March 13, 2013

One of His dying statements has always especially captivated me.

GUIDANCE

And why would He do this when they would only continue hating Him?  I can almost hear them say: “We know EXACTLY what we are doing and despise you even more!!!”

PERSPECTIVE

He taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” Matthew 6:12 (NIV). And then, on the cross He actually prayed for God to forgive those who crucified Him.

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

I still don’t know what all is behind His final act of goodness and love.  But I do know this.  I would give everything to be in the family He leads.

 -Tony 

February 27, 2013

“Give us today our daily bread.”  Matthew 6:11 (NIV)

GUIDANCE

Each hungry person anywhere on the planet touches the heart of our Heavenly Father.

PERSPECTIVE

Like any good father, He is pleased when his children intercede and provide for one another.

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

And, as this prayer becomes more ours, the basic needs of His children will touch our hearts more and more. 

That’s just the kind of family we are.

 -Tony 

February 13, 2013

“Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10 NIV.

GUIDANCE

Is our heart’s cry that He would transform and restore everything to His rule?  Beginning WITH US???  He gave us dominion over His creation.  So unless we are “all in,” He can’t work through us.

PERSPECTIVE

His Spirit is the only power that can stop modern day slavery, abortion, pornography, hunger, substance abuse, or any other evil.  Only His Spirit can infuse our souls (our deepest connections to Him) to become powerful forces for His Kingdom. 

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

When a critical mass of us passionately cry out for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done in our church, country, and culture just as in heaven, change can break out.  His Spirit can breathe new life into our service.  But for this to happen, His will and not ours must be the deepest desire of our hearts.

For the sake of His children, PLEASE, allow His prayer to become yours!!!

-Tony 

January 30, 2013

When scattered, afraid, worried, beaten down, or just tired, how do we pray?

GUIDANCE

In times like these, we need guidance.  And Jesus gave us the perfect template to guide us home!

PERSPECTIVE

Like children on a stormy night, we are drawn into Their room.  Immersed into the safest place in the universe.  And in heartful harmony with all His family we pray.  “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9 NIV).  A plural prayer.

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

From all eternity to all eternity our family name is honorable.  To bring us home, while preserving our family honor, our Father has labored long and hard since before time began.   It is fitting and just that His concern for our family honor should be shared by all His children.

May this become as much our heartbeat as His.  To bring honor to our Father’s name.  And with grateful reverence, because our Father’s name brings honor to us.

 -Tony 

January 16, 2013

When scattered, afraid, worried, beaten down, or just tired, how do we pray?

GUIDANCE

In times like these, we need guidance.  A pattern or template to support and lead us.

PERSPECTIVE

Jesus gave us exactly that! 

Like children trying on dad’s coat or mom’s sweater, we keep at it until it begins to “fit” us.  Until it becomes not only the Lord’s Prayer, but also ours.

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

We begin by conforming our prayer time to the pattern He gave us.  Surely the One who creates, saves, sustains, and indwells us knows exactly how we should pray.

He can re-set our templates and guide us as we try to conform our deepest desires and longings to His. 

So we begin to work through His prayer.  Then, His prayer begins to work through us!

But more about that next time.

-Tony