A PERSONAL PRAYER Gift Giving God, I don't understand why I do not always, always, always feel grateful. How do I grumble when you have blessed me so much? Why do I feel this sense of entitlement and resentment, when I have been given so much? So God, in order to change my mindset, let me say thank you and bring to the front of my mind the gratitude that is in my heart. Thank you, God, for (in no particular order)... Your love, made flesh in Jesus Christ, and the eternal abundant life that I have in a relationship with [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of hope, I have all sorts of thoughts about a new year. There are things I hope to accomplish and things I hope to change. I know you call me to keep growing, to keep moving forward on my own journey of discipleship. I am reminded that discipline and discipleship are related words, and that my own growth means I will have to do some things differently. Some of them are the same things I have been working on for years. I need your help, God. Some of these things I know I cannot change without your power, [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of love, I confess that it is hard to keep love for your Son at the center of my heart this season. Seems like I am even more distracted by deadlines and tasks to do than ever. And I confess that much of the time, the familiarity of the Christmas message makes it feel less incredible to me than it really is. I find myself going through the motions. I have taken you for granted, God. I have let my sense of amazement grow cold. How unbelievable is the story of a God who, "did not [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God, I love my family. I must admit, I am a little too proud of them - all of them. Oh, we are clearly not perfect, and you know that. You know our "stuff" and the tensions and challenges that show up. But you know, too, God, that we work through them because we are "compelled by love" to do so. (2 Corinthians 5:14) And during Christmastime, I am especially thankful to you for my family. What an incredibly amazing gift. You put us here in families. More importantly, though, you came as Jesus Christ so that we might be part [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER Gracious, gift-giving God, There are some amazing people in this world, who reflect your love in tangible ways into my life. A neighbor comes by with tomatoes from his garden. A friend takes the time to write me a note of encouragement. A church member, who I know has limited resources, writes a check to support a project. A colleague takes more than a few minutes to visit with me on the phone when I call. There are signs of generosity all around me. I am so thankful to you for these people, in whom I can see [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of love, It is getting pretty crazy. Stuff to do at work. Planning for next year. Thinking about year end. Lots of worship services. Wanting it all to be just right. Stuff to do at home. Christmas gifts to think about. Parties coming up. Christmas cards to send. Thank you notes to write.  So in the midst of all of this, what really matters? It was in the cacophony of Bethlehem, packed full of people because of a census taken by a crazy king, that a simple ordinary thing happened in a simple ordinary stable. A little baby was born, [...]

Our inside-out habits: We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. A PERSONAL PRAYER God, Last night, I lay awake and couldn't sleep. There was this concern spinning around in my head, and I couldn't seem to shake it. It wasn't a really big deal, but it got bigger the more I worried about it. And then today, I thought it would just resolve itself. But it is still there. I can't do anything about it, so I guess I will just worry. I wonder... [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of light, Another mass shooting, God. I wonder how many times I will lift up to you families of people killed for no good reason.  As always, I pray for comfort and strength for them, and for a community of love to surround them and share in their pain.  And I grieve that it has become so common that we simply gasp one more time and then move on with life.  Is there something we can do about it, God?  Can you do something about it, God?  Or maybe we will just glance at [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER God of love, I have been thinking that today might be my last day on earth. Who knows what today, or tomorrow, or the next day will bring? I might have 10,000 days left in my life, and I might have just this one. I don't want to throw today away or miss the experience of this hour or even this minute.  And yet, I am always hurrying on to the next thing, always running from one thing to the next, living in tomorrow, regretting what I missed or did yesterday, reminiscing about the good old days, dreaming [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER Jesus, This Sunday, I will recommit my life to being your follower. I pray that you will show me the steps I need to take to follow you. You know my desire to live the way you taught us to live. You know my desire to be an instrument of your love. But too often, my desire remains just that - a desire only. I know what I am to do, but I don't do it. Forgive me. Fill me with your Spirit that I might walk the walk, one step at a time. Show me what is the next [...]