This is the posture…

“…this is the posture we’re supposed to take in our spiritual journeys. God delights for us to cup our hands in prayer and scrunch our faces against the vault of heaven in holy expectation that he will meet us in beautiful, mysterious ways.”

From my morning readings in “Wonderstruck”, by Margaret Feinberg.

I Am a Witness…, a photo by Robert Snache – Spirithands.net on Flickr.

A beloved sister in Christ gave me this book for my birthday.  This is such a timely reminder for me, to look around at the beauty, the terror, the awesomeness of God’s creation and wonder at my place in it and His gifts to me.

The world’s standard…

“The essence of the world’s standard is that it sets self in the centre; the essence of the Christian standard is that it sets Christ and others in the centre.”

From my morning readings in “The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians”, Daily Study Bible Series, by William Barclay.

Bromley Solo Violin, a photo by markvall on Flickr.

The focus is on service.  Not just for people we know and love, but for all of God’s creation.  Which doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t start at home, as it were.  But many of my NeedlePrayer projects are for people I have never met, and I never meet them.  But I love them because God does.

Christian meditation…

“Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind.”

From my morning readings in “A Celebration of Discipline“, by Richard J. Foster.

Deep Meditation…, a photo by Sthe 55 on Flickr.

That’s what I want.  To fill my mind with God.  With His love, His grace, the beauty of His creation.  Then I can move forward with my life and my service.

A friendship which does not grow closer…

“A friendship which does not grow closer with the years tends to vanish with the years. And it is the same with us and God.”

From my morning readings in “The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians”, Daily Study Bible Series, by William Barclay.

No Boundaries, a photo by premasagar on Flickr.

I believe that friendship to be the cornerstone of each of our lives.  And how do we grow our friendships?  By giving time to our friends.  By sharing with them.  Laughing with them.  Crying with them.  Telling them what is in our hearts.

But also, crucially, by listening to them.  Trying to understand them.  Concerning ourselves with what concerns them.

Prayer lets us do all of these things!

The hardest choices…

“I remember my wise mentor in college, Beth English, used to say, ‘Holley, the hardest choices in life are not between bad and good. They are between good and best.'”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Choices, a photo by dianecordell on Flickr.

When we give to God, we want to give the best.  But sometimes that can stop us from giving at all.  I frequently have to urge myself to keep working on a prayer piece on days when my brain is fried and it’s hard for me to pray coherently.  But not working on the piece would be worse.  Give your good, but look out for how to give your best!

The simple act of prayer…

“Somehow, the simple act of prayer links a sovereign God to a finite man. When man prays, God responds. Difficult situations change. Unexplained miracles occur.”

From my morning readings in “The Hour That Changes the World”, by Dick Eastman.

~ free ~, a photo by AlicePopkorn on Flickr.

The difficulty I have is in remembering to pray, to take all things to God.  Prayer can be such a simple act, but there is a resistance to be overcome.  I want to be able to handle things myself.

What you’re looking for…

“What you’re looking for here is momentum and progress. Have you ever tried to steer a parked car? It’s a tough proposition. Just get in gear and start heading down the road. The rest will work itself out as you go.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Super S – 2, a photo by Matthew Fang on Flickr.

It’s so easy to just keep saying, “My plan isn’t quite ready yet.  I’ll start when it is.”  But the bottom line is that the journey is not going to match the plan anyway.  Pick a direction.  Start moving.  Then worry about the details.

The primary requirement…

“The primary requirement is a longing after God.”

From my morning readings in “A Celebration of Discipline“, by Richard J. Foster.

Safe Fortress, a photo by Ian Sane on Flickr.

Afraid that you may not be suitable for a close relationship with God?  Remember this!

In all you do…

“Pray that in all you do, his purposes will prevail.”

From my morning readings in “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream”, by Holley Gerth.

Mother Teresa Wallpaper Quote, a photo by FredMikeRudy on Flickr.

This is important.  It’s not about my agenda.  It’s about His purposes.

We are given power…

“… we are given power to meet the demands and the needs that are waiting for us in the ministry yet to come.“

From my morning readings in “The Power of His Presence” by Ray C. Stedman.

 

Moon Rise behind the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm, a photo by “Caveman Chuck” Coker on Flickr.

I always think the power must come from me.  I’m doing this, aren’t I?  But no.  Things go much better if I look to Him for the wisdom and the power.