Ten things children should know about prayer

Ever wondered how to get beyond "Now I lay me down to sleep..." when praying with and for your kids? Here are ten things kids should know about prayer.

This list comes to you from Seeds for the Parish, a resource newsletter for leaders in the ELCA. It was printed in the August 2010 edition.

1. Prayer is communication. It can be spoken or silent. It can be a song or a story. It can be a picture or a dance.

2. Prayer can be done as often as you like. Every week. Every day. Every hour.

3. Prayer can be done however you want. There's no right or wrong way to pray.

4. Prayer can be shared, but it doesn't have to be. It can be done alone or with a favorite toy. It can be done with friends, family or pets.

5. Prayer can be done anywhere. It can be done in your room or at the kitchen table. It can be done out in your yard, at the park or even at the zoo.

6. Prayer can be done in any mood. You can be happy, sad, angry, scared or confused when you pray.

7. Prayer can be for yourself or someone else. If you know someone who could use a little help - add them to your prayers.

8. Prayer doesn't need a certain structure, length or specific words. Whatever words you use, long or short, however your prayer comes out is fine.

9. Prayer doesn't need a special occasion. There are certain prayers appropriate to special occasions, but you don't need to wait for a speical time to pray.

10. Prayer doesn't have to be a request. It can also be used to give thanks for what you have already received. "Thank you" is a prefect prayer.

Lost and Found

My heart is full of joy today.

Sorry to disappoint you. Baby Barnett Christenson has not yet arrived.

I am talking about the miraculous rescue of the thirty-three trapped Chilean mines. The news these days seems to be filled with bad news. “If it bleeds, it leads.” Thank goodness there is some good news for a change! And how heartening to hear that the miners fought over who would come up last in the Phoenix rescue capsule!

I have been moved by the photographs of the miners and their families giving thanks to God for their safe rescue. What was lost has been found again.

On a matter closer to home, I am glad my neighbor found his two lost dogs.

I was out walking Violet the dog last Monday, when I heard a high pitched bark from a neighbor’s yard. Within moments the source of the bark (a Pug) punched a hole through the fence and ran across the street. His partner in crime, a small beagle, followed shortly. I ran to the next door neighbor’s house, asked for help, and proceeded to chase the two small dogs across an empty field towards some town homes. It was a hopeless cause. The two canines, having found freedom, seized it and ran with glee through my subdivision. I chased them with Violet in tow, until I lost track of them. Even after returning to the scene of the escape with my Honda, I still could not find Mr. Pug and Miss Beagle.

I was crestfallen. I know what it’s like to lose a beloved pet. I was sure the pug and the beagle would run away, never to be found again. Until this morning.

While walking Violet this morning, we passed by the backside of the home of the pug and the beagle. I did not hear their high pitched barking. But passing by the street side of the home, I saw the two happy dogs, barking to their heart’s content from the living room. Oh, what joy!

Can you imagine how heaven feels when a lost sinner is found? There must be great rejoicing, like what’s going on in Chile and what’s going on in a modest size home right here in Bozeman. What was lost has now been found again.

Let’s throw a party!

Advent ahead of time

We're still waiting. And I'm beginning to feel a little bit like it's Advent ahead of time - you know, the four weeks before the celebration of the Incarnation of Our Lord (aka Christmas) - when we are encouraged to wait and watch and be prepared.
And yet this waiting, for this baby, is different from the yearly round of waiting for Jesus to be born. After all, Christmas comes pre-printed on the calendar, and the 25th of December comes quite predictably, whether you're ready or not. And weirdly, at the same time, this waiting, for this baby, is the same as the yearly round of Advent reminders that Jesus really is coming back - I know the baby is coming, I just don't know when. I've done what I can to prepare, but now what? How to live in the meantime?
Do you remember that you're living in the meantime, most days? Does it even enter your mind that today could be the day when Jesus comes back and everything will be new all over again? If not, why not? Does it- or would it - make any difference in your life? Why (or not)? How?

PS - Grant and I are each working on a blog entry or two that will be posted while we're on parental leave (post-dating blog entries is one of the wonders of blogger). So, even when we're gone, you might check in for something new.

Waiting

I am not, by nature, a patient person. I tend to prefer to be in control of as much of my life as possible, even though I know that ultimately there's very little I have control over.
Answering the phone this morning to my sister's voice singing, "Happy due date to you, happy due date to you..." only reminded me how not in control I am of some pretty major things in my life. Like when this baby is going to be born.
I know I'm not the only one who's getting anxious about this impending arrival. Folks have started calling the church office asking if I'm here, and when our fabulous Office Manager Dawn says, "Yes, hold on," the caller says, "No, I don't want to talk to her, I was just wondering if she's still there." Don't worry - we'll let you know when the baby has come, if it's a boy or a girl, and what we decide the name should be.
A few lines from Evan Almighty keep coming back to me. Morgan Freeman, who plays God in the film, has a great conversation with Evan's wife, Joan. And he says, "Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If they pray for courage, does God give them courage, or does he give them opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for their family to be closer, you think God zaps them with warm, fuzzy feelings? Or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"
I am definitely being given the opportunity to be patient. Thanks for joining me on the journey.

Sermon reflections 10 October 2010

Read Luke 17:11-19

1. What are you thankful for?
2. How do you express thanks to God?
3. How can your life reflect an outward expression of thanks?
4. Are you thankful for someone in your life? Make a commitment this week to reach out and tell them. No texting or emailing, please. A person to person chat is best. A phone call is second best.

New Issue of Cafe

The latest issue of Cafe is out - the theme is "Who are you to judge?"

You can read it here or listen to the podcast here.

Enjoy!

Sermon reflection for Sunday 3 October 2010

Read Luke 17:5. Lord, increase our faith!

Questions from FAITH TALK as mentioned in my sermon.

Actions
1. Most people know times when Christianity seemed to be nothing more than a set of rules and regulations. What restriction troubled you as a child or youth? Why?
2. Do you or your friends ever talk about religion or what faith means to each of you? Describe.
3. How does someone in your day to day setting express faith through actions?
4. In what situation would it be the most awkward for you to talk about your faith? Why?
5. Christ asks us to “take up our cross and follow” him. What comes to your mind when you consider what this command might mean for you?
6. How does your Christian faith relate to your everyday life?
7. The Ten Commandments describe a life style associated with the Christian life. Which one seems to be ignored most today? What prompts your choice?

Values
1. List and prioritize the five things you value most.
2. If someone asked you what your faith means to you, what would be your response?
3. Did you ever go through a period of doubting there is a God? Tell about it.
4. What benefit do you see from believing that Christ is present in your life?
5. How do you distinguish between a true faith and a false faith?
6. What is childlike about your faith?
7. How has your faith changed since you were a child?

Etchings
1. What is one of your favorite Bible passages? Why is it significant to you?
2. What piece of music says something about your faith? In what way?
3. What unique symbol of faith is most important to you?
4. If you could choose one person to be your spiritual mentor or guide, whom would you choose? Why?
5. Tell about a time when your faith seemed especially weak.
6. Do you find Sunday worship services a good experience? Why or why not?
7. What effect does nature have on your faith?

Memories
1. Tell about a childhood religious education (Sunday School) teach you remember. Why does this person stand out?
2. What traditions or rituals did your family have at Easter time? Christmas time?
3. What was the first religious song you learned?
4. Recall a humorous event that occurred at your church.
5. Tell about a sermon or inspirational talk you remember.
6. Tell about a time when God seemed to be far away?
7. What do you wish your father had told you about his father?