Morning After: TJ

Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
And God's not through
In fact, He's just getting started!
~Fingerprints of God, Steven Curtis Chapman

Last night, I attended a surprise birthday party for my son, Tucker. My surprise was that his wife, Jenn, brought pictures of the child (whom I refer to as "TJ") growing in her womb. I could see the shape of a human, including the BIG Mortensen head! I could see this three-inch miracle of life. I could see the fingerprints of God.



God has a plan for that little child that I saw for the first time, last night. Just like He has a plan for Adam.

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Continue to pray for Adam's FULL RECOVERY!

See you next week!

Evening: Open My Eyes

Mark 8:22-26

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

When I think about Adam's recovery, I think about this passage. There are many accounts of Jesus' healing — including the woman who was healed simply by touching Him in a crowd. Sometimes, the healing is not instant. It wasn't for the blind man in Bethsaida. Why was the man not healed on the first attempt by Jesus?

In my study Bible, the theologians write that this story may be teaching us two lessons. First, that Jesus heals in a variety of ways. Second, achieving spiritual insight may be more of a process rather than a dramatic event.

I am a believer that Jesus heals in a variety of ways. I also believe that several (or more) may be achieving spiritual insight as the result of Adam's prolonged healing process. For me, that process began last May. It continues, today. I pray that God would open my eyes to see His glory, and His plans for me.

Pray

    • Praise God for Adam's improved ability to walk!

    • Thank God for Adam's improving speech!

    • Thank God for spending time with us, today

    • Pray that Adam's ability to communicate would continue to improve.

    • Pray for patience for Amy, and all of Adam's family.

We'll meet, again, in the morning.

Good night!

Dinner: The Poached Egg

Bono

Yes, that Bono...of U2 variety.

This evening, I will be breaking my fast, early. There is a special event that is important to me. And, since I am a bit out of the Wednesday routine, this is going to be a different post. No songs. No scriptures.

Read this interview with Bono.

Pray as you are moved.

Even though I am breaking my fast, early, I will post later this evening.

Lunch: Delighted

by Hillary Mortensen

Sometimes God teaches me—teaches us—using recurring themes. Recently, one theme of my life has been delight. I began wondering one day, “God, how can I delight in You?” He gave me a brilliant idea (as God can do), and so I obeyed and wrote a list of all the things I have and experience that help me delight in God, those treasures and activities that serve as reminders of His enormity, beauty, love, goodness, and so on.

I encourage you to take a moment to pause and contemplate those items in your life that bring delight. For me they were as simple as enjoying good food, sitting around the dinner table talking and laughing, and enjoying the views from atop hills. What is it for you?

Scripture seems to reveal that we are commanded to and given a gift of delight in our Lord Himself:

1 Samuel 2:1 & 2
Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God..."

Job 27:10
Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 35:9
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.

·Leviticus 26:31 NIV

I will turn your cities into ruins and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will take no delight in the pleasing aroma of your offerings.

Read Leviticus 26 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·Deuteronomy 30:9 NIV

Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers,

Read Deuteronomy 30 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·1 Samuel 2:1 NIV

[Hannah's Prayer] Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.

Read 1 Samuel 2 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·1 Samuel 15:22 NIV

But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Read 1 Samuel 15 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·Nehemiah 1:11 NIV

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." I was cupbearer to the king.

Read Nehemiah 1 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·Job 22:26 NIV

Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.

Read Job 22 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·Job 27:10 NIV

Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?

Read Job 27 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·Psalm 1:2 NIV

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Read Psalm 1 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·Psalm 16:3 NIV

As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

Read Psalm 16 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

·Psalm 35:9 NIV

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.

Read Psalm 35 | View in parallel | Compare Translations

Psalm 35:27
May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant."

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 43:4
Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.

Psalm 112:2
Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Psalm 112:1
Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

Psalm 119:77
Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.

Psalm119:92
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

Psalm 119:143
Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight.

If they weren’t on your “delight” list already, considering adding God’s laws (His Word or commands), His salvation, His deliverance, and His works to your delight list.

Speaking of God's works, praise God for Adam's ability to visit the museum this past Friday (Yesterday's Update, Today's Blessing). What an amazing work God has done and is doing in Adam's body. Delight in this!

None But Jesus



Psalm 9:2
I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Prayer Request from Amy

"Pray that all those involved in our planning (meaning insurance, doctors, etc.) will have discernment and wisdom as they make decisions for Adam's care. Thank you all for your prayers and support."

Breakfast: Gratitude and Praise

Let's follow the advice of spiritual teachers such as Shawn (in the video above) or Ron Kincaid. Last week, I mentioned that in Kincaid's new book, The Prayer Dare, he suggests that we begin our prayers with praise. Let us follow their advice, and the model provided by Jesus (see last night's post).



Let's praise God for the remarkable progress that Adam has made over the past month. Praise Him for other blessings in your life. Shout to the Lord, this morning!

We'll meet, again, at lunch time.

Eve of Fasting: Jesus Prayed...

...So should we!

Mark 1:35

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

In one sentence, we receive a very valuable life lesson — make prayer our priority each day. Before breakfast, or in the case of a fasting day, instead of breakfast.

Luke 5:15-16

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Even when we are busy (Jesus was busy with the crowds gathering and expecting miracles), we learn from Jesus to withdraw and pray.

So, don't try to decide if I am convincing enough for you to pray, tomorrow. Rather, rely on the examples provided by Jesus, Himself. Some of you doubt. When in doubt, pray!



I pray that you'll join us, tomorrow, as we praise God for the remarkable work He has done in Adam, and petition Him for continued healing.

Morning After: You're All I Need

Bittersweet News

Another Answer to Prayer

Yesterday, I wrote about specific prayer requests. I wrote how Ron Kincaid had a 30-year log of answers to 40,000 prayer requests. Then, I wrote about one recent one — Adam speaking to his Mom. Well, yesterday, another prayer request was answered with a "Yes!"

In my dinner-time post (Eternal Glory), one of our requests was to "Pray that God would provide wisdom and good judgement to Adam's therapists — especially his speech therapist, Brooke. In a post to her blog, last night, Amy wrote, "Thank you all for praying for Adam's speech therapy sessions with Brooke, I know you all are praying! Today Adam had a good session with Brooke."

Praise God for another answered prayer!

After I read good news about Adam, I read this Facebook post from Pat Ashby, "Its still spreading. I am losing the battle."

All I could think about was last night's post. Right now, I feel it is worth repeating the words from the song.

    I believe You're my portion
    I believe, You're more than enough for me.
    Jesus You're all I need
    Nothing is impossible for You.
    ~Healer, Hillsong



Pat, I don't know God's plans for today or tomorrow. But, I do believe that He heals. Sometimes the healing takes place, here. Other times, in Heaven. All I know is that one day, we will all be without pain, sickness, or suffering. I so look forward to that day.

Jesus, you're all I need.

Evening: Time to Kneel

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Let's end our day by kneeling before our Father.

Pray for Adam's full recovery.

May Christ dwell in your heart. Good night and God bless.

Dinner: Eternal Glory

Everything here is temporary

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

That sums it up, for me. No matter what happens here on earth, it won't last. Our troubles are "light and momentary" when compared with eternal glory. To me, fasting is a good illustration of the above passage. I am hungry, right now. In fact, my hunger increasingly dominates my thoughts by dinner time on a fasting day. Yet, I know that food is "just around the corner."

Realizing that my hunger is temporary, makes it much easier to endure. Life's troubles are my hunger. Eternity in Heaven is the feast that awaits me. Adam's injury, Pat's cancer, or Brandon's illness are all temporary. Sure, we want them and others to be well. Yet, we do not lose heart because of the eternal glory that awaits them, and us.

What will eternal glory be like? I can only imagine.



For now, God still wants us to pray. He wants us to learn to depend on Him. He teaches us through fasting and prayer. So, let us pray.

Prayer Requests

    • Pray that Adam's ability to speak would keep improving and that he would regain a normal voice (many of his words are whispers).

    • Pray that God would provide wisdom and good judgement to Adam's therapists — especially his speech therapist, Brooke.

    • Pray that Adam's cognitive ability would improve.

    • Pray that God would provide for both the physical and spiritual needs of Amy and Mackenzie.

I would also suggest that we pray for each other. Pray that all of us would fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

We'll meet one more time this evening.

Lunch: Be Specific in Your Requests

Prayer is a form of worship that I am still working on. One thing that I am learning is to make very specific prayer requests. In my breakfast post, I mentioned Ron Kincaid's sermon on Sunday entitled "Why Some Prayers Go Unanswered." One of Kincaid's suggestions was to make very specific prayer requests.I have often heard this same advice from my sister-in-law, Kimberly Levasa.

One of the reasons that Kincaid shared for making very specific requests, is that it will be much easier to know that God has answered. At the beginning of his newest book, The Prayer Dare, Kincaid writes,

"I believe that I'm qualified to issue this challenge because not only have I been a committed pray-er for all my Christian life, but I also have direct evidence—in the form of a 30-year-long prayer journal in which I've recorded over 40,000 answers to specific requests that I have made of God—that when one commits to praying, God shows up."

Wow! A personal log of 40,000 answered prayers! I will offer up only one in this post, but it is recent. During last week's united day of fasting and prayer (Breakfast: Praise God!), I wrote, "This morning, let's pray for Adam's ability and desire to speak. His mother, Cookie, arrived in Boston on Monday. She is anxious for Adam to speak to her. Pray that God would be gracious and grant Cookie with the opportunity to hear Adam talk to her."

The following day, at 2:21 p.m., I received a text message from my wife (who was traveling with Cookie) that read, "Cookie got to hear Adam talk out loud. He said, "Hi, I want my chair." Praise God for answered prayer! A later message simply stated, "Good day. Cookie is so happy." Good day, indeed! Thank you, Jesus!

Prayer Requests

You may have noticed that the prayer requests in this morning's breakfast post were specific. So are these. Amy asked that we pray for Adam's

    • memory to improve
    • ability to communicate when he needs to use the restroom
    • strength and endurance to improve

Of course, begin your prayer with praise. Praise God for all that He has done for Adam and his family, and praise Him for other good that He has done in your life.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

    Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.



We'll get back together at dinner time.

Breakfast: Will God Answer My Prayers?

"I fasted. I prayed hard. I prayed harder than I ever have before. Then I read Amy's blog and saw that Adam had to undergo another surgery, and his future looks bleak. What's the point?"

I heard people says things like this last May and June. I suspect that some of the people who said things like this (or thought them), might not be reading this blog anymore. Yet, others are still with us. If you have doubts, don't worry. You are not alone. We all have doubts at times. We wonder why God does not answer our prayers.

My belief is that God does hear our prayers, and He answers them. The answer might be "yes" it might be "no," or it might be "wait." Why? Why would a loving God say no to a prayer from a faithful follower of Jesus? This is a question that has prevented many from accepting Christ. It is a question that many Christians have spent a lot of time studying, writing about, discussing...and praying about!

Gretchen and I attended our "old church" on Sunday. We went to hear Ron Kincaid's final sermon at Sunset Presbyterian Church. The title of his message was "Why Some Prayers Go Unanswered." Kincaid suggested that God only answers prayers (says "yes") that bring Him glory. Among six reasons for unanswered prayer that he presented, one was that "We don't ask for things that are good."

Isn't it good to ask for healing of a brother or sister in Christ? It sounds good to me, but as Ron suggested, it may not be best. It may not be the best outcome to bring God glory and honor. So, the answer may be "no," or it may be "wait." In the case of Adam, it is my belief that God is working many things to bring Him glory. It is impossible for us to see the big picture that God sees. We cannot know with certainty the plans that he has in store for Adam, or for us.

What I do know is this. God has already worked miracles in Adam's life. God has answered many prayers with a "yes" since last May 15th. I know that out of obedience, I will keep praying, and that God will answer my prayers in ways that are best, according to His purposes. Sometimes He won't answer with a "yes," but I will still thank Him for unanswered prayers.



Luke 11:11-13

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Prayer Requests

In response to requests from Amy, let's pray that Adam's:

    • cognitive ability would improve
    • ankles would return to a normal posture so that can more easily walk
    • family would continue to trust in the Lord

We'll meet up, again, at lunch time.

Eve of Fasting: Got Time for Prayer?

"I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."
~Martin Luther

How many of us pray as much as we should? How many of us feel guilty that we don't pray enough? Or, who among us wonders why we should bother to pray at all? And, some of you are true "prayer warriors." Regardless of where you are in your prayer life, I encourage you to join us, tomorrow, as we unite in fasting and prayer.

Our prayer journey began in May 2010 after Adam's motorcycle accident. Many pray for Adam every day, but we come together on Wednesdays to corporately praise God and jointly ask for Adam's healing. Personally, I have found that I pray more on Wednesdays than any other day of the week. I have also found that by spending so much time praying for Adam, I now have more time to pray for others! It may sound counter intuitive, just as Luther's quote, above. When he found himself busy, he prayed for three hours!

I figured that if Luther spent three hours in prayer on a busy day, I could set aside time on Wednesdays of each week to pray for Adam. Doing so has not only strengthened my faith in God, it has improved my prayer life the other six days of the week. If you are new to our group, one way we create time to pray is by fasting (read more about fasting). Instead of taking time to eat a meal, pray.

Although fasting is encouraged, it is not required to join us in prayer. The important thing is that you pray. Why? God wants us to learn to depend on Him. Prayer is the way to do that (along with reading the Bible). I know that you are busy, but Jesus wants us to slow down and spend time with Him. And, despite all those "important things" that must get done, nothing is more important than spending time with our Savior.

Luke 10:38-42

    As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

    “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Most of us are Marthas. Jesus wants us to be Marys. Tomorrow, let's sit at the Lord's feet and listen to what He has to say to us. Are you tired? Are you depressed? Are you desperate? Are you angry? Are you doubting? Doesn't matter. Jesus wants you to hear from you. Pouring out honest pleas from broken hearts is what He wants to hear.



I look forward to praying with you in the morning!

Dinner: God is God...

...and I am not

Leviticus 18:1-2

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God.

    God is God and I am not
    I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
    God is God and I am man
    So I’ll never understand it all
    For only God is God
    God is God, Steven Curtis Chapman



I have had discussions with people who seem to want to make sense of all that is going on in the world. Although it can be interesting conversation at times, it is so comforting to know that I don't have to figure it all out.

This evening, I am thankful that God is God, and I am not. Can you even imagine if you and I were to see and hear all that God sees and hears? We would not be able to handle it. It would be too sad...too overwhelming.

When we are faced with difficult situations, especially when loved ones are very sick, injured, or dying, we can take comfort knowing that God is in control. As we go about trying to control our own little worlds, we need to let go and turn it over to God.

Pray for the families of Adam, Pat, and Brandon. Pray that they would all give up trying to understand why these bad things have happened. Pray that they would acknowledge that God is God, and that He sees the whole picture that we are not able to.

Because of my schedule, this week, this will be final post. However, keep on praying (I will), including a prayer for safe travel home for Cookie and Gretchen.

Lunch: Calming the Seas

Luke 8:22-25

    One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

    The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

    He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

    In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

    You calm the storms.
    And you give me rest.
    You hold me in Your hands.
    You won't let me fold.
    Everything, Lifehouse



At breakfast, we talked about praising God, even in the midst of the storm. At lunch, we learn to depend on Jesus to deliver us from the storm. If Adam's injury, Pat's cancer, Brandon's illness, or other challenges have left you feeling like you're in a storm, count on Jesus to calm the seas of your life.

Pray that Adam's ability to process information and communicate would continue to improve. Pray that his body would continue to strengthen and that he would demonstrate improvement in physical therapy. Pray that God would bless Cookie and Aunt Gretchen with a good time while they are visiting Adam.

Also, pray for healing for Pat and Brandon.

Mid Morning: Knowing You are There

Hello to my wife, Gretchen, and Adam's Mom, Cookie. They traveled, together, to visit Adam, this week. It is good to know that you are there. It is also good to know that God is there (and here)!



Pray for Pat

Pat Ashby had her second round of chemo, yesterday. She told me that she has an intake meeting with hospice care in the next week, but that doesn't mean she has only six months to live...she is just preparing for the future! She also stated that she has a goal to live until June 2012. Why? Her son comes back from Germany then, and she promised him that she would not die until he made it back.

Let's pray for that. Let's pray that Pat would defy the odds. Let's pray that Pat will be giving her son a hug in June 2012.

Pat also wrote in an email that, "My doctor thinks I am the healthiest person she has ever seen with cancer in her lungs, and I know that a positive mental attitude and prayers is why!"

It is my belief that Pat supplies plenty of PMA. Let's help her out with some prayer!

See you at lunch time.

Breakfast: Praise God!

Psalm 71:14

As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.

    I'll praise You in this storm
    And I will lift my hands
    For You are who You are
    No matter where I am
    Praise You in this Storm, Casting Crowns



We sang this song when Adam's recovery was not making much progress. In recent weeks, the seas have calmed a bit as Adam's recovery accelerated. While there is much room for optimism with regard to Adam, there will still be some very challenging days.

Others are in very stormy seas. Some of you are facing very difficult times. And, let us not forget Pat Ashby. She is undergoing last-resort Chemotherapy. Pat, and her loved ones, are experiencing very stormy times.

As the Psalm says, "I will praise You more and more." As Casting Crowns sing, "I'll praise You in this storm."

Regardless of life's storms, whether our own or those encountered by loved ones, the message is clear -- we are to keep praising God. Our united day of fasting and prayer is a great opportunity to praise God!

This morning, let's pray for Adam's ability and desire to speak. His mother, Cookie, arrived in Boston on Monday. She is anxious for Adam to speak to her. Pray that God would be gracious and grant Cookie with the opportunity to hear Adam talk to her.

I'll post a mid-morning praise song.

Morning After: Comfort and Faith

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Good morning, and thanks for praying with us, yesterday. Just a reminder, that it is OK to keep on praying Thursday through Tuesday! We unite in prayer and Wednedays as a way to raise our collective voices to God. As I have written previously, a scheduled day of prayer....leads to more prayer! I pray for Adam every day, but more so on Wednesdays. You help hold me accountable!

Uniting in fasting and prayer on Wednesdays also allows us to encourage each other, and to comfort each other. We are joining together in a shared faith in Jesus Christ.



    I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
    Hope that doesn’t ever end
    Even when the sky is falling
    I’ve seen miracles just happen
    Silent prayers get answered
    Broken hearts become brand new
    That’s what faith can do
    That's What Faith Can Do, Kutless

Ask God to keep increasing our faith, and to provide comfort to those who are hurting.

Keep praying for healing for Adam, Pat, and Brandon.

See you, next week.

Evening: I Get on My Knees

    'Cause I've learned in laughter or in pain
    How to survive.

    I get on my knees, I get on my knees;
    There I am before the love that changes me.
    See I don't know how, but there's pow'r
    When I'm on my knees
    On My Knees, Jaci Velasquez



I mentioned in my previous post that I was feeling a lof of stress, but am still thankful — that I have not succumbed to despair. I credit this to God, and because of the amount of time that I have spent on my knees. I have prayed all my life. Yet, I don't recall spending much, if any, time on my knees. Adam changed that.

Before anybody corrects my theology, I know that God worked on me through the Holy Spirit. But, I also believe that he used Adam as part of that process. God has taken this tragic accident and used it for a lot of good. Increasing my faith is just one of many. I believe that my increased faith has come from spending more time on my knees.

Perhaps you have never gotten down on your knees to pray. Maybe you have tried it before, but it's been awhile. Maybe you kneel down to pray, often. Regardless, I invite and encourage you to get on your knees to pray, this evening. You don't need to be worried about somebody seeing you. Follow the advice of scripture:

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

I know that I am not alone. Many have been on their knees since last May. Read the results!

While on your knees, praise God for the miraculous progress that Adam has made in recent weeks, and ask Him to complete the healing that He is working in Adam. Ask God to provide Pat with more energy. And as the centurion did, ask God for a healing. Ask God for Brandon's healing, too. Be sure to thank God for hearing our prayers!

Let's meet in the morning, before we part for another week.

Dinner: Jars of Clay

Jars of Clay
2 Corinthians 4:7-9

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

I find this passage so comforting. First, I agree with most believers that when Paul described ministers as "jars of clay," he was telling the Corinthians (and us), that God was trusting humans who are easily broken (read more about jars of clay) with the treasure of the gospel.

Second, I have felt a bit more fragile, this week. It seems that a lot of stressors have finally caught up to me. The result? For perhaps the first time in my life (when feeling stressed), I am simply thankful. Thankful that I am hard pressed, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair.

I am sure that all of you feel persecuted, struck down, or at least perplexed. If not now, you have previously, and will again. And, to the families of Adam, Pat, and Brandon, you are surely feeling some of these, right now. It goes without saying that Adam, Pat and Brandon are in the midst of these trials. All of us can take heart in the verses above and the song below.



It's dinner time, and this is when my hunger becomes a more constant nagging. But it is also that nagging, that seems to make my prayers more focussed. During the dinner hour, take time to thank God for spending time with you, today. Ask God to provide Adam, Pat, and Brandon with His joy. Ask Him to provide the three of them, and their families, with faith that would not allow them to be abandoned nor destroyed. Ask Him to take away their despair.

Thank God that even though we are jars of clay, He provides us with strength, and uses us to serve His purposes. Ask God that we would never mistake the origin of the gospel minister's power — the Holy Spirit.

We'll meet one more time, tonight.

Song Break: God Makes All Things New

Shadowfeet by Brooke Fraser is one of my new favorite songs. It is my prayer that when it seems the world has fallen out from under you, that you would be found, standing in Christ.

chorus:

when the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing
When the sky rolls up and the mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I'll be found in you

Lunch: Loving Father, Holy God

By Hillary Mortensen

God is love. I discussed this in a post last week.

Do you know, though, do you realize…that God loves you? You have a perfect, loving, forgiving Father who loves you more than you can imagine. He loves you so much, it’s impossible for Him to love you anymore than He already does.

Consider this love letter from God:

When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He begins the prayer with “Our Father….” (See the Lord’s Prayer from Luke 11.) This indicates the sort of loving relationship that is possible with God. We can enjoy a privileged status as God’s adopted children, whereby we are able to talk to Him, receive from Him, and admire Him.

Stop. Reflect on Him to whom you are praying.

Jesus continued His prayer with, “hallowed be Thy name.” Or, as another translation puts it, “may your name be kept holy.” Holy is synonymous with sacred, divine power, clean, set apart, worthy of spiritual respect or devotion, and inspiring awe or reverence. To be aware of God’s holiness is to declare his weightiness. It is to say, “There is none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in might.” (Jeremiah 10:6)

Let’s declare God’s holiness!:

As we pray today and every day, let’s keep this in perspective. We are talking to our loving Father—loving, compassionate, giver of gifts—who also happens to be perfectly holy—set apart, powerful, worthy, and great. We can ask God for healing, comfort, and provision, because as our dad, he wants us to have these things. At the same time, we can (and must!) acknowledge His holiness, might, and power. He is GREAT. He is GOD!…and He chooses to be in relationship with us because of His love for us.

Let’s pray like Jesus: “Father, may your name be kept holy….”

[Note: These thoughts are not my own. First and foremost, Jesus Himself taught His disciples to pray, and we are fortunate to have it recorded in the Bible. Second, I credit my pastor Aron Gibson for reminding me to frame my prayers with a loving father/holy God perspective. His sermon, Prayer: Our Most Famous Words, is available for listening here.]

Check back this afternoon for a post of one of my new favorite songs.

Breakfast: Stuff that Drives Us Crazy

    Might not be what I would choose,
    but this the stuff You use.
    So break me of impatience;
    Conquer my frustrations
    I've got a new appreciation
    It's not the end of the world
    This is the Stuff, Francesca Battistelli



As we begin a new day, we all have "stuff" to "look forward" to. For many of us, that stuff seems so important, overwhelming, depressing, insurmountable, or maybe too slow to happen. All I can feel is that Adam is making progress at warp speed! Thank you, Jesus!

Put yourself in the shoes of Adam's family, Pat and her family, or Brandon and his family. Does the stuff that drives us crazy matter to them? Not much. There are such bigger things to ponder than the stuff that frustrates us each day. Today, don't let that stuff get in the way of quality time with God.

Pray for:

• Adam's continued progress this week.

• A smooth transition as Adam gets new therapists this week (details)

• Don't forget to praise God for Adam's amazing progress — including his ability to say his first prayer in 8½ months!

• Pat told me that she is especially tired, this week. She asked that we pray for an "energy boost" for her.

• I received an email from Christi (Brandon's Mom) indicating that they are still waiting for the results from last Wednesday' spinal tap. Let's pray from peace and comfort for Brandon and his family.

As we pray, let's seek first God's kingdom!

Matthew 6:31-34

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So, let's stop worrying, and start praying.

We'll meet, again, at lunch time.

Eve of Fasting: God is in Your Corner

I know what you may be thinking. You don't have time to set aside for prayer, tomorrow.

"I am so busy. Besides, Adam is getting better. Does he really need my prayers?"

Is that what you are thinking? Although we do unite each week to lift up Adam in prayer, I believe that we all get something out of it, too. I have found that the more frequently and fervently I pray for Adam on Wednesdays, the more my relationship with God is nourished!

    You've got someone in your corner
    Who's gonna be there for you.
    Just fall on your knees,
    Say a prayer and receive
    Pray, CeCe Winans



Join us, tomorrow, in prayer for Adam, Pat, Brandon, and anybody else requiring prayer. You might just find that the more you pray for others, the more fulfilled you will feel! It is a good feeling to have God in your corner!

See you in the morning.