prayer – GREENLiGHT

5 Reasons To Keep A Journal

‘Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.
Jeremiah 30:2

My mind flashed back to Dr. Charles Stanley’s words in my book RedLight: When God Says No.

The visiting pastor John Bonner talked about goals. If it’s a goal that requires a financial investment, clarity, direction or other, we should begin with prayer – present our requests to the lord.

He encouraged the congregants to journal. I listened carefully capturing each point. Afterall, I pondered whether his points differed from Charles Stanley’s.

Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding. – Jen Williamson

Journaling provides many benefits. Among the reasons are 5 keys listed below.

Journaling Benefits

1. Journaling measures your growth

Journaling is a Faith filler to see how God worked in your life.

2. Journaling Records God’s faithfulness

3. Worship God when you receive answered prayer

4. Journaling provides a Legacy for prosperity

What to Include in a Journal

We can write ad hoc things that are on our mind. Emptying our mind of cares and worries is traditional but the pastor went deeper. He opined that we should include:

Insights on God’s promises
Prayers requests – things we desire of the lord. We ask specifically for what we want. Sometimes it’s not clearly articulated or known to us but we voice our confusions as we seek clarity and his direction
We should include our Bible study notes. These are Whatever became clear as we do our daily devotions, attend church, listen to the word, worship and prayed
We should include acquaintances and special events. Whats gleaned that sparks words of comfort, praise or curiosity. The song by Elevation Music titled in the mighty name of Jesus is an example for me. It came at the right time. Another was Travis Greene’s You Made a Way

What Not to include in Journaling

It was surprising to me that he discouraged us from including sins and failures in our journal. Afterall the lord forgave us of our (confessed) sins. Recording them only brings back memories that we need to walk away from and focus on those great things he has done or have in store for us.

In summary, as Jen Williamson encouraged, journaling is not only life changing but life expanding. A tool that encourages transformation. So journal with God.

Not journaling? Start today. If you have been journaling, what benefits have you gleaned? Do share, we would love to hear.

RESOURCES

HUDSON Taylor – read how lord used his published journal

Ask For Help

Lord we need Your help

We need your intervention

We are afraid to ask

We just want to stay in bed

We just want to hide

Hide from feelings of inadequacy

Lord on our own we cannot

With you we can

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11)

The Clarity Gained When God Speaks To You…

My sheep hear my voice.

Sometimes I am confused whether I’m talking to myself or if God is speaking to me. But when he said my sheep hear my voice, I realize when I am confused it’s me who has shifted.

I may have stopped reading the word of God, doing daily devotions, attending meetings at church, and everything that would foster my spiritual growth.

When I get back on track, I find that is when I’m more clearly able to discern his guidance and instructions.

So if you’re confused about the lord’s direction for your life, take the time to examine where you are now. Are you praying? Are you feeding your soul? It helped me. Hope it helps you too.

Whenever That Spirit of Discouragement Comes …

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Whenever that feeling of discouragement comes, Pray because prayer works.

Prayer provides comfort

Prayer provides a sense of peace in the midst of life’s turmoils.

Prayer soothes, calms and provides hope above all else.

So when that feeling of discouragement comes… and it will, pray, pray and pray some more.

Yes pray because God sees, hears, knows and even better—he answers according to his will at just the right time.

Trust him.

A Prayer For Those Busy Days

We can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength

Let’s face it, sometimes we feel overwhelmed. We find it difficult to handle what comes in life. We feel lost, unable to pray for ourselves. That’s where a prayer partner comes in. Someone you trust and who cares for you physically and spiritually.

A Prayer To Strengthen Your Day

Here’s a simple prayerful wish to strengthen your day.

May the lord go before you today preparing you mentally and physically.

May the Lord grant you patience and resilience to ‘grin and bear’ the foolishness that comes along your paths at work, school or play.

May he respond when you can’t.

Mostly may the Lord be your strength in times of need.

May the Holy Spirit lead and guide your every move.

And if the lord is doing all that, may you remain confident that He has everything under his control (even when things seem out of wack).

Above all , may the lord grant you his perfect peace today, tomorrow and always.

Blessings overflow.

God Understands Our Tears

God understands our tears

God understands our fears

God understands what’s unsaid

And Most importantly, he answers

So keep your eyes open so you don’t miss his next steps.

Blessings overflow.

A Dog And A Rug’s Peace …

Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.
Dean Koontz

Zeus the dog loves comfort. For years we bought the softest coziest floor rugs to enhance the living room while making it attractive. The problem was Zeus loved comfort. The more we bought, the more he rolled over in exhilarated joy. As time went on, the wear and tear (literally) were hard to bear. Whenever I visited my college student, I would see the empty floor because–oops he did it again!

I’d go out and replace it with another beautiful rug. Then one day I gave up. I decided to replace it with one that was not as comfortable to him but provided the room with an aesthetically pleasing sight that was a delight to see.

What can I say? He avoided it. All he wanted was soft cozy comfort.

How about our relationship with the Lord? Aren’t we like Zeus who wants comfort while neglecting his purpose?

Something to think about.

Trek To Rome’s Vatican…

When in Rome, do as the Romans do
Saint Ambrose

My Flight to Rome took me through Philadelphia. I arrived next day. Tired, I slept the rest of the afternoon through the evening into the night. Refreshed I awoke next day six hours ahead of the United States.

My first order of interest was to visit the Vatican. To give thanks and commit the rest of my stay to the Lord most high. Afterall I still didn’t know the intent of my trip.

My mind wondered to my visit to Paris with my daughter. Where was the Eiffel Tower? How could we get there? It was almost nightfall, and we were not sure where we were heading. Ask. We did, but most didn’t speak English or were reluctant. Off the train, around the bend and there it stood majestic!

I reflect on that day in Paris as I headed out to find the Vatican in Rome. As the saying goes When in Rome do as the Romans do. They trek. So I trekked. The Problem was I didn’t know where I was trekking to. The hotel’s front desk said it was 15 minutes away from their location. Of course I could handle that trek. But after walking, walking, walking I still couldn’t find it. Thirty minutes later still walking steadily taking pictures of Rome’s dynamic architecture and views of the historic city, I became curious wondering if I was walking in the wrong direction.

The memories of Paris flooded back. Where is it? Don’t know. I finally asked a guy preparing to welcome lunch guests at one of the common outdoor cafes. Around the corner he replied, speaking very little English. I proceeded. No signs. Made no sense anyway because I didn’t speak the language. Pronunciations differed but I thought that at least I would see the name somewhere if it was close.

Ten minutes later I saw a young woman and a nun get out of a taxi. Hmmm good person to follow, right? Yet still I hesitated. Waited a bit then a few minutes later saw the nun down the road walking hastily amidst the crowd. I guess it was time to follow that direction as they disappeared. Slowly I walked. Down to the road’s end.

Suddenly what appeared was the sunlight that illuminated the vastness of an arena. A new world opened. Reminded me of Roman soldiers that I read about in the Bible and reminders of movies I had seen. Like many others, I sat on a curb to rest tired feet. Took pictures as keepsake to share with my girls. Drank water then headed to the long lines that winded up to the entrance of the cathedral. This was the start of Winter with limited tourists, I can’t imagine what it would be like during summer’s busy season and I am not interested to find out. So I determined to stand in line. Heck there’s nothing more planned for the day. I might as well wait in the line for an hour or 2.

Surprisingly the line moved at a good pace and I was eventually inside. Mesmerized by the beauty and unique artistry of the architecture, visitors’ eyes were drawn upward. Yet the interior was filled with the sense of being in a holy place. Traveling solo, I tried to take selfies which were mostly crooked but that didn’t stop me.

I walked to the holy sanitarium where no photos were allowed. I proceeded. In that small space it was reserved for prayer. I sat filled with innate holiness and emptied my mind of everything I had in my heart.

Prayers for the future.
Prayers for my two girls together and alone.
Prayers for family
Prayers for friends. One by one I named them.

I prayed until all I had left was peace that he had heard my cry. Thanksgiving followed with praise for my obedience to follow his lead.

In that moment as the amazing artistically carved figure of Christ on the crossed looked down at me and others in the silence of that sanctuary, I felt the journey was accomplished because I had obeyed. Hmmm what if that was the reason he drew me there?

Another Godwink?

Journey Of Discovery…

When we step out in obedience, we can bask in the confidence that God’s got our back. He is in control. There are no surprises with Him. The surprises are for us.
-Dr Shelly Cameron, GreenLight

Journey of Discovery. Discovering the Lord’s will. Discovering new places – just wandering the unknown. Discovering his purpose for the rest of my life

For over two decades the Lord laid on my heart to visit Italy. Go figure. I have consistently misread thinking I’ll go at some point.

Then five years ago my eldest surprised me with a birthday trip to Paris. As I landed, I retorted … omgee it’s not Paris but Italy I am to go!

Last year, I decided to start a few things after I received news from the doctor that my cholesterol was a little high. Figured I had to do something to not be added to a growing list of medications Soooo … I started ballroom dancing. Yep. Loved it! But it didn’t let me lose too many pounds fast enough, so I ‘accepted’ a 6-week challenge from a gym I had ignored when I moved to the new area. The challenge was to lose 20lbs. At the end of the challenge, I had lost over 13lbs – a little shy of my goal but boy was I encouraged to continue.

Italian Itch

Afresh, there was a very strong urge again to go to Italy. I know the best time to go is April or October since it’s cold at year-end and not the best time. But the strongest urge was there to not let the new year go by without being obedient to his leading. So, I made plans to go end December which was pushed forward to January. I didn’t have a clue where I was going. But when he said go, I finally got moving.

I followed the lord’s leading. I was going alone. Yep, alone. Yikes! It was a solo retreat with me and him only. Asked the Lord to pave the way for flights, accommodation and everything else. Maybe I would finish up the book RedLight when God says No. Hmmm I really didn’t know.

I didn’t tell anyone except hinting to my girls who are strong supporters of their mom and understand her ‘madness’.

I began thinking deeply of the possibility in the fall. A few weeks later my hotel association colleague offered me to stay at her apartment in Milan. Only problem, its night life is ‘amazing’ so not much sleep or a place to write I was told.

Points Considered

It would be cold
Don’t know where I’m going
Need for adequate funds
Obedience to his leading

I shared with two prayer partners to keep me in prayers as I journeyed. Partial funds came through a project I had been working on which coincidentally ended immediately before I was scheduled to leave. Godwink? Like Mary Magdalene I kept all these things in my heart.

The solo retreat touched hearts with inspiration even before it began. Before it was even paid for or properly planned.

I was going on a one-way ticket initially without a rush while asking the lord to route my way. I was following his lead for flights, accommodation, location of where to stay, what food to eat (I’m not a foodie) and when to return. Crazy going so far without a plan. To a planner, it was a quiet nightmare. I said, “really Lord?” People will think I’m crazy.

Vatican Trek

Just As I Am…

Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come


Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fighting and fears within without
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come
Ooh, just as I am, ooh, I come
Ooh, just as I am, oh Lamb of God, I come

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because Thy promise I believe
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come
Ooh, just as I am, ooh, I come
Ooh, just as I am, oh Lamb of God, I come
Oh lamb of God, I come

~Charlotte Elliott

Disabled Charlotte Elliot wrote the above hymn Just as I Am at her lowest. She wrote it at a time when she thought she was most unworthy. Sure glad she did. The hymn has comforted many for centuries.

The Lord God accepts us just as we are. So go to him today. He accepts returns. All you have to do is ask.

Blessings overflow