marriage

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 (5:45 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Sixty-four years ago, a very young man (19) and an even younger woman (18) drove several hours and over two hundred miles with his brother and her best friend to join their lives in marriage. It wasn’t a perfect relationship, but as a daughter of the union I’m glad for the many things they taught us through their 45 years together.

Father God, Your Word has much to say about the subject of marriage. Talk to me about what You would have me take away from here today.

I’m smiling as I ask, “Really God?” Here You have me reading again in Hosea. Truly a less than perfect relationship. One that You used to teach many things. How good are You!

Reading the “Reflections On Hosea” at the back of the book, the insights are about Your compassion and the importance of having a relationship with You. May I say a deep and profound, “Amen!”

The PURPOSE under THE BOTTOM LINE says, “To reveal God’s unending love for His sinful people and God’s desire to restore their relationship with Him.” The KEY VERSE: “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will reap a crop of my love; plow the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower salvation upon you” (10:12).”

Under RECOVERY THEMES are The Power of Committed Love, Tough Love Leads to Recovery, God is Merciful and Never “Too Far Gone” for God. These are such important truths to explore. There are examples of punishment and restoration. Your faithfulness. Our choices. Commitment. Persistence. Reconciliation. Discipline. Doom. Love. Forgiveness. Grace. And blessing to follow.

As I read a description of chapter 13, verses 4-16 stating that Your people “rebelled against the only One who can redeem” a song from the other day jumped to the forefront of all other thoughts. Leave it to me to again associate You and Your Word to a Broadway show. This time? Starlight Express.

I looked at the words earlier last week. Doing a Wikipedia search of them just now has me stretching them straight into fitting Hosea and Gomer’s tentative relationship. The young steam locomotive, Rusty, truly loved the observation car Pearl. She on the other hand was ‘a silly girl whose head is turned by each attractive male that passes her.’

Reading more I discover “Rusty’s journey through the story of Starlight Express shows him, in his darkest hour, calling to the Starlight Express for help. The Starlight Express answers telling him ‘Only you have the power within you…’. Rusty gains belief in himself, and goes on to race in the final.”

I told You it’s a stretch. But there’s so much more here than originally met my eye. As I was singing this very song to YOU just days ago I stood firm in the truth that ♫Only YOU have the power to move me♫ As I read more of Your Word and this story I can sing it even more certainly.

♫There was I wondering why Every day’s a peer into the distance Now with You the LIGHT is shining through You gave my life not just existence Only YOU have the power to move me… If only You use the power to move me Take me hold me mold me Change me and improve me We can make it happen You and I♫

Marriage is hard. Relationships take work. But You alone art God, and YOU have the power to move us where we never thought we’d want to go. Use Your power in each of us Dearest Father. Make us exactly who You want us to be.

Thank You for the love of that 19 year old boy for that 18 year old girl. Thank You for the love, flawed as it may have been, that has resulted in three generations of us wanting to get to know and experience the love ♫only YOU♫ have for each of us. Thank You Father. I truly love You. Amen.

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

communication

Memorial Day Monday, May 28, 2012 (6:54 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You. Four hours ago I was singing ♫All glory, honor, power is Yours Amen♫ from the worship song Cannons. Now I’ve gone in the completely opposite direction with ♫Hot Diggity Dog Ziggity Boom what You do to me♫ I love it! I have absolutely NO idea where You’re going to take our time together and I’m so excited to go there with You.

Our family is currently having a big, HUGE problem with communication. At first I thought it was going on peripherally. On the outside. Not directly affecting us here at home. Yesterday I realized that is not so.

Quoting Strother Martin as the prison captain in the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke, “What we have here is… failure to communicate.” That was the first movie I remember seeing that upset me to my very core. It took me years to use the phrase “man’s inhumanity to man” to describe my angst over what I had seen.

Interesting how long it takes me to recognize whether it happens in real life or in the movies. The Longest Yard and Dances With Wolves are two other movies that have that same unsettling outraged effect on me. What to do? What to do? Especially when I see mercy and grace being withheld amongst my own.

Thank You Blessed Father that we get to come before You asking for prayer. We’ve made mistakes. Many of which we aren’t even aware. You are good. Quick to forgive. Forgive and heal our family I pray.

Our experience in church yesterday coincides with the scripture I am reading under the topic COMMUNICATION. In Acts 8:26-40 Philip follows an angel’s leading to “Go over to the road that runs from Jerusalem through the Gaza Desert”. There he encountered a eunuch of great authority reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. When it was clear that the man did not understand what he was reading, Philip explained it.

“As they rode along, they came to a small body of water and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! Why can’t I be baptized?’ ‘You can,’ Philip answered, ‘if you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’”

Philip’s example shows us the importance of Listening First. Originally he listened to the angel’s leading and then to the eunuch himself. Beginning with the Scripture the Ethiopian was reading, he used many others to tell him about Jesus.

Quoting The Life Recovery Bible concerning sharing our spiritual awakening with others, “The way Philip communicated is a model for us. He was sensitive to allow God to lead him to someone who was ready. He wasn’t so intimidated by the man’s status [that of being the Treasurer of Ethiopia] that he hesitated to share his story. Philip began by listening carefully. He tuned into the man’s need and interests and then explained their relationship to the message he was prepared to share. Whether we are zealous or shy, following this mode can help us communicate our message in a way that people can understand and receive it.”

Teach me Father. Show me how to become a better communicator of Your Word. Your Son. Your promises.

I love You. Help us learn the communication skills necessary to make a positive impact in this world for You. Thank You. Amen.

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

hone

Sunday, May 27, 2012 (7:03 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus,

I woke up singing ♫I love You Jesus♫ to the tune of the “Conrad” song from Bye, Bye Birdie. This led me to searching a LOT of little known facts and using up quite a bit of time reading too much about many seemingly unrelated topics.

(8:11 a.m.)

I am confessing my ‘pinball brain’ to You right now. Asking that You would not only focus it, but hone it. “Hone – make sharper or more focused or efficient”. Yes, Blessed Jesus, sharpen my thoughts.

I like when You answer so quickly. Now I’m asking for Your meaning to what I have found.

Searching ‘sharpen’ in The Message I found six verses. Proverbs 27:17 stopped me in my tracks. “Your Face Mirrors Your Heart You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.” Teach me what You want me to take with me from this.

♫I love You Jesus, Oh yes I do, I love You Jesus, And I’ll be true. When You’re not near me, I’m blue. Oh, Jesus, I love You!♫

I truly do Love You Most Holy Friend and Savior. Work in me. Teach me. Guide and direct me that I will live my days according to Your will. Thank You for Your love and sacrifice. I love You. Amen.

(221 words ~ 9:40 a.m.)

"No."

Saturday, May 26, 2012 (10:25 a.m.)

Loving Father,

Thank You. Yesterday I asked for courage. This morning I saw a billboard with just one l-a-r-g-e word, “BRAVE”.

Looking up the trailer and teasers for this yet to be released Pixar film, a question is asked by the protagonist. “If you had the chance to change your fate, would you?”

There’s a lot going on inside me these days. Questions. Doubts. Fears. So I’m coming directly to YOU, asking what about myself You would have me work to change?

One small, tiny little change I made almost without noticing it. I was preparing to go and do something I really didn’t want to and instead I said, “No. You go. I’ll stay here.” Something as simple as that reminded me of my silent prayer to You much earlier this morning when I asked You to help me say, “No.”

Far too often I say yes when I think it’s what the other person wants to hear. I think it’s been quite awhile since I have examined my heart of hearts to see what is really going on inside me.

There’s a lot of disappointment. Things have not turned out as I had once expected. I remember hearing a pastor teach us fairly recently that the two biggest joy stealers are: unresolved guilt and unrealistic expectations. I long to live in the joy You have designed for us. If I had the chance to change my fate, would I? Only to the degree and direction that You lead!

I long to be joyful Dearest Father. Joy, as a byproduct of Your love. How do I begin? By being honest. At all cost. Speaking TRUTH in love. Saying, “No” when it is what needs to be said.

Work in me in this area Most Blessed One. You know my needs. You provide my every single one. Teach me the fine art of using a well timed, firm and loving, “No.” I love You so very much Most Holy, Loving God. Thank You for all You are and all You offer each and every one of us.

Grow me up in You I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

courage

Friday, May 25, 2012 (6:22 a.m.)

Anaheim, CA

Awesome God,

Talk to me this morning about courage. “Courage: noun - the ability to do something that frightens one; strength in the face of pain or grief. ORIGIN Middle English (denoting the heart, as the seat of feelings) Courage is what makes someone capable of facing extreme danger and difficulty without retreating”.

Courage. I’d like some please. Derived terms are: courageous, discourage and encourage. Obsolete uses are the verb form I awoke thinking of: couraged, couraging and courages. So much I want to experience that ‘confident character of not being afraid or intimidated easily’. There are times. There really are times. I’d like them to be more consistently present in me.

Where will I be able to develop such courage? In and through You. Only, in and through You.

I read Your Word and take It to heart. It encourages, enheartens and emboldens me. It inspires me. And fills me with hope.

(1:36 p.m.)

Hope? There’s that word again! Reading a Serenity Prayer devotion for 1 Chronicles 28:1-21 builds my hope. Interesting that this particular section speaks of King David’s hope ‘of building a magnificent temple, the likes of which the world had never seen.’

It goes on to say “It’s natural to fear that if we allow ourself to hope we’ll only be disappointed again, or that we might start and fail, suffering public humiliation.” I don’t know that it has ever occurred to me that it even takes courage just to hope! Thank You Father. I needed to learn that!

“Fear of failure, humiliation, or disappointment can keep us from seeking life in all its fullness. It takes courage to dream of the life we truly desire.” Have I stopped dreaming, God?

Further along, this same section states “But we need only ‘to be strong and courageous and get to work.’ We need not be frightened by the size of the task, for ‘God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until His task within you is finally finished’ (Philippians 1:6).”

Most Blessed Father God, I confess to being afraid to hope for more. I’m asking You to teach me to dream the dreams You have for me. Teach me what it’s like to live a life based on courage instead of fear. I love You so much and I long to be the woman You have created me to be. Thank You for the work You are doing in me. I love You. Amen.

(426 words ~ 1:52 p.m.)

offshoot

Thursday, May 24, 2012 (7:42 a.m.)

Anaheim, CA

Blessed, Awesome God,

You are so good. So righteous. So holy. Thank You. No matter what our problems, we get to come before You exactly as we are. What an honor. What a privilege.

Thank You Father that this morning I get to sit here in a home that is not my own and listen to the sounds and interactions of an offshoot of our family tree. Ah [awe! J], Lord. I am so incredibly grateful for the work You are doing in this family.

Decades of unhealthy familial interactions are being discussed. Communicated. Brought to the light in order that they will be changed. What a blessed opportunity.

Father, we wholeheartedly thank You for the changes You are making in our family dynamics. You are healing that which can be healed and cutting off that which cannot. Thank You.

Thank You for the courage to address uncomfortable situations that arise. Thank You for truth spoken in love. Thank You for air that is being cleared. Purified. Through You and Your most Holy Spirit.

I don’t have words to express the hope that comes from knowing we are being led, as a family, by You. Change is happening. “Adventure IS out there!” And I look to You for the courage to embrace it!

In looking to You, I find myself once again in the book of Isaiah. It almost never ceases to make my seemingly heavy heart lighter. There is truly that sense of “the peace that passes understanding” deep in my heart (Philippians 4:7).

As I initially turned to Chapter 11, verse one of Isaiah I was filled with hope as I read the heading Promises of a Perfect Ruler. “The royal line of David will be cut off, chopped down like a tree; but from the stump will grow a Shoot – yes, a new branch from the old root.”

In verse two, it goes on to tell “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might; the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Promises of this nature continue throughout the chapter.

Ah Father, thank You for the hope of Your promises. Reading the recovery commentaries at the bottom of these two pages begin and end reiterating Your promises. “We may feel deep insecurities and hurt… Our hope is in God, who will come again and rule the world in justice and truth. He will straighten out all the inequities of the past…”

These are promises I am willing to stand on. The hope we find to continue, to persevere is only found in You. “God’s power to restore disintegrating families is great. The family of Israel had fallen… The nations of Israel and Judah were locked in destructive patterns of jealousy. Out of this mess, God promised to bring restoration and unity. He can do the same for us, too. If our family is separated because of abuse, addictions, jealousy, etc., God can unify it. Our recovery starts, however, with open communication and complete trust in God.”

Quoting a three year old from a few years past, telling his dad, when faced with a difficult challenge, “YOU do it!” Father God this is my prayer. YOU do this for us! Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(560 words ~ 9:17 a.m.)

eager

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 (6:40 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

You continue teaching me. I am eager to learn. Eager? Yes. This morning I can say I am eager. Thank You for that!

I have been taking steps back. Withdrawing. Reassessing. And today I can honestly say that is exactly what I should have been doing.

The word used yesterday was 'depression'. I didn’t like, nor embrace that diagnosis. I chose 'discouraged' instead. In looking to Your Word just now, imagine my delight in finding both. Together.

Turning to DEPRESSION in my Life Recovery Bible’s topical index, I found in my own tiny printing, “Low spirits of vitality. To lower the spirits; make gloomy; sadden. To lessen in vigor, force or energy. To press or push down”. Okay. I can agree with that.

My favorite part of turning to this section? The parenthesis following the word I originally looked up: (see Discouragement). Thank You very much!

Father, You are helping me see things differently than I have in the past. You are helping me learn to trust my instincts and intuitions. And for this I am truly feeling eager, and excited. Oh my. Dare I say “agog”?

Beloved Father God, I love turning to Your Word. I love the twists and turns I take in finding nuggets of hope for our everyday life. Under the heading of DISCOURAGEMENT are listed some pretty meaty words. Perfectionism. Forgiveness. And my big brother’s favorite. Hope.

It’s all found here. In Your Word. Eager to read more about forgiveness, I turn to Romans 5:3-5 and again I smile. I get to keep being reminded that Faith Brings Joy. Maybe I have a tendency to forget this important truth. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.”

How incredibly wonderful is that! Blessed, Beloved Father, thank You. At JUST the right time You would remind me that when all is said and done, “There are three things that remain – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love” (1Corinthians 13:13).

Do exactly what You will with me. Teach me. Guide me. Help me learn to follow You better than I do. There’s an issue with trusting my own instincts that I am truly asking You to settle for me. Keep working in and through me. Make and mold me into the woman You originally created me to be. Whatever that looks like. I am eager to get to know You (and me!) better.

And just when I thought I was done here I read one last paragraph from the section on Repeated Forgiveness. “Learning to wait patiently is an important characteristic for us to develop. Each time we admit wrong and accept God’s forgiveness, our hope and faith have a chance to be exercised and grow stronger. We no longer have to hide in shame every time we slip. We can admit our wrongs and move on. God’s love is reaffirmed every time we rely on it. In this way, God helps us to hold our heads high no matter what happens.”

Thank You Father. For Your love. And peace. And joy. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Your patience. And the faith and hope we glean from trusting You. Yes. Eager. It’s a good word to describe me today.

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

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

opportunity

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 (7:12 a.m.)

Incredibly Awesome Wonderful God,

Thank You! I almost missed this opportunity. I was waking up. Thinking that I once again didn’t have anything special to say to You. Not in a willful, stubborn way. Just a matter of fact, there’s nothing new going on.

Then I remembered that I have the opportunity to come before the Creator of the Universe. How could I possibly just discard that?

Father, thank You! I have the opportunity to come before You to listen and learn. I get to ask You to help those in need. This opportunity is a privilege. A privilege purchased at a great cost. The life of Your Blessed Son.

I look to Your Word. I am humbled and awed. I started with ‘opportunity’ and went to Colossians 4:5-6, “Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them up.”

Mm. Opportunity. A chance. Favorable time/occasion/moment, right set of circumstances. Make the most of every one. Yes Father. Keep working in me that You truly come first, before everything else in life. Let me make the decision to praise, worship and adore You just because You deserve it.

Thank You for the opportunity to be loved by You. Thank You for the opportunity to share that love with others. Work in me that I will truly “live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.” Let conversations that come from me “be gracious and attractive”. Make it ‘so that I will have the right response for everyone’. That seems like an incredibly tall order. One that can only be filled by You.

Thank You for Your love. Your call. All that You are and do. Thank You for this opportunity. And the next. Make me aware of every single one. I love You so much. And I thank You. Amen.

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

different concept

Saturday, May 19, 2012 (7:52 a.m.)

Primm, NV

Blessed Father,

Again last evening I was presented with a different concept than that with which I am used. The idea of You as Mother God.

Looking to Your Word and searching writings about this very different to me concept leaves me excited AND confused. You know I never want to run the risk of blasphemy. I will often stop short of complete understanding, for fear of MIS-understanding.

I look to You. Asking You to teach me that which You would have me know. Lead me in the areas You would have me pursue. And let all falsehoods fall far away from me.

Two thoughts I will take with me. One from Your Word, Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” The other from A Catholic Response webpage I found.

“Our human words can never adequately express God, Who is both holy (Psalm 99) and Love (1 John 4:16). Unlike human words, Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Word, Who can express God completely (Hebrews 1:1-3; Matthew 11:27). Christians can call God ‘Father’ because Jesus because Jesus gave us permission (Galatians 4:6). Otherwise we would be committing a sacrilege or even idolatry.

“In the Bible, God is described by many metaphors including that of motherhood (Deuteronomy 32:18; Matthew 23:37), but never called ‘Mother’ per se. In describing God, we must recognize the problems of our language. Even though our language is inadequate to describe God, it does influence our behavior and how we think of Him; therefore, it must be as correct and precise as possible. We may never find the exact words, but we must avoid using the wrong words. As Christians, we do not have the right to personally change God’s title to fit our whims.”

That seems to about sum it up for me. “Father”. “Holy”. “Blessed”. NOT “Mother”. Works for me! Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(342 words ~ 11:29 a.m.)

guidance

Friday, May 18, 2012 (7:25 a.m.)

Awesome, Beloved, Loving, Father God,

How I thank You Father. You provide our every need. You take care of us in ways we are not even aware. Thank You for Your love. Your guidance. Mm. Yes Dearest God. Your guidance. 

Spending many minutes looking up various verses in different translations, it’s the Contemporary English Version that has caught the bulk of my attention. The prelude to Psalm 25 begins simply “(By David.) A Prayer for Guidance and Help”. Verse one and the beginning of two express my own feelings well. “I offer You my heart, Lord God, and I trust You.”

Turning in The Life Recovery Bible I find Psalm 25 right across from Psalm 23. This is the very psalm that keeps showing up in my thoughts, as well as in various readings I’ve come across the past several days.

Father, I see You as Shepherd. Protector. Guide. I look to You for guidance and I feel at peace. Thank You for Your love.

Quoting David at a vulnerable time of his life, “I offer You my heart, Lord God, and I trust You.” Thank You for this peace and provision that You offer Your loved ones. It truly is in You that I place my trust. Thank You Father God.

Guide me this day I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(226 words ~ 8:07 a.m.)

revel

Thursday, May 17, 2012 (6:04 a.m.)

Most Amazing Loving Father God,

You love me. How amazing is that! I revel in the thought. Revel. Celebrate. Enjoy. Delight in. Love. Like. Adore. Be pleased by. Take pleasure in. Appreciate. Relish. Lap up. Savor. Get a kick out of. Yes. I REVEL in the thought that You love me.

Again I find myself in the book of Nehemiah. Reading of rebuilding. The need of physical and emotional safety. The importance of boundaries. Aren’t these the very things You and I were talking about yesterday?

In looking at the overview of this particular book, I read of Your people being encouraged to “rebuild their lives, their culture, and proper worship of God.” These people had a spiritual heritage that needed rebuilding.

Glancing down the list under RECOVERY THEMES, I find more of the thoughts You struck in my heart and mind yesterday. The Importance of Boundaries. The Importance of Confrontation. The Danger of Discouragement. The Power of Confession and Worship.

You have continued Your work in us around here. I have no doubt that You will keep it up. For this I am most grateful Blessed Father. I look to You and find hope. It’s when I look elsewhere that I become discouraged.

Father, thank You! Thank You that one word (revel) can lead me to all these truths. Turning to Nehemiah 9:25, “Your people captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in Your great goodness.”

That is precisely what I ask Perfect Father, that we would revel in Your great goodness! Chapter 8, verse 10 reminds, “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. Far too often I run ahead wanting to make changes in my own strength and understanding. Here I am reminded AGAIN that it is all in Your good and perfect timing. The changes that need to come are preceded by repentance and confession.

It’s through reveling in Your ability to bring us out of the bondage of our pasts that we get to experience the joy You give us. The very joy that leads to the strength we need to face and ‘deal with our destructive habits, defects of character, the wrongs we have done, the consequences that we now live with, and the hurt we have caused others.’

Most dear and blessed Father God, I DO revel in the fact that I am loved by You. I am NOT in this life alone. You DO have a plan for me and it IS for good and not for evil. It IS to give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). And I am grateful.

Guide me through the grief and destruction of my own making. Take me where You would have me go. Use me to Your greatest intent that I will truly revel in all that You are and all that You do.

I love You Father. And I am so incredibly grateful. Thank You. Amen.

(523 words ~ 7:44 a.m.)

associated thoughts

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (1:14 p.m.)

Anaheim, CA

Blessed Father God,

I’m not sure if I’m making sense of this, or just making it up. For so many of the past few days I keep singing a couple of words to a song I hardly know. In looking it up yesterday I was even more confused than I had been before, until working in the yard last evening. I think it might be a stretch, but it works for me!

There I was ♫in the cool, cool, cool of the evening♫ remembering four words from Psalm 23:6 and the next thing I knew I was thinking of the table You prepare “before me in the presence of mine enemies” (v.5).

I truly love how one thought of You often leads to so many others. There’s some truly special kind of wonderful in being able to associate random thoughts back to Your Word.

With the liberty I’ve taken in singing a song dating back to 1951 and associating it with the idea of the table You’re setting for each and every one of Your followers, I am eager to continue looking for other things that remind me of You.

Father, how I ask You to continue associating my thoughts with Your Word. Keep speaking to me. Guiding me all the days of my life. And we’re right back to where those first four words came in. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me…”

And with that comes the chorus ♫Tell ‘em I’ll be there♫ Whatever the table You are preparing, I am thrilled to be invited. Thank You Father for the lengths You will go to get our attention back to You and Your table. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(290 words)

time

Monday, May 14, 2012 (7:37 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

This month is almost half over and I’m sitting here dazed by that fact. Speak to me about using time wisely Most Blessed God.

No sooner had I asked and You delivered. “Psalm 90. The only psalm attributed to Moses, this meditates on human frailty (1-12) and on dependency on the Lord (13-17).” [Illustrated Bible Handbook] Thank You Father.

This is not my first time reading this psalm. I have notes dating back ten years. I’ve pleaded verse twelve to You often. “Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.”

I’m going through a rough patch here Father. You know the one? Not seeing the forest for the trees. Not knowing up from down. Mixed up. Confused. Sad. Scared. So many unknowns. I used to feel so certain about so many things.

What I find so awesome this morning is the truth that this particular psalm brings out. “You speak, and man turns back to dust” (v. 3). “A thousand years are but as yesterday to You! They are like a single hour!” (4) All my fretting and stewing are not going to add one iota to any of it. YOU are in control. YOU alone art God.

The commentary to verses 13-17 in the Life Recovery Bible says quite simply, “Our restoration to sanity and health depends on our cooperation with God. Only HE can give us the power to be what we ought to be; yet God won’t force changes on us until we want to change. The way we begin is through prayer. We can ask God to make us willing to change and then to give us the strength to follow through with action.”

This is my prayer most Blessed God and Father. Give me willingness and strength to make the changes that YOU know need to be made in my life. Provide it as perfectly as You did the manna in the desert for Your people all those years ago.

“Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!” I love You so incredibly much and I do NOT want to squander this precious gift of time that You have afforded me. Teach me Father. Make me willing and able to use Your gifts wisely and well. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(403 words ~ 8:17 a.m.)

perfection

Friday, May 11, 2012 (7:25 a.m.)

Awesome, Incredible, Wondrous Father God,

Yesterday You protected and provided for us perfectly. I realize that You do that for us each and everyday. But yesterday we were keenly aware of it.

We had car trouble of which we were unaware. The first clue was a noted toxic smell. There were kids to pick up from school. We had it timed to the very minute. All was going as planned, until the vehicle wouldn’t start.

Thank You Most Blessed Father God for the awareness of the neighbor that pointed out the fuel leaking under the car with every turn of the key and push on the gas pedal. Thank You for having us in the safety of a neighborhood where one stranger would help another.

Thank You for the conversation that had preceded this whole event. A true heart-to-heart which cleared the air of past hurts and disappointments. You did it all Father. From the initial silence of dissatisfaction to the tender tones and loving words used to discuss a growing problem.

You got us on the right page. You worked in each of us bringing us together as the team You are building us to be. You provided all the logistics of our being in an unfamiliar neighborhood, surrounded by people we didn’t know, yet it all fell together like clockwork.

One woman offered to take a man she didn’t know to a school out of her way to pick up children. A tow truck driver was the perfect entertainment for a four-year-old who adores “Mater” from Cars. Said driver went above and beyond his call of duty in his attempts to fix the problem himself and delivering the otherwise stranded driver to a location different than the towing address.

You provided this perfection Blessed Lord God. In Your own perfect Way. We were surrounded by Your loving perfection every second of the process, just as we are everyday. Thank You for reminding us Father.

The word ‘lucky’ was used to describe our circumstances. It was quickly replaced by ‘blessed’. Truly Father. We recognize the blessings You provided us at every turn. Blessings that can only be attributed to Your perfection.

Thank You Father. We are so incredibly grateful. We love You. Amen.

(381 words ~ 8:03 a.m.)

Lion. Lamb.

Thursday, May 10, 2012 (6:38 a.m.)

Most Blessed and Holy Father God,

THANK YOU! How long has it been that You’ve woken me up with pieces of a praise and worship song? At first it was just two words. “Lion” and “Lamb”. But I recognized them as being from You. Thank You.

Then I heard the first bird of the morning. How long has it been that I have even cared about hearing the first bird as my reminder to come out and be here with You? Thank You for putting the desire deep within me. Thank You that I am not here with You out of obligation but because I genuinely want to be.

That is because of You Most Blessed God. Thank You. Thank You for the opportunity to search readings about the Lion and the Lamb. Thank You that in the seeking I also found illustrations. One was a drawing of a mighty lion seeing its own reflection as a lamb.

I don’t know what You would have me do with these words today. It wasn’t until my way out here that the rest of the song came tumbling so easily to mind. ♫Who is like Him The Lion and the Lamb… Praise Adonai♫

Father, teach me what it is You would have me do with Your Truth this day. Share it. Freely. Openly. Lovingly. Honestly.Willingly. Yes. W.H.O. Willingly, honestly, openly. Who? The Lion and the Lamb? Who? Adonai. The Lord, Master, Owner, Steward Administrator.

These are big thoughts. Big enough to get me thinking of You. Again. Before even opening my eyes. Thank You. Thank You for bringing me away from myself and closer to You as I truly consider You ♫Seated on the throne [as] Mountains bow down [and] Every ocean roars To the Lord of hosts♫

Thank You for the sincerest aspiration to truly ♫Praise Adonai From the rising of the sun To the end of every day Praise Adonai All the nations of the earth All the angels and the saints Sing Praise♫ Thank You for reminding me. For calling me. For allowing me such a privilege to come praise You. WHO? You! The Lion and the Lamb.

Thank You Jesus for all You are. All You’ve done and all You have yet to do in and through each and every one of us. Work in us all, making us into beautiful representatives of Your majestic power and gentle being.

I love You. I thank You. I praise and worship You. Thank You. Lion and Lamb. Amen.

(425 words ~ 7:58 a.m.)

contemplate

Sunday, May 6, 2012 (8:27 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

It’s Sunday. Someone’s birthday. And I have mixed feelings. Would You talk with me about them?

Too often I come to You, barreling through with what I want to say. Today I would very much like to listen. To You!

Wow! “Ask and ye shall receive” (Matthew 7:7). Here I sat thinking we’d talk about my mixed feelings, or even the importance of me listening to You. But no. “I do not know what I think I know!”

Contemplate. Mull over. Ponder. Ooh, look at this ~ meditate on! Yes. Contemplate. Your Word.

Father, how I thank You for this privilege. You change my whole demeanor. In the most perfect way possible, You take the meanness out of me. Thank You.

Two verses came up while I searched ‘contemplate’. Psalm 27:4. “I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with Him in His house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate His beauty; I’ll study at His feet.”

Mm, the comfort I find in the mere considering of this. So many times I work myself up into a pile of hurt feelings. I think things should (oh, how I try to avoid that word!) be different than they are. And then I come to You and find joy in Your very presence. Thank You!

The New International Versions of Your Word use ‘contemplate’ where others say, ‘reflect’, ‘display’, ‘show’, ‘behold’… The Living Bible says very simply, “But we Christians have no veil [like Moses did] over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Ah, yes, please Father God. Do exactly that. Continue separating the meanness from me as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Fill me with the ability to follow You closely all the days of my life. In this time and the next.

I love You so very much and I long to represent You well. Thank You for Your willingness to continue Your work in me. Happy Birthday Someone Special! Amen.

(360 words ~ 9:34 a.m.)

Your Way

Friday, May 4, 2012 (8:31 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Saturday, May 5, 2012 (7:36 a.m.)

It’s been a fairly odd week Lord. One day (last Sunday to be exact) I felt better than I have in months and the next thing I knew, NOT!

Thank You Father that You are here with me through all the highs and lows. Thank You that I can be confused and wonder and try to figure things out. Thank You that I can also just give in and rest and let You have Your way with me.

Your Way. Too often I forget. Your Way is SO much better for me. I’ve been lax in coming here with You. I didn’t feel good. I lay around. I tried to do all the things I thought I should. Everything except come tell You.

Thank You Father. You are so good. So approachable. Forgive me my foolishness I pray.

Just now in looking up “Your Way” in the Bible search I found many verses that speak of exactly that. Funny that it’s one that looks at another’s way that has the bulk of my attention right now.

An angel sent by You (Numbers 22:22) was seen by a donkey when her rider (Balaam) was too spiritually blind to be aware of its presence. Um. Hello. I resemble this truth! I haven’t felt good. My body seems to be reacting to something. So I’m trying to figure it out. Talking to people. Asking others. Avoiding responsibilities. Watching T.V. Relaxing with puzzles. Ask the Father? Not even!

Forgive me Jesus. It’s Your Way I long to follow! I stopped short while reading the list of verses. Numbers 22:32, “‘Why did you beat your donkey those three times?’ the angel of the Lord demanded. ‘Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me.’” How often do I do that very same thing? I get so incredibly focused on what it is that I think or want and all good reason goes straight out the door.

This section of Numbers tells the humorous story of a donkey clearly seeing what its rider can’t. How often do I determine to just muscle right through whatever seems to be standing in my way?

The Life Recovery Bible states the angel’s discourse using these words, “I have come to stop you because you are headed for destruction. Three times the donkey saw me and shied away from me; otherwise I would certainly have killed you by now and spared her” (vs. 32b-33).

The recovery commentary at the bottom of the page reminds me how “the greatest of human wisdom often leads to spiritual blindness. True wisdom to face life’s situations only comes from the sovereign, all-knowing God.” DUH! Thank You for using this same talking donkey to teach me that I need to bring all things to You, even [or is that especially?] a non-descript, general case of “I just don’t feel good”.

With that said Lord, let me start here by finally saying to You what I’ve been saying to anybody else that would listen, “I don’t know what’s wrong, I just don’t feel good.”

Thank You Father for Your willingness to listen. To guide. Direct. Care. Provide. Look how long this list could go. Thank You for Your love. Your protection. Your Way. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(565 words ~ 8:52 a.m.)