Challenge 2010 - February 1

Image by knowhimonline via Flickr

Leah over at The Point has challenged us to join her in Challenge 2010 Scripture Memorization The challenge is to post your verses on the 1st and 15th of each month, and by the end of the year you will have memorized 24 verses.

I am continuing on in Romans 8 as I have sensed the Lord requested. The first half of February I will be focusing on verse 4.

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4 NIV

Ephesians 6:18 Saturdays

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Ephesians 6:18 Amplified

I was asked to do a short study for the Friday night small group Rick and I are part of about what is meant by "all manner of prayer".

I'd like to expand this study, so I am going to devote the next few months of Saturdays to the subject of prayer.

This week, as we begin, I will simply list 17 types of prayer.

1. Thanksgiving
2. Adoration
3. Confession
4. Repentance
5. Petition
6. Faith
7. Dedication
8. Sanctification
9. Agreement
10. Supplication
11. Binding and Loosing
12. Travail
13. In other tongues
14. In our Understanding
15. Importunity
16. Warfare
17. Intercession

Each week, I'll dive into one or two of these different kinds of prayers, exploring what the Word has to teach us.

Paul told us:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

Please join me, using the comments box for your thoughts and questions as we begin to unfold the many ways we can "pray without ceasing".

Praying Hands Image via Wikipedia

Flashback Friday - The First Meeting

Jo at Mylestones has started a great new feature called Flashback Fridays giving us the opportunity to take a journey to a time in our past.
This week I'm sharing my first face-to-face with my beloved after God had forged our connection online.
My bags were packed; plans were made for my mother to drive me to the airport. It was the night before my flight, and there was nothing left to do but talk with Rick on the phone and sleep. I was excited, but also nervous and listening yet again to fear and doubt, words that were not coming from the mouth of God.

Image via Wikipedia

“What if you decide I'm too ugly” I asked “I'm scared. I'm sure of God but not sure of me.”

“Why don't you take a tranquilizer or sleeping pill if you have one” he said. “You need to get some rest tonight and not worry so. Unless you develop Elephant Man disease overnight, there is nothing to worry about.”

Somehow his words and the time we spent in prayer together soothed me and I was able to get a little bit of sleep. I rose ready to face whatever the Lord was about to do.

When my mother was dropping me off at the airport, she asked “Are you going to come back married?”

“Maybe so” I answered, not wanting to admit that we had already planned for that.

“Will you call when you get there, to let us know you're safe?”

“Of course I will Mom, and don't worry.” A quick hug and kiss goodbye and I walked into the airport terminal and a new beginning.

Once the plane had reached cruising altitude I did what came naturally. I pulled out my journal and began to write:

“It is so bright up here in God's light. Surrounded by the light this morning on the first part of journey. But.. I have had His light around me for weeks now. I am so sure of Him, in a way I had not previously felt.

Oh my precious Father, what new words can I find to praise You? How to best let Your name be glorified? Let Your light shine through me, Lord, for every living soul to see Your reflection in me.

I ask for guidance this morning Father, trusting that You will lead me where You want me, but not quite trusting myself. Let me not chase after my own desires, but continue to seek what You desire of me.”
The time spent in prayer and reflection soothed my spirit. Stashing the journal back in my carry on, I was ready for the plane to land and to walk into the arms of the man who waited for me.

I stood in the immigration services line with my passport, thinking it odd that Canada was a foreign country. When I was called to the desk, the officer asked me “What is the purpose of your visit, business or pleasure?”

“Pleasure. Definitely pleasure” I replied, while thinking “and about my Father's business”

The officer stamped my passport and I was free to retrieve my bags when they came around on the carousel. The two suitcases were bulky and hard to handle and I felt foolish for packing so much.

One more line to wait in for the customs agent, who simply took my declaration card and said “Welcome to Canada” and I walked through the doors to find Rick, wearing the hat he said he would wear so I would recognize him, just in case he looked different than his picture.

After weeks of imagining what it would feel like, I was held tight in his embrace. Then he whispered very clearly in my ear “a hundred and ten percent, baby.”

I remembered his words to his pastor when he had asked Rick how he could be so sure I was the right woman for him. “I'm 99 percent sure now. When I meet her at the airport I'll be a hundred percent sure.”

“Hundred and ten, eh?” I laughed, feeling every bit of apprehension drain from my being. I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be, at last.
Why not take a few minutes and stop here to read other's tales and share a flashback of your own.

Word Filled Wednesday - Provision

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Joel 2:26 NKJV

This chickadee was able to enjoy God's provision in the storm at the feeders we hang in our yard.

This week Susan is hosting us at Forever His

Tuesdays Unwrapped - Shelter

We were stuck. House bound. No way of getting out to shop, visit, engage with the world.

At first the situation wanted to grab hold of us, drawing from us anger, frustration, anxiety. Indeed we could have raged against the storm, our circumstances, even our God. How dare He allow curves in our road and changes in on our plans?

As the impossibility of getting out of our yard settled in, so did our spirits exhale and settle. Yes, we were stranded, but we were home, in our sweet spot, in the secret place our God had created for us.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV

I paused to pray for the ones in Haiti who have had their homes, however humble, destroyed by the earthquake.

(Picture found at http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images)

I prayed for those who are living on the streets in the cities of North America with no walls to protect them from winter's icy blasts.

(Picture found at http://montrealsimon.blogspot.com/ )

And then my heart began to ache for those who are lost in the storms not knowing the shelter the Lord longs to provide. He calls out and waits. And waits. And. Waits.

I pray Lord God that the ears of their spirits open to hear Your gentle knocking on the doors of their hearts.

Today I am unwrapping the gift of magnificent shelter, life lived in His shadow.

Join Emily at Chatting at the Sky and share what you're unwrapping today.

Sunday snowy Sunday

Road reports said "travel not advised"
in obedience we forsook
the gathering together
of the people of God

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

In the silence
I ached for the sound
of voices united
in worship
shouts of praise unto our King

I remembered a video tape we have of Tommy Tenney and a night of worship with David & Nicole Binion, God Chasers in Hot Pursuit. As it played, I did not merely watch and listen, I entered in. I found the place I had been missing as my spirit found wings to fly.

Later, Rick went out to shovel a path to the barn, and decided to take our 4 wheel drive vehicle for a short drive to check the roads. The ride was shorter than he expected, as he replayed an experience I had last winter. He lost the road and found the field.

We called CAA for help and they informed us that the tow truck could not come until the roads were cleared. Rick called the towing company to let them know that the plows would not be able to come down our road with the vehicle in the way. It seemed we were caught in a true Catch 22.

God was surely listening in as Rick spoke with the towing man, for the idea sprung up to call a neighbor with a tractor small enough to plow our road without hitting the car. The towing guy agreed that he would then be able to come pull us out sometime tomorrow.

The first neighbor we called was not at home, likely somewhere warm on holidays. Rick tried another who said he'd be here in about an hour. As the time drew near, Rick put on his winter gear to meet him up the road. As soon as he stepped out, a tractor pulled into the yard. Not only did he clear the road, together they were able to free the car and Rick drove it back safely into the barn. The man in the tractor then began to clear our yard. He would take no pay, not even our offering of pickles or salsa.

Rick came to the door, told me to call the neighbor who was coming and tell him a different neighbor had shown up unexpectedly and was taking care of things. "When it rains, it pours" was all I could think. I called and got the neighbors wife, who said he was already on his way. Though we both felt badly about having him come out needlessly, he didn't seem upset. "These things happen" he said "I'll clear some more of this snow in your yard while I'm here." All he would accept for his trouble was a few heads of Rick's garlic.

The winds are expected to blow strong again tonight. We can't know how things will look inthe morning, but for now, our vehicles are safe and our yard is clear. We have a loving Father who not only gives us what we need, but gives in abundance. To Him we give the glory. To Him be all the praise.

His plans - not ours

We had a full weekend ahead of us once Rick was finished working at 5:30.

Tonight's plan was to enjoy dinner out with one of our favorite couples followed by many games of Settlers of Catan at their place.

Tomorrow's schedule was morning worship, break for a meal, back to church for our annual general meeting followed by an evening of fellowship with friends.

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 NIV

Environment Canada has issued storm warnings for now through Monday that include heavy snow, winds creating possible blizzard conditions and accumulations of anywhere from 15 - 30 cm. They warn:

This winter storm is quite large and is producing poor travelling conditions
across the southern prairies and neighbouring states. These poor conditions will
continue through Monday. Persons in or near the warning areas should be on the
lookout for adverse weather conditions and travel only when necessary.

There are many people who choose to ignore or challenge the weather. At times, I admit I was counted among them. But I am learning to listen. I am learning to surrender.

I will give up my agenda when my plans conflict with the Lord's, trusting that He knows what is best even when we can't understand the reasons.

Instead of dinner out, once Rick gets back from work we'll throw a frozen pizza in the oven. We will snuggle into the safety of the sanctuary that is our home. We will watch the snow and the beauty it creates as it falls. We will take time to worship the One who changes our plans.

As for tomorrow? We will wait and trust that He will lead us once again.