I wrote in my first post that the reason for starting this blog was that there were/are a lot of 'mountains' that need to be moved in the world- serious problems, serious pain, that can only be moved by God's Spirit, in the situations themselves, or as He works through the Church in ministry. I was in a pretty grouchy mood this morning, but I knew it was still important to keep my committment to fasting and prayer- After all, God needs me to pray for these things, plus, I figured thinking about other people and how bad their situations are would make me feel thankful, blessed, etc. Well, my spirits have been lifted, but not in the way I was expecting. I thought that I was really fasting and praying for these big mountains out there in the world, and God revealed to me in times of prayer today that fasting is as much for me to surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in me as it is praying for the sending of the Holy Spirit to these other people and situations. I was reminded of the reasons I need to fast and pray, because of the sinful 'planks' in my eye, that keep me from seeing opportunities where God is at work and calling me to serve. So just to summarize for me and for you, the reasons for this weekly fast are:
* To consider others before myself
* To meditate on the eternal things above the temporary
* To practice not letting my circumstances and emotions affect how I treat others or think of God
* To practice self-control
* To remember God's call to service involves sacrifice
* To focus on the work of the Holy Spirit in and around me
* To make prayer a priority and recognize God hears, speaks, and moves through it
I know a lot of people think fasting is old fashioned or associated with the old covenant, but I am not expecting that God will necessarily show more or less favor because of this denial of food. I am, however, praying that God will be pleased with my heart to love, serve, and trust Him, even above the basic earthly 'needs' like eating. And as we draw closer in these times and the planks of sin are removed from my eyes, that when I pray for these other 'mountains', the Holy Spirit will be pleased to work out God's will in the situation and that I can see the path of the race God has marked out for me to run.
The Word:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" Hebrews 12:1
Prayer: To first surrender myself to the Spirit before praying for His work in the world.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Making Mountains Out Of Mole Hills
First, for all of the 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' geeks like me, anyone remember that episode where Will and Hillary double date and Hillary can't get past the guy's mole that she's with? Will drags her out in the hallway and says, "What is wrong with you, you are making a mountain out of a mole, Hil". (laughing inside!!!!)
Anyway, my prayers today were inspired by a comment my daughter made in the car today. She went from zero to meltdown in a couple seconds after climbing into the van and seeing me put her brother in one of seats- the one she wanted to sit in, but had not sat in for weeks. (Though my kids are 16 months apart, they are now roughly the same size, so they share seats) I decided I did not want to take the effort to force the switch and instead offered for them to switch on the way home. This proved to be no comfort, and she continued to cry all the way to the store. It was a quick trip and we were back in the van quickly. I made good on my promise to enforce a switch, and my daughter looked right at me and said excitedly, "Look, mom, I'm happy now that I'm in my seat!" Instead of seeing the humor and cuteness of the situation, I was irritated, thinking how unreasonable and silly she was being, and I had to take the brunt of all the crying and defiance. Then it hit me, of course, that I was letting my own attitude be swayed so easily not because I didn't get to sit in the seat I wanted to, but because I didn't get the compliant, cheerful attitude I wanted out of my daughter (which I wrongly expect every day). Today I have been praying something that I often pray- not to sweat the small stuff, not to make mountains out of mole hills, and focus instead on eternal things. The following verse really sums that up:
The Word: "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right. Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is just.If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:8-9
I have struggled with this a lot because of the juxtaposition of trying to live in the moment, appreciate everything about the little things in life, but yet not letting those solely define the day or affect my emotions too deeply when they are negative. Do you know the struggle I'm talking about? I pray that God will continue to help me see all moments, joyful and difficult, as contributing to all of the above things in a life of service to the Lord, and raising children up in the Lord. One more thought about this passage, I thought I typed the last sentence incorrectly at first, you know it is a common phrase to talk about the peace of God, but this said the God of peace will be with me. I am seeing the importance more and more of desiring not just the fruit of the spirit (like peace), but the Spirit/God himself.
Prayer: To dwell on things that God says produce the fruit of the Spirit, not get caught up in everyday trials.
"This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
Anyway, my prayers today were inspired by a comment my daughter made in the car today. She went from zero to meltdown in a couple seconds after climbing into the van and seeing me put her brother in one of seats- the one she wanted to sit in, but had not sat in for weeks. (Though my kids are 16 months apart, they are now roughly the same size, so they share seats) I decided I did not want to take the effort to force the switch and instead offered for them to switch on the way home. This proved to be no comfort, and she continued to cry all the way to the store. It was a quick trip and we were back in the van quickly. I made good on my promise to enforce a switch, and my daughter looked right at me and said excitedly, "Look, mom, I'm happy now that I'm in my seat!" Instead of seeing the humor and cuteness of the situation, I was irritated, thinking how unreasonable and silly she was being, and I had to take the brunt of all the crying and defiance. Then it hit me, of course, that I was letting my own attitude be swayed so easily not because I didn't get to sit in the seat I wanted to, but because I didn't get the compliant, cheerful attitude I wanted out of my daughter (which I wrongly expect every day). Today I have been praying something that I often pray- not to sweat the small stuff, not to make mountains out of mole hills, and focus instead on eternal things. The following verse really sums that up:
The Word: "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right. Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is just.If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:8-9
I have struggled with this a lot because of the juxtaposition of trying to live in the moment, appreciate everything about the little things in life, but yet not letting those solely define the day or affect my emotions too deeply when they are negative. Do you know the struggle I'm talking about? I pray that God will continue to help me see all moments, joyful and difficult, as contributing to all of the above things in a life of service to the Lord, and raising children up in the Lord. One more thought about this passage, I thought I typed the last sentence incorrectly at first, you know it is a common phrase to talk about the peace of God, but this said the God of peace will be with me. I am seeing the importance more and more of desiring not just the fruit of the spirit (like peace), but the Spirit/God himself.
Prayer: To dwell on things that God says produce the fruit of the Spirit, not get caught up in everyday trials.
"This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
True Love
Of course I have to think and pray about love today, being Valentine's Day, right? I started off my prayer time today actually having to repent for not being as loving as I should, mostly to my children today. I found myself more irritated than normal about their frequent questions, mess-making, not doing what was asked of them- you know, moms, the usual. I pray this prayer of repentance often, but I think now that I may usually feel sorry because I do not want others in my life to feel the pain of my irritability, or to question my faith, and in general I want the day to be pleasant for everyone, including myself. But today a verse came to mind that has directed me to think more deeply about why I, with the Lord's help, should choose love, every day, in every circumstance.
The Word: 1 John 4:7-12 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us."
So responding in love is more than just bringing about a more peaceful outcome and maintaining relationships, it is molding my heart to be more like Christ's, identifying with and knowing God more deeply, inviting him into my heart, home, and experiences, and showing God to others. This helps me see how it really is worth it to stop and seek the Lord's Spirit in times of difficulty instead of responding instinctively, like when my son was attracted to aluminum foil over a bowl in the fridge today, pulling it out and having it break all over the floor, then not understanding when I didn't want him walking through it to hug me as he cried.
Prayer: To see love as powerful as it really is, as an experience of the living God.
Fasting Story: Man, so many good Valentine's treats in the house, so hard to stay away! Every time I am tempted is just another reminder that God is the true bread of life, He is sweeter and more satisfying than even the sweetest treat :) All fo the temptations are also more opportunities to remember the people who provided these treats and I hope to make myself 'full' of gratitude and love for them.
The Word: 1 John 4:7-12 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is made complete in us."
So responding in love is more than just bringing about a more peaceful outcome and maintaining relationships, it is molding my heart to be more like Christ's, identifying with and knowing God more deeply, inviting him into my heart, home, and experiences, and showing God to others. This helps me see how it really is worth it to stop and seek the Lord's Spirit in times of difficulty instead of responding instinctively, like when my son was attracted to aluminum foil over a bowl in the fridge today, pulling it out and having it break all over the floor, then not understanding when I didn't want him walking through it to hug me as he cried.
Prayer: To see love as powerful as it really is, as an experience of the living God.
Fasting Story: Man, so many good Valentine's treats in the house, so hard to stay away! Every time I am tempted is just another reminder that God is the true bread of life, He is sweeter and more satisfying than even the sweetest treat :) All fo the temptations are also more opportunities to remember the people who provided these treats and I hope to make myself 'full' of gratitude and love for them.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Heart of the Matter
I had a limited time for dedicated prayer today due to getting ready for and welcoming family into town. So I thought carefully about what to pray about. I thought kind of frantically about all of the things I could use God to fill me with having an extra child in our home for the next two weeks. Instead, I decided to try not to direct my thoughts in any specific direction, being still and quiet, hoping that God would know what I needed. I was reminded of the following verse in the quietness:
The Word: "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34
Instead of focusing on making my mouth speak the 'right' things to my children and neighbors, I have to keep reminding myself that it is my heart that will make the difference in what comes out. I continued to sit quietly and ask God to continue to soften parts of my heart that are hard, and fill me with His love.
Something else cool happened in this quietness, the grad students that we share a wall with started to play 'music', the bass of which made our wall vibrate slightly. Slight annoyance subsided quickly when I realized the bass sounded exactly like a heartbeat...cool right?
Prayer: For all of us as Christians to remember our rebirth, that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus, continuing to conform to His likeness, starting deeply in our hearts.
The Word: "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34
Instead of focusing on making my mouth speak the 'right' things to my children and neighbors, I have to keep reminding myself that it is my heart that will make the difference in what comes out. I continued to sit quietly and ask God to continue to soften parts of my heart that are hard, and fill me with His love.
Something else cool happened in this quietness, the grad students that we share a wall with started to play 'music', the bass of which made our wall vibrate slightly. Slight annoyance subsided quickly when I realized the bass sounded exactly like a heartbeat...cool right?
Prayer: For all of us as Christians to remember our rebirth, that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus, continuing to conform to His likeness, starting deeply in our hearts.
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