Canadian Adventist Messenger for 1999 - Vol. 68 - No. 12

28 Pages·2013·1.38 MB·English

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H E A R T TO H E A R T
God wants to answer our prayers of anxiety with the gift of peace.
The result might not be the removal of the source of care,
but we will have an inward peace and acquiescence in the
assurance that all must be well in our Father's hands.
continues to give me an inner peace that it so beautifully: “Don’t worry about
cannot be described.” anything, but pray about everything.
In our culture, the word peace is With thankful hearts offer up your
used frequently in connection with prayers and requests to God. Then,
Christmas. There is good reason for because you belong to Christ Jesus,
that. In Luke 2:13-14 (NIV) we read, God will bless you with peace that no
“Suddenly a great company of the heav­ one can completely understand. And
^ 7 he hospital bed was cold and enly host appeared with the angel, prais­ this peace will control the way you think
unfriendly. The sounds and smell ing God and saying, ‘Glory to God in and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 (CEV)
were familiar to her because of her the highest, and on earth peace to men God wants to answer our prayers of
profession as a nurse, yet the experience on whom His favor rests.’” anxiety with the gift of peace. The result
of being a patient was new for her. At the time this verse was sung by might not be the removal of the source
Nancy, wrapped in fright and anxiety, the heavenly host, the Roman empire of care, but we will have an inward
was afraid of the future as a result of the was at peace with all the world. The Ode peace and acquiescence in the assurance
doctors order for immediate surgery. to the Nativity by Milton seems to reflect that all must be well in our Father’s
“What if I do not make it? What will the atmosphere of peace at the time. hands. This peace is a solid, deep, pure,
happen to my 6-year-old daughter? lasting peace. It is a peace quite different
“No war or battle’s sound
What if. . . ?” Like a tidal wave on a from any that the world can give (John
was heard the world around
path of destruction, these frightful 14:27).
The idle spear and shield were high
thoughts seemed to suck the smallest You might ask, “How do we get this
uphung:
glimmer of hope from her. peace?” The answer is found in
The hooked chariot stood
In desperation, with nowhere to turn, Philippians 4:6-7. All we need to do is
Unstained with hostile blood,
she sought her only hope. “Father,” she ask our heavenly Father. Is there a con­
The trumpet spake not to the armed
prayed, “I am all alone and afraid. Please dition in order to receive this peace? Yes.
throng;
be with me now.” Unchecked, tears Luke 2:14 indicates that peace will be
And Kings sat still with awful eye
dripped to the pillow. given to all who are in favor with God
As if they surely knew their souvran
Then she felt it, a warm hand gently — all who are consciously making a
Lord was by. ”
touching her on her shoulder. Instantly, choice to please God in words, thoughts,
an indescribable feeling of peace flooded We believe, however, that the angels and actions every minute of every day.
her entire being. She looked around. sang of something more real and endur­ There is no need for us to go along
There was no one in the room. ing than this temporal lull. Only 70 worrying about the cares of this life.
As she relived the experience, Nancy years later, within sight of the spot Jesus came to give us peace. May we
stated, “There was nothing like it. It was where the shepherds saw the multitude resolve to claim this gift of peace in this
awesome. To know that I was touched of the heavenly host, the awful sack of new year, this peace that no one else can
by a divine hand made an imprint on the holy city took place. truly understand but you. ■
my life. I knew that He was there. It Jesus is called the Prince of Peace in
made me feel so unworthy. Although I Isaiah 9:6 because of the peace that He In His peace with love,
have more health challenges to face, He offers to all who trust Him. Paul states Orville and Jean Parchment
2 December 1999 Messenger Canadian Adventist Messenger* 1148 King St.E.*0shawa,0N L1H1H8 - Canada Post Agreement Number 1261568
S P I R I T U A L I T Y F E A T U R E
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As individuals and as a church, we know it is necessary to work Step z Planted “spirituality seeds” need the watering
together to be successful in any endeavor. And we do want to of mutual encouragement if they are to produce
get on with our personal goals and corporate mission because, a harvest. When we plant the seed, Apollos or
as Adventists, we believe there is a connection between “finishing someone like him must be there with us to water it. We need
the work” and the second coming of Christ. our friends, Mary and John, to water our seeds. And they need
How do we, in a diverse — some would say fragmented — us. But how are they to know that we have even planted the
church accomplish our mission? It’s easy to see why we value seed if we don’t tell them? We value openness, but shrink from
unity: our families are threatened, our churches include all it because we are afraid of what others may think of us when
kinds of diversity, and our institutions are increasingly strained they see us as we really are. But the decision to seek God implies
by financial tensions. We are learning to value our differences, a lessening concern for self, even an extinguishing of self in the
but uniformity has its attraction. Could it be the answer? excitement of our quest. When the self is small or non-existent,
The answer, according to the the pain of disclosure is hardly
Bible, is in practising “disinterested noticed or disappears entirely.
spirituality.” What might John and Mary
Disinterested spirituality is the actually do to water the seed?
continual basis for unity and mission They can first listen to the story
accomplishment in our lives, our of our planting — what prob­
families, our churches, and our lems we encountered, how we
institutions — from our church finally managed to get the seed
schools to our church headquarters. into the soil. Then they can
I use the term “disinterested” share their planting experience
because we enjoy God for who He is and add a few highlights of how
rather than for what we want, and God has revealed His love in
“spirituality” because we recognize recent and unexpected ways.
that our flesh, though well-trained, Their encouragement will
is weak. communicate the idea that our
Unity and mission accomplishment, important as they are, decision to seek a deeper spirituality is indeed worthwhile.
cannot be our primary motives for seeking God.
Step 3 As we wait for the harvest, we may be tempted
How, then, do we practice disinterested spirituality? Paul
to question whether God is ever going to give us
says, “I plant the seed, Apollos waters it, and God makes it
the disinterested spirituality we are hoping for.
grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
We may find our small, spindly plants are nearly destroyed by a
C1, . T “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my storm of secularity. But we focus on the promise: if we plant
TCD 1 sou| pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for the seed and Apollos waters it, God will make it grow! We are
God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet encouraged by small growth in our own field and in John and
with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2). When we begin to seek God for Mary’s as well. We find that the waiting time goes by faster if
no other reason than that we like to be with Him, we are we water our neighbours’ plants instead of watching our own.
planting the seed of a deeper spirituality than we have known We know the harvest is ripe when our fellowship with the
before. Father, the Son, and with one another “makes our joy complete.”
Planting the seed is a personal initiative that no parent, (1 John 1:3-4)
spouse, or friend can do for us. We do it when we conclude A harvest of deep, disinterested, Christ-focused spirituality is
God’s “personality” is so fascinating that we simply must get to ours to reap when we plant the seed, see the ground watered,
know Him better. Because of our desire to know God, we and trust God to bring growth. Questions about our lives —
search for time in our day, for places on our horizon — to see how we are going to get along with one another and how we
Jesus, to share with Him, question Him, chat with Him, and are going to accomplish our mission as a remnant church —
laugh with Him. We may be motivated to plant this seed during can be answered, ironically, only as we turn away from them to
the coldest, darkest months of the year — when we seek His focus on the more crucial question: “Where can I go and meet
warmth and light. Like farmers planting winter wheat, we look with God?” ■
forward to the harvest.
by Dr. Douglas Mat ado,
associate professor of religious studies, CUC
Cover photo(color):© 1999 Josh Mitchell/Tony Stone Images December 1999 Messenger
S P I R I T U A L I T Y F E A T U R E
Adventists want to be spiritual; spirituality is part of our faith. Through faith we believe in God,
trust Him and align our hearts with His will.
Spirituality is that part of faith that makes God present to us. Alexander Schmemann says,
"Faith sees, knows, and senses the presence of God in the world."
Joshua Heschel claims that "to have faith in God is to reveal what is
concealed. Our task is to bring God back into our lives."
Broadly speaking, our spirit is the invisible, mental, moral
and religious part of us. We become spiritual in a religious sense
when our human spirit engages with sacred things or is touched
by God's Spirit. Our spiritual nature includes our deep inner
unconscious self, often called our soul.
Faces of Spirituality 2 Awareness is
vital to being
How do we know when we are being
spiritual. The
spiritual? Our answers will reflect the
spiritual life is about
fact that spirituality has many faces.
seeing God. We each create many
Here are five of those faces:
distractions to help us cope with life,
I Many say that the essence of but these clutter our consciousness of toward deeper connection with our
being spiritual is to sense God’s God. We are to awaken to the God who spiritual self.”
presence in and around us. He’s is present. “So we fix our eyes not on 4 Part of becoming whole happens
present to us in the nature and work of what is seen, but on what is unseen. For
when we sense that we really are
the Spirit, yet this presence is rather what is seen is temporary, but what is
spiritual beings made in God’s
mysterious. Presence can be the sense of unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18,
image. Paul captures this idea in
the closeness of one spirit to another, a NIV). Spiritual people choose to see life
Romans 8:14 when he writes, “Those
sense of solidarity, a feeling of commu­ from a spiritual perspective. If things
who are led by the Spirit of God are the
nion, an awareness of being connected, were really as they appear, there would
sons of God” (NIV). Each of us is a
or a spiritual ambience that nurtures us. be no need of spirituality!
prince or princess, perhaps turned into a
Romans 8:38-39 says that nothing
frog by well-meaning parents, teachers,
can separate us from the love of God, 3 Spirituality is a journey toward
peers, pastors and others. Although we
and love is a presence. In Psalms 139:7, personal wholeness. Life’s goal is
may be having a spiritual identity crisis,
David claims that we cannot even flee for our whole being to be brought
we are still a son or daughter of God.
from God’s presence. Ellen White together in harmony to enable us to
describes “presence” as being a sense of reach our full potential as humans. 5 Spiritual people long to see God
God shielding us from temptation and, Molly Young Brown writes, “When we and relate to Him. Their life is
on one occasion, as being felt through expand our awareness, strengthen our primarily a quest for God. David
her senses in a room. What is certain is center, clarify our purpose, transform builds this idea in Psalms 84 where his
that without a sense of God’s presence, our inner demons, develop our will and soul faints for the courts of God, and his
our own spirit shrivels. make conscious choices, we are moving heart and flesh cry out for the living
4 December 1999 Messenger
References:
Direct quotations, other than Scripture, are from Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat,
Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life, Touchstone, 1998.
References to Ellen Whites sense of presence are from My Life Today, pages 50, 51.
by Barry Hill,
associate director of education,
South Pacific Division
God. Jeremiah Abrams defines spirituality presence. God is present to us in loving Therefore, we find pleasure in control­
as a “holy longing, a yearning to know relationships, so we need to ask how ling, in having things our own way. But
the meaning of our lives, to have a He’s present or absent in our relation­ God is here, so, in a spiritual sense, all is
connection with the trans-personal.” ships, and include Him through our well. Paul reminds us that if the Spirit
Spirituality is expressed in our lives words and our imagination. lives in us, He controls us.
through the empathy we feel for broken God is also in loving smiles, caring Our selfish pride also stresses us. But
humanity. It shows itself by the way we hands, a beautiful sunset, our conviction we need to remind ourselves about how
respond to human needs, to crises in our of His leading in our experiences and were needy and have limits, and that we
own lives and to the ecology of the planet. even in our sense of His absence from have permission to fail without recrimi­
Related to this empathy is a passion for us. Many find God present in their nation. We can seek ways to accept and
life, a determination to live every mundane daily tasks. Brother Lawrence cope with failure, and stop trying to per­
moment to the full in gratitude for is remembered for practicing this presence form flawlessly to prop up our sense of
God’s gift to us. while washing pots in a monastery. superiority. Of course, this shouldn’t
stop us doing our best.
4 We must let go of the illusions
Becoming More Spiritual
that hide God from us. One illu­ 6 We can act our way into spirituality.
There’s no doubt that we can grow
sion is that we will be happy if we The antidote for selfishness is to
spiritually. Here are some ways to help
have things or develop relationships center ourselves in others’ needs
the process:
with certain people. Another is that and affirm their gifts. The task here is to
I ln prayer we need time and patience there’s satisfaction in being important, find causes that we can throw ourselves
to wait and listen in stillness for appreciated or someone other than who into with passion — a form of being
God’s voice. It takes the quality of we really are. truly present to others.
this time to build closeness with Him. There’s also the illusion that we There is also a sense in which spiritu­
Likewise, it takes time to speak inti­ should do things to save our own souls, ality is being present to life itself. That’s
mately with God as if we’re on a stroll including keeping the commandments when we consciously set out to enjoy it
together, celebrating His agreement to and being morally good. We can believe to the full, to pack the most into its
be one of us, and to be near at hand. that death will not reach us or that we moments and to concentrate on being
are the center of the universe. attentive to the Spirit.
2 We can take steps to know God at None of these ideas bring real happi­
a deeper level than reading ness, and the self-centered life they feed The Best Indicator
Scripture effortlessly or mentally is a delusion. We need to open ourselves In its best sense, good religion is
analysing passages. Spiritual knowledge to change to avoid the disappointment thoroughly spiritual. This religion is a
asks thoughtful, heartfelt questions and they carry. form of lifestyle that expresses the living
combines mind, body, feelings and soul
5 At times all of us feel anxious, relationship we have with God. It’s a
in answering them. It comes through
way of helping us live God-enriched
afraid, depressed and guilty. But if
making connections between sacred
lives.
we stress and freeze up for unduly
writings and how we live out their
The best indicator of our spirituality
long periods, we lose spirituality —
messages, and discerning between the
is the effect we have on others. If spiritual,
chances are it’s because we forget God is
uncommon and the ordinary. Knowing
we present a positive presence that helps
in control. We should resign as general
at this deeper level is sensed as real and
3 manager of the universe, give up trying others feel freer, fear less, walk taller and
authentic. It touches our souls and
think nobler. Were here for them. ■
to control and manipulate others and
emotions and moves us to action.
events, and seek peace of mind.
We grow in spirit by making a We all fail, get sick, and eventually
conscious effort to sense God’s die — this isn’t how we want it to be. Reprinted with permission of the Record
December 1999 Messenger 5
S P I R I T U A L I T Y F E A T U R E
How do you keep your spiritual life growing and prevent it from
becoming stale? How do you find time to fit personal devotions
into your schedule? What activities help you connect with God?
We asked several Messenger readers these questions, and here they share what they
have found works for them. Hopefully, their experiences can assist in your
personal walk with God.
Not long ago, I felt under siege. Life was hurtling along so fast I barely
remembered the day before, and my spiritual life was getting lost in the
hustle. I had fallen into the trap of being so busy that important things
were being missed. One day I realized that unaware living was not
appreciating God’s gift of life.
My first step was to reduce the “noise” in my life. I shut off the car
radio on a regular basis, limited my TV viewing, and weighed carefully
any commitments I was asked to make. It’s not an easy thing to do some
days. How often had I said, “I’d give anything to . . .” without really
meaning it? I made a promise to myself that I would no longer say this if
I wasn’t prepared to back it up with action.
I also started a handwritten journal. The act of physically writing
helps me focus. Originally, my idea was to record my thoughts and
feelings about events in my life. But my journal has also become a way
for me to pray and meditate. I enjoy taking a single verse and examining
it closely. I find one that means something to my experience of the
moment and examine each word as I look for its deeper meaning and application to my life.
With the static eliminated, I have become more conscious of God leading my life. I can hear that small
voice because I am listening for it again. By removing some of the unnecessary noise and spending time
with my journal, I am mindful of God’s gift once again, and my spiritual life has been enriched.
April le Janes
Port Perry, Ont.
What has helped me in my spiritual relationship Prayer. I could hardly put these books down, and they reminded
with the Lord: me that God is in the miracle-working business! I just fail to
Journaling, in which I pour out my heart to God and claim seek, surrender, and ask Him.
Bible promises, has helped me to work through many struggles. Small Bible study and prayer groups are also encouraging
It has helped me hear the Lord’s responses to my cries and when I pray for others, hear others pray for my specific needs,
know that He can handle my anger and frustration, and any­ and fellowship. Even at the end of a long, tiring week, this type
thing I throw at Him. of group can be energizing.
Bill Hybel’s book Too Busy Not To Pray has also been a Another thing which I find helpful is memorising Scripture.
tremendous help in teaching me how to pray. I have used it in I’ve done it while running and now do it while walking. Going
my journaling, following the acronym ACTS: adoration, con­ over the same passage repeatedly brings life and meaning to
fession, thanks, supplication, plus listening. This has really what the Lord is saying in His word. It hides His word in my
helped me to come into the presence of God, concentrate, get heart so that I might not sin against Him. There is power in
the focus off of my “wish list” prayers, and pay attention to prayer and in Scripture. I just need to use what is readily avail­
what the Lord is trying to say to me. able. When I do, I find He puts a song in my heart, and I feel
Other books on prayer which are inspiring and have helped His presence with me. I praise Him!
me to spend more time on my knees (where the power is), Bernice Za ft-Gibbons
have been Roger Morneau’s books, such as Incredible Answers to Bermuda
6 December 1999 Messenger
It’s Not that Bad
It was New Year’s Eve, 1998. Most people were thinking of losing weight, giving up smoking, et cetera. They were in a
mode of quitting something. My thought was to try and seek my true spirit, to recapture the me that most people knew.
Back in 1995,1 had been in a bit of a rut, feeling mad at the local system of justice after receiving a bad ruling which
left me at a financial loss. The one thing I noticed was that wherever I went, people would say, “How can you smile while
telling a story of loss?” They would also say, “That was a terrible thing to have happened; you must forget and move on.”
But that’s sometimes easier said than done.
There was a lot of pain, the type you feel deep in your heart after you have lost a lifetime of hard work, effort, and
belongings. But the real lesson came from my daughter, who was five years old at the time. Her words were, “Don’t worry,
Daddy, we still have each other.”
It was now nearly January, 1999, and I was still feeling sorry for myself. There was something missing, and I knew that
I must move on.
I noticed that when I was alone, or thought I was alone, there was a presence with me, a spiritual presence. While
rowing out to my fishing boat, I found I was able to say a prayer thanking God for the beauty that surrounded me. The
giving of thanks lifted me.
I live in the most beautiful place on earth, and there is a special beauty to the ocean. Within it, there is a power to heal
the soul. On a calm day, it reflects the beauty of things that are close to it; on a rough day, it draws us to its mighty power,
to smell its freshness and witness its strength of movement. The ocean is one of many wonders of this world that have been
given to us. It holds so much power, if we would only slow down to really appreciate it. There is great healing power there
that comes in so many ways.
I had a friend who was having a spell of doubt. I casually mentioned that if she would send me a list of whatever it was
that was causing that doubt or ill feeling, I would toss the list into the ocean.
When I received the list, I didn’t realise that it would be so long. I took a pair of scissors, cutting it into thin strips.
I then went to a beautiful location along the shore where the ocean crashes into the cliff and shakes the ground that you are
standing on; all the while, you can see clearly to the beautiful pink sandy bottom. While there, I can feel free to give thanks
to God for allowing me to enjoy the beauty that I see at that moment.
As I tossed the strips — which I had rolled into a ball — into the water, I offered up
a prayer for my friend and all of the people who were not as fortunate as I was at that
moment. I watched as the ocean, with all of its power, seemed to handle the paper ball
with gende hands, as the ball unfolded and the strips separated and floated out of sight.
The list, the ball of paper was gone and so were the problems, doubts, and worries.
Some will say, “Hogwash!” Yes, that could be said. But for those of us who believed,
the problems were gone. It was not so much the ball of paper strips but the prayer that
was the important part.
To me, the spiritual side of the experience was the fact that time was spent sharing the
idea with a friend — being able to do something for her, while finding my true spirit.
The gift we have is to think of others, to be giving — sometimes a good
thought or sometimes a good deed. Remember, we have each other. Life
doesn’t have to be about material possessions; it is about people, and that
is not a bad thing.
Alan Ed n e s s
December 1999 Messenger 7
My life these last few years has been awesome.
I’ve never been happier in my life. There’s that indescribable
peace in my heart — that feeling of security that no matter
what life brings, everything’s going to be all right. I started
seeing life in a different light; I started becoming more positive
and optimistic about life situations and about people. My mar­
riage blossomed, and our house became a home. my printer and stick them on my wall. I read them repeatedly
These changes did not happen overnight. They are a part of until they’re fixed in my memory. Then when the time comes
a process — a process of growth in God’s presence. And this that I need them, I meditate on them. This is why, no matter
process began with a simple prayer coming from the deepest how bad a life situation looks like, I am not too troubled,
part of my heart at a time of great need. because I always remind myself of God’s promises by repeating
I poured out my heart to Him, telling Him of my inmost these verses. When I’m afraid, for example, I just close my eyes
fears and concerns. As Ellen G. White said, a “prayer is the and repeat God’s word’s “For God has not given us a spirit of
opening of the heart to God as to a friend.” Every morning, I fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2
always make an effort to start my day with a prayer. It does not Timothy 1:7). Like a miracle, God really comes to my aid by
matter whether my prayer is long or short, as long as it comes making His presence known. Try it. It’s amazing.
from the heart. In the beginning, I did not really know how to I believe that it is through our mind that God communes
pray, as I was not sure what to say to God. Now, I cry to Him with us. This is why before God can ever work through our
when I’m sad, and I laugh with Him when I’m happy. He lives, we must be “renewed in the spirit of (our) mind”
hears of my sorrows and also my joy. I rejoice with Him after (Ephesians 4:23). I guard what goes into my mind. I use
some victories. I plead for wisdom when I’m lost. It is during Philippians 4:8 as my guide to determine what I will allow
this time of prayer that I feel closest to God. I feel that He’s myself to focus on. For me, it is difficult to dwell on God’s
just by my side listening. word when I watch a lot of TV or when I read non-Christian
Many times, after praying earnestly for wisdom, my Bible books, so I avoid exposing myself to these things. They simply
study leads me to the answers I am looking for. A lot of times, do not contribute to my spiritual growth, so why spent my
after seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, as I open my Bible, time on them. The Holy Bible gives us all that we need if we
my eyes are directed to the verses that I need to meditate on to study it diligendy enough. I also find Ellen G. White’s writings
gain wisdom. I feel like God is speaking to me in my heart, very useful in understanding the scriptures. Steps To Christ and
that sometimes His words bring tears to my eyes. From a Christs Object Lessons are two of my favorites.
helpless creature, after reading God’s words, “I can do all Listening to some Christian songs is very soothing to one’s
things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). soul. I always have a cassette tape of Christian songs in our car,
I suddenly am empowered. and I listen to at least two songs a day. What better way to start
Throughout the day, I use God’s words and promises in a day than to hear the melody of the song What A Friend We
every aspect of my life. I write down Bible verses in small cards Have In Jesus? It just lifts up my soul.
that I can carry with me, or I print them in large letters using For me, my spiritual life is my only life.
Edna So
Scarborough, Ont.
8 December 1 999 Messenger
The essential ingredients for maintaining a connection with God and understanding His will are studying
His word and prayer. There is no other way.
In 21st century life, setting quiet time aside each day to do just that is a big challenge for me. The over­
whelming noises of modern life drown that still, small voice.
One thing I found myself doing recently is cultivating an awareness of God’s presence in my activities.
While I am carrying on with my tasks, I remind myself that God is here with me. I don’t do it all the time
because it doesn’t come naturally for me just yet, but the more I practice it, the more often I feel the
connection with God’s presence.
In my work, I have to fly on airplanes at least twice a week. It is my habit now to breathe a prayer before
the plane takes off and lands, while enjoying the beautiful view from the window seat — and pray that on
that flight there will be honey-roasted peanuts!
I believe God would like us to acknowledge His presence throughout the day, not just during our
devotional time. He appreciates the little chats we utter from our heart. He wants
to hear our still, small voice too. My prayer-like chats are not in the form of
conventional prayer. They do not begin with “our kind Heavenly Father . . .”
nor do they end with “amen.” They are like: “Good morning, Lord! Wow, that
was a weird dream.. “Would You mind helping the driver in front to get out
of my way?”, “God, this is not funny!”, “Thanks for the strength going through
a tough day!” ....
At the end of the day, I feel that I have been connected, and I know that
I will not face the new day alone. “Lord, have a good sleep!”
John Li m
Toronto, Ont.
My routine for spending time with God generally takes the form of three parts. The
amount of time I spend varies with how much time is available, but the following descrip­
tion portrays a typical morning.
5 to 10 minutes — My problem with private time with God used to be that I was a
morning person who would fall asleep trying to read my Bible. My solution? Go to bed at
10 p.m. Now, as soon as I wake up — between 5 and 6 a.m. — I go to the other room,
lie on the floor, and begin stretching exercises. While stretching, I hum or sing hymns and
choruses. This gets my blood flowing and clears my mind. The idea is to move around and
commit the body to being awake, not try to be with God and half asleep at the same time!
30 minutes — Talking with my God is much easier for me when I pray aloud. My
mind stays focused as I look at the chair where I visualize Him sitting and have my con­
versation with Him. When my prayer list runs out, my thank-you’s are done, and we have
discussed my plans for the day (or changes to them), I go to my Bible, an Ellen White
book, or perhaps some other material that is highly recommended.
10 to 15 minutes — Reading a story slowly from my Bible and thinking about the
people and the situation turns my prayer to the changes God needs to do in me, or in a
relationship, or something I am involved in. This is often when my feelings and passions
arise. In Scripture, I can see the whole story, and God can show me which character is me
and what will or could happen if the story is applied to me or those around me. My prayer
continues through the reading, questions about the characters, confessions I need to make,
empathy, fear, anger . . . then peace. If I don’t have peace, I keep praying.
Somewhere in the reading part, I surrender my deepest will and the day to God, and I
can watch the sunrise with a quiet heart. Then I am ready to take on the day, still praying
to myself as I go.
Kurt Ca o
Co urtice, Ont.
December 1999 Messenger 9
Some years ago, I was studying the Bible with friends when Over the last 20 years, I have added four more texts to the
I came across 1 John 5:13. It reads, “I write these things to you collection. When troubles come, when the opportunity to witness
who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may occurs, or just when I have a few minutes to spare, I run
know that you have eternal life.” (NIV) Like a bolt of lightning, through them again. They are better than a
I realized that we have the right to know we have eternal life; to cool drink on a hot day!
know that we have salvation. This had such a profound effect I John 5:13
on me that I decided to call this text “my favorite Bible text.” Joshua 21:45
This has had unexpected results. I found the text came to Isaiah 43:3
mind more readily when I needed it, but more importandy, I II Samuel 14:14
found it became part of me in a way that is difficult to explain. John 15:15 (NIV)
It has to do with taking a stand for something. Once you have Help yourself!
taken a stand, it becomes more than just a text; it becomes part Cord Dinning
of who you are. Courtice, Ont.
As a relatively new Christian/Adventist, I often feel that I am far behind others in my spiritual development,
and am frustrated at how slow this process can be. At least in the secular world, there are “benchmarks” to
measure how far one has progressed — whether it be grades at school, degrees held, et cetera — which provide
some feeling of accomplishment, as well as providing a program and timeline to completion. Spiritual develop­
ment is much more nebulous!
I want God to be central to my thoughts, and I have been surprised to find how
difficult that can be, especially on busy days. Certainly, one of the things I do is pray
a lot for God’s Holy Spirit to be with me. However, on a more practical side, I try to
develop “triggers” which will automatically turn my thoughts to God. For example,
through my office window, I can just see a large tree. When I glance out the window
and see the tree, I am reminded to think about God: sometimes just thanks for
reminding me of His presence, other times a short prayer, or perhaps no action on
my part, just a feeling of gladness that God is around!
For me, one of the best ways to “grow my faith” is to have God answer small
prayers. Usually, these prayers have to do with questions which He answers through
Bible references. However, sometimes they are of a more material kind.
I often take my two small granddaughters walking down by the creek behind our
house. Sometimes we collect wildflowers, which we press. One day, we had collected
some lovely yellow flowers, but they were quite crushed by the time we got home.
Several weeks later, we were out again, and I wanted to find some more of the yellow
flowers. To my dismay, after searching for some time, there were none to be found.
A quick prayer of despair, “God, couldn’t you just find one flower for me?” Only a
few steps further up the path, I was delighted to find a huge patch of the yellow
flowers.
It is such a thrill to know that God is always listening and delights in providing
for me. How can I not want to serve such a wonderful God!
Norah Woodhouse
Bowmanvi tie, Ont.
10 December 1999 Messenger