This hideously adorable donkey lives on a farm about an hour from us.  We have affectionately named him “Lester.”  Lester is very jealous of the other animals on the farm.  How do I know?  If  visitors gather to pay homage to the lovely peacock, or ooo and ahhh over the long neck of the ostrich who lives there, he will begin his very loud and obnoxious,

Hee-haw!  Hee Haw! Hee Haw!

It’s really comical to hear him.  Not only is his noise hilarious, his mouth and ears look quite funny when he’s going off on his rampage!

While listening to Lester, I turned to my husband and said, “I’m sure thankful I can sing!  Wouldn’t it be terrible to open your mouth and sound like that?!”

The next day as I sat to have my quiet time, I read Psalm 145.  I was moved at how many times it talks of using my mouth to praise the Lord.  Words like, extol, bless, praise, speak and utter were all reminders that God wants me to use my voice for His glory.  I must praise Him with speech and song.  I must tell others of His goodness by the use of my voice.  However, I often neglect the chance to speak up!  I remain silent, or I don’t give honor belonging only to the Lord.

• Even little things like praising Him like when someone passes and says, “It’s a pretty day, isn’t it?”  needs to be followed with, “Yes, and I thank the Lord for making it.”  Anything else would be like Lester’s “Hee-Haw!“
• At testimony time at church, if I fail to stand and praise Him for prayer He’s answered, I’m belting out “Hee-Haw” instead.
• When the opportunity to share the Gospel is given and I am too afraid to share it, my lips are uttering ol’ Lester’s ugly “Hee-Haw!” greetings instead of the Truth that will set that person free!
• To miss the opportunity to pray my thanks for a meal, for God’s comfort, His presence, for answered prayer, or for provision is to selfishly call attention to myself rather than my great God.  Hee-Haw!
• “Hee-haw!” is what I’m really saying if I’m not singing with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and making melody in my heart during the song service at church.

We all have a voice, given by the Lord.  Are you using yours to praise the Lord, or do the sounds that come from your lips resemble Lester?  Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!

With praise to Him,

 Every time I start praying, my kitty, Liza comes and gets as close to me as she can.  Yesterday it made me wonder if I’m as eager to get close to God in prayer as she is to be close to me!

I’m reading a wonderful book right now called, The Kneeling Christian.  Here are some favorite quotes I’ve come across recently:

To be little with God in prayer is to be little for God in service.

A man’s influence in the world can be gauged not by his eloquence or his zeal, or his orthodox, or his energy, but by his prayer.  

If God were to answer the words we repeated on our knees this morning should we know it?  Should we recognize the answer?  Do we even remember what we asked for?  He does answer.  He has given us His word for it.  He always answers every real prayer of faith.

If no one on earth prayed for the salvation of sinners more fervently or more frequently than I do, how many of them would be converted to God through prayer?

This book has been so convicting to me.  I’m asking the Lord to help me to pray more.  I’d challenge you to get a copy of the book on Amazon and be challenged in your prayer life, too.

What was the last prayer request you saw answered?  I’d love to hear and rejoice with you!

With love,

We all tend to drive so hard all week long. Work, children, laundry, meals, cleaning house, running to ballgames,  practices, lessons and appointments wear us down and out. Do something today just because you love it. Work on a craft, read a book that will make you sigh, watch a show that will make you laugh. Do something (or nothing!) just for the pleasure of it!  Do something not out of necessity or duty – just enjoyment. Watch how it will Refresh your spirit!

What will that “something” be for you?

Stay refreshed,