Tag: God

Prayer for Third Granddaughter

Scripture

Gracious Father;

For this girl, born on the Pacific side of the U.S. one April, I am very thankful. And for her middle name [Grace], I am encouraged by all its nuances. In her case, “Grace” reminds me that God watches over His babies even when grandparents live many miles away. When her name is spoken, I see her smile and her heart. And though she has only lived a little over a decade, she is both a force of life and a gentle spirit!

I ask You Lord to be the “shield about her and the lifter of her head,” that she will always know “how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” As an appreciator of sunrises, sunsets, solar eclipses, boogie boarding in beach waves, or sliding by some method in the snow, let this granddaughter look with fascination at “Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place.”

With her love of sketching, give her Your vision for beauty in Creation. May her words and works entice those around her to a deeper understanding of faith and love as she matures. Put a halo of heavenly-mindedness around her head and a sparkly sunbeam of kindness around her heart. Develop in her the “perfume of praiseful gratitude,” reflecting that she truly understands the meaning of God’s Amazing Grace. Let her use painting, drawing, crafting and coloring to communicate these truths.

With her proximity to family and regular reunions following age two, continue to give her richer and richer relationships with grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Help her take bigger steps into the role of “encourager” in every interaction and become a lover of gospel conversations whereby Jesus is the centerpiece. Having the honor of being the firstborn in her family, give her the unfolding “grace” to set a Christlike example for her siblings in her words and deeds.

May she be a pastor’s daughter who follows her dad into church ministry one day if this is how You, Lord, call her. I pray that You, Lord, will “command Your angels concerning” this beautiful girl to “guard her in all her ways” so that angels’ hands will bear her up, and prevent her from stumbling against a stone. Make Psalm 71:5-6 this granddaughter’s life verse: “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are He who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of You.”

Thank You, Lord, for this special granddaughter! For God’s glory and praise. Amen.

Psalm 40: Shadow and Light

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When I read Psalm 40 and ponder my own experience of being in the dark and not seeing God clearly, here’s how I would personalize it as a lament (my Shadow Psalm 40):

I am weary of waiting for God’s help while I experience the heartache of anger, unfairness, and disappointment. Many things go the wrong way and many things feel unredeemable. I am not forthcoming with songs of praise and my trust in God is ebbing. There are circumstances in my life that rob me of security and blessing. I’m full of pride, thinking I know what is best and that God simply doesn’t. My focus is on things other than God’s wonders and plans. I forget the amazingness of God’s deeds with regularity. I act like God is all about keeping score of my good deeds or supposedly “selfless” acts. I forget God’s Word and don’t let what I know about God’s will inform my heart. I remain disbelieving about God’s faithfulness in my life. I don’t acknowledge His love in my life or mercy or protection. Health and other issues are multiplying and my own responses create a perpetual stance of heartbreak and dissatisfaction. I can’t detect God’s timely responses to my needs for rescue.

I dream of the removal of those who take part in what seems like a conspiracy against the life I want to have. I’m impatient for God to expose my enemies to their shame. I don’t seek after God when I should, and I don’t experience joy or gladness when I know God has come to my aid before. I ignore God’s greatness. I am poor – depleted of physical vitality, afraid of the effects of waning strength and mental acuity. I am needy – I’m wishing that my life had matched the picture I had in my mind for what a good life would be. I want God to clear all this up now, and I doubt He will concur with me, care about my anxious thoughts, or show up in my situations.

(My Psalm of Light – God’s Answers to the Shadow):

Proverbs 29:25-26 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.” Matthew 21:21-22 “And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea, it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.’ ” Psalm 31:23-24 “Love the Lord, all you His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” Habakkuk 3:2 “O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”

2 Chronicles 7:14-15 “If My people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Nahum 1:3 “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.” Isaiah 58:11-12 “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundation of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Isaiah 59:1 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.”

Light overcomes darkness.

Simple Resolution

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When the New Year’s resolutions unfold in highly breakable patterns, I hope to be reminded that there is one simple resolution that cannot be easily undone by failed diet plans, dropped volunteering, uncontrolled screen time, or an attitude gone bad. That is – simply praying. Psalm 20 promises that the Lord is an active listener.

Psalm 20 says, “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May He send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! May He remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! Now I know that the Lord save His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O Lord, save the king! May He answer us when we call.”

The Lord answers you, protects you, sends help to you, supports you, remembers you, fulfills you.

P.R.A.Y. is simple. Pause, Rejoice/Reflect, Ask, Yield. This simple pattern comes from a devotional app called Lectio 365. Although it takes a moment of looking at a screen (which you may be trying to reduce as I am), it is a helpful tool.

A Bit of Holiness

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David Powlison expressed in his devotional book TAKE HEART, “Being indifferent, or opinionated, or avoidant, or preoccupied comes easy. But it is a bit of holiness when I am happy to see someone, when I ask a question and mean it, when I listen attentively, when I genuinely affirm, when I push back candidly and constructively.”

I am reminded of all the times I have been looking at my phone in a room full of loved ones, present but not really. I think of all the times I am trying to multi-task, get something done, and trying to listen, but not. Lots of half-hearted attempts at true connection swirl around me. Should it be so easy to evade true and meaningful conversation?

Talk is truly cheap unless I am really listening as well as sharing myself. Proximity doesn’t have anything to do with it. I can be sitting beside you and not registering anything that is on your heart. To really know someone is to really love someone.

Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” And Proverbs is full of descriptions of kindness and unselfishness in conversation. Proverbs 10:11a says, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life;” 10:32a “The lips of the righteous know what is fitting;” 11:25b “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed;” 12:25 “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”

It takes a bit of holiness to care, to pray for you in your moment of need, to truly listen to you when you need a friend, to seek to understand what you are going through…

To set my own interests aside to make space for your interests,
To try to walk in your shoes,
To make time to discover what's important to you,
To see how God will connect our hearts through Christ,
To speak the truth in love and in a peaceful tone,
To care about your soul...
It takes a bit of holiness.

Relationship takes work and investment. It's never convenient, but very often produces joy. Even more so, the holiness of Christ can be reflected in our words to one another. The holiness of Christ, Who willingly went to the Cross and conquered sin and death for believers so that we could enjoy a restored relationship with Him. The holiness of Christ Who listens, affirms, and pushes back constructively. The holiness of Christ Who knows exactly what it is like to walk in my shoes and in your shoes. The holiness of Christ Who knows what is important to us. The holiness of Christ  Who invites us into conversation that can never be superficial. The holiness of Christ Who is the One Who truly cares.

Lord, please teach me to ask good questions with interest, listen for every detail, offer heartfelt encouragement, and disagree constructively when necessary. Cure me of my preoccupations and self-absorption. Make me a conduit for a "bit of  Your holiness." Amen.


Prayer Requests Gone Deeper

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Whenever I’m at a loss about how to pray for another person, I find help in God’s Word, specifically the examples given by Paul’s prayers (sprinkled through his letters). Here are paraphrases:

Acts. 26:29 'praying you might become such as I (Paul) am'

Romans 1:8 'praying your faith might be proclaimed'
Romans 6:17-18 'praying you become obedient from the heart'
Romans 10:1 'praying for your salvation'
Romans 15:30-31 'praying you might be delivered from those who are disobedient; praying your service may prove acceptable'

I Cor. 1:4-8 'praying you will be enriched in Him, in all speech and knowledge...not lacking in any gift'
2 Cor. 2:14 'praying Christ manifests through you the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him'
2 Cor. 8:16 'praying for the earnestness of God'
2 Cor. 9:15 'praying for His indescribable gift in your life'

Eph. 1:15-19 'praying for a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, praying the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so you may know what is the hope of His calling'
Eph. 3:14-19 'praying He strengthens you with power through His Spirit in the inner man...so you may be able to comprehend and know the love of Christ.'
Eph. 6:19-20 'praying utterance is given to you to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel'

Phil. 1:3-5,9-11 'praying that your love may abound in real knowledge and all discernment'

Col. 1:3-6 'praying for a constant increase in fruit bearing'
Col. 1:9-12 'praying you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom; praying you walk in a manner worthy, to please Him in all respects, with steadfastness and patience'
Col. 4:2-4 'praying God may open up to you a door for the word so you can speak forth the mystery of Christ'

I Thess. 1:2-4 'praying for your work of faith, labor of love, steadfastness of hope'
I Thess. 2:13 'praying the word of God performs its work in you'
I Thess. 3:11-13 'praying the Lord will cause you to abound in love for one another and establish your hearts unblamable in holiness'
I Thess. 5:23-24 'praying God will sanctify you entirely'
2 Thess. 1:3 'praying your faith is greatly enlarged and the love of each one grows ever greater'
2 Thess. 1:11-12 'praying God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, that the Lord may be glorified in you'
2 Thess. 2:13 'praying for sanctification by the Spirit'
2 Thess. 2:16-17 'praying God will comfort and strengthen your hearts'
2 Thess. 3:1-2 'praying that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, and you will be delivered from perverse and evil men'
2 Thess. 3:16 'praying the Lord will grant you peace in every circumstance'

1 Tim. 1:12-14 'praying God will strengthen you, consider you faithful, put you into service'
2 Tim. 1:3-4 'praying you will serve God with a clear conscience'

Philemon 4-6 'praying the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake'

Beach Vespers

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Photo credit: Sasha Martynov

I am blessed to have a close circle of friends, sisters-in-Christ, who I like to refer to as the “Outer Banks Girls.” We were in Bible study together years ago, got busy with kids and careers and scattered a bit, had a reunion in 2011 at Kill Devil Hills, and then reunited more and more often since then. We now go to the beach together twice per year, once in the fall, and once in the spring, for an entire week.

The beach week. It is more than a retreat. It is a time for renewal and spiritual strengthening, as well as a time for rest and getting away from it all. Our beach trips have evolved and now include a time for Vespers sometime after the evening meal. This includes the lighting of a candle and some readings of scripture. I have pondered that few sacred minutes, the meaningfulness of winding down a day this way before the Lord, and I offer this anthology of meaningful words as one pattern inspired by our time at the beach.

Beach Vespers

Psalm 50:1 “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” Psalm 113:3 “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

(Every Moment Holy Vol. 1, For Arriving at the Ocean) “We have traveled this day to the bounding sea, O Lord, to the far edge of the habitable land, as to the utter end of our own measure and ability and strength, to find here reminders of Your limitless presence extended immeasurably beyond us.” Isaiah 40:12 “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?”

(VV, Praise & Thanksgiving) “When I think upon and converse with Thee, ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness.” Psalm 98:5-8 “Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together.” (HYMN or Scripture Song here)

So, as this day nears its end, (Valley of Vision, Third Day Evening) “May our conscience be clear, our hearts pure, our sleep sweet! And with the innumerable company who neither slumber nor rest we join in ascribing blessing, honour, glory and power to the Lamb upon the throne, for ever and ever.” Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”(EMH, The Hours: Nightfall) “Here at day’s end we seek You, O King of Earth and Heaven. You have been our sustenance across the sunlit hours. Be now our Counselor, Comforter, and Protector in the dark of night.”

Psalm 141:2 “Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 77:6 “…’Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.’ Then my spirit made a diligent search.” And I find you, Lord! Malachi 1:11 “For from the rising of the sun to its setting My Name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to My Name, and a pure offering. For My Name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”

(EMH, The Hours: Evening) “Retire now, you children of God, contemplating His words and resting in the peace of the surety of the love He has extended to you in Christ. Know this night the comfort of His Spirit, Who ever abides in and among us,…”

Amen.

Sticky Notes

Family, Grace, Scripture, Tribute

When I have something important to remember, I sometimes jot a a sticky note and then paste it where I know I will see it. With the many distractions of life, remembering important things can be a daunting task… And sticky notes can help.

My mom passed away recently and the process of sorting through her things was one of those projects that was totally overwhelming, yet also helped me to remember her well. Remembering a loved one is a gift that lives on. I found a collection of sticky notes written to mom from my dad. Tucked in a billfold, these were “long ago” messages dad would leave for mom when he went to work and she was still sleeping. Messages as mundane as “Honey, I made the coffee and it is decaf” or as endearing as “I love you.”

Mom almost lived long enough to celebrate her 72nd wedding anniversary. She was very happily married to my dad. They were inseparable and modeled devotion, faith, romance, loyalty, and unity over a long span of time. Even to the end, my dad was holding my mom’s hand at her bedside as she quickly declined during a battle with cancer. Lovers until the end.

I read countless anniversary and birthday cards from my parents to each other over the years. I handled many gifts that they had given each other, including several Bibles and Christian books from each decade. Jewelry, clothing, and all kinds of remembrances. But, it was the sticky notes that grabbed my heart. The daily expressions of care and love. The simple reminders. The evidence of thoughtfulness. The treasures of small amounts of words on little pieces of paper. So, I decided to put the collection of sticky notes at my mom’s side in her casket.

God’s Word is full of imperatives and “remember” is one of them. Psalm 143:5 says, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that You have done; I ponder the work of Your hands.” We are changed when we remember God’s faithfulness in the past, the days of old. We are encouraged when we remember Daniel’s faith, Solomon’s wisdom, or David’s courage. We are changed when we remember God’s amazing gift of salvation through Christ Jesus. We are moved when we consider the vast details of God’s Creation.

We are changed whenever a good memory brings on a big smile. And likewise, when a bad memory causes heartache…

I am grateful for the wonderful memory of dad’s love for mom. I am changed by it. Although their long romance is too vast to describe here, those sticky notes are indicators of the deep love of a lifetime imprinted on tiny everyday papers, attached to various mirrors and counters, and left behind for a daughter’s remembrance and gratitude.

Similarly, I am grateful for the wonderful memory of God’s love. It is also too vast to describe here, yet Scripture is given to remind me of the deep love of my Lord and Savior Who leaves an eternal reminder imprinted on my heart. This is something my parents have passed on to me. And it will change me forever.

Bigger Than Us

Scripture

The truths that are bigger than us, don’t let them become easy to miss. Don’t doze off. Pondering is a helpful non-waste of time. Just think through the wonder of a small seed that grows into a very tall sunflower plant. According to Wikipedia, the tallest sunflower on record achieved 9.17 m (30 ft. 1 in.) in height. Think about all that had to happen from the time of planting a small sunflower seed, to the time of the plant reaching such a great height.

Psalm 89:27,33-37 says, “And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth…But I will not remove from him My steadfast love or be false to My faithfulness. I will not violate My covenant or alter the word that went forth from My lips. Once for all I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever, His throne as long as the sun before Me. Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” Psalm 89 is a Messianic psalm. It speaks of the coming Messiah in the family line of David. It affirms God’s covenant that lasts forever and will never change. It speaks of a “faith-in-God” people group and a “forever” kingdom. A big truth!

The truth of an Infinite Creator God is one of those bigger-than-us verities. God’s character is big and is expressed in many ways, especially revealed in His redemptive plan whereby Jesus, the established King and Savior, has secured victory over sin and death for those who have faith in Him. Failure to ponder this is truly an eternal risk. Not grappling with the Word of God is tantamount to fatal – a permanent oversight that has forever ramifications…

In this psalm, God promises He will not remove His faithfulness, will not violate His covenant, will not alter His word, and will not lie. What He establishes is forever. These “will nots” are big truths. Pondering God’s unchanging character and plan is more than a fruitful pursuit, far beyond the wonder of the height of the sunflower. Just because the truth of God is so big, we should not take it for granted.

Take time. Give thought. Open your mind and heart. Look and see the height and depth of Who God is and what He says. It is big.

Heart Highways

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Photo Credit Anna Christina Fordham

"Going" is what life does. You've heard it said, "Life goes on." The journey doesn't ever stop, even if it is upended by continuous disasters, minuscule and epic.

Psalm 84:5-7 says, "Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion."

The possibility that the heart can move forward when the body is pulling forcefully backward is the present reality of life in Christ on a planet  that is passing away. Believers are assured the journey is toward our heavenly home, an eternity that will never stop, where heart and body finally blend forward in their highways to Zion and arrive there! And then, no more wrenching tears, no more calamitous pain, no more betrayals. No more suffering. No more Valley of Baca...

The Valley of Baca in the Bible can be translated "the valley of weeping." Baca would include any difficult or devastating place in life. Any place of hopelessness. Any place of helplessness. Zion, on the other hand, is the "City of Holiness" or "city of refuge" in the Bible.  It is the place of hope. It is the place where God dwells, where the Lord protects His people. Where suffering ends. Where relationship with God is unhampered and joyful. Where nothing keeps the heart's highways from being Godward. Where nothing prevents the worship of the One True God. Where there is no more doubt. Where there is only certainty that God has kept all His promises. Where God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Where God reigns and all is well.

So how can the springs and early rains even be found in our present "valley of weeping?" Only via hearts that are truly highways to Zion, where Zion is the place of God's presence now and in the future, full of the springs of His life-giving word, packed with the refreshing rains of His mercy and grace, abounding in pools of truth and selfless love. These highways of the heart have no detours, no construction slow-downs, no left-lane sitters. These highways flow unimpeded in one direction - toward Him.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Let the highways of your heart point you to Zion.

God Notices and Cares

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Photo Credit: Anna Christina Fordham

Life has a way of reminding us that all is not well. We keep picturing how things should be, and we are forever disappointed.

It’s not just the guy holding up traffic in the left lane. It is the constant dribble of new aches and pains, the harshness of meeting deadlines, the dailyness of dirty diapers, dirty dishes, dirty clothes. The incessant need to eat or drink to fill some nebulous void masquerading as hunger or thirst. It’s the obsessive patterns we create to thwart the idea that we lack control. It’s the subtle eye rolls or whispered cuss words when the whiteout spills on the desk, when crumbs fall on the freshly cleaned floor, when papers are lost in various piles. It’s the proverbial rock stuck in your shoe!?!?! Constant.

Luke 12:6-7 (ESV) says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” In Luke 12, both before and after the verse about the sparrows, we are reminded that God notices us and cares for us even more than the sparrows. We are encouraged to trade in our many fears and frustrations and place our security in Christ alone.

God’s providential care extends over the small details of our lives. When I need reassurance, and when I wish to actually see His care of me, He faithfully pulls back the veil so I can see His mercies clearly in my life. I saw His protection last week when I exited the interstate, having to come between a school bus and a semi truck. I saw His provision when a palliative care coordinator just happened to be available at the oncologist’s office. I saw His timing, traveling mercies, and healing power in my husband’s recent shoulder surgery. I heard His kindness when a lady helped me to reschedule an appointment over the phone. I felt His comfort when all my praying friends were quick to turn their attention heavenward to intercede on my family’s behalf. The list is endless…

While all is not well on earth, I remember that earth is not really my home. Still, all that happens to me does not get ignored by God, but instead is orchestrated by God to prepare me for my eternal home. He reminds me daily to release my fears to Him and to find my security in Him alone. Were it not for this great hope in Him, I would feel that the void in my life would never be filled. Remembering His care for the sparrows, I remember that He cares for me in daily detail. Nothing in my life is unimportant for Him to care about. I am surely not forgotten.