It is so close to Christmas. Thank You Lord. I cannot wait, for all the billions of reasons. Yes, I am excited to open presents, yes I am excited to have my wife open hers. More than anything I am just excited for the day. NO church that morning, french toast with my wife, stockings to open, time at dads with a play and a white elephant gift!! LOVE IT!! But....Saturday night is where it is at! We are going to do a new tradition Lord and I want it to really catch on! We are going to make Your Son birthday cupcakes and sing happy birthday to Him. I admit, I am feeling silly about the singing part, but oh well...it is worth it! I mean that is the point right? That this is your birthday and the whole reason to celebrate! Your Son brings us hope! We have nothing without Him! Thank You!!
Why am I so on edge? I mean it, as joyful as I am, I am so ready to punch someone hard in the face. I am angry, yes, on edge because of Chris. He refuses to show any grace or understanding. It is about him, what he wants and what he thinks is best. Does he understand that he is losing me? That I want to leave Starting Point ASAP?? I am slowly losing respect for him as a boss and a friend. Even the friendship is one-sided anymore. It comes down to what he wants, when he wants it, even if it means pushing me away. He has breached his contract, asking me to do more hours, to take on more responsibility without extra pay. Yes, I said he is asking me, but what I mean is this: he is demanding me...there is no grace involved, no "I understand how busy your life is and all that you have to do, but do this more because I am telling you to." - Shoot, Lord, I am even told how I am to take my classes and how I am to do go about it. Really? Is he my father? Is he my God? Nope, he has no right, not even under any contract to demand that out me. Seriously, I am done with him.
The problem with that Lord is: I want You to take charge and fix this, and to remind him that he is in the wrong, but really I can only control my part and my heart. Help me!! I do not want to be bitter against him and cause so much dissension and disunity among the church, the staff, etc. What can you teach me right now through this adversity? What part of my life and heart can I grow and mature in through this? Help me stay honest and true to you and your calling through this Lord...that does matter!!
Lord, I also ask now that you watch over Paul's family. It stinks hearing his mom has cancer, expecially terminal. I hate that, cancer sucks! Lord, You know you can heal her, you also know the plans for her and her family. You know what is best for her and the family and I ask that you see it through. Ultimately, even in death, your glory matters and I pray that if she does not have a relationship with you that she comes to know you rather quickly, especially just to have the peace to die knowing you are her God...if she knows you, awesome!! Bring her joy and peace through this!! Look after Paul too, I do not want to see him lose sight of you, to doubt, to hurt and not turn to you. Bring him closer to you (and his bro and sis too).
Thank you for a beautiful night and for listening to me....I feel so amped up, good and bad you know? Thank you for healing my calf, for the give a church banquet raising good money, for my parents, for my mom, for my wife, for having as job, for my health, for my sight and hearing, for my dogs, for my house, our cars, our education, living in America....wow, I can still go on!! Thank you for being our God.
AMEN
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
12/14/11
Today, well today I pray through the blog. Too much going on around me and my mind is getting way too distracted. ADD today stinks! I know that there are about a million things to share with you today Lord.
- A.G. - I want to see this person stick closely to your side. I want to see AG love you, completely, intimately and with such earnest desire to be like Your Son. I want to see AG break free from the sin that is weighing them down. Those chains are around AG right now and their day, their week, has been really tough. I hope to ice cream this week or next with AG and to see them at Cici's and I pray and ask that You will allow this to happen as well as allow us to have an effective and impactful time. Look over AG and love AG so closely. Hold them, comfort AG and bring them back into obedience and faith in Your Word and truth.
- Terry and Scott - how awesome, they have been married over a month! Thank you for their marriage and their role in my life. Lord I love them and I thank you for them. I pray that their marriage will be an incredible one, teaching Tommy and Jake what a true marriage looks like and that they never divorce or quit on each other. I pray the boys have a strong and lasting marriage like Terry and Scott.
- I also ask that You watch over Tara. I would like to see her get a better job, one where she is teaching as a teacher not a TA. It would be a better pay raise for her, especially for all she does. Yes, selfishly, this may open up her position for me too. I do not want to go to H.S. I like M.S., I like East Cary, the teachers here, everything. Plus, it would be a pay raise for me (just no track out). Lord, You do know what's best and I will trust You in that, but please guide me either way. I want whats best for my life (including Miranda and our ministry) but You know what is truly best for me.
- I pray for Katie Nehm and her ministry in the D.R. I hope it is amazing! I want her to have such a Kingdom impact on the people and children she runs into down there. I want to see her do great things for your Kingdom. I pray now for the hearts of the people she will live with and around, that their hearts will be opened and soften for your Son's sake. I want to see them ready to be loved on and ready to be cared for by her and the rest of the missionaries down there. I pray now that their needs will be met physically and mentally. I want to see Katie love them in deed and word.
- Lord, You know we want a baby. I do, a huge desire. I feel like I have slacked in prayer over this. I admit it, I have slacked at it. It seems since Miranda had her period, I quit asking. I do not think it was due to any lack of faith but just the emotions wore off. I feel emotionless about it now, in the sense of not crying or getting so teary-eyed. I do know that I want a baby. I want a healthy baby girl. Maybe it is a lot to ask for, I do not deserve to ask, I do not deserve to ask You about anything. I am a sinner, completely messed up because of sin. However, You do tell me over and over again to have faith and to ask. Here I am, Lord, will you give Miranda and I a baby in the next two years? Will you give me the strength to trust You. Will you help me have faith and to erase the doubts in my mind, even now.
- Thank you for all You are doing in my life and my wife's. I have thoroughly enjoyed our marriage these past few months. I thank You for helping me have confidence in her, to trust her so I can open up and share with her. It is a scary thing to do, but thanks to You, I can and I am. I thank You for her love and for her respect. I thank You for time with her. Forgive me for the times when I leer at other girls, lust over them and to put them ahead of my wife's desires and attentions. Help make me a better husband, one who is more loving and sacrificial for her. I ask that You do the same for my wife. I pray that she continues to love me and to grow in that love. I pray that she will be a forgiving wife, one who will not hold grudges and one who is open with me in her s!!truggles. I pray that Lord she will not be afraid to share with me whats on her heart but give her the discernment on when to. I pray that she stays open and honest with me too.
Lord, I feel like I have a ton more and want to come back to You. This is why I think You are so worthy of worship because we can approach You in Your throne room at any time and any point in our lives. You are so open to us. You share so much with us, Your blessings overpour and Your grace fills us up. Lord, I would be lost without You. Thank You
- A.G. - I want to see this person stick closely to your side. I want to see AG love you, completely, intimately and with such earnest desire to be like Your Son. I want to see AG break free from the sin that is weighing them down. Those chains are around AG right now and their day, their week, has been really tough. I hope to ice cream this week or next with AG and to see them at Cici's and I pray and ask that You will allow this to happen as well as allow us to have an effective and impactful time. Look over AG and love AG so closely. Hold them, comfort AG and bring them back into obedience and faith in Your Word and truth.
- Terry and Scott - how awesome, they have been married over a month! Thank you for their marriage and their role in my life. Lord I love them and I thank you for them. I pray that their marriage will be an incredible one, teaching Tommy and Jake what a true marriage looks like and that they never divorce or quit on each other. I pray the boys have a strong and lasting marriage like Terry and Scott.
- I also ask that You watch over Tara. I would like to see her get a better job, one where she is teaching as a teacher not a TA. It would be a better pay raise for her, especially for all she does. Yes, selfishly, this may open up her position for me too. I do not want to go to H.S. I like M.S., I like East Cary, the teachers here, everything. Plus, it would be a pay raise for me (just no track out). Lord, You do know what's best and I will trust You in that, but please guide me either way. I want whats best for my life (including Miranda and our ministry) but You know what is truly best for me.
- I pray for Katie Nehm and her ministry in the D.R. I hope it is amazing! I want her to have such a Kingdom impact on the people and children she runs into down there. I want to see her do great things for your Kingdom. I pray now for the hearts of the people she will live with and around, that their hearts will be opened and soften for your Son's sake. I want to see them ready to be loved on and ready to be cared for by her and the rest of the missionaries down there. I pray now that their needs will be met physically and mentally. I want to see Katie love them in deed and word.
- Lord, You know we want a baby. I do, a huge desire. I feel like I have slacked in prayer over this. I admit it, I have slacked at it. It seems since Miranda had her period, I quit asking. I do not think it was due to any lack of faith but just the emotions wore off. I feel emotionless about it now, in the sense of not crying or getting so teary-eyed. I do know that I want a baby. I want a healthy baby girl. Maybe it is a lot to ask for, I do not deserve to ask, I do not deserve to ask You about anything. I am a sinner, completely messed up because of sin. However, You do tell me over and over again to have faith and to ask. Here I am, Lord, will you give Miranda and I a baby in the next two years? Will you give me the strength to trust You. Will you help me have faith and to erase the doubts in my mind, even now.
- Thank you for all You are doing in my life and my wife's. I have thoroughly enjoyed our marriage these past few months. I thank You for helping me have confidence in her, to trust her so I can open up and share with her. It is a scary thing to do, but thanks to You, I can and I am. I thank You for her love and for her respect. I thank You for time with her. Forgive me for the times when I leer at other girls, lust over them and to put them ahead of my wife's desires and attentions. Help make me a better husband, one who is more loving and sacrificial for her. I ask that You do the same for my wife. I pray that she continues to love me and to grow in that love. I pray that she will be a forgiving wife, one who will not hold grudges and one who is open with me in her s!!truggles. I pray that Lord she will not be afraid to share with me whats on her heart but give her the discernment on when to. I pray that she stays open and honest with me too.
Lord, I feel like I have a ton more and want to come back to You. This is why I think You are so worthy of worship because we can approach You in Your throne room at any time and any point in our lives. You are so open to us. You share so much with us, Your blessings overpour and Your grace fills us up. Lord, I would be lost without You. Thank You
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
A little Extra
Yes, good morning Lord....today, well it does seem like a little extra prayer is needed...or maybe even more so, typing it out is the best way to stay focused.
I do ask that you watch over Josh Edmonds grandpa and his grandma. He says it is the best example of a Godly marriage in his life and what him and Amy strive to be like.
I do ask that you help the doctors look for what is wrong and that they find it. I pray his procedure goes well and is performed quickly. I want to see him come through this for all the Edmonds sake.
I also thank you for a beautiful day, for feeling much better, though I am sick, my spirit is uplifted and I do not feel as exhausted. Thank you Lord! I am glad that I got some time with my wife last night and got a few minutes this morning with her. I love that girl.
I pray that you will use us in the ministry. I want to be used and I want her to be used. I want us to be used to make an impact for the Kingdom on the lives of the youth and the babies in our church. I want to bring someone to You and closer to You. I want to show someone what Your Son looks like and how Your Son lives and loves. I want my wife to do the same and that we can show and be an example to other young marriages what a marriage should look like and be. I want to enjoy my ministry with my wife and enjoy what I do with her in youth. Make us a couple of great faith, deep conviction strong in Your love and confident of Your promises.
Father, I do ask, please bring us a child of our own within two years. I would love to have a son or daughter of my own to love and hold. I want a child to share in Your glory with. What a celebration it will be!!!
Lord, watch over the High School Youth of our church. I first off add to that and say thank You for letting the Bunch children be at the party last night. I would love to see them at the youth party!! I was glad to start builing some sort of relationship with them. I want to see all of our youth grow in their faith in You, fall deeply in love with You and to chase after You all the days of their lives. I want to help them accomplish that. I want to be a mentor and an influence. I pray that they marry Godly spouses, serve You with joy and raise their children to know You. I ask that Father you help grow our High School ministry, especially in the life groups. I add to this too that Father You will send us a great life group leader for Apex. How awesome would that be to have someone who can and will love on the Apex youth! The harvest is ready, but we need to the workers!! Send them, please Lord!
I love You. I love Your grace and mercy that is so overflowing in my life! I am grateful for Your blessings that overflow and the way You provide. I thank You for teaching me and guiding me and picking me up when I fall. Thank You for helping me learn to trust my wife more and to learn how to be a better husband to her. Thank you for helping my marriage and growing us up!
AMEN
I do ask that you watch over Josh Edmonds grandpa and his grandma. He says it is the best example of a Godly marriage in his life and what him and Amy strive to be like.
I do ask that you help the doctors look for what is wrong and that they find it. I pray his procedure goes well and is performed quickly. I want to see him come through this for all the Edmonds sake.
I also thank you for a beautiful day, for feeling much better, though I am sick, my spirit is uplifted and I do not feel as exhausted. Thank you Lord! I am glad that I got some time with my wife last night and got a few minutes this morning with her. I love that girl.
I pray that you will use us in the ministry. I want to be used and I want her to be used. I want us to be used to make an impact for the Kingdom on the lives of the youth and the babies in our church. I want to bring someone to You and closer to You. I want to show someone what Your Son looks like and how Your Son lives and loves. I want my wife to do the same and that we can show and be an example to other young marriages what a marriage should look like and be. I want to enjoy my ministry with my wife and enjoy what I do with her in youth. Make us a couple of great faith, deep conviction strong in Your love and confident of Your promises.
Father, I do ask, please bring us a child of our own within two years. I would love to have a son or daughter of my own to love and hold. I want a child to share in Your glory with. What a celebration it will be!!!
Lord, watch over the High School Youth of our church. I first off add to that and say thank You for letting the Bunch children be at the party last night. I would love to see them at the youth party!! I was glad to start builing some sort of relationship with them. I want to see all of our youth grow in their faith in You, fall deeply in love with You and to chase after You all the days of their lives. I want to help them accomplish that. I want to be a mentor and an influence. I pray that they marry Godly spouses, serve You with joy and raise their children to know You. I ask that Father you help grow our High School ministry, especially in the life groups. I add to this too that Father You will send us a great life group leader for Apex. How awesome would that be to have someone who can and will love on the Apex youth! The harvest is ready, but we need to the workers!! Send them, please Lord!
I love You. I love Your grace and mercy that is so overflowing in my life! I am grateful for Your blessings that overflow and the way You provide. I thank You for teaching me and guiding me and picking me up when I fall. Thank You for helping me learn to trust my wife more and to learn how to be a better husband to her. Thank you for helping my marriage and growing us up!
AMEN
Friday, December 2, 2011
Fall on my knees
These words come to mind, though right now I take them more as a metaphor for where my heart should be. I am such a sinner. I am so muddy and dirty. I feel like a pig in slop, rolling around in filth, filth that I created. Why do I think I can do what I want and so callously do it. Where is my heart? Is my heart circumcised at all? Of course I would question my security as a believer when I do such awful sinful things. I hide it, I put a mask on and I do what I choose to do. My flesh tricks me. It wants what it craves. It wants what it craves so badly that it will lie to get it.
I could tell in my heart that there is some dark seed, sitting there...I need help Lord. Rescue me from myself, for I am in a dark spot right now. Anger, bitterness, lust (those leering looks) and just plain rebellion is running rampant in my life or so it seems. Maybe I am making a mountain out of a mole hill, maybe...but instead I say, no, sin is sin and it is huge. A little bit of sin in a huge batch of dough corrupts the whole batch. I feel corrupted, oh Lord, do I ever...like this dark side is wanting out or taking over. It's possible I am exaggerating...but honestly this is how I feel without you!
How can I read my Bible, fall in love with Your words, feel compelled to live by them and then turn around and sin. Did I forget who I was? Did I turn away because I think my way is better? If there is any light to this dark, dank tunnel it is this: You. You are bigger than all my sin. You are bigger than the corrupt heart of any sinner. I do not want to taste Your goodness, and then forfeit all it's wonderful goodness and all its taste. I did mess up, yes, I did...my heart says to fall on my knees. It says to repent, to come humbly before you and give over my heart...to surrender and to share that I was so in the wrong....today is a new day...I want peace, I seek Your peace...I believe I know how you are telling me to get it. Lord, I am on my "knees" asking for forgiveness, knowing that You are faithful and just and will wash away my sin!
AMEN
I could tell in my heart that there is some dark seed, sitting there...I need help Lord. Rescue me from myself, for I am in a dark spot right now. Anger, bitterness, lust (those leering looks) and just plain rebellion is running rampant in my life or so it seems. Maybe I am making a mountain out of a mole hill, maybe...but instead I say, no, sin is sin and it is huge. A little bit of sin in a huge batch of dough corrupts the whole batch. I feel corrupted, oh Lord, do I ever...like this dark side is wanting out or taking over. It's possible I am exaggerating...but honestly this is how I feel without you!
How can I read my Bible, fall in love with Your words, feel compelled to live by them and then turn around and sin. Did I forget who I was? Did I turn away because I think my way is better? If there is any light to this dark, dank tunnel it is this: You. You are bigger than all my sin. You are bigger than the corrupt heart of any sinner. I do not want to taste Your goodness, and then forfeit all it's wonderful goodness and all its taste. I did mess up, yes, I did...my heart says to fall on my knees. It says to repent, to come humbly before you and give over my heart...to surrender and to share that I was so in the wrong....today is a new day...I want peace, I seek Your peace...I believe I know how you are telling me to get it. Lord, I am on my "knees" asking for forgiveness, knowing that You are faithful and just and will wash away my sin!
AMEN
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Healing
Father,
I want to be healed and I know my wife does too. It seems so often lately that has been the big topic or talk. So many people have said that we should pray for healing or that they have been praying for healing. Mom and dad want to take Miranda to the Alliance Church for prayer, asking for healing as well. Her healing is much more important than mine. I do ask that Father you heal her, make her much better and for the bleeding to stop. It kills me to see her down and stressed, worrying about all the things that come with this right now. I ask that you do heal her because I know you are capable of it. You healed the blind, lepers, the woman with internal bleeding, the man who had his ear cut off...you raised the dead! I know power is there, even in the Spirit, but we are still told to ask. You tell us to pray and ask you and that when we ask in faith you shall give. Here we are, praying for healing. Will you hear our prayer? Is there something we are missing? If so, write it strong and hard on our hearts (even if it is a sin) so we know how to please you. We do know faith pleases you, so help us remove the doubts from our hearts. Heal us Lord....ultimately, we want to be parents. Without your healing, we can't do that...may You get the glory!
AMEN
I want to be healed and I know my wife does too. It seems so often lately that has been the big topic or talk. So many people have said that we should pray for healing or that they have been praying for healing. Mom and dad want to take Miranda to the Alliance Church for prayer, asking for healing as well. Her healing is much more important than mine. I do ask that Father you heal her, make her much better and for the bleeding to stop. It kills me to see her down and stressed, worrying about all the things that come with this right now. I ask that you do heal her because I know you are capable of it. You healed the blind, lepers, the woman with internal bleeding, the man who had his ear cut off...you raised the dead! I know power is there, even in the Spirit, but we are still told to ask. You tell us to pray and ask you and that when we ask in faith you shall give. Here we are, praying for healing. Will you hear our prayer? Is there something we are missing? If so, write it strong and hard on our hearts (even if it is a sin) so we know how to please you. We do know faith pleases you, so help us remove the doubts from our hearts. Heal us Lord....ultimately, we want to be parents. Without your healing, we can't do that...may You get the glory!
AMEN
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Before the Big Game
Lord,
You are a God who deserves so much. I give You so little and I know that what I give You always isn't the best. Yet You love me. I thank You for helping me clean out the garbage in my own life and showing me all the ways I need to grow, through all the different ways You do it. You, I don't get You, I don't think I ever will. My mind would explode if I did...but that is why You are God and I am not. I am creation, You are Creator and You are a Creator who adores me for the fact that You are Love and You Love Yourself and all Your creations. Where would I be without You?
As Miranda and I talked a few nights back, I think honestly, where would I be without You? You saved me, saved my entire life and gave me purpose. I was lost, scared and searching for what would fill me up. What "filled" me up only left me even more hungrier than before. What I didn't know was that I was craving You. I needed You! I needed You to bring me peace and joy, a purpose and a life and man, Lord, You did!!
I also think back to the fact that I had nothing to do with it. You found ways to bring me to a church, to bring people into my life and to love me as Your Son does. You brought me into Your Kingdom because You are a God who rescues. You are a Savoir in every sense of the word.
Father, I implore You to help me. I need to know how to help lead my wife to victory. I know that it has to be by Your Power but I cannot fathom how to get her, or even myself to that point. I need You, I am desperate for You to give us both victory! You are the only way to victory.
I also ask that You watch over Tay, the kid I gave a ride home to the other day at Quizno's. I don't know if he is a believer or where he is with his walk with You but I pray that You will bring him into Your kingdom and that that small gesture of love can be a big blessing to Him.
Lord, I also ask that You be with Rob and Melissa. It kills me to think they are struggling in their marriage and that Melissa said she doesn't love him. It also kills me to think that Rob is hurting and that Rob is guilty of what she said. I do feel encouraged though that he was honest. God, they both need You and we both know that the only way to save their marriage is the only way to save their souls, and that is by Your Son, His blood, the death on cross - they need YOU!!! Please bring Rob into a close and wonderful relationship with Your Son so that he can lead Melissa to You as well and their children!! Break him and her if You need to, whatever it takes to save their souls and marriage. You are a God who hates divorce and wants us to be holy and to know You. Please!!!
Lord, let tomorrow be amazing at the 9/11 service. I want it to be standing room only!!! How amazing!!! I think that would be incredible!!! Lord, I also ask that tomorrow can be a huge blessing to those who come but that also as believers we can roll out the spiritual and loving red carpet to any new guests!! I want to make sure that we show them how united we are but also how much we want to work in the city of Raleigh in making Jesus famous.
Lord, thank You for my dad. I hate thinking that I have had so many thoughts lately about his death. I don't like it but that is because it scares me. I love my dad. I want to make him proud all the time. I want my dad to be pleased with his son and proud to call him that. I also know that I want my dad to see my first child and to be a blessing to that child. I want my dad to pray over my newborn. I want my dad to be involved with my child's life but it scares me with his age and health. I also don't want my dad to suffer. He is a strong man, stubborn sometimes, and he pushes hard. I am proud he is my dad. I want to be like him as I grow old. I thank You for him and for Marion. I thank You for rescuing my dad and giving me the opportunity, the honor, to baptize my dad! I love him and I love You!
AMEN
You are a God who deserves so much. I give You so little and I know that what I give You always isn't the best. Yet You love me. I thank You for helping me clean out the garbage in my own life and showing me all the ways I need to grow, through all the different ways You do it. You, I don't get You, I don't think I ever will. My mind would explode if I did...but that is why You are God and I am not. I am creation, You are Creator and You are a Creator who adores me for the fact that You are Love and You Love Yourself and all Your creations. Where would I be without You?
As Miranda and I talked a few nights back, I think honestly, where would I be without You? You saved me, saved my entire life and gave me purpose. I was lost, scared and searching for what would fill me up. What "filled" me up only left me even more hungrier than before. What I didn't know was that I was craving You. I needed You! I needed You to bring me peace and joy, a purpose and a life and man, Lord, You did!!
I also think back to the fact that I had nothing to do with it. You found ways to bring me to a church, to bring people into my life and to love me as Your Son does. You brought me into Your Kingdom because You are a God who rescues. You are a Savoir in every sense of the word.
Father, I implore You to help me. I need to know how to help lead my wife to victory. I know that it has to be by Your Power but I cannot fathom how to get her, or even myself to that point. I need You, I am desperate for You to give us both victory! You are the only way to victory.
I also ask that You watch over Tay, the kid I gave a ride home to the other day at Quizno's. I don't know if he is a believer or where he is with his walk with You but I pray that You will bring him into Your kingdom and that that small gesture of love can be a big blessing to Him.
Lord, I also ask that You be with Rob and Melissa. It kills me to think they are struggling in their marriage and that Melissa said she doesn't love him. It also kills me to think that Rob is hurting and that Rob is guilty of what she said. I do feel encouraged though that he was honest. God, they both need You and we both know that the only way to save their marriage is the only way to save their souls, and that is by Your Son, His blood, the death on cross - they need YOU!!! Please bring Rob into a close and wonderful relationship with Your Son so that he can lead Melissa to You as well and their children!! Break him and her if You need to, whatever it takes to save their souls and marriage. You are a God who hates divorce and wants us to be holy and to know You. Please!!!
Lord, let tomorrow be amazing at the 9/11 service. I want it to be standing room only!!! How amazing!!! I think that would be incredible!!! Lord, I also ask that tomorrow can be a huge blessing to those who come but that also as believers we can roll out the spiritual and loving red carpet to any new guests!! I want to make sure that we show them how united we are but also how much we want to work in the city of Raleigh in making Jesus famous.
Lord, thank You for my dad. I hate thinking that I have had so many thoughts lately about his death. I don't like it but that is because it scares me. I love my dad. I want to make him proud all the time. I want my dad to be pleased with his son and proud to call him that. I also know that I want my dad to see my first child and to be a blessing to that child. I want my dad to pray over my newborn. I want my dad to be involved with my child's life but it scares me with his age and health. I also don't want my dad to suffer. He is a strong man, stubborn sometimes, and he pushes hard. I am proud he is my dad. I want to be like him as I grow old. I thank You for him and for Marion. I thank You for rescuing my dad and giving me the opportunity, the honor, to baptize my dad! I love him and I love You!
AMEN
Teaching...
Father,
It astounds me the way you try to teach me. You teach me self-control and how to discipline myself from committing sin by having my wife be honest and brave and admit hers to me. How am I to lead when I am the sinner? How am I to help her when I am stuck in my own sin? You point out what I need to grow out of because I am free and I am yours. You are my master, sin is no longer in control of me. You guide, You push and You love me but I am a man who has a stubborn mind and a hard heart. I do not deserve Your Kingdom. I do know that You Spirit has sealed me for the day of redemption and that thanks to Your Son, I have eternal life, power over death, power to live freely.
I also know that You are a God who wants me to be devoted. Devoted to You, Your Kingdom, Your Son and Your Spirit. As I read Piper's book for class and I get to Chapter 9 about who the Christian man is to be devoted to prayer. Prayer should be the first thing we do every morning and every night before bed. Prayer shouldn't be something we do as we multi-task by driving, walking the dogs, doing dishes, though those are still good times to get in "extra" prayer. Prayer is something so great Piper says (Pretty much what the Bible says too) that it should consume the man to even forgo sleep, food, or the important parts of daily life because prayer is our connection with God. Father I have failed you at that. I do the multi-tasking prayer so much. I know today while I was mowing the lawn, I did that but my prayer was so choppy, skipping around here and there.
I know too that Lord I can get so busy that I forget to spend time in deep prayer. I find excuses, excuses that can be justified by the world, but not by You. I do not want to forgo those times and I beg You to continue to convict me and to push on with me, loving me, but leading me how to be a better, man, husband and pastor to all that I shepherd.
AMEN
It astounds me the way you try to teach me. You teach me self-control and how to discipline myself from committing sin by having my wife be honest and brave and admit hers to me. How am I to lead when I am the sinner? How am I to help her when I am stuck in my own sin? You point out what I need to grow out of because I am free and I am yours. You are my master, sin is no longer in control of me. You guide, You push and You love me but I am a man who has a stubborn mind and a hard heart. I do not deserve Your Kingdom. I do know that You Spirit has sealed me for the day of redemption and that thanks to Your Son, I have eternal life, power over death, power to live freely.
I also know that You are a God who wants me to be devoted. Devoted to You, Your Kingdom, Your Son and Your Spirit. As I read Piper's book for class and I get to Chapter 9 about who the Christian man is to be devoted to prayer. Prayer should be the first thing we do every morning and every night before bed. Prayer shouldn't be something we do as we multi-task by driving, walking the dogs, doing dishes, though those are still good times to get in "extra" prayer. Prayer is something so great Piper says (Pretty much what the Bible says too) that it should consume the man to even forgo sleep, food, or the important parts of daily life because prayer is our connection with God. Father I have failed you at that. I do the multi-tasking prayer so much. I know today while I was mowing the lawn, I did that but my prayer was so choppy, skipping around here and there.
I know too that Lord I can get so busy that I forget to spend time in deep prayer. I find excuses, excuses that can be justified by the world, but not by You. I do not want to forgo those times and I beg You to continue to convict me and to push on with me, loving me, but leading me how to be a better, man, husband and pastor to all that I shepherd.
AMEN
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