strait, not straight

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 (6:08 a.m.)

Holy Father,

Thank You. I came here initially to thank You for successful situations in other people's lives. Instead we've been exploring Matthew 7:13-14.

Thank You for Your guiding. Your leading. Your Word. Your Truth. Your faith. Your hope. Thank You that even in thanking You comes the opportunity to sing out to You. Mm. Thank You.

A good long time was spent finding the correct words to the simple little praise song that began singing in my mind. ♫My Life Is In You, Lord, My strength is in You, Lord My hope is in You, Lord In You, it's in You...♫

What an honor and a privilege to be able to come before You knowing that You are the source of all I am. Thank You Father. Thank You for the work You have been doing through the years shaping and molding, whittling if You will. Yes. Paring and shaving away the things that don't serve You.

Thank You for the opportunity to sing out to You ♫I will praise You with all of my heart. I will praise You with all of my hope. With all of my life, and all of my strength. All of my hope is in You♫

It is! I get to come here before You. Not knowing where we'll go together. And the next thing I know, I'm searching Your Word and singing Your praises.

It's You Father to whom we turn when things are scary and out of control. You that causes our hearts to sing out with gladness. Thank You.

Under the heading Being and Doing (Matthew 7:13-14) in The Message I read a very familiar section in a completely different light. Father, after all these years of hearing these verses read aloud I am embarrassed to admit that I have only just now understood.

Other versions and translations say “strait is the gate” (KJ21) or “narrow the gate and straitened the way” (ASV). I know You saw my surprise when all these years later I finally discovered that 'strait' means difficult and is not to be confused with 'straight' [unswerving, without a curve].

Thank You Father. Thank You for making me able to learn.

“Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easy formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life – to God! – is vigorous and requires total attention” (MSG).

Thank You Father. Thank You for keeping me thankful. Thank You for all You have for us to explore or Your strait and narrow way. Continue Your work in making us up to every task You set before us.

I love You Father. I love You and I long to serve You. Well. Make it so Dearest Dad. Make it so. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(489 words ~ 8:02 a.m.)

songs from God

Tuesday, April 29, 2014 (6:43 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. Thank You that so many times in my sleeplessness my mind is brought around to singing. I have yet to remember the various songs that kept me company throughout the darkness of last night and much earlier this morning.

Thank You. It seems to be songs that most often bring my heart, soul, mind, possible even my strength back to trusting You. Left to my own accord I fuss with details. Replay incidents. With music I am easily swept away to praise.

My first recollection on the most recent playlist was ♫You give and take away... My heart will choose to say, Lord Blessed be Your name♫

Thank You Father. Thank You for songs that truly get into my being and sing themselves without my asking. Through them I am reminded that no matter what ♫It Is Well With my Soul♫ and ♫Great is Thy Faithfulness♫

Thank You that even when I am unable to sleep, songs from You help me rest. And then surprise, surprise sometimes I even wake up after having dreamed.

I believe this morning I slept the soundest and dreamt the deepest immediately after being reminded, again through a song from You, that I get to ♫lay down my burden, Down by the riverside...♫ Is THAT why I love water so much?

Blessed Father, thank You for blessing me in so many ways. Thank You for songs that truly feed my entire being. Use me well this day Blessed Dad. In ways I am not even expecting. I love You and want to represent You to others exactly as You wish to be represented. Embolden and enable me to do precisely that.

I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(293 words ~ 7:43 a.m.)

active doer

Monday, April 28, 2014 (7:30 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

I'm here in the flesh. Somewhat distracted in heart, mind and soul.

Thank You that even this I brought directly back to Your Word. Looking up 'distracted' in The Message I came upon James 1:25.

“But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God – the free life! – even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.”

Illustrated Bible Handbook says of this section (James 1:22-25), “God's Word has brought us life. But for the Word 'planted in you' to grow, and so reshape us, we must 'do what it says,' not simply bend over and peer into it. Only by 'doing' will God's promised blessings come.”

A devotional entitled Looking in the Mirror in The Life Recovery Bible refers to Your Word as our spiritual mirror. Thank You that it is here for us to routinely look into. And in so doing I read another translation of the same verse.

“But the person who looks intently into the perfect law, the law that provides liberty, and continues in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer – he will be blessed in his doing.” (MOUNCE)

I ask You to make me an active doer. Not a forgetful hearer. Keep me looking intently into Your law that provides liberty. I long to serve You. To love You as I ought. You are good. You are gracious. And I am grateful.

Thank You for changing my heart right here where I've sat. Bless my choices this day. Make me a bona fide active doer on Your behalf. I love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(302 words ~ 8:36 a.m.)

♫ Love so amazing ♫

Sunday, April 27, 2014 (6:53 a.m.)

Blessed God,

For over four hours two songs have intertwined themselves causing me to wonder which was which.

Well scratch all that! IT is only one song.

♫He became sin Who knew no sin That we might become His Righteousness He humbled Himself and carried the cross Love so amazing Love so amazing♫

And that's what I silently sang in moments of wakefulness throughout the dark, early morning hours. ♫Love so amazing, Love so amazing♫

Then the light of day and what I believed was a different song. ♫Jesus Messiah Name above all names Blessed Redeemer Emmanuel♫

My mistake. Same song. Sung to You just yesterday morning.

Mm. I love taking a deep breath and being okay with having made a simple mistake. The 'no harm, no foul' type that only serves to prove our humanness. There was a time in my distorted thinking that an error of any degree would have served to further prove my own unworthiness.

Thank You that Your Word addresses even this. The apostle John wrote of John the Baptist depicting himself as not “worthy/good enough/fit” to even untie Jesus' sandal (John 1:27).

The Life Recovery Bible's profile on John the Baptist says, “John felt he was not worthy even to be Jesus' slave. Jesus, however, said that there was no one greater than John in the history of the human race. John did not have a self-esteem problem; he had appropriate humility. When we truly understand the greatness of Jesus, our own self-importance, pride, and self-sufficiency will be transformed into humble gratitude and a desire to please.”

Mm, yes! These thoughts to Your heart!

Continue Your work in guiding our understanding of and dependence on Jesus' greatness. The greater He becomes in our lives the smaller we will be, making us all the better able to serve You as You so richly and rightly deserve.

Mm, yes again! Deep breath. Calming thoughts. Hopeful heart. You working in and through, with and for us. Yes please. Thank You. Use us well this day. To Your good and to Your glory. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

(358 words ~ 8:45 a.m.)

questions

Saturday, April 26, 2014 (5:53 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

It's cold. Rainy. Cloudy. Expected. Yet at the very same time, quite unexpected. Can we talk this morning about expectations? You know, those precursors to disappointment and resentment.

Hmm. There's something much deeper here. Through the years I've come to see expectations as negatives. Something to be avoided. Now I'm reading definitions and synonyms and really don't know what I think.

“a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future; supposition, assumption, hope”

So. Here I sit. Wondering. What are the things You would have us come to expect? Is there a way to hope and not become disappointed? Yes, Father. Guide my thinking this morning. Teach me what You would have me know.

Your Word is filled with information. Facts. Inspiration. Promises. Hope. Blessings. Guide and direct my thoughts and my findings this morning.

Mm. Deep, cleansing breath. All the wondering. And wandering. The faintest smile. A profound sense of peace.

The very last verses of the present day Bible. Under the subtitle Jesus Is Coming. Revelation 22:20-21, “He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!' Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.”

Of all the things I may come to hope or expect, it is upon Your return I want to focus. Circumstances and situations in this life are not lasting.

I want to think, consider, hope on that which endures. Your reign. Your Kingdom. And as I do this, music again fills my soul. ♫Jesus Messiah Name above all names Blessed Redeemer Emmanuel The rescue for sinners The ransom from Heaven Jesus Messiah, Lord of all♫

And here again comes the refrain I long to have as my go to phrase ♫All our hope is in You All our hope is in You All the glory to You, God The Light of the world♫

Jesus Messiah, the HOPE of Christians throughout the ages. Teach me to expect You! Mm. Yes. Let my expectations rest in Your return! Thank You. I love you! Amen.

(356 words ~ 8:42 a.m.)

Divine Intervention - take 2

Friday, April 25, 2014 (11:50 a.m.)

Father,

I'm here again on the behalf of loved ones. This time: sisters-in-law. One traveling in hopes of speaking Your Truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) to another.

Yes, Father! You know ALL the variables to this current circumstance. We do not pretend to. You know Your plans and we choose to believe “they are plans for good and not for evil, to give ___ a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Blessed Father, I don't mean to 'mess' with Scripture. I don't want to take it out of context to suit our own longings. Yet, on the other hand, that's exactly what I want to do!

On behalf of our dear loved one, I desperately want to believe it's okay to interject her name where the blank is and stand firm in believing that ♫Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing is too difficult for You♫

Blessed Father, we come together praying. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). Pleading with You by means of the groans of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26). Do for Your precious daughter what no one else has been able to do.

We love You Father. We thank You for the privilege of praying to You. Thank You. Bless my sisters, I pray. Amen.

(210 words ~ 12:12 p.m.)

Divine Intervention

Friday, April 25, 2014 (6:51 a.m.)

Holy God,

I'm here this morning on behalf of a loved one. Medical mistakes and clerical oversights have been made. A much needed surgery has been postponed and physical mobility lies in the balance of human error. You are the God overall. We look to You this morning. Asking Your divine intervention.

Jesus, You raised people from the dead (Luke 7:11-16, Mark 5:35-43, John 11:1-44). You caused more than the blind to see, the lame to walk, lepers to be cured, the deaf to hear (Matthew 11:5a). 

Your apostle John (21:25) even wrote, “And I suppose that if all the other things Jesus did were written down, the whole world could not contain the books.”

We trust You. You ARE our Divine Intervention! We look to You. We hope in You. You, who is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). That faith which is allowing us to ask Your blessings on one, who through no fault of his own, is in such a perilous state.

We love You Jesus. Our first reaction is to question. Doubt. Fear. Instead we focus on You. Fix our eyes on You. Look only to You. Asking that You would divinely intervene in this seemingly tragic turn of events.

Guide and direct our every thought and action this day. Continue Your work in bringing us completely to Your feet. We love You. We long to work for You. And to do it well. Thank You Jesus. Praise You Jesus. We love You Jesus. Amen.

(258 words ~ 7:41 a.m.)

blessing upon blessing

Thursday, April 24, 2014 (7:04 a.m.)

Holy God and Father,

THANK YOU!

A very slow moving start to this morning. Got up. Took care of some business. Made a few mistakes. And then... blessing upon blessing!

Attempting to wake up. Not quite ready to be here with You. Where else? The internet. And trending news. Ah, but this time You beat me to the punch!

Willie Myric, a not yet 10 year old boy was kidnapped from his Atlanta driveway. Did he cower in fear of his captor? No! He sang. For three hours. Under threat of bodily harm. He sang over and over Hezekiah Walker's ♫Every Praise♫

(1:23 p.m.)

Father. I cannot tell you how this story and one other have opened my eyes and my heart to the day.

A 100 year old woman was interviewed by the creator of Humans Of New York (HONY). She told how her husband had encouraged her before his death.

When Shirley Hyman asked Moe how she would ever go on without him, he gathered all his energy and told her to take all the love she had for him and spread it around. “A love spread around. There beauty is found.” Mm!

In a nutshell, isn't that what You would have us do with You? Take all the love You've given us and give it away. Spread it around.

Yes Father. That is my request this day. Empower and enable me to spread your love around! I love You so. Help me do it well.

The Message tells us, “So this is my [Paul's] prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately” (Philippians 1:9). Spread it around!

Make it so Dearest Dad. Make it so! Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(293 words ~ 1:50 p.m.)

the God of hope

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 (6:47 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You that You are our hope.

(7:19 a.m.)

Yes! And there are Bible verses to back that up!

Psalm 62:5, “I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24, “The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore I will hope in Him!'”

Romans 15:13, “So I [Paul] pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Mm. Yes. Unfailing love. Mercies that begin afresh every day. Hope that overflows. Power of the Holy Spirit. These are things we can't control. Nor contain.

Hope in the Lord. I heard it sung again on Sunday. Twice. ♫Jesus Messiah, name above all names Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel... All our hope is in You... The Lord of all♫

(8:46 a.m.)

And all this time later I've spent researching the origin of that other song I heard and cried to this past Easter Sunday. ♫Hallelujah♫ by Leonard Cohen. I knew it as ♫Broken Hallelujah♫ performed by the Wounded Warriors Band.

Blessed Father God, if that isn't reason to hope I don't know what is. Too often I get lost in my own circumstances. Then comes a song that reminds me of ALL You offer us. You send reminders of Your mercy. Your grace. The hope we have in You.

Thank You God. Thank You for the many ways we are called to remember that You truly are the God of our every hope. Teach. Empower. Enable me to hope as You would have me hope. In You!

I want to praise You regardless of circumstances.

Taking lyrics from an entirely different song entitled Broken Hallelujah sung by The Afters, it reminds us of the importance of always singing Hallelujah. Whether we can barely stand, if all comes crashing down, when we wonder where You are; when we ♫try to find the words to pray♫ and don't know what to say, You hear our hearts. We don't know Your plan, but still believe ♫You're making beauty from these ashes♫ Even when we're on our knees in pain we can call Your name with a broken hallelujah.

Keep reminding me Father. As I care and hurt for others, prompt me to continue praising You as our one and only God of hope. Thank You that You are! I love You. Use me this day exactly as You wish. Hallelujah! Amen.

(450 words ~ 9:13 a.m.)

what's what

Tuesday, April 22, 2014 (8:09 a.m.)

So,

I've sat. And waited. Thought. And rethought. Avoided. Resisted. And finally... surrendered.

Blessed Father, thank You. Thank You that I am currently not willing to pretend with You. I could say all the nice things I'm supposed to. Thank You for all of which I truly am grateful. Or I can come and say I just don't know what is going on around me. Thank You that I am choosing the latter.

Loving God, I really don't know what's what anymore. And I just smiled at the Truth of that. Have I ever really known? Or does 1Corinthians 13:12 describe me perfectly?

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly...” Yes. That's me to a T. Not knowing what I think I know. Thank You for reminding me and helping me smile about it in the process.

Blessed Father, You are so good. So holy. So perfect. And even [or is it especially?] when I come to You with a heavy non-rejoicing heart, You accept and change it right where I am.

The Voice, “For now, we can only see a dim and blurry picture of things, as when we stare into polished metal. I realize that everything I know is only part of the big picture. But one day, when Jesus arrives, we will see clearly, face-to-face. In that day, I will fully know just as I have been wholly known by God.”

How wonderful is that? I don't know! There are so very many things going on around us that I don't understand. I don't have answers. Ideas. Suggestions. But You do. You know what You'd have us do. Where You'd have us go.

The Message, “We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us!”

None of this comes as a surprise to You. My unwillingness to come to You directly. My questioning of circumstances. And still You love me. Wow! Thank You.

J.B. Phillips New Testament, “At present we are men looking at puzzling reflections in a mirror. The time will come when we shall see reality whole and face to face! At present all I know is a little fraction of the truth, but the time will come when I shall know it as fully as God now knows me!”

I choose to wait. To trust. Honor. Believe. Obey. Seek. Hope.

Because You so loved the world (John 3:16) and I am included in that depiction, I get to fully trust the Truth of 1Corinthians 13:13. And even here I smile again.

I felt somewhat guilty as I so curtly began our time together earlier. Now I am able to view it as the beginning of a greater Truth. The New Century Version ends this chapter of Paul's letter to the people of Corinth by saying, “So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.”

So, Father. THANK YOU! Thank You that I get to come to You ♫Just As I Am without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me♫ And because I DO get to come to You confessing my faults and foibles, I also get to trust You to continue Your work in me.

Do all You must to bring me to You; loving You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength and my neighbor as myself (Mark 12:30-31). I'm willing. Please make me able. I love You. I long to serve You. And I want to do it well. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(635 words ~ 9:25 a.m.)

Jesus bids me, "Come."

Monday, April 21, 2014 (6:37 a.m.)

(8:46 a.m.)

Okay. I'm ready. Well, how about willing? You make me able. Please?

Hi God,

I'm feeling emotionally out of sorts. WAY emotionally our of sorts!

Yes! Let's call it as it really is. There's been extreme fear, balanced by an intentional faith. Sadness countered by joy. Physical inactivity beaten by the decision to take just a few steps.

You God are good. I know that. I believe it. I trust it. It's me that I doubt. Over and over again.

For hours already this morning I've thought of You. How best to approach You. Waiting around to clean up my thought process before coming to You. And now I just want to be here. Warts and all.

Thank You for that. Thank You that I don't have to be right, think straight

(9:16 a.m.)

Thank You that through this whole process of emotions, the One constant has been the knowledge that Jesus bids me, “Come.”

I've experienced it over and over already this morning. Again and again. Different songs singing. Beginning with the Hillsong Live arrangement of ♫It Is Well With My Soul♫

Recognizing ♫Oh trump of the angel!♫ as being associated with this dear to me hymn, I felt anything but my soul being well and would stop myself short of singing it out. Talk about stubborn! Mulish. Thank You that You are SO much bigger than my own pigheadedness!

Being willing to come to You. To look further into the lyrics. I find I don't have to pretend to be somewhere [peaceful and well] that I am not. I just have to be willing to trust You to do for me that which I cannot do for myself.

♫Oh trump of the Angel! Oh voice of the Lord! Blessed hope Blessed rest of my soul! It is well with my soul It is well It is well with my soul YOU are the Rock On which I stand By YOUR grace it is well My hope is sure In Christ my Savior It is well with my soul♫

THAT [Your grace!] is why it is well! Not anything I can manufacture. Even though You have taught me to say "It is well", I still have to come to believe it!

What a joy and a blessing to find in the search for other hymns mentioning “Come” that there are so many more than I could ever imagine. Even one describing me to a T!

♫Come, Ye Disconsolate♫ Disconsolate? Yeah. Me. This morning. “sad, unhappy, downcast...”

Perfect! ♫Come... here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; Earth has no sorrow that heav'n cannot heal.♫

Yeah. And a verse to bring it home! Hebrews 4:16.

Although there are many beautifully worded translations to this verse, I'm choosing the simplicity of The Message. “So let's walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”

Rather than continue beating myself up for not being able to think and say and do and be all that I truly want, instead I am merely willing to “Come.” How I pray that this morning that is enough. I love You Jesus. I thank You for bidding me “Come.”

I'm here. I've come. Do in and through, by and for me exactly as You wish. You make me ready, willing and able and I'll say “thank You” in the process. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(575 words ~ 10:09 a.m.)

the REASON to live

Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014 (5:44 a.m.)

Hallelujah Jesus!

Thank You! Thank You for Your life. Thank You for Your death. Thank You for Your rising up from the grave. Thank You for Your obedience. Thank You for Your teachings. Thank You that You came for the sheer purpose of saving all who are lost and willing to come to You.

Thank You that exactly at 3:00 a.m. I was singing ♫Where You There when they crucified my Lord?♫ And now I am getting to continue ♫Where you there when He rose up from the dead?♫

Thank You that in this verse instead of singing that the sadness of it all ♫causes me to tremble♫ I get to share in the rejoicing. ♫Sometimes I feel like shouting glory, glory, glory♫

Yes Jesus! Glory to You in the highest. Thank You for all You have done in the past and are currently doing in each of our lives that causes us to joyfully sing out ♫Jesus Christ is risen today Alleluia♫ Oh yes. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Here's something new to me. And completely unexpected. While thumbing through The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration I came across this very short, three lined composition. Found right there between ♫Jesus Paid It All♫ and ♫Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed?♫

I actually read the words first. And just now noticed ♫We Are the Reason♫ as the title. ♫We are the reason that He gave His life, We are the reason that He suffered and died. To a world that was lost He gave all He could give, to show us the reason to live♫

There are not words enough in all the languages to adequately thank You.

(6:27 a.m.) Oh stab! Heart piercing stab! Turning in Your Word while acknowledging my own inadequacy as the sun crested the mountains to our east. Precisely centered in the window from which I happened to glance. Talk about the perfect Easter Sunrise Service! Thank You Jesus.

And now, back to the verse of which I searched. Romans 5:8. Found under the heading Faith Brings Joy. I'm noticing that a lot lately. Thank You!

Recorded here in The Voice, “But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display the Anointed One died for us.”

Oh amen! ♫He gave all He could give, to show us the reason to live♫ Yes please! Continue Your mighty work in showing me the reason to live.

Thank You Jesus. You indeed are risen this day! Let me use this Truth to Your good and to Your glory. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(444 words ~ 6:44 a.m.)

antidote

Saturday, April 19, 2014 (7:57 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You. I've been going back and forth avoiding You for most of the morning. We have a decision to make around here and I keep being afraid of making the wrong one.

The dear husband reminded me that You say I am not to be afraid. He also suggested I pray. I told him it seems all my prayers thus far have been only bouncing off the ceiling. In his typical humorous fashion, he suggested I go outside and pray in the wide open space. Thank You for his humor. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your availability to our every need.

I am close to tears. Tears that I don't think would stop any time soon if I allowed them to start. My stomach is in knots. I'm out of sorts. Afraid. Again that word. Let turn again to Your Word. And the antidote for fear.

“Antidote – something that counteracts or neutralizes an unpleasant feeling or situation”

Faith in You does that for us. Hebrews 11:1 (Expanded Bible) tells us, “Faith means beings sure [the assurance; or the tangible reality; or the sure foundation] of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it [the conviction/assurance/evidence about things not seen].”

I read this. I believe it! And still I sit here playing all the 'what if's around in my head. The biggest factor in all this upheaval? All of this emotional turmoil circles around concern for our dog. What is best? What do we do?

God! I'm scared. I don't want to be. But I am. I'm trusting You. Walking toward You. Following the lead of the dear husband You have provided me. We'll go to the vet. The appointment has already been made. I'm in tears. I'm afraid. And again I am seeking and trusting Your antidote to the situation.

I want to be brave. Confident. Trusting You to provide exactly all that is needed in this circumstance. I love You. I trust You. And I am asking You to completely surround us in all decisions that must be made. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(372 words ~ 8:39 a.m.)

"the joy of the Lord is my strength"

Good Friday, April 18, 2014 (7:00 a.m.)

Most Blessed and Holy Father God,

Thank You. For the past half hour I've been reading about the joy of the Lord being my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). I confess to You right now that I'm not at all sure what that even means. But I do know I experienced it yesterday.

Continuing in my rereading of the book Lisa, I felt my heart breaking for the torment her parents were going through at the time. Unsure if it's because I remember how her story ended, even through the tears in my eyes I knew what I was feeling in that very moment was joy. Pure joy. The joy of the Lord that is my strength.

I recognized it. Right then and there. I even questioned myself. How could this possibly be joy? My heart is breaking. Just look at all these tears. But I came back to believing nonetheless.

Thank You Father. Thank You for the work You are doing in our lives that is teaching us to turn to You. Depend on You. Knowing, trusting, believing that Your joy is our strength. This morning I ask You to teach me more.

Things aren't perfect. Your Word teaches us that because we live in a fallen world (Genesis 3) we will struggle. But You did not leave us alone to our own devices. You gave us “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead...” (Romans 8:11). Because of that we have hope.

On this particular Friday that represents all the sadness of Jesus having suffered and died for our sins, I have Your joy in knowing that “It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin'” (Tony Campolo). Thank You Dear Father.

Thank You that through these latest tears (and chills) I get to again experience the joy in You that is my strength. Fill me with Your presence so I will take You with me into the world this day. Discipline me into truly being Your disciple. Sharing You freely with others.

I love You so very much. Thank You for another evidence of Your joy. I love You. Use me well this day. Thank You. Amen.

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

unearth

Thursday, April 17, 2014 (7:29 a.m.)

Holy Father,

I'm here. Not eager. Nor excited.

The plan last evening was to jump up and come ask You about setting boundaries. This morning I'm far more reluctant. Yet, I am willing.

Here goes. I confess to You my tendency to let things slide. I don't enjoy conflict so I look the other way. Sometimes it works. Occasionally circumstances work themselves out and I don't have to be involved.

Not always though. Blessed Father, I'm asking You to unearth what goes on inside me. Yes. There it is! The eagerness and excitement I was missing.

I mentioned the desire for You to do some unearthing in me and was reminded of all the unearthing that has taken place in our yards this past week. Deeply imbedded, overgrown plants had been ignored for over a year. Many of them 'volunteers'. Not deliberately planted by any of us.

Yes. A sure sign of situations taking on a life of their own when left unattended.

Thank You God. Thank You for allowing me to work hard. Thank You for the way You led me out to finish the job I had ignored for so long.

Thank You even for the irritation I experienced toward a neighbor I believe to be overstepping our boundary lines. Hence the desire to speak with You about boundary setting.

Let's go back to the way You led me outside in the first place yesterday. The intent I had the night before was to run right out with the early morning light and get started. As it turned out I didn't have the want to. The thought of pulling even more weeds was not the least bit enticing for me.

Ah. But You had a better plan! Get me started in a completely different project. Still outside. Complete with yard working tools. But quite unlike anything I had been doing up 'til then. Remove a long unused, rusting grate.

What a blast! Utilizing the dear husband's suggestions, I attacked the weakest area with a pry bar and mallet. In practically no time at all that rusty grate was completely unearthed and in the trash. Setting me up with enough confidence and excitement to continue unearthing weeds and other undesirables in the yard.

Remembering the joy I experienced in the long, hard work of an overgrown yard I am here again asking You to unearth in me whatever it is You deem most important to be brought out into the light.

The fact that I love You is paramount. It is You in whom we trust with each day's circumstances. Learning to listen for and follow Your leading is exciting and rewarding. Sitting here. Being still. Wondering. Waiting. Wanting. All equally gratifying.

Thank You Father. Thank You for turning my head and my heart around this morning. Thank You for getting me back into the game. The focus no longer seems to be on the aches and the pains with which I awoke, but on You. Your ability to fill us with much needed desire to change.

So, back to asking. Where in Your Word would You most like me to turn? Is setting boundaries in the mix? Or do You have other unearthing to do in me?

joy seeking; joy found

Wednesday, April 16, 2014 (7:53 a.m.)

Holy God,

I've been awake for more than an hour. Looking here. Checking there. Reading this. Ignoring that. And the biggest avoidance of all? You!

I got caught up in seeking to remember a moment of joy from yesterday. I have a ten day list of joyful moments and I can't think of yesterday's. So I think harder. Trying to remember. And in the process I push You completely aside.

♫Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee♫ keeps singing in my head and I continue pushing passed it. So here I go. Let's see where You take me...

You're good! Do You know that? Of course you do. It's me that needs almost constant reminders of Your goodness!

I looked up the hymn. I kept giving it the “yeah, yeah, yeah” head nod of acknowledgement. All the while certain that I already knew what it said. I mean it's number one in The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration. I know this song. I've sung it before.

Oh, but put the chords and fingering to it and the next thing I know I'm lifted to an entirely different plain! You truly ARE the ♫God of glory, Lord of love♫

Going over to read Psalm 139, I am once again reminded that my true joy comes from knowing that I am absolutely loved by You. You never cease to amaze me!

With every translational reading of Psalm 139:14 I have come across so far this morning I feel hope building deep within me. Every smile reminds me of the joy found in trusting, believing and standing on Your Word.

Yes. I am still seeking to remember the most joyful moment of yesterday. But far more importantly is knowing to “praise You because of the wonderful way You created me. Everything You do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt” (Contemporary English Version).

And just as I was so sure that this was the translation that best spoke my heart to You this morning, I continued reading down the list to The Voice.

“I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.”

Wow! All this joy found because You reminded me that ♫Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee♫ We do You know!

Thank You Blessed Father. Use me to You good and to You glory that I will not only find Your joy, but share it as well. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(433 words ~ 9:02 a.m.)

You amaze me!

Tuesday, April 15, 2014 (7:28 a.m.)

Amazing Father God,

I was able to watch parts of the lunar eclipse late last night and very early this morning. Right from my bed, after jockeying around to get the best view possible. What I remember far more than the sight was the song. It was just one section of a refrain ♫use me for Your Glory♫ that kept coming to mind but I was aware of it all through the event.

Blessed Father, there was a time I took this kind of thing for granted. Maybe to some extent I still do. It doesn't mean the “Wow” factor is lost on me. In fact, I just remembered. That was going to be my first word to You.

I said it when the moon was still low and to the east of us. It seemed so much bigger and brighter when I first caught its glimpse. Going outside much later, with it much higher in the sky, I was keenly aware of a white strip to the west that I'm still not sure what it was.

All this to say, You amaze me! The way You called light into being. You orchestrated the science behind every aspect of what is necessary for life and I am amazed. Amazed to be able to partake of Your beauty. Amazed for the privilege of coming before You with thanksgiving. Concerns. Requests. Praise.

Father, thank You. Thank You that You love us. Thank You that You care. Thank You that You are available to hear our hearts.

The morning is getting away from us. It's almost time to become busy with the watching of two little boys. Be with us in that endeavor. You know exactly what this day holds for each of us. Infuse us with all we need in making us up to the task set before us.

♫Heaven is here now Your Spirit is here now Lord we believe it, We've started to see it Your Kingdom come Come have Your way here Establish Your rule, Come take the throne Your Kingdom come♫

Yes Blessed Father, Your kingdom come! ♫Take all I am Lord use me for Your Glory I'm not my own I belong to the King♫ And the King amazes me! Thank You for Your goodness. Your grace. Your glory. Use me as You wish this day. I love You Dad. Thank You. You amaze me! Amen.

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

laughter and joy

Monday, April 14, 2014 (6:56 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Good morning. I love You. Of what shall we speak today?

(7:29 a.m.)

Laughter and joy. Yes. What an excellent idea!

Thank You Father. We were blessed yesterday. We were able to physically attend church. Sing. Worship. Glorify You. And to read Your Word out loud. What a blessing. Such a privilege. Thank You.

Thank You that of the songs which were not only played instrumentally but sung aloud as well ♫It Is Well With My Soul♫ again brought tears to my being. Tears of remembrance. Of acceptance. Of a deep, deep commitment to You. And joy. Yes. Always joy.

Blessed Father, thank You for what You are teaching us about joy. Joy that comes not only from circumstances, but from getting to know, trust and believe You. Thank You for the work You do in each of us to get us in line with Your plan for us all.

Having wanted to expand more on the history and majesty of yesterday's marking of Your Son's triumphal entry into Jerusalem I have oft imagined the joy and laughter involved with such an occasion. What might it have been like seeing Him, in the flesh, riding into the city on the back of a donkey? Arriving in peace rather than war. Was there a spirit of hopefulness? With shouts of “save, we pray” [“Hosanna!” (Psalm 118:25)] heard amid the waving palm branches, was there a giddiness of excitement?

You delivered Your people from captivity more than once. Psalm 126:1-2a tells, “When the Lord restored His exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter and we sang for joy.” I relish the times I am filled with laughter, singing for joy. Father, thank You.

Thank You for the chance to sit here reflecting on the great and amazing things You do in our lives. “Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.' The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (vs. 2b-3).

You HAVE done great things for us! You promise to turn our tears to songs of joy and You deliver. As we begin this Holy [Passion] Week, teach us to treat it with the reverence and respect it deserves. Continue growing us into the people You would have us be. Ones filled with appropriate laughter and joy.

Thank You for this valuable, uninterrupted time together. Empower and enable me to use it for Your glory this day. I love You. I long to serve You well. Thank You. Amen.

(434 words ~ 8:38 a.m.)

"in peace"

Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014 (7:45 a.m.)

Blessed, Awesome, Holy God,

Thank You. You sent Your Son. The One You planned to save us from our sins. You sent Him into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. In peace.

train of thought

Saturday, April 12, 2014 (6:31 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! Anytime I jump out of bed to run in here to be with You is exciting for me. This morning it's because of a struggling little family. Thank You for the train of thought that led me right straight back to You!

First I was praying for their hurts. Wondering if there was anything I could ever say that would lead them to You. Then I remembered what it took for me to finally utter the words, “What's missing in my life is Jesus.”

Immediately, I became truly AGOG [excited and eager to tell] with You once again.

It was 32 years ago. I was a young mom of a two year old. Things were looking good for us. But all was not right. I honestly had a hole in my soul. Something was sorely missing in my life. Then came a surprise birthday gift from a friend.

A girl we had gone to school with had written a book about her special needs daughter and the life altering effect loving and caring for Lisa had on her life. Thank You for reminding me of the day I sat alone in a room reading her story, knowing for a fact what was missing from my life was a relationship with You.

Seemingly without thinking came the reminder that Your Word “is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Having the privilege to look into various translations, I am especially taken with the Worldwide English version this morning.

“God's Word is living and full of power. It is more sharp than any sword that cuts on both sides. What God says cuts through and divides the mind and spirit. It cuts through and divides the place where the bones are joined, and the part inside the bone. What God says is able to judge the things people think and plan in their hearts.”

Oh, amen to that! Father, it is only because of Your Word that I am here with You this morning. Your teachings on love and forgiveness have only begun to seep into my being. But I know they are real and to be trusted. I am completely lost without You. I long to share You effectively with the hurting. Teach me. Guide me.

Engineer this train of thought that truly has taken on a life of its own this morning. I love You. I need You. And as great as that need is, there are so many others who need to know You too.

The Life Recovery Bible comments, “During hard times our faith tends to dwindle; we may grow angry and harden our heart to the truth about ourself. The antidote to this problem is the living Word of God, which has power to penetrate even the deepest denial. This is good news for those of us struggling to overcome a dysfunctional lifestyle and having a tendency to distort reality. God knows everything about us, even the things we try to hide from ourself. We can count on Him, through His Word, to expose the problems and needs we will face in recovery.”

Jesus, thank You for making Yourself and my need for You known to me all those years ago. Use me this day EXACTLY as You wish. I love You desperately and there is a world of hurt out there that needs to know and trust Your healing love.

Surround and infuse me with all You know I need to share You freely and profoundly. Thank You Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I love You. Use me. Thank You. Amen.

(605 words ~ 8:14 a.m.)

prayer

Friday, April 11, 2014 (6:33 a.m.)

Most Holy and Awesome God,

Thank You! You gave me courage and opportunity again yesterday. Placed in a position to honor a commitment to others or to instead 'cut and run' for fun, I stayed the course and was so incredibly blessed by that decision.

I got the chance to meet new people and watch two friends do what they love in the process. Blessings abounded. Great tasting food was shared. And I once again just got to be myself. The one You created me to be. Loving. Caring. Kind. Thank You Father. It was nice.

Thank You for conversation on the drive home. An occasion for two long time friends to share their hearts and a request for prayer. Thank You for the privilege and freedom to pray with one another after arriving here safely.

Thank You too for Your 1:59 a.m. call to pray even more. Hearts hurt. Minds muddle. You are the perfect Remedy for all that ails us. Your Word is our focus. Your Truth delivered to us by people You chose to write it all down. Thank You Father. Thank You.

How I ask You to work mightily through circumstances You know to be for our best. Especially those that are most trying. Paul wrote of this very thing to the Romans (5:1-5 Easy-to-Read Version).

“We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God's grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God's glory. And we are also happy with the troubles that we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient. And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope. And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out His love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit He gave us.”

How I ask You Blessed Father to remove all negative things in our hearts that keep them from being filled to overflowing with the love of Your Holy Spirit. Heal any breaches You find that would allow Your love to leak instead of being purposely poured out for the good of others. Clear our minds of the distractions that keep us from plainly seeing the vision You have for each of us.

You are so good. So holy. Faithful. Loving. Kind. And I want to be like You! Make it so Dearest Dad. In Your time. In Your Way. As only You can. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(462 words ~ 8:26 a.m.)

"it's a small world after all"

Thursday, April 10, 2014 (7:06 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You for Your goodness and Your grace. Thank You for Your Word. Your Truth. Thank You for so many reminders of Your love.

(8:15 a.m.)

An unexpected distraction. The “it's a small world” 50^th Anniversary Sing Along, complete with making a virtual doll to join the party.

(11:01 a.m.)

Even more diversions. Side trips. “Scenic routes”. Yeah. I like the sound of that.

There's so much more to celebrate today than just the 50^th anniversary of a world known song and amusement park ride. How about the intent behind it? Was it for personal profit? No. Proceeds go to UNICEF. A concern for worldwide unity? I like to think so.

YOU know Father. You know the heart of every single being.

(1:45 p.m.)

Here I am again, still thanking and praising You.

It seemed so completely silly to me that I would spend so much time [and so many tears] waiting to watch Richard Sherman via the internet sing and talk about “it's a small world after all”. Now it seems to make a little more sense.

His heart appears to be one for peace. Unity. Brotherhood. Father, my heart has been moved repeatedly this day because of this short little song. Thank You.

Thank You for two brothers who loved, respected and worked well with one another. Thank You for the lessons we could each learn from their writing process. Identify the goal. Find the similarities. Take out the excess. Keep it simple. Make up words if you have to.

Your Word is what we can't mess with! Your Word which calls us over and over again to “love one another”. Jesus said it and His disciples repeated it. Often.

As I consider You the rest of this day, let me do so in the context of loving others. In this 'world of laughter, tears, hopes, fear – there IS so much that we share' and it's way past 'time we're aware, it's a small world after all.'

Keep teaching us Father. Continue guiding and directing our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30) to loving as You would have us love. Completely. Freely. No strings attached.

I love You Dad. Thanks for this day we're having together. Use me well in the remainder of it. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(392 words ~ 2:23 p.m.)

"safe and kind"

Wednesday, April 9, 2014 (6:58 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! You worked in and through me yesterday in my quest to keep two little boys “safe and kind”. That was my job as I described it repeatedly. My purpose if You will. Safety and kindness. Let's look at that together shall we?

(7:47 a.m.)

Talk about an answer to prayer. Wow! You are good. All the time.

Blessed Father, while looking in Your Word about kindness I went first to Lamentations 3:1-26. The title to the devotion there? “Hope”. Leave it to You to speak to me in the most unexpected ways.

“Perhaps we are brokenhearted because of bitter suffering in our family... Jeremiah watched this [being taken captive and destroyed] happen to his beloved nation, Israel ...Turning our life over to God includes giving Him our pain and suffering. In our times of grief and shame we can hope, knowing that God will help us overcome the problems we face. God is strong enough to lift our burdens and loving enough to mend our broken heart.”

And this is only where I started!

Getting to turn to Peter's first letter to Jewish Christians I am again shown “how to live well in a shattered and hopeless world”. Second chapter, first three verses in The Message, “So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You've had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God.”

The Life Recovery Bible comments on putting “the focus of recovery work not on improving outward behavior (which is the result) but on seeking to please God and experience more of His kindness. We come to Him with all our needs, and He will fill our heart with the love we crave.”

Mm, yes! How awesome is that! And then right back to where I was in Colossians yesterday. “PURPOSE: To show us that Christ is the only real source of power in our life.” Rereading my prayer from yesterday, I get to see how You answered my request to: 'use my head; make the most of every opportunity; be gracious in speech; bring out the best in others, not putting them down or cutting them out' (Colossians 4:5-6).

I got to do that ONLY because of Your great work on my behalf. Thank You Father.

This morning I ask You to bring more of Paul's words (Colossians 3:12-14) to fruition in me this day. “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

Absolutely yes Dearest Dad! Make it so in my life this day. I love You so much and I truly want to wear You well. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(521 words ~ 8:44 a.m.)