Time to stop praying

 

I thought that might catch your eye. I know, I know - the Bible says: to pray continually, pray without ceasing, and at all times and in all places. Right? 

But I'm talking about the litany of pleas and unending agonizing cries of things we ourselves can not change; can not handle.

At some point, it's time to just trust. To believe that God is the One and Only great, big GOD. Time to stop "wringing our hands everyday over the same things" kind of prayers. And take a deep breath in, and out, close your eyes and say, "God, You are __________." Rest in His sovereignty. Be at peace in His wisdom and power. Truly acknowledge God as King of all kings and Lord of all lords. Over everything in heaven and everything on earth. Believe with all your heart - God is present and holds the present and future - of everything - in His hands. God IS at work now and  forever. Every day is written in His book. In absolute perfect wisdom and power. There is a divine and orderly plan and purpose to all things. Great is our Lord. And greatly to be praised.

I want to stop caving in to the pressure to be frantic and panicked as if I had no hope. I have hope. I have the greatest Hope.

Set it all down...

Set. It. All. Down.

Rest in the One Who has control of it all.

Believe it.

Trust Him.

Have faith.

Remember Who God is and all that He is.

Aren't you ready for a sigh of relief? 

Ask God today for a sure and unshakeable confidence in Him. The Almighty One.

Meet me for coffee

 

© 2018 Julie Crane All rights reserved

How easily, how so easily tempting it is to bypass morning prayer time. When I think of all the concerns of the day... such distractions! - to what should be a special time, a peaceful, re-energizing time. But instead I start to stew over confession. Shame. Guilt. Judgment. Reviewing wrongs, and my lengthy prayer list for others and pleading for seemingly impossible "fixings".

Shouldn't it be like having coffee with a friend? My friend and I, we meet at some little out of the way coffee shop. A quiet place away from the hub-bub and noise. We laugh and tell stories, encouraging each other in hope and in love. Getting together - just two friends - sitting in God's sunshine with no set time limit. No rushing. Just lingering ... unhurried... We talk. We sip. We enjoy companionable silence. More talking. More sipping. We don't solve all the world's problems, but we do gain reassurances in the One Who does. We grow closer and more dear to one another. We've relished the time and eagerly make plans to meet again.

Right now I hear a pretty good rain coming down. You know the kind - used in calming recordings. A purring cat curled up by my side. And yes, a fresh mug of coffee! But no one is up yet. It's early. But what a friend I have in Jesus. Who's presence is always near. He Who loves me like a dear friend, even more so! And in this time and place there is no rushing off, but can sit peacefully among the God-sounds. Sip. Think. Share. Relish. Aware of each other's presence - this wonderful Jesus Friend... and me. Listening to the rain. Conscious of the day before us but also being reassured we will navigate it together. THIS coffee time does not need to end but just shift and change and adapt as the day unfolds. (I may just leave my mug on the counter to remind me of that.) Just as I take another sip and smile at the friend across the table at that out of the way coffee shop, so also, I take another 'sip" with my companion Jesus and smile.

May I keep my mind on the Friend Jesus and the freedom from shame, guilt and judgement He has given. Like having coffee and a chat with a dear friend, may I welcome and relish Him. And eagerly make plans to be with Him again and again.

A friend loves at all times... (Proverbs 17:17)

"Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (Mark 6:31)

Feelin' a little scrappy

Whether it's a yard of leftover yarn, or several inches of fabric - or perhaps a handful of "this and that" found in the fridge for a hearty soup, we all know that bits and pieces, can and do add up to something when joined with other bits and pieces.

My thoughts on this went to two different directions. One train of thought reminded me of times when I've been burdened with a decision. And suddenly a seemingly random bible verse pops into my head. Then a song comes on the radio with the same message. The day's devotional, written years ago, aptly applies to my present situation. An advertisement on the television. A post on social media. A card comes in the mail. And they all seem to be pointing in a certain direction. Added together, they seem to be guiding me to the same conclusion.

One on its own causes me to "hmmm..." A second one has me wondering if they truly could be related. Multiple messages from one place after another and I have to believe that together they are offering confirmation. It's like a cloud of witnesses watching over me. Each little verse, song, post, and card offered up by someone - reached me without their knowledge of how much it was going to play into my day. God is watching and paying attention. And using others to direct me. God is concerned over my coming and going, my life, indeed - my very next step!

My other train of thought went to examining my effectiveness as a witness for Christ. Sometimes my testimonies feel like they are lacking, not as big and bold as they should be. I missed an opportunity to explain my faith better. In hindsight, I could have chosen my words better and perhaps been successful in winning this person over. But I have to believe in God's presence and providence. His promise to provide words at the right time. And to trust in His master plan for every soul. Perhaps, without knowing it, I had planted a seed and it was added by somebody's watering and someone else's pruning and another's gentle touch. If we all join together and add our little scraps to God's handling, being that cloud of witnesses that surrounds and wraps up from every angle the hurting world in peace and love everywhere you turn... well, then, the love of Christ will become undeniable to them.

Several scraps of yarn can make a beautiful scarf. Several leftover pieces of fabric can create a lovely quilt. And "this and that" from the fridge can become a wonderful stew.

Do you have a scrap of thoughtfulness, kindness, wisdom, faith - to add to mine?

What can God do with our little bits and pieces?

2020 FALL CARD DESIGNS!

 

2020 FALL CARD DESIGNS! NOW AVAILABLE ! Two serene; two more whimsical. Something for everyone on your "should stay in touch" list! Click on the NOTECARDS button off to the right for ordering instructions. THANK YOU! 

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