Praying together on Monday 2/26/2012

Abba, 

I honor you today for your love and care for me and those like me. We are fragile and often easily broken. Our hearts are heavy from the loads we are called to carry. We are often alone while surrounded by people. Some think us superhuman, while we are so very human. We struggle, yet thought of without any, we care for those who care very little if at all for us. We can't cry out in pain because someone might hear and misunderstand. So few if any understand who I am or what I'm called to do or be. 

Here alone I seek you, because I need you. Before I can stand before others I kneel before you. Jesus I need you, not in any false sense, but because like you I am as you were, human. You cried out to the Father, and now I too cry out. Sickness which I can't heal; wounds I don't know about in the lives of others; broken spirits because of ...; voices which go unheard because no one is listening. I stand to many unseen; they walk past me but don't see me. Even when I stand before them I find myself questioning myself if I am good enough. Yet in the moment I hear you still small voice singing over me, yes, you are Lord of the dance, dancing over me, gently making me aware of your presence, thank you!

So here now, I cast my burdens upon you because you not only care for me, but you continue to care. Your caring isn't just in a word, but in a living interaction between yourself and me. You want me to know your heart, a heart of love for me and those like me; a heart filled with compassion and yes, feeling my pain. You are so quiet yet strong; the stillness of your voice can be louder than anyone else who speaks to me, thank you for listening, speaking to my wounded heart and life. Come Holy Spirit rock me again in those massive arms of yours. The gentleness of your touch amazes me, thank you!

Thank you for reminding me that I'm yours. Not just because of what I do, but by your blood, your own life given for me, thank you! So even here my valley, this lonely place apart, where none else seems to be, even here you hand finds me and cares for me. You are my healer, my refresher, life giver and friend. But more than that, you are my god and King, Sovereign Lord, my Prince of peace, I love you Abba, I love you Lord. 

In Jesus strong name I pray, AMEN!!! 

-- 
T.A.B.

Love ye one another ...

“A new commandment I give you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also lone one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have lone one to another” John 13:34-35

            “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou has sent me” John 17:21

What then shall we conclude but that … we as Christians are called upon to love all men as neighbors, loving them ourselves…. We are to love all true Christians brothers in a way that the world may observe. This means showing love to our brothers in the midst of our differences – great or small – loving our brothers when it cost us something, loving them even under times of tremendous emotional tension, loving in the way the world can see. In short we are to practice and exhibit the holiness of god and the love of god, for without this we grieve the Holy Spirit.

The Mark of the Christian – by Francis Schaeffer

It took me years to understand what Francis Schaeffer meant when he said that grieving the Holy Spirit was a direct result of our failure to love. But now I understand: Grieve is a love word! (Eph. 4:30) When we sin, we do not infuriate God, our Lover. We only hurt Him. We grieve Him!

Letters to a Young Pastor – Calvin Miller 

Praying Together on Monday 3/19/2012

Abba,

I honor you today for your loving kindness to me and all of your children. I know I don’t deserve such mercy, but you see to it that I am aware of it. Forgive me for operating from my feelings, they to can lie about who and what I am.

I pray for these who lives have touched mine, many briefly and but for a moment and others who have known me and have loved me for a longer time. They too have shown me a love and grace I don’t (or think) I deserve, but I thank for them and their love as well.

For the newer members of your extended family to me, I pray you will strengthen their commitment to you and give them those who will embrace them both near and far. Somehow allow them to understand how much they are loved by the Father and those who cross their paths as well. We are close to so few, unknown to so many, we’ve learned to trust just a few, because we have been hurt by so many. May they be loved in ways and places they never expected; embraced without question and cared for because they are yours.

I thank you for bring about a sense of being a part of something far greater than any of us know or understand. You brought together, while we live far apart. We rarely talk unless there is something we or they need or want. Our society teaches us, not to get too close for fear of being burned, or known and without understanding. Lord, if you had taken that approach we’d not be redeemed. I may not be worthy of such love, but that didn’t stop you from loving me and us. I honor you for your faithfulness, caring and concern; for daring to come close and abiding with us.

Bless the work of these heads, hands and heart this week. May each of us come to the end of our day, and sit and thank you for you have accomplished though us. May we celebrate what you are doing in your body the church and that through people just like us.

I love you Abba, with thanksgiving in Christ Holy Name I pray, AMEN!!!

Praying Together on Monday 3/12/2012

Abba, 

I honor you today for these your children and my fellow servants. I ask that you bless them not just to do, but to be. To be whom you want them to be as a person; a father or mother, husband or wife; as a friend; no matter their calling. I am your child first, not what I do or where I'm called to do it. No matter the numbers of persons I stand before or with, we remain your child, and we are important to you. 

Grant us a passion for yourself and to be filled and empowered by your Holy Spirit. What we do isn't as important as our relationship with you. May this week draw us closer to you. 

Forgive my disappointment with those I serve with or around. Remind me that I serve you, in all I do. Heal my brokenness and should you choose not to, grant me strength to walk with you through the valley. Help me to serve where I may not be honored or even recognized, commended or thanked. Help me to embrace where I am, as your blessing or placement for the moment. This is where I am and I may be here for a moment or an extended time, but you are with me. 

I wonder why it is that you seem to stand just beyond where I wish you were, even here you have a purpose and a blessing. Thank you for courage enough to continue standing and fighting, yes, with tears that blur my vision, and a heart that aches and wonder when, oh when are you going to bring me through this. I love you, but you love me more. Jesus, I don't get this!!! Why me, why now, why here??? I sense your response, "Trust me!" I haven't changed my mind or purpose about and for you. 

THANK YOU!!! Thank you for loving me, for holding me and bring me through to the victory and blessing you promised. I love you Abba, I love you! 

With thanksgiving in Jesus Name I pray! AMEN!!!

-- 
T.A.B.

Praying Together on Monday - 3/5/2012

Abba, I thank you for loving me, just because I am your child. Not because of what I do or how well I do it, your Love for me isn’t based upon my performance or keep of some rules, it it entirely because of your love for me.

Why is it you love me? What is it about me that causes you to remind me, of your love? I look at myself and think of my failures, and frankly how broken I am, and those around me as well. I’m often angry and frustrated by so very much. The difference between the haves and have not’s; the sinful nature of our society and how we are willing to celebrate it. The wickedness of my own heart amazes me. And yet, you call to to yourself to let me know, I love you!

I don’t get it, know it and accepting it are two entirely different things. Everything I know about you tells me I should never stand before you in anything other than condemnation and wait for my eternal ‘reward.’ But by the blood of Christ, shed for me simply trusting you be faith in your finished work, I am a new creation and empowered by you Holy Spirit I’m walking not because of how good I am, or deserving I am, you have poured out your love like the waters of Victoria falls in Africa, so underserved and with such abundance I can’t take it in.

“Lord, I’m amazed by you, how you love me,” isn’t the words of a great song, but a fact in my life, THANK YOU!

As I walk into this new week, with all of its challenges, and my tenancy to so easily forget, nothing that I do will affect you love for me, You just won’t change you mind. When I’m over-looked, abandoned, forgotten, or even maligned; taken for granted and yes, under appreciated by so many, for whatever reason. When I want to serve you by investing in the lives of others and I’m told, not now, not just yet, give it time… the pain I feel, and you remind me, “I see you!” When I drift into self-pity and anxiety, may I see you welcoming arms and hear your loving voice, ‘…come here my dearest one.” May I feel the strength of your strong arms about me, protecting my most tender emotions and overwhelming me with a grace I know I don’t deserve, what’s that Lord? I don’t care about your thoughts of failure and defeat; I am you your victory, because even when you think all is lost, I have just begun to wage war on and in your situation.

Jesus, I thank you for loving me. Not the me, some think I am, nor the me I wish I were, but the real and often lonely me, who struggles to go another day to proclaim, “He is Risen! and is alive in me at the top of my lungs, to the Glory of our God, in the Kingdom of this world. Jesus, you are Lord and you love me. AMEN!!!