A Prayer for the New Year

Almighty Father:

As we reflect on the year that has passed, we recognize that there were times of both joy and of sorrow.  We rejoice in the new lives that came into the world and grieve those that came to an end; the jobs that were found and those that were lost; those individuals who commited their lives to You and those for whom we continue to pray.  We acknowledge that while we often failed to understand, You were present in all of these circumstances.

As we turn our sights to the new year, we pray for hearts willing to put Your will before our own; for eyes to see those who hurt; for hands and feet eager to take the good news into the world; and for the faith to put everything about which we care into Your hands.  Amen.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
          Jeremiah 29:11-13

Christmas Eve Prayer

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.

Amen.


Robert Louis Stevenson

Halfway through Advent: Have I missed it?

Dear Jesus,

It's halfway through Advent and I'm not sure what happened. I really wanted to make this a reflective and calm season, preparing for your birth and pondering how you came into this world in such a stunningly humble way. But it's so busy and I'm distracted and sometimes even short-tempered with those I love the most. Where are you in THAT?

I am discouraged and wish I could start over. But as I sit here in the rare moment of silence, I contemplate your birth. In a bed of straw, with the smell of manure everywhere. It's a mess in that stable ... and come to think of it, my life is a little messy, too. I suddenly see that it is not just into the mess of the stable but into my mess that you enter the world. You came into a humble place and that humility is often where I live my life - feeling guilty or distracted and wishing I were a better person. But if I stop thinking of myself and focus on you, I realize that there you are, waiting to love me, even though I have so many unfulfilled good intentions about prayer, so many desires of how to change this fleeting Advent season.

I can begin Advent today and make this season deeper by making room in my heart for you. I can take just a moment before I get out of bed in the morning and feel the empty place in my life I so often fill with my busy-ness. It is there I need you the most. Come, Lord Jesus. Come into that dark and lonely spot in my heart. You know what my needs are more than I do. Let me feel your love. If I only carry that thought with me each day, it will prepare me for Christmas.

Thank you, Jesus. It's not too late. You are waiting to enter my life today, where ever I let you in. Help me to open my heart in these remaining days.

http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent/advent-prayers.html#Halfway

A Prayer of Confession for the Season of Advent

O promised Christ:

We are a world at war.
Our peace depends on your coming.

We are a sinful people.
Our pardon depends on your coming.

We are full of good intentions, but weak at keeping promises;

Our only hope of doing God's will
is that You should come and help us do it.

Lord Christ, Word made flesh
our world waits
for Your peace
for Your pardon
and for Your grace.

Even so: Come, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

http://www.sojournmusic.com/

Love is Here

God did not send His Light into the world in order to condemn it, but so that the world could be saved through it.  This Light is True Love; unchangeable, unwavering Love. A Love offered freely by He who is worthy to everyone who is not. Those who accept this Love no longer hunger or thirst; are no longer alone or in despair.  For from that moment on, nothing can separate them from that Love.

Love is Here 


Come to the waters, you who thirst and you'll thirst no more.
Come to the Father, you who work and you'll work no more.
And all you who labor in vain and to the broken and shamed:


Love is here.
Love is now.
Love is pouring from His hands, from His brows.
Love is near, it satisfies.
Streams of mercy flowing from His side.


Come to the treasure, you who search and you'll search no more.
Come to the lover you who want and you'll want no more, no.
And all you who labor in vain to the broken and shamed,
Love is here.
Love is now.
Love is pouring from His hands, from His brows.
Love is near, it satisfies.
Streams of mercy flowing from His side.

And to the bruised and fallen.
Captives, bound, and broken hearted.
He is the Lord,
He is the Lord.
By His stripes He's paid our ransom
From His wounds we drink salvation.
He is the Lord,
He is the Lord.

Love is here.
Love is now.
Love is pouring from
His hands, from His brows.
Love is near, it satisfies.
Streams of mercy flowing from His side.

Songwriters: Donehey, Michael; Ingram, Jason David; Jamison, Jason; Larue, Phillip; Middleton, Drew

Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Kenya

Although there is full freedom of religion and much of the population professes to be Christian, the church faces severe persecution from Muslims on the north eastern border with Somalia. In some areas, an increase in persecution is the result of aggressive evangelism by the church. There is great pressure on Christian leaders in the Muslim-dominated communities and some have been won over by Muslim leaders.

Pray

• For strength and faithfulness for Christian leaders working in Muslim-dominated areas
• For greater unity among the churches in the north eastern and coastal regions of the country
• For churches and Christian organizations working with Somali refugees.
• Pray that many would be transformed by God's love. 

Dear Lord:

We thank you for the freedom of religion and the many individuals in Kenya who have already accepted your love and grace.  Remind them of the truth of your word as those of other faiths seek to turn them from You.  We pray that you would encourage and strengthen those in areas of turmoil.  May your protection be upon those who seek who assist the many refugees seeking safety in Kenya.  Amen.

The Persecuted Church: Uzbekistan

Government control of the Uzbek church through the SNB (former KGB) is very strong. All religious communities have to be registered, but it is a long, tiresome and almost impossible process for the Protestant church. Often registration is refused or even withdrawn after it has been granted. There is no Uzbek indigenous church with registration.

Local community leaders put pressure on Christians by cutting off water supplies and/or electricity to force them out of the village or to make them renounce their faith. Almost in every town Mahalla (district) committees ask families to come in for “a conversation’. They threaten Christian families, who then move from one Mahalla to another.

Local and national television stations regularly broadcast programs about Protestant congregations, shedding a very negative light on Christianity. As a result several individuals suffer severe physical and psychological pressure and many people who are interested in Christianity feel intimidated.

Pray:

• Pray for the small church their to grow in this hostile environment and for Christians to remain steadfast in faith.
• Pray for church leaders as they seek to obtain registration to worship legally.

                                                                     (Courtesy of OpenDoorsUSA.com)

Dear Lord:

Today we stand in the gap for our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan.  We cannot possibly comprehend the difficulty of following You in such circumstances.  We ask for Your presence to be very real and alive to the believers who struggle in this place and that their recognition of the Truth will encourage them in the face of despair and strengthen them when they want to give up.  I pray that the church would find favor with the government in order to allow them to worship freely and without fear of reprisal.  Amen.

They are Us

A major news story in the religious community over the last week has been the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. The church, which sits on a 40-acre campus and once employed approximately 450 people, has been a mega-church icon for more than 50 years.  Once wildly successful by any human measurement, the church is now more than $46 million in debt, including an outstanding mortgage of $36 million.

At least one article documenting the bankruptcy filing included a link to a story about the rise and fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.  The author obviously perceived a common thread between the stories and was quick to point it out.
One common thread that no doubt exists is the bashing, from both inside and outside the global church, of the Bakker and Schulyer families.  

Fortunately, the rest of us are made from holier cloth.

Or not.

Non-Christians and Christians alike are swift to assign blame and make self-aggrandizing statements when larger than life figures fall from grace.  While some such statements may contain elements of truth, often the only real difference between "them" and "us" is that our ups and downs are not considered newsworthy.  Thank you, God!  Rather than join the chorus of nay-sayers and mockers, may we remember that there but for God's grace, go we.


Romans 15:1- 7  (The Message)

 ^1-2 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

 ^3-6That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!

  
⁷So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!

We are Takers

You are the giver of all good things.
   All good things are sent from heaven above,
      rain and sun,
      day and night,
      justice and righteousness,
      bread to the eater and
      seed to the sower,
      peace to the old,
      energy to the young,
      joy to the babes.
We are takers, who take from you,
   day by day, daily bread,
   taking all we need as you supply,
   taking in gratitude and wonder and joy.
And then taking more,
   taking more than we need,
   taking more than you give us,
   taking from our sisters and brothers,
   taking from the poor and the weak,
      taking because we are frightened, and so greedy,
      taking because we are anxious, and so fearful,
      taking because we are driven, and so uncaring.
Give us peace beyond our fear, and so end our greed.
Give us well-being beyond our anxiety, and so end our fear.
Give us abundance beyond our drivenness,
      and so end our uncaring.
Turn our taking into giving...since we are in your giving image:
   Make us giving like you,
         giving gladly and not taking,
         giving in abundance, not taking,
         giving in joy, not taking,
         giving as he gave himself up for us all,
         giving, never taking.  Amen.




Brueggemann, Walter.  (2003.)  Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: Prayers of Walter Brueggemann.  Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress.  P. 33.

Lightening and Rainbows

The fall rains have begun and today was a day of consistent drizzle with the occasional thunderstorm and downpour added in.  Early this evening, I stepped outside to come face to face with an incredible double rainbow.  The inside rainbow shone with brilliant and deep colors while the outside rainbow echoed in pastels.  As I stood and took it all in, a stunning crack of lightening, streaking in many different directions, broke into the scene.  

This shared image of lightening and rainbows immediately brought to my mind certain realities of our faith.  Everyone experiences storms of life, with flashes of stress and fear and worry streaking through their being. While the storm rages, its power seems insurmountable.  Into this chaos, however, God sends the rainbow, his reminder that he stands firm in his promises, never wavering in his awareness and protection of his creation.  The storm may continue on its course, but through it, God remains eternally faithful.

May the words of Isaiah 43: 1-4 (The Message) provide comfort and reassurance to you as the storms arise:
 
But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
   the One who got you started, Israel:
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
   I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
   When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
   it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
   The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

Great Door of Love

Great Door of Love,
assure me of your protective presence
as I wander about the landscape of my life.
When I become lost, clear a path of hope.
May every seeking footstep of mine
take me through the doorway of your love.
Be my passageway today.  O, be my passageway.
I open the door of my heart to you.
I open the door.

Opener of Hearts,
you are the true guide of my life
helping me unlock every door that leads to you.
As I move amid the mystery of myself,
I seek to know your desires for my growth.
Keep showing me the way to you
as I turn to you with trust and with faith.
I open the door of my heart to you.
I open the door.


Rupp, Joyce. (2008.)  Open the door: The Journey to the True Self.  Notre Dame, Indiana: Sorin Books.  P. 24, 27.

Prayer for the Muslim World - Closing

9. Be Loving toward All

The world’s Muslims are our neighbors, as Jesus used the term (Luke 10:29-37). The command of God to his people stands for all time: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18; Luke 10:27b). Both peacemakers and those who love their enemies are described as "sons [or daughters] of God" (Matt 5:9, 44; Luke 6:35). They are called children of God because they are acting like their Father: the God of Peace (Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23). Responding to enemies with self-giving, sacrificial love demonstrates the gospel (Rom 5:10; cf. Col 1:21).

The Conclusion of the Grace and Truth Affirmation

We have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18, 19). The commission to "make disciples of all nations" has not been rescinded. Neither have the commands to demonstrate sacrificial love and to work toward peace. There is no separate gospel for wartime and peacetime. The message of God’s love in Christ is for all times, places and peoples. We affirm the nine biblical guidelines presented here for all followers of Christ, that we may remain faithful to him and become more fruitful in our relationships with Muslims.

We have prayed through the nine points. May God continue to help us to develop good attitudes toward Muslims.

© 2010 by 30 Days International

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 8

The term "ignorant" is frequently used in a derogatory manner; as a synonym for stupid, or incapable of learning.  In reality, ignorant simply means having a lack of knowledge, information, or education.  

It is probably safe to say that most Christians are ignorant about Islam.  But that does not mean that we are incapable of learning.  A powerful means of showing respect to other people involves learning about them, seeking to understand more fully what the world looks like from their vantage point.  While a lecture, newspaper articles or a good internet search (of reliable sources) can be of assistance, nothing replaces first hand interaction with those about whom we want to learn.  Face to face conversation.  A healthy exploration and exchange of ideas.  Let us pray for such opportunities to learn.


8. Be Peaceable and ... Uncompromising in our Dialogue

Dialogue between Muslims and Christians provides us with opportunities to understand Muslims, build relationships, engage in peacemaking and share our faith. We seek to share the gospel respectfully and boldly, without compromise – as Paul "reasoned with" people (dialegomai - Acts 17:2, 17).

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 7

Word of the day:  re·spect (ri spekt′)

transitive verb 

     1. to feel or show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard

     2. to consider or treat with deference or dutiful regard

     3. to show consideration for; avoid intruding upon or interfering with:  
          to respect others' privacy

noun

     1. esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person,  
         a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a  
         manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect 
         for her judgment.

     2. deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or

         something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper

         acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect's  
         right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the 
         elderly.

7. Be Persistent in our Call for Religious Freedom

We affirm the right of religious freedom for every person and community. We defend the right of Muslims to express their faith respectfully among Christians and of Christians to express their faith respectfully among Muslims. Moreover, we affirm the right of Muslims and Christians alike to change religious beliefs, practices and/or affiliations according to their conscience (2 Cor 4:2). Thus we stand against all forms of religious persecution toward Muslims, Christians, or anyone else.

Prayer for Muslim World - Part 6

Today's guideline is particularly relevant because of the news story this week about the church in Florida that is planning to burn the Quran on September 11th.  The plans of one tiny church in one corner of the planet are now reverberating around the world.  In the facebook and twitter world we now inhabit, our words and conduct as Christians are particularly critical. 

As I drove into work today, the words of a song on the radio caught my attention.  They were:

I will live to carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be your hands and feet
And I will give with the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion to see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

May it be by our compassion that we are known to a world that so desperately needs the hope and love of God.


6. Be Prudent in our Google-ized World
In the past, when leaders in a religious community spoke, it was only heard by their own community. But today our words ricochet around the world. When we try to explain who we are, what we believe, what we do, and why we do it, our words may reach beyond our primary audience. After saying something controversial, an outspoken leader may try to clarify his statement. But the damage is already done. Prudence is required. (Prov 17:27).

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 5

As we continue to pray for the Muslim world, below is the fifth recommendation for Christians.

5. Be Respectful and Bold in our Witness

In the spirit of the Prince of Peace, respectful witness focuses on giving a positive presentation of the gospel. It does not attack the other or avoid presenting truth. (1 Peter 3:15). Numerous biblical examples (i.e. Acts 4:31; 9:27-28; 13:46; 14:3; 17:30-31; 19:8) invite us to emulate the boldness of early believers in sharing the good news. In obedience to the Scripture, we seek to be both respectful and bold in our witness.

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 4

 As we continue to pray for the Muslim world, below is the fourth recommendation for Christians.

4. Be Wise in our Words and Witness

God’s Word calls us to share our faith wisely. “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity” (Col 4:5, James 3:17-18).  We need to embrace that which is impartial and sincere, neither glossing over vital truths nor telling only one side of a story.

• Pray these things for your self, your congregation and the body of Christ concerning our relationships with Muslims.

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 3

 As we continue to pray for the Muslim world, below is the third recommendation for Christians.

3. Be Truthful and Gracious in our Words and Witness

We seek to be accurate when we speak about Muslims and their faith. Overstatement, exaggeration and words taken out of context should not be found among followers of Jesus (Matt 12:36, Ex 20:16, Matt 7:12, Matt 22:39). We affirm that proclaiming the Good News is a higher priority than defending our culture.

• Pray these things for your self, your congregation and the body of Christ concerning our relationships with Muslims.

Prayer for the Muslim World - Part 2

As we continue to pray for those of the Muslim faith, below is the second recommendation for Christians:

2. Be Jesus-Centered in our Interaction

Our focus is Jesus because he is the essence of the gospel. (1 Cor 2:2). We affirm a Jesus-centered approach to Muslims because it highlights the treasure of the gospel. It does not confuse the good news with Christendom, patriotism or our civilization. Jesus is our model, and we seek to embody his life in all we say and do.

• Pray these things for your self, your congregation and the body of Christ concerning our relationships with Muslims.

Prayer for the Muslim World

Around the world, Muslim men and women are in the midst of the annual observance of Ramadan, a month-long celebration of purification and restraint.  Observances of Ramadan include a community fast and abstinence from human pleasures such as food, drink, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset. After sunset, the fast is broken over a meal called Iftar. Throughout the celebration of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to read the Quran, to give to those in need, and to develop their relationship with God through prayer. The goals of Ramadan are to experience and incorporate into normal life such virtues as humility, patience, sacrifice, forgiveness, and self-restraint.

Interesting.  

Ignore for the moment the (highly significant) differences in Diety, and some of the more specific requirements of Ramadan, and the above might almost read like a description of Lent.  But, before we wander too far down that path, here's the point: Millions upon millions of Muslims throughout the world are simply people, just like you and I, who are doing the only things they know to do to draw nearer to God.

So, we have a choice.  We can demonize them based on the actions of some and the stereotypes of many.  Or, we can recognize them as other human beings, struggling just as we are to make sense of a sin-filled world, and pray that they might find the same eternal Source of hope we have.

As Ramadan comes to a close over the next week, I invite you to join in me praying specifically for the Muslim world.  The 30-Day Prayer Network, an annual global effort to pray for Muslims throughout the celebration of Ramadan, has published nine guidelines to use when praying for Muslims.  I will be sharing one guideline per day and encourage you to join me in prayer.  As we are reminded in James 5:16, the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.

1. Be Faithful to God’s Truth – the Whole Truth

We seek to relate to Muslims on the basis of the core convictions of Christian faith, not by hiding or diminishing them. Relating to Muslims with respect, understanding and love includes bearing faithful witness to essential truths of the gospel. Jesus is Lord. Forgiveness, salvation and eternal life are free gifts of God’s grace available to any person through repentance and faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. We seek to obey the whole will of God, with its implications for every part of our lives in this world (Matt 22:37, 39; 28:20; Micah 6:8).

• Pray these things for your self, your congregation and the body of Christ concerning our relationships with Muslims.

I want for......nothing!

Lord,

You are my guide; my protector
   the very One who provides for my every need
   for my every true need.

Your presence enables me to fully exhale.
   To rest.
      To truly relax...and find relief.

      You provide for my peace of mind
         and body 
      in the midst of life's chaos.
   You renew my faith and my hope.

You provide direction in the midst of distraction, 
   that You ultimately may be glorified.

This kingdom of the earth in which we currently reside is full 
   of stress 
      of danger
      of despair, and 
      of temptation 
yet I am not afraid.

You are with me and your protection is assured.
   It is certain.
   Without question.
   Indisputable.      

You acknowledge my place with You 
before everyone who might challenge me.  
You honor me and provide me with blessing upon blessing!

There is no question but that Your presence 
   and Your love 
      are now 
      and will be
   my constant companion.  

Both today and for all time.  

                            Based upon Psalm 23

Ours is a Seduced World

God of all truth, we give thanks for your faithful utterance of reality.
   In your truthfulness, you have called the world "very good."
   In your truthfulness, you have promised,
      "I have loved you with an everlasting love."
   In your truthfulness, you have assured,
      "This is my beloved Son."
   In your truthfulness, you have voiced, "Fear not, I am with you."
   In your truthfulness, you have guaranteed that
      "Nothing shall separate us from your love
         in Jesus Christ."
It is by your truthfulness that we love.
And yet, we live in a world phony down deep
   in which we participate at a slant.
Ours in a seduced world,
   where we call evil good and good evil,
   where we put darkness for light and light for darkness,
   where we call bitter sweet and sweet bitter (Isa. 5:20),
   where we call war peace and peace war,
so that we rarely see the truth of the matter.
Give us courage to depart the pretend world of euphemism,
      to call things by their right name,
      to use things for their right use,
      to love our neighbor as you love us.
Overwhelm our fearful need to distort,
   that we may fall back into your truth-telling about us,
   that we may be tellers of truth and practitioners of truth.
We pray in the name of the One whom you have filled
      with "grace and truth." Amen


Bruuggemann, Walter.  (2003.) Awed to heaven, Rooted to Earth: The Prayers of Walter Brueggemann.  Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.  P. 129.  On reading Jeremiah 23

Love is Here

Romans 8:1 says "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." 

Well, ok. That's simple enough. 

     Every Sunday School student knows that. 

          Christ died, 

          Our sins are forgiven, and

          We who believe in Him get to go to Heaven when we die.  

That's nice.

But wait...

     What did that verse say?

     "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?"

Amazing!  Not simple at all...

     Incredible

     Unbelievable

     Life changing.

No condemnation?  Really?  

     Impossible!

     And yet...     

          True. 

How?

     Love.

     God's love.

The same chapter of Romans that began with the assurance of no condemnation ends with the assurance of His love.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Imagine...  

     Seriously.  I mean it.

     Take time to really think about it...really imagine. 

No condemnation.

Unable to be separated from Love.

     Gazed upon by God with love.

Astounding.    

Genuine Concern for Others

In Philippians 2:20-22, Timothy is singled out as being unique.  Paul states "I have no one else like him, who will show a genuine concern for your welfare.  For everyone looks out for their own interests.  Not those of Jesus Christ."  Of all the people surrounding Paul throughout his ministry, he recognizes genuine concern as a rare trait possessed only by Timothy.  

Interesting.  Wouldn't most of us say that concern for the welfare of others is sort of "entry-level Christianity?"

Unfortunately, nothing has changed today.  Whether at a business function, a family gathering, or a church social event, the truth is that most of us remain primarily focused on our own needs or agendas.  We interact with others and show appropriate amusement, dismay or concern, while thinking about the next comment we will add or story we will tell.  We check out what is happening around us while half-listening, rather than focusing completely on what the other person is saying. We promise to get together again in the future, and then we go on about our lives. 

How rare a gift is the conversation with another who demonstrates complete focus on what we have to say.  No rush to tell a similar story, or to say, "Oh, that's nothing.  Let me tell you what happened to me!"  Rather, a conversation that remains focused on you; where more details are sought, genuine interest is demonstrated and you are encouraged to talk at length.

Is it any wonder, then, that we struggle to embrace the image of God loving us enough to stop and say "I have nothing else to do, nowhere I'd rather be, I'm fully devoted to being with you?"  If we can't even hold the interest of other humans, how is it possible that God would have any desire to spend time with us?  Particularly the God who knows the whole, ugly truth about who we are?  Why on earth would he pay attention to anything we have to say, let alone turn to us in joyful anticipation of spending time together?

Do you want to be a missionary of God to those around you?  Slow down and show complete focus and interest on what others desire to tell you.  Ask questions, encourage them to elaborate and ask for updates as time passes.  As Paul noted, such genuine concern, while seemingly normal, is actually quite rare.  

Focused attention will surprise people.  It will make them wonder.  And ask questions.  And provide you with an opening to talk about the Source of genuine concern.

As others realize the value you place on these conversations and the relationship you're building with them, they may begin to believe that they might just possibly be valued by God as well.  And that is a very big deal.

Love Pays Attention

One of the great miracles of life is that God pays attention to us.  This is partly why the writers of Scripture speak so often of God's face.  This is the hope of the great priestly blessing that God himself taught the people of Israel:

   The LORD bless you and keep you;

   the LORD make his face to shine upon you

     and be gracious to you

   the LORD turn his face toward you

     and give you peace.

To turn your face toward someone is to give that person your whole-hearted, undivided attention.  It is not the casual listening of a preoccupied mind.  It is a statement: "I have nothing else to do, nowhere I'd rather be, I'm fully devoted to being with you."  This is the kind of attention God lavishes on us.

It gets better.  This blessing says God will not only turn his face toward us, he will make it "shine" on us.  The shining face is an image of delight.  It is the face of a proud parent beaming while a child plays in her first piano recital.  It is the radiant face of a bride as she walks the aisle to her groom.  We can turn our face toward (pay attention to) anyone, with little effort.  But our faces shine and beam and grow radiant only in the presence of those we love most deeply.  And this, says the prayer, is how God loves us. 

                  

     John Ortberg.  (1998).  Love Beyond Reason. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.  p 31.

There's only one problem.  We don't really believe that it's true. For most of us, the idea that God has nothing better to do than to hang with us, or that his face lights with joy when he turns toward us, is completely far-fetched.

Why is that?  I invite you to ponder that thought in your own devotions or to leave a comment with your thoughts below.  But most of all, I invite you to stay tuned while we explore this question together.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!


Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!


Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!


Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”


Rev. William W. Walford, a blind English minister, is the author of this hymn which was probably written about the year 1842. It was recited to Rev. Thomas Salmon, Congregational pastor at Coleshill, England, who took it down and brought it to New York, where it was published in the New York Observer.  Little is known of Mr. Walford save that in his blindness, besides preaching occasionally, he employed his mechanical skill in making useful articles of bone and ivory.  The tune was composed by W. B. Bradbury in 1859, and first appeard in 'Cottage Melodies'.

Love

My child, don't turn away
or become bitter
     when the Lord corrects you.
The Lord corrects
     everyone he loves,
just as parents correct
     their favorite child.
          Proverbs 3:11-12

The mother who never punishes her child is not more loving.  The father who never sets limits may seem like his son's friend, but actually does more harm than good. Children need boundaries.  They need correction when they have done wrong.  It is the loving parent who puts her child back on the right track when he has misstepped.

Similarly, when we deviate from the path of holiness, our Father lovingly corrects us and sets us back in the right direction.  At times, this correction is uncomfortable and unwelcomed, but although it may be difficult, know that it is God showing you that He loves you.

                       Your Promise to God . . .

     Like a parent who knows what is best for her child, 
     You, Lord, know what's best for me. 
     I will walk the path You lay before me 
     even when it seems like a rocky road.


Promises from God to Parents, (c) 2006 by T.D. Jakes, pg. 14-15

All the Theology Needed by Man

As a freshman in college, I was required to memorize and write down all four verses to the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" as the answer to an essay question. (The question being, "What are words to the hymn...") My professor believed that the verses laid out the essence of the Gospel and contained all of the theology needed by man (or woman.)   I invite you to meditate on these words and see if you agree...

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

1. A mighty fortress is our God, 
 a bulwark never failing; 
 our helper he amid the flood 
 of mortal ills prevaling.  
 For still our ancient foe 
 doth seek to work us woe; 
 his craft and power are great, 
 and armed with cruel hate, 
 on earth is not his equal.

2. Did we in our own strength confide, 
 our striving would be losing, 
 were not the right man on our side, 
 the man of God's own choosing.
 Dost ask who that may be?  
 Christ Jesus, it is he; 
 Lord Sabaoth, his name, 
 from age to age the same, 
 and he must win the battle.

3. And though this world, with devils filled, 
 should threaten to undo us, 
 we will not fear, for God hath willed 
 his truth to triumph through us.  
 The Prince of Darkness grim, 
 we tremble not for him; 
 his rage we can endure, 
 for lo, his doom is sure; 
 one little word shall fell him.

4. That word above all earthly powers, 
 no thanks to them, abideth; 
 the Spirit and the gifts are ours, 
 thru him who with us sideth.  
 Let goods and kindred go, 
 this mortal life also; 
 the body they may kill; 
 God's truth abideth still; 
 his kingdom is forever!

Freedom

As you celebrate the Fourth of July, remember that as great as the freedom is that we enjoy as citizens of the United States, our true citizenship is in heaven, which provides a far greater freedom.

Philippians 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 8:31-36
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"  Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Luke 4:18-19
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
       because he has anointed me
       to proclaim good news to the poor.
       He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
       and recovery of sight for the blind,
       to set the oppressed free,
       to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in human flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Celebrate your freedom in Christ!

Psalm 51

Generous in love—God, give grace! 
   Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.
   Scrub away my guilt,
      soak out my sins in your laundry.
   I know how bad I've been;
      my sins are staring me down. 

You're the One I've violated, and you've seen
      it all, seen the full extent of my evil.
   You have all the facts before you;
      whatever you decide about me is fair.
   I've been out of step with you for a long time,
      in the wrong since before I was born.
   What you're after is truth from the inside out.
      Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.


Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
      scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
   Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
      set these once-broken bones to dancing.
   Don't look too close for blemishes,
      give me a clean bill of health.
   God, make a fresh start in me,
      shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.


   Don't throw me out with the trash,
      or fail to breathe holiness in me.
   Bring me back from gray exile,
      put a fresh wind in my sails!
   Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
      so the lost can find their way home.
   Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
      and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
   Unbutton my lips, dear God; 
      I'll let loose with your praise.


Going through the motions doesn't please you,
      a flawless performance is nothing to you.
   I learned God-worship
      when my pride was shattered.
   Heart-shattered lives ready for love
      don't for a moment escape God's notice. 


Psalm 51: 1-17  The Message

God is Not Prozac

Really.  It's true.  It must be.  The current edition of Ladies Home Journal told me so.   

The article, entitled Let Us Pray (by Katharine Whittemore), examines the benefits of prayer.  The overall question examined in the article is this: 

Even when people come from different cultures and different faiths, they can generally agree on this one thing: Prayer helps. But why?

Good question.

Certainly the answer is not that praying guarantees a positive outcome to our requests.  Nor is it because the disappointments and stresses of life magically disappear.  The helpfulness of prayer is not even necessarily related to having experienced answered prayer in the past.

The magazine article explores a number of possible reasons as to why prayer is helpful.  As you would expect, they range from the physical (those who pray tend to have lower blood pressure) to the psychological (lower rates of depression) to the neurological (changing activity in different cortexes of the brain.)  The article also notes that these positive outcomes are common to all faiths and even to no faith, but rather a focus on meditation.

So all prayer (or meditation) is equal?

Perhaps.  

If, and only if, your criteria of effectiveness is confined to the physical, psychological, and neurological.

Which, of course, ours is not.

The magazine article quotes a rabbi as saying, "If you think about it, prayer connects you to hope."  

     That is very true.  

     But also incomplete.  

     For prayer connects you to far more than just hope.

It connects you to 

     God.