In Matthew 6, Jesus admonishes his disciples to not be like "the hypocrites" when they pray. The hypocrites love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, in order to be seen by people. Instead, Jesus tells us to enter into the most private room and commune with the Father in secret, because He IS in secret.
Furthemore, we are told that when we pray we should not use vain repetitions (heap up phrases - multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the heathen do, for they think they will be heard by their much speaking. We are NOT to be like the nations in the way we pray.
Jesus makes it clear to us in the next several passages that God is a "PERSON", and just as we do not speak to one another foolishly or repetitiously, likewise, the Father desires conversation, closeness, and vulnerability; all the marks of genuine relationship and trust.
In the model of prayer that Jesus shares with His disciples, He teaches us how to approach and draw near to God in a very practical way. In no way should this encounter be rushed, but we should make time for it, and give ourselves to it wholeheartedly.
We come to God on the basis of our relationship to Him as His child (Our Father)
Who is in heaven
His name is Holy and is therefore worthy of worship and should be treated as Holy
The first portion of our time in prayer, then, is given to worship.
Worship actually will open up our hearts to receive from the Lord the things that are on His heart. (Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven) Prayer then becomes a place for heart to heart communion.
Once the Lord's needs have been ministered to, then the Lord will minister to the needs of our heart, whether that be natural or spiritual provision (give us this day our daily bread).
In the place of prayer, the places where we have fallen short of the grace of God will be made clear to us, in which case, forgiveness is received from the Father as well as granted to those who have wronged us (forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us).
Finally, we are told to seek to be kept by the Father from being led astray into temptation. (Do not allow us to be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil).
This model of prayer is not meant to be constrictive, but free and liberating in it's expression. Let us make no mistake, the Father LONGS to be approached by the ones He loves so very much. He doesn't mind so much if we stumble around in the pathway of discovery, just as long as that pathway leads to Him. He is surely with us in that place. Let us just be aware of His infinite love and desire for our fellowship and draw near to Him on the basis of His love for us. The model Jesus provided us gives us a glimpse into the simplicity of entrance. It is not hard to fellowship with the Creator. It just takes a little bit of time and sensitivity on our part to let Him in and let His love free us from the shackles of fear and religious sensibilities.
April 29, 2009
April 27, 2009
Our Most Pressing Need
Oh Lord, before we even thought upon You, You set Your love upon us. We are all so much like children who don't even understand our need. We have so many desires raging within us and these desires change from day to day, but needs never change. We need food, we need water, we need shelter, we need clothing, we need light but these are only natural needs. Of all our internal needs, our most pressing is for love. Love to the human heart is like food, water, shelter, clothing, and light. It quenches the thirst of the soul. Like all natural needs, it is a continual requirement.
Love, like food, nourishes the human heart, building and edifying it, maturing it and keeping it healthy
Love, like water, washes and cleanses the internal environment, keeping it refreshed and moving freely
Love, like shelter, guards and protects against all sorts of dangers as well as the fierce elements that rage against us, and gives us a place to rest our weary heads
Love, like clothing, protects the most sensitive parts of who we are from being disturbed, disrupted, or violated, and provides warmth and beauty in a cold and hostile world
Love, as constant as the light, warms, uplifts, and encourages us to come out of hiding. It chases away the darkness and shadows of night, and revitalizes our countenance. Love makes us joyful and energetic. It makes us hopeful and confident that all is working together for our good.
Love, like food, nourishes the human heart, building and edifying it, maturing it and keeping it healthy
Love, like water, washes and cleanses the internal environment, keeping it refreshed and moving freely
Love, like shelter, guards and protects against all sorts of dangers as well as the fierce elements that rage against us, and gives us a place to rest our weary heads
Love, like clothing, protects the most sensitive parts of who we are from being disturbed, disrupted, or violated, and provides warmth and beauty in a cold and hostile world
Love, as constant as the light, warms, uplifts, and encourages us to come out of hiding. It chases away the darkness and shadows of night, and revitalizes our countenance. Love makes us joyful and energetic. It makes us hopeful and confident that all is working together for our good.
April 17, 2009
Sufferings R US
Would you like Beauty 4 Ashes?
The Oil O' Joy 4 Mourning?
The Garment O' Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness?
Double Honor 4 Shame?
Then come on down to Sufferings R Us
and take part in a great transfer of wealth.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hungry and Thirsty eat and drink free.
Are you tired a lugging round that Bag O' Pain?
Your heart heavier than a pile of cow pie on a rainy day?
Then come on down to Sufferings R Us and make a trade.
DON'T DELAY
I had prayed for a message for a wounded heart. I'm usually not one to nurse a wound with humor, but for some reason it seemed right to feed truth to this struggling soul in this way. Laughter is like medicine. A proper word in season does exactly what it is meant to do; lift the spirit and brighten the eyes.
The Oil O' Joy 4 Mourning?
The Garment O' Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness?
Double Honor 4 Shame?
Then come on down to Sufferings R Us
and take part in a great transfer of wealth.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Hungry and Thirsty eat and drink free.
Are you tired a lugging round that Bag O' Pain?
Your heart heavier than a pile of cow pie on a rainy day?
Then come on down to Sufferings R Us and make a trade.
DON'T DELAY
I had prayed for a message for a wounded heart. I'm usually not one to nurse a wound with humor, but for some reason it seemed right to feed truth to this struggling soul in this way. Laughter is like medicine. A proper word in season does exactly what it is meant to do; lift the spirit and brighten the eyes.
December 23, 2008
Feather Girl
More than a year ago, I moved out of my parent's house, thinking that the Lord desired to give me a new direction, and take me on a new adventure. During that month, I stayed at a dear friend's house and met an amazing couple from Switzerland that I absolutely fell in love with and still maintain fellowship with, though they are halfway around the world. After that month was up, I got sick again and was forced to move back home. For a long while after, I was confused and even upset. I had not wanted to come back to this place again. I had wanted to move on. To make matters worse, there were some who questioned whether I had heard God at all, and suddenly, seeds of doubt began to creep into my heart as well.
There is a subtle danger in being too analytical when it comes to faith. If we are not careful, we tend to analyze ourselves right into immobility and unbelief. Taking our questions and concerns to God is fine, but dwelling on them for too long in the darkness of our minds will not produce life in the long run. If anything, those doubts have the potential to slowly chip away at whatever faith is alive in our hearts until doubt and fear are the only things that remain.
This is what we need to keep in mind. If we love Him and desire to submit to His will, then He uses everything to work for good. I had other intentions in moving out, but He worked all of it according to the counsel of His will....as always. He is righteous, faithful, and just in all His ways and I need only be a little feather that He blows around with the wind of His Spirit wherever He wants me to go.
I guess the challenge is to remain bendable, flexible, and easily movable. It is anxious thoughts, disappointments, frustrations, and seeming setbacks that keep us weighted down...it is the cares of this life that all too quickly bear down on our little frames, sometimes when we don't expect it, and by the time we realize it, we are buried in it, unable to see anything else but our "impossible situations."
Oh, but all we need do is retreat into the bosom of an ever loving Father and let Him unload our tired, aching shoulders from that mess and let Him wipe off our dirty, worried, tear-stained face, and let Him kiss our fears away. This last year the Lord gave me a little song that I love so much and it speaks to this very thing.
"Come and let Me love you till your heart is fully opened. Come and lay away your fears and kiss away your sorrows. Come and let Me love you till you have freedom like a child again. To be just like a child again take no thought for tomorrow."
It is the easiest thing in the world to try to take on so many things and try being a responsible grown-up like everyone expects us to be, but that is also the worst thing we could do. Mature sons and daughters in the Lord's' eyes are those who grow-down. They do not lean upon their own understanding of things, but they lean into their Father who has perfect understanding of everything. Children don't have to know everything in order to trust and obey. All they need to know is that their Father has their best in mind and would never ask them to do anything in an attempt to harm them. If they trust His character, they will do whatever He says.
So, this is what I want to learn to do...to grow down enough to relinquish my rights and my plans and even my desire to know, and become that little feather girl that just floats on His breeze doing this and that, going here and there fully uninhibited by care and thought about what tomorrow may bring or how things will work themselves out."For the God who holds all the worlds by His word, holds me in the palms of His hands...I don't have to know."
There is a subtle danger in being too analytical when it comes to faith. If we are not careful, we tend to analyze ourselves right into immobility and unbelief. Taking our questions and concerns to God is fine, but dwelling on them for too long in the darkness of our minds will not produce life in the long run. If anything, those doubts have the potential to slowly chip away at whatever faith is alive in our hearts until doubt and fear are the only things that remain.
This is what we need to keep in mind. If we love Him and desire to submit to His will, then He uses everything to work for good. I had other intentions in moving out, but He worked all of it according to the counsel of His will....as always. He is righteous, faithful, and just in all His ways and I need only be a little feather that He blows around with the wind of His Spirit wherever He wants me to go.
I guess the challenge is to remain bendable, flexible, and easily movable. It is anxious thoughts, disappointments, frustrations, and seeming setbacks that keep us weighted down...it is the cares of this life that all too quickly bear down on our little frames, sometimes when we don't expect it, and by the time we realize it, we are buried in it, unable to see anything else but our "impossible situations."
Oh, but all we need do is retreat into the bosom of an ever loving Father and let Him unload our tired, aching shoulders from that mess and let Him wipe off our dirty, worried, tear-stained face, and let Him kiss our fears away. This last year the Lord gave me a little song that I love so much and it speaks to this very thing.
"Come and let Me love you till your heart is fully opened. Come and lay away your fears and kiss away your sorrows. Come and let Me love you till you have freedom like a child again. To be just like a child again take no thought for tomorrow."
It is the easiest thing in the world to try to take on so many things and try being a responsible grown-up like everyone expects us to be, but that is also the worst thing we could do. Mature sons and daughters in the Lord's' eyes are those who grow-down. They do not lean upon their own understanding of things, but they lean into their Father who has perfect understanding of everything. Children don't have to know everything in order to trust and obey. All they need to know is that their Father has their best in mind and would never ask them to do anything in an attempt to harm them. If they trust His character, they will do whatever He says.
So, this is what I want to learn to do...to grow down enough to relinquish my rights and my plans and even my desire to know, and become that little feather girl that just floats on His breeze doing this and that, going here and there fully uninhibited by care and thought about what tomorrow may bring or how things will work themselves out."For the God who holds all the worlds by His word, holds me in the palms of His hands...I don't have to know."
May 04, 2008
What Are You After?
I seem to ask this question often for its answer has the power to lift my spirit and draw me out of my depression. It steadies my gaze and quiets my emotions when they are extreme in their expression - which they are often.
There is much to be thankful for. The Father is touching the multitudes in Florida bringing much needed and desired healing to the ones that He loves while they just love upon Him and it is being received with great gladness. Watching these meetings online leaves me weeping as I watch the Lord release these people from the bondage they've been under for many years. The Lord is good and all His ways are just. I love His ways, even when they don't lead me into the places I would like them to.
So today I ask the question again - What are You after? I look upon the Florida revival and in my heart I say, "Please, Father, don't let me miss You. Don't pass me by. If this revival is part of Your plan for us, then I don't want to miss it, because I don't want to miss You." But, something in my heart stirs and says, "Kelly, do you think I'm after the crowds?" And my heart is reminded of Jesus and His ministry while He walked the earth. The crowds followed and pursued Him because of what He could do for them, not because of His words. He was famous for His miracles, while His teachings offended many. In fact, the day that the crowds were the greatest, He gave His most offensive teaching, "You must eat my flesh and drink my blood if you want to have any part in me." This one teaching caused the masses as well as many of those who really followed Jesus from a sincere heart to turn and walk away. At that moment, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked them if they were going to leave Him too. But Peter replied, "Lord, where will we go? Only You have the words of eternal life."
It must be the very WORDS of Jesus that compel us to stay. It cannot be the signs, wonders, or miracles, for in themselves they have no keeping power. They are simply meant to be a demonstration of the reality of Jesus, that His words indeed are true; that He really is who He says He is. But, the miracles can't transform our hearts...which is really what He is after - inner transformation of the heart. What would it matter if our bodies are healed, but our hearts remain cold? Of what value is it if we receive from Him all we want, while our hearts never enter into a true understanding of His ways.
"He showed His ways to Moses, but His acts He showed to the children of Israel." I have heard often that God's best work is done in secret. It is done with little fanfare and very little hype. There are those moments of great displays of power as seen in Exodus and in the days of Elijah, days which are returning and some say are here. Otherwise, there is a seeking after God in the inner sanctuary of the heart that cannot be replaced or substituted by any sort of outward manifestation of God's power, no matter how great or impressive. Don't get me wrong. God LOVES to show Himself off, but His greatest displays of power are transforming broken, evil, wicked men into trophies of His grace...sincere lovers of His Son.
There is much to be thankful for. The Father is touching the multitudes in Florida bringing much needed and desired healing to the ones that He loves while they just love upon Him and it is being received with great gladness. Watching these meetings online leaves me weeping as I watch the Lord release these people from the bondage they've been under for many years. The Lord is good and all His ways are just. I love His ways, even when they don't lead me into the places I would like them to.
So today I ask the question again - What are You after? I look upon the Florida revival and in my heart I say, "Please, Father, don't let me miss You. Don't pass me by. If this revival is part of Your plan for us, then I don't want to miss it, because I don't want to miss You." But, something in my heart stirs and says, "Kelly, do you think I'm after the crowds?" And my heart is reminded of Jesus and His ministry while He walked the earth. The crowds followed and pursued Him because of what He could do for them, not because of His words. He was famous for His miracles, while His teachings offended many. In fact, the day that the crowds were the greatest, He gave His most offensive teaching, "You must eat my flesh and drink my blood if you want to have any part in me." This one teaching caused the masses as well as many of those who really followed Jesus from a sincere heart to turn and walk away. At that moment, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked them if they were going to leave Him too. But Peter replied, "Lord, where will we go? Only You have the words of eternal life."
It must be the very WORDS of Jesus that compel us to stay. It cannot be the signs, wonders, or miracles, for in themselves they have no keeping power. They are simply meant to be a demonstration of the reality of Jesus, that His words indeed are true; that He really is who He says He is. But, the miracles can't transform our hearts...which is really what He is after - inner transformation of the heart. What would it matter if our bodies are healed, but our hearts remain cold? Of what value is it if we receive from Him all we want, while our hearts never enter into a true understanding of His ways.
"He showed His ways to Moses, but His acts He showed to the children of Israel." I have heard often that God's best work is done in secret. It is done with little fanfare and very little hype. There are those moments of great displays of power as seen in Exodus and in the days of Elijah, days which are returning and some say are here. Otherwise, there is a seeking after God in the inner sanctuary of the heart that cannot be replaced or substituted by any sort of outward manifestation of God's power, no matter how great or impressive. Don't get me wrong. God LOVES to show Himself off, but His greatest displays of power are transforming broken, evil, wicked men into trophies of His grace...sincere lovers of His Son.
February 18, 2008
Exposed Through Relationship
There seems to be a blindness of character, a subtle disconnect that I am unaware of as I walk through life and converse with different people. Those who know me outside of my home would say of me that I am sweet and beautiful, passionate and spiritual. However, they are unaware of me. They do not know me intimately. They don't see me behind closed doors.
It pains me beyond measure that I am inconsistent; that I am partial to those who treat me well; that I do not love as Christ loves. If I alone am responsible for my response, then regardless of whether a person treats me well or not, I do not retain the right to strike back.
Regardless of whether a person deserves respect and honor or not is immaterial. A person's position alone should command it. It has finally dawned on me that when I don't respect someone, I become negative and abrasive in their presence. I don't even have to try, it just comes out of me.
When the bible commands children to honor their parents, it never told them it would be an easy task. We are all weak human beings and our lives are a mess. At times, it is difficult to look, without bias, into a person's mess and remain without opinion or judgment, but simply love them through the mess. Sometimes, it feels like some people make it their mission in life to make sure you understand just how messy you are, which makes it that much harder to be vulnerable and transparent.
It is easy to believe that we are doing so well, when there is no conflict. However, when conflict arises, we receive a glimpse into the darkness of our own hearts and there the struggle begins. My response in conflict is running...and hiding. When my darkness is exposed, and there is no grace to cover me, I despair and I run, for surely my darkness is too much for anyone to bear. So, then relationship becomes the enemy rather than the friend whose wounds are faithful, and I become a cowering hypocrite who speaks about love on one side and yet does not have the power to show it on the other. What a quandary!
One broken relationship makes me afraid of entering into any OTHER relationship because should the outcome be the same, then somehow that validates my inability to have a healthy relationship. The problem is I've never tried. The risk has seemed too great; the exposure too dangerous to my self-made spirituality. So, I choose to keep people at arms length. I choose to veil myself. I choose to protect my own heart from pain by hiding myself from those who seek to know me, and in this way I also protect my reputation from the damaging effects of full exposure.
I can't keep living like this...
Expose me until I'm safe because I'm known
Until being laid bare feels like liberty and freedom
Where a good reputation is not so important in my eyes
But responding as Christ is the natural response of my life
O Love of Christ take root in my heart
Grow in me as I gaze on You
Be the One that produces Your love inside of me
For apart from You, I can do nothing at all
I try to love but I fall short
I strive to be patient but it's not the patience of Christ
I seek to be kind, but my words sound hollow and contrived
I attempt to hold my tongue, but how can a fire be contained?
Without Your power, Holy Spirit, I cannot change
For change comes in the process of yielding to Your work
Set my heart on the journey, for I am willing
I am willing...
It pains me beyond measure that I am inconsistent; that I am partial to those who treat me well; that I do not love as Christ loves. If I alone am responsible for my response, then regardless of whether a person treats me well or not, I do not retain the right to strike back.
Regardless of whether a person deserves respect and honor or not is immaterial. A person's position alone should command it. It has finally dawned on me that when I don't respect someone, I become negative and abrasive in their presence. I don't even have to try, it just comes out of me.
When the bible commands children to honor their parents, it never told them it would be an easy task. We are all weak human beings and our lives are a mess. At times, it is difficult to look, without bias, into a person's mess and remain without opinion or judgment, but simply love them through the mess. Sometimes, it feels like some people make it their mission in life to make sure you understand just how messy you are, which makes it that much harder to be vulnerable and transparent.
It is easy to believe that we are doing so well, when there is no conflict. However, when conflict arises, we receive a glimpse into the darkness of our own hearts and there the struggle begins. My response in conflict is running...and hiding. When my darkness is exposed, and there is no grace to cover me, I despair and I run, for surely my darkness is too much for anyone to bear. So, then relationship becomes the enemy rather than the friend whose wounds are faithful, and I become a cowering hypocrite who speaks about love on one side and yet does not have the power to show it on the other. What a quandary!
One broken relationship makes me afraid of entering into any OTHER relationship because should the outcome be the same, then somehow that validates my inability to have a healthy relationship. The problem is I've never tried. The risk has seemed too great; the exposure too dangerous to my self-made spirituality. So, I choose to keep people at arms length. I choose to veil myself. I choose to protect my own heart from pain by hiding myself from those who seek to know me, and in this way I also protect my reputation from the damaging effects of full exposure.
I can't keep living like this...
Expose me until I'm safe because I'm known
Until being laid bare feels like liberty and freedom
Where a good reputation is not so important in my eyes
But responding as Christ is the natural response of my life
O Love of Christ take root in my heart
Grow in me as I gaze on You
Be the One that produces Your love inside of me
For apart from You, I can do nothing at all
I try to love but I fall short
I strive to be patient but it's not the patience of Christ
I seek to be kind, but my words sound hollow and contrived
I attempt to hold my tongue, but how can a fire be contained?
Without Your power, Holy Spirit, I cannot change
For change comes in the process of yielding to Your work
Set my heart on the journey, for I am willing
I am willing...
February 13, 2008
I Wonder
God is not boring. I am.
God is not broken. I am.
God is not powerless. I am.
God never walks away. I do.
Love never fails. I do.
God's love is constant as the morning. Mine shifts with the shadows. God's thoughts toward me are full of good. I don't believe Him.
God is fully engaged with me. I continually glance away.
God desires to nourish me and provide for me feeding me off the fat of the land. I like feeding from the trough of my pig pen, too dull to believe there is something better.
God has promised an abundant life. I live on the meager happenings.
God has adopted me into His family. I still live like I am orphaned and abandoned.
I wonder what would have been available to the children of Israel if they're hearts had overflowed with thanksgiving toward God, instead of grumbles and complaints?
I wonder what is available to us?
I wonder what would happen should my heart be thankful for EVERYTHING whether good or bad.
I wonder why it's so hard to maintain a joyful spirit.
I wonder if it's because I have a hard time trusting.
I wonder why I strive so hard to get somewhere I never seem to be able to get to.
I wonder why I've not changed my approach.
I wonder why at certain times it seems as though God makes Himself so difficult to find.
I wonder if it's because I make myself impossible to reach.
I wonder what God would give to the man or woman who would actually take Him seriously.
I wonder what He would give to the person who didn't take THEMSELVES so seriously.
I wonder what would happen if I actually believed God.
I wonder why I fight so hard to keep from believing God.
I wonder why I make life so complicated.
I wonder why I make God so unable.
That settles it. My God is too small because the view I have is all wrong. I'm looking at Him through the wrong side of the telescope. How long have I been standing here so close to You and yet so far away? I've been screaming in Your ear thinking You were distant, but You've been right here all along; as close as a whisper, as near as a thought. O Jesus, help us see You rightly...
God is not broken. I am.
God is not powerless. I am.
God never walks away. I do.
Love never fails. I do.
God's love is constant as the morning. Mine shifts with the shadows. God's thoughts toward me are full of good. I don't believe Him.
God is fully engaged with me. I continually glance away.
God desires to nourish me and provide for me feeding me off the fat of the land. I like feeding from the trough of my pig pen, too dull to believe there is something better.
God has promised an abundant life. I live on the meager happenings.
God has adopted me into His family. I still live like I am orphaned and abandoned.
I wonder what would have been available to the children of Israel if they're hearts had overflowed with thanksgiving toward God, instead of grumbles and complaints?
I wonder what is available to us?
I wonder what would happen should my heart be thankful for EVERYTHING whether good or bad.
I wonder why it's so hard to maintain a joyful spirit.
I wonder if it's because I have a hard time trusting.
I wonder why I strive so hard to get somewhere I never seem to be able to get to.
I wonder why I've not changed my approach.
I wonder why at certain times it seems as though God makes Himself so difficult to find.
I wonder if it's because I make myself impossible to reach.
I wonder what God would give to the man or woman who would actually take Him seriously.
I wonder what He would give to the person who didn't take THEMSELVES so seriously.
I wonder what would happen if I actually believed God.
I wonder why I fight so hard to keep from believing God.
I wonder why I make life so complicated.
I wonder why I make God so unable.
That settles it. My God is too small because the view I have is all wrong. I'm looking at Him through the wrong side of the telescope. How long have I been standing here so close to You and yet so far away? I've been screaming in Your ear thinking You were distant, but You've been right here all along; as close as a whisper, as near as a thought. O Jesus, help us see You rightly...
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