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H.E.L.P.

by Jan Cox

Lately I have been crying out to God, as in the Psalms:

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;
hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught. (Psalm 55: 1-2 NIV)

But as for me, I trust in You (Psalm 55:23 NIV)

That last line always bring the peace I need – the assurance of a loving God who hears my prayers and answers.

When I feel anxious I do cry HELP but it is a new HELP.

H – Having

E – Everything

L – Lifted in

P – Prayer

Prayer does what worrying can’t do – it gives me a foundation, caring arms and the strength I need.

Prayer:

As I learn more and more about You, Father, I know that turning to You in prayer is the most important task I can do. Thanks for teaching me to do this. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

My Gratitude List for this week – counting to 1000

• finding a family cottage for a week this summer
• continuing to learn French with a friend in the steamroom
• ability to take a nap when needed
• egrets lined up like sentinels around the lake
• sludge in the pond that looked beautiful – in the shape of an S – wish I had had my camera

• over a week since I had played Cribbage with my hubby – close game but he won
• gave Snowball a bath – now I can enjoy her kisses
• taking my time – S-L-O-W-I-N-G down
• ability to pray for others
• gorgeous red sunset

• ability to think through problems – computer and printer
• to never give up
• memories of my Dad saying: stand tall; shoulders back; you can do it
• meeting new neighbours
• first piece of dark chocolate in six months

• a small take-out restaurant with natural foods that catered to my food allergies
• shopping with hubby for his clothes
• not getting upset when art class cancelled
• five windows installed
• pleasant hard-working window installers

• no severe reactions to excess dirt and dust
• “I am Sam” – great movie
• Genesis 18:25-50 “This god set things right for me.” (The Message)
• a great sermon about hearing God’s voice
• time to paint another picture for my children’s picture book

• learning from FPU : “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.” Ziggy Ziggler
• another FPU: “The best vacations are the ones that don’t follow me home.”
• praying friends to help me get back on track
• Hard Eucharisteo – my Mom passed away this morning
• caring family and minister

FLOWERS OF BLESSING

by Mary Haskett

On impulse I decided to send some flowers to a dear friend today, a friend who has blessed me countless times with her love and support, a friend who has listened to my concerns and struggles through the years and blessed me with her genuine love and attentiveness. In turn I hope I’ve been a blessing to her too.

As I dialed the florists a great joy swept over me. I thought of Jesus profound statement, as quoted by Paul in Acts 20:35:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (NIV).

So much of Jesus’ teaching goes against our natural inclinations. But if we follow what He taught we are rewarded with a sense of assurance and well being. It’s not that one looks to see how we can give so we’ll be blessed, but rather it’s that prompting of the Holy Spirit that causes spontaneous giving.  God’s love is stirred in us and we act upon it and in the acting are blessed.

A few weeks ago I visited an elderly couple from our church. The gentleman quoted Scripture with such clarity and joy, while his wife brought me tea in a china cup and saucer, and biscuits on a china plate. I said to them, “I came to bless you, but you have blessed me. Can I come back next week for more blessings?” We all laughed. How blessed we were.

Let’s pray that all those nudges from the Holy Spirit to do something for someone are acted upon in each one of us; a card, a visit to someone in the hospital or simply a phone call.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, in the hustle and bustle of our lives help us to be in tune with you and know when you want us to bless someone.

Mary Haskett

Mary is a writer and speaker. Since becoming a Christian she has served as Director of Women’s ministries, Singles Fellowship, counseling and prayer.

She is a member of The The Word Guild. and Inscribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship. Mary is the founder of Ready Writers, London

Her book Reverend Mother’s Daughter was a finalist in the 2008 Word Guild of Canada Awards and won an IPPY award in the states. Her second book Because We Prayed was released last year.  She has had many articles published and  has been a regular contributor to the community publication Christian Life in London. You can visit her on her website.

FEAR

by T. L. Wiens

It’s always easier to see things from the outside looking in. Recently I watched someone close to me fall into a vortex of fear. He went from a man of faith to a man stumbling over the most basic of Christ centered principles. His eyes are wild when I see him and no amount of reasoning can reach that place within a man where logic resides.

Am I in the same place? What do I reflect? I don’t have the kind of fears my friend has but fear comes in many forms. And there are times when my prayer life is the victim of these fears.

2 Timothy 1:7 says:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

I catch myself at times praying out of fear which is always closely followed by doubt. My eyes are taken off of Jesus Christ and turned onto self. And my prayers reflect that.

These are the times I have to stop and remind myself of Hebrews 4:14-16:

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

When I keep my focus on Jesus and His love for me; His desire to be my help in times of need, my prayers change. I can be bold because I’m safe no matter what happens. Stephen is being murdered, stoned. The rocks are pummelling him and he’s praying for the men killing him. That’s what love can do.

What a wonderful example of 1 John 17 being lived out. It says:

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”

John continues to say in verse 18:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

When fear guides you, it leads to torment, not to Christ. It’s hard to be seeking the will of God when fears are directing your path.

Prayer:

Lord forgive me for taking my eyes off of you and letting fear cloud my thoughts. I pray you will set my heart, mind, strength and spirit back on You. That I will turn back to love and striving for that perfection that is found only in You and through You. In Jesus name, amen.

Tammy Wiens

Tammy lives in Saskatchewan with her husband. They have four children. She enjoys gardening, walks along the beach and being on the farm. She has a passion for her faith, studying the Bible and prayer.

She has published two books; Where a Little Rain Comes Down and Making the Bitter Sweet. A short story, “May’s First Christmas” appeared in Christmas Chaos, a collection of stories about Christmas experiences that don’t make the fronts of Christmas cards. “Careful What You Whisper” is another short story about Tammy’s experiences after breaking her back. It can be found in A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. Visit her website for more information about Tammy’s books and workshops.

 

 

 

 

 

MISSED CONNECTIONS

by Jan Cox

What has previously been a four hour flight to Phoenix, turned into a nine hour flight via Calgary – then a flight to Los Angeles – and finally after missing that connection – a hotel room and a flight the next day. What could have been 4 hours took more than 24 hours.

Even though I am extremely tired and a little disoriented – I did continue through all this with my year of TRUST. I kept praying little breath prayers, “in your will, Lord”; “give me strength and energy”. And I kept calm, yes very calm.

There was a group of seven passengers who had been rerouted and all of us remained calm. That was a blessing.

Now that isn’t to say that I won’t get in touch with Air Canada, because in every missed flight it was Air Canada’s fault (not the weather). In each case they kept telling us, “if you hurry you will make the connection.” And in each case there was no hope that we would make it. All that effort – pulling the carry-on, running – and it was impossible to make the connection.

As I take a look at that day here is what I have found. Sometimes no matter what we do and how hard we try, it might not go the way we hoped.

But – and here is what I am finally figuring out – that is okay. I remember Ann Voskamp’s words “life is not an emergency”. Breathe in Christ. And I do and I remain calm and at peace.

There was no point in raising the emergency flag as all these things were beyond my control – and speaking of control – why is it always about my controlling things?

Two lessons:

1. God is in control – not me.
2. Remain calm and trust God so I can be at peace in all situations

Personal breath prayers for others while I waited. Listen to Him while I waited. Breathing in the breath of God.

Lots to be thankful for as you will see in my gratitude list.

Prayer:

Thank You Lord for being there on my trip from Canada. Thank You through all the missed connections that I could rest in You and trust You to figure things out. Thank You for the wonderful people I met on my journey. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

My Gratitude List for this week. Counting up to 1000 – I am at 940.

• Peace in the midst of the storm of confusing emotions about my Mom
• Long term facility opening up for Mom
• Everything put in motion for the move for Mom
• Getting a reasonably priced flight home to Canada
• An understanding husband

• A loving sister who found movers quickly
• Time with my sister
• A safe trip home and back
• Putting everything in place for my Mom
• My sister’s positive spirit

• God “working graciously behind the scenes” (Genesis 24:1-14, The Message)
• Great sleeps
• Missed airline connections as I met wonderful people
• The gentleman pilot on the US Air flight – great conversation
• The 24-hour travel allowing me to live in the moment and trust You, Lord

• A welcome home from Snowball and hubby
• My morning prayer time and peace
• Excitement about 3 day art course coming up
• Seeing the first egret of the season
• Wisdom of Financial Peace University – Dave Ramsey’s course
• Jet lag abating and head clearer

Jan Cox

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan is working on a couple children’s books in which she is also the watercolour illustrator.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

by Stephanie Nickel

First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (ESV).

I’m sure you’ve heard it said many times that unbelievers take full credit when things are going well in their lives, but blame God when they don’t. Before we’re too hard on them, we should examine ourselves.

I’ve been a believer since I was a child. I’m familiar with many verses such as the ones above. However, familiarity isn’t the same as putting them into practice.

You may find this strange, but unlike many people who call out to God when they’re confronted by life’s challenges and neglect Him at other times, I’m the opposite. Oh, I know I should commune with the Lord when I am personally facing challenges or when I hear of others who are. Don’t get me wrong, I do offer up one-liners, but that really isn’t what God had in mind, I’m sure. I know prayer truly does make a difference, and I must do better in this area.

On the other side of the coin, when things are going well, I do remember to thank Him – most of the time anyway. Unexpected blessings are so amazing – and a very good reason to remember the Source of these blessings.

This past Christmas would have been the first we didn’t share with my middle son. Because he’s graduating in the spring, we thought the $700 it would take to fly him home would be best spent by going out to his graduation. In November I got a mind-blowing message from him. The college offered to fly him home for the holidays. Every time I think about it, it fills my heart with thankfulness. I knew when we packed him off to Saskatchewan he was going from one family to another. I just didn’t realize how true that was. (Thank you to those at Nipawin Bible College who made it possible. You will have this mother’s gratitude for ever and always.)

What about you? When does prayer bubble up and overflow? When you receive and unexpected blessing? When you look around and recognize those day-to-day blessings that often go unnoticed? When you’re faced with a challenge or a heartache?

The Lord laid on my heart that 2012 is to be my personal  Year of No Excuses. Prayer is one area in which I really must take this challenge seriously. Together, let’s focus on “praying without ceasing” – no matter what.

Stephanie Nickel

Stephanie is a wife of over 28 years and has three grown children. She is eclectically interested, to say the least. Among her current pursuits are co-authoring Deb Willows’ autobiography; freelance editing; and keeping up with a number of blogs. Stephanie is a member of The Word Guild and works on “Write! On,” the news bulletin for guild members. To read more of her poetry, visit her blog.

 

HOW TO PRAY – PART 3

by Jessica Bowman (reprinted with permission)

Find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

Last week [last month on Under the Cover of Prayer] we talked about the silliness involved in asking God to do what he’s already doing.  This week I want to address the opposite.

Asking God to do what he’s not going to do.

Here’s the part where some of you are thinking, “How can you, or I, or anyone know what God isn’t going to do?”

Well, it’s a beautiful little thing called common sense.

Let me skip right to an example now before you guys tar and feather me.  One of the common ways I’ve heard this how-not-to-pray perpetrated is with the overly broad prayer.  Here’s a classic: “Lord, please protect our military.”

Does anyone, anyone, think that by requesting that, God is going to stop absolutely every soldier from being harmed?  No.  We know that’s not going to happen.  So why waste our breath babbling it each week?

Bill Hybels in Too Busy Not to Pray says,

“Another kind of meaningless repetition is often heard at the dinner table.  A person sits down to a meal that is a nutritional nightmare.  The grease is bubbling, the salt is glistening, the sugared drink stands ready to slosh the stuff down. “Dear Lord,” the person prays, “bless this food for the nourishment of our bodies so that we may do your will.” God’s will might be for the person to say “Amen,” push back from the table, and give the meal to the dog – except that dogs matter to God, too!

The apostle Paul tells us God’s will in 1 Corinthians 6:20: “Honor God with your body.” That means putting the right things into your body.  Don’t ask God to bless junk food and miraculously transform it so that it has nutritional value. Doing that is acting like the fifth-grader who, after taking the geography test, prayed, “Dear God, please make Detroit the capital of Michigan.” That’s not how God works.”

A Jewish Rabbi also touched on the topic of asking God to do what he’s not going to do when he said:

“If one’s wife is pregnant and he said, “May it be thy will that she give birth to a male” – lo, this is a vain prayer.  If he is coming along the road and heard a noise of crying in the city and said, “May it be thy will that those who are crying are not members of my household” – lo, this is a vain prayer.”

Why are these prayers “vain” (pointless).  Because the requests are things that have already been decided.  It’s essentially asking God to change the past.  And at worst, it’s wishing harm to fall on others instead of ourselves (if it’s not your family crying, you’re asking that it be someone else’s) (come to think of it, if it’s our troops “protected” and “blessed”, we’re asking for someone else’s family not to be…)

We have to stop praying these “vain” prayers.  They are fruitless tares, giving us something to point to in our prayer fields, but bearing no fruit.

Remember that one definition for “vain” is “without real significance, value, or importance”.  Is that really what we want our prayers to be?  Without real significance?

And, yes, I’ve been just as guilty as everyone else for praying a lifetime of vain prayers.  So be honest, are the majority of your prayers repetitive requests asking God do what he’s already doing, or what he’s not going to do?

-Jessica

CONCENTRATED PRAYER

by Jan Cox

The top post  for Under the Cover of Prayer since its inception is: God Can Hear our Prayers. I can’t tell if that is the top post because of what I wrote or because people click on it as they need to know that God hears our prayers. Hopefully it is a bit of both.

I am totally certain that God can and does hear us when we pray – I am certain too that prayer is necessary – it breaks strongholds, it unleashes power and it creates a bond between God and us.

“I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers to God make, and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequences of those effects down through the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives.” Peter Kreeft

As I read through the Psalms I hear cries of despair, anger, remorse and pain. Then I see a break through – He hears and answers.

Here is one example from Psalm 6: 1-3, 9-10

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long?

The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

If you are not a pray-er, or even if you are, – let’s pray more in 2012.

As I write this I am praying for my Mom. She needed a more specialized care facility and as of this post that prayer has been answered. Continuing to pray for caring hands and guidance for her comfort.

This is also my year of TRUST. So in my prayer I acknowledge that He has a plan – that I can trust Him to look after my Mom. But I continue to pray – a concentrated prayer. He knows my heart. He knows my concern. He hears me and I find peace.

There are many things to pray for during our lives. Lift them all to God. He can hear our prayers.

Prayer:

Father, You created us to be in touch with You. You want to hear from us. Help us to form our words to express our desires and our needs. As we trust – we pray – expecting that Your will be done. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Continuing to count my gifts to 1000 – up to 921

• My granddaughter likes my story Tommy the Turtle
• My cough is lessening
• Massage is good for Wayne’s shoulders
• I am gaining confidence in my painting
• Great chatting with my kids by email

• Hard Eucharisteo – diagnosis for my Mom is not good
• Doctors, nurses, PSWs, – all who care for others
• My sister – her love, her stamina and her caring
• “Where fear is present – wisdom cannot be.” Lucius Caelius Lactantius
• TWG prayer warriors

• Man cannot stop us praying – “No place is closed to intercessory prayer.” Richard Halverson
• Wayne has found a good physiotherapist
• Calmness comes as God’s Spirit flows
• Celebrating small successes – seeing them within the big picture
• Resilient sister, caring and concerned

• Great evening with friends
• Finding the right mirror for the front foyer
• Hearing Mom’s voice
• My sister sounding strong and energetic even when overwhelmed with details
• Wayne doing stretches for his shoulder

• An afternoon nap to refresh my body and soul
• Listening to a friend and praying for her
• Breathing well through this cold

Jan Cox

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan is working on a couple children’s books in which she is also the watercolour illustrator.

THE PRAYINGEST PRAYER I EVER SAID

by Brenda Wood

As a new Christian, I got lots of well-meaning advice about how to pray. Apparently I wasn’t approaching God correctly.

I got so I was afraid to pray unless I followed some ‘standardized’ method. If I didn’t adore God first, maybe He would be angry. If I prayed out of sequence maybe He couldn’t hear.

This resulted in my not praying very much at all.

Thankfully, I studied the Psalms. David let God know where he stood, right off…

Witness the first verses of Psalm 86:

Bend an ear, God; answer me. I’m one miserable wretch!
Keep me safe—haven’t I lived a good life?
Help your servant—I’m depending on you!
You’re my God; have mercy on me.
I count on you from morning to night.
Give your servant a happy life;
I put myself in your hands!
You’re well-known as good and forgiving,
bighearted to all who ask for help.
Pay attention, God, to my prayer;
bend down and listen to my cry for help.
Every time I’m in trouble I call on you,
confident that you’ll answer. (Psalm 86: 1 The Message)

And then I read this poem by Sam Walter Foss.

THE PRAYER OF CYRUS BROWN

“The proper way for a man to pray,” said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
“And the only proper attitude is down upon his knees.”
“No, I should say the way to pray,” said Rev. Doctor Wise,
“Is standing straight with outstretched arms and rapt and upturned eyes.”
“Oh, no; no, no,” said Elder Slow, “Such posture is too proud:
A man should pray with eyes fast closed and head contritely bowed.”
“It seems to me his hands should be austerely clasped in front.
With both thumbs pointing toward the ground,” said Rev. Doctor Blunt.
“Las’ year I fell in Hodgkin’s well head first,” said Cyrus Brown,
“With both my heels a-stickin’ up, my head a-pinting down;
“An’ I made a prayer right then an’ there– best prayer I ever said,
The prayingest prayer I ever prayed, a-standing on my head.”

Prayer:

Lord today is all topsy-turvy. We cry out our distress and take great joy in knowing that You answer…Amen.

Brenda J. Wood

A popular motivational speaker, Brenda, of Barrie, Ontario is known for her common sense wisdom, sense of humour and quirky comments. Brenda especially enjoys speaking at women’s retreats and conferences, community events, Mops, World Day of Prayer, and Stonecroft Ministries.

A prolific author, her current books include:

The Big Red Chair: a children’s book dealing with the loss of a grandparent.
Meeting Myself: Snippets from a Fractured Mind:  the author’s recovery from abuse and eating disorders.
Hearts Under Construction: A motivational cookbook designed to feed both body and soul
Heartfelt: 366 Devotions for Common Sense Living.
God, Gluttony and You: a Bible Study dealing with our relationship to food.
Read more at:
http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com
facebook – www.facebook.com/brendawoodspeaker

TIME WITH GOD

by Janet Sketchley (reprinted with permission)

I love those quiet times with God, still-soul-times rich with nearness and uncluttered by my words and lists. I often find them on retreat, but they can be part of each day… if I will remember and be disciplined about seeking them.

They’re when I feel most alive, and yet I so rarely stop to enjoy them. The Lord has been reminding me of this through some of my friends’ posts lately:

At Under the Cover of Prayer, Jan Cox wrote:

I think about our ‘busy’ lives and know that our quiet time with God gets left out. But I believe it is the MOST important part of our day. To be wired to God. How else can we live the life He wants? Without His godly spirit flowing through us, how can we deal with our daily lives? (Connected)

At Whatever He Says, Belinda Burston wrote:

Paul and I pray together before work, and I draw strength and comfort from that cherished time. But it’s a different thing to just coming before God with no agenda but to quieten my heart and listen for his. (Confession)

Again at Under the Cover of Prayer, Janice Keats wrote:

We can learn so much by entering into His presence. Maybe just sitting in His presence is enough. He is all we need. Time well spent with God produces a thirst for more—more peace and more of Him. (Be Still and Wait Patiently for the Lord)

Belinda’s post above ended with a familiar Bible passage as phrased in The Message, and I want to close with a portion of it as well. The wording is fresh and puts a new light on it. Drink deeply:

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1-2,)

Janet Sketchley

Janet is a Canadian writer whose passion is fiction. Her unpublished novel, Praying for the Enemy, was short-listed for the 2008 Best New Canadian Christian Author Award. She’s also a wife, mom, daughter, friend, neighbour… trying to balance relationships and responsibilities, and learning how faith applies to real life. Add that to her quirky imagination and love of fiction, and you get stories about everyday women in suspenseful situations discovering more strength than they would have imagined.

Janet writes weekly book reviews and devotionals at her blog, “God With Us: Finding Joy”, and a quarterly fiction column in FellowScript.  http://janetsketchley.wordpress.com

2012 – THE YEAR OF ?

by Jan Cox

As we put away our creche scene for another year, I thought how wonderful that Jesus isn’t “put away” after Christmas; how our Lord lives with us every day. The Christmas Season may be over but “God is with us – we are not alone.”

This is the time to reflect on who we are in Christ. That means our prayers and quiet times before God can be eye opening.

Some people pray for a word for the year. Grace Fox has chosen the word JOY. Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience has picked 2012 as The Year of Koinonia. Koinonia is a Greek word meaning “communion”.

I used to search and ask God for a plan – a goal. Although this might be good, we must remember that our goals may be changed by Him. I wrote this past Tuesday at Inscribe Online about Losing Hope for our Own Solutions.

This year I am praying to TRUST in HIM. I’m praying my body and mind can work together in complete relaxation and peace – knowing that He is at work, even when it feels like everything is crumbling. I want GOD solutions.

And I plan – yes I plan to work toward openness and trust that will move me closer to God. But I can’t do it on my own. NO – I CANNOT DO IT. I will rely on God to move me forward as I pray, no longer for “THE PLAN” but for the “knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding”.

Once again I see my problem is an issue of CONTROL. I make a plan. I want it to move forward. I do everything to make it work. WHAM@!! Something hits and I fall apart.

Do you see the “I’s” in that plan?

This year – I will still plan – but knowing that the plan made be side-lined according to His will. I will be praying to be ready to bend, to turn around, to stop … as He orchestrates my life’s symphony.

For me this year 2012 – is the YEAR OF TRUST.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

Prayer:

Father, I acknowledge I like my own way. I know that is not necessarily Your way. I will try to learn this year to have less of me and more of You. But I know I need Your help to do that. Fill me with the knowledge of Your will. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

What will this year be for you? Ask God to reveal a word, a Scripture or idea for your personal growth.

Counting My Gifts from Him – Counting to 1000 – I am at 889

• Starting my day praying, journalling and studying God’s Word and listening to Him
• Good visit with family – hugs from grandchildren
• Walking in drizzle in Toronto where it was warmer than in Mesa
• Snowball is a good traveller on airplane, train and car
• Decorated Christmas trees

• The first snowfall – a white winter wonderland
• Being able to help family
• A loving understanding husband
• Grandkids’ laughter
• Bing Crosby singing Christmas songs

• God’s Holy Spirit keeping me calm
• The Alphabet prayer when I can’t sleep
• Playing games with grandchildren
• Remembering to have a Mary heart in a Martha world
• My grandson’s 6th birthday – donations to Free the Children instead of gifts. Feel free to help.

•  A God-incident where I can speak His Word to someone
• Peace, and joy found through Jesus
• Knowing God has a plan and learning to trust in Him
• Wayne gaining confidence to drive after his accident
• A concerned sister – who is always there and trusts in God

• Equal opportunity health care in Canada
• Encouraging notes from friends
• De-icing machines for airplanes
• Warmth of Arizona on our return
• Making Russian Borscht in a crockpot

• Putting away the creche but knowing He is always with us – we are not alone.

Jan Cox

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan is working on a couple children’s books in which she is also the watercolour illustrator.