Archive
As I Speak
God, as I speak with people, let me not talk about my pain, sorrows or injustice. God let me speak of your love, your comfort, and your protection.
God, as I speak let me talk about your willingness to “go ahead” and pave the way for me; so my pain, sorrows, and injustice that I suffer are bearable.
For you oh Lord, have already taken the major brunt for me; your spirit prays for me when I know not what to pray—“making prayer out of my worthless sighs, my aching groans” (Roman, 8:26, The Message).
God as I speak…let me be genuine in my praise for you. Amen
My Eyes On God
“My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:15 (NIV)
I decided to check several other versions:
“…for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” (The New King James)
“…If I keep my eyes on God, I won’t trip over my own feet.” The Message Bible
Oh yes, that’s the one for me; “I won’t trip over my own feet. How many of us have done that—trip over our feet or put our foot into our mouths.
——————————————————————————–
God, this verse speaks to us today. How can we go wrong, if our thoughts are always on you? Who can hurt us, if our trust is always in you?
God as we hunger for you; guide us toward your truth and teach us your ways. We don’t want to falter; nor do we want to hurt or to be hurt.
Our wish is to serve and to show others your way. Amen
Joy
Concept & photograph by Tony Crisp. Graphic Design by Jim Whalen
One Person at a Time
“As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but not one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediate her bleeding stopped” (Luke 8:42b-44).
To receive a full appreciation of what I am about to explain please read Luke 8:40-56. If you read verses 40-56 you learned that Jesus healed a woman who had been seriously ill for 12 years and on that same day raised a little child from the dead. There are many lessons and yes, sermons in these few verses; but the lesson that I want to share today is this.
Jesus blessed one person at a time; even as the crowds pressed against him. Jesus’ sole interest was that one person. That’s our charge. Even with our busy schedules and life pressures, we need to find a way to touch somebody; one person, at a time. And when we do, we can make a big difference in that person’s life and in this big world of ours.
I was reminded of paying forward just this week when I received a very special card and note from a former colleague, and again on that same day a telephone call from another former colleague and emails from so many others supporting me through a difficult time.
I believe when we intervene in the lives others, one person at a time, that we make a real difference in our world. So reach out and touch someone today.
=========================================================
God, I thank you for the people who made a difference in my life—too many to name—continue to bless me so I can do the same for others. Amen
Who’s Praying For Me?
God, who’s praying for me? Who sees my worth enough to say a few words about me to you?
God, I am so grateful that I am worthy in the eyes of many. I am thankful that people are praying for me everyday. I am grateful because they are not only praying, but they are cheering me on.
God, how can I lose when I have the prayers of your people and yes, when the head cheerleader is Jesus himself. Thank you Jesus for never leaving me, for being a comfort to me, and for the encouragement and mentoring you send to me through your people.
I pray dear God that when my life is over that my prayer partners can cheer all the louder because, like you dear God, their prayers carried me through it all. Amen.
P.S. Don’t forget to pray for me.
How Does God Speak to You
Some say God does not speak to modern man. They believe, that since the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God no longer has anything to say. I refute that belief. God speaks to me through songs, through his Holy Words and through the inspirational writings of others.
God speaks to me through people, people like you and especially through those who practice the fruit of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
God speaks to me through nature; especially through the diversity of birds; through the various cloud formations, the beauty of God’s expansive forest with its trees and brushes. God speaks to me through his vast water ways and through his mighty hills and mountains. God even speaks to me through the death of loved ones.
How does God speak to you? They said we must be quiet; to be in a meditative state to hear from God. But for some, the chaos is required for God to speak to them; to obtain the compassion to right wrong, to inspire others.
Dave Kraft in his book Leaders Who Last (2010) writes that “it is vitally important that each of us discovers his own pathway to deep intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ…I try to use a combination of things, such as prayer walks, personal retreats, a daily devotional time, worshipful music, genuine community, or accountability with close and honest friends” (p.32).
So how do you hear God?
- Through music?
- Enjoying God’s creation?
- Being a part of a faith community?
- Through thinking and reflection?
It doesn’t matter. What does matter is to know that God still speaks to us today. Like in the “olden days” God is still seeking a relationship with us. He still wants to be a part of our lives. How does God speak to you?
==========================================================
Oh God, we need to hear from you. For it is through your Holy Presence within us that brings us joy, and instills in us a desire to serve your people and to change the world. Amen.
Take My Fears Away
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4).
Oh God, take my fears away. My work is chaotic, my future uncertain, and I feel that I have so much to do. Where will I be in this new future?
Oh God, take my fears away. Trying to figure how I fit into the cosmos; trying to learn about you and your creation. Everything is so uncertain. My emotions are mixed; frightful, full of anxieties, to possibilities and hopeful transformation.
God take my fears away. I truly want to succeed. I truly want to make a difference, to make a mark; not for my sake, but for the sake of those hurting; those that are hungry, abused and oppressed.
God, take my fears away. It seems that death is more inviting and knowing than to debate with this world’s everyday drama. Where do I fit into all this; not knowing is too hard and too difficult to figure out. It seems easier just to close my eyes; I don’t have to wonder anymore; not to be frightened anymore; not to give any more…, but God, I know you can take my fears away.
It is written in Psalm 34:19 that “A righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all…” God, I am one of your faithful servants; and I seek to be a righteous person; one of your anointed ones. Therefore, I am not a quitter; never have been and never will be. I know that during times of fear and uncertainty you are there. I must be willing to put my trust and my hope in you. I must be willing to let you truly be in charge.
So God even through my fear and anxiety, I am reminded of your love. I will trust that LOVE to guide me and bring me new possibilities and deeper love for you. Let us pray.
===============================================================
Dear creator how can we doubt your love for us? God prepare us for trials, but also remind us that even through our toughest trials and fears that you are there with us. Remind us that you hear our cries everyday and when we allow you to be in charge; patiently waiting to discern your will, that all will be fine; even through our tears and fears. We pray this in your Holy Name, Amen.
He’s Faithful
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2
God, even during my darkest days, I see your handy work. Thank you for being faithful even when I am not.
Who Do You Say That I Am
God, I don’t know who you are. You certainly are not the God of my youth. You are not the God of “what I expected.” Here’s what I do know. You are a God of love, full of grace; a God who expects people to do your calling, your bidding.
I appreciate your mystery. I respect your awesomeness. Your silence intrigues and complexes me. I want more, I need more. We want more; we need more of you so we can help others.
Therefore, I pray today that we strive to have more than just a conscious level of who you are. I pray that we strive to live at a deeper level whereby we will have a joyful, love affair with you. Where we are obedient to your calling and are willing to do more than we want to do because we understand, like Jesus, what a meaningful relationship with you is about.
===========================================================
- Is God the same person to you today as God was 5, 10 or 20 years ago? If different, what made that difference and how is that difference evident in you life?
- Who do you say God is?
My Sustenance
God is water, God is the immovable mountain. He is the almighty; my stronghold; my sustenance.
Praise The Lord
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 150.6)
I will praise the Lord with my whole heart. God you are so great and wonderful. It is no wonder that I praise you. You help my limited vision of possibilities and give me the big picture of something better. You give me hope, you strengthen my faith, you answer my prayers and you always give me your best. But God, I am not finished yet.
God, I want the world to know that it is good to praise you; and that through faith we can praise and trust you even through your silence and through our doubts.
You see God; I have no choice, but to praise you. You are my help, my strength and my comfort. You promised to be my shepherd that I shall not want; but more, importantly God; you promised to be with me to the end of my time. It is because of your promises that I have learned to praise you in good times and bad times. And I pray God, when my life is over all will know I praised you from the womb to the grave.
So let the people praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:1-6; NIV.
God’s Love
Long enough, God—you’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of your head long enough. Long enough I’ve carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me. Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye, so no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face. Psalm 13:1-4 (The Message).
You want a more traditional version of this Psalm—check your King James Version, or New International Version or better yet, maybe the New Living Translation or the New American Standard Bible. Guess what, they all say the same thing. Can it get any worse, let’s see? I will use a more traditional scripture interpretation.
My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me? Why do you remain so distant? Why do you ignore my cries for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. Psalm 22:1-2 (New Living Translation).
Have you ever doubted God’s love for you? According to Richard H. Schmidt (2005), “most of us feel forsaken by God from time to time. We feel either that God is real but has turned his back on us, or that the God we had thought was real is actually an illusion.” (p. 44). Those words in Psalm 22 were quoted by Jesus on the cross. He too felt abandoned by the One he had trusted; the one that God loves; God’s only begotten son.
Can I ask you again? Have you ever doubted God’s love for you? If so, revisit your life to see how faithful God has been to you, how he has blessed you, how he had protected you and how even today God continues to communicate with you. Are you surprised that he met your needs, not your wants, but your needs? Are you surprised to feel His presence among your friends and within your heart? Are your life renewed with optimism and hope.
Yes, we will feel abandoned again, but remember Jesus was one of us and he was there in that forsaken place. But according to Schmidt (2005), Jesus is also God and therefore, God knows what it is like to feel abandoned. Yes, this knowledge takes faith, but I pray that through your study of holy readings, prayers, your circumstances and fellowship with your faith community that God’s love for you will be revealed. So I say trust God and I pray today that we never forget God’s loves for us.
Tony Crisp
I want to transform leaders; primarily, leaders in our faith communities. I feel sharing one's faith journey and reviewing biblical and spiritual stories offer credible and viable examples of great leaders who transformed our world. More details about my training and consultant capabilities can be found at www.upwardedge.com.
Share this blog
Upward Edge
- Lessons Learned from Bad Bossess and Misguided Leaders, # 2 November 4, 2011
- Lessons Learned from Bad Bosses and Misguided Leaders May 27, 2011
- From Vision to Reality, Part II: Servant Leadership January 16, 2011
- Leadership In Tough Times December 21, 2010
- Leadership Quotes October 14, 2010
Out In The Spirit
- The Colors of Hope May 14, 2013
- Happy Easter March 31, 2013
- Preaching the Gospel Without Words March 30, 2013
Recent Comments