"Praise Him"

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 (7:51 a.m.)

Praise You Lord,

“Praise You in the morning, Praise You at the noontime ~ Praise Him, Praise Him. Praise Him as the sun goes down.”

Most Blessed Father God, I confess how far short I fall in praising You as You so rightfully deserve. You provide blessing after blessing to me and yet I whine and complain so much more than I rejoice and praise You.

Thank You Lord that You don’t ever just throw Your hands up in utter frustration with me. Thank You that You are the epitome of love and grace and understanding.

Lord, as I searched Your Word for the word ‘tsunami’ this morning I am excited –agog, if You will - that upon finding none, I switched to “Praise Him” and the first verse listed (Exodus 15:2, referring to the parting of the Red Sea) resembles one in my mind.

Father, there are so many things I don’t understand regarding Your way of doing things in this world. Death, destruction, devastation - these are circumstances with which I have very little personal experience. I confess to You Dearest Lord the number of times I have struggled and squirmed under far less pressing conditions.

Lord, thank You for Your Word. Thank You that I get to turn to it, time and time again, and be reminded and strengthened by those - Your chosen people of Israel - who lived and struggled, rejoiced (Exodus 15:1-21) and almost immediately complained (v.24). Lord, just when I begin to think I am the worst of the worst, I get to read and be encouraged by the fact that I am not the only one of Your children to doubt and fear and become discouraged.

Thank You Lord! Thank You that despite knowing all of our faults, You dearly love us anyway. Such love as this Dear Lord I don’t understand. Oh, but I am grateful!

I read sidebars, commentaries, endnotes and explanations of Your Holy Word, written by others and I am encouraged to believe that I am not alone in my need to be reminded of Your constant love and affection for each of us. Lord, You are so good, so gracious, so perfect and I DO love You so very much.

Thank You for helping me to remember the need I have to Praise You each and every day. Exodus 15:2, “The Lord is my strength, my song, and my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him…” Ephesians 3:20, “Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.”

Lord, You are wonderful and I am grateful. Thank You Lord. Praise You. I love You. Work in me to feel, be, think and do (Mark 12:30) all that You would have of me this day. I love You, Lord. Amen.

(483 words ~ 8:52 a.m.)

hope

Tuesday, September 29, 2009 (6:11 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You Lord! Thank You that yesterday I got to come before You with feelings of overwhelm and You took them and helped me cope. You give me hope Lord. Time after time, You give me hope!

What an incredible way to start the day. Considering. Reflecting. Hoping. Trusting. Mm, Lord. Thank You.

Thank You Lord that You have a far better way for us to approach our days. You would not have us fret or worry or be anxious. No Lord, You would have us trust in You. Be encouraged. ‘Be strong in You and in the power of Your might’ (Ephesians 6:10).

Knowing that I can count on You Dear Lord. Trusting that Your Word is true. Believing that You, ‘the God of hope will fill me with all joy and peace, that I may abound in hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13). These are the truths on which I hope to dwell this day, Dear Lord.

Today is another opportunity to think and speak positively. To “Be of good courage” knowing [believing, trusting] ‘You shall strengthen my heart, All we who hope in the Lord’ (Psalm 31:24).

Lord, thank You. Thank You for Your awesome goodness ~ Your power, Your strength, Your hope, Your love, Your life, Your death and most certainly of all, Your resurrection. My faith, my hope, my love are based on You and You alone. Go with me this day that I would truly love as You have designed me.

I love You so much Dear Lord. Thank You for the hope I have this day. Hope that only comes from You! I love You. Amen.

(284 words ~ 7:09 a.m.)

Hallelujah!

Monday, September 28, 2009 (6:43 a.m.)

Hallelujah!

Praise You God. God of healing. God of hope. Thank You Lord. Thank You for the healing You are orchestrating in many around me. Healing of lives, of hearts, of relationships. Lord, we are so blessed to have You as our God. Thank You that we have this opportunity to love and praise You.

(8:01 a.m.)

Mm, God. Yes. Thank You. Thank You that while my current inclination is to complain and feel overwhelmed by all that has not been done around here in such a long time; Your Word, Your Truth, Your Love keep drawing me nearer to You. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for minor irritations that help me remember to come to You with them, as well as with my praises. Simple inconveniences that if not properly attended to in a timely manner can become for me major annoyances. Help me here Lord. My initial ‘Hallelujah’s of the morning could easily slip if not bound tightly to You and Your Word.

Thank You Lord that I get to look to You. I am able to turn from the distractions and state of confusion around here to You. Lord, I am looking to You. Not at the mess! You are the source of all my “Hallelujahs!”

You are good. You are mighty. You are powerful. You are holy. And I feel lost. Lost and lonely. Fearful and defeated. Thank You Lord that these are just feelings and I get to share them with You honestly, openly and willingly. Thank You that You are so much bigger than the inaction around here.

I confess to You a laziness Dear Lord, a lackadaisical approach to deciding where and to what to place the time and energy You provide me. And right here I pause to say another “Hallelujah” to You, Jesus, because I’m being honest with You. I’m turning to You and confessing that I don’t know how to do all that I’ve taken on!

I used to think I did. I used to try in my own strength and power to keep spinning the plates I kept adding to the line. Now I’ve let them all fall. I don’t know which, if any, to begin with again. And Hallelujah, Jesus! I’m turning to You first this time!

I have nothing preconceived here. I have no plan of where to begin. I’m lain out here before You this morning asking that You would use me as YOU will to create the masterpiece of which I can be an active part this day. Thank You Lord. Hallelujah to You, the Lord of heaven and earth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj3IjyEUKlM

Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(450 words ~ 8:57 a.m.)

truth

Sunday, September 27, 2009 (7:21 a.m.)

Profuse, Luxuriant, Lush, Plentiful, Abundant God,

Can You tell? I don’t know how to describe You this morning. ‘Good’ immediately comes to mind, as does a list of the usual descriptions. Today seemed different somehow. There needed to be more thought behind it.

And here we are, again, in Isaiah! Chapter 28, verse 16 describes You as ‘a firm, tested, precious Cornerstone that is safe to build on.’ Yes! I agree with that. Chapter 30:11 calls You the ‘Holy One of Israel’.

Father God, Blessed Son, the more I read the more I become aware of just how very much I don’t know. Thank You for the opportunity (and the desire) to learn more.

Reading again in these chapters I see “The Tragedy of Misplaced Trust”, “The Futility of Trusting Egypt” (instead of You!) and “A Promise of Peace”.

Lord, I confess to wanting what I want and wanting it NOW (if not sooner). Thank You that You are kind and patient and understanding of my shortcomings. Keep working in me that I will come to know and trust You ever more readily and completely.

Oh most Holy God and King, thank You for the ability to say I don’t understand. I read that You ‘will bind up the wounds’ You inflict. And that “Grace, not judgment is nearest God’s heart!” These truths give me hope. Followed almost at the very same time with wonder. And sadly, more often than I wish it were true – doubt, confusion and uncertainty. Oh, but look Lord. That’s the word from yesterday for which I thanked You. Oh thank You Lord for truth!

Mm, yes, Lord. Truth. Your truth! Firm, tested, precious Cornerstone; Holy One of Israel; lead, guide and direct me in Your truth this day. May I lean, depend upon and share it with others to the very best of the ability that You and You alone will provide me. I love You so much Lord. And I long to share Your truth with others accurately, lovingly, profusely, luxuriantly, lushly… EXACTLY as You would have me. In Your will and in Your way only.

Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

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

uncertainty

Saturday, September 26, 2009 (7:08 a.m.)

Most Blessed Lord,

Thank You! Thank You for lots of rest, following tons of poolside fun. Thank You for increasing the communication skills around here. And thank You Lord for uncertainty. Yes Lord. Uncertainty!

Lord, I confess the amount of time I have wasted through the years by being uncertain. So often I have been afraid to move forward, fearful of making mistakes. Thank You Lord that I get to bring all uncertainty to You. What a concept!

Lord, I have been misled in the past. I’ve fallen in line, almost like a lamb being led to slaughter. Pretty mindlessly just following along. I used to feel ashamed of my indecision. And even worse when something I was absolutely certain of turned out to be wrong.

Thank You Lord that I don’t have to stay stuck in the deadly murk, mire and muck of uncertainty. I get to confess it to You and be freed of it. Wow Lord! Thank You!

Thank You that Paul referenced uncertainty in his first letter to the Corinthians (9:26). Three different translations of the same verse say his words as such, (NKJV) “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.” (CEV) “I don’t run without a goal. And I don’t box by beating my fists in the air.” (TLB) “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around.”

Lord, I confess. Very few times in my life have I ever been that focused. I truly don’t know what it’s like to play to win. I’ve almost always just played for the sheer fun of playing. Competition, competitive nature, running to win, these are not words that describe me.

So how will You change that in me Lord? Where will come the goal to which I become so committed as to train my body “to do what it should, not what it wants to” (v. 27a)?

Lord, I look to You. Full on into Your wonderful face. Expecting You to do what hasn’t been done in me before. Light that fire of desire that will extinguish the indecision and uncertainty of my past behaviors. Set before me the clear path that You would have me take. Let me change from one of “those who stammer in uncertainty [to one who] will speak out plainly” (Isaiah 32:4b).

Lord, I love You so much. I look to You to lead and provide everything necessary for me to overcome all my feelings of uncertainty. You are bigger. You are better. You are far more wonderful than all of my fears. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(457 words ~ 8:56 a.m.)

2 Timothy 1:7

Friday, September 25, 2009 (6:02 a.m.)

God of Grace,

“and God of Glory On Thy people pour Thy power…” Oh my goodness God! You are so good!

Waking up (I don’t even know how long ago) quoting 2 Timothy 1:7 and now singing this song of “Renewal and Revival” with it’s attached verse from Joshua (1:9 - “Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you”). Mm, Lord. Thank You for having my back. On Your terms!

Yesterday You spoke to my heart about renewal and the day before that we touched together on Your Holy Spirit having been breathed into us. And this morning, just by turning to “God of Grace and God of Glory” in The Hymnal, I get to sing about them both again. “God of Grace…” on one page and “O Breath of Life” on the other. Thank You God.

Lord, thank You! You who “did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” Thank You Lord that You are as close as our hearts and all we have to do is open them to You and invite You in (Revelation 3:20). Mm, Lord. Thank You.

Lord, thank You that even though I have lived the bulk of my life doing ‘the right things for the wrong reasons’ (out of fear or obligation) You are so much bigger and better than the little box I try to hold You in.

Lord, I confess to You the number of times I have attempted to secure my place with You by redoubling my efforts to be “_______ (good, helpful, kind, patient…) enough”. Thank You Lord that that is NOT what You want from me!

I am absolutely incapable of raising myself to my own misconceived bar of acceptability. The expectations I have for myself are by no means solely based on Your Word and Your desire for me.

Thank You Lord that again and again I get to come back before You asking simply ‘for knowledge of Your will and the power to carry that out’ (Step 11 of 12). Mm. Thank You God!

Thank You that Paul wrote to Timothy about that very power. In The Living Bible’s paraphrase, we get to read, “For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.” Mm, Lord. Let me live this passage today. Wise, strong. And guided by YOUR Spirit of love!

Oh Blessed Lord, I love You so much. Work in me that I would do it better and by Your terms and design! “O Breath of Life, come sweeping through us…” Mm. Amen.

(451 words ~ 8:53 a.m.)

renew

Thursday, September 24, 2009 (5:57 a.m.)

Mm, Most Loving and Faithful God,

Mm… Restorer of hope. Deliverer from evil. Mm… Thank You.

Thank You for dreams that had me thinking after awakening. Thank You for time numbers on the clock (3:37) that had me searching my mind to remember Scripture.

Knowing the clock to be set to run fast had me wondering what Jeremiah 33:3 had to say. Lord, thank You for the ease with which my thoughts so readily turned again to You. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

Lord, thank You for the woman who so eagerly shared this verse with her recovery group many years ago. Bless her this day dear Lord, wherever she may be.

Renew, refresh, restore, revitalize, revive, rebuild, recover, return... Oh most blessed God, I read these words and the common thread linking them together is You and the hope that only comes from knowing and loving and trusting and believing in You.

Holy Father, looking in Jeremiah and then reading in his Lamentations, hope reigns supreme. Here we are given an example of one who was eager to serve You. Jeremiah, a man of prayer and deeply spiritual, was honest with You about how he felt. Although greatly saddened by the loss of his people, he never lost faith in Your power to ‘judge righteously, reward liberally, and restore Your broken and sinful people.’

Oh Lord, to have the freedom to trust Your love so much ‘to be real, to be angry with You, to be disappointed with life, and to despair about what tomorrow holds; to honestly tell you how we hurt, knowing that You will accept us as we are’. What joy is to be found in believing (knowing, trusting) we are loved that much! Thank You Lord.

Thank You for Your ability and willingness to “Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to You again! Give us back the joys we once had!” (Lamentations 5:21) Lord, You are so good. Thank You so much for Your love.

Thank You for placing in me the desire to accept Your great and generous love. “I long to obey Your commandments! Renew my life with Your goodness.” (Psalm 119:40)

Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(389 words ~ 8:15 a.m.)

remind

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 (5:44 a.m.)

Holy Lord,

Blessed Father. Thank You. You draw my thoughts to You each morning. You remind me of Your love for each of us.

Thank You that we get to come before You exactly as we are Lord. Your Word serves to remind me that it is You and Your Holy Spirit that will “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Thank You that I don’t have to work harder and faster to make anything happen. No. I get to come before You “Just As I Am without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me”. Mm God, thank You.

Thank You that I get to breathe in deeply of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You God that everywhere I have turned in Your Word this morning points me back to Your Spirit. Even to sing “Breathe on me Breath of God, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do” helps remind me that all our blessings come from You. John 20:22, “He breathed on them as said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

Thank You Lord. Thank You that Jesus said “But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative – and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you” (John 14:26). As if all this were not already enough, the very next verse (27) offers us even more strength and hope. “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Once again You remind us not to be afraid.

Father, in this world we WILL have trouble! John 16:33 speaks clearly of that. Thank You that Jesus didn’t leave us in that truth alone. No. The rest of the verse helps remind us to “take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Lord, thank You that I get to keep coming back to where Your mercies are made fresh every day (Lamentations 3:23). I love You so much Dear Lord. Continue to remind me of Your blessings and Your power. You who commanded Ezekiel to speak to a valley of dry bones (37:1) and call to the wind (9) that theses slain bodies would live again.

Lord, it’s You who is able to cleanse us from our sins (Ezekiel 26:33). It is Your ‘gracious provision of forgiveness and restoration’ that enables us to hope and believe Your words in verses 25-27. “Then it will be as though I had sprinkled clean water on you, for you will be clean – your filthiness will be washed away, your idol worship gone. And I will give you a new heart – I will give you new and right desires – and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love. And I will put my Spirit within you so that you will obey my laws and do what I command.”

Keep working in me oh Lord. Continue drawing me near. Remind me this day of the love You have for each of us. That love which enables me to seek to love You with all my heart and soul and mind and strength (Mark 12:30). Remind me dear Lord. Remind me. Amen.

(593 words ~ 7:47 a.m.)

oversee

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 (5:03 a.m.)

Perfect God,

Praise You. Thank You. Bless You. Love You. Need You. Want You. Mm, the list goes on.

Checking the clock for the past hour, not wanting to oversleep. Just in case I’m needed for transportation. Lord, I look to You to oversee all of which I am unable. How perfect it is that I don’t have to be afraid of the unknown. In the Bible Your followers are told repeatedly to “Fear not!” Thank You Lord.

Praise You Lord that I would much rather trust in You than worry about any outcome. You are good and mighty. You are worthy of my hope and faith. You are the author of my life. You are ‘the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls’ (1Peter 2:25).

Because I believe Your Word, I get to come before You unafraid. Trusting. Believing. Secure. Hopeful. Mindful. Overseen. Thank You Lord. Praise You.

Lord God, thank You that I get to look to You. Thank You that You know what You are doing. Thank You that You set the standard by which we are to live. And thank You that when You knew that we couldn’t possibly meet that standard on our own (“For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard” Romans 3:23) You sent Jesus to bridge the gap. Thank You Lord.

It’s been another hour Lord. The phone hasn’t rung. My prayer Dear Lord is that You are overseeing my loved ones and that Your will is being done in each of them. Lord, thank You that I get to trust and hope and have faith in You. Oversee this day for Your good and Your glory Dear Lord. I love You. Amen.

(286 words ~ 6:09 a.m.)

searching

Monday, September 21, 2009 (6:30 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You! When I don’t know what else to say to You, I usually start off with ‘thank You’. It helps start my mind searching for all I am thankful to You. Which in turn, often leads me to searching Your Word. That is again the case this morning. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that in Your Word I get to read of what others have searched. Mm Lord. Truly, in You (and Your Word) I find peace, strength, nurturing, truth, rest. Who (besides You) knew what all I would find for which to be thankful in searching Your Word today. Thank You Lord!

Even here Lord, even now. I get to keep searching Your scriptures. Finding more hope, more peace, more joy, even (or is that especially?) in the midst of problems. Lord Jesus, thank You!

Thank You that I get to turn again to King David’s words of celebration recorded in 1 Chronicles 16:11 and Psalm 105:4. “Search for the Lord and for His strength and keep on searching.”

Hallelujah! Thank You Lord! Father, there is so very much for me to be thankful. Most of all, right now, I am thankful for You. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name - You, our One and only God. You, Jehovah alone. You, who the Israelites were told that they ‘must love with all their heart, soul and might’ (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Lord God, forgive my playfulness here, but I don’t think my forefathers (and mothers) got Your memo. You know, the one You told Moses to give to Your people regarding Your commandments. Deuteronomy 6:6-9, “And you must think constantly about these commandments I am giving you today. You must teach them to your children and talk about them when you are at home or out for a walk; at bedtime and the first thing in the morning. Tie them on your finger, wear them on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house!”

We didn’t do that Lord. Somehow our focus got skewed. Instead of searching for You and Your strength, we paid attention and measured our successes (and failures) by what those around us thought or said of us. Forgive us Lord. Forgive me. I’ve tried, but in many ways I’ve failed.

I’ve looked to religion. I’ve sought opinions from leaders and friends in the church. I’ve tried taking shortcuts. Thank You that I don’t have to stay lost in the court of public opinion. Thank You that I get to come before You exactly as I am. Searching. Searching Your Word. Searching for You and Your strength.

Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(448 words ~ 9:03 a.m.)

blessed

Sunday, September 20, 2009 (5:46 a.m.)

“Blessed Be Your Name”

Mm Lord, “In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name”. Mm Lord, thank You! Thank You that I can look at the mess (actual messiness, not just a metaphor) around me and still sing my heart out to You.

Thank You Lord that even as I consider the untidiness of my physical surroundings I am fully aware of the changes You are making in my heart. Lord, thank You! Yes, thank You! Thank You for “Every blessing You pour out (that) I turn back to praise When the darkness closes in Lord, Still I will say ‘Blessed is the name of the Lord Blessed is Your name Blessed is the name of the Lord Blessed is Your glorious name’.”

Mm. Very interesting that the word in the song (and the two Bible verses I found referencing it) is ‘be’ and I just sang ‘is’. Would You want to talk to me here about the difference between those two words right now Lord? Or are they of little significance?

Thank You Lord for not letting me get side tracked on the semantics of interchangeable words. I confess to You Dear Lord how very easily my mind can wander from one thought and purpose to a completely different one. Thank You for keeping me right here with You.

Job 1:21 and Psalm 113:2 both call Your name blessed. It’s in Job where we read about prosperity and loss. The song I woke up singing this morning tells of the same. “When I’m found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed be Your name… Blessed be Your name When the sun’s shining down on me When the world’s ‘all as it should be’ Blessed be Your name Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there’s pain in the offering Blessed be Your name… You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name”.

Mm, yes Most Holy God! Keep working in my heart that my first reaction to challenges of any kind would be the same as with favorable outcomes, an automatic and heartfelt resounding “Blessed be Your name!”

I love You so much Dear Lord. Continue Your work in my heart I pray. Make me more and more like You. Blessed be Your name! Amen.

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

love

Friday, September 18, 2009 (5:41 a.m.)

Lover of our hearts,

Lord, thank You for loving us so much. Thank You that it is because of You and You alone that we can come anywhere near loving each other as we are supposed to. Today Dear Lord, teach me more about Your kind of love; the love that is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 (4-7) that is first patient and kind.

Mm. Here’s something I have forgotten. Titled simply “Love” and taken from the Recovery Principle Devotionals of my Life Recovery Bible, “Love is more than a feeling. It is a choice of behaviors that grows in our life; it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, produced in our life as we yield to God…”

Saturday, September 19, 2009 (6:51 a.m.)

Beloved Lord,

I confess. I don’t know the first thing about loving as You would have us love. The love I show to others is most often conditional. There’s an underlying, undefined expectation I have that there has to be some type of positive return to my efforts for me to be able to continue offering love.

Lord, I do not have a proper set of boundaries in place. I thought I did. Hem me in to the things on which You would have me focus and place my energies. Lord, I love You and my strength must come from You alone.

I looked to the sky this morning, to the mountains and to the internet. It’s in Your Word that I gain another glimpse of Your glory. All my hope is in You Dear Lord. And just now as a multitude of thoughts and sadness seem to be swimming around in my head, each wanting to be first and uppermost in importance, I remembered one of the most important things I’ve been teaching my swim friends over the summer.

I don’t have the strength it takes to build any boundaries right now. My body and mind are exhausted. I’ve fought the good fight of ‘normalcy’ all week and Father I can’t do it anymore. Just for this moment, in the midst of the floodwaters surrounding me, I will take a deep breath, stop struggling and just ‘survival float’ on the promise of Your love.

Lord, thank You. As I draw in another deep breath, I recognize that I don’t have to do anything other than to remain calm at this particular moment.

Reading Psalm 73:12, “God is my King from ages past” immediately reminded me of the hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home!” It references Psalm 90:1. Comments that I bracketed more than six years ago state, “Remembering that life is short and often filled with sorrow, we should ask how God wants us to spend our days and concentrate on making our life count for something. We have wasted enough time creating our own problems. We should focus now on making positive changes in our life so we will be able to accomplish things for God.”

Flipping back over to Psalm 71, I am reminded that “Lord, You are my refuge!” (v.1) “I will keep on expecting You to help me.” (14) As I rest in the power of Your strength today, I will practice trusting and praising Your most holy and powerful name. Thank You Lord. Thank You Jesus for coming to do for me all that I am unable to do for myself.

Praise You Lord that in giving myself completely over to You, You answered my original start to this prayer. In coming here to the end, knowing that I am to rest and trust in You today I was reminded again that “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) You did that for us Dear Lord. Thank You. Thank You for Your ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. Provide all I need to listen, help, encourage and give to others as You so perfectly and freely have given to us.

Praise You Jesus. Thank You God. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

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

plans

Thursday, September 17, 2009 (5:52 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

I had big plans for this weekend. Those plans are being readjusted. Most Holy God, I confess ~ I don’t even know which way to take my thought pattern this morning.

At first I thought You would be discussing with me the importance for each of us to “Humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord” so that You would “lift us up higher and higher.” Now I wonder.

Lord. What DO You want me to take away from this time we have together this morning? Let me start with ‘I love You’. I don’t know what the plans are going to end up being today. Often before I have fallen into the trap of thinking so many things had to be taken care of.

Even this week was going to begin that way. I had the preliminary draft of the week sketched out to look extremely ‘doable’. Monday we were going to clean out the shed… ending the week with a fun day at the fair with my mom.

Life experiences kind of got in the way of all my plans, but this time I don’t want to go back to the ‘all or nothing’ way of thinking I used to have. No. This time I want to lean deeper into You. Instead of attempting to double my resolve and push even harder to get things done, or my usual choice in the opposite direction – just giving up. Here I am instead looking to You.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.” I am going to practice “Be(ing) still and know(ing) that You are God” (Psalm 46:10). Thank You God. Thank You that I get to make this choice.

Thank You that You DO ‘set before us life or death, blessing or curse. Oh, that we would choose life; that we and our children might live!’ (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Lord! I don’t know how to do that! The tears that are forming mean that something is being stirred inside. I don’t know what. But I am willing not to run away and try to busy myself out of the uncomfortable feeling of the unknown.

Today Lord, I give You my plans. They are a jumbled mess. I don’t know the first thing to do to even begin to make sense of them. So rather than fret and stew and give satan another victory, I just come before You, exactly as I am. Absolutely willing to “Trust in the Lord with all my heart And lean not on my own understanding In all my ways I acknowledge You and You will direct my path” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

I trust You Lord. I give You this day (that You have made) that You will make of it what You will, showing me how to ‘rejoice and be glad in it (and be glad in it)’ (Psalm 118:24).

Yes Lord! I bring my preconceived plans to the foot of Your cross and leave them there asking that You would instead guide me and direct me to Your perfect plan for my day. This day, which You have made that I WILL rejoice and be glad in it.

I love You Lord. Thank You for reminding me of the importance of letting go and letting You be God. I love You so much. Thank You for blessing me and keeping me and making Your face to shine upon me (Numbers 6:24,25) all these years. I love You. Amen.

(602 words ~ 7:47 a.m.)

honest

Tuesday, September 15, 2009 (7:28 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

I confess. I’m here right now only because I’m ‘supposed’ to be. Yes Lord. The emotions from Sunday are finally kicking in and I admit to feeling really sad right now.

Thank You Lord. Thank You that I get to bring my feelings of sadness to You. Thank You that You are willing to accept me exactly as I am, with feelings of sadness, despair and all.

Lord, thank You that You are bigger than all my feelings. Whether they be positive or negative, my feelings are fleeting. They come. They go. But You are eternal. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that I get to look out my window at this cloudy, hazy day and take solace in Your presence.

(11:58 a.m.)

Oh thank You Loving Lord!

Thank You that hours (of many tears and much sadness) later I get to come back before You truly AGOG with You once again!

I don’t have “all the answers”. In fact, I have far more questions than solutions.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 (5:16 a.m.)

And here I get to be again,

Thank You Lord. Thank You for laughter yesterday. Thank You for joy. Thank You for the courage to confess a dent I thought I had made in the van ~ that turned out not being from me! J

Lord, how I thank You for the opportunity to be honest. With You, with myself and with others. Lord, thank You for the freedom not to keep trying to pretend. Thank You that my outsides are once again starting to match my insides.

Oh my goodness God! No sooner had I ‘tapped’ the thoughts above then I looked up verses for the words ‘honesty’ and ‘honest’. Jesus’ words in Luke 8:15 speak directly to my heart (as does the whole parable about the sower, the seeds and the soil) “But the good soil represents honest, good-hearted people. They listen to God’s words and cling to them and steadily spread them to others who also soon believe.”

Most holy Lord, I want to be that type of person! I want my roots to grow down deep into Your good, rich, fertile ground. Be with me this day dear Lord. Teach me what You would have me share with others. I love You so much dear Lord. Thank You for continuing to bless me with Your love. Embolden, empower, enable and enrich me to speak freely and honestly about You and Your great love for each of us. I love You so much. Thank You. Amen.

(429 words ~ 7:35 a.m.)

"Hallelujah Jesus"

Monday, September 14, 2009 (6:11 a.m.)

“Hallelujah Jesus,

“Keeper of the stars, Lord of time and space, I will live my life, lifting up Your name. Lover of my heart, God who came to save, Thank You for the cross, and the life You gave

“Wonderful, Powerful, Jesus is Your name

“Hallelujah Jesus, hallelujah Jesus - Hallelujah Jesus, You are the Everlasting - Hallelujah Jesus, hallelujah Jesus - Hallelujah Jesus, my Lord, beautiful You are

“Author of my life, Friend of sinful man, Holy mighty God, ever-great ‘I AM’, Lover of my heart, God who came to save, Thank You for the cross, and the life You gave

“Wonderful, Powerful, Merciful, You are Beautiful, Wonderful, Powerful, Jesus is Your name”

WOW! Blessed God. Thank You! Thank You for two hours of deep, restful sleeping following 12 hours of frantic phone calls, waiting room antics, caring people, and now, prayerfully, a soundly sleeping brother there in a facility that will help him with the hurts that haunt his peace and joy.

Blessed Lord Jesus, may THIS be the day (Psalm 118:24), the time, the moment that he fully leans into and trusts You with his burdens! Oh Dear Lord how I pray, thanking You for all the variables You put into place to bring about this particular outcome. Let it be only the beginning of a brand new relationship with You, built upon his fully esteeming and revering You.

Oh most blessed Lord, how I thank You for the love, the patience and yes Lord, even the JOY You have for each us. Thank You for TRULY being “Our Father, who art in heaven…” Thank You Lord. Thank You so much. I love You. Amen.

(282 words ~ 12:29 p.m.)

manna

Sunday, September 13, 2009 (5:47 a.m.)

Beloved Lord,

Thank You! Yesterday I asked for Your presence here to guide and direct our party preparations. Lord, thank You for all You did to deliver such a calm and relaxed atmosphere.

Jesus, this morning I come again, seeking You. Just You. Lord, I confess that I don’t know the first thing about following You faithfully. I think I show up (most) every morning out of a sense of duty. Sure, there is plenty of desire on my part. But that too is primarily based on what I will ultimately get from You.

I liken my appearance here with You Lord much like the Israelites in the desert. They came each day for the manna. This bread-like substance, miraculously provided by God, did NOT have a long shelf life!

After You fed the five thousand and walked on the water (John 6:1-21) You ‘nailed’ [identified something precisely] the crowd when they found You on the other side of the lake (v. 25). Not being misled by their appearance before You, You let them know, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.” (26-27)

Lord, I fall in that category with the crowd! I hate to admit it, but You already know my heart. You know my doubts, the questions and wonderings.

Thank You Lord that You came to give us more than just manna. Verses 57 and 58, “Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”

I’d like more of You please Lord. I love You so much. Teach me to love You better. I want to live and appreciate exactly what You provide for me. Keep working in me Lord. Thank You for being the Bread of Life, so much more for us than manna. I love You Lord. Amen.

(391 words ~ 6:55 a.m.)

"Daddy"

Saturday, September 12, 2009 (5:43 a.m.)

Oh Daddy God,

Yes Lord. “Daddy”. Today I need my Daddy. There are hurt feelings. Fearful feelings. Feelings of guilt and overwhelm. And this is the first time I have ever thought to just bring the whole mess right to You.

You are so good Dear Lord. Loving. Kind. Perfect. Thank You that it is because of Your fatherly love for each of us that we get to come before You exactly as we are. Truly Lord, I just envisioned a sobbing, grimy little kid who is not only welcomed by You, but tended to and comforted - dirt and all.

Thank You Lord. Thank You that when Your disciples would have turned the mothers and their children away (Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16) You were “greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.’” Mm. Thank You Lord!

Thank You that on such a day as this, I get to look outside my east facing window once again proclaiming that “This IS the day that the Lord hath made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24) Rejoicing in the beauty of another sunrise, Lord how I thank You for the greatness of Your faithfulness and the fact that Your “mercies begin afresh each day” (Lamentations 3:23).

Lord, we are in need of some fresh mercies around here this morning. On this day that we have set aside to celebrate a young man’s 17^th birthday, there is far more left to do than originally planned. A last minute change of plans, some miscommunication and a bit of downright childish behavior (by the grown ups of the household) have me asking You for help.

Thank You Lord that I get to come before You as Your very own child. According to Romans 8:12-17, I have ‘new life through the Spirit’. In the past Lord, I would have jumped up even earlier this morning to make up for lost time and things left undone. Today, instead, I turn to You - actively seeking Your will and the power of Your Holy Spirit to decide what actually needs to be done and what we can do without.

Lord, I read Your Word (and more words about Your Word) and I am buoyed and strengthened by them. The Bible Handbook tells me that because of Your Holy Spirit ‘we live in harmony with Your promptings’. “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.”

Lord, it IS to You and Your Holy Spirit that I turn this day. I put all of my hopes for this day into Your hands, asking that it would turn out exactly as YOU have ordained. Mercifully I ask that hurt feelings will easily be forgiven. Let the air here be cleared that we would truly celebrate the birth of this very fine young man.

“Our obligation is not to ‘try’, but to trust the Spirit of God within us and let Him lead us.” That is exactly why I’m here before You Dear Lord!

Eugene Peterson said Romans 8:15 this way, “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What’s next, Papa?’ God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.”

Tenderly touch each of us this day Dear Lord. We need You Daddy! Right here. Right now. I love You so much. “What’s next, Papa?” Amen.

(608 words ~ 6:45 a.m.)

remembering

Friday, September 11, 2009 (4:55 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

It’s that date again. That day we need not forget. And I forgot. Coming in here this morning I wanted to talk with You about balance and household things. In remembering the date, my focus changed immediately.

Dearest Lord, as I sit here remembering terror, fear and lives lost I rejoice in remembering a moment when party lines were dropped and political leaders joined together in singing, “God Bless America” on the Capitol steps.

As tears roll down my cheeks O Lord, while thinking of our son walking his way out of The City that day, Dear Lord again I choose to thank You. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”) Thank You for the remembering of a former New Yorker calling to predict how the people of New York would band together in helping one another. And they did, exactly as she had described.

Lord God, as I watch the sky change from almost pure black to breathtakingly beautiful, again I thank You Lord. Thank You for Your provision and Your protection. Thank You for Your plan. Thank You for Your love, Your mercy. Your grace.

Lord, sometimes remembering is easier than others. As a nation today Dear Lord, let us remember Your goodness. You are a good and mighty God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

As each of us goes about remembering this day in our own way, let us remember YOU Dear Lord! “God of wonders, beyond our galaxy You are holy, holy The universe declares Your majesty You are holy, holy Lord of heaven and earth…”

I love You so much Dear Lord. Thank You for this time of remembering. Use me today as You desire. Make me acutely aware of Your presence and Your leading. I long to experience this day on Your terms. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me according to Your will Oh Lord. I love You. Amen.

(376 words ~ 6:50 a.m.)

attitude

Thursday, September 10, 2009 (5:22 a.m.)

Most Holy Awesome God,

Thank You Lord! Thank You that I get to wake up recognizing (and singing) “This is the day, this is the day That the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath made We will rejoice, we will rejoice And be glad in it And be glad in it This is the day That the Lord hath made We will rejoice and be glad in it This is the day this is the day That the Lord hath made.” Yes Lord. This IS the day that You have made! (Psalm 118:24)

And that’s where I started to wonder. How is it Lord that we can make the decision to “rejoice and be glad in it”? The answer is You!

Oh Lord, You are so good. Bringing to You ourselves, just as we are. (“Without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me…”) Lord, I love what You are capable of!

I start off singing one song, wondering how to accomplish it. I look into Your Word (Ephesians 4:23) and am commanded “to be made new in the attitude of your minds”. I dig deeper and am reminded of the inner war that each of us faces on a regular basis.

Lord, I look to You and my mind almost bursts with the energy a Patti LaBelle song has just started singing in my head. “I’m feelin’ good from my head to my shoes Know where I’m goin’ and I know what to do I tidied up my point of view I got a new attitude…”

All this because You are a good and righteous God. And Your loving kindness begins afresh each day (Lamentations 3:23b). THIS day. That You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Thank You Lord. Thank You for this “new attitude”. I love You Lord. Let me serve You well this day. Amen.

(321 words ~ 7:50 a.m.)

numbers

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 (6:22 a.m.)

Holy God,

10:10, 2:12, 4:44, 6 a.m. Not the most restful night’s sleep. But now I’m here with You and it’s 09/09/09 and instead of talking with You about ‘freedom’ like I thought I would, I’m in Acts (11:21, 24, 26) reading about ‘numbers’ instead.

Lord, You never cease to amaze me! How I thank You for the freedom You are providing that enables me to become the woman You created me to be. Freedom to fully enjoy, accept and appreciate this unexplained, seemingly odd interest in numbers that I have. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that I get to explore. Right now, looking into ‘The New Church in Antioch’ I’m able to learn that “When Gentiles in the Greek city of Antioch turn to Christ in great numbers, the Jerusalem believers accept the movement as a work of God.” (The Bible Handbook) How incredible I find the previously mentioned verses, “The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.” (21) “Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And large numbers of people were brought to the Lord.” (24) “When he (Barnabas) found him (Paul) he (Barnabas) brought him (Paul) back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching great numbers of people. (It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians [‘little Christs’ according to The Bible Handbook].)” (26)

Oh, but let me not exclude verse 23! “When he (Barnabas) arrived and saw the wonderful things God was doing, he (Barnabas) was filled with excitement and joy, and encouraged the believers to stay close to the Lord, whatever the cost.”

Lord! I want to be a person like that! The Living Bible uses these words to describe him (Barnabas :) “a kindly person, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith.” Oh my goodness God! What could be a better epitath!

How I ask You Dear Lord, to continue molding and making me into a woman after Your own heart. One who accepts things as “a work of God”. A woman who has “the power of the Lord” upon her. “A kindly person, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith.” One who is able to see ‘the wonderful things God is doing… filled with excitement and joy, encouraging others to stay close to the Lord, whatever the cost.’

Oh yes, Dear Lord! Make it so! I love You Lord. (And thank You for this unexplained, seemingly odd fascination I have with numbers.) Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

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

hope

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 (5:38 a.m.)

Most Glorious and Gracious God,

“His Adoration and Praise”. That’s the title under which I immediately found “Fairest Lord Jesus” in the hymnal this morning. “Jesus Our Savior - His Adoration and Praise”. Mm.

Lord, I come to You feeling especially empty this morning. No “Praise God” or “Attaboy” appear anywhere near. But I search Your Word and a soft smile of contentment crosses my face while hope once again begins filling my heart and my soul.

Lord, thank You that I get to be honest with You. Thank You that I can look up verses that contain the words ‘empty’ and ‘fairest’ though once again it is Lamentation 3:21-22 that helps me smile. “Yet there is one ray of hope: His compassion never ends.” Mm Lord, I come before You this morning wanting desperately to want to adore and praise You.

That’s what we are created to do. Oh but I don’t find it easy or automatic Lord. I used to. Was I only kidding myself? Was it true worship I used to bring to You? Or is this what is more real? I confess to You most Holy God, I honestly don’t know. But my prayer is that You will take my heart, my soul, my mind, my strength and work them all into loving You as Jesus commanded (Mark 12:30).

I love You so much already Dear Lord. But that is only with my own feeble understanding of what true love really is. Every day You have been working in me, showing me more. I seem to constantly be in a phase of wonderment, wondering just what is coming next. I used to fear it. Now I believe I am trusting You just a little quicker. So it is with this sense of wonderment, this hope, this love, this trust that I come before You softly singing, “Oh come let us adore Him… Christ the Lord.”

I love You so much Dear Lord. Use me this day as You see fit. I love You. Amen.

(344 words ~ 7:44 a.m.)

amazing

Labor Day Monday, September 7, 2009 (5:31 a.m.)

Most Amazing God,

Thank You! Thank You for Your very distinct presence with me all day long yesterday. Never before can I remember having experienced such automatic perfect peace. Amazing, Lord. Absolutely amazing!

Thank You Jesus. Thank You for this opportunity to have truly encountered blessedness. There I was at nine thirty yesterday morning, driving down the 57 freeway, thinking of the various things that had already upset me. And there You were, right there with me, speaking to my heart. Reminding me, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” (Matthew 5:3)

“Poor in spirit.” That was me! That’s been me for how long now? And I recognized it. Right there on the freeway. I was poor in spirit. And I was blessed by it. Lord, talk about freedom.

Here I’ve been, all weekend long, reminding myself that “I am free to be me”. Lord, I confess that I’m not exactly sure what that even looks like. But I do believe You gave me a taste of it yesterday. Another Glimpse Of Grace. Your grace! Amazing!

So here we are Lord; just You and me. And I’m getting to remember that glorious “Aha!” moment I had with You in the midst of a car full of people on a freeway surrounded by quickly moving cars.

I didn’t have to do anything different. I didn’t have to work harder to change my attitude. I didn’t have to try to be better. I just got to sit there in the middle of Sunday morning traffic and be blessed because I was poor in spirit.

Thank You God. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit. Thank You for blessing me so much. Especially when I think and feel that I don’t deserve it. “Poor in spirit.” Blessed without even trying. Thank You, Lord. I love You. Amen.

(310 words ~ 6:33 a.m.)

Holy God

Sunday, September 6, 2009 (6:30 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God,

Thank You for being all the things You are. Dear. Holy. Faithful. Trustworthy. Lord. God. Almighty. “Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!” (Revelation 4:8)

Perfect. Provider. Merciful. Mighty. Loving. Pure. Eternal. Adored. Loved. Blessed. Words to consider. Words to attempt to describe. “Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with You.” (Proverbs 3:14-15)

Blessed Lord, I read Your Word and I am blessed. I call out to You and I find peace and hope. I look to You and I am reminded “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In light of His glory and grace.”

You are where I long to look Dear Lord! “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:2) “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen…” (2Corinthians 4:18) “You of little faith” (Matthew 14:31)

I tend to focus on the latest problem, NOT on the solution. I’m much more likely to feel hopeless than hopeful. Remind me Dearest Lord that “You were, You are and You are to come” (Revelation 4:8). You are holy, holy. And I am to trust that You are enough!

Thank You Lord. Thank You for reminding me that You are indeed ENOUGH! Use this day for Your good and for Your glory and use me as You will in it’s process.

I love You Lord. Amen.

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

Awesome God

Saturday, September 5, 2009 (6:18 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God,

Good Morning Lord. Good morning and thank You. You are such a good and loving Lord.

Considering Your goodness, Your awesomeness, I find myself once again gaining encouragement from Nehemiah (the great rebuilder of Jerusalem). Reading parts of his ‘autobiography’, I am again reminded of the importance of encouragement and good, solid boundaries.

Lord, how I thank You for Your availability to those who love You. Nehemiah’s example of turning first to You (1:5) “O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of unfailing love with those who love Him and obey His commands…” is inspiring. To read of the hard work and determination it took to ‘recognize the garbage, resolve the problem and then remove it to continue on the path of recovery’ (4:10 – commentary) is heartening, Lord.

Being reminded that we don’t have to face any degree of sadness on our own, while in and of itself, is not necessarily a joyful thing. It is absolutely hopeful! Upon Ezra’s reading of scripture (the scroll of Moses’ laws – 8:8) “All the people began sobbing when they heard the commands of the law” (9a).

Oh but You did not leave them alone in their sadness and grief Dear Lord. Ezra had chosen a team that was responsible for the public teaching of the Word, a group of men to assist the people in understanding what the Bible meant and how to apply it to their lives.

Because You are such a good and awesome God, the people were told “Don’t cry on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God – it is time to celebrate with a hearty meal and to send presents to those in need, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. You must not be dejected and sad!” (8:9b-10)

Thank You Lord, for the hope and encouragement I gain from the rereading of these verses. “And now, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your promises of love and kindness – do not let hardships we have gone through become as nothing to You.” (9:32a)

Thank You Father, that at this time, on this day, I get to go away from this time with You wholeheartedly singing, “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power and love Our God is an awesome God, our God is an awesome God, our God is an awesome God…”

Thank You for reminding me of Your greatness, Your mightiness, Your awesomeness. O great, mighty and awesome God, thank You for Your love. Use me today that I might share that same love with others. I love You Lord. Amen.

(465 words ~ 7:34 a.m.)

looking

Thursday, September 3, 2009 (5:46 a.m.)

Healing Lord,

What time was it that I woke up singing “Healing Waters”? And now I am paused wondering if a title could be “Living Water”. Hm, God, I don’t know. Funny. I was so sure of myself. Now I’m stumped. Stopped. Derailed. Humbled.

Yes Lord. I’d rather come before You humbled. “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord… And He will lift you up Higher and higher And He will lift You up”. Then a shift in tune and the next thing I know I’m singing, “Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord We will wait upon the Lord We will wait upon the Lord Our God, You reign forever Our Hope Our Strong Deliverer You are the everlasting God The everlasting God You do not faint You won’t grow weary You’re the defender of the weak You comfort those in need You lift us up on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

And I’m floundering in it all Oh Lord.

Friday, September 4, 2009 (6:00 a.m.)

Hi Lord,

Getting ‘derailed’ for not being able to find a song I’m looking for doesn’t seem like such a good and balanced place to be. Father, I am looking to You instead. Looking at the beauty of a fire-stormed caused sky. Lord, I look to You all the while confessing how afraid I’m feeling. Yes Lord. Fear. Again.

There are so many things I have no control over. You are so good. So faithful. I am so flawed. So easily distracted.

There once was a time that I was certain, so sure that I knew what I thought I knew. I’m not there any more Lord. Now I doubt most things. Even my own decision-making ability. Maybe that’s a good thing.

It puts me back to fearing You. Fully esteeming and revering You. Mm. Thank You Lord. Thank You that in all things You are able. I may not be. But You are. Thank You.

Thank You that even though I fought coming back in here to You, here I am. Thank You that my desire to be faithful to You is stronger than any current fear I may have of not being worthy of Your love and affection.

Thank You for the reminder that I am to ‘rely on the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 8:4) in all things! I tend to forget that so often Lord. I keep falling back into the trap that has me thinking that it’s all up to me to get things right. How grateful I am to You Dear Lord for Your kind and generous patience with me!

Paul’s letter to the Romans continues to remind me that I am to ‘experience life on God’s terms’ (8:10). Eugene Peterson’s The Message puts Romans 8:15-16 this way, “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What’s next, Papa?’ God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.”

With the various translations at my disposal right now Lord, how I look expectantly to verse 16, “For His Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us we really are God’s children.” Being reminded of such honor and privilege, once again I come before You singing wholeheartedly, “All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.”

Thank You for loving me so much oh Lord. Thank You for encouraging me to look to You for all my needs. I love You Lord. So much! Amen.

(620 words ~ 6:57 a.m.)

smile

Wednesday, September 2, 2009 (5:59 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

How nice to be aware that the first thing I noticed about myself this morning was my smile. Thank You for that Lord. As much as I love You and as good as You are to us, I would like to come again to the place where I smile much more readily and often.

Even as I consider the word, along with it’s definition and origin I am experiencing a sense of calmed excitement. An oxymoronic antithesis at it’s best. Much like considering the present condition is our home (which very well may be representing the current state of our emotions) as controlled chaos.

Again Dear Lord, I say, “Thank You!” Thank You for smile-evoking beauty. I look in Your Word and smile. I even smile when I realize that while thinking of the things that are helping me smile, I am not focusing on any of the thoughts that normally cause me fear or sadness.

Lord, thank You so much for the work You are doing in me. I am well aware that it is You that is causing this change in me. How I ask You to continue the refining that is taking place within me. Keep me from jumping to conclusions as I have so readily done in the past. I want to learn to filter my thoughts and decisions through You first, instead of after mistakes have been made.

Father, thank You for allowing me to enjoy this morning time with You. Reading of Jacob’s words to his estranged brother Esau in Genesis (33:10) “…for what a relief it is to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the smile of God!” How I want others to see You smile through me!

As I continue smiling my way through the psalms I am reading, thinking “Yes, Lord, make me so” I come again to Numbers 6:25 - Your own words of blessing to Your people. How I ask You Lord to 'smile on (make Your face radiate with joy because of)' me.

I love You so much Dear Lord. Thank You for this time alone with You to consider all the reasons You give me to smile! I love You. Amen. J

(375 words ~ 7:08 a.m.)

"difficult"

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 (5:43 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

Yesterday, when asked by me, a word my husband used to describe me was ‘difficult’. Now that is a far cry from ‘patient’, ‘kind’ or ‘loving’. But at this particular time of our lives it is fitting and most accurate.

Thank You Lord! Thank You for his willingness to be so careful and honest in his answer. Initially thinking ‘frustrating’ to be too harsh, thank You for the opportunity to share Your Word with one another and to find inspiring songs to lighten and encourage the mood in our household.

Thank You Lord, for the work You are doing in both of us. While a little difficult to adjust to, it’s absolutely awesome to hear him give credit to You for the change in him. Wow! Wonder of wonders! What a delightful turn of events. All owed to You. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that this morning there are quite a few verses from which to choose that use the word difficult. 2Timothy 2:24 and 3:1 use it to describe being ‘patient with difficult people’ and the fact that ‘in the last days there will be very difficult times’. 1John 5:3 “Loving God means keeping His commandments, and really, that isn’t difficult” correlates well with Deuteronomy 30:11. “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.”

Thank You Lord for the love with which You brought Your Word about. People who loved You and Your decrees preserving them for the likes of me. Thank You! Here I get to read about Your love for us and in return be encouraged by the likes of Moses.

Lord, thank You for the encouragement found throughout Your Word. You are so good. I love You so much. And I am truly grateful. (‘Difficult’ and all :) Amen.

(310 words ~ 6:57 a.m.)