Prayer in perspective

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:2 mins read

For the last while I have approached the miraculous with a very close view. 

I asked God to heal me – and I watch every day as he gives me strength and daily health.  I no longer take medications and trust God for physical vitality. 

I listened to God a few years ago talk about 2×2.  This was the idea, now in a very real way reality, of seeing a congregation, in two years, grow in Sunday service attendance from around 60 or 65 to double that amount. 

A few years ago we, as  a church, we watched the unexpected happen.  We had wanted an intern, but for five years we could not find one.  Then God gave us the unexpected (which resulted in a full time staff member), and we continue to watch to see where our staffing will go next. 

I had asked for years for healing for my wife Jill, and God chose to provide a complete healing.  And for me, God has given an enlarged heart as I look forward to a new marriage.

So, I’m trying to process what should just be common knowledge.  God answers prayer.  In both the small and the big.

And I ask myself as I consider prayer with God – what world should I live in – a small one of little hope, or a big one where God speaks and creation is born?

Engaged

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:1 mins read

OK, couldn’t hold back! 

I am now officially engaged to be married to Cynthia Bellamy!  Now, if I say much more you won’t have any questions or comments for me.  Nevertheless, a slight further detail – wedding set for Kindersley, Saskatchewan on July 13th.

cynthia and ron engagment photo - Janaury 18, 2013

Forging new paths

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:2 mins read

Yesterday two incidents reminded me of change.

I have newly come into a responsibility working with our museum here in town.  As such, I contacted the chair of the museum board.  The idea was to just sit and hear what was expected and where we were headed as a board.

The willingness was there and the time was available.  The discussion was profitable but there was within the chatting a sense of the past hindering the future.  Where there were disappointments with such things as volunteers and financing, there was a desire for better but a realism that could hold them back.    That mourning of the past and excitement for the future was very real.

The second group was planning a youth event related in part to drug and alcohol.  This event has run for the last three years.  Not a long history.  A whole new scenario was put before us.  Requiring a new way of thinking.  Last year’s schedule was to be completely thrown out.  A new schedule required more flexibility.  At first those who had been a part in the previous few years could see only the turn in the road and not the destination.  After much talk, the old was affirmed.  The great thing was that the new achieved the same purpose, just in a different way.  After 1 1/2 hours of discussion the group was ready to set aside the old and try something new.

Old and new need not conflict.  Each can be a fulfilment of the purpose for the life of the institution or event.  Paths may exhibit gravel at one point and asphalt at another – the real question is whether they continue in the same direction!

Start the day with prayer

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:2 mins read

So, yesterday a Facebook and text message arrived in front of me.  A friend asked if I would like to show up at a prayer time this morning at 6:00.  At the church. 

Well, I was going to be at the church anyways, so what is a few hours earlier.  Of course, when winter light doesn’t appear until 8:30 . . .

At the same time, I have been working (said in the positive sense) on understanding and applying prayer in my life.  In October I spent a week of personal retreat – one day especially devoted to prayer and fasting.  I also picked up, at that time, a startlingly green notebook (which I can’t lose) to use to journal prayer requests.  And I started to pray for “the fives”.  Each month I pray specifically for those in leadership in ministry (I started with five – and renew the list each month – right now the list is over 15 and growing). 

So, the idea of prayer was not out of my mind – in fact, quite there.  On Sunday, our Associate Pastor asked for people to show up for prayer the next day at 6:00 in the morning.  Six people showed.  And they decided to also pray on Thursday at 6:00.  I think there is a movement about to happen here!

The format was simple.  Assign a prayer request to each person.  Not a lot of explanation, just pray!  Then, the whole group prayed out loud together until things died down (and they just do!).  Then go around the circle and assign new requests.  Today we prayed for church leadership, other churches in town, for our community, for the rural municipality around Kindersley, for missionaries, for those sitting in the circle.  In 40 minutes we covered a large amount of prayer points.

God loves to hear from us.  And in turn we will hear from God.  I wonder what the coming days and months will hold?