ARGH!

Monday, November 28, 2011 (8:46 a.m.)

Primm, NV

Loving Lord Jesus,

It was four hours ago when I first started drafting this prayer to You. It was then that I realized I was no longer frustrated, irritated or annoyed by the uncooperative Internet experience we’ve had since first attempting to connect yesterday. Not at all the worse thing in the world to get upset about was it Blessed Jesus?

Lying here after four this morning I remembered the reasoning behind my having first formed the acronym for ARGH! It was in direct correlation to Paul’s teachings to Your living church in Ephesus. “Don’t use bad language. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to, and what will give them a blessing” (Ephesians 4:29).

Remembering to bellow out a giant “ARGH!” [instead of a ‘bad language’ J] often reminds me that I am to Always Revere God’s Holiness! Sometimes it happens a lot sooner than twelve hours after the fact. Thank You Dearest Jesus for the reminders of the Truth of Your Word, whenever it is they finally sink into me.

Grumbling and growling at the husband upon his return last evening was not my intent. It all came out so quickly. Each negative description of my frustration only compounded onto the next.

Turning to Your Word would have been a much better use of our time. “Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ” (vs. 31-32).

Ah, Blessed Lord Jesus. How I thank You for Your reminders. A wholehearted “ARGH!” is so much healthier than all the whining and carrying on I involved myself with yesterday. Thank You for the patience and caring the dear husband was able to offer me. Thank You for Your love that surrounds and envelops us. Thank You for being the change we need in this world!

Remind me as often as necessary that YOUR Way is absolutely the very BEST Way! We love You so incredibly much. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

(369 words ~ 10:31 a.m.)

ADVENTure

Sunday, November 27, 2011 (11:45 a.m.)

Primm, NV

Sweetest Jesus,

Thank You! Here we are in another location, having another adventure. Thank You for the years You have given us together to learn and to grow. In truly taking the road less traveled yesterday, we got to see sights one of us doesn’t remember ever having seen before and to recall memories in the making.

Lord Jesus, You have been so very patient with us through the years in teaching us the more important things of life. Particularly that “the most important things in life aren’t things.” Thank You Jesus that You have brought so many people into our lives through the years. People who have shared their strengths and weaknesses with us. People from whom we have learned. People with whom we have grown. Thank You Jesus. Indeed. “The most important things in life are NOT things!”

(1:40 p.m.)

Almost two hours later and I am still here Lord Jesus. Reading Your Word, learning more about You, listening [and humming! J] to worship songs and contemplating life in and with and through and for You. Jesus, thank You for this adventure with You.

Thank You for the reminder that today is the first Sunday of Advent. A time that we are to be watching, as we wait for Your return.

Jesus, You have changed us so incredibly much through the years. I practically don’t even recognize us anymore. Thank You for that!

As I began this time with You earlier this morning, I was thinking that the most important things in our lives are the people we have in them. Thank You for correcting my thinking there. Thank You for reminding me that YOU are far and above all the people and things we value. YOU are whom we are to worship! A quote I just read states this plainly. We are to, “Worship God, love people, use things.” Help me not only to learn this Truth, but to put it into regular practice as well.

I turn again to Your Word. Paul’s first letter to the people of Corinth brings me into the second part of the second verse, “I include in my greeting all who call out to Jesus, wherever they live. He’s their Master as well as ours!”

I continue taking to heart his words as I read on. “May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father, and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours” (1Corinthians 1:3). Oh Yes Jesus, please!

“Every time I think of you – and I think of you often! – I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There’s no end to what has happened in you – it’s beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence has been clearly verified in your lives” (vs. 4-6). It’s true Dearest Jesus. So VERY true!

As Paul continues reminding the Believers of his day, I am convicted as well. “Just think – you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all!” (v. 7a) This I know with my head Dear Jesus. My prayer of request right here is that You would enable be to put this Truth into action. Empower me to freely give of the abundance You have provided us. My heart is still entirely wrapped up in the things we have acquired along the way. Help me Jesus to truly become a cheerful giver! (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)

Returning to verse seven above, “All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God Himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of His Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that” (1 Corinthians 1:7b-9, The Message).

Blessed Jesus how I ask You to come do in me that which I am completely incapable of doing for myself. Free me to give. Lead me in this next ADVENTure Lord Jesus. I love You. I trust You. I believe You are absolutely capable of doing in and through me all that I clearly am unable to do on my own. Please, Dearest Jesus, hear my prayer! I love You. Amen.

(739 words ~ 2:35 p.m.)

hallelujahs

Friday, November 25, 2011 (9:02 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, Ca

♫Sing Hallelujah to You Lord,

♫Sing Hallelujah to You Lord, Sing Hallelujah, sing Hallelujah, Sing Hallelujah to You Lord♫

Blessed Jesus, how I thank You for the joy of waking up singing hallelujahs to You! After just a little concentration I recognized the first song as ♫Hallelujah Jesus♫, which I have sung to You many times before.

Quickly I realized my desire to sing hallelujahs to You went far deeper than just the words to a few songs. You truly ARE the ♫Keeper of the stars, Lord of time and space. I WILL live my life Lifting up Your name. Lover of my heart, God who came to save Thank You for the Cross And the life You gave♫

Blessed Lord Jesus, the longer life goes on the more I realize how very little I know and understand about You. I confess again to the various attempts I have made through the years of putting and keeping You in a tidy box of my own understanding. Sweetest Jesus, there is such marked freedom in coming to accept that I absolutely do not know all the things I have worked so very hard to learn and understand.

Thank You Jesus for helping me realize that Your Word is Truth. Filtering life’s happenings through It is paramount to our being able to sing hallelujahs to You! It is only because of Your Truth that we are able to adhere to Paul’s encouraging words to Your believers in Thessalonica when he told them to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1Thes. 5:18). This goes so contrary to that which we are used to doing. Thank You Jesus for teaching us a much better way!

These past couple of days has been particularly easy to give You our thanks and praise. Time spent with loving friends and family. All the senses involved with preparing and eating favorite dishes. Moments of sheer delight with the various sights and sounds of the much-loved infant grandson and his parents instantly remind us to ♫count our many blessings and name them one by one♫.

Thank You Jesus that it is only because of You and Your phenomenal love for each of us that we are able to recognize You in our very midst. Thank You Jesus for Your blessings; Your love, Your mercies and Your grace. We love You so very much and we are so incredibly grateful to be able to wake up and ♫Sing hallelujah to You Lord♫ Thank You Lord Jesus. We love You. Amen.

(429 words ~ 12:27 p.m.)

teamwork / Headship

Monday, November 21, 2011 (7:50 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, Ca

Most Blessed Loving Lord Jesus,

Oh how I love and thank You Lord! You made this change in scenery happen for us. You were there at home packing with us. The disagreements and tense moments that normally would have been part of the process weren’t! Why? Because You were leading and guiding us every step of the way.

Thank You Jesus. Thank You for clear lines of communication. Thank You that in the moment that could have completely derailed us, I choose to acquiesce and ‘submit to my husband’s leadership in the same way I submit to the Lord’ (Ephesians 5:22). I made that same decision eighteen years ago that has enabled us to become the team we currently are.

And that’s what I thought I was coming to talk with You about this morning. The incredible teamwork that You have provided us. Funny how You change my perspective! Now I’m looking at “Headship”.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011 (4:02 p.m.)

Ah, Sweetest Jesus, thank You! I sit. I rest. I think. I remember. I talk. I read. And here I am again reading more about Your Headship! And THAT is EXACTLY what made the difference of the preparing for this trip. It WASN’T the great teamwork that the husband and I have managed to develop over the years. No. Jesus. It’s YOU! The TRUE Head of our family. Our team.

Thank You Jesus for Who You are. All You do. Thank You for the closeness that has grown because of Your magnificent Headship. I first read about it in the Illustrated Bible Handbook. There’s great Truth here Lord Jesus. It sites Ephesians 1:22 and 4:15, 16. I sit here reading them and the surrounding verses, nodding my head, thinking, “Yes! Tell me more!”

I find myself truly AGOG [excited and eager to tell J]. Yet all my thoughts seem to scramble together. Quoting the Handbook’s ‘Theology in Brief’ I wholeheartedly agree, “Jesus is the harmonizer of the body, who blends each member into relationships with others in which he or she can best love and serve.”

As the section continues it references the verse (Ephesians 5:22) that brought me here in the first place saying, “Men are not given control over the lives of their wives. Rather they are given the privilege of taking the lead in serving and giving themselves for the benefit of the wife, just as Christ as Head loved and gave Himself for the church.”

Jesus, I took You at Your Word 18 years ago, when I choose to read and obey this verse. Originally I had reached over and picked up The Life Recovery Bible with the full intention of using it as a missile guided toward said husband. Thank You Jesus for intervening. Thank You for the change that took place between us right then and there as he felt fully trusted by me, quite possibly for the first time in our entire relationship. Thank You too that I didn’t hesitate to point out to him that the One I trusted there was YOU!

Yes Dearest Jesus. Thank You for truly being the Headship in charge of all of our teamwork. We could never have done ANY of this without You. We love You so incredibly much. Thank You for first so loving us! Thank You. Amen.

(563 words ~ 4:30 p.m.)

smiling

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 (8:19 a.m.)

Loving Lord Jesus,

Awesome Father God, Incredible Holy Spirit, THANK YOU! Thank You that I got to wake up singing to You again. Thank You that I recognized what I was singing right off the bat. ♫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…!

Thursday, November 17, 2011 (6:59 a.m.)

Anaheim, CA

Ah, Blessed Lord Jesus, I sit here realizing that I am smiling. And it’s ALL because of You!

Very shortly after starting this yesterday I became angry. Door slamming, foot stomping angry! When I prayed asking that I wouldn’t be angry any longer, You reminded me that I could go ahead and be angry but I was not to sin in my anger (Ephesians 4:26-27). Thank You for that Jesus. I truly believe it was one of the quickest fit pitching events I can ever remember being a part of it. Slam. Stomp. “Don’t sin in your anger.” Stomp. Slam. Stomp.

Thank You Jesus. Because of You and Your great love and sacrifice for the people of this world I was able to wake up again this morning smiling. Smiling and eager to come once again to spend time with You.

Already this morning I’ve read of Your willingness to “pour water upon him who is thirsty” (Isaiah 44:3a). Because of Your refreshing water, I am excited to get started on the things that are here for me to do this day.

As I look further at Your Word, I realize there is more to this verse. “And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children.”

You have done exactly that ♫Fairest Lord Jesus♫. Here I sit in the kitchen of some of YOUR children, surrounded by the love that YOU instituted here. I learn so much more about Your sacrificial love by the interactions of these particular children of Yours. All of them aware of the desire they have to share the blessings You have so freely poured out upon them.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the opportunity to be a more active part of their lives. Here I sit with a bird’s eye view of the blessings You provide. Reading the next verse in Isaiah 44, “They shall thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank” (4). Here are four of Your children working to further Your Kingdom here on earth, each in their own individual way and collectively also as a team. They encourage one another through their love and devotion to You. And they admonish each other as well. No wonder I am smiling! I am witness to You through them.

Thank You Jesus. As I sit here reading more in The Living Bible version of Your Word, I hear church bells off in the distance. I’ve gone to the beginning verses of this chapter and once again I’m even more encouraged. This is a chapter telling that Idols Are False Gods. It tells of the things You are. “The Lord, the King of Israel, says – yes, it is Israel’s Redeemer, the Lord Almighty, who says it – I am the First and Last; there is no other God” (v.6).

Beginning at verse one I read again, “Listen to me, O my servant Israel, O my chosen ones: The Lord who made you, who will help you, says O servant of mine, don’t be afraid. O Jerusalem, my chosen ones, don’t be afraid. For I will give you abundant water for your thirst and for your parched fields.” You provide our every need.

Through Your abundant living water, You give us hope. It is only because of this particular water that the fruit of Your very Spirit grows in each of us. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. And self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Yes Jesus. No wonder I’m smiling! Thank You. Amen.

(672 words ~ 8:13 a.m.)

advocate

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 (7:33 a.m.)

Loving Lord Jesus,

I got to go back to sleep. In doing so there was much more thought of You, Your Word, Your promises and Your Truth. Jesus, I love You so much. Truly, I want to advocate for You!

As I turn in Your Word, I find this is yet another of the things You are for us. Thank You Jesus.

David depended on You when he called after King Saul saying, “May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and He will rescue me from Your power!” (1Samuel 24:15).

Job knew to place his hope, faith and trust in You. “Yet even now the Witness to my innocence is there in heaven; my Advocate is there on high” (Job 16:19).

Repeatedly John wrote of Your foretelling the coming of our Advocate (John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7). Jesus You are so good. You provide our every single need. In his first letter to an unnamed group of early churches, John tells of the hope we have in You. “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous” (1John 2:1).

The Living Bible paraphrase puts this same verse thusly, “My little children, I am telling you this so that you sill stay away from sin. But if you sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good and who pleases God completely.”

Jesus, Your are our Advocate and truly I long to advocate on Your behalf. I love You. I thank You. And I ask You to do in and through and for me all the things that will bring this desire to fruition. Thank You. Amen.

(331 words ~ 11:04 a.m.)

magical / MAGICAL!

Saturday, November 12, 2011 (7:24 a.m.)

Mm Blessed Lord Jesus,

Thank You! Waking up thinking about all things magical. ♫This Magic Moment♫ The Magic City. Another song… Olivia Newton-John’s ♫Magic♫ The lyrics of both songs point me to You. Not in a conjuring, occult-ish, sleight of hand kind of way. No. You are extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional… Anything but dull or boring!

I don’t know where to go with this line of thinking. Take me into Your Word, Perfect Jesus. Guide and direct my thoughts, prayers and learning this day.

Thank You Jesus. Thank You that even though I am unable to grasp all the thoughts coming into my head at this moment, You know what You want for me.

Turning in Your Word to Isaiah 47:12 because of the word ‘magical’ I read God’s Revenge against Babylon. Immediately to the left are music notes I had drawn at one time encompassing part of 45:23. “I have sworn by myself, and I will never go back on my word, for it is true – that ♫every knee in all the world shall bow to me, and every tongue♫ shall swear allegiance to my name.” Just exactly what will that be like when it happens Dearest Jesus?

Even as I am reading Your Word of Truth, words from another song insist on being sung. Not being sure what they are I GoodSearched what I could decipher and once again I am singing ♫You are stronger You are stronger Sin is broken You have saved me It is written Christ is risen Jesus You are Lord of all♫

Jesus, You amaze me. I confess to being dreadfully distracted this morning. My mind keeps going off in way too many directions. Every time I think I have a nugget from You, whoosh, I’m off looking up more lyrics that have come to mind. Just now? ♫Magical Mystery Tour♫

I want to hear from You. Learn from You. Pay attention to Your teaching. Talk to me today Dearest Jesus. Guide me. Direct me.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 (3:21 a.m.)

And then You do Dearest Jesus. I finally see that You do! Waking up a half hour ago I didn’t want to get up. Laying there thinking, I didn’t want the day to begin yet. Oh but thank You. Thank You that I listened to You!

Magical. “Mercy And Grace In Christ’s All-forgiving Love”. I confess to You the guilt I have often felt in using that word. I know You are good. And I want to stir my thoughts in Your direction. By using the word magical I’ve often thought I was doing You a disservice.

On the very day I started this prayer to You, several Christian women gathered at a friend’s home for a “Homemade Holiday” Craft Fair and what was the word they used most in describing the day? Magical!

What was the word that came to mind when I first looked outside just minutes ago seeing all the white lights the man of this household has so perfectly arranged on our back fence? Magical! And not two minutes later they automatically shut themselves off. Two minutes and I would have missed another magical moment with You! Thank You Jesus.

There is much I want to accomplish this day. I haven’t had a lot of ambition lately. Your mercy and grace keeps working in me. Guiding. Directing. Enabling. Empowering me to take one more step toward where You want me to go.

There are so many areas where I realize I am powerless. Waiting on You, trusting in You is what I know to be best for me. Exercising yesterday by line dancing with a neighbor, taking steps toward approaching unfinished business at my mom’s house, things I didn’t necessarily want to do but know are important turned out wonderfully. Magical! Mercy and grace in Christ’s all-forgiving love!

Thank You Jesus. Thank You that You are so good. I love You so much. Thank You. Amen.

(659 words ~ 4:21 a.m.)

good courage

Friday, November 11, 2011 (7:20 a.m.)

Sweetest Jesus,

The more I practice saying Your name, the easier and more readily it comes. Thank You Jesus. Thank You that ALL my strength and hope and faith and love reside in You! Thank You that in every single moment, every development, I get to choose. I can choose to fear and be afraid. Or I can choose faith. Courage. Hope.

(8:06 a.m.)

I’ve been reading just now in the book of Joel. Beginning at 2:20-22. Lord Jesus, how I thank You for all You are. All You have done. And all You are going to do. My tendency is to become focused on the problems that surround us. Thank You for teaching me to look past the obvious, the urgent, the immediate… to You. Our Hope. Our Savior. Our Redeemer.

In You we are covered. With grace. Mercy. Forgiveness. Perfect love. I don’t ever have to be afraid again. I can. You’ll let me. But I don’t have to. I can choose to “be of good courage” (Psalm 27:14). I can ‘come to You’ when I am weak ‘and heavy laden, and You will give me rest’ (Matthew 12:28-30).

Too often Blessed Jesus, I try to depend on myself. I think. I struggle. I work to figure things out. It’s when I drop all efforts at the foot of Your blessed cross and come to You just exactly as I am that I find Your peace. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Thank You that You call me. And You comfort me. I’ve jumped all around in Your Word this morning. Reading snippets of hope. Truth. Promises that You made. Promises that I have every reason to believe You will keep. You are good Dearest Jesus. A True Man of Your Word! All of my cares, hope, fear, wants and desires can be bundled up and cast on You (1 Peter 5:7). Whether they deal with friends, family, someone I see in passing, or even myself, You have taught and continue teaching me the peace and joy that is mine in You. Thank You Jesus. Thank You for calling me to be of good courage. I cannot possibly do it of my own accord. But “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power” (Philippians 4:13).

And all this comes from the power and majesty of Your glorious name. Thank You Lord Jesus. I love You. Amen.

(414 words ~ 9:05 a.m.)

"Be Holy"

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 (7:35 a.m.)

Loving Lord Jesus,

I had planned to ask You about love and forgiveness. Instead I’m asking You to guide me in Your Word today. Take me in the direction You would have me go.

Jesus, I love You. It’s taken me so very long to become more comfortable using Your name. I’m not there yet. It’s still a conscious effort.

And from the word ‘conscious’ I went to 1Peter 1:17 (The Message) “Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.”

(8:37 a.m.)

I’ve spent this past hour pouring over different translations of 1 Peter 1 and Hebrews 4:12. I can’t even begin to express myself. I’m torn between hope and despair. I know I am called to Be Holy (1Peter 1:13-2:3) but I also know my own propensity to run off ahead of You and try to make that happen on my own.

Lord Jesus, I have experienced the joy of watching You work in my life. I confess to far too often trying to crack some mysterious code that would allow me special access into Your presence, enabling me to live above the circumstances in which I find myself.

I read words like “self-controlled” (v. 13), “obedient” (14) and “grow up” (2:2) and I honestly stop and think, “Oh no. Anything but that.” Blessed Jesus, I have slipped back over to behaving selfishly and immaturely.

And You just keep on taking over don’t You! I confess. You lead! Verses I’ve read before take on brand new meaning when I filter them through confession and prayer. Hebrews 4:12-13 (Cotton Patch Gospel), “For God’s Word is alive with energy, and sharper than any double-edged sword you ever saw; so sharp, in fact, that it can draw a line between the mental and the spiritual, like separating bones from marrow, and discern all our inner emotions and drives. For there isn’t a thing in the world He doesn’t notice. Before Him, whose Word searches us, everything stands naked and bare.”

There really isn’t anything about me that You don’t already know! It’s me that gets all caught up in trying to figure things out instead of just trusting You to be and do all You have promised all along.

The Life Recovery Bible commentary for this section of Hebrews states, “During hard times our faith tends to dwindle; it is easy to grow angry and harden our heart to the truth about ourself. There is an antidote to this problem: the Word of God, whish has spiritual power to penetrate even the deepest denial. This is good news for those of us struggling to overcome a dysfunctional life-style characterized by a tendency to distort reality. God knows everything about us, even the things we try to hide from ourself. We can count on Him, through His Word, to uncover the problems and needs we will face in recovery.” Oh AMEN Blessed Jesus! Amen.

I have to turn myself completely over to You. I cannot manufacture holiness on my own. I can never be good, holy, pure, righteous… enough by myself. It all has to come through You. Filter me through You this day. Teach and enable me to truly Be Holy! I love You Blessed Jesus. Thank You. Amen.

(551 words ~ 9:24 a.m.)

love songs

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 (7:21 a.m.)

Beloved Jesus,

Thank You! Two hours ago it was much too dark, too cold, too lonely to ramble around the house. Now it’s perfect. Thank You.

Two hours ago I wasn’t sure. I just had a thought. Now I’ve confirmed it. Eighteen years ago, today’s date was on a Monday. It was the day we had chosen to “pull the plug” on the patriarch of our family. It was a big decision. Huge! But one our mom made with the style and grace of a woman so much in love with the soul who had been laid out on a hospital bed for over seven months.

You were there with us Jesus. I remember. The doctor in charge invited You in. We thought that so kind. And appropriate. Thank You.

Thank You also for the two songs that keep singing themselves to me. One right in the middle of the other. We heard them both on Sunday. The first led me to my feet during worship at church. The second, while driving the car, caused a gasp from my husband, followed by an offer to dance and tears streaming down his face.

Blessed Jesus, too often I get sidetracked by the list of things that haven’t gotten done. I mope and complain far too much. This morning I am content to sit and consider the overwhelming love You have for us. Love that is expressed in two entirely different songs.

♫There is love That came for us Humbled to a sinner’s cross You broke my shame And sinfulness You rose again Victorious♫ Your love for us. Perfect love. Love that is not to be confused with any other.

And then there is the love expressed by a country singer so many years ago. A song that still causes added tenderness and tears to a certain couple. ♫They were so much in love with life, happy in every way. But love the movie began with, somehow got lost in the play. Like a fire burning out of control, You got caught up in the actor’s role, And you cried on my shoulder when it came to an end♫

Jesus, how I thank You for us getting to experience Your love through a song long before we ever even knew You. All those years we spent trying to figure out how to love one another well were brought together for us back then by singing ♫But that’s all in the movies, It won’t happen to you and I. That’s all in the movies; so baby don’t cry. It’s all in the movies, It won’t happen to us I know. That’s all in the movies, Just a bad picture show♫

The love in this household has definitely had its moments Lord. There were times of great strength and those when we truly were held together only by the songs of various artists. Ah, but it was YOU behind the truth of those songs all along!

♫Faithfulness none can deny Through the storm And through the fire There is truth that sets me free Jesus Christ who lives in me You are stronger You are stronger Sin is broken You have saved me It is written Christ is risen Jesus You are Lord of all♫

Oh most dear and blessed Lord of all, YOU have been our strength every single time we didn’t know how we would or did get through things. YOU who had ♫No beginning and no end You’re my hope and my defense You came to seek and save the lost You paid it all upon the cross♫

There are plenty of musical artists whose works have helped us recognize our love for each other whenever we were too caught up in our own emotions to see it for ourselves. But none of them were ever able to actually BE that love. Thank You Jesus for BEING our love songs to one another.

(12:15 p.m.)

Thank You that You ARE the love that binds us together. Oh look Lord Jesus… yet another song ♫There is only one God, There is only one King, There is only one body; That is why we sing: “Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together with love.”♫

Oh but it doesn’t stop there. GoodSearching “Jesus Is Love” brings up a brand-new-to-me oldie ♫Father Help Your children And don’t let them fall By the side of the road, mmm… mmm… And teach them To love one another That Heaven might find A place in their hearts ‘Cause Jesus is love…♫

Thank You Lord Jesus for being our love, as well as our love songs. Thank You for holding us together through all the times in the past when we otherwise would have surely drifted apart.

We love You Lord Jesus and we thank You for being in us and through us that which we cannot possibly be on our own. Loving. Joyful. Peaceful. Patient. Kind. Good. Faithful. Gentle. And self-controlled. It’s YOU Lord and that mighty-fine fruit of Your Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) working in and through us, transforming us into Your very own love songs. Thank You Lord Jesus. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(871 words ~ 12:24 p.m.)

Revelation 1:4-6 / Philippians 3:20

Monday, November 7, 2011 (7:19 a.m.)

Blessed Lord Jesus,

I’m still being a brat. Behaving badly. Thinking You instead of seeking You. Please help me here Lord. I love You. I know that. I need You. I know that too. What do I do next? Confess that I’m all caught up in my head.

I feel torn Lord. Really mixed up by the way I always thought things would be and the reality of how life truly is. Speak to me about this Lord Jesus. You are so good and I love You so very much.

Too often I get distracted doing things that don’t benefit Your Kingdom. Ooh. Ouch. The whiplash I just felt by that simple statement has stopped me dead in my tracks.

I keep trying to figure things out on my own. I want to alter our future by figuring out the mistakes of the past. Rarely, if ever, do I funnel or filter my thoughts through what is most benefiting to Your Kingdom’s glory.

Your Kingdom’s Glory, I’m not even sure what that means. What I DO know is that I get so wrapped up in thinking and seeing things one dimensionally, that I completely forget that THIS is not my home!

Jesus, I can never thank You enough for Your Word. Your Truth. Your life. Your death. Your Kingdom. Lord Jesus, You are so much greater than my limited thinking allows me to fathom.

I turned to Revelation to read again of Your Kingdom. In doing so I was reminded of the grace and peace offered us by “God who is, and was, and is to come” (1:4b). Looking at the bottom of the page in The Life Recovery Bible, I read this comment “The powerful work of Jesus Christ is the only valid foundation for recovery.” Oh, amen to that!

“Christ shed His redemptive blood on the cross in order to free us from bondage to sin, past abuse, destructive habits, compulsions, and addictions.” Come, Lord Jesus, come.

“God loved us enough to send His Son to die on our behalf. But then Jesus rose from the dead conquering death forever! Through Him, we also can rise to new life.” Really Lord? Just like that?

“No matter who we are or what we have done, in Christ, God has a solution for our problems. Even death has been overcome!” Mm. Yes Lord Jesus. You paid the price for ALL of my sin!

“Through Christ, we have been made citizens of His eternal Kingdom (see Philippians 3:20), and we have an eternity of healthy living to look forward to.” Lord Jesus, I confess to reverting once again to attempting to hide and pretend away the fears I continue grabbing and holding onto. I keep looking at things in THIS world instead of hoping, praying and believing Your Word on all that is to come with You in Your Kingdom.

In his letter to the people of Philippi, Paul wrote of the joys that are found in following You. I confess to attempting to manufacture those joys.

Under the heading Forgetting the Past; Reaching for the Goal (Philippians 3:12-21) Paul told of his goal to be obedient to Your will and accomplish it daily.

I had forgotten these verses Dearest Lord Jesus. “No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us” (vs. 13-14).

He continues urging “all of you who are mature Christians” (15) to “pattern your lives after mine, and notice who else lives up to my example” (17). He warns “now with tears in my eyes” (18) of the “many who walk along the Christian road who are really enemies of the cross”.

“Their future is eternal loss, for their god is their appetite: they are proud of what they should be ashamed of; and all they think about is this life here on earth” (19). Most dear and blessed Lord Jesus, I resemble that verse far too closely!

Continue Your work in me most blessed One making me so much more like Your believers mentioned in verse 20. “But our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ is; and we are looking forward to His return from there.”

Jesus, I love You. I trust You. I depend on You. The thoughts and fears of my past could be my undoing. I choose instead to look to You. To Your Kingdom. To Your Kingdom’s glory. Thank You Lord Jesus. I love You. Amen.

(795 words ~ 9:20 a.m.)

tears / fears / hears

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 (8:26 a.m.)

Blessed Lord Jesus,

We’re home. And it’s windy. REALLY windy! All the things I thought I might do today hinge on what I’m not sure. Readjusting maybe?

You provided us a beautifully safe trip. Filled with friends and fun, love and laughter. Thank You Jesus. I practiced saying that this weekend. That is, when I could speak.

I was caught off guard at how freely and readily tears flowed. From the beginning of the very first hymn on Sunday morning, to the climbing aboard a hayride Halloween afternoon, it seemed my first reaction to most things was tears. Tears brought on by joy. A sense of fulfillment. Excitement. Deeply repressed memories. Unexpected beauty.

Sunday, November 6, 2011 (6:30 a.m.)

Our clocks ‘fell back’ this morning, which means I have an extra hour today. Thank You Jesus. I haven’t used the time You’ve so generously given me this past week as wisely as I’d like. I’ve sat around. Watched way too much T.V. Thought about things that make me feel sad. Wished and waited and wondered. But mostly, I’ve avoided. You.

Why is that Lord? It reminds me of that silly little game I used to play with the gas gauge on the car. How close to empty can I get, without running out? That’s EXACTLY what it’s like Lord! How close to being empty [of YOU] can I get, without running out! But, why? Why would I even want to consider playing such a thing?

Here You are. Lord. Savior. Christ. Jesus. And I just want to keep running right passed You like You aren’t even here? Why? How could that possibly make sense to anyone? Will You talk to me about this Jesus?

We have plants that I sometimes do the same thing to. I watch the water level go down further and further. JUST before it’s too late for them, I give them the drink they so desperately need to survive. What’s that all about?

Thank You Jesus that I get to come to You with such honest questions. These are two examples that I have been aware of for years and always kept to myself, believing that there must be something seriously wrong with me for playing with such ridiculousness. Thank You for allowing me to bring even this nonsense before You.

Jesus, thank You for gently guiding me back here with You. I look around me at all the stuff that keeps me distracted. I’ve wobbled back and forth between caring and not caring about most things these past few days. Thoughts and concerns hidden behind make shift prayers on the fly. Thank You for both the time and the desire to sit here with You, and listen.

You love me. That matters! In the giant scheme of things that matter and those that don’t, You loving me matters! Thank You that I know that. Thank You that while the tears of joy I shed one day too often turn to fears of the unknown the next, when I finally come to my senses and sit down with You I am reminded of how lukewarm I have again become.

Thank You Jesus that You are such The Gentleman! You don’t force. You don’t just barge in unannounced. No. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Thank You Jesus that Your love for us is not contingent on our behavior, attitude or willingness. You love us because You are God and God is love (1John 4:8). Thank You for Your patience with me. As well as Your kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23).

You are good Lord and I am grateful. Thank You for Who and What and ALL You are. I love You Jesus. I have some plants to water. Amen.

(645 words ~ 7:53 a.m.)