choices

Monday, April 30, 2012 (7:15 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday seemed all sweetness and light. As though not a single thing could possibly go wrong. It was great. I loved it. Energy abounded. Until it stopped. Abruptly at 6:00.

Rather than dwell on unpleasantries Most Holy God, still I will praise You. Thank You Father! Thank You for the opportunity to choose where to put my focus. Thank You for the ease with which to type in some words in a search bar and to have messages of hope pop up.

Thank You Father. Thank You that every single moment of every single day we have choices. Choices of what to think, be and do. I confess. I was completely ready to mope, whine and complain. Instead I chose to come out here with You. I opened Your Word and hope immediately began to fill my being. Yes. My back still hurts. A LOT! More than in a really long while.

But in searching various words, I read worship lyrics and Bible verses that again fill me with hope. Just like yesterday, on the flipside of the very same coin, Proverbs 17:22 comes to the forefront. “A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.” Isn’t that the truth!

Thank You Father. Thank You for the mindfulness with which to approach our time together. It would have been so easy to fall again into that trap of avoidance. Thank You that I’d rather be here with You than anywhere.

Finding the words so readily to ♫Oh no, You never let go In every high and every low Oh no, You never let go of me♫ fills me with all that is necessary to continue singing ♫There will be an end to these troubles But until that day comes Still I will praise You♫ Thank You Father for the willingness to believe Your promises.

In searching Your Word for verses containing the word ‘choices’, I came again to Proverbs 2. Your children are called to listen and treasure and tune our ears to wisdom and good sense. Verse 11 promises, “Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.”

THIS is why I chose You this morning. I needed to be reminded of the choices we have and the importance of making wise ones. Thank You Father. Thank You for loving me and caring about me so much. Help me use my choices well this day. I love You so much. Thank You. Amen.

(425 words ~ 8:13 a.m.)

laughter

Sunday, April 29, 2012 (6:42 a.m.)

Most Blessed Awesome Father God,

Thank You for this gift with which You have blessed me these past several days. LAUGHTER! Deep. Intense. Heartfelt. Laughter. And along with it a true joy I haven’t felt in quite some time.

Thank You Father. The silliness with which I have approached these last few days has truly been like a breath of fresh air. My mind seems clearer. There’s far more creativity. Energy. Optimism. Hope.

The true blessing of all this is that it is not something I set out to achieve on my own. I hadn’t even thought to ask You for it. One funny thought led to another. Silly songs started making themselves up in my mind. To the point that I even giggled myself to tears. Thank You.

I turn in Your Word Blessed Father. There are verses telling of the positives as well as the negatives of laughter. This morning I choose to look at the deeply seeded joy it has brought back to my disposition.

I thought I was headed for Proverbs 17:22. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Then it looked like Psalm 126:2a was it. “We will laugh and sing happy songs!” But it’s 1 Peter 1:8-9 where I want to put my thoughts right now.

For so many months I’ve been hovering around verses 3-7. I clung to Your promises that there would be joy ahead of the pain. This past week, in SO many ways, I have truly experienced Your love (joy, peace, patience…) through my interactions with others. Genuine laughter has become an almost daily occurrence for me. How I thank You for this most incredibly delightful gift O Most Blessed Father.

1 Peter 1, verses 8-9. “You never saw Him, yet you love Him. You still don’t see Him, yet you trust Him – with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward – total salvation.”

Turning just one page over, I read the purpose of this letter Peter wrote to the hurting Jewish Christians who were suffering persecution for their faith in You. “To show us how to live well in a shattered and hopeless world.” Ah. Yes. Most dear and faithful Father God, teach me to live [and laugh J] well in this shattered, hopeless world.

Oh how very much I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(407 words ~ 7:43 a.m.)

learning

Friday, April 27, 2012 (7:11 a.m.)

Sweet Father God,

Thank You. There’s been a lot of learning going on around here. Learning. Asking. Seeking. Knocking. Changing. Wondering. Yes, then back to learning more.

Thank You Father that You are such a willing Teacher. Loving. Patient. Kind. Where do You want to take these thoughts this morning? Somewhere glorifying I hope.

Yesterday I was reintroduced to Proverbs 13:12. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”

Awesome, Blessed Father God, I started out on Tuesday praying for renewed hope for a dear friend. Thinking I had a nugget to share with her, I mistakenly thought Psalm 23:6 said something that it doesn’t. The word I thought was ‘grace’ is really ‘goodness’. I don’t know how close or loosely the two tie together, but I do know that YOUR Word supplies our every need.

“For the Word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). The Easy-to-Read Versions says it this way, “God’s Word is alive and working. It is sharper than the sharpest sword and cuts all the way into us. It cuts deep into the place where the soul and the spirit are joined. God’s Word cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. It judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.” Your Word is alive and active. Your Word!

So many times I go off in my own way of thinking. Thank You that You continue teaching us to return to Your Word.

Father I want to keep learning more of Your Word, that I will truly be able to share it readily in times of trouble. Again quoting the Easy-to-Read Version, “God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help us in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Oh Most Dear and Ever-Present God and Father, keep us coming to You for the learning we need most. Lessons in love. Your love. Pure, unadulterated, absolute true love. Your love. Holy. One of a kind. Real. True. Meant to be shared. Teach us well Dearest Father that our learning (and our joy 1John1:4) will be complete in You.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(370 words ~ 8:08 a.m.)

grace

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 (7:18 a.m.)

Beloved Father God,

I love You. You’re good. Kind. Gentle. I have a friend. She needs You desperately. Her hope seems gone. It appears to have died a slow, agonizing death, along with her dreams.

What would You have me do Oh Lord? What could I possibly say that would turn her eyes to You? Not just her eyes though Dearest Father, her heart, her mind and her soul as well.

I’ve had a bird’s eye view of her life for more than three quarters of our lives. I’ve been witness to so much of her pain. Surely Most Beloved Father, You have joy for her to find in You. Is there something I can say or do to help activate her seeking process?

♫Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace♫

Yes! GRACE. Speak to us that we would share Your grace with one another. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It’s the word I first thought of this morning.

(12:07 p.m. – Anaheim, CA)

Time spent watching the grandson and contemplating Your grace. Undeserved favor. Psalm 23:6 comes to mind. “Surely Your mercy and grace…”

Never give up!

Sunday, April 22, 2012 (7:16 a.m.)

Most Amazing, Wonderful, Eternal Father God,

Thank You! You are so good. For several days I’ve been turning to Galatians 6:9. I’ve talked long and hard with You for many years about my willingness to quit things so easily. This verse reminds me again that You have so much more for us than my little self can ever begin to imagine.

“And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.” Great words. Huge concept. How do I allow You to make it a genuine part of me?

I’ve heard the stories. I even have one of them, The Little Engine that Could. There’s Winston Churchill’s famous speech to the boys at Harrow School. And a man named Darby who had an uncle that quit gold mining just inches away from a large pocket of ore.

I confess to being most like Darby’s uncle. I have great hopes, but don’t necessarily do my homework first. I get excited. I start with great gusto. Then I get frustrated. I fizzle. Then fail.

Father, I know I cannot change myself just by willing it. But You can! You have the power to make me into anything You want. I long to be a pliable piece of clay that does not argue with the Potter (Isaiah 45:9). Truly Father, I so very humbly ask You to remove my shortcomings.

I am coming to realize that You are not going to do things in and through me on my terms. I am turning to You, truly asking that You will grow me as You wish. You ARE The Master Craftsman! I trust You to reshape my life as You see fit. I am asking You to guide and direct me in every single detail of each day.

You told Jeremiah (chapter 18, verses 1-6) to “go down to the shop where clay pots and jars are made” and You would talk to him there. He did as You told him “and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar that he was forming didn’t turn out as he wished, so he kneaded it into a lump and started again.”

This is where You said, “O Israel, can’t I do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” Yes Father. Mold me and make me into the creation You have in mind. Get me out of Your way so the world will see all that You have in store for those who live according to Your will.

Teach me to honor Your Word by not getting discouraged and learning what it is to never give up. I love You Blessed Father. Thank You. Amen.

(483 words ~ 8:57 a.m.)

others

Saturday, April 21, 2012 (7:56 a.m.)

Beloved, Awesome Father God,

I came before You yesterday on behalf of others. That is again where I want to begin today. The needs and concerns of others.

Father, You are so good. So generous. So faithful. Loving. Kind. Psalm 107 speaks of Your redemption of those of us living in spiritual darkness. You save us from wandering (vs. 4-9), prison (10-16), rebelliousness (17-22), and distress (23-32).

This particular psalm begins and ends with the mention of Your loving-kindness (vs. 1; 43). We are told to tell others how You have saved us from our enemies. I often wonder if one of our greatest enemies, apart from satan, is ourselves. We wander “homeless in the desert, hungry and thirsty and faint” (5). It’s when we cry out, “Lord, help!” that You do (6). Leading us “straight to safety and a place to live” (7).

“Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for His loving-kindness, and all of His wonderful deeds! For He satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry soul with good” (8, 9).

Too often we “sit in darkness, in the shadow of death, crushed by misery and slavery” (10). It’s only when we turn crying to You after our rebellion that You help and deliver us (19). “He spoke, and they were healed – snatched from the door of death” (20).

“Oh, that these men would praise the Lord for His loving-kindness and for all His wonderful deeds. Let them tell Him thank You as their sacrifice and sing about His glorious deeds” (21, 22).

This is my prayer to You Most Blessed Father. For myself as well as others. Let us come to trust, depend, and truly stand firmly on Your loving-kindness. I love You so very much Blessed Father. And I want others to come to love, trust, depend and stand on You as well. Thank You. Amen.

(315 words ~ 8:33 a.m.)

prayer

Friday, April 20, 2012 (7:03 a.m.)

Most Beloved Father God,

I’m here on behalf of friends and loved ones. Bringing their needs and safety before You. There are those without jobs. Divorces and child raising arrangements are happening. A distant driving vacation has just begun. Others health is not good. So many areas for You to be involved. And I am asking Your presence in it all.

And still You love me!

Thursday, April 19, 2012 (7:56 a.m.)

Amazing, Wonderful, Awesome God,

Thank You. Thank You that I can choose to mope and drag around listlessly and You still love me. You know my heart. No matter how many smiles I attempt to put on my face, You know exactly what’s behind them all. And still You love me.

Thank You Father God. And still You love me! I followed the word listless [spiritless, lifeless] to Hosea 4:1-3 in The Message. And here I find even more confirmation of the continual love You have for Your wayward people. Thank You.

(9:46 a.m.)

How it is that You are so forgiving and steadfast I can’t even begin to wrap my head around. You just are! And I am grateful to be blessed by Your grace. Thank You God that truly every single feeling, emotion, fear… that we may come up against Your Word addresses.

I confess to You right here and now the biggest fear with which I am dealing is “What’s next?” The bulk of my life seems to have been spent putting out the brush fires of my own and other peoples making. As each circumstance has seemingly grown exponentially to the next, I admit to truly being afraid to think about what else lies up ahead.

You tell us not to fear. Your Word reminds us again and again not to. Yet still I get lost in the trap of “What if…?” And even still, You love me! Thank You Blessed Father. Thank You Holy God.

Intellectually I know You are good. Wholeheartedly I know You are to be trusted. There is fear in my soul that I am asking You to pluck out and replace with absolute faith. Truly I want to be one of those people that no matter the circumstance stands firm knowing and believing full well that with You all is as it is supposed to be. I keep asking You for different. Better. My wayward fearful self refuses to accept things exactly as they are. Work in me Most Blessed One.

I read Hosea and I hope. I believe You are good. I trust that You love me. Prepare my whole heart, soul, mind and strength that I will be better able to “Plant the good seeds of righteousness” (Hosea 10:12a) thus enabling me to accept Your promise, “and you will reap a crop of love; plow the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower salvation upon you.”

My mindset is still so geared toward faultfinding. Please Beloved Father, continue Your work in helping me see my own worth through Your generous eyes of love.

Thank You for this precious time together. Work in and through me this day to go out and accomplish whatever it is that You would have me do. I love You so very much. And I am truly glad and grateful that still You love me! Thank you. Amen.

(503 words ~ 10:34 a.m.)

the glory

Sunday, April 15, 2012 (afternoon)

Plaza Las Glorias parking lot

Awesome God ~

You keep surprising me! All day long. 1:50 a.m. I couldn’t sleep. Five a.m. I was still awake. Moping. Not caring or praying. Then I was cold. Tired. Asleep. And ready to go to church. Not necessarily because I really wanted to. It was much more of a ‘should’. Kind of effortless. And wonderfully rewarding! Thank You.

Thank You for blessings that abound. Blessings of which I am aware. Blessings I don’t want to take for granted. Also ones I don’t want to be afraid to enjoy.

I need to confess to You Most Dear and Blessed Father, I’m really pretty scared. Things keep not being what I expect and I go on trying to make sense of them. I don’t want to continue in this realm. TRULY! I want to relax, trust and fully believe that You know exactly what You’re doing in and with my life.

I keep looking to Your Word. This morning I started with James 1:2-4. “Dear Brothers and Sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.” This is NOT my tendency. I’m far more inclined to gripe, groan, growl, snarl, snap, complain…

Thank You Blessed Father for already knowing this about me. Thank You for loving and accepting me FAR more than I ever can on my own.

Thank You for continuing to remind me, “For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

I confess to wanting all the challenges I face to be changed to “Skill level – easy”! Thank You that You know to give me what I need, not necessarily what I want.

You allow me to act a fool all the while knowing what lies beneath. And herein lies the glory of it. You know what lies ahead as well. “So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

Father, thank You for all You want for me. Your best! Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(353 words)

grumble / gripe -> "I love You. Thank You. Amen."

Thursday, April 12, 2012 (12:21 p.m.)

Awesome, Incredible God,

I’m coming to You with a struggle. A battle I’m having right here within myself. I keep going back and forth between feeling down

Saturday, April 14, 2012 (10:09 a.m.)

And here I am again. Pretty much same mood, different day. I keep thinking. Wanting to feel differently. Wondering if I’m learning some great, deep life lesson. And then remembering that, it’s ‘not by might nor by power but by Your Spirit’ (Zechariah 4:6).

Ah, Blessed Lord, thank You! A hint of a smile. A spark of hope. A reason to again be glad.

I confess to You Most Blessed One, to once more attempting to hide in plain sight. I got tired again. Of wanting things different than they are. I even went so far as to search Your Word for verses containing the words ‘grump’ and ‘gripe’.

You saw the degree of irony I noted on Thursday from finding both words used alternately in different translations for the same verse. Jude 1:16 talks about grumblers and gripers. Faultfinders. It was verse twenty that led me to think about hoping in You.

“But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our most holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.” Truly Father, I want this! Desperately. Yet I find it so much easier to quit. Hoping. Praising. Wanting. Desiring.

So I fell back into avoiding. You. Me. Loved ones. All the way until again, just now remembering Your words spoken through Zechariah, I want to substitute my name for the one listed. “This is God’s message to Zerubbabel”.

As I sit here with tears brimming and waiting to fall, I turn to Hebrews 11:1 to remind myself of what Your Word has to say about faith. “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.”

Father. Your have NEVER let me down. My own thoughts, desires, actions have often led me astray. But not You. Thank You. Thank You for Your patience to wait for me to again come back to You. Dragging my tail behind me.

Thank You for Your willingness to forgive me my impatience. My inability to stay the course on my own. I need You! You’re always here. I’m the one who runs away. Gives up. Doesn’t care. You never do. Thank You that You provide so very much more than I could ever even begin to hope to deserve. You are good and faithful. Always. I am not.

Back to Your message through Zechariah, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty – you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.”

Most awesome and blessed Father, I cannot do any of the things I desperately want to accomplish on my own. I keep trying to forge ahead without You. Thank You for reminding me that I am going to keep getting absolutely to the wrong place as long as I insist on going on in my own strength and power.

Thank You for Your patience. Your love. Your mercy. Your grace. Your plan. Ply me exactly as You desire. Do all You have to in and through me to change my will to Yours. I love You far too much to continue avoiding You. Thank You for continuing to call my name until I am willing to answer. I love You so very much. Forgive my bull-headed, stubborn heart. Change and use it as You wish. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(626 words ~ 11:03 a.m.)

still reading

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 (12:57 p.m.)

Incredibly Wonderful God,

I’m sill reading Colossians 3. Especially verses 12-14 and 18-21. It’s much like the husband has told me through the years I tend to read most of that with which I agree.

Quoting The Message version here I do so very much agree. “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.”

Just the thought of being chosen by You is amazing in itself! Having a wardrobe picked out by You? Priceless!

“Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense.” These are words that have been used to describe me in the past. I’ve always said it’s because the describer hadn’t seen or known the ‘real’ me. Now I’ve come to the place where I want to believe that it’s because You have done this mighty work in me and that I truly AM these things!

“Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” What do you think Father? Is this something I remember to put on frequently? Oh how I hope You think I do.

These next four verses I have believed for very many years. “Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.” Again, just yesterday, the husband re-uttered the phrase that truly righted our relationship almost 19 years ago because I willingly went along with what he thought to be best. “Thank you for trusting me.” Wow! Your Word does not fail us!

“Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them.” Is it true, or just my own belief that the message to wives comes before Your words to the husbands on purpose?

“Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master to no end.” And now the verse I’m wondering if I can come out from under. “Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.” Father God, I know for a fact from all the people who repeatedly tell me how very hard I am on myself that I fall into this crushed spirit category.

Our dad did all that he truly thought was best. He absolutely tried to inspire my big brother and I to greatness. What he managed to achieve is two adult kids who still don’t think they can do many things well.

YOU are so much bigger than our daddy’s mistaken intents. Work in us both, I pray, most dear and blessed Father. Our dad’s love for us, while flawed, was real. As far as I know, he didn’t know You well and his own earthly father’s example wasn’t stellar either.

What I am asking here Dear Everlasting Father is for some serious re-parenting. The ‘quick to forgive an offense’ sited above? Make it so the children mentioned in this particular prayer can learn to do exactly that. Be quick to forgive themselves in whatever offense arises.

Father God, thank You for the honor and the privilege to come before You in heartfelt faith and wonder. You are so good and kind to clothe us so perfectly in Your basic, all-purpose garment of love. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(570 words ~ 1:35 p.m.)

"Quick to forgive"

Monday, April 9, 2012 (7:32 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

There is so much to learn. So much to practice. Where do I begin? How do I continue?

You provide our every need. You hardwired us to seek You. I heard a phrase the other day. “Quick to forgive.” It sounded contrived. Sterile. Mechanical. But I looked past the hollowness of what I was hearing into Your Word and a whole new understanding opened up for me.

Reading in Colossians 3, I find Christ, The Pattern for a Fulfilling Life. Turning back to the overview of this particular letter, I rediscover that it was written about the greatness of Christ. “To show us that Christ is the only real source of power in our life” (Life Recovery Bible, Bottom Line).

Why is this so easy for me to forget?

(137 words)

Alleluia!

Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012 (6:32 a.m.)

♫Jesus Christ is Risen Today, Alleluia♫

Beloved Savior ♫Who did once upon the cross Suffer to redeem our loss♫ how I thank You for Your sacrifice. Each year my understanding of the cross and grave becomes so much more meaningful than new clothes and chocolate bunnies.

Thank You for Your willingness to fully ‘absorb the radiation of our sins’. Thank You for the love You came to teach and leave with us. Thank You for Your call to ♫Sing Alleluia♫ for the blessings You have so freely and abundantly provided us. Thank You. Alleluia! Amen.

(102 words)

being glad

Saturday, April 7, 2012 (6:57 a.m.)

Loving Father,

I woke up this morning with a choice. And I was grateful to be remembering our Lenten experience. Father God, I want so very much to continue being glad.

Everyday there are a multitude of reasons to be happy, sad, scared, annoyed... I want to continue learning to put every possible scenario under the massive umbrella of Your perfection and choose to say, “This IS the day that the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)

You have been bringing truly joyful people into my life that I want to continue learning from. Faced with whatever set of circumstances, their first response is “Praise God!” What an awesome example of truly being glad.

(8:14 a.m.)

I just took some time to find the “Psalty” lyrics to ♫Praise God♫ and to look up the corresponding Bible verses (Colossians 3:16-17). ♫Praise God, give thanks to the Father for all – that you say and do. Well, amen, amen, sing glory Hallelujah! Christ, the Lord is risen for you♫ Truer words Lord! Amen, amen, sing glory Hallelujah! Christ the Lord is risen for me. Wow! What an absolutely perfect reason to continue practicing being glad!

Let me confess to You right now Dearest God and Father, this is definitely NOT my first response to anything. My natural tendency leans in the opposite direction. I’m still at the stage of our relationship that I have to remind myself into thanking and praising and being glad. I look so forward to YOUR Nature becoming mine!

Keep working in and through me most blessed One. I love You so very much. Thank You for giving me the genuine desire to go on being glad. Thank You. Amen.

(295 words ~ 10:05 a.m.)

Good Friday

Good Friday, April 6, 2012 (7:26 a.m.)

Most Blessed Father God,

Thank You for Your plan. Your plan for good and not for evil. Your plan to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Always You have known what Your people need. You know our flaws and our foibles. And still You love us. To the point of Your very own Son’s Crucifixion. There is no way to thank You enough for this.

I’m on my way to start the day. Places to go. People to see. Keep me mindful of Your sacrifice on our behalf. A sacrifice I am only now beginning to more fully explore.

Thank You for Your love for us. Thank You for Your plan. Thank You for all You would have us do with what You have provided.

I love You Father. I thank You. And I am so very grateful. Thank You. Amen.

(151 words ~ 7:39 a.m.)

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday April 5, 2012 (7:53 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

Thank You for sending Your Son to do for all of us that which we could never do for ourselves. Thank You for Your Word, written to preserve Your history of the past as well as to give hope for the present and our future.

(4:22 p.m.)

Thank You that there is always more to learn. Each year there’s another layer of Your Son’s Last Supper that I learn something more about.

This was the night He washed his disciples feet, giving the perfect example of servanthood (John 13:1-17). He predicted His betrayal (18-30). He introduced His “new commandment” (31-38) telling His followers that they are to “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.”

He knew He would be leaving them so He taught much this last night. About persecution, the Holy Spirit, prayer. And then he prayed. For Himself. For His disciples. And for us!

Knowing He was about to suffer and die for our sins, Jesus said to You on our behalf, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message” (John 17:20 TM). That’s ME Dearest Father!

Me, mentioned on His last night. Me, included when He asked You, "that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (v.21 NIV).

The Living Bible says the same verse this way, “My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind”. One heart and mind, Blessed Father, let us learn to be exactly that.

On this most holy night Dearest God, teach us to follow Jesus’ example and His love for us all. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(321 words ~ 5:21 p.m.)

desire of my heart

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 (7:26 a.m.)

Anaheim, CA

Blessed Father,

Thank You. Thank You that even when things don’t go the ways I expect, I still want to say, “Thank You.”

Thank You Father that knowing You, following You, spending time with You truly is the desire of my heart. I confess to You right now, I don’t always do it well. Too many times, in the very midst of circumstances I forget to “Be still and know” that You alone are God (Psalm 46:10).

Instead I tend to scramble around. I want to fix things. Change things. Make them better. Ah, how much better it is when I just come into Your presence saying “thank You”.

Again I find myself in 1 Chronicles 28. David does not get to build the temple he had been preparing as his ultimate expression of love for You. Instead of using my standard approach to disappointment of any kind, he did not sulk. He used the time he had to pass Your wisdom along to his son. Amazing!

Verse nine that brought me here says, “Solomon, my son, get to know the God of your fathers. Worship and serve Him with a clean heart and a willing mind, for the Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every (desire and) thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will permanently throw you aside.”

Most blessed Father God, teach and enable me to speak so eloquently of You to others. You are mighty and awesome. You are ‘our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble’ (Psalm 46:1). Thank You that we have Your Word to stand on. To believe in. Help us use it wisely and well.

Thank You for being the desire of my heart. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(311 words ~ 8:15 a.m.)

time

Monday, April 2, 2012 (7:40 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I’m here. Looking at the clock. Wanting to get this done. Check it off my list. That’s not how I want to spend time with the Creator of the universe!

I have decisions to make. Rather than try to make them myself, I’m going to bring them to You. Am I contagious? Do I go out and around other people today? Do I take anything for it? I really want to do the ‘right’ thing.

Give me time to decide. Help me make the healthiest choices for all. I love You Lord. I’ll be back here with You, as soon as I have more time!

(3:45 p.m.)

Anaheim, CA

Time! Time to exercise. Time to pack. Time for being social. Time to appreciate incredible beauty. Time to listen. Time to eat. Time to shop. All kinds of time today to do so many things. And now, finally, time to be here with You.

Thank You Father. Thank You that time with You is infinite.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012 (11:51 a.m.)

Awesome, Incredible God,

Thank You for the opportunity to worship with our church family via the Internet. Thank You for the decision to not take cold germs outside of our household yet still be able to see and hear Your Word sung about and taught.

(4:55 p.m.)

Thank You Lord for time to rest and cough and begin feeling better. Thank You for the work You do in us: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Thank You Father for the work You’ve done in me this Lenten season that so coincides with the ending of the Psalm read in this morning’s service.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Blessed is the One who is coming” (Psalm 118: 24, 26a). It’s Palm Sunday. The One is coming. And I am glad. You’ve done this. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(156 words ~ 6:56 p.m.)