The power of prayer

We just finished our series "Conversations with God", and I've been thinking about prayer in my own life.

Our problem is we think prayer is a tool to change God and bend His plans to conform to ours. Yet research shows prayer actually brings about transformation in the one who prays.

Prayer is the catalyst for the life reaction that will ultimately get you to the life you want to be living. It’s the true secret of staying focused on your deepest desire. It is your connection to a life of power and passion.

Prayer is the most studied of all the spiritual disciplines. Research — scientific research –is ongoing at major universities around the world. Duke University has led the way in many of these studies and they have found that prayer can have a profound effect on ameliorating depression and lowering blood pressure. Prayer has been shown to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). And prayer’s ability to get people to the point of forgiveness can play a major role in reconciliation and healing of relationships. There have been enough successful studies on the efficacy of prayer in healing illnesses that many physicians now include prayer during their hospital rounds.

I just read this today online. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical College of Virginia in Richmond studied 1,902 subjects. They used twins to insure more accurate data. They found that those who were committed to their spiritual lives tended to have less severe depression and a lower risk of addiction to cigarettes or alcohol. The study went on to say that the healthful lifestyles of the spiritually rich and faithful clearly contribute to their well-being. They tend not to smoke or drink to excess. Their marriages are more stable and their spiritual communities form a network that can catch and support them when they are ill.

So what is my own personal experience with the power of prayer? I grew up with the Lord’s Prayer. It was the first prayer we memorized in church and the prayer we recited at bedtime. It never really meant much to me. But as I grew out of the “pray because I told you to” phase of my life, I began to explore a more informal relationship with God that removed all the thus’s and thou’s and replaced them with a more natural one–on-one conversation.

We are now ant farmers

We thought it would be fun to get an ant farm for the boys to look at and stir curiosity while observing nature. For the last 5 hours, our 3 and 5 yr. old have asked TONS of questions (as all parents know, anything is a catalyst).

We've had the actual "housing" for awhile, but it's taken 4 to 6 weeks to receive the ants. Well - they finally came today and man, they boys were pumped! So, we dumped the ants into their new habitat and they have already started burrowing into the bottom part where the sand is. Amazing creatures....

And A LOT of questions so far!!!

Race Prize Money

I read that the winning purse for the big race this weekend is around $1.5 Million for the driver, plus additional endorsement money. After watching the qualifications, it's hard to imagine someone actually finishing 500 miles at speeds of 225 mph, constantly avoiding colliding with other cars.

Speaking of money, four things are of greater value than even a sea of diamonds, a river of gold, or a mountain of silver. They are:

Wisdom
" . . . for it is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire compares with it."

God's Words & Works
" . . . they are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold."

An Excellent Wife
" . . . for her worth is far above jewels."

Personal Reputation
"A good name is to be more desired than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold."

Most of us have some of these. We are an honored group. Much of every day is spent to protect these treasures, and with good cause. They are of inestimable value.

No doubt, you have various safeguards for protecting your treasures and those of your people.

What the Pole Position and getting things done have in common

Why is it so hard to complete our tasks? With the best intentions, we start off the day hoping to polish off a list of important to-dos. By midday we've been thrown off with phone calls, unexpected errands and our own inability to flee from distractions.

Studies quoted in the Wall Street Journal claim the typical professional handles more than 170 interactions in one work day. Success Principles guru Jack Canfield says our brains just can't process all the unfinished business we face in a typical day.

Time management expert John Maxwell advises that we start off our day in the right place . . . with a vision to finish our tasks.

Maxwell describes race car drivers who compete to place their cars in a certain position on the track before a race even begins. Drivers know that that best spot is pole position. If you're in pole position, you don't need to pass other cars to win. Just hold your place as leader and you'll win the race.

The way to finish well is to start out strong. However, to stay in front during a 500 mile race, any good driver knows you cannot lose focus and forfeit the lead position.

Why We Lose Focus on Finishing

•We convince ourselves we don't have the time. Mostly, our issue is not lack of time, but the task is just not important to us. So we shuffle the uncompleted task to the bottom of the pile. To make ourselves feel better we rationalize, "I don't have the time."

•We are indecisive on how to begin. The biggest obstacle to writing a difficult letter is that we're at a loss for words. The same goes for looking for a job. We can't get started because the resources are overhwelming or we believe we'll never find a job.

•We always find something else to do instead. Before I organize the papers on my desk, I need file folders and file tabs. I'll go the office supply store for these items, and on the way, I'l pick up my dry cleaning and go to the ATM. Before you know it, it's time for lunch.

How to Finish At The End of the Day

John Maxwell offers an easy-to-use plan he calls "the bookends of success."

•We start off every day with a workable game plan. Each morning should be protected from distractions and interruptions. Don't check your email; put your cell phone on silent. Avoid using the mornings to figure out how you'll write a novel or save up for your dream house. Rather, narrow your focus to the next 24 hours.

Maxwell advises we ask, "Just for today, how can I be a success?" Using this method, you're placing a premium on the day before you.

Jack Canfield advocates we use our energy to fix and organize the things that nag at us. It's hard to do much when we're surrounded by reminders of all the unfinished things that keep us down.

•We finish off in the evenings with a period of reflection. By taking the time to reflect, I transform my day's experience into a learning opportunity. I can also check up on the goals I set forth during the morning, see where I succeeded and evaluate what tasks I need to revisit the next day.

•We find a way to include relaxation every day. Success includes time to refuel by doing something that puts you into a positive state of mind. For me, I enjoy exercising, reading or enjoying a film with my family. We all need some activity that reminds us how good it is to be alive.

If you fail to choose how you spend your time, you'll surrender control of your schedule to whatever interruptions or distractions happen to fall into your lap. Find a way to live each day with purpose . . . your pole position.

Facing Your Fears

What is the one thing you fear that is holding you back from accomplishing more in your life? For a great part of my life my biggest fear was failing.....at anything I would try to start.

I'm doing some work on our next message series "Facing Your Giants". One of the giants we commonly face is FEAR. It is not possible to live a passionate life, if you live as a slave to your fears. Fear neutralizes success. Fear limits your possibilities. Fear is a waste. If you live there, you will lose your life.

I have read many studies on fear, and the one common thread seems to be that most of us develop our fears based merely on being out of our comfort zone. When we are presented with a different or unusual scenario, our body becomes our enemy. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration all go through the roof. We feel threatened, so our body’s natural fight-or-flight response kicks in. Then we take action to get everything back to normal. We make serious personal resolutions, many of which aren’t healthy: no more public speaking, no more blind dates, no more roller coasters, no more plane trips, no more going outside.

If we let fear win, we lose. We lose our ability to grow. In a world of possibilities, we see none. And, it limits the potential God has placed inside of us.

So, Face your fears - don't run from them.

At the Speedway......

We spent today watching time trials at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was a bit surreal, because having Hoosier blood, I’ve grown up with people talking about the Indy 500. But this was the first time I actually sat and watched the cars LIVE. Man, it was loud! Thankfully we were well prepared with ear plugs. We saw Helio Castroneves and Marco Andretti qualify, and that was a lot of fun.

Collin and Christian LOVED it!!! At only 4 yrs old, Christian kept saying “I love this Mom, I love this Dad!” I don’t know what it is about cars - and racing to Christian. Get this – 6 months ago we bought an old IMAX movie on VHS tape on Mario Andretti and IndyCar racing, and Christian has watched that easily over 50 times. So, we may have a future driver on our hands (can’t wait when he turns 16!?????)

So, it was an iconic day as we truly experienced a Hoosier moment.

One woman can make a difference

Reflecting on Mother's day, I thought of someone who made a difference like Mother's do. Want to change the world? Simple acts of kindness can do that. Ask Dorcas (and any mother).

In her day many believers met untimely deaths. But her ministry -- sewing -- was so important that God brought her back to life to continue it. And she built a church with a needle.

Today, ancient Jaffa (also known as "Joppa" or "Yafa") lays cheek-to-jowl with modern Tel Aviv. Long ago, however, Jaffa's natural harbor was the shipping hub. Here Dorcas built a church that still survives and thrives. Amazingly, so does the generous spirit of Dorcas. This ancient needlewoman's life contains a 2,000 year-old secret pattern for weaving lasting significance into life.

"In Joppa there was a disciple named... Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she (Dorcas/Tabitha) became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room..." Acts 9:36-37 NIV

God has a decided soft spot for widows and orphans.

So did Dorcas and the fledgling early church. Rather than ignoring the poor, the early Church took Jesus' teaching to heart and developed a different approach to the poor in their midst.

The first Church committee ever appointed and organized -- after the appointment of the twelve disciples -- was for the purpose of caring for widows. While this demographic and method of church growth is too often neglected today, the Scripture tells us that ministry to the widows had a dramatic effect on Church attendance: " So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. " (Acts 6:7-NIV)

Anywhere men go down to the sea in boats, along with the tang of salt in the air, there will be widows and orphans -- human wreckage washed up by ill tides. And ancient Jaffa had its share of human flotsam.

In Jaffa, as far as we know, the entire widow's benevolence committee was a lone woman named Dorcas. While the poverty-stricken may not be the target demographic of some of today's church planners, they were Dorcas' people.

How important was Dorcas' ministry? She was not a preacher, teacher, or apostle; but in an upstairs chamber, God revealed His opinion of the value of Dorcas' gifts. And what a surprising value it was:

"Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha (Dorcas), get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord." (Acts 9:40-42)

Children's Museum today

I'm taking this afternoon off and we're taking the boys to the Children's Museum. Christian LOVES sitting in the race car on the 3rd floor. I think he would stay there the whole time if we let him!

This Sunday is Mother's Day, so I hope this is not your first reminder. We continue our "Conversations with God" series with the topic "How God Speaks to you." Since prayer is a two-way street (just like any conversation), we can learn to capture what God is saying to us.

Have a great weekend!

Cell Phone Manners.....( I recently learned a few!)

Having a cell phone is essential to many of our lives. However, what is the balance between being "present" when you are with someone and being "available" when your cell rings? Here are some thoughts on Cell Phone manners I came across recently:

•Refrain from cell yell or speaking loudly in public on your cell. Someone at the next table on a conference call boisterously negotiating a business deal can ruin a quiet dinner you planned with your spouse.

•Keep your ring on a low volume. How many times have you been sitting in a restaurant having to listen to Beethoven’s 5th coming from a cell in the booth behind you or to the jumpy beat of a 5 piece Latin band drifting from the apron pocket of your server? Keep the volume down or go to vibrate.

•When asked to turn the cell off, turn it off. We’re asked to turn off our cells in hospitals, churches, synagogues, movie theatres, funerals, graduations, banks and school auditoriums. Murphy's Law dictates that at your daughter’s high school graduation ceremony someone’s cell will break out a Rolling Stone classic the moment your child is called to receive her diploma.

•Take the call in private. You may be expecting an important call. Set your phone to vibrate or silent mode. When your call comes through, excuse yourself and take it outside away from others.

•Do not subject people in public to the details of your private life. You’re in a train, plane or on a bus. One fellow bus passenger is on the cell speaking about her relationship problems, another is talking about his recent breakup and a third caller is discussing detailed dinner plans with a friend. Some private things should not be discussed in public places.

•Don’t return text messages when talking to someone else. Answering texts while sitting with a friend can make that person feel unimportant.

•Know the proper time to call. Just because you have someone’s cell phone number does not mean you can call them anytime you want. It’s not hard to ask, Is there a good time to call?

•Be courteous to the person behind the counter. When in a store making a purchase, it is best to hang up your cell or put your caller on hold to exchange proper greetings with the person behind the counter.
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•Remember the people around you. If you’re out with a bunch of friends, it’s acceptable to answer the phone for a few minutes. Acknowledge the caller, but also tell them you're with a group of close acquaintances and you’ll call them later or the next day.

We all need to mind our wireless manners. Oh, excuse me . . . I’ve got a call I must take . . . Got to run!

A few good days with family

Since Tuesday, I've been a large part of the week hanging out with my two sons and Angela. We went to both the race car museum at the Brickyard and the Children's museum on Thursday, and yesterday Angela and I had a long-awaited night out! Angela surprised me when I returned from Czech. by having new flowers planted and new mulch around the front of our house. Man, when she gets inspiration for something, nothing stops her! So, we've been trying to get our home "spring-looking" and enjoying the weather as we work.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow as we continue our prayer series on "Conversations with God." All of us desire to have a meaningful chat with our Creator. Yet, it feels awkward and even a little intimidating. Yup, I've been there many times. But the secret to prayer is .....to pray. Keep doing it and keep talking to God. It's a like talking to a new friend - it's new at first but the more you do it, the more natural it becomes.