substance

Sunday, July 31, 2011 (7:33 a.m.)

Beloved Lord God,

Thank You! Thank You for a successful ‘welcome party’ in honor of a yet to be born little one. Thank You for the one day postponement of rain and thundershowers in our area. Thank You for friends and family who gathered together with love, good wishes and gifts. SO many gifts!

Thank You Lord for the work You do behind the scenes of our lives. Work deep down inside of us. Growing us into people of substance.

And just like that, here I am again in the book of Colossians. Reading words I’ve read before. Words that inspire and excite me. Words which describe our going From the Shadows to the Substance. Colossians 2:6-7, “And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done.”

Ah Lord! “Meaningfulness, significance, importance, validity, foundation; character, backbone, mettle…” Substance.

Colossians 2:8-10, “Don’t let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men’s thoughts and ideas, instead of on what Christ has said. For in Christ there is all of God in a human body; so you have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest Ruler, with authority over every other power.”

YOU are our substance! It IS in You “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28)! “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Dearest Lord God, You truly are our substance. We can choose to work ourselves into dithers. OR we can choose to trust in You. Thank You Lord for the reminders of how much better it is when we choose the latter!

Keep working in us Dearest Lord. Ever changing us from the people we think we are supposed to be, into the people that You know we are! You are good. You are mighty. Faithful. Perfect. Holy. Loving. And we want desperately to be like You, ‘following Your example in everything we do just as a much-loved child imitates his father’ (Ephesians 5:1).

Yes Lord, continue Your work – growing us into a people of substance. Oh how deeply and truly we love You. Thank You Lord. Amen.

(434 words ~ 8:27 a.m.)

listen much / conclusion

Monday, July 25, 2011 (7:29 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Do I need help with my listening skills? Or is it hearing? Definitely communicating effectively needs work. Where do we start Lord? Right here with You.

Mistakes keep happening. Feelings continue getting hurt. Misunderstandings run rampant. YOU are our answer, Lord. You. Your way. Your Word.

I find such hope in the Book of James. A younger half-brother of Jesus who wanted Your people to know how to live.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 (8:05 a.m.)

Most Blessed God, how I thank You for continuing to work Your will in my life. As I turn again and again to Your Word, reading TRUTH from ages past I am buoyed, heartened, uplifted, encouraged, reminded that this world is NOT our home. The things that happen to us here and the ways in which we respond to them serve to build us into people of strong character. Thank You Lord.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 (5:44 a.m.)

As I continue in my effort to present to You some semblance of a decent prayer, I ask You Lord to hold my focus here this morning to its conclusion.

I woke up using that same word as something I much too readily jump to. Again turning to Your Word, I find that even this tendency is addressed there. Thank You Lord. Every time I find something that I am prone toward talked about so long ago I am again affirmed that I am not in this alone.

The Message paraphrases one section of Peter’s first letter (4:12) to the Jewish Christians of his day as this, “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”

I read Peter’s words and reason for writing them ‘to show us how to live well in a shattered and hopeless world’ and compare them with what I have been reading in James the last few days and again I thank You. Here are two different men saying very much the same thing.

James encouraged his readers to gain strength from hard trials. In what is now known as verses two through four of his first chapter he provides good counsel to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

While urging his audience to endure through hard times he also had this to say about listening. “Dear brothers, don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry” (1:19). He follows up his reason for this pronouncement in the very next line. “If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done.”

Lord God, how grateful I am for You and Your Word. My nature and habits are still so automatically tuned to reacting to most conflicts with the same tired and false ways of my childhood. Thank You for providing us with these examples of Your tried and true practices. I confess they are still far from my first reaction to problems. Keep working in me Lord. I love You so very much and I desperately long to be the woman You created me to be. Kind. Loving. One who listens much … Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

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

Teach us

Sunday, July 24, 2011 (7:17 a.m.)

Awesome, Blessed, Glorious, Loving, Wonderful Lord God,

The descriptive words just keep building. Thank You Lord! Thank You that You are so good! Thank You that You came to teach us to be more like You.

I am unable to get my mind around this Lord. I’ve been searching Your Word and keep getting sidetracked and distracted. And just like that! You change everything!

I searched for almost an hour. Looking here and there. But the moment I came to You with my inability to find what You would have me reading here I am in Psalm 90.

Thank You Lord! Verse one, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.” Amen! “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God” (v.2). As real as these truths are Lord, I tend to downplay them. I take for granted Your goodness and Your grace. My mind struggles with the term I have just recently been introduced to. Spiritual schizophrenia. Paul talks all about it in his letter to the Romans (7:14-25).

Lord, how I thank You again for the reminders that I am not in this battle alone. Disagreements that escalate to intentionally hurting another’s feelings are just plain wrong. As is caving under the pressures of another’s unkind words. Spiritual schizophrenia! “A life-long incurable condition. But there is good news. Properly understood, it can be treated and its sufferers can enjoy a full and fruitful life in Christ” (Jack Kinsella).

And just how do we do this? By turning to You. Ever. Always. To You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking. Returning to Your Word. Your promises. Your truth!

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Ah yes dearest Lord. Teach us. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(315 words ~ 8:51 a.m.)

unexpected

Friday, July 22, 2011 (9:53 a.m.)

Wow God,

Not at all the way I had planned to start this day; with all hell breaking loose in words and tones and facial expressions. And of course, now here come the tears.

Thank You Lord just now for the immediate recognition upon seeing today’s date that this was the day of my dad’s birth. What better way to celebrate him than in the midst of shouts and screams and miscommunication! [Please note sarcasm] Forgive me Lord for my part in this current upheaval. Oh great, more tears. This was all so unexpected.

(10:56 a.m.)

I’ve spent this past hour looking up verses for the word ‘unexpected’. I’ve found some that pique my interest (especially Job 5:7-9 The Message) but none that provide the “AHA!” that often comes along with Your peace to my heart.

Lord God, this is what I’ve got today. My feelings were hurt. There was a big misunderstanding that remains unresolved. I’m going to go put one foot in front of the other. Take care of some business. But before I do Lord, what would YOU have me do here? Speak to me in the most unexpected way possible. Remind me of all that’s love and truth. Forgive me my self-centeredness. Move me out and put YOU back in! Let me live this day with You at the center of it, with all other things falling to the sides. I love You so very much Dearest Lord. I long to serve You. Wholeheartedly. Single-mindedly. With all of my soul and strength (Mark 12:30). Do in and through me that which I am currently unable (unwilling?) to do myself. Be glorified Dear Lord. ♫In my life, Lord Be glorified today♫ Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(11:19 a.m.)

everyday life

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 (9:24 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I love You. I am in “re-entry” mood. Re-entering everyday life. No more ship’s announcements, sail-away parties or shore excursions. No cabin stewards, dining room wait staff and photographers. Everyday life.

(12:26 p.m.)

You take such good care of us Lord.

Thursday, July 21, 2011 (6:08 a.m.)

You do Lord. You truly do!

Thank You for the blessings of a fairly effortless re-entry. Bags are getting unpacked. Lawns mowed. Plans executed. All these things haven’t usually happened this readily in the past. I choose to believe it has everything to do with what I read in The Message yesterday. Eugene Peterson’s interpretation of Paul’s words to the Romans (12:1-2) sums it all up so nicely.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

Oh Your goodness Lord! I’ve read these verses many times before. There’s a newness here. Things I’ve not considered. Placing my everyday, ordinary life before You as an offering? Oh yes Lord! Please. Embrace what You do for me. Oh that I would learn to do exactly that Lord.

There is much to do around here today Lord. We have friends and loved ones coming over to share food and laughter. There is some general straightening up that needs to happen. As does food purchasing and preparation. I am asking You into the details Lord.

You were here with me yesterday, keeping me on track. I had read the Self-perception devotion associated with these verses and saw again that “Our part is to turn our will and our life over to the care of God. As we give our life to Him, He [underlining mine] will work changes in our life, making us into a new person. As we are changed on the inside, we will begin to evidence those changes in our external attitudes and actions.”

Ah, yes Lord! Change me! Improve my ways of thinking, processing and executing. The last paragraph of this same devotion states it clearly, “We all have great potential for change, but we cannot do it under our own power. As we yield our life and will to God, we can depend on Him to renew our mind and heart. He will begin to remove our defects of character, transforming us from the inside out.”

I still have a Sunday ‘funny’ from twelve years ago that speaks exactly to this. A butterfly telling a caterpillar, “Don’t you understand? That part of my life is over.” As You work in and through me in my everyday life Lord, how I ask that You would keep me focused on You, Your will and Your way. Thank You Lord. Thank You for great adventures and for everyday life. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(567 words ~ 7:02 a.m.)

Tears?

Monday, July 18, 2011 (12:11 p.m.)

Heading south to San Francisco

Most Glorious and Loving Lord,

I didn’t expect them. I really didn’t. It’s all been so easy. “Stop. Look. Listen. And live.” Words I read at a railroad crossing in Alaska. Words I readily embraced. I’ve sat. Watched. Relaxed. Enjoyed. So why am I this surprised that at the end of another trip I find myself in tears?

Because Dear Lord ~ the surprise was beautiful! In so many extraordinary ways. The colors. The ocean. The clouds. Perfectly beautiful.

Then there was the delivery of early morning coffee, followed by the love of one cousin for another expressed by the reenactment of a long ago established birthday tradition of an early morning singing of “A very important announcement...”

It’s too much Lord! There’s fear. And love. And joy and sadness all mixed together with the task of packing and leaving and returning home. To what then?

Lord God ~ I love You! I thank You for this precious opportunity. I turn myself over to You. Honestly. Openly. Lovingly. Yieldingly. I’m Yours Lord. To do with as You wish. To become what You want.

And You lead me Lord. I come to You willingly. Wanting only to spend time in Your presence. Asking only that I be counted as one of Your own.

I look to Your Word and am immediately blessed by the hope found in Psalm 42. There is so much evil in the everyday world clamoring for our attention, You are our only hope! I thought I wanted to look at the other verses mentioning tears. But no. Hoping in You here in this particular Psalm is where I want to stay.

You are my God. My Father. My Lord. And Savior. My hope. My joy. And I am grateful Lord. I have no answers to any of the things I can think of to fear – except YOU. You are our Guide. Our hope. Our future. Our Shepherd. And we are Your sheep. Dumb. Helpless. Needy sheep. Thank You Lord! Thank You for calling to us to “Stop. Look. Listen. And live!” Teach us to more and more hear, know and obey Your voice. You are perfect. We are in need ~ of You. Thank You for Your never ending willingness to supply Your love, grace, mercy, hope, forgiveness…

I love You SO very much Dearest Lord. Thank You. Even for tears!

(406 words ~ 12:48 p.m.)

bittersweet

Sunday, July 17, 2011 (7:07 a.m.)

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

There was a word I woke up with this morning. It was odd. I didn’t think it would work. Then I got excited about its possibilities and now it is gone. To this I ask You Dearest Lord ~ where would you direct my thoughts? On what would You have me focus this morning?

We are in a different country today. I’ve never been in Canada before. Is there something You don’t want us to miss? Let me look to You this day Lord. We’re coming to the end of another delightful trip. The moods are turning a little bittersweet and by tomorrow I’m sure there will be actual sadness. Keep us aware today Lord. Focused on all that is right here in front of us.

Teach us Dearest Lord to attend to the things You would have us take note of. Keep us mindful of You Lord. Your kindness. Your mercy. Your beauty. Your grace. You are good. Help us feel and be and think and do ALL that is pleasing to You. We are called to know that You alone art God and to love You with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30). Empower and enable us to do exactly that Lord. Work in and through each of us.

WATER

Saturday, July 16, 2011 (9:10 a.m.)

Off Canadian Coast

Blessed Loving Lord,

Thank You. It’s a Day at Sea. And evidently for us, a day at sleep as well. Thank You Lord. Thank You for settled stomachs and deep, sound sleep.

Our balcony view right now is that of water and fog. What a contrast I am reading about in the final chapters of Your Word. Revelation 20 speaks of “Satan and the Last Judgment”. There’s mention of the Book of Life and the need to have our names written there. Chapter 21 describes “The New Creation” ~ a fresh creation, with new heavens and earth. This remains to me beyond my comprehension. A New Jerusalem made of jewels and transparent gold. The city with no need for a temple because the Lord God Almighty AND the Lamb will be there. All mankind walking in the light of Your presence. Incomprehensible for me Lord. And again I thank You. Thank You that just because I don’t understand something it doesn’t make it untrue.

Thank You that as I again look at the promise of “the river of the water of life” flowing from Your throne (Revelation 22:1) I sit rather dazed at the idea of it. A crystal current that carries water down the middle of the great street of Your new city to trees whose fruit and leaves mean healing for Your once cursed humanity is something I truly look forward to.

Lord, I saw a glacier yesterday. Big and blue and beyond my ability to describe it. A crystal river flowing from Your throne, Your redeemed people walking in the light shed by Your presence, serving You, seeing Your face? I can’t even imagine! But I will remain open to Your incredible promise. Thank You Lord. I love You. I think I’ll drink some more water J Amen.

(310 words ~ 10:52 a.m.)

Beauty

Friday, July 15, 2011

(7:59 p.m. AKDT)

Sounds outside of Alaska

Blessed Lord ~

Beauty beyond description. Glacial ice ~ electric blues. Colors beyond my imagination. Thank You Lord. Thank You with a heart yielded to surprises!

Ah ~ and surprise You do. Just like now. Looking up verses that deal with “beauty” I find myself in the book of Ezekiel for the second time today. This time I’m reading about Egypt’s Destructive Pride. Hmm ~ important words. Destructive. Pride. Oh Your goodness Lord! One minute I’m thinking about and remembering the beauty we’ve experienced this past week and the next I’m reading about Egypt becoming proud and arrogant (Ezekiel 31:10). Two more powerfully important words – proud. Arrogant.

Mm Lord. I sit here contemplating Your Words. I’ve seen indescribable beauty this week and all I can do is nod my head in agreement to the hope I find in this book. Your people fail and You prevail.

You are good. You are just. You are kind. Merciful. And I am grateful! I am grateful for Your beauty. Your forgiveness. Your faithfulness. Your mercy. Your grace. Your plan. Your freedom. Your love. YOU Lord! Thank You for You. I love You. I need You. I want You. Thank You for the beauty of getting to know You more and more through the truth and goodness of Your Word. I love You so much Dearest Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(238 words ~ 9:10 p.m.)

Boundaries

Monday, July 11, 2011

Sea Princess

Traveling North off Washington Coast

(7:10-ish a.m. AKDT)

Awesome, Awesome God,

I love You! The longer I know You (going on 30 years now) the more I realize how VERY little I know about most things. Thank You Lord! Thank You that while I used to try to control, cure, or change things, now I’m much more willing to look to You. Expecting. Hoping. Praying. Believing. Without preconceived notions of what will happen next. That’s trust Lord. Unabashed, unassuming trust that what You say will come true ~ on YOUR terms. In YOUR time.

Lord, I look to You. You provide things I don’t understand. Things I definitely need and don’t yet know how to use. Thank You Lord!

Thank You that You’ve helped us so much on this current trip we are taking ♫North to Alaska♫ Somewhere cold. A place I never thought I’d want to go, yet You’ve provided correct clothing choices. Blanket options. Good company.

Words

Friday, July 8, 2011 (6:30-ish a.m.)

Milpitas, CA

Blessed Lord God,

You give us words Lord. To express ourselves. To share Your love. To encourage, correct, inspire and teach. Let us use them well.

Far too many times we take them for granted. We waste them. Use them foolishly and carelessly. There is power in them Lord. Power to build up. Power to tear down.

(8:54 a.m.)

Mm Lord. I look to Your Word and find this truth, again from Jeremiah. “Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me. How proud I am to bear Your name, O Lord” (15:16).

Looking through this book of warnings to the people of Judah, I find so much relevance Lord. He told them about the danger of idolatry, about denial and hypocrisy, about YOU, the process of recovery, Israel’s history, the value of Your discipline, as well as Your laws and warnings concerning false teachers.

Lord, these words of truth still pertain today. I read about generations of sin and brokenness. There came a time when Judah finally turned to You. Then Your words sustained her, as though they were food. Finally a remnant of Your people listened to the words Jeremiah had so urgently proclaimed. It was their repentance and obedience, not their prayers, that delivered them and caused You to save them.

Father God ~ I come before You this day on behalf of my family. We represent generations of people who have not made choices in accordance to Your laws. We have NOT ‘acted justly, loved mercy, nor walked humbly with You’ (Micah 6:8). As a result we have suffered greatly in our relationships with one another AND with You!

Lord God, how desperately I pray that You will continue working Your will in and through us ~ tearing down the strongholds we have allowed satan and his minions to build in and around us.

Give us the power of Your words Dearest Lord to stand firm against the attacks and old patterns to which we have grown so accustomed. Lord, our power, strength, hope and joy HAS to come from You! We’ve made so many mistakes and we truly long to BE the people You planned and created us to be. Work in us Lord. Molding. Shaping. Filling and using us for Your purposes. How I love You Lord. Give me Your Words and right attitude with which to speak them. I love You so much. Thank You Lord. Amen.

(9:41 a.m.)

witness

Thursday, July 7, 2011 (5:21 a.m.)

Most Dear and Incredibly Awesome Father God,

Thank You. Thank You for sleep. For rest. For the opportunity to be here to witness another sunrise. Yes Lord. Thank You! Thank for mountains and clouds. Thank You for roses and color. Thank You for Your love and protection.

Oh most dear and blessed Lord, I find a reference to ‘witness’ in Isaiah 30:8-9, “Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witness that these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to the Lord’s instructions.” This entices me to read the entire chapter. I nod my head in agreement and my heart follows along with hopefulness.

Lord God, how I thank You for the work You are doing in each of us. Drawing us closer and more dependent on You every single day.

Yesterday I was able to verbalize the truth that I have trouble communicating effectively. While I may know what it is in my head that I want to express, when words come out of my mouth they are not always as I think them. Thank You that You are working in this area as well.

As I sit here with my heart and soul filled with gratitude for this alone time with You, my eyes catch sight of the two daily calendars on the desk. These calendars have sat idly by for just about a month. This morning, however, each speaks volumes to my eager soul. The one with daily promises from You promises, “I will keep you in perfect peace if you will keep your mind steadfast on Me and always trust Me… I am a Rock you can always stand on.” (Isaiah 26:3-4) The other one [‘Cherished Thoughts’ J] quotes a PRAYER OF PROTECTION. “The light of God surrounds me; The love of God enfolds me; The power of God protects me; The presence of God watches over me. Wherever I am, God is.”

Yes Lord! This morning I get to experience time together with You and witness such wonderful promises. I choose to believe them! I choose to believe that You are good and that You are going to continue working Your will and Your way into our very beings. Thank You Lord! Thank You for Your goodness and Your grace. Thank You that I get to bear witness to Your works!

Oh yes Lord, thank You! I love You. Help me spend this day exactly to Your liking. Help me in my quest to learn to communicate effectively. Thank You for the wonders You have in store for me to witness this day. Thank You for Your love and for Your plan. Line us up into Your will. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(475 words ~ 6:24 a.m.)

scurrying

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 (5:42 am.)

Awesome, Blessed God,

Good morning Lord. I love You. There’s a lot to do around here today. Rather than jumping up and scurrying around here all willy-nilly, I come to You.

And thank You Lord, You deliver! First search. First look. Proverbs 21:5, “Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.”

Lord God, thank You. Thank You for Your love and Your tender mercies. Mercies which fall fresh on us everyday (Lamentations 3:23).

Because there IS much to do around here, Lord I ask You to be with us. Guide, direct, inspire and instill in each of us that which we need to accomplish exactly what needs to be done. Let me use this day well Dearest Lord. The time, the resources, all that You will supply.

Lord God, I love You so very much. Help me feel, be, think and do all that will please You.

How I love You Lord and long to live each moment in the light of Your Word and Your way. Thank You for all You are and all You are doing in and through us. Help us be more mindful and attentive to Your way.

Thank You Lord. Accompany me in my scurrying, yes? I love You. Amen.

(219 words ~ 6:36 am.)

trusting

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 (6:18 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Thank You. Thank You for celebrations. Thank You for friends. Thank You for things we don’t want to talk about but do anyway. Yes Lord, thank You for working in us along the vein of that fine art of communication.

Wow Lord. Talk about old patterns and things that no longer serve us well at all. You are at work here Lord. I know because it is uncomfortable. At first, the attacks against my soul were feeling fairly ‘normal’. Doubts. Fears. Misunderstandings. Things I’ve grown accustomed to. Oh, but they have escalated. Now we’re pitting ourselves against one another.

I have been overreacting and extremely sensitive in the simplest situations. Concerns about my mental and emotional health have been expressed. And in all this I am trusting You Lord. It’s a conscience decision I am making. Never have I relied so heavily on the simple truth that You are good. All the time. All the time. You are good!

Thank You Lord. Thank You that I get to know this. I have no answers to the sensitivities I have been experiencing other than to say You are at work in me. Changing me. Deep in my core. And I truly believe that You will prevail.

I also believe that satan is not the least bit pleased about the work You are doing and is out to stop it at all costs. Sidetrack me. Throw in some added chaos, crisis and confusion. But again, You are good! In the midst of all of it yesterday I reaffirmed Your goodness. No longer do I feel the need to understand You and the whys and wherefores of Your workings in us. No Sir. I can claim the truth of which the pastor spoke on Sunday. I am On the Anvil (Max Lucado) and You are working mightily to hammer me into something acceptable.

Keep working Lord. Keep pounding and flattening and squashing out all the impurities You find in me. Always in the past I wanted to avoid such workings. Today I am here in Your name thanking and praising You instead. I can honestly say that I do NOT know what tomorrow [or even the very next moment J] holds, but I do know that YOU hold it! Thank You Lord.

Last night in desperation I prayed the truth of Romans 8:26. And just this very moment while reading I looked up at the two verses directly above it. “We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to something we don’t yet have – for a man who already has something doesn’t need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn’t happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently.” (24-25)

Yes Lord. I am trusting You. Believing with my whole heart that You know what is best. Thank You Lord for the peace and the hope and the faith that comes from trusting.

And just like that verse 26 begins, “And in the same way – by our faith – the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words.” Oh yes Dearest Lord. You provide our every need. Keep me trusting You.

Concluding now with verses 27 and 28, I am asking, believing and trusting that You will indeed be the God of Your Word. “And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as He pleads for us in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans.”

Yes Lord. Fit me exactly into Your plans. The plans You know You have for us. The ones You had Jeremiah express in what became his book, chapter 29:11-13. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.”

I am looking Lord. And trusting. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

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

exceedingly abundantly

Monday, July 4, 2011 (6:48 a.m.)

Blessed Lord,

Thank You. Praise You. Bless You. I’m grumbling and growling inside and praying that approaching You with thankfulness and praise will change my grumpiness. You have blessed us Lord. Immensely!

You amaze me Lord! You never cease to amaze me. I come to You honestly. Feeling guilty for having so much and appreciating so little. I confess to You the griping going on within me and still You bless me with Your Word.

I took the word ‘immensely’ and saw it associated with ‘exceedingly’. I immediately remembered ‘exceedingly’ being attached in someway with ‘abundantly’. A very brief search landed me again in Ephesians 3. A heart drawn in my Bible sometime back by the dear husband I’m currently grousing with catches my attention and the next thing I know, I am reading verse 12. “In Him (Christ Jesus our Lord) and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

How perfect You are Dearest Lord! You supply us so much. Immensely. Exceedingly. Abundantly. Immeasurably. Far more. Above and beyond all that we ask. All these ways of stating Your truth found in Ephesians 3:20. This from The Message, “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.”

Mm, yes Lord! You do! You took this grumpy, growling exterior and softened my heart to the point of joy and hopefulness just by the mere mention of Your immense blessings upon us.

Blessed Lord, today is one day set aside to celebrate the blessing of the freedom You have granted this nation. Here again, I state the obvious. We haven’t done too well at honoring You with this through the years. You have provided. We have squandered. You guide. We wander. Continue Your self appointed role as our Blessed Shepherd. Help us know You, trust You, hear You, follow You more than we have up ‘til now. You are so good and we love and need You so much.

Thank You Lord for loving us so much more than we deserve. Thank You for freedom. Guide us to using it wisely. Thank You. Bless You. Praise You. You adjusted my attitude and I am grateful. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

within

Sunday, July 3, 2011 (8:21 a.m.)

Good Morning Lord,

I love You. I want to try something different this morning. Instead of me talking to You and telling You things, I wondered if instead You would speak to me and tell me things? I want to learn to hear Your voice above or within all other distractions.

And again, You don’t fail me. I ask. You answer. And I am amazed. Heartened. Eager. Excited. Pleased. Thrilled. Happy. Delighted. Pre-tearful.

According to The Message, before his death Moses’ blessing concerning the tribe of Benjamin (Deuteronomy 33:12) was “God’s beloved; God’s permanent residence. Encircled by God all day long, within whom God is at home.” Ah yes Lord. Live within me all the days of my life. Be my life’s blood. Let Your peace encompass and surround me that I know beyond every shadow of every doubt that You alone are good!

I read the comments surrounding this verse in The Life Recovery Bible and I smile as I almost laugh out loud. “After a generation of consistent failure, Moses found it necessary to go back to the basics.” Amen! “God is the Rock, our foundation for a stable life. His work in our life is perfect. We need to recognize His ability to help and then allow Him to do His mighty work on our behalf.” Yes Lord. Please!

“As we go about the rebuilding process, we need to be assured of God’s protection and guidance. These verses from Moses’ song (32:11-13) should offer just the certainty we need. God will protect us as we seek recovery and guide us toward a life filled with joy and freedom.” Blessed Lord, I trust You. I believe You to be working mightily within me and I am so very grateful.

Moses continued his prophetic blessing (33:29) saying, “What blessings are yours, O Israel! Who else has been saved by the Lord? He is your shield and your helper! He is your excellent sword! Your enemies shall bow low before you, And you shall trample on their backs!” You ARE my shield and my helper!

I spent time with extended family yesterday listening and learning more about the generations that came before. I heard of the struggles. Mistakes. Sadnesses. Hurts. And also, the kindnesses. Successes. Joys. Hope.

Father God, YOU are our hope. The final comment of this particular book regards the verse quoted above. “Here is another promise of God’s saving help. He provides defense for his people from their enemies and fights on their behalf. He assures them of victory. When our life is in disarray, it is comforting to know that God has genuine concern for our welfare. And as we seek recovery, we can be sure that God is on our side.”

You continue Your work in me Dearest Lord. You keep showing me that just because there was a skewed familial way of doing things for generations, not only does it not make it right, but in and through You it can all be changed. For the better. For Your best!

Keep working Lord. Within us. Around us. Bringing us into being the people who will truly make You proud. I look forward to one day hearing You declare of me, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).

And even in turning here there’s so much more to dispel a generally accepted, faulty measuring system! A devotional about perfectionism. It begins abruptly. “Perfectionism can paralyze us. Perhaps we have been shamed for not being exactly what others wanted us to be. Now the shadow of their unrealistic expectations is cast over how we see ourself, creating unrealistic expectations for our progress.” Hello!

Thank You Lord that You knew this would happen in some of our lives and You provided example after example of TRUTH in its place!

The concluding paragraph of this section affirms, “When we measure ourself by the expectations of others or by our own need to be perfect, we may not even try to succeed. All God asks is that we try to do something with our abilities and resources. When we allow ourself the option of just making modest progress, we will find the courage to progress in our recovery. Even the least improvement is better than being doomed to complete failure by our perfectionism.”

Lord God, You are BIGGER than the most powerfully errant example of what we are truly here to become. YOURS! In every sense of the word. That is what I long to be Lord. Yours! Simple, truly, totally Yours. Continue Your work within me toward that end. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.

(775 words ~ 9:30 a.m.)

harsh

Saturday, July 2, 2011 (7:23 a.m.)

Most Dear and Loving Lord,

I love You. You are good. Holy. Loving. Kind. Lately I have been harsh. ‘Unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses; cruel; severe; grim; unpalatable; having an undesirably strong effect’. Yes Lord. These words quite sadly describe to a t the me of the past few days.

Truly Lord I thought if I just gave it time, the bad mood would lift. Think of other things. Give in and just ride it out. Confess it to others. None of that has worked. And avoiding You because of it? Worst mistake of all. Looking back at it I realize that this is all so similar to my having been feeling out of sorts just last week. The thing that makes all this seem even more sad is that I was coming before You to complain about the harshness I have perceived coming from others.

You never cease to amaze me Lord! EVERY single time I humble and confess myself to You, You change the thought process. Planning to paint myself as a victim here? No. You turned it around on me so I could see my own harsh actions and words. Looking up verses that pertain to what I am experiencing and the very next thing I am singing ♫Here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God You’re altogether lovely All together worthy, All together wonderful to me♫

I can honestly tell You Lord, I feel as though I am being beaten to a pulp. Tiny little miscommunications are sending me over cliffs. I crash. I burn. I under utilize and then over react. I need help Lord. Help that can only come from You.

There is an anger and a bitterness that comes and goes inside of me. It rises. Then falls. Too often I think it is gone completely, until again I realize it’s only been hiding. Waiting to pounce. satan? demonic? Spiritual attack at its worse? I don’t know.

What I DO know is that I love You. I call upon Your mighty name for help. Help, which can come from no other place than You, Yourself. ♫Light of the world You stepped down into darkness. Opened my eyes, let me see. Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of a life spent with You♫

(10:54 a.m.)

It’s not changing Lord. Tiny, little bitty things are threatening to send me right over the edge. A look. A comment. A smirk. A laugh. Everything seems to be joining together to manifest a harsh reaction from me. I truly am looking for Your joy. With what right now seem to be harsh colored glasses!

So back to You. Your Word. Your Way. Your promises. Your wisdom. Your protection. I want to live here. Proverbs 15. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels” (v. 1). Other verses refer to: wise teachers and joy, rebellious teachers and foolishness (2); You watching everywhere, on both the evil and the good (3); gentle words causing life and health, griping bringing discouragement (4); fools despising a father’s advice, wise sons considering each suggestion (5)… truth and sanity going hand in hand.

Blessed God. I am at the very end of myself – a VERY good place to be actually. For it is here that I reaffirm that my only hope in ANY of this is YOU! You are my strength, my hope, my future, my past and my present. And in just confessing this truth and searching to substantiate it I am brought to another’s ‘Journals of the Heart’. http://www.journalsoftheheart.com/2010/05/i-am-lord-of-your-past-presnt-and-future-christ-the-light-of-the-world-in-you-fathers-love-letter-from-god/

I ask You Lord to either confirm or discredit her thinking as either “Real or Not Real” according to Your Word.

YOU matter to me. Being the woman You created me to be matters to me. Glorifying and enjoying You forever matters to me. Make it so in my life Dearest Lord. Take this bitter, angry, subliminal junk that is currently inside me and burn it Lord. Fire, refine and test me turning all worthless things to ash that I would truly experience Your promise of “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3).

I’m done Lord. Done with trying to live my life on my terms. I surrender. I give up. I’m Yours. Please work in me to make me whole. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(741 words ~ 11:24 a.m.)