Look Outward and Look Inward - Baby Step 15

When pain is the definer of life and living, it is so easy to sink. The energy required for life is limited by the challenges I face. I need to find balance among the requirements of family, faith, function, and fun. It used to be simple to incorporate all four at the same time and bounce quickly from one to the other. Today, I have to choose, and I hate it. In not choosing, I choose. In choosing, I may miss the important people and moments of a day. This amount of focus creates the slide into the "slough of despond." (John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress)

If I am focused on myself, things slip by. I don't look ahead, nor am I present in the moment. I whine (more than my allotted two minutes per day). I cannot help others in my need to be still. I can read, but I will not remember what I read. I become so aware of everything that increases my pain; I forget there are things other than drugs that can decrease it.

I found an easier way. Decrease the number of choices to two: inward or outward. Inward seems focused on self. Outward seems focused on others. But in reality, it can be the other way around. Whether mental, physical, spiritual, whether work or play, I know how much energy will be required. I see what I can delegate and what I must do myself. I find that when I push, I must pay the piper.

Jesus, in his life of chronic pain, used inward and outward focus on balancing his days. He withdrew to the desert, to the mountaintop, to the water to be alone, to pray early in the morning and late in the day. Outward focus on his relationship with the Father and on those to whom Jesus and his disciples would touch. Then he focused inward drawing on the strength of that time with God to teach, to heal, to minister to others.

Thank you, Faith and Georgia, for reminding me this week of the power of looking outward in prayer and inward in finding strength to minister to others. I have kept a prayer journal most of my life. I have lists of names on the backs of envelopes, 3"x5" cards, napkins, church bulletins, all stuffed in my bibles. Whatever was handy at the time to record the names and needs to include in my prayers. Stilling my heart, quieting my mind, focusing on the needs of others keeps me on the edge of the abyss.

Some days, when my body requires stillness to battle, I can take the time to read through all the names aloud. Other days when my body requires busyness in battle, the most I can do is place my hand on my lists and know that God knows who most needs my focus. My willingness to conserve to spend or to push and pay becomes a blessing regardless. Either way, inward or outward, I always begin my day putting on the full armor of God so that I can stand fearlessly. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Somewhere along the line, someone – probably several someones – since I am a bit of a slow learner – I discovered the power of using God's words, straight from scripture to frame my prayers, to bind Satan, to prepare myself to be emptied and poured out for others. One day at an inter-squadron baseball game, the wife of one of my husband's commanders shared with me the prayer she prayed daily for her children.

This prayer, I pray daily for all my children home-grown and accumulated, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews. . . I use these words to pray for friends and friends of friends, for allies and foes. Because this was first the apostle Paul's words of prayer for the church in Ephesus, I know it meets Christ's qualifications for agreement. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19) I use these words to pray for you.

"For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. And pray you will know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to the One who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Faith and Georgia, and all those who feel called to pray for me, I like Paul ask only for prayer "that whenever I open my mouth [or take up my pen] words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel." (Ephesians 6:19).

Baby Step Nine - Trusting God for Deliverance

Baby Steps - March 12, 2016

Psalms 107 and 108

James Cameron, the writer and director of the 1997 “epic romantic disaster film “(Wikepedia) felt that the juxtaposition of a “love story interspersed with the human loss would be essential to convey the emotional impact of the disaster.” The musical score including the love song,  My Heart Will Go On, was composed by James Horner. Although it is the only song on the soundtrack that has lyrics, my favorite rendition is a piano solo by Mike Strickland.

I find the intensity of the music, originally written without lyrics, to convey my experiences of my emotional connectivity with our daughters, and the love and power of God to act in the midst of many troubles and calling upon His promise to bring his authority and victory to every situation.

In Psalms 107 and 108, (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009), we are called as a people of God regathered from exile to give our “Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles” and to offer our “Praise and Prayer for Victory.”

“O give thanks to the Lord for he is good;

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

    those he redeemed from trouble.” (107:1-2 NRSV)

“but he raises up the needy out of distress . . .

Let those who are wise give heed to these things,

     and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” (107:41, 43 NRSV)

All God’s redeeming acts encourage and teach the faithful.

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

     and let your glory be over all the earth.

Give victory with your right hand, and answer me,

     so that those whom you love may be rescued.” (108:5-6 NRSV)

“O grant us help against the foe

     for human help is worthless.” (108:12 NRSV)

“Give us help for the hard task.” (108:12 MSG, (Petersen, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002))

DELIVERANCE

“In a world of often dueling oppression we may overlook the fact that everyone encounters times of discomfort, danger and distress. The severity and duration of our experiences differ, but no comparison is necessary.” These Psalms assure us, whoever we are: no matter our “race, gender, age ethnicity or belief.” Let the redeemed, “whoever we are, wherever we live, whatever we are going through, let us ‘say so’ to recognize God’s power to help us overcome.” (Wesley Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version, 2009, p. 734)

Somehow, someway, God has given me a special connection with my daughters. No matter how near or far, I somehow feel and own their emotional pain, distress, or danger. They don’t need to call, I just know. My heart responds intuitively. My body responds viscerally.  I would never ask for this pain, distress, and trouble be lifted from me, because somehow, someway God helps me carry their burdens and breathes life into my prayers.  I know we are the redeemed. I believe this connectivity between our girls, myself, and my God grants the opportunity to “say so” on behalf of those I love. We can, through God’s power, overcome the needs of the day, the season, even the extended exile because we know.

God Remembers What You Say in Faith

Sibusiso Eugene Sikhakhane posted in Sons and Daughters of EXHORTATION

*TESTIMONY*
God Remembers What You Say In Faith
Isaiah 55:11 

11So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Some years back, I had a skin condition which refused to heal. I told God about it and began to take the Holy Communion believing and confessing that by Jesus’ stripes I was healed. Nothing happened, or so it seemed.

But the Lord did not forget about my skin condition. One day, He prompted me to check my body to see if it was still there. I did so and realized that it had disappeared! God had not forgotten the Word which I had confessed in faith.

A mother and daughter, who had been listening to my sermon tapes, began to believe that as the righteousness of God in Christ, they attracted the blessings of God. At that time, the mother had entered her name in a number of lucky draw contests. Together, they believed for the grand prize of one of these contests, which was a S$470,000 private apartment.

Soon after, the mother won two microwave ovens, a rice cooker and a S$5,000 wristwatch. In the excitement of winning those prizes, they completely forgot about the grand prize. But God did not forget what they had believed Him for. Some time later, they received news that the mother was the winner of the private apartment!

Maybe you shared God’s Word with a troubled friend a few years ago. You bump into him one day and he tells you, “Remember that day? You said something which transformed my life!” Your mind draws a blank because you have forgotten what you said. But God did not forget. He remembered what you said that day in faith.

You see, if the words you confess in faith for yourself or over your loved ones are God’s own words, He says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Because what is promised to you is God’s Word, you will see the manifestation of His promise. He will certainly watch over His Word to perform it! (Numbers 23:19)

BY : JOSEPH PRINCE

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I would like to share with you the testimony of a special friend.

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A 1-legged great-grandmother's personal encounter with God & the devil

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Quick Ways to Pray

Do you struggle to find time to pray during your hectic daily life? These 10 suggestions for quick ways to pray will help you catch a few moments to talk to God in the most unlikely of places, from the shower to the elevator. Get started on your new daily prayer routine now.

1. Give an Alarm Clock Alleluia

When your alarm goes off in the morning, open your eyes and repeat this line from the Psalms: "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad."

Commit to living in gratitude for the day, and you'll soon notice how much happier your days can become.

2. Practice Shower Power

Water is a powerful spiritual symbol. As you soap and rinse in the shower, pray to be cleansed of any feelings of anger, bitterness, resentment, or regret.

Recall the words of Isaiah (58:11): "The Lord will guide you continually… You shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail."

3. Practice Driveway Meditation

This one is especially for those who commute to work. Turn your time behind the wheel into time for prayer. Before starting the car engine, place your hands lightly on the steering wheel and breathe deeply several times. Ask the Holy Spirit to steer you through your day. Back out of your driveway slowly, and remain aware of the slowness.

As you drive, think about your 'to-be' list. Let words like compassionate, serene and diligent percolate through your mind. Let grace-filled thoughts carry you in a loving manner through the day.

4. Climb Stairs
If you work on an upper floor in a multi-story building, skip the elevator and climb the stairs. Make your climb work for your body and your soul.

Climb thoughtfully, breathing slowly. Use the time alone to experience a connection with God. Pause at each landing. Catch your breath, and focus for a moment on the blessings in your life. Say thanks before continuing your climb.

5. Elevator Blessings

No stairs? Next time you share an elevator with someone, say a silent prayer. Ask God to meet the other person's unique needs. Add a smile of your own.

6. Try Prayerful Single-Tasking

We all feel too busy. It has become a workplace axiom that multi-tasking is a good thing, but a growing body of research shows that it actually erodes productivity.

Instead of dividing our concentration among many tasks, do one thing at a time-prayerfully. Offer your work as a prayerful gift to God. Ask for the grace to do it meaningfully, and without anxiety.

7. Fast for One Minute

In times of stress, we are often tempted to reach for foods that aren't healthy for us.

Before you reach for the fried foods, sugar or chips- try this. Wait one minute. Offer the minute to God and ask for the grace you need to control your appetite. Chances are you'll no longer be tempted until the minute is up. If you do give in-just remember, God forgives you. Forgive yourself.

8. Touch the Earth

Native Americans have this saying: "Never let a day go by without touching the earth with your foot." If only a couple of times each week, take a five or ten minute break to walk in a meditative way. Give up your usual energized stride to pay attention to the movement of lifting your leg, bending your knee, and placing your foot. Observe your breathing and your body. Look around. Notice the squirrels, the trees, and the sounds of nature. Nature tunes us into God's presence.

9 . Cook up a Memory
Next time you cook, pay attention to the memories that are sparked by the dishes you make. Perhaps you have old recipes lying around that you have forgotten about. Bless all those who sweeten your recollections, thanking God for the spiritual nourishment these people have brought to your life.

10. Pray a Peanut Butter Minute

This is a good one for moms of school kids. When making your child's lunch, whisper a prayer as though you are sending the prayer right into your child's meal. You might even tuck in a blessing on a post-it note.

Excerpted from "Grace on the Go: 101 Quick Ways to Pray"
by Barbara Bartocci with permission from Morehouse Publishing.

Be Strong and Courageous

Sat Jan 5

am: 2, 110 pm: 29, 98

am: Joshua 1:1-9 pm: Isa 66:18-23

am: Heb 11:32-12:2 pm: Rom 15:7-13

John 15:1-6

John Wesley in his sermon "The Scripture Way of Salvation" (#43) Reminds us that wen we receive Christ, we receive him in all his offices:

• Prophet - differing from the earlier prophets of the Hebrews in being revealer in both word and deed, the Incarnate Word
• Priest - mediator who enters the holy of holies, intercedes for us, and becomes for us sin
• King - ruler, the King of the Jews from birth to crucifixion in earthly form, and according to the Revelation will come again as King of Kings and Lord of Lord

In the Creation, God's Voice calls order out of chaos. His power over the cosmos gives encouragement and hope for peace.

Each time I leave our room, I am reminded by the words on the door. Placed there on vinyl strips by my grandchildren who have the same words over their front door. "I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Under the words are two lions: the ones that lie in my den. Each lion carries one statement. The first is "write" - I am now doing that every day - one lion at bay. The other carries a number 135. A long ways from the 215-222 where my weight balances from month to month. Yesterday, we put the "Lose It" app on my phone. Oops, missed my calorie goal yesterday. Today I face the lion again.

Not only God speaking to Joshua and Daniel in the lion's den, but "so great a cloud of witnesses" set forth by Paul to remind us that others have fought the lions and won. "Let us run with perseverance the race set before us."

Encouragement. Hope. Hope that brings joy and peace in the present and expectation of the fully realized kingdom of God in the future.

Prayer is the gymnasium of the soul.

Lord, I write everyday, help me learn to eat only enough to sustain. Help me tame the lion of food for comfort. And please, could we talk about the gym with the heated pool we pay for every month another day?

Bessie Jones & The Georgia Sea Island Singers - Daniel in the Lion's Den

Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011

Recorded by Alan Lomax on May 5, 1960 on St. Simons Island, GA
as part of his Southern Journeys recordings of native folk music.
Backing singers include: Joe Armstrong, Jerome Davis, John Davis, Peter Davis, Henry Morrison, Willis Proctor, and Ben Ramsay.

Make Me Teachable

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 

Daily Readings, Year 2 Revised Common Lectionary

Psalms of ASCENT: 120, 121, 122, 123, 124 125, 126

Zechariah (THE PROPHET OF THE LONG VISION) 11:4-17

1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Luke 18: 15-30

Dear God, it is cold outside. Even if, I managed to put on enough clothes, it will not change the temperature. Let me cocoon myself in the stillness of a childlike spirit.

Remind me to sing as my feet trudge, but my heart runs up the mountain toward the quietness of your presence and protection. Help me twirl with outstretched arms as you raise me out of the broken snare that is my body, into your high and holy city of absolute freedom.

 Turn my supply of useless emptiness into tears of overflowing joy, according to your promises. Jesus, touch me with your cleansing, quieting, illuminating, reassuring and liberating hands. Help me find that place of humility and understanding necessary to seeing, hearing and feeling your arms of mercy.

Make me responsive and teachable, so that in being weighed and measured, I may be found understanding, forgiving, peaceable, considerate, submissive, and merciful. For those are the ways I want to be; even when it is hardest to be among others.

 I know that I am not only expected to learn, but to educate as your collaborator, even if I never say a word. Let others see only you. May my spirit be only a window through which others see beyond me to you. Amen. 

Daily Readings, October 23, 2012

Tuesday, October 23, 2012   Daily Readings from the Book of Common Prayer (Revised)  Year B

Psalms 26, 28, 36, 39

Song of Songs 5:2-6:3 (Substituted for the Apocryphal Reading)
Revelation 7:9-17
Luke 10:1-16

 

            When I cannot stand it anymore, I retreat to sacred places. There, I lay before your mercy seat. If I am so tired I cannot lift my hands, I raise my heart in thanks for Him who teaches me to walk in Truth

            When my feet can no longer bring me, my heart leaps and jumps and skips to take me to a place where I can worship my Strength and my Shield for the Lord is my Salvation. He Redeems and is Merciful.

            When my tongue no longer forms syllables or words and my voice no longer creates sound, my heart will shout for joy. It will sing my thanks for You. How priceless is your Love for me.

            When my eyes no longer see, my heart will rush to the deepest seas and find You there. My heart will soar above the highest mountains and find You there, for You are Abundant and full of Light.

            When my body is so heavy, so stiff, no longer moves, my heart will take refuge and fly in the shadow of your wings. Your Faithfulness is great, and You hear my cry and bring me Hope

 

            When the darkness presses in and I am nothing but my pain, Christ comes to me. He whispers to my heart. In my imperfection, my heart seeks Him who is perfection and He can be found in Solitude.

            When I am at the end of my rope, the end of my self, the Holy Spirit groans for my heavy heart. My heart’s desire is Christ alone. My heart climbs two steps forward, one step back to a place where I can hear the angels sing

 

            When I have nothing but time stretching out before me, my heart finds a moment of Spiritual Beauty where my soul is cleansed of darkness. Out of His Abundant Salvation comes Spiritual Fullness.

            When I learn to be still, in the stillness my heart is healed, and I feel the nearness of the Kingdom of God. My heart longs to walk in the Garden. For there, the Hand that flung the stars in space will hold my heart.

When I cross over Jordan, the Hand that bore the nails for all my sins will Heal my broken body. The Hand that stilled the waters, will wipe away the last tears my eyes will ever shed.

 

Healthy Thinking: Praying

A study by the Californian cardiologist Randolf Byrd helped inspire Larry Dossey to get involved in the healing power of prayer. In 1988 Byrd studied 393 heart patients. They were randomly divided into two groups using a double-blind technique, which means that neither the patients, nor the doctors or nurses knew to which group the patients belonged. Catholic and protestant prayer groups were given the names and health conditions of patients from the first control group and every day they directed their prayer to someone from that group. No prayers were said for the patients from the second control group. The group for which prayers were said needed five times fewer antibiotics than the other group, had three times less lung edema and no one needed intubation to help them breathe, as opposed to 12 people in the other control group.

Dr. Larry Dossey

Larry Dossey has since become an authority in the area of “medicine at a distance.” He is more than convinced that prayer works:

Dr. Dossey says “Studies have irrefutably proven that people on a spiritual path – whereby meditation or prayer play a role – live an average of 7-13 years longer than those who are not. Moreover, cancer and heart disease are significantly less prevalent among those who pray or meditate. Prayer has an effect on nearly every living organism it has been tried on: people, various cells and tissue, animals, plants and organisms such as bacteria, fungi and yeast. At least 130 controlled laboratory experiments have been done.

“Prayer is communicating with the creative powers of the universe, with the extrasensory. There are different types of prayer: the appeal for something for yourself, the meditation in which you ask something for someone else, veneration, plea… In every case we go beyond our mind, which tends to think that it can solve everything by itself.”

Prayer to Dr. Dossey is not something holy that is only reserved to pious churchgoers: “Everyone can pray, even if you don’t believe in God. A friend of mine prays to ‘To whom it may concern.’ Research clearly indicates that the intention of the prayer is important to the result. When you pray, do so with your whole heart, like a child, from a place of wonder, innocence and sincerity.”

One more tip: “There is not just one good way to pray. You can pray for something specific, give thanks or simply ask for help. When facing something difficult, for instance: ‘Come on God, help me out here.’ It works! Try to find your own way to pray. If your wording becomes too formal, it often loses its power.”

Dr. Dossey remembers once sitting in a room during a lecture by a theologian. Someone asked: “How exactly should you pray?’” Her answer: “It’s very simple, ask God.”

Dr. Larry Dossey, M.D. is a doctor, writer and inspired thinker who is helping clear the way to a new approach to medicine, where the ‘non-local’ conscious also plays a significant role. He has won numerous awards for his work in Integrative Medicine. Dr. Dossey is the former executive editor of Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, a peer reviewed journal which covers the fields of integrative medicine, environmental health, spirituality, and consciousness-related health issues.

Dr. Dossey’s Vision: I long thought that we must choose between science and reason on the one hand, and spirituality on the other. Now I understand that this is a deceptive choice. They can go very well together, not only in the academic world, but also in daily life.

Dr. Dossey’s Books: The Power of Premonitions (2009);The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things (2005);Healing Beyond the Body (2001); Reinventing Medicine (1999); Be Careful What You Pray For (1997); Prayer is Good Medicine (1996); Healing Words (1993); Meaning & Medicine (1991); Recovering the Soul (1989); Beyond Illness (1984); Space, Time and Medicine (1982)

Ode is a print and online publication about positive news, about the people and ideas that are changing our world for the better. In print and online, Ode's aim is to bring a new reality into view, to explore opportunities for positive change in our daily lives and our daily minds.

This article is shared by permission of Dr. Larry Dossey and Ode Magazine. It first appeared in Ode Magazine: #5.