You Alone.

My heart aches for a friend Daddy. You alone can comfort, protect, and satisfy. Daddy, be everything to him because even if I had the opportunity, You alone have the ability.

The Outsiders.

I call them the outsiders because they are outside of the greatness of truly knowing You. I have, for the first time, made friends that are not fellow Christians or even church kids. It is strange, really. Like tasting a new flavor for the first time and not knowing what to think of it because you have nothing to compare it to. Daddy, I pray that you soften their hearts toward You. I pray that You enable me to share You by everything I say and do. I beg You to rid me of all selfish or prideful motives and give me a pure heart. Empty me of every bit of me so that when they look at me they only see You. I am a mere shadow, an instrument. You are everything. Oh Daddy, time is so short. Let me not waste a precious second.

Heartache.

Daddy, my kids re being beat down again. Pride, drama, unforgiveness. satan just won't leave with alone lately. Help them daddy. Don't let them give up. Lift their eyes to You, strengthen their hearts. Remind them of your love and sacrifice. Bring me to my knees for them every hour if that is what it takes. Oh my Father, my heart aches for them.

All My Longings Lie Open Before You.

Daddy,

My heart is being squeezed inside. They are all fading. My Christian brothers and sisters. They are discouraged and weakened and slowly seeming to become more and more okay with growing gradually Luke warm. No! It cannot happen! They are so distracted and in love with things that in the end do not matter. They chase after relationships and careers and recognition all the while disdaining the One who not only saved their souls but who lavishes them with love day after day. How can they pursue other things Lord? What else could possible matter? Ignite them with Your passion and Your longings Daddy! Consume them with Your fire! Align their lives with Your great ans wonderful plan and purpose! Do not let them stray! Oh Daddy, my heart aches for them. Do not let them stray.

Close To Home.

Daddy,
It seems the people that place the biggest ache on my heart are my family. Kirk and Jackie need you. I look at my brother whom I adore and admire and see the anger under the surface and the raw need in his eyes. I look at sweet Jackie who is so beautiful and so impressionable and see the discontent and the longing for pure, unconditional love. How to meet these needs? Time is so short. In 6 short months Kirk will be headed off to training for Korea and Jackie to her family in Nevada. So little time. You have radically changed my life these past couple of years. That radical love you gave me begs for radical obedience to follow. Please, help me to have that radical obedience. others had, the courage to obey you and shared the Gospel with me. Where would I be if they had let fear overshadow the call you placed in their lives? Give me radical devotion to you Father. I cannot bear to give you less.

Your Living Martyr

New Loves.

Dad,

What, oh what, do I do? These girls are such a blessing to me. They are beautiful and intelligent and sweet. There is so much I want to teach them. There is so much I want to learn about them. Where to start? I want everything that they see in me or hear from me to be straight from you. Every word must be yours or it is worthless. Help me to cast off the sin that entangles me. Help me to remember them in prayer daily. Help me to live what I preach. Help me to love like you love. Without you, I am nothing. Without you, I have nothing to give. Help me God.

Overload.

I feel like in Bruce Almighty when he gets all of the prayer request emails. I am overwhelmed by the needs of others. I know we are supposed to bear each others burdens and petition for the other saints, but how does one do this without getting overwhelmed? I want to lift up my brothers and sisters but how do I do this consistently without being weighed down?