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NOTES  FROM  THE  VALLEY - August 12, 2000

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil for you are with me."  Psalm 23.
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TOPIC:  THE  GIFT  OF  PRAYER  -  PART  1

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.   And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
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God blesses our lives in ways far too numerous to count.  But I'm convinced
that one of the greatest of those blessings is our prayer relationship with
Him.  When everything around us is in turmoil; when nothing seems to make
sense, when we have no idea what to do or where to go next; we can always go
to Him through prayer.

My "prayer life" over the past several years has undergone a tremendous
change.  For the longest time I thought prayer was something I had to do on
my knees, in a quiet place, and only when I needed something from God.
Which usually meant it didn't happen very often and it never last very long.
I can't pinpoint for you when that began to change, it was such a gradual
process.  But through various books, tapes, and Christian friends the Holy
Spirit began to open my eyes and my heart to the reason for prayer and the
very real need for me to make some changes.  God, as He so often does, used
my wife and our children in the awakening process.

I love our kids dearly.  I always thought the things I provided for them
demonstrated how much I loved them.  But I'm afraid I never did a very good
job of putting those feelings into words.  Cathy, on the other hand, did a
great job.  She lives by her heart.  She gets hurt more often because of it.
But she's also easier to understand on an emotional level.  Particularly
with the children.  Because of her willingness to be open and vulnerable,
the children found comfort and self-confidence from the love she showed
them.  Oh, they've always known I love them.  But when they're in need of a
nurturing hug and a loving word, Mom's the one they'll seek.  As I look back
over two decades of parenting, I see my lack of emotional intimacy with our
children as one of my greatest failings.

One night, when I was in prayer about something that was  troubling me, God
used the opportunity to open my eyes about my relationship with Him and how
much it was like my relationship with my children.  Despite the love I felt
for Him, my actions didn't demonstrate that love.  With stark clarity He
took the pain in my heart over my lack of intimacy with my children and
multiplied it many times over to demonstrate the pain He felt over my lack
of intimacy with Him.  Until that moment, I had never truly understood at
the heart level how deeply God loves us and wants to be with us.  I'd read
the expressions of His love in the Bible repeatedly.  But now, the words
that had been planted in my mind finally took root in my heart.

He showed me how much He wants me to come to Him at any time, just because I
want to be with Him.  Showed me how much He wants my prayers to be more than
just a list of my needs. He wants it to be a conversation between Father and
son about my hopes and dreams, my gratitude for His blessings, my praise for
His grace, the ups of life that bring me joy, the downs that bring me
sorrow, the people I love and those who love me back - everything.
Including my needs.  He wants to hear about it all and He wants to be
involved in it all.  That's why He gave you and me an open line of
communications to Him anytime and anywhere - called prayer.   Driving in the
car, taking a walk, sitting at my desk, mowing the yard, visiting a friend
or playfully wrestling with Cathy.  Kneeling, sitting, standing, walking,
running.  In any situation, He's there for me (for all of us) and ready to
respond.

In an effort to keep this edition reasonably short, I'll stop here and wait
until next week's edition to finish my "Notes" on  the topic of prayer.
Please enjoy the thoughts and articles I've included  on the following
pages.  Until next week . . .

I remain your brother in Christ, a work in progress,
sheltered under His wings and overwhelmed by His love,


Steve Hall



A  LOVE  STORY
(Contributed by Linda Layton - Author Unknown)

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.  Ah the beauty of
God's creation is beyond description.  As I watched, I praised God for His
beautiful work.  As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.  He
asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course, God!  You are my Lord and Savior!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love
me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body
and wondered how many things I wouldn't; be able to do, the  things that I
took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still
love You."


Then the Lord said,"If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it?  Then I thought of
all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and
His creation.  So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still
love you."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my
word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf?  Then I understood.  Listening to
God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It
would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to
sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like.  And
praising God is not always  with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give
God praise with our words of thanks.  So I answered, "Though I could not
physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"  With courage and a strong
conviction, I answered boldly, " Yes Lord!  I love You because You are the
one and true God!" I thought I had answered well, but...

God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"

I answered, "Because I am only human.  I am not perfect."

"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST?  WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF
TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY IN EARNEST?"

No answers.  Only tears.  The Lord continued:  "Why only sing at fellowships
and retreats?  Why seek Me only in times of worship?  Why ask things so
selfishly?  Why ask things so unfaithfully?"

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

"Why are you ashamed of Me?   Why are you not spreading the good news?  Why
in times of persecution, do you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to
cry on?  Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My
Name?"

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life.  I made you not to throw this gift away.  I have
blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away.  I have
revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.  I  have spoken
to you but your ears were closed.  I have shown My blessings to you, but
your eyes were turned away.  I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by
as they were pushed away.   I have heard your prayers and I have answered
them all."

 "DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief.  I had no
excuse. What could I say to this?  When my heart had cried out and the tears
had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord.  I am unworthy to be Your
child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My Child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me?  Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, " Because you are My Creation. You are my Child.  I will
never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.  When you are down, I  will
encourage you.  When you fall, I will raise you up.  When you are
tired, I will carry you.  I will be with you till the end of days, and I
will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before.  How could I have been so cold?  How could
I have hurt God as I had done?  I asked God, "How much do You love me?"

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands.  I bowed
down at the feet of Christ, my Savior.  And for the first time, I truly
prayed.



PRAYER  OF  ST.  FRANCIS

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.


TEACH  ME  LORD  TO  PRAY
(Received from HeartStrings - Author Virginia Ellis)

Please teach me, Lord ...
I want to know
Exactly how to pray.
I need some words
Which ones are right?
Please tell me what to say.

I've bowed my head
I have knelt down,
But ... should I be upright?
I've closed my eyes,
I've raised my hands,
Or ... should I fold them tight?

Do I stand up?
Should I sit down?
Dear Lord ... what do you like?
Are lights turned on
Or are they off?
Maybe ... candle light?

Wear my glasses?
Take them off?
Be at my desk or table?
Should I whisper?
Speak out loud?
Do I quote the Bible?

What do you think
About the time?
Do You prefer the dawn?
Should I pray fast,
Or keep it slow?
Better short ... or long?

I'm new at this
What are the rules?
I want to do it right.
How do I know
You'll even hear
That I am in Your sight?


And while I sat there quietly,
Waiting for some sign,
I heard a gentle voice say,
"Oh, dearest child of mine ...
Do you think I really care
About the time of day,
Or whether you are standing up,
Or kneeling when you pray?"

"I don't care about your posture,
Or about the place you choose;
Just open up your soul to me,
I have no other rules.
Tell me what is in your heart,
And tell me what you seek;
Tell me of your sorrows,
And of those things that made you weak."

"Speak to me in private
About what concerns you most;
I know about your good deeds ...
You have no need to boast.
My child, you don't need lessons,
Just talk to me each day;
Tell me anything you want, dear child,
Anyone can pray."
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Copyright © 1998-2000 by Stephen J. Hall  -   Weekly letters of
encouragement to Christians written by Stephen J. Hall unless otherwise
indicated.  Notes from the Valley and Humor from the Valley are never
intended to offend anyone.  They're meant only to brighten your day and
encourage you along the way.  Most of "Notes" and "Humor" are a collection
of items provided to me by subscribers and friends.  Credit is given to both
the contributor and to the true author, where known.  If you are blessed by
them, please feel free to make copies and pass them along to others.  If you
have something you'd like to contribute to a future edition or would like to
ask us a question or make a comment, please contact us at:

sossteve@...
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Your love, God, is my song, and I'll sing it!  I'm forever telling everyone
how faithful you are.  I'll never quit telling the story of your love - how
you built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it.  Your love has always
been our lives foundation, your fidelity has been the roof over our world.
(Psalm 89:1-3 The Message)