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prayer

LOSING IS NOT IN MY VOCABULARY

November 17, 2014 by Missy Lewie 1 Comment

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ccc_new_logoWhen Keith and I first got married, we used to hang out with our parents on many occasions. There were many reasons for this, they usually fed us really well, provided some great conversation with how we each grew up, they were a wealth of wisdom in areas that we were just stepping into and incredibly difficult to beat in most card games; therefore they provided us a challenge that we couldn’t pass up. Keith and I are extremely competitive, and over the many times we played cards with his parents, there were a few instances where we would win. Many times my father-in-law would comically show his disgust with losing. I think Keith and I personally enjoyed those moments best.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to win. I believe our society has dummed down the desire to conquer or be the best at something. We have in a sense removed the pursuit portion of accomplishment, or substituted the mentality of a good, hard-work ethic by rewarding people for mediocrity. The most recent loss of Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife and staff has really got me thinking. What did the body of Christ lose in that plane crash? How were the families, children, grand-children and church members now being affected? To quote many in their own words, “We lost a General in God’s great army.”

In the book of Acts Chapter 12, it tells the story about James, the brother of John being captured, presumably tortured, persecuted and finally killed by the sword of King Herod. All because James preached a message of “Jesus Saves.” King Herod enjoyed persecuting Christians. In fact, because of his persecution tactics, he received praise and honor from those whom also wanted to stop that message. The Word states, King Herod immediately captured Peter after the death of James, however, since it was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, he decided to wait till afterward to bring him to trial. Peter was then shackled and imprisoned, kept in the lowest part of the prison and had 4 groups of 4 soldiers guarding him to ensure that he did not escape. I think one of the greatest moments is found in Acts 12:5 where it says, “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying for him.” The night before his trial, an angel visited Peter, woke him, told him to get dressed and follow closely. The angel led him out from the lowest depth of the prison, without any guard being alerted to his escape, and Peter went directly to one of the houses where the church was currently praying for his release. Rhoda was so shocked that Peter was standing in front of her when she answered the door that she shut the door in his face!

It’s interesting how Peter was on a path of destruction, yet the church was able to disrupt it; through prayer. Thank God that the church woke up after the death of James and realized they had a job to do and it was life or death that they begin doing it.

Prayer changes things!

If you read through the Gospels there wasn’t one instance where the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to heal the sick, or make 5 loaves and 2 fish feed 5,000 people; they only asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus did just that, and He illustrated it through “The Lord’s Prayer.” We are to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” Jesus also demonstrated a lifestyle pattern of prayer by withdrawing Himself from the disciples to be alone with the Father to pray.

Together, as a body of believer’s, we are to pray that God’s will would be established here on earth. And ironically, the only way to know His will, is to spend time reading His Word, in His presence, praying.

Unfortunately, we can only speculate on why bad things happen, or why people are lost in such tragic ways as Dr. Munroe. But more importantly, we can learn from these events and start doing what we are called to do. Pray! This message is not meant to bring condemnation, but rather to encourage us as a church to wake up and start praying. If you already pray, find time to pray more, if you don’t pray at all; it’s time to begin! The benefits of prayer to God are truly much greater than you or I realize.

I believe that through prayer, we can be on the winning side of the fight every time. I remember one time I mentioned to my father-in-law that he was being a “bad loser” and he responded, “I would rather be a bad winner!” I actually agree with him… although I think I’d rather be a good one.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: acts 12, cards, churches job, death by sword, encourage, God, heal sick, james, Jesus, life, lifestyle, Loser, myles munroe, path of destruction, peter, prayer, presence, read His Word, The Lords Prayer, winner, withdraw

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS!

August 27, 2013 by Missy Lewie 1 Comment

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Seven20Brides20for20Seven20BrothersAs all of you may or may not know . . . I love musicals! Personally, I believe that musicals are a lost culture in today’s society, but I digress.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was written a long time ago, and is clearly considered “old fashioned” by today’s standards, but none the less, one of my all-time favorites. No doubt it’s because of the many plays and deep-rooted music gigs instilled into my life through my mom and grandma. In fact, I can remember when I was 8 and my grandma would be in the kitchen cooking dinner and I would have to practice my “over/under” scale exercises on the piano in the living room. Sometimes I didn’t go under… and my grandma would know. She would yell at me through the wall, like she was sitting right there next to me! I couldn’t figure out how she knew; but was sure she had some sort of secret spy camera on me.

Even at the young age of 8, I was trying to get away with something. I wanted to do things my way (even playing the piano). In most things, I felt their way was “old fashioned” or my change wasn’t a big deal, that they were behind the times, or better yet, they didn’t know what they were talking about. Or did they? I mention this because I wasn’t always raised perfectly, although my mom and grandma tried to do it right – they made some mistakes. Ultimately I was responsible for my decisions, good and bad. There were certain morals and ethics that were demonstrated to me by my mom and grandma’s lives and they have stuck with me to this day. And when they weren’t around, I had others, some good and some bad to advise me. But I know I definitely swayed from what was right and from what I was taught.

Often I wonder how my life would be different if my errors in judgment had been plastered on national television, the topic on every social media platform and with every blogger with an opinion, constantly playing it over and over and over again.

How could I ever be restored?
How could I ever get up from my failure?
Could I actually still have an opportunity to learn the lesson from my past mistakes and have an opportunity to apply them to my future?

The recent display by Miley Cyrus is clearly what has sparked my topic of discussion. And while I do think that her “2013 VMA Performance” was disgusting, reprehensible and disgraceful; I personally see a young girl just wanting to be loved. I see a young girl hurting on the inside and blocking good people out of her life all the while “acting” like those hurts don’t exist. There are people giving her counsel or advice that truly do not have her best interest at heart. She’s listening to them, and those decisions are resulting in destruction. Something we all clearly viewed on national television. Although fame and fortune is a big part of her life, there are many things about her life that people you and I know currently experience everyday. For example, how many parents do you know that are struggling in their marriage (her’s are) or how many kids are a part of a blended family (she is)? Those things don’t have to be negative but can be challenging. I don’t know the specific hurts, but I do know they are there.

I submit to you an opportunity – instead of judging, pray for her. Pray that God would send someone in her pathway to minister to her, to heal her heart, and to restore her back unto Him. This I do know, PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!

Then, look around.

You and I are obviously not able to reach Miley Cyrus and be a positive influence in her life, but I’m sure there is someone around you that could be your opportunity. There are so many people that need God in their lives today.

Reach out, and love someone. People are clearly hurting, and looking for an answer.

I look back now and of course, I can clearly hear the difference of going “over/under” in my piano scale. And although my grandma had a way of knowing things that I will never truly understand, I am glad that she corrected me and taught me right.

…..And really this has nothing to do with my “piano lessons” no more so than “farming” had anything to do with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: life, lost culture, Miley Cyrus, musicals, national television, Piano lessons, prayer, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, society

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