How should I pray? (Chandler)

Some Christian guys know how to pray, others think that their praying is just good enough and some don't pray at all. When we read our Bible, God is speaking to us, when we pray we are speaking to God.

Now, for some guys it just seems like you're talking to a wall, I've been there. I sometimes feel discouraged when I am sitting around the table and I pray a great prayer thinking that it was really good. Then I hear my older sister and it seems like she has this awesome, intimate, relationship with God and nothing seems to stand in her way, I think that my prayer was absolutely pathetic compared to hers. But wait a minute, I shouldn't be thinking that way! I prayed so that I can talk with God, not so that I can impress people with my words! Too many times I have compared my prayers to other people's when that prayer is not directed to them but to God.

Prayer seems to be a very small thing to many but the fact is that prayer is the way we connect with God. We need to pray on a regular basis, every morning and night. (I will admit that I am not the best at praying at night but I am trying to remember). When we pray we need to remember that we are entering into the presence of God and we need to be reverent and without distractions.

The best way to pray is to model the Lord's prayer found in Matthew 6:8-13.

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, 

On earth as it is in heaven.

(Start be praising God and thanking him).

Give us this day our daily bread.

(Give him your requests)

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

(Repent and ask for forgiveness)

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

(Keep us from sin)

For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.

(Praising him again)

Amen

When we pray we should include all of those vital parts. If it seems like you are talking to a wall, just remember that you're not. God hears you and cares about whatever you bring to him. The more you pray, the more real it will feel. You can count on that.

Share it!

Isn't that so true? When it comes to cars, guns, sports, etc we can talk all day, but when it comes to the Gospel why do we become so silent? Let's make sure that we share the good news and are always looking and praying for opportunities to witness.

-Chandler

What is A Gentleman, (And What Does it Take To Be One)?

"What is a gentleman," you may ask? I found a quote that about sums it up perfectly:

"A gentleman will open doors, pull out chairs, and carry bags not because she's helpless or unable, but because he wants to show her that she is valuable and worthy of respect." 

I have noticed that many young men treat older women, younger women, mothers, and sisters the same way that they would treat a boy their age. Women need to be treated with more respect than men because they are more...well...sensitive. 

My dad always says, "Think of a woman like a vase, and a man as a Tupperware bowl. Although the vase looks prettier than the Tupperware, what would happen to both if I dropped them?" It puts woman's feelings into perspective for me. We should always be making a conscious effort to treat women with the utmost courtesy a lady deserves. 

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A Gentleman:

1. Opens Doors - The top complaint of women towards men is that some men will not open doors. Whether it be a car door, a restaurant door, or anything that you can open or walk through,  men have either been too oblivious or rude to do women that favor.

2. Allows The Lady To Go First - If you are getting in a line and have any girl, young or old go right behind you as you enter the line you could say, "You can go ahead of me if you would like." Saying this makes you seem very polite. 

3. Offers A Coat To A Lady When It Is Cold - Many times my sister has forgotten her coat so I offer her mine and she is very appreciative when I give it to her.

4. Avoids Vulgar Behavior - This includes burping and reciting crude jokes.

5. Allows Her To Order First In A Restaurant - Regardless if it is your mother, sister, grandma, or friend, always direct the waiter/waitress to the girl first.

6. If A Woman Is The Cook, Step In And Do The Dishes - Always do the dishes and cleanup for your mother or sister since they are the ones who cooked the meal you just enjoyed.

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A Few Tips:

1. I would encourage you to always be conscious around the house and practice good manners on your mom and sisters. If you do these things, your sisters and mom and other people that you meet will notice and thank you.   

Some women of this day and age don't want your help and say, "I can open a door myself," or "I can get it." (I've got that before). If you get this response, don't take it too personally. Just smile and say, "Okay, have a nice day!"

My only precaution is that you be careful when acting as a gentleman around girls your age and younger. While opening a door is the right thing to do, pulling out a chair might be taking it a little too far. The goal is to be sure you're not overly charming.

Although some girls like to play some sports like volleyball or Frisbee, keep in mind that they still want to be treated like a lady!

Bold For God (Lane)

Hey Guys,
     So for my first post in the "Encouragement" page, I wanted to do something that had to do with the title of our blog, "BOLDLY HIS". As I was looking through the Bible for verses that had to do with boldness, I found the passage Acts 4:31 which says: "And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness." This is speaking about Peter and John and even earlier in the passage, it states that "They were untrained and uneducated men"  WOW! Even though Peter and John had had no training in preaching, they definitely had faith. That is all that they needed to shake the ground that they were standing on when they prayed and it is all that we need to make a difference for Christ; faith and boldness. Be bold for Him!