no worries

Holy Saturday, Mar 30, 2013 (7:31 a.m.)

Still nothing.

I think. I pray. I get excited to be here. And then, nothing. No words. No praise. No joy. No hope. No worries.

Blessed Father God, You took away my worries! For that I am grateful. Extremely, immensely grateful. Thank You. Thank You that in You I have hope. Joy. Peace. They are deep in my heart. Not readily accessible at the surface. All seems buried deep inside. Truth bubbles forth.

(8:33 a.m.)

I search Your Word. I read Your Truth. And the next thing I know I've fallen back asleep. Again focused on You. Father thank You. Thank You that I get to relax and be refreshed by Your promises. I confess to struggling with apathy. I get easily distracted. Very little seems worth putting my interest and energies toward. I seek Your Truth. Your guidance. Your lead. Trusting You to do in and through me that which I am currently unable (unwilling?) to do myself.

This has been Holy Week. A week of hard reflection. I take none of it lightly. You sent Your One and only Son (John 3:16) to die on my behalf. I read. I think. I become appreciative. And at the very same time ashamed. Such a sacrificial gift. One of which I am not worthy.

All I can do is turn again and again to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). Trusting and believing that You alone art God (Isaiah 37:16). Father, thank You. Jesus, thank You. Work in me this day that I would use well Your sacrificial gift to humanity.

I love You. I trust You. I thank You. Amen.

(278 words ~ 10:19 a.m.)

no words

Good Friday, March 30, 2013

I have no words today. Please read my heart.

Jesus' message

Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2013 (7:26 a.m.)

Awesome, amazing Father God,

You sent Jesus with a message. A message of servanthood (Matthew 20:28). ♫He yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in♫ You sent Him with the message of love. And forgiveness. Of repentance. Compassion.

(54 words)

closer

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 (10:02 a.m.)

Thank You Father!

Knowing that I'm not feeling peppy and happy and energetic I started humming. What I thought was ♫Take It to the Lord in Prayer♫ turns out to be ♫Just A Closer Walk With Thee♫ Just confessing to You how I'm feeling brings me markedly closer to You. Thank You Father. Thank You!

Thank You that because I WANT to be closer with You I got to turn to 2Corinthians 7:11 (The Message) and read, “And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart.”

As I look to The Life Recovery Bible I find encouragement to my mood in this comment. “When we admit our failures to God and others and do what we can to follow God's will, wonderful changes take place in our life.” While I know it's not just in confessing that I get to experience a closer walk with You, I thank You for the reminder that I must do what I can to follow Your will.

Father, I admit to being resistant to repentance. I'm willing to confess, yet reluctant to change. Work in me with this, won't You?

Your Word, Your love for us 'purify and revitalize our life and emotions in a remarkable way'. We get to have our relationship with You renewed. We are so blessed. We have opportunity in You that we cannot find anywhere else. Thank You.

Thank You for reminding me through a song of my sincerest desire for ♫Just a closer walk with Thee, Precious Jesus, hear my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be♫

With that said and believed, do with me as You wish this day that I will bring glory and honor to Your name. I love You so much and I truly long to serve You well. Thank You Father, Son and Holy Ghost. In Your most holy name I pray. Amen.

(361 words ~ 11:21 a.m.)

remind

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 (7:35 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for the ways we are reminded of it. Remind. Cause to remember. Mm, Father. I think of the love You bring into our lives and I am grateful. Peaceful.

(44 words)

reluctance

Monday, March 25, 2013 (10:17 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

I am confessing reluctance! It was going to be 'grumpy', but really it is more: unwilling, disinclined, unenthusiastic, resistant, hesitating, wavering, vacillating, doubts, second thoughts, misgivings... Thank You Father for giving me words with which to describe my feelings. Now I'm asking You to give me YOUR Word on the subject!

You have blessed me B-I-G and You deserve my praise and worship, NOT my growls and grumblings. There is SO much that needs to be taken care of around here that I have no idea where to even begin.

Thank You that just that fast You can have me singing a song from The Sound of Music. ♫Let's start at the very beginning, A very good place to start♫ Yes. Let's take “first things first”. Will You please order this day for me?

I'm taking 2Corinthians 9:6-9 into account right here. I'm asking You to turn me into a 'cheerful giver' of my strengths and energies this day. Make my heart willing to help. Change my attitude into one of sincerest camaraderie. We are officially home again. Help me transition eagerly.

Oh look! Another song. ♫Change my heart O God, Make it ever true. Change my heart O God, May I be like You. You are the Potter, I am the clay, Mold me and make me, This is what I pray♫ YOU can do this in me! YOU can “Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires” (Psalm 51:10). I trust You. I seek You. I ask You. Make Your Way in me this day.

I confess reluctance; asking and seeking change. Thank You Father. You are good. Holy. Generous. And I truly am grateful. Use me well I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(304 words ~ 10:58 a.m.)

SOUTH!

Friday, March 22, 2013 (7:03 a.m.)

Los Angeles, CA

Island Princess (Day 14)

Glorious Father God,

I'm not at all sure when, where, why or even how it happened. One minute we were heading north towards home and the next, everything has gone south. What's this all about? Tense, short, hurt feelings.

The one thing that hasn't changed is You. You are the same today as You were yesterday and will be tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). Thank You for that.

Thank You that although sleep just would not come for me last night, I feel rested and somewhat refreshed. Thank You for the opportunity to review my math skills, think about and pray for friends, acquaintances and loved ones.

Thank You for the chance to see all kinds of interesting activities going on right outside our stateroom. Tugboats, a guide boat, a fuel barge all working together for the completion of this cruise and the beginning of the next. Each one doing their job. Taking care of business.

Thank You Father. Remind us to do the same. Work in and though us to complete that which You have for us this day. With love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. And self-control. The fruit of YOUR Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) which we can't conjure up on our own.

We love You and truly long to serve You well. Thank You for bearing with us as we practice being Your obedient children. Bless us Father in the direction You would have us go this day. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

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

vocare

Thursday, March 21, 2013 (6:26 a.m.)

Cruising toward Los Angeles

Island Princess (Day 13)

Awesome God,

Thank You. I get to depend on You. I have freaky, crazy dreams and my solace is in You. There were elements of sense to them and then compete and utter nonsense. Emotions were evoked and thoughts provoked. And instead of attempting any rationalization of them, I look to You. Your sunrise. Your mercies which fall fresh everyday.

Speaking of sunrises, this one was spectacular! Clouds added to the intensity of it's beauty without obstructing the view as Your ♫morning was breaking like the first morning♫ Thank You Father that as I sat watching and humming there was praise for You in my heart and my soul.

I confess to You, my thoughts and feelings are ebbing and flowing right now. I begin to settle in with some calm, even thinking and the very next thing I know I'm up trying to pack effectively and efficiently. There's way more to today than the mere ending of a trip. There's praising and worshiping of You that needs to far overshadow all the 'last' things I want to do today.

Guide me into Your Word that I will find what You have for me. Thank You Father. You have something especially to help me. Whether it is to just allow me to struggle and ultimately grow through these uncomfortable feelings or to rid them from me, I am trusting You to guide me through them.

In reading Jeremiah 33 (A Wonderful Promise) I get to be reminded that it's okay to bring our emotions to You. You sent another message to Jeremiah while he was still in jail for telling people what they didn't what to hear. “The Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth – Jehovah is His name – says this: Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here” (v. 3).

What does this tell me? That You know! YOU are in control. I can let go and let You be the God of all. All of my hopes, plans, emotions... Verse 11 says, “The people will sing: 'Praise the Lord! For He is good and His mercy endures forever!'”

You ARE good! Help me sing of Your mercies this day Dearest Lord. I don't want to be all weepy and sad. On my own I can do nothing but. Be in and with me this day as we tie up the final day of our trip and head back to our 'real' life. I love You so much and I ask that the way I live this day will reflect that love and trust I have in You.

Let me take the uncountable blessings You've provided us these past several weeks and use them for Your good and for Your glory. Help me sing Your praises for the morning and Your loving plan for each of us.

Thank You for loving us. Thank You for caring and providing for us. Use us as You wish. We love You and we thank You. Amen.

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

desire

Wednesday, March 20, 2013 (6:25 a.m.)

Cabo San Lucas, MX

Island Princess (Day 12)

Amazing God of Glory,

AMAZING God of glory! I have been singing praise to You these past moments as early morning was breaking into dawn. What a gift You have given me. The desire to sit here and be with You. The want. The wish. The impulse. Yearning. Longing. Craving. Hankering. Hunger. Eagerness. Enthusiasm.

And here come the tears. Good tears. Excited tears. But tears nonetheless. And with them a (school, flock, bale) LOT of dolphins jumping out of the water right next to where I'm sitting. Wow! Agog. Eager to tell. Amazed. Appreciative. Rejoicing. And singing again.

♫To God be the glory! Great things He hath done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son...♫

Blessed Father, thank You. Much time has passed in me attempting to find the rest of the words so I can continue singing rather than humming Your praise. And BAM! Here they are. Thank You.

♫Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice. O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory; great things He hath done!♫

But wait! There's more... ♫Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, and great our rejoicing in Jesus the Son; But purer and higher and greater will be Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see!♫

So true. So very incredibly true. Thank You Father. Thank You for loving us. And wanting us... Here again, more tears. The very thought of being so perfectly cared for by You reduces me to a puddle once more.

Oh most dear and holy God, how I thank You for calling to me this morning. Thank You for the desire that led me to again read of Your 'unending love for Your sinful people and Your desire to restore their relationship with You' (Hosea – The Life Recovery Bible The Bottom Line).

Chapter six, verse six spells it out so clearly. “I don't want your sacrifices – I want your love; I don't want your offerings – I want you to know me.” The comment at the bottom of the page gives more detail to the verse's simplicity. “The way we treat people gives us a good idea of how committed we are to God. Our religious activities can be acted out without any true feeling.”

Jesus used these words and Truth in talking to the Pharisees concerning their legalism (Matthew 12:7). You gave Your laws for our spiritual freedom and balance. We tend to take them to the extreme of restrictive and enslaving purposes.

Father, as I read the comment at the bottom of the page I see it so closely parallels the praise I was singing with the sunrise. “God wants to be merciful to us, offering recovery and hope instead of condemnation. If God had wanted to crush us with legalism, He never would have sent Jesus to die for us. He would have let us die in our sins.”

♫To God be the glory! Great things He hath done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord... Let the earth His voice. Praise the Lord... Let the people rejoice.♫

It is my true desire this morning Father that I not only praise You this day, but that I hear You and rejoice in all You provide. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your Son. Thank You for Your blessings and Your attention to every detail of our lives. I love You so much Father. Keep working in me to make sure I do it to Your liking. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(671 words ~ 8:01 a.m.)

continue

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 (7:10 a.m.)

Heading north-westerly toward Cabo San Lucas, MX

Third Continuous Day at Sea

Island Princess (Day 11)

Lazy, relaxed, rested, content...

These are words that so accurately describe me at this very moment. Why? Because of You Blessed Father. You continue Your work in me. You keep removing those character defects that continue popping up in me.

Continue. A pastor's message to his church in the Los Angeles area and a group of visiting Walter Hoving Home ladies urged all in attendance to “Continue” when things weren't what we wanted them to be.

“Continue: carry on traveling in the same direction [seems so appropriate for our current location and circumstance (smile)], persist in an activity or process, carry on, proceed, go on, persevere, press on, remain, stay, pick up...” These very descriptive words bring to mind many thoughts and ideas. Guide me in Your Word today as You speak to me about what You most want me to know and put into practice this day.

Let me start off first by saying I love You. It's one of those things that I think really does go without saying, yet I feel inclined to say it anyway. And often. You are so very good to us and I never want to take Your blessings for granted.

I confess to You Blessed Father, I've been playing around again with feelings of bitterness and entitlement. Things don't go exactly 'my' way and I want someone to pay. To feel sorry enough for hurting my feelings. I'm no longer five. Yet far too often that's my immediate, go-to emotional reasoning.

What am I to do? Continue. Continue in Your Word and Your Way. Continue walking in Your glorious light. Continue asking You to remove my shortcomings. Father, I love You. I do ask You to remove those things in me that do not serve You well. Replace them with Your Truth. Your love. Your power, strength, wisdom... All the things I, in my own humanness, am lacking.

So here I am reading chapters 17 and 18 of 1Chronicles, aware of You reminding me to look to You and Your Word for guidance. If I am indeed going to continue following You, I need to know how to recognize Your leading.

David had a great idea in his desire to build a temple to house Your Ark of the Covenant. The problem was, it was his idea and not Yours. How often do I resemble his plans? I chart my own course. Set off in my own direction. Expecting You to bless me as I go.

Instead Father, I am asking You to change that in me. Teach me to seek You first (Matthew 7:31-33). Continue Your work in guiding me to the direction You would have go.

I give You this day Blessed Father. With all its potential and opportunities. Yesterday You gave me turtle sightings as a completely unexpected and vastly appreciated gift I hope to treasure forever. You are such a good and generous Father. How I ask You to continue teaching me to use the resources You provide to honor, glorify and enjoy You forever.

Continue Your work in me I pray. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

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

transition

Monday, March 18, 2013 (5:26 a.m.)

Heading north toward Cabo San Lucas, MX

Island Princess

Most Holy God,

Thank You. We are back in our original time zone. That means we are getting closer to the ending of this current trip. Father, You well know the funk that usually puts me in. I'm asking way in advance that we do it differently this time. What do You think? A smoother, healthier transition than in the past.

“Transition: the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another; passage, move, segue, shift, progession”. The list goes on. Guide me in and through this next rapidly approaching changeover.

Father, You have taught us a lot this trip. Things about engineering, different cultures, perspectives, ourselves. Thank You. Help us take home and apply the good habits we've been forging these past few weeks. You have so much more for us to learn. Make us willing and proficient learners.

And just like that You have me reading in the book of Malachi. Thank You Father. You provide so very much hope for us. Yesterday I was blessed by the words of the chaplain on this ship. He reminded us through the story of Caleb's and Joshua's experience in the Promised Land with the ten other spies (Numbers 13:23-14:4) that we can look at the giants [those things that keep us discouraged] and grasshoppers [how tiny we feel in regards to our giants] in our lives OR we can focus on the grapes [Your promises to us] and YOU. Father, thank You for such a detailed reminder.

As we have set sail toward home, remind this dear husband and myself of the many healthy choices we have made thus far during this present voyage. Lead, guide and direct us into taking these good decisions into our everyday life at home. Father God, we DO love and adore You so incredibly much. Thank You for being the major Topic of many of our conversations.

Right now I'm getting to read of Caleb's different spirit than the other spies. He believed You and Your promises. He knew that with Your help Your people could conquer all the obstacles and difficulties they would face. That's what ties so nicely into Your promise to Malachi. He preached a message of hope to a nation of backsliders – a people who had fallen back into their old habits.

Malachi confronted Your people about getting back on track after having relapsed into their past destructive behaviors. He spoke Your message of The Messiahs' Coming (Malachi 3:1-6). How blessed are we that we get to expereince this very hope today.

You promised to send a messenger (John the Baptist) to prepare the way for Jesus' coming. You described through these words the cleansing that was [IS] available to each of us by His mighty presence.

All this leads to the verse I ask You to burn into my very heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30) this day. Malachi 3:6, “For I am the Lord – I do not change. That is why you are not already utterly destroyed [for my mercy endures forever].”

Yes Father. You are our Lord. You do not change and we are not destroyed. Bless me and keep me in Your Truth as we transition back to our normal, everyday life. Use us to glorify and enjoy You forever. THAT is what we're here for. Thank You Father. We love You. We thank You. Amen.

(583 words ~ 8:40 a.m.)

transformed

Sunday, Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 2013 (5:38 a.m.)

On balcony, with sunrise, heading north to Cabo San Lucas

Isalnd Princess

Most Blessed Father

Thank You. Thank You for sleep. Thank You for rest. Thank You for rejuvenation. Restoration. Renewal.

Mm, Father. You have allowed me this opportunity. I get to sit here high above the sea, watching the colors of the early morning sky, thinking that it doesn't get any better than this. Why? Because of You!

Waking from intensely detailed dreams featuring less than clean restrooms and a mechanical bull ride, I keep coming back to the western twang of ♫Don't fence me in♫ I don't know the other words, but the catchy tune keeps coming around.

With all that build up, I'm here. Looking to You with sheer gratitude. Asking that You would use me this day as an instrument of Your peace.

(6:18 a.m.)

So the word I keep coming across this morning is transformed. I read about it when I first turned to Romans 12:2. “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be transformed to a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you.”

Mm, again, comfort. Reading a devotion on Self-perception, Your Truth (which ultimately sets us free when we know it according to John 8:32) rings through. “We all have great potential for change, but we cannot do it under our own power. As we yield our life and will to God, we can depend on Him to renew our mind and heart. He will begin to remove our defects of character, transforming us from the inside out.”

And then, over in 2 Corinthians, I get to read more about the transformation that takes place in each of us as we trust You to change us. The Life Recovery Bible's introduction to this book states, “We cannot change ourself by changing our external behaviors. As we are reconciled to God, He tranforms us into an entirely new person; our old self is changed in a fundamental sense.”

Father, I am becoming more aware of the changes You are making in me. I realize Your work is just beginning and ♫it's a long way to Tipperary, we've a long way to go♫ (smile!!). Oh, but I am SO grateful!

I read here in 2 Corinthians, chapter 3 of the privilege of being transparent. Of NOT being like Moses whose veiled face “shone out with the very glory of God – though the brightness was already fading away (v.7b).

Because of Your love for and work in each of us we get to be a living letter (v.2). “By looking at the good change in your hearts, everyone can see that we have done a good work among you. They can see that you are a letter from Christ, written by us. It is not a letter written with pen and ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not one carved on stone, but in human hearts” (3).

Oh, “Amen!” Thank You Father! Because of all Jesus did on our behalf, I get to be counted as one of those letters.

The Illustrated Bible Handbook says this regarding the law You gave Moses and the freedom You've given each of us in Christ. “When Moses returned from Mount Sinai with the tablets of stone, his face shone with a brilliant radiance. But the glory faded. Moses hid his face with a veil to mask the deterioration from his people.”

This explanation make the truth of 2Corinthians 3:18 even more powerful. “But we Christians have no veil 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.”

Use me this day Dearest Lord to reflect You well. Continue Your hard work in transforming me into the woman You would have me be.

I love You. I thank You. And for right now, I am imagining You singing to me the song from much earlier. In regards to the various times I try to understand You and Your workings. I am NOT to put You in a box of my own understanding so it makes perfect sense for You to tell me ♫Don't fence me in♫

I love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(744 words ~ 7:16 a.m.)

humble

Friday, March 15, 2013 (6:45 a.m.)

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Island Princess

Thank You Father,

So many things to say “thank You” for.

Saturday, March 16, 2013 (3:54 p.m.)

Off the coast of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Island Princess

And just like that we were off and running. Well, zipping actually. Through trees. In a rain forest. During the dry season.

I'm not remembering a time that I have felt THAT tired! Beat up. Done in. Exhausted. Thank You for the good sense You gave me to know when to say when and call it a VERY early night. Thank You for the refreshing rest that allowed me the energy it took to enjoy touring the countryside of an extremely 'humble' area.

Humble. A very good word. The right place to start this late afternoon. “Humble: of low social, administratve, or political rank; lowly, working-class, poor, modest, unpretentious, plain, simple”. I thought of my dad's family much of today. Seeing many things reminded me of the few things I know about his humble upbringing.

Father, I didn't know them. I believe them to have been honest, hard-working, humble people. I like to think they were.

Your Word (James particularly) is speaking to me of the importance of humbling ourselves. That I ask You this evening Father. I'm going with The Living Bible translation here Lord which takes me straight into a song from the past.

“Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Then when you realize your worthlessness before the Lord, He will lift you up, encourage and help you” (James 4:9-10).

♫Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up higher and higher And He will lift You up...♫ Lift us up Blessed Father. We love You so much. Thank You for loving us first. Amen.

(329 words ~ 5:05 p.m.)

request

Thursday, March 14, 2013 (6:59 a.m.)

Island Princess

At Sea – to Puntarenas

Awesome God,

This morning I have a request. It's been three years since my mom 'passed', 'went home to be with You', 'died'... Three years and I still don't even know how to refer to her death.

(7:42 a.m.)

My original request this morning was going to be that You would work in me that I would honor my mom this day. Honor her life. Honor her memory. After searching Your Word I'm asking that You would help me honor her in knowing how to properly express her present state of living with You.

Too many times I don't know what I think I know. Just because I think something to be true doesn't make it so. My understanding of Jesus' words to Lazarus' sister Martha lead me to believe that three years ago today, my mom merely stepped into her life with You.

John 11:25-26, “Jesus told her, 'I am the One who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies like anyone else, shall live again. He is given eternal life for believing in me and shall never perish. Do you believe this, Martha?'”

I believe this Jesus. I believe my mom believed it. I believe she is there in glory with You. And I also believe, without knowing how to substantiate it, that she is somehow still here near to each of those who loved her. I believe You to be omnipresent, that doesn't mean the same for her.

What words would You have me use to express myself? How would You have me honor her on this third anniversary?

I love You so much. Missing her, loving her is made easier by believing her to be with You. Teach me Your Truth that I would share it accurately with others. I love You Father. I trust You. I thank You and I ask You to work in me to bring honor and glory to Your name. And honor to my mom. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(356 words ~ 8:25 a.m.)

opportunity

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 (12:55 p.m.)

Island Princess

The Panama Canal – Culebra Cut

Wow God!

Thank You! I was just getting ready to complain and explain. Instead You reminded where I am and the amazing opportunity You have provided. I've done nothing to deserve this current excursion yet here I sit, awed by things I never expected I would encounter.

(2:05 p.m.)

The Panama Canal - Pedro Miguel Locks

Father, again I thank You. This time for the kindness of a husband with whom I had previously squabbled. Not feeling 100% I chose not to leave our stateroom. Out of sheer kindness of his heart, he carried a large plate of food back for me. Nice guy. Good man. Extremely good man.

(3:26 p.m.)

The Panama Canal – Miraflores Lake,

approaching Miraflores Locks

I think the difference between the last locks and these we are approaching is in me. As I consider the quality of the man You have given me to love and be loved by I find myself lost in the description. The grading of coins comes to mind. There is good, very good, fine, very fine...

(191 words)  

memories

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 (6:00 a.m.)

On balcony in route to Cartegena, Colombia

Island Princess

Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for sleep, food, friends and fun. Not necessarily in that order. Father, You are so good. So faithful. So loving. So kind.

Memories popped up last night. Memories of a time long ago. I confess, “Dad”, I didn't know what to do with them. So I ate. I came back to the room and ate whatever I could lay my hands on.

Blessed Lord, use these current memories and thoughts and wonders to Your good and to Your glory. I was just about to launch into a list of feelings. Instead I will turn to Your Word.

As it turns out 1Thessalonians seems the perfect place. Paul, Silas and Timothy ~ I can't even keep reading. Each time I begin, tears start as well.

(146 words)

provisions

Monday, March 11, 2013 (5:49 a.m.)

Island Princess

Off the Aruba coast

Talk about an early morning wake-up call!

And of course, how could we possibly be here without singing ♫Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya to Key Largo, Montego come on baby we go...♫

Father God, thank You. The sun isn't even up yet and what I most want to do is thank You. Thank You for Your provisions. Your Word speaks of those as well. The NIV concordance takes me to the Psalms. 132:15 tells of Your promise to bless Jerusalem with abundant provisions. 144:13-15 describes “a truly happy land where Jehovah is God.”

Father, I long to match the description set out here for Your daughters. I want to be seen as a woman “of graceful beauty like the pillars of a palace wall.” Strong. Stately [having a dignified, unhurried and grand manner]. Yours.

Work in me this day. As You continue providing provisions I could never imagine, make me grateful. Oh and look there. Change the 't' to a 'c' and we have graceful. Yes Father. Graceful and grateful, my goal for the day. Thank You for loving us and providing so perfectly. We love You. Amen.

(203 words ~ 6:34 a.m.)

creature comforts

Sunday, March 10, 2013 (8:09 a.m.)

Island Princess

351.6 nautical miles from Oranjestad, Aruba

Caribbean Sea

Holy Father,

Thank You. Thank You for the creature comforts You provide us. I confess to You, I am awed by the opportunities I am experiencing. Food. Fun. Friends. Loved Ones. Comforts. Thank You Father.

Thank You that I get to be somewhere in the middle of the ocean and You are right here with us. Thank You that I have Your Word to turn to. Thank You for reminding me that it is YOU who created all this beauty. Sunrises. Sunsets. Stars. Clouds. Color. Amazing, astounding beauty. Thank You.

So, I originally thought my focus here was going to be about all that is going on around me. Thank You for pulling me back to You, the Creator. The One who created it all to begin with. Without Your original plan we would be having none of this. Again, thank You!

Agog! Right here. Right now. Agog with You. Our Creator! Two verses especially have me nodding in agreement. Father thank You. Thank You that You not only created all this beauty, You planned ahead knowing our propensity would be to worship the things You created instead of You.

Romans 1:25 says, “Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they prayed to the things God made, but wouldn't obey the [Creator] blessed God who made these things.”

That's our tendency. We see things. Want them. Aquire them. And ultimately worship them, instead of You. We look to ourselves. We work hard at being self-sufficient. Thank You for the much needed reminders that our greatest need is to “'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only God'” (Mark 12:29). Oh, amen!

And now, back to Deuteronomy 32:6. The words in the concordance are, “Is He not your Father, your Creator”. The Life Recovery Bible says the words of Moses' song this way, “Is this the way you treat Jehovah? O foolish people, Is not God your Father? Has He not created you? Has He not established you and made you strong?”

Oh, how we need to be reminded! The commentary at the bottom of the page tells us, “An important part of spiritual growth is learning to worship God. An important part of worship is praise. In these verses (3-4) Moses takes the time to praise God for who He is – great, glorious, strong, perfect, just and fair, faithful, holy. We also need to take the time to rejoice in who God is and to praise Him for His greatness. He is the Rock, our foundation for a stable life. His work in our life is perfect. We need to recognize God's ability to help and then allow Him to do His mighty work on our behalf.”

Yes Father. Creator. Maker of heaven and earth. THANK YOU! Thank You for the opportunity to explore the beauty of Your creation. ALL of this is only because of You. I am grateful. I appreciate Your kindness. Your generosity. And I worship and adore YOU, the Creator. NOT all that You created. Help me remember and reflect that this day.

Let me be a beacon of Your love. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(555 words ~ 9:21 a.m.)

omniscient

Saturday, March 9, 2013 (8:12 a.m.)

Island Princess

Father God,

YOU know where we are. We are headed south, sailing toward Aruba. There is land to the west of us. We are curious. But You know! I find great comfort in being loved and watched over by You. Thank You Father.

I'm smiling. I just read about Psalm 139. It refers to You as being omniscient. “ALL-KNOWING, all-wise, all-seeing; knowing everything”. I like that. Because You are omniscient I get to sit back, 'enjoy, smile, relax, renew, smile more' and do it all over again. Thank You Father.

There is great comfort and freedom in fully embracing the Truth of Your Word. Psalm 139:3, “You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment You know where I am.” How cool is that! [What? Get up and go to Zumba? I have time? Really?]

Because “You know what I am going to say before I even say it” (v. 4) I am asking You to make sure the words I use today are kind. Helpful. Uplifting. True. Yes Father, I am asking You to be my guide this day.

Let me truly THINK... before I speak, asking myself if what I am about to say is “True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind”. Make it so I represent You well this day. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(223 words)

Holy God

Friday, March 8, 2013 (8:25 EST)

Dania, FL

Holy God,

I've already packed my 'go-to' Bible. I'm relying on BibleGateway.com and The Gideons' from the hotel. Several verses seem appropriate. Let's see where we go together. “You lead, I'll follow!”

First off, it's Revelation 15:4 (NKJV) I bring to You. “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” Yes. Yes. And YES!!!

“For You alone art holy”. I throw the word 'holy' around far too casually. I use it to describe things that are anything but holy. Forgive me, I pray. Change this in me I ask.

From here I go right back to what made me laugh out loud just earlier. Proverbs 30:3a. It was the phrasing used by Eugene Peterson in The Message that shocked me into attention, “I flunked 'wisdom'.” That's me. Thankfully the follow up to that is no longer true in my case. “I see no evidence of a holy God.” Not true! Absolutely not true! We have evidences of Your holiness all around us. It's utilizing that evidence, that TRUTH, where I fall short.

Father, I want, I'm asking that You temper my language to represent the fact that You alone art holy. I wish to no longer casually use the word 'holy' in describing anything but You! You are good. You are faithful. You are loving. And kind. And most of, You are holy.

Thank You for the blessings You are continuing to provide us. Let us represent You well this day, the remainder of this current trip, all the days of our lives. We love You so much. We ask You to work wonderfully in and through each of us that we will serve You well. We truly long to love You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30) fully knowing, believing, trusting that “the Lord our God is the one and only Lord” (v.29). Holy. Holy God.

Thank You Father. We love You. And we ask You all this in Your Son's most holy name. Amen.

(364 words ~ 9:11 a.m.)

extremes

Thursday, March 7, 2013 (7:35 a.m. EST)

Dania, FL

Loving Father,

Thank You! I was in the midst of an adventure yesterday (airboats, gators and crocs, oh my!) and speaking with You was what I most wanted to do.

♫Word of God speak♫ I noticed myself singing that in the middle of the Everglades. Chin lifted, eyes closed and truly not a care in the world I wanted only to be in Your presence. What an experience! Something I had always thought I would never want to do. Thank You for surprising me.

And surprise me You do! Thank You for turning my mind, in the very midst of an exciting experience, from what was going on around me to You and Your Word. I was in the middle of sawgrass in Florida and thinking of Moses, as a baby, being placed in a little boat made of papyrus reeds and set “afloat in the reeds at the edge of the Nile” (Exodus 2:1-3). Thank You Father.

You take such incredible care of Your creation. Last night there was time and conversation somehow turned to having a good death. Stories were told of loved ones seemingly fine one minute and being gone the next. There were those who had suffered greatly and rallied to the point of anticipated recovery. You were fully acknowledged as having a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Thank You Father.

Thank You that as we (You and I) sit here together I again get to turn in Your Word. Through the years I've come to use the words “never” and “always” sparingly. Just now I found a verse (Psalm 145:13) that I won't have to hesitate in using such extremes.

“Your Kingdom is a kingdom eternal; You never get voted out of office. God always does what He says, and is gracious in everything He does.” You are the epitome of extremes!

The Life Recovery Bible comments, that 'You shower us with Your gifts, holding back the judgment we deserve. Even though You hate our sin, You don't react to it out of anger. Instead, You show us great compassion. Someday all creation will recognize what God has done and will praise Him.'

That said, I just remembered another never worth repeating. “His compassion never ends” (Lamentations 3:22a). Father, as we go into this day, make me ever mindful of the extremes to which You love us. Your compassion never ends and You are ALWAYS good! Extremes, yes. You are one extremely good God. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(429 words ~ 9:15 a.m.)

unmerited favor

Wednesday, March 6, 2013 (8:57 a.m. EST)

Dania, FL

Awesome God of Glory,

And grace. Mm, yes. Grace. Speak to me this morning about Your grace.

(10:57 a.m.)

Grace. Unmerited favor. Yes. That is what this current trip represents. We have done nothing to warrant or deserve this present experience, yet here we are. Able to “enjoy, smile, relax, renew and smile more”. Wise words shared with me by a dear friend.

Father, thank You! Thank You for Your gifts. The gift of Your Son. His sacrifice on our behalf. His willingness to go to His own excruciatingly painful death. All for Your love of us.

I can't even begin to comprehend that kind of selflessness. Jesus, thank You for this unmerited favor You have so freely bestowed on us. It is free to us. And came at such a great price for You. “GRACE – God's Riches At Christ's Expense”!

You gave us this day. This current opportunity. Let us use them well. To Your good and Your glory. We love You so very much. Make it show clearly through our dependence on and trust in You, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds (Mark 12:30). Use them all to glorify You.

The Illustrated Bible Handbook says this about grace, “Grace is, as it is often defined, the 'unmerited favor of God.' But most importantly, it is God acting powerfully to do for you and me all those things which we could never do for ourselves.” Oh, “AMEN” to that!!!

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(262 words ~ 8:22 a.m.)

another trip

Tuesday, March 5, 2013 (5-ish a.m.)

Be with us Father,

We're taking another trip. We need You to go within, before, behind, beneath and above us. I'm taking the Truth found in Psalm 23:6 with us. 

Use us this day, this trip to Your good and Your glory. We love You and we thank You. With so much love we pray. Thank You. Amen.

(57 words)

sweet soil

Monday, March 4, 2013 (6:51 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed Father God,

How very much I love You! How I thank and praise You. How I ask You to speak with me this morning. Two words came to me while it was still dark outside. “Sweet soil”. I have little idea what they may mean. I did some internet searching and although I think it can be a good thing for growing, I'm looking to You who created it all.

Father, thank You for the care You took in making everything out of nothing (Genesis 1). Peace settles deep into my being as I read both Your Word and the Illustrated Bible Handbook. Nothing got past Your attention. We are so blessed to be loved by a God such as Yourself! The One, the Only God in Three Persons who is intimately involved in not only our creation, but also in our well-being.

Father, thank You. Thank You for setting it all into motion. Thank You for taking nothing and creating life. Father I want to use well this life You have provided us. I want the soil You are growing me in to be sweet. Good for growing. Healthy.

I remember where the thought of soil came from! In not getting right to sleep last night, I recalled Your blessing me through Your Word three years ago. Before knowing I would have need of Its Truth the very next day (March 14), I read and prayed on Paul's words to the believers at Colosse.

He wrote this letter “to show us that Christ is the only real source of power in our life.” (The Life Recovery Bible – The Bottom Line). Father, thank You that even here You were in charge of growing us.

Colossians 2:6-7, “And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day's problems; live in vital union with Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the Truth that you were taught. Let you lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done.”

Sweet Soil! Jesus thank You for all You have done in growing and nourishing me. Use me this day as You wish in representing Your goodness and Your glory. I love You so very much. And I thank You deeply. Grow me. Nourish me. In Your sweet soil. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(421 words ~ 8:40 a.m.)

first things

Saturday, March 2, 2013 (7:40 a.m.)

Most Holy Father God,

Thank You. Your Word teaches us to “Always give thanks to God the Father for everything. Give thanks to Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Father, I've been trying to do exactly that.

You are so good. You are kind. You are patient. And You keep giving us opportunities to practice being better. Thank You.

This past week, You helped us stay focused on taking care of one task at a time. We were not only successful at identifying 'first things' we actually took care of them first! That's You Father. Working in and through each of us. Thank You God.

We've had a lot of decisions to make. And we worked together surprisingly well in organizing our chaos. You get the glory for it all. Here is where I ask You to continue working in me.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” I confess Dearest God, this is not usually my first thing. My typical modus operandi is fretting and stewing, debating outcomes, second guessing.

I want very much to get to the place where You see cheerfulness and thanksgiving in my heart. I don't want to merely give You lip service. I want my very countenance to represent You. Your peace. Your joy. Your love. Your generousity.

Father, You are so very good to us. You bring amazing people and opportunities into our lives. As I consider our first things for today I ask You to make me ever aware of the presence and guidance of Your Holy Spirit. Let me be a willing, obedient partcipant in Your good plan for us this day.

I love You. I thank You. And I truly ask You to enable me to “give thanks in every situation”. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

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

♫I thank You♫

Friday, March 1, 2013 (6:11 a.m.)

Awesome Father God,

Thank You that we have You to turn to. Thank You that in the middle of the dark when a song came to mind, I immediately turned it toward You and Your Son. After looking up the lyrics just now, again I realize I'm reaching but there is much comfort in singing ♫You didn't have to love me like You did But You did, but You did and I thank You♫

I'm not at all sure what brought this song to mind but I am so grateful to be singing it You right now. Looking up “I thank You” in Your Word, I am led to such promising Scripture verses that I don't know which to place my focus on. Guide me here I pray Dear Lord.

Psalm 86:11-12, “Train me, God, to walk straight; then I'll follow Your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my heart I thank You, dear Lord”. I do Father. I do thank You for the love You didn't have to give to me.

There truly is no greater love (John 15:3) than that which You gave this world in the sacrifice of Your Son (John 3:16). Thank You Father for loving each of us so perfectly.

There is much to be done around here these next several days. Father, it is Your love for each of us I am depending on to see us through it all.

The Life Recovery comment for Psalm 86:11-17 says, “We only know God's will as we seek to know Him through prayer and the study of His Word. The more we know about God, the more we know of what He expects of us. And as we get to know God better, we will discover that He not only gives us direction, but also gives us the strength and encouragement we need to walk down the pathway He chooses for us.” That is exactly what I am depending on Dearest Father.

Thank You for reminding me that ♫You didn't have to love me like You did But You did, but You did♫ and Father I truly thank You. Empower me to share that love with others this day. Be with us as we work together to accomplish a LOT! In Your Son's most precious name I pray. Amen.

(403 words ~ 6:57 a.m.)