THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

“If you pray the sinner’s prayer, you will instantly be a Christian; just repeat it after me.” "Wow, that’s all I have to do to become saved and become a member of the church? That’s like magic!” These comments by two young chatters initiated a valuable discussion on the subject of prayer.

The impression was given that repeating a formula prayer leads to salvation, even though the chatter indicated no serious interest in becoming one! God does hear a genuine heart cry, even in the last moments of life, but I cannot find anywhere in the Bible that people who are coerced, coaxed or compelled to repeat a certain prepared prayer, are saved. I’m glad however, that it is God who sees each heart and knows whether this person even meant and knew what they were praying and that they got another opportunity.

When we share the good news of the Gospel with someone who doesn’t know Jesus, we will come to the point of asking them to make a decision to follow Him. Hopefully with patient, gentle persuasion, but definitely without prodding or pushing, we must allow the answer to come from their heart. Then we tell them that the Lord wants to personally hear their confession, their desire for forgiveness and a changed life, and their invitation to have Him enter into their life. We can encourage them to speak to God without fear, just as we did when we became His. God loves them and wants to hear their own first words to Him. I’m convinced that we must not use prayer in an attempt to manipulate God and to control the outcome. Remember those few words of another prayer spoken in humbleness of heart by a tax collector? It is a prayer God loves to answer, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

The Bible contains many profound prayers that can also express the deepest needs of our own heart. Try praying through the Psalms or read the prayers of the great men and women of the Bible. However meaningful and powerfully effective a real short prayer was for someone called Jabez, as recorded in Chronicles, Jesus did not use it, or for that matter the prayers of anyone else, as a model for his disciples to follow. The prayer that Jesus taught does not promise that God will answer a certain way if you pray it for thirty days, although there are people who feel that God has no choice but to answer such a prayer.

In my school days, unfortunately, the Lord’s Prayer was often irreverently rattled off. Vain repetitions of various prayers simply give us a deceptive feeling that we have prayed, even though our thoughts were focused on our long to-do list or following a fantasy in our mind. Nevertheless, we can use the prayer which Jesus taught His disciples as an outline after which to pattern our personal prayers. From it we learn to acknowledge God’s holiness, surrender to his authority, admit our need, forgive if we want forgiveness, ask for his help, expect his rescue, his deliverance and declare his sovereignty, power and control over everything.

Prayer is not magic, but a deep and profound mystery. Let’s pray without ceasing and in the Spirit, audibly or silently, however a situation lends itself. Alone in my van, I love my sanctuary of praise! Even sharing ‘sentence prayers’, with everyone participating and focused on a certain concern, builds a bond of unity and harmony. I am so deeply and richly blessed as I listen to my brothers and sisters in Christ pray about what has been placed on their heart. How wonderful when their prayer resonates and is confirmed in my spirit. Writing my prayers down has helped me to concentrate and focus, as I ‘send’ another love letter to the Lord. Let’s ask and intercede and with godly motives. Let’s seek our Father’s and each other’s forgiveness to always keep the prayer lines open and not hinder our prayers. Let’s give thanks and praise and specifically name exactly for what we thank and praise Him. Prayer works profound changes – in the one prayed for, as well as the one praying.


“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

TENDER VISION

She has beautiful eyes, set in a friendly, mature, laugh-lined face. I am fascinated by and drawn to people’s eyes, but here it’s not the color, depth, the look or the shape that intrigues me; it’s the way she sees people. The first time I ever met her, her eyes radiated a kindness I had seldom sensed before. I was convinced that the love of people which she had in her heart could never be suppressed, but simply had to burst and bubble forth through her smile and her eyes.

It almost never fails. She spies me from afar, her step quickens, her arms are outstretched, her eyes fairly sparkle like stars, as she runs to hug me. Giving a generous hug back without reservation, I take a deep relaxing breath. I have been tense from the day’s stresses and she surrounds me in a soothing, comforting blanket of acceptance and affirmation. Love!

Her hug is a delightful, generous gift in itself, but she doesn’t stop there. This tiny woman reaches up to touch my face. She tells me how loved I am and that she prays for me. She is bouncy, animated, and profuse in her praise, talking loud enough so others passing by can hear. I flush with embarrassment, even feeling awkward. I think to myself, “Why does she see me with such a tenderness of heart? I’m not deserving of this love.” Oh, one could think, “What does she want from me?”, but reading wrong motives into love offered reveals only what is lurking in the heart of the one asking the question. I would never want to wound spontaneous outpouring of such affection by any unkind action, ungracious thought or ungrateful attitude.

For a while I had allowed life’s ugly circumstances to start depleting my emotional bank. I had even wondered where God’s love and grace were in all I was going through. When she let her love and affection shine so freely, HE opened my eyes to see with my heart. I was humbled when I finally realized the truth. My heavenly Father had been trying so hard to tell me something, and I wasn’t listening. “You are my beloved child; and she is expressing what indeed I feel about you. Would you finally believe it!” Tears washed my eyes at this insight.

Then I came out of myself under her freely given, unsolicited, unconditional love, again fully focused on the source of this love, my heavenly Father. He had sent her to do eye surgery of the spiritual kind. With renewed joy I can give again, having been filled to overflowing with His love.

She truly lives what it is like to be totally free of the fear of sharing intimacy with other human beings, especially ones of the household of faith, the family of God. I feel no less loved because she shares herself with so many, seeing everyone through eyes of tenderness and love! That’s her gift and she uses it to the glory of God.

Let’s all be passionately motivated to give others this God-given spark of life, generously, without reservations. Love - whether it is returned or not! Those who are reluctant to receive it need it most. Love works; it is simply accepting and affirming one another. Love one another, just as Christ has loved you. Allow the gift of the Holy Spirit to radiate His love through you to minister to others, just as He used her to minister to me. You may never know how deeply simple acts of kindness can affect someone. Giving a big bear hug, a warm hand-clasp, welcoming radiance in your eyes, a gentle pat on the back, an arm around the shoulder, can work miracles in helping to set free, soften and heal someone’s heart. Perhaps your own!

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another,
just as God in Christ has forgiven you. Eph. 4:32

CHANGE

Father,
Things in this world are constantly changing.
Change is the one thing of which we can be sure.
Change can be a good thing;
No one wants to remain stagnant
In their personal life or in their faith.
Change is an opportunity for growth.
Our perceptions change with increased knowledge and wisdom.
Our discernment matures and grows
Our awareness of our need for growth encourages us to change.
But to change things that are tried and true is not a good thing.
We must resist change when it takes us away from you.
You, our wonderful Father, never change!
You are faithful!
You are always with us.
You are the same yesterday, today and in all eternity.
Thank you Father that you don’t change!

FROM THE BIRDS

Do simple and ordinary things teach you spiritual lessons? Here are just a few I’ve learned from the birds.

The two of us were strolling through a beautiful garden, admiring God’s awesome creation! The diversity, the colors, the textures; what a feast for the eyes! Then we came upon this pretty bird, walking along the sidewalk, just like us. It led the way for what seemed a long time, often turning around to see if we were still there! I found it quite humorous. Was it tired from flapping its wings? Was it hosting a tour for us? So, I raised a question to the bird. “Why are you walking when you can fly?” A clear message came to me. So often in our spiritual lives we plod along earthbound, our little legs running as fast as they can, making things difficult for ourselves, and always looking over our shoulder at who is behind us. What a limited perspective on everything, when we could let our spirits fly and soar above earth’s problems and strife, carried along by the powerful wind of the Holy Spirit!

Driving through the gorgeous mountains and valleys, I was enjoying my time with the Lord, filling the van with songs and prayers as an offering of praise...with eyes wide open. I was listening to some excellent sermons and hearing something different in the messages than I had heard the first time around. But as I was driving the Lord was also allowing other spiritual lessons. Everyone once in a while there would be birds on the road, eating road kill. Ok, I know, that’s gross, as the kids would say. What caught my attention though, was that there would always be some birds risking their very lives by staying with the dead stuff for as long as possible. Are we also feasting on the ‘dead stuff’ of the world, putting our very souls in danger, at great risk? Maybe they saw themselves as ‘superbird’, able to stop my van with one fling of the wing! How often do we think in our foolish pride that we can stop God from carrying out His plan, much like a crow trying to stop a van? Guess who is the loser?

Off and on there would be other birds which would seemingly drop out of the sky. Like a kamikaze pilot one would set its flight pattern for my van, perform aerial tricks, then swoop past, on what I thought was a collision course with my hood, and then pull out again at full speed. What a show-off! Are we living such a gamble, counting on our expertise, on luck, our charm, on our cleverness and ingenuity to get us out of our sinful choices? Do we love to live seeing how close to the edge of the pit of sin we can go and not get singed? Don’t bet on it!

NATIONAL NURSES WEEK!

It's NATIONAL NURSES WEEK in Canada! Here's my tribute to the caring, committed, and dedicated nurses at the Shepherd's Care Foundation. May God reward you abundantly for the compassion you show to those who need you!

NIGHTINGALES

Our nursing staff at Shepherd’s Care
Deserves the term, “Beyond Compare!”
It’s round the clock, I do declare,
You’ll find a nurse on duty there.

Before Almighty God she pledged
To use her knowledge faithfully
To serve devoted and committed;
Treat matters confidentially.

A nurse is gifted with compassion,
With loving hands and listening heart,
With willingness to care for others,
Then write their progress in the chart.

All that she does is person centered –
Respecting needs unique or rare!
To celebrate the lives of seniors
Plans are designed for wellness care.

Working with doctors, pharmacists,
With all those specialists and staff,
She deeply cares for families -
To share a prayer, a hug , or laugh!

The Nightingales at Shepherd’s Care
Are worth all praises that we’ve said!
Today we THANK YOU our dear nurses
For TLC from A-Z!

Karin Ristau ©

PENTECOST

Sometimes the Spirit speaks in a thunderous roar,
His Power to impart.
Sometimes He speaks in a still small voice,
To start a blaze within a heart.
But always as He comes along one's side,
He is the Comforter, the Trusted Guide.
And as I yield my life to Him,
Confess to Him my every sin
He is so faithful to forgive,
To heal, to cleanse, new life to give.
He fills my heart with gratitude,
He even changed my attitude.
He gives great joy and lasting peace,
Abundant life which will not cease.
In daily life there's victory,
To serve Him is real ecstasy.
No longer chained! I've been set free,
To live the life He's willed for me!
The purpose of this full release?
To share the faith and never cease
To love, to pray, to praise the Lord,
To live according to His Word.

Rejoice my soul, you've been made whole!

Karin Ristau

WOW ~ WOMAN OF WORTH

Mom always had a servant heart! Whether it was in women's ministries in the church, teaching Sunday School or Saturday German School, or being a deaconness, she loved to be involved. Before mom moved into the long-term care centre, she lived in the manor next door. Both buildings are connected by a 'link' - a lovely year round indoor garden space. Mom volunteered for over 20 years and gave thousands of hours to the service of others. She kept the link looking fantastic; a warm, inviting retreat. She also portered people to physio, assisted with nutrition, used her green thumb to plant magnificent flower beds in the courtyard, did pastoral care visits especially with the German speaking residents, planned Gemuetliche Stunden programs, and so on and so on. One of her fun things to do was crochet crafts to sell in the lobby on Saturdays. Even when she could hardly stand, she would say to the president, "I can still sit here , hold out my hand and accept the money for the purchases." She was a vital part and valued member of the volunteer program! A model of a servant heart!

Make yourself a copy of the poem on pretty paper

and use it as a bookmark to remind you

how much you are loved by our Heavenly Father!

WOW!

You’re a woman of worth
Loved perfectly by the Lord!
Be a woman of wisdom,
Your life fully based on His Word,
Be a woman of wealth,
As you store up eternal treasure!
Be a woman of warmth
Giving and loving
In bountiful measure.
In valleys, as a woman of weeping
Discover His wellspring of joy;
With praises and singing and prayer
The works of the devil destroy.
Be a woman of wonder;
How God is working
In and through you!
Let your wisdom and wealth ,
Bring glory to Him in all that you do.
Be a woman of worship,
He alone is worthy of praise!
In everything giving thanks always
Your voice of true freedom raise.
Let your sweet, winning smile,
Your warm, welcome heart
Show others what life’s all about!
Don’t be a woman of worries,
Or fears, frustrations and doubt.
It is through Christ
You CAN do all things,
His strength is yours
Each new day on this earth!
Let no one persuade you
To think otherwise!
You are a woman of worth!

Karin Ristau

copyright

HOW TIME FLIES!

Well, here he is...the father of our most recent grandson, when he was a little guy! Evi over at Keeping Up With Yesterday talked about her memories while we lived in Louisville, KY, and reminded me of the crafts I used to make. Wow, that's so long ago! Here's a photo of quite a few completed projects that I used as gifts. Our son Ken giving my work a grade.

I've always loved flowers and other natural things with which to make crafts that looked good but didn't break our student budget. With the pressed flowers I made greeting cards and bookmarks. During the years we lived in Wyben, MA, my friends taught me how to make pine cone wreaths. That Christmas many on my gift list received a handmade wreath for their door. Then came pine cone candleholders, plaques, and teardrop wallhangings. Later I also worked as a Recreation Attendant where I could use my craft skills to make beautiful silk-flower arrangements, centrepieces and door decorations. The residents loved watching. We would chat and reminisce while I worked and created things that they might have made when they were younger. I valued their input and suggestions. Those crafts would then be sold at the Christmas Craft and Gift Sale to raise funds for the Recreation Department. Those were the days!

I don't do those crafts anymore. Perhaps in my retirement I'll start them up again. Although when I visit the grandchildren and go for walks with them, I still pick up pinecones, seed pods and pretty grasses ~ it must be in my blood!

Meanwhile, I'm writing personal poetry and prayers to honor and glorify the Lord. I'll put one up for Mother's Day.

WELCOME GRANDSON!

We are so excited that our little grandson has made his grand entrance into the world this afternoon. That makes grandchild #9 for us! Mother and child are doing fine! Our son is so thankful that everything went well. Big sister and older brother have already held and loved the little one. To me it is amazing how much pain a woman can endure. As soon as it is over and we hold our little one close to our breast, the pain soon fades into the distant past. It is awesome how God has created us. We are truly filled with gratitude at God's wonderful grace in all our lives. We thank HIM for our children and our grandchildren!

CELEBRATING SILVER - GOING FOR THE GOLD

Congratulations to the Shepherd's Caring Friends Auxiliary on their silver anniversary celebration! It was a hugely successful fundraiser! The Cake Parade and Auction was fantastic! All monies raised will benefit the residents!

SHEPHERD’S CARING FRIENDS

Celebrating Silver!
A special anniversary!
25 years of helping others;
To the glory of God may it be!

Oh, how the years have just flown by
And what a blessing they have been!
We’ve worked, we’ve prayed in unity -
What growth and changes we have seen!

We’ve shared, we’ve laughed, we’ve cried;
Formed special bonds of friendship there!
Dedicated and faithfully we have served
The fragile and frail at Shepherd’s Care.

What funds have been raised through years of sales!
Garage sales – hard work, but also much fun -
Bake sales, cookie sales, huge craft bazaars
Countless events that with love have been done!

Serving together and seeing rewards,
Has made Caring Friends so very close-knit!
Our willing good deeds done as unto Him;
Yet our residents reaped the whole benefit.

Let’s now pass this torch of true service on,
Inviting all those whose big heart may hold
Much love for the seniors at our Shepherd’s Care!
“Celebrating Silver – Going for the Gold!”

Going for the glory of
God
Going for our precious
Old
Going with much joy and
Love
Going with hearts of
Devotion
Until our Lord and Master we behold!


Karin Ristau

Copyright Edmonton, 2008

GOING GREEN

The 3 things on my 'to do' list today were to relax, refresh and rejoice! A leisurely drive through the back roads took daughter, granddaughter and me to a popular greenhouse. Definitely a way to achieve all the above at once! The body relaxes immediately as the eyes feast on all the gorgeous flowers, ornamental grasses, color combinations and different textures of greens in ornamental pottery. "Oh, look at this." "Wow, these are amazing." The earthy smell, the increased humidity, the warmth of the sun, all refresh me as I intentionally breathe deeper to take it all in! I rejoice that our Creator has given us such an abundance of beauty to be enjoyed every new spring. The real thing far surpasses the silk creations found in the gift shop at one corner of the greenhouse.

Gone are the days of my own gardens. Sometimes I miss it! It is a lot of hard labor to plant and maintain a garden! Perennials were my favorites. Double hollyhocks along the back fence, delphiniums, lupins, cosmos, gerberas, bleeding heart, lily-of-the-valley, peonies, sedum, snow on the mountain, and a great variety of lilies and iris. I can't even recall all the names.

The perennials always spread so fast. I divided and gladly gave away to many another's garden. It's wonderful to see that my interest in gardening or simply loving flowers has been passed down to the next generation. We enjoyed our little adventure to get a head start at spring! Our spring, summer and fall are far too short.

We topped the evening off with a delicious barbecue supper at our oldest's home and finished with a walk to the park to sit in the sun while the children played. I am blessed!