A Little Bit of Random

Can I just say how much I envy this woman? Ugh, I need me some SLEEP! My youngest is teething and it is killing me, our oldest, my husband, the dog.....you name it. I know this is just a phase and it will end like all of the others, but man.....I'm tired. In fact, I think my tired humor scared a co-worker today. You see, when you haven't had a full nights rest in over two weeks you mind gets a little funky and you say things that probably should not cross the great divide between your mind and your mouth. Here is what I said to my co-worker. "I now understand why Zombies eat humans. They are so tired, they don't know the difference. They'll just eat whatever is in front of them." And here is the best part. I then put my arm up next to my mouth and pretended to chew on it. I then experienced the longest awkward pause of my life. I know, I know. This is what happens to me when I am sleep deprived.

So, in light of that I decided not to tackle a deep issue tonight here on the old blog and decided instead to share something on the lighter side.

A few months ago I ran across this prayer in the Bible. Philippians 1: 9-11 says (in the New Living version), "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God."

What an awesome prayer! Paul knew what he was doing. Over the last year I have Incorporated the aid of a wonderful commentary, The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur. This book has opened the Bible to me like never before. Mainly because I trust this man and his writings. I want to share with you what he says about a few of the key words in these verses.

Verse 10 - "understand". The word approve is used in the New American Standard Version. "Approve in the classical Greek described..the testing of money for authenticity. Believers need the ability to distinguish those things that are truly important so they can establish the right priorities."

Verse 9 - "understanding". The word discernment is used in the New American Standard Version. "The English word aesthetic comes from this Greek word, which speaks of moral perception, insight and the practical application of knowledge. Love is not blind, but perceptive, and it carefully scrutinizes to distinguish between right and wrong."

Here is my version of how this prayer might look like when I pray it for a friend.

"Lord, I pray that "___________" 's love will overflow out of what you give them. I pray that they would continue to seek out that which is important instead of that which is here today and gone tomorrow. I pray that they will be able to know without a shadow of a doubt what it real and what is fake in this world, so that they can run after You with a clean heart and clear conscience. I pray that they will glorify You in all of their pursuits and will continue to grow in the gifts You have given to them."

So, who can you pray this for? We all have someone in our lives that needs all the prayer they can get. Take a minute and pray for the person(s) God prompts you to. When you are done go read this and have a great laugh! (Tiffany, you never disappoint!)