Fruitful Words

1. I’m starting a new quarter in seminary. I need prayers for organization & diligence; a quick, retentive mind; and applicability of what I learn.
2. I have 4 more quarters until graduation. Pray that happens in May 2009.
3. Regarding that, please pray for funds, strength, perseverance and all of #1.
4. Pray that my classes aren’t just classes. I want to find God’s will & heart in each class. I want to be captured & motivated by these qualities.
5. The next M&M Saturday is April 19th at 9 am. It will be on prayer. Please ask God to show Himself REAL to each woman who shows up. . . . That each woman will be encouraged, enthused and enlightened by this one hour of time together. . . . John Wesley said that “Prayer is truly the most useful of all pastimes.” Pray that I experience the truth of that statement. And that the women do too.
6. We have two pregnant women at church. Please pray for health and safe pregnancy/delivery for mom and baby. . . . That the transition will be smooth for all concerned. . . . That God will meet all the needs spoken and unspoken. . . . That the babies will come to know Christ at an early age and walk in a close love-relationship with out Saviour. . . That the church body will thoughtfully, consistently and lovingly gather around these women and their families to meet their needs and even some of their wants. . . . Please ask God to bless them and the blessings they carry in a very tangible way.
7. Retreat is happening June 4-6. Pray that all the details will be taken care of easily, well, and thoroughly in FUN. . . . Pray for the speaker and worship team. . . . Pray that the hearts of the attendees are already being prepared by God to hear from Him. . . . That friendships will be deepened or made.
8. About 6 Bible studies are happening at church. Please pray that the leaders put in the time to prepare for the class. . . . That the attendees prepare as well. . . . That the Word of God impacts thoughts & actions. . . . That relationships will be deepened with each other & with God.
9. Pastor Mike is preaching on “God’s remedy for Financial Worries.” Pray that the Word of God is mightier than our fear, habits, and strongholds. . . . That we live in the strength, joy, power & generosity of the Holy Spirit. . . . That this series impacts us so much that our watching family, friends and co-workers notice a difference. . . . That they want to have a new relationship with Christ.
10. Our youth pastor and his support staff are awesome. Please pray that God continues to give them all strength, unity, discernment, passion, and an ongoing and pure relationship with Him.
11. Women’s Ministry needs your prayer. Pray that we do God’s will as individuals and as a team. . . . That God continues to give each of us strength, unity, discernment, passion, and an ongoing and pure relationship with Him.
12. Please pray for my ex. His birthday is on the 12th and he has been on my mind a lot this past week. . . . Pray that God’s blessings saturate his mind, soul, heart and body. . . . That healing, peace, joy and provision find and meet his needs. . . . That relationship reconciliation is a deep yearning for him that takes place soon. . . . That God is a Friend as well as Master; Lover and King; Brother and Saviour.
13. Pray that I am diligent with my 40 days of prayer. . . That I discern God’s voice in the matters I am praying about. . . . That I am humble and mature enough to follow His will.

Now, how may I pray for you? You can leave a request here, on my home phone or email.

It is a great truth that Our God hears and answers prayer. I am grateful that He alwyas answers according to our best and His glory.

 Does an over-abundance of things on your to-do list overwhelm you? Cause you to procrastinate?

It does me!

This is a busy weekend for me. And I don’t want to procrastinate. I want to eliminate the items on my list.

Please pray that I overlook the overwhelm.  I forget (too often) that God can help me master this problem 

How can I pray for you?

I’d be thrilled if the following was completed this weekend . . . .  

(more…)

Recently a friend and I were talking about Jesus.

• Did we know Him? Really know Him?
• What difference would it make if we really knew Him?

Dr. Lockridge knew Him.

“Dr. Lockridge, a retired Baptist pastor was spotted in the audience at the beginning of a Baptist convention. The organiser of the convention asked him to come up to the stage, and open up in prayer. What followed was [this] stunning description of what God means to Dr. Lockridge.” (Found at Ignite.)

Some say the resulting prayer was almost 7 minutes long.What a prayer life Dr. Lockridge had because he knew more than who Jesus was. He knew Jesus.

Listen to this youtube rendition of the prayer.

Today, I was most encouraged by these descriptors . . .

• Well, my King is a King of knowledge.
• He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
• He’s the pathway of peace.
• He’s the captain of the conquerors.
• He’s the leader of the legislatures.
• He’s the overseer of the overcomers.
• He’s the governor of governors.
• He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords.

Listening and pondering such words helps me focus on my growing knowledge about and relationship with Christ.

In this time of political uncertainty and too many choices,I want and need to know the God of knowledge, wisdom and peace. I yearn to follow and to be led by the captain of the conquerors, the leader of the legislatures, the overseer of the overcomers, and the Lord of lords.

What encourages you from this prayer? What do you want/need to know about Jesus? Please share as I’d love to pray for you.

(In no particular order)

1. Day 3 of the Master Cleanse
2. Church yesterday – the sermon was helpful, music was worshipful, the visiting was good. How cool that the song I meditated on in the steam room was also the one we sang - Open my eyes, Lord.
3. The Arnez’s getting back safely and having a good time.
4. Catching up with my sister.
5. Spending time with Tim and Adrienne.
6. Spending time with Elizabeth.
7. Manicure Elizabeth gave to me. I have pretty pinky/purple toes.
8. How Elizabeth arranged the yellow room – complete with hanging the pictures.
9. Elizabeth re-arranging my room.
10. Safety at home, chruch, driving.
11. Filling up the needed slots at reteat. I’m going to trust God for this!
12. The things Tim did to sort out the watering situation.
13. Bob and how he parented and loved our children.
14. My plants - they are growing well
15. The abilty to do a good job on my paper - still not done so am thankign  and believing in advance.
16. A Washing machine and dryer that works.
17. For friends who care for and pry for me!!! This happened at church yesterday morning.
18. Your love for me that is everlasting and is not contingent upon my works or lack of them.  It is also enough. You meet my every need because of who you are: omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, Father, Saviour, Healer, eternal, holy, sovereign, Creator, creative, gracious and good, Just to name a few attributes.

Every day I make a list of what I am grateful for.  The date  indicates how many things I’ll write down. Since today is the 18th, I wrote up a list of 18 things. I am trying not to duplicate answers - which can get to be tough.

So what are you grateful for?

 Not me!

“Forgiveness means deferring the cause to Christ and deciding to be free of the ongoing burden of bittereness and blame.” *

 Tomorrow, June 17th is Father’s Day and would have been my 25th wedding anniversary. Since my divorce, both days remind me of some things I’d rather not face.

This forgiveness stuff is taking longer than I thought. And I also thought I was done with it in these two areas.

“Think again,” says God.

“Lord, without Your prodding, power and persistence, I cannot do this. Thank You that Your plans for me include healing and freedom from emotional pain and hard memories. Thank You, Father, for not EVER giving up on me, for not EVER discarding me. Help me to be faithful to You. Amen.”

*I read this quote in a devotional book by Beth Moore, “Praying God’s Word Day-by-Day: A Year of Devotional Prayer.”

Will tomorrow be a sad, hard or difficult day for you? If you share, I’d love to pray God’s blessing, protection and healing for you.

As you know, I’ll be going to Jordan at the end of July with 11 other people. Our main task is to teach English two hours every day.

Prayer cards are now available for each one of us. Click here to see the list and instructions for printing.

Besides these requests, please, also pray for . . .

• Continued healing for my back and knee.
• That I can sit!
• My schoolwork to be done intelligently and before the deadline.
• Fear to be replaced with courage and peace.

Thanks. If you want more specifics email or call me.

Check out these Michael W. Smith songs.

Agnus Dei You Tube video and and lyrics.

Awesome God You Tube video and and lyrics. Edited to add: This video does show some graphic clips. Click this to hear just the chorus - very moving.

Open the Eyes of My Heart You Tube video and and lyrics.

Here I am to Worship You Tube video and lyrics.

Forever We Will Sing You Tube video and and lyrics.

Draw Me Close to You You Tube video and and lyrics.

Breathe You Tube video and and lyrics.

Sigh. Music can point me to God. I feel ready to meet my world now. How about you?

Sometimes . . .

•  . . . Sometimes my heart spills out a grief I thought I had secretly locked away.
• . . . Sometimes I am overburdened with physical & emotional pains and I just know it’s gonna always be this way .
• . . . Sometimes my best intention or action is not good enough to heal a broken relationship.
• . . . Sometimes my “addictions” are stronger than Christ’s power in me. And I’m ashamed to admit that.
• . . . Sometimes my loneliness and depression envelope me to the point of blackness.
• . . .  Sometimes I need a fresh, tangible, personal touch from God.

Can you relate, sister? Will you join me as I Cry Out to Jesus?

Scroll down on this link and you’ll see the words and You Tube video for this song from Third Day.

If I may help you carry your burden, please email or call me. It would be my privilege to pray and love on you.  :-).

Yesterday I went to church for the first time in 5 weeks. I squirmed a lot trying to get comfortable, but I made it. I never realized how uncomfortable the pews are!

The sermon on Jonah 1, music and visiting with some sure made up for any discomfort I had.

I left the service thinking about how faithfully I follow God’s will for my life.

• Do I “coom“? Arise quickly and go in the direction God wants me to go. (Not batting a 100 here.)
• Or ”viacoom“? Arise and quickly go in the opposite direction God requests. (I have to say “yes” I do this sometimes.)

Sometimes fear prevents me from cooming. Sometimes it is laziness. Or even pride.

My prayer is that I will be quickly obedient to God the first time He asks.

How about you? How do you fare in this topic of first time obedience?

PS - It’s great feeling so much better!

As I wrote earlier, contemplative prayer is a big deal right now.Christian Women Online has an article by Keri Wyatt Kent on this topic.

Keri suggests three techniques which she has used for a decade. Here’s a quick summary in reverse order. Go here to read a specific example of how to do each one.

•  Being There - “Gospel meditation, or “being there,” has traditionally been called the Ignatian Method, after Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556). He instructed his followers to spend time with Jesus by imagining themselves in the gospel story. Imagine yourself in the story while reading a passage.” The authors of the two books I referenced earlier would call this visualization. Unfortunately, the new agers have highjacked this term and it now tends to mean something anti-biblical.
• Breath Prayer - “A breath prayer is a short prayer that can be prayed in the space of one breath. It expresses your love for God and your desire for God’s touch in your life. . . Sometimes, it’s a form of confession or self-examination.  . . . A classic breath prayer used for centuries comes from Luke 18:13: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
• Deep Listening - “You read a passage slowly several times, spending time in silence between readings, letting the words sink into your soul as you listen for the one word or phrase that touches you most deeply.”

This is also called Lectio Divina which doodah referred to and has been practiced by Christians for centuries.  You breathe in God’s word and breathe out a prayer. The intent (I think) is to be so in tune with God’s Words that you hear God’s message not your interpretation. “Traditionally, this practice includes four parts: reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.”

I am excited about continuing this discussion with y’all. And learning more on how to incorporate some of these disciplines into my life in a lasting way. I just wrote in a paper (for school) that I need to find a community who practices these with me and holds me accountable.