Revelation 3:19 ~ 3/27/15

Friday, March 27, 2015 (7:00 a.m.)

Ruby Princess - Balcony

Northbound to Los Angeles, CA

Daddy God,

I keep choosing badly. Be glad? Or mad. Guess what I continue to pick. Why? What is so seemingly difficult that I would rather scowl than smile. Repeatedly. I don't get it. I really just don't get it!

I'm here asking for Your help. Truly. Sincerely. I don't want to continue in this vein. The tiniest perceived slight is blown completely out of proportion. Talk about overreacting!

Where's the peace? The patience? The gratitude that usually comes so readily and naturally? Not here, that's for sure. Did I forget to pack You? I don't think so. Your attributes are anything but easily recognizable in my attitudes and actions. Forgive me. I honestly don't know how to proceed.

“Be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

my hope and stay ~ 3/26/15

Thursday, March 26, 2015 (6:45 a.m.)

Ruby Princess - Balcony

Cabo San Lucas, MX

Awesome God,

Thank You for loving me. I behave badly. Stubbornly. Sulkily and sullenly. Yet I get to confess childlike hurt feelings and You still love me.

Things didn't go my way. I withdrew. Instead of embracing the evening with joy and laughter, I attempted civility and good manners. Blessed God, thank You for requiring so much more from us than civility and good manners!

Thank You that You do not disappoint. You make promises You keep. You do not deny us as Yours. We fail You. Repeatedly. And still we get to stand on Christ, our Solid Rock.

Thank You that while relaying my feelings to You just now ♫nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness♫ sprang to mind. Thank You for the resources to track it down to being ♫The Solid Rock♫.

Beginning with ♫My hope is built on nothing less...♫ and each of the four verses ending ♫On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: All other ground is sinking sand.♫

How appropriate the nautical theme of this hymn. Thank You for words that conjure up thoughts of the sea. Sand. High and stormy gales. Anchor. Flood. With Jesus my hope through it all. ♫When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.♫

What a promise! Jesus, how I thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your example as the epitome of forgiveness. Peter denied You three times (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27) even after promising his willingness to die for You (Matthew 26:31-35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-33; John 13:37-38). And still You forgave (John 21:15-17) him!

Jesus, thank You for a tiny taste of having been denied three times last night. Just a teeny, tiny taste. Thank You that Your spirit of forgiveness is SO much greater than mine has ever yet to be. Keep working in me I pray.

We are currently off balance. Out of step. Struggling to catch the beat of Your rhythm for us. How I ask to be made aware of Your perfect provision this day. Don't let me carelessly and stubbornly ignore Your many blessings.

I love You Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Work all the harder at making me all You want me to be. Loving. Kind. Forgiving. Thank You for being “my hope and stay”. I love You. Amen.

(408 words ~ 8:09 a.m.)

joy and laughter ~ 3/25/15

Wednesday, March 25, 2015 (8:00 a.m.)

Ruby Princess

Mazatlan, MX

Holy God,

Thank You for Your blessings to us. Thank You for every single smile and giggle. Thank You for the out and out belly laughs. As well as the much more reserved easy-going chuckles. What I'm really trying to say Dearest Dad, is thank You for loving us through joy and laughter.

Thank You for working in me to the point of trusting You. It is so very easy for me to look at circumstances and become incredibly intimidated by them. Thank You that learning to look to You instead lightens every load.

I get to read Your Word. I have ready access to Psalms and Proverbs. History. Prophecies. Lessons. Teachings. And in them, through them we have the privilege of being “filled with laughter” and 'singing for joy' (Psalm 126:2a).

You are good and faithful. You love us far beyond what we could ever deserve. I read the comment for this section of Scripture in The Life Recovery Bible and the point I again take away is, “Change never comes over night, but God promises to complete the transformation in our life when the time is right.”

I've been witness to Your changes in us. The amazing things You have done for us (126:2b) are too many to count. What I can do instead is continue to thank and praise You for the joy and laughter You bring into our lives.

We have another opportunity today to represent You. Use us as You wish. We love You. We long to serve You. And we desire to do it well. Thank You Father. We love You. Amen.

(281 words ~ 8:43 a.m.)

  

provision and leading ~ 3/24/15

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 (7:45 a.m.)

Ruby Princess - Balcony

Approaching Puerto Vallarta, MX

Holy God,

Thank You for hiccups in service and relationships that remind us that not all things will go according to our liking. Thank You for the presence of mind to change old behaviors. Thank You that even while in the midst of unpleasantness, we can choose which way to proceed.

Mm. Big smile. In the act of seeking to proceed with You just now I found myself in Ecclesiastes reading the Preacher/Teacher's musings and conclusions. In the process I turned to The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration. Under a section entitled “Provision and Leading” I found ♫Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us♫ and the tune is sticking within.

♫Savior, like a Shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care♫ Oh Dear Lord, how true is that! I turn to the corresponding verse of Scripture (John 10:3) and read the subheading. The Good Shepherd and His Sheep. I remember our Pastor telling us on numerous occasions, “We are sheep. And sheep are dumb!”

Thank You Father. Thank You that You sent Jesus to be our Shepherd. To lead us. Guide and direct us. Not blindly. Lovingly. Instructively. So when we are out there in the midst of mistake making we can remember to make better choices.

Mm. How very blessed we are to have ♫Our Father which art in heaven♫ (Matthew 6:9) who loves us, provides for us and leads us. Do exactly that this day Blessed Being, that we will not only follow but delight You in Your leading.

I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(275 words ~ 8:37 a.m.)

Truth-filled, unwavering Standard ~ 3/23/15

Monday, March 23, 2015 (11:22 a.m.)

Southbound - Ruby Princess

Balcony

Mm, Good Morning God,

Thank You that I get to still say good morning! Thank You that I haven't wasted the bulk of the day on a novel that I thought was wonderful and ended leaving me feeling quite unsettled. Far more unsettled than I would have wished.

Thank You that there is such a gulf between fact and fiction. Thank You that I can choose between the two.

(12:33 p.m.)

Mm, Father,

Thank You for lunch and the kind husband who chose and delivered it to me. Thank You for the love You have been growing in each of us through the years. Thank You for Your Truth. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your Standard.

Yes Father. Thank You for Your Truth-filled, unwavering Standard. Mm. Where in Your Word to go with this now? Hmm...

Leviticus 19:35

(4:47 p.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. Thank You that I can become unsettled, trust in You, lean into You, depend on You and come into peace. Thank You that I get to turn to Your Word and be reminded of Your plan for our families and society in general.

Thank You that You are the God of holiness. Your Standard? Holiness and purity. I even get to sing a hymn pertaining to Your command to the entire community of Israel through Moses (“Be holy because I, the Lord Your God, am holy” Leviticus 19:1, 2).

♫Pure and holy I would be, worthy of Your love for me. Teach me while Your light is clear, change me while my heart is near. Holy, holy, holy Lord. You are great and I am small, You are King and God of all. You are wise in all You do, Lord I put my trust in You. Holy, holy, holy Lord♫

Blessed Father, thank You that You are indeed holy. Thank You that I get to come before You exactly as I am and You change me right where I sit. Thank You that hours ago my focus was on the unsavory twist an author took in his novel and now I'm again taking in deep breaths of Your wisdom and grace.

Father, I love You. I thank You so very much. Continue working Your will and Your way with me. Changing me as You must. Loving me as only You are able. Thank You for Your Truth-filled, unwavering Standard. I love You. Amen.

(407 words ~ 5:14 p.m.)

deep sigh ~ 3/22/15

Sunday, March 22, 2015 (7:21 a.m.)

Southbound - Ruby Princess

Balcony

Most Holy, Awesome God,

Mmm...

(7:54 a.m.)

Father, how I thank You! With that deep breath came an equally deep sigh. And with that? A review of Jesus in Conflict, Mark 6:1-8:26.

Because of Your Word and all that has been written about it I get to sit here and read as though I were right there witnessing His teachings myself. He was rejected by His own relatives and former neighbors. He suffered the loss of His cousin [John the Baptist] at the hands of evil. He faced exhaustion and hunger.

Again and again His disciples showed signs of just not getting what all they are experiencing first hand. They were witness to miracles and healing yet failed “to grasp the meaning of His words and actions” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

Blessed Father, how I thank You for reminders that I am not alone in my failure to grasp. I have opportunity, on top of privilege, amid blessing and still there are moments of despair and utter sadness. Frequent are the wonders of what can be done for neighbors, loved ones and complete strangers that struggle in this world.

It's so easy to focus on the sadness and seemingly selfishness of it all. Guide and direct my thoughts again to You and Your provision. While I don't have answers to any of the pain and suffering of others I do have my experience with You that I long to share. Empower and enable me to do such a better job of talking freely of Your mighty power and grace.

Your love is what has allowed me all these years to continue taking deep breaths and baby steps. Will there come a time when I actually make great strides for You? I wonder.

Until then, I thank You again for the chance to offer You another deep sigh of utter praise. I love You. I long to serve You. And I ask You to make me ready, willing and able to do so. Well.

Guide me. Direct me. Empower and embolden me. I love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(355 words ~ 8:35 a.m.)

higher than ~ 3/21/15

Saturday, March 21, 2015 (8:15 a.m.)

Holiest God and Father,

Thank You that You bless us. And keep us. Thank You that You make Your face shine upon us and are gracious to us. Thank You that You lift Your countenance upon us and give us peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Thank You that there are so many different ways of saying the above blessing. At first hearing I doubt that I even began to understand the depth of the invocation. Now I marvel at the idea.

You are the One who loves us (John 3:16). Cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Created us in Your very own image (Genesis 1:26).

I don't always behave in a manner representing these Truths well. I tend to mope. Pout. Stamp my feet and say bad words. And You continue loving and blessing me all the while.

Thank You that You see me in a light so different than my own vantage point. Thank You that I absolutely get to trust that “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

Thank You Father that I get to know this. Trust this. Too many times I don't understand or act as though I believe it. But You are True to Your Word always. Thank You!

Thank You that in the times I resemble a horribly unruly child more than I represent You, You are patient and kind in letting me come around to Your way (Psalm 103:8). Thank You that You know me (Psalm 139) and You continue to love me (Psalm 108:4).

You are not put off by me. Wow! How awesome is that. Father, I love You. I thank You. And I ask that I will represent You well this day. Work in and through me as You must. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(320 words ~ 9:07 a.m.)

You are ~ 3/20/15

Friday, March 20, 2015 (6:38 a.m.)

Holy, Loving God,

Thank You that You are (Exodus 3:14). Holy. Loving. Always present.

"..." ~ 3/19/15

Thursday, March 19, 2015 (7:30 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God,

Our Father, which art in heaven... What a mighty, awesome God You are. I'm here again confessing that I don't really know how to approach You. Nope. Strike that, 'cause I do!

I'm 'sposed to be open and honest and I confess to refusing to do that. I don't want to sound like a whiner. You bless us. Abundantly! How dare I focus on the piddly little annoyances that pop up. Yet I do. But I don't want to.

This is where the lesson I was learning in studying about the Psalms yesterday was so profound. The Psalmists complained. They shared their feelings with You. Readily. They didn't hedge. They let You know exactly what was going on in and with them.

Father, thank You for their example. Thank You for Your willingness to accept us just as we are. Flawed. Imperfect. Error - prone, bound, ridden.

Ah, but the glory of it all ~ is You! I hurt. You heal. I make mistakes. You teach through them. I doubt. You comfort.

Even yesterday. I left our time together wondering. I turned the calendar page and felt Your presence. After spending hours learning more about the Psalms, I truly beamed as I read, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped...” (Psalm 28:7 NIV). Yes. You are, it does and I am.

And would You look at this? I just finished reading what was omitted by the dots [ellipsis] above. “...and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving” (New Living Translation).

The Living Bible says, “Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to Him.”

There are descriptions of “jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to Him” (The Message). Being “very happy” and praising You with song (New Century Version). Hearts exult and thanks are sung.

I like how The Voice presents it. “When I learn to rest and truly trust Him, He sends His help. This is why my heart is singing! I open my mouth to praise Him, and thankfulness rises as song.”

Father, You know my hurts. The aches and pains. Discouragements. Doubts. To dwell on them would come quite naturally for me. Thank You for allowing me to “learn to rest and truly trust” You!

I love You. Use me this day as You wish. Strengthen, encourage and empower me to be all You would have me be and do only what it is You would have me do. I love You. I thank You. And I praise You. Thank You for all You are and all You do. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

 (463 words ~ 8:24 a.m.)

  

learn more ~ 3/18/15

Wednesday, March 18, 2015 (7:11 a.m.)

Holy, Awesome God,

Thank You for another privilege of meeting with You. Thank You for the sincere desire to search the early morning sky for traces of Your glory. Thank You for the opportunity to turn readily to Your Word and learn more.

Mm, yes. Thank You Father for every single chance we have of learning more. More of Your Truth. Your love. Your promises. Your grandeur. Mm, Father, with You there is no end of descriptive superlatives.

Thank You. Thank You that this morning I'm learning more about Psalms, what the Hebrews called “the book of praises”. Thank You for yet another reminder of how very little I really know.

God my Rock!

Thursday, April 30, 2015 (6:38 a.m.)

God, my Rock,

Thank You. I woke up humming just earlier. Unable to remember the words to what I knew my heart was singing, it was an easy find once I recalled having sung it on Sunday morning.

♫God my Rock♫ Mm, thank You. Thank You that I get to just sit here contemplating Your goodness. The magnitude of all You are and what that means to each of us when we trust in You.

Thank You that as I sing the phrases available to me, I also get to crosscheck them with Your Word. Much is said in the Bible about You being our Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 62:2, 6). Your faithfulness to never fail us (Lamentations 3:22). You being the strength of our hearts (Psalm 73:26). The joy of our lives (Psalm 28:7). Our song in the night (Psalm 42:8).

God, my Rock, thank You that I get to breathe in deeply and be reminded that it is You who carries me through the darkest storms and holds me in Your arms. I get to trust in You. Wow! How perfect is that?

Thank You for singing [humming] Your Truth into my heart, soul and mind so much early. Let me take it with me into the rest of the day. There is much we'd like to accomplish around here. I want to honor You by sticking to the plan laid out before me. Guide, direct, nudge... Do all You must to empower and enable me in glorifying and enjoying You forever.

I love You Blessed Father. God my Rock! Thank You for Who and All You are. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(284 words ~ 8:28 a.m.)

God's strength and plans

Wednesday, April 29, 2015 (6:30 a.m.)

Sweet, Sweet Jesus,

Thank You! We had the sweetest day yesterday. And that has been the most prevailing word of the morning. Until I looked up the spelling of prevalent and found the difference between it and prevailing and now I'm caught up in Habakkuk's struggles with faith.

You tell me. Which direction do I take here? Talking with You about the sweet joys of boy watching yesterday, or how God's strength and plans prevail (Habakkuk 3:19; Proverbs 19:21)?

God's strength and plans it is! Yes, the boys were unusually sweet yesterday. With themselves, each other, us. Unexpected hugs and “I love you”s were plentiful. Sweetness abounded. Oh, but when all is said and done, at the end of any given day, it's God's strength and plans on which we need to rest.

Thank You God for the sweetness of which we still speak this morning. Mm, but thank You even more for the power and the foresight You have. Yes Father, thank You for moments [even a day] of sweet harmony.

As I continue reading in Habakkuk (3:1-2), I'm directed to Hebrews 12:5-6 which sends me back again to Proverbs (3:11-12). And now tears sting my eyes as they prepare to roll freely down my cheeks as I remember hearing of a marriage having recently dissolved.

Blessed Father, how tearfully I pray for this family. May each of them turn readily to You. The idea of them “singing joyful praises to God... turning cartwheels of joy” (Habakkuk 3:18 The Message) seems extreme. Downright impossible. That's where we turn to You. For Your strength and Your plans.

“Counting on GOD's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain!” (v. 19) Mm... Yes, Father, may we all take heart and gain strength and steady footing in You.

Proverbs 19:21 tells us, “You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail.” We count on that Blessed Father. We depend on Your plan prevailing.

Provide for each us exactly as You know is needed. We love You and long to sing joyful praises, turning cartwheels of joy as You align us in Your strength to Your plans. Thank You for Your loving care. Let us use it well. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(395 words ~ 8:58 a.m.)

finding more

Tuesday, April 28, 2015 (6:09 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy God,

Thank You. There was sleep. And fun. Dancing. And a movie. There was even a certain degree of awkwardness. And I kept looking for Jesus.

Yesterday I read something [which I now cannot find] about looking for Jesus and finding joy in the process. NOT the other way around! I keep thinking about that.

Over an hour has been spent looking over, rereading, trying hard to find that piece and finding more in the process. Isn't that just like You? The more we look and actively search, the more of You there is to be found.

Thank You Jesus. Thank You for all You are. All You do and have done on our behalf. Thank You that Your Word is here to remind us. Challenge us. Feed us.

I look. I read. I hope. I pray. And now I ask You Dearest Jesus, teach me to live in You as You command (John 15:9). Intimately. Closely. Abidingly. Connectedly. That I would indeed continue, remain, stay, dwell in Your love.

Mm, yes. Keeping Your commandments (v. 10) that Your joy would be in me and my joy would be complete, full (11).

I confess, I desire to love others as You would have me love (v. 12) yet I know myself. I am not one that is likely to lay my life down for another (13). This is where You come in. Doing in and with, by and for me ALL that I am unable [unwillingly] to do on my own.

I love You Jesus. How I ask You to empower and embolden me to love You all the more. Help me seek You throughout this day. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(292 words ~ 8:25 a.m.)

More Love to Thee

Monday, April 27, 2015 (7:58 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

As much as I love You, I know I want to love You more. Better. Much more openly. Honestly. Willingly. Genuinely.

I spoke of Your Word on Saturday. Stating out loud how I long to be able to love as You would have me love. Believing the best, not the worst (1 Corinthians 13:7). I shared to not having been trained this way. And the fact that trying desperately on my own to overcome it only leaves me lacking.

Father, I confess my fault finding to You. The comparisons I make. My own inability to achieve love as Your Word dictates.

How I thank You that You don't leave us alone in our incompetence. You are ever here to guide. Direct. Intervene.

Thank You that as I set about comparing 1 Corinthians 13:7 in the various translations and paraphrases I have at my disposal, You reminded me through The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration to look again at Philippians 1:9.

Tears rim my eyes, waiting to fall. Yep. There go the first two, beginning their slide down my cheeks before being quickly brushed away. How different these past many years would have been had I chosen not to heed Your call to seek forgiveness from one I had hurt.

Overwhelmed is a perfectly descriptive word of me right now. I see where I want to be as a lover of Yours. And I compare it to the stuntedness of my growth. Get me out of Your way I pray. Line me back up with Your best, not satan's worst.

Continuing to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7), believing on the Lord Jesus to save us (Acts16:33) I tearfully sing out ♫More Love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make On bended knee; This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ to Thee, More love to Thee!♫

The second verse describes my cravings for earthly joys, seeking peace and rest. How I ask that You would turn my sights to genuinely searching ♫Thee alone♫. All the while knowing and believing that You will ♫give what is best♫

All because of You

Sunday, April 26, 2015 (6:54 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You! You blessed me with an ability yesterday. After nearly 100 days of trying, I was able to play some piano pieces better than I ever have. I struggled. Raised my fist [and cursed.] Was completely frustrated. I took breaks. Came back. Tried again.

Through it all, I kept coming back. That's not my norm. Usually I continue through exhaustion. Or just quit altogether. Yesterday was different. I listened. I looked. I tried different things. I took breaks. Yes Father. I took breaks.

I walked around. What our childhood family referred to as piddling. But through it all, I didn't give up. That's because of You.

(8:53 a.m.)

All because of You.

Mm. Yes. Father. All because of You.

I got to take another break just now. Time spent helping our son surprise a virtual stranger with a heartfelt kindness. A gift for her four year old. A bit of magic he called it in his parting words while heading off for her cruise ship.

I remember phrasing “mercy and grace in Christ” as “magic” in which I can believe.

proceed

Saturday, April 25, 2015 (6:57 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. I'm hurting right now. A lot. My thoughts go back and forth between ignoring the pain and embracing it. Talk to me please about how You would have me proceed.

Looking to Your Word (Job, Jeremiah) I read of various degrees of pain and loss. Reading of their trials, again I count myself blessed. Thankful. Yes. I have stiffness and limited movements. But I also have freedom and choices to make.

You and I communed in nature yesterday. Hours were spent weeding, pruning, considering how to proceed.

Mm. Yes. Proceed. Thank You Father. Thank You that I get to be completely honest with You. I am allowed to whine and want different. And in the process You remind me of all You have given me.

Thank You for the direction our time together took yesterday. Marriages. Respecting husbands. Love. Forgiveness. Truly deep stuff.

Thank You that right there in the midst of all I thought I knew about irritants and avoiding them, pride got in my way again. A perceived slight was immediately followed by annoyance. Huffiness came in where appreciation would have been far better suited.

Father, thank You that You are teaching us so much about forgiveness. Thank You that I want to learn more. I long to share Your love, Your joy, Your peace (patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – Galatians 5:22-23).

Mm, yes. This too!

Oh, yes, Father I see how convoluted my thoughts seem at any given moment. And how they join together further on.

You started me out with Zechariah 4:5-7 (The Message). Reminding me of Your message to Zerubbabel: “You can't force these things. They only come about through my Spirit.”

Just as I was preparing to go deeper in that direction, the fruit of Your Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) came into play. Another thing that can't be forced. This time spelled out for me by The Message, which has me sitting up and taking notice.

“But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others [love], exuberance about life [joy], serenity [peace]. We develop a willingness to stick with things [patience], a sense of compassion in the heart [kindness], and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people [goodness]. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments [faithfulness], not needing to force our way in life [gentleness], able to marshal and direct our energies wisely [self-control].”

WOW! Talk about being agog with You! Thank You Father. Thank You for reminding me of how to proceed. In Your Spirit!

Blessed Father I long to be Your worthy example of a woman who lives Your Word. The automatic huffiness that appeared last night reminds us all that I need to keep practicing.

And then Zechariah speaks to me again. Chapter 4, verse 10a. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...”

And still You bless me. The Life Recovery Bible comment for this entire section tells of the discouragement of Your people. They even wondered if You were with them. “Here God gave Zechariah a message of encouragement for His disheartened people. They needed to remember that success was not the result of human strength or ingenuity but a fruit of the Holy Spirit's power.”

See how these two sections come together? Oh thank You Father!

“With this power the difficult task of rebuilding could yet be accomplished. We often become discouraged as we face the massive task [and pain] of recovery, especially when we experience regular opposition from people, emotions, and temptations. But when we recognize our own powerlessness, God can step in. His power is more than sufficient for the task of recovery.”

I believe this Father. I know You to be good and able. Help me proceed as You would have me. Guide. Direct. Circumvent me through the mazes I continue setting up for myself.

You are good. You are holy. I want to love and forgive as You would have. Freely. Regularly. Often. Always. Thank You for helping me proceed thus far. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(708 words ~ 8:24 a.m.)

♫ Rest ♫

Friday, April 24, 2015 (8:30 a.m.)

Most Holy, Blessed and Loving Father God,

Thank You! Thank You that my body hurts right now. In so many different places. Enough to go to bed early last night with hopes of just sleeping it away.

It didn't happen, the pain is still here. But so is the blessing of hearing from You in the night. It was still dark when my brain clicked back on to thinking mode and there You were in the voice of Matthew West (“Jesus Calling” Track 1) telling me to ♫Rest♫

And I did! I rested as I hummed passed the words I couldn't remember [♫in My love, in My arms Won't you rest here in the hands that are holding your heart Come unto Me all who are weary and find Rest in the light of My grace you can rest here♫] until I could again sing out ♫while I put all your pieces back in place♫

Mm, yes Father. What a blessing it is to just rest! Thank You for that privilege. Thank You for calling me to remember to rest in You. As I listened to the melody, I trusted in Your holiness and I truly found rest.

Even now, as one discomfort follows another I close my eyes, breathe in deeply and continue singing ♫Just come unto me all who are weary and I will give you rest♫ What I like so much about the Truth in this song, is that I find the very same words in the Bible (Matthew 11:28).

As I sit here comparing each phrase of the song with the Truth found in Your Word, I am calm. Refreshing. Renewing. Resting. At peace. Thank You.

Thank You for calling me and asking me if I am listening. To You! Thank You for reminding me to shut out the world, be still and know that You are my God (Psalm 46:10). Thank You for Your promise not to let me go.

This isn't just a nice “catchy” song. There is Truth found in these phrases! You know me to ♫keep running, always chasing♫ and my need to ♫Stop striving for awhile♫

Jesus promised ♫In this lost world there is chaos But in my presence there is peace♫ (John 16:33) and I get to turn in Your Word and be reminded again that we can endure these things with Your help. As I look to You, I am asking for the courage to change the patterns I have fallen back into.

You know Your best for me. Yoke me with You that I would truly follow and learn from You (Matthew 11:29). The Life Recovery Bible devotion entitled Submission and Rest states, “When we finally decide to submit our life and our will to God's direction, our burdens will become manageable.”

I believe this. I've encountered it on numerous occasions. And then I start playing around again with not the best choices. Forgive me Father.

The closing Truth for this section says, “When we let Him do the driving, we will 'find rest' for our soul. He knows the way and has the strength to turn us around and get us on the road toward recovery.” This I am asking. Please!

Do all You must to turn my choices back to honoring You. I love You. I am listening. Thank You for calling me! Amen.

(565 words ~ 10: 32 a.m.)

infinite perfect love

Thursday, April 23, 2015 (9:48 a.m.)

Bark! Growl. Grumble...

Blessed Father, I'm asking You for a grateful heart. I look around me and am feeling discouraged. Things aren't working as I would have them. Rather than looking at the good and the positives, I'm anticipating the next thing to go wrong.

That seems to be quite the pattern with me. I know I am blessed by Your love. Your grace. Kind forgiveness and fellowship. Why would that not be enough?

Thank You that I get to come before You ♫Just As I Am, without one plea♫ You allow [encourage?] me to speak my heart, my mind, my soul with You. Honestly. Openly. Willingly. Because of Your infinite perfect love for each of us, we are able to ♫Come to Jesus and live♫

Thank You for songs that intersperse themselves to remind me of Your infinite care of us all. I cry out. You remind. I want. You supply. I search. You are always here to be found. Thank You. 

Thank You that I even get an Invitation to Joy in the process. The apostle John wrote (1 John 1:1-4) of his relationship with You; the Father and Your Son, Jesus Christ. How I thank You for being “our only hope to know real joy” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

Thank You that I am able to start off time alone with You in the snarkiest of moods and by genuinely seeking Your goodness and Your grace be transformed by Your infinite perfect love. Thank You that as I breathe in deeply of Your mighty strength and power I am relieved of the doom and gloom to which I am often accustomed.

I love You Father. I thank You. And I ask You to align my steps with Yours that I would see what all You have for me to focus on this day. The good. Not the bad. The blessings. Rather than the curses. The genuine. Instead of the pretend. Your infinite perfect love. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(336 words ~ 11:34 a.m.)

"some boundless thing"

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 (6:13 a.m. - 6:57 a.m.)

Holy God,

I have spent over forty minutes reading, thinking, praying, exploring the way I wanted to address You this morning. There are so very many nearly perfect descriptive words, yet I balk.

I started with an alphabetical list of Your attributes. Amazing, adoring, awesome... There is no end to the very first letter!

Just to get started I finally settled on my usual, stand by, go to, almost automatic “Holy God”. The list in my head of how I want to describe [paint, portray...] You continues to grow even as I sit here.

My thoughts start off in one direction only to be turned to another. I read one thing that leads to something else. I could spend the whole day looking at others' opinions and experiences with You. But they wouldn't be mine.

Father, You are so very good. I find comfort/shelter in the Truth of Your Word. I turn in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration and find [under GOD – Love and Mercy] another hymn I have never sung before.

♫Begin, My Tongue, Some Heavenly Theme and speak some boundless thing♫ Hmm... “some boundless thing”.

The Bible verse attached to this hymn is Psalm 71:24a. Contemporary English Version states King David's words as, “All day long I will announce Your power to save.”

Blessed Father, that is my heart's desire. All day long, me announcing, Your power. Even as I confess it to You, the following phrases immediately pop up to counter. “It'll never happen.” “You'll fail.” “Again.”

But YOU are bigger than my failings! Bigger. Better. Far more able than I can ever hope to be. You love each of us with a forgiving love we could never hope to attain on our own. You are faithful. Powerful. Mighty. Perfect. And I TRULY desire to 'announce Your power to save, all day long'.

It's Your power in which I long to live this day. Make it so. Exactly as You have planned. Let my tongue honestly [openly, willingly] begin to speak some boundless thing of Your glory. Your goodness. Your grace.

I love You Father. And I want that to be easily seen by all. Thank You for time together today. Use me to Your good and to Your glory. I love You. I thank You. Amen. [♫Heaven is Here Now♫]

(392 words ~ 7:53 a.m.)

The Spirit's Power

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 (5:52 a.m.)

Precious Holy Jesus,

I called out to You yesterday. I felt frustrated. Low. Irritated. Confused. And You met me exactly where I was. Thank You.

Thank You for blessing me with Your presence. Thank You for instilling in me a desire to do better. Be kinder. To care. More.

You reminded me to breathe. Deeply. Fully. Thank You that I have ready access to Your Word. Thank You for the opportunity to turn to You and be renewed. Refreshed.

Thank You for the privilege with which to read again Romans 8. Thank You for the reminder of The Spirit's Power. The power in which yesterday was lived.

It is that same power I request this morning. As I continue reading (having begun with verses 9-11) I begin singing ♫There is therefore now no condemnation For those who are in Christ Jesus♫ even before reaching verse one.

Now it is verse two that is speaking loudest and most clearly to me.

The Message, “Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.”

Illustrated Bible Handbook expounds, “It is the Spirit of God within us, who raised Jesus from the dead, who is able to lift us up too, to a new and righteous kind of living (9-11). Our obligation is not to 'try', but to trust the Spirit of God within us and let Him lead us” (12-14).

As I breathe in deeply this day, it is “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the [powerful] fellowship of the Holy Spirit” (2 Corinthians 13:14) I am seeking. Oh, but not to keep to myself. No. To share. Honestly. Openly. Willingly. Freely. Just as You would have me share.

Work in me again this day I pray. Thank You so very much. I love You. Praise You. Thank You. Amen.

(357 words ~ 7:16 a.m.)

God's discipling love

Monday, April 20, 2015 (7:10 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I'm here in search of direction. There are thoughts in my head of doing this or that. Going right or turning left. Making a call. Not making the call. Truly Father, I don't know my next move.

Time here with You? Or scratch it 'til later? Would later come and go without my returning? I'm cold. Should I put on something warmer? I'm telling You Father, I truly don't know my next move. But You do.

I turn to You. ♫Look full in Your wonderful face♫ And again am blessed with peace. Directed over in Hebrews 12:2 I read of Your disciplining love. The fact that Your discipline proves You love us (v. 6; Proverbs 3:11-12) and I breathe deeply and evenly again.

Father, I still don't know what to do next but I believe You will lead and guide me. The Life Recovery Bible tells me to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I'm sitting here before You wondering if I should seek medical attention about a spot that very well could be just another sign of aging. I've watched it. Wondered. Pondered. And still don't know what to do. Father, I ask You to lead me. Teach me of the things that are important. As well as all of which I truly can let go.

You are good. You are holy. You know Your very best for each of us. Guide me. Direct me in the way I should go. I want to keep my eyes on You and follow where You lead. I love You and long to serve You well. Take me to that end. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(307 words ~ 8:14 a.m.)

keeping it simple

Sunday, April 19, 2015 (8:46 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

I am here asking You to teach me to “keep it sweetly simple” today. I tend to complicate things. Often when attempting to do the very opposite.

Let me start off by saying I love You.

I just spent a huge amount of time trying to follow the dots and connect the relationships of people I don't even know. Having heard various names mentioned over the weekend and wanting to know more details I again turned to online social network searching. ACK! A truly horrible place for me.

Thank You Father for the ease with which some people can connect with one another. Without any doubt, NOT anywhere I am meant to frequent. Thank You for reminding me again of what I honestly already know. Don't go there!

Mm, Father, thank You that I do get to come before You and be blessed by Your never-ending peace. Thank You that You will lead me to Your best when I am willing to seek You and obey. Thank You that even in confessing this Truth, You lead me in Your Word.

Psalm 25:4-5, “Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by Your Truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”

Ah. Is it really that easy? So often I see the path; recognize the road and still choose unwisely. I DO put my hope in You. Then I take it back. Hide it somewhere to keep it safe from disappointment. THAT never works!

Father, how I ask You to teach me to live freely. Through Christ's great love and sacrifice on my behalf.

Thank You that in calling out to You, You answer me through Your sacred Word. Romans 3:21-26.

(11:41 a.m.)

Mm, then even more so...

Blessed Father, thank You for the way that this prayer, begun with You in honesty, was complimented so perfectly by our online worship service. From the praise songs sung to the “Tablets of Flesh” message for 2 Corinthians 3:1-11, the Truth of Your grace winning out over law was reiterated again and again.

How I thank You Father. How I praise and long to honor You. Empower me to live every moment of this day as though they matter for eternity. Because they do. I want to live as You desire. Make it so Blessed Lord. Make it so. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(425 words ~ 11:58 a.m.)

every aspect

Friday, April 17, 2015 (6:56 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed Father God,

There's a wedding today. Two young people starting their life together as husband and wife. How I ask that You would bless them. And keep them. Smile on them and gift them. Look them full in the face and make them prosper (Numbers 6:24-26).

Father, You know perfectly well the dynamics involved today. Every glitch. All the things that could possibly go wrong. Or right! Father, how I ask You to be intimately involved in every single aspect of this bride and groom's very special day.

Father God, You know their needs. And their strengths. You have a plan like none other. And again I ask Your blessings and protection be upon them. Every detail. Every aspect. Let them know and consent to Your desire of being intimately involved in their union.

The thought just came to me Blessed Father, in this Eastertide [prior to Pentecost] what would it be like to be gathered together with a large group of people and have Your Spirit come upon us like tongues of fire (Acts 2:3)?

The Life Recovery Bible comments on this section (vs. 1-4) that “the disciples obeyed Jesus and waited in Jerusalem. Suddenly the Holy Spirit manifested His presence by sound (wind), sight (fire), and speech (new languages). The believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, and God's renewing power began its work of transforming them from the inside out. This marked a new era in history as God's powerful presence entered the hearts of all believers. God's powerful presence can still indwell us, transforming our life and healing our wounds. As we trust God, His Spirit empowers us in recovery.”

Mm, Father. “Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior, You work in mysterious ways” (Isaiah 45:15 New Living Translation). “Clearly, You are a God who works behind the scenes, God of Israel, Savior God” (The Message).

How I love You, Father. How I trust and thank You. How I ask Your presence in every aspect of this day. I love You. Show Yourself this day I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(356 words ~ 9:14 a.m.)

another chance at humility

Thursday, April 16, 2015 (7:02 a.m.)

Holy, Mighty, Awesome God,

I got another chance at humility yesterday. Thinking one thing and then remembering another. I confess to You Blessed Father, I was regarding myself as being quite “all that”. And then You reminded me... I'm no better.

Thank You that I get to see myself very clearly in the example Jesus gave of The Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). Illustrated Bible Handbook states rather simply, “It is not the individual self-righteously proud of his own goodness whom God accepts, but the person who acknowledges his sins and seeks mercy.”

Blessed Father, thank You for reminding me of who I was and all I've done. If not for the holy blood of Your precious Son's sacrifice on my behalf, I would still be one without hope. Thank You that I am able to sit right here reading A Humble Heart devotional in The Life Recovery Bible and be blessed by it.

“It is the humble heart that opens the door to God's forgiveness.” Father, thank You for Your willingness to forgive. Thank You that because of Jesus' obedience to Your love we are able to come before You and have our sins of scarlet and crimson become white as snow and wool (Isaiah 1:18).

Thank You Father that one humbled thought leads to another and I am deeply reminded of the mistakes and lies. Carelessness and pride. Thank You for not leaving me in the shame of it all. Thank You that You truly lead us to another chance at humility.

Imbue me with Your holiness Dearest God. Forgive me my pride and arrogance. I love You. I want to give You all You deserve of me. Work in me to that end I so humbly pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

 (305 words ~ 8:28 a.m.)

Your love for us

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 (7:20 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I love You. Thank You that I get to lean into and trust You. Thank You that mistakes can be made and You continue to love us. Thank You for leading us. Guiding us.

I confess. Some times are much easier than others to follow Your lead. How exciting it is when we recognize You working behind our scenes.

Thank You for the fact that it's Your love for us (1John 4:19) that allows us to love at all.

God-provisions

Tuesday, April 14, 2015 (8:14 a.m.)

Holy God,

How I thank You! I thank You for Your blessings to us. Your provisions for us. Yes Father, thank You for providing for our every need.

Matthew 6:33 speaks loudly right now. Empower me to hear and to live as You would have me.

thankfulness

Monday. April 13, 2015 (7:26 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. There's so very much for which to be thankful. Would You teach me that fine art of thankfulness today?

And just like that [snap!] one section of Scripture is answer to my request! Colossians 3:15-17.

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own things. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ – the Message – have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives – words, actions, whatever – be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way” (The Message).

Yes, please. Yes! That's what I'm talking about! And because it's what I want so darned much, I read up a few verses (12-14) in The Life Recovery Bible.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people who He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

It all reads so simply. I sit here nodding my head. Wanting desperately to live my life in You. Each moment. Every day. And here's the confession... I don't do it. I wrestle. Struggle. Take firm stances when I probably shouldn't. And I don't stand firm when You would have me.

Work in me my God and Savior. Keep fining [purifying] and refining me (Mark 9:49; 1Peter 4:12-13). Even [especially] when I fight so hard against You.

As much as I agree with Your Word and rejoice in Your Truth, that's how I want to live this day. Joyfully. Lovingly. Honestly. Openly. Willingly. Make it so. As only You can. Guide. Direct. Empower. Infuse me with Your goodness and Your grace.

I love You. I long to represent You well. Teach me I ask. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(386 words ~ 8:39 a.m.)

thank You for knowing me

Sunday, April 12, 2015 (7:23 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed Father God,

Thank You! I got to learn something yesterday. Take a little trip outside of my comfort zone. Grow up just a bit. All by saying, “I don't know how.” And “Please tell me what to do.”

I'm going to tell You quite openly that I think my instructor was irritated. I sensed an air of condescension on the other's part. Just a hint of mockery. Not at all the respect with which I would hope to be addressed.

Ah, but You. YOU gave me the courage and the strength in which to overcome another fear. Silly as it seems, I didn't know what was involved in getting cash back from a transaction. Especially without any form of identification.

And this leads me to thanking You again for knowing me. “O LORD, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You both precede and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head” (Psalm 139:1-5).

(9:57 a.m.)

Father, not only do You know me, You bless me. BIG!

So many directions this morning. Surprises [for me] at every turn. Finding interesting information on the internet about my grandpa's baby sister. Amazing stuff I never knew. With me so very gratefully saying, “Thank You God!”

Taking another look at Psalm 139. This time in The Voice, verse six. “It is the most amazing feeling to know how deeply You know me, inside and out; the realization of it is so great that I cannot comprehend it.” Amen!

How I ask You to use Your knowledge of me for Your good. I love You so very much. Keep my focus on Your goodness and Your grace. Let me praise and worship You as You so rightly deserve. I love You Father. I thank You. I need You. I praise You. Amen.

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

live today as though

Saturday, April 11, 2015 (7:50 a.m.)

Jesus, my Friend,

What would it be like to live today as though my friendship with You was uppermost? I confess, I give lip service to the thought. I sing loudly ♫What a Friend We Have in Jesus♫ yet I can't say I live each day making choices that represent You well.

I read and believe Your Truth. My hope really is in You. Yet again I balk as I read a chapter title for Revelation 22. Jesus Is Coming. Doubtful thoughts spring immediately to the forefront. Responses such as, “When?” or “Not in my lifetime”.

How do I live today as though I truly expect Your return? Your presence right here with me? How do I stop wasting Your resources? How do I honor and glorify Your sacrifice on my behalf?

You ARE my Friend (John 15:15). Teach me to live today as though that Truth is enough. How could I need anything other than friendship with You?

The struggle going on inside me continues going back to the negative things I think about myself. I know and believe You to be Truth (John 14:6). And I truly trust You to set me free (John 8:32; Galatians 5:1)

And there's the deep breath. Followed by the sigh and the relaxing of all I've been holding so tightly. You are my Friend. You will teach me. I can trust and believe in You. You will ♫make all things beautiful in Your time♫ (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

I will keep making mistakes and You will continue to love me in spite of myself. How could there possibly be a better hope than that? Guide my decisions and choices this day. Help me live today as though I truly believe every single word, thought, emotion and action matter.

You have blessed me. Abundantly. I want all of my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30) to represent the love I have for You. My Friend!

You offer me freedom. Freedom to live and to love as You taught. Make me a great student today. Empower and embolden me to live today as You would have me. In Truth. In love. In fellowship with You. I love You, Jesus. Thank You. Amen.

(374 words ~ 8:55 a.m.)