Prince Charming vs. The King of Kings

February 14, 2012 / admin / No comments
Lori Prehar

LORI PREHAR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello and welcome to the first Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas blog. My name is Lori Prehar and I’m honored to have you visit. But first, let me tell you how God gave me this awesome opportunity to connect with you today.

A couple of months ago, I was minding my own business in Duxbury, MA, trying to figure out where our fifth child would sleep when he arrived in January. The phone rang and my husband told me he had just been offered his dream job –in Austin, Texas! One month later, we found ourselves and our four children (ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 ) packed in the car, traveling 30 hours to our new adventure.

My husband found Mount Olive through a dear friend’s referral. One Sunday morning the pastor made an announcement looking for help creating an Advent Devotional written by the congregants. I inquired, the pastor encouraged me, made the proper introductions and I got to pursue a life long dream of writing! I thought, “How blessed am I?” Well God didn’t stop there! Mount Olive wanted to start a blog and asked if I could help. “ME? OH MY GOSH!! YES!!” And here I am! I’m delighted to have your eyes and hope I can hug your heart with words grounded in faith. I pray to be the conduit with you and our Lord each time we “meet.”

In country music sensation Taylor Swift’s super hit Love Story, she sings “Romeo, save me.” Yikes!  That puts a lot of pressure on poor Romeo.  “You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess”?  Are we living at Disney World or in reality?  Once upon a time….and they lived happily ever after” I think that pretty much sums up our culture’s view of love and marriage. Hollywood tells us we’re entitled to the fairytale. We are urged to “Say Yes to the Dress.” Huge television franchises have been built around the premise of “bachelors” and “bachelorettes” fiercely competing to win a rose and a marriage proposal from someone they hardly know. Prince Charming or Tom Brady, Snow White or Giselle – what’s the difference?  And if it doesn’t work out, no problem! Just trade discontent for a better spouse, better house, or something that mimics what we thought marriage was BEFORE we walked down the aisle. But come on people, to host the dream wedding but forget to invite our Heavenly Father to the big day would be just having an overpriced party.  Don’t be fooled-it will vanish. Because it’s just worldly happiness, it comes with an expiration date. Look how it turned out for poor Romeo and Juliet!

“He/She is perfect!” Sometimes we buy it, don’t we?  We want that effortless bliss where love is easy, life ideal, all our selfish needs are met and adversity is something we only see on the evening news. Oh that crafty Satan!  If we only aspire to things of this world, we never truly tap into the happiness God has for us.  Our Lord hardwired us to have a need for His love that ONLY He call fill. Our spouse is our gift from HIM. And remember, when we get married, God expects it to be forever – like into the next life forever. He calls us to spend the rest of our days on earth with one person and love them, even when they aren’t being particularly lovable.  He promises, if you lean on Him, He will get the two of you through absolutely anything this fallen world throws your way.

You promised in front of everyone you adore and more importantly, in front of God, to love one another in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, in good times and in bad. You can access our Creator’s powers and strength any time of day or night because He’s in this marriage as much as you are.  Like a braided rope, you will be stronger together, as long as you remember He’s the strongest part of the equation.  I’m not saying it’s all going to be rosy or a fairytale – neither is He.  His ways are not our ways.  He asks us to live by our wedding vows and honor one another all the days of our lives, not just the sunny ones.  He asks us to put their needs above our own. Consider going through your vows this Valentine’s Day. Replay that video that cost you thousands and listen carefully to the words you both spoke.

The bad times, the poorer days and the sickness mentioned in our wedding vows WILL happen. God doesn’t pull any punches. Marriage isn’t a bait and switch.  But He promises NEVER to leave you.  He will stand with you each and every day until death parts you.  Lean on that next time Satan whispers something selfish in your ear.

When we join lives with our chosen “Prince Charming” or “Queen of Hearts” and settle in to daily life, do we keep ourselves and our behavior in check and treat them like, well, royalty? Are you holding up your end of the bargain? Do you treat him or her like they are only trumped by The King of Kings Himself? I know for me, I fall short of such noble and upstanding behavior often.  I take God’s gift to me and many times hand him all my LEAST favorite parts, instead of reserving my most flattering parts for him. I have learned I have to work at it – it’s more than worth it. My faith has sustained me when I wasn’t “happy” and I have learned to aspire to what is Holy. Our commitment is forever, like into the next life forever. I have prayed a lot and realize we are a work in progress, but God absolutely, unequivocally knows what He’s doing.

Troy and I were at a Bible study in Boston where the Married Couples Ministry studied Genesis. You can imagine the guys broke into a sweat when a woman took issue that Eve was “just designed to be a helper.” The tension was broken when one man said, “I’ve never understood why women take issue with that. After God spent some time with Adam He said to Himself ‘Oh man, this guy’s gonna need some help’.”

God perfectly designed women to fall into a role in the man’s life that the man could not fill alone. Just like Jerry Maguire said, “You complete me.”  That was our Lord’s intention – “the two will become one” means a lot when you stop and think about it. One is not better. It’s two very different skill sets and together we balance out God’s love-one masculine and one feminine. Perfectly designed! We have to always remember that truth, and not sell out to the lies Satan and the world has spent forever feeding us.

February 14th doesn’t have to be the only day you celebrate your love each year! Acknowledge the gift God has given you – your forever Valentine!

Category: Encouragement, Love One Another, Member of Mount Olive / Tags: , , , , ,

If You’re Not Helping Someone, You’re Wasting Your Time

January 19, 2012 / admin / No comments
Lori Prehar

LORI PREHAR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello and welcome to the Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas blog. My name is Lori Prehar and I’m honored to have you visit. But first, let me tell you how God gave me this awesome opportunity to connect with you today.

In 2011, I was minding my own business in Duxbury, MA, trying to figure out where our fifth child would sleep when he arrived. The phone rang and my husband told me he had just been offered his dream job –in Austin, Texas! One month later, we found ourselves and our four children (ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 ) packed in the car, traveling 30 hours to our new adventure.

My husband found Mount Olive through a dear friend’s referral. One Sunday morning the pastor made an announcement looking for help creating an Advent Devotional written by the congregants. I inquired, the pastor encouraged me, made the proper introductions and I got to pursue a life long dream of writing! I thought, “How blessed am I?” Well God didn’t stop there! Mount Olive wanted to start a blog and asked if I could help. “ME? OH MY GOSH!! YES!!” And here I am! I’m delighted to have your eyes and hope I can hug your heart with words grounded in faith. I pray to be the conduit with you and our Lord each time we “meet.”

Right before our big move we found out this would most likely be our last pregnancy. Once we arrived in Austin, it was confirmed that a hysterectomy was necessary after we delivered our little one. It rustled up a host of emotions.  But eventually I got over myself, accepted that this would be our last baby and that this was God’s plan.  God had been so very generous to bless us with a big family full of healthy children.  Quietly I prayed, ‘’ Please Lord, help me to slow my life down to enjoy every minute of this last tiny, wondrous gift from you.”

This isn’t what I had in mind.

I spent December 7th – 22nd on mandatory bed rest in the
hospital. On the 23rdour son was born 5 weeks early and put in the NICU with a list of health concerns. An unexpected complication during my surgery required an additional emergency procedure. I awoke to a long and painful recovery.  I wasn’t physically able to get to the NICU to see my sweet baby for two full days and it devastated me to be separated from my newborn. I was weak and helpless and in more pain than I had ever been. But God surrounded me with His reassurance.

My husband and mother spent most days with me, with my mother-in-law holding down the fort at home. Almost every nurse spoke of their faith in God and my spirits lifted. The football team, the Bible study I attend as well as this amazing church all took care of meals through a care calendar, leaving my family’s greatest worry being, “Will we be able to eat it all?”  My father got the kids where they needed to be and countless new friends offered help in every conceivable way. My mom did laundry around the clock, grocery shopped after everyone else was fast asleep and still managed to play and sing with the children.  Pastor Meyer visited me throughout the 23 days in the hospital, and once I got home. My father-in-law fed me some of my favorite foods to offset the yucky hospital fare.

Prayers and encouragement and a cheering section second to none answered our prayers. Baby Andrew and I both came home (he’s doing great, by the way!) and mostly all our needs were met – think about that!  God stood with me in the pit I was in.  Never before were Troy and I more humbled and more grateful and more in awe of God’s power.  His Children were caring for us the way He would have. “Do Unto others” means something very different now.  It left us desperately searching for “How will we ever thank all these people?”

It reminded me of a Catholic friend who told me of an exercise they did at their church during Lent.  One of the priests washed the elders’ feet, reenacting how Jesus washed the disciples’ feet before the Last Supper John 13:4-8 “….He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”  Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” –John 13:6-8 

Many emotions must have stirred in Peter – surely he felt uncomfortable, a sense of inferiority and of being undeserving. In part, that’s how I feel. Who are these people that barely know us, giving so selflessly, and we’ve done nothing to deserve it? But yet, I see the joy in their eyes to serve me – and who am I? I can only imagine the joy Jesus feels watching us “Loving one another.”

It has planted in me a deep desire to give back in new ways and serve once I’m strong again.  I would urge you to introduce yourself to the wonderful people who lead the outreach ministry here at Mt. Olive. See what they have planned for 2012, then pray and search your soul as to how you can help them serve. You most likely will get an answer you weren’t planning on either – trust me. I guarantee sharing your time and talents will bring you exponential joy and fulfillment.  Our Heavenly Father never wastes our time. As the gospel song says, “Reach out to Jesus, He’s reaching out to you.”

And remember, on His 33rd birthday when Jesus might have been putting together a bucket list of sorts, He willingly listed at the tip- top “Die for you.” That will put your work in perspective. No one is going to crucify you in your outreach effort.  But heaven might be a little more crowded someday thanks to you and the example you illustrated for others in how you choose to live your life here. Be a beacon on top of a hill, be a light to others and show them the way to serve cheerfully and have a servant’s heart. Reach out to someone in the hospital or nursing home. Reach out to a child needing nurturing or guidance. But answer the call and reach out this year as He would reach out. Your outreach effort could lead someone home. Take it from me, your kindness will make a huge difference.

 

Category: Encouragement, Gratitude, Love One Another, Mt. Olive Outreach, Outreach, Serving Others / Tags: , , , ,

Christmas Gifts That Won’t Break

December 14, 2011 / admin / 2 comments
Lori Prehar

LORI PREHAR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello and welcome to the Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas blog. My name is Lori Prehar and I’m honored to have you visit. But first, let me tell you how God gave me this awesome opportunity to connect with you today.

In 2011, I was minding my own business in Duxbury, MA, trying to figure out where our fifth child would sleep when he arrived. The phone rang and my husband told me he had just been offered his dream job –in Austin, Texas! One month later, we found ourselves and our four children (ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 ) packed in the car, traveling 30 hours to our new adventure.

My husband found Mount Olive through a dear friend’s referral. One Sunday morning the pastor made an announcement looking for help creating an Advent Devotional written by the congregants. I inquired, the pastor encouraged me, made the proper introductions and I got to pursue a life long dream of writing! I thought, “How blessed am I?” Well God didn’t stop there! Mount Olive wanted to start a blog and asked if I could help. “ME? OH MY GOSH!! YES!!” And here I am! I’m delighted to have your eyes and hope I can hug your heart with words grounded in faith. I pray to be the conduit with you and our Lord each time we “meet.”

Believe it or not, this month I am writing to you from a hospital bed. I’ve been put on mandatory bed rest until our fifth child makes his “ready or not, here I come!” arrival. Complications demand I be benched during my favorite time of the year. But God is good ALL the time. Never have I felt so loved by Him and His than I do this Christmas.

I have found God to be absolutely everywhere. On my ride to the hospital, I was serenaded by the music of Elvis Presley’s “Amazing Grace”, reminding me to “Put (my) hand in the hand of the man who stilled the waters, put (my) hand in the hand of the man who calmed the seas.” His loving compassion, lavish grace and constant camaraderie have comforted me with each twist and turn.

I have found Christmas miracles in the form of a praying army who have pledged to keep me, our baby boy and my husband and four little ones in their daily prayers:
“Precious Heavenly Father, I lift up Lori to You and ask for your hand of protection on her and her sweet baby. I pray that You will cause her body to relax and heal. Please keep “lil’ man” in her protective womb until Your perfect timing. Thank you for the gift of good doctors and hospitals and we pray that they will have compassion and wisdom as they care for Lori. Thank you for loving and caring for Lori and her baby so much and for taking care of them. I also pray for her family that they can have peace and joy as they help out their mom right now!”

As if that wasn’t enough, I’m reading Max Lucado’s Fearless where I’m reminded regarding Jesus and storms:
“We expect Jesus to come in the form of peaceful hymns or Easter Sundays or quiet retreats. We expect to find Jesus in morning devotionals, church suppers and meditation. We never expect to see Him in a bear market, pink lip, law suit, foreclosure or war. We never expect to see Him in a storm. But it is in storms where He does His finest work, for it is in the storm that He has our keenest attention.”
AMEN, I TELL YOU, AMEN!

Then unexpected visitors from Mt. Olive , including Pastor Meyer, show up with goodies for me and words of courage wrapped in faith. My nurse shares with me her miracle story of a kidney transplant for her son that had our Lord’s signature all over it. My mother-in law steps in to take over my crazy life, my mother drops it all to come to the rescue from 2000 miles away and my husband finds a new admiration for all I do. Texts and emails blanket me in peace the way only God’s tender hands could. I feel cherished, not forsaken, and I’m living a life strong in faith, not dictated by fear. What a gift to unwrap! This isn’t how I dreamed it, but I’m astonished it could bring me this much sheer joy and jubilation.

I would never have imagined having Christmas in this precarious position. But you know what? My presents aren’t coming from a department store, a little blue box or some one day sale. They are coming from Him who so loves me that he has sent faithful brothers and sisters in Christ to my bedside to love on me like a daughter to the king. Never before have I slowed my life down enough to feel His constant comfort and healing and power. My prayer for you as you read this and for anyone who finds themselves in a less than ideal situation, is that you can access this fantastic adoration from our Father. His peace passes all understanding and his love for us could melt your mind…but instead let it melt your heart.

Pastor’s reoccurring theme this December has been “Christmas Gifts that Won’t Break.” We are those gifts to one another. I think we are his favorite action figures and dolls – in his eyes heroes and porcelain beauties. He uses us to His glory whether we are aware of it or not. He never said it was going to be easy, but He promised never to leave us. As I sit here feeling helpless over so much in my life at this most glorious time of the year, I know I am to “Be still and know I am God” – Psalm 46:10 and “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11

This Christmas please keep your focus on the gifts that won’t break in your life. Praise God for His generosity to us through His love, faith and hope. His love being greatest of these is so clear to me now. Splurge a little this Christmas and slow it all down to allow it be clear to you, too.
Jesus is all the evidence we’ll ever need to know how real His love for us truly is.

Category: Church Family, Encouragement, Gratitude, Member of Mount Olive, Prayer / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thankful for Thanksgiving?

November 16, 2011 / admin / 6 comments
Lori Prehar

LORI PREHAR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hello and welcome to the first Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas blog.  My name is Lori Prehar and I’m honored to have you visit. But first, let me tell you how God gave me this awesome opportunity to connect with you today.

A couple of months ago, I was minding my own business in Duxbury, MA, trying to figure out where our fifth child would sleep when he arrived in January.   The phone rang and my husband told me he had just been offered his dream job –in Austin, Texas!   One month later, we found ourselves  and our four children (ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 ) packed in the car, traveling 30 hours to our new adventure.

My husband found Mount Olive through a dear friend’s referral.  One Sunday morning the pastor made an announcement looking for help creating an Advent Devotional written by the congregants.  I inquired, the pastor encouraged me, made the proper introductions and I got to pursue a life long dream of writing!  I thought, “How blessed am I?”  Well God didn’t stop there!  Mount Olive wanted to start a blog and asked if I could help.  “ME?  OH MY GOSH!!  YES!!”  And here I am! I’m delighted to have your eyes and hope I can hug your heart with words grounded in faith.  I pray to be the conduit with you and our Lord each time we “meet.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  One definition for the word thanksgiving is “a blessing or prayer.” To some of you, that’s a funny name for this beloved holiday, right?  I can think back to many years where I would have called it, “No thanks, giving” for one relative, I mean, reason, or another.  I’m completely convinced that God has a sense of humor that is particularly tickled at the holidays.  He sees all we’ve done within our relationships (the good, the bad and the ugly) have to get sorted out so we can enjoy a civilized meal together.  A man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7).  How true! I can tell you for me, at the holidays I need to dive into God’s word more than ever.  I need to remind myself, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).  I try harder knowing “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26) and I know He knows I’m trying.

Marys, Marthas, Cains, Abels, Pauls, Matthews, Peters, Marks, Lukes, James’, Johns, and (depending how colorful your family is) the woman at the well all congregate together at some willing soul’s home to break bread and give thanks.  Just make sure you invite Jesus, too.  Offer to say a prayer to begin your feast thanking Him for the food AND the people He helped us whip together.  Put some thought into it.  Each person at that table is there (like it or not) and you might be the only Bible they will ever read.  So BE the salt shaker of His word.  Share His light and truth and way through the way you live. Look past the turkey, potatoes and stuffing, the yams and cranberry sauce, to see the glorious creations God put at your table.  Although you may not be as delighted to see everyone as Mom’s apple pie, someone there in your midst might feel like the lost sheep our dear shepherd selected you to corral.  Showcase your gratitude to God.  Not sure where to start?  I like Psalms 100:3-5 or go to www.esvbible.org where you can run a search finding the right words for you.  Of course, you can’t go wrong with the Lord’s Prayer.  That one came right from His lips.

This year I challenge you: instead of dodging your sister in-law at the dessert table, tell her how you value her and remind her she’s in your prayers. A lost soul that is reminded how they are significant, can find hope.  I can’t think of one relative that would refuse seconds on that dish!  Dig deep and find one thing in one relative at your table this year that bugged you last year  but at  closer glance is clearly a blessing.  And bear in mind, you might be it for them.   Just as Rick Warren said in the opening line of A Purpose Driven Life, “It’s not all about you.”  God could be using you as His instrument to plant some seeds in them that they need. Feel honored He picked you…He NEVER makes mistakes.

Category: Encouragement, Gratitude, Member of Mount Olive, Prayer, Uncategorized / Tags: , , , , , , ,
 
Wordpress Theme by ThemeZee