Flippidy Flopping Gums

This is my new dog, who came home with us from the pound a couple of days ago.  His name is Peanut, and he has flippidy floppin' gums, which fits right in with this story today...

Wow.  Ok.  So do you ever hear people praying aloud and wonder, "where the heck did that come from?" Or, "who talks like that?"  Now I believe that some people were given a gift to pray beautifully, to lay things out into poetic form.  But it shouldn't sound repetitious, should it?

Today I just want to lay out a little chunk of The Message Remix for ya.  So cool.  It's about praying with simplicity:

"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production... All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom!  Do you think God sits in a box seat?

"Here's what I want you to do:  Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God.  Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.  The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant.  They're full of formulas an programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God.  Don't fall for that nonsense  This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.  With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.  Like this:

Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what's best-

as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

You're in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You ablaze in beauty!

Yes.  Yes.  Yes."

Isn't that perfect?  I love this, and the way The Message lays this out.  So cool.  So for those of you who feel inadequate in prayer, don't.  You can see how simple it is.  And for those of you who feel you have to put on a show in front of others, to perhaps, prove how tight with God you may be, don't.  God doesn't need to be impressed.  What's the saying?  Oh yeah:  God sees the heart.  Not the mumbo-jumbo, flapping of the gums.  (Well, maybe I made that last part up...)

Shalom, Tara K

P.S. I'll be doing a small series on this subject this week, so stay tuned for the rest.  It's such a great subject, isn't it?