Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

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What is Prayer?

May 17, 2018 by Ellen 2 Comments

Prayer is…well, it can be intimidating.

Especially if we think about and compare our prayers to the great prayer warriors in our church. The words of my prayers are more like stray threads than the beautifully woven tapestry of others. My prayers tend toward short and simplistic. Hey, I’m a person of few words.

And yet…

At a recent Priscilla Shirer simulcast, there were several “Prayer Experiences” intertwined throughout the program. I thought they would be great learning tools on prayer. A prayer “how to” if you will. Because I can always use some prayer learnin’, how about you?

That wasn’t it at all. The time spent in prayer – actual prayer, not Prayer 101 – was all of us joining our voices to pray for and with others. We prayed for our marriages, freedom from addictions, health, our very lives. There was a moment when I heard the young woman next to me interceding so fervently and passionately, that I felt inadequate and at a loss. My words stopped. Then I began praying with her.

One word at a time.

“Lord heal. Restore. Praise You Lord!”

I didn’t feel like a less than pray-er. Our voices raised in unity and our supplications were lifted to our mighty God.

Separately, we prayed together.

Though the words of our prayers may seem weak and ineffective, praying is powerful. 

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” – Max Lucado

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” James 5:16 AMP

Keep praying!

Grace be with you,

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Christmas Joy

December 19, 2017 by Ellen Leave a Comment

The most joyful of all the scriptures concerning the birth of Jesus are these (in my humble opinion):

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:10-14 NASB

A Savior has been born! The news is joyful –  not just for one or two of us – but for ALL people.

Are your circumstances threatening to steal your joy this Christmas?  Take time to abide in God’s word, and ponder the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Find your favorite scriptures and rejoice in them. Prepare room in your heart for Him. Join with nature and sing with joy!

“For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 NASB

Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
and heaven and nature sing.

Merry Christmas! May you be filled with the joy of His presence and His word this year and always.

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Welcome!

Torrential rains had been pelting us for weeks. With the rains came weeds growing tall in the flower beds. But I noticed other new growth, too. It wasn’t colorful flowers. It was teeny, tiny little oak trees! Squirrels had been working hard, burying food for later. The rains had soaked and softened … Read More...

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