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Recently, I headed out the door both excited and a bit apprehensive to attend an “art night” at my friend’s house. While I’d love to consider myself artsy, I’m just… not. I must have been in the other room when God handed out the visually creative genes. I can write (sometimes), and I can sing (a little), and I used to be able to play the piano (before I had three kids and lost too many brain cells), but the truth is, I can barely draw a stick figure. So, the prospect of me doing something that involved painting and drawing was a little scary – no, let me re-phrase that – UBER, extremely, super-dee-duper scary.
Our little group settled in to make ATC’s, which, if you’re a cool, in-the-know artist type, you already recognize the acronym. The rest of you will just have to guess… No, just kidding! ATC stands for Artist Trading Card. It’s like a mini work of art about the same size as a baseball card. Artists use a variety of techniques to decorate these mini canvases, from paint and texture to magazine cut-outs and collages.
So, after instructions by our gracious hostess, I was off and creating. Happily. In my own little artsy world. Until I looked to the left and saw the coolest, most beautiful ATC created by a gal who said she wasn’t artsy or craftsy at all. What? I’m sitting next to an undiscovered Van Gogh!
This ought to be excellent for my budding artist self-esteem.
Then, across the table, another supposed “non-artsy” person was layering color upon gorgeous color with texture and glitter to make yet another fabulous ATC!
Now, don’t get me wrong. I was happy for these closet artists who were discovering their inner Michelangelos. Really, I was. It was just that my own little humble ATC looked so simple and homely by comparison.
By comparison.
Did you catch those two little cancerous words?
Someone once said, “Comparison is the death of contentment.” Isn’t this so true?
Like I said above, I was happily creating in my own little world UNTIL I started comparing myself to others. The truth is, my mini canvas was beautiful in its own way – it was just DIFFERENT from theirs.
And the truth is, your life, mapped out JUST FOR YOU by a loving and gracious heavenly Father who has carefully crafted EVERY detail, is incredibly beautiful in its own way!
So why we do find ourselves playing the comparison game all the time?
We compare our kids to the ones who are smarter, better behaved, happier, more well-adjusted… or so we think.
We compare our husbands to our friends’ husbands, who we THINK have better jobs, more vacation time, do more around the house, buy better gifts, or write better love notes.
We compare our lives to the girl next door. And you know what? She does the same!
So how do we get off this never-ending, death-to-contentment, crazy comparison carousel?
As you can see, I definitely don’t have that answer all wrapped up.
One thing I do know: God doesn’t want us comparing ourselves to others. Why? Because it leads to one of two things: 1) Pride (as in “Wow, I’m SO glad MY kids don’t behave that way!”) or 2) Discontent (as in “Man, I wish MY house was decorated like hers.”)
Either way, we’re in the wrong. So what’s a girl to do?
Check out this verse I found in Galatians 6:4-5 (it’s a dead-on paraphrase from The Message and I absolutely LOVE it!):
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Whoa! Did you get that? Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Yes. Yes! That’s it! But it’s oh-so easier said than done, isn’t it, friends?
Here’s what I’m going to do the next time I find myself playing the comparison game, and I hope you’ll join me: 1) Look up Galatians 6:4-5 (or write it down now and have it handy). 2) Read it out loud at least three times. 3) Thank God for three things about whatever or whomever you’re comparing. For example, if you’re comparing your child to someone else’s, think of three things you’re thankful for about YOUR child. 4) Then pray for contentment and freedom from comparison.
Thank you, Lord, for the life you have given me. Help me to stop comparing myself to others, and to keep my focus on You, the author and finisher of my faith!(Reposted from the archives)
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| Add whimsy to a back porch with some colorful glass bottles. (Photo by Julie Campbell) |
As a home and garden writer for a mid-sized daily newspaper, I meet the most fascinating folks. When people invite me to take photos and interview them about their most private sanctuaries – their homes and gardens – I feel I've been granted a remarkable privilege. Many times interviewees become friends whom I call for advice or meet for the occasional cup of coffee.
One of my favorite interview subjects was Tom Sacilowski, son of a Polish immigrant who has lived in the same house his entire life. His home was an unassuming single story dwelling made extraordinary by the love and care he committed to every inch, including his garden. Even though he walks with a cane, his spirit and determination to beautify his home has not been limited.
Here are a few excerpts and photos from my article on Tom that was published in the Herald Bulletin last year. I love this sweet man's outlook on life!
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| (Photo by Julie Campbell) |
As a young boy in the 1930s, Tom Sacilowski loved working in the garden alongside his mother. Today, at age 89, not much has changed.
“I’ve been interested in gardening all my life,” said the retired bank vice president. “You get a good feeling that you’ve completed something when you’re done.”
The son of Polish immigrants, Sacilowski has lived his entire life in the same house just down the road from the former Nicholson File Company, where his father found work when he first arrived in America in 1909.
Sacilowski and his nine siblings were all born and raised in the home, a place that holds many precious memories for him.
“The best memory was always working in the garden,” he recalled. “My mother and I would work out in the garden all summer – plant potatoes and other vegetables and then we’d can them.”
Although the plants and trees in the yard have changed over the past 89 years, the benefits of working in the garden are just as valuable to Sacilowski. As he became an adult, he turned to gardening as a stress reliever.
“I worked in a bank all my life, and I would get tense so when I came home, I’d work out in the yard to relieve that tension.”
Sacilowski is also a Korean War veteran who served in the United States Army Infantry and was a recipient of the Bronze Star, a medal awarded for heroic service.
“I was proud to do it,” he said. “And I was lucky to get back.”
Now, as a senior citizen, Sacilowski enjoys the exercise he gets from gardening as well as the fruit of his labor.
“Tomatoes are my specialty,” he said, pointing out that the recent torrential rains have not been kind to his plants.
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| Asiatic lilies flourish in Tom's garden. (Photo by Julie Campbell) |
In addition to tomato and zucchini plants, the neat, virtually weed-free yard also features ornamental grasses, rose bushes, Asiatic lilies, several different types of ivy and a fragrant patch of mint.
Gardening as a senior citizen is often a challenge, but Sacilowski said he has adapted his gardening to fit his stage of life.
“Right now I can’t get down on my hands and knees like I used to, but I can still garden. Well, I can get down on my knees, but I can’t get back up!” he said with a laugh.
Sacilowski recommends that his fellow “golden years” gardeners take advantage of the container gardening trend.
“I do most of my gardening in pots,” he said. “Right now I’m into these Calibrachoa flowers.”
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| (Photo by Julie Campbell) |
Sacilowski creates vibrant pots by planting two or three different colors of the delicate blossoms in the same container. The effect is simply beautiful.
Another simple yet valuable piece of advice from Sacilowski to other senior citizens interested in gardening: “Just do a little bit at a time.”
The off-white couch was covered with clear vinyl, the kind that would crinkle and squeak if you moved around too much. But this was where the magic happened. In her distinct voice, slightly hoarse and weathered with time, my grandma would read picture books to me, opening my imagination to new worlds and tales of days gone by.
A vivid memory of a book of "Uncle Remus" folktales stands out among the dim snapshots in my mind, and I remember in particular being a bit scared of the story of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby. In this tale, Brer Fox designs a sticky doll or "tar baby" as a way to capture Brer Rabbit. When Brer Rabbit encounters the tar baby, he speaks to it, but the doll won't answer back. So the annoyed rabbit grabs ahold of the tar baby's arm, only to find himself hopelessly stuck and at the mercy of Brer Fox. I won't give away the ending, in case you're not familiar with the story and want to read it for yourself.
Looking back, I'm not really sure what exactly frightened me about the story, but I do know this: Picture books have the power to stay with you. Just like the tar baby stuck to Brer Rabbit, this story by Joel Chandler Harris has stuck in my imagination for 40 years, evoking memories of my grandma and her vinyl covered couch.
As a children's activity book writer and an aspiring picture book author, I'm participating for the second time in Picture Book Idea Month, otherwise known as PiBoIdMo, during the month of November. Tired of watching novelists have all the fun in November with NaNoWriMo, children's author Tara Lazar created PiBoIdMo as a 30-day challenge for picture book writers.
According to Lazar's blog, "The challenge is to create 30 picture book concepts in 30 days. You don't have to write a manuscript (but you can if the mood strikes). You don't need potential best-seller ideas. You might think of a clever title. Or a name for a character. Or just a silly thing like "purple polka-dot pony." The object is to heighten your picture-book-idea-generating senses. Ideas may build upon other ideas and your list of potential stories will grow stronger as the days pass."
"Daily blog posts by picture book authors, illustrators, editors and other kidlit professionals will hep inspire you. By the end of the month, you'll have a fat file of ideas to spark new stories."
Registration has begun at Tara's blog, and those who register and complete the 30-day challenge will be eligible for amazing prizes like signed picture books, original artwork, critiques and wait for it... feedback from one of 10 agents! Whoa! It's a super fun way to generate ideas, build community with other writers and learn from the wealth of knowledge that Tara's guest bloggers will impart during the month.
Have you always wanted to write a picture book? What are you waiting for? Grab your idea notebook, sign up for PiBoIdMo and join the fun!
The rope strains as it’s pulled tight on either side. A ribbon in the middle shows the progress of one side against the other – back and forth, back and forth. Lingering on one side for a bit longer, then yanked back in the other direction. On and on the game goes. No one seems to win.
I’m often engaged in this endless game of tug-of-war, a war between what I should do and what I want to do.
Living with open hands has never been easy for me. I want to hold tight – to my “stuff,” to my kids, to my home, to my comfort, even to my burdens and my problems. I want to fix things myself. Sometimes my attitude can be easily summed up in a favorite vocabulary word of a two-year-old: “Mine.”
But then there are those moments when the light clicks on and I realize it’s not mine. It’s all God’s. And the problems and burdens? I don’t need to carry them or try to fix them myself either, because God doesn’t need my help. He’s waiting for me to release my white-knuckled grip, wanting me to grasp for His strength instead of my own.
The freedom that comes from realizing this is nothing short of amazing. I wish I could say that I feel this freedom all the time. But most of the time, I’m still learning to let go, constantly reminding myself to release to God what was really His in the first place. Learning to go to Him with my worries and problems, instead of freaking out first and remembering to pray after all else fails.
Lord, teach me to release my grasp on the things of this world. As I learn to cling to You, help me to point others to Your light and Your salvation. True freedom comes as I let go of my wants and desires and replace them with Yours. I can let go, because You will never let go of me.
This is an entry for Five Minute Friday. Every Friday hundreds of writers join in this five minute writing exercise at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog, Tales from a Gypsy Mama.
We write for five minutes flat. All on the same prompt that Lisa-Jo posts on her blog. And we connect on Twitter with the hashtag #FMFParty.
No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation.
Unscripted. Unedited. Real.
Have a blog? You can join in, too!
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| Card by Hallmark |
"She stepped out on faith... and found she had wings."
My firstborn is getting ready to fly.
She graduates high school today, and like all the parents who are in my shoes, I can't help thinking, "Where has the time gone?"
Seventeen years seem like an eternity when you're a new parent, gazing into the face of this tiny human being in your arms and wondering how in the world you're going to do it all just right.
But 17 years fly by so quickly.
Now she's ready to take her first solo flight, going out into the world to pursue her dreams in college. She's spreading the wings her dad and I have so lovingly nurtured over the years, and I feel like my heart might burst with a mixture of joy and pride (and a wee bit of sadness). It's difficult even for a writer to put into words. but I'll do my best.
Alyssa, your dad and I could not be more proud of the young woman you have become. As our firstborn, you've endured our parenting mistakes with love and grace, quick to forgive and extend us the benefit of the doubt as we learned (and are still learning!) how to be parents. Watching you grow and mature has been one of the greatest joys of our lives.
Homeschooling you for the past nine years has been nothing short of amazing. I count it as one of my highest privileges to have been your teacher and your mentor, an honor higher than any award or title than I could ever have earned. Looking back on these years, I see God's hand at work in your life, gently shaping the beautiful person who stands before me in her cap and gown, ready to take on the world.
There will be days filled with successes and joys ahead, but there will also be those days when it all comes crashing down and you feel like giving up. On those days, especially, I want you to remember this: You are God's masterpiece. He has an amazing plan with your name on it, a plan He has hand-crafted for you since before you were born. Spread your wings, step out in faith and soar as fast and as high as you can toward His plan, knowing that my love and prayers will follow you always... no matter where you fly.
Can I tell you a secret? I'm afraid. There, I said it. Ideas have been swirling in my head for a month, but I just can't bring myself to start. My toe is on the line, the pop of the starting gun is ringing in my ears, and I'm just standing here. Frozen. Stuck. Paralyzed.Ever felt like me? You want desperately to start, but you don't know how? You don't even know where to begin. Heck, you don't even know if you want to begin. Guess what? You're not alone. That's always a comforting thought to me.This spring, I'm getting myself un-stuck. Want to join me? A familiar motto is running through my brain, and I hope you'll embrace it, too. Here it is (drumroll please): Just Do It. Yeah, I think I've heard that somewhere before, haven't you? Not bad advice, if you ask me. This advice goes for anything – creative or not – writing, cleaning out your clutter, creating art, changing your eating/exercising habits, making music, calling that friend you've been meaning to call for the past few years, sewing, acting, or painting that room you've been wanting to makeover. You've got to START SOMEWHERE. And when you start, you'll say (like I usually do): "Wow. Why didn't I do this sooner?"So this spring, I'm going for it. I'm jumping in with both feet, creating and writing and doing what I was made to do. God made me for more than just sitting on the sidelines, so NO MORE FEAR. No more standing paralyzed at the start line. In the words of Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way:For today, all you need is the grace to begin beginning. Give yourself some grace and go create. Go make that call. Go learn that new skill. Go write that first chapter. Just do it. =========================================================Linking up today over at Jennifer Dukes Lee's wonderful blog. Each week she features a #TellHisStory link up for writers. Check out her latest post here.
Polar vortex, sun dogs, bone chilling temperatures, record breaking snows... The winter of 2014 is turning out to be quite a chore, isn't it? If you're anywhere other than California or Arizona (even Florida has seen colder-than-normal temps), you're probably, like me, a little winter weary. Cheer up! Spring is less than 40 days away! We can make it that long, can't we? Say it with me: "Yes, we can!" (Wow, that was awesome!) To tide you over, here are some photos to remind you that better days are ahead. Sunny days, beach days, sit-out-in-your-yard-and-read-a-book days... Remember, we're not living in Narnia, even though it may feel like it. Spring and summer WILL come again. I promise!
All images are © Copyright 2014 by Julie Campbell.
Have you ever seen a sun dog? Despite its strange name, a sun dog has nothing to do with our furry, four-legged friends. It's a weather phenomenon that only occurs on extremely cold winter days. If you live in the South, chances are you might never see a sun dog. But for those of us who have the "privilege" of experiencing single digit to below zero temperatures, the elusive sun dog is not such a rare sight. Basically, a sun dog, also known as a mock sun or phantom sun (scientific term: parhelion) is "an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light in the sky, often on a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun," according to Wikipedia. Sun dogs usually only appear when the temperature is under 10 degrees Fahrenheit, which causes ice crystals in the atmosphere. These tiny ice crystals create halos by refracting and reflecting light. The reflecting light, displaced 22 degrees to the left and right of the sun, is also sometimes called a snow bow.This glorious display of light reminds me of how great our God is! "Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind." Psalm 104:1-3If you live in a cold climate, be on the lookout for sun dogs! You have to be an early riser, though, since the best time for viewing sun dogs is at sunrise.
You can’t live life with your eyes closed. Well, you can, but you won’t really see. You’ll miss the sun’s rays peeking through the clouds over a frigid field of snow. You won’t see the way your daughter’s eyes light up when she giggles and gives her daddy a big hug. You’ll overlook the way your son crinkles his brow when he’s working on a really tough math problem. And you’ll miss LIFE.
These everyday snippets are more than just moments. Put them together, and they’ll pack the suitcases of your mind full of precious memories.
Sometimes – more times than I care to admit – I don’t really see. I have my head down in a screen or a book, and life just passes me by. It’s something I regret, and something that I’m trying to work on this year. Choosing to see.
Father, open my eyes and help me to really see. The abundant life you’ve given me is so much more than screens and Facebook and Instagram and texts and distractions. Give me Your eyes, Your vision, Your heart… so I can truly SEE.
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This is an entry for Five Minute Friday. Every Friday hundreds of writers join in this five minute writing exercise at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog, Tales from a Gypsy Mama.
We write for five minutes flat. All on the same prompt that Lisa-Jo posts on her blog. And we connect on Twitter with the hashtag #fmfparty (Five Minute Friday Party).No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation.
Unscripted. Unedited. Real.
Have a blog? You can join in, too!
I have always had a love/hate relationship with the start of a New Year. On one hand, I see it as a fresh opportunity, stretching out before me like a pristine beach at sunrise. Untouched, unspoiled, full of promise.
Then there’s the other side of that coin: Looking back at the old year with regret and seeing the missed opportunities and failures. The "could haves" and the "should haves."
A few years ago, our family started a tradition at the start of the New Year. It didn’t involve the typical New Year’s Day fare of corned beef, black-eyed peas or cabbage (thank goodness!) or the writing of resolutions. But it did involve food for the soul.
This tradition has quickly become one of my favorites – choosing a word that we want to characterize our new year.
So on New Year’s Day, we all gather at the table and write our words with a corresponding Scripture verse on index cards. And we take turns sharing our words with each other and describing our vision for using the word in the year ahead.
It seems simple. But each year, this little tradition has had a profound impact on our family. Each year, we come back together and share stories about our word from the previous year, and how God used that one little word in our lives.
In the past, my words have included character traits (gentleness), things I want to become (captivated - click on the link for an explanation) and spiritual disciplines on which I’d like to focus (prayer). This year, I thought I had chosen my word, but then something changed. I read a Scripture on the morning of New Year’s Eve, and it was like God saying, “This is it.” You show that you are a letter from Christ… written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:3)
I knew after reading this Scripture that my word for 2014 would be WRITE. Of course, the word has dual meaning, because I’m a writer and have set certain goals for my writing. But the other meaning is far more significant to me: This year I intend to open an empty page and invite God to write His story with my life. I want to show others that I’m a letter from Christ. I desire for my life to be an instrument in the hand of God so He can etch out His words on tablet of my heart.
Father, You are the Author of me, and Your grace and eloquence are abundant in my life. Write your words through me. Help my life to communicate Your love, Your peace, Your joy, Your truth. You are the Word. Without You, I have no words. Speak through me, Father, and make me Your letter.
Have you chosen your word for 2014? If not, it’s not too late! Start now, pray for guidance, choose one word and see how God will transform your life!
If you’re like me, you’ve probably watched the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life at least 139 times (or maybe it just seems like that many). It’s definitely a favorite at our house. I mean, who can resist rooting for the underdog, George Bailey, and his lovely wife, Mary, as they struggle against Mr. Potter’s evil schemes?
So just for fun, I created a little It’s a Wonderful Life trivia quiz for you. Test your knowledge and see where you rate. Are you an IWL Aficionado, Fan, or Flunky?
Here we go: (Answers appear at the bottom of the post – no peeking!)
1. What famous actor was considered for the part of Mr. Potter?
a. Edward Arnold
b. Vincent Price
c. Humphrey Bogart
d. Spencer Tracy
2. According to the telegram Mr. Gower receives, Bedford Falls is in what state?
a. Iowa
b. Pennsylvania
c. New York
d. Ohio
3. Which animal appeared in every Frank Capra movie?
a. Sassy the Squirrel
b. Jimmy the Raven
c. Willy the Westie
d. Lucky the Basset Hound
4. True or False: For the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock and hit a window in the old Granville House, Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot out the window on cue.
a. True
b. False
5. Where was the school dance scene shot?
a. The RKO studio lot
b. Hollywood YMCA
c. Beverly Hills High School
d. Los Angeles YWCA
6. What is the last name of the angel sent to help George Bailey?
a. Milford
b. Wingley
c. Oddbody
d. Jones
7. How many children do George and Mary Bailey have?
a. 5
b. 4
c. 3
d. 6
8. What are the three gifts Mary Bailey gives to the Martini family when they move into their new home?
a. bread, salt and wine
b. a wreath, a loaf of bread and a goat
c. wine, bread and butter
d. a pie, a loaf of bread and wine
9. What song plays in most of Clarence’s scenes?
a. O Holy Night
b. Angels We Have Heard on High
c. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
d. O Little Town of Bethlehem
10. What was the name of the police officer in the town?
a. Bob
b. Ernie
c. Joe
d. Bert
Results (Answers Are Below):
8-10 Correct Answers: Congratulations! You have achieved the expert status of IWL Aficionado! Your friends will be amazed at your knowledge of useless movie trivia and your mother will be oh so proud!
5-7 Correct Answers: Not too shabby. You’re definitely an IWL Fan. Watch the movie a few more times this Christmas season to achieve expert status by next year.
4 or less Correct Answers: Wow. Really? Where were you when everyone else was watching the movie? Don’t worry. It’s not too late. Go out and buy your own DVD copy and watch at least once a day, and you’ll improve your score considerably.
Answers: 1. b, Vincent Price; 2. c, New York; 3. b, Jimmy the Raven; 4. a, True, but she didn't need him because the rock she threw really broke the window; 5. c, Beverly Hills High School; 6. c, Oddbody; 7. b, 4; 8. a, bread, salt and wine; 9. c, Twinkle, Twinkle; 10. d, Bert
Feel free to share this quiz with your friends on Facebook or Twitter! And remember, as Clarence once said: "No man is a failure who has friends." Merry Christmas to all!
I wish I knew then what I know now. That who I am in Christ is all that matters. That other’s opinions of me don’t count. I wish I could go back and tell the teenage me – that girl whose heart was hurting because her boyfriend dumped her out of the blue for a girl at camp, that girl who tried too hard to make sure everyone liked her, that girl who wondered sometimes whether God was even there – I wish I could whisper some things in her ear.
I’d speak words of truth into her heart about who she is in Christ, and this is what I’d say:
Girl, you are loved by the Almighty. You are a daughter of the King of Kings! You are precious, chosen and redeemed. Don’t let anyone belittle you or put you down! You might do some stupid stuff, and maybe friends will turn their backs on you, but it won’t be the end of the world. Remember this: You are amazing, you are beautiful, and the God of the Universe sings over you. Long before He created the world, He had you on his mind. You are worth more than gold. Jesus gave His very life for you! And He has good things planned for your life. You’ll see. Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. Don’t believe the Enemy. You are good enough, because of Jesus.
I can’t go back and whisper to my teenage self. But I can whisper these words to my own two teenage girls and pray that they will truly believe them, that they will fully grasp “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:18) I can pray that they will “know him better… and that the eyes their hearts will be enlightened in order that they may know the hope to which he has called them, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)
And you know what? While I’m at it, I just might whisper these things to myself, too, because a reminder would do my heart some good.
What would you whisper to your teenage self if you could?
So happy to be linking up my #WhoIAm post with the Proverbs 31 Blog Hop today! I'm learning so much through the current study, based on Renee Swope's book, A Confident Heart.
To say I was apprehensive when I first started this 31 Day series on prayer would be an understatement. As I linked up my first post to The Nester’s blog, questions bounced around inside my brain. Could I really blog for 31 days on the same topic? What if I didn’t complete the task? Am I even qualified to write on this spiritual discipline? Who do I think I am? Hmmm… I have an answer for that last question. Who do I think I am? I’m a daughter of the King, created and loved by the Almighty, and qualified through Jesus’ work on my behalf to bring my requests to God. In fact, He wants me to pray; He commands me to pray! So why not explore the amazing gift I’ve been given in prayer?
Of all the things I’ve learned through blogging about prayer for 31 days, one thing stands out: In order to have a relationship with God, I must invest in my prayer life. It’s not an option. And unlike the stock market, this investment is 100 percent guaranteed to reap eternal rewards.
So, I guess I would say that my perspective on prayer has changed quite a bit during these last 31 days. I have come to realize that prayer is not so much asking as it is listening; it’s more conversation than it is monologue.
This quote by Dutch Sheets pretty much sums it up:
Prayer is not a check request asking for things from God. It is a deposit slip – it’s a way of depositing God’s character into our bankrupt souls.
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This is the last post in my 31 Days to a Powerful Prayer Life series. Find all the posts in the series here.
“Why are you frightened?” [Jesus] asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?” Luke 24:38 NLT
Have you ever read something and said to yourself, “Yes! This is exactly what I’m feeling! And I thought I was the only one…”? This has been my heart’s exclamation for the past three weeks, as I’ve been reading A Confident Heart by Renee Swope for this fall’s Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study. Through Renee’s writing, I’ve realized the main source of my doubts – worrying about what others think of me. Here’s what Renee says:
We find ourselves in the shadow of doubt many times because our thoughts are mostly about ourselves: how we’re performing and what others are thinking about us…. When we focus our attention on ourselves, we turn our attention away from God. We leave no room in our thoughts to listen to what He is thinking about us, because we have given that place away to be occupied by other people’s opinions. We become overly concerned about what others think of us instead of what God thinks about us.
In order to shift our focus, we have to turn our thoughts completely toward God “by thinking about His strengths instead of my weaknesses,” Renee says.
The example of Gideon is one Renee uses in her book to brilliantly illustrate her point. At one point, Gideon was paralyzed by fear and insecurity, and during his conversation with God, he listed all the reasons why he couldn’t do the job God had asked him to do. Check out this conversation – I love Gideon’s honesty in this passage:
When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon asked, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”(Judges 6:12-15) Well, at least Gideon was polite when he questioned God with his “pardon me, but…” How many times have I talked to God and said similar things? “But God, I can’t do that! That takes too much time, or faith, or talent, or (fill-in-the-blank)! Ask someone stronger – I’m definitely not the one you want!”
But, you ARE the one God wants. And so am I. If He chooses me for a particular task – no matter how hard that task may seem or how unsuited for the task I might be – He will follow through. Not because of my strength, but because of His.
So, starting today, I am actively moving forward and turning away from my doubt, worry, insecurity and comparison. With God’s help, I am turning towardHim and focusing on His truth. His truth says that because of Jesus, I am loved, I am cherished, I am valued, I am good enough, and I am His child. Nothing can ever change that!
Father, thank You for Your truth. Help me to remember that if You call me to do something for You, I have everything I need to complete that task. Your faithfulness is my refuge. Deliver me from my doubts and fears, and help me to rest in Your plan for me. You have begun a good work in me, and You have promised to complete it!
A few months ago I was driving down my road a typical sunny summer day. Out of nowhere, I was faced with a sight that took me off guard.
Cows.
What’s so unusual about cows? You might ask. If you know me, you know I live in the country, so seeing cows shouldn’t be a surprise.
But these cows… these cows were standing on the side of the road. Roaming free, but looking quite lost. They weren’t inside the fence in their usual pasture.
When they saw me in my big SUV, they looked a bit surprised as well. And then, as I made my turn onto the next country road, they followed me! When I decided to pull into the driveway of the farm house where I thought they belonged, they ran right up to the gate of the pasture.
These cows needed some serious direction. And you know what? So do I.
There are times in my life when I feel like those scared, directionless cows. Lost. Alone. Needing someone to point the way. And yet, instead of praying and asking the One who promises me direction, what do I do? I fret. I worry. I try to fix things myself. Duh! I’m just like one of those stupid cows!
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
This is awesome, friends! The God of the Universe is willing to offer His wisdom to us! He doesn’t say, “Oh, it’s you again? Will you quit bothering me? Last time you asked me for something, you really messed up.” He gives generously without finding fault in me or my request!
Thank you, Father, for not giving up on me. So many times I wander around, lost and without direction. Instead of running to You, I fret and worry. Help me to remember that You promise me wisdom and direction if only I will ask.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8
Israel was a dust bowl. Dry as a bone. It had not rained a drop for over three years. All because of the prayers of one man – Elijah.
Now, three years had passed and everything was about to change again. All because of the prayers of one man. “Get up! It’s about to rain!” Elijah told King Ahab.
Then Elijah climbed up Mount Carmel, got down on his knees and prayed.
At first, nothing happened.
“Go look toward the sea,” Elijah told his servant.
Elijah’s servant did as he was told. “There’s nothing there,” the servant replied.
“Go look again.” Elijah said expectantly.
Seven times, Elijah sent the servant back to check. On the seventh time, the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
That’s all Elijah needed. He told his servant, “Go tell Ahab to hitch up his chariot. It’s going to pour!” Elijah had prayed, expecting God to answer, and God did just that.
James 5:17 says, “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for over three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”
Did you catch that? Elijah wasn’t a superhero; he was just a guy. But his prayer – one prayer – changed everything!
Think your prayers don’t matter? Think you’re just a guy or a girl, and your prayers won’t change anything? Think again! Your prayers matter. Pray earnestly. Pray expecting God to answer.
One prayer CAN make a difference.
Wow. What a week! I'm ready for a break, so I'm definitely taking it easy this weekend! I hope you do, too! In the meantime, here are some great pins I found on Pinterest on my "31 Days" topic: Prayer!
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| Instructions for this DIY "Prayer Pail" can be found here. |
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| Helpful tool to print out and put in your Bible! |
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What a great way to teach kids to pray!
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Last week, I started an amazing new Bible study through Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies. The study is based on the book, A Confident Heart by Renee Swope, and the truth and wisdom found in its pages is refreshing! Here's one of my favorite quotes from this week's chapter: "Our hearts leak and will always end up empty when we find our worth in anything but who we are in Christ."
Emptiness creeps into my soul
With all of its despair, And I try to find peace Somewhere, anywhere But where I should – In You. When these times come,
Draw me back, Father. Fill my empty places with
The fullness of all that You are. Remind me to run to You, For in your perfect love, I find refuge.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post is part of my series, 31 Days to a Powerful Prayer Life. Click here to view links for each day in the series. Bloggers everywhere are linking up their 31 Day series this month to The Nester's blog!
Did you realize that you possess an amazing gift you can give to your loved ones after you die? It’s not found in the stock market or retirement funds, and it’s worth far more than fine gold or jewelry.
Your prayers are the most valuable inheritance you can leave for future generations.
"Our prayers outlive us. They don't die when we die. They are the inheritance we leave to those whom we pray for. And the chain reaction our prayers cause will be the most startling revelation on the other side of eternity!” said Mark Batterson.
Think about it: Maybe you’ve been praying for your toddler, that someday he or she will grow up to marry a godly person, and together they will raise a new generation for Christ. You may or may not get to see this new generation, but your prayers can outlive you! Or maybe a grandmother or great-grandmother who is now gone to heaven (and who may have never even known you) prayed the same thing for you, and now you are reaping the benefits of a godly life because of her prayers. Isn’t this an incredible thought?
Are you discouraged because you don’t think God is listening? Don’t stop praying! Be encouraged by these words from Oswald Chambers: "As we obey the leadings of the Spirit of God, we enable God to answer the prayers of other people. I mean that our lives, my life, is the answer to someone's prayer, prayed perhaps centuries ago."
This gives me motivation to keep praying, to keep offering up requests to a gracious God who wants to give good things to His children. While I may or may not see answers this side of eternity, I am trusting that my prayers will become a priceless legacy for generations to come! So, are you with me, friends? Make an investment today in something that will outlive you for years, decades, maybe even centuries! Pray on!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This post is part of my series, 31 Days to a Powerful Prayer Life. Click here to view links for each day in the series. Bloggers everywhere are linking up their 31 Day series this month to The Nester's blog!
We're 22 days into this 31 Day series, and I often wonder what I was thinking when I chose the topic of prayer. Am I a stellar example in this spiritual discipline? Not even close. But, through this series, I have been forced to think more about prayer. I have been forced to pray more, just for the simple fact that I don't feel qualified to write on this subject. I am begging God for His words and His wisdom! Ephesians 8:26 says, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."I don't know about you, but this passage gives me hope. There are so many times I don't know what to pray. I am merely standing before God with my mouth open but no words coming out. During these times, I'm so thankful the Holy Spirit intercedes for me! What an amazing thought! Consider these words from Bible scholar Robert Morgan. This is one of the best explanations of prayer and God's will that I have ever read! We are weak in many ways, but in this passage the apostle Paul is specific about the particular weakness he is addressing—our prayer lives. We are weak when it comes to prayer. In what way? Well, we are weak in many ways, but here again Paul has something specific in mind. We are weak in our ability to know what we should ask. Many times we really don’t know what we should specifically pray for. We are not omniscient. We don’t know everything, nor can we see into the future. So we don’t know whether the things we’re asking for will turn out good or bad for us.
An old story illustrates: A Chinese gentleman lived on the border of China and Mongolia. In those days, there was constant conflict and strife along the perimeter. The man had a beautiful horse. One day, she leaped over the corral, raced down the road, crossed the border, and was captured by the Mongolians. His friends came to comfort him. “That’s bad news,” they said sadly. “What makes you think it’s bad news?” asked the Chinese gentleman. “Maybe it’s good news.” A few days later the mare came bolting into his corral, bringing with it a massive stallion. His friends crowded around. “That’s good news!” they cried. “What makes you think it’s good news?” he asked. “Maybe it is bad news.” Later, his son, while riding the stallion and trying to break it, was thrown off and broke his leg. “That’s bad news,” cried the friends. “What makes you think it is bad news?” asked the Chinese gentleman. “Maybe it’s good news.” One week later, war broke out with Mongolia, and a Chinese general came through, drafting all the young men. All later perished, except for the young man who couldn’t go because his leg was broken. The man said to his friends, “You see, the things you thought were bad turned out good; and the things you thought were good turned out bad.”
And thus it is with us. We don’t know if the things we want will really be good for us, or bad. We can’t see the future. That’s why James tells to us to pray, saying, “If it be thy will....” But God does know the future. He is Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows how all things will turn out. Verse 26 says that the Holy Spirit prays for us according to the will of God with intensity, with groanings that words cannot express. And God answers the Holy Spirit’s pleas on our behalf. The result is Romans 8:28! As the Holy Spirit prays for us, God answers His prayers, therefore all the things turn out for our good in the unfolding providence of the Lord. (Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook: 2002 edition. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Today has been "one of those days." Crawling into bed after a particularly long Monday, I realized I had yet to post on my blog. This song by Jaci Velasquez came to my mind, and its lyrics ministered to my heart tonight. I hope they will do the same for you. There are days when I feel the best of me is ready to begin
Then they're days when I feel I'm letting go and soaring on the wind
Cause I've learned in laughter or in pain how to survive
I get on my knees, I get on my knees
There I am before the love that changes me
See I don't know how but there's power when I'm on my knees
I can be in a crowd or by myself or almost anywhere
When I feel there's a need to talk with God, he is Emmanuel
When I close my eyes, no darkness there
There's only light
I get on my knees, I get on my knees
There I am before the love that changes me
See I don't know how but there's power in the blue skies, in the midnight
When I'm on my knees
I get on my knees, I get on my knees
There I am before the love that changes me
See I don't know how but there's power when I'm on my
Oh, When I'm on my
When I'm on my knees
Do you ever feel like God is a million miles away? Like you just don’t feel His presence the way you should – or the way you think you should? Like your prayers are just so hard to pray, and you don’t even know what you’re saying? I do.
If you’ve had this feeling before, I have good news for you: It doesn’t matter how you feel. If you are God’s child, you have an all access pass to God, the King of Kings, Creator of the Universe!
Are you jumping up and down yet? Just like you would if I handed you a FREE backstage, all access pass to a concert featuring your favorite band or solo artist? Still not sure this all access pass is for you?
I have proof! A few days ago, I found this awesome passage in Ephesians 2:17-18 that just about knocked me off my chair. Check this out! I hope you love it as much as I do:
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
I don’t know about you, but when I read this verse, my heart skipped a beat! This. Is. Life Changing! Feeling far away from God? You have access. Feeling close to God? You have access. Feeling down in the dumps, depressed, low? You have access. Feeling happy, loved, content? You have access!
So, raise your hands if you have access! Yes, that’s right! You, my dear friend, are SEEN and LOVED by the Almighty God. Because of Jesus and His work for you on the cross, you have an all access pass to God through His Spirit.
No one can tell you that you are not worthy to go backstage with Him, to relax on the luxurious couches in the green room, to experience all the joys of knowing God up close and personal. No one can deny or restrict your access! No one!
Now say it with me: I have access! The God of the Universe has personally invited ME to His backstage, off limits, members only area. I have an all access pass! No limits! No restrictions!
What will you do with your access?
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This post is part of my series, 31 Days to a Powerful Prayer Life. Click here to view links for each day in the series. Bloggers everywhere are linking up their 31 Day series this month to The Nester's blog!
Ann Voskamp, author of the New York Times best seller One Thousand Gifts, has a favorite saying: "All is grace. God is always good and I am always loved." In her book, she convinces us that looking for grace in everything is the key to joy. "As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible." A prayer of thanks, or "grace" as it is often referred to at meal times, is one of the simplest, yet most profound prayers we can offer. Food, shelter, clothing, love of friends and family... there are so many things for which we can give thanks. This quote by English writer G. K. Chesterton so beautifully illustrates the concept "all is grace." I would do well to remember this:You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the play and the opera,And grace before the concert and the pantomime,And grace before I open a book,And grace before sketching, painting,Swimming, fencing, boxing, watching, playing, dancing;And grace before I dip the pen in the ink. ~ G. K. Chesterton---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------During the month of October, bloggers from far and wide are linking up their posts on one topic for 31 Days. Check it out at The Nester's blog!
In homes all over the country (maybe even the world), bloggers from all backgrounds have taken the 31 Day Challenge this month! We're more than halfway through October already (can I get an amen?), and I thought you might like to check out some other bloggers who are writing on the topic of prayer. Over 450 bloggers are listed in the Inspiration & Faith category at the Nester's website, where the 31 Day Challenge originated! Here are a few blogs dealing specifically with the topic of prayer:31 Days of Focused Prayer: http://littlehousebigworld.com/31-days-of-focused-prayer/31 Days of Praying God's Word: http://blessingsformom.com/31-days-day-1-knowing-gods-love/31 Days "Exprayeriment": http://www.rachelinbloom.com/exprayeriment-31days/31 Days of Praying for Your Teen: http://intentionaldays.com/2013/10/01/day-1-praying-for-your-teen-it-starts-with-me/31 Days of Praying for the Nations: http://nateandannesummers.blogspot.com/2013/10/31-days-of-praying-for-nations.html-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------During the month of October, bloggers from far and wide are linking up their posts on one topic for 31 Days. Check it out at The Nester's blog!
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