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Some of my pondering is done on my blog at justcarolpondering.blogspot.com.
What Is Pondering?
When I'm not quite sure how to answer a difficult question or what to say about a friend's struggle, I will often reply, "I'd like to ponder and pray about that." What I'm really saying is that I desperately need wisdom from God.
When we ponder, reflect, and seek the Lord, He does answer us. There's a Scripture passage in James that says, "If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking" (1:5).
As I ponder and pray and ask the Lord a lot of things, I may occasionally post something here or on my blog just because. (If you're Just Carol, you can do that.)
Just Murphy, who used to keep me
company at Just Carol Editorial Resources.
Good dog, Murphy. Good dog.
The words came so clearly that I immediately had to find a pen to write them down. I was praying and asking the Lord to guide me on the path toward revival. His voice was so clear and simple – and I have carried these words in my heart ever since: “Live your life according to 2 Chronicles 7:14 as if other lives depend on it.” As if other lives depend on it…because they do! Read more.... We desperately wanted to see God heal our own community of a multitude of sins, and this powerful moment began a series of prayer walks throughout our city of 20,000 people. Read more...
Pondering a Whole Lot of Topics:
Click on any of the articles below to read some of my other ponderings, mostly related to prayer and revival. All of these articles are available for reprint by contacting me for permission.
From Valleys to Breakthrough
For the last several years, singing has been difficult for her. She struggles with heart failure and lack of oxygen. Her 88-year-old body often gives way to weakness, sometimes making it difficult even to stand.
Yet in the last few days, Evelyn Christenson has suddenly begun singing again – she says for the first time in 20 years. The Lord is strengthening her to do so, and she is amazed that she is even able to “hit the high notes.” She has been filled with joy as once again she is able to sing praises to Jesus. But this renewed joy and strength has not come without cost. Read more...
Don't Fear Brokenness
A small group of us had gathered to pray for revival. I was excited because joining us was a pastor from Uganda who had been used powerfully of God in the revival in that nation. I confess that I had some expectations for our prayer together.
But this man prayed just one very simple prayer – and then he was silent. I remember thinking, “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to pray?” Read more...
Behind Closed Doors
It was a revival moment that did not have a lot of fanfare. There was no showy, outward display; just new life breathed into a lifeless body. The awakening of a soul thought to be dead forever. It happened in a pleading moment between a man and his God – behind a closed door. Read more...
Revival: For the Sake of Others
Some More Lengthy Articles...if you have time:
A Prayer Assignment: Cities of Refuge
In the Old Testament, certain cities were designated as places where people could flee for safety and refuge. A few years ago, God put it on my heart to pray that my city would also become a city of refuge, where people could experience the presence of God and find the peace of Christ in the midst of uncertainty.
I had the great opportunity to travel to just such a city in Guatemala - a village in the mountains called Almolonga. Because the people of that city had become desperate due to overwhelming crime, poverty, and abuse, they called out to God to rescue them. And He did in amazing ways, even to the extent of "healing their land" so that they could produce abundant crops. I saw firsthand what a city of refuge looks like. Read more...
Heal My Land: Prayer for Community Transformation
On a cold November day, a small prayer group gathered under some sugar maple trees in a public park in our community to pray, repent of generational sins, and rededicate our city to God. We had determined to believe God for His promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14, which declares that He will heal our land if we walk in humility and repentance.