3:49

Wednesday, November 28, 2012 (7:59 a.m.)

Blessed, Beloved Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

We've been conversing since 3:49 this morning. I wasn't exactly sure with Whom I was praying and then it came. The initials J.M. ♫Jesus Messiah, Name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel...♫

Ah, Lord. One God in three Persons, thank You. Thank You that throughout a very long morning I was not alone. You were there with me. Guiding me in prayer for our loved ones.

Thank You that now that I am fully awake I've found two Bible books (Numbers and Lamentations) with 3:49 as chapter and verse. Neither of them says anything clearly to me.

Psalm 34:9 however is speaking volumes. “If you belong to the Lord, reverence Him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs.” WOW! Thank You Father. Thank You Son. Thank You Holy Spirit.

Going over to verse one and then into the Illustrated Bible Handbook I see that You granted David protection when he was acting unwisely. He wrote this psalm to teach the benefits of having a strong relationship with You. Dearest God, thank You for all the love and forethought You have put into every single aspect of our lives.

“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of His glories and grace” (Psalm 34:1). I confess to You right now, that is one tall order! One that I cannot come anywhere near filling on my own. It is ONLY with Your loving guidance and fellowship that I can even attempt such a feat.

Verse eight says, “Oh, put God to the test and see how kind He is! See for yourself the way His mercies shower down on all who trust in Him.” Verse 11, “Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord.”

This psalm is overflowing with hope. “Yes, the Lord hears the good man when he calls to Him for help and saves him out of all his troubles. The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; He rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins” (vs.17-18). Thank You Father.

It also speaks hard Truth, mixed in with Your promises. “The good man does not escape all troubles – he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one” (v.19). “Calamity will surely overtake the wicked; heavy penalties are meted out to those who hate the good. But as for those who serve the Lord, He will redeem them; everyone who takes refuge in Him will be freely pardoned” (21-22).

Thank You God. Thank You for reminding me (especially at 3:49 a.m.) 'not to worry about anything, but instead to pray about everything, telling You my needs and remembering to thank You for Your answers' (Philippians 4:6).

You are such a good, nurturing and calming Father, Brother and Comforter. Thank You. Use me this day to Your good and Your glory. I love You so much. Thank You. Amen.

(510 words ~ 9:55 a.m.)

tell

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 (5:59 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Good morning! Good beautiful morning. Father, thank You that music comes so readily to mind. I'm thinking “Beautiful” and the next thing I am singing. ♫All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful; The Lord God made them all♫

The verses of this particular children's hymn tell of little flowers that open and little birds that sing. It reminds that You are the One who made the glowing colors and tiny wings. It mentions purple headed mountains and rivers running by, the sunset and the morning light that brighten up the sky.

The hymn continues, singing of cold winds in the wintertime and a pleasant summer sun, ripe fruits in the garden and the fact that You made every one. It's the second half of the second verse that has my fullest attention right now.

♫He gave us eyes to see them all, And lips that we might tell How great is the Almighty God Who has made all things well♫

That's how I knew to look outside again at the sunrise. Someone saw it and told me. And here comes another hymn. ♫Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere♫ Oh and look here, a Bible verse to match.

Both the hymn and the Scripture verse seem quite appropriate for this time of year. While most of the focus recently has been on buying and spending, Your Word reminds us of what it is we are to be celebrating. The birth of Your Son. Sent to be our Savior. We are to be preparing to honor Him, NOT the economy!

“Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice, the towns where Kedar lives. Let the people of Sela sing. Let them call out for joy from the tops of the mountains. Let them give honor to the Lord, and praise Him in the islands” (Isaiah 42:11-12).

Blessed Father God, I want to honor You and Your Son. His truly is The Greatest Story Ever Told. Work in me this Advent season to be able to tell it well.

Thank You for loving us. Thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You for forgiving us again and again. Use my lips to tell how great You are. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(394 words ~ 7:27 a.m.)

flitting

Monday, November 26, 2012 (6:03 a.m.)

Amazing God of Glory,

Thank You! There's a song that keeps trying to form and I haven't been able to catch it. If it is from You and something I'm not supposed to miss please keep sending it through.

Thank You Father for the strange, eeriness that I came out to this morning. So odd that I wasn't even sure what had caused the wet cement. Until I tried to see across the street. Fog? Bless those involved with traffic this morning Blessed Father. Bless them with the safe driving skills needed to navigate safely in this kind of weather.

♫Come Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above; Praise His name – I'm fixed upon it – Name of God's redeeming love♫

Thank You Father for providing the words to the melody that just kept coming. Thank You for the young couple who used it in their wedding a few years back. Bless the two of them Blessed Father. Bless them and keep them... (Numbers 6:24-26)

I confess to You this morning that my mind continues flitting. And with that You take me straight to 1Corinthians 2:10 in The Message. “The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God had planned all along.”

Beloved Father, because I have no idea what You have planned for this day I commit myself to You. You truly ARE the source (fount) of every blessing! How I long to dive into the depths of You. It is You that I ask to ground me in Your Word.

Take me where You would have me go this day. Make the decisions You would have me make. Prepare and guide me moment by moment. Let Thy will be done, not mine. I love You so very much. And I thank You for sharing Your blessings with me.

The Scripture verse associated with the hymn above says, “God's blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God” (Proverbs 10:22 The Message). To which I say, AMEN!

Thank You Father. Use me this day as You wish. I love You so much. Amen.

(386 words ~ 7:10 a.m.)

YOU have made me glad!

Sunday, November 25, 2012 (6:00 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

YOU have made me glad! Pleased. Delighted. Thrilled. Overjoyed. Grateful. Thankful. Willing. Eager.

There was a hiccup here yesterday. A simple misunderstanding. Doors were slammed. Harsh tones used. All by me. And it was resolved almost as quickly as it had begun. THAT is not our normal!

This husband You have provided me stayed calm. He rarely used to stay calm. He used soothing tones. He spoke truthfully. Again, not our norm!

Father God, thank You for the love You have for us which has enabled us to love one another. It is ONLY Your love that has repeatedly gotten us over the rough patches. As we glance back over the years to the people we used to be, Father we are so very glad to be becoming more the people You designed us to be.

Psalm 92:1-5 sums it up very nicely this morning. “A song to sing on the Lord's Day. It is good to say thank You to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods. Every morning tell Him, 'Thank You for Your kindness,' and every evening rejoice in His faithfulness. Sing His praises, accompanied by music from the harp and lute and lyre. You have done so much for me, O Lord. No wonder I am glad! I sing for joy. O Lord, what miracles You do and how deep are Your thoughts.”

Oh most dear and blessed Father, this morning I have brought to You the thoughts, the emotions and my gratitude for all You have done for us these past 39 years. What I don't have are the words.

And right there You gave them to me. “Thank You” and “You have made me glad”.

Thank You Father for making me so very glad. I love You and I ask that You would help me use this day to the full. You have blessed us so very much and I am so truly thankful. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(341 words ~ 6:50 a.m.)

completely unexpected

Saturday, November 24, 2012 (7:17 a.m.)

Bountifully Blessed, Beloved Father,

It was all going to being with a very simple “Good Morning”. Then the adjectives started coming. Different ways to describe You. Hmmm...

Take me in prayer exactly where You want me to go this morning Dearest God. My original thought? “Thou shalt not judge” (Matthew 7:1). “Judge not lest ye be judged” (Luke 6:37).

Then the other words came to mind. Discern. Conclude. Where shall we spend our time together in Your Word right now?

Okay. Let's start in the first chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippians. We'll start right there and I will trust that You are going to teach me more of what You what me to know this morning.

Let me begin with the confession that You know needs to come. Father God, I judge people. And their motives. Unmercifully. But then I have to ask You, is it really judgment? Or is it doubt? Am I not at all good at discerning? Do I jump headlong into wrong conclusions? You tell me, won't You? Please?

And now, here I am turning it all back to what Your Word (1Corinthians 13:4-7) has to say about love. What it is. And what it is not. 

I don't know that we will be able to tie this all together in a timely manner this morning. The more I think I know, the deeper into Your Word we go.

May I just say, this is nuts! There is NO WAY that the mere thought of ♫Life's A Happy Song♫ from last year's Muppet Movie should have me in tears. No Way! Yet here I am. And even in saying that, off I go again...

♫God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With love and strength for each new day He will make a way, He will make a way♫

Okay. With THAT sung and tears drying, let's get back to all Your Word is teaching me about love this morning.

Are You $#@%ing kidding me? No sooner do I turn to 1Corinthians 13:3-7 in The Message then the tears come right back. I KNOW You have something serious to show me here! Break open my stony heart (Ezekiel 36:26) and let in Your Truth.

Now I can't even form a thought. I'm reading again of Your prophet Ezekiel and if I'm not really careful gut wrenching sobs are going to come forth. Under Chapter 36. Restoration in the Illustrated Bible Handbook God's Motivation and Purposes; 36:22-38 “...The Lord's holiness will be demonstrated to all the nations, not only in judgment, but in restoration. Only God is able to take such sinners and transform them, so they at last respond to His Spirit and desire to keep His laws (22-27).”

Most Holy God, how desperately I long to respond to Your law of love! TRUE love as Your Word so perfectly presents it. I don't come anywhere near loving as Jesus commanded His disciples on the night He was betrayed. “I demand you love each other as much as I love you. And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13a).

I don't love like that. My love comes nowhere near the standard set by You, through Paul, to the people of Corinth:

Love never gives up. [I do. FAR too often]

Love cares more for others than for self. [I don't very often]

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. [YOU know my heart!]

Love doesn't strut. [Again, You know me]

Doesn't have a swelled head, [how often do I think I'm “all that”?]

Isn't always “me first,” [Hmm...]

Doesn't fly off the handle, [maybe not as much as before]

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, [see paragraph 2 above]

Doesn't revel when others grovel, [maybe not]

Takes pleasure in the flowering of Truth [THIS I do!]

Puts up with anything, [not so much]

Trusts God always, [I really do try!]

Always looks for the best, [I WANT to!]

Never looks back, [again, hmm...]

But keeps going to the end. [ONLY with Your help!]

More simply broken down from an uncited source: “Love provides: (1) forgiveness, (2) patience, (3) kindness, (4) love for: truth, (5) justice, (6) the best in a person, (7) loyalty at any cost, (8) belief in a person no matter what. Love does not allow for: (1) jealousy, (2) envy, (3) pride, (4) arrogance, (5) selfishness, (6) rudeness, (7) a demand for one's own way, (8) irritability, (9) grudges.”

Father God, I confess. I do not love like this. In and of my own power I CAN'T love like this. But YOU can! Through me.

And now back to where we started so much earlier. Philippians 1:9. [You're good God. You are REALLY, incredibly good!]

The first two translations I read are different by only the last word. The King James Version says, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment,”. The American Standard Version uses “discernment”. Isn't this exactly where we began so much earlier?

Father I love You. I ask You to work in me this day. Teach me to love exactly as You would have me. Thank You so much. Amen.

(930 words ~ 9:00 a.m.)

giving thanks (AND praise!)

Friday, November 23, 2012 (5:52 a.m.)

Most Holy God and Father,

Thank You for a day, no... make that a LIFE for giving thanks. Father, You are so good. So holy. Too often giving thanks to You gets lost in the shuffle of our activities. Thank You that on occasion we sit still long enough to take a good, long look at all we have for which to be truly thankful.

(6:46 a.m.)

And as the search in Your Word continues, my heart swells and a peaceful excitement settles right here around me.

(8:04 a.m.)

So here I still sit. Basking. In the Light of Your Old Testament Truths. Beginning with David's praise to You (1Chronicles 29:10-13) “in full view of the entire congregation: Blessed are You, God of Israel, our Father from of old and forever. To You, O God, belong the greatness and the might, the glory, the victory, the majesty, the splendor; Yes! Everything in heaven, everything on earth; the kingdom all yours! You've raised Yourself high over all. Riches and glory come from You, You're ruler over all; You hold strength and power in the palm of Your hand to build up and strengthen all. And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to You, praising Your splendid Name.” You, Father, are the True source of all greatness and strength.

King David had fully planned to build Your Temple in Jerusalem as an expression of his love for You. While You did not allow him to complete his task, he spent his last days happily designing the structure to Your specifications (1Chronicles 28:19) and gathering the resources needed (29:2-9). Father God, Your plans are so much greater than ours.

Just as I had planned to sit here giving You thanks, reading Your Word also reminded me ♫Don't you know it's time to praise the Lord, In the sanctuary of His Holy Spirit. So set your mind on Him, And let your praise begin, And the glory of the Lord will fill this place. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord... He lives within the praises of His people He loves to hear us call upon His name...♫

Giving thanks AND praise. Yes! You provide the faith, joy, laughter and love we need to express both our gratitude (thanks) and highest respect (praise) for ALL You do on our behalf.

Father God, as much as I love You, today I ask You to teach me to thank and praise You as You so rightly deserve. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

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

conviction

Thanksgiving Thursday, November 22, 2012 (6:48 a.m.)

Most Holy and Loving Father God,

Thank You. Thank You for being our Heavenly Father. Thank You for sending Your Son AND Your Word to teach us.

Most Heavenly Father, I had another dream about Your Truth. I was in an extremely frightening, life threatening situation and I stood firm (2Thessalonians 2:15-17) and prayed for my enemy (Matthew 5:43-48). It was amazing! I watched as a spiritual entity came in and bound the aggressors. I know it was 'only a dream'. But it was based on Your Truth and I am still AGOG about it!

(7:49 a.m.)

Whoa! How quickly AGOG switches to conviction. I didn't expect to go here. I thought it was all going to be about standing firm. No, no. You're right (as always!). Loving Our Enemies. Ouch!

There is a name I pencilled in to this section of my Life Recovery Bible many years ago. A name that to this very day represents bitterness and resentments on my part. I thought I had forgiven. I believed if I ignored circumstances long enough it would all just wash away. It hasn't. The anger and hurt are still there. Fresh. Just like all those years hadn't passed. But they have. And I have yet to love this person.

Father God, You know much about forgiveness.

(10:29 a.m.)

Thank You for teaching it to us. With my thoughts continuing to go back to the name I printed in my Bible, I have continued praying Your blessings (not my wrath) upon this person throughout this morning.

Even as I have substituted a missing spice to a pumpkin pie, I've been able to branch out of the 'must have' frame of mind that keeps me from exploring other alternatives.

Father, YOU have just provided me an alternative solution to the insanity that usually permeates every holiday get together we attempt. The desire to TRULY “keep it supremely simple” has been with me for years. This year Blessed Father, I ask that YOUR love (for our enemies) will reign supreme.

The commentary for Matthew 5:43-48 says, “When we find ourselves able to love our enemies, we can be sure that we are making progress in recovery. Loving our enemies doesn't mean we have to like them, but it does mean we must forgive them and desire what is best for them. If we harbor anger and bitterness toward others, we only hurt ourself; such emotions keep us from making progress in our recovery.”

Father, thank You for loving us so very much (John 3:16) that You truly want only the best for us. And in this case Your best is that I love and forgive this particular person from my past. Only through standing firm on Your teachings is that even remotely possible.

Thank You for such an awesome way to begin this Thanksgiving Day. Thank You for giving us Your Son that we may learn, practice and be healed by His perfect and unconditional love. Thank You Father that we get to come before You with our heartfelt thanksgivings. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(521 words ~ 11:05 a.m.)

fabulous

Wednesday, November 21, 2012 (5:59 a.m.)

Fabulous Father God,

Thank You. Thank You for choices.

(7:12 a.m.)

And the choice I just made was to go wash a sink full of dishes left over from a few days ago. Father, thank You that even in that I was able to enjoy the early morning beauty of Your sky. And while doing that, I was reminded again and again of Your worth!

Before breaking for long overdue household chores I found only two mentions of 'fabulous' (Esther 5:11; Revelation 18:17) in all the translations of Your Word that I have ready access to. Both had to do with great wealth. Neither ended well.

This led me to remember and sing that ♫Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, And nothing I desire compares to You♫ (Psalm 16:2; Proverbs 3:14,15).

Fabulous Father God. Interesting. Looking up the origin of the word it comes from fable, unhistorical. Well that certainly isn't the case with You now is it!

'Riches' and 'wealth' are the first examples given in both the dictionary and the thesaurus I'm using, again taking me to the song above. An informal use of the word tells me to “See excellent” and when I do, there You are again.

“Extremely good; outstanding; excelling; superb, exceptional, marvelous, wonderful, magnificent, preeminent, perfect, matchless, unbeatable, peerless, supreme...” The list goes on and so does the song! I don't know that I've ever sung these verses.

♫Lord, Your love is higher than mountains. Lord, Your love is deeper than seas. Lord, Your love encompasses the nations. And yet, You live right here inside of me!♫ How fabulous is that!

As corny as it sounds, “But wait! There's more!” ♫Who can weigh the value of knowing You? Who can judge the worth of Who You are? Who can count the blessings of loving You? Who can say just how great You are?♫

ALL insightfully valid questions. Each easily answered in the chorus of this simple song ♫Lord, You are more precious (costly, beautiful) than silver (gold, diamonds) And NOTHING I desire compares to You!♫

Fabulous Father God, thank You again for so loving the world (John 3:16). Thank You for including me in that love. Use me today to bring glory and honor to Your most holy name. I love You so very much. Thank You for being fabulous! Amen.

(399 words ~ 8:00 a.m.)

being human

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 (9:38 a.m.)

Most Amazing Father God,

You are so good. You are Truth. You are freedom. You want us to 'know the truth and the truth will set us free' (John 8:32). You are power and strength. You are all the things I am not. Yet I was created in Your image (Genesis 1:27) so I get to hope, have faith, and love (1Corinthians 13:13).

Thank You Father. Thank You that You knew all the hardships and challenges that being human would place on us. Thank You that You factored in our propensity to sin and sent Your Son to atone for us (Romans 3:25).

Father God, You have so graciously provided us our every need. I get to turn page after page in Your Word and be reminded that I am not the only one who sins and needs Your Son as my Savior (Romans 3:23).

You had perfection all set for us (Genesis 1). Adam and then Eve got to have personal involvement with You on a regular basis and still they sinned. This gives me hope.

Another 'Theology in Brief' [Human Nature: Man in the Image of God] in Illustrated Bible Handbook says this about being human, “The Bible, like our newspapers, testifies to the damage sin does in human experience. We carry God's likeness imperfectly. But the fact is that we human beings have the potential for restoration. God's image has not been eradicated (Genesis 9; James 3:9). We are created in the image of God, and thus have infinite worth and value. Our respect for others, our acceptance of ourselves, and our sense of the worth of every individual, rest on this foundation.”

It's so very much like that song we sang at the wedding the other day ♫On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand; All other ground is sinking sand♫

Only in the light of YOUR Truth will we ever be set free to live the lives You desire for us. Thank You for all You do to help remind us of the hazards and pitfalls of being human. Thank You for loving us through it all. I love You so very much. And I thank You as well. Use me this day for Your good and Your glory I pray. Thank You. Amen.

(383 words ~ 12:03 p.m.)

eternity

Monday, November 19, 2012 (9:13 a.m.)

Most Incredibly, Awesome Wonderful Father God,

You amaze me! Every single day I get to wake up and be reminded of “how much You loved the world” (John 3:16 The Message).

(12:13 p.m.)

Three hours have passed and I still can't get my head around being loved by You so much. You gave Your only Son that all who believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. The Complete Jewish Bible says it this way, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed.”

That's a LOT of love, Dearest Father. A whole lot of love that too often gets squandered and taken for granted. Father God, thank You for the work You continually do in us bringing us closer to Your Truth and our future with You.

Blessed Father, as I continue searching Your Word the idea of eternity seems just beyond my grasp. I think I start to understand the concept and then it flits away.

A 'Theology in Brief' entitled Life in Illustrated Bible Handbook says, “From God we receive love, joy, peace, goodness, and gentleness. These take root in our lives and gradually transform our experience on earth (Galatians 5:22,23). Yes, eternal life is a promise of an eternity in heaven. But eternal life is something we receive now. It holds out the promise of a rich new experience for you and me here on earth as well.” I absolutely am experiencing this in my life. I see the changes of who I was when I first began my walk with You and who I am today. It is all and only because of the love You have for each of us that I get to be a new and different person than I was before. Thank You Father.

Thank You that as this section of studying Your nature continues it adds, “To understand the real meaning of eternal life, the Bible invites us to look at Jesus. In His personality, His love, and His compassion, we see the kind of person God will enable you and me to become. In Jesus' resurrection we see power for our new life – power to break through whatever holds us back, and lead us triumphantly toward an eternity we will spend in the presence and in the image of our God.” Here again is where I begin to wonder, do You mean right here and now Blessed Father? I get this kind of power and freedom on THIS side of eternity with You?

While I don't yet understand, still I thank and praise You. Thank You for loving me as part of the world. Thank You for changing me more into Your likeness every day. Thank You for all the work You have left to do. Teach me to spend my days here in willing preparation for eternity. I love You so very much and I thank You that much more. Thank You Father. Amen.

(517 words ~ 1:28 p.m.)

Hallowed

Sunday, November 18, 2012 (10:20 a.m.)

Embassy Suites Downey, CA

Awesomely, Wonderful, Powerful God,

Speak to me this morning about “Hallowed” would You please? It came to me MUCH earlier this morning. I only know it from The Lord's Prayer and All Hallows Eve/Day.

(10:45 a.m.)

And here I sit. Content. Contemplative. Pleased. Peaceful. And so in love with You.

Daddy God, there are far more things that concern You and Your love for us that I don't understand and can't explain than those I do. To know, REALLY know that You love me exquisite. It's something I still can't put into words but want everyone else to experience. Your love for each of us is consecrated. Holy. Sacred. Set apart. Hallowed!

Most Heavenly Father, thank You. Thank You for the opportunity of getting to love and be loved by You. Thank You for the call to honor Your Holy Name (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2).

The Life Recovery Bible tells me, regarding the hallowing of Your name, “Only through this kind of intimate prayer relationship with our heavenly Father can we find strength to tackle the big challenges involved in lifelong recovery.” Father, this is exactly what You've been doing for me ever since I first came to know Your Son.

You told Your prophet Isaiah (40:1) to comfort Your people. To “speak tenderly to Jerusalem and tell her that her sad days are gone” (v.2a). “Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, 'Make a road for the Lord through the wilderness; make Him a straight, smooth road through the desert. Fill the valleys; level the hills; straighten out the crooked paths, and smooth off the rough spots in the road” (vs. 3-4).

When “John [the Baptist] went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River” (Luke 3:3-6) he quoted those words from Isaiah. A commentary at the bottom of The Life Recovery Bible's page tells how treacherous, fatiguing, dry and deserted the road to recovery can be. He preached a discomforting message, likening Your powers to those of a bulldozer used to smooth out the ruts and valleys of our lives.

There is so much hope to be found in Your Word. You promise to restore us to a loving relationship with You. You can be trusted to help us make a straight path, clearing out the obstacles that get in our way. Sin. Pride. Addictions. Hypocrisy. Greed. You FREE us to become the people You want us to be. How? By hallowing Your name.

Holy Father, thank You! Right here, right now I am getting to experience that very thing. YOU have been working in and through me, bringing me to this surrendering place. How I thank You for allowing me to call You “Hallowed”. Keep me in Your care. On YOUR path. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(476 words ~ 12 noon)

two songs

Friday, November 16, 2012 (6:12 a.m.)

Dearest Father God,

Two songs are vying for top billing here this morning. I'm not sure what attention You would have me pay to either of them but I offer each to You nonetheless.

I'm fairly sure ♫How Deep the Father's Love for Us♫ is here because of the fervor with which I prayed for another yesterday. Father, You are so incredibly good to us. I desperately want to share You and Your love with those in need of it. Yet I rely on songs to do it for me. Your love for us IS ♫vast beyond all measure♫ AND You gave Your only Son to make a wretch, like me, Your treasure.

Thank You Father. Thank You for this type of love. This indescribably intense love. Thank You that along the way I have gotten to experience this love in so very many instances.

I confess to You Dearest Father God, far too often my belief is that I do not love You well. What I offer to You is not always the first nor best of Your blessings to me. Yet You continue allowing me into Your presence. Thank You.

As I continue here with You this morning do I really bring in the song with which I awoke? I've often thought the words fairly ridiculous. Never fully understanding it, but here it comes again. ♫Come all without, come all within♫ (See? Even there, I'm still singing “come ON...”)

And now I am in tears. Searching “come all” yielded three verses. The last (Revelation 22:17) has me stretching the first song of the day to match it.

When looking up the lyrics to “The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)” I immediately thought of Jesus. According to Wikipedia, “The subject of the song is the arrival of the mighty Quinn (an Eskimo), who changes despair into joy and chaos into rest, and attracts attention from the animals.” THAT's what Jesus does!

The book of Revelation is one of struggle, from beginning to end. It's purpose was “to give hope to believers and warn them not to compromise their loyalty to God” (The Life Recovery Bible). It “ends with Christ as the victor. All that He said will come true; all that He taught will be proven right; all who followed Him will be vindicated; and all who rejected Him will be judged. God will have His way. And He wants nothing more than to have us stand beside Him as a victor!”

You know our struggles. And You want us not to give up. Your desire is that we believe in You to overcome. Your promise is to ultimately renew our broken world, our broken lives and make them perfect as well.

“'Come!' say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever hears, echo, 'Come!' Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will, come and drink, Drink freely of the Water of Life!” (Revelation 22:17). This followed by Jesus' promise in verse 20, “The One who has spoken these things says, 'I am coming soon!' So, Lord Jesus, please come soon!”

And as I continue singing this song today, I now know the changes in the words I will make. “The Mighty Christ (Christ The Redeemer)” ♫Everybody's in despair, every girl and boy But when Christ the Redeemer gets here Everybody's gonna jump for joy Oh come all without, come all within You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Christ♫

Going back to verse 17 and speaking of the Bride, there's an outdoor carnival themed wedding planned for tomorrow. At first there was zero percent chance of rain. Now it's up to 30. YOU have complete control of the weather. What do You think? Clear? Beautiful? God-glorifying? Please Father?

Thank You for these two songs this morning. Help me use them to Your good and Your glory. Love others through me this day. I love You so very much. And I thank You. Amen.

(657 words ~ 7:34 a.m.)

most loving

Thursday, November 15, 2012 (7:30 a.m.)

Most Loving Father,

Thank You that You truly are most loving!

(10:30 a.m.)

And thank You for the opportunity to explore even further what that looks like.

(2:31 p.m.)

So many starts and stops. All the time coming back to Colossians 3:12-14. Father God, I want to love as Paul directed Your people of Colosse.

And right here this minute, I have to confess my breaking heart over two loved ones that absolutely don't know the love You offer. They both know of it. They have even worked desperately hard to achieve it. Yet it eludes them consistently. I don't know how to explain to either of them that it's not in the work, but in the surrender. To YOU! To Your loving care.

Most Loving Father God, love these dear ones. Love them like they have never been loved before. Love them as though their very lives depend on it, because it does.

You are good. You are holy. You provide our every need. And I haven't been able to stay here connected with You because my heart continues jumping over to my concern for these two precious children of Yours. Neither of them having ever experienced the warmth and tender care of a loving Father. Each distraught in their own set of circumstances.

You are the most loving Father of all. You care more about these dear ones than I ever could. Please Father, right here as I again pray using Paul's words to the Ephesians (3:17b-19) I ask, 'May their roots go down deep into the soil of Your marvelous love; and may they be able to feel and understand, as well as all Your children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high Your love really is; and to experience this love for themselves, though it is so great that they will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last they will be filled up with You Yourself.'

'Now glory be to You, Most Loving Father, who by Your mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hope' (v. 20). Do all You have to do to make Your love for all of us to be felt in very real and tangible moments. I love You Most Loving Father. And I thank You. Amen.

(418 words ~ 3:53 p.m.)

travel mercies

Wednesday, November 14, 2012 (6:23 a.m.)

Awesome, Blessed Father,

We're in a rush this morning. There are many places to be and much anticipated sadness to witness. Father God I am asking Your travel mercies this day. Let Your presence be known to all who assemble to mark the passing of their loved one.

The morning sky was an especially beautiful, unexpected bonus. Thank You for another reminder of Your creative eye for detail. Use every aspect of Yourself to nourish and strengthen all those we will encounter this day. Father, we love You so very much and we truly long to share Your love with others. Enable us to that well. Thank You for Your love for each and every one of us.

(5:13 p.m.)

We're home safely. It all went beautifully. We are grateful. We love You. Thank You Father. Amen.

(135 words ~ 5:14 p.m.)

"Praise God!"

Monday, November 12, 2012 (6:30 a.m.)

Most Holy, Blessed, Loving Father God,

Thank You!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012 (6:43 a.m.)

“Praise God!” I've used this phrase in three completely different instances in the past three days. Automatic. Without thinking. Absolute first words out of my mouth. Thank You Father for working in me in such a way that I am learning that ALL praise belongs to You.

Reading Psalm 150 I am reminded to ♫Let everything that has breath praise the Lord...Praise You in the morning Praise You in the evening Praise You when I'm young and when I'm old Praise You when I'm laughing Praise You when I'm grieving Praise You every season of my soul♫ As I continue reading and singing the song I am so very grateful that we are called to praise You.

Blessed Father God this song speaks so plainly ♫If we could see how much You're worth Your power, Your might, Your endless love Then surely we would Never cease to praise Praise You in the heavens Join with the angels Praising You forever and a day Praise You on the earth now Join with creation Calling all the nations to Your praise♫ Yes Father. Let it be so.

Let us remember to “Praise Him in His Temple and in the heavens He made with His mighty power. Praise Him for His mighty works. Praise His unequaled greatness” (Psalm 150:1-2). In verses three through five we are charged to praise You with musical instruments and dancing. “Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! You praise Him! Hallelujah!” (v.6)

I confess, too many times it takes me so much longer to come back to praising You. Thank You that these three particular times, concerning the safety of other people, praise to You was my first and very automatic response. Thank You Father that You are so willing to continue teaching us even though we can often be such slow studies.

The other day, in the form of a dream, You gave me a perfect example of the need and choice to forgive quickly. After having awakened with such excitement and sharing it successfully with my loving husband, what did I do with the sheer Truth of it? Not three hours later we were late, frustrated and no longer speaking to one another. Even though I remembered asking in the dream, “Can't I just forgive him now?” I did NOT jump at forgiveness until so much later. In fact, there was no jumping involved. I went slowly. Reluctantly. Resentfully.

Thank You Father for Your willingness to keep up Your work in us. You are so good. So holy. And I am so very grateful to be able to say unreservedly, “Praise God!” Thank You Father. I love You so much. Teach me what You want me to learn today. Make me a ready and willing student. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(487 words ~ 8:10 a.m.)

"power" and "strength"

Saturday, November 10, 2012 (5:58 a.m.)

Most Holy Father God,

I am here supplicating. Thanking You and asking earnestly. Father, You alone are holy. And right at this very moment (6:26 a.m.) again I confess You to be absolutely amazing.

Father, I don't even know where to begin with my thanks to You. In the tiniest details of our daily lives You have again provided perfectly placed situations so we would all be where we needed to be when yet another bottom has fallen out of our lives.

Oh, and look... tears (6:44 a.m.). They haven't happened for me yet. And even through the blur of them I am thanking You. Father, You HAVE provided our every single need!

The other night when I first heard the news that the husband of a loved one had tragically died as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident I confessed to You that I had “no words”. As I went on with my time alone with You, recounting the few details I had, I continued telling You that I simply had “no words”. Then, seemingly, out of nowhere You gave me two.

“Power” and “strength”. No matter where I have turned in this time of tragedy, I've been reminded that You alone provide us with the power and strength necessary to survive all this world throws our way. Holy Father God, thank You.

Thank You for Your Word which offers us hope in every situation. Thank You for Your love which brings us together under the absolute worse of circumstances. Thank You for all the good You are doing through this unbelievably sad time. I pray YOUR “power” and “strength” over it all.

Blessed Father, Your Holy Spirit is alive and with me right here. I actually feel Him as though He were physically here in my presence. The excitement I am experiencing in turning first to one Scripture verse then being led directly to another is undeniable.

Isaiah 40:25, “'With whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?' asks the Holy One” led me straight across the page to verse ten. “Yes, the Lord is coming with mighty power; He will rule with awesome strength. See, His reward is with Him, to each as he has done.”

Holy Father, You created us. You have perfect wisdom. You sent Your Son to overcome the power of death (John 16:33). You alone are holy. You know the plans You have for us (Jeremiah 29:11). While none of these Truths take the sting and sadness of death away, they encourage us to hope in You nonetheless.

Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your hope. Thank You, thank You, thank You for Your “power” and “strength”. Teach me to use these two words well. It is in Your power and strength that I pray for our loved ones and the trials that lay ahead. I love You Father. I thank You. And above all I ask Your blessings of “power” and “strength” as I pray again Paul's message of encouragement to the Ephesians (3:14-19). He purposed to strengthen their belief in their relationship with You and one another.

Father God, here I do the same. “When I think of the wisdom and scope of His plan, I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God – some of them already in heaven and some down here on earth – that out of His glorious unlimited resources He will give you the mighty inner strengthening of His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high His love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God Himself.”

That is my prayer on behalf of these much loved ones Dearest Father. That they will be filled up with You. And Your “power” and strength”. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(734 words ~ 8:15 a.m.)

willingness

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 (10:00 a.m.)

Generous Father God,

You have HEAPED the fruit of Your Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23a) on me this day. We have the freedom and opportunity to fully enjoy unexpected time with our toddling grandson. Thank You Father.

Thank You for such a willingness of all involved yesterday in allowing him to accompany us home. How we pray for his oh-so-sick daddy, Lord. There is SO very much going on in their household right now. Be intricately involved with every single detail of their lives we ask, Blessed Father. A much anticipated wedding, the upcoming holidays, a prospective move back into a fire damaged and newly remodeled home. Anyone of these is added stress in and of itself. All three in one week? Beyond description!

But here I am. Sixty miles away from all the action. Enjoying every delightful moment with this 14-month old little boy and his much loved Papa.

Thank You Father. Thank You for the love You have provided us through the years to get us to this place. Thank You for toys that span generations and continue to spark squeals of joy from being played with. Father, You are so very generous. You give to us so freely.

I heard a phrase this morning. “It's not in the gathering, but in the scattering.” I confess I don't remember what it was referencing, but I took it to mean all the stuff (emotional, as well as physical) we hold onto. Thank You Father for being the generous God You are. Thank You for meeting our every need “far beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

This section of Scripture is yet another blessing to my soul. At this particular minute it seems as though it were written specifically for me. Generous Father God, thank You!

Below the title The Greatness of God's Love I read, “that out of His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you the mighty inner strengthening of His Holy Spirit” (v.16). Then Paul continued, still as if directly to me, “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high His love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God Himself” (vs.17-19). THIS is my reality right now!

This is exactly the joy I am experiencing. Your peace that TRULY “passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). All because You are so infinitely generous! You make promises that You keep. And I am grateful.

Thank You Father. Thank You for the privilege of having the Holy Spirit control our lives. Producing “this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23a).

Today, I once again feel as I expect Mary did in Luke 2:19 when she “quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them.” There are reminders abounding of our own children and their youthful days of playfulness and the joy I gleaned from those years of 'quietly treasuring those things in my heart and often thinking about them.'

Generous Father, I absolutely cannot thank You enough for this bonus opportunity. Let us use it to Your fullest. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

(599 words ~ 11:23 a.m.) 

Election Day

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 (5:31 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

It is Election Day for the United States of America. “One nation under God”. Father, how I pray for us as a nation.

It was only yesterday when I saw “U.S.” as “us”. I do not see much evidence of “We the people of the Untied...” See? Even there, a typo draws attention to what we as a nation have become. We seem so much more untied than united these days.

Usually I would retreat to being afraid for our nation. Scared of what more corruption there is to come. Wring my hands, while quietly crying out “Woe is me.” This morning, instead, I turn to You. To Your Word. Asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) that Your will be done for the good of Your people.

It's a very scary time for U.S./us as a nation. What are we to do any time we are afraid? Come to You. We are to “fear not”, “be of good courage”, “do not be afraid”... That is exactly what I am doing Dearest Father.

I am here asking You to once again bless this nation. Make us/U.S. all that You want us/U.S. to be.

The Life Recovery Bible tells that Your prophet Malachi preached to a nation of backsliders. People had fallen into old, sinful patterns. “As a result, they were suffering the consequences of economic depression, poor crops, and the attacks of foreign marauders. Family life had gone to pieces, and divorce was rampant. Their religious life could be characterized as cold and empty formalism.” This all seems very familiar to me!

Ah, but there is hope as he tells of the coming of Your Promised One. “For He is like a blazing fire refining precious metal” (Malachi 3:2b). “Though you have scorned my laws from earliest time, yet you may still return to me... Come and I will forgive you” (v.7).

Yes Blessed Father God. Forgive us (U.S.) for we HAVE sinned against You and all Your holiness. Your Word is clear. “You have robbed me of the tithes and offerings due to me. And so the awesome curse of God is cursing you, for your whole nation has been robbing me” (v.8b-9).

Yet, again You provide our way out “Bring all... Try it! Let me prove it to you!... And all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land sparkling with happiness. These are the promises of the Lord Almighty. Your attitude toward Me has been proud and arrogant...” (v.10-13a).

We are not the first of Your nations to stray. “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture” (4:2). Your promise to send Your Son includes Your warning as well.

“See I will send you another prophet like Elijah... His preaching will bring fathers and children together again, to be of one mind and heart, for they will know that if they do not repent, I will come and utterly destroy their land” (4:5-6).

Holy God, on this election day, with so very much at stake, how I pray Your blessings, forgiveness, mercies and grace on Your people. Let us (U.S.) vote responsibly and serve You well, all the while remembering “There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power” (Romans 13:1b).

Dearest Father, hear the prayers of this nation as we 'humble ourselves and pray, and search for You, and turn from our wicked ways' (2Chronicles 7:14a). 'Hear us (U.S.) from heaven and forgive our sins and heal our land' (14b).

This I pray so desperately. Thank You Father. Amen.

(622 words ~ 7:14 a.m.)  

pleasant

Monday, November 5, 2012 (6:56 a.m.)

Holy Father God,

THANK YOU! I felt grumpy. Detached. Irritated. Annoyed. And I got up, walked in place, did some [a LOT of] dishes and now I'm smiling. Pleased. Pleasant.

Pleasant. I never would have guessed it. I tried thinking myself to a better mood. I even tried praying myself there. It wasn't until I got up and got moving that any degree of pleasantness began. Thank You God.

Thank You that even now, as I bring this word to YOUR Word I find myself right back reading about Moses, Caleb, Joshua and the Promised Land. In Numbers 13:17-20 Moses sends the spies off to find out about the soil, the forests, the produce, the people and if the land is pleasant or harsh.

But it's Deuteronomy 6 where my attention again falls and my heart and soul and strength (v.5) seem to both relax and soar at the same time. A title for the chapter is A Call to Love God. Here Moses speaks to Your people of the importance of obeying Your commands and becoming “a great nation in a glorious land 'flowing with milk and honey'” (v.3).

“Do what is right; do what is good in God's sight so you'll live a good life and be able to march in and take this pleasant land that God so solemnly promised through your ancestors” (v.18). The reminder for me at the bottom of The Life Recovery Bible relieves some of the pressure of my trying to live up to Your “plan for successful and healthy living”.

“It is clear that He desires our best. This should encourage us as we seek to follow His program, as difficult as it may be. And we can know for certain that when God's instructions become too difficult for us, He is right there to help us along.”

What a wonderfully pleasant way to start the day! Thank You Father. I love You. Let me serve You well. Amen.

(334 words ~ 7:51 a.m.)

"You love us so much."

Sunday, November 4, 2012 (8:03 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

Thank You that You love us so much. “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life” (John 3:16 Amplified Bible).

(8:37 a.m.)

It seemed like such a simple statement. “You love us so much.” There is nothing simple about it! The more I read, the deeper it goes. Starting with Jesus' talking to Nicodemus about being “born again” (John 3:3) then back to Moses (v.14) in the wilderness with Your complaining and grumbling people (Numbers 21:1-9). Father I don't know where You want to take this time together.

“You love us so much.” There's a huge nugget in here somewhere. Something I'm not seeing. I keep digging. Thinking I'm onto something I haven't known before.

Overall, it seems to be 'faith'. The faith needed to believe that You truly DO love us so much. The faith it took for the people of Israel to go to Moses (Numbers 21:7) confessing their sin against You and asking him to pray to You on their behalf.

It took further faith for Moses to “make a bronze replica of one of those snakes and attach it to the top of a pole; anyone who is bitten shall live if he simply looks at it!” (Numbers 21:8). Faith for the people to go and look and live (v.9).

Faith. Trust in Your Word drawing us to Your Son, lifted up on a pole (John 3:14). Faith to believe in Him and have eternal life (v.15). Faith to believe that “You love us so much.” Thank You Father for the faith to believe. Use me this day to share Your Truth and Your love. I love You. I thank You. And I long to serve You... well. Thank You. Amen.

(329 words ~ 9:18 a.m.)

flighty

Saturday, November 3, 2012 (8:40 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

I've got some confessing to do. I have been especially flighty... You absolutely don't mess around when You want our attention, do You God?

The only verses I could find in all of the translations I have access to are from The Message, Jeremiah 3:6-12 . After the warning “[Admit Your God-Defiance]” Israel is described as “fickle” and “a whore at large”. YOWZA! Talk about calling things as You see them!!!

While telling of Israel's loose morals, Jeremiah went on with Your message to him. “I assumed that after she had gotten it out of her system, she'd come back, but she didn't. Her flighty sister, Judah, saw what she did... She went out, big as you please, and took up a whore's life also.” Oh my!

I'm not saying that mindless, careless, random eating of almost everything in sight ranks up there with prostitution, but I do know that sin is sin no matter how one slices it. As I read the commentaries at the bottom of The Life Recovery Bible's pages I see the words: “hitting bottom”, “true condition”, “feeling the shame”, “loss of control”, “worship of other gods”, “refuse to change”, “afraid we will miss the good old days”, “left to cry alone in the wilderness”.

And as I am relating myself and my own behaviors to these passages, Father I also am thinking of our nation and the upcoming election. I confess to You that I absolutely still do not how to vote. I do not see truth or hope. I am blinded by my own fear of making mistakes that will cost us even more dearly than in the past. Father, YOU are all powerful. All knowing. You know what is best for this country and I believe that all we are presently doing is not it.

Forgive me Father for squandering what is best for my health and use my vote for what You know to be the very best for this country. Change every aspect of my flightiness to that of steady responsibility. I love You God. I want it to show clearly in the decisions I make. Work in and through me. Thank You. Amen.

(371 words ~ 9:52 a.m.)

desert beauty

Friday, November 2, 2012 (7:24 a.m.)

Harrah's Laughlin, NV

Master Designer God,

You are the Architect of Perfection. Everywhere I look, there is such beauty. So much detail. The colors in the sky and in the water change with the rising and setting of the sun. The crags and plateaus of the horizon stand firm while fish jump and ducks scurry across the receding river. Each desert trip we take allows me a greater appreciation for the intricacies involved in surviving such harsh conditions.

All these thoughts bring me right back again to Caleb and Joshua urging Your people to trust You and Your provision for them (Numbers 13-14 and Joshua 14-15). Father God, how I confess to being so much more like the doubters and nay-sayers than these two men of faith.

Thank You for their faith in You. Thank You for their examples of living for Your approval, not that of others. How I ask You to provide the courage needed to follow Your lead through all the changes You would have us make in living our lives for Your good and Your glory.

Father, we love You and long to be Your good and faithful stewards. Keep working in us. Building and growing us into Your obedient children. Thank You for this time to again appreciate Your master designs in the desert's beauty. Help us be the people You so perfectly created us to be. We love You Father. And we thank You. Use us. Amen.

(250 words ~ 8:56 a.m.)

catch-up

Saturday, November 3, 2012 (11:02 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

I'm attempting to play catch-up here. A couple of prayers were started this week that didn't really go too far toward completion. You know me though. You not only know how to get my attention, but hold it as well. I believe You want me to learn something important through this process so I offer this entry to You in the note taking way I originally began it:

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 (9:57 a.m.)

Mo's kitchen table

Lakewood, CA

Blessed Father God,

Speak to me this day about “the promised land”. The thought hit about four a.m. and continues coming to mind.

I'm here without my usual Bible and other resources.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 (6:58 a.m.)

Amazing Father God,

Thank You for guiding and directing my thoughts this morning. Distractions could have easily taken over my thought process. Songs could once again have sidetracked, rather than enhanced, our time together. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit.

Caleb

Numbers 13    Numbers 14:24    Joshua 14-15   Judges 1   1Chronicles4:15

Believes God's promises against all odds

With God's help – conquer all obstacles and difficulties

Believes God's Word despite the obstacles

Self-worth NOT based on opinions/acceptance of others

Joshua

urged people to trust God – He is loving, powerful, able to lead

WHOLE generation except Caleb and Joshua died in the desert

Joshua 24:15 “...me and my family”

Can't escape pain by avoiding responsibility and its demands

Often experience much deeper pain when we run from it than when we accept it

Trust and obedience outweighs ability

Saturday, November 3, 2012 (11:27 a.m.)

I'm not sure what You would have me take away from this added time together, but I ask You to bless it nonetheless. I love You Father and I thank You for every single aspect of Your Being. Thank You for this opportunity to learn and to share more of Your Word. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(329 words ~ 11:33 a.m.)