A Community
5th day to PRAY for 2015!
As Ron was blending his smoothie lunch yesterday, he said: “I have another “P” word for you – ‘pleasant places.'” Surely, these “P” words are over by now, but it is not to be. Another “P.” “Pleasant places – from Psalm, chapter 16. “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Ron and I usually talk about this verse with our kids as it relates to discipline and the boundaries we set. While those boundaries at times feel like limits and have a negative connotation associated with them, these lines are actually for their good and keep...
Read More4th day to PRAY for 2015!
I am not doing this on purpose, I promise! I am talking about the “P” thing that has been going on in these prayers for 2015! It just keeps happening! So far, we have prayed into the words – purpose, perspective, position and posture! I ended the last prayer with a word from Henri Nouwen and his prescription for living with “open hands.” In his closing prayer, he spoke of this posture coming from the word “trust.” Trusting Father as we stand at the beginning of this new year with “open hands!” Not an easy word to get your arms around – “trust.” So, I was reminded of another friend, Brennan Manning...
Read More3rd day to PRAY for 2015!
So far, we have prayed into the words – purpose and perspective from Colossians 1 and position from Hebrews 4. For this year of 2015, we are praying that our “lines of purpose” attached to our future in heaven are held “taut” by the hope Father has given to us. So, before we take steps into this new year, we also remember our position in Jesus. He has extended his hand to us and promised a life lived in his strength and rest. We are not alone, and he is in charge. With this truth, we are ready for whatever 2015 may hold, and we are eager to adventure with Father into the days of this year. At least, that sounds like a good idea. I want to...
Read More2nd day to PRAY for 2015!
Yesterday I prayed into the words purpose and perspective from Colossians 1! Today I am thoughtful of the word – position. As we look out over the edge of 2015, there is risk. What will come in this year? How will we as a family advance? What challenges will confront us? What struggles will we navigate? Maybe even, do I have the energy and strength to face the details of this year? As well, what will be our celebrations, our victories and steps made? Control is not a given, and for some of us, this is not comfortable. So, before we move into any activity on our part, let’s remember our position in Jesus Christ. Our brother Jesus has extended his hand and...
Read More1st day to Pray for 2015!
Starting this first prayer with a verse that has caught my attention in Colossians 1. Reading from The Message – “The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope.” Might even find our word for the year in this verse – see Evaluate. For now, I am praying this verse for all of us – perhaps you want to have some words with Father too! It is a great verse for a conversation. My conversation went like this: Father, I am hungry for purpose in this year of 2015. I am going to go somewhere; the days will move from one to the next! So, choosing purpose seems like a great...
Read More15 days to PRAY for 2015!
Call it a line in the sand! An opportunity to lean in! A moment to invite Father! A posture to take! Whatever you would like to call it, Ron and I have been thinking about this year and taking hold of another moment to “begin again” with our family and with your family! The best way to “begin again” is first to pray! Father God has been thinking about 2015 and our families already! He has great things to share and great adventures to lead. Let’s begin this year talking with him about what is on his mind for us, handing over our plans for his and seeking his lead for our steps! Finally, let’s talk with him about our children and raising...
Read More