Tag: prayer

True Confessions.

02/17/2015Prayer, Spiritual Walk, , , 5 Comments

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Recently I was chatting with a friend and prayer journaling came up. This is my journal – and this is as close as you’ll get to seeing what’s inside! This is just between God and me.

I keep a prayer journal, but I also sometimes think or speak my prayers. And, I must say that when it comes to confessing sin – thinking my prayers is by far the easiest!

When I think my prayers, after the thought is complete, the issue is closed. For example, if the Holy Spirit convicts me of a sin, I can almost painlessly think, “Oh, man, I shouldn’t have done/said/thought that. God please forgive me.” There. Confessed. Forgiven. Done. It’s almost like I’m a generic sinner confessing my generic sin.

Or, perhaps it’s more like, “God, please forgive my… Wait a minute, is that a cobweb, I really need to continue here

Missed Meetings

01/23/2015Spiritual Growth, The Furrowed Brow, , , , , , , 3 Comments

blog114graphicI heard you calling to me yesterday morning and when I said, “I’ll get to you later,” I knew I was lying. I lied to myself and I lied to you. When I told myself I’d meet with you later in the day I knew in my heart I wouldn’t. When I whispered to you, “Later,” I knew it wouldn’t happen. I know myself almost as well as you do.

“Come and sit with me for a few minutes,” you asked, but there was too much to continue here

When Bad Things Happen…

01/09/2015Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Walk, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments

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“They want to do another MRI to verify the mass.”

“I’m at the hospital getting tested for uterine cancer… This is like a nightmare… Day from Hell.”

“The police showed up at the front door and asked if they could search the house.”

“I can’t take care of two people with Alzheimer’s. I will take care of my husband at home; we have to move mom into a facility.”

“I feel like my life is one BIG consequence after another!”

“In my dark lapse of judgment I texted inappropriate pictures which he promised to delete.”

“Getting a biopsy done right now on my face, please pray!”

“I know God is sovereign, but right now, I’m not convinced that He loves me.”

“Mom fell on the ice.”

“Can God stop Satan already?”

“I don’t know how much more I can take.”

“We agreed we would give up all the money and comfort in the world to just have our family safe and healthy.”

“He asked to meet me for lunch, and then he told me he was bringing another person… a lawyer.”

“If bad things happen all around us, why can’t they happen to us? Why does He choose to protect some people and not others?”

These are all portions of conversations I’ve been a part of this week. I don’t have the answers. I know continue here

When The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Isn’t

12/16/2014Gospel, Holidays, Sharing the Gospel, , , , , , , , , , , , , 8 Comments

There was nothing unusual about her, she wasn’t much older than my own children and we exchanged smiles as Brian and I moved into the empty seats next to her. She didn’t sing during worship, but not everyone does. She shook my hand when we exchanged “Merry Christmas” greetings with our neighbors.

Then, the pastor started his sermon, “Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year… except when it isn’t” and she started to cry. Things weren’t wonderful continue here

Why Is It So Hard To Pray?

10/28/2014Prayer 12 Comments

post95pic1aIf prayer is difficult for you, consider yourself in good company – even the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. And, I will confess, sometimes prayer is the most difficult thing I do all day!

There are lots of reasons why it’s hard to pray, and one reason is simply time – it takes time to pray and I’m busy. Isn’t grabbing a few minutes in the shower, or while I’m running errands sufficient prayer time? Does God really find more here