Tagged: prayer

2

Encouragement / Teaching

HAPPY INTERSECTIONS

I am still processing the download that arrived last week during prayer—the one about our posture and position. Today, Charles Spurgeon spread a feast before me through one of his devotionals. The happy intersection of my ruminations converging with the lavish truths Mr. Spurgeon served up left me jumping for joy. Recounting the offices of Christ and reminding me that those are mine—free for the taking by any child of God, had me tucking my napkin into my shirt collar. Sitting up tall with fork and knife in hand, spiritually speaking, I gobbled up every morsel and then went back...

4

Prayer / Teaching

THE POSTURE OF POSITION

Image by StarFlames from Pixabay Position.  What comes to your mind when you read the word—position?  Does a station in life, place of employment, or personal ownership of a company capture your thoughts? Perhaps your standing with a particular association or birth order in your family registered. Position for a pilot, surgeon, and yoga instructor will probably resonate differently. Your almost-numb foot may have you changing your position.  God has much to say about position. Most importantly, about our position in Christ. A glorious location so incredible that when it is understood in the smallest degree, a posture of humility emerges. Meek...

4

Prayer / Teaching

A Silly Sheep’s Whispered Prayer

A wet swimsuit tossed on top of the wall-mounted gas heater in the bathroom set things in motion. The white wallpaper with dainty pink rosebuds and tiny green leaves wicked up the moisture creating a dull, damp, and noticeable swooping arch of gray. With more urgent tasks to accomplish in our old but new to us home, removing the wallpaper was not a priority. Now it took center stage. Most renovation projects seem easy until they morph into something we never imagined. Removing the ancient, well-secured wallpaper became a laborious task. Instead of peeling off generous swaths of paper, my raw fingers...

2

Comfort and Hope / Encouragement / Prayer

“Go. Break In!”

This is the final portion of a four-part series. You can read the first post here. The second part of the story is here, and clicking this takes you to the third segment. Sheri’s irresistible invitation to break into the garden had us hightailing it to Sunset Drive. She told us how to gain access. How could we resist experiencing this miracle in the making? After easing the bulky chain with the giant MASTER padlock over the metal fencing, we ventured in.  Yes, God, You are Master over all—every detail, all timing, each gift, this moment, I thought.  Photo: Angie...

2

Comfort and Hope / Encouragement

The Middle of the Story

PART THREE of the Following Jesus Birthday Trip. You can read PART TWO here. Sheri heard weeping the moment she stepped outside, beyond the smokey fire-charred remains of her store. It sounded like a child. Following the wailing to the garden, she discovered a little girl under the canopy of prayer requests. This precious one, unable to find the card she had written during a previous visit to the purple shop, was distraught. Sheri assured her not to worry, “Your prayer is safe with God.” Fire may have destroyed the building and its contents, but the real treasure—the prayers offered...

THY WILL, NOT MINE 2

Encouragement / Poetry

THY WILL, NOT MINE

Save Me From Myself Reign me in—don’t let me spinA skillful tale apart from HimWake me up to Satan’s schemesDon’t let me die within my dreamsOr fancied ways of coping withThe constant trials, tilts, and shiftsDo keep me in RealityWith Your eyes, Lord, help me see,Discern and learn, live Your truthO Lord, I long to see the proofOf what You say, who You areFleshed out whether causing scars,Joy or peace, pain or sorrow,Every moment, every hourClinging to the glorious VineYour life flowing into mineYour thoughts coursing in my veinsHoly, reverent, freeing trainsDiverting, guiding, setting freeFrom self-imposed captivityStaying present watching YouMoving...

ADVENT LOVE 0

Advent / Encouragement

ADVENT LOVE

AD’VENT, noun [Latin adventus, from advenio, of ad and venio, to come. See Find.] A coming; appropriately the coming of our Savior, and in the calendar, it includes four sabbaths before Christmas, beginning of St. Andrew’s Day, or on the sabbath next before or after it. Webster’s Dictionary 1828 LOVE MOVES Thou lovest like an infinite God when Thou lovest; Thou movest heaven and earth to save Thy loved ones. Thou becomest man, a babe, the vilest of men, covered with reproaches, dying with infamy and under the pangs of the cross; all this is not too much for an infinite...

ADVENT HOPE 0

Comfort and Hope

ADVENT HOPE

ADVENT DEFINED AD’VENT, noun [Latin adventus, from advenio, of ad and venio, to come. See Find.] A coming; appropriately the coming of our Savior, and in the calendar, it includes four sabbaths before Christmas, beginning of St. Andrew’s Day, or on the sabbath next before or after it. Webster’s Dictionary 1828 ADVENT HOPE THROUGH PRAYER The Valley of Vision – “The spring of my hope” Glorious Jehovah, my Covenant God, All Thy promises in Christ Jesus are yea and amen,and all shall be fulfilled.Thou hast spoken them, and they shall be done,commanded, and they shall come to pass. Yet I have...

Take note 8

Encouragement / Teaching

TAKE NOTE

It was spring. I cannot recall the specifics, only the spectacular nature of the event. Whatever happened seemed worthy of recording—a definite ‘take note’ moment. Grabbing a 3×5 note card, I recorded the incident, including the date in the corner of the card. The thought of documenting miraculous moments seemed like one of those ‘gotta do it’ situations. I looked around my home, considering where I might stash this, and future notes. The enamel bread box corralling the antique rolling pins was perfect. Easily accessible on the kitchen counter and large enough to hold months of memorable moments. Happy, I...

luck of the draw 8

Encouragement / Prayer

LUCK OF THE DRAW—NOT

The things that happen do not happen by chance, they happen entirely in the decree of God. God is working out His purposes. OSWALD CHAMBERS NOTHING HAPPENS BY ACCIDENT This past weekend a group of friends, old and new, pushed the pause button on life. We fled to our favorite fall retreat spot–a tranquil location we have visited for the last fifteen years. Every retreat is different in theme, message, and the silly antics of our annual Friday night game. But one thing is constant–God’s presence. What I never imagined was God surprising me with a special gift. Several months...