Open the eyes of my Heart

Prayer requests/Praises I have numbly walked through the routine of racking my brain to find something to say whenever asked if I have any prayer requests/praises. Growing up in church, it's all I have known. Sharing what we must ask God for. Another thing to ask God to fix.  Recently, I have started writing down on a list things I feel like I need to pray for. It could include friends, situations, friends prayer requests, personal spiritual help, etc. It has really helped me to be more intentional about my praying about specific things recently. (I would encourage it if you aren't already) Reading and praying over my list tonight, I noticed something that God had answered or improved and I naturally wrote "praise" beside it. So, now I can start praising God for that one answer to prayer. Check it off the checklist? Awesome! No no no this is the burden God placed on my heart tonight. In the middle of writing what I should do in response to that answer to pra...

"What makes me happy, is seeing someone else smile because I put it there." Zach Sobiech I think that this quote, said by the recently passed Zach Sobiech, in a way, recaps my life. I see teeth shine behind shy lips and knowing that I may have said something to make that happen makes me happy. I remember we had stopped somewhere to eat on the way back from the Safari in Uganda. It was a nicer part of town, and we had stopped at a restaurant owned by a very nice English man. We were about to leave when I, being just another foolish, rich, american, pulled out a piece of gum to pop in my mouth. The English man asked for a piece, and handed it to one of the children walking along the road. The child took it, put it in his mouth, and there it was. That beautiful smile that didn't need the "whitening" mint gum, because Jesus had already supplied him with the most beautiful smile. But because he had noticed him, added immediate value to that child's life,...

Defining non-believers vs. yourself. Can people even accomplish that? What specific thing, or lack thereof makes the difference that strangers can know for a fact that you are different.  Is it the intentional smile, or wave? Or the genuine interest in someone's day? I strongly believe that, as Christians, we must stand out. This doesn't mean standing outside of a huge crowd. No, not physically standing out, but standing out. Being different. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what good is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of t...