Author: Wendy

What About Seth?

Posted on by Wendy
What we teach our children about can have a ripple effect for years to come.
What we teach our children about God, can have a ripple effect for years to come.

If I were to say the names, “Adam and Eve,” to you, what comes to mind? Is it Eden? Is it the first humans ever created? Was it their sin that had them banned from Eden? Those are all facts that go along with them. They are all true. What if I were to ask you about their children? What names come to mind?

Was your answer Cain and Abel? We all know what happened to those two brothers. Cain killed Abel and was banished by God. The “bad” son killed the “good” son. But, that’s not the end of the story for Adam and Eve. They had other children. One of them is named in Genesis. His name was Seth.

We never talk about Seth. His older brothers are part of a story that’s worthy of the tabloids, but not Seth. There’s no drama in his story, but it’s very important. Here’s why; Seth grew up and had a son of his own. His name was Enosh.

After Enosh was born, the Bible says. “At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name.” Genesis 4:26

This is the Bible’s first recorded prayer. They worshiped the Lord by name. Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born. Seth was 105 years old when Enosh was born. It took a couple of hundred years before they worshiped the Lord by name, but when they did, beautiful things came out of it.

Out of Seth’s lineage came Enoch. He was seven generations from Adam. “Enoch walked with God for 300 years…. Altogether , Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Genesis 5:22-24

The seventh generation from Adam through Cain, produced pure evil. The children from Cain’s lineage professed no need for God. They were completely independent and bent on destruction.

What an interesting contrast. One brother became a worshiper of God. In fact, one of his descendants became so close to God, that he didn’t even die. God just took him to heaven. The only other time we see that is with Elijah.

Cain’s descendants on the other hand, saw no need for God and reaped the benefits with a chaotic and violent existence.

So what does all this story mean for us? For one thing, God gives second chances. He gave Adam and Eve more children after they lost their first two. He also gave Cain a second chance. He didn’t kill him for what he did to his brother Abel. But, God also gives us free will. We are  not forced to love Him, worship Him, or obey Him. The choice is ours, just as it was Cain’s and Seth’s. Cain continued on a road of disastrous choices which lead to generations who came after him who did the same.

But, Seth’s son, Enosh, made good choices, such good choices, he didn’t even die, God just took him home. As parents and grandparents, we too, have the opportunity to make a huge contribution to the future of our descendants and that’s by teaching our children and grandchildren to love God. The stories of Seth and Cain illustrate what a ripple effect that sharing our faith can have for hundreds of years into the future.

Because, guess who else came from the line of Seth? Noah. Yes, the Noah who was the one man who found favor in the eyes of the Lord, so much so that He used him to spare some of humanity from the flood.

What we teach our kids today about God, matters. Let’s be shining examples of the love of God for the kids in our lives whether they are related to us or not. According to Genesis, it can make all of the difference.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Age Matters

Posted on by Wendy
Research shows if we want our kids' faith to stick after they leave home, they need to be exposed and connected to Christians of all ages.
Research shows if we want our kids’ faith to stick after they leave home, they need to be exposed and connected to Christians of all ages.

We are surrounded by a “youth is awesome,” culture. We are all supposed to look and act at least ten years younger than we are and there are all kinds of products and procedures out there to help us achieve perpetual youth in our appearance. Looking and acting younger has become a bit of a cultural obsession.

Statistics show that 40% to 50% of  teens raised in Christian homes who regularly attend church, will leave their faith behind during college, even those kids who were really active in huge youth groups. However, a youth pastor recently told me about research that shows that the ones who stay true to their faith had strong relationships with church members of all ages. It’s called Sticky Faith and you can read about it here if you are interested.

http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/sticky-faith/press-release

I can’t say that I really find that so surprising. In our quest to build youth groups and Sunday School classes with hundreds of  kids who gather regularly for fun and fellowship, they are missing out on relationship with older members of the faith. Hey, wait a minute, is the research stating that older church members have something valuable to contribute to our children’s faith walk? Yes. That’s exactly what the research says.

Come to think of it, the Bible says that too. Job 12:12 says, “Wisdom belongs to the aged and understanding to the old.” Psalm 92:14 says, “Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. By the way, Psalms and Job both belong to the Books of Wisdom in the Old Testament, just one more point to ponder.

So what does this all mean? Should we do away with large and vibrant youth groups? Of course we shouldn’t. Fellowship with other young Christians is important. But, there’s a certain amount of wisdom that can really only be attained by living. When we live year after year, we make mistakes. We learn about redemption. We experience true grace. Is it really possible for college students or other teens to have the wisdom that someone over forty has? Maybe the better question is, “Is it probable?”

Everyone’s faith walk is unique and everyone who is on that walk has something unique to share. Those who have been on it longer really have the opportunity to share and mentor those who are newer. I believe that’s what God wants for us in Christian community. I believe that’s what God wants for us and our children in church.

So how can we be a part of the, “Sticky Faith,” principle? For one thing, we can encourage our kids to develop relationships with older Christians. Then, we as older Christians, can seek out opportunities to develop relationships with the children and youth in our churches. Even though we may have raised our own long ago, as more experienced Christians, we still have a part to play in the spiritual growth of the kids of all ages in our church. As long as we are alive and breathing, God isn’t done with us yet.

Turns out that older is sometimes better. But, we already knew that; didn’t we?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Zacchaeus-The Bigger Story

Posted on by Wendy
Thankfully, we don't have to climb a tree to see Jesus.
Thankfully, we don’t have to climb a tree to see Jesus.

I participate in an online Bible study that had me reading the Zacchaeus story found in Luke 19. Are you humming the wee little man song that you learned in Sunday School? If so, give a quick prayer of thanks to the teacher who took the time to teach it to you. I’m thankful for Anne Brooks for teaching me the song and the story. It has always stuck with me. As I’ve said before, it’s about planting seeds.

The Bible study I am participating in is focusing on hospitality, but as I read the story, something completely different jumped out at me. That of course, is the beautiful mystery of the Bible. It speaks to every one of us a little differently.

Zacchaeus was one of those dreaded tax collectors and not only was he a tax collector, he was  a chief tax collector. He had become filthy rich from cheating fellow Jews, definitely not a very noble way to make a living. He likely had other tax collectors under him who he encouraged to do the same. He was not a good guy.

The text tells us that Jesus was coming through town. He must have been surrounded by people because Zacchaeus was trying to get a glimpse of him and was too short to see him. That makes sense. Jesus was healing people left and right. He was constantly surrounded by folks seeking his help.

Zacchaeus’ next move was the first step in changing his destiny forever. He could have thrown up his hands and walked away. No one would have ever been the wiser. He could have continued living his comfortable life cheating others. But, something in his heart, convicted him to climb a tree to see Jesus.

Think about that for a minute. This guy was a major fat cat. I kind of picture one of those television lawyers, those “Have you been in an accident?” guys. He willingly climbed a tree. He had to have looked kind of silly, a grown man, a wealthy man, a likely hated man, climbing a tree. Yet, he did. We don’t get an internal dialogue, just that he ran ahead and climbed a tree. He ran and climbed. This man was clearly eager. He didn’t even know for what. He just wanted to see Jesus, not touch him or talk to him, just to see him.

But, that tiny bit of curiosity, that tiny bit of seeking something different, was enough. Jesus came by and called him by name. Jesus noticed him. Zacchaeus took the first step and it was enough. Of course, Jesus wanted no part of people watching him from afar. Nope, he wanted face-to-face, personal contact and he told Zacchaeus to come down from that tree because he wanted to be a guest in his home.

Tongues went to wagging. There was disapproval from the crowd that Jesus would keep company with such lowlife. But, then Jesus never sought human approval, something we could all learn from him.

The entire incident lead to Zacchaeus changing his life forever. A personal encounter with Jesus has a way of doing that. It didn’t matter where Zacchaeus had been or what he had done. What mattered was his heart’s desire for something different. He found salvation that day just because he was willing to seek. It was just that easy.

I still love the song, but the adult story of grace and redemption involved in this Jesus encounter is just too good not to share. All we have to do is seek to know just a little bit of Jesus and that can compel us to change our focus and our destiny forever. It’s awe-inspiring stuff.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Church Unplugged

Posted on by Wendy
This book is full of exciting truth just waiting to be read.
This book is full of exciting truth just waiting to be read.

Back in the late eighties and early nineties, MTV used to do a weekly segment called “Unplugged.” They would take some of the most popular artists and have them do their music in an acoustic version. There were no synthesizers or electric guitars or anything electronic. It was just the artist and a microphone and a guitar or two. It sounded vastly different that the radio version of the songs, but it was fabulous, more honest somehow.

We don’t hear many artists doing unplugged versions anymore. I suspect quite frankly, that many of the current singers wouldn’t dare sing without all of the electronic assistance. The right software and accompaniment can make anyone sound great.

This unplugged concept has really been swirling around my head in regards to church. There are a lot of churches out there that are something like a Bon Jovi concert. Then there are churches that would never dream of having a service without forty robed choir members belting out angelic tunes accompanied by a piano and an organ.

Don’t get me wrong. I love music and I especially love good worship music. But, what would happen if we unplugged all of that? What if we removed all of the instruments and robes and had one lone piano and hymnals? What if we sang just a couple of songs of preparation for the message like, “Amazing Grace” or “I’ll Fly Away?” What if we were at church simply for a Biblical message from God?

If church were unplugged, would we sit on the edge of our seats, riveted by the Word of God? It seems to me that if the Bible is taught correctly, it’s riveting. It’s a love story. There are angels and demons. There are good guys and bad guys. There are battles that put, “Lord of the Rings,” to shame. People fall from grace. God gives them redemption. There’s the supernatural. There are earthquakes and floods. There’s beauty. There’s grace. There’s healing and family for all who seek it.

The stories in the Bible are so good that Hollywood merely dreams of coming up with stuff that good. But, it can’t. The Bible is truth and truth is usually way more exciting than fiction.

So, maybe we should ask ourselves why we attend church. Is it awe-inspiring? Do we want to worship God because the message is so life changing? Are we part of a loving and active faith community? Do we leave service with the desire to share the light of Jesus with the world? Are we becoming disciples? Does our church make us want to be more like Jesus?

The original church in the Book of Acts could answer yes to all of those questions. They wanted to learn about Jesus, be more like Jesus and invite others to do the same. They were unplugged, so to speak, and on fire.

Music can add so much to a church service and I’m glad we have it. But, if we were to unplug and had only the message to listen to, would it be awesome on its own? Maybe it should be. In its fight to stay relevant, the church has to stay true to the message. Maybe we should think about it.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

PS Those of you taking the gratitude challenge, you should have three things your thankful for by today. It’s not too late to start your list!

Team Jesus Needs You

Posted on by Wendy
Team Jesus needs you, unique and wonderful you.
Team Jesus needs you, unique and wonderful you.

My daughter’s high school football team has had a really good season. They have a new coach this year and there have been some fabulous results. After one of the games, my daughter commented that her friend told her that the kicker almost lost the game for the team. That statement really made me angry. I went on to explain that football is a team sport. If everyone on the team had played better, that kick wouldn’t have meant a win or a loss. They would have been comfortably ahead.

But, we love to be armchair quarterbacks. The blame game is a game that humanity loves to play. We like to win, period. It may be our favorite team we are cheering on, or it may be at the workplace or in our relationships. When we feel we are losing, it has to be somebody’s fault and we are quick to point out who that somebody is.

But, the winning at all cost attitude can cost us dearly in our relationships with each other and with God. When we focus on winning no matter what, our focus shifts to self. In relationships, people who are self-focused are very difficult to work with or play with, for that matter. In fact, self-focused people are difficult to live with.

God calls us to a different standard. On our faith walk, it’s not about winning or losing, it’s about keeping our eyes on Him and being obedient to His call. We are never supposed to compete with each other because we are all called to do something a little different from our neighbor. Everyone’s voice is unique because we are all unique.

Winning souls for Jesus takes teamwork. You may have taught a kid Sunday school until the day he graduated from high school, but it may not click until his twenties while he’s attending some sort of retreat. Even though you didn’t get to see the final results, you planted seeds. You participated in the Christianity co-op.

I believe in my deepest heart that we are called to be a part of community as Christians. We are called to work together to help point others to Jesus. We are not called to compete and we are not called to work alone. It’s easy to talk about the importance of community when we refuse to work with anyone or to get involved in our church.

And believe me, I get it. People in churches can act very unChristlike. They can hurt our feelings and disappoint us. That’s because people are broken. We live in a broken world. People tend to get self-focused if we aren’t very vigilant. Self-focused people can’t be God-focused. We can’t serve two masters. So, we get our feelings hurt and we refuse to participate further because someone let us down. We don’t want to be team players any longer. We will attend church and then hit the door when it’s over, problem solved.

I am unbelievably thankful that Jesus didn’t take that attitude. We would all be doomed to hell. We are called to love each other because he loved us first. We are called to community. Jesus traveled with a group. He was part of a community. After the Ascension, the Holy Spirit was the driving force behind the community of the Church. Check out the Book of Acts. Talk about teamwork! Those guys and gals were on fire.

Sometimes it’s good to stop and ask ourselves what part are we playing on Team Jesus. If we have been on the sidelines for a while, it may be time to suit up and get back in the game. The world needs you, unique and fabulous you. What are you waiting for?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

A Season of Gratitude

Posted on by Wendy
Before we speed on to Christmas, let's stop and enjoy a season of thankfulness.
Before we speed on to Christmas, let’s stop and enjoy a season of thankfulness.

Halloween is over, but it hasn’t been a full forty-eight hours since I had trick-or-treaters. I have barely taken the jack o’lanterns off of my front porch. I haven’t even fully looted all of the Snickers and Almond Joy bars out of my son’s candy stash, but a quick visit to the mall tells me it’s time for Christmas. Target has already begun teasing about free shipping and Wal-Mart, not to be outdone, is giving free shipping and special deals already. It’s only November the 3rd.

Don’t get me wrong. I love free shipping and I know in my heart of hearts that the retailers are really nailing us on shipping and handling. I also love a good deal and I like to shop early. But, speeding onto Christmas in our minds is skipping a very important and vital to our hearts, holiday. That holiday is Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is uniquely American. We are the only country who celebrates it. We have seen fit as a country, to set aside a day to remember how the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together after surviving a horrible winter. To honor their blessings, they sat together and broke bread and gave thanks. (To God by the way, the Pilgrims were religious people who wanted the opportunity to worship undisturbed by the government.)

It has become a holiday when we gather together with friends and relatives to give thanks for all of the abundance we have as individuals as well as a nation. We have much to be thankful for. As dire as our economy has been and as dark as the world seems, we are still incredibly blessed. We are one of the wealthiest nations around and one of the freest. We have clean water to drink and clean air to breathe. Our children are all entitled to an education. Our women are free to pursue whatever interests they desire. We are free to worship as we please.

I could go on about our many blessings. We definitely have work to do, but no one can deny that we have been blessed beyond measure. One of the scariest viral outbreaks in the world is ravaging Africa and so far, the medical care available here has been able to save all, but one life. And we have many volunteers willing to go and fight that outbreak, putting their own lives at risk, an example of the blessed being a blessing.

We have almost a month until Thanksgiving Day. I would like to challenge you to take the next few weeks to join me and intentionally jot down one blessing a day that you have to be thankful for. Keep a list for yourself to look back on. Then, let’s start praying for ways that we can be a blessing to others this Thanksgiving season. Start thinking about friends and neighbors who may be alone or struggling this year for the holiday. Maybe they have lost a loved one or can’t get home. Maybe they have recently divorced or lost their job.

If you have had a year blessed with abundance, then pray about sharing with someone who hasn’t. If you have been someone who has had a rough year then consider taking the hand that has reached out to you. That hand may have been inspired by God.

Let’s take the next twenty-five days and count our blessings and be a blessing to others. Let’s celebrate this season with thankfulness, whether the retailers do or not.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Halloween Blessings

Posted on by Wendy
Halloween is a great time to practice hospitality.
Halloween is a great time to practice hospitality.

Today is Halloween. I love Halloween. I love carving jack o’lanterns. I loved it when I was a kid, even though Mama had to drive us ten miles into town to knock on doors of the people she knew. I loved it when I had my own house, but not my own children, and got to have trick-or-treaters for the first time. I loved it when my kids were little and picked out their cute little costumes. I loved it when we organized hay rides for our neighborhood. I love it now when I get to open the door to young trick-or-treaters and their parents.

I suppose I see Halloween as a way of connecting with community and extending hospitality. Going from door to door or answering the door, is a great way to reconnect with neighbors and it’s a great way to meet new neighbors. You actually see faces and make eye contact. It’s an opportunity to extend invitations for future get-togethers. It’s an opportunity to grow community.

Handing out candy is a great way to extend hospitality. I truly believe that there’s not many things closer to the heart of Jesus than the sweet, content smile of a child. It’s also a great opportunity to extend grace. It’s good to remember that little ones have been excited all day long about trick-or-treating and they don’t get started until very close to their bed time. They also probably had a very quick dinner, if they ate at all, before they got started, so they are likely to get tired and cranky quickly. Let’s try to remember that, if they don’t say thank-you for the candy. And does it really matter if they go through the bowl to find the piece they want?

I also recently read that many children who have autism really struggle with the costume thing. We can offer grace by smiling and handing them candy anyway. And let’s not forget the parents. Most parents have worked all day and rushed home to try and feed their kids before they rush out the door. Let’s offer them a kind word when their child is misbehaving or doesn’t say thank-you. They are probably doing the best they can. Maybe we could even offer parents a bottle of water or a Snickers Bar. The kids won’t eat those anyway. They like that fruity, gummy stuff.

Let’s all try to remember that tonight gives us the opportunity to be the face of Jesus. Let’s smile a lot and be kind to everyone who crosses our path. Let’s be a blessing to others as we work on extending hospitality. And let’s pray for the safety of all of those children and parents out there. Let’s pray that God will grant patience to all of the parents as they work hard at creating memories and keeping up with wild and cranky kids. Let’s pray that He reminds us to love everyone.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

Happy Halloween Ya’ll!

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Are You Ready?

Posted on by Wendy
Are you prepared for whatever changes life brings?
Are you prepared for whatever changes life brings?

Fall weather in Georgia is anything, but predictable. I was huddling under a blanket at a football game on Friday night and then I was sweating buckets on Sunday afternoon on a walk I took, wishing I had a bottle of water. This volatility of the weather is nothing new to me. It could be anywhere from the forties to the eighties on any given day in the fall. It’s always best to be prepared with water and a jacket and maybe even a blanket and an umbrella.

But, as I was pondering the weather during my walk, it made me think about life. It’s really a lot like the weather, very unpredictable. The skies can turn from sunny to stormy in the blink of an eye in our financial lives, our relationships and our health. When we are prepared, we can weather the storms. Have we saved money? Have we talked with our spouses about the importance of staying committed to our marriages? Do we have a good support system from family and friends? Have we been vigilant about our health, through watching what we eat, exercising and getting check ups. Do we have a good doctor before we get sick? If we are prepared, we can usually get through the storms much more easily.

What about being prepared for storms in our spiritual lives? How do we react spiritually when life deals us a blow? Do we know how to turn to God in prayer when we are shaken? Is He like a daddy to us or a distant uncle? Do we know how to listen for His voice and look for His comfort? If we have been working on walking with God when times are good, then when times are bad, we can lean in close. It’s harder to really lean on someone who we have kept at a distance.

The Bible is also a fabulous source of comfort and hope when times are tough. If we have been reading it and studying it along the way, we know where to look when we really need some encouragement. God desires to help us; but He will only extend a hand. He will not force us to trust or love Him. Christianity doesn’t work that way.

What if today was our last day on earth? Does the thought frighten us or fill us with dread or are we okay with that, knowing the end here is simply the beginning of eternity?

We are not meant to live in fear. We are meant to live in love and joy. We are meant to have courage and peace in all circumstances, knowing that whatever happens, if our heart belongs to Jesus, we are covered. God has a plan for each and every one of us and knowing that, we are to start each day with a peace that can only come from an intimate relationship with Him. He will be our blanket, umbrella, raincoat, jacket, bottle of water and anything else we need in rough weather. All we have to do is follow His ways and we will always be prepared for anything and everything.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

What Can You Do?

Posted on by Wendy

 

How can you serve?
How can you serve?

Perhaps one of the most famous speeches ever written was John F. Kennedy’s speech that contained the mantra, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?” It was his inaugural speech and it was written in 1961. He asked all Americans to ask themselves that question.

I think it’s still a good question. We have drifted far away from public service. We have become a society that wants and expects to be served. We have become entitled and we often ask what the government can do for us rather than the other way around.

I think this new ideal has trickled into our churches as well. When we visit a church, our initial question is often, “What can this church offer me?” ” Are there strong youth and children’s programs?” ” Are there Sunday school classes in place?” ” Are there ongoing Bible studies?” ” What can I get out of it?”

But, perhaps the better questions are, “How could I serve in this church?” “Is there any place here where I can use my gifts and talents?” “Can I help make a difference here?” “Is this a place where I can really serve Christ?” “Can I learn more and become more like Jesus here?”

We really don’t even have to leave the church where we are to ask these questions, but they are questions that need to be asked. The heart of Christianity is love and service grows out of love. No, service doesn’t get us into heaven. But, once we know Jesus, we are supposed to want to grow to be more like him.

That requires more work and commitment  than sitting on a pew on Sunday. Jesus was a man who washed his followers’ feet. He wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty to show his love for humanity. He fed the hungry and healed the sick and touched countless lives in his short three years of ministry here on earth. In the end, he willingly paid the ultimate sacrifice with his own life. Then after the resurrection, forgave his followers who doubted him. He even cooked them a meal. Love, forgiveness and service were huge in his ministry.

So perhaps if we truly want to know Jesus better, we should try to act more like him. Maybe our first question should be, “What can I do to serve God?” If that becomes our mantra, then it spills over into church life. When we have a church full of people who are willing to serve, that spills over into our communities. It just grows bigger and bigger, until perhaps once again, we become a country full of citizens who ask themselves how they can serve their country and not the other way around. We can become a country who makes God proud.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong of the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9

What can you do to serve?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Are There Dumb Questions?

Posted on by Wendy
When we pray, are we seeking God's will or our own?
When we pray, are we seeking God’s will or our own?

I used to believe that there are no dumb questions. I want people around me to feel free to ask anything that is on their mind. Now that I have been a substitute teacher for eight years, I have changed my mind. There are some questions that are dumb, mainly because the person asking them is intentionally trying to be a smarty pants and get a laugh from their peers.

I recently heard a pastor preach about the Sadducees trying to catch Jesus, by asking him a dumb question. What if a woman marries a man and he dies and then she marries his brother and he dies? This scenario goes on through seven brothers. They wanted to know whose wife she would be at the resurrection. It was a ridiculous question, and was intended as a trap, but Jesus answered. He told them there was no marriage at the resurrection. We all just belong to God.

The pastor went on to talk about other ridiculous questions like, was the creature who swallowed Jonah, a fish or a whale? The answer was, “What difference does it make? God got Jonah where He wanted him.” That’s a perfect answer to that question, as far as I’m concerned.

There are people who ask questions simply to hear themselves talk. They are not seekers of truth, but are more interested in causing doubt or division. That got me to thinking about prayer.

Are there dumb prayers? Maybe.

When we pray, if we act like God is a genie or a Magic 8 Ball, that might be a waste of everyone’s time. If we spend our time praying to win the Lotto; that may not be considered wise prayer.

I often hear the teenagers that I have worked with complain that God doesn’t answer their prayers. My answer has always been that He does answer prayers, but the answer is sometimes, “no.” But, the next question is, “What are you praying for?” If you are praying for another person to like you or for it to snow in August so school will be cancelled, you are not praying for the right things. This usually makes them think.

Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done. That means we should be asking for guidance, not begging for favors. We are supposed to ask for our daily bread, not for riches, which means we are supposed to ask for enough, not abundance.We are supposed to ask for forgiveness as we seek assistance in forgiving others. We are supposed to ask for strength when dealing with temptation and deliverance from evil. We are supposed to end our prayers by glorifying God.

I admit that my prayers don’t  always look like that, but I suspect we get answers to prayers following that template more than others. I think the key is God’s will, not ours. It’s about God focus not self-focus, a tricky concept in today’s society. When we pray for answers concerning His will, we will get them eventually. We sometimes have to be patient and watchful, but we will get them.

Now, I totally believe in conversational prayer and I believe that we are supposed to pray about all things that concern us. But, if we believe that God consistently denies our prayers, then maybe we need to take a good hard look at what we are praying for. Sometimes the answer is, “no,” but sometimes it’s clearly not in God’s will. If we seek His will in our lives, we may find that our prayers start looking a lot different than when we were seeking our own will. We also may find that the answers come much faster.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂