Prayers that work

Some people find prayer boring. I am easily bored but I don’t think prayer is boring. If I am bored I guess God is bored as well, so I try to avoid boring prayers. If I am bored I rather be on Twitter, Facebook or maybe just go to a party. But if I actually can talk to God and if he actually listens to me then I am into prayer.

The Bible tells us that God is looking for people. He is looking for the kind of people that want to connect to him and are longing for real fellowship with him. He is looking for those who need him.

There are loads of books on prayer. There are different styles, themes, methods and examples of how it affects people’s lives. It’s really a whole world of something out of this world. So how do we get this to work properly and how can we really get in touch with the most high God? He has given us the methods and he has given us an invitation.

I find it interesting that people would spend a lot of effort to get in shape physically, to get information on a new hobby, or study a new subject just because they know that’s the only way to really change the situation or learn a new skill.

It is not much different with prayer. We need to get serious. We need to make an effort. But it is worth it. There is a whole world of amazing stuff. And it’s just a prayer away.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Bible ref: Hebr 11,6

From dust to dust

I have never really built anything of significance. I played with toys and built small things as a kid and even a small cabin. As an adult I have refurbished an apartment, helped others build their houses and then observed people build mine.

When you build something you know how it is fit together. You know about all the bits and pieces, the foundation, the bricks, the walls. You know what’s behind the wall, underneath the paint and the tiles.

If things break you will know how to fix it if you actually have the knowledge about how it is built. As kids, especially boys will disassemble everything just out of curiosity. And afterwards they will sometimes never get it put together again.

The God who created us actually knows how we are put together. David wrote a psalm where he really acknowledges this;
“As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.”

Genesis tells us that God created mankind;
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

And I go back to the psalm of David (number 103) and read out loud the whole thing. I just love it. Our bodies are for a short time, but our spirits are forever. In the meantime we can get insight in all the bits and pieces.

He knows how we’re put together and he knows how to fix us.

All-In Strategy

I am not much of a poker player really. I think I have played once. It was good fun and no money was involved as far as I rememeber. But I understand the concept of ‘all in’ I believe. I told a friend of me that I recently have had a feeling of ‘all in’ in my personal life. “I hope you have good cards” she replied.

 Am I going to win? Is the investment going to pay off? Are there any chances everything suddenly is coming into place? Of course. Are there any risk of loss? Of course.

I am glad I am not in a betting situation or playing cards for that matter. I am in secure business. But there are unknown factors nevertheless. Nothing in life is 100%. Unless…

Jesus was challenging a young rich man to give away his wealth because it clearly was standing in his way to get hold of the real stuff. He actually walked away sad after their conversation. Jesus’ followers were shocked by this:
‘Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” ‘

Jesus encouraged them to invest their whole life, energy and focus. What’s it all about? I do believe my investment is paying off. I know this is safe business. It’s all about the person that gives the guarantee and stands behind the promise. It is not my idea.

No worries

‘Thanks!’ my friend gets her credit card back. ‘No worries!’ the cashier replies with a smile.

And it just hits me. She is right: No worries. We’re not supposed to worry about things related to what we need:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

So many times I find that we are worrying about things that really are taken care of or maybe never become a problem at all. And I realize that I never worry if I trust the person in charge. For instance I don’t worry about the quality of the coffee I buy at the coffee shop, and I don’t worry about the plane falling down. I trust people are professional and do their work properly.

But every now and then I tend to worry if I feel responsible and at the same time don’t feel in control. That’ s when worrying seems inevitable. Even if I know that I should not worry. So what do I do? I sit down, think through the situation, throw my worries on God in prayer and keep doing what I know is my responsibility. Occasionally somebody will tell me I have done a mistake or been inattentive. Big deal! Then I will try to find a way to correct my mistake and apologize for my ignorance.

But now worries – that’s the goal.

Fast Food

 

Photo: Erlend Krumsvik, www.naturlegvis.no
Bible ref: Matt 6, 25-27

Action in 3D

On May 13th 2011, BBC News Magazine published an article on how they used 3D during World War II. “Operation Crossbow: How 3D glasses helped defeat Hitler” is written by Jon Kelly;

«The British always used 3D and the Germans didn’t,» he says. «What this meant was that the British could make enemy territory come to life.”
Allan Williams, curator of The National Collection of Aerial Photography goes on:  
«Without this photographic intelligence – which was created at remarkable speed – the Germans could have launched potentially devastating attacks on Britain before D-Day that could have easily changed the outcome of the war.»

I am not much into war, or war history for that matter. But this article caught my interest. With today’s satellites and GPS this has become part of our everyday life. But 70 years ago this really was something.

It just strikes me how extremely important it is to understand the enemy’s territory and be able to interpret the photographs taken. If there is something going on, we need to understand it. And we probably need to be aware in our own area as well. How do things look? If we look carefully and put on the right eyeglasses will we be able to see something more? Something behind the surface even?

I think there might be things going on that we don’t always see at first glimpse. And then there is the interpretation; the way we read the pictures.

When the Israelites explored Canaan, leaders were sent to find out if the land was something they could possess. The reports they brought back were conflicting, but Caleb interpreted what he saw this way;
“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

Which eyeglasses did he use?

Bible ref: Numbers 13,30

When troubles come

What do I do when problems, big problems, manifest themselves? Lately I have been observing some individuals having challenging situations. Where do they go? Who do they ask for help? How do they cope? Where do I go when the problems are like mountains? I realize we sometimes isolate ourselves believing nobody can help.

And sometimes the biggest pain seems to be the feeling that I have to bear it all alone. Do I have to walk alone through the valley of death?

I’m listening to Simon and Garfunkel’s old song; Like a bridge over troubled water.
“…
When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you

I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down”

And as I realized that I really didn’t understand the phrase ‘lay me down’ I searched for an answer and found an interesting interpretation in a discussion thread on the internet: ‘Lay me down suggests the serenity and assurance of a child who sleeps with divine protection. I think the writer aspired to this peace, and seeing the bridge, found a symbol of serenity, aloof and untouched by the troubles below it.’ And then it is referring and linked to a famous child’s evening prayer:
‘Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.’

I understand that king David in midst of his troubles really had got it, believing and experiencing the shepherd’s care and protection:
“Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.”

 

sleeping in her father's arms

Bible ref: Psalm 23,4

Those who have ears

“Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once.” I can almost hear Michelle Dubois’ voice in my head. English with a quite strong French accent. A simple quote from the series “Allo’ allo!”

I remember working as a tour guide I tried to practice this. Guiding grownups I couldn’t be bothered to tell people the same things over and over again. I thought they should pay attention. And they did. I very seldom experienced people being late for the bus. There are always people coming late, but they will be late whether they know the time or not.

In teaching about communication you will always be confronted with the term listening; learn to be a good listener! It is all about listening. Do you really hear what your friend is telling you? Do you understand the words of your spouse? Maybe you are not listening. Have you been listening?

I love good stories. I have friends that really know how to tell stories. The point might be lame, but the story is be good just by the way it’s told. Listening to something like that is not difficult. It’s just a matter of shutting up. But getting a deeper meaning is something else. To hear something that is not audibly heard.

The other day I was sitting in a meeting listening to a preacher. I was concentrating so hard to get her message that my neighbor who I have never met before leant over and asked; ‘Are you OK? Sure?’ I probably looked very serious. The person I was listening to was a good communicator, but I knew she had a point in there I shouldn’t miss. So I listened. Very carefully.

Jesus said;
«My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.»

Listen carefully

 

Bible ref: John 10,27

Words, don’t come easy

F.R. David’s voice is sounding in my head:
“Words, don’t come easy to me
How can I find a way to make you see I Love You
Words don’t come easy”

I am thinking about how my words impact my world. They don’t only impact my own little world, but my circumstances, my friends, the atmosphere at work, my church and my family. If I use the right words I might get things to happen, I might encourage people and bring peace and happiness. The right words come from a right attitude. But nevertheless it is a good thing to know how to put it. How should I express the message if it is really important to me? How will the listener understand my message?

The words are important. A business contact once said; “Words are so powerful if we use them the right way.» He’s got it. He is even good with his words.

The other day a friend of me sent me this link to a video on YouTube. It is giving an example of how a message can be put in a better way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

All preachers I know try to use the words in a way that will impact the way we see the world, the way we interpret God’s word and the way we understand the spiritual world. But it is not always easy to find the right words.

Paul knew this, therefore he asked;
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, “

If I have an important message I want to use the right words; the words that touch the heart and reveal the truth. I guess I need help.

Bible ref: Ephesians 6,19

What a friend I’ve got

I treasure friendships. I find it as one of the most valuable things in life.

I love stories about great friendships. It touches my heart when I hear or read a story where I can see that people really connects, cares and have a deep friendship. The world literature is full of good stories, but also if I dig in people’s personal stories, if I ask people, many will tell strong stories about friends they have. True friends may stand by you through turbulent and traumatic times. Friends can make a party rock like nothing else. How great is it not to celebrate and party with close friends! Friends share a history, good stories, funny episodes, mistakes and all kinds of experiences.

Some of my closest friends have been on my side through some really rough periods. They know my face. They can see it when I am happy or hurt, when I am sorry or just tired. Maybe everybody can, but a close friend would acknowledge what he sees and might take needed action; give me a hug, an encouragement or even a much needed ‘Pull yourself together’ message.

Jesus is my idol in most areas, also when it comes to friendship. He had very close friends in Martha, Mary and Lazarus. That is described in the New Testament. He also had the 12 men he had trained for around 3 years when he told them:
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

When a friend tells me her innermost secrets and shares his challenges and cares with me I know I’ve got a true friend.

Bible ref: John 15,15

The Master of Headhunting

The last 24 hours or so I have been thinking about the headhunting business. And no I was not aware of the hunt where somebody now can collect the 25 billion dollar reward for the most wanted man on the earth the last decade.

In business headhunting is known as a relatively clean business. If you need new brains in your company you are allowed to get them from some other company. Professionals will actually get paid for finding the right people for the right job. A successful headhunt should end up with happy parties. Both the head moving from one place to the other and the new employer should be happy. That’s the goal.

I have been thinking about how Jesus found his 12 main men, the disciples. He was clearly looking for some leader material. He was looking for sincere, honest and passionate men. Reading about how he picked them and asked them to follow him, I can see that he observed more than the outward being and education. He was probably looking for motivation and loyalty as well. John, one of the disciples describes what happened when Jesus called them. Philip for instance: ‘.. and He found Philip and said to him, «Follow Me.»

Towards the end of his life Jesus is summing up in a prayer to God how he had managed the group of disciples:
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

His headhunting had been a success.

He is still looking and he has room and assignment for everybody who wants it.

Bible ref: John 1,43 and 17,12