Pastoral Prayer Ministry

Lately we have had some challenges with finances. Occasionally there seems to be an ebb in the "receivables" and it is an opportunity for me to give into the temptation of worrying about provision. It doesn't matter that God gave us a huge blessing in a vehicle last month, I still seem to be prone to worrying about financial provision when things seem to go a little South.

But this is the opportunity I need to declare that I am loved by God, my good ABBA and that He is my provision. My brain seems to easily go to fear and worry when there is apparent lack. I say apparent lack because I am called to live by faith in what I cannot see and yet choose to believe is true. It is a significant challenge to live from my spirit and see with the eyes of my spirit when my soul wants to fret and has all sorts of distress one can live from. I've become accustomed to saying to my soul, "Be still my soul and know that ABBA is your provider!"

Sooner or later my soul gets the idea and settles down, and what a wonderful thing that is!

Today I was to meet with an old friend for breakfast at my favorite breakfast spot in town: City Café. I got there about 15 minutes early and as I sat down to peacefully read the morning newspaper, however I could overhear a distressed woman talking on her cell phone about how someone had picked up her keys and taken them by mistake at the café counter.  She was stuck and I knew it...

"Self-will" said: "Enjoy your paper! your friend is going to be here soon, she'll find a way to work, it's her problem, not yours..."

However, I have Jesus living in me and He was "nudging" me! Here was an opportunity I pray for: here was a chance to show unconditional love with no strings attached! So I offered her a ride to work and she accepted without blinking an eye! She was willing to take a ride from a perfect stranger and a solitary, middle-aged man that, in the big city of Kitchener!  It took me a total of 10 minutes to get her there and she as she left my car and thanked me, I was able to say it was my joy to help her out...

Well, the idea was for me to blog every day... and for an undisciplined, fly by the seat of your pants, Artsy-fartsy, Counselor-type guy that is one tall order! But here I am on day two valiantly stepping up to the challenge and using my DragonDictate to write a couple of paragraphs that will likely be considered by all, including me: drivel!

I had a great time at my pastor friend's house in Fergus today. His wife and him host a group of Christian leaders every month for a morning of sharing and prayer. It's a great time of fellowship and iron sharpening iron. Today another pastor friend of mine brought a young man who is interning with him in his church and has traveled all the way from England to do so!

What a wonderfully risky step this young man took to leave his home, and come and make the sacrifice of serving in a totally new environment and somewhat different culture. I love riskiness, especially when it's done in faith!

I was talking to a friend who told me he had learned the difference between being religious and being a friend of Jesus and he said, "I can sum up how in one-word...", I was curious what word he would use... What word do you think he said?