A Praying Life: Chapters 17-18

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 17-18

- "Seldom do we pray seriously and thoughtfully for those we love as they deal with their besetting sins."  (Pg. 149, Loc. 1891)  He helped me see the need of "pointed" prayers- specifically those that are addressing concrete battles in others' lives.

- "We can't do battle with evil without letting God destroy the evil in us as well."  (Pg. 151, Loc. 1918)  Probably the biggest takeaway in these two chapters was for me to examine myself when I see others' sins or when others open up to me about their sins.  He talked about this further in the next chapter: "Instead of using your insights into other people's issues as a spiritual hammer, Jesus wants you to take these insights and deepen your own repentance."  (Pg. 159, Loc. 2034)  I want those circumstances to be catalysts for my repentance.

- I think he captured this well: "Repentance usually starts with a question, a slight uneasiness."  (Pg. 155, Loc. 1980)  If I would just learn to recognize that the uneasiness is coming from the Holy Spirit and deal with it as soon as possible!

- Years ago I was helped by something my brother-in-law would say: "Sin always complicates things."  I was reminded of that when reading this short paragraph: "Sin is complicated.  We are never a passive observer, dispensing wisdom and justice.  We are part of the mess.  My solution to the problem made it more complex.  That's why we can't afford to do anything on our own."  (Pg. 156, Loc. 1989)

- "Because I acted on my own, independent of my heavenly Father, my words by themselves had to do all the work."  (Pg. 156, Loc. 1989)  I think we are all problem solvers, to some degree.  We want change to happen and we want to help in the process.  I thought his possible scenario with the software disc was really good- he was not so dependent upon God that he didn't say anything to his son.  Instead, he made sure that he looked to God first, and spoke later in a controlled manner.  Sometimes they way people talk, I get the impression they think being dependent on God means doing absolutely nothing.  The author's scenario (in my opinion) had a good balance of dependence yet acceptance of responsibility (role as a father).

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 15-16

Discussion on Chapters 19-20

A Praying Life: Chapters 15-16

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 15-16

- Before reading these chapters, I hadn't viewed James' words about asking as two extremes or "cliffs" as he called them.  More and more I see that it is easier for me to go to an extreme (in many areas) rather than finding a middle position that incorporates both truths.  On this particular subject, I find my tendency is to not ask because it may be selfish or I don't want to be let down by a "no" to my prayers.  

- It was convicting to read "our failure or reluctance to ask keeps us distant from God."  (Pg. 134, Loc. 1722)

- "Deep down, we just don't believe God is as generous as he keeps saying he is."  (Pg. 134, Loc. 1731)  Why is that?  Why can we so readily accept some truths we read in Scripture, but we can balk at/dismiss others?  May my perspective of God's generousness come from what He has said and not from what I think I have experienced!

- They highlighted this in the book, but I think it deserves to be noted again: " 'Asking in Jesus' name' isn't another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect.  It is one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect."  (Pg. 135, Loc. 1740)

- I appreciated his encouragement to ask God heart questions when asking Him for material things.  (Pg. 142, Loc. 1825)

- It was surprising to me to read "We need to ask the body of Christ, Jesus' physical presence on earth, the same questions we ask God."  (Pg. 143, Loc. 1833)  On one hand, I see the practical value of involving others.  I have seen that just trying to explain something clearly to another helps me work through things in my own mind.  Also, as the author pointed out, my heart can be so deceitful that I can pray and then manipulate things so they seem to be the answer I wanted.  On the other hand, I wonder how far he would extend this.  I was left wondering when to include others and ask them the questions, and when to simply address them to God.

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 13-14

Discussion on Chapters 17-18

Hughes News #67

"Tie your shoes and pray for the Hughes"

Dear Friends,

Viola made it back from Canada the 16th of March.  She was there just over two weeks helping her brother’s family while his wife recovered from surgery.  Viola kept busy being aunt, housekeeper, nanny and cook for seven kids.  We are thankful the timing of things here allowed her to go- she hadn’t seen her brother’s family for 4½ years and she met the youngest four kids for the first time. 

 

Viola with brother Paul J., sister-in-law Loretta, and the kiddos

God’s leading was evident in the circumstances of Sarah’s arrival.  She has settled in, applied for residency and begun studying Romanian.  Her language study has afforded Viola the opportunity to also attend the tutoring sessions.

The last few weeks we have bumped into four boys several times.  Three times they have sat through most of a Bible study.  Several times we have talked to them on the street.  Often they hang out near a bus stop asking for money and generally being somewhat of a nuisance.  From our perspective, there is not much adult guidance in their lives.  Could you take a moment right now to pray for these four boys?  Would you please pray for us as well?  I see a need for us to love them, but to also be firm with them.  It would be easier to just do one without the other, but I believe our Lord would have us do both.

In previous updates, I have listed “wisdom to balance ministry and long-term housing plans” as a prayer request.  In December we purchased two small plots of land in a newly developing section of the city.  Right now we are working on getting the construction permit and architectural plans.  Our goal is to have the house roughed in by late September.  This is another area in which we would appreciate your prayers.

In His service,

Jacob and Viola Hughes

For Prayer:

1. The Lord to use our services, classes and studies

2. Viola and Sarah studying Romanian

3. Our attempt to minister to S., K., E. and I. (the four boys)

For Praise:

1. Viola’s return from Canada

2. God arranging details of Sarah’s arrival

3. Relationships in the city continuing to grow

A Praying Life: Chapters 13-14

(A few friends and I are reading this book together.  Each week we will read two chapters and on Friday I will post my comments from the reading.  Others may add their thoughts in the comments section.  If you are interested in reading this book as well, here is the link for the Kindle version of the book.)

Chapters 13-14
- The reminder that God is both infinite and personal is a good reminder.  Each of those facts I would readily accept, but seeing how amazing they are when put together was helpful for me to think about.

- "Little children are not daunted by the size of their parents.  They come, regardless."  (Pg. 115, Loc. 1475)  There is no reason for me not to come.  I want my first reaction to be looking to my Father and talking to Him- in any situation that comes.

- I appreciated the author's mom's question of "How else would you find a parking place?" (Pg. 119, Loc. 1500)  It seems that behind those words is an understanding that everything is done through prayer.  I see in those words a dependence upon God for everything in life.

- "If we ask nothing of God, we are left adrift in an evil world."  (Pg. 122, Loc. 1544)  If there are areas that I am separating from God's touch, so to speak, I want to identify those areas and seek Him in even the ordinary things of life.

- "Jesus neither suppresses his feelings nor lets them master him."  (Pg. 123, Loc. 1561)

Obviously- another good lesson for me.

- "We simply cannot see the causal connections between our prayers and what happens." (Pg. 127, Loc. 1630)  If I just look at God and acknowledge Him, I'm doing ok.  However, when I try to see how things work together, I get out on a limb because there is no way for me to put everything together to see how it happened.  I will either overlook some actions, misunderstand others, or both.  I need no other deep explanation other than: God answered prayer.

I've had my say, what say you?

Discussion on Chapters 11-12

Discussion on Chapters 15-16