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THURSDAY THOUGHT 10/28/10

 WHY I DON’T PRAY

Longer today.  Sorry.  First, let me begin by saying that I do not claim to be an expert on the subject of prayer.  But I do know that prayer is an important part of the spiritual journey.  That having been said…

My doubter friends don’t understand prayer, and I admit that I’m lousy at explaining it.  Some say it’s a waste of time or, at best, surrendering to a god that likes to see us dance to the bullets fired at our feet; basically, giving in to a god who will torture us if we don’t bow down and kiss his feet. 

I don’t see it that way.  True, God’s no namby-pamby, politically correct sack of gooey love, but He’s also not a pull-the-wings-off-flies psycho.  All that He does has a pure and good purpose.  (And at that statement, my doubter friends will howl in protest.  Can’t be helped.  It’s true.)

I don’t pray because I’m afraid that God will kick the stuffing out of me if I don’t straighten out and do it His way.  I don’t pray to get things that I want.  (Okay, okay, that’s not one hundred percent true, but I suspect that’s not why God wants me to pray.)  I don’t pray to bribe God or to convince Him that I’m His buddy, an Eddie Haskell toady kissing up to Him.

When I get it right, when I see it clearly, I know I don’t have to pray for favors or goodies or even mercy.  I know I already have those things.  I pray because – like a good son learns the reasons to obey a good father – it’s the best and right and most satisfying and rewarding way to live … even when the storm is madly swirling all around and all seems lost and hopless. 

When I’m hitting on all eight spiritual cylinders, I know that all that I need, I need not request.  No godly to-do list necessary.  He knows it all.  So, I pray for the needs of others, that God might show them how to turn to Him, even/especially in times of super pain and suffering. 

And I pray for the same reason we all enjoy chewing the fat with a dear, beloved friend or  family member:  Because the company’s great and I really enjoy the time spent together. 

My point:  I don’t know.  Maybe it’s that we should think about prayer and why we do it.  Or maybe it’s just a matter of settling in, shutting up and listening to what God has to say to us.  Let Him do some of the talking.  So, just pray; have a nice chat with God. – jri

 Still, without contradiction (hey, I’m only human and don’t claim to have all the answers), I ask for your prayers for my brother in Haiti and for all those who volunteer their time and talents to help the victims of the cholera epidemic.  God bless.   

John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 10/27/10

JOYFYUL BATTLGROUNDS

My brother, Lou,  one of the top third-world medical missionaries, heads out today for Haiti.  He was called into service when the cholera epidemic broke out.  He will be gone ten days; longer were it up to him. 

My brother was born for the battle, the big cause, something good and worth plunging into, sword swinging.  He always returns home spent, worn out, recalling mostly the children with whom he worked, joyful over those he was able to help, haunted over those he wasn’t.  Between opportunities to engage in such battles, he always seems restless, the proverbial fish out of water.  (I suspect that is why, at age 63, he just finished his first triathlon.)  He tends to get mad when I write about him, so I’d better shut up now.

My point:  First, please keep Lou in your prayers.  Second, I think we’re all a bit like Lou in that we are at our best when engaged in a worthy struggle, trying in our own small ways to change the world, to make a difference.  In that sense, unless you spend your life in insipid self-focus, sipping martinis on your yacht, without a thought for others, we all are, can be  and should be warriors for a glorious cause.  For me, it’s trying to share the joy and love and healing of God.  For Lou, it’s the medical arts.  For you?  – jri

Please pray for all the suffering people in that unfortunate country of Haiti.  Also pray for the men and women who share their medical arts and compassion to help them.  God bless.   

John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722
October 27, 2010

BOOK PROMO: NEW RELEASE BY JR INGRISANO

THE DAY MY FATHER DIED

This is a book plug.  My latest publication, a booklet called “The Day My Father Died Was One of the Best Days of My Life,” is now available. 

Though the title sounds a bit grim, it’s true.  However, actually, it’s a story about a decades’-long miracle about stubbornness, frustration, hope determination, and ultimate transformation.  Dedicated “To fathers, especially those of us who do not take naturally to the role,”  “The Day My Father Died” is the true story of the journey I took to build a relationship with my father … and how I dragged him along, like it or not.

If you’ve ever called your father and told him, “I love you,” only to hear the response, “Thanks for calling, “  I think you’ll appreciate “The Day My Father Died.” 

The book lists for $5.99 + S & H.  However, it is available now for $5.75, including S & H.  If you like, I’ll sign your copy.  And if you don’t like it, send it back and I’ll return your full payment.

No big reviews yet, but word is that it’s a booklet worth reading.  (I think so, but I’m a tad prejudiced.).  The big promo splash starts next week.  In the meantime, copies are available at “The Day My Father Died Was One of the Best Days of My Life” for $5.00 plus 75 cents S&H. Or send $5.75 to:

I hope you enjoy it.  God bless and thank you.  JRI

P.S.  Read below for info on the presentation available on “The Day My Father Died.”  I’d love the opportunity to talk to your church group, men’s group, etc. 

LAMBS VS. WOLVES

I confess I’m lousy as this lamb stuff.  When I was younger (and even now, now and then), I was wont to see three categories of people: wolves, sheep and sheepdogs.  Me?  I saw myself as a sheepdog, partly out of a sense of All-American fair play and also because I just loved going after the wolves of this world (mostly for sport, I admit, than out of a sense of goodness).

These days?  I’ve grown to admire the gentleness of  the Lamb, who conquers with love, patience and faith.  Though I still enjoy a bout of contention now and then and snarl at wolves (you know them; they’re the takers and the users of the world), I put more faith in the love of God and His plan for me than in myself. 

My point:  Not sure.  Just got thinking about lambs and wolves while reading the Bible today.  Maybe it’s that we win more battles with love, patience and trust in God than through our own strength.  Or even when we lose a round or two, that’s okay; God never said it would be easy.  So, just trust.  Share the love.  Be an example.  That’s how to conquer. – jri 

October 19, 2010

MONDAY THOUGHT 10/11/10

WHEN WE STOP CONFUSING GOD WITH VALIUM

Somewhere, many folks got the impression that God was supposed to be some kind of feel-good happy pill.  “Okay, God, I believe in you.  Make life simple and easy. Poof!”  Then when life gets tough, they first feel cheated, then decide the only intelligent explanation is that God probably doesn’t exist … and if He does, He really doesn’t care all that much about us.   

Of course, if the prime goal of life is comfort and freedom from stress, pain, anxiety, etc., it kind of does make sense that everything is supposed to be easy just because we claim to have faith and put in the fix-it order to God.  Just ain’t so, though.

My point:  I think some folks (yes, I’m in that group) tend to waste way too much time trying to avoid and/or relieve their own pain.  However, I have a sneaky suspicion that that just may not be the whole goal and purpose of life.  In other words, the “easy v. hard” issue may have us barking up the wrong tree.  Better instead perhaps to spend time trying to figure out what God wants us to do with the pain, especially the pain of others.  For example, I have a cross with the inscription, “Christ is counting on you.”  Once we get that into perspective, it all makes a tad more sense. — jri 

FRIDAY THOUGHT 10/8/10

I recently ran face first into a situation (details unavailable; sorry) that threatened to undo pretty much my entire future.  Innocent (for a change), I was blindsided by the situation.  I saw no solution; I mean zero.  I felt frustrated, cheated, flat-out fed up.  I  even told God that I was not in the mood to play or pray and just didn’t want to talk to Him at the moment.  I even complained before walking away that He needed to understand that this wasn’t some game, but my life He was toying with.  (Yes, I know, when I decide to feel sorry for myself, I’m pretty good at it.)

 Well, oops!  Maybe I walked away, but He didn’t.  The totally impossible situation, the one without a solution, ended; it simply ended, dissolved, resolved … with the promise of an even more wondrous life to come.  You see, it never was impossible.  Just because I couldn’t see a solution, that didn’t mean God couldn’t see one.  I had to smile as I got down on my knees and (A) apologized to God – again — for being such a clay-footed donkey and (B) thanked Him for not giving up on me.  And I had a sense that God almost chuckled and that He has no intention of giving up on me even if I give up on Him now and then. 

 My point:  I am becoming increasingly convinced (slow learner that I am) that this God of ours does care a whole lot and has some pretty neat plans for all of us.  And just maybe we need to quit sounding like the kid in the back seat who keeps whining, “Are we there yet?”  (Oh, and the verse below reflects how I wish I were, not how I know I am.  Make sense?) – jri

FRIDAY THOUGHT 10/1/10

WHY PRAY? 

I have friends who believe that prayer is futile.  They’ve tried it; it didn’t work.  The waters didn’t part; the relationship wasn’t miraculously fixed; the bank foreclosed anyway.  I don’t know much, but I don’t think that’s why we pray … to get God goodies.

Why pray?  Well, if we assume that we are not free-will  beings, then we pray for favors (sort of like citizens in a socialist society).  However, I see it differently.  I see myself as having a role in God’s plan.  He has called me.  It is my job to make a difference with people around me … or at least to try.  For me, though I’d sure like to see the withered soul made whole (and it happens now and then; not my business to understand the when, how and why of such unfathomable things), I have found that prayer is about strength and courage.  That’s what I pray for, that God will give me guidance and the opportunity to seek, recognize and do His will.

My point:  Self-evident, I guess.  I think it makes more sense to pray, “Lord, show me what I can do,” rather than, “Lord, gimme this.”  — jri