Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

I watched the sun rise and the snow begin Monday morning! Such beauty. As the snowflakes grew in size and began to fall in earnest, I read an update on a "miracle" we have watched unfold on a CaringBridge page of a child who I knew briefly while the family attended our
church.

I compared my desperate prayers for healing for her to my current prayers of utter joy and thanksgiving that things have gone as they have! This child's parents have modeled utter and complete faith, humility, grace and courage in the face of this near-tragedy and continue to do so now through the healing process.

I've decided to spend less time watching election coverage, "news" about the rich and famous behaving badly. It's not about politics. It's not about begrudging anyone money, fame or success. It's about dividing my time, energy, mind and heart. It's about edging out Jesus in exchange for things that have no eternal value or significance. Yes, the election matters and I'm not going to ignore the process. I'm just not going to spend so much time focusing on it (No easy task for this “politics junkie!”)

I've had a wild and crazy--and wonderful past few weeks! I am striving every day to live Christmas into the world. Sometimes I fall far short. Other times I think (hope) I've succeeded. The beauty of God's grace is that - like the snow that now is falling in earnest -- it covers up all the ugly places with beauty, purity and peace.

I rejoice that God's grace pours out to cover me. I thank God that He cares enough to gently nudge me to refocus on Him and His purpose for my life. Most of all I am humbled to be called His child.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you" (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV).

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
(Helen H. Lemmel)



Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Prayer focus for 2012 - do you have one?

I'm not a big New Year's resolution type person. For 2012, though, I have been given a vision of what/how I am to pray throughout the year.

I was trying to avoid saying, "God revealed it to me." That can alienate some people, cause some to roll their eyes, or at a minimum be skeptical. But that's what happened. I was on my way home from work -- so often God get's my attention when I'm in the car - guess it's because I'm sitting in one place and have to stay there!

I heard a Christmas-themed song I have not hear before and I don't even remember the line in the song that sparked this revelation, but there is no doubt about it! I've been struggling with how to get my prayer life back on track - been diligent for the past couple of weeks. But this focus will encourage and compel me to keep at it, and even take things to a new level.

I'm not trying to be mysterious -- well . . . maybe a little. When I've developed the plan a little more concretely, I'll share it. And invite you to join me.

I'll give you a hint for now, though: It's seasonally-themed!

Even if you don't have a theme or plan . . . pray! It's so powerful! And I promise you, you will experience a changed heart. You will see results of your prayers - some very small, but some huge! Just pray.

One of my prayers is that you are blessed this season and bask in the glow of a tiny baby sent to earth 2000 years ago. He came here for you. And for me. God in the flesh. Savior of all mankind. Talk about the world's greatest Christmas gift!

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Pray. That's it: just pray.

I'm known in some circles as a prayer warrior. Admittedly of late I have been remiss in my prayer efforts. I've been pretty focused on me - and my efforts to keep the world spinning on its axis. I've been busy telling God what I need/want/should have. It's a shameful thing to admit, but transparency is essential if we are to minister to others.

I have just felt so overwhelmed lately, and I have been very anxious --about many things. Dictionary.com defines anxious as: full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried. Yep. Anxious.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:5-7 NIV).

To say life can throw you for a loop sometimes is a huge understatement! So many difficult times for so many of my dear friends and family members! I will not share details of any of them, for it is sufficient to say that some in particular have been dealt tragic blows, almost too much to bear.

It is when hardships befall those dearest to me that I find it the most difficult to pray! That seems like an oxymoron, but it's true. And it's true for several reasons. First, I doubt my own power to effect change in God's plan. Then I struggle with what the outcome of my prayers will be and my acceptance of that outcome, regardless of what I prayed for. Will I really be able to thank God for how He chooses to act in the lives of my loved ones?

Also, I don't know what to pray for -- do I ask God for the resolution I want, the one the others want for themselves, or do I truly surrender the outcome of each situation to God's divine plan? I know I really have no choice in the matter! Jesus has told us to pray - not to make a "to do" list for God. He didn't tell us to "help God out" with suggestions - only to pray for His kingdom, for His will.

Of course, the key word in all of this is surrender - I do not like to surrender - at all!! I despise it! I like to be in charge. I want things the way I want them, thank you very much. Of course, very few of us have everything the way we want them in this life. God's promises for perfection don't happen until the next life.

While we're on this earth, though, the Bible assures us, "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:15-16 NIV).

I'm back to praying like a warrior. I know God will be glad - not because He needs me to bring about His will in the world, but because He wants me to need Him - and only Him. He wants to be all-sufficient, all-consuming. When I direct my prayers to Him, he hears them. When He hears them, He answers.

I am assured that His answer will be the right one - even if it's not what I want and hope for. I listen to the words of "Blessings" by Laura Story every day. If you press play, above, you can listen to her sing this beautiful song. Here are some of the lyrics:

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Do not be anxious. Pray. That's it: just pray.

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

Enlarge my territory

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request" (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NIV).

We don't know much about Jabez. We know he was an ancestor of Jesus, that his mother obviously had a difficult labor and painful delivery with him. You think you've got troubles? Imagine having a name that means pain or sorrow maker--that's Jabez.

And yet what does he do? He asks God to bless him! That's what Jabez did! He didn't wallow in self-pity over all the teasing he surely received his whole life over his name. He didn't allow his circumstances to defeat him.

Nope. Rather, he was quite bold, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!" Give me a huge assignment Lord -- a lot to be responsible for! I can do it, because it will have your blessing upon it! Bring it on! With you all things are possible.

How about you? Asked God to enlarge your territory lately? I forget all too often about God's power and His grace! Today I'm asking Him to bring it on--to pour down His blessings upon me! Join me!


Blessings on your journey,
Mary