A Prayer for Wisdom for being slow to speak and quick to listen...

Heavenly Father, help us to have wisdom to know when to speak and when to wait to speak and simply listen. Help us also in times of debate or arguments to be careful to not respond with words of anger as words are really hard to take back. I also think of the old saying, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words may never hurt me."  although I understand the sentiment...this statement is really a lie because words spoken in anger, etc stick with us and it takes a long time to heal! You teach us that our words can be a blessing or a curse... They can bring life or death to the hearer so help us speak words of blessing and life or not at all. This isn't to pray or say we will never have to work things out but it is to circle back around to the need for us to be slow to speak and quick to listen.... So we can speak words of wisdom, life and blessing when it's time to speak...until then, let us learn to be good listeners. These things are not easy so we really need Your help! 

 In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

#truth #wisdom #life #listen #blessing

A Prayer for Faith each day....

Don't ask for faith that will move mountains, ask for faith that will move you. 

Heavenly Father, so often I get caught up in the need for "big faith" when really what I need and pray for is faith enough for each day, each battle, each circumstance. Whether "big faith" or "small faith" I simply pray that You will help me have a strong and consistent faith - period! Continue to move me each day and help me to boldly and consistently live out this life and walk with You with and in faith. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
‪#‎faith‬

Barnabas vs. Barabbas!

In life I want be known as someone more like Barnabas rather than Barabbas! ...and I hope people know the distinction between the two.

My prayer today is that people would really get to know me (we'd all get to know each other), know my heart and see who I really am before they misjudge, cut off, reject me and I pray I'll always do the same for others.

How about you? 

A Prayer for troubled waters...

Friend, 

If God takes you into troubled waters, it's not to drown you, it's to teach you to swim.

Heavenly Father, I praise You that through the good and the bad times You are carrying us each step of the way as our strength, refuge and shield! Keep teaching us to swim as we hold on to and look to You our true life guard Who is always on duty! Help us to by faith jump into the waters no matter how rough they may look!

In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

In a humorous way, I might add that it's kind of like the movie "Finding Nemo"....Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming!

Heartbeat

Lord, Amidst the often crazy days, The Song "Heartbeat" by Lincoln Brewster keeps running through my head, especially the pre chorus and chorus: 

(Pre Chorus) "You bring order where there's chaos, Nothing separates us
Your love , Your love is stirring in our souls"
(Chorus) "Unite our hearts, To beat for You alone
Fortify our hope, In the faithfulness You've shown
We give our all, To be Your hands and feet
Make our heartbeat Your heartbeat"
Today, and each day, I make this a prayer...Lord, unite our hearts that we may beat for you alone. Fortify our hope in You as you are faithful. Help us to give our all each day striving earnestly to be your hands and feet. Make your heartbeat our heartbeat!

In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen!
Song Link: http://youtu.be/UBoLwQTHYoQ

 
#HisHearbeat #OurHearBeat #HandsandFeet

In Memory of Dale McConachie

Praying for comfort and healing for the family and many friends of Dale McConachie who tragically lost his life due to a drunk driver this week.

We hadn't connected in recent years due to attending different churches but I remember him from the early days of my faith and walk with God as someone I admired for his personal faith, integrity and he always seemed to have a gentle spirit / nature about him. 

I know he'll be resting in peace with his savior in heaven.

Besides a heart of gold, he also had a voice of gold which I admired as well especially when he recorded the entire Bible which is a huge accomplishment! Thought I'd share one of the links here in tribute to part of his life's work. 

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mcconachie/nasb/Gen.1

Thank you Dale for your example of a life lived very well! 

Life Experience Reflection: He Is Greater!

I've come to personally learn over the last 25 years that The Creator of the universe has proven time & time again that He is greater than & more capable than I am of handling & seeing me through any disappointment & discouragement.

He's greater than what any dishonest or unloving person says or thinks about me.

He's greater during the times that for whatever reason that I'm overlooked for things I could be a real asset or have skills, gifting & calling to do.

He's greater than my own self doubt, self image & times of depression.

He's greater than my many flaws & sins & so much more.

He's greater than anything that I experience in life.

He caries me through the good as well as the bad times as my strength, shield & refuge.

He is simply greater!

‪#‎lifeexperiencereflection‬ ‪#‎heisgreater‬

 

Walk Your Talk: Will you accept the challenge?

Will you accept the challenge? 
 #walkthewalk #walkyourtalk

Life Experience Reflection: How People Treat You!

Life Experience Reflection: "You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop and what you reinforce." -Tony Gaskins

I have often learned the truths contained in the quote the hard way. Whether your young or old, we tend to condition ourselves and others regarding how they can treat us. You have to set clear boundaries and you are not here on earth to be a doormat for those who have wrong intentions, big egos, are only looking out for their own gain, are trying to compensate for their own inadequacies, are trying to appear more important than they really are those who constantly mistreat you or tear you down or simply are uncaring and unloving to you!

You don't have to take it and you don't have to be a jerk in response but you can with respect (something some people just don't have) and even love you can let others know what you will allow going forward, what you are putting a stop to now and then constantly reinforcing that. Sometimes you have to be out of your comfort zone and step it up a notch and clearly and sometimes strongly communicate these things to those who continually cross boundaries.

At this point in my life, I'm not an expert at this but I purpose to learn from my past lessons/mistakes and have a deeper resolve to clearly communicate how I should be treated by what I allow, stop and reinforce. I hope you do the same too.

Now, for those who may get their feathers ruffled and may try to jump all over me and say but "wait a minute... "Jesus was a peace  loving pacifist, a compassionate and peace loving person, etc etc." "He would just simply pray things got better and be a peace loving doormat for people". Um, Well, Yes He was and is the Prince of peace, and He does love us even when we screw up royally, but if you read your Bible - you'll also see that in Love He also put some in their place too. He wasn't some pacifist or peace loving hippie that some may try to paint a picture of Him. Don't get me wrong, you have to insert wisdom here and sometimes you have to choose to not speak or address it at that moment but I guarantee you, if you continue to just be quiet all the time, it will never get better for you or the other party! 

Just remember, we're all in this together and YOU are an important part of that "together" too!  
#lifeexperiencereflection

The Majesty and Power of God!

Having a crazy day? 

Need a reminder of God's power and majesty? 

Pause for a moment and take a look at this amazing glimpse of God's creation from my home state then sing and pray lifting praises to your King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 

The Oregon Coast: A Winter Odyssey: Video Link: https://vimeo.com/117670644

http://www.uncagethesoul.com/gallery/the-oregon-coast-a-winter-odyssey/ (entire gallery)

#godisgood

Rain

Some days or weeks when things are stressful and crazy (especially at work and other parts of life like overall ministry in life, etc.)...

I find myself looking outside, (like today) when it's pouring down rain...and for a brief moment I wish I could literally run out in the rain during the hard deluge and let it wash over me and wash away the junk I've been going through... 

...But that's not how life works...You have to work through things in different ways. 

I am however glad I know the One who I can cast all my cares and anxiety upon because He cares for and loves me. I'm also glad I have family and a few friends that love me and are there for me and besides the Lord....they do help "wash" the troubles away. :-)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

9 Reasons why people aren't singing in worship

Some of you in the church may sadly blow this off as it doesn't fit into your philosophy, or as harsh as this sounds...maybe you don't care, or something else but I've observed and experience over the years many of things the author outlines.

I wonder if in the current state of church affairs (Specifically the church in US) if some of the "modern" worship leaders will be courageous enough to #1 read the below linked post (even if you don't agree), then #2 honestly pray and seek God about this, dare I say...#3 actually listen to the wisdom in your congregations, and #4 then adjust where necessary to steer the congregations back to genuine worship? 

This isn't really a matter of style or traditional vs. modern worship rather it's a matter of the heart and leadership/shepherding as well as everyone who attends desire to worship God in song genuinely and completely. Worship in Song is very important part of the life of the church so we ought to honestly and continually "check and adjust" to make sure we're on course.