An important invitation

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved

 
It's time to take a stand. Or should I say a sit. Some of the most precious and pleasurable moments in life have been coffee with a friend. Just some one-on-one, face-to-face conversation.

Saturday morning coffee at mom's used to be our weekly thing. I loved how her face lit up when I came through the door; her warm, welcoming hug; our words of greeting tumbling over each other. I really miss how she threw her head back in laughter at something I said... how she patted my arm as she topped off our cups. And, yes, there was usually a sweet treat involved!

I'm thinking God is up to something when He put in the Bible:

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:46-47)

I'm positive God wants us to spend time together. Whether it's catching up at a favorite coffee shop, enjoying a cold drink out on the deck, or a peaceful seat on a park bench... togetherness is a priority to God and it should be for us as well.

Did you ever think of your one-on-one time with a friend as a holy experience? Isn't it something so special - that unique connection you share? That closeness, bond, acceptance, and comfort... sure can feel like holy ground sometimes. Certainly, such friendship is a gift from God and should be relished time and again for the true gift it is. An emoji doesn't give you all that. But time with Jesus can offer that same sensation and more. A friend is just a taste of what Jesus offers as your Friend.

So my important invitation is two-fold. First, call that friend and make plans to get together as soon as you can. Don't put it off any longer. Look forward to that feeling you get when they walk through the door. Imagine the goodness of that warm, welcoming hug. Tumble over each other's words in greeting.  Throw your head back in laughter. Stay for a second cup. Be ready for something sweet!

And then set aside some time to experience the same with your dear Friend, Jesus.

At all times, in all places

 

When you are traveling, away from home, or even just at home during the summer break - your daily routine changes up. You may sleep in instead of doing your morning quiet time with God. Or fall into bed exhausted from a full day of vacation adventures, foregoing your usual nighttime prayer. But there are all kinds of new and different times and places to experience God. New surroundings. New rest periods that you didn’t have before. Something new can actually be… wonderful. It can be delicious to taste and see God from a new angle. But one thing is sure:

It is indeed right, It is our duty and our joy, At all times and in all places to give You thanks and praise, holy Father, heavenly King, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ Your only Son our Lord. (Communion script)

Your prayers during this time may sound like a song. Your quiet time with God may be taking in the sights of beauty all around you. In thanks, adoration and praise.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

Just like I can’t forget about my gluten sensitivity while on vacation, I should not forget to be aware of God while away from my normal routine. Just as menus offer new and different choices from what I would normally fix at home, different surroundings can offer up some new eye opening blessings from God. Look. See. What is new and exciting to embrace - relish - from God in these summer days? There is always something, some God-gift blessing, waiting to be discovered whether you are home or away.

So enjoy your summer - to the fullest!

And keep enjoying time with God too!

O Lord, hear my prayer

Resting on the promises of God

 Praises for someone landing a new job!

The face of precious babies.

Thank You for words of encouragement.

Thank You for shared prayers.

Continued blessings on a marriage.

Praise for another birthday!

Thanks and praise for laughter!

Prayers and support for those taking on a challenge.

Prayers for small businesses.

Thank You for Your Word.

Thanks for the reminders to trust in You.

Yummy recipes.

Thank You for music videos.

Prayers for those going through cancer.

I just scrolled through Facebook and prayed one-liners over every post I read. Surprised? First, it made me think of Matthew 6:

Your prayers need not be labored or lengthy or grandiose - for your Father knows what you need before you ever ask Him. (Matthew 7:8 VOICE) That makes one-line prayers still powerful and effective.

I admit I've struggled with social media. Sometimes it's so good, and other times it's hurtful and depressing. Then I recalled this verse that in some ways applies:

Even though you intended to harm me, God intended it only for good, and through me, He preserved the lives of countless people, as He is still doing today. (Genesis 50:20 VOICE) This verse comes from the infamous account of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. But he ends up saving the country from a severe famine. And using Facebook posts as a launchpad for prayers kind of feels like using social media (that can sometimes be bad), into something good and glorifying God. God always welcomes trust in Him.

So go on! You know you want to try it!

O Lord, hear my prayer...

How's your gardening skills?

 

© 2016 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Why do seeds come with so many in the packet? I don't want or need dozens of the same plant. But planting is not a one-and-done kind of deal. You can't just bury one seed. You plant one, and another, and even more - hoping that SOME will sprout into the goodness and beauty you seek. But if nothing comes up, do you throw your hands in the air and say, "Oh well, I tried." No. You automatically know it's going to need sunlight and water. Probably some kind of fertilizer too. You need to return again and again to...  caring. You might invest some time in reading up on it to know the best tips on how to nurture and grow this kind of plant. You learn that some types of plants need to be held up with a string to guide the way. Some need an even stronger framework to help carry the load. And don't forget to pray over them!

If you're not familiar with the Parable of the Sower in the bible, you can read it below at the end of the post. It teaches us much about seeds and soils, planting, and caring.

The same principles apply to living in a Christlike way. Are you nice to someone once? Do you help someone once? And if you see no immediate fruit from your effort, do you throw up your hands and say, "Oh well, I tried."?

The "goodness" you plant in someone's life needs love and attention too, just like those seeds. You may need to be a little more invested, and need to return again and again to extend this "goodness" - if you want it to prosper into something beautiful and good. You might want to read up on it to find the best tips for helping in a situation. Find out what kind of support they need. And don't forget to pray over them!

So, how are your gardening skills?

Matthew 13:1-8

New International Version

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Now what is she up to?

 

Could this be a clue?