Blessings,

Jan

Am I a pray-er? Really?

I talk about it, read about it, and even write about it at Under the Cover of Prayer. But, the truth is I know I could do better.

In my morning time devotionals I try to start with a prayer list. I am on the prayer team for The Word Guild and at the top of that printed list I write the names of personal friends and family who need specific prayers that week. And then I do pray.

Oswald Chambers on August 23^rd says that,

“Prayer is an effort of will.”

And I have an inkling of what he means. I need to take time – to shut myself away from everything. Oswald calls what we need to shut away, “mind wanderings”. And he says to “get into the habit of dealing with God about everything.”

There have been times I have worked hard at this. I will admit it is in times of stress, decision-making or illness. It is then that I pour out my heart to God.

Can I do this more often? Even when things are going well?

The other day I decided to try to listen to God on my drive to Orillia to visit my Mom. For over an hour I would ask a question, then, other than watching the road, the cars and the forests, I listened for an answer. An amazing thing happened. Ideas started to flow. I wished I had brought a tape recorder (I certainly couldn’t write down all that He was saying to me and drive).

Now I need to do this type of prayer at home – in the quiet – “shut thy door. A secret silence mean to shut the door deliberately on emotions and remember God.” Also I think that means to shut out our ideas thoughts and to-do’s.

I am going to try this – this week. Will you join me?

And maybe as Oswald says:

“Every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.”

Reprinted from a guest post on Inscribe Online.

Artwork courtesy of Bill Osborne

Read Matthew 14: 24-26.

I attended my seventh Write! Canada Conference this past June. Each year I have come away inspired and ready to write for Him.

This year the Conference theme read, “Change the World with Words”.

Every year I feel and hear words and thoughts of insecurity and this time was no exception.

Why? Why as Christian writers are we insecure in our calling?

Grace Fox covered this topic in her continuing class, “What authors need to know” and in her plenary session. Grace is author of the book Moving from Fear to Freedom. She has recently released a Bible study and DVD based on her book.

These words of uncertainty filtered into our prayer times with members requesting direction from God. “Is this the path You have chosen for me?”

“What am I doing here?”

“Should I be a writer?”

Oswald Chambers tackles this, calling it the deception of the Enemy – this self-doubt. He reminds us about Peter and how he walked on water for a bit – then saw where he was, lost his focus and started to sink.

Every time we lose focus of the One who calls us we have self-doubt.

“We step right out on God over some things, then self-consideration enters in and down we go.” (Oswald Chambers, June 18)

Chambers says if we start asking questions of whether we should or shouldn’t, we are in essence debating with God.

“Never begin to say – “Well, I wonder if He did speak?” Be reckless immediately, fling it all out on Him.” (Oswald Chambers, June 18)

How reckless are you? Do you step out of the boat when He calls you to write something?”

Can we as writers “Change the World with words?”

I think we can.

Let’s step out of the boat together! Press though our uncertainties and walk on that water.

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it (Philippians 3:12-16 The Message).“

This was first posted on Inscribe Writers Online, July 3, 2011.

Change has considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. Obviously, then, one’s character and frame of mind determine how readily he brings about change and how he reacts to change that is imposed on him. King Whitney Jr.

While scanning the Internet this evening I found this article on change. Of course, this led me through a search on the Internet to find out about King Whitney Jr.  I finally found that he was President of Personnel Laboratory Inc. in 1967 and said this in a speech in a sales meeting quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

This quote is timeless. In present age of uncertainty many people’s lives will be changed. Some might change for the better – even if they have to work harder, face losing jobs or don’t have the money that they used to. They will be the ones that have hope or the ones that like challenges.

It is to the ones that don’t have hope – that feel like the whole world has fallen apart, the ones who are filled with fear – it is to them, especially, that we, as followers of Christ, can be a beacon of light. Christ tells us that we are the light of the world. He is our hope. We are to share that knowledge with others.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

“You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

I encourage you today to shine for others. Help them. Encourage them. Love them.

I have had back problems in my past and I have learned that stretching is very good to keep those back muscles strong. The same goes for my mind. As I age I want to make sure that I keep as sharp as possible. To that end I try many tactics.

I have learned new skills. I started to watercolour about 15 years ago and each year my skills have grown. I also took pottery lessons, both hand building and on the wheel. And this winter I joined a tap dancing group. Three times a week I would go to the dance room and practice for over one hour. Learning each new step and then putting all the steps into a dance was a challenge that I thoroughly enjoyed.

All of these activities were stretching my mind – making new dendrites. “They form new synapses between neurons, which facilitates further learning … By stimulating our brain more intensively, a curious thing happens: The inter-connections between neurons increase by developing new dendrites” (Increasing Brain Power: by Alvin C. Roseyard).

In stretching my mind I feel younger. I will still have memory lapses but hopefully I can keep these to a minimum by working my brain.

This year I have also stretched my mind by learning Scripture. Ann Voskamp from A Holy Experience challenged her readers to learn Colossians in a Year. I may not remember every verse word for word but once I start saying some of the Scripture the rest flows quite easily. Not only am I stretching my mind through this exercise but I am also stretching my soul.

Writing – a creative discipline. In the past year my goal has been to write more. I have started two blogs. One is called Under the Cover of Prayer and the other is this one A Better Way. I like the challenge of daily writing.

The discipline of stretching can work in many areas, mind, body and soul. We can now ask, “Have you stretched yourself today?”

Reprinted from Inscribe Online May 3, 2011.

If you want to get your copy go to Grace Fox’s website.

Jan

Contest continues until August 31st.

Put your name in the comment section of the post about Grace Fox’s Moving From Fear to Freedom DVD Bible Study. Read the instructions on that post of how you can win a copy.

“Has fear kept you awake at night? Has it hindered you from saying yes to a new opportunity? Has it caused you to make impulsive choices you later regretted?” Read more at God With Us: Finding Joy. Janet interviews Grace Fox as she discusses her new study – Moving From Fear to Freedom.

After my mission trip to Poland I find myself in a period of reflection. What is it that God has in store for me? I found tremendous passion in Poland – a love for the people, the country and for God. I saw so much that my mind is scattered in every direction.

I realize that one thing that is missing in my life is strong relationships with others. (not online) So for that reason I am going to take an August sabbatical from this blog. You can still find me writing at Under the Cover of Prayer. I will still take comments on the post for the FREE DRAW for Grace Fox’s Bible Study with DVD based on her book From Fear to Freedom. Please check it out and leave a comment if you will use this valuable resource.

In the meantime I will be praying for wisdom on the next step of my journey. I will be visiting others. I will be building relationships.

I hope to write about my experience in Poland at Under the Cover of Prayer and if you are not a subscriber please visit me there.

Thanks for being a part of this journey and we will see what God has in store for me in September.

Blessings,

Jan

God’s Voice Communicates Peace—It Doesn’t Leave us Fearful (reprinted with permission)

About six years ago, God led me to leave a lucrative career and commissioned me to do the work of an evangelist!

“You have been spent for many things, but now I want you to be spent for me. I want you to put your hand to my task.” I couldn’t shake the thought from my mind.

God’s peace soothed all of my questions except one; what would my husband think? I knew I needed to talk to Greg and finally worked up my courage.

“Greg, we need to talk.”

“Sure, babe; what’s up?”

“I’ve been praying and feel like God wants me to quit my job.” I winced, waiting to see if he thought I lost my mind.

Greg smiled, “Me too.”

“What? You’re kidding me; really” I replied.

“I’ve known now, for about six months, but waited for God to tell you; I knew if I told you, you might reject the idea.” Greg said grinning, happy I had finally discerned God’s will.

As I look back at that time, I remember thinking of all the changes that lay ahead of us…but the comfort I felt from God as an overwhelming peace covered us and calmed our fears.

So, today’s hint to discern God voice centers on peace; we discern God’s voice from our own, by asking: How does it feel in our “gut”? Does the thought or feeling fill us with peace or unrest?

Even in the face of great danger, peace guards our heart when God speaks. Don’t get me wrong…we may have questions…we may even begin to worry…but as we submit those fears God will cover us with His peace and let us know…”YES. This is the way. Walk in it!”

Isaiah 55:10-12 says, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sewer and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…”

God’s peace always accompanies God’s direction and helps us distinguish His voice from our own. The absence of peace is the absence of God’s direction. Our situations aren’t always pleasant but God’s peace always accompanies His voice.

God moves us in peace. Our voice tends to worry about “the how’s” “the when’s” and “the why’s”. God always leads with peace, emphasizing “I will do it…in just the right time…because I promised to.”

Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) God’s peace accompanies His voice.

If our message lacks peace or conflicts with the Word of God, it’s not His voice. Godly impressions never contradict the Word of God or His character.