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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

In Other Words



As I am working hard to get this blog up and running again I am choosing different carnivals and memes I would like to participate in each week or at least on a regular basis. These events are chosen because I think they are either fun, informative, or challenging to me. One of those events is "In Other Words" at Christian Women Online. Each week a fellow blogger picks a quote that means something to them and then she hosts the carnival at her own blog where others, like myself, can sound in with their thoughts on the quote. I have been enjoying reading the entries in the past and finally, I will begin participating. So, with no further ado...

This week's "In Other Words" is being hosted by Laurel Wreath. The quote she chose is:

"When there is little awareness of real need there is little real prayer."
~ Donald S. Whitney ~
Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life

The best thing I can think of to say at this point is "How True is that?!"

Everyday I make a point to sit down to read my Bible and to Pray. Sometimes I don't always read my Bible, but choose to read a devotional book instead and sometimes I don't pray and just read my Bible or other book. There really isn't that much consistency in what I choose to do, but I always make a point to do something.

As I pondered this quote I came to a conclusion. What I choose during my devotional time is often times based on what I am experiencing or going through. If life seems to be going well I may choose to just read a devotional book or some other uplifting book. If things are kind of So-So, I will spend more time reading the actual Bible (wow...imagine that) and praying. But, if things are just down right tough I spend the entire time praying. I cry out to God for help and all I want to do is talk. And then I feel like I spend a lot of that time trying to "catch up" with God.

It is rather funny that it takes a tough time for me to fully lay myself out before God. Why can't I be this open with Him when the times are good or even great? It feels like I am just using God. I am like a little kid going to her father only when she wants something and wants it now. That is so terribly twisted and wrong. My earthly Father was always available to me and still is and I know that I can call him "just to chat" anytime. God wants that so much too and I know that and yet my prideful self only wants to approach him with a need and not "just to chat."

In the book Safely Home by Randy Alcorn (see previous post), Li Quan says to his friend, Ben Felding, that he prays that Ben will endure some suffering or persecution so that he will grow strong and remain strong in his faith. I confess that I am afraid to pray the same for myself but I know for a fact that I walk so much closer with my Lord when I am enduring hardship.

"Do not be anxious for anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7


4 Readers Shared Their Love:

Miriam Pauline said...

Great post! Thank you for sharing.

Lori said...

I am so glad you joined it!! This is beautiful.

It reminded me of advice I got a long time ago:

"If you only run to the Lord in a time of crisis or spend real time with him when you are hurting, then God will keep those trials coming because he loves spending time with you...."

That has stuck with me, and made me reach out in the time of rest also (hoping he would continue the rest =)

Have a blessed day.

Meg said...

Thanks for taking part! I enjoyed reading your post and even checked back on that Randy Alcorn book.....sounds like a good one. I will put it on my list. Have you read the trilogy he wrote Deadline, Dominion and Deception? Someone else recommended those to me. I also want to read his book entitled Heaven. Have a great day. Meg

Amico Dio said...

Welcome! What a great post! I too can relate. I have been there many times before. God is faithful!