Short rant

   You know what bothers me? When people tell you how not to pray. They say things like "Don't be vague" and "You shouldn't pray for patience or wisdom because of Ephesians 1:3 (Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.) Instead, you should pray that God would help you use the wisdom you have."   Ok, so I know that it's good to be specific in prayer. I mean saying "God, please bless everyone I know and keep them safe, Amen." is not very.... You know what I mean. But at the same time, what if I want to pray for people who have cancer, but I don't know anyone who has it. Should I really make a huge effort to be specific in that case? Or is it ok to simply say "God, please heal those who have cancer, and give them the strength they need."
   And when I am unsure of what to do in a situation, I am going to pray for wisdom! If I feel like I'm going blow up at someone, I am going to ask God for patience.
   Sometimes it's a good idea to try something new like using the ACTS method of prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) every once in a while. But when you are paying more attention to following "rules for prayer" then what you're actually saying to God, there is a problem.
   Sometimes when I pray, I just tell God about my day. I tell him what I enjoyed, and what upset me. Other times I'll beg for something I really want such as healing for my sister, or salvation for a friend. And other times, I'll thank him for some blessings that stood out to me during my day, and pray for some people who come to mind. I don't think any of the ways I pray are wrong, and I don't think it's wrong if someone prays differently. No one but you and God know what goes on between you and God.
   Seriously, if you yourself are being convicted to pray differently, then do so. But when people tell me it's wrong to pray a certain way.... I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut.

~Melody

Honesty

   This past week I have been away at church camp. Pastor Ricky wasn't speaking on honesty, but I kinda learned what honesty is through some events that took place.

1. Without honesty, a game is no fun. You tag someone, and they deny it and run away. Doesn't that just ruin your day? It's your word against theirs, and you know it's not worth it to fight it out. So you try to forget about it, but in your head you are calling them the scum of the earth. ;)

2. If a prank is played on your cabin, it is as good as lying if you don't tell them that you played a prank on them first.

3. Your honest opinion is what come to your mind first. Vocally expressing that opinion is not always the best idea.

~Melody

A wonderful thought.

   I had a huge realization hit me last Sunday. It is kinda sad that it took this long.... So I was sitting on the balcony of my church, day dreaming. (When I should have been listening to the sermon hehe... oops.) I was daydreaming about heaven. I was imagining walking on a path leading down to a lake, surrounded by flowers, with Jesus by my side. I was imagining having a church potluck in heaven (I have no biblical basis for that) and seeing everyone I love at my church, in their glorified bodies. I was imagining seeing my sister, run across a field without a hurt or a pain, with color in her cheeks, and a body that is not just skin and bones. And then it hit me.... Those things are actually going to happen. I WILL see my sister healed. It was such a wonderful thought!

~Melody