a life of love

Monday, August 31, 2015 (7:03 a.m.)

Most Holy, Blessed God,

How I thank You for Your love. Your teachings. Your presence. Your availability. Thank You that You provide exactly what each of us needs to live a life of love.

Hmm... that is some heavy stuff for this time of the morning.

I look to Your Word.

Shall We Dance?

Sunday, August 30, 2015 (6:54 a.m.)

Holy, Awesome God,

Thank You. Thank You for freedom of thought. Thank You for Your guiding us through each moment. Thank You for Who and ALL You are.

Blessed Father, I love You. I long to serve You. And I want to do it well. Continue Your work in each of us. Softening our hard edges. Relaxing our bodies and minds that they would be readily attuned to Your leading. Your guidance.

I just read a blog entry referencing the heart of Jean Rhodes and her experience with You and the word guidance. She was very aware of the word “dance” at the end of it. As she continued looking at it, she related the “G” to You and took the next two letters to spell out the phrase “God, You and I dance”.

She then expressed becoming willing to trust that she would get guidance about her life as she became willing to let You lead. Yes Father. How I long to let You lead me in the dance You have set for my life.

You are good. You are worthy to be praised and adored. I want desperately to learn to follow Your lead. Your Word even speaks to this.

Psalm 32:8-9, “The LORD says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.'”

Teach me to yield to Your lead Blessed Father. Make me willing to follow You along Your best pathway for my life. I love You. And I'm asking Your guidance. Shall we dance? Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

so much more

Saturday, August 29, 2015 (6:41 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. There is always something more to learn. More words. More phrases. So much more.

Father, thank You that You know exactly what all You are doing with each and every one of us. Thank You that we get to choose to trust You. Or not. Thank You for every single reminder that You provide us that You are indeed good.

Searching Your Word again this morning I am once more excited [agog] as I read what I feel is written especially for me. Jesus promising the Counselor [Comforter, Encourager, Advocate, Paraclete] (John 16:7). Illustrated Bible Handbook describes The Spirit as “the living Voice of Jesus to us, who guides us into an experience of God's Truth.”

The living Voice of Jesus. What would it be like to actually hear this voice? Truly, I know I experience it on occasion. Once in awhile I even obey it. How much more I long to willingly and readily follow His lead.

The apostle John wrote the book we read with his name on it “to reveal Jesus as the Son of God and show by faith in Him we can experience true love, forgiveness and recovery” (THE BOTTOM LINE The Life Recovery Bible). Thank You for his obedience in recording his life with You.

John was there when Jesus shared His Truth with the others. “Oh, there is so much more I want to tell you, but you can't bear it now” (John 16:12).

It's unknown for certain who wrote the letter to the Hebrews. Oh, but thank You for whoever it was. I need to be reminded of the importance of the directing to “leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ” (Hebrews 6:1a).

Oh yes, Blessed Dad, I desperately need to grow up in Christ! The writer continued teaching by offering this call, “God helping us, we'll stay true to all that [foundational truths, etc.]. But there's so much more. Let's get on with it!” (v.3).

(9:14 a.m.)

Speaking of calls. We just received one. A very early morning call to 911 resulted in an ambulance ride, visit to the emergency room and an expected stay in ICU for a much loved one. Father, with all we've been learning about speaking aloud to our mountains, I ask Your continued intervention here.

There's a mountain of disorder needing to be moved here. YOU know Your best. You know Your will. Your Word states again and again that we are to ask (Matthew 7:7) and it will be given to us. Blessed Father, I am here asking Your blessing, Your care, Your return to wellness for our much loved family member.

Father, I confess to not knowing how to pray powerfully. Right here, I call upon the Truth and promise of Romans 8:26-28.

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

I am looking to You Blessed Father. Counting on You. Believing all You say to be true. And here again, we have so very much more to learn.

Thank You for being our One and ONLY God. Thank You for calling us to trust and believe in Jesus and You, the One who sent Him. We love You. We long to honor and revere You. Continue teaching us how. Thank You Father. Bless us and keep us (Numbers 6:24-26) everyone. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

(658 words ~ 9:31 a.m.)

speaking the Word of God

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

Most Awesome and Holy God,

Thank You that You call us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Thank You that Your Word speaks to us about spiritual warfare and our need for YOUR “divine power to demolish the inner strongholds and bring hearts and minds into an obedient relationship with the Lord” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

I need You Blessed Father. Your power. Your Truth. Your peace. Thank You that it is readily available to us. Thank You that we are invited to speak It (Mark 11:23).

tap into

Thursday, August 27, 2015 (7:00 a.m.)

Wonderfully Awesome God,

How do You do it? You never fail. You never give up. You never run out on us. I was reminded of this in song the other day. By a three year old.

Blessed Father, I am again turning to You. Honestly crying out the word, “Help!” I'm losing the battle. I want to hope. I long to help. I try. I fail. I give up. I turn tail and run.

Speak to me. Calm me. Build me. Make me who You want me to be. You know the qualities that You provided. You know what is being used well. And what is being wasted.

I hate to waste. We've discussed this many times before. You give us resources. How often do I hastily discard them? Change me Father. You have the power. I don't know how to tap into it.

It's not like It's some big mystically hidden secret. Your Word speaks of Your power throughout. Then why is it that practically everywhere I turn I see powerlessness? Joylessness. Lovelessness.

I'm readily confessing to You Blessed Dad, I don't like the looks of things. There's some thought trying to wriggle it's way in. You know? If You don't like what Your seeing, change Your view.

Easy to think. Harder to do. Father, You know what all is going on with me. All I am attempting to avoid. Where I could step up and where I don't.

I used to try. Want. Work. Now I sit. Wonder. Wish. Pray. All without positive results.

(11:05 a.m.)

Here I give it all back to You.

I honestly have a list of grievances I don't want to share out loud. So many of my loved ones are hurting. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. Financially. You are good. You never change. You never give up. You never run out on us.

Thank You Father. You have lifted a veil that has clouded my heart. My soul. My mind. Proclaiming Your Word to be Truth, I full on trust YOU to do all You promise You will do.

I have tears of joy truly waiting to fall from my eyes. Again I read Your words to Your prophet Isaiah (55:10-13). Once more I am excited and eager to tell (agog)!

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth [especially important in this our time of drought!]. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with My Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briers grew, myrtles will sprout up. This miracle will bring great honor to the LORD's name; it will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.”

Yes Father. Thank You for tapping me into Your power. You, Yourself give us ready access to Your mighty resource. We need to read it. Believe it. Learn it. Speak it. Aloud. So You can produce the fruit You want in each of us.

I believe You Father. I desperately need You. And so do those around me. Bless us. Keep us. Make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Look with favor upon us and give us Your peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Your Word is where I will continue learning about tapping into Your power. Thank You Father. Praise You. Bless You. I worship and adore You. Thank You. I love You. Use me well this day. To Your good and to Your glory. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(652 words ~ 11:39 a.m.)

Yes, Lord, yes.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 (5:52 a.m.)

Yes, Lord,

Thank You that what got me out of bed just now was the thought of saying yes to You. ♫Yes, Lord, yes. To Your will and to Your way. Yes, Lord, yes I will trust You and obey♫

With all the mistakes, surprises and challenges of this past week how I thank You for reminding me that just as my recent charge to a soon to be four year old; my answer to You is always to be a resounding “Yes, Lord, yes.”

Praise You Father. Praise, bless and thank You. My waking thoughts were originally of embarrassment, shame, discouragement. Considering myself as Your child and You as my Being of Authority set my swirling thoughts in order.

Phrases like my desire to become even-keeled lost all their negative power once I again kept it simply, “Yes, Lord, yes.”

  

swirling

Sunday, August 23, 2015 (6:46 a.m.)

Holy God,

My mind continues swirling. Thank You that I get to bring You every single emotion that comes along.

I became plagued by the 'woulda/coulda/shoulda's yesterday. They kinda of took on a life of their own.

Thank You that YOU are bigger, greater, stronger than all of my gloom and doom filled thoughts. Thank You that I can choose to give in to them OR turn to You asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) Your will and Your way.

Last night before falling asleep I asked You for “grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.”

Blessed God, I confess we have been here before. The heartbreaks of others continue to take their tolls on me. And then I read about the book of Jonah. The Life Recovery Bible tells us, “But Jonah would rather have died than obey God's command.”

How often do I seem to fit that description?

Oh, but the more I read

ready access

Friday, August 21, 2015 (7:02 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. Thank You that we have ready access to You and Your rest. Thank You that Your Word “is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are” (Hebrews 4:12).

Blessed Father, how I thank You that It encourages us to cling to and trust Jesus (v.14).

rhythm

Thursday, August 20, 2015 (7:40 a.m.)

Awesome Loving God,

Talk with me this morning about rhythm will You?

(7:45 a.m.)

Wow! I ask and You do NOT disappoint! Please guide my heart, thoughts and understanding of the various sections of Scripture I have before me right now.

Blessed Father, how I thank You for the opportunity of sitting here with You. Thank You for letting me wonder and ponder. Thank You for the privilege of breathing in deeply and exhaling all tensions and unnecessary thoughts.

Thank You that You are our One and Only God (Mark 12:29; Deuteronomy 6:4). Knowing this, believing it, trusting it allows us to rest in what The Message refers to as “The Unforced Rhythm of Grace” (Matthew 11:20; 28-30).

Watching people struggle to relax in the water I have the privilege of seeing what a difference a confident rhythm makes. When we are able to ascertain that fine line balance between working too hard and just trusting the natural laws of physics it actually becomes quite fascinating. Even spiritual if we allow ourselves to truly let go.

Hmm. Let go. Let God BE God! And ultimately experience the unforced rhythm of grace. Yes. Please. Sign me up for that! Blessed Father, I love You. I thank You and I ask You to set my rhythm for the day. Thank You. Amen.

(225 words ~ 11:22 a.m.)

Always.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015 (7:37 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

I love You! Thank You that we get to come before You often. Always. Each moment affords us the opportunity of turning to You. With every problem. Joy. What have You.

Blessed God, thank You that You are available. You are good. Faithful. Permanent. And we have ready access to You because of Your goodness. Your grace. Your kindness. Your mercy. Your Son. His sacrifice. Obedience. Love.

There are so very many things to consider in each given day. Thank You that it is You I desire most. Thank You that learning to trust and depend on You continues to be the greatest goal. Looking to Your Word. Exploring Its pages. Becoming excited. Practicing standing firm.

Guide me Father. Lead me in my thoughts and actions.

David's Song of Praise (1 Chronicles 16:8-36). Psalm 16 (v.8). Hosea 12:6. Matthew 28:20. John 5:17. Hebrews 7:25.

I get to scratch the very surface of understanding right before my mind starts swirling with so many different thoughts, ideas and questions. I begin to think I'm grasping Your Truth and then I am washed away like a wave toppling something in the sea.

What I come away with repeatedly is that we are Yours. We are to come before You exactly as we are. Always. You love us. Again, exactly as we are. Right here. Right now. Always.

Thank You Father. I can't say I understand any of it. It all ties back around to You loving the world so much that You sent Your One and Only Son to pay for our sins (John 3:16). So, here I ever-so cautiously ask You to take me exactly as I am and use me for Your good and for Your glory. Today. Tomorrow. Always.

I love You Dad. Let it be easily seen. Lead, guide, direct and make me obedient to Your will and to Your way. 'Take out my stony heart of sin and give me the new, obedient heart' (Ezekiel 36:26) You have for me. I want to live as You would have me live. Lovingly. Obediently. Always.

Thank You for Your love. Your example. Your plan for Your best in each of our lives. Keep me out of Your way as You bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5). Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(392 words ~ 9:16 a.m.)

laugh and be happy

Tuesday, August 18, 2015 (7:10 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I fell back into the trap of comparing myself with others yesterday. Thank You for reminding me that You delight in me. Me. Just the way I am. Wow! What a difference that made.

Blessed God, I saw the change in my demeanor the moment I said out loud, “But God delights in me.” Thank You that right in the middle of berating myself for all the things that I am not, You reminded me that I am Your child.

Thinking of the children and circumstances that cause my heart to smile, I allowed myself to believe You smile over me as well. Such an interesting thought. While I may far too often see myself as a fraud or a failure, You are merciful, kind and loving in Your judgments of me.

Turning to Your Word this morning to substantiate my thinking, it is the words of Your prophet Zephaniah that cause me to smile, nod my head and hope. Reading the book overview in The Life Recovery Bible I see myself in the first two words. “If only...”

I read on. And it's verse 17 in chapter 3 that truly allows me to hope in You. Good News Translation says, “The LORD your God is with you; His power gives you victory. The LORD will take delight in you, and in His love He will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you,”.

Blessed God, I get to choose to believe. And I do! Easy-to-Read Version tells us, “The LORD your God is with you. He is like a powerful soldier. He will save you. He will show how much He loves you and how happy He is with you. He will laugh and be happy about you,”.

You will “laugh and be happy” about me! Wow. Thanks. I needed that! Empower, embolden, enable me to use Your Truth well this day. I love You. And I want it to be evident as I go out into the goings on of the day.

I love You. Thank You. Amen.

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

freedom

Monday, August 17, 2015 (6:40 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. Thank You for the freedom we have in You. Freedom to love. To laugh. To live. In You.

Dearest, Blessed God thank You that You don't call us in to a list of do's and don'ts. No. You want us to turn to You and “Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free...” (Galatians 5:1).

Thank You for the opportunities we have of learning things we never knew about You. Thank You for those dedicated to teaching Your Truth. Thank You for the warnings and encouragement we have to guide us throughout Your Word.

The apostle Paul knew what he was teaching to the people of Galatia. He had lived an exemplary life as a Pharisee (Philippians 3:4-6). He, himself, persecuted Christians (Galatians 1:13-14). How I thank You that we have his words of warning.

God's Word translates Galatians 5:1 to say, “Live in the Freedom That Christ Gives You Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don't become slaves again.”

Father, I ask You to empower me to live freely this day. Loving and honoring You. Thank You Blessed Lord. Amen.

(208 words ~ 7:40 a.m.)

settling, in a good way

Sunday, August 16, 2015 (7:27 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You!

A deep, cleansing breath. Time to sit. Regroup. Think. Consider. Settle in. Settle down. Hmm. Another deep breath. And settling, in a good way.

Searching Your Word for references to settling I stopped promptly at Deuteronomy 8:12. The Life Recovery Bible's title for this chapter is A Call to Remember and Obey. Illustrated Bible Handbook labeled it, “Love as remembrance''.

(11:17 a.m.)

Oh Your goodness God! Oh, Your great and glorious goodness!

Thank You for reminding me to come back here and finish what we started. A time taken out for a church service online was immediately followed by getting back to work. Taking care of business. Becoming instantly irritated and annoyed by a very simple misunderstanding.

Father, thank You for reminding me that all the curse words in the world would not make anything better. It's only when I take a deep breath and breathe You deeply into my being that I will settle down.

How awesome are You that You would provide for me in advance of my need! That is Your nature. I am called to remember and obey. Ire. Being irksome. Getting worked up does not benefit Your best for us.

Settling down. Settling in. Remembering Your blessings. Breathing deeply. Reading Your Word. Being reminded by Moses' words to the people of Israel that I am not to forget You and all You have done for us.

Blessed Father, thank You for the Truth found in Your Word. Thank You for the privilege of reading this meaningful and important chapter. Thank You for the opportunity to take Its lessons off of the pages and into our day.

Stay here with us Lord. Teaching, guiding, infusing us with Your love. We DO love You and one another. Help us show that through our actions. Our words. Our attitudes. And our choices.

Use us well this day I pray Oh Lord. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(330 words ~ 12:08 p.m.)

perspective

Thursday, August 13, 2015 (8:06 a.m.)

Blessed, Loving God,

Thank You. Thank You that You are good. Thank You that You are holy. Thank You that You loving. And that You call us to love.

I confess. I don't always do it well. Much? Yes. Well? Not always.

Blessed Father, thank You for making us Your own. Thank You that we have Your Word to turn to. To count on.

My thoughts run wild this morning. There is SO incredibly much to do. I could spend forever just trying to sort it all out.

Thank You that I get to take time away from the self created chaos around here to ask YOU how best to proceed.

(2:14 p.m.)

Mm, Father. Thank You. Thank You for some much needed perspective. Thank You for teeny, tiny baby steps that still take me toward progress being made.

Thank You that I get to look to You. To Your Word. And then do just enough in any given direction to recognize that You are here. In the midst.

Time together in the pool with a preschooler loving to play “Ring Around the Rosies” and actually taking a big breath and “all fall down”. I swear Dearest Dad, it never gets old! No matter how many times, with which different people, watching others getting comfortable and confident in and near the water is as fresh and exciting as it ever has been. Thank You.

Thank You for this gift You have allowed me. This innate desire to help others want to love the water as much as I do.The philosophical side of me leans toward likening it to loving You. Learning to rest. Relax. Trust. Believe. Acclimate.

blessing God

Wednesday, August 12, 2015 (6:22 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Praise You. Thank You. Bless You.

What does it mean to bless You? One source says it is to kneel before You.

Hmm... I like the idea of kneeling before You. Taking a deep breath and lowering myself in awe and reference. Thank You Father.

Thank You for the privilege of coming into Your presence. Thank You that we have Your Word encouraging us to do that very thing.

As I consider the emotional roller coaster of not knowing that our family has been on these past few weeks I still come right back to thanking and praising You for Your unwavering support. With none of us knowing what was coming next, words and songs of trusting You were expressed often. Thank You Father. Praise You. Bless You.

And this brings me to Paul's letter to the believers in Ephesus. He wanted to strengthen them in their relationship with You and one another. Good goal!

Thank You that here he reminded not only them but us as well of Your sovereignty. Your supreme power and authority. The Life Recovery Bible's comment for Ephesians 1:3-6 says, “Recovery cannot begin until we admit that our life is unmanageable and the we are powerless over our circumstances.”

We've been experiencing that powerless. Thank You that the singing of praise songs were the weapons most readily used as reminders of Your absolute control.

Blessed Father, thank You for the charges with which we sent off the gift [our son] You gave us those many years ago. In our effort to encourage an adult offspring to do well we uttered the blessing of Numbers 6:24-26 as well as the Chief Purpose of Mankind. Again releasing him to make decisions that would ultimately honor and glorify You.

You are our God. All the ups and downs, twists and turns of these past weeks have left many of us feeling nauseous. We each work differently. We are often poles apart in our approach to things. How I ask You in to the blessing and keeping of each of us (Numbers 6:24-26).

You alone are worthy to praised. Honored. Worshipped. Adored. Blessed. Teach us to do exactly that. As You wish. As I encouraged our much loved son on his departure into yet another adventure yesterday, I long to “Go glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

Our words. Your ears.

Thank You for the love with which You watch over our every thought, word, action, undertaking. Keep us each close to Your best. We love You Father. We thank You. Thank You for blessing us with Your mercy. Your grace. Your loving-kindness which never ends. Use us to Your ultimate good and glory. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

(459 words ~ 8:05 a.m.)

Numbers 6:24-26

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 (6:55 a.m.)

Blessed Father,

Thank You. We've called on Your holy name all these weeks and now I am doing it again. In the form of Numbers 6:24-26.

2 Corinthians 11:3

Monday, August 10, 2015 (6:39 a.m.)

Hi God,

' morning. How's it goin'?

Thank You that we are allowed to be as formal or as casual with You as we are. And with that thought expressed, I wonder if it's even true?

I love You. That's a fact. Pure and simple. Mm. How many things in our lives are complicated?

Blessed Father, I love the way I can come before You with one thought and end up going in a completely different direction. My thinking was of the casualness with which I originally began this and the next thing I know I'm reading Paul's words to the church at Corinth.

“Pure and simple” led me to 2 Corinthians 11:3 where I get to read the apostle's concern “that the Corinthian believers would replace their faith in Jesus with a false faith” (The Life Recovery Bible). Most blessed God, thank You that Your Word never fails. It doesn't change. It stays the same through the ages. Yea! Thank You.

Yes. My approach to You this morning began casually enough, but the love and devotion with which I come is anything but.

Paul spoke of his concern that the wits [minds, hearts, thoughts, senses] of Your believers would be corrupted [seduced, tricked, led away, deceived, beguiled, fooled] as was Eve's by the craftiness of the snake. Father, thank You that Your Word stands firm. Unchanged.

I ask You this morning to keep my heart. My thoughts. Devotion. Solely Yours. Pure and simple. Sincere and pure. Single-minded love and pure devotion (The Voice). Simplicity and purity. Clean, pure. Simpleness. Pure and undivided. True and pure. Single-hearted. Complete. Honest and sincere. Genuine and innocent.

Yes Father, keep me and use me as You wish this day. I love You and I long to serve You. Well. Thank You. I love You. Purely and simply! Amen.

 (312 words ~ 7:34 a.m.)

trick or Truth

Saturday, August 8, 2015 (8:08 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for little delights. Like the time stamp just now being 8:08 on 8/08. I remember seeing 10:01 and 11:11 last night. Little things that take my mind off bigger things.

Most Holy God, You amaze me. You honestly never cease to amaze me. Thank You for Your unwavering standard. It doesn't change. You don't change. In You, on You we can fully trust and depend. Thank You!

I confess, my emotions are all over the board these days. Big changes could be coming. The biggest word in that statement is could. Might. Maybe. We don't know for sure. There are test results over which we have no control.

I's are being dotted. T's crossed. And the final outcome is still unknown. Thank You that we have You to turn to. I could easily fall into fretting. Stewing. Losing sleep. Getting worked up. Thank You that Your call to us is so much more effective. Right back to Philippians 4:6.

You are the best Father. The absolute best! Looking to You I get to be delighted by little things. Like time stamps. A news story about a six year old orphan (Jaden Hayes) seeking to bring smiles to the faces [and hearts!] of others.

Blessed God, thank You. I get to read Your Word. Turn it It. Trust It. Depend on It. Waking up this morning I thought of how easily I am tricked. Misled. And every time I remember I can look to Scriptures to right my crooked focus.

Searching the word trick, I came to 1 Thessalonians 2:3.

good (n.) works (v.)

Friday, August 7, 2015 (5:58 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I don't know all I think I know. There are things I can't find. Ideas I think are great and aren't. Wonders. Thoughts. Plans. Hopes. Dreams. Talk with me this morning about Your best for me, would You?

My earliest waking thoughts this morning focused on two words. A noun many times used as an adjective. And a verb often seen as a noun. Good (n.) works (v.). Is there something here You want me to take with me into this day?

Blessed God, I love You. I long to live as You would have me live. Words. Thoughts. Ideas. Impressions. Another glimpse of goodness. YOUR goodness.

Father, my heart gets excited with my own understanding of where we could possibly go in Your Word here this morning. Work in me to unravel the point You are getting to.

The NIV Compact Concordance cites this passage of Scripture for 1 Corinthians 10:33. “For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many.” Mm. Yes. Please.

I read the surrounding verses to get a feel for what the apostle Paul is sharing with his audience. The Illustrated Bible Handbook subtitles the section, (10:23-11:1) “Freedom to be Used Constructively”. Father, I want You to use me constructively.

When I cower in fear of making mistakes I am not living freely. You know Your plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11). Yesterday I read the importance of including the verses that follow when quoting this section. “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me” (vs. 12-13).

We are to pray. Seek. Find. Hmm. Interesting. A Fruitful Life's calender page for August 5 says, “When we look for goodness in others, we will find it.” Tune me in today Dearest Father to remembering that good (n.) works (v.). It's something I often and easily forget.

I love You. Use me this day to truly be a blessing to others. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(347 words ~ 7:32 a.m.)

God knows

Thursday, August 6, 2015 (6:27 a.m.)

(6:51 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You that You alone are God and not any of us. I look around us and see negatives. Danger. Potentially bad things. You, on the most important hand, know exactly what all is taking place.

Thank You Father that You know. Thank You that we each have the choice of looking at dire situations and fretting, or directing our attention to You and trusting. Thank You Blessed Lord that You continue teaching us to trust in You.

Thank You that the word I woke up with this morning was angst. Thank You that I immediately knew that being anxious was not where I wanted to put my energies. I also was aware that I don't have the strength and power to fight all my gloomy thoughts on my own.

Thank You that all of us have the option of trusting You to know what is Your best. I confess I don't know how to pray Your best. Your will. Your way. That's what I'm here asking this morning. Teach me

  

What must heaven be like?

Wednesday, August 5, 2015 (7:33 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

You did it! You got us to our destination [Disneyland] and home again safely. Soundly. And without much incident. A misunderstanding here. A thoughtless attitude there. But over all, much fun was had. Many memories were made. Thank You.

Thank You for Your hand in our disagreements. Thank You that You have a much better way for us to encounter others. Thank You that Your love and care for each and every single one of us far surpasses anything Walt Disney and his band of enginears could ever have imagined.

Father, YOUR way is always best for us. When I have the occasion to experience skilled performances, high tech, finely tuned extravaganzas I never fail to wonder, “What must heaven be like?”

recognized hope

Sunday, August 2, 2015 (7:46 a.m.)

Holy Father God,

Thank You. I recognized hope yesterday. And I was aware of it right as it happened. Just as I began bemoaning the weeds and drought weariness of our plants, I considered next year being different. And right there I realized I was looking positively toward something yet to happen. Hope.

I confess Father, there are a lot of feelings I experience in the course of any given day. This was the first time in quite awhile that I became excited about the possibility of circumstances changing and being better.

Yea, God! Yea and thank You God!

Blessed Father, You provide us with so many options. I'm too familiar with thinking that I choose poorly. Much time is needlessly wasted lamenting decisions I've either made or avoided making. Thank You for another glimmer of glee. Another chance to see glimpses of Your goodness and Your grace.

Holy God, I love You. You provide for our every need and I want desperately to use Your resources wisely and well. Continue Your work in teaching me how that looks. Just like I recognized hope yesterday. Let me see You again today.

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(204 words ~ 8:49 a.m.)