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I have no idea what you’re in to, but I’m someone who prays, both for myself and on the behalf of others; I know God listens and He does sometimes talk back (with thoughts, ideas, and circumstances… I’m not one of the 0.01% who have heard God audibly…)
A friend and I were praying for another mate last night, and after some focussed, spoken prayer there was a little while when we were quiet, listening… at one point there I felt my hand tense up. This is something I have felt while praying before, and not thought much of it, but this time I thought to myself that this may be some kind of physical trigger to something happening in a spiritual way (I have found this to be true with some other physical sensations in the past); perhaps God was trying to tell me something?
So I tested my theory and asked my friend whether he, at that moment, was thinking of anything in particular that we might pray for… and he said there was. Well, after a short discussion, we prayed for ‘that thing’ and it was obvious to all of us that this prayer was really ‘hitting home’. He said afterwards that this was the first time that that style of praying (directly into something in a specific way, based on theological principles of repentance, forgiveness, and freedom from ‘baggage’ via what we see in the power and grace of Christ’s death and resurrection) had such an immediate and tangible effect. So that was a great blessing for my mate, a very healing, releasing time…
Short answer: it was specific, it was real, and it worked!
What makes this encouraging for me, and potentially exciting for the future (as one who gets excited about such things) is that I have something ‘physical and tangible’ that I can at least use as a ‘question mark’ for God. But that I mean if I’m praying for someone, and that happens again, there’s a possibility that God wants to do something else specific. I can then ask either God or the person I’m praying for if there’s something else going on… I love that because it is God stepping-in in a subtle way to ‘cooperate’ with us here on the planet. And it’s creating opportunities for God to move outside of what we can humanly see and know, and I personally want more of that in my life.
I feel that this was a conversation with God, not just a ‘one way wish list’ – small steps, maybe, but real.
It’s always encouraging to find something outside of yourself that is evidence of God acting, interjecting…
Top Gear has recently become a bit of an addiction. It’s a show I’ve never really watched at home in NZ despite having known about it for years. Perhaps it used to be broadcast on Sunday nights just as the current series does here in the UK – and I never really got to see it because of church. Anyway, I’m really enjoying it and because I have about 5 years to catch up on, it’s very helpful that the free-view channel Dave plays numerous repeats on a daily basis. All this leads me to what I sat down to write about; Richard ‘Hamster‘ Hammond’s book On The Edge:
After a little biographical background, it essentially tells the story of his famous 300 MPH crash in a jet-engine-powered dragster on a runway in September of 2006, the injury he sustained, mostly to his brain, and his, err, speedy recovery. It’s a remarkable story, one of incredible struggle and emotion – particularly of those family members and friends who had to go through it, and most of all, the incredible support and love of Richard’s wife (and the book’s co-author) Mindy. Incredible.
One thing I am left with after having read the book is simply the value of life and the experiences, and relationships, which make up our ‘every day’. And also that whole ‘go away to the country and relax’ thing; you know, spend time with yourself, your family and your thoughts. Get away from the busyness and the ’should do’s’ and relax with creation – absorbing some peace and quiet. And most of all, share whatever great space you get away to with your family and your friends – in conversation, laughter and play.
On one hand, I’m describing an escape from reality and work – so, strictly speaking, not really something for everyday life – but certainly something to do on a regular basis. I guess that could all be put down to ‘not taking life for granted’, and that’s always something to be wary of. And The Hamster has reminded me – at Christmas, when both family and rest are important (and needed!) – just what life is about; It’s about simply, thankfully, and graciously…
Living
I’m liking the journey back into my poetry files; you quickly forget what you’ve written and it’s interesting what you see in the same words after some time. Here’s a couple which are kind-of ‘bookends’ to the whole single to ‘un-single’ journey. I guess now I need to find something which encapsulates the story in between…
Beauty at a distance
I grow tired
of seeing
beauty at a distance
I grow tired
of watching hope stumble
across the idea of love
with each passing glance
an innocent look
can say a lot to a hungry heart
I am too tired to see
so I will surrender this beauty
to sleep
and perhaps in time
the dream…
27/10/01
Five minutes longer
this is the song I would write for you
if I only had two minutes
if I only had two minutes to write you a song of love
its blue skies outside and that makes me smile
we’re going to see Anika sing in a little while
we’ll sit and talk and let the melody wander past us
and perhaps linger in our minds once it’s all over
once it’s all over
the music will be gone but what of the song
what of the melody my heart carries
I love you I know this much
and there’s no such thing as luck
only blessing and a plan and some choices
and some beautiful voices
singing
and then there’s me
this is the song I would write for you
if I only had two minutes
just spending a few words on a page
so I could sing for you
anything just to get you to stay
let me sing for you
just so you can stay
five minutes longer
five minutes longer
22/01/04
I have been inspired by a mate’s blog to get back onto Blogger and get on with it.
There was a photo on said blog of said friend and his new fiance up in the Waitakere Ranges when they were newly engaged. I say ‘newly’ in that I suspect the photo was taken within seconds of the ’she said yes’ moment.
That’s a great moment. I just have to say. (Being a newlywed is a beautiful thing of course, such that I am, but that’s slightly off topic!). I love hearing about people getting engaged, and knowing the journey ahead… and remembering.
It’s appropriate that as I write this I have Eva Cassidy singing ‘What a wonderful world’ in my (awesome Sennheiser) headphones.
Anyway, just wanted to share. As you do.
