Words?

All I can say is this:

I do want to write, I just can't find the words!
So many false starts, nothing that works.
Rats!

Reward in Full

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full."
- Matthew 6:5

Sometimes it drives me crazy that my head is so quick to come up with words, to put them together to sound somewhat profound or intellectual. When it comes to praying, I fear that this could become my downfall - one of those things that eliminates me from fully communicating with God as I fill silence with a flurry of big words.

I won't say that when I pray out loud that I am any better at it than anyone else - so often I do find myself stumbling on trying to represent a thought that I want to take to the Lord. I fear though that sometimes I am too good at sounding good - that my prayers would intimidate others or that they wouldn't really be honest before the Lord. That I would throw in verses because they're in my head or use phrases generally reserved for speech writers simply because they pop through my mind and out of my mouth. That I wouldn't be connecting with the Lord, but instead somehow just coming across sounding pompous and austere.

I suspect that the God who made my mind understands that I don't say such things to try to impress Him (or anyone else who might overhear) - that I know the things that I pray are no more powerful than the smallest child's prayers or the most simple, sincere string of words presented to Him. I am frustrated though that simplicity so often seems out of reach for me and I fear being lumped in with the Pharisees at the beginning of this post when my prayers begin to sound like something one might read in a book.

I guess this post is just another reminder to me of how far I truly have to go. As always, thankful that His grace is sufficient and hopeful that people aren't comparing their prayers to mine in any way, shape or form.

Coffee Update

Just for those of you who might be wondering, coffee and I have made up!

My world is yet again infused with the wonderful aroma and flavor of my favorite drink!

All is forgiven and we carry on!

:)

God and Boston

It's the end of a long day here in Boston and even though I'm tired and kind of feel every one of my years, I can't help but smile and be thankful that I'm able to be here at all. It's funny to me how much a city can get under your skin and the truth is that Boston has most definitely done this with me. I love the sights, the commotion, the accent, and everything else that makes up this crazy, wonderful city.

Most of all though I love what God is doing here. Today I was in Boston Commons and stood by Park Street Church where I have stood before and I looked up to see the lectern that perched outside the building where the word of the Lord used to be read over the people who went about their days in the streets of old-time Boston. As I saw that empty stand and thought of how people didn't hear the word spoken any longer I was filled only with hope. Hope that one day a man may stand on that metal podium and loudly proclaim the true hope that is found only in Christ. The some day men, women, boys, and girls would have the opportunity yet again to be reminded as they went about their business of the God who created them and sent His Son to rescue them from a fallen world. We might not be there today, in fact we might not even be close to such a day but I honestly believe that God is doing great things here. We may not see them as we stand on the corners and smile while handing out granola bars to strangers but I think that beneath the undercurrent of a busy city life, there is a movement of God.

I would love to someday see His name be made great among the people of Boston but even if that never comes to pass in my lifetime, I rest assured that day by day God is changing the lives of people in such a way that they will never be the same and that someday, He will be worshiped around the earth and that includes a street corner overlooking the Boston Commons. Now that's something to get excited about!

Thanks for your prayers, please carry on as we worship together tomorrow and then continue outreach throughout the city!

Serving Boston

Our first complete day in Boston has come and gone and as I sit down at the end of the day I feel somewhat worn out but also energized. There is something about this city that I find invigorating and interesting and I really enjoy the time that I get to spend here. We spent the morning passing out granola bars and then hanging flyers for an art festival on neighborhood doors. Following lunch at Bartley's Burgers we passed out water and then headed to Fenway to catch the Sox in a game with none other than our hometown Rangers.

All in all it made for a long day and the weather, while beautiful, was warm and left our entire team somewhat drained. As I sit here and reflect on the day though the things that stick in my mind most are how much I enjoy passing out items to the residents of this city and the unity that's formed among the group that's here.

Granola bars and water in and of themselves may be very unimportant but I believe that with each item that leaves our hands and moves into the hands of a willing recipient God is doing work. It's not always work in my life, it's just a reflection of obedience in me - but I believe that He's working among the residents...building up the faith of those brothers and sisters in the city and softening hearts of those who don't know Him already. It's quite easy for me to simply obey the Lord in this area and I'm amazed that He uses my obedience to open doors for others to know Him. I will never cease to be amazed at the things God uses to get people's attention!

I also have to mention the team here as the last mission trip I went on suffered from a lack of one-mindedness and it had a huge impact on the effectiveness we really had. There is none of that here though as God has simply pulled us each from our spots, given us all a passion for Him and reaching others, and bound us together using Boston as the base. Truthfully I feel that the biggest requirement of any mission is that all people be called by God to be there. Beyond that, anything is possible. This team is just another blessing in a life already so full and I just appreciate so much that God uses other members of the family to encourage and walk with me as I seek to follow Him.

Please continue to pray...may He do miracles in lives before our time here ends!