INTENTIALLY ATTEND in the NEW YEAR

“That reminds me of Eddie Cantor and his song about his wife, Ida,” Pastor Bill said.

Ida, sweet as apple cider. My head found a musical path and off it went. Let’s see, it ended . . . I love ya, Ida, deed I do. Then I wandered over to another Cantor song, Toot, toot Tootsie, goodbye. Toot toot, Tootsie, don’t cry. As Pastor Bill continued, I discovered that he was talking about paying attention to life so we don’t miss any part of what is truly precious.

The problem for me was, Americans speak at 125 words per minute in normal conversation. A speaker usually slows down to 100 words per minute so the audience or congregation can follow. My problem that morning was everyone’s problem. We hear at a rate of about 400-500 words per minute, more than enough time to sing another refrain of, If you knew Susie, like I know Susie.

Attending is a deliberate act, not a passing fancy. With every word or sentence spoken by Pastor Bill, I repeated them in my own mind, truly listening and carefully planting them in my heart. That is what we are called to do.

For 2011, let us intentionally attend–deliberately listen–to every good thing God has for us. Can you imagine racing past diamonds strewn along the path, and ignoring them, to reach the red plastic prize at the end of the road? It’s not the goal that is important. It’s the life lived while traveling toward it. Don’t miss one glorious moment of 2011. The only real life, is the life lived in the moment, all else is preparation or memory. Live every minute of 2011, deliberately listening to The Voice–who only speaks to us in the moment. Let us pray:

“God and father of all, holy is your name. Your precious, yet mighty voice, I hear. Your Christmas child, the Christ, I just celebrated. Now what? I pray that I might see his sweet smile and glowing eyes in the faces of my children and friends. I ask to hear him whisper love, which I may pass it on to others. Let me remember to repeat your words in my mind and heart, so that I may plant them there and grow food to share. Forgive me when I have not slowed down enough to hear you call my name–what melodies I have missed while singing my own song. I dedicate this New Year of 2011 to you, Father God. May I be present with you each moment of every day that I may be open and ready to hear your words of love and charity. In the precious name of the God Child, Jesus, I pray. Amen.”
Doris
Have a Blessed and Abiding New Year!

“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2010 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

Order Prayer Therapy Primer, by Doris Gaines Rapp, at www.bn.com. An eBook.

LOVE CAME TO EARTH

Before the Holy Baby came, law ruled the heart. Since his coming, Love rules the heart and law’s province is the courts. Can you imagine what our lives would be like if there were no love, just law? You don’t have to stretch your imagination too far to envision a world without love. Countries, communities, families, even churches without love have nothing to offer but condemnation. Only love heals. Only love redeems. Only love draws people unto him. The greatest gift of the ages was God’s gift of redeeming love. Christmas is the time of year when love is celebrated, on the birthday of the King of Love. Let us pray:

“Father God of Love and Life, holy is your name and the name of your son, Jesus, the Christ. I pray that you will make your home in my heart this Christmas season for I want your will and your love to reign there. Forgive me when I am “too busy,” “too tired,” or “too anything else” to make room for my King, the sovereign over the Kingdom of Love. May this be my first Christmas of living in your will, oh Father. Let me hear angels from the realm of Glory, the rustle of animals as they draw near the manger, and the tiny coo of the Baby above the din of a bustling December. You are always near me but only in the calm am I truly aware of you. Fill me with the peace that was heralded by the angels. Let me feel the brush of their wings as they pass by. In the name of Jesus, your son, my Savior, I pray. Amen.”
Doris
Have a very Blessed Christmas!

“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
Copyright 2010 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

Order Prayer Therapy Primer, by Doris Gaines Rapp, at www.bn.com.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Don’t you just love a good myth? Some have said the Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, was written as a code for children to learn their catechism in England during a time when Catholics were forbidden to talk about their faith. SNOOPS tells us the math just doesn’t work. The time-line is inconsistent with historic facts. Never-the-less, I love the parallels that were drawn between the little Christmas song and the true, religious meaning of Christmas. With political correctness out of control, some day we may need to cloak our words in secrecy. Whatever your interpretation of the current times, as we enter these Twelve Days of Christmas, dwelling on Christian symbols will bring a deeper meaning to faithful Christians.

Christian meaning was added to The Twelve Days of Christmas as follows: “My true love” = God himself. The partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ; two turtle doves = the old and new testaments; three French hens = Faith, Hope, and Charity; four calling birds = the four gospels and/or the four evangelists; five golden rings = the first five books of the old testament (the Pentateuch - the story of creation and man’s fall); six geese a-laying = the six days of creation; seven swans a-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; eight maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes; nine ladies dancing = the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit; ten lords a-leaping = the ten commandments; eleven pipers piping = the eleven faithful apostles; twelve drummers drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed. It matters not when these attributions were given to The Twelve Days of Christmas. What matters is, that we find Christian meaning in the Christmas season. Teaching your children these possible attributes is a wonderful way to dig more deeply into Christian teaching during this season. While “Happy Holiday” refers to celebrations of several religions, “Merry Christmas” is a blessing from God in the name of his son, Jesus Christ. Let us pray:

“Father God, our one true love, holy and precious is your name above all names. May your kingdom come into each heart this very day, so that we may dwell in your truth and walk in your will beginning even now. Today, during these twelve days of Christmas, open our eyes to the true meaning of Christmas, that we may transfer it from our heart to those around us. Let the Holy Night be with us wherever we go, that we may bring your peace and glad tidings, given to us over two-thousand years ago on the hills above Bethlehem, to all those we meet. The Holy Child of Bethlehem is the only gift we need this year, his worth is above all measure. Thank you Father, thank you. May we see his sweet smile wherever we go. In His precious name we pray. Amen.”
Doris
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”
May God richly bless you all with a very Merry Christmas
Copyright 2010 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.

CHRISTMAS THANK YOU

Christmas season is a time to give thanks for all God’s blessings. I can think of no great gifts than family and friends. I wrote a poem in appreciation for the executive team of the NeINUMW. My thanks to God for all of them, spreads like honey on a hot biscuit to all of you.

Christmas Thank You
It’s comin’ on Christmas
Joy beyond compare
Angels brush my cheek
Peace is in the air.

The hillside fills with sheep
An angel song I hear.
The tiny babe is born
God’s own heart is near.

His spirit swells within
as to the manger go
and from his thrown above
Gentle blessings flow.

I think of all my dear ones,
friends and family too
For all that you have given
I thank my God for you.

Doris Gaines Rapp
Christmas 2010 - copyright 2010 Doris Gaines Rapp

“Father God, at the very name of Jesus, great music has been created and masterpieces have been put on canvas or sculpted into astonishing and inspiring shapes. Holy is your name and the name of your son. At the name of Jesus, the ill are made well, the broken made whole, and the sinner is restored to your heart. I thank you for so much: for your son, who came from Glory to sleep on straw, and for the dear ones you have given me–my family and friends. Forgive me when I have been too busy, or two self-consumed, to remember the ones you gave me to love. At this time of Christmas, I ask nothing for myself. I ask only that my family and friends receive all the blessings you have for them, flowing from the fountains of heaven and splashing over them like a cleansing, warm shower. I know that you have heard the desire of my heart, for our prayers are like melodies from David’s harp. For all of these blessing, I ask in the name of Jesus, my Christmas child and my Savior. Amen”
Doris
Copyright 2010 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”

Prayer Therapy Primer, just released as an eBook. To order, go to www.bn.com and type in Doris Gaines Rapp or Prayer Therapy Primer.

Prayer Therapy Primer

Prayer Therapy Primer, by Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D., is now available as an eBook at www.barnesandnoble.com and your computer is your eReader.

Learn to create prayers that target specific needs, so God our Father, can answer specifically. Receive healing for your mind and/or body through prayer. Doris Gaines Rapp’s On-Line Prayer Group uses Prayer Therapy prayers in the manner and style of Jesus Christ.

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To order Prayer Therapy Primer go to BarnesandNoble.com and type in Doris Gaines Rapp at the top (Keyword, Title, Author) or Prayer
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Thank you and have a very Blessed Christmas.
Doris Gaines Rapp