Prayerfully Walking

Theology 101: by Taylor Swift

2009-11-06T21:00:00.001-06:00

I think that I should start this post by stating that my wife listens to country music. Therefore, I have heard my fair share of songs with steel guitar and twang. Occasionally, I even listen to them.

It was one of these listening times that I found out that Taylor Swift is a pretty good theologian. Yes, you heard that right. I am mentioning Taylor Swift and theology in the same sentence. Well, maybe it's just good theology that happens to be in some of her music.

The particular song I'm thinking of is where she's good friends with this guy who has another girl. The other girl is really no good for him, and Taylor is the one who likes the same music and enjoys the same things...but he doesn't seem to have a clue. Then comes the catchy chorus:

"If you could see that I'm the one who understands you. Been here all along, so why can't you see-ee-ee? You belong with me-ee-ee. Standin' by, waiting at your back door. All this time how could you not know that you belong with me-ee-ee. You belong with me." Something like that at least.

Do you see-ee-ee? We are the ones that are hanging out with the other gal. And all along God is there saying..."I'm here"..."You belong with me"..."I understand all about you." Yes, we spend some time with God here and there...we even like God, but we all seem to have the other gal who takes up our time and desires. And God is there waiting patiently...It's good theology.

What Would Happen?

2009-10-28T22:30:00.001-05:00

What would happen if Sunday morning we all spent a little bit of time before morning worship and knelt at the front of the church for a few minutes to pray: for the pastor and those leading in worship, for ourselves to seek God's voice in worship, and for those who will be worshipping with us?

Do you think it would make a difference? May I make a bold prediction and say yes.

Now I'm not saying to do this in order to be seen (in the sense of you wanting others to see you pray). Prayer is not for puffiness sake. But at the same time it is to be seen - for the edification of the church. Do you think that others seeing you pray before worship would encourage them to do the same? Do you think that if your pastor saw you praying before worship it would embolden him? Do you think that praying before worship would cause you to focus on the one you came to see? For Christ is our focus...not the songs, not the sermon, not our fancy clothes.

It really wouldn't even have to be at the front of the church. You may be like me and have young children you have to watch or you may have bad knees. Well, pray in your seat. Or you may be in a choir and can pray in the choir room. The object of this is not the where, but the what you are doing. Speaking with the King of kings.

So, what will happen this Sunday...will you pray? For your pastor, for yourself, for others? Maybe a better question is what will happen the following Sunday and the next?

Well, the idea has been put forward...it's now up to you...pray.

Double Chocolate Pie with Oreo Crust

2009-10-24T19:27:00.006-05:00

I love those Jell-O "No Bake" chocolate pies....you know, the type with the Oreo crust. They are so easy to make. All of the ingredients come in the box, you put some butter in the crust mix and mash it across the bottom of a pie pan, you mix the filling with some milk, and you put it in the refrigerator for about 1 hour (at least according to the box).
But there is one problem with these, and I bet you already guessed what it is...the hour. Often I find myself cutting a piece of pie (at this point it is actually still pudding, with crust) way before the 1 hour. I'll admit that it is still very good, but not near as good as it could have been if I would have waited.
Hmm. Actually now that I think about it, there is another problem...the box.
Yes, the box. You're still not following me on this one are you? The box is the thing that keeps the ingredients from being put together into a pie. Let me put it this way...as long as the ingredients are in the box...I CAN'T EAT IT!!!
In fact, right now there is a box of Jell-O No Bake chocolate pie on my counter. Even worse, it has been there for several days. I have talked about making it several times, and Lisa has mentioned making it also. Yet it is still there. I admit, it is my fault. I should have made it days ago (meaning the minute we got it home from the grocery), but I didn't. Anyway, what does this have to do with anything? You can probably apply this to lots of stuff, and I'll let you comment about your own applications if you would like.
For me it is this. I've started this blog (if you are reading this on my FaceBook page, it is PrayerfullyWalking@blogspot.com). Currently, I have the ingredients in the box because I have several drafts of different topics I am working on to share and discuss with you. But I have not fully taken them out of the box yet for you to view. So for now, you the reader will have to look at the box. I'll be bringing out the ingredients later, and I hope you will enjoy the final product. It will be fun sharing with you.
So I'll talk to you all later. For now...it's time to go make that chocolate pie. And no...I will not be sharing it with you.

Make a Joyful Noise

2009-10-20T20:00:00.000-05:00

As I sit here writing this, I am listening to Elizabeth say a single word that is making Kaylah squeal with laughter. In fact, it's not even a real word: "Ah-boo." It's amazing what children do for one's theology. Something about being a Daddy makes one realize the depths of God's heart...at least in a limited way. Just the joyful sounds of my 4 month old putting together sounds, while they would mean absolutely nothing if an adult would use them, mean the whole world to me. It makes me thankful that the Father must listen to me this way too. I know the things I say don't add up to a hill of beans....but He loves to listen to me.