Jumpstart to Power Prayers

BE SPECIFIC WHEN YOU PRAY
Posted by Marjorie on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 9:31pm
Be Specific When You Pray When we pray to God with specific requests, the answers are accompanied by a comforting sense of His intervention and affirmation. A familiar example of specific prayers is Gideon and his fleece. Condensed version: “If I’m hearing you correctly, confirm it with a dry fleece on wet ground.” Not satisfied, Gideon then requested a wet fleece on dry soil. Abraham’s servant, on a mission to find a wife for Isaac, prayed specifically to identify the right woman. “When I ask her for a drink of water, let her also offer to water my camels.” He had ten with him, so this would not be just a casual offer. And camels can drink a lot of water. Rebecca answered just as the servant had prayed. When the modest three bedroom home next door to us became vacant, Darrel and I told the administrator of the estate we’d like first right of refusal to purchase it. Eighteen years old, the house had been severely neglected and needed lots of work to make it marketable, even to satisfy a mortgage company. We invited a variety of contractors to give us estimates on painting, siding, roofing, and cleaning. A realtor friend furnished her estimation of what the property would sell for if it was in good condition. Subtracting the cost of the necessary work we came up with a figure we were willing to pay. We would use the house as a rental. We prayed, “Lord we are not as young, vigorous, and healthy as in previous years. You know what the future holds for us. If this venture is something that would work well for us and our family, let the administrator come up with a figure close to ours.” That was exactly what happened. We knew that we had not only God’s permission, but his blessing. Our granddaughter Holly, her husband and sweet one-year-old girl are making plans to rent it and move in when the interior work is finished, about four weeks. When our prayers are specific, it’s easy to identify God’s answers and gratefully thank Him for his intervention. Faith-building Prayers
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Chocolate and Other Sweet Things
Posted by Marjorie on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 11:14am
I’m amazed at the well-orchestrated marketing of candy that floods us season after season. First it’s Halloween candy. We must have a supply for all the neighbors’ children. Then comes Christmas and we are convinced that hospitality and affection are both enhanced with the gift of delicious chocolates. Fast on the heels of Christmas comes the array of candy and chocolates packaged in the reds and pinks of Valentine’s Day. Next the manufacturers wrap their goodies in pastels to fill Easter baskets. My favorite, Hershey’s kisses, changes the foil wrap according to the season—orange and black, red and green, red and silver, then pastels. I love to remove the foil, expose the brown nugget of chocolate, and pop it into my mouth where I allow it to slowly melt, oozing with pleasure. I love chocolate, but I’d prefer to rid myself of this appetite that I seem powerless against. The Bible tells me “All things are possible with God,” so I checked there for good advice. I found several references to honey, the closest thing to my sugar addiction. It’s not good to eat too much honey, according to Proverbs 25:27 NLT. I'm encouraged by the Psalm 119:103: How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (NIV) There's my solution. When I feel a craving coming on, I will turn to God’s living words, allowing his promises to satisfy my desire for something sweet. Care to join me. Tell me about your success. Marge God's Provision
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Tricycle Riding 101
Posted by Marjorie on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 11:49am
Tricycle Riding 101 Two year-old Cheryl’s face lit up when she saw the pink and purple big-wheel tricycle. She immediately climbed into the seat then looked up with a grin to see if she had approval. A few weeks before, she was unhappily removed from one in Wal-Mart. Seeing approval, she propelled the vehicle forward by pulling her feet backward on the concrete. Delighted with her success, she continued to go around in a big circle using the same motion, lighting up her sneakers with every stroke. It was plain to see she had no concept of pedal action. When I approached her to offer her some guidance, she moved even faster to escape my grasp, making her curly red ponytail bounce in rhythm with her feet. Perhaps fearful of being removed from the tricycle, she played her version of catch-me-if-you-can. When I finally caught and hugged her, I attempted to place her feet on the pedals. She wiggled and fought my efforts. I got one foot on a pedal. While I tried to put the other foot onto a pedal, she quickly removed the first one. She became so upset, I abandoned her to her own methods. She resumed the feet pushing up and down the driveway, never knowing there was a more efficient, satisfying way to propel her big-wheel. I couldn’t help thinking this is a good example of our interaction with God. Are we willing to settle for doing things our own way, getting simple results, when He wants to help us accomplish things in a much grander style? Scripture tells us his resources are “exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.” More time spent reading God’s Word will reveal those provisions he has prepared for us. Lord, send your light and your truth to guide us. Intimacy with God
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Heaven is for Real
Posted by Marjorie on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 9:40pm
Rarely a book comes along that captivates the hearts of unusually large numbers of readers. A book that is reader friendly, combining humor and child-like faith. A book that your want to share with all your friends. A book containing glimpses of the heavenly realm consistent with Biblical descriptions. Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo is such a book. Colton Burpo, not yet four years old, suffered for days with a misdiagnosed ruptured appendix. He wasn’t expected to survive the surgery performed trying to save his life. He experienced a trip to heaven and back during this time. He told his parents he left his body and authenticated his story by describing what his parents were doing in other rooms of the hospital during his surgery. He astonished his parents with descriptions and details of heaven that matched the Bible exactly, though he had not yet learned to read. He describes Jesus, the angels, how “really really big” God is, and how much God loves us. He offers glimpses of the world that awaits us, where Colton says, “Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses.” With disarming innocence and simple boldness of a child, Colton tells of meeting long-departed family members—those he never knew, sharing events that happened before he was born. Colton shocked and encouraged his parents by telling them of the sister he met in heaven. Before he was born, his mother had a miscarriage when two months pregnant, never knowing the sex of the child. Colton had never known about this event. Heaven is for Real will encourage those who doubt and thrill those who believe, offering a chance to see, and believe, like a child. Retold by his father, but using Colton’s uniquely simple words, the book offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us. Compelling and convincing. It’s a book you should read. You'll be glad you did. Enjoy. Marge Heaven
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"Beauty Care for the Tongue"
Posted by Marjorie on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 2:51pm
I have a little book called Beauty Care for the Tongue. That title brings interesting questions to mind. Why does my tongue need beauty care? What do I need? How do I apply it? Is it permanent or temporary? I have collected some Bible verses that offer advice regarding to the tongue: If anyone considers himself righteous and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue he deceives himself and his religion is worthless (James 1:26). My dear brothers take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (James 1:19). The more the words the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? (Eccl. 6:11). Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him (Proverbs 29:20). When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10:19). In her Seattle Times column, January 15, 2011, Jodi Detrick stated she was going on a “word diet” in 2011. “We live in a world of words, and that’s good—mostly. But like food, too much of a good thing can become unhealthy. Words should be measured carefully …and are better when used sparingly. If you’ve ever been in a meeting where one person dominates the discussion…you might wish they would consider going on a word diet.” She continues telling of advice from her instructor when she was training to become a life coach. The acronym she gave still sticks with Detrick. W.A.I.T. stands for Why Am I Talking? She should be listening and asking insightful questions. In contrast to the compulsive talkers, big people monopolize the listening. In speaking of the late Oswald Chambers, a student said, “He taught us how to cultivate the art of conversation. The ability to change the theme and lift the conversation to a more elevated plane was characteristic of Mr. Chambers. Without monopolizing the conversation, he would regulate it and charm and entertain us all.” I think I will begin the beauty treatments for my tongue by going on a word diet while I do more listening and asking questions. Would you care to join me? I'll look forward to your comments. Blessings, Marge Beauty Care for the Tongue
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