Prayer – A contemporary log of fragmentary pleasures

Relaxation: What is it? Part 1

I’ve always found it difficult to relax. Sure, I can lay back and doze off, but taking a nap is both cheating and unfulfilling since I’m unconscious during it. I’ve never been one to meditate either, since my mind never stops moving. What’s bothersome is that the movement is aimless, not a useful kind ofContinue reading “Relaxation: What is it? Part 1”

“Worry Not?” Are You Sure?

Everyone gets anxious at some point. Maybe it’s on a first date, or during a class presentation, or maybe you’re starting at a new job. In all these cases, anxiety is an expected, normal reaction. But there are times when our anxious reaction is out of proportion to the situation. Though “out-of-proportion” is a measurementContinue reading ““Worry Not?” Are You Sure?”

Not Much is Joyful Lately

I have been going through a dark time emotionally this past month. It feels like if it’s not one thing it’s another. Tonight I prayed with a friend and for the first time in years I cried. I felt the tears run down my face as I begged God to wake me from this nightmare.Continue reading “Not Much is Joyful Lately”

When I Want to Give Up, pt. 6

Part 5 here I’ve written a little about Job here, and I recommend reading the short post before continuing. In summary, Job was afflicted with all sorts of calamity and pain he believed God unjustly sent. But in fact, the book affirms Job was never a sinner being punished by God, but rather it wasContinue reading “When I Want to Give Up, pt. 6”

When I Want to Give Up, pt. 3

See part 2 “To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain” But there is more to that verse. Let’s look at the context of what the Apostle Paul is saying: “My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exaltedContinue reading “When I Want to Give Up, pt. 3”

When I Want to Give Up, pt. 2

See part 1 How to Give Up Because I hadn’t called for God, I sank to the bottom of the lake. My last gasp for air was running out as I stretched and strained to swim upwards. But I can’t swim; I never learned how. So here’s what I did those almost twenty years ago:Continue reading “When I Want to Give Up, pt. 2”

When I Want to Give Up, pt. 1

I’ve often wanted to give up, whether it be on my dreams, my responsibilities, or life in general. I’ve given up before even on God, letting myself slide away from Him like a boulder into a lake. I can remember that day if I try, though I wish I couldn’t. It’s been almost twenty yearsContinue reading “When I Want to Give Up, pt. 1”