Praying for the Middle East
I just typed the tittle to begin writing what is in my heart about praying for the M.E. and left out the "a" in prayer... it became "Prying for the Middle East" which is what a lot of current prayer for the Middle East sounds like to me. Prying is having excessive interest in something or someone or to attempt to force something apart. Primarily used in negative sense to examine apart from relational care or love.
Prayer on the other hand is to take all those thoughts, questions, observations and direct them to the Lord who has the answers and can speak truth to us about His heart for the Middle East and provoke our hearts to come into line with His heart.
As I pray I become aware of my heart and bring those things in my heart to Him, as I read His Word and speak it out, my heart becomes even more award of His heart. Slowly my words change, my affections transform... what I feared, what I hated... hopelessness is infused with hope as His light seeps into my darkness.
May we pray (not pry) for this land.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
George Tiller was not the Enemy...
George Tiller was not the enemy. Nor was he innocent.
So much rhetoric going on about the murder of George Tiller the infamous late-term abortion doctor gunned down in cold blood in church in Wichita on Sunday. Pro-lifers rush to condemn the actions of violence and disassociate with fringe elements of the movement; while Pro-Choicers rush to point the finger at everyone who is Pro-Life.
It is sickening that someone would be shot in a church, a supposed place of sanctuary.
It is sickening that someone would be murdered in a womb, a supposed place of sanctuary.
It is sickening that a church would harbor a man that murdered over 60,000 people; a man who had no intent to repent.
It is sickening that someone murdered him before he did.
We cannot back off the issue of abortion because we might be associated with lunatics. We cannot fail to speak out against abortion, to pray for an end to abortion, to help in practical ways to support mothers and raise unwanted children.
We cannot- we must not- fail to entreat God, and those around us to stop the murders. We are bound by God’s laws including “Thou shalt not kill” be it abortion doctors or babies.
But make no mistake Church- socially correct or not- nationally legal or not- you will be judged on this issue. Your action or excuses will be noted.
"When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith." Abraham Kuyper
So much rhetoric going on about the murder of George Tiller the infamous late-term abortion doctor gunned down in cold blood in church in Wichita on Sunday. Pro-lifers rush to condemn the actions of violence and disassociate with fringe elements of the movement; while Pro-Choicers rush to point the finger at everyone who is Pro-Life.
It is sickening that someone would be shot in a church, a supposed place of sanctuary.
It is sickening that someone would be murdered in a womb, a supposed place of sanctuary.
It is sickening that a church would harbor a man that murdered over 60,000 people; a man who had no intent to repent.
It is sickening that someone murdered him before he did.
We cannot back off the issue of abortion because we might be associated with lunatics. We cannot fail to speak out against abortion, to pray for an end to abortion, to help in practical ways to support mothers and raise unwanted children.
We cannot- we must not- fail to entreat God, and those around us to stop the murders. We are bound by God’s laws including “Thou shalt not kill” be it abortion doctors or babies.
But make no mistake Church- socially correct or not- nationally legal or not- you will be judged on this issue. Your action or excuses will be noted.
"When principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then battle is your calling, and peace has become sin; you must, at the price of dearest peace, lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy, with all the fire of your faith." Abraham Kuyper
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
In the moment
it takes just a split second to make a bad decision and seems like it takes a lifetime of practice to make a good one in the moment.
in the moment...yeah, that's my problem.
I think they have another couple words for it. Self -control. In the blink of an eye, I can go from the resolve to do right- to hold back words that shouldn't be uttered- to obeying the urging inside to "speak out." Funny, I also miss it and hold back words that should be spoken- in the moment.
my true problem is that a lifetime of "in the moments" build habits and character for better or worse.
in the moment...yeah, that's my problem.
I think they have another couple words for it. Self -control. In the blink of an eye, I can go from the resolve to do right- to hold back words that shouldn't be uttered- to obeying the urging inside to "speak out." Funny, I also miss it and hold back words that should be spoken- in the moment.
my true problem is that a lifetime of "in the moments" build habits and character for better or worse.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Missing in Action
I have been missing for a while. Living but not really present. Stifling my heart and denying my soul for lesser things. Dutiful things, fleshly things, fulfilling others dreams while denying your own. If God is at the helm of this, there can be some benefit. Joseph in prision, Moses in exile, me serving a congregation in need.
But there is a time to pursue passionately what you have been called to do. To get out of the prision, face the Pharaoh and stand up for what you were created to do. A time to swallow hard and take the first step to do what He has put in your heart to do. A time to not look back or around but ahead.
A time to face the wind.
But there is a time to pursue passionately what you have been called to do. To get out of the prision, face the Pharaoh and stand up for what you were created to do. A time to swallow hard and take the first step to do what He has put in your heart to do. A time to not look back or around but ahead.
A time to face the wind.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Photoblogs
Sunday, April 30, 2006
passion
passion...
i was speaking at a church, sharing one of my favorite subjects: "Hearing God's Voice", the woman approached me amazed. "I don't know if I believe what you are saying, but I sure believe that you believe in it!" i was both frustrated and pleased;left wondering about my communication skills but glad that appeared to be authentic in my beliefs.
despite the biblical admonition,i have never been slow to speak or slow to anger. in my early days i was regularly in trouble because of my outspokeness in school. i even spoke out on behalf of people who didn't appreciate it. the stoner who hadn't memorized the poem in English; the work crew who feared reprisial by management; the customer who was confused by the misleading sales ad; the pew sitter in church...
i wondered if i would ever grow up and grow out of this need to speak out, the need to seek after my idea of justice. some assured me that i would, and i few years ago i thought i had. i began to be described as pragmatic, sensible, balanced, safe, even reasonable.
inside though i was conflicted, i had learned the 'proper way' to get things done but was growing less and less convinced that they were the things that should be done.
i am starting to feel passion again and though it feels dangerous, it feels like the true me.
pray i now have the grace to have His passion and zeal and not my own.
i was speaking at a church, sharing one of my favorite subjects: "Hearing God's Voice", the woman approached me amazed. "I don't know if I believe what you are saying, but I sure believe that you believe in it!" i was both frustrated and pleased;left wondering about my communication skills but glad that appeared to be authentic in my beliefs.
despite the biblical admonition,i have never been slow to speak or slow to anger. in my early days i was regularly in trouble because of my outspokeness in school. i even spoke out on behalf of people who didn't appreciate it. the stoner who hadn't memorized the poem in English; the work crew who feared reprisial by management; the customer who was confused by the misleading sales ad; the pew sitter in church...
i wondered if i would ever grow up and grow out of this need to speak out, the need to seek after my idea of justice. some assured me that i would, and i few years ago i thought i had. i began to be described as pragmatic, sensible, balanced, safe, even reasonable.
inside though i was conflicted, i had learned the 'proper way' to get things done but was growing less and less convinced that they were the things that should be done.
i am starting to feel passion again and though it feels dangerous, it feels like the true me.
pray i now have the grace to have His passion and zeal and not my own.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
a city in the clouds
i was eight and it was early on a summer morning in Phoenix. i looked out my bedroom window to the east where i could see the sun beginning to wash the morning sky with colors of orange, red and yellow on the light purple clouds.
a lone cloud broke away from the pack and it's outline intrigued me. i saw an ancient city and i heard the word "Jerusalem". it was so clear that i thought maybe i was seeing a reflection of that faraway city in the sky.
it wasn't until years later that i would read a passage that reminded me of that vision, "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God..." Revelation 21:2a
i watched until the cloud was lit up with the full light of the sun, changing in color from light purple to silvery gray.
all day i kept looking into the sky to see if i could see it again, and many times i watched at the window never to see it again.
this early summer morning i am looking again to see that city, "...prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2b
a lone cloud broke away from the pack and it's outline intrigued me. i saw an ancient city and i heard the word "Jerusalem". it was so clear that i thought maybe i was seeing a reflection of that faraway city in the sky.
it wasn't until years later that i would read a passage that reminded me of that vision, "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God..." Revelation 21:2a
i watched until the cloud was lit up with the full light of the sun, changing in color from light purple to silvery gray.
all day i kept looking into the sky to see if i could see it again, and many times i watched at the window never to see it again.
this early summer morning i am looking again to see that city, "...prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2b
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
