Prayer

Zoe recently gave me Philip Yancey's book "Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference?" She is also reading a library copy. The reason she gave it to me is because we are in a season of studying prayer.

I also meet with 2 mature Christian women in my neighborhood on Monday nights for a time of fellowship and Bible study. We are studying prayer. But we are not using any type of guide or book, etc, we've chosen to let God bring to mind Scripture about various aspects of prayer. It has been quite an amazing time of rich insight, humble revelation, and a deep encouragement to pray for each other.

My study of Luke at CBS has also been instrumental in this whole "prayer" topic. I am seeing Jesus as a man of prayer, in many ways for the first time clearly in my Christian life. How odd.

I feel that its almost like I am learning about who Jesus was during his ministry for the first time. Why, when, where, how, for how long did Jesus pray as recorded in scripture is such an intimate window into the heart of our Saviour. I am ashamed to confess, I had no idea. I had no idea the prayers He DIDN'T pray are also as important as the prayers He did.

Yancey's book is "uncomfortable" initially to read because it does ask the hard questions about prayer you fear may not have the "right biblical" answers. The question of WHY we should pray could be answered so many practical ways. But the simple truth is this: We should pray because Jesus did (p. 78). And if I know WHO Jesus is, then I will understand why I should pray.

I have been a Christian since I was 13. That's 26 years. That's over a quarter of a century. My heart is almost crushed that I do not know my Saviour. His Word is full of the intimacies of His life, love, wisdom, character and on and on and on, and somehow this entire time I missed so many of the details. And much of it is revealed in His praying.

My prayers are so idiotic. And at this point, I can barely get the words out to say, "Lord, I just want to KNOW you." What if another 25 years goes by and I am at the same place of "I do not really know my Saviour" ???

Wine-Price Weekend 09

Several weekends ago, we had our annual Wine-Price Girls at the beach. This is our 5th (?) year at the beach but probably our 8th annual get together. I can't even remember now.

As the years have passed, as we've aged, as we've faced various life circumstances, these weekend experiences have changed as well. Some years are pure girly fun. Others are more "challenging" in our friendships. But in the end, the tie that binds us has always been our shared faith in Jesus Christ. We are as different in personality as we look. The seasons these friendships have gone through bring laughter, tears, frustration, growth, grace, and ultimately gratefullness.

Here's to the Wine-Price girls, to our flaws and our fashion and our friendship!

I Feel Pretty And Witty

The Scudders and Dulins double-dated again. We hit a wonderful Polish/German restaurant in Raleigh J. Betzki's (For Cat: I had the pumkin soup and then the Duck Confit, Polish White Bean and Sausage Stew, Cider Braised Cabbage and for dessert Chocoalte-Hazelnut Torte with Sea Salt, Caramel and Crispy Bacon!!!).

After dinner we met up with Michael and Lauren to see the musical West Side Story. We are all pretty much done with musicals that end with tragic love and gun shots. Sigh.

By the way, I am convinced Maria's song "I Am Pretty" is my personal theme song. OH, dear!

I feel pretty,
Oh, so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn't me tonight.

I feel charming,
Oh, so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty
That I hardly can believe I'm real.

See the pretty girl in that mirror there:
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face,
Such a pretty dress,
Such a pretty smile,
Such a pretty me!

I feel stunning
And entrancing,
Feel like running and dancing for joy,
For I'm loved
By a pretty wonderful boy (man)!