Letting Go: a Hard Sacrifice

In the silence I willed my aching feet up the step ladder one more time. My weary heart sank deep as I dunked the paint brush deep

into the sunny yellow paint can. One more step. One more stroke. Just. one. more. 

Twenty-five years prior and five months pregnant with my daughter, I jumped up the rungs of that ladder, my heart feeling ten pounds lighter than today. You see, then I was painting God's gift to us--the house I longed for...prayed for...every time I strolled by. It was the perfect gift where my husband and I raised our two children, entertained friends and ministered hope. It was a true desire of my heart that God wrapped up with a shiny red bow long ago. 

And now? Now, God asked me to let it go, to change course, to release it all. 

With every coat of paint I rolled over memories hidden deep and dear inside my heart. The weight of all God asked me to sacrifice now grew heavier with every stroke. How could I release this precious gift? How could I let it go and allow strangers in? Would they know how precious this house has been or would they just consider it a place to hang their hat? 

But then God whispered, "There's something more. There's something new. Let. It. Go."

You see, I'd been white-knuckling this house like an idol--wrapping my fist around it and hanging on with all my might as though without it I'd lose my true identity; like it was my source of blessing rather than the blessing.  God was my source--is my source--and this house was but a very good gift and now He was asking me to let it go; to sacrifice something very good for something even better. 

In the midst of hard sacrifices, God calls us to worship; to refocus our attention off of ourselves and onto His goodness; to offer up our thanksgiving for His faithfulness in our past and thanksgiving for all His promises for our future.

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

So, I transferred my focus from myself to God's goodness and worshiped God with every roll of the paint, thanking Him for the life lived between these walls and the family He helped us raise. And when I did, my whole attitude changed. I realized God wasn't asking me to give up something very good for something even less, but rather to release the hold this home has had on my heart and to prepare for change.  Something better. Something lovely and freeing and full of His hope. Because that's how God rolls.

The paint dried and every surface reflected the Son just right. We staged the rooms in picture-perfect-excellence and manicured every corner of the yard. It was time to release the gift and let strangers in.

Have you ever been asked to make a hard sacrifice? If so, was it easy to release that something? How did God use that sacrifice for His glory?

Precious Lord, thank you for the blessings. Thank you for the years of family memories and your faithfulness in providing all our needs every single day. Now we release these treasures back to you. We freely offer your gifts as a sacrifice of praise to use as you see fit. Prepare our hearts for the next chapter, the next adventure, the next new thing. Help our eyes to stay fixed on you.  Amen.

Are We There Yet?

“I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into…a land flowing with milk and honey.” Exodus 3:17

  

Our kids were decent travelers and made road trips pretty pleasant for the most part. Buckled into the backseat of our Subaru with their pillows, blankets, Teddy and Bunny and a stockpile of juice boxes and snacks between them, we were good to go.

Excitement ran high for at least the first hour in anticipation for our destination. Then, after we’d played all the travel games in my mental library, their patience ran thin and inevitably they asked, “Are we there yet?” or “How much longer?” And our answer was always the same, “About an hour.” (The first time they asked that, we truly were one hour from our destination so it became our ‘pat answer’ and eventually our inside family joke).

So there we were, stuck in the middle of NOW–our view muddled with fatigue and impatience for the road ahead–hanging onto the vision of our promised destination. 

(Pssst! Pull over and take a break as I tell you the rest of the story over at {re}fresh)

Dreaming in Living Color

My husband thinks in cartoons and dreams in living color. The first time he shared that with me I laughed out loud thinking he was trying to impress me with some foolish fiction, but when his cheeks flushed, I realized he was serious.

His imagination plays out life’s foolishness like his favorite Sunday comic strip. You’d never know it until you road-trip with him and his chuckling breaks the silence between you begging the question, “What’s so funny?”  

His dreams, on the other hand, are serious and drenched in living color. God’s gifted him a visionary – one who sees ten thousand feet above the chaos – who sees the end and brings order.  

He dreams BIG. 

But he feels so small. 

When God sets a dream deep inside him it thrills him until distractions come and he sees only the impossible. And when this dream goes unrealized for years (even decades) he begins to think it was all in his head, a fairy tale, or a wish.  

Don’t we all? 

Times like these we need reminding that our visions – our living color dreams – are God’s dreams; something God wants accomplished specifically through us. And when we feel small, or face insurmountable challenges or distractions block our progress we need encouragement – to know that God equips those He’s called and will accomplish everything He’s promised.  

Where do we find encouragement to keep moving forward?  

1.      In God’s word. Scripture is God-breathed and used for teaching, discipline and encouragement. Immerse yourself in God’s Word prayerfully asking the Holy Spirit to encourage your heart.

2.      In prayer. Spend time alone seeking God, surrendering your dreams and asking for wisdom to discern your next step. Listen more than talk.

3.      In community. Pray for God to surround you with a small community that will encourage your heart, hold you accountable, and covenant to pray for you as you step out in faith. 

Ephesians 3:20 tells us God “is able to do immeasurably more than we can think or imagine” and I can imagine quite a lot! God desires to move in us and through us to do GREAT things for His Kingdom. Trust the dream He’s planted within your heart—that crazy, living color, impossible dream—and trust God to equip you and see it through to the end. 

## 

What are some of the impossible dreams God’s planted within your heart? What’s the biggest obstacle you’re facing right now?

Fanning the Flames of God-Sized Dreams

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." 2 Timothy 1:6

I know disappointment of unrealized, childhood dreams. As a young girl growing up in a single-parent home, there wasn't much dreaming going on beyond my own head and heart. I learned a dream spoken met the breath of impossibility until all that was left was a smoldering wick. I thought keeping quiet and stuffing my dreams deep kept them safe and alive. Quite the opposite. It snuffed them out.

Then, I had kids of my own.

I'd sit for hours, like most new mothers, staring at my sleeping babies wondering, "Who are you? What will you become? What dreams will you dream?"

It was fun watching them grow, finding our similarities carried in their DNA, discovering their peculiarities and listening to their dreams - silly ones and serious ones. And, I allowed them room for BIG dreams - fostered their imaginations, encouraged them to follow that pull - taught them to stare-down impossibilities. 

(Bring your candle and matches and join me over at the Christian Children's Authors blog for the rest of the story, won't you?)

Nurturing God's Kingdom Purpose in Our Children

 

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Luke 2:52

One of the most terrifying experiences was placing my daughter on a plane with strangers heading twenty-four hours due east across the Atlantic to Uganda. Luckily for her, the organizer limited parental good-byes to the church parking lot where I choked-back fears and tearful sobs as they boarded the van to JFK.  

She'd been born for this—appointed in my womb for this day—I knew it full well. She was the girl who befriended the needy since kindergarten; the one who shared the gospel during childhood sleepovers; the young teen who announced after two weeks of summer camp that she was heading to Uganda. And yet, pondering these things like Mary mothered Jesus, I didn’t quite understand. 

God appoints all of us to a specific purpose - one that usually corresponds to our heart's deepest desire - in order to advance His kingdom on earth.

So, as parents, how do we recognize and nurture God’s call in our children’s lives?

*** Please join me at the Christian Children's Authors blog for some good pointers. And, when you're done, please share with us, what God's doing in your children's lives. How do you nurture that? Does it empower you to come alongside them or does it frighten you? ***

Close Encounters of the Human Kind

Newtown Arts Festival 2012
Newtown, CT

"So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be..." Romans 12: 5-6 The Message

You stepped right up underneath my tent and touched my dream. You picked up my words and thumbed through the pictures.  At first I thought I was only sharing my passion with you, but you surprised me. As your eyes sparkled, your lips curled and your tongues unfurled those hidden dreams, you shared your hearts with me. I'm richer for it.

Listening intently, I studied your faces - drawn with familiar lines and yet uniquely different - and I saw glory all around you, in you and through you; the shimmering glory of your Creator. Your stories wove through predictable turns but never failed a surprising twist or two; twists that make you, you. You proved once again, that everyone loves a good story and everyone has a story worth telling.

So what's stopping you? Fear that no one really wants to hear? Assumptions that your dreams aren't worth pursuing? Doubts that your work might be rejected, laughable, or just not good enough?

Writer, Jeff Goins challenged us in his newsletter last week. Speaking of creativity he said:

"The act of creating things (anything, really) is all about motion...It means you show up, do your work, and quit whining about whether or not it might be terrible.

"Because you're killing your art...you're failing to ask ONE crucial question:

What if you were amazing?

"What if this were the best thing the world has ever seen? What if instead of it sucking, it blew people's minds? If you've put in the hours and done the work, isn't that equally possible? I'm not telling you to get all puffed up, but don't sell yourself short."

And here's the key:
"You were put on this earth to do meaningful work. Work that could change people's lives. I don't care if you're a lawyer or a lemonade stand operator (in which case, you're probably seven years old); you have a purpose. And that purpose requires you to use some creative gift to bring light and life into this world. I believe it. Do you?"

Well do you?   Paul says it this way:

"So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t" (Romans 12: 5-6 The Message).

We're all made for close encounters of the human kind because when we walk away from seclusion and into community, we share, we encourage, we stretch, and we help one another grow into who God intended us to be.   What do you think your purpose is? What's your part in God's story? What fears hold you back? What propels you forward?

The Price of God-Sized Dreams

"So David went up in obedience to the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the LORD." 1 Chronicles 1:19

The deep waters encircle my boat and my white knuckles prove my fear. He's calling me out of the boat and I hate it there. I'd much rather coast along the seashore looking at all the beautiful scenery, imagining myself a seaside landowner. But, that's just dreaming. Dreams accomplish nothing unless we pay the price and the cost for God-sized dreams is obedience.

I shove my hands into my pockets as my writing dream dangles over the side of the boat. Searching frantically for another form of payment, my hands turn up empty. No substitutes. God only accepts obedience. It's that simple and complicated all at the same time because when God calls me out of the boat and I step into the deep, I'm faced with fears.

Right now, leadership defines my deep waters and as an introvert by nature, I've got a boat load of fears staring me down. I'm facing them right here, right now and asking you to stand with me in prayer:

• Inadequacy - how can I possibly lead others when I have so much to learn? There are others more qualified, more experienced and talented than me, but they remain unavailable.
• Conflict - where there's people, conflict ensues. Conflict resolution makes me want to throw up because no one, especially introverts, wants to be the bad guy.
• Likability - who doesn't want to be liked? Difficult decisions are sometimes unpopular decisions and leadership inevitably calls for them.
• Lack of vision - I'm not a visionary. Envisioning the big picture isn't natural for me and I know without vision, organizations die. I fear that.

Though I fear leadership it serves a transforming purpose in my life; from fierce independence to humble dependence on God for the wisdom and resources I lack.  

In James 1 it says, "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be give to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord" (vv4-7).

The wind-tossed waves are slapping me around, threatening my stability, ready to drown me and my dream. But I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus who called, "Come" and I shout a prayer above the surf, "Help me!" And he hears and sends help in the form of strangers and experts, forums and blogs. He sends wisdom and knowledge, courage and hope. My feet stand firm for one more day.

Lord,
Obedience isn't fun and rarely easy but I keep my eyes on the prize...on the dreams you planted in my heart. Fix my eyes on you in the midst of these deep waters and supply the confidence I need to believe that you will supply all I need.

Thankful Thursday: Dream. It's Your Turn!

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

I know this topic of God dreams is timely. I've received emails from some of you, seen Facebook chatter on dreams, and our family has experienced much trouble this week.

On Monday, the first Wellspring Writers Group met. I expected 10 people. God exceeded my meager expectations and 18 people attended, five more were unable to attend. Electricity filled the room and flickering, distant dreams came alive. 

Tuesday morning, I awoke with vertigo and nausea -  a mystery until I remembered how hard I hit my head on the door frame of my car the night before. Suffering a concussion four years ago, I stayed in bed all day.

The same day, my daughter contracted food poisoning from eating tainted meat in Rwanda. Her condition was serious enough to consider flying home to the US for hospitalization. But, family and intercessors prayed and her condition stabilized within 24 hours.

Wednesday brought more news of ill health to our extended family.

By this time, I knew the Enemy was doling out distractions and trouble knowing that I was one step closer to my dream and more powerfully, releasing the God-dreams in others. 

It's in these times of trouble, where we're called to prayer being ever watchful and thankful. Watchful for God in the midst of trouble - ready to move where he moves, for he promises to make good of any situation. Thankful for God's blessings and faithfulness in our lives in the past, the present and the future. For God never fails.

So, in the midst of trouble - on my way towards God's dream - I'm grateful for: 

• God-sized dreams
• Opportunities to release God-dreams in others
• Powerful prayers offered by intercessors
• A living God who hears our cries
• Health restored by a compassionate, powerful God
• Battles already won
• Readers willing to dream

 As promised, today is for you. Have you enjoyed your time of God-dreaming? What dreams has God placed in your hearts?

You're invited to share with us, right here. And if you do, I'll covet to pray with you, that God would empower you with his strength, his vision, his hope until the very end.

Ready? Go!

Lord, thank you for infusing your dreams inside ready hearts. Protect those dreams, empower these precious children to carry your hope and follow your lead until you bring these dreams to completion. Amen.



When Dreams Seem Beyond Our Reach

"For nothing is impossible for God." Luke 1:37

Walking toward our dreams, taking one faith-step at a time, proves exhilarating and exhausting, empowering and deflating, possible and impossible all at the same time. When our journey turns the corner from months to years, Doubt slithers around every bend serving up handfuls of discouragement, hardships and lies hoping we'll let it all go.

Here, confronted by Doubt, we have two choices: trust God's promises and hang on tight, keeping in step or believe Doubt's lies, let go and turn back home, convinced our dreams are simply unreachable.

Avoiding difficulties marks our humanity and Doubt plays that trump card every time. Traveling the straightest, smoothest, easiest road appeals to us most naturally - especially when we're afraid or weary - doesn't it?

Jesus warned his disciples in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble." Living in this broken world trouble is inevatalbe. But Jesus didn't leave his disciples (or us) hopeless. He continued, "But take heart! I [Jesus] have overcome the world." What a promise! If Jesus already overcame the world, what have we to fear? If he leads the way, we just need to follow him.

David puts it this way, "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake their surging" (Psalm 46:1-3).

Here, in the witness of God's word that Hope replaces Doubt and we take hold of Trust. Our hearts rejuvinate and muster strength beyond ourselves until we fall in step with God's pace.

And here's the greatest promise as we journey together: "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

Oh Lord, when Doubt creeps in with trouble, when our hearts are weary from the journey and our dreams seem unreachable, before we let go, remind us of your promises. Remind us that for you, God, nothing is impossible! Replace Doubt with Hope, fill us with your Truth and Life, rejuvinate your dream in us, help us hold on tight until we burn with desire to follow in your footsteps once again. Amen.

My Wishes vs God Dreams

"For no word from God will ever fail." Luke 1:37

God is not a Genie in a lamp, huddling inside cramped quarters hoping for relief at the whim of our selfish wishes and a swipe of our hand across the shiny brass. Although, that's how we treat him.

Wired with his DNA to create (ideas, products, ministries, babies, solutions) we often we envision the outcomes of our situations, imagine the perfect solutions and approach God with our wishes. We wish for a better job, wish we lived in a nicer home, wish the pain subsided, wish for slender bodies, wish for financial stability, wish for __________.

Praying for these things isn't wrong, but these things are not dreams. Wishes don't give us hope, but rather disappointment (in God and in ourselves), when they don't work out according to our plans.

So, if we're supposed to have God-sized dreams, if God's planted his desires into our hearts from the beginning, how do we distinguish dreams from wishes?

Dreams are those ideas that just won't leave you alone. They're often given you during prayer, through a simple thought, a picture, a word spoken over you by someone else. Many times dreams coincide with your talents, your passions, and spiritual gifts. For instance, you may have a dream to reach children from broken homes - to bring them hope and healing - but, you're not sure how that looks. At first you think it's through youth ministry, but that doesn't work out. Years pass and you wonder if you've failed but all along, you've journaled your thoughts, envisioned these kids, experienced more brokenness, forgiveness and healing - spiritual growth. Then, God couples this dream with your talent and gives you an idea for a book. Even though you've never authored anything beyond an article in the church newsletter or the school newspaper, it works. The words flow and the dream-seed is nurtured.

Most often dreams are beyond our means whether in talent, finances, time, etc. This is where God is- wrapped in our impossibilities - unwrapping all his possibilities.

After Gabriel gave Mary the news that she was God's chosen vessel for Emmanuel, (Luke 1)she didn't wish for a different way to bring Jesus into the world, she didn't impose her wishes for a better way on God. Rather, she asked "How will this be since I am still a virgin?" Mary humbly accepted the impossibilities with faith that God's possibilities would bring good things; that he would accomplish this according to his promises, not according to her wishes (Henri Nouwen, Watch for the Light, 2001 Orbis Books).

So, how does that apply to us and our dreams? First, distinguish wishes from God's dreams. Second, relinquish control to God's lead. Third, step out in obedience with eyes and hearts wide open, waiting with faith and hope.

Lord, open our minds and our hearts and align our thoughts with your dreams, today. Teach us to distinguish our wishes from your dreams. Help us to humbly accept your call on our lives,even when the outcome seems full of impossibilities. May we relinquish control. Give us courage with each step of obedience.

Tomorrow we discuss when dreams are beyond our reach.

Dreaming God Style

"To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory..." Ephesians 3:20-12 

In my resolve to exercise more (or start) and eat less starches and sugar I've discovered another area of my life that needs attention: dreaming. I don't mean the unconscious dreams of sleep or the lazy summer cloud-watching day-dreamy thoughts, but rather the dreams hidden inside my heart.

I spend much of my day tasking - cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands- writing's  even a task sometimes, no matter how much I love it. Then I read this verse in Ephesians:

"To him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine..."

Hmmm...imagining. When was the last time I stopped doing and imagined? When have I dreamed impossibilities rather than safe limited possibilities? Clinging to safe I've limited God's amazing power that he says is at work in me (and you).

So here's the deal: along with disciplining myself with exercise, eating less, writing more, I'm adding dreaming bigger, God-sized dreams; dreams that scare the pants off me. Not just to dream for the sake of dreaming or personal accolades but because I don't want to limit God in me.

God says he can do more, dream more and I want to participate in his dreams; I want to partner with God to bring about his purposes.  God calls each of us to something for someone else. He wants to partner with humanity - with us - to bring His change, His healing, His life to others.

So here's the deal: Let's set this week aside to dream. Yea, I  know. Sounds crazy, right? I don't mean ignoring everything cuz that's just not our reality. Take a half hour (or whatever time you have) of quiet and ask, "God, all things aside - where in this crazy world do you want to partner with me? What are your dreams for me, God? Where do I fit?" Take time to listen for God's whispers. Record what you hear. Then, get on with your day - listening with one ear, listening with your heart as you task. If something tugs at you, write it down.

At the end of the week, I'll set aside Thankful Thursday for you! Let's share the dreams God's called out of us right here under comments or contact me here if you'd like privacy. Let's encourage one another for God's kingdom purposes.

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:4-6

Standing in the Gap

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick,but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life."  (Proverbs 13:12 NLT)

Beneath his brave mask bittersweet emotions welled-up and brimmed over when he surrendered his dream. Anger and inadequacey shouted at his heart convincingly on the long ride home in the dark.  Cloaked with disappointment, his feet dipped in despair, he fell into bed defeated with no dream.

All words fell empty to the floor. Nothing offered seemed enough to pull off the cloak or wash the feet. Silence fell between the covers and he turned away--away from me, away from dreams, away from God--but I drew close. My small arms over his broad shoulders wrapped love around and held him tight.

There I laid between hope and despair waging war against the Dream Stealer. I prayed Jesus strength in weakness--Spirit truth in lies--God life in dream's death.

Days later God's breath resurrects hope in every treetop where he sits. He marvels at nature--how it lives and moves and breathes to the sound of God's voice. He gathers courage to pray for a new dream. God's dream. Not his.  

What do we do when we find ourselves standing in the gap between hope and despair for our loved ones? What are the best things we might offer them?

• Listening. When wounds are fresh, the best thing we can do is listen. Allow them to process their raw emotions without applying a bandaid to their wounds.
• Unconditional love. Reassure them that nothing they say in their anger or disappointment will change your love for them. We all say things we don't mean when we've been wounded or disappointed. Try to see beyond their words to the core of their heart.
• Truth. Our enemy, Satan is the author of all lies and he's pretty convincing when we're emotionally low. Recognize the lies and gently, lovingly counter the lies by speaking God's words of truth.
• Encouragement. Continually offer words of encouragement that feed their self worth, their God dreams, and keep their hearts soft and pliable in God's hands.
• Prayer. Prayer is our greatest weapon forged against spiritual warfare. The stealing of God-dreams is one of Satan's schemes. Prayer is the last thing our loved one wants to do in the midst of the battle. Stand between hope and despair through prayer. Pray aloud so the Enemy can hear you. The Bible says, resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13

Has God Gone Deaf?

His dream died at twilight in the early autumn forest. The gift he knew was meant for him--the blessing he thought God promised him--bled out at the hands of another. His heart betrayed, not by his friend, but by his God. He wept hard tears for all the years of promise, expectation and now deep loss. Between sobs he screamed, Why do you give me stones and snakes when I ask for bread and fish, God? Why did you give my gift to another? Do you love me? Do you ever love me?

And he heard nothing--like God gone deaf.

What do we do when we feel betrayed by God? Where do we go when God is silent to our desperate call? How do we keep the faith? Can we be reassured that God still loves us? And what about the dream? Was it just our imagination or was it real?

On the night Jesus was betrayed, the Bible tells us, he broke bread and gave thanks.
(1 Corinthians 11:23-24a NIV). In the midst of his betrayal Jesus stopped to give thanks for his daily bread. 


Then, "He broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you;'” (1 Corinthians 11:24b NIV). Jesus' willingly accepted his brokenness so that we might know wholeness through it.

And he ended, "'...do this in remembrance of me.'" We ought always remember Jesus' suffering for us--remember His broken body and His blood poured out for us.

The next day he spread out his arms--layed down his life, his ministry, his hope--on the cross. And before he died he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 NIV). In His betrayal, Jesus cried out to God.

In the two days that followed, God fell silent but He was not absent. He was working out His promised redemption through the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. From what was dead, God brought new life. Not the same life with breath but a new life with all of God's hope, promise and eternity set within Jesus. Through his death Jesus offers us  new life. By his resurrection we receive the gift of eternal life.

Sometimes it is so difficult to think beyond our reality of brokenness and betrayal. God seems distant, unloving, even silent. In these times He calls us to offer up a sacrifice of praise--a difficult word of thanksgiving. He asks us to let our dreams die at His feet and trust His silence so that He might offer us greater gifts with eternal significance.

"For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name." (Hebrews 12:14-15 NIV).

Lord, it is never easy to watch our dreams die or tarry. We sometimes feel betrayed by you, wondering when you will offer us bread and fish instead of stones and snakes. In our crying out Lord, help us to willingly lay our dreams at your feet and offer our hard, sacrifice of praise. In your silence, some how reassure us that you will resurrect our dreams to new life with lasting worth. Amen.