intermittent

Thursday, December 31, 2009 (7:10 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead Chalets #114

Most Blessed God,

You are so good. And I love You so much. Lord, thank You for bringing me to You. Thank You for the love You have for each of us that brings us and holds us together.

It didn’t snow yesterday Lord. I didn’t ask You for it outright. Just kind of wished and hoped and even joked about it intermittently.

Now there’s a word that’s new to me. So new that I had its spelling and pronunciation mistaken with ‘intermitted’.

Lord, thank You that even (or is that especially?) in my time alone with You I get to see how readily I jump to a conclusion that is not always accurate.

So, back to intermittent, “occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady”. Lord, thank You that this is a word that in no way describes You!

I am so used to You being constant. Continuous. Always. Thank You Lord. Thank You that You can be trusted as no one else.

Job had experience with intermittence. His friends, with all of their advice and opinions were not able to comfort and support him in his time of need. A commentary for Job 6:14-21 says, “they were long on advice, but short on compassion.”

Lord, as I look around me to the circumstances of others, and even when I myself am in that painful place of not understanding what is going on, I don’t want to be described as Job did his friends in the above mentioned verses. “A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow when darkened by thawing ice (I was aware of some of those on my chilly walk yesterday) and swollen with melting snow (not at all what I was hoping for, You know!) but that cease to flow in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels.”

Blessed Lord. How I long to be a better friend than this example. Help me listen and be aware of what is needed to be a person who comforts and supports.

I love You so much Dear Lord. Thank You for a glorious year of precious memories and genuine growth.

Do for, and in, us this next year exactly what You know is needed for us to continue growing in You and Your love. (Maybe next year we could have some snow, huh?) I love You Lord. Thank You again for all You are and all You do. I love You. Amen.

(435 words ~ 8:29 a.m.)

amazing

Tuesday, December 29, 2009 (11:34 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead Chalets #114

Amazing, Wonderful God that You Are,

Thank You for over 48 hours of familial harmony. Wow! God, that You Are, YOU did this! You caused my fears to quell. You provided the amazing teamwork that took place in order that we would all be able to embrace this trip equally. Amazing. Yes. That IS the word to describe the amazing things You have done in and for each of us. Thank You Lord. Thank You for Your amazing love. Your amazing grace. Your amazing ability to soften the hardest of hearts.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 (6:48 a.m.)

Oh Your goodness Lord! Your amazing goodness.

One minute I was sitting here, reading and reflecting on Psalms 63 and 64, and the very next I knew I needed to be down in the kitchen preparing lunch.

What an amazing opportunity that was! Terry came home with groceries and once again we worked as a team to put a meal together.

Lord, thank You for the amazing work You are doing in this family. There is patience where there used to be strife. Cooperation instead of angry tempers. And the cool thing Lord? It’s all YOU!

A difference of opinions led to hurt feelings yesterday. But we didn’t stop there. One went one way, the other another. Coming back together without having reached resolution was trying. But we did it! Because of Your amazing work in this family, we were able to root out negative feelings, deep hurts and absolute oblivion.

Thank You Lord. You get the glory! Right there in the midst of tears and hurt feelings, we each went from moments of just being ready for quitting and giving up to a point of understanding and forgiveness.

♫To God be the glory, great things He hath done! So love He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the lifegate that all may go in. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He hath done!♫

Oh most Holy God. Most Holy Amazing God! Psalm 64:9-10, “Then everyone shall stand in awe and confess the greatness of the miracles of God; at last they will realize what amazing things He does. And the godly shall rejoice in the Lord, and trust and praise Him.”

Amen. Dear Lord. Amen. Amen. Amen! (I love You! Thank You!) Amen!

(428 words ~ 7:34 a.m.)

unprepared

Sunday, December 27, 2009 (6:19 a.m.)

A little late Lord,

I’m more than a little late in coming here to You. Not the hour of the morning particularly. No. That seems just about perfect. No. I’m more than a little late in bringing You all this fear I’ve been feeling for the past several hours. Just over twelve as a matter of fact.

Thank You that I don’t have to stay afraid, Lord. Thank You that I get to come to You every time for every reason. Thank You that even in my regret of not having come sooner, I can choose to believe that now is the perfect time for me to be here.

Most blessed, Loving Father, You are so good. You offer so much. And I confess to once again trying to fight my fear of the unknown with my own devices.

There is much to do today. We have to fully pack for a week away and I have yet to even start. I feel afraid of the weather Lord. Will it snow on our way? Will I have taken the appropriate items? Will I disappoint someone? Ultimately that is my fear! I’m going to do – or not do something and someone is going to be disappointed with me.

Lord, I haven’t felt like this in quite the long time! And rather than try to outrun or even stand with my head in the sand wanting to ignore it, I’m bringing it to You instead.

Daddy, I feel afraid! I’m not ready. I’m not packed. I don’t know what to take. Somebody is going to get mad. It’s too much. The timing is off. I am unprepared (not ready or able to deal with something). I didn’t do my homework!

Lord. Forgive me for whining. Forgive my cowering. Forgive my focusing on the negative instead of the positives.

I look in Your Word. I get subtle glimpses of hope and then I think of something else and there’s the fear all over again. Circumstances. Situations. Relationships. Dynamics. None of which I can change.

Yes Lord, take me right back to the serenity prayer. Grant me the ‘state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled’ to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Mm. Yes Lord, please. Serenity. Courage. Wisdom. Please. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(402 words ~ 7:27 a.m.)

unexpected wrappings

Saturday, December 26, 2009 (6:39 a.m.)

Mom’s Kitchen Window - handwritten

Beautiful, Glorious, Wonderful God ~

Thank You! Thank You for this completely unexpected gift of time alone with You.

Time to reflect and celebrate the true joys of this particular season. Wow! God ~ thank You!

Thank You for the gift of this day wrapped in such vibrantly changing colors. From a slice of deeply intense red orange to the now fading yellows of the clouds. The wrapping of this day I would have missed had I not heeded Your call to get up and come see.

Lord, thank You too for a couple of hiccups in circumstances that allowed some of us to practice patience and forgiveness yesterday. Thank You also Lord that these practices led to even bigger ones of communication ~ speaking (and listening!) through the filter of Your love.

Thank You Lord that most of these situations were handled timely and effectively. Thank You that what has yet to be addressed has every probability of being resolved just as healthily. Because of You Dear Lord ~ only because of You!

Thank You that You provide for us every unexpected good gift we need ~ often wrapped in delightfully beautiful (albeit fleeting, just like the sunrise) packaging enabling us to learn, to practice and to grow in and through You. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(229 words ~ 7:03 a.m.)

♫Ring Christmas Bells♫

Thursday, December 24, 2009 (5:12 a.m.)

Well, Lord,

It’s official! I can’t possibly get ‘it’ all done before tonight and tomorrow and the next day and the day after that... But You are still God and I am here praising You.

Thank You Lord! Thank You that instead of “rushing around like a chicken with it’s head cut off” [Terry’s very appropriate description of me for years past] this year I’m sitting more. “Be[ing] still” (Psalm 46:10) if You will. And thank You that this would be from You.

Even in the midst of knowing that I can’t possibly do everything I’d like to do, here You are waking me up singing ♫Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas♫ Oh, but God. You didn’t let me just stop there. [“But wait! There’s more!” J]

Yes Lord. SO much more! Looking through many versions of the lyrics to Carol of the Bells, including its origin, I found these sung by Andy Williams. Mm, “Mr. Christmas Special” from my youth himself!

♫Ring Christmas bells Merrily ring Tell all the world Jesus is king Loudly proclaim With one accord The happy tale Welcome the Lord♫

Oh, yes, dearest Lord. Let me use this and the next twelve days to ♫Ring Christmas bells Sound far and near The birthday of Jesus is here Herald the news To old and young Tell it to all In every tongue Ring Christmas bells Toll loud and long Your message sweet Heal and prolong Come all you people Join in the singing Repeat the story Told by the ringing Ring, ring and ring Christmas bells Ring, ring and ring Christmas bells… Ring Christmas bells Merrily ring Tell all the world Jesus is king♫

Oh, most dear and precious Lord Jesus, with all the hustle and the bustle that is sure to take place these next several days, Lord PLEASE let me remember to ♫Tell all the world Jesus is king♫

Mm, yes Lord. ♫Merry, merry, merry Christmas… Jesus is King♫

Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(332 words ~ 5:51 a.m.)

tradition

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 (4:40 a.m.)

Oh, Most Holy God,

You are incredible! Wonderful! Marvelous. Beyond all description and understanding.

Lord God, how I thank You for this particular moment right here, right now. The chills coursing through my body (both inside and out) have very little to do with the chill in the air. And everything with the awe of being in Your presence.

So far this morning Lord, You have met every thought I’ve had with either a Bible verse or a song. With my own thinking, I’ve brought up the scariness of the wind to You. It’s huge this morning, Lord! “Blustery” only begins to describe its forcefulness.

And what do you do? Remind me that I am safe indoors, out of it. But not only that, You turn my prayers to those who are not. Oh Dearest Lord, protect Your children who have no other choice than to hunker down, many of them alone. And so very cold.

♫Lord of all creation Of water, earth and sky The heavens are Your tabernacle Glory to the Lord on high God of wonders beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy The universe declares Your majesty And You are holy, holy♫

Oh most Holy God, upon awakening my first thoughts were of the wind and what Your Word might have to say about it. But as soon as I sat down here with You Lord, ‘tradition’ came to mind. Followed almost immediately by the song ♫Tra-dition, tradition!♫ And the next thing I’m reading (Matthew 15 and Mark 7) about Jesus speaking with the Pharisees and other religious leaders, ‘correcting the distortions of Your Word that their traditions have caused’.

Oh Your goodness Lord! How clearly I see (another glimpse Lord!) how the traditions that we’ve set up around here do very little to honor or represent You well.

My Life Recovery Bible has this at the bottom of the page, “human tradition had begun to supersede God’s revealed Word. Ritual had begun to replace a relationship with God.” Blessed Lord, on this day before we celebrate one of the most Holy nights ever, how I ask that You would take firm hold and change our human tradition of bickering and backbiting. Be glorified in us Dear Lord and in our new tradition of worshiping and honoring You!

Dearest, most Precious Lord, thank You for this opportunity to come away with You. Thank You that I get to read others' (Ruth Bell Graham and Elisabeth Elliot) words in regards to the importance of doing just this.

They both had personal experience with this. One spoke of the godly example of her father’s alone time with You. And here in her own meditation on Your Word I even find comfort from my fears of the wind. “All creation praises Him all the time – the winds, the tides, the oceans, the rivers, move in obedience…”

Oh most blessed God, let me move in obedience to You this day ~ as freely and as directed by You as the wind. I love You so much. Thank You for speaking to me again through Your Word. ♫Word of God Speak♫ Thank You Lord. Amen.

(529 words ~ 5:48 a.m.)

wonderful

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 (5:17 a.m.)

“Wonderful Counselor,

“Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) What a mouthful! What a wonderful, glorious mouthful!

I confess to You Lord, I have never taken the time, energy, or initiative to learn this particular title of Yours. Or even where it is to be found in Your Word. Thank You for drawing me to it this morning.

Lord, You are doing amazing work around here. Moments of dispute and disagreement are being met with such a more patient, loving atmosphere. No longer are things allowed to fester and grow (too much) out of proportion. All because of Your doings Lord. Thank You.

Thank You for leading me with the word ‘wonderful’ this morning Lord. And thank You for narrowing down the search for me! Leading me in to Isaiah, I get to read the chapter titles of 10, 11 and 12. “Promises of Protection”, “Promises of a Perfect Ruler” and “Singing God’s Praises”.

And sing them I do Lord! “On that day you will say, ‘Praise the Lord! He was angry with me, but now He comforts me. See, God has come to save me! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my song; He is my salvation. Oh, the joy of drinking deeply from the Fountain of Salvation!’” (Isaiah 12:1-3)

Oh Your goodness Lord! Your sweet, incredible goodness! I read. I hope. And I recognize myself. Look! That’s ME! “I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my song; He IS my salvation. Oh, the joy!”

Oh, the joy of drinking deeply from the Fountain of Salvation! The Bible Handbook says, "In that day God’s people will finally recognize Him and find the joy that is always available to those who drink deeply of waters drawn from the well of salvation." Find the joy, Lord. How wonderful is that thought!

Thank You for the very good gifts of this season. Your very good gifts, Lord! A remembered ingredient in my mom’s cookie recipe that truly “makes all the difference in the world”. The safe arrival of our traveling son. The softening of our 17 year-olds’ demeanor. The continued teamwork of my husband and I, resulting in our home ‘looking like the inside of a gingerbread house.’ These are the very good gifts of this season Lord. YOUR season! Your wonderful season. Thank You.

“In that wonderful day you will say, ‘Thank the Lord! Praise His name! Tell the world about His wonderous love. How mighty He is!’ Sing to the Lord, for He has done wonderful things. Make known His praise around the world. Let all the people of Jerusalem shout His praise with joy. For great and mighty is the Holy One of Israel, who lives among you.” (4-6)

Oh most glorious wonderful Lord. How I thank You for coming into this world and into our hearts. Keep working in and through us, allowing us to become so much more than we could ever imagine.

I love You so very much Dear Wonderful God. Thank You for arranging and providing for that to happen! I love You. Amen.

(531 words ~ 6:26 a.m.)

once again

Monday, December 21, 2009 (4:24 a.m.)

Lord,

You are good! (And even in first tapping that, it came out ‘god’) Yes Lord! You ARE God! Thank You for reminding me ~ again!

As You know (because You ARE God) about twelve hours ago my feelings got hurt, once again. And very much NOT in accordance to the Spirit of love and preparation that is to accompany this particular season of celebration, I withdrew. I pouted. I plotted. And then I sulked and moped and said relatively bad words.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Lord, You said these words, while hanging on a cross, of the very people who put You there. And here I was last night once again whining because, oh, my feelings got hurt!

Forgive me Father for I truly forget what I am doing!

Sure. Right there in the midst of it, I threw out an ‘air prayer’ directed at the ceiling and went right on in my own strength and power attempting to ‘make nice’. NOT! The nicer I tried to be, the bitterer I became inside when all was not resolved before the snoring began.

And yes Lord. I DID hear You calling me to just come away with You. Did I take the time to cry out (as I did so tearfully just hours before in church) ♫Word of God speak Would You pour down like rain Washing my eyes to see Your majesty To be still and know That You’re in this place Please let me stay and rest In Your holiness Word of God speak♫

No, Lord, I crawled into silence and once again watched hours upon hours of other people behaving badly on television. Father, forgive me for choosing the road that leads to death (anger, unforgiveness, bitterness) rather than LIFE (You, Your Word, Your will, Your way…)

I love You so much Dear Lord. Thank You for starting this whole time together by once again singing out to my heart ♫Beloved, let us love another, For love is of God, And everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, For God is love. Beloved, let us love one another, First John four: seven and eight♫

Oh, most dear and blessed Lord, how I ask once again that You would work in me, preparing me to love You and others as You desire (Mark 12:30). I love You Lord.

‘Father, forgive her (me!)…’ Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(427 words ~ 5:44 a.m.)

good gifts

Sunday, December 20, 2009 (5:44 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Good morning. Thank You. I love You. And right now I am feeling fear in my heart.

I’m wanting to be honest with You. No pretense. No attempts of 'faking it until I’m making it'. I just want to share my heart and let You take it from there.

Thank You Lord that even in being that open I am again reminded of Your many good gifts to us. Thank You that Your Son and Your Word lead the list!

Thank You that in my decision to just be real with You, I get to focus on You and all You have to offer instead of continue to think of all the things I’m afraid of.

Thank You Lord. Truly, sincerely thank You! Thank You for the unknown author who recorded “the history of David’s reign to encourage and admonish the people of Israel as they sought to rebuild after the Babylonian exile.” Here I am again in 1 Chronicles, smiling, feeling hopeful and praising You.

Thank You God! Everywhere I turn in here are words of hope and joy. Lord, You brought this very good gift (my Life Recovery Bible) into my life at least fifteen Christmases ago. Remember how disappointed I was upon receiving it Lord? It remained unopened for over a month.

Too often I don’t recognize Your good gifts to us Lord. Even as I sit here reading David’s words to his son Solomon and to his people, I glance out the window finding another good gift from You.

Lord! The colors You have infused into the fleece-like cloud layer blanketing Your sky is breath taking. What a phenomenal view. Thank You for such a good gift as this.

Beloved God, thank You for infusing me with more glimpses of Your hope and joy. My heart yearns to burst out wanting people to see this, desiring that we would all get to know You better through Your beauty. These particularly vibrant colors that are indeed here this one moment and will be gone the next.

Thank You God that You are not like that! You are eternal! You will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

“Oh my God!” was truly my gasp as I again glanced out the window. Yellows, orange, pinks, purple, blue and just a hint of gray for incredible contrast. Thank You Lord! Thank You for such an extraordinary good gift as this!

Lord, I love You so very much. Thank You for calling me to a true time of worship with You this morning. Thank You for helping me know that I needed far more than just empty lip service. And thank You, most of all, for providing every single thing to meet those needs.

Oh Your Goodness Lord! Your great, incredible goodness! As the yellow turns to gold and the pinks begin to fade, the fleeciness is tearing apart and lumping together to reveal more of the sky. Thank You Lord for providing me with this completely unexpected, tremendously appreciated, wonderful good gift with which to begin the day.

Let me take the power of it with me throughout this day Dearest Lord. Allow me to fall back on the memory of its beauty reminded that You are truly the Giver of good gifts. Thank You Lord. I love You! Amen.

(560 words ~ 6:50 a.m.)

list

Saturday, December 19, 2009 (5:47 a.m.)

Most Blessed God,

Thank You Lord. You are amazing! As late last night was turning into very early this morning, I was still up ~ decorating. Guided by You I believe. Compiling a list of descriptive words I would use to describe You here.

Now that I am actually here, having not written the list down at the time, it’s far shorter than it was going to be. Amazing was one. Incredible another. Truly wonderful God, in not readily remembering the others I turn to Your Word. Specifically Psalms 40:5 and 106:2.

How I thank You Lord for resources so readily available, right here at my fingertips. These are not verses I would have thought to look up on my own. But here we are together as I read (40:5) “O Lord my God, You have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.” Amen to that Dear Lord!

More often than ever before, I look around at how I feel, who I am, what I think and the things I do (heart, soul, mind, strength) and attempt to filter these things through the command of Mark 12:30. To love You with all of them.

Thank You Lord that through these efforts I get to be all the more aware of Your working in and through us around here. A miscommunication, involving hurt feelings was readily resolved yesterday by filtering it through my request for 'spiritual maturity'. Another day kindness and patience were practiced after having asked You to provide for me 'kind words and a patient heart'.

Last night Lord, when I was feeling so discouraged about the messiness of our home, You guided and directed me through one area after another until there remained a semblance of order. Thank You Lord!

I look to You. I read Your Word (Psalm 106:1,2). And “Hallelujah! Thank You, Lord!” jumps off the page at me! “How good You are! Your love continues on forever. Who can ever list the glorious miracles of God? Who can ever praise Him half enough?”

Oh, amen, amen dearest Lord! Thank You for all You are doing in keeping us drawing back to You and Your wealth of goodness and grace.

Come with me now as I go in to admire the changing beauty of the sky as the sun continues to rise. Keep me centered in Your love as I interact and deal with other people this day.

Lord, I love You so very much. And my gratefulness to You far exceeds any list I could ever begin making. Thank You Lord for Your love. Help me practice it this day. I love You. Amen.

(474 words ~ 6:37 a.m.)

unexpected

Friday, December 18, 2009 (5:03 a.m.)

Awesome, Amazing, Wonderful God,

Thank You! How pleasant, exciting and unexpected is this? Everywhere I turn this morning Lord there’s another surprise.

(6:59 a.m.)

First of all, I stayed up after getting out of bed to take care of ‘just this one thing’. Your call for me to start singing ♫Come Lord Jesus Come♫ took me to the webpage of its singer/songwriter Brenton Brown. Lord, how well I remember the unexpected surprise of hearing him at church one Sunday morning.

While reading Your promise of life giving waters to all who are thirsty (Revelation 21:6 and Isaiah 55:1) I was unexpectedly no longer alone in my time with You. Other household members awakened earlier than I had anticipated.

And speaking of unexpected Lord, how incredible was that absolutely surprise late evening visit from a very dear long time friend of my youth. Literal hours were spent catching up while sharing details and beverage in honor of her mum. Lovely Lord. You are lovely in Your unexpected gifts to us.

Thank You Lord. Thank You that even in this often interrupted time together with You so far this morning, I am coming to closer to actually feeling a bit disoriented. Mm. Right in the midst of thinking I will just push those feelings to the side, ignore them, push through, hope they go away. Rather unexpectedly I change my mind. Right here. Right now. Lord I am confessing to You that all is not as I would have it.

There were harsh tones that were left unresolved last night. There is a renewed concern I have for a very dear loved one. I don’t have the desire to busy myself with holiday preparations without first bringing these issues before You.

Wow Lord. This is kind of new (unexpected) territory for me. My usual mode would have been to just muscle on through the negativity. Not this time Lord. Thank You.

Before leaving this time here with You to prepare our house for Your Nativity, let me ♫come Lord Jesus come♫ before You saying that I am feeling fearful. There’s too much to do. All is not calm, nor bright.

Oh But Lord. You are so good. You don’t just leave me alone in my despair. Just as I was preparing to tap the words, asking You to take my broken dreams and make them whole again. Another unexpected thing happened. It turns out the word in the song is wings, not dreams. And I was just singing it to You the other day.

The words remind me that I’ve ♫got to learn to fly, learn to live and love so free And when we hear the voices sing The Book of Love will open up and let us in…♫ And I remember reading of forgiveness in Your Book of Love.

And just now, as I turn to read more about Your love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, the tears forming in my eyes are completely unexpected. Lord, The Bible Handbook says of this section, “Spiritual maturity is revealed in love and maturity comes through loving.” More than anything right now dear Lord, I ask You to give to me spiritual maturity.

Yes Lord, absolutely unexpected! Just for today. Spiritual maturity. Enough “to gauge and to grow in true spirituality.” That is my plea for this season. This season that is here to represent You and all You came to earth to do. John 3:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

So, giant great big mess around here and all. Lord, not quite as unexpected as I would have once imagined. Here I am again, coming full circle as all my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength (Mark 12:30) sing out to You again ♫Come Lord Jesus Come♫

Oh, Your most dear and sweet goodness Lord. How I love You and thank You and truly invite You in to ALL of what we are doing today. I love You. Amen.

(680 words ~ 8:01 a.m.)

random

Thursday, December 17, 2009 (6:57 a.m.)

Most Blessed God,

Don’t let the time noted here actually reflect any sleep I may (or may not) have gotten during the night. Lord, what a LOT of thoughts can run through my mind at any one particular time. Seemingly random, unconnected thoughts that just won’t quiet down.

Oh, but look Lord ~ just in the time it takes to look up the word ‘random’ in a concordance, I start to see another glorious glimpse of You!

Finding correlating words in the thesaurus reminds me that NOTHING with You is “arbitrary, unplanned, casual, undirected, indiscriminate, haphazard, by chance or accidental”. I, myself, may think so. Oh, but how much You’ve been teaching me that just because I think something, doesn’t make it true.

Thank You Lord! Thank You that something as simple as thinking of the word ‘random’ would lead me to a story in Your Word of which I am completely unfamiliar.

Oh Most Dear and Holy God, ONLY YOU could get me this excited ~ agog! J ~ about a story of such intrigue and randomness. 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18 both tell the same story of Kings Ahab (‘one of the most evil men produced in Israel’) and Jehoshaphat (‘the second good king of Judah’) joining forces and being surrounded by people who were in the habit of telling Ahab what he wanted to hear.

Lord, THANK YOU for bringing this account to my attention this morning. Oh Your Goodness! How much I identify and want to keep reading. One prophet (Micaiah, not to be confused with Micah!) willing to speak Your truth to such an evil man has me absolutely spellbound Lord.

I don’t remember the last time I have been this eager (AGOG!) to tell others, “Look, it’s all right here! ‘Whatever God says will happen, will happen.’”

Lord, thank You so very much for helping me see that there is absolutely nothing random about this day. Nothing! You are in complete control. And I trust You to coordinate all that is to take place with me today. Thank You Lord. I love You! Amen.

(358 words ~ 8:27 a.m.)

good work

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 (2:49 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Is this going to become a pattern between us? You never sleeping and me waking up before three each morning! Thank You God that I keep awakening so eager to come spend time with You. That IS what this life is all about isn’t? Time spent praising and adoring You.

Again I thank You Lord for the work You are doing in each of us around here. Loving work, deep in our hearts and souls and minds and strength (Mark 12:30) preparing us to be able to love You with each of those components, as You so richly and rightly deserve.

Lord, I love You so much. It is only because of all the very good work You are doing in each of us that I’m able to recognize it as having come from You in the first place. Thank You God.

Thank You too for the amazing teamwork we had around here yesterday. Lord, You certainly know how to get the jobs done don’t You? There was time enough to take care of business and to enjoy one another with huge hugs, great grins and silliness.

Mm Lord. Thank You. Thank You for the smell of our still undecorated Christmas tree. Thank You for the searching, finding and unpacking of many of our ‘treasured’ trimmings ~ as well as the memories that they hold. Let us continue to keep this steady pace of preparation Lord. This slow, steady progression toward celebrating the miracle of Your birth.

Lord, I confess, I don’t remember having You remain the focus of our readying in the past. I like it Lord! I really like it!

Thank You Lord. I sit here looking up songs of Advent. My heart longs to expand to take this all in.

Lord, You have truly begun a good work in each of us! (Philippians 1:6) Don’t let us get in Your way and blow it now. You are so good. So holy. So wanted. So loved.

Thank You Lord for helping me see just how desperately we need You in every single aspect of our lives. I love You so very much dear Lord. Continue Your ‘good work within each of us, helping us grow in Your grace until Your task within us is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.’ Oh ♫Come Lord Jesus Come♫ We love You so much. Thank You Lord. Amen.

(408 words ~ 4:35 a.m.)

learning

Tuesday, December 15, 2009 (2:56 a.m.)

A very early good morning Dear Lord,

Thank You. Thank You for a good amount of sleep. Thank You for warmth of body and soul. Thank You for shelter and order. Thank You for our learning to work together around here.

Oh Dearest Lord. After all these (36) years, You are helping Terry and I learn what it is to truly join forces, encouraging and supporting one another in our joint efforts. Wow Lord! Talk about teamwork. YOU are a great Captain!

Thank You too Lord for the amount of patience and grace that is currently abounding on every side. It comes directly and only through You. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that this morning I was immediately drawn to Peter’s second letter to believers everywhere. Thank You Father that I get to be included in that description! Thank You for his wisdom, his example, his love for You.

Lord, I begin to read

(6:30 a.m.)

and then I fall straight back to sleep!

Lord, thank You for even more rest AND opportunity to consider You, Your Word and the difference You have made in our lives.

Thank You Lord for coming to earth. Thank You for coming into our hearts. Thank You for changing our focus onto You.

Oh Most Dear and Amazing God, thank You for continuing to draw our attention to You, where it so rightfully belongs!

2 Peter 1:2,3 infuses me with hope this morning. Reading it in so many different translations, I get excited (agog!) with each one. But it is the Contemporary English Version that has me ready to jump up and start the day. (Thank You Lord that I did not ignore Your prompting to find this particular rendering!) “I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus. We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that He had invited us to share in His wonderful goodness.”

Lord, how I ask that You would continue Your work in my heart, that I would truly be eager (agog!) to keep learning more and more about You.

I love You so very much and I truly desire to know You better. Thank You for all You are and all You do in and through and for each of us. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(419 words ~ 7:15 a.m.)

Proverbs

Monday, December 14, 2009 (3:59 a.m.)

So, Lord,

I’m thinking You want to talk with me about forgiveness. I confess to having again slipped right back into taking things personally and holding on to anger. Oops! Sorry. You have definitely taught me better than this!

So, where to start? How do I begin putting into practice all the things Your Word has to say about “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger”? I couldn’t possibly resemble the truth of that Proverbs (15:1) statement more!

Forgive me Father. How quickly I forget all about practicing forgiveness. How easily I disregard the fact taught in Proverbs 16:24. “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Then of course there’s also Proverbs 15:4, “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim” to drive the point home!

Mm. Most Blessed God, forgive the way with which I so casually and carelessly push Your Truth aside, acting instead on my own misguided impulses. Watching loved ones shudder at my own insensitivities and carelessness is definitely not something of which I am proud. Forgive me Father.

As I continue scouring (and devouring) Your Word here Lord, I see notation after notation of times I have agreed with You in the past. I have brackets, arrows, exclamation points and boxes directing me to the importance of putting theses truths into action. Help me Lord to get these words off of these pages and engrained into my heart.

Proverbs 11:17, “When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself.” Understood! Proverbs 12:18, “Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.” Ouch! Far too readily do I just spout out what I’m feeling, Lord.

Again, how I ask You Lord to forgive my brusque, insensitive, unkind nature of late. ♫Christmas IS a Time to Love♫ isn’t it? Forgive me Lord. Forgive me that I would in turn more readily forgive myself, and others!

Okay. And just for drill… let me finally say “Thank You”. Thank You Lord for the grin and giggle You just provided me. Proverbs 14:29 in The Message, “Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.” Thank You Blessed Lord for Your continued work in preventing me from wanting to stockpile stupidity!

You are so good and I love You so much. Help me live this day in a such a way that it is clearly evident that You are the Lord and the Love of my life. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(441 words ~ 5:31 a.m.)

carefree

Sunday, December 13, 2009 (5:37 a.m.)

Mm, Most Blessed Lord God,

Thank You Lord. Thank You for what You are doing in our hearts around here. Things that used to cause huge squabbles are now reasons to rejoice. Occasions that once were areas of fear and dread are being met with such a more carefree attitude. Not careless, mind You. No, Lord. In accordance to all You teach, carefree. Unworried. Untroubled. Calm. Serene.

Thank You Lord. These descriptive words only come from learning to practice living our lives in Your presence. Most Blessed God, You are so good. This morning I get to read of Micah’s mistakes in the book of Judges.

How easy it is for us to fall into sin. So often we make the same mistake over and over again. Thank You God that You don’t leave us alone in the errors of our way. Thank You that You have provided so many examples of the blunders of others that help to point us right back to You.

Most Amazing Father God, I confess to You the numerous times I have attempted taking matters into my own hands to work them out on my own. What a mess maker I can be. Thank You Lord that life in You doesn’t have to be that way!

As we prepare, on this cold, rainy, wet day to go spend time with my mom and a dear friend Lord how I ask that You would come too. Go before us to prepare our safe travel. Stay with us providing kind words and patient hearts. Come along afterward, helping us clean up and change any mistakes that we may encounter.

Life with You Lord is SO much better than me trying to pull myself up by my bootstraps, willing myself to do things well on my own. It is indeed Your presence Dearest Lord that is allowing me to approach daily living with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength (Mark 12:30) fully in love with and trusting You.

Thank You Lord for allowing me this time of being carefree because of Your great love, Your power, Your strength, Your wisdom, Your will and Your way. I love You so much Dear Lord. Bless and keep us with You Lord. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(387 words ~ 6:37 a.m.)

experimenting

Saturday, December 12, 2009 (5:25 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I come before You this morning Lord experimenting. I’m experimenting with the idea that even though my mind and my heart keep replaying negative events from yesterday that You can change all that.

And You don’t mess around do You Lord? You get right straight to the point! No sooner had I started tapping the keys for the previous thoughts, ‘renewing your mind’ sprang to the forefront of my thinking.

Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Mm. Yes. Lord. YOUR will! Oh Dear Lord, how I thank You for Your Word. Thank You that You have made it available to us. Thank You that through it You can change this cranky heart of mine.

Even the song I had thought of earlier rings true to this. The third verse of Joy to the World sings, ♫No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found…♫

Lord, have Your way with me this day. Change my heart as need be. Renew my mind. Replace the tendency I have for dwelling on the more negative things to rejoicing in Your goodness and Your grace Oh Lord.

Yes Lord. Time spent experimenting with You again would have to be deemed an overwhelming success. Thank You Lord. Thank You for the opportunity to stop, to think, to thank and to say, “I love You Lord. Amen.”

(282 words ~ 7:00 a.m.)

good

Friday, December 11, 2009 (5:22 a.m.)

Good Morning Lord,

Mm. Yes. Good. Over thirty internet pages of listings for verses containing the word ‘good’. Where to even begin?

Philippians 4:8 of course! Oh yes Good God. Start there and learn even more!

Good News. Good report. Goodwill. Oh most dear and good Father God, thank You for the goodness You bring into our lives. Thank You for Your good and living Word which allows us to experience You all the more.

Putting our focus onto what is good. Proverbs 11:27 (NIV), “He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.” The Message says, “The one who seeks good finds delight; the student of evil becomes evil.” The Living Bible puts the same truth this way, “If you search for good, you will find God’s favor; if you search for evil, you will find His curse.” Thank You Lord!

Lord, I love reading Your Word in the various translations, making sure that what I understand is what was actually intended. Considering ‘whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy’ (Philippians 4:8 TLB) is so much easier when our frame of mind is purposefully seeking the good in things.

Looking through the many renderings of Your Word, I see these same truths uniquely described by the different scholars. Eugene Peterson (The Message) imparts Paul’s words to the Philippians as, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not to curse.”

Oh most Blessed Lord. Oh, that I would only put Your good into practice on a regular basis. Seeking Your good. Living Your good. Proverbs 15:30 tells us, “A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle.” Mm, Lord. There’s another good word ~ joy! And that is indeed a blessed subject for another day.

I love You so much Dear Lord. Help me intentionally look for Your good in this day. Thank You for this opportunity to come before You seeking You. I love You. Amen.

(374 words ~ 7:48 a.m.)

quiet

Thursday, December 9, 2009 (6:12 a.m.)

Most Amazing God,

Thank You for quiet time alone with You - time that is currently neither quiet nor alone. Oh but Lord, my soul so closely resembles David’s in Psalm 131 - especially as it is expressed through Eugene Peterson’s work in The Message.

“God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. [Keep in mind these were David’s words, not mine J] I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!”

Mm, Lord. Hope. Quiet. Content. Yes! These things I experience right here in the midst of noise and busyness.

Blessed Lord, You are so good. Thank You for this brand new opportunity of pulling up the perfect sized stool, propping my legs up on the counter of our kitchen sink and watching the early morning sky change drastically from one color to another. All the while feeling quiet and alone with You.

Lord God, I confess to liking what You are doing in us around here. Teaching us new ways of doing things. Learning to listen, to slow down, to choose our words wisely, to care.

Thank You God. Thank You that You are at the root of all this. You are good. Your are holy. You are all the things I am not. Yet still You invite me in to Your presence. You take my heart’s desire – quiet time alone with You – and magnify it beyond my wildest dreams.

Thank You Lord. Thank You.

As I prepare to ease myself into the busyness of all this day might hold, Lord how I ask that I would do it in and through Your magnificent strength and power. Do not leave me to my own devices. Encompass me with Your love (joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control ~ Galatians 5:22,23) that I would be, feel, think and do all the things that will bring You honor and glory.

I love You so much Dear Lord. Thank You for this quiet time and this quiet heart. Thank You Lord. Amen.

(388 words ~ 7:05 a.m.)

time with God

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 (6:05 a.m.)

Blessed Lord God,

Thank You. Thank You for time to sit quietly before You. Time, to spend alone with You.

Mm, Lord. I so often take this time with You for granted. I don’t mean to. My intent is to thank You and praise You and to get to know You better. But then one thought leads to another and I go off looking in too many directions trying to track down its root.

Take just now for instance. I began my Bible search with the word ‘time’ and was given over 900 verses to look up. Being more specific, I entered ‘time with God’ and narrowed that search down to one page of entries. One of those verses actually started singing to me. But I don’t know its origin Lord.

I’m sure it’s on a cassette of Bible verses set to music that I used to listen to when our kids were small, but I’m having no luck tracking it down. And in the mean time of my searching, I have successfully put You on hold and pushed You to the side again.

So let’s try this again. Yes?

I love You Lord. I love getting to spend time with You. Just You, me, Your Word and a concordance of some kind. Mm. What a gift. What an opportunity.

Take just now. This very instant! Picking up our ‘Psalty’ Bible and mistakenly turning to Psalm 96 (instead of 69 where I was originally headed). Along the way I got to read a Psalty note written for Psalm 90:14. This little lesson titled simply, “Take Time for Jesus” encourages us to “Take time for Jesus every morning. Praise His name. Fill your heart with His joy. Let your whole day be a praise song to Him.” Oh yes Lord! Please!

And then turning two pages to the right is a song I’m completely unfamiliar with. It was written to coincide with Psalm 96:1. ♫Let My Life Be a Praise Song♫ Mm. Yes Lord. I DO want my life to be a praise song to You!

So, I’m giving it all over to You Lord. As I continue with only this partial ability to sing ♫In the time of Your favor You found me (and something, something, mercy You something, something else…)♫ I leave it with You. If You want me to pursue the search, let me know that will you? Otherwise I will leave it safely in Your hands, trusting that You will provide for me exactly what I need to have.

In the meantime I switch over from the New International Version of Psalm 69:13 to The Living Bible and read, “But I keep right on praying to You, Lord. For now is the time – You are bending down to hear! You are ready with a plentiful supply of love and kindness. Now answer my prayer and rescue me as You promised.”

The Bible Handbook refers to this particular chapter as a “messianic psalm quoted in Acts 1:16-20. It is a quiet sharing of David’s personal distress and disappointments, mixed with frequent expressions of trust in God.”

Thank You Lord for yet another example of being able to be ‘real’ before You. Thank You for the opportunity to share our inadequate hearts with You, asking that You would fill us with Your strength, Your power, Your hope, Your love, Your kindness, Your goodness… Yourself!

Lord, I love You. Thank You! For time alone with You! And for so much more! I love You so very much Dear Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(587 words ~ 7:27 a.m.)

sidetracked

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 (6:29 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I confess to getting sidetracked this morning. It’s never what I plan. I think, “I’ll just check this one thing” and before I know it another half hour has passed.

Lord, I love You. A (‘very special’?) Christmas song keeps trying to sing itself to me. I attempt to ignore it, give in, try to find it and the very next thing I realize, I’m sidetracked again.

Proverbs 4:27, the only verse I could find dealing with the subject states it well. “Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” Inching my way up through the chapter, I read more about learning wisdom and guarding our affections.

Mm, Blessed Lord. Thank You for knowing us so well. You knew from the start that we couldn’t be trusted on our own. Our natural bent does not coincide well with Your best for us. Thank You for the people You ordained to collect and write down Your truths.

Time is something I don’t want to waste. Help me use it wisely and to Your benefit. Keep me from getting sidetracked, don’t let me swerve to the right or to the left. Let me put into practice the things that will glorify You this day. Show me how to make the choices that are pleasing to You Dear Lord.

I love You and I long to serve You well! Thank You for wanting me to know You. Continue helping that to happen. I love You so much Dear Lord. Amen.

(249 words ~ 7:28 a.m.)

infamy

Sunday, December 6, 2009 (8:13 a.m.)

Buffalo Bill’s @ Primm Valley Casino Resorts - Primm, NV

Blessed God,

Good morning. Good Sunday morning. Sunday? Already? How can that be?

May I just say Lord, thirty minutes ago when I first started this time alone with You, little did I know that I would find my reason to celebrate in the book of Job.

Hallelujah God! Praise You. It was quite the round about way of getting here, but oh God, thank You.

Thank You for the praises of Your people. Praises in the midst of horrible, challenging ordeals. Lord, thank You for their examples. Examples of turning to You. Wondering, questioning, doubting, yet ultimately praising and celebrating Your goodness.

Thank You Lord. Thank You that we don’t have to understand. We don’t have to know what all is going on, or even why. Our job - not to be confused here with Job J - is to trust You and to praise You.

Oh, most blessed God. Today is the second Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 7, 2009 (6:59 a.m.)

ARGH! God ~

Always Revere God’s Holiness! (my acronym relating to Ephesians 4:29, “Don’t use bad language. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to, and what will give them a blessing.”) ARGH! Argh! argh…

Lord! I come before You with incomplete thoughts and unfinished business from yesterday. Miscommunications abound. And I almost forfeited my time here with You again. Thank You for ‘do-overs’. Thank You for another chance to improve.

Oh Most Holy God, I love You. This is the “date that will live in infamy.” Infamy. A word I had never looked up before just now.

Turning to YOUR Word, I find only one entry from all my translations. Isaiah 44 speaks of the foolishness of false idols and prophets. Verse 11 describes a man and his kind who “will be put to shame; craftsmen are nothing but men. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and infamy.”

But You don’t leave us there Lord. You never leave us without hope. You provide for us. Your Word promises that. You take care of all of our needs. You ‘lead us to a fulfilling life of trust in You.’

Lord, I don’t claim to understand ANY of this! I start and stop so often. Too many times I think I don’t know up from down. But never do I come before You confessing my inadequacies that I don’t come away encouraged in some way.

Lord, I thank You for Your love for us. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for faith and hope and trust in You. Thank You that anything we can ever hope to be or do can only fully be accomplished through YOUR power and strength.

Lord, I am flawed. In so many ways I fall short of Your glory. Thank You for not counting be out and pushing me aside. Thank You for the opportunity to come before You again and again asking for whatever it is I need to continue my journey to You.

I love You so much, Lord. Please do with me this day all that You have in mind. Don’t allow me to get in Your way more than is absolutely necessary. I love You so much. Continue growing and maturing me at exactly the pace YOU have set for me. I love You so much Lord. I love You so much… Thank You. Amen.

(588 words ~ 7:52 a.m.)

illness

Saturday, December 5, 2009 (5:39 a.m.)

Most Amazing God,

You did it!

I dreamt in love.

Like the Spanish teacher told me all those years ago. When a language is understood, it is dreamt in.

I dreamt in Your language of love.

I was dealing with mistakes that my mom had made because of the current condition of her brain and instead of being frustrated with her as I usually am, I responded with kindness, light-hearted laughter and love. Your love Lord! I truly felt Your love for my mom in my dream.

I woke up with a start recognizing that it is possible (as I’ve been told these past two plus years) to be upset with her illness, without being upset with her.

Thank You Lord. As I sit here amidst more than ten Bible translations, trying to figure out which You would have me use to best understand Paul’s words to the Galatians, it is the one we received yesterday as a Christmas gift from our neighborhood church that speaks loudest to my heart.

Chapter four, verse fourteen in the English Standard Version says, “and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.” Oh Dearest Lord, allow me to better practice their example!

I read more about the freedom we receive in You. The words “on Christ alone” cause me to start humming ♫In Christ alone…♫ Seeking and finding the lyrics, I continue singing ♫I place my trust And find my glory In the power of the cross♫

But that’s not where I stop Lord. No, continuing on, ♫In ev’ry victory Let it be said of me My source of strength My source of hope Is Christ alone♫

Thank You Lord. It is Your love that allows me the strength, the hope to finally laugh (and love!) in the middle of an indescribably painful set of circumstances caused by illness.

I love You Lord. Thank You for all You are and all You do to bring us closer to You and Your love for us. Help me exhibit Your language of love all the more. Amen.

(366 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)

what love

Friday, December 4, 2009 (5:00 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Thank You!

Thank You for Christmas lights and Christmas songs. Thank You for Christmas clothes, Christmas decorations and Christmas cheer. But most of all Lord, thank You for You!

Your decision to come into the world as a child to save us from ourselves, knowing all the while what lay ahead for You. What love…

Mm, yes Lord. “What love” indeed.

1John 3:16. [How have I never noticed such a commonality between this Biblical address and that ‘famous’ verse with the corresponding numbers found in the book of John? – “For God so loved the world…”] Hmm. Lord. You help me wonder. Oh and the more I do that, the more puzzled I become.

Lord, You came into this world to demonstrate Your perfect love. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1John 3:16)

As strains of ♫Simply having a wonderful Christmastime♫ continue lulling me, Lord, I look to You asking that we would truly, simply, have a wonderful Christmastime. All the while remembering what love is.

Because You loved me, I get to love You Lord! Thank You. Amen.

(208 words ~ 7:14 a.m.)

to no avail

Thursday, December 3, 2009 (5:10 a.m.)

Beloved God,

I started this time with You more than half an hour ago. And again I confess to being stumped.

Once more I came before You with my own agenda, and floundered. Oh but Your goodness God! Just like that! I confess. You excite!

Everything I’ve been trying to form into words, is already spelled out for me in Isaiah 22:11. “Between the city walls, you build a reservoir for water from the old pool. But all your feverish plans are to no avail because you never ask God for help. He is the one who planned this long ago.”

Yes, Lord! I plan. I work. HARD! And am surprised when I fail. Why? Because I don’t stop long enough to ask You for help.

Even just now. As I continued hunting down the verse that would match my gratefulness to You for relieving my pain yesterday, I had it all wrong. I came before You preconceived. I had already planned what I was going to say to You and where we would go from there.

Thank You God that You are so much bigger than my puny self! Thank You that once again I get to experience being truly AGOG (excited and eager to tell) with You!

You, the Creator of the Universe! You, the One and Only God, right here, waiting for me to ask for Your help.

Thank You Lord! Thank You that You truly avail Yourself to each of us. It is my own thoughts and actions that keep You at bay.

♫Into my heart, into my heart Come into my heart, Lord Jesus Come in today, Come in to stay Come into my heart, Lord Jesus♫

Oh thank You most Blessed One. Thank You for relief from pain. But mostly, thank You for time alone with You in prayer.

I love You Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(311 words ~ 6:42 a.m.)

PAIN!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 (1:30 a.m.)

Most Holy Father,

I can’t believe it! You amaze me. Here I am. At this EARLY morning hour, honestly here to thank and praise You for pain.

PAIN Lord! Really deeply seated, “I can’t find a comfortable spot” kind of pain. Pain, which I tried to ignore. Pain, that isn’t going away. Even with the use of all of my usual tactics.

Pain, Lord, that I didn’t think to bring to You until just now. You, Lord, are the Creator of pain (Genesis 3:16). Thank You Lord. Thank You that I finally had the presence of mind to stop being afraid of the pain and to bring it back to You instead.

There’s a real good chance that as long as I kept thinking of every aspect of the hurting as being physical, I might have continued just wincing and fearing the next wave. But once I associated it emotionally, BAM! I couldn’t get here with You fast enough.

Lord, thank You! Thank You that You tell us again and again throughout Your Word to “Fear not” and “Do not be afraid”. But that’s exactly where I’ve been for more than the last twelve hours. With every twinge, every position of discomfort, I’m embarrassed to confess my thoughts being much like the words attributed to King Saul by an Amalekite after the ruler’s death (2 Samuel 1:9) “‘Come and put me out of my misery,’ he begged, ‘for I am in terrible pain but life lingers on.’”

Lord, I don’t mean to take this gift of life so lightly. How I ask that You would forgive me for my tendency toward the dramatic when it comes to intense pain. Oh how I thank You for the eventual realization that this too I can bring to You. And even with those very words, a hymn inspired by Psalm 126:6 breaks through ♫We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves♫

Lord, thank You so much for reminding me of Your constantly available goodness. Thank You for Your comfort that is so much more powerful than my fear. Thank You Lord, that I DO get to come to You rejoicing, even in the midst of pain! I love You Lord! Thank You. Amen.

(376 words ~ 2:40 a.m.)

preparing

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 (5:51 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Dear, Blessed, Incredible, Awesome, Wonderful Lord. Thank You for another day of getting to know You just a little better. Thank You for all You do in preparing us to love, learn, know and want You all the more.

Lord, this is the day (♫that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad♫) that we plan to use for preparing our house for Christmas. Right above those same lines Lord, I’m asking that You would prepare our hearts for You!

There is nothing more important than You Lord. Left to my own devices I stand the very good chance of wrapping, addressing, decorating and baking You and Your perfect gift to us right out of this whole joyous season.

Just last year our intimate family of origin made a mess of Your design. We took what was meant to bring love and peace and joy and turned it into a time of unforgiving and taking things personally.

As the leaders of this household Lord, Terry and I want to do it better this year. We want You first and foremost at the top of every list. "Praise Jesus – check! Now let’s hang those lights…" J

I mean no disregard here Lord. Through the years we have allowed You to get lost in our shuffle. We (make that, I) have taken such care in packing our holiday treasures away year after year thinking that somehow their safety would insure our love for one another.

Lord, how I ask that You would save us from the insanity of our own making. Before we even begin, remind us of what really matters. You! You matter. Your love, for each and every one of us, matters. Your great love, given so freely as the ultimate example of what love truly is, matters. Help me remember that Lord. Especially at this specific time of year!

Mm. Lord. Once again You bring me hope! Just over an hour spent seeking and finding scriptures (e.g. John 1:1) to share with Terry showing the duality of You being both fully God and fully human. What a glorious way of preparing for this blessed season! Thank You Lord.

Thank You also for the preparing You have done through the eons. From the beginning (Genesis 1:1) You knew what was coming next. You have always been aware of our flawed humanity thus setting in motion Your plan for our redemption. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that as I have turned in Your Word this morning I have again gotten to see evidences Of Your grace, Your glory. 2Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture (The whole Bible) is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” WOW! Thank You Lord!

But wait! There’s more! Malachi (4:5-6) told of another prophet, like Elijah who would come and “His preaching will bring fathers and children together again, to be of one mind and heart…” Then comes Your angel to Zacharias (Luke 1: 5-19) telling of the son he was to have. Verse 17, “He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet of old. He will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people of His arrival. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will change disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom.”

Oh Most Blessed Lord and Father God, how I ask that as You set about preparing our hearts this holiday season You would work in each of us that we will ultimately become the lovers of Yours that You created us to be.

Prepare me Lord. Work long and hard within me that I would truly become all You want of me. I love You so very much. Now… let’s go hang those lights shall we? J

I love You, Lord! Amen.

(692 words ~ 8:20 a.m.)

avoiding

Monday, November 30, 2009 (8:21 a.m.)

Beloved Lord,

Am I avoiding You this morning? Four hours ago I thought about meeting with You, but my eyes weren’t fully open. Two hours later, my eyes were open but my thoughts continued elsewhere. Now, I’m here ~ but am I really?

Lord, I love You. Consciously, purposefully I turn to You asking, what would You have of me today Dear Lord? Without distraction, putting You first, where shall we go together?

My husband’s continuous humming of ♫Octopus’ Garden♫ draws my mind to images of being under the sea, in the shade, let in… by You!

I realize it’s a stretch. But Lord, how easy is it that I speak to other’s about music, books, television and movies. It’s only when I come to those that don’t know You that I hesitate inviting them ♫to come and see, An Omnipotent’s Garden with me♫

Lord, You know I mean no disrespect! I read words about being ♫warm below the storm♫ resting our head(s) on the sea bed, singing and dancing around because we can’t be found, shouting and swimming about the coral that lies beneath the waves, experiencing the ♫joy for every girl and boy Knowing they’re happy and they’re safe♫

Most Holy God, what a freeing opportunity to know (beyond a shadow of doubt) that we are safe with You! I can’t even begin to express the hope that seeps into my very being as I read Paul’s encouraging words in his first letter to Timothy.

As he drew this letter to a close, he urged his dear friend (6:20-21a The Message) to, “guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid(ing) the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talking can miss the whole point of faith.”

Oh my Dearest Lord, I read these verses in four different interpretations and each one entices me further. The New International Version says, “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.”

The Living Bible puts verse 21 very simply, “Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life – they don’t know God. May God’s mercy be upon you. Sincerely, Paul.”

Beloved Lord, if I should have to go about avoiding things, let it never be You. I love You SO much! Thank You for loving me first. Amen.

(431 words ~ 9:44 a.m.)

cherish

Sunday, November 29, 2009 (6:25 a.m.)

Lord,

This morning I want to learn how to cherish You. And Isaiah 51 is speaking directly to me about this.

Lord, how I thank You for answering my prayers often before I even know what to ask. My eyes weren’t even open this morning when the song Cherish began singing itself to me.

♫Cherish is the word I use to describe All the feeling that I have hiding here for You inside♫ Lord, how grateful I am to be able to come here before You wanting nothing more than to learn more about how it is that I am to love and follow You.

This morning I have no hidden agenda. I am here with You because I want to be. I know what everyday holds for me when I don’t first bathe myself in Your presence. You are who I want to pattern myself after. Left to my own devices, my first inclination always is to fear.

Father, thank You that You have so much more to offer me than to continue being afraid. Thank You for having Isaiah ‘confront the people of Judah with their sin and denial and then to inspire them to rebuild their lives based on Your promises.’ Dearest Lord, it is Your Holy Word that allows me to hope each day.

“Listen to me, you who know the right from wrong and cherish my laws in your hearts: don’t be afraid of people’s scorn or their slanderous talk” (Isaiah 51:7). Lord, I grew up being afraid. I desperately feared the thoughts and judgments of others. Truly terrified of not measuring up. Not making the grade.

Thank You Lord that You want us to fear YOU, not others! Thank You that again and again You offer glimpses of Your bigger picture to us. This is not the life of which we are to be focused and concerned. No. It’s our life with You that matters most.

Lord, I am so used to concerning myself with what others think and say about me. Please continue changing that in me. Redirect the fearful energy I have misplaced in caring so much about things that don’t bring or sustain life to practicing more what it really is to cherish You as much as I know You already cherish me.

Change me Lord that I would truly love, honor and cherish You as You so rightly deserve. I love You so much Lord. Help me do it better! Thank You for all You are and all You do on our behalf. I love You. Amen.

(430 words ~ 7:09 a.m.)

getting better

Saturday, November 28, 2009 (8:50 a.m.)

Mm. Most Holy God,

Father, Friend, Blessed Lord… Thank You for the opportunity to come before You exactly as I am. The words to a Beatles song singing again and again in my mind until I finally looked them up. ♫I’ve got to admit it’s getting better A little better all the time♫

Lord, I confess to You that I’m far more willing to look up a “Christian” themed song when it sings out to me, than I am a pop cultured one. And look what I would have missed!

My intent here Lord is never to alter the meaning of things to my own understanding. I don’t ever want to imply that what I’m getting out of a specific reading of something is what was actually meant by its author. What would You have me do when I see myself in someone else’s own creativity?

Mm, Lord. I love the contemplation of finding evidences of You in the simplest of places. ♫I have to admit it’s getting better Since You’ve been mine♫

Truly Lord, I can’t imagine my life without You at the center of it! ♫Me used to be an angry young (wo)man Me hiding me head in the sand You gave me The Word, I finally heard I’m doing the best that I can♫

I’m convinced The Beatles didn’t have You in mind when they penned this song, but I look at it and my heart just screams “YES! ♫I admit it’s getting better A little better all the time Yes, I admit it’s getting better Since You’ve been mine♫”

Most blessed God I take these words to Your Word (John 11) and read of Lazarus’ sickness and resultant death. I find hope in verse four when You heard that ‘your good friend’ was ‘very, very sick’ and said, “The purpose of his illness is not death, but for the glory of God. I, the Son of God, will receive glory from this situation.”

Oh Your goodness Lord! Oh Your sweet, blessed goodness!

Further along in the chapter, You continued speaking truth to Your disciples and they, right there in Your presence, misunderstood what You were saying. You told them (v. 11) “Our friend Lazarus has gone to sleep, but now I will go and waken him!” And they (v. 12) “thinking You meant he was having a good night’s rest, said, ‘That means he is getting better!’”

We jump to conclusions Lord. I view circumstances through my own limited scope of understanding. How I ask You to improve my spiritual vision Lord that I would continue seeking You in the situations of our everyday life. I love looking to You Lord. Trusting, believing that I’m ♫Getting so much better all the time♫ Because of You dear Lord. Always, only, because of You!

Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(478 words ~ 10 :18 a.m.)

broken

Friday, November 27, 2009 (8:45 a.m.)

Father God,

You are good! You amaze me. And in You I find peace and love and hope and joy. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that thirty minutes ago I sat down here crying out to You to “help me”. I looked up several Bible verses using those exact words. But You would have none of it. Nope. That was MY agenda!

Yours is better Lord. SO much better!

Yesterday was a pretty easy day for giving thanks. Things went well. People got along. Until…

My feelings took over. I sat. I watched. I listened. I felt. Sad. For other people… Lord, You know my experience with this better than I. That’s why I was going to ask You to ‘help me’. But no. You knew better.

You knew You wanted me to see my brokenness. “It is a broken spirit You want – remorse and penitence. A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not ignore” (Psalm 51:17).

That’s why You would not let me ignore the singing of ♫Take these broken wings♫ I know, cheesy as it sounds, You continue to speak to me at a level that I can grasp. ♫Baby I don’t understand Why we can’t just hold onto Each other’s hands… Take these broken wings And learn to fly again Learn to live so free When we hear the voices sing The Book of Love (MY emphasis!) will open up And let us in…♫

The Book of Love! YOUR Book of Love! That’s what we are to be living. YOUR love! Not something we try to manufacture or sustain on our own. No. Your Love! Your absolute and perfect love!

Take my broken wings, Lord. My broken spirit. My broken and contrite heart. And let me learn to fly again through Your Book of Love. ♫Learn to live and love so free♫ exactly as You would have me live and love!

I love You so much Lord. ‘Help me’ do it so much better. In Your Precious Son’s name I pray. Amen.

(344 words ~ 9:40 a.m.)