love, beauty, happiness

Tuesday, March 17, 2015 (7:42 a.m.)

Gloriously Awesome God,

Thank You for the opportunity to talk with You throughout last night and into the early morning hours. Thank You that You are good. And righteous. Thank You again for the beauty of the sky. Thank You for hard, consistent work yesterday.

Thank You that You love us so much. Thank You that I got to confess a feeling of apathy to You and You provided me a way out of it. Thank You that in a jumble of many words combined with one another, the first three I saw were: love, beauty and happiness.

Thank You Father for the prompting yesterday to approach a neighbor and suggest a Bible Study. Thank You for the absolute sensing from You that I needed to be far more honest with her than the cursory “good” answer I had already supplied in our casual greeting.

Blessed Father, thank You for the opportunity and privilege of speaking Your Truth in our neighborhoods. How I ask that You would guide and direct whatever may come of our intent to gather together and speak of You.

Mm, Blessed God, I love You. I love getting to look outside and be blessed by the beauty that surrounds us. I love being able to read and study Your Word openly and regularly. Thank You for the privileges and opportunities we often take for granted.

This morning I am drawn to Matthew 6:25-34. Not worrying about tomorrow. The Message provides such an easy understanding to this Truth. “Give your attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Mm. Yes!

Father, how I thank and praise You for teaching us that this is truly the way to approach each day. Trustingly. Expectantly. Joyously.

The Life Recovery Bible stresses Your Truth. “Each day there is something to find joy in, and there is strength promised for the troubles of that day. The psalmist wrote, 'This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it' (Psalm 118:24). We, too, can choose to find joy, strength, and sanity when we accept each day's realities.”

Mm. Yes, Lord. One day at a time. Expecting to experience love, beauty and happiness. Thank You Father. Continue helping me to look to You through it all. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(418 words ~ 8:53 a.m.)

This I can do!

Monday, March 16, 2015 (7:41 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I love You. You have blessed us. Often. Repeatedly. Graciously. Mercifully. And still I have the inclination to whine. I don't want to go in that direction. So I'm confessing it to You instead.

Let's see... how to begin? You are good. Faithful. Holy. And still I grumble. Growl. Grouse. I'd much rather pray. Praise. And play. Yes, Father. Selfish as I feel about it, may I just play with You today?

I feel this self-imposed judgment of myself. Not good enough here, there and somewhere else.

(9:11 a.m.)

And while I can choose to focus on the positives or the negatives I truly do rejoice in the fact that I get to share my heart honestly with You. Thank You Father.

I heard it said yesterday that a pessimist sees problems in possibilities while an optimist focuses on the possibilities amid the problems. I want to be the latter here Dearest God.

I confess to having been stubborn lately. Digging my heels in and not being willing to budge. Going through the motions of day to day business. The joy comes when I lift my head up to You and smile. It comes in bit by bit at first. A little like the beginning of a rainy day.

Before I know it, the more I smile to You the feelings of joy wash over me like a torrent. As many are my stubborn ways, Your faithfulness overrides them all. I can tell You straight on that I refuse to praise You unless I mean it and trust in the fact that You are still going to love me. Wow!

How I thank You Father. Truly thank and praise You for Your loving kindnesses. And how did I get to this point? By simply looking to You and smiling.

This I can do! Rather than focus on myself and all my foibles and failings, I am willing to take a play from King David's playbook. First from Psalm 34:5, “Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him” (The Message).

And then again in three other verses (42:5, 11; 43:5). “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God – soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.”

You ARE my God! You DO put a smile on my face. I will never be enough in my own way of thinking. Thank You God that YOUR way is SO much better than mine (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

Do all You must in and with me this day to turn me around (Revelation 3:19) to Your will and to Your way. I love You. I long to serve You. And I thank You for teaching me to smile through it all. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(486 words ~ 9:45 a.m.)

something new

Sunday, March 15, 2015 (7:20 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. I see cauliflower clouds in the sky right now. Something new for me. Mm, Father, how I thank You for all the something news You provide us.

just honest

Saturday, March 14, 2015 (7:19 a.m.)

Holy Father,

I sit here with nothing to say.

♫Praise Him!♫ Yes. I did wake up singing ♫Praise God from whom all blessings flow...♫ And my very first spoken words were, “Oh my God!” What looked like fire in the sky was jaw-droppingly beautiful.

Blessed Father, thank You that You allow me to ramble with You. My thoughts don't have to be perfect. Just honest.

“Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace” (Matthew 6:6 The Message).

Mm. Quiet. Secluded. Not role-playing. “Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage.” And in doing so it still comes back to me saying to You once again, “I miss my Mom!” I really, truly miss my Mom!

So with that said, as simply and honestly as I can manage, it's as though the dam burst. All the tears I've been holding back are falling. Streaming. Pooling. Thank You Father. Thank You that I don't have to have a script with You. Thank You that I just get to be honest. Thank You.

Thank You that as I wait to sense Your grace, I get to look and read and search and wait some more. Mm, wait. I'm good at waiting. Maybe too good at times. But good all the same.Thank You Father for making me who You want me to be.

Thank You that I get to turn to You. Look for You. Trust in You. Count on You. And truly believe You to be my Shepherd (Psalm 23). The One who will guide and support me all the days of my life. Thank You that verse six of this Psalm reminds me of my Mom every single time.

“Surely Your goodness and love will be with me all my life. And I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (ICB – International Children's Bible). Even better. Of all the translations and paraphrases I've read of this verse this morning, how appropriate that it would be a children's Bible that spoke loudest to me.

Father, thank You for the tremendous ways You have of caring for us. Right down to the smallest detail. Empower and enable me to serve You well this day. Bless me and keep me to the task of loving You and others as You desire. With all of my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

I'm saying it again. I miss my Mom! But oh how I thank and praise You for the privilege of having been loved by her. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(471 words ~ 8:31 a.m.) 

holy and loving

Friday, March 13, 2015 (6:08 a.m.)

Holy, Loving, God,

Thank You that You are indeed holy and loving.

(7:30 a.m.)

I have tears that have not yet started. Tears that think they want to fall. Tears I'm not sure I want to fight. Guide me here Blessed Father. Direct me in Your Truth.

We live in a world of uncertainties. Often getting our hopes up only to have them disappointed. I look around and see problems amid potential. How I ask You to center my thinking. Bring it all back to You being holy and loving.

Father, thank You that we have Your Word to turn to. Thank You that in taking the time and intention to ask You, You answer. I get to turn pages and learn more the deeper I go. Thank You for providing the Holy Spirit “who will help us understand and apply the written Word” (Illustrated Bible Handbook Wisdom, New Testament 1 Corinthians 2).

(10:04 a.m.)

(10:24 a.m.)

I keep coming back and then there's something else. People. Phone calls. Plans. Possibilities. And in amongst it all, the tears keep pushing forward.

Mm, God. Thank You that I get to breathe deeply and again be reminded of Your loving holiness. You allow me the opportunity to remember where we were and what we were doing five years ago today. Even bigger than that is the bond my brother and I were making just six months prior to that.

Father, thank You for Your kind, loving and forgiving nature. Thank You for leading me to Titus 3:3-8 this morning and all that is written there and about it. Your holy love is the most important gift I have in my life.

As much as I appreciate You and Your presence in our lives, the desire I have to serve You well is equal to or even greater than all that. Please continue Your holy, loving work in and through me this day.

I love You. I want to share You. And I long to do it as You would have me. Lovingly and well. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(351 words ~ 11:09 a.m.)

better prepared

Thursday, March 12, 2015 (5:30 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Good morning. I love You. Thank You. Thank You that You love us. Thank You that You care. Thank You for providing me all the courage I needed yesterday to right a wrong.

(5:55 a.m.)

Now with tear-filled eyes I look to You realizing what an opportunity I missed. Caught up in the adrenaline of witnessing one person taking another's mail, my concern was more about the theft taking place than I was about the thieves themselves. Forgive me Father. I truly put the emphasis on things, above people.

Following Your lead to Ephesians 4:19 this morning I confess to being humbled by my shortsightedness yesterday. With my focus having been solely on my own safety and the retrieval of the cards and letters, I now see how completely unprepared I was to share You in the midst of that chaos. Forgive me Father.

Forgive me for not being better prepared. That is my prayer to You this morning. I am asking You to make me more alert. Far more aware to Truth. My hindsight is once again 20/20. I coulda, woulda, shoulda...

What I have today is another chance. Rather than beat myself up [and thank You very much that no one else did that to me!] for a lost opportunity, I pray instead for these lost souls.

These young people, much like the ones the apostle Paul wrote about in his letter to the Ephesians, who “are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed” (Ephesians 4:17b-19).

The remainder of the chapter tells of 'putting away falsehood' and 'telling your neighbor the truth' (v.25). It lists getting rid of anger (26, 27) and no longer stealing (28a). “Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need” (28b).

I can't go back and do yesterday over. Instead I ask again that I be better prepared for the next opportunity to share Your love. Bless and keep those who do not yet know You. Turn them to You Blessed Father. Soften their hearts. Cause their blind eyes to see.

Use me this day for Your good and to Your glory. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(420 words ~ 6:52 a.m.)

seeking God

Wednesday, March 11, 2015 (7:16 a.m.)

Holy God,

It's cruise ship pretty out there. A blanket of clouds covering the sky with just a hint of color. Beautiful. Thought provoking. Father, thank You for the beauty that is found when we seek it. When we seek You.

Mm. This morning I am seeking You.

(7:52 a.m.)

And in doing so I come again to the prophet Isaiah. Father, how I thank You for all I am getting to learn of and from him. Thank You for his obedience to You. Thank You for his willingness to speak Your Truth to Your wayward people.

Mm, Father. Thank You that I am able to sit here and read not only his prophesies, but the fulfillment of them as well. Thank You that just as he had foretold the coming and victory of Jesus, we have the whole New Testament of Your Word affirming its actualization.

Looking again to the beauty I see just outside our window, my heart swells to the point of near bursting. You bless us so profoundly. A chance phone call by a mom from several years ago adds greatly to the joy of this day. Thank You Father.

Thank You for the opportunity of seeking You. Your will and Your way. Thank You for what The Message has to say about being Committed to Seeking God. Isaiah 51:1, “Listen to me, all you who are serious about right living and committed to seeking God. Ponder the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were dug.”

We are called to seek You and ponder. Many are the times I remember to take exactly that opportunity. Thank You Father. Thank You for Your leading and Your guidance. Empower and enable me to use Your strength, power, gifts and love wisely and well this day.

I love You. And I long to serve You as You wish to be served. Freely. Intentionally. Without reservation. Do all You must to make it so. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

practice joy

Tuesday, March 10, 2015 (6:49 a.m.)

Holy, Loving God,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You that You are all You are. Thank You that You are our strength (Isaiah 33:2). Yes. Thank You God.

I get to sit here and look, think, ponder, hope. You allow us to wonder. Wander. Contemplate. And never be far from You (Acts 17:27).

I confess to You a deep feeling of sadness right now. Rather than dwell there, again I look to You. Your Word. Your Truth. Your promises. I intentionally seek joy. Talk to me this morning about all You want me to practice.

Joy. Yes. Practice joy. ♫Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Let the earth here His voice! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory – great things He hath done!♫

Yes. Amen. Great things You have done! Those are the things on which I long to focus. I tend to look at the mistakes and messes I make instead of looking to You. You give us all such choices. Go this way? Or that? Say this? Do that? Forgive me Father for the times I push too hard. Come across too gruff.

You are who I long to glorify. How I love reading Your Word and catching myself smile. Whether it's on my face, heart or soul, it represents You working in and through me. Blessed Father, thank You.

Thank You that every time I pause long enough to collect my thoughts and weigh them through Your Truth, I find myself at a crossroad. Continue going in my own will, attempting to generate enough strength and power to complete a task. Or turn and run into Your ever waiting arms. Thank You Father for Your ever waiting arms.

Yes. Yet another attribute of Yours for which to be grateful. And one more opportunity to practice joy. Thank You Father. Thank You for Your Truth. Your promises. Your love. The things in this world that truly cause us to smile. I love You Father. Empower and enable me to wear You well this day.

The Living Bible provides a joyful rendition of Psalm 126:2-4. “How we laughed and sang for joy. And the other nations said, 'What amazing things the Lord has done for them.' Yes, glorious things! What wonder! What joy! May we be refreshed as by streams in the desert.”

Thank You Father for refreshment. Joy. Wonder. Peace. Patience. Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23a). All these things we are afforded because of Your great love for each of us. Thank You for Your tender care. Thank You for... YOU!

I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(458 words ~ 8:18 a.m.)

You are good

Monday, March 9, 2015 (7:19 a.m.)

(7:53 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

There's much to do. NO thing more important than You! Thanks Dad, for all You are and all You do. Thank You for the hope You provide. Loving support. Friendships.

Father, You are so good. No matter what our circumstances, You are good! Thank You that that is a Truth on which we can stand. Depend. Trust. Situations may at times appear completely out of control, but You are good. Good. Always good.

Thank You. Thank You that even [or is it especially?] in mistakes made Your goodness shines through. Just now for instance. I was planning to look to You. A much loved perpetual calendar even confirmed my intent.

Turning the page of A Fruitful Life, my heart smiled and sighed simultaneously. “Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Turning immediately to The Life Recovery Bible I inadvertently went to 1 Corinthians instead.

(6:12 p.m.)

Grand Terrace living room floor

I smile even bigger now than I had earlier. With the question mark that was over my head with not finding verses that corresponded with one another easily answered, I read the comments to both sections.

Paul wrote to the believers living in Corinth, encouraging them to resolve their problems and honor You.

created in Your image

Sunday, March 8, 2015 (7:32 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. Thank You for birds and blossoms. Thank You for warmth and sounds. Thank You for creating us in Your image (Genesis 1:27). Thank You for the privilege of giving You thanks (Psalm 136).

Father God, I am quite sure that I don't even begin to know what it truly means to be created in Your image. I know I believe I fall so far short of representing You well. But You've done such a good work in me that I am willing to believe differently.

Thank You for making me ready and able to check my thoughts with Your Word. The many times my own way of thinking has taken me far away from Your Truth is immediately counteracted when I turn to You and remember that I am one of the whosoevers of whom Your Word speaks (John 3:16).

Work in me this day Holy Dad, doing all You must to make me exactly who You want me to be. I love You so much. Thank You for creating me in Your image. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

useful

Friday, March 6, 2015 (6:28 a.m.)

Redlands Community Hospital

Spine and Joint Institute

Holy God,

Thank You! You gave me opportunity to be useful.

(8:45 a.m.)

Useful. Yes. And grateful! Father, You have allowed me to “stay in my lane”. Be myself. Take one thing at a time and enjoy the ride.

Father, thank You for friendships. Thank You for teaching us to share. Ourselves and our resources. Thank You for giving us Your Word to follow. Your Word of which many hymns have been written. ♫Holy Bible, Book Divine♫

(10:18 a.m.)

Useful interruptions. Learning new ways of moving and listening to our bodies. Caring individuals who truly care for others. Thank You Father. Thank You for this useful opportunity.

I get to sit here in an entirely different setting, marveling at the panoramic view of mountain ranges and canyons. The beauty is breathtaking.

I look to Your Word and find Truth all the more beautiful.

And most of all? PRAY!

Wednesday, Mar 4, 2015 (7:52 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. I got lost yesterday. Took a wrong turn. Didn't quite know where I was. Still don't know exactly how I got there. But You calmed me. Gave me good instincts. Allowed me to yell my frustrations and embarrassment to You.

Thank You for being such a loving, comforting God. You reminded me to breathe deeply. Not to be afraid. To stop. Ask for help. Follow directions. And pray. Most of all... pray!

Mm, yes. I didn't think of it yesterday. “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (Philippians 4:6).

Instead I very loudly went with, “You have not given me a spirit of fear; but of strength [Your Word actually says, “power”], love and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Thank You for calming me enough to recognize the need to shut off the praise music and get down to the serious business of being real with You.

I confessed my fear. Embarrassment. Shame. Such an easy side trip having gone so wrong. Father, thank You for the presence of mind to call out for help. From You. And another.

Thank You that in the very midst of being completely rattled by frustration and fear, there You were in the beauty of it all. Yes. What was supposed to be an easy off and right back on the freeway detour of beautiful green rolling hills turned into a gorgeous view of snow capped mountains and cherry blossoms.

Father, thank You for the reminder to pay attention to detail. To ask more questions. Not go off half-cocked. Thank You for meeting me in the midst of chaos. And most of all? To pray!

This morning Father, I ask You to guide and direct my decision making process. Help me, much like the toddler I can be at times, to make good choices! I love You Dad. And I truly want to serve You well. Glorifying and enjoying You forever. Make it so I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(354 words ~ 8:46 a.m.)

I look to You

Tuesday, March 3, 2015 (6:27 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. The sky. The clouds. Colors. Change. It's all so thought provoking, I went outside immediately. Purples. Orange. Blue. Beautiful.

I don't know where to go here Lord. I look to You. Contented. At peace. Mm. Yes Lord. I look to You. Thank You.

Thank You for teaching me to look to You. In all things. Always. There are even Bible verses for this. People of old looking to You for help (Psalm 59:9). Mercy (Psalm 123:1-4). Safety/Protection (Psalm 141:8). Justice (Jeremiah 11:20).

The search is long. The results many. But it is the New American Bible (Revised Edition) on which I decide.

Psalm 63:2-4, “O God, You are my God – it is You I seek! For You my body yearns; for You my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water. I look to You in the sanctuary to see Your power and glory. For Your love is better than life; my lips shall ever praise You!”

Oh yes Blessed Father. I look to You. In awe. With such respect and honor. Asking that You would lead and guide me this day. Empower me to serve You as You wish. Ever mindful of Your power and glory.

Your love is prized above all things and I am blessed to be a partaker of it. Thank You for including me in Your plan. Lead, guide, direct, enable me to live this day as You have designed. I love You. Thank You. I look to You. Amen.

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

a fresh start

Monday, March 2, 2015 (6:16 a.m.)

(7:36 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Awesome, Incredible, Blessed, Holy God, how greatly I thank and praise You. I start. Stop. And start again. Mm. Yes. A fresh start.

Father, how I thank You. I took the time to take care of unfinished business from yesterday. Business that remained unfinished due to my own choices. Thank You for the prompt into action.

(7:57 a.m.)

And again. A missing phone found. Thank You Father.

Thank You for brisk clean air to breathe and feel chilled by. Thank You for the gratitude of warmth and dryness. Thank You for the desire to share. Thank You for the opportunity to peruse Your Word. And learn.

Father, You are mighty. Powerful. Generous. Slow to become angry. And quick to forgive (Numbers14:18). I get to sit here and contemplate these things. Thank You for the privilege of reading of Your love. Your power. Your plan. And forgiveness.

Page after page I read of fresh starts, repeated failures and Your promises of healing (Hosea 14:4). I just heard my soul cry out, “I can't stand it!” You are so good. So perfect. Loving. Caring. Spot on incredible. Your mercies fall afresh every single day (Lamentations 3:23). I do nothing to deserve them, yet here they are.

Thank You Father! Thank You for the honor of being Your child. Thank You for the joy that is truly found in being loved by You. Thank You for the Truth Your Word speaks into our beings.

Thank You for taking me to Lamentations (2:15) yesterday and again today (Chapter 5). Thank You for moving me over to the prophet Hosea's example of Your unfailing love. Thank You for word pictures filled with new beginnings and fresh starts (Hosea 14:5-8).

Father, I love You. Let me use that love well today. There are things to accomplish. Guide, direct, inspire me to Your chief end. To glorify and enjoy You forever. Thank You for yet another fresh start. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(336 words ~ 8:54 a.m.)

Absolutely beautiful!

Sunday, March 1, 2015 (7:24 a.m.)

Awesome, Wonderful God,

Thank You. It's beautiful outside. Absolutely beautiful!