I love my blog, even though it is sadly neglected at this point. I am not gone, just sewing or out for a bike ride or being with my family. Thanks for sticking around to read what I have to say when I get a chance to say it.
I pray for your health - that the way you feel physically does not get in the way of how you want to live. May the aches and pains of your bodies be understood and healed at the source and gone forever.
I pray that you would enjoy good healthy friendships; that you would have people that you pour into selflessly, and that those people would continue to fill you up, too.
I pray for the hard relationships; the ones that drain you & leave you weary. Your children, maybe? I pray you get a glimpse of the big picture, and the good you are doing by sticking with them and being a loving presence. May you find deep within yourself, a strength to continue to love, and a knowledge that the One who gives you that strength has an unlimited strength and love that he offers to you.
I pray you are content in your circumstances, and that you also have goals you are striving for. May you see progress in your working toward those dreams. May you experience breakthroughs and success and joy.
May you be refreshed today, and may the Kingdom of our Jesus come in you and through you today.
Amen and Amen.
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Thursday, June 04, 2015
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Praying Big Prayers
Do you ever get into a routine and then realize that something's missing? I don't expect myself to have a perfectly routine anything with Nolan and our days and weeks that are often similar but ever changing. That includes reading my Bible and praying... It is a priority for me, but that doesn't mean it looks the same every day. Today it felt like it has been a while since I prayed, and I remembered something we talked about in small group last month...
In our first small group of the year, Lisa brought a video she had found that was about praying big prayers. We were challenged to think beyond the 'routine' prayers of "Keep them safe and healthy..." and to ask for big things. I thought of one big thing that I wanted to pray for each of my family, and it seems now that even if I only have a few minutes to focus on praying before I'm off keeping Nolan out of danger, I have those top big things at the front of my brain, and it makes it easier to pray specific prayers for things that really matter.
Just thought I'd throw that out there.
What are the big wild crazy things you'd like to see happen in your life or the lives of those you love?
What tips do you have to share about keeping prayer a priority in your life?
In our first small group of the year, Lisa brought a video she had found that was about praying big prayers. We were challenged to think beyond the 'routine' prayers of "Keep them safe and healthy..." and to ask for big things. I thought of one big thing that I wanted to pray for each of my family, and it seems now that even if I only have a few minutes to focus on praying before I'm off keeping Nolan out of danger, I have those top big things at the front of my brain, and it makes it easier to pray specific prayers for things that really matter.
Just thought I'd throw that out there.
What are the big wild crazy things you'd like to see happen in your life or the lives of those you love?
What tips do you have to share about keeping prayer a priority in your life?
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Prayers?
There is a couple in our church, Dave and Bethann, who just learned Tuesday that their
baby died. Bethann was 34 weeks pregnant, and this was their first child. Bethann is being induced today and they have asked for
prayers for strength as they get to meet their little boy Eli for the first
time. They have asked that we notify people and ask for prayers,
especially for today. Dave and Bethann are showing quite a lot of strength at this time
and have been welcoming people into their lives during this stage of
mourning...
This is a hard, hard thing to go through, as I and many of you know from personal experience. Your prayers will make a difference.
This is a hard, hard thing to go through, as I and many of you know from personal experience. Your prayers will make a difference.
Monday, May 06, 2013
More Thoughts on Prayer Nights
I wrote recently about a prayer night that our small group had; we still had our visiting and eating time, but the bulk of our night was
spent wandering to different 'stations' in the house that were set up
with prompts for different areas of life to be praying for. Today I wanted to share with you a few more thoughts on why nights like that are so good.
A few verses that fit (because everything is better with Scripture!):
- We rarely spend that much time in prayer in one chunk unless it is intentionally planned.
- It reminds of of things we neglect to pray for.
- We get suggestions for different ways to pray for the things we do pray for.
- There is power in being in community, and in praying in community. We were praying separately, but together. This was enhanced by our time of communion and feasting together after.
- Praying together helps keep you from being distracted!
- Learning about God is great, but we also need times when we act on what we learn, times of serving him, times when we are with him and seek his face.
A few verses that fit (because everything is better with Scripture!):
- Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
- Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
- Revelation 5:8 - And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.
- Proverbs 15:8 - The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Small Group Prayer Night
Our small group is made up of four couples. We all knew each other fairly well before, so have made an easy transition to being a bunch that enjoys our weekly time together. We had talked about wanting to do a prayer night together, when our time wasn't filled with visiting and eating and watching a teaching video and discussing it and prayer, but simply prayer (...and food and visiting).
I wanted to share with you what we did; it's a great experience, doesn't take much to put together, and is a very worthwhile addition to what your small group does together.
We started with visiting and getting our coffees while everyone arrived and got the kids settled with the sitter, then met all together for a few instructions and an opening prayer. We moved into a time of personal confession, getting our hearts right before God before we moved into praying for all the other areas. As each one finished that, they moved on to the stations set up around the house. We had two of our 8 missing, and with 7 stations, there was always a free one to move to, even though most were set up to allow more than one to be there.
Each station was for a different area of life that we should be praying for. We had:
Most stations had lists of "How to pray for..." that I found online. The world station had a big atlas, and the current events station was at our computer, open to news sites. The friends & family lists were mind maps I made using a free site online.
We came back together for our last half hour, and had a time of communion together. Our teaching video last week was on communion and left us thinking we should do that together; this was the perfect timing and setting. We had a loaf and juice and talked about what it represents and why we gather together - it was very casual, but very real - and then we kept eating of the small feast we had spread on the table.
It was a very good night. Everyone seemed quite positive about the experience and want to do it again, even setting it up exactly the same. I do have a few ideas to expand or tweak it, but they're right - it doesn't have to be re-invented each time. I have done prayer rooms that had more hand-on involvement, but this way worked well for this type of group. We may invite others to join us next time we do it, and we would be willing to set it up at the church for the whole church to participate at some point.
I hope this sparks a desire in you to share a time like this with friends, and gives you an idea of how to go about it.
I wanted to share with you what we did; it's a great experience, doesn't take much to put together, and is a very worthwhile addition to what your small group does together.
We started with visiting and getting our coffees while everyone arrived and got the kids settled with the sitter, then met all together for a few instructions and an opening prayer. We moved into a time of personal confession, getting our hearts right before God before we moved into praying for all the other areas. As each one finished that, they moved on to the stations set up around the house. We had two of our 8 missing, and with 7 stations, there was always a free one to move to, even though most were set up to allow more than one to be there.
Each station was for a different area of life that we should be praying for. We had:
- Children
- Marriages
- Church
- Family & Friends (including work relationships)
- Stress
- Current Events
- World (Global Church and World Governments)
Most stations had lists of "How to pray for..." that I found online. The world station had a big atlas, and the current events station was at our computer, open to news sites. The friends & family lists were mind maps I made using a free site online.
We came back together for our last half hour, and had a time of communion together. Our teaching video last week was on communion and left us thinking we should do that together; this was the perfect timing and setting. We had a loaf and juice and talked about what it represents and why we gather together - it was very casual, but very real - and then we kept eating of the small feast we had spread on the table.
It was a very good night. Everyone seemed quite positive about the experience and want to do it again, even setting it up exactly the same. I do have a few ideas to expand or tweak it, but they're right - it doesn't have to be re-invented each time. I have done prayer rooms that had more hand-on involvement, but this way worked well for this type of group. We may invite others to join us next time we do it, and we would be willing to set it up at the church for the whole church to participate at some point.
I hope this sparks a desire in you to share a time like this with friends, and gives you an idea of how to go about it.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Hope
I picked the hope mug again this morning.
I showed you these before: the mugs we got from Mom & Dad for Christmas. The plan was to swap them back out once the holidays were over, but they are still in the cupboard, mid April. Outside still looks like January, so maybe once it's green we'll do that.
I've gotten into the habit, though, of picking the mug I use based on what I would like to see or feel in my life at the moment. Often it's the green Joy mug, but the Hope mug sees a lot of use, too, and Peace.... It's such a nice addition to the morning coffee to have a calming thought inhaled in, affecting my whole being.
This week, this is what I hope:
that spring will come
that M will get through the teenage years without being too scarred by them
that she would be strong mentally & stand strong against the pressure of her peers
that Sean and his business would thrive
that N will sleep through the night one day and not need to nurse to sleep and I'll be able to leave him knowing he's fine without me
that God will answer prayers for the salvation of friends and family
that I would hold on to joy; enjoy friends and have meaningful work both raising my children and otherwise that this marriage will only get stronger and last forever
that my light would shine
that I would be open to people and opportunities
that God's kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven
that we would find a dress for M's grad that she loves and that we are happy with
that Sean would find a good friend to spend time with now that one has moved away
that N's cold would be gone soon and not spread to his lungs or ears
I am so thankful that my hopes don't have to remain just hopes, but are prayers that the Answer hears.
I showed you these before: the mugs we got from Mom & Dad for Christmas. The plan was to swap them back out once the holidays were over, but they are still in the cupboard, mid April. Outside still looks like January, so maybe once it's green we'll do that.
I've gotten into the habit, though, of picking the mug I use based on what I would like to see or feel in my life at the moment. Often it's the green Joy mug, but the Hope mug sees a lot of use, too, and Peace.... It's such a nice addition to the morning coffee to have a calming thought inhaled in, affecting my whole being.
This week, this is what I hope:
that spring will come
that M will get through the teenage years without being too scarred by them
that she would be strong mentally & stand strong against the pressure of her peers
that Sean and his business would thrive
that N will sleep through the night one day and not need to nurse to sleep and I'll be able to leave him knowing he's fine without me
that God will answer prayers for the salvation of friends and family
that I would hold on to joy; enjoy friends and have meaningful work both raising my children and otherwise that this marriage will only get stronger and last forever
that my light would shine
that I would be open to people and opportunities
that God's kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven
that we would find a dress for M's grad that she loves and that we are happy with
that Sean would find a good friend to spend time with now that one has moved away
that N's cold would be gone soon and not spread to his lungs or ears
I am so thankful that my hopes don't have to remain just hopes, but are prayers that the Answer hears.
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Influence of Parents: A Spiritual Treasure
Over the long weekend, M spent a night over at her Grandpa's. She came home the next day with a treasure: One of my old Bibles! I guess at one point between moves we left some books there. She had been going through the bookshelves and brought home Little Women and Jane Eyre, too; some good classics.
I took some photos of all my old Bibles with the set now complete (the one she brought was that second one) and got to thinking about what message they send... I think there's a few, but what impressed me most was about the influence parents have. Those first three Bibles? They all have my Mom's handwriting on the dedication page, with my name and the dates of when I was five years old, nine years old, and for my 15th birthday. They went from the King James to the Children's Living Bible (easier to read), to the New American Standard Bible (best mix between readability and literal translation). The fourth, the New Revised Standard Version, was new from Neil for our wedding, since the middle one saw me from 15 to 22, including four years of Bible school, and was falling apart, and the last one that I'm using now, is a TNIV (Today's New International Version), from Sean for our wedding, when we both got new ones (also because my old one was falling apart again...)
Parents and spouses - people in your life who should encourage your spiritual self; I'm so glad they did for me. Thank you.
Madeline got a kick out of the spine that had fallen off and that was stuck as a bookmark in the text: "I will read 3 chapters and a Psalm every day and on Sunday 5 chapters and a Psalm..." I read that Bible from when I was eight to when I was 15. I wonder what she thought of that commitment? I wonder if it made her think about her own commitment to read? We try to encourage her to read first thing in the day, before she reads anything else just for fun, but you can't be legalistic about something like that. I just hope and pray that God's Word becomes as important to her as it is to me. As it always has been to me.
Pray with me, won't you, for our children, that they would have a love for God's Word, a desire to commit both to him and to the good habit of reading it? I will pray for you as parents, that you would influence your children in a positive way and leave a legacy that lasts.
I took some photos of all my old Bibles with the set now complete (the one she brought was that second one) and got to thinking about what message they send... I think there's a few, but what impressed me most was about the influence parents have. Those first three Bibles? They all have my Mom's handwriting on the dedication page, with my name and the dates of when I was five years old, nine years old, and for my 15th birthday. They went from the King James to the Children's Living Bible (easier to read), to the New American Standard Bible (best mix between readability and literal translation). The fourth, the New Revised Standard Version, was new from Neil for our wedding, since the middle one saw me from 15 to 22, including four years of Bible school, and was falling apart, and the last one that I'm using now, is a TNIV (Today's New International Version), from Sean for our wedding, when we both got new ones (also because my old one was falling apart again...)
Parents and spouses - people in your life who should encourage your spiritual self; I'm so glad they did for me. Thank you.
Madeline got a kick out of the spine that had fallen off and that was stuck as a bookmark in the text: "I will read 3 chapters and a Psalm every day and on Sunday 5 chapters and a Psalm..." I read that Bible from when I was eight to when I was 15. I wonder what she thought of that commitment? I wonder if it made her think about her own commitment to read? We try to encourage her to read first thing in the day, before she reads anything else just for fun, but you can't be legalistic about something like that. I just hope and pray that God's Word becomes as important to her as it is to me. As it always has been to me.
Pray with me, won't you, for our children, that they would have a love for God's Word, a desire to commit both to him and to the good habit of reading it? I will pray for you as parents, that you would influence your children in a positive way and leave a legacy that lasts.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
An Open Letter to God...
Dear Jesus,
I thank you for the people who provide opportunities that bridge the gap between people who have needs and people who have resources. Thank you that because of them, I have the opportunity to make a difference. Thank you that there are so many little ones around the world who are being fed, clothed, educated and kept healthy - in your name - and being introduced to you, the one who makes all the difference.
I thank you for Salomey and Damian. Even though I was not the one getting up nights with them when they were little, and I'm not the one making their meals or tucking them in, it does feel like we are family. Just as M's teachers, coaches, camp cabin leaders, and church youth leaders play an important role in her life, it is very cool to know that we do provide supports that shapes our sponsored children. My deepest prayer for them, Lord, is that they'd know you truly and love you deeply. May their faith influence their families and their communities.
Bless those who work in the Compassion projects. Give them wisdom and patience and the ability to spread your love to each child and their families.
Amen.
If you'd like to check out how you could have a relationship like this, visit here.
I thank you for the people who provide opportunities that bridge the gap between people who have needs and people who have resources. Thank you that because of them, I have the opportunity to make a difference. Thank you that there are so many little ones around the world who are being fed, clothed, educated and kept healthy - in your name - and being introduced to you, the one who makes all the difference.
I thank you for Salomey and Damian. Even though I was not the one getting up nights with them when they were little, and I'm not the one making their meals or tucking them in, it does feel like we are family. Just as M's teachers, coaches, camp cabin leaders, and church youth leaders play an important role in her life, it is very cool to know that we do provide supports that shapes our sponsored children. My deepest prayer for them, Lord, is that they'd know you truly and love you deeply. May their faith influence their families and their communities.
Bless those who work in the Compassion projects. Give them wisdom and patience and the ability to spread your love to each child and their families.
Amen.
If you'd like to check out how you could have a relationship like this, visit here.
Thursday, September 06, 2012
Jesus Loves the Little Children...
...all the children of the world;
Red and Yellow, Black and White,
They are precious in his sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world!
Remember that one? I was thinking about Compassion tonight, and how I can tell you more about them, and those smiling faces made that song pop into my head. Would you like to see some of the beautiful children that are a part of Compassion's projects? This link will take you there.
I remember one time a few years ago visiting that page and seeing those children... I had been reading a blog where the writer mentioned that she often visited the page of children waiting for sponsors to pray for them, and I thought it was a great idea. I wish the numbers in my bank account let me sponsor dozens of children; even though that's not a reality, it costs me nothing to pray for them!
I especially like to look for children who share our birthdays, and I like to pray for the ones that have been waiting longest for a sponsor. It was doing this one time that led us to Salomey, the girl we sponsor from Ghana. She and Madeline were born not only on the same day, but the same year.
Perhaps you might go for a visit? Find a child with your birthday and pray for them? I'm headed over there now, and I've got that song stuck in my head. Red and Yellow, Black and White...
Edited to add:
If you click here, you'll see the 9 children who share my birthday ! Hmm... and it's got me thinking - I turn 40 next year in March - the best birthday gift ever would be to have 40 children sponsored. All the kids that share my birthday? (First I would pick Moses, because he's from Kenya, which holds a special place in my heart because I've been there, and because he lives in an AIDS-affected area, and an area with a higher risk of exploitation and abuse, and because he has lost one or both of his parents...)
Red and Yellow, Black and White,
They are precious in his sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world!
Remember that one? I was thinking about Compassion tonight, and how I can tell you more about them, and those smiling faces made that song pop into my head. Would you like to see some of the beautiful children that are a part of Compassion's projects? This link will take you there.
I remember one time a few years ago visiting that page and seeing those children... I had been reading a blog where the writer mentioned that she often visited the page of children waiting for sponsors to pray for them, and I thought it was a great idea. I wish the numbers in my bank account let me sponsor dozens of children; even though that's not a reality, it costs me nothing to pray for them!
I especially like to look for children who share our birthdays, and I like to pray for the ones that have been waiting longest for a sponsor. It was doing this one time that led us to Salomey, the girl we sponsor from Ghana. She and Madeline were born not only on the same day, but the same year.
Perhaps you might go for a visit? Find a child with your birthday and pray for them? I'm headed over there now, and I've got that song stuck in my head. Red and Yellow, Black and White...
Edited to add:
If you click here, you'll see the 9 children who share my birthday ! Hmm... and it's got me thinking - I turn 40 next year in March - the best birthday gift ever would be to have 40 children sponsored. All the kids that share my birthday? (First I would pick Moses, because he's from Kenya, which holds a special place in my heart because I've been there, and because he lives in an AIDS-affected area, and an area with a higher risk of exploitation and abuse, and because he has lost one or both of his parents...)
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The Quality of the Fruit
We heard a great sermon on Sunday. Our church is blessed to have Ken Thiessen (an author, consultant, former pastor and area minister) as a part of our congregation, and he occasionally takes the mic when the pastors are away.
He spoke about counterfeit things, and how you can tell if something's real. Products can be fake (Riders and Jets jerseys in Mexico?), but people also can put on a false front. The test is to look at the fruit - you can identify a tree by its fruit, and you can identify people by their actions.
I claim to be a Christian - but how is the quality of the fruit in my life? My actions flow out of my inner character, and prove or disprove what I claim. The 'Fruit of the Spirit' are listed in Galatians 5:22 & 23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit - it is the Holy Spirit that produces these fruit:
* this means that the Holy Spirit must be present in me, &
* this means that it is impossible to manufacture these apart from the Holy Spirit - I can't do it on my own.
So how do I test the fruit? There is no magic formula or checklist, but an honest self examination will reveal the quality of these characteristics in my life. I drove my daughter out to camp yesterday, and had a great hour long drive home in silence - time to think through the list and reflect. Honestly, there are a lot of areas I would like to see an improvement in... and since I can't make them grow, I will focus on providing a good climate for growth. Just as plants need good soil, light and water, I need to soak myself in the word, feed on Jesus, the bread of life, worship, and be thankful and pray in all circumstances. That's off the top of my head - I'm curious what YOU do to provide yourself with an optimal circumstances for growth. Leave a comment for us?
So thanks, Ken, for the thought provoking message - I hope many others will take the time for reflection this week, too. (You can hear the whole message if you go to the church website, select Worship, then Messages onDemand - it wasn't up yet this morning, but should be soon.)
And because a reminder is always a great thing, I searched 'Fruit of the Spirit' on Pinterest... might find a nice print to put up in the house on there!
I also posted along these lines on As the Bus Goes By - Prayers for my Children.
He spoke about counterfeit things, and how you can tell if something's real. Products can be fake (Riders and Jets jerseys in Mexico?), but people also can put on a false front. The test is to look at the fruit - you can identify a tree by its fruit, and you can identify people by their actions.
I claim to be a Christian - but how is the quality of the fruit in my life? My actions flow out of my inner character, and prove or disprove what I claim. The 'Fruit of the Spirit' are listed in Galatians 5:22 & 23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit - it is the Holy Spirit that produces these fruit:
* this means that the Holy Spirit must be present in me, &
* this means that it is impossible to manufacture these apart from the Holy Spirit - I can't do it on my own.
So how do I test the fruit? There is no magic formula or checklist, but an honest self examination will reveal the quality of these characteristics in my life. I drove my daughter out to camp yesterday, and had a great hour long drive home in silence - time to think through the list and reflect. Honestly, there are a lot of areas I would like to see an improvement in... and since I can't make them grow, I will focus on providing a good climate for growth. Just as plants need good soil, light and water, I need to soak myself in the word, feed on Jesus, the bread of life, worship, and be thankful and pray in all circumstances. That's off the top of my head - I'm curious what YOU do to provide yourself with an optimal circumstances for growth. Leave a comment for us?
So thanks, Ken, for the thought provoking message - I hope many others will take the time for reflection this week, too. (You can hear the whole message if you go to the church website, select Worship, then Messages onDemand - it wasn't up yet this morning, but should be soon.)
And because a reminder is always a great thing, I searched 'Fruit of the Spirit' on Pinterest... might find a nice print to put up in the house on there!
I also posted along these lines on As the Bus Goes By - Prayers for my Children.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Resources to Help You Pray
Kat over at Inspired to Action
has a list that I printed off this morning to help me pray with
variety. Do you ever get stuck praying the same things over & over
because your kids bug you in the same way over & over? I'm working
on changing me in those areas that bug me, but I'm also aware that using another resource to help direct my prayers is useful.
Here is the Inspired to Action Prayer Calendar for Mothers The link is at the bottom of her post.
I went looking for this because of a new routine I have of praying for my husband. I found this list on See Jamie Blog, and keep it in my journal so each day I pray for Sean one thing on the list. It has a great variety, all Scriptural, and things I don't always think to pray for him. I thought having a list to pray for Madeline and the other children I try to keep in mind would be a helpful thing.
I hope that these resources are a help to you, too.
(I posted this this morning over on my Prayers for My Children Blog.)
What routines or methods do you use to remember what you want to be praying about? I've used lists and charts over the years and am always curious about how other people make it work for them. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Here is the Inspired to Action Prayer Calendar for Mothers The link is at the bottom of her post.
I went looking for this because of a new routine I have of praying for my husband. I found this list on See Jamie Blog, and keep it in my journal so each day I pray for Sean one thing on the list. It has a great variety, all Scriptural, and things I don't always think to pray for him. I thought having a list to pray for Madeline and the other children I try to keep in mind would be a helpful thing.
I hope that these resources are a help to you, too.
(I posted this this morning over on my Prayers for My Children Blog.)
What routines or methods do you use to remember what you want to be praying about? I've used lists and charts over the years and am always curious about how other people make it work for them. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Blog Launch
Post # 401!
Seems like an appropriate time to make a blog announcement.
Like any parent, I pray for my kid. I pray for little things, for big things, for the problems I'm having with her (or with myself that's keeping me from dealing properly with her). For the last number of years, I've been writing down some of those prayers. Writing prayers, like journaling, helps me slow my thoughts and think about what I'm saying; it helps me pray better. I've wondered for a while what to do with those prayers, and if they could be used somehow to help other parents pray for their kids by providing some inspiration, some ideas.
This last year or so I've made a habit of sitting on the couch by the front window when M leaves the house for school. She catches the bus just out of sight down the road, so I sit there and read my Bible and write in my journal and watch for the bus, so I know she's on her way safely. I've been using that as my trigger to pray, too. I stop whatever I'm doing and pray for her when I see her bus going by. It's been a great reminder.
School ended yesterday; today was the first day of summer vacation. I'm so glad summer is here (especially today's 31 degrees!), but as of today, no school bus as a prayer trigger. So as of today, I am launching a new blog. It's been in the works for a week or so now, and I'd like to offer it to you! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I'll be posting a prayer for our children - I'd love it if you prayed along with me for the kids in your life. The address is: http://prayersformychildren.blogspot.com/ or you can get there with the link below.
Seems like an appropriate time to make a blog announcement.
Like any parent, I pray for my kid. I pray for little things, for big things, for the problems I'm having with her (or with myself that's keeping me from dealing properly with her). For the last number of years, I've been writing down some of those prayers. Writing prayers, like journaling, helps me slow my thoughts and think about what I'm saying; it helps me pray better. I've wondered for a while what to do with those prayers, and if they could be used somehow to help other parents pray for their kids by providing some inspiration, some ideas.
This last year or so I've made a habit of sitting on the couch by the front window when M leaves the house for school. She catches the bus just out of sight down the road, so I sit there and read my Bible and write in my journal and watch for the bus, so I know she's on her way safely. I've been using that as my trigger to pray, too. I stop whatever I'm doing and pray for her when I see her bus going by. It's been a great reminder.
School ended yesterday; today was the first day of summer vacation. I'm so glad summer is here (especially today's 31 degrees!), but as of today, no school bus as a prayer trigger. So as of today, I am launching a new blog. It's been in the works for a week or so now, and I'd like to offer it to you! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I'll be posting a prayer for our children - I'd love it if you prayed along with me for the kids in your life. The address is: http://prayersformychildren.blogspot.com/ or you can get there with the link below.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Up Rather Than Down.
When I sit down to 'do devotions' in the morning, I have 4 books with me usually.
I pray for up rather than down.
Optimism rather than pessimism.
Acceptance rather than grumbling.
Willingness rather than laziness.
Good rather than bad.
Cheerful rather than grumpy.
Positivity rather than depression.
Up rather than down.
- My Bible, which is the one constant, whether the others get opened or not.
- My journal, which is the next most used, and truthfully, I can easily spend more time writing than I do reading.
- My notebook where I write out prayers for M - I find it helps me think clearly about what it is I want for her.
- My gratitude journal, where I jot down things I am grateful for. Helpful to focus myself on what is good around me.
I pray for up rather than down.
Optimism rather than pessimism.
Acceptance rather than grumbling.
Willingness rather than laziness.
Good rather than bad.
Cheerful rather than grumpy.
Positivity rather than depression.
Up rather than down.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Spring in January and the Molympics
Yesterday it was +6 degrees!!! Today I only saw it go to 2 above, but wow, what crazy January weather!
That's partly why M was outside playing after school yesterday for so long. When I went out to check on her, she said, "Mom! Come out and see the sports I made up for the Molympics!" (That's pronounced moe - lympics.)
The first one was sliding down the pile of snow on the back deck to the grass, on her back, head first. She had crafted a nice little curve at the bottom, and said this event was for speed. The next one was a two-step-and-flip-over-your-head move from the sidewalk to the snow pile on the side of the walk. I wasn't about to try either one, because I wasn't dressed for the snow... But I did try the third one, and walked away in my Sorels with a Gold Medal in the long jump off the deck. I had her by a foot.
Tonight M is off to Girl Guides, Sean is off to play shinney with a bunch of guys, and I think I'll start on my last paper... The tree came down last night and as soon as the box is gone from the living room, Christmas will be over for another year. While I was doing that, M was laying on the couch doing homework and Sean was being Mr. Fixit, installing weather stripping stuff around the doors and doing other odd jobs. A productive night all around!
My friend from the office next door is in the hospital with appendix issues. He's been in almost a week, and he's got a ways to go before he's fully healthy again. If you're a pray-er, lift one up for Byron and his family. He's the youth pastor, and his sponsors are doing a great job carrying things along. (Since he was away and Henry was at a retreat and David was at a course and Janet's in Hawaii, Darren and Elizabeth and I had staff meeting at Roca House today... :) )
That's partly why M was outside playing after school yesterday for so long. When I went out to check on her, she said, "Mom! Come out and see the sports I made up for the Molympics!" (That's pronounced moe - lympics.)
The first one was sliding down the pile of snow on the back deck to the grass, on her back, head first. She had crafted a nice little curve at the bottom, and said this event was for speed. The next one was a two-step-and-flip-over-your-head move from the sidewalk to the snow pile on the side of the walk. I wasn't about to try either one, because I wasn't dressed for the snow... But I did try the third one, and walked away in my Sorels with a Gold Medal in the long jump off the deck. I had her by a foot.
Tonight M is off to Girl Guides, Sean is off to play shinney with a bunch of guys, and I think I'll start on my last paper... The tree came down last night and as soon as the box is gone from the living room, Christmas will be over for another year. While I was doing that, M was laying on the couch doing homework and Sean was being Mr. Fixit, installing weather stripping stuff around the doors and doing other odd jobs. A productive night all around!
My friend from the office next door is in the hospital with appendix issues. He's been in almost a week, and he's got a ways to go before he's fully healthy again. If you're a pray-er, lift one up for Byron and his family. He's the youth pastor, and his sponsors are doing a great job carrying things along. (Since he was away and Henry was at a retreat and David was at a course and Janet's in Hawaii, Darren and Elizabeth and I had staff meeting at Roca House today... :) )
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
I just read this again while browsing an ezine I subscribe to & thought I'd share because it's such a good one. We so often are so backwards in our thinking. I know I need to be much more aware of others around me and much less aware of my self, my thinking and feeling and wants...
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
I just read this again while browsing an ezine I subscribe to & thought I'd share because it's such a good one. We so often are so backwards in our thinking. I know I need to be much more aware of others around me and much less aware of my self, my thinking and feeling and wants...
Friday, April 17, 2009
Prayer for the youth of Canada
I have to admit, as a prayer warrior, I am still in training. It is not often I open up the folder with the lists of people that I feel it is important for me to be praying for. Journaling, reading the Bible, those come easier for me. But today I did open it up and one of the things on one of the lists begged to be shared here. Most of my lists are people, but this one is a list that I picked up at a prayer room somewhere. It's called 'Prayer for the Next Generation' and has 31 prayers based on Scripture for the youth of Canada.
"Jesus, the one anointed with the oil of joy, raise up young men and women who, although brought up in a culture of murmuring and disrespect, will be filled with joy, thankfulness, and strength of character. May they be the radiant ones known as the offspring of the Lord in a depraved and crooked generation. (Philippians 2:14-15)"
14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Pray this with me today.
"Jesus, the one anointed with the oil of joy, raise up young men and women who, although brought up in a culture of murmuring and disrespect, will be filled with joy, thankfulness, and strength of character. May they be the radiant ones known as the offspring of the Lord in a depraved and crooked generation. (Philippians 2:14-15)"
14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Pray this with me today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)