appointed prayer

week of October 5

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Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon your church the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Anna, Isaac, and Haley the Christmas dogSolomon tells us that “a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing” (Proverbs 17:22, AMP ). God undoubtedly has a sense of humor; we need only look at some of the animals He created (it’s hard not to smile at the sight of a hippo, a monkey, or a puppy). Or think of some of the married couples you know: don’t you think God was smiling at the wedding as He looked ahead to the interaction of the wildly different personalities that will be living together?

And as if often the case, medical science is proving the wisdom of Solomon’s Spirit-inspired words.

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archive: vision and goals


a promise of significance

Wednesday, February 15, 2006 · living the life, vision and goals · no responses · comments closed

Yesterday, Creflo Dollar made reference to Isaiah 54:13, “All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace” (NIV). I read through the entire chapter today — several times — and I’m deeply moved. There are so many wonderful promises in this chapter:…

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the familiarity of the cockpit

Thursday, February 9, 2006 · reading, vision and goals · no responses · comments closed

In Pursuing Your Life Dream, Eastman Curtis tells of a conversation he had with a trainer of fighter pilots in Vietnam. This trainer said that most of the pilots who were shot down could have escaped from their planes…

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fear: the anti-goal

Wednesday, November 16, 2005 · vision and goals · no responses · comments closed

Every week, I eat breakfast with Jeff, Chris, and William — we are, to use John Eldredge’s term, a “band of brothers.” Our conversations range over a wide variety of topics, from movies to marriage and politics to prophecy. However, we always make it a point to talk about our goals, and we have worked our way through some books to help us be more purposeful and focused.

Jeff’s been reading Chris Howard’s Turning Passions into Profits, and he told us about Howard’s idea of having goals you move toward (positive goals) and those you move away from (anti-goals)…

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die empty!

Saturday, November 5, 2005 · vision and goals · no responses · comments closed

On TBN this past Thursday, Bishop Eddie Long said, “When you die, die empty!” He went on to say, “God put eternity in us. He gave us a vision before He gave us a body, which means you had purpose before you were formed in your mother’s womb.…

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God’s call for Christopher Columbus

Tuesday, October 4, 2005 · culture, reading, vision and goals · no responses · comments closed

The October Enjoying Everyday Life (from Joyce Meyer Ministries) has an article on the faith of Christopher Columbus. It includes some amazing quotes from Columbus:

It was the Lord who put into my mind the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with […]

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a confession for planning your day

Saturday, October 1, 2005 · vision and goals · no responses · comments closed

I cannot do everything so I choose those things which are vital and excellent and of real value. I have wisdom and I am able to distinguish the highest and the best things for me to do. — Philippians 1:10

from Joyce Meyer’s The Secret Power of Speaking God’s Word

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rethinking worship

Friday, September 2, 2005 · living the life, vision and goals · no responses · comments closed

I recently searched a stock image site using the keyword “worship.” I got what I expected: white men photographed from behind, their hands upraised. The only thing that changed was the background: a sunset, a church, a white void.

It pains me that a gesture I find personally significant — raising my hands to my Father — has become a cliché.…

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