A Prayer Journey

Over the next few weeks we are going to take a journey through a prayer labyrinth. Join me as we take this spiritual journey reflecting on God and Jesus and our relationship with God through His Spirit.

Prayer labyrinths were a common feature in many medieval cathedrals. They were marked out on the floor for people to walk through slowly, for a time of contemplative prayer and reflection. A prayer labyrinth is a pilgrimage that draws the participant inward for a time of reflection and then back out into the world. Many churches have set up labyrinths on the grounds around the church. I helped set one up in a church auditorium a number of years ago and had a labyrinth of sorts set up in the woods near my home for a family gathering. They can be adapted for use in any setting. Labyrinths are used as a means to enter into God's presence and reflect upon how our time with God can be used as we live out our lives here on earth.

Moses kneels before a Holy God.

As we begin our journey, we enter into a time of stillness before God. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in the flames of fire from within a bush. As Moses approached the bush, he heard the voice of God call his name and he said, "Here I am."

"Do not come any closer," God said, "Take off your shoes for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5

Before we enter into the labyrinth, we need to focus our attention completely on God. He is holy, He is eternal, He is our maker and our redeemer. Whenever we approach God, we need to be mindful of His power and might. Often, people don't have a fear of the Lord, but it's important to give Him the honor He deserves. Offer God praise for who He is and what He has done in your life. When your focus is on God and your mind is set on Him, you are ready to begin the journey.

The first place we stop on our journey is the foot of the cross. As we think about Jesus and the sacrifice he made for our sins, we are reminded of our baptism. Visualize a drop of water representing the cleansing that comes through the blood of Christ. Thank Jesus for his sacrifice which has made it possible for you to enter into God's presence. 

A drop of water represents our baptism into Christ Jesus.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is the way to eternal life, the way to the Father. After we have given our hearts to Jesus, we can approach the throne of God because we have been cleansed of all unrighteousness. 

As our journey continues, we need to take a moment to turn off the noise of the world. Each one of us is bombarded almost constantly with noise. Whether the noise is a result of living in a large family, listening to the radio or watching television, we need to remember that when it is time to focus on God, all outside distractions hinder our time alone with God.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11

Spend time quietly before God - listen for His leading and give Him an opportunity to speak to your heart. 

Next week, we'll move on through the labyrinth examining our hearts and our motives.

Links for week 2 and week 3 of the Prayer Journey - 

http://marshamundy.blogspot.com/2011/02/casting-our-cares-upon-god.html

http://marshamundy.blogspot.com/2011/02/sharing-our-faith-with-others.html

Witnessing through Cardboard Testimonies

We have seen homeless people standing on street corners with a piece of cardboard and a message such as "Will Work for Food" "Need Money" or "Please help me feed my family." That is where the idea for cardboard testimonies began. The silent message can speak volumes in just a few words. 

Christians have put their own slant on the idea by sharing a few words on one side of the cardboard about their life before Christ and on the back, writing a few words about their transformation after Christ made them a new creation. Not many of us get an opportunity to stand before an audience and speak about what the Lord has done in our lives. Even fewer Christians want to speak before an audience because of fear. A cardboard testimony is a way to share the change Christ has made in our lives without speaking a word. It is a powerful witness to the transforming power of God's Spirit in the lives of believers.

Although the origin of cardboard testimonies is unknown, the idea spread among churches. Hillside Christian Church in Amarillo, Texas was the first to post video online. The senior pastor of the church had "borrowed" the idea from a Las Vegas church. The idea went global in 2006, when the Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago held a leadership summit and posted their participants' testimonies online.

My life before Christ

My life after Christ

I have shared my testimony with you on this blog. At the Women's Conference hosted by New Harmony United Methodist Church in November 2010, the ladies who attended had an opportunity to share their testimonies.

Testimonies included: Worldly/Living for Him; Lukewarm Christian/On Fire for Jesus; Control Freak/Gave Control to Jesus; Sideline Christian/Going to the Mission Field; Drug User/Addicted to Christ and Saved at age 12/Still Serving the Lord.

If you could share your testimony in just a few words, what would they be? Each person who now believes that the blood of Jesus has saved them, has a testimony. 

As I was preparing this blog it occurred to me that those who were impacted by Christ while he walked on the earth would have some incredible testimonies. Here's my take on what some of them might write on a piece of cardboard.

One of the most prominent Christians in the Bible is Paul. His testimony would probably say: side one - murderer - Christian hater, side two - evangelist, prisoner for Christ. The disciple John would perhaps say: side one - selfish - angry, side two - beloved by Christ. Zacchaeus encountered Christ who invited him to take him home to dinner. His testimony? Side one - cheater, thief, side two - generous and forgiven. We know from reading the Book of Acts that Barnabas was side one - wealthy and wordly, after Christ came into his life he became side two - generous and a missionary. Onesimus might share his testimony as side one - a thief and deserter and side two - forgiven, accepted and free. One of the most powerful testimonies would come from Lazarus. Side one - literally dead for 4 days, side two - alive, healthy and following Christ!

I'd like to hear your testimony. Leave a comment on this page or send me an e-mail at Mundy301@roadrunner.com.

What does the phrase "living water" mean to me?

Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well. She wasn't looking for him, but he found her. He was the one who made the offer of "living water" to her. Since Jesus is the same today as he was 2,000 years ago, it stands to reason that he is still seeking people that fit her description. She needed a savior, she needed acceptance, she needed forgiveness, she needed Jesus! He is the source of "living water."

I, too, needed a savior; I needed acceptance; I needed forgiveness and Jesus found me, but it doesn't stop there. He fills me with his love, his forgiveness and his acceptance so that I can, in turn, offer his love, his forgiveness and his acceptance to others. It should be a continuous never-ending flow from Jesus, through me and on to others.

The woman at the well couldn't wait to run into the village and share the good news with others. She wanted everyone to know about Jesus and brought them to meet him. When his love is flowing within us, as believers, we need to let that love flow out of us to all those around us.

This "living" source of nourishment comes because of God's Spirit living within us. Jesus told her that the time was coming when those who worshipped the Father would worship him in Spirit and Truth. With Jesus filling us every time we read the word and pray in his name, the flow continues to nourish us and we can nourish others.

Click here to view other Women of Faith Talk Back entires.

Creative ways to pray

I have a heart for prayer. It started many years ago when I discovered that God really wants an intimate relationship with the people He created. When I first started speaking to God, it felt awkward. If anyone would have been looking in my window I'm sure they would have thought that I was half-crazy. Sometimes I would sing to God, other times I would dance in His presence, often I would kneel before my favorite chair, but most of the time I would just speak my concerns out loud as I went about my daily routine.

I began reading every book about prayer that I could find. It seemed that many folks tried to concoct a formula for prayer. If you followed certain steps, said the correct words or always prayed scripture then your prayers would be heard and answered. Some said that fasting was the best way to get prayers answered, others claimed that repeating the same prayer over and over would do the trick. What I discovered after reading all the formulas was that there was no formula for prayer. What worked for one person may not work for everyone. What some perceived to be the correct way to approach God was correct for them, but it just didn't work for me.

The most intimate times that I've shared with God are those when His Spirit directed my prayers. God made each one of us unique for a reason and He wants us to be ourselves with Him. He is a God of diversity, a God of surprises and a God who wants to reveal himself to us.

I will share some of the creative ways that I have prayed to give you a jump start to your own prayer life. If we don't try new avenues in prayer, we can get into a rut and then our prayers can lose their power. As righteous children of the King, our prayers should always be powerful and effective.

Most recently I learned a different way to pray and it has enhanced my time with God in a colorful way. Praying in color isn't anything new, my mother did this type of praying for years and it wasn't until after she died that I realized what she was doing. She was an artist and it came natural for her to draw her prayer concerns using markers, colored pencils and pens. As praises and concerns are colored on the paper, your focus is on the ones named, and God, who looks at our hearts, hears those prayers as surely as he hears the ones voiced with thys and thous.

I have prayed using prayer lists with the concerns of others spelled out, I have prayed while waiting in line, driving down the road or as I do mindless household chores. One thing that I've noticed is that prayer is a two-way communication. I express concerns or a need and then just wait for the Lord to give me a response. Often I receive a peace that my prayer has been heard. Sometimes God's Spirit may impress on my spirit to pray a different way for someone in need. Instead of asking for physical healing, I may need to ask God to meet a spiritual need.

God has awakened me in the middle of the night with such a strong desire to pray for someone specifically that I had to get up and pray on their behalf. Maybe God can keep our attention more focused when it's the middle of the night and we won't be easily distracted.

There have been times when I had no particular concerns on my mind, but I just needed to spend time alone with God. Those are the most memorable prayer times. I have to share one that stands out in my mind. I just wanted to tell God how much I love Him. I was thinking that maybe He was tired of listening to me ask for this and that all the time. You know, help me with this, heal so-and-so of that ailment, give-me, give-me, give-me. (That would get old to me)! 

I got a mental image of myself climbing onto God's lap. I couldn't see His face, but He held me like we would a little child. I crawled up very close to Him to hug His neck and then I put my mouth right next to His ear and whispered, "I love you." When I think of my own children and grandchildren, some of the most precious times for me have been when they just wanted to sit on my lap or give me a hug. I'm sure that God feels the same way, we are, after all, His precious children. 

The Faithfulness of God

Don and Marsha Mundy

My Testimony

Everyone who is a born again believer has a testimony to share with others. We may not all have dramatic conversion experiences such as the Apostle Paul, but for each one of us, our relationship with Christ has made us new creatures. There is something changed about us after we give our hearts to Christ. 

On November 6, 2010, I had an opportunity to share my testimony during a Women's Conference at my church. Although the following testimony isn't elaborate and doesn't contain a lot of details, I just want to share with you part of my journey with Christ. 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am here today as an ambassador for the Lord and I want to share some of the things that I've experienced in my walk with God. I am a work in progress. God has begun a good work in me and I am assured that He will continue the work until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Childhood

I was raised in a Christian home and attended church every week. My parents taught me about Jesus and his love for me and I accepted him into my heart and was baptized when I was 10 years old. Being so young, I don't think I realized the scope of what I had just done. As I was growing up, I thought that once you accepted Christ as your savior that was it. I had a love for Jesus and believed that he died on the cross for me, but I was similar to the believers in the book of Acts 18:23 - 19:6.

"After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. 

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" 

      They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
      "John's baptism," they replied.

 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."

The Spirit of God was alive within me from the time of my baptism into the name of Jesus, but I wasn't aware of the Spirit's presence until much later. A pastor once told me that the holy Spirit is a gentleman and he won't push his way on anyone, he waits to be invited before he begins to work in your life.

Stephanie

When I was 22, my daughter Stephanie was still born. As she made her way down the birth canal, she died when the umbilical cord tightened around her throat. Dealing with her death was difficult for me and my husband, but her death became one of the stepping stones on my pathway to a deeper relationship with God. As I thought about her death, I realized that she was with Jesus in heaven and if I ever wanted to see her again, I needed the reassurance that I would be in heaven with her one day. I began earnestly reading the Bible seeking that reassurance. As a result of my seeking, I became confident of my place in heaven, but I still had not acknowledged the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. I was a firm believer in Jesus Christ as my savior, but there was something within me that didn't want to fully commit my life to God. 

The reassurance that I had about heaven is spelled out in: Romans 6:1-4.

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

Marriage Woes

My husband, Don, was raised in a different environment than I was. He was a believer and I thank God that the pastor who married us had the wisdom to bring Don into the fold before our marriage. Don's parents were not Christians, they raised him in a home where alcohol was consumed on a regular basis and getting drunk was considered normal behavior. His dependance on alcohol soon became a stumbling block in our marriage. For a number of years I tolerated the drinking, but it was ruining our family life. After 10 years of marriage I knew that I couldn't continue to live with an alcoholic and at that point, Don was not willing to change his habits and so we separated and filed for a dissolution. In the midst of all this heartache and fear, the Lord was working on Don's heart in a different manner than he was working on mine. 

Depression

I became depressed, feeling that I had been a failure as a wife. My life seemed out of control and yet, my faith in God never failed. I never blamed God for my problems, but I did question his reasons for putting me through the trials that I faced. I even attempted suicide, although I really didn't want to end my life, I just wanted all the pain and heartache to end. 

I remember laying across my bed and just crying out to God in my Spirit. It was like the scripture says, Romans 8:26  "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, but even through those dark days, the Lord was faithful. He led me to a Christian psychiatrist who helped me work through the pain. As I went through therapy, my self-confidence returned and I knew that God was going to go with me through whatever lay ahead. 

Matthew 28:18-20 gives us the assurance that we are not alone when we have accepted Christ as our Savior.

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age'."

Marriage restored

The Lord kept our marriage intact and spoke to Don's heart about his drinking problem. He gave up drinking and we moved to the Cincinnati area purchasing a home next door to a little Methodist church. By that time, Don and I both knew that we needed the direction of God to keep us on the right pathway and we sought God's direction for our move. It was shortly after that move, as we became members of that little church and sat under the teaching of some Godly men, that God's Spirit really had an opportunity to move in our lives. God made a way for me to have time alone with Him. I wasn't working at that point and my heart was set upon God.

I couldn't get enough of God's word - I attended Bible studies, prayer meetings and both of us desired a deeper relationship with the Lord. That is what God longs for - for each of us. He wants us to come to him daily with all of our concerns, our joys, our fears and our needs. He wants to share in our lives.

During a Promise Keepers event in Washington D.C., my husband was called by God to become a shepherd. Although he is not in full-time ministry, he is now a licensed local pastor serving a small congregation. His obedience to God is more proof of the faithfulness of God. He pursues us with an amazing love and desires for us to be used in His kingdom. 

Challenge: I challenge you, if you have never read the entire Bible to spend the next year reading through the word of God because it will give you a thorough knowledge of God. If you aren't in a small group or Bible study, I also urge you to find a Bible study group because discussing God's word with other believers will definitely increase your faith and give you opportunities to share what you learn with those around you.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

For years I had thought that God was too busy with all the big problems in the world to be bothered by my little concerns. I seldom approached His throne unless I was in a real mess and needed someone big to get me out of the mire. I have learned that God really cares about our everyday problems. He wants to become the first one we run to when we are happy or sad, when we need direction or confirmation. God really does love us and as impossible as it seems that the God who created the universe would even notice us, He really does care. He is faithful even when we are not.

Although my marriage situation improved, there were new obstacles, new situations some of which were direct consequences of my husband and I failing to follow God. But each trial that we experience has just improved our relationship with God because we know that He has never failed us. God has become our fortress and stronghold. When Don and I both realized that our love for God took first place in our lives, we were able to love each other with an even greater love than we had before.

Our son's rebellion

As an indirect result of our former marriage problems, our oldest son, David, rebelled and developed a dependence on drugs and alcohol. It was his way of dealing with a dysfunctional family life. Those problems eventually led to his imprisonment and now Don and I have had to go through the heartbreak of visiting our loving son in prison. But even in the midst of his imprisonment we have seen the faithfulness of God. David is now a born again believer and shares his faith with those around him on a daily basis. Also, because of David's incarceration, my husband and I have been able to minister to some of his fellow prisoners in unique ways. God can take all the hardships and heartbreaks in our lives and turn them into opportunities to minister to others. 

Romans 8:31-39 (New International Version)

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
   "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Continuing trials

Today I continue to experience trials on a daily basis. I lost my job in March 2010 and have been unable to find another one. I have a hearing disability which has hindered me from finding a job. But God has been faithful and provided for our financial needs. 

Everyone struggles with personal problems. Physical needs, financial needs, grief and sorrow, fears about the future. Many of us are praying for salvation for family members and friends. The world's troubles seem to overwhelm us and cause us concern, but God is faithful and He wants us to bring all our needs to Him. He is a God who is able to meet every need. His faithfulness endures forever!

I want to conclude with a passage from Ephesians that will be our prayer for one another.

Ephesians 3:16-21 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen us with power through his Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Happy New Year

The goal of posting my devotional book online in 2010 has been completed. With 2011 now before me, I have been praying for God to direct my writing where He wants me to go. I keep hearing the voice of my Shepherd Jesus say, "Feed my sheep." With His direction and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will do my best.

Over the next few months I plan to share my testimony, some word studies and details about a prayer labyrinth.

I am committed to write each week and hope that you will continue on this faith journey with me. I would love to have some feedback from you about this blog. If you have questions or comments, please let me know. I have also started a weekly survey so that I can keep track of what is happening in your spiritual life.

May God bless you in 2011 as we continue serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.