Truth.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015 (5:57 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. You are good. And we are grateful. You never leave us alone. Circumstances change. Personalities get in our way. But You remain True. Thank You that it is in Your Truth we can trust.

Father, today I am turning to Psalm 25:5 asking that You would work Your Truth into every fiber of my being. I pout. I waste. I respond to things because of a lifetime of conditioning. Just because I've always done things a certain way doesn't make it right. I know that.

Coming to You. Asking You. Seeking You. Your will. Your way. Those are what I long to have my “go to” reactions be. I still battle the knee-jerk reflex of feeling hurt and wanting to hurt harder. Your Truth, Your Word teaches us better.

Holiest, Holiest God. It IS in You I trust! I read David's words, thinking of them as my own. The Expanded Bible for Psalm 25:5 says, “Guide [Lead] me in Your Truth, and teach me, my God, my Savior [Helper; Victor]. I trust [hope in; wait on] You all day long.”

Two separate comments in The Life Recovery Bible for verses 1-7 and 8-10 talk about placing our faith in You. Trusting You “to care for us and help us overcome the things in our life that would destroy us.” We are to ask You to show us how to live according to Your Truth.

We are called to remember, “Because of His great love and compassion, He will forgive our past sins when we ask Him to.” It goes on to remind us that “it is also important for us to forgive others who have harmed us. As we forgive others, we can release our anger and focus on our own recovery.”

Blessed Father, I waste a LOT of energy being angry. You know how best for me to channel Your love. Your Truth. The faith and hope we have in You.

This is where the next comment (25:8-10) rings true. “We need to let God change us, yet we cannot expect Him to work His transformation in our life if we are still proud and unwilling to admit that we are helpless apart from Him.”

I read Your Word. I truly experience such hope. How I ask You to lead and guide me into LIVING the Truth, faith, hope and love that You provide us.

I love You so VERY much! Use me as You would this day. Allow me to be the woman You would have me be. Thank You Daddy God. I love You. Amen.

(439 words ~ 7:18 a.m.)

Trust.

Monday, June 29, 2015 (6:50 a.m.)

Most Blessed, Absolutely Glorious God,

Thank You!

You saved us. From ourselves. Again.

Father, a misunderstanding. Wrong conclusions and past, negative patterns resurfaced. Causing discord, disruption and deeply hurt feelings.

Thank You for Your Truth! Your love. Faith and hope. Time proven weapons against spiritual warfare. Exactly what had taken hold here.

Blessed God, we couldn't help ourselves. We were stuck in a repeating rut of ridiculousness. But You never left us alone in our despair. Thank You.

Thank You that every single problem we come up with in this world has already been addressed for us in Your Word. Thank You for teachers, pastors, committed believers who are willing to share Your Truth with a desperately hurting world.

Father, there are challenges everywhere we look. And with each difficult task comes another opportunity to trust You at Your Word. To turn to You. Call out Your holy name. Wait. Hope. Trust. Believe.

Malachi 3:6

John 17:17

Psalm 25:5

THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS

Saturday, June 27, 2015 (6:46 a.m.)

Amazing God of Glory,

I get angry. Find out what I really am feeling is hurt. And then mope and whine and snivel and fret and stew and all but forget that You truly ARE our amazing God of glory! Thank You Father for all that You are.

I have a Bible [thank You that we do!] that translates Exodus 3:14 to say, “God replied [to Moses], 'I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS.' Just tell them, 'I AM has sent me to you.'”

Because You truly ARE THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS, I know I am safe in You. With You. My feelings take me far away from Your instructions. My thoughts do NOT lean themselves toward Paul's teachings to the Philippian believers.

And here again, I pause to thank You, THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS. Turning in the Illustrated Bible Handbook I get to read once more “Chapter 4. Joy in the Lord A Plea for Perspective; 4:2-9. Paul speaks of joys that are found through relationship with the Lord (4). In Christ we have release from anxiety, for we can express every need to God and experience peace (5-7). In Christ we can concentrate our attention on the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy (8). In Christ we can put godly living into practice, and have the assurance that the God whose presence means inner peace will be with us (9).”

I am confessing right here and right now that I am experiencing none of that. I am holding tightly to the hurt and pain of either carelessly misspoken or immediately misunderstood words. Every time I consider letting them go, another memory comes along to remind me of the last time(s) we went through this.

I absolutely know, beyond any shadow of any doubt that this is not Your best for me. For us. I confess to wallowing. And in this confession, I am asking (Matthew 7:7) You to do in and with, by, for and through me all that I absolutely cannot [will not?] do for myself.

Right here on the heels of asking I am blessed my Your comfort and Your care. I have ready access to the words and singing of ♫In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song♫

Following very quickly behind the hope found there was the reminder of the Truth of Your Word in Isaiah 40:31. “But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Again I confess. That is not me right now. Ah, but the hope is still to be found in Your Word. Your Truth!

A reminder comes from The Life Recovery Bible comment for “40:9-17 When we doubt God's power [which, right now, I don't] we need to remember that He is the Creator and will 'rule with awesome strength.' He has perfect wisdom and is greater than any person or nation. When we doubt [still I do not] that God can really help us overcome our dependency, we need to remember that He is bigger and more powerful than anything on earth. And this God is also compassionate and loving. He will carry us (His lambs) in His arms and 'gently lead' us down the road to recovery because He loves us.”

Blessed Father, Holy One, Amazing God of Glory, it IS to You I turn. You ARE THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS and I need Your guidance and wisdom in how best to proceed. I don't know how to trust coming back out of the shell I ran into yesterday in an unsuccessful attempt at protecting myself. I'm willing to put it all out there again, only as You direct.

I will begin by offering to read this aloud to a loved one and ask You to work as You are more than able. I love You. I want to serve You. And I am willing to set down the hurt and anger as You direct. Thank You Father. Please go before me. With me. Beside, beneath and above me. Completely encircle me with Your presence that I would not be alone in my heart, soul, mind and strength. Guard every aspect of my very fragile being.

Enable, empower, embolden us to be the people YOU would have us be. People made in Your image (Genesis 1:26). Designed to love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30) and one another as ourselves (31).

These things I pray in the precious name and blood of Your One and Only Son (John 3:16). Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

hard truth

Friday, June 26, 2015 (1:12 p.m.)

So...

I'm angry. REALLY angry! And right underneath the anger is HURT. Really, REALLY hurt. So I'm coming to You because I am told in Your Word not to sin in my anger (Ephesians 4:26).

Again, Blessed Father, I am thanking You for the TRUTH of Your Word!

After just having sung Your praises and thanked You for all You've been doing with us, old patterns resurfaced. Truth NOT spoken in love. Truth not ACCEPTED with love. Thoughts of NEVER forgiving this time were only countered with the TRUTH of Your Word.

We are told many times in Your Word the importance of forgiveness. So even this I am giving to You. I can already feel the change You've made in my heart. Keep working in me I pray.

practice Truth

Friday, June 26, 2015 (7:18 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I love You!

Thank You for taking two potentially explosive experiences and turning them into opportunities to once again practice speaking truth in love. Yes Father. Thank You for practice!

Here I sit, reminded that You love us. Looking to You and Your Word I am asking (Matthew 7:7) You to teach me more about putting Your teachings into practice. Your Truth, taught by many through the ages, does not change.

(9:26 a.m.)

How I thank You for that.

Scouring Your Word for more about practice, I came across Paul's letter to the Philippian believers. Chapter four, verse nine tells us, “Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” How I ask that Truth to continue.

Turning to Matthew, under the title The wise and foolish builders I find more of Your Truth. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24, New International Version).

Yes Father. Please. I want our house built on You. Our Rock. Be with us this day as we practice Truth. Your Truth. In speaking. In love. In living. In all we feel, are, think and do (Mark 12:30). We love You. Long to serve and honor You. Make it so. In Your power. In Your way.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(253 words ~ 9:51 a.m.)

adapting to necessary change

Thursday, June 25, 2015 (6:15 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Good morning. Thank You for quick and easy sleep last night. It had eluded me the night before. Too many thoughts. Regrets. Wonders. And extremely detailed dreams.

Thank You also for the opportunity to take a good, HARD look at my behavior, reactions and coping skills. Some of which were better than others.

Thank You for an early awareness of things gone wrong, with an immediate desire to adapt to necessary change. Hmm... “adapt to necessary change”. Will You please lead and guide me in learning what You would have me know about adapting to necessary change?

Thinking of necessary change, the Serenity Prayer immediately comes to mind. And with it, another look at the original wordings by Reinhold Niebuhr. Blessed God, how I thank You for the opportunity to look at things differently. To learn. Explore.

Another adaption of this well known, often used prayer asks, “Father, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what cannot be helped, and the insight to know the one from the other.”

Courage. Serenity. Insight. Father, these are much needed attributes. Ones I don't ask for lightly. I am not the most courageous woman I know. Nor does accurate insight come easily. But I am coming to experience the serenity of allowing You to lead and being willing to follow. Thank You for Your patience in my more than slow learning skills.

These are qualities I ask of You this day. Teach me all You would have me know about adapting to necessary change. It seems like such a tall order. Break it down into the bite sized pieces needed to make it possible for them to be assimilated into my everyday being.

I love You Father. I am so much more than blessed to be considered Your child. Do all You must to help me wear that title well. Empower and enable me in adapting to necessary change. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(335 words ~ 7:39 a.m.)

gifts abound

Monday, June 22, 2015 (7:13 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy Father God,

Thank You! You blessed us again. Minor irritations were quickly calmed. Reminders to pray not only abounded, but were acted on. Father, thank You. Emotions ran high. But Your good sense kept it all in check. Thank You.

Thank You that as I consider the peace that comes from shifting our focus onto You, I have the opportunity to read Paul's words to the believers of Philippi. He abounded in the gifts they had sent to to him while in a Roman prison (Philippians 4:18).

I love the words The Voice uses for the next verse. “Know this: my God will also fill every need you have according to His glorious riches in Jesus, the Anointed, our Liberating King” (19). Mm, such Truth. So much hope. Thank You Father.

Thank You that You designed each of us to need You. We are to love one another (John 15:12) in the same way Jesus loves each of us (9) that our joy will be full (11). Complete. Overflowing. Abundant.

Your loving gifts abound in relationships that are being built on the Truth of Your Word. How I ask that You would continue using each of us exactly as You wish that our joy will indeed be full.

I love You Father. And I ask that You would steady my thoughts and actions this day that I would truly come to glorify You forever and ever. I love You. And I thank You. So much. Thank You. Amen. 

(255 words ~ 8:24 a.m.)

reminded

Father's Day Sunday, June 21, 2015 (8:54 a.m.)

Holy God,

This morning I was reminded. Of so very many things.

First, we are to ♫Pray. Pray. Pray everyday. Open our hearts up and talk to Jesus♫ Then we are to ♫Learn to be a servant of all♫

Blessed Father, we are so grateful to You for the reminders You provide us. Reminders to pray on behalf of others. Like I did yesterday.

No sooner had I begun asking, You had already intervened. Nerves were calmed. Hope restored. And You given all the credit.

Thank You Father. Thank You for being the Father You are. What an opportunity we have this morning. To thank and praise YOU for being the wonderful, incredible, all loving Father You are.

When it comes to honoring fathers, You are exactly where I want to start. As we get ready to get started with this day, it's You I long to glorify and pay tribute to. Do all You must to make sure You are given all the praise You so rightly deserve.

I love You Father. Happy Father's Day, Dad! Amen.

(186 words ~ 9:48 a.m.)

on behalf

Saturday, June 20, 2015 (6:11a.m.)

Most Holy God,

I am here asking (Matthew 7:7) on behalf of a loved one. Asking Your blessings. Your comfort. Your presence.

There are problems. Sadness. Loss. Deep sorrow. And very little relationship with You. I'm here asking You to step in. Can I do that?

I cannot open the door to another's heart. But can I ask You to knock harder (Revelation 3:20) on behalf of that person's well being?

I love You Father. I've seen You work. The gift of Your Son on behalf of our sins (John 3:16-18)

Acts 20:3-35

lasting love

Friday, June 19, 2015 ( 5:45 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. Today is a wedding anniversary. ORIGIN Middle English: from Latin anniversarius 'returning yearly,' from annus 'year' + versus 'turning.'

Father, over 38 years ago I believe it was Your Holy Spirit who planted the importance of us not only acknowledging, but truly celebrating the day of our uniting together in marriage. Thank You that this husband immediately embraced the idea and has never disappointed.

Thank You too that it is that example which is being replicated today. Our children have taken to heart the standard that has been unintentionally set for them through the years. And as a result their children are already being exposed to the importance of celebrating and working hard at creating a lasting love.

Yes. Lasting love. Father, You are the Master at teaching us the value of lasting love. Your love for each of us is not based on our own goodness, but on all You are and do. Father, thank You!

A Fruitful Life calendar sums it up beautifully. “You shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.” DEUTERONOMY 26:11 NIV

Today is truly a day of celebration. Let us use it well. Embodying Your lasting love for others to readily identify and desire as their own.

We love You Father. And we thank You. Amen.

(233 words ~ 8:08 a.m.)

contemplatively

Thursday, June 18, 2015 (7:10 a.m.)

Holiest God,

Thank You. I get scrambled. Distracted. Discouraged. And then I look to You. Take time. Come into Your presence. And breathe. Deeply. Contemplatively. And find a sense of peace. A respite. My soul restored.

Mm... Psalm 23:3. Father, thank You.

I look around here at all that is unfinished. A suitcase here. Pile of clothes over there. Phone calls not returned. And I feel a bit of overwhelm settling in.

Then I look to You. Your Word. The hope we have in You and I ask (Matthew 7:7). Again! That You would 'lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name's sake' (Psalm 23:3b).

I have the opportunity of reading this precious piece of Scripture in many variations. King James Version begins with “He restoreth my soul”. Amplified Bible says, “He refreshes and restores my life (my self)”.

Common English Bible quite simply states, “He keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of His good name.”

Complete Jewish Bible uses the phrase “my inner person”. And Contemporary English Version announces, “and You refresh my life. You are true to Your name, and You lead me along the right paths.”

Expanded Bible tells, “He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right [or straight] for the good [sake] of His name [reputation].”

Renews, restoreth, revives, refreshes. “He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors Him the most” (The Living Bible).

“True to Your Word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction” (The Message).

“He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of right living with Himself which brings honor to His name” (New Life Version).

“He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name” (The Voice).

You provide me the opportunity to look to You. Consider Your Word. Trust. Believe. Follow. And I am grateful Father.

Thank You for the privilege of coming to You exactly as I am. Flawed. Foibled. Created in Your image (Genesis 1:26).

I love You. I want to serve You. As I look around me at all that needs attention, I ask You to be my Shepherd. Guide me precisely to the people, places and things that You would have me spend my time, treasures and talents.

You know my needs far better than I and I trust You to provide all that You know is best. Thank You Blessed Father. I love You. Amen.

 (448 words ~ 8:27 a.m.)

time spent

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 (7:40 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

Thank You! You did it again. You provided me with forethought. Energy. Ideas. Secondary plans. And success.

Time was spent wisely yesterday. Appropriate actions were taken where opportunities presented themselves. Respectful playfulness was enjoyed. There was music. Laughter. Fun. Delight. And order.

Successful time spent with our toddler and preschooler stemmed from truly singing Your praises. Again, Psalty the Singing Songbook ruled the day. There was much talk of praise and glory. Good and evil. Playful interactions and much character identification.

Blessed Father, You never cease to blow me away! Thank You for Your timeless Truth. Your Word that does not change with the times.

I am here this morning asking for more. Again. You show me how seamlessly events can transpire when we leave the details to You. Yesterday I had a general plan of ideas that You turned into a day of pure gold.

I give You the same this morning. People are coming. Pool time is anticipated. Swimming would be the high point. Kids and parents calm enough to trust their bodies in and on the water. I've asked (Matthew 7:7) You in the past to intervene where I lack. Here I am, asking again. Still.

Father, I love You so incredibly much. I become so excited [agog] when I witness You at work.

Even now, the only verse of Scripture I found concerning “time spent” was Isaiah 38:1 in The Message. “[Time Spent in Death's Waiting Room] At that time, Hezekiah got sick. He was about to die. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz visited him and said, 'GOD says, “Prepare your affairs and your family. This is it: You're going to die. You're not going to get well.”'”

Instead of just rolling over and accepting You at Your Word, “Hezekiah turned away from Isaiah and, facing the wall, prayed to GOD...” (vs. 2-3). You heard his prayer, saw his tears and added fifteen years to his life (5).

Hezekiah's hope was in You Father. As is mine. Take this day and whatever it is You would have me do in it. I want desperately to help people learn to be safe in and near the water. And even more than that? To know they are safe in You!

Mm, yes Dad. That would truly be time spent well. Make it so. In Your strength. In Your power. In Your glory. And in Your time. I love You. And I thank You. Amen.

(413 words ~ 8:33 a.m.)

  

a very nice balance

Tuesday, June 16, 2015 (6:55 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. There is order developing around here. Not as intentional as just happening. Putting one thing away leads to another without becoming obsessive. Yes, Father. There is a balance. A very nice balance.

Thinking of things as being accomplished without becoming all-consuming led me straight to 2 Corinthians 4:8. The paradox of being 'cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but not crushed by them; bewildered at times, but not given to despair' (The Voice).

It's because of You that we don't give up. Other transcriptions of this section of Scripture (vs. 7-9) use various descriptive words to paint the picture of the “pressures, perplexities, and struggles that mark our lives” (Illustrated Bible Handbook Clay Jars). All done to show “that our enablement 'is from God, and not from us.'”

Blessed Father, that is exactly what You have been showing us around here recently. We give it all to You. Our discouragements, frustrations, wonders, problems. And You guide us through them.

See? Just look right here. The last paragraph of a Step 1 devotional (The Life Recovery Bible) on this very subject. “Once we recognize the paradox of powerlessness, we can be quite relieved. We don't have to always be strong or pretend to be perfect. We can live a real life, with its daily struggles, in a human body beset with weakness and still find the power from above to keep going without being crushed and broken.”

Oh, yes, Father! Thank You. Thank You for this very nice balance brought about by You, our Perfect Balancer!

We love You. We long to serve You. And we ask for all that is needed for it to be done through Your strength and power. We love You. We thank You. Amen.

(302 words ~ 8:07 a.m.)

Intimately!

Monday, June 15, 2015 (6:12 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

I love You. Thank You for the ease with which we are able to address You and tell You our most intimate thoughts and feelings.

Intimate. Close. Bosom. Dear. Cherished. Friendly. Personal. Private. Confidential. Secret. Innermost. Deep. Unspoken.

I love the fact that You know me (Psalm 139). Every single aspect of me. My heart. My soul. My mind. My strength. And because You know me so intimately, You know my flaws. Faults. Failings. And best of all... You are not put off by them. You love me in spite of myself!

Thank You Father. Thank You for being far more than every single thing we need in life. Thank You that we get to look to You for direction. That is exactly what I am asking right now. What direction, in Your Word, would You have us take together this morning?

Thank You Father. Again, I ask and You answer. Reading many New Testament passages, I checked one Old and again find myself in First Chronicles (28:9) with David talking to his son Solomon. Father God, You truly set my heart, soul, mind and strength free with Your Word.

I read David's words to his successor and I imagine myself being advised as well. “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”

And here again I get to rejoice. Excitedly!

A Serenity Prayer Devotional for this chapter (1 Chronicles 28, The Life Recovery Bible) of Scripture tells me, “Full recovery doesn't stop when our broken parts are repaired. It includes building a new life that is free, full, and rich. Fear of failure, humiliation, or disappointment can keep us from seeking life in all its fullness. It takes courage to dream of the life we truly desire.”

It's like You know me. Intimately! Oh, yeah, You do!

Thank You Father. Continuing on in the devotional, “Just as David dreamed of building a magnificent temple, we can dare to dream of building a magnificent new life. God has the blueprints already drawn up. It's natural to fear that if we allow ourself to hope, we will only be disappointed again or that we might start and fail, suffering public humiliation. But we need only to 'be strong and courageous, and do the work' (20a). We need not be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for 'God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished' (Philippians 1:6).”

You keep working in me Blessed Father. I'll continue showing up, expecting You to do all that only You can do with and in, by, through and for me. You never cease to amaze me. And I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to know You. Intimately!

Thank You Father. Bless You. Praise You. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(524 words ~ 8:06 a.m.)

God's love

Sunday, June 14, 2015 (8:34 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Bless You. Praise You. Thank You.

You provide us with Your love (1John 4:7) so that we will in turn love one another. It all sounds so simple when sung in verse by the children of Psalty the Singing Songbook's recordings.

♫Beloved, let us love one another For love is of God And anyone that loveth is born of God and And knoweth God. He that loveth not (clap, clap, clap) Knoweth not God for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another. First John, four: seven and eight♫

Easy. Fun. Children singing us Your command. Oh, but not so foolproof in carrying it out.

I like the synonyms found for simple. Uncomplicated. Straightforward. Clear. Idiot-proof. Goof-proof. Piece of cake. Child's play. A cinch. A breeze.

You know far better than all that loving as You call us to love is anything but as easy as these words and phrases describe.

Father, thank You that we have Your Word telling us over and over, verse after verse that we are to love others as You have loved us (John 13:34; 15:12). Thank You that we get to read it. Study it. Embrace it. Live it.

That is exactly what I am asking (Matthew 7:7) You this morning. Let me live Your Word. Your apostle John wrote to the early churches to explain “a life of intimate sharing of ourselves with God and with each other” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

The Living Bible paraphrases this section (1John 4:6-8) of Your living Word to say, “But we are children of God [not of this world]; that is why only those who have walked and talked with God will listen to us. Others won't. That is another way to know whether a message is really from God; for if it is, the world won't listen to it.”

Blessed Father, I confess to You right now. When I realize I am not being listened to, I tend to clam up. I do not want to waste my breath or others' time. Change this in me if that is Your will.

Continuing with John's insightful discourse, “Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know Him better. But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God – for God is love.”

It's this Truth that I want to put into practice regularly. I don't love as You would have me love. Mine is far more conditional. Thank You that we have You, Your Son and Your Holy Spirit to work in and with, by, through and for us to Your end.

The Life Recovery Bible comment tells us, “Recovery depends upon God's gifts, and the most important among them is the provision of a Savior. The Father loves us enough to have sent His Son to save us. As we grow to be more like Him, we also grow in our ability to love others with sacrificial love. Many of us feel the recovery process would be greatly expedited if only we could see God. But God is usually seen only through His people as they love one another. That is why it is so important for us to restore relationships with the people we have harmed. That is also why we need the fellowship of believers – because we desperately need the love they offer.”

Yes, Father. Open me up. Not only to the love You offer, but to that which You would have me freely give to others. I love You and I sincerely long to love as You would have me love. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(636 words ~ 9:34 a.m.)

joy in the Lord

Saturday, June 13, 2015 (8:23 a.m.)

Holy God,

You bless us. With creature comforts. Relationships. Hope. Love. Joy. Would You talk with me again this morning about the joy we are to find in You?

I cannot even begin to thank You for the speed with which You answered that request! One moment I was contemplating laughter and the various verses in which it is mentioned. Searching some of those I came to realize that laughter can hide a lot of distress and sadness.

What was it I was really seeking? Joy. The TRUE joy we can find only in You! Changing the exploration through Your Word I quickly came to tears.

Saul's daughter Michal despised her husband King David's enthusiasm and wholehearted worship as the Ark of the LORD entered his city (2 Samuel 6:16). His response to her is one I long to have in regards to being excited over all You do for us. “I was dancing before the LORD... So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD” (v 21).

transfixed

Friday, June 12, 2015 (7:28 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! The other day You prompted me to turn on a 35 year old long-playing record album of praise for two rambunctious boys under four years of age. I watched them stand transfixed as they truly listened and were visibly amazed by what they heard. Their wholehearted dancing to and singing of songs they had never heard before paled only in comparison to their delighted squeals and American Sign Language requests for “More!”

Yesterday, without any obvious outside prompting, they both began singing, dancing and reciting some of what they had heard only one time prior. I'm still agog over this.

Father, these are songs that helped me in my own walk with You. Your profound Truth put into language even a pre-two year old can get wildly excited about. I truly cannot thank You enough.

Because of Your prompting, I have this internal gift of true joy to fall back on as I consider all the mistakes I make with discipline and helping little ones stay safe in their environments. You know what You want and how it is to be achieved. I confess to floundering in “the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience”.

There is such a fine line between the genuine fun, games, silliness and complete abandon that potentially leads to uncontrolled chaos. I find myself caught with thoughts of “Where is this heading?” and “What do we do know?”

Thank You for the time honored Word to guide us.

origins and opposites

Thursday, June 11, 2015 (7:31 a.m.)

Oh yea, and yea, and yea again!

Blessed Father, thank You! Thank You that once more I turn to You and You delight me. I woke up talking to You. Thanking You. Praising You.

And then I started my day. Irritated. Annoyed. Little hiccups upsetting my apple cart. All the while I looked back to You wondering where we would end up together.

I knew the root of irritant would be involved. As would the antonyms. Father, thank You for teaching me that just because things don't go my way that all is not lost.

You are so good. So much bigger and better than any of the annoyances that come our way. That's exactly what helps me smile as I consider all the petty little things that keep not working the way they are designed.

Argh! It can all be so frustrating. And still I remember to “A-lways R-evere G-od's H-oliness”. Yes. Another helpful alternative to feeling helpless. Something You helped me design for times such as these.

Father, I love You. I love that I get to turn to You and whine, stomp my feet and even growl. Loudly. And You are not put off by my behavior. You love me in spite of myself. Thank You.

Blessed God, how I love looking up the meanings of words. Their origins. And their opposites. I have the slightest little grin on my face right now. It never ceases to amaze me how the smallest upturn of my mouth affects the whole of myself.

My heart, soul and mind tend to bend toward hopefulness just because of the beginning of a smile. Thank You.

Thank You that I can think of words like: irritate, annoy, vex... and then look at their opposites and consider being: pacified, soothed, delighted, pleasured by You.

In looking up irritant, I was taking to irritation. From there we went to irritate. And ultimately the mid 16^th century sense of 'excite, provoke'. And with You I just never know where we'll end up.

I smile as I trust You to soothe and pacify me. I delight as I turn in Your Word and in the most unexpected place (Micah 5:2) read of origins and opposites. The prophet Micah was warning Your people “of the destructive consequences of disobedience” and offering “peace to those willing to obey” Your revealed will (The Life Recovery Bible THE BOTTOM LINE).

You brought greatness from a place (Bethlehem) the world considered insignificant. Oh and here I smile even bigger!

Reading the RECOVERY COMMENTARY NOTE for Micah 5:1-5 I am reminded, “God uses 'insignificant' people and places to achieve great things. He can take our broken and useless life and turn it into a blessing to others if we let Him.”

Blessed God, how I thank You. Thank You for providing me the freedom to just be who I am. All the mixed up circumstances and what can at times appear as hopeless situations truly can lead to hope. When that hope is in You, Lord. “Out of the confusion and chaos we have created, God can rebuild a world of peace.”

Talk about the ultimate opposite of its origin! Thank You Father. Praise You. Bless You.

Use me this day. Exactly as You wish. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(556 words ~ 8:28 a.m.)

You do not disappoint

Wednesday, June 10, 2015 (7:17 a.m.)

Awesome Holy God,

You are so good. So kind. Thank You for Your faithfulness. I turn to You. Look to You. Depend on You. And You do not disappoint.

Blessed Father, thank You that we have You to teach us. To count on. To lean into. I confess. I still view myself as relatively new to the concept of trusting You. I have to look hard. Dig deep. Focus my intentions on finding Your Truth to back up my thinking.

Left to my own devices I tend to lean toward worry. Fear. Fretting. Redoubling my own feeble efforts. When I remember to seek You first (Matthew 6:33) Your genuinely calming peace (Philippians 4:7) falls upon me. Thank You Father.

I tend to be a follower. I get what I consider to be very bright ideas. But when all is said and done, I generally fall in line behind others. Again, this is where I look to You.

Even right now. Reading in Your Word, I am leaning heavily between verses in Paul's letter to the church in Rome and Matthew's words to Jewish readers. Romans 5:3-5 (Phillips)

There is not too much to do today. Order is needed. I look to You and ask (Matthew 7:7). I love You. I thank You. I praise You. And I seek You. Thank You Father. Amen.

(227 words ~ 8:28 a.m.)

With You

Tuesday, June 9, 2015 (6:59 a.m.)

Holy Father God ~

Thank You! There is rain this morning. Much needed, much appreciated rain. And as needed and appreciated as it is, it changes things. Plans to swim. Mow the lawn. Catch up on outside chores. 

With You in mind. With You in charge, how I ask You to incorporate me into Your fold. 1 Peter 2:25 speaks of sheep having gone astray. Wandering. Lost. “But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.”

Yes! Guardian of my soul, I look to You and Your Word asking that You would enable me to live this day exactly as you would have me. Sharing. Humbly.

Just one thing at a time

Monday, June 8, 2015 (7:15 a.m.)

Blessed Father ~

I struggled yesterday. And You helped me. By taking just one thing at a time, progress was made. Conversations were had. Problems were solved.

Father, thank You. I truly couldn't have done any of it without You! What a comfort.

[Ephesians 2:12, to 1-13 Self Perception (Life Recovery Bible), to death, to Truth (Illustrated Bible Handbook), to 2:10 and comment]

I pray so

Sunday, June 7, 2015 (11:27 a.m.)

Holy Father God

            Who I love so very much ~

Thank You! You got us home safely. Timely. And without incident. Bless You Father. Praise You.

I say all this because things went well. Would I be as ready and eager to praise You otherwise? I pray so!

Truly. Father, I ask You (Matthew 7:7) to continue Your work in me that I would come to give You thanks in all things. I'm looking for the verse

And here it is! Relative moments after beginning the search, You showed me exactly where to look. In this suitcase. Under that stack of clothes. Then to the concordance. “Things”? No. “Thanks”? Yes. Right there.

“1 Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances,” It's what I long to do right now.

Turning in Psalty's Kids Bible I see I've been here many times before. Dated, circled and underlined verses give me proof.

Verse 11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Right now? Not exactly.

I'm off on my own. Feeling rattled. Shaken. Not yet myself. That's exactly why I'm here with You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7).

Confessing to You my desire to get back on track. Reset. Realigned. Willing to be home with all the duties, responsibilities and obligations that entails.

Yes, Father, this is new to me. Usually I try sucking it all up and jumping right back in. Or the complete opposite. Ignoring. Refusing. Putting it all off.

This time, I'm coming straight to You. There are a few physical symptoms. My head feels odd. My heart somewhat downcast. The idea of stomping and growling causes me to smile and consider that outcome.

Instead, I search Your Word. Your best. Your power. Your strength. I'm tired God. We played hard. Now it's back to “real life”. But how would it be to not differentiate between the two? To just BE ready and prepared to enjoy You at every turn? “In all things”? At all times! Whether near or far. At home or at large?

Yes! Illustrated Bible Handbook for 1 Thessalonians says, “Chapter 5. Be Alert”. The Life Recovery Bible 5:1-11 comment, “Paul warns us that God will hold all people accountable for their attitudes and actions. This day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, so we need to stay alert and ready at all times.”

I long to live my life, each day, every moment in You. With You. Through You. Too often I take it back. Rely on my own strength, power, wisdom and understanding.

Let's not go there shall we? You are my strength. Power. Wisdom. Understanding! It's only through You I stand a chance here.

I give this day back to You Blessed God. All the decisions. Opportunities. Possibilities. I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to order it for me. Provide exactly what I need to bring glory and honor to Your name.

I love You. I long to serve You. And I need the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) in which to do that. Whatever is Your best for me is what I am asking. Your will. Not mine. Phone calls? People? Places? Things? Guide. Direct. Embolden. Empower me as You wish.

I love You. I am unclear. Uncertain. Undecided. Seeking clarity. Direction. Your plan. Not mine.

Give me twenty minutes. Let's see where we go. I love You. Amen.

(12:43 - 12:58 p.m.)

Fifteen minutes later and still undecided. I can't put a time limit on You. I tried resting. Contemplating. Thinking. Not thinking. Now I'm going to just go see what happens. Act as if? I don't think so. Pray as though I believe You will answer. Yes. I pray so! Thank You. Amen.

(1:05 p.m.)

"As a man thinketh..."

Friday, June 5, 2015 (8:21 a.m.)

Tahoe Vista, CA

Holy, Loving Father God,

I owe You a debt for which there is no end. A debt of gratitude for the love You have for each of us. Unimaginable, unending love. Father, thank You.

I get to read Your Word. Sing hymns to You. Enjoy the numerous blessings You provide.

Last night I was cranky. Self-absorbed. And I asked You to change my attitude. By leaps and bounds You did. A prism of light from the rain that was falling miles away. Beautiful, jaw dropping colors in the night sky. Just the right amount of awe inspiring dazzle to pull me out of my self-imposed imprisonment.

Father, thank You! Kinder words were not only spoken, but thought as well. “As a man thinketh...”

(11:47 a.m.)

Yes Blessed Father! As a man thinketh indeed. It's taken me hours to find the verse (Proverbs 23:7) of which I was thinking. And it didn't refer to what I thought as I began the search.

In the looking, however, I learned many things. Different search skills than I have had in the past and now, still I ask You to be with me every step of this day.

We are packing up to leave this gloriously, rustic place. I am asking for an ease in our thinkings and our actions. Get each of us on the same page that we will work well in unison

I feel the tears coming on. Happy tears. Tears of joy and contentment. None of sorrow or sadness.

The New American Standard Bible tells me, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, 'Eat and drink!' But his heart is not with you.” Let our hearts truly be with one another. That our outcome with glorify You as our God and King.

Blessed Father, I love You. Far more than any of these feeble words are able to express.

The words for yesterday's A Fruitful Life calendar sum up my heart quite aptly. “Where there is love, there can always be hope. Where there is God, there can always be peace.”

This is exactly what I pray for this day. You. Your love. Your peace. Your hope. Do all You must to align us to Your will and to Your way. I love You so. Use me exactly as You wish. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(407 words ~ 12:01 p.m.)

Psalm 96

Thursday, June 4, 2015 (11:11 a.m.)

Deck Hammock

Tahoe Vista, CA

Blessed, Holy, Loving God,

Thank You. Praise You. Worship and adore You. Such beauty. Such majesty. Such honor and privilege.

Father, how I thank You. I get to sit here. Watching the weather change. Fair. Cloudy. Windy. Clear. And then, all over again.

An expected storm. Quiet strolls. And beauty! Have I adequately expressed my appreciation of the beauty? I think not.

Father, from the clarity of the water to the sound of the birds

(5:54 p.m.)

And just like that ~

I dropped You in a second to go play on the water before the rain came.

I was preparing to sing a new song to You (Psalm 96:1). Truly. A hymn entitled ♫Adoration♫ I don't think I've ever sung before.

It references Psalm 96:9. “Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” This is what I had planned. I had even started.

Oh, but then, the chance to play. I got sidetracked. Caught up. And now I'm grumbling instead. All things did not go to my liking. As my mom would [and DID on many occasions] say, I got my nose out of joint.

I've come to You asking that You would reset me! Turning again to Psalm 96, I am to sing to You. Let the whole earth sing to You!

It seems that's what these birds do. I am to sing and bless Your name. “Each day proclaim the good news that He saves” (v. 2).

Most Holy God, thank You that You do indeed save us. Thank You that we are to 'tell of the amazing things You do (3). You are great and most worthy of praise! You are to be revered above all gods' (4).

You are worthy. Holy. Mighty. And I am made in Your image (Genesis 1:26). I am not representing You well right now.

I am sulking. Withdrawn. Shutting down. Closing off. I confess my self-inflicted seclusion to You. I ask You to do in and with my stinky attitude that which I am unwilling to do on my own.

I look to You. To Your Word. Even to the new song I was so much earlier prepared to sing to You. A section of the second verse speaks of fearing not to enter Jesus' presence in our poverty.

♫Bearing no gifts to present as your own. Bring truth in its beauty and love in its purity – these are the off'rings to lay at His Throne♫

Blessed Father, truth in its beauty and love in its purity. Work them in me that I would stop being the brat I am being.

I love You far too much to behave this badly. There is WAY too much beauty to be spoiled by a stinky attitude. Take the truth of my behavior and turn it into something beautiful. Purify my love for You that it would genuinely reflect Your glory. Let me worship You as I sincerely desire. I love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(512 words ~ 6:29 p.m.)

contentment / opportunity

Wednesday, June 3, 2015 (2:16 p.m.)

Fallen Leaf Lake, CA

Holy God,

How we thank You. Fishing. Paddling. Reading. Writing. All done near the water's edge. Breeze blowing. Water sparkling. Every reason in the world to be content. And I am. Thank You so much.

Thank You for the opportunity to play. To practice. Watch. Listen. Learn. There is so very much for which to be grateful. This is just the beginning.

As our vacation north draws closer to its end than to its beginning, how grateful to You we are for the chance to keep practicing love. Kindness. Consideration. Patience.

Voices have been gentle. Loving. Kind. Words have been chosen carefully. Lovingly. With due regard to one another. How You bless us Father. How You allow us beauty. Simplicity. Loving kindness.

Thank You Father. Thank You for our opportunity to REJOICE! In You. Our surroundings. One another. Yes Father, thank You for giving us another opportunity of practicing and recognizing true joy.

Mm. Contentment. Joy. Time away. Time together. Time with You. Continue teaching us to use it wisely and well. For Your good. And for Your glory.

We love You Dad. We praise You. We thank You. We depend on You. And we rejoice in You. Use us. We love You. Amen.

(215 words ~ 2:42 p.m.)