Prayer: The Gate

I have been off line for a while.  We are moving from the house we have lived in for 25 years.  There is a lifetime of stuff to de-clutter and pack.  We have maintenance to do to the house.  The place needs a new coat of paint inside and out.  With all the tasks to be accomplished here plus cleaning out, it is a little overwhelming, and a tough job.

This week is the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  Every day the news has interviewed people and attempted to dig into what has not been done.  There is a lot of complaining and finger pointing.  There will always be something that remains unfinished.  If you are waiting for the government or for perfection, you will most always be disappointed.

French traders have been camping near the site of New Orleans since 1690.  The city was founded in 1718.  It changed ownership between the French and the Spanish many times through its history. But the beginning as we know it today was 292 years ago.  New Orleans is nearly 300 years in the making and it was nearly destroyed five years ago.  It was 80% under water. 

To rebuild a 300 year old city is a huge undertaking.  Many want the government to do it.  Many are disappointed the government doesn’t have it done in 5 years.  I think there is much we have expected our government to do, that we should be doing ourselves. 

I saw much media coverage this week that showed both famous and ordinary folks who gave money and time to rebuild.  That is what it is all about!  It is a tough job.  It is overwhelming, but we must start somewhere, one piece at a time and do it.  Roll up our sleeve and dig in to rebuild.

Our neighborhood church is exactly like this.  It has diminished.  The numbers have dwindled.  Someone else must do the work to rebuild our churches.  It is a tough job.  It is overwhelming.  Someone needs to do something about this.  Some say they will return when it is rebuilt!  Some wring their hands in worry.  That is not theologically sound.

We have to roll up our sleeves and do it ourselves.  These are houses of prayer and the place people find grace, love and  redemption through Jesus Christ.  God wants the church strong and thriving.  With prayer, it isn’t as tough and overwhelming a job as you might think!  We can do this.  We cannot wait for someone else to step up and do it for us.  It is our watch, it is our responsibility. 

Who will answer the call to rebuild?  We all need to.

This plan or strategy,  is specifically for a small neighborhood church.  It is grass roots and doesn’t require much of a budget.  I say much, because I think there are a few things you will need to obtain, to let people know about your church and its image.  You will need to prime the pump (so to speak).

I am a speaker, and visit many small churches throughout the year.  I  have been a member of a small church, also a medium size church (which are rare these days), and I have been on staff at a large church. 

There are phrases I hear over and over from church members in my travels.  There are things we speculate, some are right and some are not.  I will elaborate on a couple ideas we need to consider.  The numbered entries are the phrases I hear frequently, and the indented green copy is a result of my thoughts and research on the subject. (more…)

Small community church is on my mind.  What is Community Church? Since the Puritans showed up in America, we have had churches in every community.  As a baby boomer, I remember there was a time when the number of churches in a community outnumbered the bars and tattoo parlors.  Now it is the other way around.

Church was the place where people gathered on Sunday in Worship with music and prayers and gratitude in their hearts.  It is the place we are married and buried and hopefully baptized.  Those are important life events (more…)

Jerusalem photo by Linda & Arta Gjakove

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.  The king ordered the chief of his officials to bring some of the sons of Israel showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding, and discerning knowledge and who had ability for serving in the king’s court. 

Daniel was one of these guys.  In chapter two the king had dreams.  He wanted interpretation. Daniel requested compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery. (The king was going to get an interpretation, or the wise men would die.) 

Verse 19  ”Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.  then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Verse 20 Daniel answered and said “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever.  for wisdom and power belong to Him. Verse 21 And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; he removes kings and establishes kings.  He gives wisdom to the wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.  Verse 22 It is He who reveals profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him. Verse 23 To Thee O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For Thou hast given me wisdom and power; Even now Thou hast made known to me what we requested of Thee;” (he had prayed with three other friends).

God of heaven.  These are uncertain times and have been difficult times for some.  I would ask for compassion from you to hear our prayers.  We all need wisdom and understanding.  We want to walk in your ways.  We want to use our gifts.  We want to be a blessing for our families, friends and co-workers.  Let us find wisdom and strength.  Give us a night vision and show us the way.   Reveal profound and hidden things to us. We may be finding new careers and building new lives and we need vision to see beyond those things of the past that limit us.  We  praise you God from whom all blessings flow.  Amen

Be strong and courageous.  In the New American Standard bible translation; this exact combination of words occurs 13 times between Deuteronomy. Joshua, 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.

I have visited so many of my favorite blogs this week and I can’t tell you how many people are feeling sorry for themselves.  I know it is dark in the northern hemisphere and it is January.  But it is time for the pity parties to stop. So right now, do these 6 things and then go out into the world and shine a light into dark places.

1. Get some direct sunlight
2. Take a walk 
3. Write something in your gratitude journal 
4. Think about the needs of someone else 
5. Decide to be strong and courageous 
6. Read the book of Joshua -

Set your purse down, and Spartan up! That includes both men and women. 

You are a radiant child of God.  You are not some hopeless, powerless, despicable worm in the dirt.  You are a saint.  You are made in the image of the most high God, and the very breath of God fills your spirit.

You were given the authority to heal the sick, and to alleviate human suffering.  You were given free will.  You may choose to live a life of significance!  You may leave this world a better place than it was before you got here! You be strong and courageous! Find your purpose and your joy.

The Old Testament is filled with stories.  Things never turn out well for the whiners and bed wetters.  We are told over and over about the people who were strong in the LORD.  The people who stand on the promises of God.  They stand on their faith and move mountains, and free the oppressed. Dwell upon what is possible.  Make it a great day!

Flickr photo

God, we lift up the people of Haiti, placing them tenderly in your care.  We ask that an end is brought to the suffering.  We ask for strength, wisdom and a spirit of cooperation for them and the relief workers.

Let there be divine order and complete restoration for their lives there.  We ask for miracles of their behalf.

Guide them, keep them, comfort them, prosper them and build up their nation.  Let there be more than enough aid, medical care and supplies to sustain them.  Let the clean up and rebuilding get moving quickly.  Move the hearts of their neighbors to assist in the best possible way. Be with them, and all those who volunteer, donate, and pray for the people of Haiti.  Amen