Warning: This post contains Bathroom Humor.

This might be a first for me.  Our friends asked us to pray for their son.  He was hit by a van New Year's Eve and was  in critical condition.

 They've been great to give us really specific prayer requests.  After a week in the hospital, his biggest need right now it to have a BM to relieve discomfort.   My sweet friend, seriously and humorously asks us to pray for poop.  Needless to say, this brought a huge smile on all the male faces in our home.  I don't think I've ever prayed for poop.   Feel free to join me.

Dear Lord,
I know Ben is in a lot of pain right now.  Help his intestines do their job so he can focus on rehab.  Help him poop.  Let it all out.  Continue to help the Peterson's laugh in the midst of this crazy journey.
In Jesus name, Amen.

Help Me Get to My Chair!

The Harvest started a series titled, "Where's Your Chair."  The main idea is pretty simple.  Just find a place where you can have quiet time to open your Bible and talk to God.  Our family has had fun with the title as we joke around about who gets the comfy chair in the living room.  

My biggest problem isn't finding my chair, it's getting there!  I am a morning person, so I like to get up early and start my day with my bible and a hot drink.  However, too often late nights, illnesses or to-do lists pull me away from my metaphorical chair.  I'm looking forward to continuing this series with the church.  My big prayer as we continue digging over the next few weeks is, "God to help me get to my chair!"

Unexpected

Please pray for Ben.  He was hit by a van on New Year's Eve.  He suffered many injuries.  Please pray that he becomes completely coherent.  Pray he has a full neurological recovery.  Pray for strength, grace and wisdom for him and his team as he moves forward in healing. 

The news of Ben's injury was unexpected. It's comforting to know that God's grace abounds even in our most trying circumstances.  I'm reminded today that our unexpected moments are no match for our understanding God.

Please Pray for Ben!

Heavenly Father, our unexpected moments are no surprise to you.  You fully know and fully provide for all our needs.  Your love is unending.  Your grace is unsurpassed.  Your peace is unparalleled. Your wisdom unmatched. Unleash your power in my unexpected moments.  In Jesus Name, Amen

 

Dig Deep in 2014

Happy Endings, New Beginnings

2013 is winding down and a fresh new year is rolling in.  So did you do everything you wanted to do in 2013?  Did you soak in God's grace?  Did you listen carefully for his voice?  Did you complete the project?  Stop the bad habit?  New Year's Eve has always been a time for taking inventory.   What went well?  What was a disaster? 

Regardless of how 2013 began or ends, one thing remains.  God's goodness.  In hard times and in happy times, God is good.

Lamentations 3:22-23 says:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. 


I love that God is faithful.  Whether I reached all my goals for 2013 or whether I blew it.  He is faithful.  Who knows what 2014 will bring?  Life is full of uncertainty.  Yet, I know that 2014 will be a year of unceasing love, unending mercy and undeserved faithfulness from my God. 

 I'm counting all the ways I was blessed in 2013 tonight.  What a way  to write a happy ending to end the year.

  Happy New Year.  Happy New Beginning.

Faithful God, I love you more with each passing year.  Thank you for the good, the bad and the ugly in 2013.  Most of all, thank you for being with me every step of the way.  Where would I be without you?  Give me eyes to see opportunities to extend your life and peace to others in 2014.  In Jesus name, Amen.

When you're stretched

Emotions.  Budgets.  Schedules.  Relationships.  They're all stretched in December.  I can't help but wonder, is it possible to get through the holidays without stretching?  It seems like no matter how hard I try to plan and prepare and slow down, I still feel stretched. 

Maybe it's the way God intended.  The first Christmas Mary, great with child, stretched.  Her abdomen swelled and stretched as she endured the discomfort of a pregnancy.  She was full of Christ.   Emmanuel.  God. With. Us. 

So as Christmas stretches, I can remember the first Christmas and the promise of Emmanuel.   I can choose to be full of Christ.

Lord, help me to be full of you today.  Empty me and fill me.  Stretch me.  Forgive me for forgetting I am full of your spirit.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

When Gingerbread houses are finished

There are three little houses.  Carefully, small hands crafted the tiny homes.  They sit sweetly on a platter, tempting all who pass by.  Houses prepared during this busy season of shopping and baking.  Houses prepared with joy.  Houses prepared for pleasure.  Carefree.  Lighthearted.  Delightful. 

I remember the words of Jesus.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.  John 15:1-3

Gingerbread houses are nice.  Heaven-bred houses are even better.  I remind myself to think about the sweet home Jesus is preparing for me every time I see a gingerbread house. 

Thank you Lord for the sweetness of this season.  Help me to remember you in the midst of it all.   The one who came.  The one who loves.  The one who gives.  I love your gentle, ginger reminders to keep you at the center of Christmas.   In Jesus name, Amen.