A Morning Prayer

Do not forget your daily dose of wisdom, which can be found at Proverbial Thought!

I have quite a few blogs that I follow. One that I follow yet do not regularly interact with (Sorry, James!) is Men of One Accord. James’s goal with his blog is to bring about unity between Christians in Christ Jesus, and I highly recommend checking out his poetry, prayers, and quotes. The spelling might not always be the greatest, but the content is always full of grace, love, and Jesus! I strongly suggest you follow his blog!

This past week, as I was hurrying from work to seminary or youth group, or trying to get in all of my reading and assignments (the downside to taking 12 credits at the graduate level and working full-time while involved in ministry!), this little gem appeared in my inbox. It strengthened me, encouraged my spirit, and reminded me of why I push myself: it is all for His glory!

As he said in the post, “I could not keep it all to myself, I had to share. May all be blessed and peace be with you. Amen”

My Abba I bow

before the morning light.

Prepare me to arise 

at the dawning of Your new day.

As You pour out new mercies

forgiveness of all sins

through Your love

by grace this child 

has been embraced.

I sing praise, honor, and glory

to the lamb that was slain. 

 Forever 

Yeshua shall reign.

Your child brings to You

his body, heart, spirit, and soul

which to You I freely give.

These are my five loaves and two fish

I give for Your blessing

to break, to pass out and to feed

a multitude of hungry and lost souls.

For by Your grace 

this child has been embraced.

Forever I will sing Your praise, 

to honor, and to glorify

 the lamb that was slain. 

 Forever

 Yeshua shall reign.

AMEN.

2013
08/27
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What I Call “A Seminarian Prayer” from Thomas Aquinas

Find wisdom in the commentary at Proverbial Thought!

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
Philemon 1:6, NIV

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel . . .
Ephesians 6:19, NIV

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:9-12, NIV

Yesterday, I began my educational journey at Phoenix Seminary!

Therefore, I think it is appropriate to start this journey off correctly: with prayer!

I first read this prayer on the blog Walking Christian, posted by the founder Gil Sanders as “A Student’s Prayer by Thomas Aquinas” on October 13, 2012.

I post it today in hopes that any who read this will join me in praying for my education and for your own edification and growth in Christ!

Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things
correctly and fundamentally.

Grant me the talent
of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself
with thoroughness and charm.

Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.

I ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

2013
08/20
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kinder than necessary

Once again, my wonderful sister-in-law nails it.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14

jennifer prod's avatarapartmentwife

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Cultivate a loving heart, and practice being kinder than necessary.  In the course of your day, you will inevitably encounter difficult people, but have patience and practice kindness. You won’t regret it.  In my experience, the most trying individuals are fighting battles of their own, and they are the most deserving of compassion.

I tell myself that the people who are hardest to love need it the most.  My attitude may suggest blind optimism, but I’ve pondered the subject for years, and I truly believe it’s accurate.  When people are hard to love, it’s likely that they don’t consider the impact of their actions on others.  But how do people cultivate a sense of empathy?  How do they develop an understanding for difference?

I believe it begins with exposure to kindness.  Be kind to the people that least deserve it, and I promise that they will ponder your behavior.  They…

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2013
08/19
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 08/18/2013

Teach your mind to worship in all wisdom by reading thoughts at Proverbial Thought!

Last week the poem looked at glorifying God by responding in faith to the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.

How, then, do we continue to glorify God with our lives?

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
John 15:7-9, NIV

teach me to worship teach me to worship show me what it means to live a dedicated life to live a life of praise teach me to honor You show me how to sing to go into the world and share Your Great Name how can i worship how can i praise how can i honor Your Holy Name You have told us to love You have said not to hate be kind to everyone as an act of praise

teach me to worship

teach me to worship
show me what it means
to live a dedicated life
to live a life of praise
teach me to honor You
show me how to sing
to go into the world
and share Your Great Name
how can i worship
how can i praise
how can i honor
Your Holy Name
You have told us to love
You have said not to hate
be kind to everyone
as an act of praise

2013
08/18
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The Acts of the Doctor (Who)

Get some of that old-fashioned wisdom at Proverbial Thought!

I am a fan of Doctor Who. That means I am a Whovian.

I enjoy the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre, and Doctor Who covers that in spades (and probably has or will literally).Doctor Who Matt Smith

I have found several devotionals based on Doctor Who, with a common theme of the Doctor as a Christ-like figure and his companions as disciples. There are a few which put the Doctor in a different role, biblically speaking, and within all of these there are times when our circumstances are compared to his and with the Bible.

This is one of those odd-ducks in which I deviate from the Christ-likeness.

Apostle to the World

If I were to compare the Doctor to anyone, it would be the Apostle Paul. Here is why:

The Doctor is a Time Lord who comes from the planet Gallifrey, so he is an alien to Earth. He is not the one who controls time. He is often used by Time to help good win.

He has two hearts, is very clever, and he travels around in a T.A.R.D.I.S. – Time And Relative Dimensions In Space – through all of time and space and occasionally outside. He usually has one, two, or several companions who travel with him (usually from Earth, but not always), whom it is very clear (at least if you pay attention, sometimes) he loves dearly. And he has a sonic screwdriver which helps him get out of and into sticky situations.

The Doctor has a knack for showing people the truth behind circumstances, and he saves the world (and the universe) on a regular basis.

One of the more amazing things about the Doctor is the way he and the Time Lords can escape death: regeneration into a new body.

Now consider Paul:

He was a Jew who was called to preach the Gospel (the truth of Jesus Christ) to the Gentile world (Acts 9:15, Romans 15:15-16).

He had many disciples which he left in cities to lead the church, some of them Jews and some Gentiles. With the help of the Holy Spirit he was saved or revived from sticky situations and helped many people or the glory of God.

All of this was possible because his heart was regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:22-24) (you could argue he, and we as Christians, have two hearts as evidenced by our sinful desires and a new desire for God). We also have the promise of regenerated bodies at the end of the age (2 Corinthians 5).

Paul is not God, but he was used by God to help win over hearts and minds.

I say all this just to say …

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “test everything. Hold onto what is good.” (Technically speaking about prophecy, but it is so applicable in our world.)

It is just as Paul used the pagan god statues in Rome to witness for Christ, or God using secular (non-Christian) songs to pull someone closer to Himself (such as Backstreet Boys’ “As Long As You Love Me” helping me realize my deep need for unconditional, perfect love).

I also really like G. K. Chesterton’s quote:

“Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”

I enjoy Doctor Who, and other works of Sci-Fi/Fantasy, because they remind us of who we are, who are meant to be, and that we can and should be more than we are.

What is your inspiration? What is your passion in life that moves you?

Mine is God and the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, but Doctor Who reminds me of that!

2013
08/13
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 08/11/2013

Accept the truth that you need more wisdom, and go read the proverbial commentary at Proverbial Thought!

There are two groups in this world:

  1. Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
  2. Those who do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Within the first group there are subgroups which define a response to Jesus:

  1. Those who ignore Jesus.
  2. Those who hate Jesus.
  3. Those who love Jesus.

There can be subgroups for each of these, but the focus of the poem today is an explanation of that last group.

accept and respond

i heard the Good News

i looked at the facts

i know it was true

i accepted Jesus

my mental decision

brought in a choice

be a new person

or just say i know Jesus

this life can be hard

and not seem very just

i will take up my part

and respond to Jesus

i accept this truth

i will do what i must

i have to share with you

because i responded to Jesus

2013
08/11
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The Fellowship of the Unashamed

Become skilled at wisdom, and head over to Proverbial Thought!

I am not sure where this came from, but I found it in a daily devotional from Bill Keller.

May it speak to you, and may it spark something inside you that pushes you into loving service of our God and King!

I will let it speak for itself!

Author Unknown

“I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I  have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.

I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away,  or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure.

I’m done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth  knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and  dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or  popularity.

I don’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or  rewarded.

I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and  labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven.

My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is  reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back,  deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of  the adversary.

I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of  popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up,  prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus!

I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My  colors will be clear!”

2013
08/06
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 08/04/2013

Remember to get your daily dose of wisdom from Proverbial Thought!

About a month ago I wrote … an open letter to the Western Church.

When I wrote this poem, I was beginning to see how some of the teachers I was following were distorting the gospel of Christ. They made rules not found in the Bible or took supposing or contextual promises from the Bible, and they presented these as the truth.

Many of these were “Prosperity Gospel” teachers. Some of them were rogue teachers with no affiliation to any denomination or particular creed.

Sadly, I found many of these teachings floating throughout much of the Church in America as I travelled across it that year.

(Thankfully, I have found many solid teachers, those who are not ashamed to admit they might be wrong yet humble enough to trust those who have come before in Church history!)

It was also around this time I read Isaiah 28 …

 

woe to the church (Isaiah 28)

do and do

do and do

rule on rule

rule on rule

a little here

a little there

our priests and preachers

cause many to stumble

they become injured

captured in sin and snared

you preach of victory

you have talked with death

nothing can harm you

death would never dare

for you made a lie a haven

in your agreement with hell

you have taken falsehood

and made it your lair

 

it is time

it is time

enough is enough

no more of this

a call to fight

a call to prayer

life has left the church

but our Lord is earnest

He has not forgotten

He knows our despair

return to the King

return to our Savior

repent of all the lies

give up all earthly cares

return to our Lord

give to Him our lives

those who return to God

their souls will be spared

2013
08/04
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Build Your Kingdom Here

Learn the wisdom of the Kingdom by reading some thoughts at Proverbial Thought.

I am on a role with these song-inspired posts, as of late, so here is another.

The Kingdom of God Is Near

Prayer is certainly important in the life of a Christian, as discussed last week.

Jesus taught us to pray:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation
    but deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:9-13, NIV

Perhaps the reason we fail to see revival and change in our society is because we do not really pray for “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Sure, we say the words, but how often do we mean it?

A chapter earlier, Jesus says:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.“
Matthew 5:13-16, NIV

Perhaps we do not see revival and change in our society, because we have not really asked our Father to change us through His Holy Spirit to be His salt and light in our world. We have a tendency to think God will just change all of their hearts without our intervention.

I could go on and on, but I think the Rend Collective Experiment sang it out best in this prayer to song:

Build Your Kingdom Here

Come set Your rule and reign
In our hearts again
Increase in us we pray
Unveil why we’re made
Come set our hearts ablaze with hope
Like wildfire in our very souls
Holy Spirit come invade us now
We are Your Church
We need Your power
In us

We seek Your kingdom first
We hunger and we thirst
Refuse to waste our lives
For You’re our joy and prize
To see the captive hearts released
The hurt; the sick; the poor at peace
We lay down our lives for Heaven’s cause
We are Your church
We pray revive
This earth

Build Your kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray

Unleash Your kingdom’s power
Reaching the near and far
No force of hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts
You made us for much more than this
Awake the kingdom seed in us
Fill us with the strength and love of Christ
We are Your church
We are the hope
On earth

2013
07/30
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Helpless Love

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7, NASB

 

 

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may [b]approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:9-10, NASB

morningstoryanddilbert's avatarMorning Story and Dilbert

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.

Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”

“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat…

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2013
07/29
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