Nat Crawford - Executive Coach, Speaker, Leader

Right now, it is hitting me how quickly our boys are growing and changing. I was flipping through pictures in my phone and came across a trip to Branson a couple of summers ago. We had a blast. Then the memories and Thanksgiving just around the corner sort of collided. I remember how easily an ungrateful heart would develop on the trip. We’d be in line for a roller coaster, but instead of walking right onto it, we’d have to wait 10 minutes. *Grumble* We’d get a snack, but instead of pizza, we got popcorn. *Grumble* We had to leave, but we only could ride each roller coaster 5 times. *Grumble* As a parent, I grew frustrated by this rollercoaster of emotions. But that night, I recognized, we as God’s children can focus on the “have nots” instead of the unfathomable amount of “haves.” If you’re struggling to be grateful this Thanksgiving, let me offer you some encouragement. I believe every Christian can be grateful because of the four gifts we have received. Life. “The years of our life ...

“Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub.” This might make you chuckle as you think back on family dinner prayers. “Now I lay me down to sleep. Pray the Lord my soul to keep.” This might take you back to your bedtime ritual or maybe Metallica’s famous Enter Sandman. For many people, their prayer life goes no further than these simple and repetitious prayers. But isn’t there a better way to pray? Absolutely!  What is prayer? Prayer is simply conversing with the God of the universe. It’s a conversation…but one with God! Now think about this. Imagine you went to you best friend, spouse, or child and talked to them in cute, memorized phrases. Chances are they’d be annoyed and you’d be bored. Why would we want to do that with God? We shouldn’t. So, what’s the alternative? There are various prayer models to follow. Even Jesus Christ told His disciples (and us) how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). The reformer Martin Luther wrote book “A Simple Way to Pray.” He suggested praying the Lord’s p...