"I Asked God" shows us how to listen to God

Poems are great when you understand the person who wrote them. "I Asked God" by Claudia Minden Weisz is often shared on social media and has a stoic voice around what God gives and the desired response. He gives us a desire to pray for and wisdom to see how it's accomplished. This is akin to the still small voice of God. The phrase "still small voice" is a biblical reference that appears in 1 Kings 19:12: In the story of Elijah, God speaks to him in a still small voice after sending a wind, earthquake, and fire. The phrase is used to illustrate that God's work doesn't always need to be accompanied by dramatic manifestations.

• To give up prideful habits, rather God taking it away. (Romans 12:1-4)
• To see the spiritual reality in people, rather than the physical (2 Corinthians 4:16)
• To have patience is to go through tribulation with God (Psalm 46:10, Psalm 1:1-6)
• To have joyful happiness is receiving blessings of God (James 1:17)
• To separate from the world is painful but joy is in relationship with God (Hebrews 11)
• To grow spiritually we must receive nourishment, light, and pruning (John 15)
• To know God's love is to know and follow Jesus (Hebrews 12)
• To love others is God's desire for us (John 12:23-13:20)

We're starting the Prayer Course at MNTC next week. Christian prayer is a way for Christians to communicate with God and develop a personal relationship with him. It can be a form of worship, praise, or conversation. Christians pray for many reasons, including: 

• Expressing gratitude: Thanking God for blessings
• Asking for help: Requesting guidance, healing, or clarity
• Confessing sins: Asking for forgiveness
• Praying for others: Interceding on behalf of others
• Expressing thoughts and feelings: Sharing love, fears, and desires with God

Prayer is a central part of the Christian life, and Christians are encouraged to pray "continually". Some ways that Christians pray include: 

• Vocal prayer: Following the example of Christ, who taught the Our Father to his disciples 
• Meditation: A prayerful practice that involves thought, emotion, imagination, and desire 
• Contemplative prayer: A practice that involves the Holy Spirit and is compared to a kiss from God 
• Formal prayers: Pre-written prayers like The Lord's Prayer, which are often used in special ceremonies 
• Informal prayers: "Chatty" prayers that Christians often use 
• Arrow prayers: Quick prayers for specific situations 

"I Asked God" by Claudia Minden Weisz

I asked God to take away my pride (habit), And God said, “No.”

He said it was not for Him to take it away, But for me to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, And God said, “No.”

He said her spirit already is, While her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience, And God said, “No.”

He said patience is a by-product of tribulation; It isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness, And God said, “No.”

He said “I give blessings; Happiness is up to you.”

I asked God to spare me pain, And God said, “No.”

He said, “Suffering draws you apart from Worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow, And God said, “No.”

He said I must grow on my own, But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me, And God said, “Yes.”

He gave me His only Son, who died for me. And I will be in heaven someday.

I asked God to help me love others As much as He loves me,

And God said, “Ah, finally, you have the idea.”

• Lord help me give up Pride: (Psalm 10:4 (NLT) — The wicked are too proud to seek God. Psalm 75:4-7 (NLT) — 4 I warned the proud, 'Stop your boasting! Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) — Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 13:10 (NLT) — Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.

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Blessings brighten when you count them

Count your blessings, not your crosses; Count your gains, not your losses.
Count your joys, not your woes;
Count your friends, not your foes.
Count your smiles, not your tears;
Count your courage, not your fears.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.
  Author Unknown

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Just checking In

My dad personalized this poem by Roger Knapp for me yesterday, very sweet about loving kindness we experience in relationship with God and one another.

A Minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
To see who come to pray.
Just then the back door opened,
And a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man
Hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was torn and shabby,
And his coat was worn and frayed,
The man knelt down and bowed his head,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed at precisely noon,
The preacher saw this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear,

.He decided to stop and ask the man

What are you doing here?'

The old man said he was a factory worker
And lunch was half an hour
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.
I stay only a moment
Because the factory's far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS BEN,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'

The minister feeling foolish,
Told Ben that it was fine.
He told the man that he was welcome
To pray there anytime.
'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said
As he hurried to the door.
Then the minister knelt there at the altar,
Which he'd never done before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
As he met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed down his cheeks,
He repeated old Ben's prayer:

'I JUST CAME by TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Ben hadn't come.
As more days passed and still no Ben,
He began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Ben was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles and joy contagious.
Changed people were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Ben could be so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends had come to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up
And with a winsome smile;
'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
He's been here all the while.'
Everyday at noon He comes here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down and takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:

'I JUST CAME BY TO TELL YOU, BEN,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN .
I THINK ABOUT YOU ALWAYS
AND I LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
AND SO BEN, THIS IS JESUS,
JUST CHECKING IN TODAY .'

 - http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/justcheckingin.htm

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To live is Christ, to die is gain (Phil 1:21, Gal 2:20)

I hadn't known who made me breathe
Giver of life so I could see

Ruined family, I made it worse
Sadness, anger, hopeless, cursed

With nothing left, a gentle voice said
"This is why Jesus died and bled

He rose from the grave, His words prove true!
Give Him your life and He'll live in you!"

That day forward truth became plain
To live is Christ, to die is gain

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The Eagle, the Parrot, the Ostrich and the Dove

Last night I had a dream, a dream I've had before. This dream, I've thought to write as a child's book, illustrated, clear and simple. It's a dream of four birds, an eagle, a parrot, an ostrich and a pigeon (dove). While just the sequence of birds seems in and of its self to tell a story. I've felt it good to write it down and maybe someday that child's book will be written if I meet that illustrator who wants to do it.

Thinking about the life, relationships and the kingdom of heaven Jesus said,  "Look at the birds" - Luke 12:22-34

The Eagle
He soars so high, sees so far, effortlessly glides on righteous air. His beauty is that he knows and does, his gifts he gives, he gives from love. In early morning, spots his prey, what he doesn't need he gives away. Is his beauty in mind or strength, or fashioned talons, beak or shape? His cry can be heard from near and far, reaching canyons, heavens, and hearts.

The Parrot
His beauty attracts a pirates heart and when the thief sees him, says "BRAAAK!...there you are." When change is needed, says, "SQUAAK...you can't change" This pretty bird, with clipped wings and a cage, seems content not working for wage. He repeats what he's told, but doesn't do much, might move side to side if he sees lunch. Give him a cracker, he's good for a joke, ask why he does it he'll say, "WHAAAK...look at these folks"

The Ostrich
From mighty descendence, a fierce family tree, he's strong and fast running and taller than me. He brags of the heritage, of dragons he came, like the mighty T-rex, his family name. Flock in a herd, safety in numbers, his nest egg is bigger than any others. When truth looks him up and mirrors show fear, his head dives for sand, his darkness is clear.

The Dove
The most abundant and crowded and not well liked, lonely and sad, picks dirt morning and night. He can't see tomorrow from the mess of today. When a shelter is found, that place will he stay. Not welcomed, despised and no hope in sight, until he is captured and given new light. Taught of a purpose of talent not seen, the pigeon sends messages, is part of a team.

Explanation:
 - Eagle, doing what we know is right from an attitude of thanksgiving and love. Be humble with the gifts given to you, use your voice to praise God and guide people.
 - Parrot, doing wrong or nothing at all just because everyone else is doing it harms you into apathy. But once captured can the Parrot ever survive in the wild? Don't repeat what you're told, but reflect on it.
 - Ostrich, resting on your family's wealth is a sure way to waste the unique talent God has given to you. Make an effort to find out why God has placed you here.
 - Dove, we can all be captured and trained. Be sure what captures you is good. Jesus said from the heart, the mouth speaks. Consider allowing God to capture your heart, rather than sin, the devil or this world. Carry the word of God, delivered and received.

Martin Luther said, "I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."

Update: 2018-01-21
I'm studying God's Sovereignty, Romans 9:18 and was thinking of who God has mercy on and in my own life, who do I have mercy on which brought me to Seven blessings in Revelation explain faith, eternal life and sanctification)... Then I thought about who God hardens, which brought me to my second most popular post: Lamb's seventh seal brings prayer and six trumpets for repentance
Rev 8:13 Then I looked, and I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, “Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.”
And yesterday my nephew was sharing his experience in Africa with homing pigeons.

Praying God's word for wisdom:
Psalm 25:4-5 - "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."
James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
Psalm 16:7-8 - "I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Psalm 32:8-9 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you."
John 16:13 - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

What about wealth?
Luke 12:22-34;Mark 12:41-44;Phil 4:10-19; 1 Cor 9:7-14

update 9-17-2020 Job 39:13-18

13 “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,

    though they cannot compare

    with the wings and feathers of the stork.

14 She lays her eggs on the ground

    and lets them warm in the sand,

15 unmindful that a foot may crush them,

    that some wild animal may trample them.

16 She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers;

    she cares not that her labor was in vain,

17 for God did not endow her with wisdom

    or give her a share of good sense.

18 Yet when she spreads her feathers to run,

    she laughs at horse and rider.

update 4/18/2021, Hosea 7:11-12 amp

11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove (easily deceived and senseless NIV, witless NLT, gullible NASB, without understanding ASV, decoyed), without heart or good sense;

They call to Egypt [for help], they go to Assyria.

12 When they go, I will spread My net over them;

I will bring them down like birds of the heavens [into Assyrian captivity].

I will chastise them in accordance with the proclamation (prophecy) to their congregation.

 - Jesus said, "I am sending you out... be wise... innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

 - "...be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil." Romans 16:19

 - Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Matthew 25:2

update 5/27/2021

Isaiah 40:31 ESV 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

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