Poison in the Pantry

A gallon of milk in our fridge tasted strange. In spite of the future expiration date, it was "off" and tainted everything it touched.  We forgot to mention this to Nick who thought we'd bought a box of bad Fruity Pebbles (healthy because of the word "Fruity").  Nothing ruins a good bowl of Fruity Pebbles or a chocolate chip cookie like bad tasting milk.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6-7 mentions a couple of bad tasting ingredients in our prayer pantries. Number one on the list is anxiety. Anxiety both doubles the punch of crisis and negates our prayers and peace. Fear-filled prayers and efforts to control the outcome don't please Him because these prayers show no trust in Him, no faith.  He wants us to pray from the calm assurance that He can, He will and He wants to intervene with peace and protection. He calls us to take the time and energy to de-tox from busy-ness, anxiety, worry and fear as we pray to Him with gratitude. 

As a matter of fact, the second poison in the pantry is ingratitude. Apparently, God knows  it's impossible to over season lives or prayers with sincere gratitude. God loves to hear thanksgiving pouring from His children's hearts and lips. Gratitude reshapes our prayer as we remember how God has blessed us in the past.

Spring cleaning means it's time to clean out the poisonous and stale ingredients in our prayer pantries.  Time to toss the expired faith, artificial joy, and traces of anxiety and to  refill with the gratitude, trust, and peace that touch God's heart and open the way for the fresh fruit of  answered prayers.  

Out of the Ring, Fighting My Own Fight

"But I trust in You, LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your Hands."

Psalm 31:14-15a

On the way to school this morning, Nick and I were talking about how much easier it is to stand up for someone else than it is to stand up for yourself. Praying's like that for me. The issues seem crystal clear when it comes to praying for other people - unless they're my children - extensions of me.   

I just received a text from a friend who understands what I mean. Her son is being rushed to the hospital with chest pains and she's asking for prayer. 

Julie and Addy

So am I. Our daughter, Julie, had five additional moles removed after an initial one tested mildly atypical.  Now two of the new ones have been tested "mild" and "severe" - and they'll be removed May 1. There's no melanoma - just the assurance that if nothing's done, danger is certain, in time. Praise God, again, that she went to the doctor.  This is my child, my daughter who's facing serious issues as she turns 25.   I'm praying urgently, with purpose and passion, for her healing and that they scoop out every abnormal cell so she never has to deal with this threat again. 

Four generations of mamas and daughters.

Praying Addy walks in her mama's steps of faith.

Why can't we be allowed to tag team with our children, jumping in the ring to handle the tough stuff for them? Because they, too, are learning to say "But I trust in You, LORD; I say, 'You are my God. My times are in Your Hands."  As a parent I must resist every urge to obstruct my children's spiritual growth by trying to have faith for them.  My job is to stand by them, to fight my own worry, to work out my own faith, and to pray for them as they learn to trust the Someone Bigger and Stronger Who never leaves them to take their hits alone in the ring.   

Lord, God, our lives - moments, trials, victories -are in Your hands.  Help us pray, not worry; remember You love our kids more than we do (??); know You're constantly refining them to bring out their best; and believe You have a purpose for everything You allow into their lives just as You do in ours.  Help us demonstrate a faith in You that will matter to them, encourage them, lead them, but never come between them and You. Mamas want to fix things and Daddies want to provide.  You are both to our children and we trust You.
In the Name of Jesus, Who wanted to gather Jerusalem under His wing like a mother hen. 

Endless Prayer Sandwich - Hold the Nay-O

My friend and spiritual sister, Rosanne, recently wrote the following in an email to me:

I’m not always consistent these days with a quiet time, but I find my daily life is one constant prayer to the Father to sustain me, provide my immediate needs, get me through the busy moments of mothering/homeschooling five children, wisdom to train my older ones, etc.  I don’t know how anyone makes it through the day without a constant dialogue with the Father.  Does that count as a devotional?  I think so.  Trying to live my life as a constant worship to Him….do not always succeed but I have a goal. 

Does it count? Only for eternity.  When believers learn to pray and worship as we go and as we do, we've learned to pray without ceasing and how to commune with our Father.  We've learned to taste and see that the Lord is good by building and biting into the best thing on  any day's menu: the Endless Prayer Sandwich presented in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

16Always be joyful.

17 Never stop praying.

18 Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank Him because you believe in Christ Jesus.

On the Bread of Life we slather a joyful spirit which says,  "God, I trust You. 
I believe what You say. I know You love me and I love You. I don't have to be anxious because You're listening and You already know the ins and outs and everything needed."

Next comes a pile of prayer - a thin-shaven stack of small prayers concerning  everything and everyone in our day.  Non-stop praying says, "God, You're always with me. You don't clock in or clock out, and neither will I.  You care about every aspect of this day and You're always working in every detail, always in control and reigning, even in the messy moments."

Finally, heap on the gratitude - even when the request we lay before the Lord presses painfully on our spirits.  Our thanks may be the most precious ingedient we add as it is produced from fresh faith in Jesus.  If we're still using the same examples of God's faithfulness from 20 years ago, we imply God hasn't worked in our lives since then.  Stale faith leaves a bad taste, but gratitude for answers yet unseen keeps us looking up, watching for how He'll work in His way and His time.

"Spend a lot of time in prayer. Always be watchful and thankful."

Colossians 4:2

With these simple ingredients stacked onto God's Faithfulness and held together in Christ - the Bread of Life - we have all we need to lead nourished, godly lives. No secret ingredients in this sandwich.

                                 "God’s power has given us everything we need to lead a godly life.

All of that has come to us because we know the One who chose us.

He chose us because of His own glory and goodness.

He has also given us His very great and valuable promises.
He did it so you could share in His nature.
He also did it so you could escape from the evil in the world.
That evil is caused by sinful longings."

2 Peter 1:3-4

Lord, we empty life and make it hard when You intended it to be filled and delicious.  Today, we come to You with joyful spirits because we recognize Your Presence with us means Power for what we face. Thank You for the promise of You with us, always.  Thank You for the people we'll see today and help us stop and really see them.  May we realize You've crossed our paths to bless, to work.  Thank You for the work and ministry at our fingertips.  Thank You for the messy moments that remind us how much we need You in the moment.  May we never only delegate a chunk of time to You, but help us learn to make our lives one endless prayer and worship service. 
In the Name of Jesus, Bread of Life, Word Who holds all things together



Moving My Tent

"Moses entered the cloud as he went up the mountain,

and he remained on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights." 

Deuteronomy 24:18

What is it about kids and tents?  I remember making tents from bed clothes, carving out crannies, hiding in nooks, curling up in a corner, leaning against a tree- anywhere I could create personal space and sanctuary. Even in high school and college, unseen forces pulled me to the same booth or table in the cafeteria, and I had a favorite study carroll in each library for concentrated concentration. 

Peter must have been a kid at heart because his Plan A was to build tents: 

'Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

"Then Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it’s good for us to be here! If You want, I will make three tabernacles (also translated shelters) here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said:

'This is My beloved Son.

I take delight in Him.

Listen to Him!'"

Matthew 17:3-5

A shelter becomes a prison when designed to hide us from trouble, responsibility or even God, but tents we build as tabernacles, where we hide in God rather than from Him -nourish us with His Presence, Peace and Joy. 

Most days, including today, I set up my tent, my tabernacle, at my desk, because this is where I need to be.  This is where I draw down the curtains and allow God to speak to heart and soul. Computer keyboards and the copier provide background music. Calendars, post-its, and memo pads serve for stained glass. If Paul and Silas could sing from a jail cell, Jonah could praise from the belly of a whale, David could compose prayers in caves, Daniel could rest in a lions' den, and the people of Israel could move the first, physical tabernacle from one sandy spot to another, I can certainly plant stakes where I am here and now and hear God now.

“The virgin is going to have a baby. She will give birth to a son. And He will be called Immanuel.”  The name Immanuel means “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Lord, remind us again today, that You are wherever we find ourselves.  Help us joyfully take up the challenge of finding You in the most unlikely places, of listening for Your Voice in the din around us, of putting You first when other duties call.  Time in the tabernacle is never wasted.  Your Presence fills us to do the rest with purpose. Thank You that we don't need frills to worship and commune and dialogue with You.

In the Name of Jesus, our Immanuel