Archive for March, 2008

Adoration: Mind Matters

Posted by Sonjia On March - 31 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

The word adoration isn’t a part of my everyday vocabulary, but I hope to make it a part of my everyday life. I looked the word up in the dictionary and discovered three important facets to this precious gem.

Adoration is worship of a deity.

At a fundamental level, I can’t adore God if I don’t recognize His place in the cosmos. Adoration begins in the head with a right understanding of God as Creator and Ruler. He’s the ultimate Despot. Unlike earthly dictators, God is holy, just, and omniscient. Those three characteristics alone cause a huge swell of gratitude in my heart. He won’t do anything wrong or wink at anything wrong or accidentally overlook anything wrong. There’s a lot of wrong in the world. But it’s a comfort to know He’ll put things right one day. God alone deserves my adoration.

Visit my blog at www.SonjiaBradshaw.com to read about two aditional aspects of adoration.

Meanwhile, which of God’s attributes causes your heart to swell with adoration?

Adoration, Sonjia Bradshaw

Topics for April

Posted by Sonjia On March - 31 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

Jayme mentioned the ACTS (Adoration-Confession-Thanksgiving -Supplication) format for prayer. The next four weeks we’ll continue our discussion on prayer with a closer look at the ACTS model.

So, join us for this week’s topic: Adoration

Adoration, Sonjia Bradshaw

The Whispers of God

Posted by Jayme On March - 29 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

I gave my heart to Jesus during a West Texas thunderstorm. Twelve and terrified, I just knew the hundred-year-old lumber of my great-grandfather’s farmhouse provided little shelter from the imagined tornado that threatened to sweep me up at any moment. But over the clamor of rain pelting the tin roof, my heart heard the whispers of God.

Through the years, prayer has become more than crying to God in a storm and His quiet, gentle comfort. Sophisticated ACTS (adoration-confession-thanksgiving-supplication) formats and half-days in prayer with meditation and long Scripture memory have strewn my path to Him.Tears, anger, questions, and accusations have been hurled His way in some of my darker moments. But I still find that just as He heard the terrified cries of a twelve-year-old, He hears the whimpers, whines, and wails of a grown woman groping for a God she doesn’t understand–but with the assurance that He is God, even over the storm.

In different storms today, my heart listens for His still quiet voice. The storms may take the form of a disabled child, a difficult circumstance, or an unending pain, but He always hears my cry, holds me in my storm, and whispers to my heart.

Jayme Durant, Prayer

Putty in His Hands

Posted by Helen On March - 26 - 2008 1 COMMENT

Some days, I pray like Jay Leno, or Johnnie Carson. I monologue with God in a stream of self-serving requests. Perhaps I’ve watched too many Twilight Zone episodes, because I tend to detail His response options for Him. I don’t want to get stuck with a undesirable answer, due to my failure to foresee that particular contingency– Like a thirsty man in the desert wishing for water and gaining a salty sea. Technically, the request was met, but it didn’t satisfy.

I live for the good days, when I’m more like King Hezekiah, face down on the floor before Him. All the gray details of my life presented as an offering, because I love Him and trust Him to give me His best. He chooses from the palette colors vivid only for me. He knows the full scope of my canvas. He knows the shadows of my past, for He is the light that has seared my name in the Book of Life.

Art wrought and brought to life in the hands of the Master. It retains but a glimmer of the Creator’s magnificence. Yet, I am His work of art. And while I remain here, I am a work in progress.

Helen Hanson, Prayer

AUTHENTIC PRAYER

Posted by Sonjia On March - 24 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

Sometimes, I catch myself praying like I’m Mr. Rogers. Nothing against Mr. Rogers, mind you, but I don’t typically pad around life wearing house shoes and talking in a quiet inside voice all the time. It’s just not me.

Other times, I pray like I’m C.S. Lewis engaged in a theological discourse with God. Hm, still not me.

Then, there’s the United Nations diplomatic mission voice that wheedles negotiations with God. Nope. Not me either.

If I’m real with God and talk from my heart, my unique voice is direct v. indirect, passionate v. unemotional, spontaneous v. contemplative. Oh yah, and kind of loud.

So, why don’t I pray straight from the heart in my own unique style of communication? Maybe it’s a false sense of what’s reverent, holy and spiritual. Maybe I’m too caught up with form instead of function.

How about you? Ever find yourself praying in someone else’s voice?

Prayer, Sonjia Bradshaw

This Week’s Topic: Prayer

Posted by Sonjia On March - 24 - 2008 ADD COMMENTS

If God already knows our needs, why pray?
Does prayer actually change things?
How do I stay focused when I pray?
My mind wanders to dirty dishes, piles of laundry and our hungry dog staring at me through the back door.

This week, we’ll talk about prayer. Add your comments, we’d love to hear what works for you!

Prayer, Sonjia Bradshaw