In the book of James we read, "the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective." There have been many times in my life when I say to myself, "really??"
Last blog I mentioned Zeke was struggling a bit in school. We decided to get him tested for ADHD. Part of the testing includes a teacher evaluation. When I went to pick it up Monday morning she said she could barely fill it out. "It is as if he is totally free from all his issues that were plaguing him," is what she told me.
Hmmm... The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. I think I'm a bit more inclinded to pray today.
Peace and Joy
Rob
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
My Boy
Our middle son Zeke has been having a rough go lately at school. He's been getting in trouble and has had a hard time checking the emotions. It seems as if the filter in his mind has been shut off. In addition to the 2 trips to the principle's office this has done some damage on his little 8 year old psyche. He knows that what he is doing isn't good and feels incredible remorse for his outbursts yet he can't help himself and thus he feels terrible.
I'm reminded of what the apostle Paul said in Rom. 7, I do what I don't want to do and don't do what I want to do. In reality not only does Zeke struggle with this - so do I! I can't count the times I've been stupid/siunful/angry/lustful/etc. And just like Zeke the remorse and self loathing at times gets the best of me.
As a parent it messes me up to see my boy walk under so much self condemnation and to see him get in trouble. I want with all my being to help him get free from the actions so that he can be free from the icky feelings. We are working hard to understand what is behind the behavior to eliminate it and are speaking profusely of grace, mercy, and forgiveness hoping to silence the lies of Satan. I literally have lost sleep - happily I might add - thinking how I can help him out. I want him to be free.
It seems to me this is the heart of Abba. He wants us to be free both from the goofy actions as well as the shame that follows. Maybe it would be good for us to do what Zeke has been experiencing lately - to sit in the lap of the Father and hear; His words of love and mercy that quickly over ride sin and shame, to hear His heart and longing for us to have victory and freedom, to hear Him say He loves us regardless of our performance, and to hear His assurance that we will get beyond this current struggle and all will be well.
I'm reminded of what the apostle Paul said in Rom. 7, I do what I don't want to do and don't do what I want to do. In reality not only does Zeke struggle with this - so do I! I can't count the times I've been stupid/siunful/angry/lustful/etc. And just like Zeke the remorse and self loathing at times gets the best of me.
As a parent it messes me up to see my boy walk under so much self condemnation and to see him get in trouble. I want with all my being to help him get free from the actions so that he can be free from the icky feelings. We are working hard to understand what is behind the behavior to eliminate it and are speaking profusely of grace, mercy, and forgiveness hoping to silence the lies of Satan. I literally have lost sleep - happily I might add - thinking how I can help him out. I want him to be free.
It seems to me this is the heart of Abba. He wants us to be free both from the goofy actions as well as the shame that follows. Maybe it would be good for us to do what Zeke has been experiencing lately - to sit in the lap of the Father and hear; His words of love and mercy that quickly over ride sin and shame, to hear His heart and longing for us to have victory and freedom, to hear Him say He loves us regardless of our performance, and to hear His assurance that we will get beyond this current struggle and all will be well.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Really?
Admiral Perry first stated that he wanted to reach the north pole at the age of 10. Amazing. Throughout his adolesence and early adulthood many folks (in fact a majority of folks) who heard his dream discouraged him. Yet he was of a single mind and pursued the dream relentlessly. He wanted it. He made it happen.
I was reading in a devotional the following:
"When I hear someone say, 'I always wanted to be a teacher,' only politeness keeps me from answering, 'No you didn't, or you'd be a teacher. There was no "always" and you didn't really "want it." You just had a little wishfulness now and then.' "
Yikes - that's pretty in your face. And right on the money. Let's be honest if we really want something, really want it, we will work for it tirelessly. Much of what we say we want is really only wishfulness or even worse lipservice.
The Psalmist says, "As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for you O God." Really? Really? I don't know about you but I would like this to be true for me. Do I really want to be close to God. Do I really desire to be intimate with him at all cost? Do you? If so we would do what it takes. Maybe the first step is to pray that our wishfulness meets reality. I'd love to go the way of Admiral Bird in my pursuit of the Lord. Wouldn't you?
Hmmm...
Peace and Joy
Rob
I was reading in a devotional the following:
"When I hear someone say, 'I always wanted to be a teacher,' only politeness keeps me from answering, 'No you didn't, or you'd be a teacher. There was no "always" and you didn't really "want it." You just had a little wishfulness now and then.' "
Yikes - that's pretty in your face. And right on the money. Let's be honest if we really want something, really want it, we will work for it tirelessly. Much of what we say we want is really only wishfulness or even worse lipservice.
The Psalmist says, "As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs for you O God." Really? Really? I don't know about you but I would like this to be true for me. Do I really want to be close to God. Do I really desire to be intimate with him at all cost? Do you? If so we would do what it takes. Maybe the first step is to pray that our wishfulness meets reality. I'd love to go the way of Admiral Bird in my pursuit of the Lord. Wouldn't you?
Hmmm...
Peace and Joy
Rob
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