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.