No Room In the Inn

It is now after midnight and I am sitting down for the umpteenth time at my computer. Whatever did we do before we were able to Google to find our answers? "Can you store baked potatoes in aluminum foil in the refrigerator?" No, you need to put them in a ziplock bag – fine! "How do you arrange 1 dozen roses in a rose bowl that was made for 2 dozen roses?" Go to Youtube and watch a video. Oh, wait they are using 2 dozen roses. Okay, plan “R” - You go outside to the holly bush (yes, it is after 10 p.m.) and pray that as you cut the stems off the holly bush you don’t cut the string beautiful blinking lights woven with great care – okay, check! Four pies made – check! Tablecloth on dining table – check! Napkins out and semi-folded – where are those blasted napkin rings? Great!! the dishes I wanted to use are in storage – possibly could use chargers and white plates instead – no wait, I’m serving soup in the small cups – never mind! All this drama over a luncheon tomorrow with friends!

Can you imagine what state I would be in if Mary and Joseph arrived at my house right about now? Or even better – what not tomorrow during the luncheon! Sure, let’s add a couple of chairs, no problem, oh, plenty of food, no problem. Oh, you are in labor??? Now that’s a problem!

We laugh at this scenario but is it so far from truth? What is all the hustle and bustle about anyway? Why have we allowed ourselves to be marginalized into thinking that immediate is better? That waiting is wrong – on so many levels!!! Feeling overwhelmed??? When does the tyranny of rushing about and non-stop planning end?

It seems that the Inn Keeper in Bethlehem was overwhelmed. Possibly, could it have been too many people in town for the holidays? By being so busy and overwhelmed with the circumstances, the Inn Keeper was not a participant in the birth of our Lord. He was simply a spectator.

What would happen if you and I stopped being a spectator in celebrating the Lord’s birth and became a participant? What would that look like to you? Somehow I don’t think it looks like standing in a flowerbed after 10 o’clock in the evening cutting holly stems from a blinking bush!

Let us make room in the Inn of our hearts – Come, Lord Jesus! Emmanuel – God is with us!

My Dad Has Cancer???

Who knew that Lainey would see the flyer in the school office and read the word that strikes fear in all our hearts – cancer. You see Lainey is quite the little prayer warrior. Her legend of her faith in prayer is stellar for a young lady of 6 years old.

You see Lainey knew her dad was sick. He had been in the hospital, had an operation on his head and had to go to the doctor a lot. So concerned was Lainey about her dad’s medical bills that she came in to her dad to share her money from the Tooth Fairy. The tooth fairy had been very generous this year leaving Lainey $3.00!!! So, Lainey brought the money to her dad with this explanation. “Daddy,” Lainey explained, “The Tooth Fairy left me $3.00 for my tooth! So, here is what I want to do. I want to give $1.00 to tithe, a $1.00 for me to spend at the Dollar Store because, Daddy, you can get a lot for a $1.00 at the Dollar Store. And the last dollar is help pay your medical bills.” See, she is quite the special little girl, isn’t she?

On this particular day, Lainey had been in her grandmother’s office at the school. Lainey’s grandmother is the school principal where Lainey goes to school. A meeting with a teacher sent Lainey out into the office area to wait so that her grandmother could talk privately with the teacher. Lainey saw her dad’s picture on a flyer. Thinking that her dad had won something, she went over to read what her daddy had won. But, instead, Lainey learned the terrible truth that the rest of us knew. As she sounded out the words on the flyer, she looked back at the school secretary and said, “My daddy has cancer?” My daddy has cancer? Does my daddy have cancer?”

The secretary quickly scooped Lainey in her arms while another office staff member called Lainey’s mother. The grandmother’s meeting ended shortly after that and the secretary told Lainey's grandmother what had happend. And God being so like God, had Lainey surrounded by a praying staff of people - her grandmother is one of the best prayer warriors I know!

So, Lainey and her grandmother went into the grandmother’s office to talk about the flyer. They both cried and then Lainey suddenly took charge. She said to her grandmother, “Nanna, we have to tell everyone about my daddy. We need to tell them that he has cancer so that they will know how to pray for my daddy.” Her grandmother told Lainey that people already knew but they would make sure that everyone knew about Lainey’s daddy and would know how to pray for him.

That night, Lainey and her older sister, Morgan, sat down with their parents and were told as much as you can tell a 10 year old and 6 year old. As, being the family of faith that they are, Morgan took little Adam Michael (8 months old), propped him up on the sofa then they stood up as a family, held hands and prayed for healing for this young father of three. I would love to have had Heaven's prospective of that sight - a mom, a dad, two little girls leading the prayers and a baby named after Adam - the first man made by God and Michael - after the archangel Michael - and also named Michael after his dad.

Lainey’s dad’s brain tumors are inoperable due to the location and depth of the tumors. His doctors have told Lainey’s mom that he has less than a year.

Lainey raised as a prayer warrior knew just what everyone must do – pray! So, I ask you, “Will you join me in praying for Lainey and her family and that God will heal her daddy?”

The Road Less Traveled

The last day of our stay at the cabin was a sad one. Neither

Steve nor I were ready to head back to the city. The quiet which we had readily embraced in the cabin was ending sooner than we desired. There has been a holy safety into this place of respite. No cell phone signals made their way to this remote area. We were surrounded only by the dense woods, deer, rabbits, and birds of all sorts. During our stay at the cabin, when we went out onto the front porch, we were greeted by the steady and gusty wind and leaves blowing in all directions. It was strange as we watched this daily waltz of the wind and the leaves. Always taking the lead, the wind would gently move the leaves from their branches with a sweet release. Then, the waltz began. What a site this was to us.

My departure from the cabin for the last time was often interrupted because I would stop my vehicle to watch the leaves dance in a circle as the wind directed them this way and then that way. It was like watching a waltz in nature. They did not need music. The wind knew the way.

Slowly I drove toward the highway. Could I make this stay last any longer? Each time I paused I would listen to the woods and attempt to capture what I saw on film. Yes, I am one of those who still uses film.

Was sure that I had seen the last of what God wanted me to see when in the bend of the road I saw it...this road less traveled. I literally stopped in the middle of the road (you can do that in these piney woods). Quietly I sat in my car with the window down and just looked at this road. I have no idea where this road ended. What I knew for sure was that this road had not been traveled in a while. There were no tire tracks, no dust from a recent vehicle. The pine straw and leaves lay quietly in place waiting to greet the next traveler.

Why would God show me this road this day? Was God preparing me to again take a road "less traveled?" Did God want to show me this road so that I would remember the feeling of peace and holiness of this road?

Where are you leading me, Lord? No, I am not afraid to go. I have seen the road and know that it is safe because God have met me there and again He will lead me.

Have you been asked to travel a road "less traveled?" If not, ask God to take you on that adventure. Don't be afraid. God is with you!

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I...

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

By Robert Frost

Love, God

Saw this on a walk through the woods last week. Felt God's message strong and clear...

I Love you,

Love, God

A Leaf - A Cross - A Sign

Last week, Steve and I were given the opportunity to stay in a remote cabin. This cabin seemed to be held in the midst of a stand of trees. It had been a very hectic week and we both were worn passed exhaustion.

Many times God shows me His presence through the lens of my camera. This afternoon, I really needed to see God. I really needed to feel His presence. So I grabbed my camera and struck out on the path. It was as though I was standing in a waterfall of leaves. Every where I turned, the trees were surrender their leaves. The
leaves, in turn, cascaded down ever so lightly as the wind moved them on their way.

I remember thinking how much I really needed to feel God's presence. My head was
turned down and I was near tears. My heart had been broken and the pain that
filled my heart was the pain that I knew only God could heal. Just as I lifted my foot
to take another step, there in front of me was a leaf in the shape of a cross. I stopped in mid-step and just stood looking at the ground beneath me. I lifted my camera and took this picture.

Isn't God amazing? The scripture that even the rocks will cry out to praise God immediately came to mind. Seeing this cross brought me to my knees. God was present. There in midst of falling leaves, I found God waiting for me. His imprint so clear that I couldn't miss it.

When you feel discouraged, or your heart is heavy with pain, look down, look around from side to side, and look up. God is there...all around you! The God who watches over you and me never sleeps nor does He slumber.

A-C-T-S Prayer

This morning was a special walk. Thanks to a dear and precious friend, I was reminded of a form of prayer that I used a long time ago. My friend is also a prayer walker and uses this same form of prayer. My heart was thrilled at the thought of renewing this style of prayer. While this form of prayer is directive in nature and keeps the prayer focused, it also invites an opportunity to “freeform” words from your heart. So, as my feet hit the pavement, I began..

A (Adoration)

The “A” prayers are comprised of praise and worship. “I love you, Lord!” “You are a mighty God!” “There is no one like you, Lord!” “You alone, I worship, God!” This time is focused totally on worship and praise of our God. If you have having difficulty getting started with praise and worship, you can play praise music and allow the music to lead you into worship and praise.

C (Confession)

The Bible tells us that God will forgive our sins, and will remember them no more. This is a time to ask God to forgive you. You must tell God the specific things that you have done wrong and you feel sorry about. Once you confess, your sins will be forgiven, and you can be assured that God has forgiven and forgotten. You can know without a doubt that your sins are erased and never to be remembered again. “Lord, I confess that I have been fearful and not trusting you in this situation.” “Lord, I confess I am angry and hurt about this…” “Lord, I confess that I allowed hurt to keep me from moving toward your perfect will for my life.” This time if focused on being transparent and truly bare before the Lord. He knows already what is there and His desire is that we recognize the darkness and stumbling blocks and bring it to His light for healing and restoration.

T (Thanksgiving)

The “T” prayers are comprised of thanksgiving. Those probably come the easiest as they spring forth without being beckoned. “Lord, thank you for my husband who is such a godly man.” “Thank you, Lord, for my family who is a family of faith.” “Thank you, Lord, that our grandchildren know You personally and believe in Your salvation.” “Thank you for the wind at my back that is gently nudging me forward to Your perfect will.”

S (Supplication)

The “S” prayers are those comprised of asking God for what is in your heart. “Lord, please bring me to Your perfect will.” “Lord, now that I am walking into this mighty wind, please use Your Spirit to blow away anything in me that is not of You.” “Lord, please heal our church and our members. There are some who are very sick.” “Lord, help my husband and I to be like trees planted by the water. That we will grow stronger in You. Please use Your Spirit to give us nutriments so that we will bend and not break.”

Today the wind was blowing so strong that when I faced it head-on, it literally blew my earbuds of my Ipod out of my ears. It had been a holy walk. I was sad when I made the last corner and walked up the driveway to stretch from walking. Once the stretching was done, Maggie (our little schnauzer) and I sat on the front porch and listened to praise music and just praised and worship.

My cell phone ran bringing me back into the day of activities ahead. Until tomorrow…Lord, my soul pants for you like a deer pants for the water. Please give me hind feet for high places.

Prayer Walking

Years ago (probably close to 6 or so) I was reading a Christian fiction by Ted Dekker. I believe the name of the book is called, “Heaven’s Wager.” Won’t spoil the plot, but the book validated something that the Lord had been pressing upon my heart for some time. And, as only God can do, He confirmed His leading through Joyce Meyers! I mean really, okay, got the point already.

That is where the prayer walking began. Each morning I would pull on my tennis shoes and head out the door to pray and walk our neighborhood. It did not take long for the people living in the houses on my prayer walk began to take on special prayer requests.

A back injury interrupted the prayer walking followed by a move to a different neighborhood. Back surgery followed the move and then knee-replacement. At the end of last year, I left my employment to pursue a new future…one that only God knew.

For the past couple of weeks, the call to prayer walk began anew. It was time. So, this morning as I walked in the early morning, it was glorious. Although the sun stayed behind the clouds, it didn’t matter. The clouds were showing off with a huge display of colors. The sun added to the panorama and I felt God was very near.

House after house I passed and God pressed for me to pray…yes, please give peace to this neighbor. She just lost her husband last month. Oh, and yes, please be with us young mother who has miscarried and wants desperately to have another baby. And…the list went on.

Prayer walking is holy. It is a time that a prayer warrior can storm the Heavens with his/her prayers.

On my last loop it began to sprinkle light drops of rain. Couldn’t help but smile as we need rain and spiritually our hearts are dry. So, as I watched the raindrops hit the pavement in front of me, I prayed, “Lord, reign in me.”

I will be ready to meet God on the street and share the morning with Him. Prayer walking is good! Can’t wait until tomorrow!