As I’ve been digging into this topic of ‘worship’ with the Lord, I have been sorting through the subtle, yet significant, differences between two facets of worship: an encounter with God and entering into the presence of God. Early on in my research the two ideas surfaced quickly, but I must confess I struggled toContinueContinue reading “Embrace Worship: Presence”
Author Archives: Shelley Linn Johnson
Embrace Worship: Altars
The phenomenon called Frequency Illusion happens when we become aware of something we hadn’t before, and ‘suddenly’ that thing appears frequently. Like when my husband started working for Hyundai and I started seeing Hyundai cars I’d never noticed before all the time. I’ve had that kind of experience with the word ‘altars’. I’m not completelyContinueContinue reading “Embrace Worship: Altars”
Embrace Worship: Holy and Wholly
While we might be inclined to ask why we should pray when we think about lifting up a request to God, it’s probably not our habit to ask why we should worship each time we come before God. To ask ‘why pray’ often names a nagging whisper of wonder about the effectiveness of prayer.While askingContinueContinue reading “Embrace Worship: Holy and Wholly”
Embrace Prayer: It Is About Asking
Embracing prayer is a lifelong pursuit, practice, and gift. As we embrace prayer, we move beyond a “prayer life,” where we compartmentalize our moments of prayer from all the other segments of our busy lives. And we step into a “life of prayer,” which is all-encompassing1 – like syrup that flows into all the pocketsContinueContinue reading “Embrace Prayer: It Is About Asking”
Embrace Prayer: It’s Not All Asking
I’ll never forget the day I told my high school senior, as he headed out for a big day at school, that I’d be praying for him. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me, genuinely perplexed. Then asked, “Why would you need to pray about that?” Knock me over with a feather. WhatContinueContinue reading “Embrace Prayer: It’s Not All Asking”
Embrace Prayer: Renewed Love
We began this series putting forth the question, why should we pray? And for nine weeks, we’ve explored the Jesus Prayers tucked within the four Gospels – words Jesus prayed aloud for those who follow Him to hear, to learn, to pray. In doing so we’ve pulled away the proverbial curtain to peer at theContinueContinue reading “Embrace Prayer: Renewed Love”
Embrace Prayer: High Priestly Prayer
Scripture, from beginning to end, is woven with imagery to help us connect all its events and teachings to God’s ultimate purpose and plan: that of redeeming us to Himself. Here’s a great example. We read about Moses’ brother, Aaron, being appointed and anointed as the first high priest (Exodus 28:1). His job, as wellContinueContinue reading “Embrace Prayer: High Priestly Prayer”
Embrace Prayer: Abandonment Prayer
There’s a marvel of twenty-first century technology that I’m thankful for everyday – the one that leaves us wondering how we ever found our way anywhere without it. I feel acute gratitude for my GPS as I navigate our new city and state because I know where nothing is. Even back in Texas, where we’dContinueContinue reading “Embrace Prayer: Abandonment Prayer”
Embrace Prayer: Forsakenness Prayer
Christ is risen!!He is risen indeed! We’ve spent the week immersing ourselves in the stories of Jesus’ final days on earth, and if we’ve read the words written in the Gospels with any sort of openness, emotions have run high – shock and surprise, anger and angst, grief upon grief. Our feelings might be sourcedContinueContinue reading “Embrace Prayer: Forsakenness Prayer”
Embrace Prayer: Forgiveness Prayer
Today marks the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, hailed as the Savior of Israel. Coats lined the road. Palms waved overhead. Shouts of “hosanna” rose in the air. This ‘triumphal entry’ of Jesus was His intentional, public pronouncement of Kingship; He finally and fully claimed His Messianic title and role.1 ContinueContinue reading “Embrace Prayer: Forgiveness Prayer”