Walking Man
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...After watching for a year, I decided to meet him. Different from other walkers in my neighborhood, he wore leather shoes, slacks, a button down shirt and an Australian hat. In winter, he wore a poplin jacket.
One morning, lost in Psalm 139 and prayer, I glanced from the front bench as he almost passed me.
Greeting him and introducing myself, I reported seeing him every day at the same place and time. I told him that on my way to work, I prayed God’s blessing for him, that his needs would be met and his purpose fulfilled. His blue eyes glistened. He pulled from his pocket a folded piece of paper. An invitation to the church he was planting, it had his name, phone number, schedule of services, a promise of prayer and the plan of salvation. He recently returned from missions work.
We realized that we attended the same high school several years apart. He found Jesus real in Vietnam and came back to Bible college. His diabetes is completely under control by exercise and weight loss.
We prayed and he continued walking. I returned to my bench having encountered a friend.
I still see him and pray. God spoke that morning about how we can lift people around us. The clerk at the grocery store will go home late to finish homework. The bank teller deals with a difficult boss. The custodian moves slowly from a strained back. Seeing the same people each day, we can intercede for them when they feel they cannot make it. By praying, blessing, encouraging and waging spiritual war we make a difference.
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ…”
Colossians 4:2-3
Tears On My Mat
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...I arrived early enough to place my equipment out of range of the mirror. I had been exercising for a couple of months, but not always following the routine, I tried to not be noticed. As clumsy as an elephant, but determined to be healthy for things God was doing, I was faithful even if I did not get the steps.
I was on the left when everyone else was on the right and up when the leader was down. I did notice that breathing was easier and I made it through most of the routine.
Finishing cardio and weights, we stretched. On our backs with arms out, the instructor said, “Give this last part to the One above. Think of three people you want to pray for.” The music changed. The song was about giving it all to Jesus. She quoted James chapter 5, “Pray for one another that you may be healed.” I thought of a widow facing a funeral, a mother in law nursing a brother and a sister in a difficult situation. The song ended, the instructor blessed us and we started to leave. My mat was wet and I was almost embarrassed until I noticed others wiping their eyes.
Prayer is not limited to a place, time, method or set of words. Paul told the Thessalonians to “Pray with out ceasing.” That means even in exercise class.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…”
Ephesians 6:18
Blessing Indeed
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...To bless is to “cause to be happy; prosper; to confer a benefit or to make fortunate.” It is a powerful, biblical way of speaking life.? Blessing influences and shapes the future.When your children are small, you bless them by praying for scrapes and bumps, brothers and sisters, and pets. When they are in middle school, you pray God’s blessing on tests, tryouts, games, and friendships. In high school, you pray for safety, relationships and future adventures. In their adulthood, you pray for decisions, opportunities and finances. The danger is to stop praying for blessing.
Through his soft voice and gentle delivery, the speaker on Father’s Day had a tremendous impact on our church. His message was to bless your children. As I watched families pray together I saw the strength of our past, present and future. I knelt to pray for my own. I thought I would never need to, but I specifically asked God to bless her with a child.
When I saw the sonogram this week, I thanked Him for great blessing indeed.
“One generation shall praise Your works to another.
And shall declare Your mighty acts.”
Psalm 145:4
acts adulthood asked god bless your children brothers and sisters bumps danger decisions Evotational friendships future adventures prosper psalm 145 scrapes shapes soft voice sonogram specifically relationships Filed under Evotational | Comment (0)iPod® Prayers
(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5) Loading ...Though my family has them, I am a newcomer to music gadgets. My husband enjoys his. Sometimes, he puts it in my ear so I can share the song.
You might be surprised at the wonderful music he programmed for me. There are few genres of music I do not like. I have three play lists – Worship, Workout and On the Go. I do not use it everyday because I love the morning, but, occasionally, I put in my earplugs after I tie my shoes.
This morning, I set it for shuffle. First song – a nice guitar melody and I talk to God about all my issues. Next, comes a classical piece. I pray for my friends, one of them has a birthday today. Then, the first folk song I taught my daughter. I pray for her and her husband. Another guitar song – (remember who programmed my song list) I pray for the current situation in our country. A fantastic worship song comes – “I am a friend of God…” I sing. Then, it is a love song popular in the ’70s. I thank God for my husband and how we just grew up together. I pray for all the things he will face today. I am rounding the corner for the last half mile. It is another worship song. I raise my hands because there is no one else on the street. Tears are in my eyes as I sing. “Glorify your name….” The last song is a stirring popular group”…it’s a beautiful day.”
I prayed through every song and finished my walk just as the sun is peeking out.
“Oh God, You are my God:
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless you while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.”
Psalm 63:1, 3-4.
classical piece earplugs Evotational folk song friend of god genres of music glorify your name god you are my god guitar melody guitar song i am a friend of god i can share last song popular group psalm 63 talk to god thirsty land wonderful music worship song Filed under Evotational | Comment (1)Keepers of the Keys
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...It is seldom that we lose keys in our household. That could relate to the importance of obtaining access to areas of our lives. One day this week I left one set of keys at home. Though the world did not come to an end, it was an inconvenience. I thought about locks.There are keys for homes, cars, gates and business, which for me is a school. If a person is important he or she will carry several keys for each area.
Keys allow access and keep out. We keep thieves out and allow trustworthy people in. We allow friends and family to use our keys but we would not think of handing them to a stranger.
Spiritually, we hold keys, too. We allow people in and keep some out. We hold the key to the future and lock some people in the past. There is the ability to unlock dreams if we mentor and encourage. We could be guilty of closing doors of opportunity instead. It is possible to lock someone into a pattern of past behavior because we can not let go of experiences.
The words you say are powerful keys. You might discourage a wonderful servant by complaining. On the other hand, you could give magnificent expectation by encouragement.
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”
1Thessalonians 5:14
