turning and looking

 Sunday, May 24, 2026 (4:13 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) for Your help. I’m coming to You. Looking 

(4:30 a.m..)

Yes! I am turning my eyes upon Jesus (Psalm 123:1). Looking full in His wonderful face. 

♪And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace♪

(5:14 a.m.)

Yes please Father.

There are relationship issues that have been askew for decades now. Askew… What a cool word.

Crooked, lopsided, tilted, angled, cock-eyed, wonky… Words that each make my smile broaden as I agree. The greatest sense of satisfaction for me right now is the word itself. Taken just one sound different I go from askew to Ask You!

That is EXACTLY what I am doing here this morning Lord. Asking You to heal a long-standing dysfunction. A relationship that went south long before it had a chance to be deeply rooted in Your Truth.

Oh! That’s what is needed. Your Truth! Your will. Your Way.

♪Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 

Look full in His wonderful face….

Thro’ death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O’er us sin no more hath dominion

For more than conquerors we are!♪

(6:45 a.m.)

Leaving here [not You!] to attend to intermittent distractions more songs are singing Your Truth to me. Father, thank You that it truly IS You I trust. Depend and lean on.

♪Who Am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name?

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I’ve done

But because of who You are♪

(7:00 a.m.)

Thank You that even as I’m singing those questions out to You, more of Your Truth continues singing.

♪I Believe there is one salvation

One doorway that leads to life

One redemption, one confession

I believe in the name of Jesus Christ

I believe in the crucifixion

By His blood I have been set free

I believe in the resurrection

Hallelujah, His life is death’s defeat

All praise to God the Father, all praise to Christ the Son

All praise to the Holy Spirit, our God has overcome

The King who was and is and evermore will be

In Jesus’ mighty name, I believe♪

(7:13 a.m.)

Yes! And yes again. In Jesus’ mighty name I truly DO believe!

♪Fears got me living with the lights out

Chained down like a prisoner in my own house

Shame cycles like a daily medication

I try but I can’t change my situation

‘Cause the liar comes to rob my joy

Yeah, I’m bruised but I’m not destroyed

I’m rising like an army

And you’re gonna hear the sound

I’m calling the angels down

I’m storming the gates of hell

Tell the devil he don’t own my soul

I’m taking back what the enemy stole♪

(Take It All Back)

Thank You Father that recently almost every time I change my plans about practically anything the words “I’ve decided…” come out of my mouth. Followed nearly immediately by

♪… to follow Jesus

No turning bald, no turning back♪

(I Have Decided) 

Deciding to turn and look full in Jesus’ wonderful face is exactly what I want to continue doing. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Do all You must in readying me for Your service. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(597 words ~  7:39 a.m.)

GOOD, Lord!

 Saturday, May 23, 2026 (6:14 a.m.)

Mm…

(6:16 a.m.)

Wow! You are GOOD, Lord!

Just a moment ago I was deep in thought. Pondering a word to use describing my current experience. Melancholy seemed far too sad. Wistful definitely isn’t it. Pensive. Yep! Absolutely. Pensive is it!

Thank You Father. There is a LOT going on in our family of loved ones. Recent ends of life here on earth. Communication skills in dire need of review and correction. Hurting hearts. And feelings. Thank You that we can bring it all to You Dear Lord.

Thank You for this opportunity [and privilege] of bringing even this to You. Father, I absolutely need [and want!] to improve my ability to listen. To truly HEAR what is being said.

Truth was spoken to me yesterday Dear Lord. Gently. Without malice. And still I internalized the painful awkwardness that came from it.

Granted there were several moments of genuine freedom from the Truth (John 8:32) that had been carefully spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15). Oh, but the blowback from decades of not knowing Your fine art of communication!

So much is written in Your Word preparing us to become the loving, caring people You created us to be. Thank You that we have Your Truth to turn to and stand upon.

Use me Father. You are so good! Great. Glorious. Gracious (Psalm 145:5-8). I want to learn to utilize Your promises for us.

Having gentle answers that turneth away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). Oh Lord God, how deeply I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to replace the automatic gut punch I experience in times of discord with the power of… Jesus’ name.

(7:09 a.m.)

How very kind of You to remind me that I forgot that very power yesterday. I sensed the immediate hurt. I became defensive. I wanted out of the awkwardness I was feeling. Never once did I call on the power that is so readily available to all who truly believe.

Again I am saying, “Wow! You are so, SO GOOD, dear Lord!” Thank You for leading me straight to the power of Jesus’ name. Remind me as often as is necessary that it is in You, Your Son, His Holy Spirit that we have our hope. 

“For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a). I keep messing it up Dear Lord. Teach me to turn readily to Your Truth!

Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Remind me to run to YOU! Not what I think is best. You are GOOD, Lord! Our Better. Our Best!

Continue teaching me that You are our FIRST/ONLY Resort. Not our last. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me that I readily put into practice the mighty power of Jesus’ name. Thank You. Praise You. Be glorified. Amen.

(503 words ~ 7:36 a.m.)

trusting God more

 Friday, May 22,2026 (5:09 a.m.)

Holy God,

I just thanked You for Your sense of humor. Followed by telling You I’d like to trust You more. These are not my usual responses to mistakes. Thank You for the changes You continue making in me.

Thank You for this opportunity to sit and ponder what trusting You more would look like. Exploring the wonder of it all.

Oh Loving Lord, how truly grateful I am for the work You put in with each of Your children. Looking to learn about fully entrusting myself to Your care I turn to Psalm 63. How I thank You Lord for Your Word.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for verses 1-5 tells us, “The more difficult our life is and the more severe the temptations we face, the more important God becomes to us. When we are at our weakest, God’s power takes on added significance for us. We begin to discover how precious His compassionate care toward us really is. He is worthy of all our praise, for only He can satisfy our deepest longings.”

Thank You for the Truth written about You and Your love for the world (John 3:16) written so long ago. Thank You that It remains true to this day. Alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12).

Use me exactly as You know is best. Trusting You every step of YOUR Way. I love, need, trust and want You, Lord. Empower and embolden me in trusting You more. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(251 words ~ 5:41 a.m.)

feeling somewhat dismayed

 Thursday, May 21, 2026 (3:05 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Completely wild experience!

Awakened 40 minutes ago by my niece calling out to me. Startled. Unsettled. Stagger down the hall with extension cords cluttering the floor. Slide on to her bed to comfort her as she pointed out something moving in the corner of the room. Waiting for her to hand me the flashlight I had given her just before bed. Repeatedly asking her for it, only to find myself sitting upright in my own bed saying the words aloud. Completely unsure of where I was.

Father God, it was all SO real! Detailed. Complete with ♪Perfectly Loved♪ singing to my heart and my soul.

Father, we are doing a 12 hour screenless experiment so I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You here with pencil and paper for more sleep. It’s early. I’m yawning. More sleep please?

(6:17 a.m.)

Father God,

I confess to feeling somewhat dismayed. Which is kind of ironic because I barely know the meaning of the word.

Thank You that even in this unsettled situation I get to smile at the opportunities You afford us. Like the automatic grin I have in response to learning that yes, I AM feeling somewhat dismayed!

Anxious. Alarmed. Bewildered. Confused. Concerned. I seem to have quite the alphabetically approach to my feelings this morning.

Thank You God that even feeling dismayed is discussed in Your Word. You never cease in offering Your support in our trying times. Thank You for Your perfection. And protection!

(7:24 a.m.)

Sitting with You, learning more about a fire having taken place two hours ago, I am feeling much more at ease. Thank You for the privilege of bringing every concern we have before You.

An internet search referred me to a list of verses with which I am familiar. Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7. Thank You for Your Truth that never changes. Always encouraging us to trust You.

Thank You Father. Use me as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You. Feeling somewhat dismayed or not! Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(365 words ~ 7:36 a.m.)

abundant blessings

 Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (4:42 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You for Your blessings to us.

(5:05 a.m.)

Oh Your goodness Lord! Your great and glorious goodness (Psalm 145:5-8). How I truly thank You for the various ways You bless us!

Searching “God’s blessings to us” the floodgates opened. So many leads to follow concerning what those blessings are.

Under Spiritual Blessings we have: Salvation and Adoption, Forgiveness and Grace, The Holy Spirit, Peace and Joy, Wisdom and Knowledge.

Life and Abundance Blessings yields: Provision, Protection and Guidance, Family and Community, Purpose, Restoration.

The list for Blessings in the Beatitudes includes: Comfort, Inheritance, Mercy, Seeing God.

And then we are shown How These Blessings Are Received: Through Faith, Through Obedience, Through Gratitude.

(5:20 a.m.)

Holy God, it’s been over four decades since I was first introduced to the power of praising You. By a singing songbook named Psalty no less! How truly I thank You Father for the dedicated, obedient work Your people put in for the benefit of others.

By learning to thank and praise You regularly I was led just now to read of the abundant blessings You continuously pour out on us. Father, thank You!

Almost three years ago a contributor [Kathleen Cory] shared her experiences of being open to receive Your blessings. The beauty You provide is unmatched Dear Lord.

(6:12 a.m.)

The abundant blessings You make available to us are unparalleled. How I ask You to open our eyes and hearts to recognize and receive them

Continue Your work in teaching me to use Your blessings wisely and well Dear God. I love, need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(292 words ~ 6:17 a.m.)

the blessings

 Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (6:14 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for the blessings Lord. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience… (Galatians 5:22-23). Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises.

Friendship. Music. Sights. Sounds. Thoughts. Wonders. Blessings surround us. Constantly. How I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to continue making me aware of them.

Sharing part of my love story yesterday began with the words, “Because I am a Christian…” How incredibly blessed am I to be able to start with that realization?!

Thank You Father! Everything I am, all that I ever hope to offer another starts with the fact that we are so perfectly loved by You. Mm. Yes. ♪Perfectly Loved♪

Blessed God, thank You for providing music that stirs our souls. Touches our hearts. Sings Your Truth. Do all You must in teaching me to share Your loving Truth with others.

It is You I trust. You I need, love and want. Keep pointing out the blessings You provide us each and every morning. Your faithful love and kindness (Lamentations 3:22-23 EasyEnglish Bible) being right up there at the top.

(6:47 a.m.)

The surface I’m just beginning to scratch concerning Jesus’ defeat over sin and death seems to grow stronger everyday. Having the privilege of searching Your Word to support my belief that because of Christ’s resurrection our loved ones don’t die, but truly pass on fills me with such tremendous hope.

Being able to readily turn to Matthew 28:5-6, John 3:16-17, Romans 3:23-26, 1 Corinthians 15:35-57, and Revelation 1:18 I sit a little straighter. Smile quite a bit broader. And the songs of the morning [So Very Hard to Go, Perfectly Loved] turn immediately to ♪I Believe yes! I believe…♪ 

Use me exactly as You know is best in sharing Your loving, hope-filled Truth with others. Thank You Father. Praise You Lord. Amen.

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

seeing grace and standing amazed

 Monday, May 18, 2026 (5:07 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. Sleep finally happened. As did some quality resting. Along with waking to realize that joy has indeed come in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

I confess to experiencing a truckload of self doubt and recrimination late into last night.

(6:03 a.m.)

And here I get to sit. Feeling hopeful. With a smile on my face. While singing takes place within.

It’s the same song with which I woke.

♪I See Grace 

Hallelujah, I stand amazed♪

Oh my! I did NOT see this coming! The first two verses. Shame. Mistakes. Reminders. Regret. Failures. All messing with my head. Oh thank You God!

Thank You that Your way is so much better than anything we try to concoct. Keep me looking for Your grace Blessed Father.

(6:40 a.m.)

Thank You for this opportunity to explore a mistake I made yesterday. Quite unintentionally. Yet it hurt another. Making him violently ill.

With all the apologies and “I’m so sorry”s spoken, I continue casting blame upon myself. Father God, thank You that Your forgiveness of us is far more complete.

As the music in my head continues to shuffle between ♪We Just Disagree♪ and the song mentioned above. The one about me seeing grace. I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to take me where You would have me. To a place of Your genuine grace.

Yes Father! I want to not only recognize Your forgiving grace when I see it. I want to stand amazed in it.

Do all You must in righting my thinking. I love, need, trust and want to be used by You exactly as You know is best. Do all You must. Thank You. Praise You.

(287 words ~ 6:51 a.m.)