Notes from the Trail

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I’m getting the itch for a blog overhaul, and I wanted to get my readers’ input on what they enjoy most and what they’d like to see more of. It’s not just a graphic redesign, but I’m considering content and interactivity as well.

Found a great poll feature over at polldaddy.com, so if you’d be so kind as to take a few minutes…

Take a few moments and respond to the survey.

The Kneeling Christian

by Unknown Christian

I heard (or perhaps read) about someone describing how they balance their reading a while back. Their selection over the course of a year contained some enjoyment reading, a biography or two, books in an area that they desired personal growth, and then the kicker… a book about prayer.

I remember how it struck me as extremely strategic to include in one’s reading each year a book about prayer. Whether good or bad, such material would hopefully remind and provoke my commitment and reward in this area of my spiritual life.

I would love to say that I am a deep and consistent pray-er all the time. I am not, however. My prayer life is like the tide.

With all that said, however, I highly recommend this short book, The Kneeling Christian. It was written between the two World Wars – in the 20s or 30s. While the author refused to identify himself (or herself), most think it the work of Anglican clergyman Albert Earnest Richardson.

The author is well-versed in scripture, and although there are a few principles that I would take issue with, the material will most assuredly challenge your prayer life.

• It will challenge your first love as being rooted in Christ.
• It will challenge the praise of your prayers, the regularity of your prayers, and the urgency of your prayers.
• It will help you examine possible hindrances in your prayer life.
• The book also has a great chapter on “who” can pray. Most of us might like to quickly respond, “Anyone!” But not so fast, says this author. I think you’ll find yourself nodding in agreement with him by the time you follow his line of reasoning.

If you haven’t read a book this year on prayer, swing by Amazon and pick this one up. Then pass it along.

I hope it provokes you as well to become a kneeling Christian.

Over at worldmaps.org, you can view a variety of gorgeous map graphics that show you the status of world evangelization. I’ve ordered some for our church and some extra to give away during services. You can also download the images for use as desktops, etc. Here’s what I’m currently using as my desktop:

The following is an incredible praise song that I want to shout from the rooftops. Would that my eyes were open to see the works of God’s hands! Too often, I get so consumed with my own problems that I can’t look beyond them.

Has anyone else noticed how many great songs Hillsong is churning out these days?