humble surrender

 Saturday, March 7, 2026 (6:41 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I confess to feeling quite low-spirited at the moment. You know? The whole “who cares/what difference does it all make?” attitude I often come home with at the end of many trips. Perhaps it would be so much better if I were to employ a completely different tactic. Yes. Let’s try that, shall we?

(7:02 a.m.)

Thank You Father. I read the words “humble surrender” in seeking a better way of connecting with You. Almost immediately a song started singing in my head.

♪Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine

He’s been my fourth man in the fire, time after time…

Perfect submission, all is at rest

I know the Author of tomorrow has ordered my steps…

I Trust In God, my Savior

The One who will never fail…

I sought the Lord 

And He heard and He answered

That’s why I trust Him♪

(7:24 a.m.)

Yes! That is why I trust You. You have heard. And You have answered. Thank You Father.

Thank You that the song ♪Blessed Assurance♪ has the lyrics

♪… Perfect submission, all is at rest

I in my Savior am happy and blessed

Watching and waiting, looking above

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love

… This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long♪

Lord, I ask (Matthew 7:7a) You to keep my heart, soul, mind and strength focused on You. That I would truly watch, wait and look above to You. Knowing, trusting and believing that I am filled with Your goodness and am lost in Your love.

I want very much to sing, smile, stand firmly and stay my mind on You and Your promises. Do all You must in making me humbly surrendered to Your will and Your way. I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(320 words ~ 7:48 a.m.)

All the feels.

 Thursday, March 5, 2026 (7:17 a.m. MST)

Kingman, AZ

Holy God,

Thank You for fun. Thank You for beauty. Thank You for all the feels. Mm, yes. All the feels. Laughter. Tears. And everything in between.

Another trip coming to an end. On the 49th anniversary of a honeymoon cruise. I’m looking at a ton of potential emotion.

Instead of attempting to run and hide from them, Father I’m asking (Matthew 7:7a) You for the courage to stay and face them all. Welcoming them as I would a dear friend.

(7:49 a.m.)

 

Memories. Changes. Challenges. Acceptances. Forgivenesses. What an endless list of possible feelings that may [or may not] pop up.

Father God, how I thank You for the privilege of bringing them ALL to You. Because You created the universe (Genesis 1) and all it entails, every single one of my sentiments is no challenge to You.

Thank You for providing us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, Romans 8:9) who produces the fruit (Galatians 5:22-23a) known as “divine love” (Galatians 5:22) in The Passion Translation.

“…in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit” (vs. 22-23a).

Filter all the feels of this day [which You have made (Psalm 118:24a)] through these varied expressions Dear Lord. I love, need, trust and want You to use me as You alone know is best.

Thank You for the love You provide. Praise You for the good, good Father that You are. Do all You must that I worship, adore, glorify, enjoy and represent You well. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(295 words ~ 8:16 a.m.)

new adventures

 Wednesday, March 4, 2026 (7:44 a.m. MST)

Kingman, AZ

Holy God,

Thank You for lots of laughing, beauty and new adventures. Mm, yes. Father, I ask (Matthew 7:7a) You to do all You must in making me ready for new adventures.

I want to be obedient to Your leadings. Willing to make whatever changes You know are necessary for Your best for me. Trusting You to lead and guide me as You know is optimal.

(8:18 a.m.)

Father, there is so much to read. Just for example, Matthew 14:23-33 and Luke 5:1-11. Both sections having to do with Simon Peter, water and obedience.

Blessed God, I want to learn to bravely follow where You lead. To trust You enough to ♪Walk On the Water♪ as You command.

Thank You for the blessings and opportunities You provide. Teach me to use them well. In, with, by, through and for the strength You make available (Philippians 4:13).

Do all You must that I will embrace the adventures You have set for me. Continue providing the hope for me that the apostle Paul prayed for the Romans (15:13). The hope that grows more and more from being filled with the joy and peace that comes from trusting You. And ultimately flows out by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Yes please. I want to live each day fully connected to Jesus (John 15:1-17). Loving others with the overflowing joy that comes directly from remaining in Him. Do all You must.

I love, need, trust and want You. Continue Your good work. Be glorified. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(278 words ~ 8:47 a.m.)

somebody

 ♪…Don’t gotta be Somebody when I’m already somebody to You♪

Sunday, March 1, 2026 (6:11 a.m. MST)

Kingman, AZ

Mm, Lord. Who is that somebody I am in, with, by, through and for You? 

(6:38 a.m.)

One who loves others as You love (John 15:12).

Your obedient friend (John 15:14).

A producer of fruit that will last (John 15:16b).

Strengthened with Your glorious power for patience, endurance, joy, thankfulness (Colossians 1:11-12).

Free (John 8:32, 36)

♪…Who the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

I’m a child of God

Yes I am

In my Father’s house

There’s a place for me…

… I am chosen

Not forsaken

I am Who You Say I am♪

Father God, I want to live boldly for You. Representing You well.

Having been cheerfully fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Lord, I confess to preferring cheerful over fearful.

Growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18a).

Honest in my estimate of myself, measuring my value by how much faith God has given me (Romans 12:3).  Oh yes Lord. I need some serious attention in this area!

Teach me to truly ‘strip off every weight that slows me down, especially the sin that so easily hinders my progress. And let me run with endurance the race that You have set before me’ (Hebrews 12:2). Keeping my eyes on Jesus (v. 2).

Dear Lord God, empower me in living the life of sacrifice the apostle Paul described to the church at Rome in Romans, chapter 12.

I look to follow You. Do all You must that I will worship, adore, glorify, enjoy and represent You well. I love, need, trust and want You. Use me exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(314 words ~ 6:44 a.m. MST)

lulled by God

 ♪I’m Counting Every Blessing…

…You are good to me♪

Saturday, February 28, 2026 (7:17 a.m. MST)

Kingman, AZ

Holy God,

Thank You. I had songs of You throughout the night that lulled me back to sleep. Waking I feel peaceful. Hopeful. Calm. Loved. Thank You Lord.

Looking to learn more about being lulled by You, I am directed to Psalm 4:8. “I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” Thank You that I find this to be true. I AM safe in, with, by, through and for You. Thank You Father.

Each new day offers such a vast realm of possibilities. Teach me to choose what You have laid out for me.

“Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes… For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 1:4; 2:10).

Blessed God, I love, need, trust and want to represent You well. Continue Your work in making this so. Thank You. Praise You. You are good to me. Amen.

(207 words ~7:51 a.m.)

Purpose of Blessings

 Friday, February 27, 2026 (7:01 a.m. MST)

 Kingman, AZ

Holly God,

Thank You for the blessings You provide. 

(7:14 a.m.)

Searching to learn more, I am excited to find words that speak deeply into my heart.

Thank You that the ‘Purpose of Blessings is not solely for individual pleasure but to empower believers to serve others, reflect Your love, and bring glory to You.’ Yes, please Lord. 

Thank You for this opportunity to sit and study Your Word. Wanting to learn more about honoring You by serving others, I ask (Matthew 7:7a) You to lead so I will follow Your will and Your way.

In his letter to the church at Rome, the apostle Paul encouraged the believers there to: “Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God’s children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night” (Romans 12:12-14).

I have a long way to go in this regard. Teach me discernment Father. I want to become better at following Your lead for meeting genuine needs. I love, need, trust and want You as my Guide. Do all You must in empowering me to serve others, reflect Your love and bring glory to You.

Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(238 words ~ 7:45 a.m.)

rejuvenated ~ 2/26/26

 Thursday, February 26,2026 (5:24 a.m. MST)

Kingman, AZ

Awesome God,

THANK YOU! There was sleep. Rest. Rejuvenation.

Mm. Yes! Rejuvenate - a verb. Beginning in the mid 18th century: from re- ‘again’ + Latin juvenis ‘young’. Meaning - give new energy or vigor to; revitalize; restore

Father, it’s to You I come with the hopefulness with which I awoke. 

The dictionary and thesaurus I am accessing speaks of:

vitality - liveliness, the state of being strong and active

restoration - repairing, returning, putting back

renewal - the replacing or repair of something that is worm out, rundown, or                        broken

(5:55 a.m.)

Lord, You truly are the God of miracles and wonders (Psalm 77:14a). New life. Restoration. I look to You to teach us what is best. How to live each day genuinely glad and rejoicing.

This IS the day that You have made. I WILL be glad and rejoice in it (Psalm 118:24).

YOU know the plans You have for each of us. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope. In those days when we pray, You will listen. If we look for You in earnest we will find You when we seek You’ (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

♪Great is Your Faithfulness…♪

(6:32 a.m.)

This is where I stop. To smile. To hope. To pray.

Father, You ARE the God of miracles and wonders. I’ve seen You work! I am asking Your presence, Your perfection, Your will, Your way on the bulk of the people in need of You and Your healing ways.

‘Now may, You, the God of hope truly fill us [collectively] with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13).

Mm. Restore. Renew. Revitalize. Rejuvenate us in the Truth and power of Your promises.

Bless us and keep us Lord. Make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Turn Your face toward us [and SMILE!] and give us peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

We love, need, trust and want You Lord. Do all You must that You are properly worshiped, adored, glorified, enjoyed and represented well this day You have made. Thank You. Praise You. I love You. Amen.

(379 words ~ 7:03 a.m.)