prayer – Page 2 – GREENLiGHT

6 Tips For A Spiritual Solo Retreat…

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 23:2

Retreat means to withdraw. To take a step back. Jesus did this many times. He would disappear to spend time in the presence of his Father. He wanted to quiet his heart to gain the strength needed for the next steps on his earthly sojourn. If he needed strength, how much more we? Shouldn’t we follow the example that He set?

Larissa Marks, HuffPost contributor provided 6 practical steps to do a spiritual retreat. Here I share while giving a few of my own commentary.

Create the time and find a place. Any place quiet will do. It may be in your home. It may be away. It may be at a monastery or in nature. For me I skipped home to get away from the distractions. After two decades of receiving a prod to go, I finally gave in. Just me. Solo.
Set your intentions. What is the purpose? What is it you would like to achieve from this time with him? Is it a calling? Is it a life decision that you need to make? For me it was discernment and to follow his leading for the next phase of my life
Settle into God’s presence. Do something that quiets your heart and eases you into his presence. For me it’s walking in nature or sitting quietly breathing–welcoming and experiencing his presence. Ask him what he wants you to receive at this time. Listen and follow his lead.
Reflect. Do some quiet reflection. What have you experienced in the last few weeks, months or even years? What has been draining you? What has brought you satisfaction?
Connect with God. Read scripture. Notice any desire(s) that emerge. For me in his presence there’s always fullness of joy. Even in the midst of life’s storms I find that I can experience his quiet peace.
Receive and return. Think about what you received during this time away. What do you want to stop doing or start doing? Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about the Lord and accomplishing his will and purpose for your life.

Hope these tips will help provide guidance as you make important life decisions or seek discernment for the next phase of your life. If you have done solo retreats, what did you walk away with? What stood out most about this experience? Do share. We would love to hear.

The Answer For Those Troubled…

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that
Dr. Martin Luther King

Pop up alert busted through my work! tWitch, my beloved twitch was found dead in a hotel room. What? I blinked my eyes. Was I seeing right. Twitch? My twitch? Who in heavens name could have harmed ‘my twitch’? Second news alert. He did it himself! A single shot. Omgeeee you’re lying! That’s not true. How could they say that? He couldn’t have. Shortly after a note from his wife came with the words … they’ll dance. She will save the last dance for him.

Life’s Journey

Hours later, still in disbelief, a friend texted to share the passing of an ex co-worker who had suddenly died during a colonoscopy. What? Very few succumb to that procedure which is designed to check for problems before they arise. Subsequent chats came of a mom, a dad, an uncle who the deadly disease cancer had snatched away. Separate circumstances but just like my mom, sister and grandma, they had passed away. Their slow difficult suffering had ended.

The death of loved ones, friends and family cannot be avoided. But Daily reports of suicide ensue. Can that mental disease be stopped? Are there signs? Depression? Joy? Can it be avoided?

Jesus Is The Answer

Jesus is the answer. Personally, there are times when the going gets rough. It’s at those times that I run to the only one who can take over the hurts, the pains, the fears, the lack of understanding of why things happen. School shootings. Why take an innocent life? Why do children go astray? Families don’t talk. Relatives fuss and fight. Not to mention couples who fight. Divorce is popular these days where the common practice is that at the first signs of an issue society encourages individuals to separate… to take care of yourself. No longer try to work it out. Go live across the street. Live nearby so children won’t suffer ‘too much’.

What’s Wrong?

We scream and cry what’s wrong? Then the still small voice of the Lord quiets our hearts saying I am the answer. Jesus is the answer. Tell him your woes, your misunderstandings, your weakness, your fears.

Pray. Talk to him. He will see you through. He will provide the strength needed during the difficult times. It may appear through a song. A brief sign. A friend. But we must be in tune. We must ask. Through prayer and the help of a trusted friend who cares enough to seek help on your behalf work wonders.

Our hearts hurt together. May Strength and courage be yours through Christ. My heart hurts for you.

Beyond judgment. Accept Christ. Accept help.

Blessings overflow

Encouragement Quotes…

God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes.
Rick Warren

Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love and the future to God’s providence
Augustine

God is more interested in your future and your relationships than you are.
Billy Graham

One often sees a call only in retrospect. This too is God’s design. God often reinforces our faith after we trust him, not before.
Ravi Zacharias

The Desires Of Your Heart…

Thank you for being a friend. Lots of struggles but God made you special. I pray God will provide the desires of your heart. That you will always continue to give the gift of love that he has provided to you.

I pray today will be special day for you, you and yes… you too.

Blessings overflow

Plugged in?

I was doing some house work which included some rearrangements. When I was done I plugged back in the computer, laptop and devices. Noting worked. I figured that the electrical surge protector had gone bad. So I went to get another. As I plugged it in, I realized that the previous electrical equipment was simply not plugged in. I gasped, rolled my eyes and connected it to the wall plug and voila! It worked!

Caused me to reflect on our relationship with the Lord. We may lead groups, build relationships and do all manner of things but if we are not plugged into Christ the source, then it makes no sense.

Today, I encourage you to check your spiritual connection. Are you plugged in? Are you reading the word, doing daily devotion? Praying? All these contribute to our spiritual development. Without them we are just going through the motion with no effect.

Stop and check your battery life . Don’t miss his GreenLight Plug back in and experience the divine power from above.

Blessings overflow

4 Reasons For Closed Doors…

Closed doors prevent mistakes. Just because a path is clear doesn’t mean it’s the one God intends for us to follow. Sometimes we won’t have the information we need to make a wise decision, so He blocks the way. The Holy Spirit knows the whole road map for our life, so we should follow Him.

Closed doors redirect our walk. God won’t leave a willing servant with nothing to do. Closed doors can result in better fruit, more satisfaction, and greater glory for Him.

Closed doors test faith and build perseverance. Waiting for the Lord is hard, but it’s a means by which we can learn wisdom, patience, and trust.

Closed doors buy us time. We aren’t always as prepared as we’d like to think. God may temporarily hold shut an opportunity for service until we’re ready.

These 4 reasons were written by Dr. Charles Stanley for our encouragement. Going through a challenge? Reflect on them and be encouraged while you wait.

7 Assurances For Those Bad Days…

All things work together for Good

Woke up feeling agitated. Nothing worked. Traveled internationally for a Book Signing event. Computer would not connect to the work system. Important personal items missing. Important book signing items missing. Every where I looked something was missing. Totally confused.

To a meticulous planner, it’s like the end of the world. What’s happening? Why? Why do airlines require you to leave things or charge you to bring the ‘world’ with you? No pun intended. Is it for safety, precaution, to make money? Why?

All Things Work Together For Good

As I searched, I took a deep breath and started thinking. Maybe the way I planned it was not the way the Lord meant it to be. Responses from prayer partners came with reassurances:

7 Assurances Of God’s Leading

God works All Things together for our Good
He’s intentional
Be anxious for nothing
In humility ask and accept what he’s doing through others
Wait, obey as He leads
Oh what Peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear when we do not carry everything to God in Prayer
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

The irony of it all is that I was writing the final in my GreenLight book series titled RedLight: When God Says No. As my frustration weaned, I began reflecting and reached for the morning’s devotional which …as I read the topic, I laughed out loud. I looked up, and shook my head in wonder. Here’s what stood out for me:

Life is challenging, so we can easily get distracted and allow circumstances to dictate our emotions. But if we operate that way, then when life is good, we’re happy; when times are tough, we’re frustrated; and when hardship pours in, we’re miserable. On the other hand, unwavering commitment to the Lord is a cornerstone of faith. When we are situated on that foundation, we can focus solely upon God.
In Touch With Him Devotional

I Surrendered

I surrendered with the realization that everything worked the way the Lord wanted it to. I was never able to connect to the system, so no work could be done. My colleague took me shopping for a few needed items as a birthday gift (yes, it was my birthday). Practical learning as I write about when God says no or stop. Indeed the Lord gets the well deserved glory as I sit back quietly with soft smiles gasping at his wonder. Indeed He worked all things out for His own good.

I resolved to follow His lead and hope you will too.

Blessings overflow.

Pray. Just Pray.

Pray. Just Pray
GreenLight

Find a place to Pray

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying. (Ephesians 6:18)
Ephesians 6:18

A Place to Pray can be anywhere. But a Quiet space for few minutes once or twice daily can work wonders to quiet your heart, your mind your soul.

A place free of distractions.
It’s your solace and can boost your mental health.

Pray. Just Pray

Blessings overflow

God Doesn’t Keep A Clock…

I wish God kept a clock with my timing as priority. But He doesn’t. It’s in the waiting that we Grow.
Dr Shelly C

I could write a whole book on Max Lucado’s Quote that God doesn’t keep a clock. Personally, I wish God kept a clock with my timing as priority. But when I pray and ask his intervention, I have learnt to trust his timing.

Waiting Is Hard

I remember publishing my Research. After it was accepted by the JAABC, I was told it would be published in the Winter of the following year. Though it was long, I actually had a publishing date to look forward to. Contrast that with the birth of a child. A mom waits in the final weeks because the baby could arrive at any time. No specific date is given even when the doctor gives a ‘proposed’ date. The baby can still wait.

That said, life experiences prove that waiting is hard. It comes with the associated worry, fear, and riveting anticipation. We become impatient. But I have learnt to trust God’s timing. When we become weak and heavily burdened, we turn to the source of all things new. Our refuge and strength. Yes indeed, he is a present help in times of trouble. Let’s turn to him. Pray. Seek his guidance while we wait. One thing is for sure, he will come through for you and me. But only in his time.

Walk in the assurance that God’s timing is always right…and by the way… Pray while you wait.

Blessings overflow.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus…

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth 
will go strangely dim
In the light of his glory and Grace

I looked up as I heard the familiar chorus playing. Then I began to ponder the words. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. But the part that got me … then the things of earth will go strangely dim.

Peace Eludes

How often we allow the cares of the world including our finances, on-the-job issues, unemployment, relationship deterioration etc to cause us to go astray. We pity ourselves, become sad and depressed because we are limited in our way of handling our issues. It’s hard. Let’s face it, we can’t do it alone.

The Quest For Success

Even Success sometimes deter our relationship with the lord. I’ve often said that we pray for the achievement of our goals and aspirations, then when the lord answers our prayers, we forget to give him thanks. Then we continue our quest to maintain the ‘success’ often on our own. And yes to our detriment. Alas, the sleepless nights ensue.

As I reflected, I was drawn to another familiar song which in part says “Oh what peace we often forfeit…all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Today I implore you to remember these well known songs. Let’s take our troubles in prayer to the lord. Let’s allow the things of earth to go strangely dim. Let’s experience the comfort and peace that only God can provide.

Pause right now and Look full in his wonderful face. Let it be well with your soul as you sleep peacefully at nights.

Blessings overflow.