storms

Saturday, April 30, 2011 (9:27 EDT)

Drury Inn Birmingham, AL

Loving Lord,

I haven’t been here with You these past few days because I honestly didn’t know how to start. I knew tears would be involved [they are] and I was afraid. Afraid that once I started to let them fall I wouldn’t be able to stop them.

Lord, I want to thank You for our safety and that of those around us on this particular visit to the storm beaten south. Oh, but Lord there are SO very many that did not fair nearly as well. Thank You Lord for our son who wants to help others. Thank You for the opportunity to offer hugs to those in need of them.

Blessed Lord, I confess to You the opportunity I missed the other day to share You and Your Word with one who was truly terrified. I used the rationale that I didn’t know her well enough. But that’s not at all true is it? Having just met her, I knew her well enough to hold her until I felt her give in to the emotion and relax. But when I thought to offer to pray with her. I choked. I thought my way out of it. Forgive me Lord.

I wanted to call upon Your Word right then and there, but nothing came. Looking last night under HELP IN TIME OF NEED in the Bible placed in our room by The Gideons, I came to Psalm 121. Listed under the heading “Protection in Time of DANGER”.

There we truly were, in the very real danger of the passing storm. How I sincerely wish I had had the words of this exact psalm to offer. I had Your essence. I KNEW You were in charge. I confessed my own fear to You at the time. But I didn’t share that knowledge when I knew full well that I could/should have. Again I ask Dearest Lord that You would forgive me.

So here I am Loving Lord, ready, willing and able to do the very next best thing. I will write this offering out and have it passed along to her. You are our every strength in times of trouble. It IS in You that “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Help me Lord to not only stand on that very truth, but to SHARE it as well.

I love You Lord. I need You and I truly long to share You with others. Thank You for this desire. Make me able to follow through on it. I love You. Amen.

(437 words ~ 10:02 a.m.)

interesting

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 (5:02 a.m.)

Beautiful Lord,

It’s interesting. I woke up singing ♫Joyful, Joyful, we adore Thee♫. Part way down the hall I realized it had changed to ♫Beautiful One♫. The most interesting thing about it is that I didn’t notice when it happened.

Lord. Thank You for helping me sing. Thank You that even when all the words aren’t right here with me, often times I find them rather easily.

(6:38 a.m.)

But I didn’t stay here with You, Lord. I was feeling especially tired and went back to lay down. And now what I am experiencing is sadness. Deep. Powerful. Seemingly overwhelming sadness. Do You know from whence it comes?

I am on the verge of tears. It seems that just about anything would send me right over the edge. Rather than stay there trying to figure it out on my own, I’m turning to You Dearest Lord. The ♫Beautiful One I love Beautiful One I adore♫ to the ♫Beautiful One my soul must sing♫

And right there in the midst of singing to You, something I read last evening just ‘popped’ into my mind. “Spiritual DNA”. Hmm. Interesting.

As much as I don’t understand the science of physical DNA, I’ve just recently begun to again ‘embrace my inner giant’. I’m tall, Lord. You know that. You knew it before I was born (Psalm 139:13). Because of something in my physical DNA make-up, I’ve been considered tall my whole life. The weight may go up or down. The height? Not so much. I can wear flats to try and minimize it, but it’s not going to change. Stand tall and be proud or slouch and try to hide it. It’s my choice. But I can’t change the truth. I’m tall.

Today I’m examining Bible verses that reference our Spiritual make-up. Isaiah 49:1, “Listen to me, all of you in far-off lands: The Lord called me before my birth. From within the womb He called my name.” Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before you were formed within your mother’s womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.” Romans 8:29, “For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him – and all along He knew who would – should become like His Son, so that His Son would be the First, with many brothers.”

Lord, I won’t pretend to understand any of this. I’m tall because my dad was tall and so was his. It’s in my physical DNA. I’m Yours because You said so. Not only do I find this interesting, I think it’s fascinating!

Emotionally, right now, I’m a wreck. Physically? I’m tall. Spiritually? Rock solid in the Truth that You created and called me to be Yours. Lord, I love You. I’m not going to try and figure any of this out. I’m just going to rest in Your Truth. Trust it. Allow it to wash over me.

Interesting, Lord. VERY interesting! Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(505 words ~ 7:46 a.m.)

ridiculous

Monday, April 25, 2011 (7:24 a.m.)

Beloved Lord,

I am behaving ridiculously. Pouting. Sullen. My feelings got hurt and I’m not willing to let it go without an apology. This is in NO way good behavior on my part. I am not honoring You. There is bitterness and resentment and all kinds of justifications brewing. And here I sit. Believing one thing (I must forgive), yet doing another (holding a grudge).

Work in me here Lord. I am told in Your Word (Philippians 4:13) that ‘I can do all things through YOU who gives me strength’. Soften my heart. Make me willing to drop my guard. Ridiculous doesn’t look good on me. It’s not my strong suit. It goes against everything You suffered and died for.

You offered forgiveness to those who crucified You. And I’m waging war because I didn’t like a tone of voice. Ridiculous, Lord! Forgive me I pray.

I could choose to just let the whole thing go. I could offer up a good heaping dose of mercy and grace. I could take another stab at turning the other cheek. I could. But I haven’t.

For more than fourteen hours I have nursed this grudge. I’ve ever so quietly called names. I’ve built up my case in my mind. And through it all I’ve waited for the object of my scorn to notice. To care. This is NOT Your best for me! I know this.

I sit here Lord. With Your Word in my hands. I read. I believe. And I attempt. And then recoil.

I begin to pray. The Serenity Prayer has merit. Even The Lord’s Prayer. But I don’t want to do anything so casually. So rote. Instead? I pout. I sulk. I continue to hold on to gunk that does not glorify You in any way, shape, or form.

The best I can do right now is to confess to You, using the words of the prodigal son in Luke 15:21. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and You, and am not worthy of being called Your son [in this case daughter].”

I waged a war I stood no chance of winning. Using ridiculous earthly weapons of silence, passive aggression, self-righteousness and justifications.

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned! Rather than ask You to make me an instrument of Your peace, I set out intentionally to sow hatred instead of love. I offered injury rather than pardon. Darkness, not light. Sadness, not joy.

Continuing with this prayer from St. Francis of Assisi I ever so humbly ask You “Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.”

Forgive me Lord that I didn’t come straight to You with all of this last night as soon as I recognized what was going on. Thank You for Your willingness to wait me out and to love me anyway!

The Life Recovery Bible commentary of Luke 15:20-24 says “The father’s great compassion for his younger son portrays God’s response to anyone who repents. Like the father in this story, God waits for the addict or sinner to come to his senses and return of his own volition.”

Here I am, Dad! SO tired of being ridiculous! Thank You that You are willing to love me no matter how ridiculous I may behave.

One last quote about this section of Scripture is from a devotion entitled Restoration. “The fact that we are able to recognize our life as degenerate or insane proves that there is hope for a better life. We are reminded of a time when life was good, and we long to have it restored. When we turn in the direction of God who is more powerful, who represents the memory of something better, we will find the Power who can restore us to sanity.”

Thank You Lord. I forgot. I slipped. I fell. I dug myself into a much deeper hole than necessary. And You were ever willing to help me up – JUST like You did Peter when he took his eyes off of You while walking on the water (Matthew 14:31). Paraphrasing this verse only to fit this occasion, I read it as such “O girl of little faith, why were you so ridiculous?”

Thank You Lord that even in this, You rescued me first and then asked the question. Thank You Lord. Now can we go play together?

There’s much to be done around here today. And I won’t be able to accomplish a single thing without You. I love You so very much and I am ever so grateful that Your forgiveness for me is SO much greater than mine for others. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(828 words ~ 9:09 a.m.)

tears

Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 (6:30 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

You are risen! You are risen indeed! Never do I remember the tears streaming down my face at just the reciting of this Truth. Oh, look! Here they come again.

Never can I thank You enough Dearest Lord. You came. You taught. You obeyed. You suffered. Then died. You were buried. People mourned. And You rose. All so that those who believe in You would be saved. I’ve given this a lot of lip service through the years. But this morning Lord, Your Truth goes extraordinarily deep!

Thank You Lord. Thank You that for all the years I have sought to reenact that ‘perfect’ sunrise service shared with my brother eight years ago, this particular rainy morning is succeeding in it’s own way. It has none of the physical beauty. There was only one small glimpse of color caught through the bathroom window. But the Truth Lord. YOUR Truth is practically SCREAMING at me in the softest, most gentle ways. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that even though the roll dough requested for the celebration dinner in honor of Your Resurrection didn’t rise like it was supposed to, it’s okay. Because YOU did! Thank You.

Thank You for the unusually loud singing of the birds this morning. Many of them, Lord. All together. In great chorus. It was beautiful. And very brief. Just enough for us to imagine them joining together to announce Your Good News to one another, "Christ is risen!" "He is risen indeed!"

It’s rainy and dreary outside. Not at all what I would normally describe as ‘the best Easter sunrise service ever’. Ah, but Lord. I think it just might be! Another layer of YOUR power and the hope is coming alive for me here in Your Word.

Here in the commentaries for Luke, chapter twenty-four, in The Life Recovery Bible, your disciples are described as having “showed complete helplessness in dealing with the circumstances at hand.” How often do we today resemble that statement?

“But after the Resurrection, in the book of Acts, a new Power enabled them to recover their courage and go into the world with the message of God’s Good News.” This Power is available to each and every one of us! It’s ‘greater than death itself and is more than able to help us overcome our dependencies and compulsions.’

This Truth is not new to me. But somehow the following sentence brings an element I’ve never truly considered. “The Resurrection is the very source of our recovery.” Lord, I am asking You this morning that I would not only believe this Truth. I want to LIVE it Lord. In YOUR Power! The mighty Power of Your Resurrection!

As I continue in this particular Eastertide, I ask You to prepare me to truly be ready to receive the Power of Your Holy Spirit. That I would use it well in becoming the woman of Yours that You have deemed me to be.

I love You Lord. And like the little girl part of me that still remembers holding a flower in my hand to place on the cross at the front of the church once again I sing on Easter morning, ♫Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! ♫

Praise You indeed Blessed Lord! ♫Hymns of praise then let us sing… Unto Christ, our heavenly King… Alleluia! ♫

Thank You Dearest Lord. I love You so much. Happy Easter. Amen.

(598 words ~ 8:04 a.m.)

appropriate

Saturday, April 23, 2011 (7:36 a.m.)

Beloved God,

Since around 2:30 this morning I’ve been thinking about today. With yesterday having been Good Friday, in my humble opinion today could very appropriately be known as Sad Saturday. And in some Internet searching I confirm that what I have been feeling ever since first having a conscious thought SO much earlier this morning is indeed appropriate.

Thank You for leading me Lord. Thank You for guiding me to a couple of sites which endorse my thinking. In two of them I read that today is often referred to as Holy Saturday or even Easter Saturday. I also learn of “The Easter Triduum” ~ “The Three Days” beginning Thursday evening of Holy Week with Holy Communion [to commemorate Your Last Supper] and ending with evening prayers on Easter Sunday.

Lord, how I thank You for showing me the appropriateness of the ‘lowered feeling tones’ surrounding me this morning. Thank You also that after falling back to sleep much earlier, I awoke with the Truth of Psalm 30:5. “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Blessed Lord, reading more of the accounts of Your last days I truly thank You that we have the expanded version of knowing what takes place at the tomb on Easter Sunday. Thank You Lord that we are not without hope!

One site says this about Holy Saturday, “This is the seventh day of the week, the day Jesus rested in the tomb.” What a unique way of presenting that dark day in history. I never thought of You ‘resting in the tomb’.

This same site in describing “The Days of Holy Week” tells of some church services that observe a “Service of Darkness [or Shadows]” on the evening of Good Friday where ‘Scripture readings and meditation are done in stages with lights or candles that are gradually extinguished to symbolize the growing darkness not only of Jesus’ death but of hopelessness in the world without God.’

Yes Lord, how I thank You for confirming that this feeling of sadness is appropriate! The writer of this particular webpage again refers to today as “traditionally a day of quiet meditation as Christians contemplate the darkness of a world without a future and without hope apart from God and His grace.” Oh Dearest Lord, how appropriate sadness would be if that were true!

Another webpage writer refers to the vigil that some people keep to remember the faithfulness of the women at the tomb, “even when it didn’t make sense”. He goes on to say that ‘sometimes the best you can do is to stay faithful to God when He doesn’t make sense, or after your dreams have died, or your life is in shambles, or after you’re doing great and life is good’.

He goes on to say how You, Lord, remain faithful to us, even when we are unfaithful to You. And then he ends with this most appropriate blessing. “May this day be for you a vigil of faithfulness to the One who is faithful to you, even should you fail to keep watch and pray. And then, may your Easter encounter with the Risen Christ – who, it turns out, is establishing His realm, and it’s not business as usual – may this Lord of Life surprise you with a healthy dose of new life.”

Oh most Dear and Precious Lord, how I thank You for guiding and directing me in learning more of what today truly represents. You are so good and I am so grateful. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(601 words ~ 9:22 a.m.)

sacrifice

Good Friday, April 22, 2011 (7:17 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

Today marks the day that You made the ultimate sacrifice for the benefit of mankind. I can’t even begin to imagine all it took for You to endure the seemingly unendurable.

I’ve been reading this morning of Your willingness and Your sacrifice. The sacrifice I can’t fathom, but am truly grateful.

Lord Jesus, I didn’t plan to be reading in Hebrews this morning. In fact my thoughts are spinning as I am referred back to Genesis and the original sacrifice. In chapter three, verse 21, animals were slain to provide skins to clothe the couple who brought sin into the world.

Coming back over to Hebrews 10, I read more of Your sacrifice and how it truly paid the price once for all. As I continue hungering and thirsting to know more, I read backward in this book. Chapter 9 titles You as “the Perfect Sacrifice” and lists more of the old rules of worship. Chapter 8 names You as “Our High Priest” and tells what all that entails. Chapter 7 describes You as “like Melchizedek” which takes me to Psalm 110 and Genesis 14:18-20 to learn even more about how Your sacrifice ties it all together.

And throughout the reading and the meditating and the peacefulness I get to experience because of Your great sacrifice on my behalf, a tune continues to ebb and flow within me. Finally recognizing and looking it up I get to sing to You ♫and I love You for the cross I’m overwhelmed by the mystery I love You for the cost That Jesus You would do this for me When You were broken, You were beaten, You were punished, I go free You were wounded and rejected In Your mercy – I am healed♫

Lord, this Truth is so very hard to wrap my head around! Instead of even trying to understand it any deeper, I truly just want to accept and embrace Your sacrifice on my behalf. To sing wholeheartedly and with such appreciation ♫I will love You for the cross And I will love You for the cost Man of sufferings Bringer of my peace You came into a world of shame and paid the price we could not pay Death that brought me life Blood that brought me home… By Your wounds I am healed… For the cross I thank You Oh Lord, for the cross…

Yes Lord. Thank You for Your sacrifice of the cross. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(419 words ~ 9:06 a.m.)

good God

Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011 (3:57 a.m.)

Good and Gracious God,

Here I thought I was going to talk to You about it again being so early, and just one word in, I’d rather learn more about how good You are.

(6:43 a.m.)

Thank You Lord. After finding two verses (Psalm 34:8 and Matthew 19:17) in The Message that refer to You as good, I got to go back to sleep with that on my mind. Two verses which open the channel to all kinds of thoughts and ideas. Make me aware of Your truth here Lord.

The verse in Matthew quotes Jesus as saying, “Why do you question me about what is good. God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what He tells you.” Well, that sure seems easy enough! Ah, but that it were!

This is where I come along, in all my humanness and complicate things. Thank You Lord that You are ever near to remind each and every one of us to keep things simple. Which takes me over to the whole of Psalm 34.

1. Bless God every chance I get

2. Live and breathe God

3. Join together in spreading the news and getting the word out

4. Seek the Lord and be freed from anxious fears

5. “Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him.”

6. When desperate, call out and let God get me out of a tight spot

7. “God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.”

8. “Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see – how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him.

9. “Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all His goodness.”

10. “…God-seekers are full of God.”

11. Come, listen, receive

12. Love life? Desire beauty?

13. Guard tongue, no more lying

14. “Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace – don’t let it get away!”

15. You keep an eye on Your friends, Your ears pick up every moan and groan

16. You won’t put up with rebels; You’ll cull them from the pack

17. Anyone crying for help? You are listening, ready to rescue

18. You are right there for the broken-hearted; helping those kicked in the gut catch their breath

19. “Disciples so often get into trouble; still God is there every time.”

20. You are our bodyguard, shielding every bone; that not even a finger gets broken

21. “The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating good.”

22. You pay for each slaves freedom; NO ONE who runs to You loses out

It’s all right here Lord! Telling us exactly how to live our days in You. Sitting here, reading Your Truth, trying desperately to absorb it into every fiber of my being, knowing that when I leave the confines of our time together here in Your Word, human nature will again fight for ultimate bragging rights of my soul.

Jesus said that You are the One who is good and that we are to just do what You tell us. Make it so Dearest Lord. Work in and through me so I will be able to ‘just do what You tell me’. I love You so darned much. Thank You for loving me first! Amen.

(560 words ~ 8:39 a.m.)

Friend Jesus

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 (4:01 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

You DO have a way about You! I wasn’t planning to be up right now. When I first looked at the clock, I read it as being much later than what it really was. But here we are.

(9:58 a.m.)

And there we were. For about an hour. Until I went back to sleep and had some pretty strange dreams.

Lord. While I was here earlier, and the thought that had brought me here in the first place, was that of You as my Friend. Having heard the song ♫But I’d like to get to know you♫ just last night, I am keenly aware of how very much I WOULD like to get to know You! I want to know You as Lord. Master. Friend!

Once again I find myself reading the fifteenth chapter of John. Verse thirteen, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” is what brought me here. You did this for me Lord. Willingly. Sacrificially. It’s what we mourn tomorrow through Saturday and sing Hallelujahs about this coming Easter Sunday morning.

Friend Jesus, I can’t even begin to thank and praise You enough for Your obedience to the Father on behalf of all fallen mankind. Our earthly existence is under a death sentence and because of Your willingness to sacrifice Your will for the Father’s (Luke 22:42) we are invited into Love and Joy Perfected (subheading for verses 9-17).

The Message presents the truth of these verses thus “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done – kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in His love” (9-10).

The verses preceding these deal with You as the true vine, Your Father as the gardener (1) and the need for us to live in You, to make our home in You just as You do in us (4). Other translations use the words “remain”, “abide” or “stay joined”. They talk about the need of being connected to You as a prerequisite to our “bearing” or “producing” fruit.

Blessed, Beloved Lord, how I thank You for shedding new light on these verses for me today.

Yesterday I asked You to again show me more about joy and right here in verse eleven You are doing exactly that. “I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow!” (TLB)

The Message goes on, telling us to love one another (12), calling us Your friends (14), no longer servants (15) as well as fruit bearers (16). Friend Jesus, I truly want nothing more than to be Your friend. To live with You. Make my home in You. Make it so Dearest Lord. Empower me to fully obey verse seventeen. “But remember the root command: Love one another.”

Yes Friend Jesus. Make it so! I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(514 words ~ 12:49 p.m.)

joy

Tuesday, April 19, 2011 (6:15 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Much earlier I had a song. It kept me good company throughout the predawn hours. I planned to come look up the words and continue singing it to You. But instead I want You to speak to me again about joy. Would that be okay?

On Sunday Pastor Ed referenced joy as being constant. It doesn’t rise and fall because of happenings. No. That’s happiness. It doesn’t have loud crescendos or places of great emphasis. He said, “Joy is like the cello line of the symphony.”

While looking up ‘cello line’ just now, I again got distracted and started to click on other things Internet related. And there You were singing to me again. The same song I couldn’t think of just moments ago. ♫You alone are the matchless King♫

Lord. How I thank You. I NEED Your reminders! Left to my own devices, I tend to take myself so very far away from You.

Thank You that in the wait time for looking thinks up, I started reading through the calendar days of Cherished Thoughts. One by Wilfred Peterson presents the truth that “Joy is the flag you fly when the Prince of Peace is in residence within your heart.” Yes Lord! You in my life HAS to equal out to joy!

So where do we go from here? I remember seeking joy this past summer. Whenever circumstances weren’t to my liking I looked past them, ever searching for that illusive mother lode of joy.

Oh but it’s not illusive at all is it Lord? In our Treasury of God’s Virtues, under the photo of a bright yellow bird sitting on a limb is the following “Open Up to Joy We miss so much joy just because we don’t open ourselves up to all there is to enjoy. We can choose to embrace all the joy that today has to bring. There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousand truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing a while upon the roof and then fly away. HENRY WARD BEECHER, LIFE THOUGHTS (1858)”.

Lord God. I long to open up to joy! In reading again of Paul’s letter to the Philippians in The Life Recovery Bible, another recovery theme points out, “When we admit our powerlessness and turn our life over to God, we not only start our recovery but also take our first steps toward finding true joy. We can have joy even during the tough times – because joy does not come from outward circumstances, but from inward strength. Joy comes from knowing Christ personally and from depending on His strength and power on a daily basis.”

How perfect that this truth would lead me straight back to the underlying verse I have been thinking since first beginning our interchange about joy. Nehemiah 8:10, “… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” I keep getting it backwards Lord. Still I attempt summoning up the strength to find the joy.

Open me up to joy, Lord. The cello line in Your great symphony of life. I love You so very much. Thank You. Amen.

(547 words ~ 8:21 a.m.)

think!

Monday, April 18, 2011 (4:11 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Most dear and blessed Lord. It’s early. REALLY early. Far earlier than I want to be up. But I’m here to thank You Lord. Thank You for reminding me to think.

I woke up aware that there was no song. I laid there wondering what to do and thought of Pooh Bear tapping his temple saying, “Think, think, think.” The very next thing my mind was singing those exact words.

♫Think, think, think on these things. Think on the things that are lovely. Think, think… Think on the things that are good♫

With that in mind Lord, I’m going to try to go back to sleep for a bit. I love You. I thank You. Help me think on the things listed in Philippians 4:8.The things that are “true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable… things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Yes Lord. Help me think on the things that are pleasing to You! I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(175 words ~ 5:02 a.m.)

delight

Sunday, April 17, 2011 (6:10 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

What delight! Birds are singing and chirping [and flitting around in the tree across the street J]. The view toward the west wasn’t all that special as I walked down the hall. But I honestly felt about five years old with my first sight toward the east. A very unexpected “Oh!” escaped my mouth without my even knowing it was there. True delight Lord!

Thank You for this honor and privilege. I get to witness such beauty AND commune with You about it all. You have blessed me so much Dearest Lord. Thank You!

Today I meet You in Psalm 147, described as “Praise to God, who ‘delights in those who fear Him’.” It begins and ends with, “Praise the Lord!” That is exactly how I long to approach each and every day. Praising You from the beginning to the end.

As I’ve read this same Psalm in countless versions this morning, the intense beauty with which the day began has faded. In less than thirty minutes the brilliance of color has become dull and ordinary. Thank You Lord that You NEVER change! (Malachi 3:6) You are “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

And just as I am getting ready to get started with the rest of the day, there is a bigger “Aha!” than I remember having in such a long time. As exciting as this chapter has been for me, I came back to it and read 146 ‘by mistake’ [Are there really mistakes with You Lord? J] It too begins and ends with “Praise the Lord!” [Thank You that I AM noticing a pattern here! J]

In reading the commentaries at the bottom of the page a new awareness has come to me that I have never considered before. Truly Lord, I am AGOG (excited to tell)! Because of a bracket I had previously written there, I know I’ve read this section before. But not in this way.

Lord, through the years I have struggled when reading Your Word when it refers to our enemies. I don’t know what it’s like to be chased into a cave fearing for my life. Or do I?

This one little line, at the bottom of the page shed new light on something I don’t remember ever exploring before. The sentence before gives a little build up. “There is always hope when God is brought into the picture, because there is nothing greater than God’s power.” Amen to that!

Oh, but here it comes… “He is able to provide for all our needs and is never overwhelmed by the problems or dependencies that we call our enemies.” Oh Your goodness Lord! Or better still, as I had just typed it, “Oh Your GODNESS!!!!”

Lord, thank You. Thank You that You would meet me here with such delight. Thank You that every single day there is something new and exciting to consider. Help me use this day to Your glory Dearest Lord. I love You. Thank You that I get to be counted as one in whom You delight. You “take no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear Him, those who put hope in His unfailing love.”

Thank You Lord. Praise You! Amen.

(553 words ~ 7:23 a.m.)

"created to be"

Friday, April 15, 2011 (6:46 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Good morning. Hi.

(11:57 a.m.)

And I’m back! In a MUCH better frame of mind, thank You very much. I couldn’t figure out why even the beauty of the sky wasn’t of much interest to me so much earlier this morning. It wasn’t until I confessed “GRUMPY” to the husband that I figured it out.

We watched a movie that left me extremely unsettled last night. I hadn’t given it much thought. But with just a tiny bit of interaction, BAM! There it was.

Thank You Lord. Thank You that You created us to be like You. Thank You that in reminding me of this right now I truly feel as if I could just snuggle down into Your Word. Wrapped in Its healing truth and relax. Thank You Lord. Thank You that Your Word is alive

Saturday, April 16, 2011 (6:57 a.m.)

… and available to each of us. Lord, I realize that I keep pulling away from You. I come to You readily enough. But just when we start going deeper into Your Word together, I run away. Whether it’s emotionally, mentally or physically, I know that I keep pulling back from You.

I don’t know if it’s because I fear something in particular, or if I’m just not ready for You to work in me as You might desire. What I do know right now is that I want to stay here with You this morning.

As I began waking up I was blessed by some words and phrases of a song. It took very little time before I had the melody with which to sing ♫Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death♫ Blessed Lord how I thank You that little by little the words kept coming. ♫I will fear no evil For my God is with me And if my God is with me Whom then shall I fear Whom then shall I fear♫

Thank You too for the ease with which I came across the entire song just now. Not remembering the title (You Never Let Go) or artist (Matt Redman) I typed in only “Whom then shall I fear lyrics” and found it on the very first click. Thank You Lord.

How protected and loved I am by You. My mind takes me to a myriad of things for which to be afraid. People, places and things – oh my!

Too often I allow those fears to distract me from spending uninterrupted time with You. Instead of punishing me and withdrawing, You remind that ♫Oh no You never let go Through the calm and through the storms Oh no, You never let go In every high and every low Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me♫

Lord, how I thank You. Up until the early hours of this morning I was reading and acknowledging just how many things I do fear. I got to look more at the stages of grief and wonder just how much of what all is going on inside me is related to my not having done much in the way of healthy grieving. I confess to becoming quite adept at avoidance, distraction, and acting as if. There has been very little follow through on my part though.

And then You sang to me. Before my eyes were even open You reminded me that ♫if my God is with me (Psalm 46:11) Whom then shall I fear (Psalm 27:1)♫ Thank You Lord.

Thank You for the sweet surprise that followed in finding the song. The second line resonates deep within as I am again reminded ♫Your perfect love is casting out fear♫ Lord You are so incredibly good to me!

Just as I got distracted yesterday by all the truths which came firing at me from Your Word, I am again overwhelmed by how one of Your truths leads right into another. I am created to be like You (Ephesians 4:24). Your Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). Your perfect love casts out fear (1John 4:18). And way back from the farthest corner of my mind once again comes Your message to Zerubbabel (Zechariah 4:6). “Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty – you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak.”

Lord. Thank You for speaking to me. Thank You for reminding me. Thank You for loving me. Thank You that You created me to be like You. Complete Your process in me Dearest Lord. Move me once again out of Your way that I might truly follow You as a member of Your ultimate second line! I love You Lord. Thank You. Amen.

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

simple stuff

Thursday, April 14, 2011 (8:35 a.m.)

Awesome, Beloved, Wonderful Father God,

I come to You this morning as a daughter going to her earthly daddy for help. This is new for me. Usually I approach You with far more reverence and awe. Today, I need help. Simple stuff really. Leaky faucets. Flickering lights. Basic home repairs that most other people know how to take care of.

We’re in over our heads here Lord. And You are my FIRST [rather than last J] resort. Thank You Lord!

I woke up singing to You. Thinking of all the ways I could begin our time together. Asking for acceptance, courage and wisdom from the Serenity Prayer was a big contender. Then I wondered what I’d do if my daddy was still here with us. Would I bother him with the simple stuff that’s going on around here? And I decided that I probably would in some way, shape or form. So why not talk to You about it all instead?

Lord, we want to be good stewards. You have blessed us mightily. We don’t want to squander the riches You have so generously bestowed upon us. Teach us Lord. Use the simple stuff by which we are currently baffled to bring us to better obedience in You.

Father You are so good. So loving and kind. You are faithful. Trustworthy. DEFINITELY traits we long to emulate. Teach us Daddy. Show us. Guide us. Direct us. Ooh and here’s the hard one… Discipline us Lord! We seem to lack that. A LOT!

We play well. We are even getting to the point that we love much better than ever before. It’s the area of work and responsibility that we really need Your guidance.

We have a lot of earthly influences. We still attend to [and rebel against L] the voices of those gone before us. We look to them, rather than You, as to how to take care of our business. Reverse that in us Lord. You are First. You are Foremost. You deserve ALL our attention!

I’m confessing to You now Dearest Lord, there are some health issues I don’t know what to do with. Simple stuff really. The seemingly common aches and pains most often related to aging. But are they? And what is my resistance to going and finding out? Is it only the bother of having to establish myself with a different doctor after all these years?

One thing for which I am truly grateful to You is the humbling insight You are providing me concerning my foremothers. Those brave women that I never fully appreciated before my step into this time of my life.

Daddy God, You are so incredibly awesome. How I thank You for this opportunity to just sit and “rap” (informal talk or chat in an easy and familiar manner) with You. Trust me. I can’t believe I just used that phrase with You! J But it’s what most appropriately fits right now.

And here’s the biggest joy of this time with You this morning. It’s where You speak back to me.

Having turned to Deuteronomy 4:36 because of the word ‘discipline’ I am amazed at the wealth of truth expressed in this section! Moses used the lessons of recent history to make an impassioned plea to the people of Israel for their allegiance to You.

Oh most dear and incredibly loving Father, how I thank You! Quoting this truth to You from Illustrated Bible Handbook

(1:52 p.m.)

“Deuteronomy 4:32-40 merits memorization and meditation. If you are ever discouraged, turn to these words of Moses. Let them direct your thoughts to the Lord, who ‘is God in heaven above and on earth below’.”

In this deeply moving chapter of Scripture, Moses encouraged Your people to obedience (1-14), rejection of idolatry (15-31) and continued remembrance of who You are (32-40). Ah, Lord! Our needs in a nutshell! Obey You, reject idols, always remember who You are.

I don’t know if I have been being more resistant or rebellious in the most recent past. I DO know I want that to end. Now! I long to be obedient to You Dearest Lord. Far more obedient to You than I ever even tried to be with my own dad. I love You so very much Dearest Father God. Show me how to fully esteem and revere You. You are the Master. I long to become Your accomplished apprentice. Thank You for loving me. Forgiving me. And revealing Yourself to each of us time and time again. I love You “Dad”! Thank You. Amen.

(765 words ~ 2:33 p.m.)

changing

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 (7:17 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

Good Morning. I look to You for hope. For change. For commitment. Contentment. For everything.

I confess to not knowing what I am doing most of the time anymore. I tend to shrink back from the certainty with which I used to approach most things. I’m changing Lord. Prayerfully for the better!

I used to be so darned cocksure about most things. Mention almost anything and I had at least one opinion. These days, that is no longer the case. How I pray this is from You Dearest Lord. I want to wait and rest and trust in You.

And by doing exactly that I am reading the story of Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 16-21) and a devotional on The Serenity Prayer.

Lord God how I thank You for these stories of imperfect people. You knew the plans You had for them, yet they interfered. You made promises of countless descendants for Abram but he and Sarai got tired of waiting. The tears forming in my eyes tell me that I am relating deeply to this message.

I came to this section because of verse five in chapter seventeen. Here You are quoted telling Abram “What’s more, I am changing your name.” You went on to give him details of Your plan for him. “Kings shall be among your descendants!” (Genesis 17:6). You also laid out that his “part of the contract is to obey its terms” (9).

The amount of manipulation, blame, lying, fear and ultimately hope that Your people went through comforts me. Too often I feel alone in my confusion. But here at the end of this particular devotional reading, the description of Abraham’s reaction to your plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah (18:20-33) buoys me yet again.

“Abraham wasn’t sure what he could do in the situation he faced; he wasn’t even sure what was right in this situation. He talked it over with God, reasoning it out, trying to do what he could.” Not THAT seems like a good example to follow!

And here’s the advice I’d like to remember throughout this day. “When we don’t know how much of a change we can or even should make, we can start by talking it over with God. Then we can try to do as much as we feel confident doing.”

Here I have a penciled in note to myself referring me over to Isaiah 40:31 where I find a Step 11 devotion entitled Patient Waiting. I have bracketed the last paragraph of this section as well as written in another song.

“Waiting for the Lord has its rewards. We can remain calm when it appears that nothing is happening in our recovery. As we learn to respond to life in new ways, the winds of adversity will lift us up, like wind beneath the wings of an eagle, instead of knocking us down. As we develop a patient faith in God we will be able to endure to the end of the race – and win.”

That has been my fear here of late Blessed Lord! My ability to endure seems to be waning. As I lean into You Lord instead of looking at circumstances, continue changing me. Work in all my heart, soul, mind and strength so that I would truly love You as Your Word (Mark 12:30) very clearly teaches.

Teach me to be patient in my waiting, remaining calm as I again learn to believe and trust the words I have so often sung before. ♫And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of His hand♫ Yes Lord. Continue changing me to Your likeness. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(632 words ~ 9:23 a.m.)

God's image

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 (7:59 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

You are awesome. Wonderful. Generous. Loving. Giving. Forgiving. I am made in Your image (Genesis 1:26-27). And I carry Your likeness imperfectly.

Lord, You are incredible! I had a whole laundry list of faults about myself I was going to bring to You this morning. Confessions of all the ways I fail to live up to Your standard. Instead You have me examining human nature and our potential for restoration. Because we are created in Your image, we have infinite value and worth. “Infinite value and worth – oh my!”

Oh my, indeed Dearest Lord! Nothing I do [or don’t do, as the case may be J] surprises You. On the other hand, most EVERY thing You do amazes me. Thank You Lord. Thank You that You are so full of wonder!

Thank You that even in just tapping out that truth to You right now, my mind shifted again to the Revelation Song the husband sang throughout most of yesterday. ♫Filled with wonder, Awestruck wonder At the mention of Your name Jesus, Your Name is Power Breath, and Living Water Such a marvelous mystery♫

Dearest Lord, I can’t ever thank You enough. You bless us in ways of which we are not even aware. Let me not squander these things I so regularly take for granted.

My plan was to come contritely before You, confessing my inability to get with Your program. The mental list I had thought up of my many transgressions only grew with each waking thought. Putting the focus on You instead has taken me from Genesis to James with stops along the way in the Psalms, John and Hebrews. Each reading reminding me “there’s an excellence and dignity inherent in being human that should cause us to ponder our potential for good as well as bad.”

Lord God, thank You for that excellence which comes only from You. Let me utilize, not continue to waste it. You are good. Holy. You were. You are. And are to come (Revelation 4:8). Believing this wholeheartedly again I sing ♫Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty Who was, and is, and is to come With all creation I sing: Praise to the King of Kings! You are my everything, And I will adore You♫

Ah, Lord. As one created in Your image, I include myself in the prayer for Your disciples (John 17:6-19) as is stated in verse 20. “I am not praying for these alone but also for the future believers who will come to me because of the testimony of these.” You continued to pray that we would know Your ‘perfect joy, be protected from all evil, grow in truth and holiness, and show love toward all people.’

Yes Lord. Make it so. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(471 words ~ 9:22 a.m.)

Awesome God

Monday, April 11, 2011 (7:56 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Talk to me about exactly that this morning, will You? About You being our awesome God.

You do have Your way about You, don’t You Lord? I ask for one thing [to learn more about You being awesome J] and You give something better.

While getting started in looking up the words here, I also saw many other things described as awesome. Places. Your glory and power. Sights. Fire. Horrors. Miracles. Your name, presence and deeds. While the list continues for several more pages, it’s at Exodus 15:11 that I stop. “Who else among the gods is like You, O Lord? Who is glorious in holiness like you – so awesome in splendor, performing such wonders?”

This verse ties perfectly to the Revelation Song the husband has been singing [and humming J] all morning. ♫Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty Who was, and is, and is to come With all creation I sing: Praise to the King of Kings! You are my everything, And I will adore You…♫

Lord God, I can’t even begin to understand the scope of the plan You have for Your people. I read. I start becoming excited. I reach the point where I’m SURE “I get this” and then BAM! We’re off to somewhere else.

Reading the commentary at the bottom of the page about Your mighty miracle involving the Red Sea, I’m reminded of how quickly we tend to forget important victories and fall back into old habits of fear and whining. Even though the people of Israel had experienced such a miraculous escape, they were still unable to exercise their faith in You.

Lord. How often is that me? I so readily give in to circumstances rather than standing firm in You.

The commentary note I was reading here ended with the instruction to “see Ephesians 3:20” and once again I smiled at Your attention to the detail of our everyday lives. “Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” You do these things for us Dearest Lord.

You want us to trust in Your awesome power. The section immediately preceding this verse is entitled “The Greatness of God’s Love”. It speaks of Paul falling to his knees and praying to You at the mere thought “of the wisdom and scope” of Your plan (v.14) “that out of His glorious, unlimited resources He will give You the mighty inner strengthening of His Holy Spirit” (16). Yes Lord. Please. That!

“And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high His love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God Himself” (17-19).

Most Dear and Awesome God, what must it be to truly live ‘driven by Your dynamic and unlimited love’? I want that power and experience that I occasionally glimpse. Keep working in me Lord, making me into the woman of Yours that You would have me be.

I love You so very much most Awesome God. Thank You for Your plan for each of us. Thank You for Your faithfulness in never giving up on any of us. You are good. You are awesome. And I am grateful. Thank You Lord. Amen.

(643 words ~ 9:09 a.m.)

♫I'm a BELIEVER♫

Sunday, April 10, 2011 (7:56 a.m.)

Beloved Lord,

It took quite awhile for me to recognize the song I woke up thinking about this morning. Once I remembered what it was, I doubted that You’d have me singing to You a song from, of all groups, The Monkees. But sure enough, after all these hours, I’m still singing ♫I thought love was only real in fairytales Meant for someone else but not for me Love was out to get me That’s the way it seemed Disappointment haunted all my dreams…

♫Then I saw Your face, now I’m a Believer There’s not a trace of doubt in my mind I’m in love! I’m a Believer! I couldn’t leave You if I tried♫

Thank You Lord that I get to sing this song with my whole heart. There WAS a time when ♫I thought love was more or less a givin’ thing Seemed the more I gave the less I got… Then I saw YOUR face…♫

Dearest Lord, how very grateful I am to be able to sing this directly to You. And even in this You still have surprises for me! I thought I was here with You this morning to learn more about Paul’s conversion. One turn of the page and it’s of Stephen’s faith in You I am reading.

Here was “a man unusually full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5) who was known for his courage, boldness and faith. “Stephen, the man so full of faith and the Holy Spirit’s power, did spectacular miracles among the people” (v.8). And I am again amazed!

Stephen didn’t waste time in the unfairness of his treatment by those bent on murdering him. No. Instead, he shared his faith in You with them. Amazing Lord. Absolutely amazing! He spoke Your truth. Told Your story. Confronted the religious leaders about their denial. When they reacted in anger and set out to kill him, he didn’t want revenge or carry a grudge. No Lord. He kept his focus on You. Forgiving the people who were killing him. Amazing!

As he looked steadily into heaven (chapter 7, verse 55) he “saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand.” And he told them. But rather than believe him, “they mobbed him” (57) refused to listen “and dragged him out of the city to stone him” (58).

“And as the murderous stones came hurtling at him” (59) he didn’t cringe, didn’t fight or whine. “Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,’ And he fell to his knees, shouting, ‘Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!’ and with that, he died” (60).

Blessed Lord, when I sing of being a Believer, THIS is the kind of example I want to set! ♫Yes I saw Your face, now I’m a Believer Not a trace of doubt in my mind Said I’m a Believer, yeah, yeah, yeah…♫

Thank You Lord for such a privilege as this. Keep working in me to make me worthy of wearing the title. It is ONLY through Your healing power in our life that we can boldly carry Your message to others without apology, fear or shame. Make it so in me Dearest Lord! I love You. Amen.

(539 words ~ 9:23 a.m.)

unfolding

Friday, April 8, 2011 (6:31 a.m.)

Sweet Jesus,

Thank You! Thank You that I didn’t miss the unveiling of this multi-cloud layered morning. I gasped and called Your name when I saw it. Gorgeous, Lord! Absolutely gorgeous!

Saturday, April 9, 2011 (7:52 a.m.)

It’s taken me more than a day Dear Lord, but here is the word I was looking for: “unfolding”! I watched Your morning unfold before me yesterday. It was truly gorgeous Lord and I considered You in it all day long.

Thank You Lord for the beauty and the ease with which circumstances unfolded yesterday. Changes in weather and plans all came together equaling such an enjoyable evening.

Lord, how I thank You for gentle little surprises [like gasp provoking sunrises J] that help remind me to look over to You. Thank You Lord that even in the midst of a misunderstanding, You were there reminding me not to take anything personally. It was Your teaching that helped me offer up mercy and grace instead of frustration and bitterness. Thank You Lord. I like watching Your ways unfold before and within me.

As I turn in Your Word this morning, I have two choices concerning the word “unfolding”. Psalm 119 [that’s one really long chapter Lord! J] verses 129-131 help me remember that it is Your Word that impacts our lives. “Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple [that would DEFINITELY be me! J]. I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commands.”

Lord, as true as this section is, I confess to longing far better than obeying. Thank You that You are forgiving, patient and kind in Your dealings with us. Thank You also that Paul wrote of this very thing in what is now known as his second letter to the people of Corinth. He experienced first hand what it was to changed by You from the inside out.

Eugene Peterson used these words to described Paul’s thoughts of 2Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message). “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though if often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”

Lord God, how I thank You for helping me remember Your unfolding perspective. I absolutely don’t see things from Your vantage point. Thank You for reminding me to trust in You unfailing mercy and grace. I love You so much Dearest Lord. Help me use this day to Your glory. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(483 words ~ 10:00 a.m.)

unchanging

Thursday, April 7, 2011 (7:46 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Good morning. I love You. How are You today? Unchanging.

(10:16 a.m.)

Yes. Unchanging it is! All these hours later this morning and I am still in Your Word, reading the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the people of Ephesus. I came here because of verse five and the mention of Your “unchanging plan” to adopt us into Your family.

Lord God, the more I read the more excited I become about Your unimaginable love for each of us. I’ve read several different versions of this chapter so far this morning and I still sit here amazed as I try to take in the truth of verse four. “Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.”

I can’t even begin to imagine what this really means to my life Lord. I know I give it a lot of lip service. But to sit here and truly consider having been loved and CHOSEN by You before You even “laid down earth’s foundations” (The Message) is amazing!

The more time I spend with You and Your Word, the more AGOG (excited and eager to tell) I become. Lord, You are amazing. Incredible. Marvelous. “Wonderful. Counselor. The Mighty God. The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) Unchanging. And I love You.

Thank You Lord for choosing me to be Your own. Keep working in me to become all that You would have me be. Loving. Joyful. Peaceful. Patient. Kind. Good. Faithful. Gentle. And self-controlled. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Yes Lord. In Your own unchanging way, change me to be more like You. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(291 words ~ 11:11 a.m.)

value

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 (7:58 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

I love You. I thank You. I value You. I look to You for strength. I ask You to speak to me this morning regarding that which You would most like me to consider.

Most Dear and Awesome God, I turn to Your Word and I become excited. I read what others have written ages ago and feel as if it is meant specifically for me. Lord, how I thank You for loving each of us so incredibly much.

I confess to You the struggle I too often have with finding things of value in myself. I look to You and see endless supplies of great value. Reading Paul’s words this morning I am again challenged to reaccess my thinking. In his letter to the Church of Rome he told the people, “As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimation of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3).

Oh Your goodness Lord! Your great and glorious goodness! I love the way You connect the dots and draw me into an entirely different way of thinking. In his second letter to the people of Corinth, Paul told them (2Corinthins 3:5) “It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God.”

I look to You for all power and strength. I read Your Word and am filled with encouragement, strength and hope. There are words of such poetry, power and God-inspired confidence. Lord, it is faith in You that provides value to our lives. Thank You for the opportunity and ability to love You. Teach me to use Your love well. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(301 words ~ 9:08 a.m.)

to know

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 (8:15 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You that I get to know You. Thank You that “Your steadfast love, O Lord, is as great as all the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your justice is as solid as God’s mountains. Your decisions are as full of wisdom as the oceans are with water. You are concerned for men and animals alike. How precious is Your constant love, O God! All humanity takes refuge in the shadow of Your wings. You feed them with blessings from Your own table and let them drink from Your rivers of delight” (Psalms 36:5-8).

These things I know to be true Dearest Lord. These are the very basis of my foundation in You. These truths are what allow me to truly “Be still and know” that You are God (Psalm 46:10). To “Search for Him and for His strength and keep on searching!” (Psalm 105:4)

You, Dearest Lord. You invited me to know You. To love You. To worship and adore You. To pray to You. “For You are the Fountain of life; our light is from Your light. Pour out Your unfailing love on those who know You! Never stop giving Your blessings to those who long to do Your will” (Psalm 36:9-10).

Dearest Blessed Lord, thank You for Who You are and all You do. Guide and direct me in getting to know You better. Make me obedient to Your will and to Your Way. I truly long to know and follow You more. I love You. I appreciate You and I seek to do Your will. Keep me with You Lord. Ever seeking. Ever searching. Ever longing to know You. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(289 words ~ 8:48 a.m.)

Blessings

Sunday, April 3, 2011 (8:50 a.m.)

Lord ~

I love You.

Sierra Lakes Parking Lot (10:55 a.m.)

I appreciate and long to glorify You. You have given me so very much through the years. I confess to taking far too much of it for granted. I don’t fully recognize and acknowledge many of the blessings You bestow upon me as exactly that. Blessings! Large. Small. Obvious. Obscure. Remarkable. Gracious. Merciful. Blessings everywhere I turn.

Lord, today I’m asking that You would not only make me aware of the blessings You so exhaustively provide, but grateful for them as well. There is no excuse for whining on my part. You love me. What more can one possibly need in life? You forgive me so that I can in turn forgive others. Help me do a better job at that.

I love You Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(145 words)

GRATEFUL!

Saturday, April 2, 2011 (8:16 a.m.)

Absolutely Amazing God,

WOW! You are AWESOME! Thank You. Thank You for deep solid sleep, filled with dreams and details that right now mean nothing to me. Oh, but I slept. How soundly I slept!

Lord I’ve been talking to and looking for You this morning since before five. I was convinced I knew which direction my prayer was going to head. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. Rather discouraged. I thought for sure that studying the word “Believe” would help set me straight.

Thank You that instead You prompted me to come sit at the window and watch the day unfold before me so beautifully. It was so beautiful in fact, I even thought that [‘beautiful’ J] might be the theme for the day.

Ah, but getting to go back to sleep. Deeply. Soundly. Restoratively. All that rest enhanced my gratitude and here I find myself in Colossians 3:16. Under the bold title “Christ The Pattern for a Fulfilling Life” Ah yes Lord! Speak to me clearly about Your pattern for fulfilling my life.

Last year, right about this time You encouraged me to live in You (Colossians 2:6) “rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness” (v.7).

Oh most Dear and Blessed Lord, how I confess to turning to the world for comfort and support over You. I feel lost so I seek desperately for what it is I think is supposed to keep me safe. I watch what all is going on in the world and I KNOW that You are our only hope, yet still I fall away in disillusionment.

Lord, You are good. You are holy. You ‘know the plans You have for us. They are pans for good and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11). While I don’t ever forget or actually doubt this truth-filled promise of Yours, I do tend to stand on it more firmly at certain times more than others.

Thank You Lord that Your Word is NOT circumstantial! It is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 12:8) like You! Nothing can be added to or taken from (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

Lord, every thought I have this morning brings me to another verse to look up. You are so very good Dear Lord and I am so thankful to be able to spend this time with You, fully AGOG [eager and excited to tell J] and grateful.

Considering the amount of time I think I have spent just sitting around indulging myself and feeling guilty about it Lord I ask You to redeem it and me. I keep trying to understand things that are not mine to figure out. I desperately want to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

The Preacher reminded me in Ecclesiastes 3:12 “there is nothing better for men than to be happy and to do good while they live.” I ask You Lord, oh so humbly and gratefully to empower me to live this day with the chief purpose being ‘to glorify You and enjoy You forever’. I love You so very much Lord. Help me LOOK like I do! Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(573 words ~ 9:26 a.m.)