101 Ways to Pray & Praise...Part 2

6. I love to sing old hymns. My children and I belt them out when we're doing chores and the like. Hymns are full of wonderful praise!

7. I love to use the ABCs. One thing I'm glad God gave me for each letter. This can also be a great mental exercise, trying to think of different things each time I go through the alphabet.

8. Write a psalm to God and then pray it back to God.

9. Use an address book to keep track of the people and situations you are praying for. Everyday pray through a couple of letters.

10. Pray T.H.U.M.B. I got this one from Pray! mag. it stands for: T is for Tribal people and animists; H for Hindus; U is for the unreached, unreligious, and unconvinced; M for Muslims; and B for Buddhists.

Jitter Bug...

I learned how to Jitter Bug this past weekend! Well, sort of. You see I have decided that this is a dance you don't just learn in one 2 hour session. (But feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong.) I've decided that learning the Jitter Bug is a lot like learning to walk. You practice it over and over and over and over....well you get the picture. And then, after you've gone over the steps and a few of the variations you really still don't have it down. And so you start over. And then, somewhere in the middle you, or your partner, says "Wait! I messed up. Start again." Reminds me of learning to follow Jesus. His steps are not overly difficult, and there are a few different things you need to remember. And you practice time and time again and invariably you get it wrong somewhere! I like Jesus as my teacher though, he keeps going over the steps with me, patiently reminding me that once I get the basic step of letting his power infuse me then the rest will begin to flow naturally. A Lot Like A Dance!

101 Ways to Pray & Praise...Part 1

I decided to record different ways I use or have used to talk to and praise God....This will be an ongoing list, mostly for my own reference!

1. I use a prayer journal. I record prayers for people, situations, material things, even ramblings that come from my heart. I also use it to record lessons that God has taught me. I have enjoyed over the years going back and looking at all the different places God and I have "gone" together.

2. This year, at Thanksgiving, I started a Thank You journal. (It's just some colored paper stapled together with a cover.) I have made a commitment to write at least 1 thing in it each. 1 thing that I am thankful for, 1 thing I may often take for granted, 1 thing that "sings" to my heart from God's.

3. In the past I have used lists to help me remember to pray for people. I keep a list of family members and friends. When I feel like I can't think of anything to pray for I get out my list and the prayer just starts flowing. I also have a list of family and friends whom I know are not saved. I use this one quite often.

4. I have taken many prayer walks. I walk around my church and pray for the ministries and the ministers involved in my church. I walk around a school and pray for the teachers, students, administrators, and parents. Then I pray for the community around that school. I have found that this can be a very enriching time of prayer.

5. I love to use scripture when I pray. One of the best ways that I can communicate with God is by using what he has given me in his word. There is endless material for praise and petition!

Untilted

Such a hollow trend.
Words that are meaningless,
And refusing to bend.
The world, in all of its blindness,
Is headed toward
Nothing but darkness.
Don't listen to their cries,
what they say
It's only lies!
Useless things.
An empty silence
But see what it brings!
Death and despair
A life full of sorrow,
Things you can't bear.
But, the Life and the Way,
The Truth and the Light,
Is with us today!

Patience is a Virtue!

Sometimes I feel as though this is one I will never master! In fact I'm certain of it. I can't seem to make any head way in the matter of being patient with my kids...in fact it seems to be getting worse not better! God help me, I'm drowning in a sea of my own misery. How I want to dwell each day in your peace and not be yelling at the kids and constantly getting frustrated with them. You are so patient with me! Why can't I seem to extend that to my own children?

Poem 1

I meant to post this a few weeks ago, but I still think it's appropriate. I want to remember how Jesus came into this world!

A long time ago, in a distant land
Shepherds saw the work of God’s own hand.
Angels were sent to deliver his word
“Today, God’s Son is born,” they heard.

“A blessing to all, he will save the world.”
The angels filled the sky and sang of the child.
Off the shepherds ran to see this sight,
A babe lying in a manger, wrapped up tight!

Jesus, the Savior, born this day, in a stable
The shepherds were delighted and able,
They fell and worshiped him there
Then out they ran with good news to share.

Why Resolutions Fail...

Have you made resolutions in the past and then by February you’ve already broken said resolution? I know I have! Why are we so drawn to change any way? I believe God ingrained the desire to change, the desire to be better, even the desire to be godlier, deep in our souls. It’s part of what draws us to him, to his miraculous transforming power. So when I am drawn to God he will begin to change me as he desires! And believe me, he does change you! His word says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5.17, emphasis added) So then why do resolutions fail? I can think of a few reasons:

1. After years of attempting to change my own life, I realized that I don’t have that power in and of myself! (No brainer, right.) I have to allow God to transform me a little at a time. “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Rom. 7.18)

2. The new does not fit into the old container. This principle is a little harder to see but it is none the less biblical. The godly lifestyle I desire cannot and will not fit into my old sinful lifestyle. I must get rid of all those things God reveals to me that do not fit into his ways. “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.” (Luke 5.37-38)

3. Relationship with my Creator is another vital key. God transforms me by renewing my mind through his word and through his Spirit, as I offer him everything I am and everything I hope to be. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12.1-2)

God’s mercies are new everyday not just every year. And he has made the ultimate resolution! He has determined, or resolved, to “make all things new!” (Rev. 21.1-6) He is at this moment making you new, making me new. It’s a process but it’s already done in his sight. Read the context of this passage, Christ is speaking from the throne in the New Jerusalem! He’s completed everything. Now, that’s a resolution I can get behind. Amen.

Resolution Smesolution!

When I think of resolution I think "How good is my screen or my picture quality." Not resolving to do anything or not do anything. In fact I don't think I've ever understood why people make resolutions that they aren't going to keep any way! The whole thing seems kind of silly to me. I suppose resolutions are fine if you're actually going to follow through. But in my experience very few people actually make it to Feb. still holding onto their resolution. Do I sound pessimistic? Alright I know I do! But it's okay with me I've adjusted to life as a realist. That's it.