Prayer Time

What does your prayer life look like? If I'm honest, that is an area where I'm weak. I pray, but my prayers are more monologue than dialog. I talk, then I'm done. I seldom wait, sit, listen, and be still before God.

My prayers lack focus at times. They may say, "Lord, be with so & so whose having a hard time...I should buy them a card...uh, and um, thank you that we have food to eat...shucks! I forgot to take the roast out of the freezer...uh, and um, Lord, thank you for my wonderful children...WHAT, what is it, dear, Mommy is praying...ok, ok, mommy will make you a snack. (Be back later, Lord.)

The problem is MINE. I have been resistant to follow the example of Jesus, who got up early to pray in solitary places. I don't write down my prayer requests, my own or the other ones I have agreed to pray for, so I'm left to do a "group" prayer that sounds like "and everyone I said I would pray for and I left out here, Lord, I pray for them." Okay, it might now be QUITE that bad, but it's close. I do a mental "roll call" of who I said I'd pray for, but I am afraid I've left out someone.

1 Peter 4:7 sums up my solution: "Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray."

So with school starting, my goal is to wake up early and start my day with God. Don't get my wrong, I pray already nearly every morning, but it's my monologue prayer. My goal is to begin a dialog with God. To be still, and to know he is God.

Matthew 6:6 -- But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Mark 1:35 -- Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Psalm 46:10 -- "Be still, and know that I am God."

Thankful Thursday - 9/3

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

1. I am thankful that I have an opportunity to write my Tips for Moms. I love the chance to expand my writing. Have you visited my new site? Hop on over and see it. If you like it, subscribe and you will get my Tips for Moms every time its published. Thanks for checking it out!

2. I am thankful that several folks have new writing jobs because they liked the Tips for Mom and applied for a writing position at Examiner like I did. Are you looking to expand your writing and earn some pocket change at the same time? Visit examiner.com and apply - but please make sure and click that examiner Kelly Combs referred you. You may get a new job, and I get a bonus for the reference. Email me with questions at ChattyKelly@comcast.net

3. I am thankful for a trip to VA Beach yesterday! Although it was COLD, WINDY & RIPTIDES, the kids still had fun playing in the sand (sweatshirts over swimsuits!), and we walked the boardwalk, and spent time with friends. Not perfect, but fun just the same.

4. I am thankful that today we attend Open House at school to meet teachers and see classrooms. Especially important for my little one entering kindergarten.

5. I am thankful for YOU my readers for always encouraging me with your precious comments. You make my heart feel good. Thanks!

Come on Over! Really!

I'm not good at entertaining. Truth is, it's just not my gift. As soon as the invitation is sent, I notice the dirty finger prints on the glass doors, and the dust on the baseboard, and my goodness, how long has that stain been on the rug?

I've told you before, I'm more like Biblical Martha, than Martha Stewart. And because of that, I get all panicky because I can't get all the hot stuff to be hot at the same time, or I forget and leave the potato salad in the garage fridge, only to find it after everyone leaves.

But I still do it. The Bible calls us to be hospitable, and so I try to be. The last hour before guests arrive, I'm usually running around in a panic, throwing things in closets, raising my voice at anyone in the way, and generally freaking out. Then I paste on a smile when the door bell rings and entertain.

But today I read a verse that stopped me in my tracks. 1 Peter 4:9 says, "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." What? Did you catch that last part. It's not enough to just offer hospitality, you have to do it WITHOUT GRUMBLING.

See God is always looking at our heart. He doesn't care one iota that I am being hospitable, if I am doing it while grumbling. He wants my heart to be pure. That's what it all boils down to. So I'm going to stop grumbling when I show hospitality. And who knows, I just may have a better time myself because of it!

Romans 12:13 -- Practice hospitality.

Philippians 2:14 -- Do everything without complaining or arguing.

2 Corinthians 9:7b -- God loves a cheerful giver.