Tag Archives: prayer

Christian

Sabbath Log

I recently asked for prayers to live the Sabbath more faithfully, so I thought I would start a log to show how I’m doing.

8/19/23 Cleaned the kitty litter as usual, fed the cats wetfood for breakfast, I emptied the dehumidifier, cleaned up two cat messes

Planning to do better. I will plan to fill cat food and water on Friday afternoon before dark. I will also clean the kitty litter at the same time and then leave it till Saturday after dark.

I think the cats can go without wet food one day a week, so I will plan on skipping Saturday morning breakfast for the cats.

Messes can wait till Saturday after dark.

There is a reason they call Friday the Day of Preparation.

Overall I think I did better and I thank you for your prayers. How did I do better? I didn’t go anywhere. I bought canned food earlier in the week and microwaved soup for lunch and dinner. I think I will try to have either pre-made sandwiches or canned food in the future.

8/26/23 I picked up some crumbs and cat hair, but otherwise a little preparation on Friday afternoon helped greatly. I refilled the cats’ food and water and cleaned the kitty litter on Friday and I had canned food for lunch and dinner on Saturday along with some chips and pretzels. I did watch Notre Dame football and am wondering if that counts as causing the stranger to work. I know the college kids don’t get paid, but the production crew does.

10/14/2023 Had a willful setback. I still watched television and football. However, I also ran some laundry, bought lotto at the gas station and an iced coffee and pumpkin/cream pie at McDonald’s. Even though I cleaned the kitty litter yesterday, I just cleaned it again because I thought it needed it.

10/21/2023 Went to McDonald’s this morning, watched television and football, picked up a mess, took trash out, and bought lotto this afternoon.

10/28/2023 Went to McDonald’s, the pharmacy, and the gas station. I also watched television and football.

11/04/2023 Went to McDonald’s, the gas station, Dollar General, and Family Dollar. I also watched football and television.

11/11/2023 Went to McDonald’s and the gas station. Did daily sweepstakes on my phone. Watched television and college football.

11/18/2023 Did daily sweeps, watched TV and football. Also went to McDonald’s and the gas station.

11/25/2023 Did sweeps on my phone, watched TV and football. Went to gas station, McDonald’s, and Piggly Wiggly.

12/02/23 Went to McDonald’s twice, the gas station, and watched football and television.

12/09/23 Did much better. I only watched tv.

12/23/23 I did some online sweepstakes this morning, watched tv, and I plan on watching the NFL games.

1/13/24 After a few better observed Sabbaths, I went to the gas station, Piggly Wiggly and Dollar General today.

1/20/24 Shaved, showered, did a load of laundry, cleaned up some cat messes, cleaned downstairs kitty litter, and did some sweepstakes online.

2/03/24 Did some stuff on my phone – emails and PCH (Publisher’s Clearing House) did a load of laundry, and scooped the kitty litter.

2/17/24 Did my daily sweeps on my phone. Texted my mom. Took a shirt out of the dryer. After sunset, but before dark I cleaned up the kitty litter and picked up a few things to throw in the trash.

2/24/24 Did my daily sweeps, checked my email a few times, and went on X. Texted my mom using my own words.

3/02/24 Did my daily sweeps, checked email throughout the day, and texted my mom using my own words.

3/09/24 Did daily sweeps on my phone and cleaned up some kitty messes. I don’t know if anyone has read this far, but I feel like I’m doing somewhat better. I fought the urge to go to McDonald’s and the gas station. I need to keep in mind that as so often is the case, it can wait till tomorrow.

3/16/24 Did daily sweeps on my phone.

3/23/24 Did daily sweeps on my phone and sent a few texts using my own words.

3/30/24 Did my daily phone sweepstakes and sent some texts. I also took some trash to the dump.

4/06, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/05 Still doing daily sweeps on my phone. On 5/05 picked up some messes. These things could wait till after dark, but I have had poor impulse control regarding them. They seem minor, but in my opinion have prohibited living a perfect Sabbath.

5/11/24 Carried out trash, bought lotto, bought a burger and fries, and cleaned up a kitty mess.

5/18/24 Cleaned cat mess, emptied dehumidifier twice, carried out trash, and bought lotto. Went to Burger King for lunch and got an iced coffee at McDonald’s.

5/25/24 Picked up a few things, did a few things on my phone.

6/01/24 Did a few things on my phone. Went out and got the mail. Handed the postman an incorrectly addressed letter as he drove by when I was at the mailbox.

6/08/24 Picked up a few things, adjusted my mattress, went out and got the mail.

7/06/24 After a few better Sabbaths, on this one I went to the gas station, picked up a few things, arranged my mattress, emptied the dehumidifier, and did some things on my phone.

7/13/24 Picked up kitty mess, did daily sweeps and email on my phone, adjusted my mattress and made my bed.

7/20/24 Picked up a few kitty messes, did daily sweeps and email, adjusted mattress, went to gas station and bought lotto.

7/27/24 Did my daily sweeps and email, cleaned a cat mess, bought lottery at the gas station, bought a pizza, went to an ATM.

8/03/24 Cleaned kitty litter and a small mess, adjusted mattress, emptied dehumidifier, got a ride to pick up my car, went to Piggly Wiggly, went to gas station for lotto, did my daily sweeps and email. Went to hardware store, Walmart, and Taco Bell. Admittedly, not my best lived Sabbath.

8/10/24 Did daily sweeps and email, adjusted mattress, checked snail mail.

8/17/24 Cleaned two cat messes, adjusted mattress – for some reason it slides to the left while I sleep, went to McDonald’s for an iced coffee, went to gas station for lotto, and did daily sweeps and email.

8/24/24 Cleaned cat messes and kitty litter, adjusted mattress and Christmas tree(out for testing or very early celebration), emptied dehumidifier, picked up some cat hair, got mail, went to gas station for lottery tickets, did daily sweeps and email. Basically I did what I wanted too which exemplified disobedience and poor impulse control.

8/31/24 Filled water pitcher, adjusted mattress, did daily sweeps and email, went and got U.S. mail.

9/07/24 It’s been about a year since my first post on this log. Overall I’m not sure if I’ve improved much. You would think it would be easy to do nothing – yet I have difficulty with it. Did daily sweeps and email, bought lotto at the gas station and an iced coffee at McDonald’s, checked US mail, filled up water pitcher and watched football.

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Christian

Prayer Etiquette

It should be common sense, but don’t pray naked. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings. Does it seem respectful? I myself am guilty of praying in the shower or while sitting on the toilet. This should not be done.

In prayer you are coming before the presence of the most high God, Jehovah. He deserves the utmost respect.

Always and only come before him in prayer with Jesus. He is our Savior and Advocate. He is also the only mediator between us and God the Father. 1 Timothy 2:5.

Do this by opening or closing the prayer in Jesus name.

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Christian

The Cross

Lately I’ve been thinking about the many songs dedicated to the cross. I’ve also wondered about wearing the cross. Whether made of metal, stone, wood, or some other material is it appropriate to wear one?

I do believe the cross is an important symbol. Jesus himself prophesied in John 3:14-15 KJV And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

The cross embodies symbolism involving death, baptism, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-6. Near where I live there is one of those billboards that says, He loved you this much and it shows a depiction of Jesus on the cross with his arms outstretched wide. I appreciate these things and I suppose there may be something I’m missing, but I have two issues I’d like to raise.

What’s the difference between singing a song about a rifle, or a sword, or a guillotene and the cross? It is an instrument of death. My savior is Jesus. He is my focus, not a piece of wood.

The second is wearing or praying with a cross. In my opinion a cross shouldn’t be worn or prayed with. Here’s why: A cross is a graven image or a likeness of something that is in the earth. It is an image. Perhaps intent is key, but what will you reach for when you are in trouble or in time of need? The icon or Jesus? Jesus should be in our hearts and in our minds. Our strength doesn’t come from a piece of metal or wood or a tattoo. Your salvation will not come from the cross in your hand or one worn around your neck. Salvation comes from believing in Jesus, that he is the Christ. And with that faith knowing both what he did and what he does for us.

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The Tallit

Did Jesus ever wear a tallit?

Not to pray in. How do I know this?

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:4 KJV
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

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Christian, Inspirational

Sweet Hour

There is an old hymn entitled Sweet Hour of Prayer.

I’ve sung the song many times at Church, but here’s the truth, I’ve never in my life prayed for an hour.

I’m not advocating you follow that example. But here’s good news for people like me: Matthew 6:9-13 takes only a minute or two to pray and it’s how our Lord asked us to pray.

Further good news can be found in Matthew 6:7-8 KJV But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

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Christian, Inspirational

In Jesus Name

Did you know some Bible scholars don’t know why we pray in Jesus name?

Can you imagine appearing in an earthly courtroom without an attorney?

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV says, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

When we pray in Jesus name we appear before the Heavenly Father with Jesus by our side, an attorney that’s already paid for.

If you enjoy a more figurative explanation and biblical theme read the book of Esther and search the word sceptre in your Holy Bible. If you appeared unbidden before the King of Persia in Esther’s time he would hold out his scepter signifying life. If he withheld it from the petitioner it meant a sentence of death.

Jesus is the sceptre already held out by the Lord God Almighty. If you accept him you shall have eternal life.

With Jesus as our mediator each and every time, we may present ourselves before Jehovah, the Most High and Holy and live.

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Christian, Inspirational

Lover

Suppose your dream girl or dream guy gave you a book and said I would like a relationship with you, what I expect from you is in this book. Wouldn’t you read it. Wouldn’t you follow it?

God did exactly that. He came to Earth and gave his life to be in a relationship with us. He wrote a book all about it. It’s called the Holy Bible. Can a relationship actually be a list of do’s and don’ts? It can be. What does Jesus expect from us? What defines a healthy relationship with God?

  • Baptized into the blood. Mark 16:16
  • Read the Holy Bible. Psalm 1
  • Keep the law. John 14:15
  • Confession. 1 John 1:9
  • Prayer. Matthew 6:9-13
  • Fasting. Matthew 6:16-18
  • Attend Church services. Hebrews 10:25
  • Good deeds. Matthew 3:8

This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list, but it certainly covers the basics. My relationship with Christ over the years hasn’t always looked the same. It is now the strongest it has been in 48 years. Do you know what the Bible has to say about that?

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Job 17:9 KJV

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Christian, Inspirational

Led

Some might say that my writing highlights the negative more than the positive. So following are positive comments on the state of Christ’s Church. They are worthy to be dwelled upon, shared with others, and emulated:

The Church of Christ denomination understands baptism. Both they and I believe baptism is by complete immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We further believe baptism should be at an age of understanding – where the youth can differentiate between good and evil, repent of sin, and understand the significance of being baptized into the family of God.

The Catholic Church accepts confession.

The Amish and Mennonite women cover their heads when they pray.

Russians greet one another with a Holy Kiss.

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Christian, Inspirational

Use My Name

I have been thinking on prayer. 100% of the time at the Church I attend “in Jesus name” is how prayer is ended. But must it always be so?

When we pray. We pray to the Heavenly Father. When we pray, we pray through or with Jesus his Son. Not just in his name, but actually with him. I believe that we should pray with Jesus as our attorney, our advocate, our mediator. In a courtroom today we don’t say to the Judge, in the name of my attorney. We go to the attorney ourselves, who then with us makes our wishes and pleas known to the Judge.

Certainly the Heavenly Father is a Great Judge. And when I pray I will try to end those prayers with … through you Jesus my Saviour I pray, rather than simply ending the prayer with in the name of Jesus. I think the former conveys a healthier and more active relationship with Jesus and with our Heavenly Father.

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Prayer

For public prayer in modern churches you really need to go back to the Old Testament.

Isaiah 56:7 KJV Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Technically I cannot think of a publicly led prayer in the Temple. Solomon led a prayer outside of the Temple and Daniel prayed three times a day towards Jerusalem. In Matthew 6:5, Jesus talks of those praying in synagogues and streets, but overall his comment is not favorable.

There are many verses in the New Testament referring to prayer. The first part of James 5:16 is often overlooked.

James 5:16 KJV Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I firmly believe the men who get up and pray should pray Matthew 6:9-13. I cannot think of a time in any church where I have heard this prayed, but it is how our Savior, Jesus Christ, instructed us to pray. When listening to another pray in their own words I have to pause and consider if I agree. There have been times when I just pray Matthew 6:9-13 silently during public prayer.

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