Verse of the day comes from Ephesians 6:18-20. I have never really dwelt upon this passage, most likely because it is preceded by the armor of God, and is followed by the final greetings of the letter; you know, those closing statements with specific names that just beg to be skimmed over. Yet here it is, nestled inbetween:
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Because you know your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same trials, and are being held captive by the same sins (2 Peter 5ish...i think).
I call up Devin Calhoun, and we start catching up and begin to pray before we hang up. And as i am listening to Devin pray, suddenly Matthew 18:19 appears in my mind.
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
At that moment peace came over me. My eyes were opened, and i knew without a doubt that in that moment God was showering his blessings (in His own way, not necessarily worldly blessings mind you) down upon the people Devin was praying for. Devin may have been the one actually speaking, but my soul was a mirror reflecting his pleas for peace and strength to rest on God's children. I relaxed as God assured me that it was all in his hands, all we had to do was ask.
Prayer (as well as scripture, and probably many more things actually) has divine power (2 Cor. 10:4).
Dear God, i ask as the apostles did: 'Teach me how to pray'.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
God Puts People in Places for Reasons
Sounds kinda stupid huh? But it's true!
God puts certain people in very particular places for crucial and life-altering purposes.
I was reminded of this when I was sitting in the waiting room and Grandma Looch told a story from the delivery room. The nurse who was assisting in the delivery told my aunt that she looked quite familiar, to which my aunt replied that she remembered her from an interview.
Linda's job is to oversee and execute the hiring of new nurses in several Houston hospitals. She hired this woman!
More later.
Maybe.
God puts certain people in very particular places for crucial and life-altering purposes.
I was reminded of this when I was sitting in the waiting room and Grandma Looch told a story from the delivery room. The nurse who was assisting in the delivery told my aunt that she looked quite familiar, to which my aunt replied that she remembered her from an interview.
Linda's job is to oversee and execute the hiring of new nurses in several Houston hospitals. She hired this woman!
More later.
Maybe.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Babygirl
My family seems so far away now. That moment...retracing my steps over and over again in the hall corridors...it all seems like part of a dream. I am miles and miles away from this morning, when I was able to stroke the beautiful, curly black head of my new cousin with her Dad and my sister. I wish I was still there, praying for HOLT,BABYGIRL and drinking deep from the well of my family's joy.
Yet life must go on, and in fact does.
Quickly.
Yet these brief moments force me to look beyond myself and realize that life is very important; that it is ultimately these moments that make us alive.
1) Watching the sunset from the top floor of MD Anderson with Josh.
2) Grant's face coming out of the delivery room.
3) Fresh fruits from the roadside.
4) A bird's eye view of 6.
5) Shade from the sun at the park, and fuzzy's tacos after a long, hot summer, all while speaking about God.
6) Working on the ceiling fans with Grandpa Holt.
This morning I beheld a pure life.
I touched it with my own hands.
Thank you, Babygirl, for reminding me I have a heart.
Yet life must go on, and in fact does.
Quickly.
Yet these brief moments force me to look beyond myself and realize that life is very important; that it is ultimately these moments that make us alive.
1) Watching the sunset from the top floor of MD Anderson with Josh.
2) Grant's face coming out of the delivery room.
3) Fresh fruits from the roadside.
4) A bird's eye view of 6.
5) Shade from the sun at the park, and fuzzy's tacos after a long, hot summer, all while speaking about God.
6) Working on the ceiling fans with Grandpa Holt.
This morning I beheld a pure life.
I touched it with my own hands.
Thank you, Babygirl, for reminding me I have a heart.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Waiting on a baby...
As I pace the halls of this hospital the gravity and importance of each and every day weighs heavy upon me. Just a few days ago I was a quarter mile away with Josh and Samantha. They stare death in the face every single day. My heart aches for them, for the trials that only seem to worsen, for the precious seconds and hours and days that they must helplessly watch pass by.
But then my throat tightens and my stomach twists as the gravity of Sam's words punch me in the gut:
"God chose me"
You mean to tell me you are dying of a rare cancer at the age of 21 and you are joyful because 'God chose you'?!?!
Well I can't say that I understand that feeling, or will ever have the measure of strength I saw displayed by Josh and Sam. But I believe they have learned a lesson I am only beginning to learn.
That life is a gift.
That each day is precious.
I'm ready for your first day little one.
I keep opening my Bible looking for some magnificent prayer or words of comfort.
But in this moment,as I hear the code blue announcement, I am reduced to nothing more than this simple prayer: "Your will be done Lord. Please, please dear God, protect my family. And now I turn it over to you. It was in your hands to begin with."
But then my throat tightens and my stomach twists as the gravity of Sam's words punch me in the gut:
"God chose me"
You mean to tell me you are dying of a rare cancer at the age of 21 and you are joyful because 'God chose you'?!?!
Well I can't say that I understand that feeling, or will ever have the measure of strength I saw displayed by Josh and Sam. But I believe they have learned a lesson I am only beginning to learn.
That life is a gift.
That each day is precious.
I'm ready for your first day little one.
I keep opening my Bible looking for some magnificent prayer or words of comfort.
But in this moment,as I hear the code blue announcement, I am reduced to nothing more than this simple prayer: "Your will be done Lord. Please, please dear God, protect my family. And now I turn it over to you. It was in your hands to begin with."
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