choosing to be amazed

Advent Sunday, November 30, 2014 (7:21 a.m.)

Gloriously Awesome God,

I am smiling. A heart-filled, mindful smile. Why? Because You are good and glorious and I am choosing to be amazed by You. Thank You.

Thank You for a sky filled with surprises this morning. Clouds. Fluffy, white. Wispy. Dark. They're all there looking dramatic and amazing. Enough for me to set up a work space in front of the window. Preparing to be even more amazed by You. And You do not disappoint!

Waking to the command to ♫Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory...♫ I gave much thought to how I was going to do so. My thoughts were of garnering all my own power and strength and proceeding from there. Thank You that my thoughts are not Your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8)!

Thank You that Your plans (Jeremiah 29:11) are perfect. Thank You that with every page I turn in Your Word this morning I become more and more amazed. Eager. Excited. Agog!

Father, You are working in me. I know that. I see it. And here I confess to being as impatient as King Saul (1 Samuel 13:1-14). His focus was on the external. He believed what he was seeing with his own eyes. He took his eyes off You to look at the circumstances around him.

I confess to living this way recently. I have been “susceptible to the negative influences of others” (The Life Recovery Bible devotional). I've “failed to trust in God's timing” and have “acted irresponsibly” often.

Blessed Father, thank You that Your plans for us are perfect. I don't have to be afraid or disheartened. But I sure do choose so. Thank You for reminding me that Yours is such the better way!

Today is the very first Sunday of Advent. A “time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.” It is the first day of the first season of the Christian church year. An absolutely new beginning. The perfect opportunity to look forward to ALL You want for us.

Father, I am here asking You to use me well. Change my heart and mind and soul to readily reflect YOUR goodness and grace. I need You. Your guidance. Your pace. Your timing. Thank You for reminding me to look to You.

Holy God, my heartfelt prayer to You this morning is not only for today. It's not even just for this blessed season. Daddy God, I want to be aware of being amazed by You every single moment of every single day. It's a choice only I can make.

Choosing to be amazed allows me the opportunity to truly “choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Again The Life Recovery Bible presents Your Truth in a comment I choose to believe, “Our decision is important not only for us but for our children. Let's choose life and pass the gift of abundant life on to our children as well.”

Back to King Saul's decision to take matters into his own hands (1 Samuel 13:9). How I identify with his impatience. Fear. Disobedience. Yet You continue speaking to my heart.

“Being patient when things seem to be running behind schedule is sometimes the most difficult part of recovery. We need to be true to God's program, even when it seems to be going too slowly. God's way is always the best way” (TLRB comment).

You are my God and Father. You are Who I long to glorify and enjoy. I do not have the wherewithal to accomplish this on my own. All the power I need is found in You. Keep me plugged in and completely connected to You I pray.

“Our tendency to be unduly influenced by others needs to be replaced with strength from God and faith in His plan” (TLRB Peer Pressure devotional). Be my strength Blessed Father. Stand in and up for me every time I begin to falter. My own resolve [firm determination to do something] has waned. I am choosing to be amazed by all You are going to do in its absence!

Thank You Father. Praise You. Bless You. Worship You. Bring me closer that I would hear Your still, small voice (1 Kings 19: 11-13). And even here You speak to me!

The prophet Elijah, “one of the great heroes of the Bible” (TLRB Tolerance vs. Perfectionism devotional) doubted himself. He occasionally had a bad day. We, like him, expose ourselves to the possibility of being “perfectionists, we may think we are above everyone else. We work very hard to please God and other people, but we can grow dangerously discouraged if things don't seem to work... If we don't allow ourself to be less than perfect, we may find that we are at great risk when life reminds us that we are only human after all.”

Thank You Blessed Father for reminding me of my limitations! Thank You for Your continuous offer to be all that I am not. Perfect. Forgiving.

You “dealt with Elijah in a loving, patient manner by reassuring him that he was not alone. Reassurance and rest are a solid prescription for someone afflicted with self-doubt. We need to build a community of support to help us through the difficult times of recovery. Without the help of others, it will be impossible for us to succeed” (TLRB comment 1Kings 19:5-18).

Thank You for the opportunity to see myself so often in Your Word. Thank You for Your promises and Your plan. Thank You for sending Jesus to save us. Thank You for again helping me see my limitations. Thank You for reminding me that I get to choose to be amazed! I am choosing You over all else. Use me and my choices well. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(969 words ~ 9:54 a.m.)

good company

Saturday, November 29, 2014 (7:47 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Exhausted comes to mind. Tired. Really tired. Speak to me about all our strength coming from You 'cause right now I don't have any. The body is sore. The heart full.

Father, thank You. Even here I get to come before You. Honestly. Openly. Willingly. Searching Your Word and finding once again that I am indeed in good company. David wrote of being exhausted (Psalm 38:8).

As I look to You for strength and guidance, how I thank You for the opportunity to have spent the past several days in the good company of family and friends. Mm, good company.

Father, thank You that I get to be in Your good company. I get to read Your Word. Be reminded of all the things of which I have been learning. I get to take deep breaths and breathe You in to my very core. Thank You.

Thank You for soul altering, thought changing deep breaths. One minute the focus is on the physical and emotional aspects of our being. The very next I am contemplating the eternal. Psalm 136 ends every line reminding us that it is Your love that endures forever.

Of course my mind starts singing ♫His love endure forever♫

the Truth

Thanksgiving Thursday, November 27, 2014 (5:44 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

The smile on my face and heart affirm what my mind knows. You are HOLY! Really, truly holy. You are working in us around here and it isn't always pretty.

Just the other day I recalled an incident that took place over forty years ago. Forty years!

Holy Father God, ideas and songs, thoughts and Bible verses are all swirling around in my head. How I ask You to settle them. Each one wants the chance to be heard.

Let me list them in the order I remember them coming just this morning:

♫Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty♫ (Revelation 4:8)

“Problems and Solutions”

♫Someday at Christmas♫ (Stevie Wonder)

I've been confessing it for days. Weeks maybe. I am officially a wreck. Tears and emotions have been my mainstay. I am coming to the end of myself in such a blessed, good way. I am coming to know the Truth and it is truly setting me free (John 8:32).

It's not pretty by any means. One minute I'm practically slumped over by the sheer weight of my thoughts and the next I'm almost skipping to the beat of Your heart for us. Father, it's Thanksgiving and I can't thank You enough!

We have problems around here. Problems that date back over forty years. Problems that have built themselves right on top of long ago, unresolved problems. And I've been trying in my own strength and power to right the wrongs of all these years.

I've called out to You. Begged. Pleaded. Cried. Oh how I have cried. You've seen the tears and the tissue mounds. But it's only when I am in Your Word, turning from Truth to promise that my heart settles and mind clears.

We are on the brink of something incredible. I have no idea what it is. I don't want to think ahead. Nor do I really care to dig up what all lays behind. What I'm asking is that You keep me in Your step. Lead me. Guide me. To Your Truth.

Yes. There are more tears. I get that. I'm going to continue crying myself through all the pain I've worked so hard to avoid. Oh, but the Truth, the Truth is so worth the fight!

Keep working in me Father. Fine tune and refine me. I can't do any of this on my own. I honestly believe satan would have me focus on all that is wrong. That is my old nature. You've provided us all the solution to any of our problems. Your Son.

We are officially entering the Season of His birth. There's a ton of things hanging over our heads. We can choose to attempt to ignore them. We could try fighting them on our own. Instead I am again coming back to Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises. Page after glorious page reveals more hope.

Guide me this day Blessed Father. Direct and lead me to the bounty of Your blessings for us. Beginning with Your Word.

First verse took me to Deuteronomy 1:12. Moses was speaking to the people of Israel as they were in the wilderness. Reading the introduction to the book begin, “What might we do after failing persistently for almost forty years? How might we set out a new pattern for living?”

I can't even read through the tears in my eyes and my heart. Again. Forty years! Ah, but the Truth... “For You, a thousand years are as yesterday! They are like a few hours!” (Psalm 90:4).

Father, please, continue Your lead.

According to The Life Recovery Bible the purpose for Moses writing the book of Deuteronomy is “To assist God's people as they live in the present by reviewing what God has done in the past and considering what God has promised to do in the future.” Yes, please!

All the times as I've heard [and even read] the stories, I'm still amazed at what I'm reading now. Moses told the people to learn from their past. There was a plan for their present and hope for the future.

As I consider the opportunity You provide us for rebuilding, I ask You to take the lead in the project. Because of Your Son, Your love, Your Truth, Your promises we are not without hope. We get to start over again and again. Make it so I follow You better.

Psalm 12:6 affirms what I have long known. “The LORD's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.”

The comment at the bottom reminds me that You have “promised to protect us from those who try to destroy us.” It goes on saying, “God is not like us – His words are pure. He never deceives, nor does He ever fail to keep His promises.”

Hallelujah! Thank You God.

As I prepare to get started with the events of this day, how I ask that You enable and empower me to represent You with Your TRUE Spirit of Thanksgiving. I love You Dad! Do all You must. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(859 words ~ 7:05 a.m.)

giving thanks

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 (5:52 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. Thank You for sleep. Thank You for conflict. Thank You for brokenness. The Apostle Paul wrote that we are to “give thanks in all things” (1Thessalonians 5:18). So here I am. Through tear-filled eyes, giving You thanks.

Thank You for Your Word Blessed God. Thank You for Your promises. And examples. And Truth. Mercy. Grace. Forgiveness. You truly have us covered. Thank You.

The fact that I feel lost and know I am found (Luke 15:20-24) fills me with hope like no other. Reading of Paul's experience with Your power working best in his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10; 13:9) has me crying all over again.

Holy Father, I come to You broken. Believing Your promises. Trusting You to do all You must in, with, by and for me. Giving You thanks for all You are and all we can be because of Your great love for each and every one of us.

Work in me I pray. Enable, empower, embolden me to live the life You have for me. Paul closed his second letter to the church at Corinth saying “Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Corinthians 13:11).

The Life Recovery Bible comment for this verse speaks of 'opening minds and hearts to personal change and the healing of relationships.' It mentions “spiritual growth and interpersonal harmony” being “fueled by faith in God, the ultimate source of healing love and peace.”

How I give thanks to You for such opportunity as this. Thank You for loving and providing for us so perfectly. Heal my brokenness as only You are able. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(294 words ~ 7:09 a.m.)

 

's' is for Son and Spirit

Tuesday, November 25, 2014 (6:04 a.m.)

Faithful Father, Forever Friend,

Forgiver. Thank You that these are the 'f' words with which I awoke this morning. I confess. They are NOT the ones I used most yesterday. Forgive my cowardly human nature.

I spoke with You early yesterday morning about wanting to give You glory. I believe it resulted with far more grief than glory.

Something is off around here. Our balance? Rhythm? Communication skills? I'm not sure what. But I absolutely know it is not You best for us.

Thank You Blessed Father for once again changing my heart and mindset. I so much prefer thinking of all You are rather than what we are not. This morning I am asking for more Truth about Your Holy Spirit.

I cried out to You yesterday. Feeling broken and bereft I asked for Your presence. Although I asked and You answered, I still managed attempting to handle things my own way.

When will I learn O Lord? How long until I truly trust You to do in and with, by and for me all these things I cannot possibly do myself?

My biggest hope and joy right this moment is all centered around the foretold birth of Your Son. Isaiah had the privilege of 'confronting Your people with their sin and denial and inspiring them to rebuilding their lives based on Your promises' (The Life Recovery Bible).

With the upcoming holidays right around the corner, what a perfect time to be reminded of the hope we have of “a great light – a light that will shine on all who live in the land...” (Isaiah 9:2). The pure hope that “a child is born to us, a child is given to us” (v. 6a). Do not allow me to continue taking this promise lightly.

Every single time I attempt to handle skirmishes in my own strength I only make matters worse. Continue growing me to cry out instead to the mighty power we all have available to us in Your “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (6b).

Father, how I thank You. You love us so much. Let me learn to love as You would have us love. Freely. Faithfully. Forgivingly. Let these be the 'f' words that readily flow from my mouth.

It's Your Son “to whom we can turn for deep healing and recovery. He is the Wonderful Counselor, who can sort through the inner mess of our life and guide us into Truth and reality. He is the Mighty God, who can supply us with the power to stay on the path of recovery. He is the Everlasting Father, who can love us more deeply than any earthly father can. He is the Prince of Peace, who can fill us with peace and make us whole” (The Life Recovery Bible comment).

Remind me. Sear my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30) with Your Truth that I will truly come to love and live as You would have me. Keep my focus on You, Your Son and Spirit instead of the discordance that all too often disrupts and destroys our progress.

I love You Father. I love You and I genuinely thank You for Your patience, faithfulness and forgiveness. Let me use them to truly bring You glory. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(557 words ~ 7:26 a.m.)

giving God glory

Monday, November 24, 2014 (6:02 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed God,

Thank You. Thank You for music. Thank You for the way it can lift our spirits. Thank You that I have again begun waking to various songs playing and singing in my mind. Easy piano practice pieces as well as hymns of praise.

♫Hot Cross Buns♫ led to ♫Let There Be Glory and Honor and Praises♫ and finally ♫Rise and Shine and give God the glory, glory♫. Glory. Hmm. Will You talk with me this morning about giving You glory?

And then?

Sunday, November 23, 2014 (5:36 a.m.)

(6:06 a.m.)

Most Holy God and Father,

Thank You for changing me. Inside. In my heart. And my mind. And my soul as well. It's You at work. Yes. Absolutely. You at work. Thank You. There's a peacefulness within me. Even in the discord of events.

Blessed Father, thank You for always loving us. Always caring. Thank You that every time I get lost in thinking and wondering I have the opportunity of coming to You with all those thoughts. And the truth is, I do get lost! So easily. So often.

And then? And then I come before You. I look into Your Word. I read Truth and direction and history and warnings and promises and am reminded of all the love and hope and joy You have for us. And I am grateful. Truly grateful.

Father, thank You. Thank You for teaching us. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for giving us Your Son. Thank You that we get to look to Him. Count and depend on Him.

Thank You that even as I sit here contemplating Your goodness and grace, I am filled by the awe of Your new day dawning. I look. Stand up to watch. Take in the view from different windows. All the while sensing a quiet peace.

You provide so much for us. Your love. Your Son. Your Spirit. Comfort. Peace. Strength. As I sit here struggling to catch a thought, I read. And hope. Then read and hope some more.

Right now I'm reading 2 Corinthians 3:17-18. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, He gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil [which covers minds and hearts] removed so that 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 and reflect His glory even more.”

Lord. Spirit. Freedom. Mirrors reflecting glory. And then? “And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him and reflect His glory even more.” Yes, Lord. Work in me. Through me. That I would truly reflect Your glory.

I love You. I want that to be easily recognized. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

learning

Saturday, November 22, 2014 (8:03 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You! Thank You for learning. I've said it for years. I love to learn! Thank You for this privilege. Thank You that You have provided us Your Word to teach us.

God cares

Friday, November 21, 2014 (7:38 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for caring for us. Thank You for Your Word that teaches us. Thank You that I get to turn to 1Peter 5:7 and be reminded that You care about our troubles.

The Life Recovery Bible comment helps us remember that You watch over us and are “continually concerned about our welfare!” It goes on encouraging us to trust You completely.

I confess Blessed Father, I can still be slow in calling on Your Truth and sharing Your promises. Thank You that You are faithful and forgiving. Thank You that You are ever-ready to hear us and to help.

Here I ask You to be glorified in my heart, soul, mind and strength. Continue Your perfect work in teaching me to love You as I ought (Mark 12:30).

As You work Your will in my life this day let me truly practice Peter's words of “show(ing) us how to live well in a shattered and hopeless world.”

He encouraged believers to “cast, throw, turn, give, leave all [our] busyness, troubles, worries, burdens, anxieties, cares, concerns” on You. Why?

“...for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

Mm, thank You Father. Who cares? You do! Thank You. Do all You must with us today. We long to bring You glory. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

(234 words ~ 8:51 a.m.)

thanksgiving

Thursday, November 20, 2014 (6:13 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! Thanksgiving is officially next Thursday, not this one. However my heart, soul and mind are filled with thankfulness today. Thank You!

I struggled yesterday. Became frustrated. Made progress. And mistakes. Ah, but this time I was surrounded by encouraging words. Wow! Father. Thank You. The encouragements I received for my efforts were absolutely “worth the price of admission”!

Awakening with an eager excitement [agog] I haven't experienced in awhile, I am so very grateful to You. Thank You for the work You are doing in each of us around here. Aside from all the positive results of change going on in our household, none has been as profound as the experiment of encouragement. Blessed Father, I honestly can't thank You enough.

This is where I again turn to Psalm 100, “a brief psalm of praise” (Illustrated Bible Handbook). Five verses that remind us that “we always have reasons to rejoice” (The Life Recovery Bible).

It's The Message that has me smiling most in agreement right now. “On your feet now – applaud GOD! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into His presence. Know this: GOD is God, and God, GOD. He made us; we didn't make Him. We're His people, His well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: 'Thank You!' Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him. For GOD is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.”

I have another opportunity to learn this morning. My big brother has agreed to help me practice driving. Perhaps he will be able to counteract the 'curse' spoken to me all those (45) years ago by a frustrated coach and teacher who deemed I would never be able to drive a stick shift, nor parallel park.

Truly Father, I am asking You to change my reality into one where I not only CAN learn, but that I do! I am truly seeking Your presence, Your blessings, Your patience and Your wisdom. Be glorified in this time we will be spending together today. I love You. I thank You. And I wish You a very happy day of thanksgiving!

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(366 words ~ 7:30 a.m.)

Majestic and glorious

Wednesday, November 19, 2014 (6:46 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Wow! Beautiful. Gorgeous. So pretty. Bright. Clear. Vivid. Majestic. Glorious. I'm describing the sky right outside our windows. I could just as easily be describing You.

Mm. Majestic and glorious. Yes. You!

With every glance outside I am filled with awe. Most thoughts are overridden by wonderment. I am amazed. Dumbfounded. And grateful. SO incredibly grateful!

Father, thank You. I have this opportunity to sit in genuine admiration of Your handiwork while reading David's Prayer of Praise (1 Chronicles 29:10-20). I came here because of the worship song ♫Majesty♫ Thank You that I truly get to worship Your majesty!

David prayed to You “in the presence of the whole assembly: 'O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may You be praised forever and ever! Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things.'”

That is exactly what this morning's sky is saying to me. You are majestic and glorious and I long to worship You as You so rightfully deserve. Do all that You must in my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30) that I will truly come to love You as You command. I love You, Dad. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

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

here

Tuesday, November 18, 2014 (8:27 a.m.)

Good Morning,

My heart's not here yet. Physically I'm here, only because I think I should be. Let's see what Your Word has to say this morning. Do all You must to change another should to an absolute WANT!

Yes Father. The more I read of Your promises and history, the more I want. In Psalm 40 David told of Your faithfulness to help him. The Life Recovery Bible comment reminds us that “God's timing is always worth waiting for.” When “we look to Him for help, He will rescue us from destruction and despair and from the things that hold us down.”

Mm, yes Father. I read. I breathe deeply. I take You in. I smile. Relax. Rejoice. Remember. These are verses I've read before. They don't change with the wind, nor the tide, the times, nor our circumstances. Your Word is Truth. We get to believe, have faith, trust. Thank You!

The recovery comment continues telling of the stability You will also bring “to our life so we can move forward again with confidence and joy.” Thank You, Father. I need reminders. Of Your goodness. Your grace. Your presence. Your willingness to meet with us. Every single time we are willing to come here to meet You at the foot of Your Throne.

Thank You for Your patience. Your love. Your majesty. Do all You must in and with, by, through and for me this day. I WANT to serve You. Well. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(258 words ~ 9:26 a.m.)

I want to play the piano!

Monday, November 17, 2014 (6:47 a.m.)
Las Vegas, NV

Holy, Holy God,

I don't think I've ever said this to You before...

I want to play the piano.

WELL!

I saw it yesterday. I woke up with it this morning.

For as long as I can remember I've worked to improve. I've taken lessons. Practiced. Tried. Really hard. And all, in my view, unsuccessfully.

Talk with me this morning Father. I'm on the verge of tears again. I feel passionately about this. There's something awakening in me again. Desire. Deep desire. And hope.

I mended a torn piece of lace the other evening. It had hung from a pillow for years with no idea of how best to take care of it. And then? An idea. A few minutes and several stitches later, success! And a genuine sense of a job well done.

Blessed Father, those moments have been fewer and farther between for me recently. It's seemed so much easier to just bump along rather than putting myself out there. Not hoping. Not risking. Just playing it safe so as not to be disappointed.

I don't want to do that anymore. I desperately want to care again! To care enough to put myself back in. To get knocked and get up again [see: Chumbawamba]. To once again start living out loud [Aaron Lines].

I see You working in our lives. Slight shifts in attitudes. Minute differences in interests. Holy Father God, You are able.

Your Word recounts evidence of this over and over. Genesis 18:14, Job 42:2, Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:35 and 37, Matthew 19:25-26.

Gary Linton wrote an article entitled “God is Able”. He begins by asking if we believe that. He closes by quoting Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Within the article itself he cites, “something I once read in Dake's Annotated Bible. 'All men (Christians) believed God can do anything, but few believe He will.'” That's me Dearest God!

We heard it sung yesterday in church. “I believe. Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). The Life Recovery Bible comment encourages, “[we] believe God can help, but we fear that He will refuse to help us. Perhaps we are afraid that God will think us unworthy of His deliverance. God never works that way. Not only is He able to help us, but He also wants to help us...”

I believe You. I trust You. I am asking You to guide and direct all of my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30) so that I will TRULY love You as I ought! Do all You must Dearest Father.

I want to play the piano! WELL!

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(458 words ~ 8:35 a.m.)

The Wedding - REVISITED!

Saturday, November 17, 2012 (8:36 a.m.)

Embassy Suites Downey, CA

Delightfully Incredible, Wonderfully Awesome Father God,

Thank You! You have allowed us to be intimately involved with a wedding unlike any we've ever witnessed. Two people deeply in love. Each sincerely respectful of the other. Seemingly 'a match made in heaven'. How I ask You to bless this union.

Blessed Father, I'm getting to read of three different mentions of weddings in Your Word. The first is Psalm 45, “A Wedding Song”. It begins much like I feel at this moment. “My heart is overflowing with a beautiful thought! I will write a lovely poem to the King, for I am full of words as the speediest writer pouring out his story.” 

Beloved, Loving Father, my heart IS overflowing! Unlike the Psalmist, though I am full of words, they are not pouring forth. Instead, once again, much like Mary's mothering (Luke 2:19, 51) I am allowed to witness this love and quietly treasure “these things in my heart and often think about them.”

Just across the hall, “The bride, a princess, waits within her chamber, robed in beautiful clothing woven with gold [of that I am not quite sure!]. Lovely she is, led beside her maids of honor to the king! [another liberty I am taking here] What a joyful, glad procession as they enter in the palace gates [in this case, a carnival tent]” (Psalm45:13-15).

Matthew 22 tells A Story of a Wedding. When the original, invited guests refused to attend the wedding dinner a king had prepared (v.3) for his son, the king became angry (v.7) and sent his servants out to the street corners to invite all they saw (v.9). “So the servants did, and brought in all they could find, good and bad alike; and the banquet hall was filled with guests” (v.10). How blessed we are that You welcome us all; “good and bad alike”.

Father, NONE of us is worthy. We all fall short of Your glorious ideal (Romans 3:23). Thank You for inviting us to be Your beloved children.

Revelation 19:1-10 speaks of The Lamb's Wedding Feast. Sadly there's no more time right now. Perhaps You will have more to say to me about this at another time?

You are so good. So holy. So wonderful. Please bless this couple Dearest Father. In Your Son, our Lamb,'s most precious name. Amen.

(397 words)

"Help me Lord"

Sunday, November 16, 2014 (6:04 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy God,

I love You. And I don't know where to go with that this morning. I love You. Yet I feel so lost and discontent. I don't want to. I try really hard not to. But if I'm going to be honest with You, I have to say, “Help me Lord”.

And just like that my thought process starts to change. I look into Your Word. I remember Bible stories I've read throughout the years. And the next thing I know I'm reading Peter's words to the people at Pentecost.

There's always been parts of me that wants to have a legendary life changing moment like that experienced by those present in the Upper Room when they received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-6). I often think that if I could have something that real take place in my life I would be able to overcome all the negativity and obstacles that we contend with everyday.

But You know what You are doing. I know You know what You are doing. So I'll continue coming before You ♫Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!♫

Thank You. Thank You that I get to be reminded that even as blessed as I am, I am not alone in conflicting thoughts and feelings. You know what You are doing. I continue trusting that.

Thank You too for leading me to Acts 2:21 this morning. The Message phrases it, “And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved.” I smile at the thought of being included here.

The Voice expands on the wordage just a little bit. “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be liberated into God's freedom and peace.”

J. B. Phillips New Testament describes this section as “Peter explains the fulfillment of God's promise”. How blessed we are to be included as part of Your plan.

Thank You that I am allowed, even encouraged, to come before You with all that I am (John 6:37). Thank You for again reminding me of the importance of being honest, open and willing. Use me this day exactly as You wish. Be glorified Dearest Father. In my life, my heart, my home. I love You. I need You. I want You. I thank You. Amen.

(406 words ~ 7:00 a.m.)

"Aha moment"

Saturday, November 15, 2014 (5:50 a.m.)

Holy and Amazing God and Father,

Thank You! I take a deep breath with You and I automatically smile. There's a content and true inner joy that comes from breathing deeply in Your Word. Thank You.

Thank You that yesterday I was again reminded of how much I love to learn. A mistake had been made by me early on. A remedy of sorts came to mind. Much later in the day, their was an “Aha moment”. I was sure that if I had done this one thing instead of what I did the problem may not have happened in the first place.

(6:42 a.m.)

Going back to check out my theory just now I proved my thinking correct. And in the process changed a few typos from years past. Thank You Father that even in that I was reminded of how very present You are in our every single moment.

I get to read prayers from years past. I see how many times the same doubts and fears have presented themselves. I breath deeply and take in how very real You are. All the while remembering that YOU are Who is to be in control of my being.

I look to You and long for balance. I read further in Your Word and the smile grows bigger. The hope I have in You is real. It's when I look at circumstances that my outlook changes.

Blessed Father, I am struggling. I used the word 'broken' to describe myself yesterday. Broken in heart. Broken in spirit. But at the very same time there was a speck of joy in realizing that it is when we are broken that You can fill us. Change us.

Holy God, thank You. Thank You for working so consistently in changing my heart. So many of the things I used to think were paramount have lost their luster. Continue leading and guiding me to live each moment on Your behalf.

A number of versions for Psalm 51:8 have my attention as I genuinely seek Your ultimate good.

The Voice “Help me hear joy and happiness as my accompaniment, so my bones, which You have broken, will dance in delight instead.”

New Living Translation “Oh, give me back my joy again; You have broken me – now let me rejoice.”

New English Translation “Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven! May the bones You crushed rejoice!”

Names of God Bible “Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness. Let the bones that You have broken dance.”

Modern English Version “Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones that You have broken may rejoice.”

The Message “Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing.”

The variety of verbs used here have me asking You for joy. Your ultimate joy. Help me hear, give me back, grant, let, make, tune. Actions You can do on my behalf that I will truly be able to glorify and enjoy You forever.

Father, I love You. I want You. I need You. And I ask You to do in and through, by, for and with me all that I am absolutely unable to do on my own. You are able. I look to You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

a Genesis week

Friday, November 14, 2014 (6:45 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed God,

I am asking You to do all for, through, in and with me that I am currently unable [unwilling?] to do myself. The piles are piling. The snarls, snarling. I look. And then look passed. I see. Yet I can't [won't] say I care.

♫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. Change my heart, O God... ♫

Mm, yes. Change my heart, O God!

Psalm 51:10 reflects David's plea to You. “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.”

And You are! Bemoaning what a loser/failure I feel like I get to read this psalm and the comments related to it. A sincere sense of fresh hope breathes deep within. I am grateful. There's a spark. A glimmer. A seed. All enough to want. To care.

Thank You Father. Thank You for Healing the Brokenness (The Life Recovery Bible). In this brief devotional I once again get to see that I am not alone in my thoughts and feelings. “If we have sincerely practiced the previous steps (6 of 12), we have probably found enough pain inside ourself to break our heart.” Um, YES!

It's the end paragraph that reminds me, “Jesus taught that 'God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted' (Matthew 5:4). God isn't looking for evidence of how good we are or how hard we try. He only wants us to mourn over our sins and admit our brokenness. Then He will not ignore our needs but will forgive us, comfort us, and cleanse us.” Mm. Thank You!

Beginning at verse 7, The Message uses these descriptive words to reflect David's hurting heart. “Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.” He knew to turn to and count on You. Thank You that we get to as well.

He asked that You would, “Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing (8). Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health (9).”

It's Your Truth behind this poetry that infuses itself as hopefulness inside me. “God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life (10).” A Genesis week? Just thinking of the power and might involved with all You created brings joy and smiles to my heart and my face.

“Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me (11). Bring me back from my gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails (12).”

A fresh wind in my sails and a renewed spirit (10b). Yes Father! “Shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.” You are already changing my heart. Use it to Your good and to Your glory. I love You. I want to serve You. Please. Thank You. Amen.

(518 words ~ 8:30 a.m.)

"Childlike Trust in the Lord"

Thursday, November 13, 2014 (5:01 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

It's been an interesting week so far. I've run the gamut [the complete range] of emotions recently. Hopeful. Dreadful. Happy. Witchy. Angry. Passive. Let's settle in on grateful, shall we?

Father, I truly am grateful to You for the host of blessings You provide. While I may very well have been behaving quite unseemly here of late, underneath it all is the joy and hope we are directed to in Your Word.

This current realm of thinking brings me all the way back to the hope I was sharing with You on Sunday. While I was speaking with You on Tuesday (Veteran's Day) of my excitement about learning what Armistice Day is, I again got sidetracked with other things.

Yesterday I took two really deep breaths with You and then just left. Fidgeting. Stomping. Growling. Bemoaning. And finally accepting. Just doing what needed to be done.

Here I am asking You to infuse me with Your Spirit and speak with me about all You want / have for me. I confess to believing that I am not living up to the potential You have in me. I get lost in the details. Afraid of making big mistakes, I refuse to even get started. I seem to want guarantees of time spent. All the while knowing You don't work that way.

Thank You that I have You and Your Word to turn to. Thank You that when I remember to consider You while breathing in I am keenly aware of the hope we have in You.

Now, back to Sunday's psalm. 131. Through tears sparked by hope I read the same three verses in a variety of accounts. Of all the translations available to me it's the New Century Version that speaks loudest to me right now.

“LORD, my heart is not proud; I don't look down on others. I don't do great things, and I can't do miracles. But I am calm and quiet, like a baby with its mother. I am at peace, like a baby with its mother. People of Israel, put your hope in the LORD now and forever.”

Mm. Yes. Put my hope in You! That's been my thinking these past several days. Illustrated Bible Handbook uses four words to describe these three verses. “Humility and trust bring hope.” Help me use the simplicity spelled out for me here to truly keep things simply Yours.

Again the song that brought this all about on Sunday is singing to me. ♫My life is in You, Lord My strength is in You, Lord My hope is in You, Lord In You, it's in You♫

I never can thank You enough for all You have done and are currently doing in each of us around here. How I ask You to keep doing in and for with and through us all that we cannot possible do or think or feel or be on our own. It's all in You that “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

Thank You that You sent Jesus so we could know and trust You to be all loving and powerful. Do all You must Blessed Father. All You must. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(548 words ~ 6:36 a.m.)

deep breaths

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 (7:35 a.m.)

Mmm, Mmm,

Armistice Day

Tuesday, Veteran's Day, November 11, 2014 (5:34 a.m.)

Holy Father God,

What another great word! Armistice: a cessation of hostilities as a prelude to peace negotiations; a truce. Blessed Father, I want to practice peace

All my hope is in You!

Sunday, November 9, 2014 (6:12 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed God,

Thank You. Thank You for sleep. And rest. And fun. Thank You for hope. Again. Hope. Talk to me again this morning about hope. In You. Yes, Father. All my hope is in You!

There are songs that sing it. Bible verses that claim it (Ps 131)

hopeful

Saturday, November 8, 2014 (7:01 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You. I woke up feeling hopeful this morning.

We have a project going on that is more time intensive than I had anticipated. Probably because I am again taking myself too seriously. There's a standard in my mind that I rarely meet. Hard as I try to let go or get around it, the very next thing I know here it is. Still with me.

So Blessed, Holy Father, here I am. Once more asking You to do in and with, by and for me ALL those things I cannot possibly do on my own. Like view things realistically.

You have provided us wonderful opportunities. We are getting to work together so much better than in the past. Yes where my ideal would be to someday have us crowned the do-it-yourself king and queen, our reality is so much closer to being Alf and Ralph Monroe from Green Acres TV lore.

That made me laugh yesterday. Out loud. First time in a really long time. Thank You God. Thank You for this husband who really is rising to the challenge of having me for a wife. A woman who can so easily find fault with most things. Thank You for his willingness to look past all that is so glaringly wrong and find the things that work.

Right here I am reading in Romans (15:4) and the more I read, the more hopeful I am becoming. Illustrated Bible Handbook says of a “Self-sacrificial Attitude; 14:14-15:4... Our goal is to build up the brother whom we love, not flaunt our freedom or our superior knowledge.” Keep us in this teaching Holy Father.

The following section reinforces what we are learning around here recently. “Accepting Attitude; 15:5-13. Underlying the teaching of this section is the fact that Jesus has accepted us, imperfect as we are. 'Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you' (15:7). If this is our attitude toward one another, unity will be achieved, and we will become a community which loves and praises God together, filled with joy and peace and hope.”

What could possible be more hopeful than that!

Back to verse 4, taken from The Voice. “You see, everything written in the days of old was recorded to give us instructions for living. We find encouragement through the Scriptures and a call to perseverance that will produce hopeful living.” Oh Blessed, Blessed God, from Your Word to my being. Make it so!

I love You. I thank You. And I ask for the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) with which to serve You well this day. Do all You must for this to be so. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

Your armor

Friday, November 7, 2014 (6:34 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God,

(6:52 a.m.)

I am here this morning asking. Asking for Your help. Your presence. Your guidance. Your strength (Ephesians 6:10). Your armor (v. 11).

Mm, yes. Your armor!

I took a tumble the other day. A direct hit to my confidence. I thought I knew what I was doing. I was making progress. And then a hiccup. Just a plain and simple difference of ideas. And now I am derailed. Can't [WON'T] get back on track.

It's subtle. Hardly visible to others. But I know it's here. Rearing it's ugly head. Pride. Hurt. Wrapping itself up in other ways to keep from being seen.

Oh most dear and Blessed Three-In-One, thank You. Thank You for the privilege to be absolutely honest with You! I can't shake what I'm feeling on my own. Oh, but You can. And by merely asking You to do in and with, through and for me all that I cannot possibly do on my own a degree of hope settles and starts taking root.

It's Your Word, Your Truth I need. Always! I look to the world [read in this particular case: mess] around me and get more upset. But the moment I start digging around in Your Scripture one hope leads right, straight to another.

How I thank You and praise You once again for reminding me ♫What a Friend We Have in Jesus♫ I can do none of this on my own. I can pretend and try by myself. But why do that? Instead I am coming to You. Asking for the strength I can have in Your mighty power.

Worldwide English (New Testament) says, “Last of all, I say this. Be strong in the Lord and use the strength He gives. Use everything that God has given you so that you can fight against the tricks of the devil. We are not fighting against people of flesh and blood. But we are fighting against rulers and powers whom we cannot see. We are fighting against those who control the darkness of this world, and bad spirits who have power in the air. So use everything that God has given you, that you can fight when the bad time comes. You will need to do everything you can do to stand!”

A footnote for Ephesians 6:10-12 in The Life Recovery Bible offers this hope, “as we turn our life and will over to God, He will stand with us in battle.” I need that Truth. I desperately need You with me in all that I cannot possibly do on my own. In this particular case? Get back on track.

And here is where I full out [as much or as far as possible; with maximum effort or power] pray Step 11 (of 12) right back to You. “We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out.”

Yes. Please. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

husband

Thursday, November 6, 2014 (6:50 a.m.)

Holy, Mighty God,

Yes. Mighty. Powerful!

I chose badly yesterday. Communication hit the skids. A misunderstanding and hurt feelings followed.

(7:22 a.m.)

And just as I was preparing to go into all the details and “woulda / coulda / should have”s, You intervened. Put an abrupt end to that train of thought. In the most unexpected, unusual way. Thank You!

I was planning to talk with You about the ♫power in the blood♫ I missed out on using yesterday. I was looking up the meaning of the word “eke” in the online dictionary. And the very first word in the thesaurus is “husband”. Go figure!

Husband as a verb. Meaning to “use (resources) economically; conserve”. It's origin is of “late Old English (in the senses 'male head of a household' and 'manager, steward')”, from an Old Norse “husbondi 'master of the house,' from hus 'house' + bondi 'occupier and tiller of the soil.' The original sense of the verb was 'till, cultivate.'

It's what I've believed for years. His job is to guide and direct us. Mine is to submit and respect him. Sometimes we do this better than others.

Keep working in each of us Blessed Father. You know our hearts. Our souls. Our minds and our strengths. Use them to Your good and to Your glory. Get me out of the way of my own mindset. Continue surprising me in ways that I least expect. Like when to use the word 'eke' and when to notice that he really truly is tilling and cultivating us.

Bless us Father that we would serve You mightily. Powerfully. ♫In the precious blood of the Lamb♫ Oh how I love and thank You! Amen.

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

foxhole prayer

(Wednesday, November 5, 2014 (10:01 a.m.)

Awesome, Incredible God,

We have an unexpected opportunity here. Four full hours of which to take advantage. Our original plans fell through. Father, use us to use them well. Wisely and well. Do in and through, with and for me all that I am unable to do on my own.

The smile on my face reflects my being at this very moment. While just beginning this prayer the words ♫Take it to the Lord in prayer♫ started singing in my mind. I didn't immediately know the title. A short search immediately reminded me ♫What a Friend We Have in Jesus♫

The accompanying Bible verse in The Celebration Hymnal is what I'm doing right now. “In everything present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Please Father, do all You must. Thank You. Amen.

(138 words ~ 10:25 a.m.)

detailed

Wednesday, November 5, 2014 (6:18 a.m.)

Mmm. Most Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! Sleep came easily and dreams were vivid. Detailed.

Mm. Blessed God, talk to me this morning through the Scriptures You have for me.

I confess, when I first awoke my thoughts were focused on the shock, outrage and disappointment I experienced while sleeping. Turning to You and Your Word all that is settled. Laid aside.

Thank You Father. Thank You. Acts 15:12; 21:16-25; and Hebrews 9:1-5 (J.B. Phillips New Testament) each remind me of the effects detailed accounts and explanations have on us. Either positively or negatively. It all depends on where we put our focus.

I have the choice of reliving and retelling that particular dream ad infinitum. OR I can choose to consider Your signs and wonders. All You have done for us. Like sending Jesus as our atonement for sin.

How I ask You to keep my focus there. On the positive. On Your sacrifice. That I truly may live freely. Joyfully. Productively. In and through You. Let that be my detailed prayed to You most Blessed Father.

Make me honest, open and willing to following You this day. I love You. I need You. I depend on You. And I thank You. Amen.

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

much thought

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 (6:51 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! I had quite the experience with You yesterday.

A phone call had left me sad. Concerned. Disappointed. So many negative thoughts. I wondered who I could call. To whom could I turn to express and sort out my heart.

I gave it much thought. Ran through the “Rolex” in my mind. And settled on... YOU! The very moment I recalled the peace and power we have available to us in every circumstance because of You, I felt myself physically calm.

Shoulders relaxed. Mind stopped swirling. Hope and joy replaced the dread and fear that only moments before had begun infusing itself within my being. Thank You.

Thank You that even now as I turn in Your Word to confirm all that I witnessed in that moment I am again filled with Your peace.

Searching the phrase “much thought” brought me to the Preacher/Teacher's experience in Ecclesiastes 2:3. Under The Futility of Pleasure subheading, his attempts to find the meaning of life through laughter and alcohol proved pointless.

“After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. While still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I hoped to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.”

Seeking the verse to support the peace we have available to us in every circumstance took me to Paul's second letter to the believers of Thessalonica. “May the Lord of peace Himself always give you His peace no matter what happens. The Lord be with you all” (2Thessalonians 3:16).

I experienced that peace yesterday. I recognized it as being You the very moment it happened. How I thank You. Praise You. And right now, this very moment, I ask You on a scale much greater than I can even imagine to do all You must in the national election taking place as I pray this out to You.

Our country is in desperate need of healing. You are THE only One capable of providing our every need. Across the board! From every single individual, to their families, neighborhoods, communities, states and united government, YOU are Who we need in office. YOU and all who are willing to work tirelessly for You. Make it happen Dearest Father. Help this country represent You well. And let each of us recognize our own responsibility in serving You.

I love You. And I thank You. Amen.

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