He Opened my Eyes

During our devotion time this morning we were listening to Tim Hughes 'Beautiful One'. I closed my eyes and imagined what Jesus would look like if I sang it to him. I imagined Jesus enjoying the moment and swaying back and forth while sitting in his usually spot; his big wooden deck chair(#8). After a while I guess he stood because then I imagined my family members coming to him one by one and he hugged them, some did not respond to the hug, for them I prayed for something special to happen today so they might recognize Jesus in their life. All this time the song and video was still playing, actually it had only been two and half minutes because I opened my eyes at this time and saw to my amazement the picture on the screen was of the place I imagine Jesus and I meeting, no kidding our  place looks almost exactly like the picture at 2:39, this was the place I was just at in my minds eye... the yellow grass field with one lone tree in the middle and the trees beyond the Field. and the words on the screen caught my attention too "Open my eyes to your wonders anew, you captured my heart with this love. Because nothing on earth is as beautiful as you." He opened my eyes, Jesus wanted me to see it, I am amazed at his wondrous ways.

Asking for Prayer

Why is it so hard to share things about ourselves when it comes to prayer? Even when those we would share our 'small' or large need with are trustworthy and truly interested in us. It seems easy to ask others to pray for the concerns of a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a cat or dog but for ourselves we become shy and remain silent.
I always pray with a group of ladies on Tuesday mornings(when I can get there). They are true and enthusiastic prayer warriors. I am like a student in their midst yet they never ever treat me that way; they treat me as a equal. I really need to brag about them more often. The thing is I just don't say a whole lot about my personal prayer requests there. I don't have huge personal needs to ask for but I am sure I could think of tons of places in my life I need more of God but I hardly say a thing about my requests. I think it's  - too small, not too important and better to listen.
Some people might say, listening to others is better than talking about yourself, ok in some places and times this is the best advice but if we are not going to be real in prayer times with our fellow prayers when will we be? To remain silent about our specific needs for God in prayer smells a little like pride. Maybe we are afraid of what people will think of us when they know our specific needs or we are worried people will try to fix, give advice, comfort or make a big deal out of us, which of course does happen, but we need to get past what other people think or do and just do what we know we need to do. We need to surrender our pride. It is hard to say "Pray that I trust God more because right now I do so much on my own strength." or "I am having a hard time hearing the voice of God. Pray that I will hear him again."
Since I decided to be more vulnerable in all areas of life I thought I would mention my lent to my prayer group and then I asked them to pay for me. Even though we have prayed together for years I still felt awkward saying "Pray that I will lay aside what people may think and be more real in my life."

These are my thoughts; what are your thoughts on the topic?

** Do you like my new background colours? I thought I would change it up to be a little more springy... though no spring here today only a blizzard.

September 18

Here are some words from the Apostle Paul.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as the Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
Eph 4:32-5:2

That is packed full of truth.
What truths are written in these words?
Here are a few I see
- We are loved by God
- Jesus is God
- We need to forgive each other

There are more, what truths do you see are written in this passage? Comment if you like.

Ok and one more unrelated thing. I need my praying friends. I've had a very difficult week in some regards and I know that many of you are my prayer warriors, so it is very useful sharing this here. I won't tell you details but I will tell you, you can pray for my mind to be clear and focused on what is truth in this situation and then, that I will be able to be thankful, no matter what and trust God. Thank you.

The Provider

When it comes to getting meals on the table it's my job to provide(generally). But I was shown again who the true provider is...
Ben was sick for a week or so and I was doing double duty, taking care of the kids and Ben(I was actually sympathetic this time..LOL), taking care of all the details of a house we usually share. One day while Ben was sick I thought about asking God if he could send someone with a meal because I was getting a little tired...I didn't ask, but that day we got a pail of cookies, don't get me wrong I was very appreciative of the cookies but I distinctly remember thinking I shoulda asked for a meal .. we enjoyed the cookies none the less. Ben got better and then I was sick, in bed all day. I had no supper plan, nor did I want to think about it. I fell asleep saying to God "Today you can bring supper." ... Was I surprised when at 4:30 a friend arrived with a meal? .... Not so much surprised as completely delighted to know who my provider is. I was really excited for being sick. I thanked my friend for listening to God(she was thrilled because she had no idea that's what she'd done) and I thanked God for the food.

I know my provider ... Do you know Him?

Psalm 111

1 Praise the LORD.
I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.

3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.

8 They are steadfast for ever and ever,
done in faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

1 + 1 = 2 x as much

Don't know what to say when you pray?
Take a part of scripture and turn it into a prayer for yourself or for someone else.

I felt this scripture speak powerfully to me in prayer this week as I prayed it for myself.

Ephesians 1:17-20
"I keep asking you, Abba, my God and father of my Lord Jesus Christ, please give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know you better. I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened so that I will know the hope that you have called me to(Oh glorious day) That I might know the hope to which I have been called, that is the riches of your glorious inheritance I have in you. And I pray that I might also know and understand your incomparably great power for me because I believe. This power, is the working of your mighty strength and it is the same power that raised you, Jesus, from the dead. Amen"

Maybe I'm paying more attention these days but I've had more opportunities these days to pray with people, specific requests, than I even have. Humbling and a blessing, and I think this Ephesians prayer means that much more in these days. I need to know God better, be open eyed, know where my hope is, be enlightened to his thoughts and know His amazing power and authority is working through me. Scripture has such power and then combine that with prayer ... wwheewww ... envisioning amazing things!

The challenge to you - Use scripture in your prayer time.

**If you're one of those fabulous people that prays for me and reads my blog, wow may God really bless you. First - thank you and Second - now you have a specific request, Ephesians 1:17-20 for me:).**







1(scripture)+1(prayer)= 2 x as much

Just Breathe

Do you ever call God daddy?.... I don't it just seems strange.
Or how about this one
When talking to your dad or husband do you say "man" in the place where you might say his name or "hun"? or to your wife say "woman come here?" **advice from a woman -that one might not get a response or at best a negative one**
Your answer to the second is probably "NO". That's true for our house too I don't say to the kids "Go ask man." or "Go tell man it's noon and time to get out of bed." or "Where's man I need my feet rubbed."... :)
So what do these two questions have in common?
Ben pointed something out to be the other day that I want to share with you.. **Some of you have probably known this for years and this won't be a newsflash**
"God" is God's being title like "man" is Ben's title or "woman" is my title, why wouldn't we call God, when speaking to him, by a more intimate name than a being title, if he in fact is more intimate to us than that. God is so close to me I feel His presence, I would call him intimate. Jesus is a good personal name and I definitely call on Jesus but I mostly speak his name as "God" still. So if daddy is strange then here are some ideas- Father, Abba or Yahweh could work. I like Abba it means - "Oh father, or daddy" in Hebrew. I'll have to get used to that I think but I think it is worth the change, at least in most cases. What do you think?

Ben also taught me a prayer that also brings God..I should say Abba.. more intimate. I'm not sure where he picked it up but it is very practical and I'm going to call it "Just Breathe".

It all happens in one deep breath. It starts with breathing in and as you inhale you softly say "Abba" (it's almost as if your body softly says it on its own) and as you exhale you softly say "I am yours." or anything you need to give to God if it has 2-5 ish syllables it should work. Keep saying the prayer until the worries subside or say it as you fall asleep.
**I am not a professional at this I just tried it a few times**

My example of how I have used this already - these past few days I've been thinking a lot about my sister and brother in their situation. Instead of worrying, I Just Breathe "Abba, They belong to you."

I find it a good way to release to God and to put things into perspective.

Remember "Don't worry be happy!" **Flash from the past**
Cindy's words......
"Don't worry Just Breathe!"

Emotional

So it's been a few months since I blogged and it's been on my mind to blog for a while but I really wasn't knowing what to write. Well today I have something.
Emotional - It has been happening in prayer lately or when I start to talk about God with someone, I start to feel emotional, even at just hearing his name. It is almost like I can feel the Spirit in the room and then like my senses converge and don't know what to do so I feel the urge to cry or like this morning I just flat out bawl my eyes out. I knew that was coming for a while because in a way I had been holding out on letting it all out, or was that letting it all in. I suppose it was both. So much has been going on in our church theses days, to put it mildly and I realize the task of faithfully serving and loving our church has never been more pressing, than at this time. Which means I need to be spending a lot more time flat out before God. and at times that just seems overwhelming.
There is so much more I could say about letting it all out and letting it all in but it's late and I'm going to bed.

I have no challenge today but to myself - Pray!

Photo courtesy PDPhoto.org

Will God really have a word of direction for me?

God thrills me. He is so so amazing....
When I am agonizing over an issue and my heart is breaking and I begin to think and mull over the issue. Maybe you too are like this, you know you need to go to God, but you delay, at least I do, it's almost like I fight it. Then eventually as if I've exhausted all other avenues of help, I do it. What the reason is I do not know because I know my God is more in love with me than I can imagine and he wants to help me. (And that is true for you too) so I Go to God in prayer and to his words. But there is a thought in the back of my mind "Will it really help?" I open the bible to the place I last left off which sometimes seems more random than planned... will God really have a word of direction for me? I do this yet I know I have a very close connection to God, You too may feel it, but yet we all seem to have this innate nature, our sin nature I guess, that wants to go it alone. This morning I was like this and then I read the words I needed from scripture. He is truly amazing for his words are living and active, sharper than any double edge sword it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. and nothing in all creation is hidden from God he knows everything in us. (Hebrews 4:12-13) Which is also some scripture that God showed me this morning. I am not telling you these things ever to bring glory to myself but to God and actually to get you, yes you, to go to God, the living and active God who knows everything anyways. Like I said I struggle to get there too but once you go to Him he has a word of truth to speak into your heartache, illness, broken relationship, confusion, anger, daily grind. don't delay because here is the words I was given from God today
Hebrews 3:12-14 " See to it brothers(and sisters), that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. but encourage one another daily as long as it is called today. so that none of you may be hardened by sins deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first."
Today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts.
It may not be daily but these words from God plus the agonizing issue I am dealing with right now only drives me more to share this hear.
The answer to the blog title: YES!