extra

Thursday, February 25, 2010 (3:59 a.m.)

Mm. Blessed Lord,

Thank You Lord for extra time here with You this morning. I didn’t expect it. I hadn’t planned time with You until later. I like this idea much better. So far it’s not turning out as smoothly as other days with You, but still I smile and ask You Lord to lead and guide me to Your Truth this morning.

Two verses hit home with me especially. One is repeated twice in Proverbs (6:10, 24:33) and was me just a few hours ago asking for “A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands” and in both cases it leads to poverty. The other (1Corinthians 7:28) is in regards to marriage and the extra problems that come with it.

Lord, thank You that after thirty-three years (tomorrow) Terry and I are still together working through any of the extra problems we’ve encountered over the years. Why? Because of You Dear Lord!

Your love for each of us has allowed us to grow in our love for each other. Lord, how I thank You for this extra time to thank You for that love. Thank You for this opportunity to go away together to once again celebrate that love.

Oh and now comes an even bigger smile. The title for the seventh chapter of First Corinthians in my Life Recovery Bible is “Questions about Marriage”. Thank You Lord! Thank You for every single time we have been able to come before You with questions about ours.

Thank You for this little extra trip we get to take. Thank You for every single extra You so generously provide for us. Lord, I love You so much. Thank You just this extra little bit more than usual! I love You. Amen.

(302 words ~ 4:40 a.m.)

reminders

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 (4:40 a.m.)

Thanks Lord!

I didn’t want to get up yet. I grumbled all the way out here. “Under protest” best described my attitude. As soon as I opened Your Word, my heart started to change. Look! Here’s even a smile. Thank You Lord for reminders of Your best for us.

Blessed Lord, I love You. I confess that my focus all too often shifts over to that which is not eternal. I allow my thoughts, the time You’ve given me to be eaten away by worry.

Too many times I start out on my own. Caught up in self. Thank You Lord for continuing to call me back to You. Where I belong!

This morning I get to read reminders of Barnabas’ encouragements, Mark’s failures, Paul’s forgiveness. And I come away feeling hopeful. Our present day shortcomings are nothing new to You. Struggles, turmoil, out and out, flagrant disregard of instruction date back to Your beginning of time. And never have You left any of us alone in a pit of our own making.

Lord, thank You for the opportunity to read of the strengths and weaknesses, accomplishments and mistakes of some of Your loved ones. Acts 14:15b-17, “We (Paul and Barnabas) have come to bring you the Good News that you are invited to turn from the worship of these foolish things and to pray instead to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In bygone days He permitted the nations to go their own ways, but He never left Himself without a witness; there were always His reminders – the kind things He did such as sending you rain and good crops and giving you food and gladness.”

Mm. Food and gladness. Thank You Lord. Thank You for the reminders that You give. Thank You for the God that You are. Kind, loving, glorious... I love You Lord. Enable and empower me to serve You well this day. Thank You. Amen.

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

mistakes

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 (6:59 a.m.)

Good Morning Lord,

And yes. I agree. The word for today HAS to be mistakes! I wasn’t even out of bed before I realized how many I had already made. And just now, interrupting time with You for a “quick” game of Sudoku? Bah! What another mistake!

Ah, but Lord. Can I please just thank You for the ease with which the smile came when I realized that I was merely following true with Your word for me today!

Smiling over a mistake. Who even knew that was possible? Especially after only yesterday sharing with the husband and godson about my long-term goal of finding my original, genuine smile ~ which has been missing from me most of my life. Yes Lord! What joy You bring into our lives!

Thank You Lord. Thank You that You call me to share my heart, my mind, my soul and my strength with You. Thank You that You don’t make mistakes. You leave that to us amateurs!

Oh most dear and trusted Lord. Two verses (Proverbs 14:29; Ecclesiastes 10:4) speak of mistakes made in anger and one (Isaiah 28:7) because of drunkenness. Thank You Lord that James (3:2) summed it up best by noting that “we ALL (my emphasis) make many mistakes”. I find great comfort in knowing that I am in such good company!

Lord, thank You that I have the opportunity to come before You each and everyday. Thank You for being able to speak freely to You and of You. Lord, I love You so very much and I genuinely ask You to help me today. I don’t want to keep making careless mistakes. Guide and direct my judgment. Help me choose wisely.

Today I have the huge undertaking of sorting through paperwork. Deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. Lord, You know all too well the problem I have in this area. I have no idea when it started, what its roots are or even what the issue with me, and all things paper, truly is. But I DO know that You are far greater than my biggest fear of making a mistake!

I lean into You here Lord. Asking You to manage my time and ability to get things done today. You are so good. I am prone to mistakes. I choose YOUR way rather than my own! “Lead on MacLord!” J

I love You! Thank You. Amen.

(406 words ~ 8:35 a.m.)

discomfort

Monday, February 22, 2010 (5:29 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Good Morning. I love You. Thank You. The pain in my lower back made me think of being uncomfortable. Not finding that word listed, I looked for discomfort and once again found another unflattering view of myself. In Jonah of all places!

Thank You Lord that You have the most profound ways of getting my attention. As I continue reading more of Jonah’s negative attributes (he hated, disobeyed, ran away, choose death, drug his feet, pouted) I see even more of myself.

Lord, I noticed my first big twinges of discomfort in the Spanish-speaking portion of the worship service yesterday. I recognized that I was feeling lectured. I truly wanted to bolt out of the door as the level of my uneasiness grew. I honestly could feel myself growing hotter as I was given facts and truth that I did not want to accept.

Again I say. “Thank You Lord!” Thank You that just because I feel uncomfortable about something doesn’t change its existence. Thank You that because of Jonah’s resistance to obeying Your plan for him, I get to learn that many of my feelings have been felt before. Thank You that because of the lengths he went in his disobedience I get to learn from his mistakes and turn back to You sooner.

Lord, thank You for the blessings You continue to provide. Blessings, miracles even, that are precious and faith building. Thank You for the remission of a very young single mother’s bout with bone cancer. Lord, thank You for the gift of watching this particular family stand together in Your light throughout this entire process. What a humbling, awe-inspiring gift it has been to come before You with prayers on their behalf.

What joy and honor to watch a young baby boy clap excitedly with the whole of the congregation at his mother’s announcement (in both English and Spanish) of such truly good news.

Lord God, as the tears again begin to form, I cannot thank and praise You enough for a gift such as this.

Blessed Lord, thank You for this opportunity to speak with You about discomfort. Continue teaching me more of what it truly means to love as You would have us love. As much as I love You, I am convinced that it pales miserably in contrast to what You so rightly and richly deserve.

Thank You for discomfort Lord. Use it to lead me to You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

ordained

Sunday, February 21, 2010 (6:40ish)

Mom’s Family Room – Daddy’s Place

Good “ordination” Sunday Lord,

Yes ~ ordained. As in, son-in-law being today! Set apart. Set aside. Those words describe holy. Without a concordance of any kind right now, Lord I ask You to guide and direct my walk through Your Word this morning. Your Word where we find treasures untold. Your Word which gives us hope and helps to set Your tone for our day.

This morning I turn to Psalm 37:3-6 asking Lord that You would truly manifest Your Word in my heart, my mind and my soul. “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the Lord and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of Your heart. Commit Your Way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

Oh most dear and Holy God. Oh that we would each take our lives in You so seriously. Oh that we would TRULY trust in You and put You FIRST!

I love You so much Dear Lord. Help me love You better. Thank You for all You are and all You do. Continue Your holy work in each of us, making us all the children of Your heart’s desire. It’s in Your Son’s most Holy name I pray. Thank You. Amen.

(243 words ~ 7:30ish)

infinite

Saturday, February 20, 2010 (5:53 a.m.)

Infinite Lord,

Infinite? Infinite! Limitless, endless, impossible to measure or calculate, boundless, never-ending. Yes Lord. Indeed. You ARE infinite.

Psalm 147:5 (NKJV) “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.”

What a delight You are Dear Lord! I get to read this entire chapter in three different variations and take something wonderful from each.

Starting with verse one in The Message. “Hallelujah! It’s a good thing to sing praise to our God; praise is beautiful, praise is fitting.” And just like that. Over in the Psalty Bible is a song based on verse four. ♫On a starry night we sing His praises, Sing His praises loud and strong♫

Oh Most Holy, Infinite Lord, how I thank You for this opportunity to sit before You, considering all that You are and all that You do.

Lord, I read and believe that You are great. Powerful. Your understanding is without limit. And I am amazed that through it all Your “joy is in those who reverence Him, those who expect Him to be loving and kind.” (v.11)

Thank You Lord that I get to be counted as one such as this. Thank You for loving me so that I can in turn love You, myself and others as You would have me love. Infinitely!

Oh most infinite Lord. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(232 words ~ 6:47 a.m.)

finally!

Friday, February 19, 2010 (7:17 a.m.)

Yes Lord!

Finally! I am here.

First time out here was after one a.m. That seemed much too early. After some tossing and turning and a return to sleep after two, I was back up and ‘raring’ to go at 4:43. But one side-stop at first one website and then another once again postponed our time here together.

Mm, but Lord, finally I’m here saying, “Thank You Lord. I love You. Praise You. And thank You!”

Lord, I love the way You can work in my heart without my even noticing. Last night’s attempt at getting to sleep was fraught with negative, bitter thoughts. Long time ago hurts were revisited. Careless words were used. So I focused on those.

The second time around, sleep came easily. Peacefully. Detailed dreams were remembered and I woke up feeling truly refreshed. Rejuvenated. No longer the least bit resentful.

Why? You! You work in my heart. You work in my soul. In my mind and my strength and the next thing I know

(9:40 a.m.)

… it’s two and a half hours later and I’ve gotten sidetracked AGAIN!

Thank You Lord that I get to keep coming back and starting in again. Each time, secure in the fact that You have ever so much more to teach me.

Lord God, how I thank You for every time You have directed my thoughts and my focus back to Your love.

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV) started it at 5:30 this morning. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Two other versions add their own unique flavor to this truth. The Living Bible says, “Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much-loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to Him.”

Eugene Peterson tells us in The Message to “Watch what God does, and then do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that.”

Oh yes Lord! Oh, that I would learn to ‘love like that’! Oh and You are teaching me exactly that!

This morning having awoken with ♫the peace that passes understanding (firmly established!) down in my heart♫ (Philippians 4:7) I recognized immediately that that kind of peace ONLY comes from You.

And now, as we finish up our time together here and get ready to go on to the rest of the day, I get to be reminded again through Peter’s second letter to all believer’s everywhere of the importance of living our lives in You and through You.

2Peter1:7 (The Living Bible) tells us, “But to obtain these gifts (God’s kindness and peace) you need more than faith; you must also work hard too be good, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to know God better and discover what He wants you to do. Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have His way with you. This will make possible the next (very exciting!) step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply.”

Yes Lord! Finally! Teach me to love as You would have me love. I love You! Thank You. Amen.

(651 words ~ 10:27 a.m.)

change

Thursday, February 18, 2010 (5:53 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Change. That’s the word I got from You first thing this morning. Change. And now I’m stuck. Am I to do the changing? Or allow You to do it in me? Either way things around here are going to be different. Change always makes things different.

Lord God, how I thank You for the changes You have been making in me all this time. My way of thinking has changed. My heart has changed. The peace I know to be from You allows me to freely embrace the changes, rather than fear them. Thank You Lord.

(7:47 a.m.)

Thank You for a willingness to embrace change Lord. Thank You that as I read Your Word, I am encouraged, delighted, excited to experience change. And the best thing of all is that the change comes from You. I make the choices. You make the changes.

Oh Most Blessed Lord, I keep getting distracted. My mind wanders. I find myself slipping over to ‘just looking up this one thing’ and the next thing I know, I’m in over my head of ‘new windows’ allowing me to open up even more ‘new messages’. While all along the message I am truly searching is Yours to me.

And where do I find that? In Your Word! NOT the internet!!!

Thank You Lord. Thank You that every single time I come back to Your Word this morning, I truly just want to snuggle up into You. You ~ the ULTIMATE (intimate) Comforter!

You know my thoughts before I think them, my decisions before I make them. Keep working in me oh most Precious God that I would make choices that glorify You. Choices that will lead to the changes that You want to make in me.

I started out with Romans 12:2 this morning. I’ve read it in four different translations and in each one I get more excited and convicted. Lord. You are so good! So caring. So perfect.

Thank You that we get to experience life in You. Thank You that because of Your life, we are also able to love as You would have us love.

You amaze me Lord. You excite me. You make me want to serve and to please You. In turning to Romans 12 in the Psalty Bible, my eyes fell upon ♫Heart to Change the World♫ The song asks, “How will the people know (that Jesus loves them)? Unless we show them?” It’s taken from Romans 10:9-14 and relates back to Deuteronomy 30:13-14.

I search and scour and dig in to Your Word Lord. I nod my head. I agree wholeheartedly. And I ask You Lord to please make the preface to the song so in me! “With a heart of love we can reach out and see God do miracles. By God’s grace and in God’s strength we can change the world.”

Romans 12:2, where we very first started so much earlier this morning, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.”

Mm. Yes. Lord. Make it so! I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(556 words ~ 8:33 a.m.)

Provider

Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010 (6:40 a.m.)

Awesome, Amazing God,

Thank You. You provide so perfectly. I confess that I don’t always think so. Too often I whine or fuss. Okay, yeah complaints happen far too many times as well. But overall, I KNOW that You are indeed an incredible Provider.

Oh yes. Most Beloved, Precious Lord, You do not hesitate to provide our every need. Even now, as I search Your Word, You provide. Direction. Truth. Promises. Hope.

Thank You Lord that on this particular Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent 2010, once again I believe You are calling me to “give something up”. Having prayed and considered and wondered and thought I am convinced that that 'something' is excessive television viewing.

Following an article written about healthier habits, I do believe You are encouraging me to a two hour limit each day. How well I remember some of the Lenten ‘sacrifices’ I have had with You in the past and I thank You for what may very well turn out to be another opportunity for me to grow deeper in You.

Lord, thank You that in preparation for this time of great change, You would start me out with a verse regarding temptation. See what I mean about Your provision? J

1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful (yes You are!); He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when (notice that doesn’t say ‘if’!) you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Lord. Thank You! Thank You for calling me. Thank You for growing me. Thank You for providing every single thing I need to continue following You. I love You so very much Dear Lord. Most Awesome, Amazing, Perfect Provider. Thank You. Amen.

(314 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)

desire

“Fat” Tuesday, February 16, 2010 (6:56 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You for the desire to know You more. Yes Lord. Thank You for desire!

On this particular day, officially set for excess, thank You that I instinctively desire You more than anything. Thank You Lord, that it IS to Your will and to Your way that I aspire and ascribe.

Late last night I got to fall asleep with my heart singing ♫Word of God speak♫ and just now it started again. Thank You Lord that even in turning in Your Word to look up more about desire, I find “Charity’s Heart Song”. It’s associated with Psalm 19:14 and although I’m unfamiliar with it, it speaks straight to my own. ♫O Lord, fill my heart, fill it up with You. O Lord, take my heart, make me more like You. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart, Be acceptable to You. May Your love in my life be a light to the world. That keeps on shinin’ through. O Lord, fill my heart, fill it up with You♫

This past weekend Lord, I broke. As I sobbed in the church service and sat unable to speak in the prayer room afterward, I knew You were ready to do a great thing in my life. (Actually You’ve BEEN ready, Lord! It’s me that was a little slow accepting Your offer!) I don’t know what it is You have for me, but I do know that it is absolutely Your will and Your way I desire more than anything!

♫Word of God speak Would You pour down like rain Washing my eyes to see Your majesty To be still and know That You’re in this place Please let me stay and rest In Your holiness Word of God speak♫

And You do… Psalm 40:6 The Message, “You’ve opened my ears so I can listen.” And not just listen Lord. I long to obey! Verse eight in the NIV is what originally brought me to this text, “I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

Eugene Peterson transcribes verses seven and eight this way, “So I answered, ‘I’m coming. I read in Your letter what You wrote about me, And I’m coming to the party You’re throwing for me.’ That’s when God’s Word entered my life, became part of my very being.”

Yes Lord! Your Word, part of my very being! Thank You Lord.

Thank You too for Pastor Ed’s lesson on Mark 10:23-52 this past Sunday about Jesus’ question, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Lord, I asked You to give me the courage to change. And You are. You are helping me see things in present time, while they are happening, and helping me address them in Your language of love.

Thank You Lord that I am getting to recognize situations for what they are and to stand firm instead of wilting away. I love You Lord. What do I want from You? Serenity (to accept the things I cannot change) Courage (to change the things I can) and Wisdom (to know the difference!)

I’m going up against a three year old “Goliath” tomorrow Lord. A three year old, for whom the very sight, sound or mention of me takes her to tears. I’ve tried all these years Lord, in my own strength, power and ideas to overcome the damage it does to my self-esteem to represent such sadness to this precious little one. This time Lord, prepare me, much as You prepared David (1 Samuel 17:1-58) with faith in You to overcome the biggest giants. Provide all that is needed to allow Your ‘peace which passes understanding to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7) ever reminding me that “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength” (v.13) ~ even going up against a three year old.

I love You Lord. Thank You for ALL You are doing in our lives. Amen.

(677 words ~ 8:24 a.m.)

standard

Monday, Presidents Day, February 15, 2010 (8:36 a.m.)

Blessed, Beloved Lord,

Mm. Thank You Lord. Over an hour of surfing the web and avoiding You, yet here I am. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for the call You have on our lives. Thank You that it’s with You I know I need and truly want to be.

Lord, You have so very many things to teach us about loving You, ourselves and each other well. Please begin!

Oh but You HAVE begun! All those eons ago (Genesis 1, 2) when You very first began creating the heavens and the earth. You knew exactly what You were doing. You knew what needed to come first and in precisely what order.

Lord, it’s us, and all of our ancestors that continue thinking that we know better. We have a quicker, faster way of getting things done. Sure. Our plans, our ideas haven’t worked out so well for us up ‘til now, but maybe if I just keep trying this in my own strength and power maybe, just maybe it’ll all work out for me this time. NOT!

(12:04 p.m.)

Lord, You are so good! Holy. Honorable. Righteous. Wonderful. Perfect. And GOOD!

Thank You Lord that all this time, even when I’m not consciously aware of it, I keep messing around with Your standard of doing things. If I think of something in a certain way, well it must be right because it makes perfect sense to me. Thank You Lord that in all my messing, I can’t alter Your standard!

You speak so often to my heart Lord. I’ve heard You many times through the years. I haven’t always recognized You, and even when I have, I haven’t always adhered to Your will or Your way. ‘No, no. I’ll figure it out. I’ll find my own way through the dark on my own thank You very much.’ You speak truth. And I play dumb. Or is it that I’m not even playing?

Lord, thank You for continuing to speak, to call out to me, to leave the ninety-nine to come after me (Matthew 18:12-13; Luke 15:4-7). Oh praise You Lord! Praise and thank You.

I get to keep coming back saying thank You! I get to look deeper into Your Word and see others just as lost and confused as myself getting another glimpse of Your grace and mercy! Praise You Lord!

You don’t lean, tip, waver or waffle. You remain faithful. Upright. Strong. Sturdy. And in the process, You set us right as well.

Lord, there is so much here for me today that there is NO WAY I can take it all in. And even in confessing that, I am musically reminded that ♫God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me…♫

Oh most Holy God that You would ♫be my guide Hold me closely to Your side With love and strength for each new day♫ is such a beautiful truth.

Keep working in me I pray. Raising me to YOUR standard Lord. Quoting a devotion from Karen Burton Mains entitled “Women of Prayer” in regards to James 5:16, “We are coming of age. But are we coming to terms with our lack of spiritual depth and ability? It is we who must learn the meaning of forbearing. It is we who must develop the disciplines of spiritual perseverance, not shrinking back from growth but doing the will of God, having faith and keeping our souls. It is we who must become women of faith and prayer and obedience and service. It is we who must set a spiritual standard for the next generation. It is time for us all to grow up.”

Yes Lord! Grow me up. To YOUR standard! I love You so much. I need You in every single aspect of my life. Guide me. Direct me. Challenge and change me Lord. Grow me to Your standard. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(674 words ~ 1:18 pm.)

ascribe

Sunday, Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010 (7:05 a.m.)

Mom’s Family Room

Wonderful Morning Wonder-filled God ~

Thank You Lord that I get to share my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength (Mark 12:30) with You. Yesterday I was honest with You again concerning hurts and fears and disappointments and You didn’t balk. You NEVER balk! ’Cause Thou alone art worthy (Revelation 4:11) ♫Thou art worthy…♫

Most Dear and Blessed God, I love when You speak to me! Yesterday while driving, not too long after having poured my heart out to You again I started rehashing thoughts, events and You came along with the last few words of what turned out to be James 5:16. SOMETHING “of a righteous man availeth much.” Catching me up short, I had to ask myself if I consider myself righteous ~ “Well do ya, Punk?” J

With much thought and prayerful consideration I concurred that I ASPIRE to righteousness!

Lord, thank You for coming into my life ~ my heart, my soul, my mind, my strength that I would want to live it for You. In You. Through You. With You.

I love You so very much. On this day of cupids and candies, roses and whatnots, teach us more of what REAL love truly is. Your love poured out for us on the cross. (At least this holiday has the RED right!)

Your love, spelled out for each of us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a as ‘patient and kind, without envy, not boastful nor proud, rude, self-seeking nor easily angered, keeping no records of wrongs, nor delighting in evil but rejoicing with truth. Always protecting, trusting, hoping, persevering. Never failing.’

Lord, THAT’S the type of love I ascribe to! Your love that sings out to me in the early morning hours ♫In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble They’re only made of clay But OUR love is here to stay♫

The “SOMETHING” I was missing from James 5:16 is vital. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”!

Lord, teach me to prayer effectively (in such a manner as to achieve a desired result) and fervently (having or displaying a passionate intensity)! It is to YOUR school of thought I ascribe!

I love You. Thank You. (Will You be my Valentine?) Amen.

(383 words ~ 8:00 a.m.)

turmoil

Saturday, February 13, 2010 (5:43 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Beloved God. Holy Father. Torment. Turmoil. Two words that just came to my mind.

Lord. I want to live my life so others see You, not all the chaos I am carrying around with me.

I want to be encouraging. Light hearted. Yours. Show me Lord. Guide and direct me onto Your path of peace and contentment.

I confess to You Dearest Lord. I take simple things and complicate them. I think I know what You want or have for me and I run, willy-nilly out and about until I exhaust myself.

Little by little I inch myself back. Taking time to examine situations and circumstances that I created. Wondering. What was I thinking?

Lord. Thank You that I never have to stay, alone, in the messes of my own making. You are here. You are willing. Being the Gentleman that You are, You wait to be invited in. Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Oh yes Lord! Come in! Come in. ♫Into my heart, Into my heart, Come into my heart Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart Lord Jesus♫

Oh most Dear and Blessed Lord. I know it’s You I need. It’s You I long to follow. Then I get sidetracked. I start paying more attention to the things that are not of my liking than to what is truly good. Lord, I know You are weeding me. Pulling out all the unnecessary things that don’t stimulate healthy growth. Thank You for that.

So I have to ask You Lord. Gentleman that You are! Will You please, please, PLEASE take over command of my life! I’m making mistakes. I keep summoning up my own strength and courage then quickly fizzle out.

I’m turning to You Lord, yet again. Confessing. Asking. Seeking. Knocking. YOUR will Lord! Your best.

Snarky [sharply critical; cutting; snide; cranky; irritable] discouraging comments around here have broken my spirit. I can no longer stand up against them. I use to try and ignore them, hoping the least said about them the better.

They’ve taken their toll on me Lord. There is definite, genuine love in this household. Love that only comes from You. There are glimpses of it all over the place. It’s the unloving, unkind, unhelpful, hurtful things that are said in passing that glare out their presence here.

I want to see You Lord.

And again! Here You are! I pour out my heart to You. I am honest before You (and anyone else who may read this) and You hear me and reply.

Thank You God that the very first verse I looked up this morning was Psalm 39:2. Starting with verse one, “I said to myself, I’m going to quit complaining! I’ll keep quiet, especially when the ungodly are around me. But as I stood there silently the turmoil within me grew to the bursting point. The more I mused, the hotter the fires inside. Then at last I spoke and pled with God” (3).

Not wanting to lose sight of this nugget as I continued searching Your Word, I marked it with a children’s valentine puzzle page from the local paper. With the teddy bears holding hearts it was even more precious to turn back into the Psalms and read commentators say, “God’s timing is always worth waiting for. If we look to Him for help, He will rescue us from destruction and despair and from the things that hold us down.” “Every time that he (the Psalmist) felt entrapped, he called out to God for help.” “God will respond as many times as we call out to Him.”

And then, looking across the page, the one still marked by the paper decorated with hearts and arrows I read “Hope” titling a devotion with regards to Psalm 42:1-11.

“As a deer pants for water, so I long for You, O God.” I do Lord!

The devotion speaks of getting lost in our memories of ‘the good old days’ when things aren’t quite to our liking during the bad times. “We may struggle with conflicting emotions, teetering between the extremes of depression and hope. The psalmist reflected these emotions, saying to himself, ‘Take courage, my soul! Do you remember those times…? Why then be downcast? Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God! I shall yet praise Him again… O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall praise Him for all that He will do. He is my help! He is my God!”

You are Lord! YOU are my help! YOU are my God! Help me with this crisis of my soul dear Lord. I can’t fight my way through it. I’m not doing the things I know that need to be done. Work in me. Work through me. “Come in and fellowship with me” (Revelation 3:20) that I will walk out with You into this day.

I love You Lord! Thank You. Amen.

(865 words ~ 7:01 a.m.)

effectively

Friday, February 12, 2010 (5:39 a.m.)

Most Beloved God,

It’s been a long time since I practically ran out here to say “Thank You God. That was cool!” But You know what? Thank You God! That was cool!

I don’t remember ever having dreamt of effectively sharing scripture before. I had even forgotten about the dream until after I had gotten up and wondered what to say to You this morning.

Here I have been again, operating under a spirit of fear. Waiting for circumstances to turn around. Working hard to effect positive change. Leaving messes in my wake.

Speak to me more please Lord. Clear some of these cobwebs I have taking up residency here in my heart and my mind and my soul. Jumpstart me back to the track on which You would have me follow.

I saw something happen here last night. In the midst of a discussion regarding responsibility and the transfer thereof, I noticed myself let go. I didn’t shut down, as is the norm for me when things reach a certain point. Nor did I stop caring, another ineffective defense I have acquired over the years.

No. Once again I took a long hard look at what was going on right here as it was happening and just decided that the strong chokehold I had been insisting upon was absolutely not working.

Lord. Thank You. This is all brand new territory for me. You’ve been showing me areas of my own stubbornness. You keep providing me with glimpses of Your greatness. Yet I continue withdrawing. Avoiding. Cowering. Fearing.

How cool it was that right there in my dream I would approach a very receptive young woman with her children and offer up to her 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Continue Your work in each of us Lord. Help me see the truths You have for me. Not only see them Lord, but act upon them.

“The Lord’s servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people. They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the Devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” (2Timothy 2:24-26)

Mm. Yes Lord. Grow me. Challenge me. Provide every single thing I need to meet those challenges effectively. I love You so much Dear Lord. And thanks again God! This was cool! Amen.

(446 words ~ 7:12 a.m.)

Super, Superior, Supreme

Thursday, February 11, 2010 (6:29 a.m.)

Super, Superior, Supreme

It all started on Sunday. Super Sunday. So named because of The Super Bowl. Super. Superior. Supreme... All from the Latin super ‘above, beyond.’

Lord, You are super, superior, supreme. And I can’t even begin to get my head around what that truly means!

All these days later I’m still giving thought to You, but not much else. There’s a resistance going on inside me. I keep feeling called to You. I give a nod, then quickly head back to one distraction or another.

I’m unwilling to go any deeper with You. It’s all been right here on the surface. Is this a lack of trust? A fear of commitment?

I didn’t feel good the other night. I got really scared. I didn’t know what to do. Where to turn? Thank You God that You did hear my prayers. You comforted and healed me.

But I know that I am still feeling hesitant. I have my guard way up, lest I drop it and start to hurt again. Come here with me and teach me what You would have me learn.

Oh and no sooner asked, then received! Thank You Lord. Thank You that I have stumbled over words and thoughts and ideas and cues all the way back to the other day when I was pruning the roses and thinking of how it is that You are indeed “the true Vine” (John 15:1).

Oh blessed Lord, it’s been quite the circuitous (longer than the most direct way) journey to get back to those glimpses from the other day. I remember fearing making a mistake with our mature plants that came to us as slips from my beloved husband’s childhood home. Gifts from my mother-in-law that I never fully appreciated until I cut one much too short several years ago.

As I struggled last week with deciding which cuts to make, I remember being comforted with the thought that You never doubt. You know exactly which branches to lop off in order that we will grow and produce even greater crops (John 15:2).

Thank You Lord. Thank You that all this time I have been thinking of You as super, superior, supreme, You used the Mini-Articles and Background Articles connected to Psalm 83:18 in The Learning Bible to remind me that You Are!

You are “the God above all gods in supreme charge of all the earth.” You are “the Vine” (John 15:5). We are the branches. We have to stay connected to You in order to grow. We must allow God, Your Father, our Gardner to prune us in ways that stimulate growth and fruitfulness.

Forgive my fear Dearest Lord. It is not of You. It is familiar to me. But it is not Your best for me. Continue teaching me to trust and depend on all the things You are. Super. Superior. Supreme. Perfect! I love You Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(491 words ~ 8:49 a.m.)

Lord

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 (7:12 a.m.)

Lord of my life,

Lord of my love. Lord of my all in all. I have no clear thoughts to bring to You this day. My mind wanders. My emotions change. You don’t. Thank You that You are constant. You are Lord. I look to You. I think of You. I wonder. And I am grateful.

Lord, thank You that I don’t have to pretend with You. Thank You that because of all You are, pretense would be completely lost on You. I have spent days reading Your Word. Picking up glimpses of things I’d never noticed before. And each time my heart quickens. My face softens. A smile breaks through both inside and out.

Lord. You are good. Kind. Merciful. Generous. Loving. Forgiving. All the things I want to be. Take me this day Lord. Take me and use me as You would.

I read Your warnings that not everyone who calls to You, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21) “But he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Lord, work in me to make it so.

I tend to be so hard on myself. I lose sight of Your standard and superimpose my own unrealistic expectations for myself and others thinking it’s what You want from me. Teach me to not only know Your will, but to obey it as well.

Lord. I do love You. I long to follow after You. To be Yours with all of my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. I get lazy. I try to take shortcuts. Thank You again that You never do.

You remain constant. Perfect. Unparalleled. Unprecedented. Unmatched. Lord. Lord of my life. Lord of my love. Lord of my all in all.

Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(305 words ~ 8:08 a.m.)

foremost

Saturday, February 6, 2010 (5:34 a.m.)

Fabulously Foremost Father,

“foremost – the most prominent in rank, importance, or position; before anything else in rank, importance, or position; in the first place; leading; principal; premier; prime; top; greatest; best; supreme; outstanding; most important…”

Loving Lord, again I thank You for the ways in which You guide and direct my thoughts and actions. Too many times I have ignored the promptings that I believe to have been from You. Thank You that Your nature does not allow You to just give up on any of us.

Waking up several hours ago, my mind started racing with thoughts of things to do. Thank You for interceding on my behalf and sending me the word foremost to use today. A word that even in that earliest morning hour I associated with milk J. Lord, I love that I get to smile with You. Thank You for that as well.

Thank You that just now as I was on my way to ‘send this one little email while I’m thinking of it’ I realized the temptation to check any I might have received, which could quite possibly distract me severely. Thank You Lord. Thank You that You know me so well.

Mm. Not only do You know me. You love me! Mm. Lord. Thank You for that! Thank You that You teach me about such things as love and hope and faith and trust and forgiveness. What a good and mighty God You are. Thank You!

How else would I be reading in Jeremiah 31 this morning about Your promise to rebuild Your land? Verse seven mentions the word ‘foremost’ in regards to Israel, the greatest of the nations. The rest of the chapter speaks details of Your care, Your promises, Your everlasting love and loving-kindness. Thank You Lord!

Oh most dear and fabulously foremost Father, it is YOU that makes my life worth living! You give me the opportunity to come before You to commune with You. [“commune with – share one’s intimate thoughts or feelings with, esp. when the exchange is on a spiritual level; feel in close spiritual contact with”]

Mm. Most blessed Lord. Foremost. You brought me to Jeremiah this morning. I am inspired by verse 33. “But this is the new contract I will make with them (Your people): I will inscribe my laws upon their hearts, so that they shall want to honor me; then they shall truly be my people and I will be their God.”

This in turn reminds me of the heart transplants You promise in Ezekiel. Verses 11:19 and 36:26 tell of You taking out stony hearts of sin and giving new obedient, tender hearts of love for You.

Mm. Lord. Thank You! The Life Recovery Bible introduction to the book of Jeremiah lists 15:16 as the ‘key verse’ of the book. “Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me. How proud I am to bear Your name, O Lord”.

Oh “hallelujah” to that! I love You Lord! Thank You. Amen.

(520 words ~ 6:46 a.m.)

miraculous

Friday, February 5, 2010 (5:15 a.m.)

Miraculous Lord,

miraculous: adjective – occurring through divine or supernatural intervention, or manifesting such power; highly improbable and extraordinary and bringing very welcome consequences

Yes. Miraculous. Miraculous Lord.

First Corinthians ten, verses three and four (NLT) describe the food and water provided to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16 and 17) as miraculous. The rock that traveled with them and provided the water was also called miraculous. And Christ.

You. Our Rock. Our Redeemer.

Other translations use the descriptive word ‘spiritual’ instead of ‘miraculous’. I look at all You are accomplishing in each of us around here and while I do acknowledge it as all being truly spiritual. It is nothing short of miraculous!

Lord. Thank You! Thank You for never getting so frustrated with our negativity and bad choices that You ever give up on us. Miraculous. Indeed!

Reading in The Bible Handbook of Your people’s journey in the desert it says, “Over and over, as Israel comes to a point of crisis, God meets her needs. But His gracious approach results in neither faith nor gratitude.”

Oh Your goodness Lord! That sounds so familiar! Sadly, I resemble that statement!

Only three days from the Red Sea (miracle!) the people grumbled. You provided. Thirty days later they muttered. Again, You delivered. And this time, they disobeyed!

I see myself here Lord. I need. You provide. I’m wowed. I forget. And the cycle begins again.

The grumbling of Your people escalated, almost to the point of stoning Moses (Exodus 17:1-4). There was no trust in You. Nor gratitude. No growth in character or holiness.

Thank You Lord for their example. Thank You for every time that I think or feel that I might just possibly be the worst of the worst, I get to be reminded of those who have gone before me. Right there, in the presence of Your miracles, they still didn’t get it.

Thank You that right here, in the presence of all You are doing in and for us, we get to keep recognizing You at work. From tiny glimpses to giant glarings, here You are getting the glory.

Thank You Lord. Thank You for being all You are and doing all You do. Miraculous. Truly miraculous! I love You Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(385 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)

try

Thursday, February 4, 2010 (6:39 a.m.)

Mm. Most Holy God,

Here I am again. Wanting to be with You. Desiring to be like You. Longing to know You better. Mm. Yes Lord. I want to know You better!

All these many years Lord, I’ve tried. In my own strength and power. Through my own understanding. I have tried repeatedly to ‘get it right’.

Thank You that that is NOT what You have for me. Thank You that Your way is so much better than any that we could ever possibly dream up for ourselves.

Thank You that You never left us alone in our own sinfulness. You have always had a plan for us. You knew us even before You formed us in our mother’s wombs (Jeremiah 1:5). You made all the delicate, inner parts of our bodies and knit them together (Psalm 139:13).

Beloved Lord God, I no longer want to keep taking these gifts for granted! I sit here, wrapped in the comfort of Your Word. I read. I hope. I long. I turn. I choke up. I cry out. All internally. Looking. Longing. Grasping.

Oh most dear and precious Lord. For so long I have tried doing all that I thought You wanted of me. Yet again I’m reading Peter’s second letter to ‘all believer’s everywhere’. Chapter 1, verses two and three. “Do you want more and more of God’s kindness and peace? Then learn to know Him better. For as you know Him better, He will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life.”

I’ve seen You doing exactly that around here Lord. Situations, misunderstandings, miscommunications that normally would have derailed us for great lengths are being gently discussed in the language of Your love.

Appropriate questions are being asked. Automatic assumptions are being ratified or corrected. It’s as if You have truly taken up residency here Lord. Thank You!

Thank You that we ARE to be on our guard, alert (1Thessalonians 5:6). Thank You that You did not leave us alone to our own devices. Before Your ultimate sacrifice on our behalves You promised (John 14:16-18) “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, who will never leave You. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads in all truth. The world at large cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you do, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans – I will come to you.”

Lord, thank You. Thank You that Your promises are not empty! Thank You that Your promises are to be trusted. Depended upon. Tried. Tested. Believed. Utilized.

Thank You Lord that You are good. And we are made in Your image. Thank You that it was because of Your best for the believers in Thessalonica that Paul wrote his letter to them. Encouraging them to continue trusting him. Reassuring them that You would return.

Oh most holy God, because of his faith and their faith and our faith we get to not worry about when all this is going to happen (1Thessalonians 5:1). Instead we get to continue living as children of the light who do not belong to darkness and night (v 5). “But let us who live in the light keep sober, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the happy hope of salvation” (8).

Lord, Paul goes to the end of the letter warning and encouraging his readers ‘of a day when You will hold all people accountable for their attitudes and actions.’ He urges all of us to ‘end our procrastinating and act immediately to accept Your blessed forgiveness and power to help us change.’ He discourages any quarreling among ourselves and sums it all up with this collection of good advice, “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.” (14-22)

And then he goes on with blessings of peace and grace. Oh Dearest Lord how I thank You for a love such as this. Guide and direct my heart and soul and mind and strength that I would truly live a life worthy of such gifts as these. Build upon the foundation of faith that You Yourself poured out for me. Adding goodness (virtue), knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love in the exact increments that You know are needed.

I love You so much Dearest Lord. Help me love You better! Thank You. Amen.

(856 words ~ 8:05 a.m.)

blessings

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 (5:00 a.m.)

Blessed God,

♫Good mornin’, Good mornin’! We slept the whole night through, Good mornin’ Good mornin’ to You.♫

Lord. You helped us last night. Well, not only last night. All day yesterday as a matter of fact.

Situations needed attention. Circumstances had to be discussed. And You were here in our midst.

Lord. Thank You. Thank You for loving each of us so much that You gave Your only Son that all who believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Thank You for calling us to “Obedience and Understanding”. Thank You Lord that because You are such a God of peace (1Corinthians 14:33) there is a natural order to all things.

Father, I confess to so often attempting to jump ahead of where I am to the place I want to be.

(11:37 a.m.)

Lord, thank You for keeping me in check. Thank You for continuing to call me back to Second Peter one. Every single time I read it I notice something else I hadn’t seen before.

Today, in The Living Bible verses three and four I read, “For as you

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 (5:16 a.m.)

And then this morning, I continue reading, “know Him better, [oh Your goodness! How perfect is that! Know You better! Thank You!] He will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life [Mm! Awesome!] He even shares His glory and His own goodness with us! [Thank You!] And by that same mighty power He has given us all the other rich and wonderful blessings He promised [thank You Lord!] for instance, the promise to save us from the lust and rottenness all around us, and to give us His own character.”

Lord, these truths are incredible! Wonderful. Marvelous. Glorious. Comforting. Trustworthy… Worthy. YOU are worthy! Wonderful…

Oh most Holy God, for close to twenty-eight years I have pursued a relationship with You, based on my own understanding. How I thank You for never changing. The bar of Your expectations never wavers. Your rules always stay the same. You always stay the same. Trustworthy. Dependable. Eternal. Wonderful…

Lord, how I thank You for every blessed moment You give to me to consider all that You are, all You provide. How I ask that You continue Your work in me. Making me more of the woman You created me to be. I love You so much Dearest Lord. Make me obedient to Your Word, Your will and Your way.

Even as I consider asking to be made worthy of Your blessings, I am immediately reminded that ♫Thou art worthy… O Lord. To receive glory, glory and honor, glory and honor and power. For Thou hast created, Hast all things created Thou hast created all things. And for Thy pleasure they are created Thou art worthy, O Lord♫ (Revelation 4:11).

Genesis 1:27 tells me that I am made in Your image. A presentation of this very truth in The Bible Handbook clearly states, “God’s words of evaluation show this is the culmination of creation. The days’ work is pronounced good: the work of making mankind is ‘very good’. It is this description of the origin of humanity that we must begin with if we are to realize who we really are.”

Oh Most Holy God, again I say thank You! Thank You for helping me ♫start at the very beginning, a ‘very good’ place to start…♫ Lord, keep me mindful of Your blessings this day. Aware. Accepting. Excited. Grateful. I love You Lord. I long to practice ‘learning to love’ and ‘experimenting with excellence’. All under Your guidance and lordship. Thank You for all You are doing in me, that You will truly be able to work through me. I love You. Amen.

(634 words ~ 7:21 a.m.)

glad

Monday, February 1, 2010 (5:46 a.m.)

Mm, Lord. I love You.

Thank You for some rest. Thank You from some struggle in getting that rest. And thank You for some grumbles along the way.

Mm. Yes Lord. I am in good company. Your Word is filled with people who grumbled. I am not alone.

So. Talk to me I ask. Already You have changed my prayer since awakening. The vein I was originally pursuing was that of feeling bad. And mad. And sad. You reminded me about being glad.

Before even getting up I got to sing (♫He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice ‘cause He has made me glad, glad, glad♫) and be grateful for the change in my attitude. Thank You Lord.

You have indeed made me glad! Thank You that You provide the choice. Because of Your love for each of us I can remember and acknowledge, “This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

I get to keep catching glimpses of You Lord. Tiny, little, momentary flashes of Your best for each of us.

It’s all so different than I had expected. Again I grumble at the thought of all I had expected and assumed through the years.

Oh. But all is NOT lost! Everywhere I look in Your Word (Psalms, Proverbs 1, 2Peter 1:1-7) I find another glimpse of Your goodness and grace.

Lord, thank You for loving us. Thank You for holding us to You, especially when we are grumbling rather than glad. Thank You for the change that takes place within each of us as we release what we thought we knew and wanted in order to hold tightly to what You offer.

Lord. Let me choose You this day. This day that You have made. That I would indeed rejoice and be glad!

I love You Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(326 words ~ 7:11 a.m.)