This is my little girl, holding a painting God put on my heart two days ago.  As I was praying, I just kept feeling led to paint.  I had a variety of ideas, but this one is the first one that I created.  I paint a variety of different things, in all sorts of different ways.  This one, however was unique.  How it was created was a first for me.

As I was gathering supplies, I kept feeling the need to put my brushes away.  What’s this you say?  Paint a picture with no brushes?  Well, that’s exactly what I did.  I created the entire painting (from the base coat on the canvas, to the mixture of colors, texture, more colors, etc) minus of the actual writing – all by hand.  Think finger painting, adult style.  This may sound odd to you.  It certainly did to me.  Equally as strange in my head, is that I felt as if God was directing me to use only my hands, and that these are the same hands that He will use to share hope and love.  As I was creating what was shaping up to be a frame, I still could not decide what to put on the inside of it.  Whether it was God behind my thought processes for sure or not, I don’t know — but what I DO know is that I had fun.

In my thinking and praying on it, I felt like Jeremiah 29:11 would fit perfectly.  So, there you have it.  My little hand-made creation.

One thing that this challenge is doing is encouraging me to pray.  Yes, to pray the specific “challenge” prayer, but to just talk to God (prayer) whenever and for whatever reason.  For many people, prayer is some sophisticated ritualistic thing that requires hours and hours. What we (and by we, I mean me) fail to realize sometimes is that prayer is nothing more than talking to God.  It can incorporate so much more, and can be structured etc…but, don’t get caught up in the symantecs and requirements to pray “X” amount of time.  Let the Holy Spirit lead and guide you.

With all that said, something I’m learning is that God loves when you simply come to Him…in both the good times, and the not so good times.  Something in your life may not be going well,and you might be mad about it.  Tell God.  Scream. Cry. He can take it.  That’s what amazes me about God.  He loves us with a never-ending, passionate love.  There is NOTHING we can do that will make Him love us any less.  Thank God and show gratitude when things ARE right in your life.  Seek Him then too.

Always know that you can (and should) go to God with any situation, any conversation on your heart.  I keep saying this, but I need to reiterate…for myself as much as for anyone reading. Praise him and seek His face when times are tough – but also don’t forget Him when times are happy, and when all is going well.  He is worth our all, all the time.

Every part of me wants to apologize ahead of time for what I’m about to write…but I can’t. It’s just that I’m not used to speaking what’s on my heart…especially when it may ruffle feathers. I just found myself convicted thinking about all this…so, here goes…

This line in our challenge prayer states, “I choose a lifestyle of honesty and integrity.” This really got me thinking. Is this an ideal important to anyone anymore? I know it sounds judgmental, but it’s not supposed to. It’s more of an internal soul searching that I find myself doing. I found myself asking the question – what do these words actually mean? For “honesty” one quick definition I saw is: the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness, truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness, freedom from deceit or fraud. And, for “integrity” I found this: adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty – the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished, a sound, unimpaired or perfect condition.

So, if I just ponder those definitions, I wonder just how much of my lifestyle really reflects these features. It’s convicting because I see this as a challenge in and of itself. I mean, let’s talk about honesty. Think about honesty in all things. You probably think like I do – I’m an honest person. Sure, in some things. However to be honest in all things is more of a difficult concept. I mean, those of us with kids certainly understand the “necessity” to not be completely honest at times with our children. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is. How many times have you told your children – “just a minute, sweetie – we’ll do <that – whatever the “that” is that their wanting> that after I’m done…or sure, we can get some ice cream just after…” You pick the scenario, but I’d imagine we’ve all done it to some degree.

That kind of leads right into integrity. Does your moral character speak for itself? Do you hold yourself to a standard of excellence? Does your lifestyle indicate your character? I know, for me – I have to really look at this. If we are striving to be the hands and feet of Jesus – to be more like Him, these qualities are imperative. Jesus didn’t stretch the truth, and his moral character was without reproach. Shouldn’t we strive for that? I’m not saying I’m perfect – not by any means. But, if we strive to be more like Him – to be a living witness of who He is – then just remember, we might very well be the only “Jesus” some people see.

I’d like to share my experience with this 30 day challenge.

So, yesterday I started Day 1 of the 30 day challenge. I prayed early in the day. The prayer itself led me to think and ponder many different things. It opened up new ways for me to think and pray for others. I began to pray with a passion that has been hiding for some time.

Then, mid afternoon, I was driving – out running errands and such. As I left a store, I picked up my phone. I was just going to make a few phone calls, and just chat with friends and/or family. But, even after I picked up my phone, I felt urged to put it down. It was as if God said directly to me. No, talk to me instead. I felt it very strongly. So, I put my phone down and just began to pray. I felt led to pray for our church’s missioin team down in Honduras. I just prayed for whatever God put on my heart. (This challenge was one thing.) It was a very sweet time, and His presence was almost tangible. I felt closer to Him than I have in quite some time.

You see, those things might seem simple to you, but to me – it’s a breakthrough. I’ve been through some really difficult times recently, and God has met me exactly where I am, in a very real way. I’ve decided it’s time to quit playing Christian. To reach out in love to people within my reach, simply because. To get real with myself, and with God. So, this challenge came in pretty perfect timing. I have the faith to believe it’ll continue doing things within me, but also all those people (and the things) I’m praying for. I also believe it’ll be amazing to watch God in action through this, and the prayers and faithfulness of His people.

Today marks the beginning of a 30 Day Challenge – issued by Aaron Conrad.  His phenomenal blog, and specifically his challenge to the world can be found here:  http://aaronconrad.com/2012/08/28/my-30-day-challenge-to-you-all/

I am taking this challenge, and praying for God to use it to change lives, and to increase the faith of all who take it on.

Quoting Aaron:

Here’s my challenge to all of you – let’s all commit to reading this prayer every morning for 30 straight days. 5 minutes in the morning for 30 days. Read it while you drink your coffee. Tape it to your treadmill. Put it on your mirror. Whatever it takes. 30 days. We’ll start September 1st. That gives you time to spread the word. Take a look at the prayer as you consider my challenge –

Lord I put on the belt of truth. I choose a lifestyle of honesty and integrity. Show me the truths I so desperately need today. Expose the lies I’m not even aware that I’m believing. And yes, Lord, I wear your righteousness today against all condemnation and corruption. Fit me with your holiness and purity – Defend me from all assaults against my heart. I do choose to live for the gospel at any moment. Show me where the larger story is unfolding and keep me from being so lax that I think the most important thing today is the soap operas of this world.

Jesus I lift against every lie and every assault the confidence that you are good, and that you have good in store for me. Nothing is coming today that can overcome me because you are with me. Thank you, Lord, for my salvation. I receive it in a new and fresh way from you and declare that nothing can separate me now from the love of Christ and the place I shall ever have in your kingdom.

Holy Spirit, show me specifically today the truths of the Word of God that I will need to counter the assaults of the snares of the Enemy. Bring them to mind throughout the day. Finally, Holy Spirit, I agree to walk in step with you in everything – in all prayer as my spirit communes with you throughout the day.

And all the people said……AMEN!

Who’ll join me in reading this prayer every day for the next 30 days? Let’s get this thing viral. Tweet it (#30DaysPrayer). Facebook it. Email it to your friends. Let’s get accountable and share this challenge with all we know. I’m not driving traffic, I’m looking to go to prayer war with a few friends. Imagine the impact on our daily lives, or families and our perspective if we commit to this prayer for 30 days straight. Let’s go!