| Last night as Guelph Y.G. we had a really great discussion about prayer. We talked about when and how we should do it, but mostly about motivation. What is our motivation for prayer? Are we praying for ourselves? Are we thinking about our needs and wants in the back of our heads at all times? Prayer is a tough thing for me. To take my thoughts and internal prayers and make them into words. It's tough to let others know what goes on in the heart. It's tough to have to pray for friends and family when they are hurting. It's a tough thing. But it's also a beautiful thing. To know that every word we speak and even the ones we don't are heard by God, and made perfect through His Son. Made perfect. What a comfort it is to know that we can pray our sinful prayers and Jesus will take them and present them to God as perfect. Maybe that should be our motivation. |
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| "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not it's measure." - Psalm 71:15
This verse has really stuck out to me the past week. No matter what happens, I will always have hope. I don't even know what's all in store for me, but God has given me this amazing hope of the things to come, and this hope comes from the faith God has given me, the confidence that it really is true.
Sometimes I want to brag about it. The kind of bragging that includes me holding my thumb to my nose, wiggling my fingers and sticking out my tongue. It's like I just got a huge toy that no other kid has. A big thing that everyone else should be jealous of. It makes my heart beat fast and my head and chest swell. Because I have so much that so many don't have.
But then I realize that that's the reason why God gives me this amazing hope and confidence. Not because he wants to me mock others with it and flaunt it. He wants me to share it. Show them what's so amazing about His grace. He wants me to live it! To be a billboard to the world. Like a celebrity in Hollywood, except this is Holy-wood. It's His nation set-apart. And I am a part of it.
What a comfort. What a blessing.
"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge. I will tell of all your deeds." - Psalm 73:28 |
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| let's boogie! oooooooh the awkward dance (other official name for it)
pushing out the love. just pushing it out, baby.
haha thanks james.... crying while laughing is always rememberable (is that a word?)
p.s. i get a saxophone tomorrow, if all works out!!
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| sometimes the dam breaks. and sometimes this is a good thing because it releases the water that is flooding the banks and the forest and the town and maybe even the city. and this is good. God grant me the peace that passes understanding. |
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| on wednesday i went swimming. despite the pool of water i swallowed trying to save Shaelyn (who it turns out did not really need to be saved), i had a blast. whodathunk that sitting in a pool playing ridiculous games and freezing my butt off could be so fun. and rewarding. |
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