Prayer Challenge

(My own photo. Dave and me on Pikes Peak.)

I remember the phrase, the family that prays together, stays together. Yeah, it’s a cliché, but for those families that truly pray together I believe there’s a bond that unites their hearts in a special way, no matter what; even when disagreements and family arguments make their way into our lives.

I grew up in a Catholic family that prayed together almost every single night until us kids got to our teen years. My mom had us get on our knees and recite memorized prayers before a crucifix or a Catholic statue before bed. Some nights it was hard not to giggle, exchanging glances and wobbling on our knees.

Now that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Himself, it’s easier to commit to prayer time because I’m spending that time talking with my very best friend. And talking is what I do the most. I’m sure He’s pleased with the fact that I’m learning to listen, too.

Is it now “nerdy” or “geeky” to pray? Is it too old-fashioned? Or is it merely the enemy’s plan to rob us of our strength, because united in prayer we’re a strong force to reckon with?

Some of my biggest blessings come through my husband laying his hand on my head every morning and praying over me before he goes to work. Not a complaint passes through my lips without him praying over whatever has me upset. I’m honored to be his wife, He loves me with a never-ending love; unconditionally. His love is without limitations.

We draw incredible strength from praying, out loud, together. It’s empowering and draws us even closer, creating more intimacy between us.

A guest speaker at our church, Pastor Deo from Uganda said, “Prayerlessness means you believe you can do everything in your own strength, without help from God. Depend on God!”

Pastor Deo went on to exhort, “Personal prayer alters have been destroyed, family prayer alters have been broken down and church prayer alters are formal and weak.”

Does this describe your prayer life?

I’d like to toss out a challenge.

Couples: etch out a few minutes each morning or evening to pray, out loud, together. Commit to it for a week and let me know what, if anything, changes in your lives. Singles: take that same time to commit to prayer everyday and watch for the results in your day-to-day life, and if you wouldn’t mind, fill me in.

We need to be entering into communion with the God of the universe; and seeking His heart on every matter, from our relationship with Him, to our knowledge of Him and His ways, to what’s on His heart and in His plans. Simply spouting off a grocery-type list of requests probably yields very little change.

We can be interceding for our children, our family relationships, our marriages and the marriages of those around us. The enemy seeks to destroy our children by hijacking our marriages. Yes, sometimes divorce seems to be the only answer to marital problems. But, sometimes it’s just the easiest or fastest to come by. In the long run, it can give Satan and his minions leverage against us, and our children. If you’re already in a blended family, pray for strength and unity, and courage to face life’s problems together.

We can be interceding for the unborn in our world, that the wombs that house them truly are the safest place they can be. We can come against radical Islam and witchcraft (which yes, is very much a reality) and against evil powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wickedness in high places. Our battle is not with each other, though often it appears so.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

I look forward to hearing about what prayer is doing in your life!

An Inspiring Challenge

(picture from motivationalmemo.com)

Breezing into this challenge and presuming it will be easy, but we shall see. My friend Debbie extended the challenge she was given, to her friends, and I in turn, extend it to you. Can you come up with 100 positive things about your life?

I thank God for each of these phenomenal blessings. I’m forever grateful to serve and be in love with the God Who just can’t stop blessing!

(These 100 blessings/positive things in my life are not necessarily in numerical order, I’m not ‘ranking’ them. AND, I apologize for how long this became and for how the spacing freakishly changed on me; I honestly can't explain it and I'm too tired to continue wrestling with it. You don’t have to read it all at once if you don’t want to, but be sure to come back and finish!)

1.           Jesus is my Savior, my Lord and my best friend. He loves me unconditionally and forever.

2.       Dave is my husband, my best friend in the flesh, and the love of my life. He loves me unconditionally and forever, too! (He can’t help himself!)

3.        My firstborn child is my amazing, handsome, strong, intelligent and charismatic young man who proudly serves our country as a member of the elite group of men known as Army Airborne Soldiers, and he’s gifted me with two incredible grandsons.

4.           My second born child is my beautiful, precious Princess – she’s brave and kind and has one of the biggest hearts on the planet, and has gifted me with four incredible grandchildren.

5.         My third born child is my baby, though he’s bigger than I am. He’s my Marine, my courageous, disciplined, handsome, faithful son, who’s blessed me with three more incredible grandchildren. I am blessed, indeed.

6.             My first grandson, Kyle.

7.             My second grandson, Collin.

8.             My third grandson, Johnny.

9.                         My fourth grandson, Josef.

10.                        My fifth grandson, Joseph.

11.                        My first granddaughter, Versais.

12.                        My second granddaughter, Fiona.

13.                        My third granddaughter, Abigail.

14.                        My fourth granddaughter, Temperance. (I’ve listed the grandchildren by age, not necessarily the order they came into my life.) Each grandchild brings their own unique blessings into my life and love for them is unconditional and forever, just like their parents.

15.                        I was raised by amazing, loving parents who were my first glimpse into what God Himself might be like. Have I always agreed with them? No. But I haven’t always agreed with anyone, as far as I know.

16.                        I have a gorgeous daughter in law that loves me and a wonderful new son in law who loves me – and I love them both with all my heart. If you’re going to love my children, you’ve got to know you have a special, permanent place in my heart.

17.                        I’m growing more beautiful every day, because I’m recognizing my own beauty a little more each day.

18.                               I live in a very happy home!

19.                       My wonderful husband brings home enough of a paycheck that I’m not forced to work to pay the bills. I can’t tell you how grateful that makes me. Should I choose to get a job, it will be just that – a choice.

20.                        I have an abundance of friends and acquaintances that love me. Even the ones who really know me! I don’t dare try to mention names or we’d be here many, many days….

21.                        I’m forgiven.

22.                        I’m generally surrounded by kindness.

23.                       I have many gifts and talents, some of which I’m just discovering now. Life gets better every day!

24.                        I’m learning self-discipline and the process of implementing boundaries in my life. This is VERY liberating. Sure, I should have established this years ago – but, rather than get down on myself for not yet having “arrived” in life, I’m getting there!

25.                        I love my yoga classes and my yoga instructor.

26.                        My car is paid for and still doing me proud and it’s ten years old already!

27.                        I have five wonderful siblings, whom I love with all my heart. We may not all live close together or see each other as much as we could/should, be the ties that bind us together are very stretchy!

28.                        I have a plethora of nieces and nephews who are each adorable and incredible blessings to me, whether they realize it or not.

29.                        I love to write. YOU love to read!

30.                        I love to read.

31.                        I love food. And I’m learning to recognize the real stuff from the imposters that have poisoned my body for too many years and making healthier choices every day.

32.                        I’m becoming involved in politics, learning so many new things about the ways our local and state and federal government work, and don’t work. It’s not fair to complain if I’m not taking steps to educate myself and contribute some good to the situation.

33.                        I’m stronger than I ever thought I would be, and getting stronger every day. The exciting part is, I’ve become aware of that strength.

34.                        I pray. For myself, for you, and for every stranger God lays on my heart. And I know that I know that I know that my prayers are heard and answered. And I know that God won’t compromise anyone’s freedom of choice simply because I’ve prayed. I trust Him with that.

35.                        I’m a giver.

36.                        I’m learning to be a receiver.

37.                        Now that I’ve finally taken the dive and got myself a new cell phone, I’m actually not afraid of it or the changes it represents. Gone with the old! Into the new. Do I know how to use it yet? Not completely. But I’m not afraid of the new technology. I thought I would be.

38.                        I have great hair! Is that a vain thought? I don’t care.

39.                        I’ve reconnected with cousins and old friends through Facebook and it’s wonderful!

40.                        I love the breezes God sends my way.

41.                        I love the sunshine. And I treasure it even more after a few days of gray skies.

42.                        I love TREES! And praise God, the longer I live, the more different types I get to see – and touch!

43.                        I love beaches; the warm, beautiful sandy beaches of the east coast in particular, though Hawaii has some great ones, too.

44.                        I’ve been blessed to travel with my precious husband to places I never dreamed I’d see.

45.                        I have some incredible memories. Sadly, though, I have a lot of great memories I can no longer remember, but – praise God for the ones I can recall!

46.                        I can sing, and I can do it quite well. Perhaps not as well as I once could, but I have fun with it!

47.                        Dave and I still have date nights. Often! We’re nerdy, crazy mad in love with each other.

48.                        Most of the people I know are honest, for the most part.

49.                        I have some fantastic, anointed pastors.

50.                        I trust that my best days are ahead of me!

51.                        The Sky Sox stadium is within walking distance from my house. I don’t go to nearly enough games, but I can if I choose to.

52.                        I know how to adapt, improvise and overcome!

53.                        I own a treasure of great books and a world of information is quickly and freely available to me with a keystroke and an internet connection.

54.                        My house is yellow. I always wanted a yellow house. This particular shade might be a bit bold, but hey – it’s super easy to locate my house, even from miles away. Yes, I say that with a smile on my face.

55.                        I trust easily.

56.                        I forgive easily.

57.                        My home has great city views and views of the mountains, as well. I drink it all in, daily.

58.                        I don’t dread birthdays anymore.

59.                        I don’t fear death anymore.

60.                        I am trusted.

61.                        I’m funny! It’s not always intentional, but, I can sure make people laugh. Thank God for my dad’s words of wisdom: “Helen, they’re not laughing AT you, they’re laughing WITH you.” Me: “But, Dad, I’m not laughing.” Dad: “Start!”

62.                        I love to wash my dishes by hand.

63.                        I love a good hot bath, and a soak in a nice, deep hot tub.

64.                        I’m very healthy. Sure, I have my aches and complaints from time to time, but overall, I’m very healthy. Yay!

65.                        I have great dreams. I write down the ones I see as most powerful.

66.                        I have God’s Word, both the logos and the Rhema!

67.                        On days when I can’t seem to sit still and focus on written words, my computer will read to me!

68.                        I love going for walks with Dave, and he loves walking with me.

69.                        We do it too often, but I love going out to eat with Dave, more face time!

70.                        After sitting through the rain, we get the smell of freshness that no other scent can parallel.

71.                        Just today, as I wearily drove through a drive-through for a drink, a small boy who doesn’t know me at all – blew me a kiss!

72.                        How positive and wonderful is this one? I live in a world filled with colors!

73.                        I love the birds that come to visit every day and bring joy to my yard with their songs.

74.                        I love 70s music and can listen to it any time I want to!

75.                        I have affordable health insurance. I did BEFORE Obamacare, too.

76.                        I love the sound of my children and grandchildren’s laughter.

77.                        Dave doesn’t snore anymore! I can sleep!

78.                        I have spell-check! It’s not necessary to embarrass myself publically.

79.                        I’m blessed with a wonderful Bible teacher who comes to hold Bible studies here in my own home.

80.                        I see beauty in everyone. Everyone!

81.                        Even with my eclectic tendencies, I’m learning to be more organized. Baby steps, Helen. Baby steps.

82.                        I know much of God’s Word by heart, yet each time I read it, He gives me fresh revelation.

83.                        I’m surrounded by talented, strong, inspiring people.

84.                        I don’t easily attach to material possessions.

85.                        Most days, I bubble over with joy. Perhaps not all day long – but, the joy is always there.

86.                        I’ve learned to “think on the good things”. (Philippians 4:8)

87.                        I like who I am.

88.                        I like who Dave is. And I like who we are together.

89.                        Coffee. ‘nuff said.

90.                        Oh, and chocolate!

91.                      It seems there’s always someone around to give me a hug when I need one.

92.                        We’re in our 37^th year of marriage and growing stronger every day.

93.                        I have some wisdom to go with the (few) gray hairs I’ve acquired.

94.                        My heart grows larger all the time, there’s always someone new to make room for there.

95.                        Dave and I can’t dance, but we do anyways, when no one is looking…

96.                        I love a good, rhyming poem, especially if I wrote it.

97.                        I love it when a light bulb goes off in my mind, though it can be frustrating when I can’t seem to communicate what I just got understanding on.

98.                        I love that you’re still reading this list!

99.                        I love water. I have a healthy respect for it, too. But I love drinking cold water and sitting in hot water.

100.                   I love that there is so much good in my life, that I believe I could come up with another list just as long as this one, just as quickly.

Thank you for your time and attention. I hope you’re inspired to write your own list. If it lifts you up and encourages you, post it on a wall somewhere you’ll see it often, so you’ll remember to stir up the good gifts in your life and remember to rejoice, in the midst of the rainy days.

God is merciful and gracious to us. He is faithful to us. And He loves us, even when we don’t return that love. There is nothing we can do to make Him stop loving us. Hallelujah! What a very long gratimoment! Thank you, Stacy Voss for giving us the gift of gratimoments to hold on to!

(picture from offbeatworlds.com)

Betrayed By a Kiss?

The point of all this is to get us pondering. I promise, I won’t insist on the glory of “the final word” on any point.

The other night Dave took me to see The Thorn, an Easter-time production portraying biblical themes leading up to the brutal crucifixion and glorious resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It was superbly done. The makeup was phenomenal, and the set, the music, the pyrotechnics and special effects were all incredible.

Of course, many points set my mind a-pondering. For instance: Judas, did he actually want to betray Christ? This thought never occurred to me, perhaps I’m the odd man out – but did you ever consider that he didn’t?

At this point in the storyline, our narrator, Thomas the Disciple, makes an appeal for his friend Judas, pointing out that he was his best friend, he always made sure that in their travels they had a place to eat, food to eat, etc. After all, he was in charge of their money. He asks how it could be that Judas would betray the Master? Perhaps, he draws us into his point to ponder; perhaps Jesus wasn’t moving things along fast enough for Judas. Like in so many of our lives when we think God should have moved already, and like when Sarah tried to “help God out” by providing her handmaid to Abraham through which a child could be born of natural means, versus the child of promise. Was Judas forcing Jesus’ hand? Surely he didn’t believe that Jesus would allow Himself to be arrested, beaten and killed! If he led the soldiers to Jesus, he’d force Jesus to show His hand and usher in His kingdom, which they’d all been waiting on. This is a possibility, rather than assuming he’d plan to betray Jesus all along, or rather than thinking he was all about those measly thirty pieces of silver.

But God had a different plan; a better plan. To our carnal eyes it may look like there should have been an easier way. But this was God’s way, and He provides freedom for us all through that cross.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)

Is there something going on in your life right now that you’re hoping and expecting God to do something about? His way may not turn out to be the way you expect. His way is better, though….for your good and His glory.