Portable "Standing Stones"

I have always been fascinated with idea of standing stones, those rock towers we read about in the Old Testament where when something fantastic has happened God's people will create this memorial so that when people pass the young can ask the old what they rocks mean and the story of God's grace or provision can be passed along.

The Strand family has our own standing stone that we created while we shared those things that God has done for us. It's a really cool idea that is part of one of our patios. However, it is not very portable and at times I need reminders of the things I believe and the awesomeness of God. To this end I have established a couple of portable standing stones. These "stones" are in fact not stone nor were they created initially for this purpose. They are however markers from a couple of significant God things in my life.

This first standing stone is the pendant I received when I first finish a personal journey of transformation that helped me to clarify my central beliefs and core values. This material has taken on even greater significance since I started working with men in the IFI program at Lino Lakes State prison. My central beliefs have expanded into my foundational beliefs (in my case made up of three biblical meta-narratives) and my operational beliefs. I carry this in my pocket so that when I slip my hand I and I feel the pendant I reflect on the things I say I believe and value and do a quick self assessment to see if at that moment I am in fact living them out. If I don't keep reflecting on these beliefs and values they are doing me little good.

This second marker comes from a recent series at my church where we were give this "stone" to remember to pray for a specific person. I now us this stone to remember to pray about God. To be specific I pray about the attributes of God that make God God. This actually came out of one of my new belief and value to remember who God is. This was brought about by Malachi his proclamation that the Israelites had forgotten who God what and what He had done for them (Malachi 1:1-10).

Are there things that you do to keep God in proper alignment in your life?