Posts Tagged ‘Prayer’
How you’re “supposed” to pray
I know a handful people who pray for uninterrupted lengths of time and with great joy. But I know far more people who struggle with prayer. They feel guilty about a lack of it, and have preconceived notions over how they’re “supposed” to do it. Not just the nuts and bolts, the “how” of prayer, but also the why, when and if.
(For the record, I’m in the latter population.) Read More
… and it will be given
I just wasn’t feeling it.
It had been a long day in the middle of a very full week. Youth group loomed on the calendar horizon, an unwelcome commitment on this particular Wednesday. As an introvert, large group gatherings tap everything in me, so going ‘empty’ isn’t a great way to begin an evening of ministry. And 60 middle and high schoolers (whom I’ve come to genuinely adore) are a tougher crowd than most.
I’d love to tell you that I prayed for God to enable me to pour into those adolescent lives for two hours last night. I should have. Sadly, the thought didn’t even cross my mind. Read More
SMS or Pony Express?
Sometimes the old fashioned way is far superior to more ‘cutting edge’ approaches.
I think that’s likely the case when it comes to our communication today, too. I choose the form based on what needs to be said and for whom the message is intended.
With my life-long family friends, some of whom don’t use a computer (gasp!), snail mail still reigns supreme. It might take a long time to arrive, but it is received with joy, spread out on the kitchen table over a cup of tea. A lengthy reply will come, but perhaps not for weeks. Read More
Fold ’em
My four children were all between the ages of two and five.
Simply venturing out into the world required the equipment (and courage) of Seal Team 6. Armed with diaper bags, snacks, toys, books and what little remaining patience I could muster, I’d run only the most critical errands. I’d select the grocery cart that resembled a Hummer, buckle everybody in and try not to take out entire end-cap displays as I whipped around corners. Read More