Jan. 15th - Half Time

We're already half way through January. This morning I began my third week of rising early and praying for an hour. I got to thinking that this may be a first for me. Though I have been fairly consistent in my prayer life throughout the past 25 plus years, I can't remember any stretch of time longer than five days where I got up early to meet the Lord in prayer. Needless to say, it has been hugely rewarding. I am beginning to experience the joys of prayer & praise afresh and anew in my heart. I'm sensing some breakthroughs as well. Momentum seems to be building in my spirit. I guess the real challenge will come when January comes to a close and my month of committed early morning prayer officially is completed. My prayer is that I will have arrived at another level of discipline in my spiritual walk.
Today is half time for me. I'm half way through my month of commitment. With the playoffs in full swing, I couldn't resist using a football illustration. Half time is hugely important to the game. Half time provides an opportunity to:
Rest
Rehearse
Review
Renew
Realign
Regroup
Regain
Refocus
Re... you get the idea.
Ten years ago as I was turning 40, I came to the realization that I was in the half time of my life. I picked a few of the above mentioned "re" words and applied them in my life and "low and behold" I ended up in Beaumont Texas pastoring Church on the Rock North!
Half times are important. I think everyday needs a half time.
Here's one word of warning. If all you do is take a break at half time, you will probably get out scored in the second half. The momentum you had going into half time will be lost. The tenacity you had will be diminished.
So this morning I'm picking a few of these "re" words and entering into the second half of my month of early morning prayer and blogging commitment with a fresh anointing & focused attitude. I'm going to keep the momentum of God building in my life.

"I hear the sound of the abundance of rain".
"Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world."
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
"And My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory."
"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

I'm running back on the field... The crowd is cheering... The band is playing...
Now that's corny if you've never done it. However, if you've ever had the opportunity to experience it, you know exactly what I mean.
"Therefore we also since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Romans 12:1)
Do you hear this "great cloud of witnesses" cheering you on this morning?

Meet you in the morning,
Sam

Suggested Reading:
Proverbs 15
Romans 12

Quote of the day: "Ultimately we are doing what we do for one of two reasons: to serve ourselves or to serve God." - Bob Biehl

Funny thought of the day:
When I spell checked the text above, the word "pastoring" came up as misspelled. The option was "pestering". Now that's funny! I ended up "pestering Church on the Rock North". Some might think so.