A Note to the Course Participants

My Jabez Journey

Good Afternoon, my friends and fellow sojourners in effective prayer.
I have posted in the discussion thread at our home site the lesson, and the assignment for this week.

I know that the first few lessons have been extremely lengthy, and probably somewhat intimidating. The reason, as I tried to explain at the beginning, was compound:

1. This is a complicated course of study, because it is a complicated topic. Every Christian knows "about" prayer. It's one of those terms that we throw around all the time, like a buzz word inside our little community. And, if what you came away with so far is that feeling--good! Prayer, by itself, is one of the most discussed topics in the Bible. But, doesn't that mean it seems to be important? And, if it is so very important that it gets so much press in God's Word, isn't it something we should "really get down" right?

2. The prayer of Jabez is an example of not prayer, but rather effective prayer. That is why we use the verses, and Dr. Wilkinson's book as our text. The goal of this little course is to lead us all towards not only real prayer, but, really effective prayer. This is a step up from the real prayer, and requires some growing on all our parts. This is a request to seek God on His terms, daily. That alone is an intimidating thought to many of us, who for whatever reason have not even thought about a truly daily walk with God. The implications are many, and the significance is eternal. So, we should spend some time preparing ourselves for the responsibilities we are seeking.

Effective prayer doesn't just change the way you pray. Effective prayer changes the way you live, for all eternity. Ponder this thought for a moment. This is the goal we are asking to obtain from the very God of Israel. We really should be somewhat, at least, aware of what we are asking, and what we are expected by God to take on when we are given His Blessing to this request. As many ways as Dr. Wilkinson tries to show us this truth, it still eludes many of us. So, I am trying to show in yet one different way how very important effective prayer is, to you, now.

The lesson this week is all on you, my friends. Before we take a close look at the four parts of the little prayer of Jabez, I would like to encourage you to look at the prayer in its complete form. There is no lengthy written lesson text to wade through. And, probably won't be for some time. This is now the part of the course where, having done a survey of the "external" (eternal) implications of effective prayer, we must now go whistling merrily into ourselves. We must come to terms with the "internal" (temporal) matters that hinder our prayer life. We must get to the point where our internal issues are not binding, but embracing. We do not "qualify" for being effective prayer warriors. Every prayer can be either effective, or ineffective and flying blissfully into the chasm of what could have been.

This week, I hope you will take seriously the lesson assignment. I know it is going to be difficult for me, but I am committed to the task. Why?

Effective prayer yields amazing results, my friend. And, I could really use some effective prayer results right about now. I hope you could, too. I cannot move from where I am to where I am supposed to be without effective prayer at this point in my life. Jabez knew it, too. And what did God say about it?

Good luck, and may you, this week, be Blessed, Indeed!

In His Grip,

Bud Fields

My Jabez Journey on the Road-Week 1

My Jabez Journey on the Road-Week 1
My Jabez Journey

I learned several things this past eight days on the road.

It doesn't stay with you like riding a bike (but then, riding a bike didn't either!). Things you did before without thinking you now can't do thinking. Only six months out of the truck, and this past week was more learning than working. It was more difficult than I expected, and much, much more difficult than it had to be. But, by this past weekend, I was feeling sufficiently comfortable with my driving skills, habits, and schedule that I was able to take in the beauty of the Aurora Borealis in the North Woods of Wisconsin.

These past days also showed me that the Audioblogger number is not toll free, and cannot be accessed from just any telephone. (Sorry for the absence of info.)

I got to visit a lot of miles these past days, with stops in Mishawauka, Indiana; Jeffersonville, Indiana; Winston-Salem and Lexington and Salisbury, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; Maple Grove Minnesota; and back home to Clarksville, Indiana where the terminal is.

I drove in every type of weather, on virtually every type of road, both night and day. I slept in rest areas, truck stop parking lots, delivery parking lots, and on ramps beside the highway. I saw eight sunrises, and witnessed seven sunsets. And, every mile of the way, I felt the power and strength of the prayers of my friends here who lifted my poor, tired guardian angel's wings into overdrive many more times than once. Dad was with me, even when I wasn't so interested in being in the truck.

The "turn" was not uneventful, but without distress. And, that is, I must tell you, a first in a very long time. It was almost pleasureable. I will be home until midday Wednesday, then I will be chasing the miles for another week. I hope, at that time, to be able to report some better news.

But, in the scorecard of the trucker: No deaths, no accidents, no spilled freight, no upset customers, no wasted miles, and I got paid. Not bad. Not bad at all. Thanks, Dad. I know I was not the most willing servant this time out, but I do sincerely pray that You would fill the hearts of every person I met on this trip, and shine into them the fullness of Your love. I am so grateful that you accompanied my deeds, and my thoughts. I pray that You will continue to abide in me, that You would lead the way, and that I may continue to enjoy the ride.

Thank you for all the friends who have lifted me up, who have kept me in their hearts, and their prayers this trip. You do it so very well.

Your Kid,



Bud