Just Keep Praying, Just Keep Praying

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Anyone who knows me personally or has been reading Something Special for You for a while, will know that one of my prayers had been for a certain vehicle. It took nearly 20 years of prayers and a move half way across the country for that prayer to finally be answered a couple of years ago – just keep praying. A friend of mine was given a scripture to hold on to while she and her prayer partners prayed for a family member to return to the Lord. I’ve lost track of time but I guess it has been 20 years or more and we just keep praying. Not unlike Dory from Finding Nemo who throughout the film said, “just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” Scripture tells us to just keep praying.

When the disciples weren’t sure how to pray, in the powerful way that Jesus did, He taught them a model prayer – we know it now as The Lord’s Prayer. It is a prayer that rises above being a simple prayer. It can be seen as an act of worship, a desire not for our will but for God’s will, a cry for mercy and provision and a call for protection against the one who seeks to take our lives rather than give us life. Early church fathers like Augustine used to say this prayer at least three times a day, a practice I follow myself.

God is not a wish grantor. We can’t just ask for things we want and expect them to magically appear. God does find joy in giving us good gifts – but they are usually the gifts He desires for us to have and in His timing. Sometimes what we ask for in prayer gets a very sound no from Him. When Jesus is praying in the garden just before his arrest. He prays a painful and stress filled prayer three times: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). We all know that the Father’s will was done. The apostle Paul also pleaded with the Lord three times to have the thorn he’s been given removed. The response he got? “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Clearly God says no sometimes, maybe more times than we would like. God also says yes –sometimes right way and sometimes it takes years. I suspect that most of the time it just seems like He isn’t listening, because we don’t get that definite answer. It is what we experience as a lack of response that causes us to doubt. That silence in my opinion should be seen as a just wait, as a just keep praying time. See ultimately prayer is meant to be an ongoing conversation with the One who made us and knows everything about and still wants to have a relationship with us. Prayer is a conversation so sometimes we speak and sometimes we must listen.

The prophetess and widow Anna never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:36-37) – just keep praying.

Want your church to grow and thrive? “Devote yourself to scripture, fellowship, of sharing meals and to prayer” (Acts 2:42) – just keep praying.

Want a strong faith, that doesn’t doubt even when God seems silent? “Put on the Armor of God and pray in the Spirit on all occasions will all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:11, 18) – just keep praying.

For me I am praying about what the Lord would have me do next for Him, it’s been a year since I left God’s provided position so I’ll just keep praying. I don’t know what you are praying for, what is causing doubt in your life, what frustration you may be feeling if God hasn’t answered that prayer. So I can just encourage you to read his word and just keep praying.

A Prayer 

Our Father – You reign over all creation from the throne room of heaven. You alone are worthy of our praise and worship, Your name inspires awe and wonder. Your kingdom is coming; is here even now so let you will be done in our lives as it is in heaven. Thank you for giving us the things we need to live and grant us strength and peace in these troubling times. Thank you for your forgiveness and help us by Your Spirit to forgive those who have wronged us. Keep us from falling into the traps this world sets for us and protect us from the one who wants to take us for You. Amen. Help us to just keep praying. Amen

Be the One (Be Cowboy, part 2)

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your father in heaven.”
Matthew 6:1

Last week, I encouraged you and myself to display the characteristics listed in the chorus of Chevel Shepherd’s song Be Cowboy. We were encouraged to be tough, to love, to be strong for others, be honest, to stand on a firm foundation even if it means standing alone. We were encouraged to be Better, Braver, Bolder.

The bridge of this great song says: “There’s a whole lotta people, in this world today. Who don’t even know that they got what it takes to be cowboy.”

I believe there are a whole lotta people in this world who don’t think they can be a Christian because of what they’ve done, because they feel unworthy, because for whatever reason God can’t love them.

This week, I want encourage all of us to be the one. The one who lives in such a way that shows the world God can and does love it and all the people in it and all they have to do is believe.

The verse of Be Cowboy:

“Be the one who does the right thing when there’s no one else around.

Be the one who runs into the flames when the house is burning down.”

Both of these lines talk about doing the right sing for the sake of the right thing. Matthew talks about not doing things in order to bring attention and honor to ourselves. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do… and on the streets, to be honored by men” (Matthew 6:2). He goes further saying that rather than drawing attention to ourselves by praying long, eloquent prayers in public, we should pray privately (Matthew 6:5-6). In both instances those who chose to bring glory to themselves forfeit what God has waiting for them. So just do the next right thing because it is the right thing to do. God is watching and so are the unbelievers among us.

“Be the one that holds on harder when it’s harder to hold one.
Be the one who keeps believing when you think that your hope is gone.”

King David and the Psalmists speak often about holding on and about being held when it seems like the worst is about to happen. “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters” (2 Samuel 22:17). In the New Testament book of Hebrews we are encouraged by these words: “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast” (Hebrews 3:6). Scripture is all about holding on when it appears that all hope is gone and those that do find healing and future of abundant living.

I know that things seem pretty bleak right now but as followers of Jesus, we have the power to be better, braver and bolder as we stand firmly in our faith. A faith that when we live it out and speak the truth of the Gospel will show others there is a way to hope, a way to forgiveness and healing, a way to an abundant life that lasts for eternity. What do you think? Will you be better, braver, bolder – will you be the one who brings a person in need all that Jesus has to offer.

Check out Chevel Shepherd’s Be Cowboy https://youtu.be/uVYh6ZmBS9A

A Prayer
Father – You see everything we do. Help us to only care about pleasing you and bringing you glory and honor. Help us to be the ones who are bringing your hope, peace, forgiveness, healing and love to a world filled with people who are afraid, angry, selfish and feeling unworthy. Thank you for giving us everything we need to do your will. In the name of Jesus, who is The ONE who makes us better, braver, bolder way. Amen.

Better, Braver, Bolder (Be Cowboy, part 1)

“Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.” 1 Timothy 6:2

“Have I not commanded? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“Therefore, since we have such hope, we are very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12

Another awesome song has inspired me. Every couple of years the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) commission a new anthem and ask artists to sing it for the opening of the televised events. Think “Are You Ready for Some Football” only for bull riding instead. 2020 which has already seen the release of some great music perfect for the times in which we are living, has just delivered the new PBR anthem. It’s a song called Be Cowboy, written by Wynn Varble and David Frazier. Three artists have been given the nod to sing it. I think the best version of the song has been done by Chevel Shepherd, 2018 winner of the voice.

The reality is I think the song could really be the back drop for a sermon series or a couple of devotions – there is so much good stuff in it.

The chorus of Be Cowboy:

Be tough as ya gotta be

Love seven days a week

Be strong for those who are weak

Honest as the day is long

Be square as a cornerstone

Dare to stand alone

When you’re scared just carry on

Be better, Be braver, Be bolder

Be cowboy

We need to be tough living in these times on a fallen planet – but tough doesn’t mean hardened or compassionless. Being tough means getting back up when the world knocks you down. It means being compassionate and empathetic. Sometimes being tough means letting others see us persevere with the tears that often come in life’s storms – being authentic and transparent.

We need to love one another. Even when we don’t feel like loving people – even when we don’t feel lovable. Paul in his first letter to the church in Corinth tells us all about what love is, in what has become known as the love chapter. This chapter closes with these words: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13) John tells us that perfect love drives out fear. We need to be showing people the perfect love of Christ because people seem to be filled with fear right now.

We need to be strong for others. God makes us strong when we are weak so we can be strong when others are weak. In the story of the exodus Moses had two people who gave him strength when he grew weak. You see there was a battle going on and as long as Moses held up the staff of God the Israelites were winning, but if he lowered his hands the other side would start winning. So Aaron and Hur held Moses’ hands up. I’ve been lucky to have people like Aaron and Hur in my life who have held me up when I was weak. We should be keeping our hearts open to do the same for those around us.

Honesty is always the best policy and as Christian we need to speak the truth to others in such a way that it leads them to the foot of the cross. A cornerstone is what provides the foundation of anything with its firm, straight and true starting point. Jesus is identified as being the cornerstone of our faith and in some translations He is both the cornerstone and the capstone – He is what holds our faith together.

It can be hard to stand alone when your beliefs go against what the world seems to be saying but it is so important, even if you risk being laughed at or it makes others mad – both things I have experienced. But standing alone can change what others think, or bring about a needed victory. David stood alone before Goliath and beat the giant.

So come on Christian – stop complaining, stop feeling sorry for yourself, stop blaming others for the storms of this life. If you hold on to your faith, God will help you Be better, Be braver, Be bolder.

Check out Chevel Shepherd’s Be Cowboy https://youtu.be/uVYh6ZmBS9A

A Prayer
Father – You know everything we are facing on this planet right now. You know that some of your people aren’t behaving very well right now. Help us to be better, be braver, be bolder. Help us to be who you called us to be. Thank you for your love that drives out fear, for the strength you give to us. In the name of Jesus, who shows us a better, braver, bolder way. Amen.

Broken? Let the Light In

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6

I heard the following quote while watching an art journaling video: “There is a crack in everything that’s how the light gets in.” The instructor on the video didn’t say who the quote was from yet it struck me as being truthful and perhaps truth filled, so I did some research to find out who said it.

Interestingly, there are three variations of this quote out in the world.
The oldest variation is attributed to 13th century Persian poet Rumi. His version reads:
“The wound is the place where the light enters you.”

The next version is attributed to American Author Earnest Hemingway, his reads:
“We are all broken that’s how the light gets in.”

Finally, the third version is attributed to Canadian poet, singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen:
“Forget your perfect offering, there is a crack in everything that’s how the light gets in.”

The last one is the one in the art journaling video for sure, but, I have to say I think I prefer the other two better.

The passage of Scripture above talks about the God who in the beginning said “let there be light” also puts His light into our hearts. But how and why does he do this? Scripture tells that “He replaces our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). It tells us that “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

Every time He heals our brokenness and binds up a wound He leaves some of His light to keep the life transforming healing going. But what causes us to be broken? We are born a bit broken, a result of the choice Adam and Eve made. Then our own selfish choices break us more. Whenever we choose to follow the world, to satisfy our needs in a way that causes God’s heart to hurt for us – when we sin, when we are disobedient, when we hurt others, when we act like we are ruling the universe – we break more, we get wounded in the battle of life.

When we reach a crisis point in our lives, when we realize that nothing we’ve done has truly satisfied our soul and filled the emptiness we have. When we are at the end of ourselves and cry out for help, even if we don’t know if there is someone out there to hear our call for help. He is there and the God who spoke our world into existence will come and heal your heart, bind up your wounds and leave His light in your heart to light your way all the way back to His heart.

Scripture is filled with stories of broken people who let His light in and found a new life, a life that will last for eternity. Are you broken today, shattered even? Call on Him and let the light in.

A Prayer Father – Some of our brokenness is out of our control and some of it is a direct result of our own selfish choices. We need you Lord now perhaps more than ever to come and bind up our wounds, heal our broken hearts and fill us with your light. Thank you for loving us so much. In the name of Jesus, who is the light of the world and the light in us. Amen.

A World Paralyzed

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:3-5 NLT

Seriously! 2020 is going to go down in history as the year that the whole world was paralyzed by a virus and worldwide unrest. The year thus far has shown us the worst and thankfully the best of humankind. Amidst the best is some great music. Music that no doubt has been long planned, with words that reach to our very souls have been released at just the perfect moment. This has not been an accident, but in my opinion divine appointments.

One of my favorite singers is Australian singer/songwriter Delta Goodrem. Delta has released two such perfectly timed songs in the past couple of weeks and this is not the first time one of her songs has inspired Something Special For You. The two songs from an upcoming album have words that speak into the times we are living in. It is the very newest of these a song titled Paralyzed that serves as the inspiration of this particular installment of Something Special For You.

The whole song is great but these words in particular grabbed ahold of my heart:

“With a little time
With a little hope
With a little light you’ll never know
For a little space
For a lot of love
Close your eyes and think of
Better time, big dreams
Open your mind for you
To find a little strength inside
Stop and rewind”

In the passage above Paul in his letter to the Christians in Rome is telling them in essence that in those times of trial when life seems paralyzed, that they and so we should rejoice because that time where we feel like we can’t move can build endurance in us, which leads to a bit more strength and gives us hope – a hope that will not disappoint us because of how much God loves us.

Scripture actually says a lot about hope, strength and love. Here are just few good ones to hang onto. King David reminds us: “GOD make his people strong. God gives his people peace” (Psalm 29:11 MSG). Isaiah writes: “…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40_31 NIV). Paul later in his letter to the Romans reminds them and us to: “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying” (Romans 12:12 NLT).

What besides this viral pandemic has you paralyzed? Some other sort of health issue? Finances? Unemployment? A problem with a relationship? No matter what it is, remember – “a little time, a little hope, a little light, a little space and a lot of love will help you think of better times and bigger dreams and to find strength. No matter what has you paralyzed it’s ok to stop and rewind.”

A Prayer
Father – thank you for the words of your servant Paul. May his prayer for the people of Ephesus be our prayer. “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower those who read this with inner strength through his Spirit. Thank you Lord for walking with us in this time where our world feels paralyzed. In the name of Jesus, who is always with us. Amen.

Oh and be sure to check Delta Goodrem’s Paralyzed here: https://youtu.be/J_LeOqIXMUg

Show Yourself

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior.”
Psalms 25:4-5

Another Frozen 2 inspired offering, this time inspired by one of the amazing songs from the movie. Written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez “Show Yourself” is a powerful anthem. My daughter Elizabeth sent me a text that said: “That song in Frozen 2 where she’s (Elsa) arriving at the voice place, that ‘Show Yourself’ song. If you picture singing that as a worship song talking to God… oof.” She was right. Let me try to explain.

Spoiler Alert – once again if you haven’t seen the movie you may not want to read on or you might want to watch the clip for this song on YouTube.

While technically the song begins “Every inch of me is trembling…” I really think it starts with the line: “I hear you and I’m coming.” This line could have two perspectives – the first as God calling and us responding. Not unlike Samuel responding to hearing God call his name (1 Samuel 3:4-10). The Lord called Samuel three times and then on the fourth time Samuel responded “Speak, for your servant is listening.” The second as us calling and God responding, not unlike the many times David calls out, for instance “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted” (Psalm 138:3). Either works although for me the first perspective is the more powerful of the two. I suppose it depend on where you find yourself in this moment.

Elsa in many way has known that something was missing, she understands that in some ways she is lost and not where she is meant to be (but that’s another song). In the first verse Elsa has fully surrendered to this voice that has been calling her – a voice she somehow knows is good and has the answers she has been searching for. Arriving it feels familiar, it feels like home. Can you relate to those feelings in response to your own moment of surrender to that still small voice of God whispering to your heart, a moment when you realize that, that missing something was within reach?

Then Elsa sings about how she’s been a fortress and not the best kind. She was a fortress stuffing her emotions and hiding her gift out of fear. The physical place she has arrived at looks like a fortress and while there may be mystery and secrets to be discovered inside - this fortress does not hide. Quite like our God. David often refers to God as a fortress like in Psalm 31 “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” (v. 3). God also does not keep secrets from those who dare answer His call; “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure…” (Ephesians 1:9).

In the first chorus Elsa wants to see who has been calling her, to know if she will really find the answers she seeks and she is ready to learn about her gifts and her purpose. In a numbers of the Psalms the psalmist is asking the Lord to “teach me, O Lord.” We should often be asking the Lord to teach us about His ways, about the path He has for us and about our purpose.

In the second set of verses Elsa’s countenance is already changing. She feels certain, she is no longer trembling she has found a new boldness – remember David in Psalm 138:3. The journey has been long, but her response to the voice calling her is making her whole. Just has our response to Jesus calling us makes us whole.

At the bridge of the song the lyrics go:
“Come to me now; Open your door; Don’t make me wait, One moment more.
Come to me now; Open your door; Don’t make me wait, Once moment more.”

This is another point in the song where it could either be us speaking or God speaking. Like Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be open.” Or perhaps you need this to be God talking as in Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Just like a friend we’ve always known.

The song includes a reprise from the song that opens the film and thus brings the movie full circle so to speak. The line here “Come, my darling (change darling to child), homeward bound and we too can sing I am found. Just as I was writing this it made me think of the prodigal son.

At the end of the song Elsa can now step boldly and without fear into the power and purpose she has been given. She is whole, she is new – she may still be a fortress but she will no longer hide she will step fully into who she was created to be.

When we step boldly into the power of the Holy Spirit we can step into the world without fear to be who we were created to be, to be made new day by day.

Today in the midst of this pandemic storm let’s step into His power so we can step fully into who we were created to be, without fear.

A Prayer
Father – thank you for showing yourself to us in ways and places that we would never expect. Call to us and grant us the courage to follow your voice to the place where we find our true selves. Thank you for the power that makes us new and lets us go boldly into our world to make your love known. In the name of Jesus, who calls us. Amen.

The Next Right Thing

“Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path.”
Proverbs 2:9

Spoiler Alert – If you haven’t seen Frozen 2 you might not want to read this and I highly recommend seeing it.

In Disney’s Frozen 2, Princess Anna has once again been pushed away by her sister. Anna and Olaf who was pushed away at the same time find themselves in a deep dark cavern, when they receive a frozen message from Elsa. Anna understands the meaning of the message and sadly tells Olaf, “I know what needs to be done, we need to destroy the dam.” You see destroy this dam will right a wrong done long before Elsa and Anna were born. Why was Anna so sad, breaking the dam would also destroy her home and kingdom. Olaf spot the way out and as they turn to go something happens to Olaf leading him to the conclusion that “Elsa had gone too far.” Anna says goodbye to Olaf as he flurries away. Anna now alone in the dark, her sister presumed dead, having sacrificed herself for the truth, without her friend Olaf and now faced with overwhelming grief and the need, the call to do the next right thing.

And some of us think we’ve got it hard.

In this interesting time, we find ourselves in – a time where many are fearful, lots are sick, we are all somewhat isolated although some more than others. It can be overwhelming and the next right thing can be hard to see.

I have to be honest, my life personally hasn’t at this point been terribly disrupted – I still shop for groceries once a week, non-groceries every two weeks, my husband still goes to work and our off time is spent at home, which is how it would be normally. We had been hunting for a new church when this hit, but I have known how important church online is, for quite a long time. So in some ways or us church is really good right now – we can go to church with friends in Australia and back at home in California. We can listen to amazing music and listen to powerful messages of hope from all over the world.

Figuring out the next right thing to do is the challenge. For me trying to encourage others is on the list, as is being extra grateful for all I have and being extra thankful for people who normally get taken for granted – supermarket clerks, Walmart employees, restaurant staff, truck drivers, people who work in the trades, the list gets longer the more I think about it.

I don’t know how you are going at this time but I want to encourage you especially if you are a follower of Jesus to not be afraid, and to just do the next right thing. What is the next right thing? Maybe it’s not watching the new as much and taking care of your own mental, physical and spiritual health. Maybe it’s checking in on an elderly neighbor or a friend who you know struggles with mental health issues. Maybe it is making sure the people who work in the shops and restaurants you visit that you are thankful that they are there doing the best they can to serve you. Maybe for some of you it’s looking over all that stuff you purchased in a panic and giving some of it away so that those in need can have it.

Ask God to show you what your next right thing is. I know things can seem pretty dark and lonely right now, but things will get better and maybe if we all focus doing the next right thing our lives will be better for it when this storm is over.

As with all Disney movies Frozen 2 has a happy ending, actually it is an extraordinary ending. We’ll get to a happy ending eventually too if we will seek His face, hold on to faith, accept His peace and do the next right thing.

A Prayer
Father – thank you for walking with us in the midst of this world wide storm. Help us to show our gratitude to you and to all the people who are working so that life can be as normal as possible in this time. Show each of us what next right thing you have for us to do and grant us the courage to do it. In the name of Jesus, whose next right thing bring us new life. Amen.