How May I Pray For You??

Hello All!
    
      I wanted to share with y'all a very awesome experience that happened at work this past Monday.
Four girls around my age walked into Applebees and sat in my section. They were polite, cheerful, and eager to carry on a conversation with me. When I brought their food out, one of the girls said to me "We're going to pray for this food. Is there anything we can pray about for you?" I was so taken aback it took me a few seconds to think of something. I asked them to pray for my upcoming school semester, and then I asked if I could pray with them. They agreed enthusiastically, and there, in booth 52, at Applebees in Little Elm, TX, five girls had joined hands and were praying for each other and thanking God for the blessings He has bestowed.




     From my point of view as a server, knowing that someone took time out of their evening to ask if there was anything I needed prayer for was sweet and proved that there are still people out there who genuinely care for others. Now, from my point of view as a Christian, my heart was overflowing! It made my heart happy to know that there are young Christians out there who are not afraid to let people know what and who they believe in by praying in public and for a complete stranger. I have to admit though, mixed with my feelings of joy, I also felt the Holy Spirit convicting me. I have been a server for almost three years, and something like what happened to me Monday has only happened one or two other times before. Why is that?? It would be fair, and I would accept someone telling me that they have never thought about asking their server if they needed prayer for anything because, I myself, have never thought of it. However, it is not an excuse anymore. Those girls challenged me to begin doing that. They challenged me to begin doing what I should have been doing all along.

James 5:16 - "Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - "Pray without ceasing."

1 Timothy 2:8 -"I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

Now I challenge all of you! You've heard of the Drive Thru Difference, right? Ya know, paying for the person behind you in the drive thru line? That movement/challenge is being done everyday across the country! I want to make this a movement!! When you go out to eat, be sure to get the name of your server. (Trust me, hearing "Miss" or "Waitress" gets old after a while, and we don't often answer to it because there are several other misses and waitresses around) When your food is brought out and before you begin chowing down, let them know you are going to pray for the food and would like to know if there is anything they would like you to pray for! Believe me, they will be stunned silent for a while, but encourage them by saying something like, "It can be anything! Big or small!" Let them know you're serious about it. Be sure to also leave a tract or business card with your church's info on it. Lastly, and kind of unrelated but not really, leave an appropriate tip. Don't think that because you prayed for them it should be less of a tip. You don't know how many times I hear that the "church crowds" don't tip. That is a stereotype on Christians that should not be there! Now, if the server doesn't do his/her job properly take that into consideration, but don't, under any circumstances, stiff them. Servers will be more likely to read the tract or perhaps even visit your church if you were nice and rewarded their service.

So how about it?? Are you willing to help me make this out of the ordinary act become something common and extraordinary?!?! Let's show people that Christians do care, one dining experience at a time!!!

Until next time,
Ammer Hammer

Turn that frown upside down! (:

"So I'll learn to love these days
Life along the way
In the middle of the crazy
God Your love is so amazing
Through the ups and downs
You're the only hope I found, oh
Lord You meet me in the madness
So I'll learn to love these days
I'll learn to love these days"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tezG4LRNzw           <- watch="">

"It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile" We've all heard it at least once in our lives, but it got me thinking. If it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, I bet it takes a heck of a lot more energy and breath to complain and be negative than it does to be encouraging and positive. I was talking to a close friend of mine the other day. I know she is the closest friend I have because she told me that some of my posts on my Facebook were whiny and dramatic. (Who really has the guts to say that but a close friend??) Well, she was absolutely right! I have no problem admitting that it is true. It was her statement that sparked the idea for this blog. It was also her comment and the above song that stirred the Holy Spirit's conviction.

The Bible warns several times about the sin of complaining:
Philippians 2:14, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings."
 Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." 
Numbers 11:1, "And [when] the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard [it]; and his anger was kindled;" 
And honestly, how many of us have gotten so put out with the Israelites while reading Exodus?? They grumbled so much, it is annoying!..... but then how annoying is it for other people to hear us complain, when the reality of the situation is we have AC and chocolate!! More importantly, how displeasing and annoying is it to the Lord who chooses to wake us up every morning? How angry does it make Him when He has blessed us more than we could have ever thought possible, but we only choose to acknowledge the negative or pain in our lives??





I opened this blog with the chorus from the song, "These Days" by Mandisa. (Definitely check this girl out!!) If you watched the video (you should have!! If not, go. NOW!) the first verse talks about everyday things that have a tendency to put us in a bad mood (not being able to find our phone, traffic, sit ups etc.); but then she says, "Funny what you use to help me grow." When I first heard that line, I stopped. Never in my life had I considered those things to be sent from God to be growing experiences, but that is exactly what they are! 

In closing, a song combined with the blunt honesty from a friend were things I needed. I think y'all have figured out by now that not complaining is definitely something I intend to work on!! I didn't write this to guilt trip people (but if you do feel guilty, that would be the Holy Spirit's doing). I wrote this because I know I am not perfect, and I will most likely slip up a few, OK more than a few, times. I need to be kept accountable, and y'all have my permission to do so. I no longer want to say, post, or even think anything that is negative or discouraging. I have been blessed with a beautiful life! It's time that statement stays in the front of my mind and is reflected in everything I say and do.

Until next time,
Ammer Hammer