What's Your CRAZY Prayer?

Here's what I want you to do, I want you to think back to some of the craziest prayers you've ever prayed. Now be honest....you know you've prayed for some crazy stuff before! Let me see if I can read your mind and list some of the prayers you might have prayed before.

God, please let _____________fall in love with me!
God, could you please let me win the lottery? I'll tithe on it!!!
God, if you get me out of this, I'll do whatever you want me to do...FOREVER!
Lord, could you please help me pass this test....even though I didn't study?
God, could you please make hair grow on my head....I'm tired of being bald?!
Lord, if you give me this (house,car,etc., etc.) I'll never ask you for anything else!
Lord, could you make my parents normal?
God, will you make my kids normal?

Ok, maybe I didn't exactly list every possible crazy prayer, but you get the point. It seems like when we pray, we tend to ask a lot and listen very little. It's almost like we have turned prayer time into an opportunity to twist God's arm in an attempt to get what we want. If you only pray when you are asking God for something, then you have missed the point of prayer. Prayer isn't intended to be your attempt to make God into your spiritual Santa Claus. Prayer is supposed to be one part of how you communicate with God and develop a deeper relationship with him.

I know what you might be thinking, "But if I don't ask God for something.....then what do I say?" Good question! Why not start by using a prayer "cheat-sheet". What?!? You heard me right! How do you learn to pray? You learn by seeing positive examples of prayer. In Luke 11, Jesus disciples asked him to teach them how to pray and he proceeded to teach them The Lord's Prayer. It was a prayer model designed to help them stay on track when they prayed. Wouldn't you like to learn how to pray prayers that are meaningful and that don't put you to sleep? Prayer models are the place to start. For a list of downloadable prayer models, visit www.centralassembly.net. Focused, intentional prayer is a good thing. It's ok to be crazy, but your prayers shouldn't be! Learn to pray effective prayers.

Monday Blahs

Alright, it's Monday morning, the day after the "big" day. For those who don't realize it, Sunday is the big day for every pastor. It's what every church seems to work up to; it's the climax of the week. Don't get me wrong, there are a huge amount of valuable ministries and activities that happen Monday thru Saturday, all of which make Sunday a success. But when the service is over, and everyone has left the building and I'm sitting on my couch Monday morning drinking coffee, it's very easy for me as a pastor to get the "blahs".

Here's one thing I know, everybody faces the "blahs" even if it isn't on Monday. We may think that we are the only people who get down for a day or two or even a week. Well listen up, you're not alone. Everyone has those days. Those days when the "joy of the Lord" isn't quite as strong as it was on another day. Even as a pastor, I have those blah days. I haven't talked to him lately, but I believe even the Pope has those days! We seldom talk it, we hide it. We don't want someone to think we're less of us because we think spiritual people don't have those days. Guess what......WE DO! Read the story of David in the O.T. also the corresponding Psalms that he wrote. David was a basket case! The roller coaster of his emotions was better than anything Six Flags has to offer. But still the Bible refers to David as a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).

Wow....there's hope for me and you! Everyday isn't spent on the mountain top. You already knew that, didn't you? But even if everyday doesn't find you on top of the world, everyday can find you in relationship, hand-in-hand with the creator of the world! I think the best thing we can do on those blah days is head the words of Isaiah 40:31.

"But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Take the time to wait on God this week, get your soul recharged, and get some well deserved encouragement and rest.

Don't Give Up

In the book Wild Goose Chase (author, Mark Batterson), Mark writes a very profound statement that I have found to be of daily encouragement. Please forgive me as I paraphrase his statement where he says, "Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do each day is to just not give up!" Now to some, that statement may sound like a lack of faith or a negative outlook. But if you live here in the real world with the rest of us and your willing to drop your "superspiritual" mask for a moment, you would have to admit that in this Christian journey there are some days that survival is success.

At age 34 I find that statement encouraging. I play a lot of roles in this life; husband for almost 15 years, daddy to my kids (ages 7 & 11), son, brother, pastor, counselor and friend. And that's just the easy stuff to remember, not to mention the other stuff like; grass cutter, kid's baseball & soccer practice partner, (fill in the blank)___________________. And before I start to feel like I'm the only one doing all this stuff, make your own list. Every one of us has a list of this stuff. My point is, with all this activity, responsibility, and pressure, the feelings are always there that want to drive us to just give up and quit. We don't feel successful or we're frustrated. We feel like if we can't get it right at work, at home, or anywhere else, then certainly we aren't getting it right with God either, so why not just give up.

Remember, sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do each day is to just not give up! God's Word also tells us the same thing. "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. - Galatians 6:9" Even God knew that our emotions would drive us to give up some days. But His encouragement is so practical, don't give up; it's going to be ok....don't give up; it's going to get better....don't give up; you can make it, I'm here with you. DON'T GIVE UP!

"Lord, I know that today is going to be filled with chances to quit and give up. But by faith, I place one foot in front of the other and take another step forward into my promised blessing. AMEN!"


Side note: I encourage you to read "Wild Goose Chase" by Mark Batterson. This book will jump start your faith and help you develop a lifestyle that chases after God.

A Child's Question

Just over a week ago, my 7 year old daughter asked my wife one of those innocent, yet profound questions while traveling down the road in the family minivan (grocery-getter, family wagon; you get the point). Her question was, "Mommy, do people see Jesus when they die?" And with what seemed like a simple question, my wife answered, "Yes, honey." She wasn't prepared for my daughters response. In her small, innocent voice she said, "Then I want to die, so I can see Jesus." While surprised by her thoughts, my wife shared with her that God wanted her to live for him here on this earth, and that when she was old and gray, God would bring her to heaven at just the right time.

To put Lauren's question in context, we had just been in a Saturday night service where everyone in the room got prayed for. I saw my daughter place her little hands on people as they passed by and pray for them, tears rolling down her face. I couldn't contain my own emotions as I watched God bless my baby girl.

Afterwards, I couldn't help but remember Jesus words to the people of his day when he said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Matt. 10:14-15) But the realization for me as a father from my daughters question was this. Jesus died for us so that we could have a relationship with him. He died in our place. For most of us, we don't have to die to be with Jesus; he is with you right now where ever you are reading this. My daughter's passion to be with Jesus drove her to make the choice that she would give everything to be with him. And we explained to her, and I hope you recieve this as well, you don't have to die to be with Jesus, you can live for him today.

Note To Self: Don't lick the PIG!

It's in the news, and everybody is freaking out; Swine Flu! Where will it show up next? What state will report the next case? It is a very serious and potentially pandemic situation. So it's with that in mind that I share the following photo with you. I'm not scientist, but this can't be good! Ha.Ha.

Don't Believe The Lie

Lies.....they're a strange thing aren't they? Some people lie to protect themselves, others lie to keep hurtful information from someone. And over time we've developed classifications for lies. A big lie. A little lie. The "little-white-lie". An innocent little lie. No matter what people call them or their reason for doing it's wrong. The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:16 says, "Thou shalt not lie!" (say that with a deep God-like voice for full effect) Simply stated, God's not a liar! In fact, Hebrews 6:18 says that "it is impossible for God to lie". But our enemy, Satan, his key character trait is deception and lies.

In John 8:44 it tells us that Satan is in fact the "father of lies", there is NO truth in him! And in fact, his daily goal is to get you to believe his lies and abandon the truth of God. John 10:10 goes on to tell us that Satan wants to "steal, kill, and destroy" every good thing in your life! And the primary way he accomplishes this is with the lie. If he can get you to believe the lie, it's just a matter of time before your life (spiritually & physically) falls apart.

Let me ask you a question. What lie are you believing today? Here are some very common lies he tries to get us to believe. Know body loves me! I will never get over my past! God could never forgive me for what I've done! My life will never get any better! God doesn't care about me! Nobody knows what I'm going through! I'm all alone! Nobody would miss me if I ended it all!

Don't Believe The Lie!!!! I have some positive news for you today. Whatever lie Satan is telling you, the exact opposite is true since there is absolutely NO truth in him. So that means, you are loved! God CAN deliver you from your past! Not only is life going to get better, it's going to be amazing! God loves you! (John 3:16) You are not alone! Your life is valuable and priceless! Don't Believe The Lie!!!!

Remember what Jeremiah 29:11 says about your life, "I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Everytime Satan tries to tell you a lie, remind him that he's a liar and that you have God's promises!

"Lord, today I choose not to believe the lie. No matter how I feel, my feelings don't determine truth. God, you are truth! And I choose to believe what you say about me! And today I embrace your plans for my life! Help me to feed my soul today with your truth. AMEN!"

Enough IS Enough

When's the last time you heard that phrase. Maybe you remember hearing your parents say it to you when you were getting in trouble as a child (for me that was often). Or maybe you've used that phrase when you were fed up with a situation or with somebody. But that's not really what I'm talking about.

I'm really talking about this insane mindset of acquisition. We want, and want, and want; but when do we get to the place where enough is enough? I can finally admit that in my twenties, I was addicted to this mindset. I lived to get more. More stuff, better cars, bigger T.V. (still have a 27 inch by the way), I wanted more! My joy was derived from getting more stuff. But I found out over time that the stuff lost it's shine real quick, and it left me more empty than before.

Evidently we are a hard-headed culture. While I am PROUD to be an American citizen and enjoy all the benefits that affords, I am disappointed at times about who we're becoming. Contentment has become a curse word in our society. We are training a new generation that what's most important is grabbing onto whatever you can get your hands on. We've proven as a society that we are willing to trade a good marriage because it gets boring, for a different marriage, solely for the emotional rush. We are willing to work later, harder, weekends, to obtain newer cars, bigger houses, and larger bank accounts. All the while we neglect our families and our relationships in the process. The Bible tells us this, "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" (Matt. 16:26 NLT)

Maybe Jesus was right when he gave us the formula for success in Matthew 6:33 when he said, "Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (NIV) The formula is simple; when will God be enough for you? When will we come to the place where we want him more than anything? Because if we don't, we will continue to look for fulfillment in all the wrong places and in the process lose who we are. Are you willing to say Enough IS Enough? Because I promise, God is enough for you!

"Jesus, today I decide to seek you first. I give you my list of wants, and I've decided that what I want most is you! And I believe that your Word is true; you will supply everything else I need! AMEN!"