Cast Net Fishing Prayers

A few weeks ago I traveled to the beautiful part of Western North Carolina for a prayer retreat. Many things are happening with family, friends, personal, etc and hearing Mary Kassian definitely was a highlight (as well as just being in North Carolina).
My brother is a fantastic writer. I love how he writes about another good state, Florida. I know he loves to fish with my grandfather, so I asked him to write a little blurb about cast net fishing. You'll soon see how the two tie together:
Cast netting is an art form from making it, to throwing it, to eating the treasures that lie underneath. My grandpa and his fishing buddies taught me this art form. It wasn’t easy, but I was motivated to learn it because it was one of those traditions that unless my generation learns it will be gone forever.
Making a cast net is hard work. There’s no other way to put it. Your fingers cramp. Your back aches from hunching over the linen net. You mind wanders causing you to screw up a knot and then have to either cut it out or spend the next 30 minutes untangling the knot. It is tedious. But once you are finished a sense of satisfaction follows because now, as a fellow cast netter said, you’ll be able to put food on the table if the need arises.
Throwing a cast net is something beautiful to behold. I’ll be the first to say that I’m not the best at it. Others that go on mullet fishing trips have such a fluid motion that they look akin to a grungy camouflaged Brad Pitt in A River Runs Through It—which in our case should be A Back Bay Runs Through It. The nets sings off their shoulder, down their scrawny forearms, through their sinewy fingers, and onto the salt water in the likeness of making pizza dough.
Once the net hits the water the weights drag it to the bottom covering what you hope is a few black mullet. And you’ll know right quick if they are under there, because they’ll begin jumping just like they do without a net over them. From here, goodness and excitement seep into your bones like a warm Florida night. You gently kneel in the water grabbing each mullet with your cramped hands, and break their neck so as to drain the blood hereby preserving the meat and preventing it from getting a strong odor. Once you’ve done that to all the mullet under the net, you’ll place them on a stringer that is hopefully getting full.
Although the mullet are still now, your stomach is jumping knowing that soon and very soon you’ll taste their scrumptious meat after a long day of mullet hunting.
Cast net fishing for mullet is much like prayer. And the weights and burdens. Here are the similarities:
1. Its hard work. It is a discipline. My fmr pastor, J. D. Greear, always says that no one brags about their prayer life - but if you really wanna know how someone is doing spiritually - ask them about it. I know a couple good "pray-ers" in my life - and they have been a blessing to me - but they also know it is hard work.
2. Prayer is a weighty thing. This is where I camped out for a while. The weights and burdens I carry are heavy - not as heavy as some, but these things are important to me and to my family and friends. Hymns of old speak of this:
Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
Scripture speaks of this: Ps 55.22a:
Cast your burden on the Lord,and he will sustain you.

3. Prayer is an exciting thing. I remember well the thrill of catching fish. I also remember well the thrill when God answers prayers in such dynamic ways. Yes, of course, I like it better (at the time) when God answers the way I see fit - but how much better it is in the long wrong when He answers as He sees fit.
4. Prayer is a continual thing. I remember when my Papa and his friends would bring home tons of mullet to smoke. Those mullet didn't come from one casting. They came from casting after casting after casting. What rang true with me that wknd at the prayer conference is that God does not grow weary of my asking. He will never tire of me coming to him with my requests. He doesn't think it too large of a thing for him to manage: my cares, burdens, and weights.
I do not pray like I should. I have tried to be more Ps 34.1 in my prayers lately. Even driving across town this morning - the sky dark from looming storm clouds at 7:30am - just voicing praise that the skies declare His praise.
I wish I prayed more - but that requires hard work. And when I don't see answers (I've been praying some prayers for over 10 years now and still have gotten a "no"), I grow weary or just stop altogether.
Right now, I'm praying specifically for 3 personal matters, 1 family matter, and 1 friend matter. Those are the big things - then there is the daily stuff.
I am so thankful that my God is so much bigger than me, stronger than any net to catch mullet in, and that He never grows tired of hearing (or reading) my prayers.

God's Good Providence

I read a quote on someone's facebook status yesterday that went something like this. "If we look to God's providence instead of God's promises for the base of our faith - then our faith may crumble." This would be one of these days I'm glad I know the promises of God.
God's providence to us doesn't always come in the way we would want it to come. I'm reminded of William Cowper's quote "behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face".
I rarely take my prayer journal and put it on here, but lately I've been praying very specifically - from a pattern that JD gave us in his sermon when I was there in May. Thanks JD. So, here goes today's entry:
Adoration: You are the good providential God. You are constant and will never change. I can trust in your name. You are my hope and stay and comfort.
Submission: Thank you for the answer. Even though I may not like the answer, I know you are good and your will and answer are always for my good and your greatest glory.
Petition: I ask that my heart be relieved of its heaviness and your goodness and presence heal it.
Recognition: I ask for wrong things. Please take my wrong desires, burn them, remold them into the right desires that are for you.
Gospel: This wish obviously wouldn't bring you the greatest glory. You still have your greatest glory at heart - way behind is my "happiness".
I was reminded through a friend of this Psalm - a song we used to sing at the Summit. I always sing it when I read it in the Word: (Psalm 70.4-5)
"May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!"
I am thankful for God's nearness. I am thankful for God's answer. I'm thankful for tears. I'm thankful for friends. I'm thankful for the promises of God. I'm thankful for the Word.

Advent 2008.4: Indestructible Joy and Cell Phones

I'm loving seeing how God works these readings into the very things that I experience on that day. Today's readings are no different.
JP refers to the gladness or eternal joy of Jesus. "Jesus himself - and all that God is for us in Him - is our great reward, nothing less." (41) Jesus is so far above anything of the want, worry, destruction, horrors, failures, miseries of this world. But, you know...He is also far above any of the rewards, the joys, the happiness in this world. As JD always uses the pointing finger and dog analogy in sermons. I can't focus on the gift - anymore than I can get bogged down by the bad things that happen. This morning, I received an email from a person who just resounds the gospel to me. Actually, 2 of them. They have, just in who they are, spoken the gospel into the situations in my life.
"The glory of Christ is his infinite, eternal, indestructible gladness in the presence of God." (43). But, then JP goes on to write that He wept with the weepers, he mourned, he was tested, he was tried. But, his infinite joy was not moved. That is how I long to be. That is can be moved by these trials in life, not be immune to them - but knowing that even through them I have a greater joy.
Hebrews 1.8-11a "But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain."
Then, in the other reading...the illustration of calling closed stores is used. How God and his listening to our prayers - He is never closed. Last night as I got home from band practice after 11, heavy heart, sat down and rambled on the blog before this one, tried to go to sleep. I kept looking at my cell phone, wondering whom I could call who would still be awake and not be put out by my phone call. I couldn't sleep. My stomach was empty, my head and heart were full. I was focusing on the situation instead of the Answer to the situation. I was more focused on the problem instead of comforting myself and calming my spirit with the Words of the One who has all the answers. I ended up not calling anyone and finally falling asleep. God is good.
What it would have been like to walk beside Jesus, hear Him pray, know His burdens, know that He had all the answers. But, really...I'm thankful for living in the post of the "beautiful scandalous night."

Psalm 69 and Prayer

Lately I've been reading through Ephesians for my quiet times, but last night I had no desire to read it. So, I did something different. Sometime yesterday I read a blog on Psalm 69 - so I thought I might read that - and I did - and got so much stuff that tied in with JD's sermon on Sunday and community group last night.
I continued reading and outlining what God was teaching me this morning - so here you go:
Psalm 69 is written by David, the man after God's own heart. He was in some sort of affliction. We often as for intercessory prayer from others or our prayer lives pick up substantially when we are in affliction or experiencing hard times.
These are 5 things I learned about prayer from this psalm:
1. David prayed persistently. Verse 3: "I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God." He uses words like weary, parches, dim, waiting" - these are great words to describe his affliction - not ones of peace, harmony, and joy. These words are specifically used to relay the message of tiresome, long suffering, pain, uncomfortableness. These things aren't pleasant - Yet - he continues in his crying out - he keeps crying out - and he keeps crying out.
2. David acknowledges his sin. This is also something we don't like to do. First, we may recognize sin, but we don't like to confess it - especially to God (funny, because He already knows our sin whether we confess it or not - Ps 139). But, David sees that need. In verse 5, 19, 20 he says "O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you. Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none." He not only acknowledges his sin, but he also is brokenhearted over his sin (Psalm 51). This is also something else I have found. Christians get good at confessing our sin (Catholics in confessionals, Protestants in counseling sessions or small groups), but how often are we broken over our sin - or how often do we HATE SIN?
3. David trusts in the nature of God. Three things are seen in verses 13, 16: "But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me." Here we see three glimpses into the character of God: good, steadfast love (His covenant, unchangingness), saving faithfulness (how His faithfulness is salvation to us - think about that for a second), and abundant mercy (not just what we need, or just enough - but abundant, overflowing compassion).
4. David gives worship to His God in his time of need. Verses 30-32, 34 are evidence of David's worshipping heart: "I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them." David praises and worships his God through son, thanksgiving (think about that as we celebrate Thanksgiving next week - Dustin is preaching on it this Sunday, can't wait!), in pleasing sacrifices, humility (obedient piety as Dr. Vogel preached on this morning), he even challenges all creation to worship their God (I think of the Summit Song - "Let the Sea and Everything in it" - that Will sings on the CD.) Oh, how God desires our worship in prayer - and prayer itself is an act of worship.
5. David recognizes God's faithfulness and His willingness to answer. How often would our prayers change if we actually believed God would answer them? How often do we pray with so little faith and so much disbelief - thinking we'll pray - but not counting on God to answer? Verse 33 says this: "For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners." He hears the needy (do you recognize yourself as needy - is that how we come to God or do we come to Him self-sufficient?). He doesn't despise us - He counts us as worthy, not as unworthy. I learned what it means to hold someone in contempt and despise them a few years ago - and then realized what that means in my relationship with Jesus. Oh, thank you Holy Spirit. He also knows our bondage and our need. Oh, how He has freed us from that bondage to sin and death. And He knows exactly what we need and when we need it!
So - my prayer life should change based on this teaching. What I loved about JD's sermon on Sunday - is prayer is not a matter of knowing how God will work or what He has pre-ordained. God tells us to pray - so we need to pray. And then in small group - how we pray for each other, care about each, follow-up with prayer requests. Amazing stuff.
So - pray, consistently pray, pray with worship, hate sin, and pray focused on the goodness and faithfulness of God! That's what this whole blog boils down to.

Prayer and Faith - blind praying...

How do you know how to pray when you don't even know what the answer will look like? It is very hard.
The subject of prayer has been on my mind lately - probably because I stink at it and God is trying to work that in me. My mind wanders during long prayers at church, I don't have a solid prayer time everyday - that is disciplined and structured.
But, I have a prayer request and don't know what the answer would look like - because I see no tangible evidence of an answer to that prayer. Does anyone know what I mean?
Prayer and faith...the two have to go hand in hand. But, it is so difficult. There are a couple of things - big things in my life right now - that I have no clue what it would look like if God did answer.
Thoughts? Prayer? Faith?

Hymns, Distractions, and Repentance & the Big Fish

Call to worship out of Ps 95: Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

I was definitely not going to church morning out of joy and readiness to worship - but right when the singing started I realized how much I had missed it. Congregational singing - its very cool. Try it sometime.

Some of the lines out of the very theological/meaningful hymns stuck with me. Those ones you linger on and forget to come in at the next verse because you are still thinking about the one you just sang...

Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy: "In the arms of my dear Savior, oh, there are 10k charms." I think ten thousand charms lay in so many other things - only here do all those charms exist.

Take My Life and Let it Be: "Take my love my God, I pour at thy feet its treasure store, take myself and I will be ever only all for thee." I think this goes right along with Prov 4.23 and Ps 119. We let so many earthly loves get in the way of our love and devotion to Jesus. Lord - please guard my heart against all other love that might seek to take your place as first in my heart and life.

Distractions: During one of the prayer times this morning I was so distracted. It was a longer prayer and all I could hear was the sneezes, coughs, cell phones ringing, babies crying, lollipop wrappers crinkling. What in the world does that say about my prayer life? Its says that it is very shallow. Lord - enable me to block out all the distractions when coming to you in prayer. Even when it is someone else praying - let me join with them in that concert of prayer as it reaches your willing, listening ears.

Repentance - Jonah 3. 4 Points...3 Questions

1. We must acknowledge God's claim on our lives. The Ninevites did so as they repented after the preaching of Jonah's message from the God of the Israelites. He wasn't even their God. But - they repented

2. It demands that we have a contrite, submissive attitude toward God.

3. We must turn from specific sins.

4. We have a sure hope of mercy. The Ninevite king wasn't even 100% that they would be given mercy if they did repent. We know that for sure - the cross, Rom 2.4 (how I love that verse. Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

1?. Is there any ongoing sin in my life that needs to be repented of?

2?. Am I avoiding or inviting temptation?

3?. What am I doing - why am I doing it?

Often times, I am aware of my sin - but is there is a sorrow (deep distress, sadness, or regret ) that leads to repentance that leads to change? If I say I love Rom 2.4 - mustn't I also live it in my life? If I say Jesus is Savior and Lord in my life - shouldn't my life prove that to be the case.

The X Factor

I've been in a thinking and writing mood - so that is what brings about so many blogs.
The X Factor (not talking about high school math) - the Unknown Factor...why does it scare me so...why are so many people afraid of it...
I wanna talk about why so many are afraid of the unknown - fearing a life that can be any different than the one they are living now. What if God really worked in the way they wanted Him to? What if God worked in the way that I really wanted Him to?
Trust. Faith. No Fear. Reliance. Faithful. Sovereign.
So, on the ipod right now I've got songs that have to do with trust, faithful, etc. Some of them are the same songs (Tis So Sweet) and then some just have the same themes.
Smalltown Poets, Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, etc...
I want to trust in a God so big that He is able to fulfill all my desires just as I would want them. That means that my will must be lost in His - I must be dead.
Let me give up myself, my heart, my desires and trust in a God that has the BIGGER PICTURE in His sight - His Glory.
But, tonight I don't want to use God's glory or His Sovereignty as a cop-out. Please don't hear that. I want to be able to pour out my willing heart to a God who loves me infinitely more than I could ever love Him back.
How God is going to work in our lives though is still an unknown factor. Think of Abraham leaving his land. Think of Moses passing through the Red Sea on dry ground (not even soggy). Think of Paul going to Rome. Think of John the isle of Patmos. Think of Isaiah going to a people who weren't even really going to hear what he had to say. Think of David facing Goliath - not knowing for sure if that rock was going to hit him with enough force.
I just read this on CJ's blog from an Ed Welch book: (Running Scared)
With this in mind, his words should sound attractive, and we should be more and more inclined to listen. We should still like to abolish anxieties quickly, but we are learning that God values strong foundations and gradual growth, and such foundations are established as we feed on him and his words. As we meditate on Scripture and make it our own, we should anticipate slow but steady change. Worriers should be experts in a handful of passages. (p. 147)
How I've proved him over and over - lyrics from Tis So Sweet - Precious Jesus - give me grace to trust you more.
Ps 37.5, 7a: Commit your way to the Lord;trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. He will act - that is a promise!
Ps 40.4a: Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust!
Ps 56.3-4: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Ps 62.8: Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
*****Ps 143.7-8: Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Is 12.2-6: Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song,and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord,call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!"
*****Dt 7.9: Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.
Is 25.1: O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Its not that my trust is so great - because I cry out - Jesus, help my unbelief and my uncertainty - but that my trust is in a GREAT SAVIOR - one who is eternally faithful and true to Himself - and He can NOT change!

What Do You Watch?

TV used to be such a big part of my life. I remember growing up watching the Cosby Show, Full House, Mets bball games, sports galore, Law and Order from before the time Jerry Orbach was in syndicate, etc. The list really could go on. College it was Felicity and other random shows I would catch as I walked through the rotunda of Flagler College. I got more into sports and would watch anything really - except maybe the Kentucky Derby and bowling (even though I like to bowl). Then along came the Food Network and other cable networks like that. And I could watch all my fave shows in syndicate - I think I've really seen every L&O, Cosby, Full House, Little House, Knight Rider (the original Kit), Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Kate and Alley, that there was ever made - because TV was such a big part of my life.

Now, thanks to not making a ton of money and wanting to send letters to people rather than have cable, I don't watch much of it. The only channels I really miss are ESPN and the regular ones I can't get (Fox and CBS) with my metal bunny ears. I still spend a lot of time on the computer or watching movies - but not near as much as I did with cable.

All that to say - this blog is not about television shows. This blog is about watching something infinitely more valuable. I went on the girltalk blog this morning in looking for their thoughts on prayer and came across this one that I thought was so valuable to me this morning. It is from about 2 years ago. This is the verse that they reference and here is another one I like.

Ps 5.3

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Jer 29.11-14

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

What are you watching - expecting the Lord to do in His graciousness to you? Are you watching? Do you sometimes just pray thinking nothing will come of it - it is mere duty?

I said this morning to a friend "these days (meaning yesterday through the weekend) will be some of God moving big time in answer to prayer". So far, He hasn't answered exactly like I thought in one situation - but I want my complete joy to be in HIS Highest glory. That should be our goal. Watch - pray expectantly, earnestly! Communicate that with Him - and see what He does for His glory!

God is so much bigger

Today has been a whirlwind of a day and I still am not going to bed - hopefully shortly though.
The Word/Spirit has convicted of pride today.
A new baby has entered the world and very early - so much prayer and a baby-sized God strong miracle is needed.
I loved the songs we sang at Pendergraph tonight - thanks Rach! Some of the lines were just what I needed.
I prayed/read earlier tonight - I usually don't pray aloud (even when I'm by myself) but tonight I did, and within an hour the prayer was answered - and will await further answers.
These songs:
Jesus, My Only Hope (Sov Grace music): I only bring thanksgiving! I trust your gracious promise! My righteousness - my Great High Priest! Jesus, I trust in you alone! Joy in your glory Lord!
Before the Throne of God Above (I love the Shanes version best): a strong and perfect plea - Jesus ever pleads for me. My name is written on his heart. No tongue can bid me thence depart (Oh, to saturate ourselves in the word and prayer). Because the sinless Savior died - my sinful soul is counted free. God is satisfied. Alleluia!!!!!!!! Shout it! The great Unchangeable I AM! The King of Glory! My soul is purchased by His blood! My life is hidden with Christ on high.
Take My Life (I like the Tomlin version best): Consecrated Lord to Thee. Let me sing always only for my King. Filled with messages from Thee. Here am I! All of me. Take my will and make it thine - it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart - it is thine own - thy royal throne.

ALL to the praise and HIS HIGHEST GLORY! That is where I find peace tonight - that He is so much bigger

Desiring God - Prayer

As I continued to prepare for an upcoming DNOW in St. Augustine, I picked up Desiring God again and read the chapter on "prayer" - since prayer is a key component in our communication with God (communication is the DNOW theme).
Of course there was much that was already highlighted and even more that I underlined. Then I turned the page. Piper, as only he can do sometimes, put patience and prayer in a whole new light for me. One that was totally convicting - as I again am in a place of waiting for God to answer some questions...
"To wait! That means to pause and soberly consider our own inadequacy and the Lord's all sufficiency, and to seek counsel and help from the Lord, and to hope in Him. Israel was rebuked that they did not wait for his counsel. Why? Because in not seeking and waiting for God's help, they robbed God of an occasion to glorify Himself. The Lord says to Israel 'In returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But Israel refused to wait for the Lord and said "No! We will speed our horses" - Is 30.15, 16.
Then in verse 18 the folly and evil of this self-initiated frenzy is revealed -
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting for God is that we oppose God's will to exalt himself in mercy. God aims to exalt himself by working for those who wait for Him. But, is there anything we can give him that won't belittle him to the status of beneficiary? Yes - our anxieties - it is a command. God will gladly receive anything from us that shows our dependence and his all-sufficiency."
How many times have I robbed God, not waited for him, sped my own horses - whatever they might be? Oh, Lord, again, grow in me patience in my prayer life. Knowing that you answer exactly how you have intended and chosen to answer - make my will satisfied with your will.
Then, I kept reading and picked up Catherine Marshall's Adventures in Prayer (an older book I have had for a while and never read):
"Waiting certainly plays an enormous role in the unfolding story of God's relationship to man. It is God's oft-repeated way of teaching us that His power is real and that He can answer our prayers without interference and manipulation from us!" Kim - butt out! :)
Then, kept reading...and kept underlining. This is an amazing book. So convicting - right where I am.
"Always His timing - we force and try to hurry the divine schedule at our peril. God does have his fullness of time for the answer to each prayer. It follow then that He alone knows the magnitude of the changes that have to be wrought un us before we can receive our hearts' desires. He alone knows the changes and interplay of external events that must take place before our prayers can be answered. Thus, the Lord seems sonstantly to use waiting as a tool for bringin us the very best of his gifts."
So, in other words - Kim - keep waiting, don't get impatient. He knows what is best for me!

Hungry Adulterers

Ok - so when 4 people in one afternoon tell you to go immediately listen to a sermon - you know its going to be good. So, yesterday - since it was storming outside, I downloaded JD's recent sermon and listened to it while walking the track inside. So so so good. If you like prayer, don't like prayer, hate to pray, love to pray, struggle to pray, want to learn more about prayer, or love Jesus - go listen to this sermon.

First point that really stood out to me was him saying something like this (don't want to say its a direct quote because I'll probably get a little non-important word wrong):

God wants us to come to Him as satisfied worshipers not hungry adulterers.

There you have it. Now, here is how it applies to me.

Usually, when I ask for something in prayer or bring it to the Lord's feet - why do I really want the things that I'm praying for? Do I think that if I get those things I will be more satisfied than I am right now. If that is the case - then I am asking for them with wrong motive (not believing that Jesus is my complete satisfaction).

John 15-17

Ps 73.23-28

So - what about me today? How has listening to this sermon prepared me to continue in praying to my good Heavenly Father. I've learned recently the importance and vitality of praying God's Word back to Him.

Especially, Ps 84.11 - This is how I word that prayer when I am praying: For you our Sovereign and my Lord. You Jesus are a sun - you give me things causing my growth and warmth, you are also my shield - protecting me from things that may be harmful to me but I may not be aware of that as of yet. You - in your own timing bestow favor and honor - mercy, you lift the humble up (which I am far from, so please work that in me according to your mercy), and I can rest assured that you will withhold no good thing from me because I find my righteousness in you and you alone. This doesn't apply only when I am living right and doing everything I am supposed to - then it would not be an act of grace - it would be based on my works. You are good, and I will rest in that."

So, if you are struggling in abiding and praying - just pick up the Word, pray through that. I learned that many years ago from my mentor - and that is how I like to pray.

So, go listen to a good sermon, pray, abide - HE IS GOOD! I love my good God, even if He always doesn't answer the way I think my prayers should be answered. He knows more than I do anyway.

Saturdays and Men of the Bible

I love Saturdays like this...I just wish I were closer to what I needed to do.
Today is sleeping in (which I did till 9), ate some homemade bread for breakfast (which was good, but I still like the parm/basil better - but definitely not for breakfast!), now I'm spending time in the Word (my last of round 1 through Ps 119) and prayer (as 119.147 says). Then my parents will be gone most of the day so that will give me most of the day here to myself - which will be nice and quiet! I think I'm going to watch Les Miserables for class, bake a coconut sour cream pound cake for church picnic tomorrow night, read, and then go to Cheesecake Factory in Winter Park tonight with some new friends from OC. Should be pretty nice and relaxing.
Anyway, on to the most important thing I do today...
Ps 119.169:
"Let my cry come before you O Lord, give me understanding according to your Word."
This took me a lot of places today, so be ready:
Cry - this can be both in joy and in sorrow. God so wants and desires us to bring Him everything - come near to his very presence (paniym) and bring HIM it all. He wants us to praise Him with joy and exuberance. He wants us to come before Him with pain, sorrow, crying out because we wonder what He is up to when things don't happen just like WE want them to. He desires that. Some Christians think they can only come before God when they are happy. Some others only look to Him when things are going wrong. Some don't come before Him at all. Let us praise, cry, lament (like many of the psalms), bring tears, claps, yips, yells, hollers, reverence - all that before the Holy God.
I looked up the word understanding here and it was the one for discernment and distinguishing, set apart. I don't know too many people who have this, but I heard it described of someone recently. So, I wanted to know more about it - looked up some of the people Scripture said had this "gift": Joseph, David, Eli, Zechariah - look at even that short list. I want to be like these people: Do you know how they had it - given by the Spirit by them hanging out in the presence (paniym from earlier) of Jehovah. They of course didn't have a little leather bound Bible with words written in red, but they sought the presence of the Lord - to lead, to kill lions, to run from temptation, to prophecy, to instruct kings, to change lands...what powerful men these were. You will find this interesting...

I guarantee they cried before the Lord: like Joseph in the pit, him running from Potipher's wife, Zechariah prophesying to people who wouldn't listen, David when he was up against Goliath, Joseph when his brothers finally came to him and brought in Benjamin, David in repentance over his sins with Uriah and Bathsheeba - all these times...

Cry, weep, wail, mourn, bring joy! And gain discernment...that is what I need Lord - to basically know that your will is ultimately the best no matter what happens. May I rejoice in that.

running on empty

Have you ever tried to work out on an empty stomach - or even dehydrated? it isn't fun and that is not how it is supposed to be done. The other day I was hungry and out traveling before I went to the gym, so i stopped by Publix and got some Kashi and an apple. Good little snack before I went to the elliptical!
I read Ps 119.32 today and thought this was a lot of the same thing. How often do we try to live the Christian life running on empty - without getting filled with his WORD! The psalmist talks about it here.
"I will run in the way of your commandments, when you enlarge my heart." We are active in the first part, only after we are passive in the second part.

Not only are we to run here (like a jog) - we are supposed to run swiftly in all the days of our lives - not just on Sundays or when things are going well with people around us - all the days - our manner of living. Similar to the NT's word for walk.
But - God must first make our understanding broad. we are to pray for this - God will do it. We can't do it on our own without grace. God will give us understanding - He wants us to understand it and grow in the Word - why would He hide it from us? He has given us the Holy Spirit (John 15-17) to illumine us in the matters of God and his Son (and himself).

Pray today, especially if you have been running on empty, that God would enlarge your heart (or will, understanding) for the Word. He will!

Big Prayer Day

Tomorrow (Sunday) I'm going to get out of here (the house) early and go down to one of the local lakes (its called Lakeland for a reason) and spend some time in prayer, Scripture, walking, listening to some Shane and Shane. I'm looking forward to this day and it is supposed to be nice weather.
Today I sat in a seminary extension class and talked about philosophy with Dr. Little. In the discussion of miracles, we asked it the answering of precedent prayer authenticated the existence of God. Of course it doesn't. If I quit believing in God at the first time He didn't answer my prayer like I wanted to, I would have quit believing a long time ago. But, praise to His glory that He didn't answer them like I've always wanted Him to.
But...tomorrow gotta a lot of big things on my plates: future things, now things, and medical things. God is a big God - He can handle big requests all at once!

Post-Football season & Temples of Prayer

Well, I was right...Pittsburgh did score 21 points, I was just wrong on Seattle's - (sorry Bob). To be honest I really didn't even watch most of the game. I was watching something else and kept turning it over there. But from what I saw it wasn't that exciting of a game. But, truly a sad day. It is the end of football season as I know it until next August. And then MNF is moving to ESPN - what is up with that. I hope less people watch it, then after many years of their contract, they will move it back to a non-cable station.

Mark 11-12
These pictures up here illustrate very clearly part of the passage of Mark 11. This is in Chiang Mai as Chris (my worship pastor) and Angie (our children's director) sit praying over the temple. This was another one of the verses that came to mind when I was there. Many people were selling things, both in and outside of the temple. This was not was the temple (or the church) was made for. It was made for prayer - for worship. This is it. For His glory!

Blankets & Showers, Paraphrase, Alito and Bush

This one will be rather quick this morning because of the first of the title up there. I woke up this morning, prayed with Rachael, then the blankets that I thanked God for were so warm, so...I stayed in bed. Woke up around 715. also, I don't have a headache this morning, so there may be something to that more sleep thing. Don't worry - I won't get used to it.
I just say the above it use everything that God gives us for HIS glory and never take it for granted. I was praying for the people in the world who don't have hot water to take a shower with on a cold day and I have 5 blankets and there are people that are sleeping outdoors with no heat and no blankets.
Last night's prayer meeting was definitely Eph 3.20 - OMGoodness. We had over 250 when normal prayer meetings ran abou 160 on a good night. Wow - Go God! Paraphrase - Rom 8.32 and Ps 34.1 - Because God gave us Jesus to die on the cross for us when we were still sinners, He will then freely give us all things; and I will bless the Lord at ALL times and His praise will continually be on my lips! What powerful verses!
I was thankful to see Judge Alito voted in yesterday and by such a large margin. It was interesting to half-heartedly watch the union speech last night. Most of the time it was a completely split audience...one half would stand, and when he was being sarcastic, the other half would stand. Our country is so divided. I likened it to Israel when they split over politicis in the 800s, it took captivity in the 500s to eventually bring them back together. God - heal our country.
Quiet times will come in a later post tonight! Have a great day! Praise God for the little things.

Jan 7 - 2 days to go - Dan 10-12

Had a good packing day today - good stuff from Chris - Weird still to pray with certain people there because you aren't used to praying with them around...I don't know what that is. Its like my relationship with you can't be real with them around because it is hard to live with them...I don't know - have to think more about that.

Jan 2 - Matt 23-28

Finally - the 2nd day of January and I'm already behind. JD gave us the normal reading plan, but I like the one I am doing better so I am going to stick with it.
But, 2 days behind and I've still gotta finish Matthew...
23.1-12 - Just what I was talking with Sharon about...the stuff I do and how I do it for my glory and so that people can know my name - but how I should be doing it not even thinking about myself but for Your glory and to be a servant to other people. Help me to have that servants heart in Thailand...I need to meditate on that verse...start doing it now so that maybe the Spirit can work it in my life by then...oh, Spirit - I believe you can work - I've seen you do it - help me to practice this verse...
24.14 - Help me to be a part of this on a daily basis, but oh to be a part of it to the ends of the earth as well...in Thailand - with the B monks, to be an encouragement to those who are on the lines every day, to help strengthen them...
25.21 - Obedience: enter into the joy of your Master
25.32 - Before Him will be gathered all the nations - we get to be included in that inheritance over the next 2 weeks...
25.34 - Oh to be blessed of God before the foundations of the world. But, since I don't know who is on the right and who is on the left - it is my job to go...
26.13 - What will I be known for. AJ is known for being a woman of God to someone who has only known her for a week. This woman will always be remembered by what she poured out on Jesus' feet - not much of anything else. What do I want to be remembered for? To strive for the presence of Jesus - to be known as one who walks closely with you. But, to walk closely with you not for that purpose but for the end in itself.
26.15 - I don't know when I was asked the questions - what are your 30 pieces of silver, but it is such a tough question....right now it is FoodTV, any tv for that matter, a few extra hours of restless sleep, sin, pure rebellious sin...
26.25 - I wonder how the rest of the disciples reacted to this news? Did they want to kill him? What was the reaction of the rest of the talmudine when one of the talmids rejected their Rabbi? Question for JD or Ray Vander Laan?
27.63 - They had to have had some belief in what Jesus said because they acted on it - maybe not out of right conviction, but they remembered what He had said and acted on it - the power of Jesus' words.
28.5 - Just like at His first coming to life - "Do not fear" and now at his second coming to life - "Do not fear."
28.15 - and I wonder if Matthew ever thought as he was writing this that the same false stealing the body routine would be carried out 2000 years later?
28.17-20 - Obedience, worship, missions...they all go hand in hand...

More catching up with Matthew

It feels good to read again just for me and come through a time of set aside prayer and reading and worship in intercession for other people. REnewal comes through that like no other - fantastic and mysterious.
5.6 - what do I hunger and thirst for? Am I wanting other things to fill me?
5.13 - What do I do in every day life that causes me to lose my saltiness? Sleeping and eating too much - not paying enough attention to worship, disciplines, and the Word?
6.1 - How guilty I am of this often - when I worship - O Lord let my grace gifts be given to you and you alone
6.7 - Let my prayers be genuine - let my whole outward relationship with you be evidenced by the inner walk - not for show
6.10 - No authority here on earth can stop your will - we pray and claim that whatever your will is it will be done here on earth!
6.17 - Thank you for rewarding with your presence and Words from your Word
7.8 - Everyone who asks receives...what good promise!
7.11 - How much more? Thank you for being so far above us!
7.29 - He didn't need the authority of the scribes - He is the authority. All authority starts and ends with Him!
8.10 - Oh what a look at distant faith. To be like that - praised for the faith that is only given by grace.
8.19-22 - We think we are often so willing, yet when it comes down to it we really aren't. O Lord let me be willing to follow you wherever you might lead
8.26 - Why are you afraid and where is your faith?
9.9 - Another display of unhesitating obedience. True obedience.
9.29 - According to your faith - oh give me more grace that I can have more faith that you are going to complete your will here on earth.
9.38 - Pray earnestly!

Nov 28 - Enrich my understanding

And my passion for the Word - even the Chronicles...
12.1 - Why is it when we get strong - then we kind of start to live on our own and get weak again?
12.14 - Let me seek the Lord with my whole heart - that I might not do evil. When I seek after other things - even my own strength - that's when I go wrong...
14.11 - Let that be our prayer - we are weak without you - like Paul says - in our weaknesses you are strong. Let us go into battle against Durham and the evil in it behind you - not behind the name of the summit
15.7 - I prayed this for Indonesia - let me remember to pray this for Brad and Miles and also for Thailand - that our work will be rewarded because of WHO leads it.
15.16 - Not even family can keep you from serving the Lord!
The peaceful reign of Asa because his heart was true to the Lord