a lot!

 Wednesday, September 11, 2024 (7:21 a.m.)

Oh most Heavenly Father

Generous God

 Tuesday, September 10, 2024 (9:16 p.m.)

Two months to the day, uncontrolled wildfires and packing for an annual trip have all led to tears. Thank You God for the LOVE those tears represent. Love for You, others and ourselves.

Father, You are so very good. Gracious. Glorious. Great (Psalm 145:5-8). And generous. Yes Father. Thank You that You are such a genuinely generous God! 

in and on

 Tuesday, September 10, 2024 (3:47 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You for this very early time with You. Thank You that I get to sing and smile. Stand firm in and stay my mind on You. 

There is much planned for the next 30 days. Goings and comings. How I ask (Matthew 7:7) that the goal and focus remain glorifying and enjoying You.

(5:15 a.m.)

No more sleep. Lots of thoughts. Wanting still that You ♪be glorified♪ In my life. In my choices. Words. Actions. Do all You must.

(5:41 a.m.)

♪Here is where I lay it down Every burden Every crown This is my surrender…♪ Yes. Indeed. Lord, this IS my surrender!

I confess to feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness. The fires over which we have NO control! The sadness of the lives being affected. The health issues dealing with the combination of excessive heat and smoke.

Lord, You’ve got this. I know You do. Again I beseech You. Do all You must to Your good and perfect end.

You are good. Glorious. Great. Gracious (Psalm 145:5-8). And I truly am grateful. You know? Deep down inside. Underneath all the insecurities that have risen to the surface.

With that said, how about You skim off this dross that has come up again. Yes! You are the God that has taught us to be truly glad. In ALL circumstances.

1 Peter 1:6-7. “So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by the fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”

♪There is power in Your name So much power in Your name… Move the immovable Break the unbreakable God, we be God, we Believe For It♪ 

Oh, most dear and precious Lord, keep me believing ♪You are the way when there seems to be no way We trust in You, God, You have the final say… From the impossible We’ll see a miracle God, we believe for it♪

Do all You must Dearest God. In preparing us to truly live our lives in, with, by, though and for You. Standing firmly in and Your Word of Truth and promises. We love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(449 words ~ 6:06 a.m.)

hope?

 Monday, September 9, 2024 (4:50 a.m.)

Blessed, Lord God,

Thank You for Your Word. And Its Truth that has stood the test of time all through these ages. Thank You that You continue speaking to use through Your warnings and  promises.

Romans 15:13. “Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

carefully, joyfully prepared

 Sunday, September 8, 2024 (5:50 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I want to be careful. Joyful. Prepared. Yes, Lord. With my thoughts. Words. Choices. And actions.

You can teach me how to do that.

(6:26 a.m.)

Thank You that when I bring my desires to You - honestly, openly, willingly - You lead me as You know is best. Right now to Proverbs 19:21. “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail."

You know the plans we are currently making. Trips. A very special occasion. Overnight stays. There is a LOT coming soon dear Lord. I want it all to be to Your glory.

(6:59 a.m.)

A bit of a sidetrack. AND more reading in Proverbs 19. Lord God, You know Your best for us.

Reading up to the beginning of this chapter many verses ring out to me. “Zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way” (v.2).

“People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs” (11). I want to have good sense Dear Lord!

Verse 20, “Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life.” Yes please.

Do all You must in teaching, leading, guiding and directing me Dear Lord. I want to serve, honor and represent You well. Use me as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(247 words ~ 7:13 a.m.)

most prevalent

 Saturday, September 7, 2024 (5:10 a.m.)

Blessed, Loving Father God,

Thank You that You are all the descriptive words I could ever think to use. Thank You for every bit of sleep You allow me. Thank You for songs that sing to me many times throughout the day. And night.

Thank You that the four most prevalent this early morning actually began yesterday. Yes. Thank You Father for finally providing me with the title that kept eluding me.

♪I Believe♪ Thank You for the smiling excitement I still remember experiencing as the lyrics poured forth!

Lord God, I love the ways Your Truth sings out to us. Even waking me with the reminder that You are our ♪Firm Foundation The Rock on which I stand♪ As well as You being ♪Holy Forever♪

Thank You that You call us to ♪Make Room for You To do whatever You want to♪

Loving Father, how deeply I thank You that we have Your Word on which to stand. Staying our minds securely in Your Truth.

I thank You for who and all You are Blessed God. Calling us to fully esteem and revere You. That we will live abundantly (John 10:10) and unafraid. In, with, by, through and for You.

Psalm 86:11; 143:10

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Luke 1:50

Father God, I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You for showing Yourself to us in so very many ways. Keep my eyes turned toward You. That I don’t miss any of all You have for us. Thank You. Praise You. Use me. Amen.

(258 words ~ 6:49 a.m.)

"Love is..."

 Friday, September 6, 2024 (6:08 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. You are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious (Psalm145:5-8). Merciful. Mighty. Powerful. All knowing.

Thank You that You not only call us repeatedly to love one another, You provide instruction and ability to succeed. Thank You for Your Word of Truth and promises. Teaching us what is of You. And what is not.

Father, I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to work in, with, by, through and for me. Changing me as You alone know is necessary. Using me as You know is best.

Lead, guide and direct me to loving as You would have me love. You. Others. Myself. Completely. Heart. Soul. Mind. And strength (Mark 12:30-31).

According to The Passion Translation, “Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Blessed, Holy Father God, I want to learn to love like that. Do all You must. Thank You. Praise You. I love, need, trust and want You. Amen.

(258 words ~ 7:10 a.m.)

plans to make/actions to take

 Thursday, September 5, 2024 (4:45 a.m.)

Holy God, 

Thank You for Your goodness. Your grace. Your glorious greatness (Psalm 145:5-8).

WOW! May I just say, “WOW!” and have that be enough?!

Reading these verses in The Passion Translation took me to reading the whole chapter. With a deeper understanding. Thank You God. Truly You bless me in the most unexpected ways.

Lord, we have plans to make. And actions to take. I want to stay in Your timing. Not getting ahead of myself. And especially not ahead of You!

Songs this morning have already been ♪Word of God Speak♪ and ♪Keep Me in the Moment♪ Such great Truths for me to follow. Listening to You. And being fully alert, aware and present in every given instant.

Lord God, I want very much to honor, glorify and enjoy You through my thoughts, words, essence and actions. You provide us so many opportunities for joy. Love. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness, Faithfulness. Gentleness. And self-control (Galatians 5:22-23a).

Lord, I look in Your Word. Reading more. Wanting to fully absorb it into my very being.

The Message uses different phrasing to present this section of Scripture. “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”

Yes please Father. With these plans and action I am to make and take I absolutely need Your leading in marshaling and directing my energies wisely.

I want to live confidently in, with, by, through and for You. Being unafraid, strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9). Having Your power and strength made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Yes God. You are good. Gracious. Great. And glorious. Do all You must that others will see You in me. That I will reflect and represent You well. I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(378 words ~ 5:45 a.m.)

our every need

 Wednesday, September 4, 2024 (5:39 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I love the ways You provide for us. Yes Lord. Our every need. Thank You.

So many times we aren’t even aware of Your workings. Thank You that You are faithful. Just. Merciful. Mighty.

I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You to continue Your work in leading, guiding, directing and empowering me to meet the various challenges today may hold. I look to You. I love You. I need, trust and want You.

Thank You for who You are. Praise You for what You do. Keep me aware and following after You. Singing, smiling, standing firm in Your Word and staying my mind on Your promises. An occasional belly laugh like those You provided yesterday would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You God. Use me as You know is best. Rejoicing and being glad. Amen.

(143 words ~ 6:04 a.m.)

dragonflies

 Tuesday, September 3, 2024 (2:47 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I have so many thoughts. And songs. I’d really rather have more sleep. Will You help a girl out?

Of course You will. You will always help us out.

(3:50 a.m.)

More than an hour spent reading of other’s encounters with dragonflies in relation to the death of loved ones. Thank You Father. I’d still like some more sleep. Please?

(6:07 a.m.)

Prior to receiving some rest [thank You very much!] my thoughts and searches kept me reading of You. Death. And dragonflies.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe?” ~ John 11:25–26

light, brief and beautiful 

Thank You God. There is so much to be found when we “seek Your kingdom first” (Matthew 6:33). Thank You for leading me again to ‘living one day at a time.’

You provide so many reminders of the importance of staying in each moment (Matthew 6:25-34) as it happens. Not jumping ahead or falling behind.

There are decisions that need to be made. I confess to shying away from them. Fearful of making mistakes. Thank You that ‘Your grace is enough; it’s all I need. Your strength comes into its own in my weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Do all You must in providing me the courage it takes to learn new things and to choose wisely. It’s when I focus on the worse case scenarios that I miss the best You have to offer.

Thank You for teaching me to sing, ♪Oh Lord, Keep Me in the Moment Help me live with my eyes wide open ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what You have for me Singing, oh Lord, show me what matters Throw away what I’m chasing after… Keep me in the moment ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what You have for me♪

Go ahead. Delight me again [with dragonflies if You so desire]. I love, need, trust and want You. Let that be reflected in, with, by, through and for me as I go out into this day. The one which You have made (Psalm 118:24a). Rejoicing and being glad in it (24b).

Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(388 words ~ 6:40 a.m.)

♪let HIM in♪

 Monday, September 2, 2024 (5:28 a.m.)

♪Word of God, speak Would You pour down like rain Causing Washing my eyes to see Your majesty♪

Mm, yes! Cause/wash/do all You must.

Father, thank You for the love You have for and the care You take of us. I confess to getting caught in a trap of fear. Forgetting that You are ever here. Thank You for reminding me in so many ways.

(7:04 a.m.)

Thank You for the times You use music throughout the course of my days. Singing Your Truth to me most unexpectedly.

♪SomeOne’s knocking at the door SomeBody’s ringing the bell Do me a favor Open the door, and let HIM in♪ Thank You for the artistic license I commonly use to bend lyrics to represent my relationship with You.

Thank You for the ways You continue calling me back to the Truth we find only in Your Word. That Word which speaks and pours down like rain. Washing our eyes to see. Your majesty!

I am confessing to You the fear I keep trying to push aside. Not address. The overwhelm I want to avoid feeling because I am in new territory. Wanting to glorify and enjoy You while honoring another. All the while not knowing how to do any of it.

Thank You that Your Word is Truth. And readily available. All we have to do is ♪Open the door and let YOU in♪

I want to live unafraid. Confidently. Interdependently. Allowing others to help me as they see is necessary. I confess to You Lord. I don’t know how to do that. Right now I will begin [again] by trusting You.

Yes. The Living Bible (Psalm 56:3-4) states David’s words very simply. “But when I am afraid I will put my confidence in You. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting Him, what can mere man do to me?”

There are parts of this new normal You have for me from which I might rather run away. Come in instead and share a meal with me (Revelation 3:20). Let’s talk it over that I will truly practice “be[ing] strong and courageous… not afraid or discouraged” (Joshua 3:9a,b).

Do all You must Dearest Father that I will fully trust You to be ‘the LORD my God who is with me wherever I go’ (Joshua 3:9c). Yes, Father. Let me again experience Your power working best in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Yes! Thank You. Praise You. I love, need, trust and want You as the central focus of my life. Amen.

(447 words ~ 7:41 a.m.)