Little Ida’s Flowers

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  “MY poor flowers are quite dead!” said little Ida. “They were so pretty yesterday, and now all the leaves hang withered. Why do they do that? . . . Why do the flowers look so faded to-day?” she asked again, and showed him a nosegay, which was quite withered.  “Do you know what’s the matter with them?” said the Student. “The flowers have been at a ball last night, and that’s why they hang their heads.”  “But flowers cannot dance!” cried little Ida. “O yes,” said the Student, “when it grows dark, and we are asleep, they jump about merrily. Almost every night they have a ball.” —Hans Christian Andersen. (1805–1875)

Book Review: "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala

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Cymbala, Jim. “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.” Michigan: Zondervan, 1997

 [I read old books because they are there]

This short anecdotal book is required reading. Rationale: there is as much prayer in churches as in public schools.

Godly men and women call on the name of the Lord. This is the main teaching Pastor Cymbala’s book, built on the root principle found in Genesis 4. God’s people identified early in scripture as being “those who call on the name of the Lord.” The ungodly do not call on the name of the Lord (Psalm 14:4).

Prayer defines who are as as obedient children of God. Prayer shows that we take God seriously, believing Him. Prayer is central to our worship, the hallmark of the place in which we worship; but, we have become complacent with much, much less. The church is missing the spiritual connection and needs to get plugged back into the power source.

Cymbala’s scriptural applications both admonishes and encourages to stretch our hands and call out to God, who will respond to those who call on Him. Satan is not resisted if we are not pursuing hard after God. Prayerlessness is not God’s plan for His people and we cannot grow unless we go deeper with Him. Prayerfulness reminds us of our increasing need for Him. We cannot be Christian without prayer.

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