4 things we can learn from Prince Caspian

If you haven't read the books or seen the movie, this is going to be less than impressive. I went to see the second movie in the Chronicles of Narnia series, Prince Caspian this weekend. And I enjoyed it.

Here's a quick thing I found on the internet--4 things you can learn from Prince Caspian...
1. We must know, love, trust, and obey God, no matter the difficulties.

2. We must follow Christ, even if we follow him alone.

3. We must wait for the Lord.

4. We have joy in God’s presence, for we know he has won the victory, and we are more than conquerors in him.

It's really too bad how much we lose when books are made into movies. I know I understood more of Lewis' thoughts on Christian life from the book, but this is an excellent movie full of imagination and adventure...and temptation and battle and victory thanks to Aslan.

Good things

The freedom to speak about my faith...that's what this is. And I take it for granted. I'm going to do better (give me the "Sure, I've heard it all before" nod). A coworker just sent me a message asking for more information on the lunch Bible study that we're going to start tomorrow and her e-mail was a wake-up to me. It's easy to get caught up in day-to-day and forget what's important.

Saturday I worked on a flyer for Marketplace Connection, a local ministry for working women. And I felt good. Really good. Good enough to think I did a good job.
Sunday I went to church even though Mother's Day is painful to me...because I felt like my friends would miss me if I didn't. And I felt OK. I skipped a family invite because I was afraid it would push me over the edge from good to not good.
Today I had a root canal. I feel not good. And I feel pretty pitiful and mistreated and sad and poor...very, very poor.

It's good to have a reminder that there are good things happening all around, great things because God is at work in hearts of people that I don't even know yet. And God is working on me.

10 people in my lunch Bible study. That's a good thing...hope God's going to do a good job there!

The power in a name

Colossians 3:12-13 (New American Standard Bible)
12So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

So I mentioned the Bible study that will be starting soon here at work. I've started working on the study itself since I'm sorta supposed to know what it's about in advance. I work on it until I get too frustrated with the "You'll never be able to do this" monologue in my head...hmmm, wonder where that comes from? Never thought about it until now. Anyway, I haven't made it far, but I am thrown off a little by the writing. Kay Arthur is the author and I'm not familiar with her. What throws me...calling me "beloved" and "precious one" in writing. That seems a little icky to me. In one of the first lessons, Kay asks you to take a look at the names of God. This is another study I'd really like to do someday. The list below is one I found on the internets. I was searching for biblical names for Christians...hoping to find "precious one" pretty prominent on the list. No such luck. I couldn't find a list. I think that's interesting. We know about the different parts of God because of his names. How do we know what he thinks of us? By what he calls us? I think I'm going to have to do a little more searching on that...

Adonai-Jehovah -- The Lord our Sovereign
El-Elyon -- The Lord Most High
El-Olam -- The Everlasting God
El-Shaddai -- The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator
Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Nissi -- The Lord our Banner
Jehovah-Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah-Mekaddishkem -- The Lord our Sanctifier
Jehovah-Sabaoth -- The Lord of Hosts
Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present
Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker
Jehovah-Eloheenu -- The Lord our God

A National Day of Prayer

1 Timothy 2
Instructions on Worship
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Today is the National Day of Prayer, an organized day to pray for the country's leadership. There are lots of activities planned. If you're like me and can't get to an activity, take a minute to pray anyway. We could all use some wise leaders. And while I pretty much distrust big to-dos like this, I can't deny the need for prayer in this country. This is a good reminder that we've been told to pray for our leaders. Prayer every day matters.

If you'd like to find out more about the organization and mission of the leadership of the National Day of Prayer, you can go to www.ndptf.org.