My thoughts, though, were something like this:

“AMAZING!  But Dude, do you realize you are IN.THE.WATER.ABOVE.A.VOLCANO.WHILE.IT.IS.ERUPTING-are you mad?!?!?! MOVE THE BOAT!!!”

Am i alone in this thinking? :-)

i do have to add that only God could design something as incredible as underwater volcanoes.

And those are my thoughts for the day.  Y’all have a nice Saturday.

This led to a lot of thought on my part.  i focused on the three major parts of these verses:  Ask, Seek, and Knock.

It appears to me that there is an order here:  Ask first, then seek, and finally knock.  Yeah, no kidding.  That’s what it says. 

But there’s more to it than that.  Today let’s look at the “ask” part.  We’ll examine “seek” and “knock” later.

According to this verse, the very first thing we are to do is ask.  James 4:2 says that if we we don’t have something, it’s because we don’t ask.

We know that God is all-knowing, so perhaps we just expect Him to fill all our needs.  God isn’t a genie who grants wishes, or a minion who lives to serve us and give us a happy, stress-free life.  He wants good things for us.  He wants to bless us.  But He also wants us to ask for it.

Picture your child walking into the kitchen after school and opening the refrigerator.  He looks around for a few minutes, then returns to the couch to watch cartoons.  Would you immediately prepare something and deliver it to him on the couch?

No! 

Why?

Because he didn’t ask for anything.

A few minutes later, he yells at you from the next room, “Where is my milk?”

Did you know what he wanted from the refrigerator?  Maybe.  Did he ask you for anything?  No.  So how do you feel at this point?  If you’re like me, annoyed because your child was rude and demanding.

How many times do we act like that child, expecting God to meet our needs when we don’t ask for what we require, and getting angry when He doesn’t deliver?  God never leaves us or forsakes us, but i’ll bet we sure make Him crazy sometimes! 

This isn’t just about asking for material things, either.  (It shouldn’t be all about that, anyway!)  Sure, we all ask for monetary provision, or to win the lottery, or for a new house or car.  But this also applies to asking God for other important things, like wisdom, peace, and guidance. 

God doesn’t want us trying to figure out life on our own – He wants to be an integral part of it.  But He wants us to ask Him to join us.

Think about this:  are you asking God enough?

i know i don’t.

i must admit:  i can be a bit uptight.  A by the book, follow the rules kind of girl.  i like things to be plainly stated, in black and white.

So, with my personality geared the way it is, sometimes i struggle with things that may require a bit of interpretation.  Like hearing God’s voice, for instance.  My preferred method of communication with God would be chatting over a nice cup of coffee, face to face.  i want to audibly hear Him, so my little brain will know for sure what God is trying to say.

Well, last time i checked, God isn’t speaking from burning bushes much anymore, and the only rumblings from above turned out to be thunder!  That means that i have to learn to hear Him in my everyday life, in the ways that He chooses to speak to me.

That’s the part i’m not very good at.

i get up at 4:45 am every weekday to get quiet time before i go to work.  i usually pray, and spend a few minutes reading my bible or working on a study.  i often feel rushed (especially when i hit snooze three times!), and end up checking my watch to make sure i don’t run late for work. 

i end up feeling hurried, guilty, and frankly, don’t get much out of it.  i rattle off my prayer, frequently very similar to the day before.  Then i go straight to my reading.

i don’t leave time for God to talk back to me.  i may be quiet and still for a moment, but when i don’t hear God’s voice booming through the house after i pray, i move on and fill my mind with the words of a Bible teacher or devotional writer.  Don’t get me wrong:  bible studies are wonderful, and devotionals are great ways to make the most of a limited quiet time by giving you guidance and something to ponder.

But i want more.  When I pray to my Father, i’m usually asking for more of Him.  To know Him better.  To understand and recognize His will.  To see His plan for me.

So if i want all these answers from Him, shouldn’t i listen for His answer? 

i know God blesses me for the effort, but i’m not pleased with my effort.  God deserves so much better than what i offer! 

Oxygen is going to show me ways to make better use of my quiet time.  Keri uses different techniques to help you find the way that you hear God best.  Day One used Deep Listening and let me tell you, it was a doozy!  I feel so much more connected and refreshed already!

For the next few posts, i’m going to share with you what i’m learning.  It may be specifics for my life and answers i’m seeking.  It may be principles that apply to us all.  i just want to be true to my God and share what He leads me to!  i invite you to come back and see how it’s going, whether you have a fulfilling quiet time or not.  My hope is that God will speak through this experience, in ways that we can all hear Him!

Tell you what:  let’s make this a little interactive discussion.  What does your quiet time look like?

sit in a group of people absorbed in books, magazines, lunch, etc., and then say “One World Currency” and see how many heads snap to attention!

That happened at work today, and i’m still laughing about it!

Randomly Good Stuff about today:

i had a student following me at work, and he didn’t even bug me.  :-)

My boss wasn’t mad that i had to miss work because of snow/school closings yesterday. :-)

i left work ON TIME.  :-)

i discovered this amazing new singer on another blog, and snagged the LAST COPY of her CD at the store this afternoon.  SCORE! :-)  (Her name is Francesca Battistelli, and she ROCKS!)

i have been feeling the need to get more rest lately, in many forms:  resting my weary brain, exhausted body, and tired spirit.  i began groundwork for a little bible study about it this morning, only to stumble across a couple of books addressing that very topic.  Guess what was on sale at the same store i got my new CD?  ONE OF THOSE BOOKS!  :-)

BONUS:  That book rang up LESS at the register than the price tag!    :-)  :-)  i can’t wait to share it with you!

Another one of those books was available on www.paperbackswap.com, and should be mailed soon!  :-)

One of my very best friends from my teen years found me on Facebook!  i’ve missed her terribly, and feel just giddy about reconnecting.  i can’t stop smiling!

Thank You, Lord, for an amazing day.  We need those every now and then, and Your timing is always perfect.  My cup runneth over today, Lord!  May my happiness spill over, and cause me to be a blessing to others i encounter.  i ask that You bless my readers with great joy as well, Father.  We love You, Lord – help us to live like it!

And while i have been trying to write a post for a day or three, at this moment my family is bugging me to watch a movie with them.

Before, Big I would say, “Not now.  I have something else I’d rather do.”

But now, trying to live a little i life, i need to put myself aside, show a little love to my family and join them for the movie.  The post will have to wait…

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking…”  1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Anyway, i’m going to have a little feature on here called “Livin’ on a Prayer” from time to time, and it’s basically a prayer request forum.  i’ll post requests of my own, and so can you!  You may leave requests in the comments if you’d like them visible to get as many prayer warriors as possible on your side, or you may email me privately and i will pray for you personally.

Easy enough?

I’ll start.

1.  Please pray for my dad.  He’s 81 and has difficulty driving, but isn’t going to readily admit it.  He  terrifies my teen who, now that he has a permit, is going to drive when they are together.

2.  Dad also has a few health issues right now that make him dizzy, forgetful, and leaves him with excruciating pain in his hip and leg.  That’s his biggest complaint.

3.  My nephew:  drug addict, thief, on house arrest.  He’s just a young’un, and it kills us to see the path he’s on.  He’s been living with my parents, who are frankly too old for his crap (excuse me, but he’s really difficult!)  He’s moving back in with his dad today, and those two always end up in a physical confrontation when tempers get hot, which is often and easily.

4.  My sister-in-law, who has a number of financial, marriage and emotional issues.  She, and her entire family, could really use some prayers.

Lord, there are so many things in this world that can cause us to worry, make us stumble, bring us grief…But You promise to always listen to us, Father, when we cry out to You.  In fact, our prayers are a pleasing scent to you, offered on Your Throne.    The Holy Spirit prays for us even when we can’t pray for ourselves.  Hear us today, God.

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:18

i’d be lying if i said that he was amazing all the time.  Because he isn’t.

But lately he’s been pretty darn close!

Last night, he gave the kids a bath so i could get some chores done.  He puts gas in my car, and sometimes turns it around in the driveway so i don’t have to back out in the early morning darkness every day.  And he listens to me complain.

Like today.

i must admit that i’ve been having a bit of a pity party.  i had responsibilities at work that i have occasionally that frankly are not my favorite.  Gripe, gripe, gripe. 

I moaned about how all of our clothes, towels and anything washable seems to be full of holes and i’m too cheap to go shopping.  Gripe, gripe, gripe.  He just smiled, and agreed.

I yelled about the dog jumping on the kids, barking incessantly when he’s outside, and destroying everything he can get those canine teeth on.  Gripe, gripe, gripe. 

I fussed about a wrong i felt i had suffered, and how this one individual never seems to listen to what I say.  Or anyone, for that matter!  Which is stifling when you’re trying to make progress and need their cooperation, and frankly, it’s down-right annoying!  Gripe, gripe, gripe. 

He listened, sympathized, and even offered to talk to my offender about it.  And then he hugged me.

Then he told me that i looked really pretty today.

Yep.  He’s a keeper.  :-)

(Don’t hate me because i have a good one – my first husband was a drunk and a drug addict – and i just didn’t like his girlfriend!)

God, i love My Man!  Thank you for letting me have the courage to chase him for that first date!  My first marriage was nothing like this, Lord, probably because i chose him, and You didn’t.  i’m pretty sure that You did choose My Man just for me, and i can’t thank you enough, especially on days like today.  He’s just what i needed.

And in case any of you are struggling with a husband who you want to throw back in the water, i’m all ears.  i’ve been there, and i survived.  i’d be happy to talk to you, or just listen, if you need a friend.  You can reach me at alittleilife@charter.net.

Already.

Didn’t we just leave?

Oh, yeah.  We did!  i guess those long weekends are just never quite long enough.  But, this one was long enough to sleep really good in a bed with big, fluffy pillows and warm comforters for two nights.

And just long enough to let us watch “Gran Torino” with Clint Eastwood one night (recommended!) and Best Picture winner “Slumdog Millionaire” the next.  (HIGHLY recommended!)

Long enough to have popcorn for dinner two nights :-)

It was long enough for us to grab a late night pizza at our favorite place, Bearno’s.

Long enough to have Ms. Garmin direct our route all over that gorgeous countryside, so we could enjoy even more of it in a shorter time.

The weekend was long enough to let us have a little bit of warmth, followed by a lot of cold and snow.  Which gave us just enough beauty, while allowing just enough safety on the roadways.  (Unfortunately, i couldn’t take pictures and drive.  But it was amazing.  Icicles on limestone walls?  Stunning!  Snow-covered trees?  Heavenly!  i so wish i was a photographer!  i hope my mental camera had plenty of film!)

The wintry weather worried us just enough to get us on the road a little early, missing our favorite “vacation church,” but cleared up just early enough that we were able to catch a service at a never-seen-before church that we enjoyed, too. (Clicking on that link will show you a tiny glimpse of what we saw all weekend!)

We had just enough time to get home before dark, and see the kids before they went to bed.

i guess maybe our weekend away was just long enough, after all…

Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful weekend with My Man.  i am abundantly blessed.  It is always such a joy to be able to step back from the daily grind and slow down.  Look around.  Actually notice the surroundings.  Be given the time to have an actual conversation, free of constant interruptions.

My prayer now, Father, is that my readers will have the same opportunity to find a few minutes, hours or days to rest.  Relax.  Enjoy the beauty surrounding us that You created, God.  To see You, in all Your Glory, and praise You.

i pray that they will be able to spend that much needed quality time with their spouse, and reconnect as a couple.   i pray that they take the time to enjoy being together.

Thank you, Lord, for knowing just what we need, when we need it. Thank you, Lord, for knowing exactly when we’ve had just enough…Amen.

I thought i’d warn you, just in case you come looking for me.  :-)

Have a great weekend everybody!!