That One Little Prayer

How many of you remember, back around 2004, a little book, about an even littler prayer, became all-the-rage throughout the Christian Community, even touching mainstream markets? 

The Prayer of Jabez, also referred to as Jabez's prayer was that little book, and it was based on a one verse prayer. 

I was one of the many who caught the Jabez fever, incorporating that little prayer into my prayer life, almost as if it was a magical, all-powerful formula for spiritual success. 

God's Word is no doubt powerful and supernatural in every way, however, with any prayer we speak frequently, we need to remember the meaning behind the words rather than simply reciting them by rote. 

Prayers that become mechanical often lose their power for us. 

I'm not saying God's Word ever loses power, I'm simply saying when we fail to mean what we say and say what we mean, we are in danger of reducing our prayers to quickly uttered words with little or no real meaning. 

Lately, I have made it a daily habit to pray through my neighborhood on my way to work. I often include the Lord's Prayer and ask the Lord bless to and protect my neighbors, their families, their pets, and that He would protect them from harm and evil. 

In addition, I ask that those neighbors who have yet to meet the King of Kings and do not know him as Lord and Savior would invite Him into their lives. Then I plead for the believers to enter into deeper more abiding relationships with their Creator. Including my own family and pets in the mix, of course! Can't forget my own household!

Well, out of the blue, these past couple of weeks, I have been praying the "...bless them indeed and enlarge their territories portion of the Jabez Prayer, only to discover, after repeating it however many times before that I couldn't remember it in its entirety. 

Then, tonight, lol and behold, I was searching my bookcase for another book and found a barely used, mini-journal created to accompany the original Prayer of Jabez book by Bruce Wilkinson. 

I think perhaps the Holy Spirit led me to it! (No perhaps about it)

I love the quote found on the page I opened the journal to, where it emphatically says: 

God's nature is to bless. 

How powerful is that? 

• Not to punish
• Not to blacklist
• Not to bury
• Not to abandon
• Not to destroy, ruin, or smite. 

But to bless! 

The next thing I knew I was penning this prayer:

Lord, may I be open and ready to receive and embrace your blessings, in whatever form they come in. And may my nature reflect yours more and more everyday. May I become a "bringer" of blessings NOT curses. In Jesus' Name, amen. 

Next, the sudden urge to post here, something I have been unfaithful about, overcame me. So...I was obedient. I'm not sure what the Lord's plans are for this post or this little prayer, but I know without doubt his words never return void. 

I can't think of a better time in our world to live our lives as blessings to others, to become bringers of blessings, hope, and light where there is so much strife, hostility, and darkness. I hope you will join me on this journey of love. 

Your Sister in Christ and Bringer of Blessings,

Carol 

Please comment below to proclaim your commitment to become a Bringer of Blessings in the days ahead. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Love on the Loose

The month of love continues, with Valentine's Day here tomorrow. I wanted to share a fun give-a-blessing activity that we are doing this month at work to celebrate Valentines' Day. It's kind of like the whole secret Santa game.

First, everyone puts their names in a basket and you conduct a drawing. Ahead of time, each person has completed a general questionnaire where they answered questions like:

Favorite music, books, activities, flowers, candy ... so on. That way you have some idea of your secret valentine's interests. Then you make at least three "contacts" over a specific time period. These so-called contacts involve leaving a card, gift, or treat where that person is sure to find it. I can't tell you how much fun it's been to see what's on my desk, not to mention, sneaking around so I can give my secret pal her gifts.

But who says we have to wait for secret pal games? What if we just picked a friend, co-worker, or family member and became their secret pal? What a blessing we could be for that specific person!

We could call it the Blessing Game! That's right. Choose someone to bless in the coming week. Send positive messages, cards, emails ... etc. Make a cake. This doesn't have to stretch your finances. Most of us have Dollar Trees, or other discount stores around us. What about in your own home? It's amazing how re-gifting or giving something that we have (I'm not talking about dirty socks!) can bless someone else. I'm sure you get the picture by now.

Just imagine the impact if we spent more time blessing others with love: JUST BECAUSE. We'd have a lot of smiling people around, making life a whole lot more pleasant for everyone.

Go on; pick your person. If you plan to participate, why not send me a message to demonstrate you commitment to spreading the love and God's blessings this month. Hopefully, you'll have so much fun your will find ample reasons to do it all over again for someone else!

May God bless each of you and may His blessings be poured upon your life.

Tis the Season for Thanksgiving

Happy late Thanksgiving. Although, I'm not really late am I? For being thankful is something we can celebrate every day. Amen!?

I hope your day was as wonderful as mine. I'm going to move in different direction and share a clean Thanksgiving joke. It had me in stitches. My kids just looked at me like, "duh." They didn't get it the first time around.

Here we go:

The Parrot

A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious, and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music, and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary.

Finally, John was fed up, and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot, and the parrot got angrier, more profane and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird, and put him in the freezer.

For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.

The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."

John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"

I bet that bird was thankful for his new found freedom! I, too, am forever thankful for my freedom in Christ. This Thanksgiving, my daughter suggested a fantastic idea that I will implement often, not just on holidays.

As we sat eating our yummy food, she suggested that we play a little game. One by one, we had to go around the table and say something we were thankful for for each letter in the alphabet. Some of our answers were a bit silly considering the letter, but, overall, some amazing things were revealed. Please, give it a try. If all else fails, you can do this yourself in a journal. List those letters and go for it! You'll be amazed by your gratitude.

Lastly, I read a story about a little boy, age 11, who was dying from cancer. His doctor gave him two weeks to live. Many of you may have already read this, but, if not, I encourage you to take in the gracious giving heart of a boy. As we kick off the whole holiday season with a bang, we can be encouraged by the true meaning of giving selflessly.

http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art2452.asp

A Princess Warrior's Words

Don't let Satan hijack your words (tongue)!

I know. The picture is REALLY unsettling. But I feel like God is REALLY trying to get my attention and maybe yours, too. I suspect this disgusting picture did just that.

However, it makes a powerful statement, doesn't it? Sometimes, maybe more than we'd care to admit, what comes out of our mouths is just as disgusting. The book of James talks about that one little organ -- our tongue -- causing so many problems. What we say cannot be erased ... ever. Once said, always said. Certainly, we can apologize for our misspoken words and confess, yet the consequences may remain far into the future as scars on another person's heart.

This time of year, for a number of reasons, people tend to get more stressed. Holidays can bring out the worst in some folks. Maybe, for whatever reason, it brings out some ickiness in you. For me, my finances are tighter than most years. I vacillate between trusting God as my Provider and attempting to figure money stuff out on my own. You can probably guess that on my own, I don't do so well. Stress can quickly escalate into words that seem to pop (or as in the above picture) slither out of our mouths. For what resides inside seems to spill into the world around us.

At church this past weekend, our pastor, Mr. Creative, himself, walked around the room with a big canvass bag. He asked us unsuspecting church goers to stick our hands in and see if we could figure out what lay inside. Well, being a daring Princess Warrior, I took the "feel" challenge. Ew-w-w-e! A nasty slimy blob resided in that bag. Please Note: He did provide a squirt of hand sanitizer following each person's turn.

Are you wondering what this was? I sure was. Our pastor used to be a youth pastor so he is very adept at using highly visual and impacting illustrations to make a point. Okay, okay ... it was a cow tongue. Seriously. Well-washed and cleaned up, but still a big, gross, ugly tongue. Can you guess what he was talking about? Uh huh ... the harm a tongue can cause. He waved that thing around and we all had a very powerful reminder of what a tongue can do. So powerful, I'm still sharing about it.

The lesson was good, though. We have got to stop wounding others with our words. Praise God if you don't have an issue with this. If that's the case, I challenge you to pray for those of us that do. Although, considering this was a topic God saw fit to include in the Bible, I suspect most of us struggle with it now and again.

So, what do we do?

Even though it sometimes feels like words just explode from our mouths without a sane thought on our part, there is always a preceding thought and time to make a choice. I know in the heat of the battle it can be difficult to push the PAUSE BUTTON. But that is exactly what we need to do.

My daughter came home this summer from church camp wearing a pin-on-button that said PAUSE. This button was to serve as a reminder for her to think before acting. Friends, we all need a pause button. If purchasing a button helps ... do it. After all, Jesus tells us to cut off our hand if it causes us to sin. Personally, I'd prefer wearing a button over loosing my tongue.

All humor aside. We've all been wounded by words and we've all injured others. Keeping our mouths clean is a must for every Princess Warrior for Christ.

Practical Tips:

1. Pray for God's supernatural help and strength to help you pause before speaking.

2. If you have to, cover your mouth with your hand and/or walk away rather than blurting out something unsavory.

3. Ask if what you plan to say would glorify God.

4. Make sure everything that comes out of your mouth is encouraging to others.

5. Ask if you'd say that if you were face to face with Jesus. (Ouch!)

6. Manage your stress ahead of time by spending time in prayer, worship, and talking with others about your problems. By alleviating stress you will be better equipped to converse calmly without anxiety and worry tainting your words.

7. When you mess up. (Not if, when) Admit your mistake, immediately. Ask God for forgiveness and repent. Turn again from your sin and move forward, making restitution for any harm caused.

I've fallen short a lot in this area, lately. My daughter is really good at pushing buttons other than the Pause Button, if you know what I mean. She is experienced at pushing my personal buttons. It's time for me to disengage those buttons and respond as Christ would, with love and truth, balanced and in harmony with each other.

We belong to a royal priesthood, a holy nation of God. Our words matter. We can use our mouths to bless or curse. Let's choose to bless. Amen?!

Happy early Thanksgiving.

Reigning Real from your Throne: Part III

Reigning Real: Part Three: Becoming a Princess Warrior for Christ
Written by Carol Van Atta

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15 NIV)

As we read, in the last two Reigning Real selections … the unnamed princess opened the fallen scroll and discovered a detailed catalog of God’s specific gifts for His Princess Warriors. (Read Reigning Real Parts I & 2 for details) On her List of Gifts from Jesus, immediately following resources, she discovered the next gift, friendship … friendship with her King, her Maker, her God.

I read somewhere, once, that a friend is someone who comes when everyone else goes away. A friend comes when everyone else goes away…wow.

I hate to admit, years ago, when I lived as a prideful, pitiful, pauper far away from the King’s Palace, I thought I had an array of fine friends. People were constantly (or so I thought) clamoring for my attention and friendship. There was never a dull moment around my home. The party started and just kept going for hours, days, and at times, weeks. Yet, something odd happened when I was down and out, without money, and with vanishing resources … these so-called well-wishers disappeared as fast as they’d arrived.

According to the above description of a friend, the people who surrounded me were quite unfriendly. When everyone else went away, they followed them right out of the door and out of my life. In fact, they were just using me. Sadly, I did the same to others. If you had something I wanted, well, then, I wanted you.

This petty substitute for true friendship left me empty and yearning for something more, for someone who really cared about “the real me” inside, the — me — I hid because I was afraid no one would like her.

Why should they like her, like me? I certainly didn’t.

Thankfully, there was One who saw the potential inside my broken heart. My inability to form true and lasting friendships hadn’t just happened because I was a mean and nasty person. No. I’d been wounded, betrayed, and told on more than a few occasions that I was worthless and unlovable. Messages such as these, no matter how untrue, stick to us like permanent glue. Without help and unconditional love from another caring person, we can remain stuck for extended periods of time. For me, that much-needed help came slowly, with a few strategically placed people who loved me enough to point me to the One who could really befriend me, Jesus.

When I finally bowed at the Throne of Grace, I was met by the Best Friend anyone could possibly have — our Lord and Savior — Jesus Christ. His love washed over me like a refreshing fountain, cleansing me entirely, from my head to my toes. By the time He had completed that initial sin-washing, I felt like a brand new creation. I was brand new.

Christ is our perfect example of friendship. He loved when others hated. He loved when He was betrayed. He loved when He was forsaken. He loved like His Heavenly Father loved Him, with an everlasting, unceasing, and eternal love. When we read His Holy Guidebook and pattern our relationships after His, we can become the friends we were created to be. We can become His loving hands extended to an often hurting and hopeless world full of people who are clueless about friendship.

Part of our job description as a Princess Warrior for Christ is not only to develop a deeper more abiding relationship with our best friend of all, our King, but with those who reside within the castle walls. We are also to be an example of love to those who are still living like paupers, not yet aware of the royal heritage available to them in Christ.

How can we do this in practical ways, in a world where people are, well, often times, they’re downright rude and crude? Rather than lashing back with worldly hatred, we are to live like the royalty we are. This need not be a complicated or frustrating chore. Rather, this new way of living is proving to be a joy for me and the other Princess Warriors that I know. There may be times of difficulty, but the good far outweighs the bad, and loving others is not an option, no, it’s one of Christ’s New Testament requirements.

Let us reign real today by:

· Smiling and greeting everyone in our path with a positive and friendly word or comment.

· Going above and beyond our personal comfort zone to help a sister in need. Can I get that door for you? May I carry your groceries, while you take your baby? You get the picture!

· Turning the other cheek when someone attempts to stir up trouble. Yes, even as daughters of the King, we can still be pretty petty at times. Do not participate. Speak love, or do not speak at all.

· Giving an encouraging word to everyone you have a conversation with today. Each day, we have opportunities to share a positive idea, and point someone to Scripture.

· Offering to pray…right now. Not the, “I’ll be praying for you. Bye now.” Oh no! Pray now! Can I pray for you right now, right here? May I rest my hand on your shoulder as we pray together? Something powerful happens when we pray together. God’s Word tells us where two or more or gathered, He’s in their midst. Let’s pray.

· Listening with Love to those who trust us enough to share their problems and concerns. Sometimes we’re just too eager to give feedback and advice. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is simply be quiet and listen.

By implementing just one of the above friendship-growing-suggestions, you will create positive feelings in at least three hearts…the other person’s heart, your own, and God’s. Likely, even more people will benefit. For when we are living like godly, Princess Warriors for Christ, and reaching out to others in love, extending His friendship through our actions, a domino affect takes place. One blessing turns into another, into another, and another…
God gives His daughters good gifts, it’s up to us to open them, and share them.