One of my volleyball and now soccer girls' favorite encouragement to each other to finish drills is, "You got this girls, you can do it." That thought is definitley echoing in my mind tonight about the Holy Spirit, except He's saying, "I got this, I can do it."
This is just one more neat and encouraging blessing God has given me along the way to let me know all of us who have joined together in this journey are headed in the right direction. I often pray for God to greatly burden Tebow's heart to meet my kids, so much so that he is driven to his knees time and again to pray, seeking...begging...pleading...choose a verb...for God to reveal to him what that burden is. I then ask God to reveal to him our request through one of the several letters that have been sent to him or through the blog or through direct revelation or through six degrees of separation on Face Book. This week another good friend here has joined us in praying and we meet each night to pray over this. I had not told her how I pray for God to reveal this to Tebow, nor have I prayed specifically down each avenue God could use to answer this in our prayer time together. Wedensday she asked her Face Book friends if anyone either personally knew Tim Tebow or knew someone who did...you know, a friend of a friend of a friend...six degrees of separation!!!!!! I laughed when I saw that because as I prayed the part about direct revelation and six degrees of separation, I kinda' prayed it tongue in cheek, believing if that's how God wanted to do this He would, but laughing at the thought of God playing Six Degrees of Separation, apparently, God likes that game :)
Something else she told me tonight though once again affirmed the role the Holy Spirit is playing in this. She said she just really felt that someone she knew was somehow going to be connected in some way to Tim Tebow. This is something I've prayed for for weeks and it looks like this could be the way God is going to answer and brought her onboard at just this time to fulfill this.
I now feel like shouting, "You got this God, You can do it"...cause He does, and He can.
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Follow Me As...
I have heard our assistant pastor quote Paul's statement to "follow me as I follow Christ" numerous times over my ten years here. As a teacher in our school, it is his own personal hope that this is what his students will do...follow his faith. I've been thinking a lot about that statement this weekend. As I said, I've heard him say it hundreds of times and have always thought, "wow, what an admirable goal" and left it at that. Last Friday, however, one of my students made a statement in her blog that made this more than a passing statement, it became a reality...some of my students are following my faith, determining to believe because I do.
As I stated in another blog, that scares me. Am I following Christ's will in this, or simply my own. I have gone over this whole journey so many times in my head and in my prayers, asking God to show me anywhere in this journey where I haven't followed after Him. I've pleaded with Him to show any path I have gone down on my own, thus taking my students there as well. Someone has accused me of trying to control God through this prayer and that has made me a little paranoid as well...is this what I'm teaching my students...that as long as we want something badly enough and pray, we can dictate what God will do? Am I following Christ so they can?
Well, He was the One Who burdened my heart with the idea of asking Him for this. He asked me to step out in faith and try Him and with many misgivings, I did. I have encouraged my students to do the same, and they have. He is the One Who impressed upon me that I needed to ask for the Holy Spirit's power in my prayers, to turn myself over completely to Him as I prayed. I did and then encouraged my students to tap into that same power. From their own testimonies, they are learning to do this. When God impressed upon Stephanie to begin UNINTIMIDATED, we did and asked them to pray and seek God's will about joining. They did and all seven have joined and seen God's hand at work (I guess that means Steph, they're following your faith as well). God is the One Who led me to the story of Jarius and his choice to trust even after time had run out. He did this just before time 'ran out' for us. God asked me what I was going to do. With much help from the Holy Spirit, I too choose to trust that God can still work. Again, I've shared this with my students and they too are choosing to follow my lead and keep believing. I even found this weekend, that they've learned encouragement to stay faithful as well. When I had my utter moment of fear that God may not answer, one of my students posted verses dealing with fear and not letting it overtake us on my Face Book page.
My students are learning and it seems I am leading them down right paths in this. I guess though, at the end of the day, it isn't so much me leading them as it is me following Him. If I keep my relationship right with Christ, if I strive to stay in the center of His will in this, I don't have to be afraid when they follow my faith because it will lead them in the right direction.
As I stated in another blog, that scares me. Am I following Christ's will in this, or simply my own. I have gone over this whole journey so many times in my head and in my prayers, asking God to show me anywhere in this journey where I haven't followed after Him. I've pleaded with Him to show any path I have gone down on my own, thus taking my students there as well. Someone has accused me of trying to control God through this prayer and that has made me a little paranoid as well...is this what I'm teaching my students...that as long as we want something badly enough and pray, we can dictate what God will do? Am I following Christ so they can?
Well, He was the One Who burdened my heart with the idea of asking Him for this. He asked me to step out in faith and try Him and with many misgivings, I did. I have encouraged my students to do the same, and they have. He is the One Who impressed upon me that I needed to ask for the Holy Spirit's power in my prayers, to turn myself over completely to Him as I prayed. I did and then encouraged my students to tap into that same power. From their own testimonies, they are learning to do this. When God impressed upon Stephanie to begin UNINTIMIDATED, we did and asked them to pray and seek God's will about joining. They did and all seven have joined and seen God's hand at work (I guess that means Steph, they're following your faith as well). God is the One Who led me to the story of Jarius and his choice to trust even after time had run out. He did this just before time 'ran out' for us. God asked me what I was going to do. With much help from the Holy Spirit, I too choose to trust that God can still work. Again, I've shared this with my students and they too are choosing to follow my lead and keep believing. I even found this weekend, that they've learned encouragement to stay faithful as well. When I had my utter moment of fear that God may not answer, one of my students posted verses dealing with fear and not letting it overtake us on my Face Book page.
My students are learning and it seems I am leading them down right paths in this. I guess though, at the end of the day, it isn't so much me leading them as it is me following Him. If I keep my relationship right with Christ, if I strive to stay in the center of His will in this, I don't have to be afraid when they follow my faith because it will lead them in the right direction.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Last Ditch Efforts?
As Christians we hear all the time that Satan is out to get us. I have taught many kids both in school and Sunday School that as saved people, Satan has lost the battle for our souls so all that is left for him to do is battle us for our relationship with Him. to keep God from doing anything in or through us. There are so many areas of my life that I have had to battle Satan to give God control of my life and this journey of the past three months has been no exception. When Stephanie and I started out three months ago, Satan wasn't too concerned about what we were doing, yet. As we continued faithful and God began to reveal things to us to do and pray, Satan began to get a little worried I think. We both noticed similar struggles in negative attitudes. This was right around the time we began UNINTIMIDATED. God used the circumstances then to lead me to link this blog to Face Book and publicly announce what we had been praying for. God brought Janet Paine into our prayers with us. Satan must not have liked the additional prayer warrior, because the whole Tebow-Manning thing happened and I faced one of the biggest struggles of my life to really surrender to God's will when for the first time, it was so directly opposite of what I wanted. But God came through a few weeks later and let me know my sister had been praying with us since I linked the blog. I think that must have been the time Satan began to really take notice and start fighting through discouragement and physical exhaustion-make her so tired she can't really focus on prayer. Then God brought Jenna to us, someone else to pray with us in the battle.
Now I think Satan must realize he is loosing the battle, because today, he tried a dozen different ways to get me to focus on the wrong things to keep me from praying tonight. I admit (so that you'll pray FOR me, not just WITH me...see sophomores, it really is a prepositional thing) I'M SCARED. Time is running out and while my kids writing on my last post was a tremendous blessing...IT SCARES ME TO DEATH that they are choosing to keep believing because I am. Satan is using that fear. Someone posted a comment on Face Book about this blog's header that was completely judgemental and made out of true ignorance of what this all has been about, someone I once worked with long enough that should have known me better. I allowed this to color my perception of someone else's very positive and "I feel ya'" comment...someone who I also worked with and whom I should have known better to judge that way, one whom I hope will still continue to comment because it is nice to know I'm not the only one who goes through this. Satan was most definitely trying to cause division, because the second person is someone who prays with me very diligently about this. We are solid enough friends that we survive the dumb stuff we do...so Satan didn't win that victory, so he tried again. A second comment was posted about one of the blogs and Satan used the words in it to rile me up...and I admit, for a little while it did.
Then, as I began to prepare for my prayer time, the Holy Spirit (love when He comes so gently and softly) pointed out to me that all of this was from Satan. That the person who made the comment that started out my day wasn't the enemy. That her comment and response were made from a lack of understanding. She wasn't the problem, nor were her words...Satan was the problem. I was looking at the wrong things as the source, fighting the wrong enemy.
It seems to me, Satan sees the determination to persist despite the obstacles, discouragement and now fear that he has continuously thrown in our way and is now making these last ditch efforts to keep God from being able to fulfill His promise...little does Satan know, God has got some of the most stubborn people I know praying for this. Amen and amen.
Now I think Satan must realize he is loosing the battle, because today, he tried a dozen different ways to get me to focus on the wrong things to keep me from praying tonight. I admit (so that you'll pray FOR me, not just WITH me...see sophomores, it really is a prepositional thing) I'M SCARED. Time is running out and while my kids writing on my last post was a tremendous blessing...IT SCARES ME TO DEATH that they are choosing to keep believing because I am. Satan is using that fear. Someone posted a comment on Face Book about this blog's header that was completely judgemental and made out of true ignorance of what this all has been about, someone I once worked with long enough that should have known me better. I allowed this to color my perception of someone else's very positive and "I feel ya'" comment...someone who I also worked with and whom I should have known better to judge that way, one whom I hope will still continue to comment because it is nice to know I'm not the only one who goes through this. Satan was most definitely trying to cause division, because the second person is someone who prays with me very diligently about this. We are solid enough friends that we survive the dumb stuff we do...so Satan didn't win that victory, so he tried again. A second comment was posted about one of the blogs and Satan used the words in it to rile me up...and I admit, for a little while it did.
Then, as I began to prepare for my prayer time, the Holy Spirit (love when He comes so gently and softly) pointed out to me that all of this was from Satan. That the person who made the comment that started out my day wasn't the enemy. That her comment and response were made from a lack of understanding. She wasn't the problem, nor were her words...Satan was the problem. I was looking at the wrong things as the source, fighting the wrong enemy.
It seems to me, Satan sees the determination to persist despite the obstacles, discouragement and now fear that he has continuously thrown in our way and is now making these last ditch efforts to keep God from being able to fulfill His promise...little does Satan know, God has got some of the most stubborn people I know praying for this. Amen and amen.
Friday, April 20, 2012
In Their Own Words
I know that many of you who read these blogs have been faithfully praying for my sophomores and for God to fulfill His promise for them to meet Tebow. It has been a tremendous blessing and encouragement to me each time one of you has let me know that you have been praying for us...thank you so very much. It occurred to me today, though, that I am not alone in this journey of deepening my faith and realizing the power of prayer...I have seven sophomores who have joined me daily in this journey and I thought that in this blog, you'd like to hear what God has been teaching them about commitment and prayer over the past few months. I hope they are just as much of an encouragement and joy to you as they have been to me...so here are some of them.
Hi, my name is Isabel and I am in Miss McGuire's homeroom class. I have decided to join in the Unintimidated prayer. Miss McGuire told us to pray about it first before we decided to do it. I prayed about it for a couple of days as Miss McGuire gave us devotions on what we are committing to if we decide to do it. I felt God wanted me to challenge myself on being a prayer warrior. I was scared at first because I haven't been doing my devotions and I haven't been keeping up on my prayer life, but I decided to join the Unintimidated prayer! Ever since I started being a prayer warrior, I have been doing my devotions and praying almost everyday! The Bible says it is better to not make a vow than to make a vow and not do it. This really helped me to keep on praying for Tim Tebow and it helped me do my devotions! When Miss McGuire told us that we ARE going to meet Tim Tebow, our class was ecstatic! This made the prayer even more real! Everyday before lunch, our class comes together and prays for Tim Tebow together. This has definitely brought our class closer. I feel our class has grown a lot spiritually over the past months because of this prayer. My relationship with God is growing more and more each and everyday! In the beginning of the year, I started praying to God that our class would grow spiritually, and he has definitely answered it! God answers prayers!
Aloha, my name is Natalie Allen . I am in Miss McGuire's homeroom class,and it has been a joy. When Miss McGuire first told us about praying for Tebow and becoming prayer warriors I knew I wanted to do it. She said by going into this, it would definitely help us grow closer to God. That's what I wanted, that's what I needed. Throughout this prayer, it definitely has drawn me closer to the Lord. I have learned how to make my prayers really mean something and put my whole heart into them . Also, it brought our whole class allot closer and showed us God's power. One of the things that keeps me believing we truly our going to meet Tim Tebow is Miss McGuire's faith. Without her this whole prayer never would have started and the fact that she hasn't given up and knows we're going to meet him just makes me want to pray more. I'm so thankful for the people who read these blogs and pray with us . It's encouraging to know were not alone in this. I'm excited to meet Tim Tebow ! (:
Hi, my name is Jefferson Henry and I am also in Miss McGuire's homeroom class. A year ago at a Christian teen camp, I decided that I was going to be a prayer warrior. To be honest with you, I had been doing a horrible job at that. When Miss McGuire presented us with the idea of praying for Tim Tebow, I was a big Tebow fan. Not only that, but I thought this would be a great opportunity to start being a prayer warrior again. Since we started, our class has come closer together spiritually, and in our daily lives as friends. It's amazing how much easier it is to serve God when you have friends and a teacher that will keep you accountable. Miss McGuire has helped to encourage us when prayer gets hard, and you begin to get discouraged. I believe that Tim Tebow is really being influenced by our prayers and that we will someday get to meet him. This Unntimidated has taught me that God doesn't always give you what you want when you want it. Sometimes it requires patience, and sometimes He just wants to test our faith in Him. Through this prayer my life has changed spiritually. I have increased in faith, and surprisingly my patience. Meeting Tim Tebow is just going to be the icing on the cake:)
Hey!!!!!!!My name is Jamie and I am in the Unitmdated! God has shown a lot and has given me more faith since I have started. God has shown me verses in the Bible that have helped me increase my trust in him and assure me that He will answer our prayers about Tim Tebow coming to see us. Sometimes I will just open my Bible and will find verses about prayer and how God will answer in His good timing.Unintimidated has also given me a role model. Tim Tebow is someone I can look to as an open Christian in the world around him. When God answers our prayers and we get to meet him it will be so amazing to see God answer our prayers. Then after it is answered I will thank God for working in my life through this. I thank God that this opportunity has come into my life. (I underlined,bolded ,and italicized this because I can!!!!!!!!!)
For those of you who pray for these kids and this request, I hope this has been a blessing and encouragement to you, God is indeed working in their lives through this prayer.
*yes, as you may have noticed, they are a special lot, but I love them dearly and am so excited to see how God is going to use this prayer to build them into warriors for Him.
Hi, my name is Isabel and I am in Miss McGuire's homeroom class. I have decided to join in the Unintimidated prayer. Miss McGuire told us to pray about it first before we decided to do it. I prayed about it for a couple of days as Miss McGuire gave us devotions on what we are committing to if we decide to do it. I felt God wanted me to challenge myself on being a prayer warrior. I was scared at first because I haven't been doing my devotions and I haven't been keeping up on my prayer life, but I decided to join the Unintimidated prayer! Ever since I started being a prayer warrior, I have been doing my devotions and praying almost everyday! The Bible says it is better to not make a vow than to make a vow and not do it. This really helped me to keep on praying for Tim Tebow and it helped me do my devotions! When Miss McGuire told us that we ARE going to meet Tim Tebow, our class was ecstatic! This made the prayer even more real! Everyday before lunch, our class comes together and prays for Tim Tebow together. This has definitely brought our class closer. I feel our class has grown a lot spiritually over the past months because of this prayer. My relationship with God is growing more and more each and everyday! In the beginning of the year, I started praying to God that our class would grow spiritually, and he has definitely answered it! God answers prayers!
Aloha, my name is Natalie Allen . I am in Miss McGuire's homeroom class,and it has been a joy. When Miss McGuire first told us about praying for Tebow and becoming prayer warriors I knew I wanted to do it. She said by going into this, it would definitely help us grow closer to God. That's what I wanted, that's what I needed. Throughout this prayer, it definitely has drawn me closer to the Lord. I have learned how to make my prayers really mean something and put my whole heart into them . Also, it brought our whole class allot closer and showed us God's power. One of the things that keeps me believing we truly our going to meet Tim Tebow is Miss McGuire's faith. Without her this whole prayer never would have started and the fact that she hasn't given up and knows we're going to meet him just makes me want to pray more. I'm so thankful for the people who read these blogs and pray with us . It's encouraging to know were not alone in this. I'm excited to meet Tim Tebow ! (:
Hi, my name is Jefferson Henry and I am also in Miss McGuire's homeroom class. A year ago at a Christian teen camp, I decided that I was going to be a prayer warrior. To be honest with you, I had been doing a horrible job at that. When Miss McGuire presented us with the idea of praying for Tim Tebow, I was a big Tebow fan. Not only that, but I thought this would be a great opportunity to start being a prayer warrior again. Since we started, our class has come closer together spiritually, and in our daily lives as friends. It's amazing how much easier it is to serve God when you have friends and a teacher that will keep you accountable. Miss McGuire has helped to encourage us when prayer gets hard, and you begin to get discouraged. I believe that Tim Tebow is really being influenced by our prayers and that we will someday get to meet him. This Unntimidated has taught me that God doesn't always give you what you want when you want it. Sometimes it requires patience, and sometimes He just wants to test our faith in Him. Through this prayer my life has changed spiritually. I have increased in faith, and surprisingly my patience. Meeting Tim Tebow is just going to be the icing on the cake:)
Hey!!!!!!!My name is Jamie and I am in the Unitmdated! God has shown a lot and has given me more faith since I have started. God has shown me verses in the Bible that have helped me increase my trust in him and assure me that He will answer our prayers about Tim Tebow coming to see us. Sometimes I will just open my Bible and will find verses about prayer and how God will answer in His good timing.Unintimidated has also given me a role model. Tim Tebow is someone I can look to as an open Christian in the world around him. When God answers our prayers and we get to meet him it will be so amazing to see God answer our prayers. Then after it is answered I will thank God for working in my life through this. I thank God that this opportunity has come into my life. (I underlined,bolded ,and italicized this because I can!!!!!!!!!)
For those of you who pray for these kids and this request, I hope this has been a blessing and encouragement to you, God is indeed working in their lives through this prayer.
*yes, as you may have noticed, they are a special lot, but I love them dearly and am so excited to see how God is going to use this prayer to build them into warriors for Him.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
One Day vs An Eternity
Last night started off as one of those nights I had no idea what to pray, it felt like there was no substance to my prayer. It felt like every thing I offered up was just an empty repetition of things I have prayed for a thousand times in this journey. That's probably because they were, at first. In frustration, I finally told God I didn't know what to pray anymore, it felt like He wasn't really listening anyway so why should I keep praying? I asked Him to give me reasons why I should keep praying. So He did.
He reminded that while Jesus didn't give the Pharisees a sign because they wouldn't believe, He did give one to those who would. This led me into thinking how meeting Tebow would be a help to my kids spiritually. God showed me that He wants to accomplish so much more through this prayer than just a meeting with Tim Tebow. There are things God wants my kids to learn by Him fulfilling this request. When my kids meet Tebow, it will be for a few hours most likely, a day at most. While that will be an amazing thing for them, they won't spend every day of the rest of their lives with him. This particular blessing will be for a short time only. They will, hopefully, however, spend the rest of their lives with God and the things they've learned will prayerfully stay with them for a lifetime. The things He can accomplish in their lives by bringing Tebow to Hawaii are endless. I know that one of my students, in a letter, asked Tebow to pray about giving to our building fund. If a donation from Tebow or even just his visiting will help this teen learn the value of putting his money where God is at work, then I pray, if for no other reason, God brings Tebow to Hawaii. Another of my students asked him in a letter to consider visiting our teens going on a missions trip this summer. She thought it would be such an encouragement to hear Tebow challenge them in the area of missions. If his visit will help her to understand the value of world-wide missions, of supporting missionaries or maybe even surrender to the mission field herself, then I pray for her sake, God will bring Tebow to Hawaii. I know others have spiritual needs as well, that there are things that will help them make a fully committed decision for Christ when they actually see God pull this off, it is for their spiritual sakes, I pray God brings Tebow here.
I think I finally really understood last night that this whole journey has not only been about proving me, it has been about producing fruit in the lives of my students that will remain with them long after they've met Tebow; that the things God shows them and teaches them through meeting Tebow will have the profound impact in their lives HE wants it to.
He reminded that while Jesus didn't give the Pharisees a sign because they wouldn't believe, He did give one to those who would. This led me into thinking how meeting Tebow would be a help to my kids spiritually. God showed me that He wants to accomplish so much more through this prayer than just a meeting with Tim Tebow. There are things God wants my kids to learn by Him fulfilling this request. When my kids meet Tebow, it will be for a few hours most likely, a day at most. While that will be an amazing thing for them, they won't spend every day of the rest of their lives with him. This particular blessing will be for a short time only. They will, hopefully, however, spend the rest of their lives with God and the things they've learned will prayerfully stay with them for a lifetime. The things He can accomplish in their lives by bringing Tebow to Hawaii are endless. I know that one of my students, in a letter, asked Tebow to pray about giving to our building fund. If a donation from Tebow or even just his visiting will help this teen learn the value of putting his money where God is at work, then I pray, if for no other reason, God brings Tebow to Hawaii. Another of my students asked him in a letter to consider visiting our teens going on a missions trip this summer. She thought it would be such an encouragement to hear Tebow challenge them in the area of missions. If his visit will help her to understand the value of world-wide missions, of supporting missionaries or maybe even surrender to the mission field herself, then I pray for her sake, God will bring Tebow to Hawaii. I know others have spiritual needs as well, that there are things that will help them make a fully committed decision for Christ when they actually see God pull this off, it is for their spiritual sakes, I pray God brings Tebow here.
I think I finally really understood last night that this whole journey has not only been about proving me, it has been about producing fruit in the lives of my students that will remain with them long after they've met Tebow; that the things God shows them and teaches them through meeting Tebow will have the profound impact in their lives HE wants it to.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
A Lesson From the Pharisees
In my Bible study time I have been reading through the Gospels. The Pharisees are really a unique group. Do you ever suppose Jesus had to take a moment when He saw them coming? Or was He ever tempted to just turn and walk the other way to avoid them? I would have. I'm glad Jesus didn't though, that He met them head on, because much can be learned from them about having an outward show of faith, but no inner substance.
This group once asked Jesus for a sign that He really was God's Son...like the hundreds of miracles He'd already performed weren't proof enough. Jesus denied them this miracle as proof when He had granted one to so many others. Why? The Pharisees weren't really interested in a sign, they just wanted to see the miracle. Jesus told them He wouldn't give them a sign because it wouldn't make a difference, they weren't going to believe if He performed a million miracles on the spot. The miracles He did grant were to people who were going to believe as a result of what He did.
I've been thinking a lot lately about why it is so important to me that God answer this request. You may have noticed I recently added a new page link to this blog giving the plan of salvation. That was because as I was praying last night, God showed me all the unsaved people I am friends with on Face Book. These people are mostly former classmates of mine, but several of them are former students, both here and in Chicago. I don't know how many of them actually read these blogs, but God impressed upon me that He could use this blog as a means of getting the plan of salvation to them. Tonight as I was praying, God brought to mind the story I mentioned earlier of the Pharisees. God bringing Tebow here to Hawaii could be the sign some of those people need to see that God really does work. I know these people. Several sat with me in church as teen-agers; many others have sat through numerous Bible classes and chapels, they've all been taught God is all-powerful, but have they seen it, will it help even one of them to believe? Then that adds just one more VERY important reason for God to answer.
I then thought of some of the friends I have on Face Book who are saved, but far from God. If they too are reading any of these blogs, could a visit from Tebow help them to remember the God they once served? If my answer will restore even one of them, please, God, bring Tebow.
Last, I thought of friends who are saved and in a faithful relationship with God, who read these blogs and think to themselves it would be nice if God answered, but it's not very likely. There is so much power in prayer, more than I have ever realized in my life, and if God bringing Tebow to Hawaii would allow them to marvel at it; if it would challenge them to take on their own prayer journey, then God, please, use my answer to encourage them.
If even one person finds a Savior in Christ, if just one person is restored in their relationship with God, if even one person is shown just how powerful God is when we pray, it will have been worth all the tears, frustrations, lessons and joys that have gone into this amazing journey.
This group once asked Jesus for a sign that He really was God's Son...like the hundreds of miracles He'd already performed weren't proof enough. Jesus denied them this miracle as proof when He had granted one to so many others. Why? The Pharisees weren't really interested in a sign, they just wanted to see the miracle. Jesus told them He wouldn't give them a sign because it wouldn't make a difference, they weren't going to believe if He performed a million miracles on the spot. The miracles He did grant were to people who were going to believe as a result of what He did.
I've been thinking a lot lately about why it is so important to me that God answer this request. You may have noticed I recently added a new page link to this blog giving the plan of salvation. That was because as I was praying last night, God showed me all the unsaved people I am friends with on Face Book. These people are mostly former classmates of mine, but several of them are former students, both here and in Chicago. I don't know how many of them actually read these blogs, but God impressed upon me that He could use this blog as a means of getting the plan of salvation to them. Tonight as I was praying, God brought to mind the story I mentioned earlier of the Pharisees. God bringing Tebow here to Hawaii could be the sign some of those people need to see that God really does work. I know these people. Several sat with me in church as teen-agers; many others have sat through numerous Bible classes and chapels, they've all been taught God is all-powerful, but have they seen it, will it help even one of them to believe? Then that adds just one more VERY important reason for God to answer.
I then thought of some of the friends I have on Face Book who are saved, but far from God. If they too are reading any of these blogs, could a visit from Tebow help them to remember the God they once served? If my answer will restore even one of them, please, God, bring Tebow.
Last, I thought of friends who are saved and in a faithful relationship with God, who read these blogs and think to themselves it would be nice if God answered, but it's not very likely. There is so much power in prayer, more than I have ever realized in my life, and if God bringing Tebow to Hawaii would allow them to marvel at it; if it would challenge them to take on their own prayer journey, then God, please, use my answer to encourage them.
If even one person finds a Savior in Christ, if just one person is restored in their relationship with God, if even one person is shown just how powerful God is when we pray, it will have been worth all the tears, frustrations, lessons and joys that have gone into this amazing journey.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Right Insight, Wrong Time...
So, I think I jumped the gun a little on the whole Jarius thing. The principle remains the same, God can work in any circumstance, no matter if we feel time has run out and as I read the news yesterday, it seems time has certainly run out...off-season training for the NFL began yesterday, and according to the article I read, Tebow was there bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager to start his new career with the Jets.
Given how I've reacted in the past to things not going my way, you probably think I have battled with discouragement and frustration, disappointment even. Honestly though I haven't. There are two reason for that. The less spiritual reason (although, I'm not convinced God didn't time this) is because I am not feeling well and just haven't really processed the whole impact of what this means. That notwithstanding, I'm not battling disappointment or frustration more due to the fact that God did show me a few days ago through the story of Jarius that He can and still will work when, humanly speaking, time has run out.
What keeps going through my head even now as I am writing this, is the fact that Jesus allowed Himself to be delayed, first by the massive crowds and second by a woman who was in desperate need of healing. Those delays must have been agonizing for Jarius...something I can relate to. Jesus knew what needed to happen in order to build Jarius' faith and glorify His Father and simply healing a ill daughter wasn't going to accomplish it. The delays had to happen for God's timing to be perfect. God could have answered my request at any time. I am thankful in many respects He hasn't. One reason I am particularly grateful in this moment for concerns a request I have made often. My flesh often fights hard for recognition and credit in this prayer. My sin nature, while okay with God getting credit, still wants to be noticed. I pray with diligence that everything that will bring God credit and glory will be accomplished in this request and that nothing that I can take credit for will be granted. My flesh grumbles a lot about that and some days it is much harder than others to allow the Spirit to crucify it. From day one, I have realized that God has to move in a mighty way to fulfill this request. As time has gone by, I have realized more and more the need for the hand of God to work to bring about a fulfillment. With the NFL off-season starting, Tebow's time will be dictated almost entirely by the Jets, leaving him little if any time for a visit to Hawaii. A week ago, I would have despaired and fretted and begged and pleaded with God. I would have questioned why He waited until it was too late to answer. A week ago, however, I hadn't re-read about Jarius and learned all that God showed me. The delays were necessary. They have put this prayer into a place that will bring God tremendous glory, because as of now, He is the ONLY one who can work out Tebow's schedule and bring him to Hawaii.
Jesus told Jarius He would heal His daughter and despite timing 'issues', He did. God has promised my kids will meet Tebow before their school year ends and despite our timing 'issues' He will.
Given how I've reacted in the past to things not going my way, you probably think I have battled with discouragement and frustration, disappointment even. Honestly though I haven't. There are two reason for that. The less spiritual reason (although, I'm not convinced God didn't time this) is because I am not feeling well and just haven't really processed the whole impact of what this means. That notwithstanding, I'm not battling disappointment or frustration more due to the fact that God did show me a few days ago through the story of Jarius that He can and still will work when, humanly speaking, time has run out.
What keeps going through my head even now as I am writing this, is the fact that Jesus allowed Himself to be delayed, first by the massive crowds and second by a woman who was in desperate need of healing. Those delays must have been agonizing for Jarius...something I can relate to. Jesus knew what needed to happen in order to build Jarius' faith and glorify His Father and simply healing a ill daughter wasn't going to accomplish it. The delays had to happen for God's timing to be perfect. God could have answered my request at any time. I am thankful in many respects He hasn't. One reason I am particularly grateful in this moment for concerns a request I have made often. My flesh often fights hard for recognition and credit in this prayer. My sin nature, while okay with God getting credit, still wants to be noticed. I pray with diligence that everything that will bring God credit and glory will be accomplished in this request and that nothing that I can take credit for will be granted. My flesh grumbles a lot about that and some days it is much harder than others to allow the Spirit to crucify it. From day one, I have realized that God has to move in a mighty way to fulfill this request. As time has gone by, I have realized more and more the need for the hand of God to work to bring about a fulfillment. With the NFL off-season starting, Tebow's time will be dictated almost entirely by the Jets, leaving him little if any time for a visit to Hawaii. A week ago, I would have despaired and fretted and begged and pleaded with God. I would have questioned why He waited until it was too late to answer. A week ago, however, I hadn't re-read about Jarius and learned all that God showed me. The delays were necessary. They have put this prayer into a place that will bring God tremendous glory, because as of now, He is the ONLY one who can work out Tebow's schedule and bring him to Hawaii.
Jesus told Jarius He would heal His daughter and despite timing 'issues', He did. God has promised my kids will meet Tebow before their school year ends and despite our timing 'issues' He will.
"Fear not, only believe"
Friday, April 13, 2012
Importunity
I would love to take credit for the following insights into the parable Jesus told of the friend, who, for his much importunity, was given the loaves of bread...but I can't. These insights were given in the study portion of my Bible.
I was reading in Luke 11 this morning...a chapter packed with all kinds of really good things by the way..about the man who had unexpected company in the middle of the night. Obviously this man wasn't from the South because he wasn't expecting company and had nothing to offer his weary traveller. He ran next door to ask for bread from his neighbor. As he stood banging on the door and calling out, he was told to go away. He told his neighbor he would be a bad host if he didn't offer refreshment to his unexpected guest. His neighbor replied that he and his entire family were in bed already and would he please go away. The man continued banging on the door and shouting about his desperate need of bread. The neighbor, finally tired of the noise and banging, realized the man wasn't going to go away and got up and gave him what he wanted. Jesus said the man got his bread for his importunity.
All my life, I've been taught that Jesus is teaching persistence in prayer in this parable...and He is, but until today, I've never really considered what that truly means. It's something I've always thought just meant to keep praying for the same thing, but my study Bible offered some new things to consider...all things I see evidence of in my prayer journey. First, persistence in prayer is NOT about me changing God's mind. Persistence is giving God time to change MY mind; to get me to come 'round to His side of things. It's about me getting to know the heart and mind of God and learning to desire those same things too. Second, persistence is NOT me convincing God of how great my need for Him to answer is, but a time for ME to realize how important His answering it really is. You need time to examine the reasons behind your request and determine just how important it is for God to answer. Third, and last, persistence is NOT me getting an answer and going on my merry way, but an opportunity to look back over the prayer and learn to recognize all the ways God's hand has been on the request and the ways He works. Those things are not always immediately recognizable and it may take some time to see God's work.
As I thought back over the nearly three months of this prayer, I most definitely see all the ways God changed what I wanted to happen in this request. Tebow isn't a Bronco, the kids will not get to go to Denver to meet him, I now pray this request will be as big a blessing in Tebow's life as it has been in my life and the life of my students. I thought the greatest blessing of this request would be the kids actually meeting Tebow, and it isn't; their strides in learning to become genuine prayer warriors is by far the greatest blessing in this whole thing...and these are just a few ways God has changed my thinking.
I have come to realize just how important it is that God answer this so that my kids see the God of their Bible come to life in a concrete way in their lives. Our school needs a memorial to the impossible things God will do when we pray in faith. I've told my kids, based on His Word, God is going to answer this...He HAS to answer.
As far as being able to see all the ways God has worked, I refer you to my last post, "Thankful God HASN'T Answered Yet?!" So many things God has done that I did not see as His work at the time, but as I continued faithful in prayer, God revealed.
Importunity took on a whole new meaning today and will definitely change my thinking about why I need to be importunate in my prayers.
I was reading in Luke 11 this morning...a chapter packed with all kinds of really good things by the way..about the man who had unexpected company in the middle of the night. Obviously this man wasn't from the South because he wasn't expecting company and had nothing to offer his weary traveller. He ran next door to ask for bread from his neighbor. As he stood banging on the door and calling out, he was told to go away. He told his neighbor he would be a bad host if he didn't offer refreshment to his unexpected guest. His neighbor replied that he and his entire family were in bed already and would he please go away. The man continued banging on the door and shouting about his desperate need of bread. The neighbor, finally tired of the noise and banging, realized the man wasn't going to go away and got up and gave him what he wanted. Jesus said the man got his bread for his importunity.
All my life, I've been taught that Jesus is teaching persistence in prayer in this parable...and He is, but until today, I've never really considered what that truly means. It's something I've always thought just meant to keep praying for the same thing, but my study Bible offered some new things to consider...all things I see evidence of in my prayer journey. First, persistence in prayer is NOT about me changing God's mind. Persistence is giving God time to change MY mind; to get me to come 'round to His side of things. It's about me getting to know the heart and mind of God and learning to desire those same things too. Second, persistence is NOT me convincing God of how great my need for Him to answer is, but a time for ME to realize how important His answering it really is. You need time to examine the reasons behind your request and determine just how important it is for God to answer. Third, and last, persistence is NOT me getting an answer and going on my merry way, but an opportunity to look back over the prayer and learn to recognize all the ways God's hand has been on the request and the ways He works. Those things are not always immediately recognizable and it may take some time to see God's work.
As I thought back over the nearly three months of this prayer, I most definitely see all the ways God changed what I wanted to happen in this request. Tebow isn't a Bronco, the kids will not get to go to Denver to meet him, I now pray this request will be as big a blessing in Tebow's life as it has been in my life and the life of my students. I thought the greatest blessing of this request would be the kids actually meeting Tebow, and it isn't; their strides in learning to become genuine prayer warriors is by far the greatest blessing in this whole thing...and these are just a few ways God has changed my thinking.
I have come to realize just how important it is that God answer this so that my kids see the God of their Bible come to life in a concrete way in their lives. Our school needs a memorial to the impossible things God will do when we pray in faith. I've told my kids, based on His Word, God is going to answer this...He HAS to answer.
As far as being able to see all the ways God has worked, I refer you to my last post, "Thankful God HASN'T Answered Yet?!" So many things God has done that I did not see as His work at the time, but as I continued faithful in prayer, God revealed.
Importunity took on a whole new meaning today and will definitely change my thinking about why I need to be importunate in my prayers.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Thankful God HASN'T Answered Yet?!
Yes, you read the title correctly...
Last night as I was praying for this request, asking God once again to please hurry with an answer to it, God once again started bringing to mind all the things that I have learned over this past 3 months and all the things He has done. It occurred to me that had God answered this prayer before last night, there are so many things I would have missed out on.
If God had answered this back in January, I wouldn't have learned first hand that faith is a choice we make every day, not an emotion we experience.
Had He answered it in February, I wouldn' have learned the challenge of praying for something having no idea as to what it was. This blog also would not have been started.
Had He answered in March, I would not have learned the painful lesson of truly submitting to God's will when it was so opposite of mine. I would not have learned the value in and the power of praying through the Holy Spirit. I wouldn't have learned to recognize the very real difference between the voice of the Holy Spirit and that of Satan disguising himself as the Holy Spirit. I would not have experienced what I believe to be the greatest blessing to come out of this journey yet...UNINTIMIDATED and seeing my students take this initial step in covenant praying and becoming genuine prayer warriors. I wouldn't have my promise from God in Matthew 18:19... WOW, it really is a good thing God didn't answer before March was through.
Had God answered this before today, in April, I wouldn't have been given the opportunity to leave this as a memorial in the lives of my current students or future ones here at Friendship. I wouldn't have had the opportunity this morning to share with my students that they don't have to hope for God to answer their requests, that they can come with boldness to the throne of God and ask in confidence knowing He will answer according to His will.
And this is just a FEW of the things I've learned and experienced along the way!!!!
As much I want God to answer this request NOW, I am strangely grateful that He has waited. The things He has done, the things He has taught me, the ways He has worked I wouldn't trade for a quicker answer. Some things really do get better with time.
Last night as I was praying for this request, asking God once again to please hurry with an answer to it, God once again started bringing to mind all the things that I have learned over this past 3 months and all the things He has done. It occurred to me that had God answered this prayer before last night, there are so many things I would have missed out on.
If God had answered this back in January, I wouldn't have learned first hand that faith is a choice we make every day, not an emotion we experience.
Had He answered it in February, I wouldn' have learned the challenge of praying for something having no idea as to what it was. This blog also would not have been started.
Had He answered in March, I would not have learned the painful lesson of truly submitting to God's will when it was so opposite of mine. I would not have learned the value in and the power of praying through the Holy Spirit. I wouldn't have learned to recognize the very real difference between the voice of the Holy Spirit and that of Satan disguising himself as the Holy Spirit. I would not have experienced what I believe to be the greatest blessing to come out of this journey yet...UNINTIMIDATED and seeing my students take this initial step in covenant praying and becoming genuine prayer warriors. I wouldn't have my promise from God in Matthew 18:19... WOW, it really is a good thing God didn't answer before March was through.
Had God answered this before today, in April, I wouldn't have been given the opportunity to leave this as a memorial in the lives of my current students or future ones here at Friendship. I wouldn't have had the opportunity this morning to share with my students that they don't have to hope for God to answer their requests, that they can come with boldness to the throne of God and ask in confidence knowing He will answer according to His will.
And this is just a FEW of the things I've learned and experienced along the way!!!!
As much I want God to answer this request NOW, I am strangely grateful that He has waited. The things He has done, the things He has taught me, the ways He has worked I wouldn't trade for a quicker answer. Some things really do get better with time.
Boldly Come
Yesterday morning as I was walking to the office, when of my sophomores stopped to tell me he had read some verses in his devotions that morning about prayer and that those verses reminded him God was going to answer our prayers about Tebow. Later, in homeroom, as we were waiting to begin devotions, I asked what verses he had read. He took us to a Psalm that basically says when we pray God actually listens. He said God emphasized that to him, that He really does listen when we pray.
We have a permanent prayer list on our white board, things we try to pray for every day. After what God had shown my student about prayer and what God had shared with me concerning Jarius' daughter, I told them we should now include meeting Tebow in our daily prayer time. Today was the day for my aforementioned student to pray. He did pray for our opportunity to meet Tebow, but it was how he prayed that struck me. He prayed that hopefully we would get to meet Tebow, just 15 minutes after stating God listens to us when we pray, he prays hopefully we get to meet him. It made we think of the verse in Hebrews that says we can come boldly to the throne of God. I think so often we mistake boldness for pride in our prayers and that often we don't pray boldly because we are unsure of our request.
What I think my student failed to understand is that our prayers are to be in accordance with God's will. If we can can turn our prayers over to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide them, let Him be our voice to the Father, we are praying in accordance with His will. We can then come boldly to God's throne with our requests knowing they are the things God desires and confident that God does hear and will act.
For my sophomores who will read this, I'm not criticizing your classmate. Praying boldly was something I had to learn at the beginning of this journey. It wasn't easy, and often the boldness turned into a demanding and prideful spirit and if I am not careful now, that still happens. I just know that at this point, I am praying in the Father's will and we don't have to hope we are going to meet Tebow, we are...God has shown me in several verses and in a hundred answered prayers this is going to happen. Let this knowledge encourage you to pray boldly, to pray in confidence for the day you will meet Tim Tebow.
We have a permanent prayer list on our white board, things we try to pray for every day. After what God had shown my student about prayer and what God had shared with me concerning Jarius' daughter, I told them we should now include meeting Tebow in our daily prayer time. Today was the day for my aforementioned student to pray. He did pray for our opportunity to meet Tebow, but it was how he prayed that struck me. He prayed that hopefully we would get to meet Tebow, just 15 minutes after stating God listens to us when we pray, he prays hopefully we get to meet him. It made we think of the verse in Hebrews that says we can come boldly to the throne of God. I think so often we mistake boldness for pride in our prayers and that often we don't pray boldly because we are unsure of our request.
What I think my student failed to understand is that our prayers are to be in accordance with God's will. If we can can turn our prayers over to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide them, let Him be our voice to the Father, we are praying in accordance with His will. We can then come boldly to God's throne with our requests knowing they are the things God desires and confident that God does hear and will act.
For my sophomores who will read this, I'm not criticizing your classmate. Praying boldly was something I had to learn at the beginning of this journey. It wasn't easy, and often the boldness turned into a demanding and prideful spirit and if I am not careful now, that still happens. I just know that at this point, I am praying in the Father's will and we don't have to hope we are going to meet Tebow, we are...God has shown me in several verses and in a hundred answered prayers this is going to happen. Let this knowledge encourage you to pray boldly, to pray in confidence for the day you will meet Tim Tebow.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Only Believe
With our school year winding down, the choice to believe that God is still going to answer this request is sometimes very difficult. I often wish that God were as bound to time as we are, it would make it so much easier to believe, but He's not. Last night as I was trying to pray, fear that God would not answer kept creeping into my prayers, causing some of that frustration I mentioned in my last post.
This morning I was reading in Luke 8. One of the many stories told in this passage is the healing of Jarius' daughter. As Jesus was traveling to Jarius' house, He was delayed first by a crowd, then by a woman who needed healing. As Jesus continued on, Jarius' servants came to tell him not to bother Jesus anymore, his daughter had died. Jesus looked at Jarius and told him, "Be not afraid, only believe..." Jarius was faced with a momentous decision, what was he going to do? It certainly seemed time had indeed ran out for him, that Jesus could not longer heal her. Jesus, however, was telling him to have enough courage to trust that He could still work. It occurred to me as I read Jesus' admonition to Jarius that He was speaking those words to me. It only seems that time has run out for God to still fulfill this request. I look at our calendar and see very limited, if any opportunity, for God to still arrange this meeting. God is asking me to be courageous enough to still believe although time seems to be running out. Time for the daughter had run out, but time for Jarius had not. Jesus was telling him He would still work if Jarius wanted Him to. Fortunately for his daughter, Jarius found the courage to believe in Jesus and his daughter was restored to him.
I don't need to fear God will not fulfill this promise, He's already said He would. I need to be courageous enough to believe that with only 5 weeks of school left and all the craziness of our schedules, God can still work. Jarius was bound by time and so am I, God however is not and five weeks of craziness is still ample time for Him to fulfill His promise.
This morning I was reading in Luke 8. One of the many stories told in this passage is the healing of Jarius' daughter. As Jesus was traveling to Jarius' house, He was delayed first by a crowd, then by a woman who needed healing. As Jesus continued on, Jarius' servants came to tell him not to bother Jesus anymore, his daughter had died. Jesus looked at Jarius and told him, "Be not afraid, only believe..." Jarius was faced with a momentous decision, what was he going to do? It certainly seemed time had indeed ran out for him, that Jesus could not longer heal her. Jesus, however, was telling him to have enough courage to trust that He could still work. It occurred to me as I read Jesus' admonition to Jarius that He was speaking those words to me. It only seems that time has run out for God to still fulfill this request. I look at our calendar and see very limited, if any opportunity, for God to still arrange this meeting. God is asking me to be courageous enough to still believe although time seems to be running out. Time for the daughter had run out, but time for Jarius had not. Jesus was telling him He would still work if Jarius wanted Him to. Fortunately for his daughter, Jarius found the courage to believe in Jesus and his daughter was restored to him.
I don't need to fear God will not fulfill this promise, He's already said He would. I need to be courageous enough to believe that with only 5 weeks of school left and all the craziness of our schedules, God can still work. Jarius was bound by time and so am I, God however is not and five weeks of craziness is still ample time for Him to fulfill His promise.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Be Still and Know...
I am so thankful that David wrote in Psalms, "Be still and know that I am God." It was the verse the Holy Spirit used to break through all the frustration and confusion in my prayers tonight. Tonight was one of those nights I struggled focusing in my prayers, and Satan took complete advantage. As I am writing this, I'm still not sure much was accomplished in my prayers and I truly hope God counts my efforts to finish the prayer as faithfulness. I seem to go through a cycle in my prayer life, this one included, where I feel that I have to be perfect for God to answer by prayers. I know, from a previous Bible study, that for me to think this is pride. I cannot merit God's favor, it's not because I deserve to have this prayer fulfilled that it will be. When it is fulfilled, it will be because He loves me and desires to do things for me; it will be because as much as is in me, I fulfilled my end of the covenant in the verses He gave me. When I was still enough tonight to actually let God talk to me, He did point out that in each verse He gave me as His promise, the condition in each of them that I had to meet was simply, "ask and believe." Nowhere do any of the conditions in these verses say my life has to be sinless. Nowhere do these verses say I have to be worthy to merit His favor. They simply say I have to have enough faith to pray in His will and believe that He will answer. God does not expect me to be perfect, He expects me to be faithful...that is what He will reward...that is why He will answer this prayer.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The Real Proving Ground
I named this blog The Proving Grounds because at the time, I thought this whole journey was about me testing or proving God to be Who He says He is. It turns out this hasn't been about me proving Him at all, it's been about Him proving me, how faithful I would be, would I really submit to His will, what would it take to stop me from believing and praying.
I wish I could say that I never grew discouraged. I wish I could say that I never wanted to quit or that I easily submitted my will to Him when it was so opposite of what I wanted. I wish I could say that every part of this prayer was prayed unselfishly, but none of it would be true if I did. Truth is, I did want to quit when it became hard to believe. Sadder still, I wanted to quit when I wasn't getting my way. It took several weeks to fully crucify my flesh over Tebow going to the Jets. There have been many days when I just wanted to go to bed rather than spend the time in prayer. There were days that I was so frustrated with God about His silence I wanted to say, "that's it, I'm done, You're not listening anyway." There were days like today when I was just so physically tired of battling Satan that I didn't think I had in it me for one more prayer. I look back over the months of this prayer and wonder how it is I am still standing here believing and praying?
The only reason I can give as why today, nearly three months later, I still had a time of prayer was because I determined way back at the beginning that the Holy Spirit would be a part of this. That He was my only access to the the will of the Father. Because I determined to be filled with the Holy Spirit and let His power flow through me. Because I chose, like Joshua in the Old Testament, to serve God. That all sounds so easy and at times it was and others not so much. So how is it I was able to follow through on those determinations? The work of the Holy Spirit in each of those determinations is why I am still here praying and choosing still to take God at His Word. When He says NOTHING is impossible; when He says where two are agreed they can ask anything and it will be done; when He says to ask in faith nothing wavering it will be done He means it. I didn't have to prove Him, He has been everything His Word said He would be.
As I yet have no response from Tebow, I know this time of proving is not over. I know that in the days and possibly weeks ahead I will have to prove anew my determination to see this through to its fulfillment; my hope today is that I have proved to God that I was and am worthy of His request of me that I ask Him to allow my kids to meet Tim Tebow.
I wish I could say that I never grew discouraged. I wish I could say that I never wanted to quit or that I easily submitted my will to Him when it was so opposite of what I wanted. I wish I could say that every part of this prayer was prayed unselfishly, but none of it would be true if I did. Truth is, I did want to quit when it became hard to believe. Sadder still, I wanted to quit when I wasn't getting my way. It took several weeks to fully crucify my flesh over Tebow going to the Jets. There have been many days when I just wanted to go to bed rather than spend the time in prayer. There were days that I was so frustrated with God about His silence I wanted to say, "that's it, I'm done, You're not listening anyway." There were days like today when I was just so physically tired of battling Satan that I didn't think I had in it me for one more prayer. I look back over the months of this prayer and wonder how it is I am still standing here believing and praying?
The only reason I can give as why today, nearly three months later, I still had a time of prayer was because I determined way back at the beginning that the Holy Spirit would be a part of this. That He was my only access to the the will of the Father. Because I determined to be filled with the Holy Spirit and let His power flow through me. Because I chose, like Joshua in the Old Testament, to serve God. That all sounds so easy and at times it was and others not so much. So how is it I was able to follow through on those determinations? The work of the Holy Spirit in each of those determinations is why I am still here praying and choosing still to take God at His Word. When He says NOTHING is impossible; when He says where two are agreed they can ask anything and it will be done; when He says to ask in faith nothing wavering it will be done He means it. I didn't have to prove Him, He has been everything His Word said He would be.
As I yet have no response from Tebow, I know this time of proving is not over. I know that in the days and possibly weeks ahead I will have to prove anew my determination to see this through to its fulfillment; my hope today is that I have proved to God that I was and am worthy of His request of me that I ask Him to allow my kids to meet Tim Tebow.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
In the Garden
"And He walks with me and He TALKS with me..."
Since the night that God showed me all the ways He has been working on this request, I have endeavored each time I pray to include a time of thanking and praising Him for the ways He is still working on this request. Last night, as I was looking back over this journey, I began to think about all the prayer that has gone into this request. To God's credit and the work of the Holy Spirit in me, I realized that there have only been two days in which I did not spend time in prayer for this request. That, in and of itself, is pretty amazing, but what amazed me even more was that each and every time I have spent in prayer, the Holy Spirit was in the prayer and not once that I can recall has my prayer become a vain repetition of words. That was one of my biggest fears at the beginning. I did not want this prayer to become something I do out of habit, or to check off an item on a spiritual to-do list. It was imperative that each time spent in prayer be a fresh and new time spent with God. I have prayed for some of the same things over and over, so how did these requests not become hurried, unfocused requests tossed in God's direction? That would be the Holy Spirit at work in me. If I have learned nothing else in this journey, I have learned how to turn my prayers over to the Spirit and let Him direct. Every prayer has been a real and genuine conversation with the Father through the Holy Spirit's direction. It has astounded me how much God wants to talk with me. When I first began this prayer, pretty much it consisted of "God, here's my request, here's the promises you made, please be faithful to your Word. Amen." Those early prayers lasted maybe 15 minutes at most. I try very carefully not to look at a clock now before or after my prayer time, but I would estimate that my prayers now take close to an hour and sometimes more...why? Because God has an awful lot to share with me concerning this request. I mention the time, not to brag on myself, but to point out that God does want to talk to me, if I'll just let Him.
There are SO many more things I pray for in this request now, exciting things that I can't wait for God to answer. Why? Because I take the time to not only talk to God, but to let Him talk back to me.
"...and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known." truer words have never been spoken.
Since the night that God showed me all the ways He has been working on this request, I have endeavored each time I pray to include a time of thanking and praising Him for the ways He is still working on this request. Last night, as I was looking back over this journey, I began to think about all the prayer that has gone into this request. To God's credit and the work of the Holy Spirit in me, I realized that there have only been two days in which I did not spend time in prayer for this request. That, in and of itself, is pretty amazing, but what amazed me even more was that each and every time I have spent in prayer, the Holy Spirit was in the prayer and not once that I can recall has my prayer become a vain repetition of words. That was one of my biggest fears at the beginning. I did not want this prayer to become something I do out of habit, or to check off an item on a spiritual to-do list. It was imperative that each time spent in prayer be a fresh and new time spent with God. I have prayed for some of the same things over and over, so how did these requests not become hurried, unfocused requests tossed in God's direction? That would be the Holy Spirit at work in me. If I have learned nothing else in this journey, I have learned how to turn my prayers over to the Spirit and let Him direct. Every prayer has been a real and genuine conversation with the Father through the Holy Spirit's direction. It has astounded me how much God wants to talk with me. When I first began this prayer, pretty much it consisted of "God, here's my request, here's the promises you made, please be faithful to your Word. Amen." Those early prayers lasted maybe 15 minutes at most. I try very carefully not to look at a clock now before or after my prayer time, but I would estimate that my prayers now take close to an hour and sometimes more...why? Because God has an awful lot to share with me concerning this request. I mention the time, not to brag on myself, but to point out that God does want to talk to me, if I'll just let Him.
There are SO many more things I pray for in this request now, exciting things that I can't wait for God to answer. Why? Because I take the time to not only talk to God, but to let Him talk back to me.
"...and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other, has ever known." truer words have never been spoken.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
A Memorial
One of the many reasons I ask God to fulfill this request is so that my kids will have a spiritual landmark in their lives; that one day when they are faced with an impossible situation requiring prayer, they will be able to look back at their sophomore year and have tangible evidence that God will do the impossible.
This morning I was reading in Mark 14 of Mary pouring out the precious ointment on Jesus. In verse 9, Jesus told His disciples that her act of love would be a memorial of her wherever the Gospel is preached. I have read that verse a thousand times, but today, it really hit home with me. What am I doing for Christ that will be remembered as a memorial of Him? I asked God what I could do that would be a memorial for future Friendship students and immediately I thought of this request. When God fulfills this request, it will be an amazing testament to the power of prayer. It will be proof positive in the life of my sophomores of what God can do if we only trust Him enough to do it. I then thought of the impact this could have on future Friendship students. I want this story to be repeated to future students, not so that I can be credited, not so that a story of how Tim Tebow once visited our school can be told, but so that God's power in prayer can be credited. I may not always teach here at Friendship, but God, hopefully, will always be an integral part of this school. I want this story repeated so those students whom I may never know, will know the great things that can and do get accomplished through prayer. This is the memorial I want to leave for my students and the many to come after.
This morning I was reading in Mark 14 of Mary pouring out the precious ointment on Jesus. In verse 9, Jesus told His disciples that her act of love would be a memorial of her wherever the Gospel is preached. I have read that verse a thousand times, but today, it really hit home with me. What am I doing for Christ that will be remembered as a memorial of Him? I asked God what I could do that would be a memorial for future Friendship students and immediately I thought of this request. When God fulfills this request, it will be an amazing testament to the power of prayer. It will be proof positive in the life of my sophomores of what God can do if we only trust Him enough to do it. I then thought of the impact this could have on future Friendship students. I want this story to be repeated to future students, not so that I can be credited, not so that a story of how Tim Tebow once visited our school can be told, but so that God's power in prayer can be credited. I may not always teach here at Friendship, but God, hopefully, will always be an integral part of this school. I want this story repeated so those students whom I may never know, will know the great things that can and do get accomplished through prayer. This is the memorial I want to leave for my students and the many to come after.
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