Garden Tour

I'd like to invite you to my garden.

Stop by Writers In The Storm and

take a stroll with me through the blossoms.

When I whine instead of pray...

As a person who wants to Live Above Neutral, I spent time this week wrestling with the difference between whining and supplication.

My investigation began with a visit to the dictionary…

Whine means to complain or protest in a childish fashion.

My supplication turns whiny when:

• I demand. I leave no room for God to say, “No.” I usurp God’s authority.


• I bargain. I try to get my way by asking over and over again in a Balaam-like fashion.


• I complain. I dwell on all the reasons I’m not happy with my situation.


• I sulk. I cross my arms and pout because I know that my way is better than God’s way.
  

So, what does healthy supplication look like?

• I request. I realize God has the right to give a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.


• I rest. I recognize God knows best and express my confidence in His decision.


• I rejoice. I appreciate the blessings in my life.


• I relinquish. I let go of my anger, dissappointment and bitterness. I yield to God's plan.

When I get to my knees, how does this information affect my prayer life?

I ask…
I ask with hope, believing He hears.
I ask with respect, believing He’s God.
I ask with my head, knowing God’s Word.
I ask with my heart, knowing God’s will.
I ask repeatedly, frequently and fervently.
I ask…
and I receive.
His yes or His no.

Supplication...This week's discussion

Mondays, I post at Writers In The Storm. Visit WITS to read this week's discussion of prayer and supplication.

I would love to hear your comments.

Giving Credit Where Credit’s Due

Do you ever feel like you’re learning the same life lesson over-and-over again?

“I should know this by now,” becomes a yearly—perhaps even weekly—mantra.

With an ironic laugh, I’m realizing that today’s lesson should be one I know by heart. Still, I felt a moment of discovery as the thought occurred to me, “Only by God’s grace will my writing be published.” Whew. Typing the words on my keyboard creates bittersweet feelings.

I remember when I realized that finding that special someone is God’s grace…and His grace alone. Undeserved. Unmerited. Gift. My beauty (lol), charm or wile would never secure my lifelong mate. A husband comes from the hand of God as a present. The only thing missing’s the bow.

I learned the lesson again when the doctor said those unimaginable words, “You can’t have children.” My lungs refused to inflate…black dots, called floaters by ophthalmologists, blotted out the face of the hated doctor. Undeserved. Unmerited. Gift. Feelings of entitlement fled as I realized that children, too, come from God.

I should know by now that every good things comes from God…

Why do I forget? When the dust settles from my fit-throwing (hm, good thing the toaster was already broken!), I remember…oh yah…

Out Of Focus

Keeping things in proper focus

is a challenge for all of us.

I invite you to visit

http://www.writersinthestorm.com/

for this week's discussion about confession.

I post each Monday on WITS.

Adoration: The Complete Picture

To feel awe, devotion, idolization, reverence, veneration, love
…To enjoy enthusiastically, excessively
…To eat up, dote on, delight in…
To adore

Adoration: A Head and Heart Thing

Adoration begins in the head with a right understanding of God. But all head with no heart presents only half a picture of adoration. Head and heart have to come together.

Our minds are actively engaged in the affairs of the heart. When I think about my husband working until 3:00 a.m. to get this website up-and-running, my heart flip-flops. Wow! He really loves me! My mind fondles the kind acts of my husband. As I review each one, my heart responds.

When we explore the person of God with our minds, our hearts respond. How can we turn our minds to God and further foster a deep, rapturous love for God?

7 Ways to Rekindle My Love Affair With God

• Write a list of God’s attributes and meditate on each one.
• Write a list of God’s good gifts in my life.
• Write a love letter to God.
• Write a love poem to God.
• Go for a walk with God. Imagine Him right beside me and talk with Him.
• Read five psalms and look for characteristics of God.
• Recall one kind act God performed in my life. Review the incident in my mind

Do you have other ideas for fanning our hearts' flames for God?
Please post your ideas in the comments section. I'd love to give them a try!

Today I posted at Writers In The Storm.

Visit here to read about adoration.

What is adoration? Though adoration seems like an antiquated word, unraveling its meaning reveals important truths for each of us.