When we have prayed prayers long enough, all the words drop away and we begin to live in the presence of God. Then prayer is finally real. When we find ourselves sinking into the world around us with a sense of purpose, an inner light and deep and total trust that whatever happens is right for us, then we have become prayer.
When we kneel down, we admit the magnitude of God in the universe and our own smallness in the face of it. When we stand with hands raised,we recognize the presence of God in life and our own inner glory because of it. All life is in the hands of God. Even the desire to pray is the grace to pray. The movement to pray is the movement of God in our souls.
Our ability to pray depends on the power and place of God in our life. We pray because God attracts us and we pray only because God is attracting us. We are not, in other words, even the author of our own prayer life. It is the goodness of God, not any virtue that we have developed on our own, that brings us to the heart of God. And it is with God's help that we seek to go there.
Source: The Monastic Way, collected in In My Own Words by Joan Chittister & inwardoutward.org
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My thoughts!
I've seen and felt the power of prayer at work this week! My youngest son is in the Pediatric ICU at the hospital right now! He's been there sense tuesday of this week. He has RSV and Pneumonia. Both these bugs are viral. One if his lungs collapsed, during the process of figuring out what's going on with him. So, he's currently on a respirator. What a surreal experience.
Currently there are a ton of people praying for my son and the rest of my family. We can feel it and it's so comforting. I really love this line from above: All life is in the hands of God. It's so true! GOD you are so awesome! We love you!
3.06.2009
3.03.2009
Boyd Bailey: Routine Work…
“He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.” Proverbs 12:11
Routine work may not be sexy, but it is necessary. It is necessary to meet our needs and the needs of those who depend on us. The same work day in and day out can seem simple and even boring, but it is a test of our faithfulness. Will I continue to faithfully carryout uncomplicated responsibilities, even when my attention span is suffering? If so, this is God’s path to blessing, “Steady plodding brings prosperity…”(Proverbs 21:5, LB).
The contrast to routine work is chasing after phantom deals that are figments of our imagination. Be careful not to be led astray by fantasies that lead nowhere. It is false faith to think a gimmick, or some conniving circumstance can replace hard work. Wisdom stops chasing after the next scheme and sticks instead to the certainty of available work. What does your spouse say is the smart thing to do? Give them all the facts and listen.
Furthermore, work is easily carried out when everything is going well, and there are no indicators of job loss, or an increase in responsibilities with less pay. However, it is during these uncertain times that Christ followers can step up and set the example. Your attitude of hope and hard work, are a testimony of trust in the Lord. Stay engaged in executing your tasks with excellence, and you will inspire others to their labor of love.
Lastly, see routine work as your worship of the Lord. He is blessing your faithfulness to follow through with the smallest of details. Are you content to serve Christ in your current career? The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).
Related Readings: Genesis 2:15; 1 Kings 19:19; Romans 12:11; 1 Timothy 4:11-12
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading? How will I respond?
Source: Seeking Daily the Heart of God Boyd Bailey
++++++++++++++++
My thoughts!
I love having a job!
Routine work may not be sexy, but it is necessary. It is necessary to meet our needs and the needs of those who depend on us. The same work day in and day out can seem simple and even boring, but it is a test of our faithfulness. Will I continue to faithfully carryout uncomplicated responsibilities, even when my attention span is suffering? If so, this is God’s path to blessing, “Steady plodding brings prosperity…”(Proverbs 21:5, LB).
The contrast to routine work is chasing after phantom deals that are figments of our imagination. Be careful not to be led astray by fantasies that lead nowhere. It is false faith to think a gimmick, or some conniving circumstance can replace hard work. Wisdom stops chasing after the next scheme and sticks instead to the certainty of available work. What does your spouse say is the smart thing to do? Give them all the facts and listen.
Furthermore, work is easily carried out when everything is going well, and there are no indicators of job loss, or an increase in responsibilities with less pay. However, it is during these uncertain times that Christ followers can step up and set the example. Your attitude of hope and hard work, are a testimony of trust in the Lord. Stay engaged in executing your tasks with excellence, and you will inspire others to their labor of love.
Lastly, see routine work as your worship of the Lord. He is blessing your faithfulness to follow through with the smallest of details. Are you content to serve Christ in your current career? The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).
Related Readings: Genesis 2:15; 1 Kings 19:19; Romans 12:11; 1 Timothy 4:11-12
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading? How will I respond?
Source: Seeking Daily the Heart of God Boyd Bailey
++++++++++++++++
My thoughts!
I love having a job!
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