Pray big.

I realize I write about my relationship with God a lot. And I have to take a moment to say that yes, I write about it a lot. It's important to me. And it's important to me that I do my best to let Him speak through me to others. It's my voice of ministry.

But I want you to know that I'm not a great Christian. Sometimes I question Him. I debate with Him. I am confused by Him. I don't know Him like I should. I don't feel Him like I should. I don't read His Word like I should.

And I don't talk to Him like I should. 

I don't pray like I need to. And when I do I get distracted. Or feel like I'm not going deep enough. Praying specifically enough. Praying hard enough. Not putting enough heart into it. Not believing enough, trusting enough, caring enough.

At church this month we're reading The Circle Maker, and our sermon series is on the power of prayer. Encouraging us to pray bigger. Pray longer. Pray harder.

Knowing that I fall short in this area and feeling the need for Derrick and I to both focus, pray big, and connect spiritually, I came up with a weekly prayer calendar for the next 28 days. Just a few days in, and it has already been such a blessing. Just hanging out with God together, talking to Him together, verbalizing our thanks, our praises, our fears, and dreams together...

I encourage all of you to set aside a time to pray specifically - alone, with a friend, with your spouse, with a family member. Pray big. He's bigger.

 

I've included our weekly prayer calendar for inspiration. Feel free to steal the idea! 

Sunday 

 Pray for work, our jobs, our careers, and the week ahead

Monday 

 Pray for our marriage, our home, our family

Tuesday 

Pray for the Jones'/Greens' Family

Wednesday 

Pray for unsaved family and friends, for spiritual growth

Thursday 

Pray for the Johnson Family

Friday 

 Pray for our friends

Saturday 

 Pray for Relationship Church, for church growth, for our church family, for the sermon the next day

"You down there..."

I knew I needed to blog today. It's been a while. But I had no strong inspiration. So I found one of those "20 questions about you..." type deals and was planning to post my answers. It wouldn't be a particularly inspiring blog, but hopefully at least a little interesting. Good enough.

But then it happened. God inspired me through a whisper...

Sometimes when Derrick and I are in different rooms...or sitting on different couches...we'll say "I love you in there.", "I love you over there.", "I love you out there.", etc. 

Tonight he was on his computer in his office and, since he likes me just being there with him, I had sprawled out on the floor in the same room to fold towels and do my James devotion. In the middle of my reading, I hear a whisper from above me.

"I love you down there." Derrick smiled down. Making me feel loved. Safe. Sure. 

"I love you up there." I assured him. 

And then - in that same split second - I knew what I should write about. 

Sometimes we're going through life...feeling alone. Frustrated. Confused. We feel like giving up. We feel like no one would notice if we just stopped altogether. And then, like a warm blanket on the coldest night, God softly whispers "I love you down there."

Sometimes we're celebrating our blessings. We're falling in love. Getting married. Having a baby. Landing our dream job. Traveling the world. Listening to our favorite song on the radio. Basking in the warmth of a good book. Laughing with the best of friends. And, if we pause a minute, we can hear God whispering, "I love you down there."

Isn't that the best feeling? To know that we are loved. Safe. Sure. Someone cared enough to send His Son to die for us. Someone cares what you're going through. Someone is going through it with you. And not just someone - but the Creator and King over all. 

Close your eyes and listen. He's whispering to you. Beckoning you. Reassuring you. Caring for you....

"I love you down there."

And take a moment to thank Him. Adore Him. Worship Him. Praise Him. Whisper back. 

"I love You up there."

Love Deeply.

I was really struggling yesterday with a few key questions: What am I doing to make a difference in the lives of others? How am I making an impact for Christ? Am I just wasting my time, my opportunities, my talents? What more can I do today, right now?

...and so I decided to share a passage of scripture with you that God shared with me. Hopefully it will inspire you. Don't you love when you look at a verse or passage that you've probably seen at least a dozen times before but this time it means more?

 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11

There are so many great morsels of truth tucked away in this passage, but I will focus on those words and principles that touched me today, in hopes that they may touch you too.

"Above all, love each other deeply."  Love deeply. Love passionately. Love completely. Do love. Feel love. Act in love. Show love. How often do we - do I - forget to show love to others in everything that I do. And to love those around me deeply and completely. 

"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."  The first part of this command is great...but the second part is humbling, and I think it probably speaks to many of us. How often do I volunteer for something or to help someone and yet complain and grumble and have a negative spirit while anticipating actually "offering hospitality". Even though my spiritual gift is exhortation, I am selfish. I like using my time for me when I get the chance...and too often find myself - if only in my mind - having a poor spirit about being kind, welcoming, and helpful to others. 

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others..." This is something I try to do everyday but never do enough. We each have different gifts, talents, skills that God has given us. Everyone is different - and its awesome how He made us all unique. And we each have gifts that we've been given that we can use every day to touch others, serve others, encourage others. Never focus on what you're not good at, but take a good look at what you are good at, what you enjoy doing, the talents you have - and then use those traits to serve others and to worship God.

"If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."  I think this one builds on everything above. If I'm serving with God's strength and to His glory then I shouldn't have a negative spirit, but a spirit of love. If I'm looking for ways daily to use my gifts for God's glory then I can have faith that He will give me strength so that His will and His praise will be accomplished. 

I hope this has encouraged you today. 

To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.

Esther - For Such a Time As This...

A story that has been shared by women for ages...The story of Esther is one of triumph and defeat, glamor and torture, partying and weeping,  twists and turns, surprises and "ah-ha" moments, God's salvation and His perfect plan. I wanted to give a glimpse of this story now because it's the beginning of a new year. And the story of Esther is one of God's perfect timing. Of "God-things" if you will.

Instead of taking it verse by verse, I'm simply going to make a few points about the story of Esther and her life. I encourage you to read the book in its entirety and bask in the raw, painful beauty of the whole story.

1.Being used - The story of Esther is all about being used, and we get our first glimpse whenever we meet Vashti.  During the first of many banquets, the king's beautiful wife is summoned to bare her beauty for all of the king's friends to see. When she refuses the drunk king, refusing to be used and disgraced, she is dethroned. And that is all we hear of this brave, beautiful queen who was tired of being used.(Check out Esther 1)

Then we meet Esther. Her older cousin/father figure encourages her to join the harem of women who are waiting to be paraded in front of the king, preparing in hopes that they will be the next queen. She's being used by Mordecai to gain them a better life. That's not all bad.

Then, after being chosen as queen, she's being used by the king for her beauty. Her body. (Check out Esther 2)

And next, and best of all, she's being used by God. Used - in the right place, in the right time - to accomplish His purpose. She was put there for a bigger plan, one hidden until the right moment. The moment that Mordecai whispers, "I don't know, my dear, maybe God put you here for such a time as this." To save your people. To turn weeping into rejoicing. To change the course of history. Maybe it has all led up to this.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”(4:14)

I pray that we overcome being used by people and allow ourselves to be used by God. Even if we don't see His divine plan - maybe He's allowing you to be where you are for "such a time as this." Be patient. Have faith. And look for opportunities.

2. Suffering and saving - While Esther is living life in the palace, keeping hidden the fact that she's a Jew, her people are being persecuted at the hands of Haman - the king's right hand man. Not only do they face persecution daily, but now they are faced with their impending death. Her people are weeping in the streets, and Esther is feasting in the palace. 

She doesn't stay sheltered for long. Mordecai persistently shares the plight with this Jewish queen...realizing that she is their only hope. At first, it doesn't seem that Esther wants to risk her life for the life of her people. For that would be what she would be doing if she dared approach the king without being beckoned. Not to mention the risk of admitting she was a Jew. But then the reality, the struggle, the tears sink in...and Esther makes a courageous move on the behalf of her people. (Read Esther 3 and 4)

Are we ignoring hurting people in our lives? Is it too easy for us to close the palace windows and enjoy our perks, while others are suffering? Look at the big picture today and reach out to someone who needs it.

3. Beauty,brains, and braveness - Esther is chosen by the king because of her beauty, she is chosen by God because of her brains and braveness (courage). It took courage for her to approach the king without invitation. It took wisdom and clever understanding for her to invite the king and Haman to dinner...twice...before making her request known. Like any good wife, she understood her husband. And with God's guidance, she knew the best way to approach the situation. She didn't act hastily but patiently waited for the right time. And she put her own life on the line for the lives of her people.

"Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (4:15-16)

4. Coincidences?- I hardly believe in coincidences but, if you weren't a Christian, Esther is full of them. Esther, the Jew, being chosen as queen just in time to save her people is a pretty amazing God-thing...but that one isn't the one that makes me smile in satisfaction the most. 

See, in the book of Esther there is this little rat of a character named Haman. Haman hates the Jews, and Mordecai is his least favorite. Haman has the king wrapped around his finger and uses the king's ring to seal an edict for the annihilation of the Jews. One night the king can't sleep, so he gets someone to read old records to him. Sounds boring enough - stay with me here. These old records record a man saving the king's life. A man by the name of Mordecai. So the king wants to honor this man. Never able to make decisions on his own, the king consults Haman. "Haman, how should I reward a man who has done a great thing for me?". Haman rambles on and on, listing some pretty lofty rewards...thinking that the king is talking about Haman himself. Not so much. 

Oh, I love to imagine Haman's face when Esther speaks up during that second banquet. Wanting her people to be free. And wanting justice served. Yes, our God is a God of justice and mercy. I wonder how long it took Haman to realize it all. To put the bigger picture together. 

Yes, it's true. On the day that Mordecai was to be hanged...Haman took his place. And that lofty reward? Yep, it was Mordacai's.(Read Esther 5, 6, and 7)

As you start this new year, I encourage you to read the book of Esther. Curl up with it tonight.wo And, if you want a closer look, delve into this great book by Beth Moore (surprised?):