fun, funner, funnest

 Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (5:09 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I woke up smiling awhile ago. Hopeful. Happy. With a touch of optimism. Thank You Lord.

Yes. Thank You.

You have a way about You. You truly do. Thank You that Billy Joel even sang [She’s Got a Way] of a woman that at one time checked all the boxes.

Thank You that all You are and do never change. You stay the same. Yesterday. Today. And forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Father, I have come to using a certain “f” word quite regularly. While offensive to some, it is increasingly acceptable to many. I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You to change my uttering of it.

This is not something I can do on my own. Without realizing, it has become quite natural to me. Second nature almost. I suggest an alternative. 

Let’s change my language usage please. Instead of four letters, let’s shorten it to three. “FUN!” Yes! Shouted as loud and as long as necessary to capture my rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

I absolutely need You as my filter. Empowering me to fix my “thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think[ing] about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8).

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.”

(6:30a.m.)

Yes please Father. Prepare and equip me to do Your good work.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy [FUN!] of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever” (Psalm 16:11).

Quoting David, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from You” (v. 2). I want to use it all as You know is best. Having FUN [Fostering Usable Nonsense / forgetting useless nuisances] with You as I go.

Do all You must in making me playful again. Having the most fun, funner, funnest times ever. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(393 words ~ 6:41 a.m.)

inner strength

 Monday, November 2, 2026 (5:04 a.m.)

Holy God,

Again I thank You. For love. And change. Challenges. And all that You provide.

Father, I

(5:32 a.m.)

… want to embrace all that You have for me.

Searching about Your faithfulness, I was reminded of You as our Anchor. Looking further, I wondered if laughter can also be an anchor of sorts. Indeed it is.

Proverbs 17:22. The Voice. “A joy-filled heart is curative balm, but a broken spirit hurts all the way to the bone.”

Blessed God, thank You for steering my thoughts to Your Truth. Simple kindnesses that remind me to smile indeed bring joy to my heart.

(6:22 a.m)

And again I thank You.

You provide for my every need. Strength, courage, hope, love. Your Word of Truth and promises. Thank You for leading me to Your apostle Paul’s words to the believers in Ephesus.

He prayed for their spiritual growth (Ephesians 3:14-21). Asking ‘that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You would empower them with inner strength through Your Spirit’ (v.16).

Blessed Father, I confess to my inner strength feeling rocked and waning. Ebbing and only occasionally flowing. You know my needs. I trust You to provide for every single one.

forsaking foolishness

                                                                Sunday, November 1, 2026 (4:56 a.m.)

Most Blessed God,

Thank You for all that You have for me to learn. A unique, never ending journey of learning with You. Yes. Sign me up. As reluctant as I may be. I want to practice what has already been, and is yet to be, taught to me.

(5:14 a.m.)

Father, thank You for the challenges I have in learning. Accepting. Deciding. Trusting. Oh, the list is endless! As is the counterbalance… YOU! “But God…”

(5:34 a.m.)

How excited are my thoughts right now! Starting off by considering the never ending learning You have for us, I followed a lead to Proverbs 9:9 and went up to verse six.

“Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment” (New Living Translation).Oh yes Dear Lord. I long to learn to truly live as You would have me! Forsaking foolishness (KJV). Learning how to be wise (TLB).

You have so much more for me to explore. I come before You with my hands, heart and eyes wide open. Waiting for You to guide, direct and fill me as only You are able.

I love, need, trust and want You Blessed Father. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesian 3:20).

Do all You must Dear Lord. In, with, by, through and for me to think, say, be and do all You know is best.

♪I’m good at always falling down

You’re Good at never giving up

I’m good at getting turned around

You’re good at saying I’m still loved

I was wrecked by mercy 

The day I understood

I’m not loved because I’m worthy

I’m loved because You’re good

Loved because You’re God

I’m loved because You’re faithful to me even when I’m not

Oh God, You are so good

When there’s nothing good in me

Just a grateful sinner saved by You Is all I have to be♪

Thank You Father. Praise You Lord. Use me for Your good. Amen. 

(355 words ~ 6:29 a.m.)

more new things (10/31/26)

                                                           Saturday, October 31, 2026 (5:30 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. You continue teaching me to do new things. Talk with people. Ask questions. Make decisions. Take risks. 

And to be honest? I’m not loving it. I’m grateful. Because I’m supposed to be (1 Thessalonians 5:18). But how real is it? Am I just going through the motions I think are expected?

important words

 Friday, October 30, 2026 (5:47 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

(6:18 a.m.)

♪Where Would I Be if I didn’t have Jesus?

… thank God I’ll never know♪

Father, thank You for important words. Mm, yes! Necessary, kind words.

I want to learn to use words wisely and well.

Looking more deeply into it, I find it’s called “mindful communication.” Yes. I long to communicate mindfully. Truly thinking before I speak.

Using words like “please” and “thank you.” Taking responsibility for mistake making by saying, “I apologize.” And asking, “Will you forgive me?”

I wonder what it would be like if I offered such kindness to myself. Believing myself to be kind. And caring. Filled with Your love. To freely share with others.

“Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences” (Proverbs 18:20-21).

(6:58 a.m.)

Lord God, thank You for the myriad of verses in Your Word that speak to the importance of choosing our words carefully. They can encourage and cheer a person up (Proverbs 12:25b). The condition of our hearts determine what we’ll say (Matthew 12:34b).

Father, how I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to empower me in using my words to bring healing (Proverbs 12:18b) to Your hurting people. We are lost, Dear Lord. Struggling. Turning on one another. Teach us to do better than this.

‘Let everything I say be good and helpful, so that my words will be an encouragement to those who hear them’ (Ephesians 4:29b).

Guide me in using life giving phrases like:

 “I love you” 

“I apologize"

“Please forgive me” / “I forgive you”

“Thank you”

“I care”

“You matter”

The list is endless. Thank You that so are You! Do all You must Dearest God that I truly represent You well. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(331 words ~ 7:22 a.m.)

practicing bravery

Thursday, October 29, 2026 (4:12 a.m.)

Holy God,

Good morning. There are so many things about which I know and understand little or nothing. 

Father, I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You to teach me where You would have me put my focus.

(4:43 a.m.)

Thank You that You have not given us a spirit of fear nor timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

♪I don’t want to be afraid

Every time I face the waves

I don’t want to be afraid…

I don’t want to fear the storm

Just because I hear it roar

I don’t want to fear the storm…

Peace Be Still

Say the word and I will

Set my feet upon the sea

Till I’m dancing in the deep♪

I confess my fear to You Dearest Lord! Fear of making mistakes. Doubting. Choosing inaction over missing targets. Staying stuck. Frozen.

Thank You that Your Word offers encouragement. Truth. Promises.

Father God, I want very much to stand firmly on Your teachings. Practicing bravery.

Tears are forming within. Even confessing my fear to You is scary for me. Do all You must in building my character (Romans 5:3-5) as You alone have planned.

I want to be brave. Face waves. Not fear storms. Dance in the deep. Trust You. Yes Father. More than anything, I want to trust You!

(5:28 a.m.)

You told Joshua (1:9), “This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

♪I wanna dance like David, I wanna faith like Paul

I wanna sing like Silas tearing down the prison walls♪

(That’s Who I Praise)

You encouraged Isaiah (41:10). “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Use me as You know is best Dear Lord. Embolden and empower me in practicing being brave. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(358 words ~ 5:47 a.m.)

unexpected tears

 Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (5:37 a.m.)

Hi God,

Thank You! Completely unexpected tears formed in my eyes and my heart. Followed by a smile.

Father, thank You for the ways You remind us of how loved we truly are. Thank You for directing me to various verses in the apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Rome.

Verses I’ve read before are taking on brand new meaning for me at the moment. Thank You for Your repeated calls to my heart. My soul. My mind. Even my strength.

(6:21 a.m.)

Thank You for this opportunity to sit with You, enJOYing such quiet contentment. Mm, yes! Unexpected tears led to my awareness of a softening heart. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for Bible verses that speak of faithfulness. Peace. Joy. Your glory. Rejoicing. Problems. Trials. Endurance. Developing strength of character. Confident hope.

Is that what I’m experiencing? Confident hope? I believe it is!

Romans 5:5. “And this hope will not disappoint. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Yes! Thank You Lord.

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin” (Romans 4:7-8 quoting Psalm 32:1-2).

Blessed, Loving God and Father, thank You that You love us so much that You never give up on us. Thank You that You continue calling us into Your fold (John 10:16). In, with, by, through and for You we are safe (Psalm 23). Exactly as You know is best (Isaiah 55:8-9).

I ask (Matthew 7:7) You Lord to use me as described in Psalm 139. With Your full knowledge of my every thought and action. Every smile. And unexpected tear.

I love, need, trust and want You Dear Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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