Do You Know Any Heroes?

Heroes are awesome! My nine year old, Max, is interested in the laser-eyed, high flying kind. But I'm amazed by a different sort of hero. The kind who fight off fear and take risks for a cause they believe in.

Sometimes that type of hero is high profile, like Bob Goff or Jen Hatmaker. Other times they are the kind of people you go to church with and see in the carpool line. They don't look extra-ordinary, haven't written a best seller, aren't wearing a cape. They're ordinary heroes.

I'd like to tell you about one that has grabbed my attention lately. Stephanie Page is a mom who lives in the freezing world of Minnesota. She's raising three beautiful daughters and investing in the lives of young people, she's blogging, dreaming, and speaking. Recently she started Stories Cafe.

Stephanie says of Stories, "We all have a story to share and our stories can touch the stories of others. Stories is on it's way to becoming a cafe where proceeds will go to the abolition of modern day slavery. Live your story. Share your story. Change a story."

She and her family are working to make Stories a reality. A real place where the proceeds from the Cafe go to fight human trafficking. She's passionate and committed to making a difference.

It hasn't been an easy ride to get to this place, it's taken personal sacrifice. Stephanie's dedication to live what she believes, to put her actions behind her convictions, inspires me. Check out Stories Cafe and see if you aren't inspired too!

Do you know any heroes? It could be your Mom (mine is another one of my heroes), or your pastor, one of your kids teachers, or anyone you know. Tell us who your heroes are!

Have you told them lately that they inspire you? Why not take a moment today to give them a phone call or an email and let them know you appreciate their bold lives of faith!

Prayer God Loves to Answer

For years I have been mystified by passages like James 5:17-18; "Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."

What is the key to praying bold prayers that God answers with a yes? What kind of prayer "moves mountains"? I'm coming to learn context is everything and so is our heart's desire.

I acknowledge that God is capable of making the sun stand still, parting the Red Sea, causing a three and a half year drought, even of raising the dead. But does an awareness of God's ability translate into faith? Faith is an intimate understanding that God is who he says he is and will do what he has said he will do, our faith is a response to his faithfulness.

What enabled a man, just like us, to pray an audacious prayer that God answered? I believe context is key. Elijah was intimate with the heart of God, he understood God's purposes in his generation, and acted in accordance with God's plan. Elijah's faith in God's faithfulness, belief in his power, and awareness of God's purpose in that time and place led him to pray with confidence.

Israel needed to be reminded of God's authority and he chose Elijah to be his messenger. Elijah had confidence in his God given purpose. It was out of an understanding that Israel needed to be reminded of God's authority that Elijah prayed.

Does that mean we can pray and God will dry up the clouds for three plus years. Yes and no. Elijah had no super powers. When God calls his people he prepares them to pray boldly according to his faithfulness and power.

I've seen people name, claim, and carry on over things they are sure God will do or give. And yet the answers still seem to allude or be manufactured. God is not bound to please us he is bound to glorify himself. Of course God can do anything, but we would be wise to pray for things far beyond our control or ability only after we have taken the time to know God's heartbeat and learned how he has purposed to use us in this place and time for his glory.

Could God use you or me to pray and dry up rain for years? Yes. Will he? I doubt it. I am not in Elijah's generation, facing the problems of his time, I am not purposed for what Elijah was purposed for. And neither are you. People like Elijah are examples of how God uses those who are willing to serve his purposes, not patterns to follow exactly.

Are you frustrated in your prayer life? Are you afraid to pray boldly? Or does God not seem to answer?

Ask God to reveal his heart, to align your heart to his, to inform your prayers with scripture, and to make you aware of his purpose for you in this generation. His purpose is always to glorify himself and to include you in that goal.