dazed or dazzled

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 (8:04 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Good morning. You never cease to amaze me. Thank You for that! Thank You that I can wake up thinking I have nothing to say to You. But that in no way means that You don’t have so much to say to me. Thank You Lord. Thank You that I get to look in Your Word and find power and strength for the day.

You are amazing Lord. Truly amazing. I watch the way You change things. I consider looking up verses that have to do with the word ‘dazed’ and the next thing I know I’m wondering about being dazzled by the various things taking place outside our window. Imagine my surprise to find that these words are indeed related. Lord I confess. I don’t know what to do with them. Are these the words You’d have me consider today? Where in Your Word do You most want me to explore this morning. Please come lead and guide me to what it is You’d have me learn this day.

Yesterday I saw the difference that the change of just one letter in a word can make (from ‘sulk’ to ‘silk’). This morning, by adding two letters to ‘dazed’ I was finding myself stumped until again I saw how easily You changed an entire man’s being. In the ninth chapter of Acts I read how Saul of Tarsus became Paul Your apostle. “He was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light” (v.3).

Here again I must add, You are amazing Lord! You don’t just change words. Or minds. You change people. From the inside out!

Lord God, I ask that You would work in me today. Continue changing me. There are so very many things for us to learn in the reading and practice of Your Word. Keep up the fine-tuning of the people You would have us be. Work in us, one letter at a time. Changing us to represent You well.

I love You Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(340 words ~ 9:37 a.m.)

sulk

Sunday, March 27, 2011 (7:16 a.m.)

Colton, CA

Awesome God,

Thank You. It’s so good to be home again. It was great to be gone, to see different places and learn new things. It was fun to see and smell and taste and experience so many different aspects of various cultures. It was also important for me to have this opportunity to get to know myself just a little bit more.

I got to be aware of how I was feeling and what I was thinking in fairly present time. There were times I mindfully adjusted my attitude and others when I emotionally withdrew and sulked.

Monday, March 28, 2011 (6:44 a.m.)

You were there with me Lord. You helped me be aware of what I was thinking and feeling. How I thank You!

(8:38 a.m.)

Thank You so much for the opportunities You provided for me to explore and experiment with different aspects of communicating. Rather than following my former pattern of withdrawing emotionally and holding in disappointments, I branched out and practiced calmly expressing myself. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that in turning to Your Word yesterday in regards to my deeply ingrained tendency to sulk, I am again reading the wisdom expressed in Proverbs 3. With strains of Cajun music still playing randomly in my head, I keep trying to blend the wisdom of Your Word to the lively melody of ♫Jambalaya♫ While I have yet to come up with an appropriate mix, I continue smiling in my attempt.

Lord, thank You that for every single situation I come across I am able to bring it to You for Your help and guidance. Forgive me for those occasions that I do not follow Your leading.

Thank You that even when I think I am alone with a deeply engrained habit [read here as ‘sulking’ J] I am pleasantly surprised to find others in Your Word who have experienced it as well.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 (7:08 a.m.)

In “The Message” Eugene Peterson used the word sulk (Proverbs 3:11) to express what we are not to do under Your loving correction. The section immediately preceding this states that we are not to resent Your discipline either.

The Contemporary English Version says that we are not to turn away and become bitter. Other translations use the words ‘reject’ and ‘be upset’ (NLT); ‘despise’ and ‘resent’ (NIV). ‘Detest’ is used in the New King James Version. In looking up its synonym, I find detest can also represent ‘shrink from’. I do that Lord! Most times when I sulk in a given circumstance, I ultimately find that I have shrunk from it. Keep working in me Lord.

I truly love knowing that You can change me. While awakening this morning, I realized that by changing the vowel in the word sulk, it can become ‘silk’. As easily as that change can occur, I gave thought to the various musical instruments we’ve heard over the past two weeks. The same instrument can be used to make a variety of sounds, to conjure a multitude of emotions.

Lord, I want desperately to be an instrument in Your hands. Use me as You will. Tune me. Play me. Get me out of Your way, so that others can see and get to know You through Your mastery. You created me. There is absolutely no One better qualified to put His creation to work than the Master Maker Himself. I trust You with my very life Dearest Lord. Play and use me well I pray. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(596 words ~ 8:01 a.m.)

leaking love and joy

Saturday, March 26, 2011 (6:52 a.m. - CDT)

Homewood Suites #1011

New Orleans, LA

Loving Lord,

How I thank and praise You for the various blessings You have provided us these past twelve days. This morning especially I am not only aware of but also asking for continued safe travels. There are indeed trains, planes and automobiles involved in this final leg of the much-loved husband’s birthday celebration and I truly ask for Your protective presence in them all.

It’s been another time of growing and watching, Lord. Reflecting. Thinking. Wishing. Hoping. And praying. Especially praying!

Most dear and beloved Lord, how I thank You for the shared experiences of love and joy. Thank You too for the times of frustration and even irritation. All of these brought together to continue growing us in You. More than anything Lord, that’s what I want. For each of us to continue growing in and depending on You.

Now Lord, about these tears that just keep falling. Thank You for the helpful husband’s attempt to ease the emotional upheaval by referring to them as ‘love and joy being leaked from an overflowing heart’. That thought does help me feel less ridiculous. It also helps me smile. Thank You Lord!

In looking in Your Word just now I am especially drawn to Psalm 5. Verse 11 mentions both joy and love. Along with taking refuge in You. Singing for joy. And having Your protection spread over us “that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.” Even as I smile and contemplate such blessing, I complete reading the chapter with verse twelve. “Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.”

I’ve told You before that I don’t see myself in the righteous category. There are so many others that I look at and think, “Yes. Surely them.” But here I am with all these faults and foibles and I tend to put myself over in the ‘needs more time’ line.

Bless me anyway Lord. Surround me with all the others so desperately in need of YOUR favor, as with a shield. You are so good, so worthy to be praised.

As my eyes continue to leak the love and joy that so freely overflows my grateful heart, I sincerely ask You Lord to take the multitude of mistakes I have made and turn them into the blessings You want them to be. I love You so very much Dearest Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(418 words ~ 8:19 a.m.)

first word

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 (7:16 a.m.)

Carnival Triumph #9-289

Off coast of Cozumel, MX

“Yes!”

Blessed Lord, I love that the very first word out of my mouth to You this morning was, “Yes!” Yes to spending time with You. Yes to the awesome spot of color that I assumed would be a most glorious sunrise. Yes to getting the Bible and other books. And even yes to coming back inside because of the rain.

Lord, how I thank You for the indecision of what to do today. We’re coming in to a port we’ve only recently begun hearing anything about. We don’t want to miss whatever You might have in store for us

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 (12:42 p.m.)

Heading toward New Orleans, LA

How grateful I am to You Dearest Lord that we didn’t miss the opportunity of a delightful day doing whatever came our way. A buggy ride around the city of Cozumel. A swim in the beautifully colored water. A dance in the plaza square ‘con mi esposo’. Completely enjoying salsa for the first time in my life. All because I said “Yes!” to YOU initially.

Lord, thank You for saving me from myself yesterday. Had I not heeded Your invitation to spend the first moments of the day with You, I would not have read, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.” (1Kings 22:5) and would have been even less prepared for the emotional outbursts as they continued coming about throughout the day. It’s time with You, in Your Word that gives me strength to stand up to tears that threaten to dissolve me into a puddle at any given moment.

Lord, I love You. I thank You for this trip. This opportunity to spend time together with much loved ones. Oh look! Tears forming at the outskirts of my emotional realm. Do I fight them? Or just let them fall at will? YOU decide for me Lord. I’ll take my cue from Your Word…

Ah, Yes Lord. The Psalms. Tears. Joy. Seeking. Finding. Feelings. Faith. So much is to be found here in this section of Your Word. Thank You Lord.

Speaking of seeking and finding, I’m going to go take a look around the ship for some of those You have provided for me to love. Thank You for all of them as well Dearest Lord. And of course, here come the tears… AGAIN! This time I will accept them as gifts from You. Say “thank You” and let them fall where they may! Thank You Dearest, Blessed Lord. I love You so incredibly much. Amen.

(432 words ~ 1:27 p.m.)

new and different

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 (8:41 a.m.)

Ambassador Hotel #170

New Orleans, LA

Awesome God,

Good morning. And thank You. Coffee. Cuddles. A very nice way to wake up in a different city. Thank You for new experiences. New tastes [char-broiled oysters! J]. Different foods. New and different attitudes. Thank You Lord.

How I ask You to work in each of us on this very special birthday trip. Work in building and growing and making us into the people you would have us be. We are so used to doing things our own way. Attempting to bring about change

Monday, March 21, 2011 (5:54 a.m.)

Carnival Triumph Cabin #9-289

Channel of Progresso, Mexico

Forgive me Lord. I’m not sure if I’ve been more stubborn or smug. No. It’s casual! I’ve been very casual in my near non-existent approach to You these past few days.

My apple cart had been upset. There was no Internet readily available at my fingertips. A pocket was picked and along with many dollars, a wife’s wedding gift to her husband thirty-four years ago was taken.

These are MINOR incidents! Absolutely NO reasons for me to not bother opening the Bible I was so intent on bringing from home.

Again I ask that You would forgive me Lord. Every single time I’ve experienced something new and different I’ve known I wanted to come spend time alone with You. Instead, I purposefully did not.

When I had the choice between You and Your Word versus the second in a three part series of books I’m reading, we can see from the date stamps on here which I chose. I know from years of experience that it’s never wise for me to hold You at bay.

Thanks for continuing to tap my heart. You haven’t been far from my thoughts this whole trip. You were my First Response, my “go to Guy”, as the pickpocket was being questioned. You were the One who worked in my husband’s heart to decide that he wasn’t about to let that ruin his trip.

Remember how much I admired and appreciated his attitude? I never bothered to come here [alone with You J] to expand on my gratefulness to You. What our son and I witnessed that day on a crowded St. Charles street car in N’Orleans absolutely fell under the ‘new and different’ category!

The man was robbed! He knew it as it was taking place. He confronted the man he believed had taken something from him. And then he let it go. The man. The money. The personally-inscribed money clip. But most importantly, all traces of bitterness or thoughts of revenge.

YOU did that Lord! That new and different response was absolutely from You. Hmm… A new and different response… As much as I’ve been aware of new and different places, experiences and people so far on this trip, it IS new and different responses I’d most like to explore with You right now.

Lord, I invite You in to provide new and different responses for me. As I began this entry so many days ago, ‘we are so used to doing things our own way. Attempting to bring about change - on our own terms.’

“YOU do it!” Lord. YOU provide for us the responses You would have us have. Several times so far this trip I have responded quite unnaturally. I’ve weighed words and situations to determine what I think would be the best response. Work in and through me Lord. Be my first nature! Make it so that the new and different responses I experience are from You.

Keep me so connected to You that You ARE my new and different response! I love You so very much dearest Lord. Forgive my absence. I was being foolish. Selfish. Ridiculous. Stubborn. Naïve. Undisciplined. Childish. Spoiled. Rotten… Ah. The list could go on indefinitely.

But YOU, the One and ONLY God are so much better than I! You do not leave me alone in my self-imposed prison of negativity. No! YOU remind me, in the Truth of Your Word that I am to “Be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19)!

Much like the church of Laodicea, I become spiritually indifferent – lukewarm. As we prepare to go ashore to experience many things that are new and different to us, Lord I ask You to be in full charge and control of my responses. Make me aware of Your incredible presence. And worthy of the gift of Your Son’s precious life.

I love You so much. Thank You for Your willingness to meet with me this morning. Let me not take You for granted like this again. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(784 words ~ 7:33 a.m.)

See also: 1Kings 18:29; I Chronicles 29:9

brand new

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 (7:41 a.m.)

Oh Lordy Lord,

Good morning. We’re on our way. Another adventure. A brand new opportunity to build relationships and celebrate loved ones. Be with us Lord. With us. In us. Near us. (See Colossians 3:10)

10:49 p.m. (CDT)

Ambassador Hotel #170

New Orleans, LA

And build a brand new relationship You did! Lord, You never cease to amaze me! A “chance” meeting [I’m learning that few things are all that “chance” when You are involved J] with a lifelong native of New Orleans resulted in several hours of conversation with this fine young woman.

Lord, thank You for the way You work in and through each of us. You are awesome and I am grateful. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(126 words ~ 11:03 p.m.)

This is the day

Monday, March 14, 2011 (7:15 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed Lord,

This is the day! It’s the birthday of a loved one and the first anniversary of the death of another. Most importantly, it is the day that You have made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!

Beloved God, how I thank You. Thank You for this day. Thank You for this past year. Thank You for our lives in You.

Turning to Psalm 118:24, the scriptural address for the verse above, I drink in the entire psalm. Lord, how I thank You for such poetic truth. Each verse building on thankfulness for Your kind and merciful ways. Reading a variety of translations and paraphrases I am captured and taken to the very heart of wanting to be a true worshiper of Yours.

Oh most dear and generous God, thank You for Your goodness and Your never ending love. Thank You for all You have to teach us.

As I read each verse in this psalm I want to jump right out of my skin in agreement! I want desperately for others not only to know, but to LIVE the truth of these verses.

Lord God, as my thoughts all jumble together in one giant ball of joy, I ask that Your patient hand would come upon me to settle all I want to feel and be and think and do (Mark 12:30) today. Make it so that I glorify You in this very day that You have made. You are God. You are King. Help me live this day that others will not only see, but WANT all You have to offer through life in and through and with You.

There are so many words used to translate the essence of this particular psalm. Today I will add the Contemporary English Version for verse 24 to the mix. “This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today.”

Indeed Lord! This IS the day that You have made! I WILL rejoice and be glad in it. Thank You Lord. Thank You for this day. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your Son. Thank You. Just thank You! I love You. Amen.

(368 words ~ 8:11 a.m.)

John 3:16

Sunday, March 13, 2011 (7:42 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

How I love You! How I thank You. How very grateful I am to You for all You have done for us this past year. You have grown each of us in ways that we could not have imagined. You allowed our strengths and weaknesses to be seen by all. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that You “so loved the world that You gave Your one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). It is in believing Your Truth and promise that our family has continued to grow in faith this past year.

It was exactly one year ago at about this time of the morning that I last had a dialogue with my mom. We smiled and joked together before I left her to her morning routine. Lord God, how I thank You that I got to be there. Thank You that it was going to church and seeing some of her family that she was most excited about that last morning. Thank You too Lord, for the blessed memories we have of the night before. Truly a time well spent with love and laughter, family and food.

You are so good Lord. It absolutely is the truth of Your Word that has enabled each of us to not only function this past year, but to grow in ways we would have never imagined. Believing her to be safe at home with You, we have no worries.

It is the truth of the verse mentioned above that memorializes her on her headstone. “So loved”. Thank You Lord that there for all who will see are the two words that best describe her. “So loved” by You. “So loved” by her family and friends.

Lord, You provide for each of us to live our lives in such a way. Because You “so loved the world” we all have the opportunity to believe in Your one and only Son and “not perish but have eternal life.” Help us make that choice! Teach us what and how it is that we are to live a life so well that when it is over others will remember us as being “so loved”.

Thank You for the love my mom showed for You, for others and herself. Help us to live in the way (Your Way!) that brings honor to her memory and glory to You.

I love You so much dearest Lord. It is in Your precious Son’s name that I pray. Amen!

(428 words ~ 8:38 a.m.)

God is love

Saturday, March 12, 2011 (6:45 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Good morning. I love You. Where do we start this morning? How about with “Thank You!” Your presence surrounded us yesterday. We rather effortlessly accomplished quite a bit around here and I am grateful.

Lord, You are so good. So patient. So kind. Look! The first two descriptions of love (1Corinthians 13:4). Yes Lord. Speak to me this morning about You being love.

Ouch, Lord! I know I asked You to speak to me about You being love, but I didn’t know You would use my own request to prick my conscience as You have.

I went straight to 1 John 4 as it seems I was directed. I paid particular attention to verses 8 and 16 where it says quite plainly “God is love”. I was feeling pretty confident. Maybe even a little puffed up in my thinking. I knew where to turn. I was reading the words songs sing about. We are to love one another. Sure. I’ve got this.

And then I realized. No I don’t. I love those it’s easy for me to love. Those who agree with my way of thinking. Those who don’t hurt my feelings. Other than that? Not so much.

Forgive me Lord. I confess to not going out of my way to hold a grudge, but not completely letting it go either. There are people from my past that I tolerate. I put up with them. I avoid some and refuse to see others. Not love. And sadly for me verse eight says it very plainly, “God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known Him.” Ouch!

Normally I would say that I need to work on this, but instead I am asking YOU to do the work in me. And through me. Avoidance isn’t love. Tolerance isn’t love. Putting up with someone isn’t love. YOU are love!

In the past I would have jumped right in to trying to set things straight with these strained relationships. Here, instead, I am turning to You Lord. I don’t know the first steps to take in repairing, rebuilding, restoring love with certain people. So I come to You. Just as I am. Sinful. Convicted. Willing. Waiting. Asking. You are love Lord. Guide, direct and work through me to show Your love to others. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(395 words ~ 7:56 a.m.)

taking every thought captive

Friday, March 11, 2011 (7:44 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

I love You. I like when You change the direction of my thinking. Several times in these most recent early morning hours, my mind started going one way and a force much greater than myself [which I absolutely believe to be You J] directed it to another. Thank You Lord.

I wonder if this is what Paul was talking about in his second letter to the people of Corinth when he spoke of the importance of taking every thought captive (2Corinthians 10:5). The Message tells it this way (beginning with verse three). “The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair.” True all that! “But we don’t live or fight our battles that way – never have and never will.” Thank You God!

“The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.” Again we are reminded that it is not our own strength and power that accomplishes Your will. “We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.”

You did exactly that for me much earlier this morning Lord. While it was still dark outside my mind started wandering to where it didn’t need to go. Without me consciously having to do anything about it, You just encouraged me not to go there. You reminded me that it was not in my best interest to go on in that direction.

Thank You Lord! Thank You that You have ultimate control of my thought patterns. That does not mean that I couldn’t have chosen otherwise. No. Your gift of free will allows us to choose other than Your best. Thank You that on this particular morning I chose You. Your Will. Your Way!

Verse six finishes up this section by declaring, “Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” Oh most Dear and Holy God, how I ask that this will continue to be the case. Can You just image me obedient and mature? Of course YOU can! How I ask that You will continue providing every single thing I need to be able to practice taking every thought captive. I love You so much Dearest Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(412 words ~ 9:16 a.m.)

Psalm 145

Thursday, March 10, 2011 (6:31 a.m.)

Awesome Blessed God,

I love You. Thank You for Your presence in our lives. You are so good. So kind. In my limitedness in finding words to describe You, I turn to Your Word. Peace immediately comes upon me. Comfort. A settled joy. Again, a sense of Your presence.

Thank You Lord. Thank You for taking me again to the book of Deuteronomy. Thank You for the chance to be reminded of Your mighty acts for the good of Your people. And especially this morning, thank You for the opportunity to pray to You in the words of Psalm 145.

Lord, how I appreciate the chance to “praise You, my God and King, and bless Your name each day and forever” (v.1). What a gift. What a great and glorious gift! Thank You Lord.

Thank You that You ARE ‘great! And greatly to be praised. With greatness beyond discovery’ (v.3). ‘Each generation is to tell its children what glorious things You do’ (v.4).

We are to “meditate about Your glory, splendor, majesty, and miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds shall be on every tongue; I will proclaim Your greatness” (vs. 5-6). Everyone is to “tell about how good You are and sing about Your righteousness” (7).

You are “kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of love” (8). You are “good to everyone” ‘and Your compassion is intertwined with everything You do’ (9).

“All living things shall thank You, Lord, and Your people will bless you. They will talk together about the glory of Your kingdom and mention examples of Your power. They will tell about Your miracles and about the majesty and glory of Your reign. For Your kingdom never ends. You rule generation after generation” (10-13).

Loving Lord, how I thank and praise You for who You are and all You do! You lift “the fallen and those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all mankind look up to You for help; You give them their food as they need it. You constantly satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing” (14-16).

Lord, I am going to pause right here to add that this is particularly easy for me to say because I have more than enough food to eat and water to drink. What of those who do not Lord?

Continuing, I have personal experience with You being ‘fair in everything You do and full of kindness, close to all who call on You sincerely’ (17-18). You ‘fulfill the desires of those who reverence and trust You; You hear their cries for help and rescue them. You protect all those who love You, but destroy the wicked’ (19-20). Because of Your goodness and grace I am able to add a resounding “Yes!” to these attributes of Yours.

Humbly I ask You Dearest Lord to make verse 21 so for me. “I will praise the Lord and call on all men everywhere to bless His holy name forever and forever.” You are so good Dearest Lord. So kind. And I love You so very much. Thank You. Amen.

(517 words ~ 10:19 a.m.)

more than conquerors

Wednesday, March 9, 2011 (6:40 a.m.)

Lord God,

You are amazing! Absolutely, without a doubt, 100% amazing! I woke up ready to whine. I hadn’t even opened my eyes and the things to complain about were already starting. One thought toward You and there was a smile to replace the grimace.

I just love when You do that! Take the “oh poor me” s and put a “Hallelujah! Thank You God” in their place. Thank You Lord.

Just when I was sure Your Word wouldn’t have much to say about the taxes I woke up fretting about, I remembered. You ATE with tax collectors!!! Thank You Lord. You’ve got this! No matter how much I may choose to fret or stew over things I can’t control, the only thing that will change will be my disposition. Going from bad to worse. But by the mere thought of coming to You with something I initially thought was beyond Your interest, my whole attitude changed! Thank You God.

Thank You for bringing me, rather excitedly, into Your presence. And upon arrival here, greeting me with this promise in the form of a calendar given to me by my mom. Thank You God!

“Dear One, ‘You can be a conqueror in all things through My love… for neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers… will separate you from My love…’ Your Heavenly Father (Romans 8:37-39)”

I get to choose to believe You or not. You spoke directly to Moses. The Book of Deuteronomy teaches us much of what You taught him. You laid out for Your people the choice between life and death (30:15-20). Oh, that we would indeed choose life! (v.19)

Lord God, how I thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your Truth and Your promises. Thank You that there is so very much for us to learn and to practice.

Thank You for reminding me that while I indeed may have to pay taxes, NOTHING can separate us from Your love! (Romans 8:35) “No, in all these things [trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword – taxes J -] we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (v. 37).

Oh most dear and bless Lord, thank You! Thank You for coming to earth. Thank You for living. For teaching. For dying. For living again. For rising up. And for promising to come again. Thank You that through You we are more than conquerors. Teach us to live as such. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

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

All in All

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 (6:12 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You! I got to wake up singing to You again. I love when that happens. It took me a bit to figure out what song it was and then I remembered having heard it as we walked into church the other day. What a blessing Lord!

♫You are my strength when I am weak You are the treasure that I seek You are my all in all Seeking You as a precious jewel Lord, to give up I’d be a fool You are my all in all Jesus, Lamb of God Worthy is Your name…♫

So worthy You are. Worthy to be praised. Worthy “to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:11). “Worthy to take the scroll [that is ‘in the right hand of the one sitting on the throne’ (Revelation 5:1)] and break its seals and open it” (v. 9). “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (v. 12).

Worthy Lord. You are worthy! I don’t pretend to understand the symbols of which John wrote in Revelation. Oh, but I am excited to know that You truly ARE my all in all!

♫Taking my sin, my cross, my shame Rising up again I bless Your name You are my all in all When I fall down You pick me up When I am dry You fill my cup You are my all in all Jesus, Lamb of God Worthy is Your name Jesus, Lamb of God Worthy is Your name♫

Thank You Jesus. Thank You “Worthy”. You are my all in all. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

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

1 Corinthians 13:13

Monday, March 7, 2011 (6:34 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

It’s a real slow start here with You this morning. I keep going back and forth trying to find the meaning of the song ♫It’s A Family Affair♫ and a better understanding of 1Corinthians 13:13. Now which of these is of greater value? I’m going with what I can find in Your Word.

So turning again to You Lord, I ask that You would guide and direct my thinking. Maybe I don’t even want better understanding. Perhaps what I’m seeking is better obedience.

Lord, I am confessing to You right now there are many things I know are better for me than the choices I am currently making. It’s like some ineffective little game of childish rebellion. And even in saying that to You Lord, I realize that I have once again fallen into the trap of setting myself up for failure. I keep thinking of the things I want to do and doing something else instead. Isn’t this exactly what the apostle Paul describes in Romans 7:21? “It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong?”

Here he goes on to speak of the struggle within each of us AND the glorious truth that it’s not up to me to buckle down and try harder to do what it is I know is best.

Oh Your goodness Lord! Your great and glorious goodness! For most of the night I struggled with how I know I am not doing the things that are healthiest for me. I chided and scolded myself to no avail. Confessing it all to You, turning in Your Word and reading more about this sinful nature of which Paul so knowingly speaks excites me to no end!

The Cotton Patch Gospel interprets Paul’s words, “The desire to do right is there, but the deed, no. I simply don’t carry through on my good intentions; worse I fall into the habit of doing the bad things I don’t intend.”

But we’re not left here to our own devices! Lord God how I thank You for the documented struggles of others. In verses 24-25 Paul continues, “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.”

The beginning of chapter eight describes the freedom we are offered in the Holy Spirit. “For the power of the life-giving Spirit – and this power is mine through Christ Jesus – has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). It’s YOUR power I need! Not more of my own.

And just exactly where does 1Corinthians 13:13 come into play with all this? It is only because of the faith, hope and love that You promise will remain when all other gifts cease and disappear that I came to You this morning in the first place.

You are good Dear Lord. You are holy. You are all the things that I am not. Your Word tells me I am made in Your image (Genesis 1:27). And I choose to believe that. So with all the faith, hope and love for You that I have, I ever so humbly ask to be included in the blessing Paul left with the Corinthians at the very end of his second letter (13:14). “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Thank You most blessed Lord. I love You. Amen.

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

love

Sunday, March 6, 2011 (6:27 a.m.)

Dearest Lord,

I love You. And that is exactly what I want to talk with You about this morning. Love. Your love for us. Our love for You. Loving one another and ourselves.

Paul described it for the Corinthians in his first letter to them. Looking in the Subject Index of the back of The Illustrated Bible Handbook, I see that there is far more to this discussion than just a couple oft-quoted verses.

Lord, thank You that You love us so much that You provide so many opportunities for us to learn what it is to truly love and be loved by You.

Well, isn’t this just about the biggest surprise of the day! I thought I was coming to look more deeply at 1Corinthians 13:4-7. Yet here I am instead in John’s first letter to an unnamed group of early churches.

Lord, You are amazing! You take what I think I’m going to do and completely lead me somewhere else. Thank You Lord. Thank You for never leaving me alone to my own devices. Thank You too for helping me heed Your guidance.

This short (five chapter) letter is jam-packed with important information for each of us. There’s an “Invitation to Joy” (1John 1:1-4). And three separate and distinct calls: one is to “Walk in the Light” (1:5-2:29). Another is to “Walk in Love” (3:1-4:19). And the third is to “Walk by Faith” (5:1-21).

Lord, I have to leave right now to go prepare to worship and adore You at two different services. As we have just begun to scratch the surface of You teaching me what it is to truly love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and others as myself (Mark 12:30-31) I ask You to come along with me. Go before to show the way, behind to encourage, beside as my Friend, above to watch over and within to give me peace.

I do indeed love You so very much. Keep working to perfect Your love in and through me Lord. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

Goody, Goody!

Saturday, March 5, 2011 (7:47 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I love You! I woke humming ♫Goody Goody♫ In checking the words I knew immediately that it’s not something I would sing of You. Even with the ‘hurray and hallelujah’s involved, it just doesn’t represent Your kind of love.

Thank You Lord for another surprise. Another glimpse of grace! Another chance to read of betrayal and giving in to manipulation as an expression of love. And just where am I finding this example in Your Word this morning? In Judges 13-16. The story of Samson and Delilah.

Lord. You are so incredibly awesome. I thought for sure I had been completely off base when I first came to You singing ♫Goody Goody♫ but now I am just so excited [AGOG J] to read more that I can hardly contain myself. Thank You Lord. Thank You.

Under the sidebar section of ‘Weaknesses and Mistakes’ I read that Samson abused the gift of strength You had given him. He was motivated by revenge rather than by righteousness [much like this song!]. He allowed lust to cloud his thinking. And because Delilah valued riches over relationships she betrayed Samson and lied to him.

How little things have changed in so many relationships today. Thank You Lord that we have Your Word to come to. We have examples of such dysfunction dating back all those many years.

Lord, how I thank You for bringing me here this morning. Never would I have guessed that such a catchy little song would lead me to look more deeply into this story of the misuse of power and love. Wow! God. You are good! REALLY good! J

I am reading parts to this story that I have overlooked before. Oh Your goodness Lord! Your great and glorious goodness. Thank You for bringing me to this detailed description of ‘the maturity of a young boy stuffed inside an incredibly strong and gifted adult exterior’. Here we have another example of things not always being what they appear.

And thank You too Lord for this story that doesn’t just end with all its lies and deception. No. Even after all Samson’s faults and failings, when he finally called out asking for Your strength You answered him. In such a grand and glorious way that his name is listed in the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith”.

Lord God, how I thank You for the opportunity to be reminded with such detail that YOUR Way is indeed the best Way! The way of this world leads straight to death and destruction. Ah but Your Way Lord is indeed good. Thank You Lord. To this I can wholeheartedly say, “Goody, goody!” I love You. Amen.

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

from fog to love

Friday, March 4, 2011 (6:16 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

You are just so doggone good! Only You could take me from looking around at the fog and remind me [again! J] of Your description of love. Oh most dear and precious Lord, You are indeed SO good!

Thank You Lord. I was surprised with the fog this morning. Shocked not to be able to see across the street. How often do the things of this world, that are not loving, blind us from Your Truth of the things that are?

Blessed Lord, I read in Your Word about love. I so sincerely want to be able to love You, others and myself as Paul explains in chapter thirteen of his first letter to the people of Corinth.

As happens on occasion while considering the things Paul lists here as to what love is [as well as what it is not] I was again reminded of the cartoon strip “Love is…” Lord, it is not only daily reminders I need of what love truly is. I require moment-to-moment, situational cues.

I confess to You Lord, my nature still tends to run more toward my feelings, my desires, my own ‘take’ on things. Help me in this Lord. Keep working at making me more “kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude” (1Corinthians 13:4). I no longer want to be ‘selfish or quick tempered, keeping a record of wrongs others do’ (5). I want so much to be one who “rejoices in the truth, but not in evil, is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting” (6-7).

While these things still don’t come naturally to me Lord, I’ve seen You work. I’ve watched how You change people. It’s a little like glancing again out the window just now to see the fog that had momentarily lifted come rolling in again.

The Message offers these words, “When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good (11). We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us! (12) But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love (13).

Oh Most Dear and Blessed God, how I humbly ask that You would indeed teach me to love extravagantly. I confess to continuing to keeping score and counting the cost. Let me learn to love freely. Healthfully. Wholeheartedly. With all I am, all I feel, all I think and all I do (Mark 12:30). I love You Lord. Thank You again for taking me from fog to love. I love You. Amen.

(501 words ~ 7:42 a.m.)

resisting

Thursday, March 3, 2011 (11:17 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

I am resisting You. And FINALLY I am grateful even for that! It is by confessing myself that true worship of You can begin.

Thank You Lord. Thank You that even though something happened yesterday to clog communication lines, I don’t have to allow whatever it was to continue to hold me down. I may not have been able to stand up against it in my own strength and power, but in turning to You my whole attitude is changing.

I confess to You Lord. I was trying to manufacture change on my own, with what I know to be true. I tried singing of ♫Blue skies Smiling at me…♫ but my outlook remained dismal.

The moment I confessed to resisting You, the Truth of James 4:7 came flooding in. “Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you.” My own feeble attempt to resist him is next to pointless when done without YOUR power and authority!

Lord God, how I thank You for lifting me [AGAIN J] out of this familiar pit of my own choosing. It didn’t take near as long this time. Not even eighteen hours. That’s much better than the days and weeks of grudge holding I’ve been known for.

You are good Lord! Faithful and good. Thank You for allowing me to come to You EXACTLY as I am, but not leaving me like that! I came resisting. You send me out rejoicing. Thank You Lord!

May I ask for Your strength and Your power, YOUR guidance and encouragement in the things needed to be done around here today? Heartily I surrender to You. To Your will and to Your Way. Lead me that I don’t attempt to take off on my own again. I love You far too much for that. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(311 words ~ 12:14 p.m.)

Your presence, Lord

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 (6:36 a.m.)

Awesome God,

What a nice way to wake up. In Your presence, Lord. I look out the window at such beauty. I turn in Your Word and find even more.

Lord God, how I thank You for making me one of Your own. Thank You that when I think of You it is with full esteem and reverence. How blessed we are to be allowed in Your presence, Lord.

Thank You that in looking to Your Word concerning Your presence, I came to Psalm 89. ‘A praise psalm magnifying your rule and righteousness’. In turning to it I again get to be reminded that You ‘created and sustain everything that exists.’ You are incredibly powerful. The perfect place for us to come in our own powerlessness.

In just beginning to read the first verse, I start singing it instead. ♫I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever I will sing I will sing… And with my mouth will I make know Thy faithfulness… to all generations♫ What a blessing You are Lord. An absolute, genuine blessing.

Because of this fallen world, we can get depressed, distracted. But taking a good, hard look at Psalm 89 we are reminded of the covenant agreement You made with David. We get to read of Your love, Your faithfulness, Your presence, Lord.

And even in doing that Dearest Lord, another song comes to the forefront. ♫Whom have I in heaven, but You? There is nothing on earth I desire besides You. My heart and my strength, many times they fail; But there is one truth that always will prevail! God is the strength of my heart… and my portion forever♫

Oh, how I thank You for reminding me of the importance of staying in Your presence, Lord!

Back to Psalm 89. “You are entirely faithful” (v.8). ‘You rule the oceans, subdue their storm-tossed waves’ (9).

“The heavens are Yours, and the earth is Yours; everything in the world is Yours – You created it all” (11). “Powerful is Your arm! Strong is Your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before You as attendants. Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, Lord” (13-15).

Ah, the light of Your presence, Lord. “They will rejoice all day long in Your wonderful reputation. They exult [show or feel elation] in Your righteousness. You are their glorious strength. It pleases You to make us strong. Yes, our protection comes from the Lord,” (16-18a).

Oh most dear and loving Lord, keep me right here in the light of Your presence. It is You and You only that I long to serve. Keep working in me that I will truly be able to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and my neighbor as myself (Mark 12:30-31). Thank You. I love You Lord. Amen.

(506 words ~ 8:09 a.m.)

providence

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 (6:58 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Wow! Beautiful! Beautiful sky. Beautiful words. Beautiful sentiment. Beautiful You! Thank You Lord.

Thank You for beautiful rest. And even with all that, the word for today is NOT ‘beautiful’. It’s providence.

Teach me about Your providence Dearest Lord. I’m not real familiar with the word and all it describes. But I am intrigued!

I first came across it just now in a quote from Augustine. “Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.” Trust. You. Past. Present. Future. Mercy. Love. These are all words with which I have a vague understanding. Providence is fairly unfamiliar to me.

Job understood it though Lord. According to the New International Version, chapter ten, verse twelve. In crying out to You about his then current circumstances he told You, “You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in Your providence watched over my spirit.” He knew he had been in Your protective care.

I know that too Lord. I look around me. I recognize blessings that come directly from life in You. “Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” (Philippians 4:7 Contemporary English Version) comes immediately to mind.

Reading various versions of the verse from Job I am thrilled at the degree of honesty with which we are allowed to approach You. Lord, how I thank You that we truly can ‘trust the past to Your mercy, the present to Your love and the future to Your providence’. Providence – the protective care of God. Mm. Yes. Lord. Sign me up for trusting You with ALL I am. All I feel. All I think. And all I have. Loving You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). Keep growing and building me Lord. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(333 words ~ 8:45 a.m.)