Reflecting | Branch 23

The last few months have sort of been a slow motion of God and I doing comparisons. Like reconciling the checkbook. Here is my list of my debits and credits. How do they line up with his word. Sometimes it feels like a line item by line item process. Unlike the dreaded checkbook, I love this kind of reconcile. Maybe not when he highlights an out of balance item for the first time; but after the thought has had time to settle...

I also love that when God is dealing with us about something, he continues with it until we get it. That is, as long as we continue with him. He plants these little seeds of correction that I might not understand at first but then when I am out of balance, he 'highlights' it again in real time. I can then see exactly where or what he's showing me.

I know that he is trying to teach me 'stillness'. Stillness can be applied in every area of our lives but for now that lens is focused on my mouth. Here are some of my examples.

1. How passive aggressive, sarcasm and even good natured humor can tear another down. We never know how the devil is working in someone's life and so if our words don't build another up, why say them at all?

2. I often over explain when it's unnecessary and even describe myself or my personal situation(s) with a negative tone. It doesn't represent how I feel about me or even who God created me to be. I think that it's a habit from an old place but it really doesn't fit me anymore. It's time to let it go!

3. Is my mouth so full of words that even though they are not all negative, the goodness is lost in the sheer quantity of what is being said?

All of the above and many other examples represent useless chatter. If it doesn't serve not only a purpose but the specific purpose of building up, is it in fact useless, or even worse... destructive?

The misuse of words doesn't sound like such a big deal but if I have to spend more time correcting what I just said, it can get rather exhausting.  Wearing myself out, isn't exactly the kind of 'stillness' God has in mind. Not only that but our mouth is often the first thing that people notice about us and the only thing that they remember later.

The Bible is full of verses about the power of the tongue and controlling the mouth but I am thinking of James 1:24 (NLT) instead. "But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like." 

I love that. "Face in a mirror". I didn't understand that verse when I first read it. But it just makes so much sense now. Doesn't the bible say that we are each made in his image? Aren't we all called to reflect a glimpse of God to all who see us, including ourselves? 

If that's the case, shouldn't we start in front of that mirror every day to 'fix' our eyes on our maker? To 'tweak' our thoughts 'just so' and 'blot' our lips to remove any excess? Do we truly see ourselves with the same purpose and vitality that we were made with and will we remember to display it when we walk away from the glass?

Later in the day when inadequacy begins to knock, will we return to that mirror to 'touch up' what has worn away. Reconciling our flesh against our father's truth. Restoring the fullness of hope and inviting his word to not only penetrate but to purify what we offer of ourselves.

The very next verse says "But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:25 NLT)

Free of the burden of heavy habits and then something to fret over later. Free knowing that we encouraged another and that by doing so, we encourage ourselves. Free to know the peace that comes with excellency when we obtain it. Free to anyone who believes...

Sometimes stillness isn't about not doing anything but more about allowing ourselves time to pause and think about who we are. As we realign our heart, his image comes into view. Then our reflection follows suit.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

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Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 20, 21 NASB)



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The word "branch" was used in the title because it relates to one of the tree characteristics from an earlier post.

Update to an earlier post

Please go back and check out an earlier post "The Life Of A Tree". I've added verses to each of those characteristics. Some of them really surprised me but when the Lord speaks to us, it's always timely and thought provoking. I hope that these comparisons speak to you as well.

Until next time...
Reggie

Psalm 23 | Scripture

Photo by: http://www.123rf.com

Within the last month Psalms 23 has popped up at least a dozen times, if not more. It was the verse of the day in an app that I use. It was on a bookmark that I found in an auto shop waiting room.  It was posted on a message board that I drove by on my way home. Again and again it has appeared in countless locations. Thankfully, none of which were funerals, where it is most often read.

I decided that God was trying to get my attention. I read the verse but didn’t have any giant "ahas". So I asked him what he was trying to tell me. I’ve thought about its meaning and read it several times. Finally, last Sunday it was read before the opening prayer in service at church. I resolved to a bucket of tears.

It felt like a sob of repentance. As if my soul knew everything that was being said even though my brain and my ears were still trying to figure out the real message. Just this week I feel like I finally get it.

While I haven’t been to any funerals, I have strongly felt God dealing with my character this year. The last month or two have been some of the hardest that I’ve had in a while. It’s actually felt like a dying of the flesh or a parting of self. I am sure that another post will come soon with details about that but for now I am just going to share Psalm 23 with my notes.

You probably already knew the message. It’s pretty clear.  My mind just had to catch up and recognize that it was more than words on paper. May it be a bit of encouragement to you. This passage is the King James Version.

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He is the provider of all things. He knows every one of my needs without my having to ask. He even knows the ones that I am unaware of. He gives them as needed.  Not too soon so that they won’t satisfy. Not too late so that they are stale.

2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

His path is refreshing, it carries necessity. Not just in water but in rest. Water revives what is dried up and cools what is overheated. Rest allows you to regain your strength, to adjust your attitude, find a new perspective or even the courage to try again. 

His path includes rest and water. While you relax in his presence, his water will restore you so that you can begin again. It leads to life. It’s a path of peace. A path of joy. Both of which are easiest to feel when we are rested.

Whenwe don’t follow that path, we become exhausted; searching for our own answers or solutions, wrestling with life’s challenges, draining ourselves of hope.

3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Not only does he lead you along the peaceful path. He leads you to a place of dignity and not shame. He is the ultimate vindicator and when you get to your destination; all things will be made right. -Just as he has promised.

I like to think that it’s also because you and I are named after him and made in is image.  –It’s not just the fulfillment of his promise.

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are or what death you are facing in your physical, spiritual or emotional life. Your valley of death could be any of the following: No money for food, the threat of death to your job, the death of your reputation or image, death to a relationship or habit. You might even be experiencing a death of another kind but in that valley, he is there. Push on.

Like the coachman in a carriage (although thankfully not as aggressively), he corrects me and leads me through the valley, back to his path. The rod is a comfort because it reassures me that he is there. He knows the way out. I am not alone. He won’t let me go too far to the left or too far to the right, if I just follow his promptings.

5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

To anoint with oil, is a sign of being sacred. You and I are sacred and chosen. He loves us. Like the story about the father and prodigal son, he’s preparing a feast.

You and I know what it’s like to make a special dinner for someone that we love. There are some things that we prepare in advance. There are some things that we can prep and chop and clean up once the other things have been started. We like to time it just right so that this gift that is being prepared is just right when our beloved arrives. It’s fresh. Hot. -Just the way that they like it. So often, we don’t start those items until we know that the guest is at a certain place or has already arrived.

How many times do we doubt God and fight him. The problem arrives. We get distracted trying to solve the problem. God calls. Where are you? Seek me. Tell me when you’ll get here because I am preparing something for you. We silence the phone. Send him to voicemail. We’re still doing what we think that we need to do.

After hours, days, and sometimes even years, we are finally too tired to DO anything else. There is no other option except to turn to God. Our plans have failed. We return home too exhausted to speak. He doesn’t ask questions. He doesn’t say “I told you so”. He doesn’t even ask you to come help him with anything. He says go lie down and take a rest. Relax. When you’ve regained your strength, get cleaned up. I’m preparing my best for you. But we had to get in his presence first, in order to receive it.

And who cares about your enemies. He was waiting for you!!

6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The one magic word in this whole verse is ‘follow’. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…”  How many times do we focus on the prize instead?  We try to obtain goodness in ourselves, from others and in circumstances. We ask life for mercy and then try to squeeze it out with our own hands.

In verses 2 and 3 it says that God leads.  If he leads then I can’t possibly looking at anything but him. When that is true, I might see the valley or the death around me but I am not focused on it. I can’t do anything with my own hands or I will miss his direction.

I might feel the sand in my eyes, the sweat on my brow, the sun on my skin. But I look to him. He leads me out. The blessings happen. They are behind me because I am on the right path. They come after every step of faith into his direction.

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I hate to end it here but this was my version. I love that if you searched for other interpretations, you could probably find a thousand that were drastically different from mine. Sometimes though, God just has a little message for you and I. If you are facing a death in your own life, I hope that you get that rest so that you have not only the courage to face it but also the strength to enjoy the blessing that awaits you.

Oh and P.S. I’m going back and adding verses to every characteristic of my tree from my last post. I am almost done with the list and will post it soon. So stay tuned.

The Life Of A Tree

The Life Of A Tree

7/21/13 – Original

8/6/13 - Verses
10/1/13 - Revised

The following passage was taken from a study that I taught.

"Imagine a large and lovely tree, a tree that invites creatures to come and nest. A tree whose leafy arms hold the promise of comfort and rest. A person who is a shelter is one who affords those that enter her life the joy of relaxing in her love. She has come alive to her longings and the beauty of offering her soul without contempt or pressured performing. This aliveness is not a fruit that she uses to adorn herself. Rather, it is for the explicit purpose of having more to give to others for their well-being and to God for his Glory." -Dan Allender, The Wounded Heart.

I actually carry around a copy of that passage because it speaks so much to me. There is also a different picture of a tree that I post in various places to remind me of this.

In the last few weeks, I've really felt like God was trying to talk to me about trees. I am captivated by every one that I see. Collectively and separately, I am stirred with so much thought and adoration. 

I can't help but wonder what that would be like? -God making me into a tree. If I were a tree; what kind would I be? An oak is usually what comes to mind, even though I haven’t necessarily decided.

You know the old adage that "You are the company you keep."  If I spent more time in the presence of trees, could I in fact become more like them?  What are some characteristics that I could gain? -Might I already have? 

I started coming up with the following list, starting with the most obvious. Consider it slowly. I hope that it speaks to you as well.

1. It’s the greatness of a tree that people imagine, not the sapling or damaged areas. - 1 Peter 5:10

2. Able to sway but never bend. - Romans 12:2

3. Arms always raised. - Psalms 63:3-4

4. Food/nourishment is always evident in fingers. Scattering seed. - Titus 2:1-5

5. Appearing to ‘dance’ through the blows of life. - James 1:12

6. Strong enough to hold a house within arms, or a nest, or two. - Proverbs 3:18

7. Sought for admiration, pleasure to a child, shelter from sun and rain, or as a choice material in building. – Philippians 2:1-4

8. To be a necessity to others in order to sustain life. - Proverbs 31:20

9. To only produce such quality and high value resources. - Galatians 5:22-23

10. What doesn't get consumed by others has potential to become the next offspring. - Deuteronomy 4:9-10

11. I've heard that if you follow the longest limb on a tree, you fill find that it covers the longest root. What a smart tree to always protect what makes it stand. – Psalms 91:2 (Check out the whole chapter).

12. Injuries & disease turn into interesting knots and scars. – Mark 5:19

13. Trees do not restore and repair wood that is injured and infected. Instead they compartmentalize off the damaged tissue. They don't work to replace those cells, they just grown around it! - Romans 6:4

14. Even decay can be used for the benefit of others. – Romans 8:28

15. Within the bark, appears to be a grooved road map for others to follow. -From the ground, up. - Isaiah 26:7

16. Only growing up. Never looking back. - Philippians 3:13-14

17. A tree does not waiver. It always stands ground. – Hebrews 10:23

18. Anyone can tell, simply by looking at the tree, what kind of tree it is, or that it is in fact, a tree. - John 15:5

19 It knows the difference in seasons, waiting and producing. – Hosea 12:6, Galatians 6:9

20. Flourishes in light, wilts in darkness. - 1 Thessalonians 5:5

21. Lives –only- on God's provision. – Matthew 6:11

22. The wood of a tree is an arrangement of living, dying, and dead cells. (Sounds just like our habits, huh?) – 2 Corinthians 4:12

23. To make no sound ever, except when moved by something. - Proverbs 15:4 | Branch

24. Born w/a crown. (The name for the upper portion of a tree). - Romans 8:17

25. Most of where I would retain water would be underground, hidden from sight. (I couldn't resist.) - Psalm 139:15-16

26. Trunk would be skinniest part. (Oops it happened again.) - Psalms 147:10-11

27. There's a fullness inside that only God gave. It can't be filled with money, food, compliments, etc... - Ephesians 3:16-19

28. That fullness is what gives the tree its strength. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

29. Satisfied with stillness. – Psalm 25:4-5

30. Some trees are self-pollinating, but they will often produce larger yields with a cross pollinator. – Philippians 4:13

31. Oak Trees grow incredibly slow. If they are overshadowed by bigger trees they spend most of their energy just trying to grow tall enough to see the sun. They do best when they are directly in the light and separated from other trees. – Psalm 27:8

32. For the rings, the past is tucked away on the inside, no one would know unless someone sought its heart. – Luke 9:62

33. Never stops maturing. – Job 12:12-13

34. Always a pleasing fragrance. - Ephesians 5:2

35. Most can weather any storm. They may be changed but not destroyed. –2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Romans 5:3-5

36. It's what's the roots are in, that determines how quickly it grows, how large it becomes and what it can withstand. - Matthew 7:24-27 | Branch

37. Trees trap more of the sun's energy than any other group of organisms on earth. (Son’s energy) - 1 John 4:4

38. One large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground and discharge it into the air in a day. (Living water & Profession) – John 7:38

39. They produce enough oxygen for 2-4 people to live. - Proverbs 11:30

40. It's the way that the crown is worn that makes a tree appealing. - Matthew 5:14-16

41. However, it's chosen for the consistency of the heart. – Proverbs 18:16

This might be another list that I come back and add to over time. Feel free to come back and check. I hope that it was a blessing to you.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

- Jeremiah 17:8

Fully Sensing God

Recently I was looking for a picture for one of my posts. I wanted a green landscape. Scrolling through pictures, some were so green that I could smell them as clearly as if I were sitting there. If you've ever broken leaves on a plant or if you have been in a really lush forest, you might have an idea of the smell that I am referring to.

It happened again the following week while looking for another similar picture. This time it stayed on mind. I knew that there was a reason. I asked God what he might be trying to tell me with those pictures. The smell reminded me of my childhood, which was spent outside, swimming, making mud pies, collecting critters and climbing trees or singing to them. (Yes, really.)

I loved the water too but I would have to say by far that in the woods, was my favorite place to be. Of course by the teenage years I started drifting from that. And when I started having kids, I stopped going outside all together. Babies, bugs and sun... It just wasn't a good mix for me. When the kids got old enough to be entertained by outside, I stole that moment to catch up on something else that needed doing inside.

Since that last picture, I've thought a lot about how life and the world distract us from God. The more we learn, the more that we do for ourselves and the less that we look to God to provide. We live by our plans and talk about our needs and do what we want to do. 

We build our own houses, make our own gadgets and technology and then we surround ourselves with our things. Then we wonder why feel so caged up. There is no reflection of God in any of it. We're not only not looking at his future and what he can do, we aren't even looking at what he's already done and where he's been, or still is. Yet we ask ourselves, why is God so far away?

You might be wondering, how smelling a picture and going outside, relate to being closer to God? The smell was so strong and so alluring, it was calling my name. (I wish that I had saved the picture). 

It really got me thinking about the purpose and use of our senses. He created 5. I hear messages about him. I see his word in my bible. I taste evidence of him as I profess it with my mouth; his word and what he has done in my life. That only leaves 2 more. Touch and smell.

How much do I touch anything that God has made? Or celebrate it? I love my family. Clearly, God made each member. But the members in my family are 'man'. Going in my yard, still reflects 'us'. How long has it been since I have gone somewhere that only reflected God. Where there was no evidence of man at all? -To fully appreciate what only he has made. 

...calling my name.

And then there was smell... I was at a loss. I started thinking about what I did know about smell. Studies indicate that aromatherapy affects our mind and mood. It is the smell of food that arouses our appetite. Tasting wouldn't nearly be as good without smell. Familiar smells hold the power to connect us to a different time and place.

In fact every time that our kids go see their great grandmother, we laugh because when they come home, they each smell like Nanny. This might be a little far-fetched but Ecc 3:20 says that we came from dust and maybe somehow; that deep earth smell is a familiar reminder of home. Or maybe, in being deep in those woods, there is a smell that only my soul recognizes as God. 

Maybe all 5 of our senses are given for the purpose of identifying his nearness and his goodness. Even smell.

Psalms 107:9 - says that he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. If smell increases the appetite for it and amplifies the taste of it... How much more powerful could it be standing in his presence, if I made it so that every sense could only focus on him?  

Sanctuary...

That aromatherapy bit must have some truth in it also. The mountains, rocks and sand all filter water. The trees and plants filter air. Standing in the middle of all of that filtering and 'freshness' would have to have an invigorating effect on me as well. Not only filtering my mind of it's contaminants but slaking the pollution of the world from my soul.

Leviticus dedicates several chapters (see 17-20) to "Separating ourselves from the world and the worlds ways." Obviously that's more of a reference to a lifestyle. But what about as a hard reset? To be transformed by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2)

I don't know about you but I could use a hard reset. 

I pray that this post lingers on your thoughts as it did mine. -That it plants a seed of desire to not only find that place but to go there. Regularly. The earth is FULL of his goodness. (Psalms 33:5) May we each find our own private sanctuary within it. 

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You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12 NIV)

Prayer | Notes

Two years ago, my New Year's resolution was to improve my prayer life. I bought a book and started practicing different things. It was such a good resolution that I decided to renew it again this year and next year it will also be the same. The following list is of notes that I have made along the way.

1. Pray the way that you know how to pray - When I was a teenager. I laid in bed one night and tried to pray. I apologized to God for only saying the same few words in prayer that it seemed like I always said. As I laid there in the silence, I kept feeling like I needed to get up and read Ephesians 6:18.

I hadn't memorized any scripture. I had no idea what or why that verse was coming to mind. I tried to ignore it but I finally had to get out of bed. I turned the light on and opened my bible. I felt the Holy Spirit over me as I read "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

God honors the words of your heart. If your words are sincere, it doesn't matter how few you say or how many times you've already said them. He is still listening.

2. Be specific - There have been times that I have wanted or needed something and I didn't want to ask God because I didn't want to "interrupt him" for something petty. -Like "God, help me find my keys".

However, a couple of years ago I was making a set of Resurrection eggs to teach my Sunday school kids about Easter.  If you aren't familiar with toddlers, this is an age where they LOVE to hold little things in their hands. I could have printed pictures for each egg but I knew that they would be much more interested in the story, if there was something that they could hold inside each one.

Most of the items were easy to find. However, finding a donkey that small was not. I went to every toy and department store that I could think of. Please God let me find this donkey. I know that there is one. I just need you to show me where it is.

The Saturday before Easter, I was trying not to get discouraged but I still hadn't found it. The kids had a birthday party to attend in Williamsburg. The stores in Williamsburg were my last hope. I tried every one that I could think of before I took the kids to the party. No donkeys were found.

As we left the Birthday party, I was walking to my truck. I stepped off of the sidewalk and over in the shadow by a column, something caught my attention. I turned to look at it and it appeared to be a gray rock. I turned back to the truck but I felt something telling me to go back and look at it. So I did. I picked it up. It was the tiniest donkey that I had ever seen. 

It was the donkey from Shrek and must have come from a child's birthday cake. I scoured the parking lot for any small child that may be missing it. When none was found, I teared up a little and sent up thanks. God reminded me again of the same verse from so many years before.

I've had several friends comment that God only answered because it was something that aided in teaching others about him. Yes, the answer(s) that we get to prayer(s) are strongly dependent on what God's will is for our life and maybe even dependent on how we would respond to the answer. -But how many people would've even prayed for a plastic donkey? You can glorify God with any answer he provides and he can answer any prayer. 

Updated 2/21/15 - Check out John 11:4. Jesus was raising Lazarus from the dead and said it was so that God could be glorified through the answer! Now this is only one example but read the other miracles in the bible. When God answers our prayers, it is maybe occasionally out of love or will but mostly it IS in order to give GOD Glory!

3. You cannot bother God by seeking his hand - You SHOULD seek it in everything that you do and in everything that you need. He knows the need. Just like we know that he's there. Sometimes, he just wants us to ask. -To consider him, so that we can learn that he is trustworthy.

4. Seek Ye First (Mat 6:33) - Ask him before we ask all of our friends. Ask him before we find our vice. Ask him before we give up. Ask him before acting in haste or emotion. Seek ye first.  Not last or after.

5. Pray together - Matthew 8:20 says: "For where two or three gather in my name, there I will also be." There have been several periods in my life, where I have asked others to pray with me. I usually do this when I am really anxious about something. Whether we physically pray with each other or if I make a request and others pray on their own. -When someone else prays with me about the same thing, I can feel the difference. My anxiety always stops. I attribute it to this verse and the results of a prayer team.

6. Fasting - I've only fasted twice and it should only be done if you feel led to do it. I have received peace and answers during both times that I have fasted. There are many verses that mention fasting and so I won't reference one. You can search on your own. I am certain that I will fast more when I study more about it. 

7. POWER in repetition - Some of the simplest prayers that I have prayed, have been "Hallelujah" over and over.  Try it. (The next two examples are also a form of repetition.)

8. Write it down if you need to - I've been terribly uncomfortable praying out loud. I am mostly embarrassed when I draw complete blanks while I have every one's attention. However, I told God that I'd accept every opportunity to pray out loud until I could get past that. So, I found myself writing prayers ahead of time (so that I wouldn't forget my words).

I have even discreetly read from the paper when the opportunity presented itself. It might sound corny and I don't do it anymore but it got me practicing something out side of my comfort zone. Again, God sees your heart and honors what you are trying to do, if it is truly for him.

9. He can give you the words - Last fall a friend and I were talking about prayer. She had heard a statement about how "he will give you the words to pray." I didn't really have any experience with that. I actually thought it was strange statement. -Most likely because I couldn't understand the point of praying, if he was going to tell me what to say.

However, there have been some occasions since that time that I would find myself rehearsing prayers and thoughts, until I got them in a certain order. -Particularly, before opportunities where I would be praying out loud. When the opportunity presented itself, I would verbalize the words that I had been meditating on.

I thought that this was my updated method of practicing. Instead of writing thoughts, I thought I was just memorizing and order of words.  However, when those situations have occurred, I have had a big response to those prayers. Other people have felt the spirit while I prayed. I believe now that the spirit does give you the words to pray in certain situations. -Especially, for the benefit of someone else. (I will be studying more about this one too).

Updated 2/21/15 - See also in John 11:41-42 Jesus Thanked God in front of others and he says that he does it for the listeners benefit.  Stop to consider what it's like when you hear someone talking to or about someone that they don't know verses when they talk to or about someone that they do know. How much more of an impact do you think that would have for someone without faith to hear us talk to a God that we know; sharing knowledge or confidence about what we trust in him?  It gets our attention doesn't it? Our prayers out loud with others can totally be for the listeners benefit!

10. Confession/Admission - Humble yourself and say what's really on your heart. There is power in admitting not only your sin but your weakness. You are recognizing that you have a need and that God really is bigger than you are.

11. Journal - Record your thoughts but also record your answers in a prayer journal. You will be surprised how much more visible it is that God is with you and that he does reply. This whole blog is my record. This is my journal so that I can easily see the evidence of his hand in my life. He is with me. He is with you too.

12. Less worry - This is not the command to "worry less".  This is the byproduct "less worry". Once I started writing about my prayers, it started a cycle; I started listening more, which led to praying more, which led to thinking about prayer more and then back to doing it more. Somehow in doing that, I've started worrying less. I am learning to be peaceful. ...It's the darnedest thing. ;)

13. You can improve your prayer life -  Get a study. Practice, practice, practice.

14. God listens to the prayers of the righteous - I seriously believe that this is not about believing in God. This is about being obedient to God. If you believe and if you are obedient (or are trying your best to be) then it makes all the difference in your prayer life. See John 9:31, Psalms 34:17, 1 Peter 3:12.

15. Thankfulness - See his hand in your blessings and answers and remember to thank him.

16. Exalt him - One of the best things that I've learned about praying is that "Thanking God is still focused on self and what he has done for you." Thankfulness is important; but trying to pray without asking for anything and without thanking him for anything, is really hard. -At first. Try to pray to him about how awesome he is. How powerful he is. How you want to know him or feel his presence. Exalt him.

17. Include scripture - I have started doing this the most.  Depending on what I will be praying about, I will look up scripture and I will reference it in my prayers. "Your word says this..." or "Psalms says this..." and I am seeing such a significant difference in my prayer.  Not only that; but in saying scripture more frequently, the memorization comes more easily. There are a lot of studies on scripture and prayer or "praying God's word". This will be something else that I study more of.

18. Put a little love into it  - Do you enjoy listening to someone talking that clearly doesn't mean what they say or that doesn't have any passion for what they are saying? God hears all- but our prayers have to be more powerful when we're having a conversation and not just going with a motion.

Remember to check back. I've got quite a few studies that I will be doing about prayer in the next year or so. I am pretty sure that I will have more notes to add. :D

19. Pray outloud - Check out this video, Mike Donehey on Prayer.

Taste And See That The Lord Is Good

When I was a kid, my best friend was a girl named Krystal. We spent every moment together, walking the neighborhood, watching movies, going to the races, the beach, or going camping. One day in particular, we got together to watch movies. (Most likely just Dream A Little Dream on repeat.)

At some point, we started getting hungry and so we found ourselves in the kitchen raiding the cabinets. It seemed like there was nothing that was either already or quickly prepared. As we turned to leave the kitchen, Krystal spied a crock pot on the counter.  She yelled "Mom made boiled peanuts!"

If you're not from the south, you might not know that people in the south really do boil peanuts. In fact, where I come from, boiled peanuts can be found at just about every farm stand or corner in town. They come in two flavors, plain or spicy. Many people also make their own, like my friend's mom did.

Before this moment, I didn't know any of the above either. They didn't really sound appealing but I was willing to try them. We each got a cup of peanuts and an extra bowl to discard shells.  I picked up my first wet, soft peanut and bit into the shell. Juice oozed out as I bit in. Once removing the shell, I bit into the meat of the nut.  I am pretty sure that I spit it out immediately. It was wet and slimy and soft and totally unlike any idea that I had about a peanut.

Krystal said "Maybe it was it a bad one. Try another one." So I did. Same process. Except this time I think that I chewed it up. It was definitely more firm then the last one and it wasn't quite as slimy. I thought to myself; "Where was the crunch? Is it supposed to taste this way? I finally said out loud, "Why on earth would someone eat these?"

Of course, she had probably finished half of her cup by then. As I tried to form my opinion of them, I decided to go back to the kitchen and look at the pantry one more time. I looked through everything again but found nothing. I finally retreated to the living room. I sat back down on the floor and forced myself to finish the rest of my cup of peanuts. When I was done, I got back up and got another cup, even though I was pretty sure that I didn't like them.

I am not sure at what point I developed a LOVE for boiled peanuts, but it happened. It even became my favorite snack. It just took a little practice to change my mind.

Here lately I've been thinking about how that compares to aspects of our spiritual life. Going to church, learning to rely on something that our eyes might not see, and particularly how it compares to reading the word.

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV says Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

Not only does this passage reference eating the word but also notice that it says he delighted in them AFTER he ate them. The words became a source of joy. Maybe not at first and maybe not even during but he 'delighted' after he consumed them.

How many times have I picked up my Bible and thought "OK God, I will get serious. I am going to read a chapter every day until..." or I would commit to completing a whole book of the Bible within a particular period of time. Yet the moment that I would try to read, I'd pick up and endless genealogy in Chronicles. I was lost with who was who before I ever got to a passage that didn't list a name.

I'd come across passages, like the ones in Revelations that talk about beasts, bowls, scrolls and trumpets. I was so confused. Should I read this literally or is this a metaphor? Then I would read Mathew, Mark, Luke and John and it was like reading the same thing over and over. I was so discouraged every time. How do some people seem to have so much faith? And how come I don't get it? It just doesn't make sense to me.

But then-

I was attending a study with some friends about 5 years ago. It was a good mixed group. Some of us were raised to believe in God but we were young in our own faith. Others in the group were well seasoned. It seemed that every time I had a question about a passage, a friend would not only try to answer the question but he would also read from the commentary in his Bible. I'd scramble through pages trying to figure out what he was reading from. It was like a light bulb going off every single time but I could never find the answers in my own Bible.

Finally, I asked him what kind of Bible he had. It was a Life Application Bible. It had interpretation of what was happening in each passage. It cross referenced other passages to give you more details to the story. It had so many in depth biographies about characters in the Bible. I had to buy one. It was one of the best investments that I ever made. And now, even when I understand a passage, I look for the commentary because it is so powerful.

You might ask how reading the Bible applies to eating something new. In both scenarios, it was awkward and seemingly unnatural for me to want or even like either. But trying it again, and again, and again is what made each of them become something that I loved.

Psalms 34:8 says to Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

How do you taste something that you're reading with your eyes?  You profess it with your mouth. Proverbs 18:21 says that there is LIFE in the power of the tongue. You chant it to yourself in that moment of need. You share it with your friends when you've made a connection. You pray his word right back to God when you don't know what else to do. "Your word says 'X' and... 'I need it" or "I believe it" or "I have found it to be true..."

You have to apply it to your eyes, to your thoughts, to your lips, and to your life. You can't apply it if you do not read it and know what it is. And if you're doing neither of those, how do you know that God is good?

At some point a regular study wasn't enough. A situation would arise and I would use a concordance or Google to look up passages and interpretations of verses until I found one that either satisfied or convicted my heart.  I wonder what God says about this...

His word became so much more personal when I started trying to apply it. When I found it to be true; I did delight, not only in God but in his word. Then my desire changed and I began to enjoy reading the Bible in every other method.

If you're still trying to figure out how to like the Bible, I encourage you to ask God to make you like it. I'd also like to recommend that you pick out a Bible that you like. The one that I mentioned is a great one but there are other study Bibles. Also consider the translation. If you can't understand KJV, try NAS or NIV translations. Make it personal. If it's something that makes sense to you and if it's something that YOU picked out, you'll be more inclined to read it.

I'd also like to recommend that you pick out or even go to a Bible study. You can read on your own. You don't have to go to church or meet with a group. However, when you're in a group, you can discuss ideas and different interpretations and learn about tools. All of which might help you grow your own faith.

I know that I am on a church kick these days but I've really been surprised by how much I've grown to love it. I have recently missed 3 weeks between family visiting and sickness in our house. By that third week, I was literally grieving not being at church. If I go too long without reading his word or spending time with him, I find myself grieving there too. What is most interesting though, is that I crave all of it now; church, my Bible and time with God. But it first came, by the practice of....

The last thought that I'd like to leave you with is how the Bible compares to that crock pot. The crock pot was in the same room with us the whole time. We stood so close to it and yet kept searching and searching for something to satisfy our hunger. We didn't even notice it until after we had finally exhausted all of our other options. The only reason that I became aware of its satisfying contents was because someone else had been satisfied by it before and knew to open it up.

Matthew 4:4 (NIV) Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Have a blessed day y'all!! :D