Prayer: The Gate

Presents for You

My father used to tell me a story about someone who was new in heaven.  This person was getting a tour and a door was opened to a room filled with beautifully wrapped gifts.  When the person asked their guide about the gifts, the answer was they were hopes and dreams that people had given up just before they were to receive them.  Hold onto your faith.

Most Holy God,  The answers to prayers come in your perfect time. Yet, time seems like a tricky thing for some of us.  We all have hopes, dreams, and desires.  We all want to know there is a reason we are here.  We all want to  believe that the gifts and abilities you have given us can be useful.  We pray for hopes and dreams to be fulfilled.  Amen 

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

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

The flower reminds me of how I must look to the casual observer; a little wind blown, not symmetrical, slightly disorganized and undisciplined.  Never the less, I show up in full bloom with the grace, passion and form that God gave me.

I enjoy the new trends in the personal development blog sites.  Many writers encourage excellence, simplicity, passion in our work and  generosity.  People are sharing lessons learned, helpful hints, and encouragement daily.  That is part of the Kingdom of God.  It is about what we do for each other.  It is often about what we are willing to give of ourselves.

There is an order to the universe.  It may not match our perception of order and achievement, but the events are not all random, and there is a  divine order.  Each experience is a step toward our future and if we choose, can build our strength.  Each lesson learned, however painful, prepares the way for how we deal with future experiences and how we might learn to love to the fullest.

Father God, thank you for the beauty of the day and of the season.  Let us discover the nature of you God, as we lend a helping hand or kind word to others.  Allow us to cross over the barriers of race, religion, occupation, and social status to find our higher purpose and compassion  in serving each other.  Bring your divine order and simplicity to our lives.  Let grace and loving kindness shine from each of us. Let us bring out the best in each other.  Let us be a blessing today. Amen

Today I am so grateful that many American servicemen and women will be coming home from Iraq.  I know some will remain in an advisory capacity, but I want them all to come home.

Holy God, I lift up the men and women who are coming back to the United States after serving in a war with a vague enemy. 

 I would pray also for the souls of all those who perished.  Help those who return to assimilate back into a peace-time country.  Let them find the help they need to adjust to time with family and find peace in their spirits. Let them know they are appreciated and respected.  Amen

After a Colorado storm

Gracious God, help us to find the purpose and hope of our calling.  Work with us and guide our steps.  Amen

Off road testing in Stucksville

Sometimes you feel stuck.  Where is the hope and joy?  How do we make a change where each day is filled with excitement and possibility?

My friend Aaron recently purchased a used jeep.    He was so happy to get this jeep.  Once you have a vehicle capable of going off road, it must be tried out.  The following photo is the result of the off road test.  It had been raining hard at the time of the incident and the soil is expansive clay. I have driven several jeeps over the years and sometimes you go to Stucksville.  Even if you tell yourself you won’t. (more…)

Be without fear in the face of your enemies.

Be brave and upright that God may love thee.

Speak the truth, even if it leads to your death.

Safegard the helpless.

Serve the king.

From the movie “Kingdom of Heaven“, the knight’s oath.

Not a bad oath for any of us to take.  Not a bad prayer.  Side note, my personal theology is that God loves me even when I am not at my best or when I am not brave.  Although it is important to live  each day to do so.

I am fascinated by oaths that people take.  It seems to me that those who figure out what they believe, define their purpose and direction, create an oath or vow and commit to it, are able to change the world and the course of history.  Think Mother Teresa, Martin Luther, John Wesley, or King Leonidas

Most Holy God, let us all find our purpose and make this world a better place. Let us safeguard the helpless, let us be brave and upright always.  Amen