Thursday, January 21, 2010

Never A Busy Signal




"Call on God, but row away from the rocks." ~Indian Proverb

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Let me say first that if you are offended in any way by religion, or God, or all the things that go along with belief in a higher power, then today's post is not for you. X-out of this blog and find another place to go until tomorrow.
Because today I am writing about what is on my heart- and nothing else can be felt or said- until this is condensed into words.
I'm not here to preach, or condemn or convert. I am just here today to share my thoughts about prayer.

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"Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines." ~Satchel Paige, 1974

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I sometimes find myself guilty of that quote. Sometimes I wait till I am in utter despair before I realize that God can fix things. That He will listen. That all I have to do is talk to Him and He will grant me peace. He may not always give me what I want, but He will always give me what I need.
Why do people only pray when they want something? I think we should pray every day to say "Thank you." To be grateful for another morning, another day of life- and all the beauty and confusion and stress and happiness and good and bad- that comes with it. It's a total package.
You get Life. It's like that.
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"Life is like a blanket too short. You pull it up and your toes rebel, you yank it down and shivers meander about your shoulder; but cheerful folks manage to draw their knees up and pass a very comfortable night. " ~Marion Howard
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I have been really disciplined in reading my Bible every day. I'm not going to lie and say I understand it. A lot of it is above my capacity to perceive and fathom in my mind. But during those quiet mornings by the lamplight, I know that I am seeking my faith. That regardless whether I apprehend what has been written, I am opening a door in my heart for divine intervention. And with that accepted, I am confident that knowledge will come later.
I'm just dialing the phone. I haven't got an answer yet.
But I'm hanging on.
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"The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him." ~William McGill
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That is what is so cool about prayer. It is a calling plan that doesn't cost a thing. It takes only a few minutes, no equipment but your heart, and a belief that your call will not be dropped.
God has universal coverage, connects quickly, and you can access him anywhere.
My goal for this year is to pray more. Be more grateful, giving, and appreciative.
And, mostly- not to have any roll-over minutes left.
The Devil's calling plan won't let you use them.
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"For, after all, put it as we may to ourselves, we are all of us from birth to death guests at a table which we did not spread. The sun, the earth, love, friends, our very breath are parts of the banquet.... Shall we think of the day as a chance to come nearer to our Host, and to find out something of Him who has fed us so long?" ~Rebecca Harding Davis
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Some people say they don't believe in God. That prayer doesn't work. That they've never seen or talked to Him.
How can you not see Him? I see Him in every whispering pine tree, each blooming flower, a drop of rain, a speck of dust, and in the colors of the sunset.
I hear Him in the laughter of my children, the song of a bird, the wailing of the wind and the beat of my heart.
Sometimes it's easy to just see and hear these things- and not connect them to their maker.
To see with a faithful eye is a good goal.
To open your soul is a good place to start.
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"Maybe the atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman. " ~Author Unknown
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What we must realize is that prayer is not just a way to ask God to help us. It is also a way to ask God to help others. Even those who haven't discovered His calling plan.
And, if you can't seem to call on him in prayer, then text him. Write your prayers on paper,
your phone, the computer- anywhere that makes you feel as though your requests have been heard. And a Twitter several times during the day doesn't hurt a bit.

"Dear God, help me."
"Lord, I thank you."
"Where ya' at, today?"

Things like that.

And when your life is over, He's going to see your Facebook.
So live accordingly.
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"A little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul." ~Author Unknown
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If I have offended anyone, well...I can't say I'm sorry. Maybe this post will get you to think about prayer and the power that it can have in your life.
It's not a way to tell and get. It's a way to share and hope. It's a lifeline that keeps you connected with the one person who will decide your fate.
Just talk to Him like a friend. He really is your BFF.
I'd say it would be in your best interest to have God on speed dial.
And at the top of your Friends and Family list.
Remember- He doesn't care if you don't have a fancy phone. He prefers the bowed head and folded hands.
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"Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week." ~Joseph Addison
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Today's 5 things:
1. Pizza
2, Mittens
3. Pay-at-the-pump
4. Violets
5. Door mats