Tag Archives: Wonderstruck

HOW CAN I K.I.S.S. TO PRAY?

Leave a reply

How Can I K.I.S.S. to Pray?

by Janis Cox

K.I.S.S.

Last week I said I struggled in my prayer life. After reading Margaret’s chapter on prayer in Wonderstruck I decided to try the 3 word prayers.

Powerful words. Passionate Words. Exciting Words

Here are some of my 3 word prayers from this week:

          • show me wonder
          • open big doors
          • keep me focussed
          • give me strength
          • help me pray
          • I adore You

I think that I need to keep the K.I.S.S. theory for my prayers:

Keep
It
Simply
Short

In Scripture we read that Jesus said not to babble or make long prayers.

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again” (Matthew 6:7, NLT)

Instead if we look at Jesus’ prayers we can see that each word holds meaning.

Looking at the first section of the Lord’s Prayer:

Found in Luke 11:2 in the New Living Translation:

“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.”

It is about God’s goodness and grandeur; and I wanted to sing two songs:

Lord Reign in Me by Benton Brown

Refiner’s Fire by Brian Doerksen

Janis Cox

Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Janis’s Website.

Related articles

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH YOUR PRAYER LIFE?

6 Replies

Are You Struggling in Your Prayer Life?

by Janis Cox

Prayerfulness

Are My Prayers Prayeful?

This past Wednesday on my own blog, He Cares for Us, I wrote about true worship. I realized that sometimes I am not worshipping with my whole spirit. I am sometimes not truly present when I sing or even when I listen to sermons. (That doesn’t happen as much any more as I like to take notes and that keeps me focused.)

As I became more intentional in worship I felt closer to God and my worship became worshipful.

I have struggled in the same way in my prayer life. Sometimes I feel as though I am going through the motions. I have an agenda – something that needs to be done – to tick off my list. But am I connecting with God?

Are my prayers – prayerful? (tweet this)

I tried a new discipline in March after reading the book Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg. I tried praying only 3 word prayers.

Yes 3 word prayers.

Because I was intentional in this I found my prayers became more specific; they took me longer to think and compose and they brought me closer to God.

I am now leading a Bible study with the Wonderstruck Bible Study. We are studying session 4 this week, a chapter on prayer. Once again Margaret reminded me of being intentional, not blathering on and on, or having as she calls is a “noversation”. I am going to try this once again for this week and see if my passion and connection will resurface.

How do you struggle in your prayer life?

Related Posts

I link to:

250 Titus 2 Tuesday



Janis Cox

Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Janis’s Website.

SUNDAY STILLNESS – Expect Wonder

8 Replies

Sunday Stillness – Expect Wonder

Last week we started our Bible Study called Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg. In the first lesson Margaret encourages us to pray for wonder and then to expect to find it. I woke up the next morning and prayed.

Now I have to explain something about that morning. I do a Joy Dare with Ann Voskamp. That morning I looked for reflections with my camera. I found some lovely ones. Then I pointed my camera at a print by F.H. Varley and was astonished to see the Cross.

Yes there was God speaking to me.

Surprised by wonder – the first morning of saying that prayer.

Here is the picture that I caught. I could not see the cross with my eye – only through the camera’s lens.

Expect Wonder

 

Today is Sunday Stillness – Do you have a Scripture that spoke to you this week? Please link below. If you post to Twitter use #sundaystillness and @authorjaniscox.

Feel free to pin the picture. Follow me at AuthorJanisCox on Pinterest.

Read the Sunday Stillness rules if you are new here.

I would appreciate if you would link only about God’s Word. If you have a linky party that’s okay if it is about the same thing. Please no sales or prizes. I want this to be friendly but I must ask you to abide by the rules. Others want to read God’s Word – and that is what I would like the links to be about. I must take down the links that don’t follow the rules. Thanks so much.

JOIN THE SUNDAY STILLNESS COMMUNITY – 
READ OTHER POSTS AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.

Please check out all the places I link to during the week. Thanks to everyone who has joined Sunday Stillness.

Grab button for Sunday Stillness



DO I LIVE WITH A LID ON MY PRAYER LIFE?

Leave a reply

Do I Live with a Lid on my Prayer Life?

by Janis Cox

I want to live FULLY AWAKE. The more I read from Margaret Feinberg’s book, Wonderstruck, the more I realize that I need:

“to expect God to show up with divine wonder” (Wonderstruck, Margaret Feinberg).

But am I playing it safe? Do I continue day after day – just doing what I do – and not looking or praying for wonder? Yes that is what I need to do – pray for wonder.

And I need not only pray for wonder but expect to receive it. (Tweet this.)

It reminds me of the time I studied Bruce Wilkinson’s Prayer of Jabez. We studied this little piece of Scripture from 1 Chronicles 4:10:

“”Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And Godgranted his request”” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV).

During the time we studied this little book and prayed for our territory to be expanded – amazing things happened.

Am I ready for this to happen again when I pray for and expect wonder? Am I ready to be a child again? and:

“live each day like a child digging through a treasure chest, riffling for the next discovery” (Wonderstruck, Margaret Feinberg).

This is what I am embarking on this week. Maybe you will join me – pick up a copy of Margaret’s book – and let’s be amazed at what God will show us.

Prayer:

Lord, as I start to lead this group study on Wonderstruck, I pray that you will guide our thoughts and minds to get closer to You. Help us to drop the world’s challenges, fears and doubts and lay open our hearts to see the wonder of You. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN.

Related articles

Janis Cox

Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Janis’s Website.

WEDNESDAY’S WORD – Now

4 Replies

Wednesday’s Word – Now

Living in the Now

The other day I had a plan (my plan) to go to town for a couple of errands. Seemed like God had another plan – to allow me to pray for someone. So I offered and I did pray.

Sometimes I am led to do something that I believe I know the outcome but that is not always so.

God can take what I am doing and
make it something for His glory. (Tweet this)

That’s why this week’s word is NOW. We are living in the now – this moment. We are wholly present only at this time. So savour it; listen to it; watch for God in it.

I have to get to the implicit relationship that takes everything as it comes from Him. God never guides presently, but always now. Realize that the Lord is here now,and the emancipation is immediate. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, April 21).

I have read Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg and we will start our Bible study on this wonderful book tonight.

My word for the year is LIVE. Here are 3 ways that Margaret suggests to live a life Wonderstruck. (#livewonderstruck) All of these ideas are taken from Chapter 001 in Margaret’s book.

1.  Walk more upright with my eyes attentive to what God might do next.

2.  Maintain a childlike receptivity by simply being with Jesus, delighting in His presence, and humbly asking Him to pray for me.

3.  Look and see God’s Hand everywhere.

Do you see how everything written above is in the NOW?

So let’s try this week to live each day fully – watching, listening and waiting to see what God will do.

Each Wednesday we hold a Wednesday’s Word Community. Please check the rules of Wednesday’s Word  if you are here for the first time. Feel free to add your link below about God’s Word. And we all love comments.

Let us be aware this week as we watch where God leads us.

After you link please go to the blog that is in front of you and comment on their site. Words of encouragement mean so much to each of us.

Let us be aware and live in the now.
Watch for what God can do. (Tweet this)



SUNDAY STILLNESS – Wonderstruck

13 Replies

Sunday Stillness – Wonderstruck

Are we just living the “church” or are we being wonderstruck by God every day? Margaret Feinberg in her book, Wonderstruck, makes you think past what you see and search for the wonder of God.

The photo is courtesy of Kimberley Payne at Fit for Faith. If you click on the photo you can get right to her website. Thanks Kimberley.

Let’s be Wonderstruck. This week I am starting a Bible Study based on this book. I am praying for the entire group to be struck by the wonder of God.

Blessings,

Janis

Today is Sunday Stillness – Do you have a Scripture that spoke to you this week? Please link below. If you post to Twitter use #sundaystillness and @authorjaniscox.

Feel free to pin the picture. Or subscribe at AuthorJanisCox on Pinterest.

Read the Sunday Stillness rules if you are new here.

I would appreciate if you would link only about God’s Word. If you have a linky party that’s okay if it is about the same thing. Please no sales or prizes. I want this to be friendly but I must ask you to abide by the rules. Others want to read God’s Word – and that is what I would like the links to be about. I will take down the links that don’t follow the rules. Thanks so much.

JOIN THE SUNDAY STILLNESS COMMUNITY –
READ OTHER POSTS AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.




 

WEDNESDAY’S WORD – Wonder

15 Replies

Wednesday’s Word – Wonder

“God invites us to look up, open our eyes to the wonder all around us, and seize every opportunity to encounter Him” (Wonderstruck, Margaret Feinberg). Tweet this.

Sunset by Jake Jakobsen

Photo is courtesy of Jake Jakobsen.

Wonderstruck – what an excellent book. I am being inspired by Margaret’s words.

When a painter, photographer friend handed me his poem “Good Morning, Lord”, I couldn’t help but see that he had been moved to see the wonder all around us.

I give you the poem today to help you to see God’s wonder in all parts of your day.

Good Morning, Lord

Good morning, Lord.
I look at the sunrise and I see you there,
The sun behind the clouds, light shining through the air.
Above the mountain in all its glory,
I see You there; I hear Your words, Your story.
I look at the ground and you’re there, I know.
I see Your wonders in the trees, in the flowers that grow.
I look in my heart and I feel Your love,
Shining in me as the sun shines above.

Good morning, Lord.
I look at the sky and see You in the new day.
I know if I need You, You’re never far away.
I see You in the animals, the fish, and birds that fly.
It brings joy to my heart and a tear to my eye.
I feel Your touch, Lord; I feel it in the breeze
As it touches my face, as it sings through the trees.
Know me, Lord, and let me know You.
Show me, Lord, what I should do.

Good evening, Lord
I see You there in the picture painted by the setting sun;
Your light shining through the clouds when day is done;
The sky glowing pink and yellow, turning the clouds’ edges gold;
In the beauty You’ve created, Your story being told.
Wherever I turn, whatever is still to be,
It is there, Lord; it is there wherever I look.
Your words are written before me like the Words in Your Book.

Good evening, Lord
I see You there as the evening falls before night;
Through the darkness I see You; I still see Your light.
It shines in the moon and the stars high above.
It shines through the dark; it shines with Your love.
I feel Your Presence as though near me You stand.
I feel You near me like the touch of a hand.
I look through the night; I look for Your face,
And in the wonder of Your love, I’ve found my place.

Written by James Amodeo 2002

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20, NIV). (my emphasis)



2013 – THE YEAR TO LIVE

6 Replies

2012 – The Year to Live

by Janis Cox

dance-2

Last year I chose the word “trust” as my word for the year. It meant a lot to me having that word wrapped around me. I will continue to keep that word close to my heart.

This year I prayed and prayed for one word. What I finally came up with is LIVE. For the past couple of weeks everything I have read and heard has pointed to this.

“A person’s days are determined;
you have decreed the number of his months
and have set limits he cannot exceed” (Job 4:15 NIV).

If this is true, and I take it to be true – God already has my days on earth planned – how many days I will be here and when I will be with Him. So each day God is giving me a gift of life here on earth. That brought to mind the words of Let there be Peace on Earth. “Take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.”

I checked out the difference between “existence” and “living”?

Existence – “the fact or state of being”. Its antonym is non-existence which is death.

Living – “possessing life – full of life; the condition of being alive”. The antonym is still death.

To me living – is more active. Full of life.

I want to live – I don’t want to just exist.

In order to do this I need Jesus – I need:

  • to NOT fear
  • be brave
  • dance as though no one is watching
  • boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before

“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV).

Dolores Ayotte, an author friend who has written 4 books, has a slogan “Live, Laugh and Love”. I like that. I have seen it on rugs, wall hangings, pictures.

Here is my attempt at a Haiku poem:

Live

Laugh, love

Observe, Listen, Touch

Open my eyes to wonder

Breathe

And I love Acrostic poems too.

L – Look to

I – Initiate

V – Vitality

E – Everyday

This year I will be observing as much as I can. I want to be Wonderstruck – with all that God is doing around me – in people, in governments, in nature, in life. I will be LIVING the year of 2013.

I want to LIVE astounded by God.

What is your WORD FOR 2013? Feel free to share below.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for all you do. Thank You for opening my eyes to see more and more of what You want me to see. Thank You for leading me to all the wonderful Christ followers who want to learn more about you. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

Related articles

Linking in to:

Jan Cox

Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. Jan has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Jan’s Website.

WONDERSTRUCK FOR THE THIRD TIME!

2 Replies

Wonderstruck for the Third Time!

My friend, Margaret Feinberg , has a new book and 7-session DVD Bible study called Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God ,which releases Christmas Day. This is a personal invitation for you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life. This book will turn your prayer life upside down, stir your desire to live more abundantly, and take your relationships with others to the next level. To learn more, watch the Wonderstruck Video.

Margaret Feinberg

Margaret recently posted a great warning on her site that those who have read Wonderstruck have experienced the following symptoms:

          • An inability to stop smiling
          • An uncontainable desire to pray
          • A loss of interest in judging others
          • A quiet, unshakable confidence in God
          • A renewed ability to see the wonders of God all around

And from what I’ve seen, they’re all true! I wanted to share some thoughts that stuck out to me as I read a sneak peek of Wonderstruck:

Each word means so much.

I have learned to pray for wonder.

I loved when she prays for “pixie dust”. [I used to be enamoured with the thought of “pixie dust”.] Margaret said:

“I want to leave here with a sense of wonderment as we encounter and experience things only God can do.”

And her outlook throughout this book is so positive and upbeat.

Listen to these words:

I praying for “pixie dust” was an invitation for God to lavish our team with a loving-kindness, and for each of us to walk more upright, eyes attentive to what God might do next. You can’t pray for “pixie dust” and maintain a dour demeanour or a dreary disposition.” [love it and the emphasis mine]

Follow Margaret’s snarky, funny, and inspirational posts on Twitter , Facebook  or her blog  You can learn more about this great book by visiting www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck where she’s offering some crazy promos right now with up to $300 of free stuff.

I’ve seen the book for as low as $7.95 ($14.99 retail) on Barnes & Noble for all you savvy shoppers.

And at Amazon.ca for $11.54 ($15.99 retail) on Amazon Canada.

Wonderstruck! by Margaret Feinberg

 So if you haven’t commented yet – please do – Where do you see the wonder? Are you looking for it?

WONDERSTRUCK A SECOND TIME!

4 Replies

Wonderstruck a Second Time!

Wow – Does this not make you wonderstruck?

My friend, Margaret Feinberg , has a new book and 7-session DVD Bible study called Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God  (releasing Christmas Day)—a personal invitation for you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life. To learn more, watch the Wonderstruck Video: .

As you may or may not know, I’ve been recently become a fan of Margaret Feinberg and her books. I follow her on Twitter and Facebook. I recently received the insider’s scoop about Margaret’s new book.

Let’s meet Margaret Feinberg.

Margaret Feinberg

Here are some highlights from the interview: 

Where did the inspiration for the Wonderstruck book and Bible study come from?

Have you ever had one of those seasons where everything goes wrong, and when you think it can’t get worse, it somehow finds a way? Most people who have worked in ministry have experienced those seasons—some may be in one right now.

My husband, Leif, and I had just gone through one of the roughest years of our lives. In the aftermath, as we processed the pain and loss, I had an unexplainable desire in my heart. I began praying for the wonder of God.

In essence, I said:

“God reveal yourself, your whole self to me. I want to know you as Wonderful. I want to know you as I’ve never known you before and see you in places I’ve never recognized you before.”

God did not disappoint.

What do you mean by “the wonder of God”?

Sometimes talking or writing about wonder feels like tying kite strings to clouds. It’s ethereal, and you can never quite get a grip on it. But if you look in the dictionary, the two main definitions of wonder are: “being filled with admiration, amazement, or awe” and “to think or speculate curiously.”

Those definitions come together beautifully in our relationship with God. That’s why I define the wonder of God as those moments of spiritual awakening that create a desire to know God more.

In other words, the wonder of God isn’t about an emotional experience or having some cool story to tell your friends, but the wonder of God makes us want more of God—to go deeper and further than we’ve ever been before.

Why are you calling people to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK?

If you look in the Gospels, what you’ll discover is that those who encountered Jesus were constantly left in wild amazement. They were awestruck by the teachings of Christ, the healings of Christ, the mind-bending miracles of Christ.

Within the Gospel of Luke we see words like “awe” and “wonder” and “marvel” at every turn. If this is the natural response to encountering Christ, how much more should it be for you and I—who are invited to live in relationship with Christ as sons and daughters of our God Most High?

We even created a free PDF that looks at some of these Scriptures. For a free copy, email us at wonderstruck@margaretfeinberg.com and we’ll send you one.

Follow Margaret’s snarky, funny, and inspirational posts on Twitter , Facebook , or her blog . You can learn more about this great book by visiting www.margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck where she’s offering some crazy promos right now with up to $300 of free stuff.

I’ve seen the book for as low as $7.57 ($14.99 retail) on Barnes & Noble  for all you savvy shoppers.

And at Amazon.ca for $11.54 ($15.99) on Amazon.

Wonderstruck! by Margaret Feinberg

 Are you looking for wonder in your life? How?