THE PRODUCTIVITY OF PRAYER

"The quest for a contemplative life can actually be self-absorbed., focused on my quiet and me. If we love people and have the power to help, then we are going to be busy. Learning to pray doesn't offer us a less busy life; it offers us a less busy heart. In the midst of outer busyness we can develop an inner quiet. Because we are less hectic on the inside, we have a greater capacity to love... and thus to be busy, which in turn drives us even more into a life of prayer. By spending time with out Father in prayer, we integrate our lives with his, with what he is doing in us. Our lives become more coherent. They feel calmer, more ordered, even in the midst of confusion and pressure" (Paul E. Miller, A Praying Life, p. 23-24)

PERFECTION

There is a shameful reality in our country that 85% of babies with a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome are aborted. Eighty-five percent. ESPN covered this absolutely phenomenal story affirming the sanctity of life. Media and news outlets don't are infuriating at times and there are plenty of unfortunate sports stories that grab a lot of air time. But ESPN served us all well with this one.

25 WAYS TO BE MISSIONAL

A lot of today's Christians are excited about the idea of living as missionaries in their culture and engaging neighbors, co-workers and spiritual skeptics. But what captures our imagination doesn't always compel our obedience. Many of us languish in our desires to faithful and fruitful in our ordinary, every day lives simply because we don't know where to begin. And without a practical place to begin, the prompting of the Spirit is reduced to a passing impulse that, if ignored long enough fades into the background. So, rather than grieving the Spirit in this way, here are 25 practical ways to be missional worthy of your consideration, taken from the Verge Network blog in a post from Josh Reeves:

1. Stay outside in the front yard longer while watering the yard

2. Walk your dog regularly around the same time in your neighborhood

3. Sit on the front porch and letting kids play in the front yard

4. Pass out baked goods (fresh bread, cookies, brownies, etc.)

5. Invite neighbors over for dinner

THE SAD TRUTH ABOUT PRAYER IN THE CHURCH

"The Cinderella of the church of today is the prayer meeting. This handmaid of the Lord is unloved and unwooed because she is not dripping with the pearls of intellectualism, nor glamorous with the silks of philosophy; neither is she enchanting with the tiara of psychology. She wears the homespuns of sincerity and humility and so is not afraid to kneel....

Poverty stricken as the Church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere." (Leonard Ravenhill, Why Revival Tarries, p. 19, 25)