More Prayer, More Power!

Boaz Ministries

More Prayer, More Power!

This gem - by author of "The Power of a Praying Wife", Stormie Omartian, is a must-have for believing couples. Omartian is also the author of "The Power of a Praying Husband." We have brought the 31 days of prayer for husbands, and for wives; expounded on the importance of family prayer and encourage everyone, single, marriage-minded and married, to pray without ceasing.

These are troublesome times, and the body of Christ needs to be fortified to withstand the firey darts that come against us on a moment-by-moment basis. We can't stress enough, the urgency of establishing and maintaining a prayer life: personal and corporate, within your marriage. This book is filled with prayers - a section for husbands, and one for wives - and the author simply invites the reader to "pick a prayer, any prayer, and let the Holy Spirit lead you from there."

Bruce shared this book with me. And in the coming days and weeks, we'll select some powerful prayers to share with you!

Knowing the Will of God

I was part of a Bible study series a few years back where we took a step-by-step walk through the Word to determine God's will for His people. For many folks, Christian or not, the concept of knowing God's will seems to be something out of reach; mysterious.

The study came about as a result of other studies we'd had previously. And it was truly an "aha moment." First of all, just looking around "Christiandom", we could see that the people of God were lacking in the defining area of "Love." We didn't even have to look far, because the church where we had regular fellowship was struggling with in-fighting and back-biting. It was beyond sad;  there was nothing "Christ like" about the behaviors we saw on display. So, right away, we could tell that believers were not exemplifying the love Christ speaks about in the New Testament. We took our time digging into the Word, using Strong's Concordance, and found everything we could on how love should behave among the Body of Christ.  We knew for certain, that having and showing love for one another, is the will of God.

Jesus said it very clearly in John 13:34-35 ...So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (New Living Translation)

The Apostle, John, repeats the love theme over and over in his 3 epistles in the New Testament. In 1 John 4:8, he goes in: Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. So much more is explored in John's short letters - and as believers, we are left with no doubt about God's will for us concerning love. 

As we look at the very character of God, the Book reveals, by the Spirit that guides us into all truth (John 16:13), that our Heavenly Father is loving, kind, merciful, faithful; He cannot lie, will not abide idolatry among His people, will punish the wicked- and means every Word He says. In Galatians 5: 22-23, the Apostle Paul provides a list of characteristics that the people of God possess:


..the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Many people have a very negative view of Christianity - and, unfortunately, the ones who call themselves by that name are the ones portraying those negative images. The good news is, the Truth of God's character is revealed through His true sons and daughters. God's will is known and shared by those who seek Him with their whole hearts.(Psalm 119:10) And we live out the love in our daily lives - planting seeds of kindness into those who would become believers; encouraging those who already believe.

If we're curious, we will find out what the Lord requires of us, and we will learn exactly how to access the Power to do His will.  Prayer is key. Before we begin a season of study, we must pray for the Lord to open our minds and hearts, by the power of His Spirit - for discernment and understanding, which will, in turn, transform us. The Bible is replete with verses regarding God's will for His people. 1 Thessalonians 5 (written by the Apostle Paul), has a wonderful outline of how we are to live and interact with one another. He admonishes believers to encourage one another, to build each other up - and to.. pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:17-18)

Knowing God's will isn't a mystery. It's not something that cannot be understood. As the prophet Micah wrote in Micah 6:8, there are three key things God requires:

He has made it clear to you, mortal man, what is good and what the Lord is requiring from you— to act with justice, to treasure the Lord's gracious love, and to walk humbly in the company of your God.

I pray that we be drawn fully into the light of God's love, and experience the transforming power of His grace in our lives. When we truly love someone, it's just our natural desire to find out everything there is to know about them!

...The Man of the House

The opportunity presented itself, and there I was

just inches away from my camera

I do not lie when I say

it was a thing to behold -

He was in the midst of research, preparing for a piece he was writing,

and listening to smooth jazz playing softly through the speakers

A special collection shuffle

With quiet and contemplative eyes, he would type, stop, think,  re-think, adjust his glasses

and repeat the process...

(there was all kinds of rhythm in that flow!)

For me, it was magical - it's always magical when he writes

Like Phoebe Snow said, "I'd like to get behind his eyes

and sing and cry from that position..."

Bear with me just one more minute, please...

 Overcome by the very atmosphere of creativity,

 I was compelled to capture everything in that frame

In that moment

So, no...

 I couldn't resist -  and in my own defense

I have to say, I'm proud to say...

"Rare moments were meant to preserve for all time"

(And yes! I'd do it again!)

 

The opportunity presented itself, I took aim

 and here he is,

 Ladies and Gentlemen...

©2014

"I am wealthy from the things that matter." C. James

C. James and me

I've been richly blessed with beautiful sister/friends in every phase of my life. I have friends from childhood, and whenever we get together, it's like yesterday all over again!

Over time, a pattern began to emerge, or, I became aware of certain events along my path that I knew weren't coincidental. Every work experience, every situation - anything having to do with my interactions with others, had a specific purpose for me. In some cases, I learned that my associations and/or friendships were meant for my edification and growth. In other instances, someone else was to learn and grow from my influence in their life.

It got to be so real, that I would look for the lessons in situations; try to discern the strategy. And the Lord would reveal it in time. Some experiences were complex and convoluted; but every one brought about much needed growth.

One of my dear sisters I met at work just a few years ago, has health struggles. Her body is in constant pain and the doctors are unable to heal her.  She's a powerful sister with the gift of discernment that has blessed me in a way that I know she's in a tight relationship with the Lord and allows His Spirit to use her. Her incredible peace in the midst of excruciating pain amazes me. God revealed to both of us that we were to work together and encourage each other during a season in which we both found trying and uncomfortable. And we made it through!

To this day, this woman of God encourages others, even from her sick bed, in times when her body is weakest. August 1 was her birthday, and after being absent from social media for a few months, she thanked everyone for their prayers and birthday blessings.

My friend has a devoted husband, whose life I watched become transformed as he witnessed and experienced his wife's unwavering faith and unconditional love. (Yes! I was watching him watch her! A double blessing!) They have two adult children and a granddaughter. There are loving friends, family and House of Faith where folks continually lift them in prayer. This family is indeed blessed!

It was her testimony of the goodness of God that inspired this post today. What she said resonated with me as she thanked God for another year of life:

"I suppose at this age, there is nothing that I need or want. I am wealthy from the things that matter."

There was no mention of the healing for her body that we all have been praying for. And this can only mean that she desires His will alone.  This is my prayer...that God work in me so that I am aligned with His will - to be a blessing, and an effective witness of His grace and mercy. God is faithful to perform whatever is needed in our lives to the saving of our souls.

When we accept the Gift of Salvation - we're truly wealthy, and nothing else matters. Amen.

A Reflection on the Eternal Perspective - When I need to Invest in what Lasts Forever

A great personal Bible study companion

My husband, Bruce, has a book of daily devotions - 365 Pocket Devotions, by Chris Tiegreen, that he reads pretty faithfully. A few days ago, he shared day 169 with me (above title).

A little background: since we've been married and engaged in Boaz Ministries, discussions about eternal things have become more prevalent in our home. We realize, as believers, that our life in this world is in preparation for the life to come. And we can see the spiritual warfare going on all around us, and in our own experiences. Navigating through all the distractions and allurements this world throws our way, is like walking through a mine field. There are all kinds of ungodly pursuits and practitioners of them that are ready, willing, and able to suck in the unwise and spiritually unarmed - and some evil enticements are more subtle than others. But. We have the Word of God - which is the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path! (Paraphrase Psalm 119:105)

Day 169 is so good and to the point, I'm sharing it in its entirety. I was blessed by this nugget. I hope you are, too:

Human nature wants it all. We want to live forever in God's Presence, but we're reluctant to sacrifice anything in the meantime. We want heaven on earth as well as heaven in heaven. The fact that this is a spiritual impossibility doesn't faze us. We want it anyway.

Jesus doesn't offer His disciples an impossibility. He speaks in harsh realities. We must make a choice: invest ourselves in this life - which is passing and subject to decay - or invest in the Kingdom of God - which is eternal. There is no "all of the above" in Jesus' gospel presentation. It's either one or the other.

Can you honestly say that you care nothing for your life in this world? Or at least that your here-and-now plans pale in comparison to your hope in eternal life? If not, Jesus calls you to radically change your perspective. You cannot hang on to your visible life and your eternal life at the same time. One must be forsaken. Which will it be?

"Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity." John 12:25





 

Happy Fourth Anniversary to My Kids in South Korea!

Mr. & Mrs. Brian R. Urias! ("ooo-RREE-aahss")

This goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Brian R. Urias! We celebrated their marriage on this day in 2010, in Rancho Cucamonga, California. They officially married May 28, in Michigan. They had been in graduate school in Michigan and shortly after graduation, they wed. But we'd planned to have the California ceremony on July 11. I believe one of the main reasons for their earlier marriage was because, as it turned out, Ashley's father would not be present to give her away. They had received his blessing before his passing, and that was the most important thing to the both of them.

We went ahead as planned - and oh how we celebrated! Ashley was blessed to have her father's brother, Uncle Eric, give her away for the family.

Ashley and her uncle, Eric Wynn

The language fails when I try to describe the tone, texture and tenderness of that special day. So - I'll simply say it was incredibly beautiful, and leave it alone.

I just want to share a few pictures and congratulate these young people, who have been teaching in the English immersion program in South Korea for the past three years.  They are on a wonderful life adventure, in love, work and play.  I pray that God continues to bless and keep them in love as they live for Him, for many, many more years! 

Ahhh, the ring!

And! I'm going to South Korea to celebrate Ashley's birthday in September - my first visit since they've been away! I am ecstatic and looking forward!

My children and me!

On the dance floor

Mr. Brian Ray Urias!

On into the night!

I never get tired of this picture!

Me, my daughter, son and new In-Loves, Tami & Ramon Urias!

My firstborn - Mrs. Ashley Joelle Wynn Urias!

The food was amazing!

Adoration

You send sweet vibrations my way,
effortlessly


It goes like this:

I enter a room, any room where you are
and your scent is in the air
Faintly spiced with your soap and after shave
tantalizing my nostrils

You are reading a book, or playing your bass guitar
turned away from me
But your body bids me "welcome"

The invitation is unspoken
It is always understood
And always, I accept

Before we even touch
Our connection is palpable


From your silent thoughts 
I hear you call to me

I have your full attention

Finally, face to face -
a smile blossoms beneath your  mustache,
your eyes dance their "Helloooo Love" dance

And the last cares of my day
now melt away completely

Before our lips meet
we just stare
With our foreheads pressed together,

we read, and search the familiar lines of
the face we dream about

We wade and the wading goes deeper
moving past our mere reflections
We reach the depths of us,
hold...right...there...
And drown in who we are

©2014