Wow, I've had a blog for several years and I feel like a beginner, still. I haven't spent enough time on this blog to figure it out and make it work for me. But, no more. Even if it takes all year, I am determined to become a real blogger by blogging regularly and making my blog reader-friendly.
I read a news byte recently of a study that showed how to keep your brain agile, sharp, and growing as you age. The premise is that if you challenge your brain with things that are difficult to learn, even if it takes you a long time to learn, your brain grows; it is exercised.
So, I guess I'm ready to exercise! First, I'll change the outward appearance of my blog (if only it were as easy as a few clicks of the mouse to do the same for my person!). Then I hope to really write, frequently, so as to get into a habit. Almost like a journal, I think.
I guess I will measure my success at the end of the month by taking a count of my posts and tweaking the layout to suit my preferences. Then I will challenge myself to post photos, to post links, to have different sections of the blog for books, quotes, poems, whatever. I hope to stop second guessing myself as much as I do now which prevents me from posting at times.
Ready, set, go!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Pray without ceasing
Have you ever prayed for a complete stranger? I don't mean praying for someone who you don't know personally. We've all prayed for the missionary family in Africa or South America whose prayer letters are dispersed through our churches. I mean someone who you see in the grocery store or on the street, who you will most likely never see again, have no relationship with except a one-time sighting. Or maybe you haven't seen the stranger, just know he or she exists.
When I was in high school I remember clearly something my history teacher said. She was my favorite teacher; she made history come alive by talking about people and events in the past as if she were telling her class a story. But the only words I remember clearly from her now 30 years later told me something about her own life that she probably didn't realize she was revealing.
She gently ridiculed Christians as she taught us about early Western civilization, the Crusades, or the era of Renaissance and Reformation. But her words one day are seared into my brain, probably because I had so much respect for her as a teacher. She spoke in a mocking tone. "There are people who believe that God has a plan for everyone and that He does plan and carry out His purposes in circumstances as mundane as whether they will be get a red light or a green one while driving, or what they should eat or drink, or whether they should wear this dress or that one. As if God cares about each person on such a personal level or that He controls the world in such a minute and detailed way. That kind of blind faith has been the cause of some awful events in history. "
Her comment stuck with me. I think because I felt she was targeting me personally (she was, whether she meant to or not). She thought that kind of faith was naive and even dangerous. But you may be wondering what this has to do with praying for strangers? Well, as I wrestled with her view of Christians, I realized that my relationship with God was based on just such a 'naive' faith. In my mind, it was reassuring and a comfort, in her mind, it was simple, silly, and child-like. I prayed for her that day and have prayed for her again and again over the years when that incident is brought to my mind.
Even while I was ridiculed indirectly for my 'child-like' faith, I was exercising that same faith through prayer. I think that incident helped to contribute to my habit of praying for people I don't know who may be facing situations that are stressful. When I hear an emergency vehicle barreling down the highway or on the streets of my neighborhood, I pray for the person who is waiting for their response. I don't know what is happening, but I can hear the siren, so I ask God to be there and to be glorified through it. I don't have to know what effect my prayer has; what I do know is that I am hearing the distress call and that I can ask for help from the One who sovereignly ordains all that will come to pass.
Today on my walk I saw a woman packing up her car and noticed that her garage was full of boxes, like she was moving. Her house is not for sale, but someone is leaving it. I prayed for her situation, asking God to work in the lives of those who live there, that His will may be done and that they would submit to Him and come to Him if they don't know Him. After praying, I wondered if I am presuming on God in some way. But I know that even though I don't know the person or situation, He does. Is it ever the wrong time to pray? I know I can pray for the wrong things. I know that my prayers are as imperfect as I am; but I also trust that God will use the intercession as He sees fit. And that I am called to intercede through prayer when I know someone is in trouble.
A friend shared with me years ago that she prays for people who the Lord brings to her mind throughout the day. I have used that model as my own, praying for people that I think about when I think about them, and praying for people especially when I've told them that I will pray for them. It's not just about words or good intentions. It's an act of obedience to ask the Lord to govern and intercede in this world so that He can further His kingdom and His glory. I know that He is using my quick prayers throughout the day to strengthen my faith, if not for any other reason.
We are to pray without ceasing. I see prayer as a dialogue with my creator, as an open communication with my heavenly Father. I am trying to cultivate a prayer life that reminds me in whom I put my trust and "I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." (I Timothy 1:12)
When I was in high school I remember clearly something my history teacher said. She was my favorite teacher; she made history come alive by talking about people and events in the past as if she were telling her class a story. But the only words I remember clearly from her now 30 years later told me something about her own life that she probably didn't realize she was revealing.
She gently ridiculed Christians as she taught us about early Western civilization, the Crusades, or the era of Renaissance and Reformation. But her words one day are seared into my brain, probably because I had so much respect for her as a teacher. She spoke in a mocking tone. "There are people who believe that God has a plan for everyone and that He does plan and carry out His purposes in circumstances as mundane as whether they will be get a red light or a green one while driving, or what they should eat or drink, or whether they should wear this dress or that one. As if God cares about each person on such a personal level or that He controls the world in such a minute and detailed way. That kind of blind faith has been the cause of some awful events in history. "
Her comment stuck with me. I think because I felt she was targeting me personally (she was, whether she meant to or not). She thought that kind of faith was naive and even dangerous. But you may be wondering what this has to do with praying for strangers? Well, as I wrestled with her view of Christians, I realized that my relationship with God was based on just such a 'naive' faith. In my mind, it was reassuring and a comfort, in her mind, it was simple, silly, and child-like. I prayed for her that day and have prayed for her again and again over the years when that incident is brought to my mind.
Even while I was ridiculed indirectly for my 'child-like' faith, I was exercising that same faith through prayer. I think that incident helped to contribute to my habit of praying for people I don't know who may be facing situations that are stressful. When I hear an emergency vehicle barreling down the highway or on the streets of my neighborhood, I pray for the person who is waiting for their response. I don't know what is happening, but I can hear the siren, so I ask God to be there and to be glorified through it. I don't have to know what effect my prayer has; what I do know is that I am hearing the distress call and that I can ask for help from the One who sovereignly ordains all that will come to pass.
Today on my walk I saw a woman packing up her car and noticed that her garage was full of boxes, like she was moving. Her house is not for sale, but someone is leaving it. I prayed for her situation, asking God to work in the lives of those who live there, that His will may be done and that they would submit to Him and come to Him if they don't know Him. After praying, I wondered if I am presuming on God in some way. But I know that even though I don't know the person or situation, He does. Is it ever the wrong time to pray? I know I can pray for the wrong things. I know that my prayers are as imperfect as I am; but I also trust that God will use the intercession as He sees fit. And that I am called to intercede through prayer when I know someone is in trouble.
A friend shared with me years ago that she prays for people who the Lord brings to her mind throughout the day. I have used that model as my own, praying for people that I think about when I think about them, and praying for people especially when I've told them that I will pray for them. It's not just about words or good intentions. It's an act of obedience to ask the Lord to govern and intercede in this world so that He can further His kingdom and His glory. I know that He is using my quick prayers throughout the day to strengthen my faith, if not for any other reason.
We are to pray without ceasing. I see prayer as a dialogue with my creator, as an open communication with my heavenly Father. I am trying to cultivate a prayer life that reminds me in whom I put my trust and "I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me." (I Timothy 1:12)
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Family relations
My dad's brother died a few weeks ago. Uncle Earl was the oldest of three boys; Dad is the youngest. My parents didn't learn of his death until a few days later when my sister saw something on facebook and quickly contacted my parents to see if they knew anything.
My dad was re-connected with his brothers after about 30 years of time and distance separated them as surely as differences in faith and values had. I first met my Uncle Earl (the first time I can remember) while visiting my parents about 12 years ago. It was surreal. To know that there was a man who was so similiar to my dad, talked like him, looked like him, shared childhood experiences with him. He was an engaging man and I enjoyed the few visits I had with him. More importantly, my dad enjoyed renewing his relationship with his brother over the last few years.
A few years ago all three brothers were gathered around a dining room table reminiscing about their childhood years, telling stories about cars, jobs, people, events that took place 50 years ago. I felt blessed to sit and listen even though I didn't know who they were talking about. Our extended family doesn't gather together very often and it was a unique, never-to-be-repeated evening of connections.
Watching my dad interact with his brothers, hearing and seeing the similiarities and the differences between them, reminded me that blood binds us to our sisters, brothers, parents, grandparents, even if we are separated from them by time, distance, or belief. We look like them, we sound like them, we may share personality traits (whether we want to admit it or not), we share a common beginning. We have a whole lifetime to either grow together or grow apart. Or both. I vote for growing closer together, at least as it applies to my own brothers, sisters, parents.
My dad was re-connected with his brothers after about 30 years of time and distance separated them as surely as differences in faith and values had. I first met my Uncle Earl (the first time I can remember) while visiting my parents about 12 years ago. It was surreal. To know that there was a man who was so similiar to my dad, talked like him, looked like him, shared childhood experiences with him. He was an engaging man and I enjoyed the few visits I had with him. More importantly, my dad enjoyed renewing his relationship with his brother over the last few years.
A few years ago all three brothers were gathered around a dining room table reminiscing about their childhood years, telling stories about cars, jobs, people, events that took place 50 years ago. I felt blessed to sit and listen even though I didn't know who they were talking about. Our extended family doesn't gather together very often and it was a unique, never-to-be-repeated evening of connections.
Watching my dad interact with his brothers, hearing and seeing the similiarities and the differences between them, reminded me that blood binds us to our sisters, brothers, parents, grandparents, even if we are separated from them by time, distance, or belief. We look like them, we sound like them, we may share personality traits (whether we want to admit it or not), we share a common beginning. We have a whole lifetime to either grow together or grow apart. Or both. I vote for growing closer together, at least as it applies to my own brothers, sisters, parents.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
A New Day
The first day of the year is always one of reflection and planning for me. Today was no different. I love new years; they're like new beginnings. Just like each day is a new beginning in some ways.
Today we took a family picture, very casual, but nice. I think this will be a new family tradition as long as we're together on new year's.
I've been planning to send New Year's greetings to family and friends with a family picture. I'm never good at getting everything done before Christmas; I am a non-conformist in many ways (my new way of describing my rampant procrastination).
So, without lots of words that will take time to think out and write out, here it is: (drum roll, please).
Happy New Year! From my family to yours! I know 2014 will be a year that brings blessings and trials and lots and lots of love from our gracious God and King.
Today we took a family picture, very casual, but nice. I think this will be a new family tradition as long as we're together on new year's.
I've been planning to send New Year's greetings to family and friends with a family picture. I'm never good at getting everything done before Christmas; I am a non-conformist in many ways (my new way of describing my rampant procrastination).
So, without lots of words that will take time to think out and write out, here it is: (drum roll, please).
Happy New Year! From my family to yours! I know 2014 will be a year that brings blessings and trials and lots and lots of love from our gracious God and King.
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