Archive — Prayer
20 May
Me + Math = Impossible
Math has not been my best subject in school. In fact, it is my worst subject. When I got my report card in the middle of this past semester, I realized I might not pass the class. To bring up my grade to a “C” I was going to have to get at least a “B” on the rest of my tests. The problem was I hadn’t even made a “C” on any of my tests! In higher math everything you learn builds on what you learn next, so passing was looking impossible. I knew that there was no way I could pass on my own. I came to the realization that I needed help.
16 Apr
In Communion
This past Sunday, my church family celebrated the Lord’s Supper. As is our custom, the “body” of Christ was passed back and forth along the pews on silver trays, and each believer in the sanctuary carefully extracted a single piece to hold until all were served and the pastor had asked God to bless it. As I held the bread between my thumb and index finger, really more of a square, cracker-like substance than bread, I noted the powdery white residue that clung to my fingertips, and a thought began to grow in my mind. Yes, I know I should have been praying or meditating, but sometimes my mind has a mind of its own. (Is such a thing possible?) Anyway, I noted the fine powder on my fingers and began to think of how communion with the Lord should leave just as visible an impression on my life as the “bread” did on my hands.
15 Apr
Friendly Neighborhood Insomniac - Part 3
Over the past two weeks, I’ve shared how I reached a breaking point with my insomnia and how God responded in a miraculous way. However, despite feeling His comfort, I still couldn’t sleep at night. For three months I waited on God to cure my insomnia. I knew God cared about my situation, but I saw no reason why He wouldn’t help me. Then youth camp came along and put everything into perspective!
To cut through the awkward silence of our first nightly church-group sharing time, I spoke up, “Hey not to sound like a broken record, but my insomnia is as bad as ever. Could you keep praying? Maybe God will take it away…”
11 Apr
Friendly Neighborhood Insomniac Pt. 2
Isn’t it funny how the seemingly littlest things can change your life? I asked my girlfriend the other day how she decided to pursue fashion design. She responded, “Well, I watched the movie 13 Going On 30 and I decided what I wanted to do with my life….” After one quick laugh from me and a quicker verbal slap-to-the-face from her, I realized how much little things can impact our lives. For me, it was a bright pink, flowery piece of paper…
9 Apr
Breathe on Me
“Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7
So many things inspire us: passionate works of art, literature that gives voice to our deepest thoughts, music that speaks a message of truth, the splendor of creation, the stinging beauty of sacrifice, and on and on. This world is full of things that move us and fill us with a bittersweet sense of longing. But a longing for what? Even we are hard pressed to express what it is we desire. More beauty, more song, more meaning, more purpose? God only knows; yet, instead of turning to Him, we rush from one activity to the next, feeling self-important and useful for brief shining moments. We almost manage to grasp that illusive treasure we seek; but, at the end of the day, sighing, breathless, and exhausted, we find ourselves as limp and useless as a deflated balloon. “Finally,” I can imagine Him saying. “Finally, you are still and ready to receive what I alone can give! Now, ‘stop your fighting—and know that I am God.’” (Psalm 46:10)
2 Apr
Friendly Neighborhood Insomniac - Part 1
I couldn’t fall asleep at night. I was assured this was a normal struggle for boys my age and that it would quickly pass. However, my insomnia didn’t pass… it got worse. And worse.
10 Mar
Passing the Time
One afternoon, when our youngest son Seth was two, he loudly declared, in broken toddler English, “I God.” Seth does have a strong sense of self - and for that, we are thankful. However, if he makes a life-habit of such pronouncements, he will, of course, be living the grandest delusion.
26 Feb
Is There Actually Power In Prayer?
I have a confession to make. Ready? I pray for my favorite sports teams. There, I admit it! I’m a sports fanatic, and sometimes I feel my teams need an extra boost. The league can ban steroids; but they can’t ban my prayers! However, my almost undefeated New England Patriots’ massive choke in this year’s Super Bowl is proof that God doesn’t always answer those prayers!
14 Feb
From Tragedy to Glory: Union University
Figure 1 An aerial view shows the path of the F-4 tornado that hit Union University’s campus on Feb. 5, as well as the breadth of the destruction.
I’m a Union University evangelist. I have been for a few years now. I love my alma mater. I loved it while I was there and missed it terribly when I left. I have even voluntarily attended recruitment events after graduation. But I have never been more proud of the “ole UU” than in the last week.
4 Feb
Conversations with God
It felt weird at first—honestly spilling my guts and using a tone that I thought may be somewhat irreverent in his presence. But then I realized something. That’s the way he wants me to come to him—he wants to talk with the real me. Since I made this discovery, my prayer life has become more alive than ever before. I don’t feel like I’m praying to the ceiling any longer. I feel connected to the Father in a way that is even harder for me to explain.
