass out a sign-up sheet at Friday's MOPS meeting as well.
I am so excited that summer is just around the corner! I have felt led to begin a summer MOPS Bible Study. I'm planning on doing it 2 Wednesday evenings per month at 7p.m. through the summer. We will meet most likely at the church but maybe at someone's home...details to follow on that. Childcare will not be available. Tentative start date is June 2nd.
I have selected a Bible Study called "Parenting - The Early Years," by Les and Leslie Parrott. There are DVDs that will kick off each evening we spend together and inspire our conversation and study together. Here is a link to preview the study:
Parenting - The Early Years Kit with Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott : Adult Small Groups at Bluefish TV
Please email me if you are interested in joining me in this study. I will also pass out a sign-up sheet at Friday's MOPS meeting as well.
Friday, May 7, 2010
***Exciting announcement***
Hey ladies, I bring you this very exciting and news-worthy announcement to brighten your beautiful spring day! Next year for MOPS 2010-2011 we will have 2 mentor moms!!! Mary Erhard has agreed to join Cathy Pound in mentoring our MOPS group! I am so thrilled that the Lord has prepared her schedule to come along side all of us. I am taking this entry from her blog http://wisewomenofgodsword.blogspot.com. Also, there is a link for her blog off to the side on the MAP blog page if you'd like to check it out! If you want to email Mary to let her know you're excited to have her join us, you can post a comment on her blog or you can email her at mherhard@windstream.net. Enjoy her post!
What to do when you don't know what to do...
I always pick a scripture for each member of my family, including myself, at the beginning of the new year. I then make a laminated prayer card with a picture of each member and their scripture so that I can pray for them regularly. This year, the scripture that I picked for myself is:
"Wait for the Lord, and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land." ~Ps. 37:34
I love this verse for me at this point in my life, because I am one of those persons who feels validated by accomplishing things that are measurable, and right now, that is just not happening. At least in the way of Christian Service and Ministry. Notice that I capitalized those words, mainly because in my mind, and in the minds of many others, those words define ways that we serve the Lord that are obvious, and as I said already, measurable. As in:
~Today I had a prayer team meeting and we were able to set lots of goals for the year.
~Today I helped to serve dinner at Water's Edge Outreach to lots of hungry boys and girls.
~Today I taught a Bible study to many women who are eager to learn from God's Word.
Am I being clear here about what I mean as far as serving the Lord by wearing lots of hats in Christian Service and Ministry? I love those labels such as "Prayer Team Leader" or "Director of College Ministries" or "Titus 2 Women's Ministry Leader". The reason I love them is because they give me a real sense of what I am accomplishing and I can check off of my "to do for the Lord" list any number of things that look substantive.
The only problem is, there are times in my life (and yours) when I am not able for any number of reasons to rack up points in the "Service for the Lord" column in those ways. And when that happens, I struggle with a sense of worth and value in my own eyes, although I know that isn't right. At this point in time, I feel strongly that the Lord is urging me to stay in a quiet place of availability for those who might need me, primarily family and friends, for any number of reasons. To avoid getting involved in anything that requires my time and attention on a scheduled basis so that I am free to help out wherever I'm needed. Also, free to take more time in sitting at His feet (which I'm having a hard time doing, because I am a DO-ER, not a SITTER), and praying, and meditating.
I went for several months trying to figure out what I should be doing in the way of ministry since I had experienced a change in my circumstances that had closed several doors. Rather than jump into the first, or second, or even third thing that came along, I decided to just wait and pray and see what the Lord might want me to do for Him, rather than me telling Him what I ought to be doing. I claimed that verse from the Psalms, and am feeling better all the time about having waited rather than jumping into any number of things with both feet. A Christian Service and Ministry opportunity just arose recently with the local MOPS group that I am very excited about, and I am so glad that I am able to say yes because I have the time available to do so.
So when you're not sure what you should be doing to serve the Lord, remember that every part of your life can be a service to Him. Folding laundry, writing notes of encouragement to someone who might need it, ironing shirts for your husband, playing in the park with your kids, sitting at the Lord's feet in prayer or just in listening mode, all these are things that are sacrifices of love that the Lord receives as an offering poured out before Him. Just wait, and He will open the doors. If you open them yourself and get ahead of Him, you just might run into some brick walls, and that's a lot more painful than sitting and waiting.
What to do when you don't know what to do...
I always pick a scripture for each member of my family, including myself, at the beginning of the new year. I then make a laminated prayer card with a picture of each member and their scripture so that I can pray for them regularly. This year, the scripture that I picked for myself is:
"Wait for the Lord, and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land." ~Ps. 37:34
I love this verse for me at this point in my life, because I am one of those persons who feels validated by accomplishing things that are measurable, and right now, that is just not happening. At least in the way of Christian Service and Ministry. Notice that I capitalized those words, mainly because in my mind, and in the minds of many others, those words define ways that we serve the Lord that are obvious, and as I said already, measurable. As in:
~Today I had a prayer team meeting and we were able to set lots of goals for the year.
~Today I helped to serve dinner at Water's Edge Outreach to lots of hungry boys and girls.
~Today I taught a Bible study to many women who are eager to learn from God's Word.
Am I being clear here about what I mean as far as serving the Lord by wearing lots of hats in Christian Service and Ministry? I love those labels such as "Prayer Team Leader" or "Director of College Ministries" or "Titus 2 Women's Ministry Leader". The reason I love them is because they give me a real sense of what I am accomplishing and I can check off of my "to do for the Lord" list any number of things that look substantive.
The only problem is, there are times in my life (and yours) when I am not able for any number of reasons to rack up points in the "Service for the Lord" column in those ways. And when that happens, I struggle with a sense of worth and value in my own eyes, although I know that isn't right. At this point in time, I feel strongly that the Lord is urging me to stay in a quiet place of availability for those who might need me, primarily family and friends, for any number of reasons. To avoid getting involved in anything that requires my time and attention on a scheduled basis so that I am free to help out wherever I'm needed. Also, free to take more time in sitting at His feet (which I'm having a hard time doing, because I am a DO-ER, not a SITTER), and praying, and meditating.
I went for several months trying to figure out what I should be doing in the way of ministry since I had experienced a change in my circumstances that had closed several doors. Rather than jump into the first, or second, or even third thing that came along, I decided to just wait and pray and see what the Lord might want me to do for Him, rather than me telling Him what I ought to be doing. I claimed that verse from the Psalms, and am feeling better all the time about having waited rather than jumping into any number of things with both feet. A Christian Service and Ministry opportunity just arose recently with the local MOPS group that I am very excited about, and I am so glad that I am able to say yes because I have the time available to do so.
So when you're not sure what you should be doing to serve the Lord, remember that every part of your life can be a service to Him. Folding laundry, writing notes of encouragement to someone who might need it, ironing shirts for your husband, playing in the park with your kids, sitting at the Lord's feet in prayer or just in listening mode, all these are things that are sacrifices of love that the Lord receives as an offering poured out before Him. Just wait, and He will open the doors. If you open them yourself and get ahead of Him, you just might run into some brick walls, and that's a lot more painful than sitting and waiting.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Burn out
I came across this passage in my women's Bible last week...and it spoke to me. I am at that point in the year where I just want all schedules and commitments to cease. I'm ready to embrace summer and all it's long, unstructured days ahead. Here's the devotion:
"Feeling burnt out, disillusioned, exhausted or lonely? At some point on the road of life we all hit "empty." When it happens to you, it's time to pray Paul's prayer - and expect God to answer it.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ask God to strengthen your inner self - because only Christ can fill the emptiness in your heart. Ask God to help you grasp a measure of his immeasurable love your you - experience it your self so that you may be filled with the fullness of God. His unfathomable love is always the renewing antivote for burnout. It may take time, but God will answer."
"Feeling burnt out, disillusioned, exhausted or lonely? At some point on the road of life we all hit "empty." When it happens to you, it's time to pray Paul's prayer - and expect God to answer it.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ask God to strengthen your inner self - because only Christ can fill the emptiness in your heart. Ask God to help you grasp a measure of his immeasurable love your you - experience it your self so that you may be filled with the fullness of God. His unfathomable love is always the renewing antivote for burnout. It may take time, but God will answer."
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Attitude is a chioce
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24
I want to challenge you to take a 24-hour break from a negative, joy-robbing attitude! Think about an attitude, or situation, that is robbing you of joy and interrupting your thoughts. It may be a particular worry about a person or situation. It may be critical thinking or a gloomy outlook.
When you push the attitude out of your mind, replace it with the verse above. Say it aloud to yourself. Do whatever you need to to focus on God and His love, rather than the situation that has caused your attitude to be negative. Ask for God's help in this. He will guide you and give you the persistence you need in this endeavor.
Being positive involves more than what we think about. For the Christian a positive attitude encompasses our whole being. we become positive by listening to God, obediently following His directions, continually worshipping Him, and seeking His guidance.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9
Prepare
What is God revealing to you about becoming a more positive person today?
I want to challenge you to take a 24-hour break from a negative, joy-robbing attitude! Think about an attitude, or situation, that is robbing you of joy and interrupting your thoughts. It may be a particular worry about a person or situation. It may be critical thinking or a gloomy outlook.
When you push the attitude out of your mind, replace it with the verse above. Say it aloud to yourself. Do whatever you need to to focus on God and His love, rather than the situation that has caused your attitude to be negative. Ask for God's help in this. He will guide you and give you the persistence you need in this endeavor.
Being positive involves more than what we think about. For the Christian a positive attitude encompasses our whole being. we become positive by listening to God, obediently following His directions, continually worshipping Him, and seeking His guidance.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9
Prepare
What is God revealing to you about becoming a more positive person today?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Change
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me according to your word." Luke 1:38
These are Mary, the mother of Jesus', comments after the angel of the Lord visited her and told her of God's plan for her to be the mother of our Savior. When God's plans were revealed to her, Mary's plans for her future suddenly vanished before her eyes. Whatever she had envisioned for her life it would now be totally different. She had no way of knowing what this would be like for her. Did she argue with God? Did she sulk about the lack of control she had in the situation? Did she try and cling to her own plans? No. Mary humbly accepted what God had in store for her life because she knew her life belonged to God. She saw herself as God's servant. She was able to say to God, I surrender my plan for my life, and I willing accept your plan.
Prepare
Do you see yourself as God's servant? How do you respond to changes God brings to the plans you have for your life?
These are Mary, the mother of Jesus', comments after the angel of the Lord visited her and told her of God's plan for her to be the mother of our Savior. When God's plans were revealed to her, Mary's plans for her future suddenly vanished before her eyes. Whatever she had envisioned for her life it would now be totally different. She had no way of knowing what this would be like for her. Did she argue with God? Did she sulk about the lack of control she had in the situation? Did she try and cling to her own plans? No. Mary humbly accepted what God had in store for her life because she knew her life belonged to God. She saw herself as God's servant. She was able to say to God, I surrender my plan for my life, and I willing accept your plan.
Prepare
Do you see yourself as God's servant? How do you respond to changes God brings to the plans you have for your life?
Friday, April 16, 2010
Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
He said to them, "When you pray, say:
'Father,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.'
...
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Luke 11:1-4, 9-13
I read this excerpt from my study bible about this passage: Prayer isn't like giving "the Santa Claus in the sky" a wish list of what you want because you've been good. And, it's not rubbing the bottle, forcing the genie to grant you 3 wishes because he's obligated. Instead, prayer is the humble recognition of your own lack and God's great ability to supply. It's the respectful, persistent pouring out of your heart's desires to the only one who can change or fulfill them. It's your expression of your longing to commune with God. Perhaps your first prayer request needs to be, "Lord, teach me to pray."
Have you ever used the Lord's prayer as a way of shaping your own prayers? I have found it a very powerful way to model my prayer for the day, following His example. If you journal when you pray it can be an excellent tool to follow, putting the prayer into your own words as you write. Try it!
If I'm being totally honest, which can be hard to be transparent and admit my lack of faith sometimes, vs. 9-10 are very hard for me. There was a time, following a tragedy in my life that I just couldn't even believe these words were in the Bible. To me it was saying that if I asked - I would receive what I asked for. So...in light of what had happened, loosing my baby after praying so hard and so much to not loose her, then God wasn't living up to this promise in scripture. But, what I have realized now is that I wasn't reading it correctly. When I now read it more carefully, it says "For everyone who asks receives" - it doesn't say what they receive. It doesn't say that they receive what they ask for OR when they ask for it. It does say that we can seek God and He will reveal Himself to us, and we will begin to know more of Him. He will meet us where we are when we seek Him, and He will open the door for a deeper relationship with Him.
Have you struggled with an understanding of prayer and viewing God as a "wish list granter" in your life? I challenge you to examine your prayer life and model your prayers after Jesus' words today.
He said to them, "When you pray, say:
'Father,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.'
...
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Luke 11:1-4, 9-13
I read this excerpt from my study bible about this passage: Prayer isn't like giving "the Santa Claus in the sky" a wish list of what you want because you've been good. And, it's not rubbing the bottle, forcing the genie to grant you 3 wishes because he's obligated. Instead, prayer is the humble recognition of your own lack and God's great ability to supply. It's the respectful, persistent pouring out of your heart's desires to the only one who can change or fulfill them. It's your expression of your longing to commune with God. Perhaps your first prayer request needs to be, "Lord, teach me to pray."
Have you ever used the Lord's prayer as a way of shaping your own prayers? I have found it a very powerful way to model my prayer for the day, following His example. If you journal when you pray it can be an excellent tool to follow, putting the prayer into your own words as you write. Try it!
If I'm being totally honest, which can be hard to be transparent and admit my lack of faith sometimes, vs. 9-10 are very hard for me. There was a time, following a tragedy in my life that I just couldn't even believe these words were in the Bible. To me it was saying that if I asked - I would receive what I asked for. So...in light of what had happened, loosing my baby after praying so hard and so much to not loose her, then God wasn't living up to this promise in scripture. But, what I have realized now is that I wasn't reading it correctly. When I now read it more carefully, it says "For everyone who asks receives" - it doesn't say what they receive. It doesn't say that they receive what they ask for OR when they ask for it. It does say that we can seek God and He will reveal Himself to us, and we will begin to know more of Him. He will meet us where we are when we seek Him, and He will open the door for a deeper relationship with Him.
Have you struggled with an understanding of prayer and viewing God as a "wish list granter" in your life? I challenge you to examine your prayer life and model your prayers after Jesus' words today.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
How to Follow Forgiveness Instead of Our Emotions
by Joyce Meyer
How do you respond when someone hurts your feelings? Do you let it rob you of joy? Or maybe your emotions run wild?
Luke 6:27,28 NIV tells us what we should do when people hurt us:
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Can you believe that? We’re to pray something like, “Oh, Lord, I pray that You’d just make them so happy!”
I still don’t get that, but I’m willing to do it in obedience and say, “Lord, I don’t know that I really want them to be happy, but I’ll pray that in faith anyway, because You’re telling me to bless them with Your presence.”
Luke 6:35 NIV goes further. It says:
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
A Tip for Following Forgiveness
Now, let’s get practical about how to do this. If we have a coworker who gets the promotion that we’ve been believing God for, the minute we start to feel jealousy and envy, we need to go buy them a gift.
Yes, you heard me right: buy them a gift. It works. When we do it, it breaks the power of the devil because Romans 12:21 says that we overcome evil with good. It’s absolutely true too. I have learned this principle and it has been life-changing for me.
What I Did When Someone Hurt Me
For example, a few years ago someone told me about a person who was doing business with our ministry and making a good deal of money because of their relationship with us. My friend happened to be at the same restaurant, seated in the next booth and overheard their conversation, which just happened to be about me—and they weren’t saying good things either.
At first I got mad and just wanted to tell him that he was never getting our business again.
But in bed that night, the Holy Spirit said to me, “You’re not going to do any of those things.” He said, “No, you’re going to do what you teach. You’re going to go buy him a present, and you’re going to tell him how much you appreciate the services that he’s given you all these years.”
Needless to say, I resisted at first. But eventually I relented and bought him a gift.
What You Must Do When Someone Hurts You
What I remember most about the situation is that as soon as I started taking action to do something good for them, it just got so funny to me. I was laughing out loud in my house, all by myself.
Listen: When we can look at people who’ve hurt us with compassion and pray what Jesus prayed “…Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” there’s a party that goes on inside of us.
I think most of the time people don’t even realize what they are doing. That man in the restaurant who was talking about me had no idea what he was doing and the position that he was putting himself in.
Why You Must Follow Forgiveness
That’s why we need to pray for them and say, “God forgive them.” In fact, what does God say will happen to us when we obey His Word?
Luke 6:35 states “…and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High….” God tells us that we’ll receive a reward. We will get double for our trouble if we will do things His way.
The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins. Do you know what that means? It means that love will even have you making excuses for your enemies. Someone might come up to us and say, “Well, I heard what so-and-so did to you.”
When we really decide to forgive someone and pray the prayer that blesses our enemies, making the decision that we will not talk bad about them, but instead, cover their fault and their mess, we still might not feel any different.
Now, I believe choosing forgiveness is one of the most difficult things God asks us to do, especially if we believe that whoever hurt us is in the wrong and doesn’t deserve to be forgiven.
But God instructs us to practice forgiveness. And when we choose to follow the path of forgiveness, we will experience the peace and joy that come through obeying God’s Word.
How do you respond when someone hurts your feelings? Do you let it rob you of joy? Or maybe your emotions run wild?
Luke 6:27,28 NIV tells us what we should do when people hurt us:
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Can you believe that? We’re to pray something like, “Oh, Lord, I pray that You’d just make them so happy!”
I still don’t get that, but I’m willing to do it in obedience and say, “Lord, I don’t know that I really want them to be happy, but I’ll pray that in faith anyway, because You’re telling me to bless them with Your presence.”
Luke 6:35 NIV goes further. It says:
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
A Tip for Following Forgiveness
Now, let’s get practical about how to do this. If we have a coworker who gets the promotion that we’ve been believing God for, the minute we start to feel jealousy and envy, we need to go buy them a gift.
Yes, you heard me right: buy them a gift. It works. When we do it, it breaks the power of the devil because Romans 12:21 says that we overcome evil with good. It’s absolutely true too. I have learned this principle and it has been life-changing for me.
What I Did When Someone Hurt Me
For example, a few years ago someone told me about a person who was doing business with our ministry and making a good deal of money because of their relationship with us. My friend happened to be at the same restaurant, seated in the next booth and overheard their conversation, which just happened to be about me—and they weren’t saying good things either.
At first I got mad and just wanted to tell him that he was never getting our business again.
But in bed that night, the Holy Spirit said to me, “You’re not going to do any of those things.” He said, “No, you’re going to do what you teach. You’re going to go buy him a present, and you’re going to tell him how much you appreciate the services that he’s given you all these years.”
Needless to say, I resisted at first. But eventually I relented and bought him a gift.
What You Must Do When Someone Hurts You
What I remember most about the situation is that as soon as I started taking action to do something good for them, it just got so funny to me. I was laughing out loud in my house, all by myself.
Listen: When we can look at people who’ve hurt us with compassion and pray what Jesus prayed “…Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” there’s a party that goes on inside of us.
I think most of the time people don’t even realize what they are doing. That man in the restaurant who was talking about me had no idea what he was doing and the position that he was putting himself in.
Why You Must Follow Forgiveness
That’s why we need to pray for them and say, “God forgive them.” In fact, what does God say will happen to us when we obey His Word?
Luke 6:35 states “…and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High….” God tells us that we’ll receive a reward. We will get double for our trouble if we will do things His way.
The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins. Do you know what that means? It means that love will even have you making excuses for your enemies. Someone might come up to us and say, “Well, I heard what so-and-so did to you.”
When we really decide to forgive someone and pray the prayer that blesses our enemies, making the decision that we will not talk bad about them, but instead, cover their fault and their mess, we still might not feel any different.
Now, I believe choosing forgiveness is one of the most difficult things God asks us to do, especially if we believe that whoever hurt us is in the wrong and doesn’t deserve to be forgiven.
But God instructs us to practice forgiveness. And when we choose to follow the path of forgiveness, we will experience the peace and joy that come through obeying God’s Word.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Christ is our supply
Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 15:29-37
Do you get worn out trying to "do" everything for everyone? Do you feel spent running around, trying to pour out of your paltry resources, trying to do things for others around you? God has called you to be a deliverer of His gifts, not the creator of them! He will be our full supply, apart from Him we have nothing to offer.
Life with little children can be very demanding and exhausting. Parenthood brings us face to face with our need to draw from Christ so that we can generously pour love and provision on our children.
That being said, it can be hard to practice because receiving our supply from God isn't always as tangible as a bag of grain, a fish, or a piece of bread that we walk up and take from His hand. A few weeks ago, as spring began it's warm up and we got the bikes out of storage it became clear that Sophie, my 5 year old, would need a new bike this year. As she was riding, her boney little knees were up in her chest! I was thinking about our budget and how we would provide this new bike for her. I don't even think I whispered a conscious prayer about it, but the next day a friend contacted me to see if Sophie would be interested in her daughter's bike that she had outgrown, saying it would be the perfect size for Sophie...wow, what a blessing! The thing I might have missed several years ago, is that this is not a coincidence, this is God working in my life. He does know our needs, and He does care about the little things we worry about!
It may be something this concrete, but many times what we desperately need is a supply of patience, fogiveness, love, wisdom, or comfort from Him so we can pour it out on someone else. This kind of spiritual supply comes from Jesus' presence. Meditating on the pages of Scripture. Committing to focused prayer. Waiting quietly on Him so our spirits can learn His voice.
(some of this is paraphrased from Kelly Minter's study on the book of Ruth)
Prepare
Are you trying to do it all in your own strength today? How can you ask God to be your supply and allow yourself to be a deliverer of His gifts to those around you today?
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
"How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Matthew 15:29-37
Do you get worn out trying to "do" everything for everyone? Do you feel spent running around, trying to pour out of your paltry resources, trying to do things for others around you? God has called you to be a deliverer of His gifts, not the creator of them! He will be our full supply, apart from Him we have nothing to offer.
Life with little children can be very demanding and exhausting. Parenthood brings us face to face with our need to draw from Christ so that we can generously pour love and provision on our children.
That being said, it can be hard to practice because receiving our supply from God isn't always as tangible as a bag of grain, a fish, or a piece of bread that we walk up and take from His hand. A few weeks ago, as spring began it's warm up and we got the bikes out of storage it became clear that Sophie, my 5 year old, would need a new bike this year. As she was riding, her boney little knees were up in her chest! I was thinking about our budget and how we would provide this new bike for her. I don't even think I whispered a conscious prayer about it, but the next day a friend contacted me to see if Sophie would be interested in her daughter's bike that she had outgrown, saying it would be the perfect size for Sophie...wow, what a blessing! The thing I might have missed several years ago, is that this is not a coincidence, this is God working in my life. He does know our needs, and He does care about the little things we worry about!
It may be something this concrete, but many times what we desperately need is a supply of patience, fogiveness, love, wisdom, or comfort from Him so we can pour it out on someone else. This kind of spiritual supply comes from Jesus' presence. Meditating on the pages of Scripture. Committing to focused prayer. Waiting quietly on Him so our spirits can learn His voice.
(some of this is paraphrased from Kelly Minter's study on the book of Ruth)
Prepare
Are you trying to do it all in your own strength today? How can you ask God to be your supply and allow yourself to be a deliverer of His gifts to those around you today?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
A Work in Progress
I was finally able to get my husband to finish a project, but I wasn't as pleased as I thought I'd be.
by Mandy Houk
They mocked me for months. Every morning when I raised the blinds and looked out the window, I saw them. It was almost like they were winking: one Adirondack chair was a deep brick red; the other was white. White primer, to be exact.
We had not run out of red paint. My husband, Pete, had simply run out of daylight on the day he'd planned to paint both. And there they sat, still waiting for Pete to find another day to finish the job.
After 16 years of marriage, I know I shouldn't harp on unfinished household projects, even on those sunny Saturdays when he's playing video games or watching college football. I've heard enough sermons on marriage to know that nagging from me, though it might get the job done, also discourages and alienates my husband. I'd rather have mismatched chairs than a discouraged husband.
Or would I?
As much as I might resolve to leave the man in peace, my resolve has an expiration date. Ultimately, the day comes when I can't (won't) take it anymore. This tends to coincide with an upcoming visit from an out-of-town guest. Or a potluck dinner at our house. Or anything that involves someone from the outside coming inside our house where they might witness the evidence of our … gasp! … imperfections.
And that day finally arrived for the chairs.
So I exploded. I whined. I scolded. It wasn't pretty.
Pete took it silently. And when I'd exhausted my venom, he disappeared outside. After a while, I looked out the window to see where he'd gone. He was kneeling by that one white chair, slowly turning it red.
Looking at My Own Stuff
There's no real joy in the fact that the chairs match now. In fact, when we had our family photos taken in the middle of the mismatched era, the photographer was thrilled at the contrast and used it to great effect in our portraits.
Truth be told, those chairs still mock me. Because now, when I open the blinds and see their lovely, homogenous red-ness, what I really see is my own nastiness. I recall that day of my self-righteous explosion.
How easy it is for me to take note of all that Pete leaves undone. But what about everything that I leave undone? How many times have my daughters had a no-panties crisis in the morning because I failed to get their laundry done when I'd planned? How many years have I been working on that Christmas cross-stitch that's gathering dust in my sewing basket? (Hint: enough years that there's a rust stain from the needle that's neatly slipped through a couple of holes, as if I'll get right back to it in a minute.) And what about my growing dresser-dust collection?
If you'll indulge my adjustments, Matthew 7:3–5 goes something like this: "Why do you look at the unpainted chair in your husband's eye and pay no attention to the dusty dresser in your own eye? How can you say to him, 'Get your fanny out there and paint that!' when all the time there is a mountain of laundry in your hamper? You hypocrite! Get your own chores done, and then you can help him with his!"
What it comes down to, ultimately, is mercy. I can grit my teeth in self-powered "resolve" all I want, but it can't last. Because it's me-powered. Not until I fully absorb the astonishing volume of mercy that God has shown to me—and that Pete shows to me as well—will I be able to release the expectations that lead to my nagging in the first place.
When I catch myself starting to stare and squint at some unfinished project of Pete's, I let my eyes shift over to an unfinished project of my own. A project that my merciful husband has never once mentioned. That shuts me up pretty quick.
When I take note that he's playing video games, I also take note of our youngest daughter. She's sitting on the sofa beside him having a fabulous time with her daddy. And when he's watching football, I do something really radical. I remind myself that I happen to like football too. I grab some snacks and plop down at his side (where I'm careful not to talk during a long drive—but that's another article).
Finally, when he does get going on a long-awaited project—like adjusting the basketball hoop to a manageable height for our daughters—I don't sigh to myself and think, It's about time! I go out and help him. Inevitably, because neither of us is a descendant of Mr. Fixit, something goes wrong. After we've finished laughing about it, we figure out the solution together.
That beats staring out the window at chairs any day.
Prepare
Ok, perhaps this hits me harder than some of you because my love language is acts of service...so yeah, ouch is all I can say. I am very guilty of missing opportunities to just be with Tom because I'm too busy trying to get him to help me with a project, help me with the girls, help me, help me, help me...
How about you? Does this article speak to you? Does God care about our "to-do" list or our relationships? Where should our focus be?
by Mandy Houk
They mocked me for months. Every morning when I raised the blinds and looked out the window, I saw them. It was almost like they were winking: one Adirondack chair was a deep brick red; the other was white. White primer, to be exact.
We had not run out of red paint. My husband, Pete, had simply run out of daylight on the day he'd planned to paint both. And there they sat, still waiting for Pete to find another day to finish the job.
After 16 years of marriage, I know I shouldn't harp on unfinished household projects, even on those sunny Saturdays when he's playing video games or watching college football. I've heard enough sermons on marriage to know that nagging from me, though it might get the job done, also discourages and alienates my husband. I'd rather have mismatched chairs than a discouraged husband.
Or would I?
As much as I might resolve to leave the man in peace, my resolve has an expiration date. Ultimately, the day comes when I can't (won't) take it anymore. This tends to coincide with an upcoming visit from an out-of-town guest. Or a potluck dinner at our house. Or anything that involves someone from the outside coming inside our house where they might witness the evidence of our … gasp! … imperfections.
And that day finally arrived for the chairs.
So I exploded. I whined. I scolded. It wasn't pretty.
Pete took it silently. And when I'd exhausted my venom, he disappeared outside. After a while, I looked out the window to see where he'd gone. He was kneeling by that one white chair, slowly turning it red.
Looking at My Own Stuff
There's no real joy in the fact that the chairs match now. In fact, when we had our family photos taken in the middle of the mismatched era, the photographer was thrilled at the contrast and used it to great effect in our portraits.
Truth be told, those chairs still mock me. Because now, when I open the blinds and see their lovely, homogenous red-ness, what I really see is my own nastiness. I recall that day of my self-righteous explosion.
How easy it is for me to take note of all that Pete leaves undone. But what about everything that I leave undone? How many times have my daughters had a no-panties crisis in the morning because I failed to get their laundry done when I'd planned? How many years have I been working on that Christmas cross-stitch that's gathering dust in my sewing basket? (Hint: enough years that there's a rust stain from the needle that's neatly slipped through a couple of holes, as if I'll get right back to it in a minute.) And what about my growing dresser-dust collection?
If you'll indulge my adjustments, Matthew 7:3–5 goes something like this: "Why do you look at the unpainted chair in your husband's eye and pay no attention to the dusty dresser in your own eye? How can you say to him, 'Get your fanny out there and paint that!' when all the time there is a mountain of laundry in your hamper? You hypocrite! Get your own chores done, and then you can help him with his!"
What it comes down to, ultimately, is mercy. I can grit my teeth in self-powered "resolve" all I want, but it can't last. Because it's me-powered. Not until I fully absorb the astonishing volume of mercy that God has shown to me—and that Pete shows to me as well—will I be able to release the expectations that lead to my nagging in the first place.
When I catch myself starting to stare and squint at some unfinished project of Pete's, I let my eyes shift over to an unfinished project of my own. A project that my merciful husband has never once mentioned. That shuts me up pretty quick.
When I take note that he's playing video games, I also take note of our youngest daughter. She's sitting on the sofa beside him having a fabulous time with her daddy. And when he's watching football, I do something really radical. I remind myself that I happen to like football too. I grab some snacks and plop down at his side (where I'm careful not to talk during a long drive—but that's another article).
Finally, when he does get going on a long-awaited project—like adjusting the basketball hoop to a manageable height for our daughters—I don't sigh to myself and think, It's about time! I go out and help him. Inevitably, because neither of us is a descendant of Mr. Fixit, something goes wrong. After we've finished laughing about it, we figure out the solution together.
That beats staring out the window at chairs any day.
Prepare
Ok, perhaps this hits me harder than some of you because my love language is acts of service...so yeah, ouch is all I can say. I am very guilty of missing opportunities to just be with Tom because I'm too busy trying to get him to help me with a project, help me with the girls, help me, help me, help me...
How about you? Does this article speak to you? Does God care about our "to-do" list or our relationships? Where should our focus be?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Surrender
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Surrendering all to Christ. This is a word that keeps popping up in my life. It's an incredibly hard concept for me. I'm going to share a passage from my reading this morning in a study of the book of Ruth, by Kelly Minter.
"This place of surrender is the most freeing of places to be and the hardest to get to. Some of us have been working, toiling, and struggling - we've done all we can do and now it's time to cease striving and lie down at the feet of Jesus. I'm not sure what plagues you, what you're carrying, or what fears loom in your life. But I want you to picture leaving those things behind...I'm not sure there is any more important move in our life with Christ than our total surrender to Him. Yes, this can be scary. Yes, it can be costly. But ... eternal blessings of submission to Jesus are unparalleled. What He can do with a willing life surrendered at His feet is more than we can comprehend. I just know I don't want to miss it for whatever I'm clutching in my hands."
Prepare
What keeps you from total surrender to Jesus today?
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Surrendering all to Christ. This is a word that keeps popping up in my life. It's an incredibly hard concept for me. I'm going to share a passage from my reading this morning in a study of the book of Ruth, by Kelly Minter.
"This place of surrender is the most freeing of places to be and the hardest to get to. Some of us have been working, toiling, and struggling - we've done all we can do and now it's time to cease striving and lie down at the feet of Jesus. I'm not sure what plagues you, what you're carrying, or what fears loom in your life. But I want you to picture leaving those things behind...I'm not sure there is any more important move in our life with Christ than our total surrender to Him. Yes, this can be scary. Yes, it can be costly. But ... eternal blessings of submission to Jesus are unparalleled. What He can do with a willing life surrendered at His feet is more than we can comprehend. I just know I don't want to miss it for whatever I'm clutching in my hands."
Prepare
What keeps you from total surrender to Jesus today?
Friday, March 19, 2010
People Pleasing
I'm going to share an excerpt from Rob Bell's book, Velvet Elvis:
"Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be. And anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it.
The relentless pursuit of who God made me to be.
I started identifying how much of my life was about making sure the right people were pleased with me. And as this became more and more clear, I realized how less and less pleased I was with myself.What happens is our lives become so heavily oriented around the expectations of others that we become more and more like them and less and less like ourselves. We become split. . .
I had this person I knew I was made to be, yet it was mixed in with all of these other . . . people. As the lights were turned on, I saw I had all of this guilt and shame because I wasn't measuring up to the image of the perfect person I had in my head."
This passage jumped out at me yesterday as I was reading. Now, I am going to say that this book is a tough one for me. It's very challenging and pretty uncomfortable. I'm not sure I agree with all that is said in it. I'm not even sure I agree with the entire excerpt here...but some of it really hits me in a "wake up and pay attention" kind of way.
I think as women, we are especially predisposed to wanting to please others. We spend a lot of time and energy trying to please many, many people...but sometimes we don't consider if we are pleasing God in the process. The things we are doing for others may be really good things too like being involved in ministries, signing up for PTO, running car pool...people are going to "pleased" with you for helping out..at least initially. But is God pleased? Is that his plan for you right now?
And, what happens when a little while into "helping" someone or some ministry, there are bumps in the road? If you're not doing it with God's direction, but to please people, and the people aren't even happy with you...then what? That hurts. If we're subconsciously doing it to receive self-worth...we end up feeling pretty empty.
I have been resolving to commit my decisions to Him, and I have felt Him nudging me to "take a sharpie to my list." I have been dragging my heels, kicking and screaming in my head...why? Because I don't want to let anyone down. But, guess what? If I'm not doing it in His strength I'm going to let people down. It happened this week. It was painful to me. My busy schedule and distracted day resulted in me totally forgetting a commitment I had made with someone. I feel terrible about this. But, you know what? It's been a wake up call for me, too. I AM going to "take a sharpie to my list" this weekend. I'm going to surrender my schedule to God and let Him direct my people pleasing ways.
Prepare
Who are you trying to please today? What is on your calendar for today . . . is it God's agenda or yours?
"Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be. And anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it.
The relentless pursuit of who God made me to be.
I started identifying how much of my life was about making sure the right people were pleased with me. And as this became more and more clear, I realized how less and less pleased I was with myself.What happens is our lives become so heavily oriented around the expectations of others that we become more and more like them and less and less like ourselves. We become split. . .
I had this person I knew I was made to be, yet it was mixed in with all of these other . . . people. As the lights were turned on, I saw I had all of this guilt and shame because I wasn't measuring up to the image of the perfect person I had in my head."
This passage jumped out at me yesterday as I was reading. Now, I am going to say that this book is a tough one for me. It's very challenging and pretty uncomfortable. I'm not sure I agree with all that is said in it. I'm not even sure I agree with the entire excerpt here...but some of it really hits me in a "wake up and pay attention" kind of way.
I think as women, we are especially predisposed to wanting to please others. We spend a lot of time and energy trying to please many, many people...but sometimes we don't consider if we are pleasing God in the process. The things we are doing for others may be really good things too like being involved in ministries, signing up for PTO, running car pool...people are going to "pleased" with you for helping out..at least initially. But is God pleased? Is that his plan for you right now?
And, what happens when a little while into "helping" someone or some ministry, there are bumps in the road? If you're not doing it with God's direction, but to please people, and the people aren't even happy with you...then what? That hurts. If we're subconsciously doing it to receive self-worth...we end up feeling pretty empty.
I have been resolving to commit my decisions to Him, and I have felt Him nudging me to "take a sharpie to my list." I have been dragging my heels, kicking and screaming in my head...why? Because I don't want to let anyone down. But, guess what? If I'm not doing it in His strength I'm going to let people down. It happened this week. It was painful to me. My busy schedule and distracted day resulted in me totally forgetting a commitment I had made with someone. I feel terrible about this. But, you know what? It's been a wake up call for me, too. I AM going to "take a sharpie to my list" this weekend. I'm going to surrender my schedule to God and let Him direct my people pleasing ways.
Prepare
Who are you trying to please today? What is on your calendar for today . . . is it God's agenda or yours?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Worldviews and Children
by Marc A. Fey
James Sire, author of The Universe Next Door, tells a story that influenced the way I looked at the world. The story goes something like this:
A boy came home one day and asked his father, "What holds up the world, Dad?"
The father answered with a storybook reply, "A camel holds up the world, son."
But the next day the boy was back. "Dad, if a camel holds up the world, what holds up the camel?" The father answered quickly, "A kangaroo."
Soon, the son returned. "Dad, what holds up the kangaroo?" Knowing he was now in trouble, the father said emphatically, "An elephant!"
"Come on, Dad, what holds up the elephant?"
Exasperated, the father blurted, "It's . . . it's elephant — all the way down!"
Besides illustrating that kids ask the toughest questions, the story shows that when a parent doesn't answer thoughtfully or replies flippantly, it doesn't eliminate a child's curiosity. Tough questions shouldn't be avoided. In fact, they offer some of the best opportunities to teach a Christian worldview.
Del Tackett, president of the Focus Leadership Institute, describes a worldview as "the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world." The best tool we can give our children is to teach them how to accurately make sense of life.
Questions about life lead to teachable moments. Here are three ways you can teach your kids a Christian worldview so they interpret life by what is true — not what is trendy, easy or false.
1. What is really real?
When philosophies of the world compete with biblical truth, ask: "Is that really real?" When we are watching TV as a family and something comes on the screen that contradicts our Christian worldview, I might ask, "What are they really selling you?" The answer is often something like, "They want me to think that new car will make me cool." Bull's-eye! From here, we can talk about whether a car makes someone cool or if coolness is even important to God.
Our kids want — and need — to know what's really real. As Christians, we know that God's Word is what defines truth, not personal experience.
The truth? God is the ultimate reality, and the way we learn about that reality is from His Word — not our feelings, popular culture or peers.
2. What's the point of trials and difficulties?
Your child's worst days can be the best times to teach a Christian worldview. When my 14-year-old didn't make the basketball team, he struggled with disappointment, so we talked about whether God knew what was going to happen. My son was surprised when he realized God knew but allowed the circumstances anyway.
The even harder question was raised about our friend's son who died of cancer. This tragedy led to discussions about the reality that, without God, man doesn't have the resources needed to get through the difficult events in life.
The truth? Man, who is fallen, needs God.
3. What's the challenge for both parent and child?
A Christian worldview is about thinking rightly so we can have a strong relationship with God. In this way, loving God means thinking as a Christian and embracing the Bible's teachings. When my kids see that thinking about Truth is the first step in the process of living the Truth, they look differently at God’s Word.
The truth? The evidence of a Christian worldview is the life of a person who has a close relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, don't dodge your kids' hard questions. We need to build our lives on what can’t be shaken: God's Truth — all the way down.
James Sire, author of The Universe Next Door, tells a story that influenced the way I looked at the world. The story goes something like this:
A boy came home one day and asked his father, "What holds up the world, Dad?"
The father answered with a storybook reply, "A camel holds up the world, son."
But the next day the boy was back. "Dad, if a camel holds up the world, what holds up the camel?" The father answered quickly, "A kangaroo."
Soon, the son returned. "Dad, what holds up the kangaroo?" Knowing he was now in trouble, the father said emphatically, "An elephant!"
"Come on, Dad, what holds up the elephant?"
Exasperated, the father blurted, "It's . . . it's elephant — all the way down!"
Besides illustrating that kids ask the toughest questions, the story shows that when a parent doesn't answer thoughtfully or replies flippantly, it doesn't eliminate a child's curiosity. Tough questions shouldn't be avoided. In fact, they offer some of the best opportunities to teach a Christian worldview.
Del Tackett, president of the Focus Leadership Institute, describes a worldview as "the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world." The best tool we can give our children is to teach them how to accurately make sense of life.
Questions about life lead to teachable moments. Here are three ways you can teach your kids a Christian worldview so they interpret life by what is true — not what is trendy, easy or false.
1. What is really real?
When philosophies of the world compete with biblical truth, ask: "Is that really real?" When we are watching TV as a family and something comes on the screen that contradicts our Christian worldview, I might ask, "What are they really selling you?" The answer is often something like, "They want me to think that new car will make me cool." Bull's-eye! From here, we can talk about whether a car makes someone cool or if coolness is even important to God.
Our kids want — and need — to know what's really real. As Christians, we know that God's Word is what defines truth, not personal experience.
The truth? God is the ultimate reality, and the way we learn about that reality is from His Word — not our feelings, popular culture or peers.
2. What's the point of trials and difficulties?
Your child's worst days can be the best times to teach a Christian worldview. When my 14-year-old didn't make the basketball team, he struggled with disappointment, so we talked about whether God knew what was going to happen. My son was surprised when he realized God knew but allowed the circumstances anyway.
The even harder question was raised about our friend's son who died of cancer. This tragedy led to discussions about the reality that, without God, man doesn't have the resources needed to get through the difficult events in life.
The truth? Man, who is fallen, needs God.
3. What's the challenge for both parent and child?
A Christian worldview is about thinking rightly so we can have a strong relationship with God. In this way, loving God means thinking as a Christian and embracing the Bible's teachings. When my kids see that thinking about Truth is the first step in the process of living the Truth, they look differently at God’s Word.
The truth? The evidence of a Christian worldview is the life of a person who has a close relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, don't dodge your kids' hard questions. We need to build our lives on what can’t be shaken: God's Truth — all the way down.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Jesus Storybook Bible
Julie mentioned this book in MOPS on Friday. We have it, too, and it is wonderful. Amy Johnson tripped upon this blog entry on Friday about the very same book...serendipitous timing? Read her review and endorsement. You may want to pick one up for Easter this year! Enjoy!
http://www.sarahmarkley.com/2010/03/the-jesus-storybook-bible/
http://www.sarahmarkley.com/2010/03/the-jesus-storybook-bible/
Monday, March 8, 2010
Making the Bible Fun
How to reach children ages 0-3 with God's Word
by Lynne M. Thompson
It was Bible Time, which meant my children were curled up on the couch with their blankies, ready for naptime. I read to them the story about Noah, and when I came to the part about loading up the animals, I paused. "Don't you wonder what it would be like to float in a boat with all those animals," I asked. My sleepyheads shrugged. Grinning, I pulled the cushions off the couch and shouted "Let's go get all of our stuffed animals and find out!" Cheers followed my suggestion and before we knew it, we were floating in our living room with creatures great and small.
Play
Toddlers love to play, so incorporating imagination and excitement into your Bible time helps little ones develop a desire to learn. You'll first want to purchase an age-appropriate Bible, beginning with a toddler version and progressing toward a children's study Bible. Be sure to add a full dose of fun into your Bible reading. This might mean using action figures to reenact the story of David and Goliath, or clanging homemade musical instruments to one of the Psalms. I always enjoyed reading the "take-home" stories from their Sunday school classes, changing the names of the main characters to my own children's names to keep interest.
Learn
Although parents might wonder how much understanding occurs at this age, a new study at Indiana University has discovered that children may comprehend words sooner than previously suspected. Cognitive science experts Linda Smith and Chen Yu have reported that kids ages 12-14 months may be using a technique labeled "data mining" to acquire language. This is where "the human brain accumulates large amounts of data minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and handles this data processing automatically." It then sorts "through massive amounts of raw data to find relationships, correlations, and ultimately useful information." This "system" approach to language learning would explain the ease with which 2- and 3-year-olds can learn one word at a time.
I started teaching my children memory verses at a young age by using body movements. For instance, when reciting "In the beginning God created the heavens" I would stand on my toes and reach my arms up high, and for "and the earth" I would squat down and touch the floor. Later, when my children could speak, I would repeat the verse, but leave out key words for them to fill in.
Do
Teaching your child the Bible also involves what you do outside the home with your little ones. My children and I took a trip every Thursday to the nearby retirement home, where we handed out flowers to each of the residents. One day when my mom was taking a blooming plant to grandma at the hospital, to her surprise, my son began plucking off the flowers and handing them to the patients in the hallway. To him, it was just an opportunity to show kindness, just like the Good Samaritan did in the Bible.
More Fun Ideas:
•Rock your child to sleep at night singing praise songs and hymns.
•Dress up as Bible characters.
•Invite other children over for a Bible story time with treats afterwards.
•Turn up the music and dance to specially recorded toddler songs like Psalty's Songs for Li'l Praisers or Bob and Larry Sing the 70's.
•Deliver handmade cards to church shut-ins.
by Lynne M. Thompson
It was Bible Time, which meant my children were curled up on the couch with their blankies, ready for naptime. I read to them the story about Noah, and when I came to the part about loading up the animals, I paused. "Don't you wonder what it would be like to float in a boat with all those animals," I asked. My sleepyheads shrugged. Grinning, I pulled the cushions off the couch and shouted "Let's go get all of our stuffed animals and find out!" Cheers followed my suggestion and before we knew it, we were floating in our living room with creatures great and small.
Play
Toddlers love to play, so incorporating imagination and excitement into your Bible time helps little ones develop a desire to learn. You'll first want to purchase an age-appropriate Bible, beginning with a toddler version and progressing toward a children's study Bible. Be sure to add a full dose of fun into your Bible reading. This might mean using action figures to reenact the story of David and Goliath, or clanging homemade musical instruments to one of the Psalms. I always enjoyed reading the "take-home" stories from their Sunday school classes, changing the names of the main characters to my own children's names to keep interest.
Learn
Although parents might wonder how much understanding occurs at this age, a new study at Indiana University has discovered that children may comprehend words sooner than previously suspected. Cognitive science experts Linda Smith and Chen Yu have reported that kids ages 12-14 months may be using a technique labeled "data mining" to acquire language. This is where "the human brain accumulates large amounts of data minute-by-minute, day-by-day, and handles this data processing automatically." It then sorts "through massive amounts of raw data to find relationships, correlations, and ultimately useful information." This "system" approach to language learning would explain the ease with which 2- and 3-year-olds can learn one word at a time.
I started teaching my children memory verses at a young age by using body movements. For instance, when reciting "In the beginning God created the heavens" I would stand on my toes and reach my arms up high, and for "and the earth" I would squat down and touch the floor. Later, when my children could speak, I would repeat the verse, but leave out key words for them to fill in.
Do
Teaching your child the Bible also involves what you do outside the home with your little ones. My children and I took a trip every Thursday to the nearby retirement home, where we handed out flowers to each of the residents. One day when my mom was taking a blooming plant to grandma at the hospital, to her surprise, my son began plucking off the flowers and handing them to the patients in the hallway. To him, it was just an opportunity to show kindness, just like the Good Samaritan did in the Bible.
More Fun Ideas:
•Rock your child to sleep at night singing praise songs and hymns.
•Dress up as Bible characters.
•Invite other children over for a Bible story time with treats afterwards.
•Turn up the music and dance to specially recorded toddler songs like Psalty's Songs for Li'l Praisers or Bob and Larry Sing the 70's.
•Deliver handmade cards to church shut-ins.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Passing It On
adapted from an article by Lisa Whelchel
Since the time my kids were toddlers,I’ve incorporated
“read your Bible” time into their daily routine, somewhere
between “brush your teeth” and “make your bed.” When they
were tiny, we used a simple picture Bible. As they’ve grown,
they’ve enjoyed our reading out of The Message, The Living
Bible, and The New Living Translation together. These
paraphrases and translations bring the stories to life and
the truths to heart.
The amount of reading we’ve recommended has varied depending
on their age. . . We’ve also purchased children’s devotions that
make thinking deeper about the Scriptures fun. . .
Of course, when it comes to shaping and molding, nothing’s as
effective as “modeling” clay. Make sure your son or daughter
catches you having your personal quiet time with the Lord.
"Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
Prepare
How are you building a spiritual foundation in the lives of your children? Share your ideas here!
Since the time my kids were toddlers,I’ve incorporated
“read your Bible” time into their daily routine, somewhere
between “brush your teeth” and “make your bed.” When they
were tiny, we used a simple picture Bible. As they’ve grown,
they’ve enjoyed our reading out of The Message, The Living
Bible, and The New Living Translation together. These
paraphrases and translations bring the stories to life and
the truths to heart.
The amount of reading we’ve recommended has varied depending
on their age. . . We’ve also purchased children’s devotions that
make thinking deeper about the Scriptures fun. . .
Of course, when it comes to shaping and molding, nothing’s as
effective as “modeling” clay. Make sure your son or daughter
catches you having your personal quiet time with the Lord.
"Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
Prepare
How are you building a spiritual foundation in the lives of your children? Share your ideas here!
Monday, March 1, 2010
God's timing
"He has made everything beautiful in it's time." Eccl. 3:11
Yeah, it's almost spring! Just flipping the calendar to March fills me with anticipation of green grass, yellow daffodils, purple crocuses. Sometimes in our lives it seems as if we are just waiting for tomorrow...so we miss what God's gifts are for us TODAY. It can be so easy to long for something so much that we become unable to see the beauty in today. Maybe you've been praying for your spouse's salvation, reconciliation with a friend or answers to a tough issue in your life. We often think, why not today, Lord?
"God is consistently, perfectly, always on time. You may be waiting for God to fulfill a promise to you. Don't lose hope; he's on time and always keeps his promises. However, sometimes God's waiting room can be God's training room. Waiting helps you grow into the woman he intends you to be"
God can use today, right now, to mold you to be more like Him...but you need to be available. You need to focus on today, not tomorrow. Look for the beauty out your window, while there's still snow and know that God's promise is that spring WILL come.
Prepare
Can you remember a time that you were waiting on God and how He worked in you life during that waiting time? That is part of your testimony. Share it here!
Yeah, it's almost spring! Just flipping the calendar to March fills me with anticipation of green grass, yellow daffodils, purple crocuses. Sometimes in our lives it seems as if we are just waiting for tomorrow...so we miss what God's gifts are for us TODAY. It can be so easy to long for something so much that we become unable to see the beauty in today. Maybe you've been praying for your spouse's salvation, reconciliation with a friend or answers to a tough issue in your life. We often think, why not today, Lord?
"God is consistently, perfectly, always on time. You may be waiting for God to fulfill a promise to you. Don't lose hope; he's on time and always keeps his promises. However, sometimes God's waiting room can be God's training room. Waiting helps you grow into the woman he intends you to be"
God can use today, right now, to mold you to be more like Him...but you need to be available. You need to focus on today, not tomorrow. Look for the beauty out your window, while there's still snow and know that God's promise is that spring WILL come.
Prepare
Can you remember a time that you were waiting on God and how He worked in you life during that waiting time? That is part of your testimony. Share it here!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Feeling tired?
I have to admit it...this snow is seriously getting to me! I have lived in much snowier climates, but that was before I had little people to bundle and get in and out of car seats, in and out of grocery stores. It just seems like spring will never come! I long to get outside with my girls and play and feel the warmth of the sun on my face.
I read this short devotional today, and in the midst of this grey winter it spoke to me!
"Life in general can wear you out. Life with children can be especially tiring - nurse the baby, change diapers, do laundry, go grocery shopping, make meals, wash dishes, drive to practices, discipline and train, play make-believe, read a favorite book, answer a thousand questions(amen!). . .how can you fit it all in one day? Do you sometimes dread waking up, knowing you're already behind? Try taking a few minutes each morning to ask God to arm you with strength. He will support you, guide you and encourage you. If you start your day with God, you may find you have more energy to actually enjoy the tasks you have before you."
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
Prepare
If you're like me and feeling a little tired, ask God to be your strength today! And, something just for fun, if you have any great ideas of fun things to do with your children, to add some fun in their day before the spring comes - list them in the comment section!
I read this short devotional today, and in the midst of this grey winter it spoke to me!
"Life in general can wear you out. Life with children can be especially tiring - nurse the baby, change diapers, do laundry, go grocery shopping, make meals, wash dishes, drive to practices, discipline and train, play make-believe, read a favorite book, answer a thousand questions(amen!). . .how can you fit it all in one day? Do you sometimes dread waking up, knowing you're already behind? Try taking a few minutes each morning to ask God to arm you with strength. He will support you, guide you and encourage you. If you start your day with God, you may find you have more energy to actually enjoy the tasks you have before you."
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.
Prepare
If you're like me and feeling a little tired, ask God to be your strength today! And, something just for fun, if you have any great ideas of fun things to do with your children, to add some fun in their day before the spring comes - list them in the comment section!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Is there a "perfect time" for quiet time?
Q: Some say it is best to have your devotional
time first thing in the morning—that you’re
somehow more blessed if you do. Why is that?
A: Many believers have discovered the importance of
incorporating devotions or quiet time into their daily
lives. They make a point to set aside a specific time
each day for personal Bible study, worship, and prayer.
It’s a wonderful way to connect with God—to develop
and strengthen our relationship with him. Attending
church services, Sunday school classes, and group Bible
studies can help, too. But there’s something very special
about the time we spend one-on-one with God. During
his earthly ministry, Jesus himself often slipped away
from the crowds to spend time alone with his Father—
sometimes early in the morning, sometimes late at night
(Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12).
With all of our responsibilities, commitments, and
obligations, it can be a real challenge for any of us to
find a “quiet” time these days. For some, the simplest
way is to get up a little earlier in the morning. Some find
it easier to squeeze in a few minutes during the lunch
hour or their toddler’s naptime. Others say they can
relax and concentrate better in the evening.
The Bible doesn’t specify any particularly beneficial
time of day for us to commune with God. Ultimately, our
goal is to be in constant communion with him day and
night (Deut. 6:6–8, 1 Thess. 5:16–18).
So why do some believers insist that morning devotions
are best? Perhaps because, like many of us, they’ve
discovered that if you put it off until later in the day
you may never get to it. Life continually throws all
kinds of interruptions and distractions our way. Having
our devotional time first thing is a way of making a
statement about our priorities. There is a very real
benefit to beginning with a strong spiritual focus,
committing our day to God before it’s begun. It gives
us a sense of purpose. It prepares us to take advantage
of divine appointments and strengthens us in advance
of the trials and temptations we may face.
But if evening is truly the best time for you, by all
means have your quiet time then. The most important
thing is that you do it! However, you might consider
taking five minutes in the morning to review what you
studied the night before. Read a brief devotional or
choose a few Scriptures to meditate on throughout the
day. Then, with your focus firmly in place, you’ll be
ready for whatever comes your way.
by Christin Ditchfield
Prepare
What time of day do you think is ideal for quiet
time? Why?
Is your ideal time realistic considering your
schedule? If not, what other time is best for you?
How will you set that time apart to be with God?
time first thing in the morning—that you’re
somehow more blessed if you do. Why is that?
A: Many believers have discovered the importance of
incorporating devotions or quiet time into their daily
lives. They make a point to set aside a specific time
each day for personal Bible study, worship, and prayer.
It’s a wonderful way to connect with God—to develop
and strengthen our relationship with him. Attending
church services, Sunday school classes, and group Bible
studies can help, too. But there’s something very special
about the time we spend one-on-one with God. During
his earthly ministry, Jesus himself often slipped away
from the crowds to spend time alone with his Father—
sometimes early in the morning, sometimes late at night
(Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12).
With all of our responsibilities, commitments, and
obligations, it can be a real challenge for any of us to
find a “quiet” time these days. For some, the simplest
way is to get up a little earlier in the morning. Some find
it easier to squeeze in a few minutes during the lunch
hour or their toddler’s naptime. Others say they can
relax and concentrate better in the evening.
The Bible doesn’t specify any particularly beneficial
time of day for us to commune with God. Ultimately, our
goal is to be in constant communion with him day and
night (Deut. 6:6–8, 1 Thess. 5:16–18).
So why do some believers insist that morning devotions
are best? Perhaps because, like many of us, they’ve
discovered that if you put it off until later in the day
you may never get to it. Life continually throws all
kinds of interruptions and distractions our way. Having
our devotional time first thing is a way of making a
statement about our priorities. There is a very real
benefit to beginning with a strong spiritual focus,
committing our day to God before it’s begun. It gives
us a sense of purpose. It prepares us to take advantage
of divine appointments and strengthens us in advance
of the trials and temptations we may face.
But if evening is truly the best time for you, by all
means have your quiet time then. The most important
thing is that you do it! However, you might consider
taking five minutes in the morning to review what you
studied the night before. Read a brief devotional or
choose a few Scriptures to meditate on throughout the
day. Then, with your focus firmly in place, you’ll be
ready for whatever comes your way.
by Christin Ditchfield
Prepare
What time of day do you think is ideal for quiet
time? Why?
Is your ideal time realistic considering your
schedule? If not, what other time is best for you?
How will you set that time apart to be with God?
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