Calling God By His First Name

It’s guest post Friday!

Here’s one from Alicia Yost who blogs about being a mom at AmericasNextTopMommy.

Calling God By His First Name

I once went to a church where a woman, a self-confirmed prayer expert, called another woman out on the way she prayed.“I say this in love, but you are praying incorrectly. You can’t just talk and not address your heavenly father by name. You must say, ‘Lord’ and then follow it up with your request. I wouldn’t want your prayers to go unanswered.”The woman who’d been called out went red in the face because, you see, this had been pointed out during a prayer group and now everyone was staring at her. She started to cry.“I’m just trying to be helpful. There is a right way and a wrong way to pray,” said the expert.I didn’t see what the woman had done wrong. I usually pray the exact same way she had, but apparently we’ve both been doing it all wrong. Obviously, God is very picky when you dial his number. You must include a prefix code of “thou” or “Lord”. If you don’t, he will assume you are a crank call and hang up in your ear and then screen your calls.I was sure glad that I hadn’t spoken up in prayer because my prayers are almost always of such a personal nature that I often times start mid-sentence. I’m also prone to what I call “spurt prayers.” I will sometimes pray in tiny little spurts when I’m thinking about things so I don’t forget them later. When I’m driving by the school I say, “please look after my kids today as they go through their school day. Remind them that you are always with them. And that you’re watching so they better not pick their noses and eat their boogers.”Then I start writing out a mental grocery list.Other times, when I’m in line at a red light, I’ll look over at someone who just looks like they are having a bad day and I’ll say, “I don’t know this person, but he sure does look like he needs you right now. Please follow him wherever he goes and fill him with peace.”Then I turn up the radio and start jamming to “Moves Like Jagger.” Like I said, spurts.Later, when I have time to devote, I will pray in earnest. These prayers are most always not about something I want or need but about giving thanks.“Thank you for this beautiful day, okay so maybe it’s cloudy but it’s still beautiful. Thank you for the fact that I woke up at all. Thank you for my silly husband and sweet children, my friends and family. Thank you for my home and our security. I don’t deserve these things above anyone else, and why you chose me to bestow them on while there are people living in refugee camps, I will never know but I thank you. Thank you for my health (remind me to eat more fiber) and for loving me when I’m completely un-loveable and unable to even love myself. Thank you for pursuing me so ferociously when I played so hard to get and for second chances and for grace that I will never fully comprehend. Thank you for all of it, everything you’ve ever given and will give me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”Sometimes I pretend that God and I Skype. Like we have a 3:00 meeting and I sit down, tuck my hair behind my ears, and say, “It’s me……..”. He always smiles. Sometimes he winks while he points his finger at me. I usually do this when I need some serious advice or when I’m super confused about something. He always listens but sometimes he doesn’t stay on task (my task). One time, during one of our conversations, he was way off base.If you’ve never heard from God, let me tell you how he talks to me. It’s like a thought in my head that pops in from out of nowhere and is so loud that it sounds like a loud speaker. It’s always unreasonable and so foreign that it’s very clear that the thoughts do not belong to me. I most always feel invaded. The thoughts will play over and over again, like a flat tire that keeps on thumping until I finally stop and tend to it.“Hey, remember that girl Danielle that you used to work with, like, ten years ago? Maybe you should call her out of the blue. She used to invite you to church all of the time and was really nice to you!” he said.“What? Are you crazy? I haven’t talked to her in, like, well ten years. I don’t know where she is, what she’s doing, how to reach her. Let’s please get back to my problems, shall we?”“You could probably find her on Facebook you know? Look her up, Look Her Up, LOOK.HER.UP!”“AAHHH! If I will, would you kindly stop shouting in my head?”“Maybe. Tell her that you appreciated how she brought you to church and how you didn’t find me then but eventually you did. You found me, you looooooove me (I imagined him fanning his face) and that she was part of your journey, and I used her for that and want to keep using her for great things.”“This is crazy. She’s going to think I’m crazy.”“So?” he said.I got up, opened my browser, and logged into Facebook all the while rolling my eyes. This is really pretty stupid you know. I let out a long sigh as I thought to myself. I don’t have time for this. I need help. I need advice. I need guidance. Isn’t that what God is for? Isn’t he supposed to help me? I was just praying for his guidance and instead I’m here running crazy errands. Good grief!I typed in Danielle’s name, and she immediately popped up. I sent her a friend request and a message.“Hi Danielle. You’re going to think I’ve completely lost my mind but I just wanted to say ‘hi’ and tell you how much I appreciate how you took me to church with you back when because, while I didn’t know God then, I do now (he’s looking over my shoulder right now and tapping his foot). Please know that he loves you, and he used you to bring me to him. He wants to use you again.”I sent the message, half embarrassed. She’s going to think I’ve completely fallen off my rocker, I thought. I went on with my day and, a few hours later, when I checked Facebook there was a note from Danielle. She had accepted my friend request and her message said this:“I left the church about five years ago. I was deeply hurt by my many things that happened with our pastor and haven’t been close to God since then. Last week, I went to church for the first time since I left and just this morning I was praying to God, for him to let me know if I was doing the right thing by going back. Would it be okay this time? Would I be able to return and start fresh? I’m writing this with tears falling onto my keyboard. Thank you SO much for messaging me!”I rolled my office chair away from the desk and sat very still. Did that just happen? In one fell swoop God had answered both of our prayers. He had distracted me from myself and refocused my purpose while simultaneously reassuring Danielle.And I didn’t even say “thou.”

(For more great stuff from Alicia, check out her blog at AmericasNextTopMommy.)

Good Monday News!

This morning while reading today's entry in, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I was touched by several things. One, God is so real. So present. He know everything there is to know about us and still loves us. Not only does He unconditionally love us, He delights in us! Desiring to be our best friend. Yet, knowing the hand we've been dealt, He is extremely compassionate. Completely aware our weaknesses and wounds, He is with us 24/7. Tirelessly patient, hoping we will lean on Him and get to know Him so that we can understand better the friend that we have.

The second thing that stood out was the realization that the Light, love and truth of God's love is revealed through my weaknesses and my wounds. Giving me a new appreciation of both, I suddenly feel grateful for the many "openings" God has created in my vessel. A picture came to mind and wondered where in my house I could something similar. I didn't have to go far. I lit the candle inside and turned off the light.

I got a little teary as I began to see that the more weakness and wounds I have, the more openings I have for Him to illuminate. Wow! It makes me appreciate them like never before.

In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Consider it all joy, my brothers whenver you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2

Life is full of surprises!

Mike and I had a lovely Christmas. We enjoyed so much spending time with our precious family. Is there anything nicer? After things settled down, we even slipped away to Ruidosa for a little winter fun with our bbf's

Laynce and Leslie Nix. It was a blast!

School started too quick and things have been non stop ever since! Between Coaching Clinics,the

football banquet(the best yet),

our 35th wedding anniversary,

Clint's, Emme's Jenny's, Mike's, Beth and Kim's birthdays, finally unpacking the garage,hanging a wall of art

at Home Again,

and my short list of New Years resolutions, January has been full; but life is always enjoyable when we live it in the peace of His presence. Trusting Him and His good plans for us.

Speaking of good plans, we are so grateful for the blessing of our children and our growing family. Our cup runneth over as God's perfect love for each of them brim's the rim of our full hearts. Out of His unconditional love He has given us so much. Even sweeter knowing we did nothing to deserve it.

Kimberly, has brought of a huge and coloful bouquet of joy to us this month.

She will be a 'castaway' on the upcoming episode of Survivor...season 24. Though we dont know much about her time as a castaway. I do know this, God kept her on my heart and mind throughout her adventure. He helped me to turn my fears into prayers of praise. The result was His peace. A lovely gift to a mother when her precious child is far away. Prayer was our communication line. The Holy Spirit of God interceeding on our behalf. Strenghtening, communicating, protecting and comforting us both at the same time. It was a treasured time. She experienced His presence and power in a very real way. She loved it!

Jesus Calling

Jesus is calling us always. Drawing us closer to God because really....we can't do much of anything without Him. Let's face it. If it weren't for Him, we wouldn't be here. Period.

MY dear friend Mary, gave me a sweet little daily devotional last Christmas called Jesus Calling. It was written by Sarah Young. It is in no form or fashion a substitute for the Word of God, but It has helped me to listen and hear my precious Jesus, calling me.

I just read and wanted to share what Sarah Young heard Jesus speak to her soul:

December 7

I AM WITH YOU IN ALL THAT YOU DO, even in the most menial task. I am always aware of you, concerned with every detail of your life. Nothing escapes My notice - not even the number of hairs on your head. However your awareness of My Presence falters and flickers; as a result, your life experience feels fragmented. When your focus is broad enough to include me in your thoughts, you feel safe and complete. When your preception narrows so that problems or details fill your consciousness, you feel empty and incomplete.

Learn to look steadily at Me in all of your moments and all your circumstances. Though the world is unstable and in flux, you can experience continuity through your uninterupted awareness of My Presence. Fix your gaze on what is unseen, even as the visiable world parades before your eyes.

Matthew 10:29-31; Hebrews 11:27; 2 Corinthians 4:18

__________________________________________

Lord, thank you for always being with me...never leaving or forsaking me. Thank you for loving me, for wanting me to fellowship with you. I love your Presence. I thrill in the joy of your Presence! Thank you for helping me to focus on you, and you alone. Open my the ears of my heart that I might hear your voice. I need you. I love you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Going Steady - part one

I'm out on the porch, watching it rain and wondering how to start this new blog. Though I'm not entirely sure myself, I do know Porch Coffee will be about life, it's experiences and relationships. But most of all it will be about God's goodness and how that looks as it filters down through the above. My life has been long and full. I want to make a difference. I want to share what I have learned. I have absolutely no idea who will read all of this but nevertheless I feel led by the One whose lead I have learned to follow. So where do I begin'? At the beginning, not to the very beginning but back to junior high, where I met Coach. It all started in Coach Aklin's History Class. The class was busy working on an assignment when I heard Coach Aklin say, "Sprad, will you take this to Coach Hester's class"? I watched a tall, clean cut guy stand up, take a folded note and walk out of the room. I asked my friend Debbi, sitting next to me, "Who is that?" and she replied, " Mike Spradlin". I thought he was SO cute! Debbi said he was in her math class and offered to tell him so?" I liked the idea. A few days later as I was leaving the classroom, Mike was leaning against the wall and said, "I heard you like me and I'd like to get to know you better...You want to go steady"? I shook my head yes. He quickly opened his notebook, unzipped his pencil bag and handed me his I.D. bracelet. It had the word 'Mike' engraved on it.

To be continued.

Best friends.

I often tell my best friend Leslie, usually with tears rolling down my cheeks, that I consider her friendship one of God's sweetest gifts. Together, we have experienced marriage, childbirth, breastfeeding, potty training, loving and discipling our three kids each, from toddlers to teens. Together we have laughed, cried, walked and talked. We have cooked, decorated, painted and planted. We have traveled and vacationed from sea to shining sea and never once have we gotten tired tired of each other. We have encouraged each other along life's path. Sharing and discussing every imaginableble subject. Learning how to be a good wife, mother and friend.

Together we have weathered many a storm, and learned life changing lessons in the midst. We as well, have celebrated countless victories and witnessed hundreds of tiny miracles. Our friendship, is a treasure. Increasing in value. Irreplaceable. Priceless. Clearly designed by God, who in fact, has always been right there in the big fat middle of us. He has loved us, held us and laughed with us. He has showed us how to live by the truth of His word, by the power of His Holy Spirit and how to forgive by the life, death and resurrection of His only son, Jesus Christ. It's been quite a party. A party of best friends! Not always fun, but always good. Perhaps a glimpse of eternity...a bit of heaven on earth. Definitely something to be thankful for and grateful for the future. Because deep down in our souls, we know without doubt, that His best is yet to come.