The Best Prayer

A simple offering of love….
A prayer that says, “I love you, God.”
Not for anything You have done, but for who You are.
Sometimes those are the best prayers.
Because isn’t that sometimes what you want as a parent?
Doesn’t it make your whole day, to have them run up…..
in the middle of whatever they were doing before
just to give a breathless, “I love you…..”
How does it feel to hear it and know they mean it?
And something changes within the child too…….
Soul of parent and child expand, connect.
A love reunited from ages past and one that will go on
ages from now…..a precious bloom for His eternal collection.
The Holy Spirit smiles……
We warm from inside out.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” 1 Peter 1:8

Spring has sprung……NOT!

See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Song of Solomon 2 11-13
Well, not quite yet. The weather report called for a chance of snow in San Francisco last night! About 50 insomniacs gathered in the Twin Peaks area around midnight, but no snow! However, right now it is only 48 degrees in Mesa, Arizona which is highly unusual! I have had my heater on more than I ever have this year. I confess I have enjoyed it. It has felt a bit more like winter.
I remember growing up in the farmland and orchards of the San Joaquin valley of California; I used to love it when all the cherries and almonds would blossom. After months of fog, rain and dampness, the sun would shine forth in brilliance and infuse people with false hope. Everyone would go out and start working in their yards, looking for rakes and garden tools long buried under Novembers mulchy leaves. We would glory in it, our faces upturned toward the sun……
Mom and I would go downtown to JC Penney and shop for my Easter dress, matching patent leather shoes of course, and the louder the better. Easter Sunday could not come fast enough. We would eagerly watch the weather the week before, hoping and praying for sun. Many times we would wake to ferocious biting winds with enough force to blow a hat clear into the next town, or a cold pelting rain. We would dash from the car to the church, fighting vociferously with inside out umbrellas. All the blossoms would be blown off the fruit trees.
Every now and again it would happen though…..we would get that perfect day.
For now though, I am enjoying the nice change. I am sorry for all of you dealing with more snow and ice and all the problems that brings, but when our summer starts and I walk outside at 5:00 AM and it is already oppressively hot, I will remember this wonderful winter!
I know that Spring will come, and on its heels the beginning of a long hot Summer, but that is as it should be. Even that will bring it’s own rewards. The seasons are God’s way of reassuring us that life does go on. It is reliable, this marking of time, this rhythm.
God’s rhythm. And it is very good.
And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years……Genesis 1:14
photos taken from publicdomainpictures.net

Waiting for the Fog to Lift

He sat there alone in his island of grief.
I could feel it from where I sat, I recognized it, remembering.
Just what is it we’re afraid of when someone is grieving?
That if we are too close we will catch it?
“Go over there” the Holy Spirit whispered.
I waited all day, awkward as I passed his desk each time.
Do I really want to go back there,
To that dark place I knew long ago?
“I don’t even know him,” I argued.
“But you know it” God said.
Yes, I do know it, I walked that path long ago.
And making contact, saying I understand, is a bit of going back to that grief.
That dark place.
I waited all day, and then tentatively, having to cross the room anyway,
I walked by his desk.
Said I was sorry for his loss,
Stuttered and stammered a bit.
I said the only words that really matter at a time like that.
“I lost a spouse too.”
And as I looked into his eyes I saw it.
Saw what I felt all those years ago.
Recognized it, felt it.
I pray that He recognized the same grief in my eyes.
That he knew that I knew.
More important than words.
We touched souls.
There is a consolation in going through terrible things once we have reached the other side. That we may help others find the way back though the fog. I remember so well, those first few weeks back at work. I was almost superhuman, but at the same time, moving through a pea soup fog, that made moving extremely difficult. Everything was labored. Life was going on all around me, but it was all outside. I was locked inside.
We may feel ineffective, like we don’t have the words. Many times we don’t. So don’t say anything. Just sit there a moment with your arm around them. Maybe shed a tear with them. Just don’t leave them alone. I can’t express how much the kind actions of others meant to me at that time. Yes, there were the stupid comments, the thoughtless comments. But all these years later, it is the kindness that emerges, that still at times moves me deeply.
The fog did lift. It always does.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4
This picture was taken by Andrew Schmidt at publicdomainpictures.net. I have always loved fog except for the danger of it. I was raised in the fog of San Joaquin county. It would come in so thick you couldn’t see the house across the street. I loved the way it surrounded everything, swallowed everything up. I liked the closeness of it. I never forget that on an extremely foggy day, I had the most incredible spiritual touch from God that I have ever had. That experience has never left me. However, the fog did get depressing at times, and it is extremely scary to drive in it.

A Great Mystery

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” Acts 17:24-26

Our lives will never be complete until we are reunited with our Father who created us. God has not hidden Himself, it is really rather easy to see Him every single day. When you listen to a child pray you hear how easy it is for them to speak freely without inhibition. They will pray about everything from a sick pet, to something that happened on the playground. When do we lose that?

The truth is, God is very close to us all and it is very easy to see Him every day.

When our heart is receptive….
When our minds dare to hope for what seems impossible.  Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” Mark 9:23 The Message

To me it is one of the great mysteries. How two people can hear the gospel message and one accepts, while the other rejects.

What would make my as yet unbelieving sister in law listen to a song called “Give Me Jesus,” a song I barely understood the words to as sung by Jessye Norman, filled with inflection and operatic overtones. What would make her understand and respond to every single word……and in her shaky hand, her body weak from cancer and chemo write the name of the artist and song title down?


And what would make my very liberal sister in law, also accept an invitation to a play one night, a play about Heaven and Hell, something I thought she would never attend? We were all surprised, and even more so when she walked down the aisle at the end to say “Yes” to Jesus.
 
Yes to Heaven, where she resides now.
 
Somebody prays, someone is sent, somebody preaches, somebody listens and responds……. Yes, it is a great mystery!

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14

Sometimes we preach with actions, sometimes with words, and hopefully always with lots of love behind them both….
 
What about you? What made you decide to follow Jesus?
 
God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. C.S. Lewis

Look to the animals…….

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7-10
In my devotional today I read of the remarkable characteristics of the bombadier beetle. This African insect shoots two common materials, hydrogen peroxide and hydroquinone from two storage tanks in it’s back. Apart, these substances are harmless, but together they are lethal. One shot of this toxic blend blinds the predator of this insect. A special nozzle inside the beetle mixes the chemicals, enabling it to bombard its foe at amazing speeds.
When I think of the creatures that surround me in this desert, I am equally amazed. I took the above shot on a morning walk. This female dove sitting on her nest, totally protected by the thorns on this Saquaro cactus. She stared at me from her safe vantage point as to rest in the knowledge of her protection….
I am totally convinced that if a person really studies just one aspect of creation, one aspect of our own bodies, we would throw away all thoughts of evolution forever. Instead this theory, this lie, is taught as fact in just about every classroom. How does this happen? It takes much more faith to believe in evolution than God in my opinion. The evidence of a loving Creator is overwhelming to me when I study nature.
I remember being taught evolution back in the sixties but I didn’t pay much attention to it, I chose to believe what I was taught in church and the Bible, and my parents. To me it made much more sense.
What do you think? Is belief in evolution compatible with Scripture? I know some Christians believe that God used evolution as His method of creation. Does it matter how it came about anyway?
Information on the bombadier beetle was supplied by Dave Egner, Our Daily Bread devotional
koala photo from Google images

True Freedom

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

The latest addition to my video library includes a concert given by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir inside Angola Prison. I knew about the prison but I had no idea what has been going on there for the past 15 or so years that Burl Cain became warden. What an eye opener! Come to find out there are scads of articles all over the net about this and how everyone is amazed at how the whole atmosphere of this prison, at one time one of the bloodiest and most violent prisons in existence. It used to be called “the Hole,” and “The Alcatraz of the South,” but now approximately 1,600 of the 5,000 inmates are born again Christians.

This prison has a very dark past that began before the Civil War. It is a place of no second chances and 85 percent of these prisoners will die within it’s walls. And yet……Everything started to change with the arrival of Burl Cain. He allowed Prison Fellowship to come in, and church groups to hold Bible studies. It now has 3 Chapels and a 200 student Bible college. They intentionally built the church steeples higher than the guard towers. They also have a Christian radio station on site.

Most moving to me were the testimonies of these prisoners, many of them as young as 18 when they entered. They know they may be in for life, but now they have hope for the first time because they have met the only one who can make anyone truly free, Jesus Christ. No longer hopeless, you can now see the light of Christ behind their eyes.

Everything they had was stripped away, including their freedom. It was there that Jesus met them. Really, that is how we all must meet Him isn’t it?

When you get to the point where you realize we can do nothing to save ourselves, and nothing we do on our own is good enough, that is where He comes in. It is there He meets us. The tragedy is, some out here in the land of what we call freedom will never find Him because they are too busy chasing everything this world has to offer……

Because of their new life in Christ, these prisoners can taste true freedom for the first time, and they are sharing it with everyone who will listen! Burl Cain says: “When these guys step into church, they have a small island of freedom, because this is no longer prison, it is church.” That just about says it all.

We are all being rehabilitated really aren’t we? They are being rehabilitated for the outside world, and we are all being rehabilitated to live in Heaven someday. That is what this life is all about, getting us ready for the next!

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Philippians 1:3-7

Church at Angola Prison

Photos from Google

Modern Day Miracles

“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 Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” Ephesians 3:16-18

I have been extremely grateful, ever since I got back from my trip back home…….I got the chance to see again what miracles God is doing in the lives of people. At times, it leaves me speechless, and at those times I just breath a prayer of thanks and gratitude. Endless gratitude. God is performing miracles in the lives of people, yes indeed, and I got to see Him again at work in those I know and those I don’t.

I have heard about two families brought back together from impossible places, a family who was torn apart by addiction, both homeless and scattered across the far reaches of a place I can’t even imagine. Children who weren’t sure where their next meal was coming from or where they would stay the night….I think of the agonizing nights and days spent praying for these people, these children. Lives on the brink of ruin, close to death, living out destruction. They were prayed for by so many people, for so long. Everything was done for them that could be. But in a situation like that, there is only so much that can be done…..and then our prayers landed them in a mission. That mission gave them a roof over their heads, some food, the husband a job and the Good News of Jesus Christ. We kept praying that it would “stick.”

The wife came back, got sober and clean, and so did the husband! They have now been baptized into the family of believers……my best friend got to attend church with them, her Nephew and his family, when she was there. They recently got their 2  year certificate of sobriety…..To hear of this miracle from her, to know that 6 kids are now safe and doing well, against all the odds. That is something only God could do.

Yet another friend has also been released from the prison of addiction, one we didn’t even know about until recently, a friend from long ago. She is now clean and sober, part of the family of God reunited with her daughter. She is now working with other recovering women, her life a testimony of praise!

Two impossible situations, two families brought from death to life…….No, my friends, I do not need to see anyone walk on water to believe. I see change, real and permanent, and lasting. The power of the Living God at work……

The list goes on:

Changed lives around me
Our answered prayers
The tears of gratitude
The grace that was extended
A real apology resulting in changed actions…..not just words.
Courage to rise from the ashes of bad choices
Faith to believe it is real
The knowledge that it is real
Joy that comes from seeing the heart-changer at work
A testimony of changed lives in all of us…..#631-641

Endless gratitude today, celebrate it with me, Ann and so many others……

holy experience

Just stoppin in…….

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27
Today I stopped in. I decided to touch bases with everyone who follows. I confess that it has been too long since I have done this…..I came to your porch and knocked softly. I confess I wanted to steal a peek in your window, your porch looked so inviting. With most, I made my presence known with a comment and an encouraging word. It was good to see you again. To get a glimpse into your corner, your world. And I was touched.
I saw and felt, love, sorrow, joy, humor…with some pain sprinkled in. I breathed prayers over you, your families….did you feel it? When I read your posts, I tried to envision your porch as I stood there. I listened for sounds within…..I heard children playing, life happening, cereal spilling, dogs barking, doors slamming, cars starting up and pulling into the driveway.
I heard laughter, and saw someone bend down to pet a cat that had wound itself around a pair of ankles. I heard pages turning, furniture creaking, floors groaning, heaters coming on, flaring up after being turned down at night.
Sometimes I heard soft weeping, and that was when I hoped you felt my prayers wrap around you…….Sometimes I heard anger and that was when I hoped my prayers made somebody stop, think…..say “I am sorry, will you forgive me?” Because life really is too short to get mad over silly little things.
I saw you smile, and then I smiled too!
Thank you for fellow bloggers and also those that have none but are reading along with me. Thank you for letting me into your world, and allowing you to see into mine.
Be blessed today, and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you!
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galations 6:9,10
photo from flicker and publicdomainpictures.net

Settling into His will

Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:33

If you have ever missed a plane or a train, you know how disappointing it feels. Commuter trains are especially fast. In the two minutes it took to buy the paper I just had to have, the train left me in the dust.

Ever feel like there is some big definitive thing God wants you to do and you either haven’t figured it out yet or He hasn’t informed you what it is? If you grew up in church like me, you probably heard that “God has a plan for your life” a hundred or so times. Well, He does have a plan. He wants you to know Him and He wants you to walk hand in hand with Him for rest of your life, all the way into eternity. End of story.

Once we have done that, He will lead us in the other big decisions of life…….”in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

We don’t have to feel that God’s plan is on a train and we just missed it. His timing is perfect and as long as I am praying and seeking His will, I can rest in the fact that He will lead me in the right direction. God is extremely creative! If I miss an opportunity, He will supply another one. He is extremely patient. He doesn’t hold His plan above our heads waiting to see if we can figure it out, it is all mapped out perfectly in His Word!

The challenge is resting confidently in His will as we begin to live it out.  These promises are ours to help us on the way…….

“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

photo from google images

The Phantom Christian

“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;  but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” Romans 7:21-23

Bob George introduces a concept in his book, “Classic Christianity”, that intrigued me, and I immediately recognized what he describes as the Phantom Christian syndrome. It is that image we all have in our head of the person we think God expects us to be. What we expect ourselves to be. You know the one…..the one that never fails to get up early for morning devotions, is at church every time the doors open, volunteers their time sacrificially every weekend, leads Bible studies, never blows up, excels at work and has everyone in rapt attention by their wonderfully interesting devotions around the table at dinner.

The way he describes it is really quite ridiculous, and he means it to be. Do we really think God will love us more if we do all these things? Sometimes I confess I do. I even do it with blogging. Sometimes I think you will love me more if I can just manage to capture those perfect and illustrious posts that I see in my head. The ones that always come out clear and evoke beautiful thoughts and emotions. But the truth is, that is not what God wants any of us to do. He just wants me to be the very best me I can be, expressing in my own words the things He wants me to say. Just like you.

Sometimes it helps to know that others are struggling just like we are, especially those we don’t expect, like the Apostle Paul. When I was at my Mom’s Bible study last week, a lady I greatly admire for her faith and boldness in talking to people about the Lord said that she is a bit upset at the way God not only allowed but actually orchestrated the tragic events in Job’s life. I was surprised, and I admit also a bit comforted by her confession.

It all comes full circle back to Christ. He is the only one who can give us the power and the victory to be the person He wants us to be. The one we are becoming. He sees us as we will be…….And He loves us right now where we stand. He sees the million small decisions we make to be better, to not blow up, to pray more, turn our eyes to Him when we see a beautiful full moon, and thank Him.
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:56, 57

photo by Jon Luty http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/