Have you ever practiced Christmas Card Intercession? It's really quite a simple idea: pray for people as you write cards for them. Even if all you do is sign your name and address the envelope. Because everyone needs prayer. Maybe you don't really know what's going with that old friend or distant aunt -- but God does. Maybe you haven't heard from them since last year's Christmas cards. But God sees them every day. He knows their joys and their sorrows. He hears their heart-cries. So pray for them. Pray for their general spiritual welfare: Pray that they would seek Him first, acknowledge Him in everything they do, and trust Him to direct their steps. [...Read More]
Celebrating Christ at Christmas: Spiritual Wish Lists
December 6, 2012 By 3 Comments
*Note: Today I have the honor of guest posting over at The Deliberate Reader. I'm sharing a few of my favorite books for cultivating intimacy with God, as part of Sheila's "Favorite Books" series. Make sure you check it out -- then come back here; it dovetails perfectly with today's post! So far in this series: Observing Advent 2. Spiritual Wish Lists (originally shared 12/13/11) What’s on your Christmas list this year? No, not your own wish list, the other one. You know -- the {long} list of things that your kids want, the {really short} list of ideas from your spouse, the {creative} list of things you’d like to get for your friends or siblings or parents… I’m [...Read More]
Learning from the Prophets
September 27, 2012 By 5 Comments
Right now, I'm in awe over the magnitude of our salvation: where it comes from, how it helps us now, what it gives us in eternity. You see, I'm working on memorizing 1 Peter 1 with the group over at Do Not Depart. And, true to form, as I memorize and internalize God's Word - it changes me. This week we're working on verses 10-11. I actually want to include verse 12 in this post, though. You'll see why in a minute: "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully... It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those [...Read More]
How to Pray for Others (part 2)
September 6, 2012 By 8 Comments
If you missed part 1, go ahead and read it first. Then come back here... People all around us are hurting, and in need. Some people need salvation. Some need direction, or maturity. Some need blessings - or greater awareness of their blessings. Some need comfort or courage or confidence. Everyone has a need, whether we can see it or not. And as Christians, it is our privilege and our responsibility to pray for those needs. After all, if we don't pray for them - who will? Not only that, but as we pray it is our responsibility to focus on their true needs, not just their perceived needs. To pray not just for the physical needs of today, but the spiritual needs that will better prepare [...Read More]
How to Pray for Others (part 1)
September 5, 2012 By 9 Comments
One of the privileges of a Christian is praying for others. We have the sweet responsibility of bearing each others' burdens, by carrying those burdens in our prayers, and casting them before the throne of grace with our own tears and passion. But what exactly are we supposed to be praying for? Consider the prayers of the apostles that have been recorded for us. Hardly ever do we see them praying for material needs. Sure, there's occasional supplication made for safety or good health. But the majority of their prayers focus on spiritual needs. And I think that's where many of us falter. Good health, good jobs, safety and security... these are all good things. And [...Read More]
How to help your friends through hard things.
July 30, 2012 By 8 Comments
Quick note: I've decided to pause the linkup feature for the time being. But I still welcome your comments and questions about your Bible reading! Life is messy. People are hurting - your friends, your family, your coworkers. Your neighbor down the street, or that person who sits in your pew at church. They may be fighting through depression, or anger. They may be fighting uncertainty about the future. One thing is certain: they're fighting with something. It could be an empty bank account. It could be a friend's betrayal. It could be a family torn apart by sinfulness, or a home broken by natural disaster. It could be health problems. It could be loss of work - or loss of [...Read More]
The Art of Sending Cards – and a Giveaway!
January 17, 2012 By 11 Comments
>>> Winner of $20 DaySpring voucher: Claire Beam >>> Winner of 4-pack of cards: Emily Washer Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25 Some of you know that I create my own greeting cards. I love designing birthday wishes, get well prayers, thinking of you notes, and thank you's for my friends and family. I love making it personal to them, tailored to their personalities, age, and stage of life. I usually hand-craft all my cards, but I still keep an eye out for unique commercially made cards. And Peanuts cards, well, those are definitely unique! So when DaySpring announced (via (in)courage) announced their January theme of [...Read More]
Spiritual Wish Lists
December 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
What's on your Christmas list this year? No, not your wish list, the other one. You know, the {long} list of things that your kids want, the {really short} list of ideas from your spouse, the fun list of things you'd like to get for your friends or extended family... I'm guessing they're all things. But things aren't what matters most in their lives. Why do we focus so much on tangible things we can buy or make, that only last a lifetime at most, and quite often only a few years or even months. Why do we spend so much time and energy procuring stuff for the people we really care about? [...Read More]
Missionaries are People Too
August 18, 2011 By 3 Comments
When was the last time you prayed for a missionary, all on your own? Not at church or prayer meeting, or because someone asked you to right then and there, but completely on your own? I think a lot of us neglect to pray for missionaries because we forget one very important thing about them: missionaries are people too. They're not that different from you or me. They have the same flesh, the same spirit, the same Creator and Redeemer. They struggle with the same temptations of worry, frustration, discontent, impatience (etc). They long for [...Read More]
Giving Your Best
July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
"When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts... But you say, 'What a weariness this is,' and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations" (Malachi 1:8, 13-14). Maybe we don't [...Read More]
