by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Earlier this week I came across a puny piece of paper with the words Sacred Rhythms: Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation scribbled sideways. I don’t recall jotting them down but I’ve no doubt as to the Prompter.
Although I’m only half-way through my latest Kindle download, I appreciate how Ruth Haley Barton tenderly sifts through the truths of spiritual transformation, slowing her reader down to receive fresh approaches to prayer and engaging scripture.
As a goal-oriented person, my tendency is to feel gratified after reading through set chapters of the Bible in order to finish it in a year—but is that to be my end goal? Reading through the Bible in a year? Don’t get me wrong. Doing so is beneficial for us all on many levels and I’m glad I’ve done it (even that sounds like a ✓ – sigh!), but as I often share in our community group, it’s never about information—but rather, transformation.
One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 15:16:
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.
When a meal is enjoyable we naturally slow down, savoring each bite. In the same way, Ruth suggests reading only six to eight verses, which increases the likelihood of ingesting the Word rather than simply reading them. In Sacred Rhythms, she provides questions to ask God and ourselves as we move through the verses. This does not replace our need for indepth studying of the Word. It’s simply one more way we can engage God via scripture throughout the day.
As we look ahead to 2014, I hope we’re found having God’s Word at the top of our reading list. The Holy Spirit longs to reveal this Word that is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, but we must access it. Whether by chunks or bites, it matters not. Just do it — for it is our joy and heart’s delight.
So as we begin this new year, in addition to the Bible, what’s your first read of 2014?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Lord, I just pray that…
Lord, I pray that You would just…
The word just crept into my prayer vocabulary without much notice—but now, when spoken, it becomes as obvious as the three earsplitting screeches heard when the Emergency Broadcast System conducts their weekly test, no doubt during a favorite show.
After all, consider the definition:
Just: adv [dʒʌst (unstressed) dʒəst] no more than; merely
My prayers were actually saying: “Lord, I merely pray that…”
As Christ-followers we’re given freedom to pray for all things (from the smallest of desires to the deepest of struggles.) Our prayers, however, are not ushered into the presence of One who desires to do “just enough” in the lives of His people.
Perhaps there’s no one word in your prayer life that triggers such a thought, but have you considered that you too may be asking God for just enough of something instead of praying in expectation for God to do something amazing?
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Music stirs my soul into a divine frenzy.
Rarely do I drive without it—especially on the Sunday mornings. But this wasn’t the case yesterday.
Music was playing when I cranked ‘ol faithful (’99 CRV) but I quickly punched the knob to turn it off when I felt impressed to pray for Brian (who played at our Cherrydale campus), for Brandon (leading worship in Ohio), and for specific members of our family.
Within a couple blocks, I began praying for a friend’s daughter, uncertain of her needs, but certain of the One who did.
A mile down the road, a man in our life group who just had heart surgery came to mind as I passed his daughter’s sub-division.
A few minutes later, I passed our former church — praying God’s blessings, discernment, and glory to fall upon that place.
Drawing closer to Summit Church, I prayed for the ladies study on Tuesday night, asking God to keep us focused on Him…and not our space, or lack thereof. More ladies have decided to join us in the past week. Praising God, and trusting Him too.
As I pulled into a parking space, the silence caught me off guard. I’d not turned the radio on! No music had played—or had it?
“What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my
mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my
mind also.” 1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV
Oh, the sweet melody of prayer!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I’d not passed it in months.
Now I pass it every Sunday morning.
“It” is the church we left under difficult circumstances in 2008.
It was a church we loved.
When we drove away that April morning, our Christ-knit “family” wasn’t the only thing left behind. The dust cloud also included my dream job and creative ministries I loved, so to say the departure was difficult would be a vast understatement.
And yet…I’m reminded every time I pass the church that, although we now differ theologically, there’s no doubt that it’s full of people who know, love, and pursue Christ— and for that, I rejoice.
I believe it was Charles Stanley who said you know you’ve completely forgiven someone when you can pray God’s blessings for them, and I believe this to be true. Don’t believe me? Try it.
Now, when I pass by each Sunday morning, I pray wisdom, discernment, and blessings for their staff and the body. I desire God’s best for them.
Does a twinge of disappointment remain? Absolutely. But I’ll take that twinge over the lasting sting of bitterness any day.
Am I alone here? Perhaps there’s a family member, friend, co-worker, pastor, or church body that needs you to trade in your bitterness for blessings. You’ll both be blessed and God will be glorified through your obedience. Go for it!
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind
and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
“Get out of my way!” the burly bully shouted, while shoving his young son into the end-cap at Target. I paused to pay the clerk until I was certain he’d caught a glimpse of the righteous anger welling up within me. He had been seen and I wanted him to know it.
The little boy regained his balance and cowered behind his mother, who looked to be as terrified as he was, if not more. If this man abuses his family in public what must he do behind closed doors?
Pushing my buggy back into place, a woman approached me. “I know exactly how you feel.” Her head lowered as she sauntered slowly back to her mini-van.
Should I call the police? Did I even have the right to do so? I didn’t know, but this brief encounter with domestic abuse jolted the rosy-colored glasses clean off my head.
The incident was very unfortunate, but no coincidence. The terrified woman now has at least one person standing in the gap for her.
Will you join me in praying for this family? I sense it may be an expansive gap in need of prayer warriors—especially on behalf of the burly bully.
Jesus looked at them and said,
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
