Blessed. Holy. God.

Sunday, January 31, 2016 (5:18 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I am here confessing fear to You. Fear of the future. Fear of the unknown. Fear of all the what ifs that come across my consciousness. And along with that fear I also confess my faith in You to know exactly what all You are doing in every single aspect of our lives.

Blessed, Holy God. Yes. Thank You. Thank You for reminding me that You are truly blessed. You are indeed holy. And You are always God. Thank You Father. Yes, thank You.

Speak with me this morning about the courage I need for the next five minutes. I don't have to live in fear. I get to believe in a power greater than myself. I get to choose to live and laugh and love. Why? Because You love each and every single one of us.

Blessed Father, thank You. Thank You that I not only get to be this honest with You, I also have resources into Your Word. You provide reminders that You have given us the power of the Holy Spirit. We don't have to be afraid. We get to have faith and trust.

(8:23 a.m.)

And now, after at least an hour's more sleep, much reading about Your love casting out all fear (1 John 4:18), some online searching and finding (Courage: Fighting Fear With Fear) I sit with the broadest smile on my face and a deep sense of contentment in my heart. This whole week of avoiding You, my unwillingness to drop my guard and come before You has again led me further away from Your Truth.

Father, thank You! Thank You for being blessed. Holy. God. Thank You that You do not change. Not with circumstances. Not with hurt feelings. You are good. Blessed. Holy. Always. Thank You.

Thank You that I have the opportunity to sit here. Comfortably contemplating the Truth I am again finding in another reading of John 14. Holy God, You have never left us alone (v. 18). It is I who walks the other way. Not wanting to take the time. Refusing to lower the guard I've placed around myself.

Thank You that all I ever have to do is turn back to You. Thank You that You provide the willingness to again ♫Turn my eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace♫

Thank You that dropping my guard allows me to rest fully in You remembering ♫What a Friend We Have in Jesus♫ There's such a huge difference in my being when I go about my day thinking You. On those days that I refuse to take time alone in Your presence I forget the power that comes from sitting quietly before You.

Thank You for reminding me Father. Thank You for loving me in spite of myself. Refresh, replenish my soul that I would truly go out in Your name and Your power to love and not be afraid. Guard and guide me as only You can do. I love You. I thank You. I am Yours. And I am grateful. Amen!

(534 words ~ 8:59 a.m.)

time...

Saturday, January 30, 2016 (6:34 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You for time to feel better. Thank You for “fancy colors” the other morning. Thank You for disagreements and sharp tones and relationships in need of Your divine healing touch.

Mm, yes. Thank You. Thank You for time

good fortune

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 (6:43 a.m.)

Balcony 

Just off Santa Barbara coast

“Wow!” “Beautiful!” “You gotta come see this!”

Holy God, thank You. Thank You for such beauty. Thank You for this opportunity. This privilege. This good fortune.

heightened awareness

Tuesday, January 19, 2016 (7:10 a.m.)

At sea - Northbound to Santa Barbara, CA

Holiest, Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You for hope. And love. And trust. And newness. Yes Father. Thank You for another reason to celebrate newness and hope.

We have this exciting opportunity to experience travel differently. Health concerns required radical measures be taken to insure the medical safety of shipboard guests and crew.

Blessed God, thank You for this chance to practice heightened awareness. Simple things we normally take for granted have been changed for us. Being careful of what we touch, no shaking of hands and much more thorough hand washings are just a few changes being made.

A later boarding time and the delay of access to our stateroom allowed for dancing, music and conversations with fellow passengers. Thank You Father. Thank You.

Oh! Here I am thinking of our heightened awareness for our physical health and I turn to Mark 13:33

Lover of all lives

Monday, January 18, 2016 (5:49 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed God,

You are the Holiest of Holies, the Lover of all lives. Thank You God. Mm, yes. Thank You.

Recognizing You as the Lover of all lives led me to read a sermon by Melvin Amos. “God is Light, God is Love, & God is Life” discusses Your Truth found in 1 John 1:9-5:12. How truly blessed we are to be loved by such an incredibly loving God. Thank You Father. Bless You. Praise You.

This particular Baptist lay minister encourages readers to “not make assumptions on God. Let's learn about Him in His Word.” Blessed Father, thank You that we indeed have this opportunity. Mr. Amos goes on to say, “when we begin to recognize Him, we can begin to see Him more clearly.”

Holy God, here I ask You to teach me to recognize You in myself, in others, in circumstances. This sermon goes on to remind us that “GOD IS LOVE!!!!” And that we have become Your children. In so doing, “it is indeed proper that we begin to copy Him.”

Mr. Amos points out the importance of 'showing one another God's love.' He adds, “Hating one another is not God's plan or intentions for anyone. The only hate that should be in us is the hate towards sin.” Oh Blessed Father, thank You.

Thank You that YOU provide the means for us to love, act and react through Your love for each of us. Mr. Amos tells us, “We cannot profess to represent God here on earth, yet be totally rude. That is not the work of God!!”

You, the Lover of all lives, exemplified Your great and powerful love through Jesus when he “made sure that everyone He came across was loved. This was true in His encounters with prostitutes, and lying tax collectors alike.”

I want to live as You would have me live. Love as You would have me love. This I ask in Your most dear and holy name. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(344 words ~ 7:23 a.m.)

no surprises

Sunday, January 17, 2016 (6:19 a.m.)

G' morning God,

I confess that I don't even know how to start this morning. Hi? I love You? I seem distracted. Not here yet. I want to be. Okay. Let's go again with thank You. Yes.

It often works so much better than anything else. Thank You for sun. And sky. Life. And love. Thank You that You love us so very much.

Thank You for surprises. Thank You that there are no surprises with You.

the same through the ages

Saturday, January 16, 2016 (6:32 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You that You are good. Thank You that You do not change. Thank You that we get to trust, have faith in and depend on You. Your Word. Your Truth. Your standard.

Once again ♫You stay the same through the ages Your love never changes♫ starts singing in my mind. ♫There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning♫

Father, thank You. Thank You that we get to turn to Your Word and be reminded of Your steadfastness. Malachi 3:6a, “I am the LORD. I do not change.” Thank You God.

Thank You that in following Your lead, Your Son “Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Mm! Yes. Yesterday, today and forever. The same through the ages.

(10:01 a.m.)

Work in, with, by, through and for me this day. There are many areas that need attention. Keep my heart, soul, mind and strength centered on those which will bring You glory. I love You. I long to serve You in ways that will be pleasing to You.

Thank You for loving us with Your indescribable, ultimate love that never changes. You keep us secure. And hopeful. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit. Use me as You wish. I love You. Amen.

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

God's love never changes

Friday, January 15, 2016 (5:51 a.m.)

Blessed God,

You are good! Feelings got hurt yesterday. Genuine concerns misconstrued. Attitudes need adjusting. And finally I come to You.

Thank You Father that You are good. Always. All the time. You are good. Thank You that even as I consider Your goodness right now, a praise song jumps into my mind. Thank You Father for the ease with which the lyrics were just found.

♫You stay the same through the ages Your love never changes

moment by moment praise

Thursday, January 14, 2016 (6:07 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You for reminding me of the importance of moment to moment praise.

(6:48 a.m.)

Sleep did not come easily last night. Hours of turning my thoughts, as well as my body, eventually evolved into moments of praise and prayer. Thank You Father. Thank You for never leaving us alone in our thinking.

I even sang to You in the deep, dark night. ♫Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.♫

Mm. Thank You God. Thank You that even when thoughts take me to very unproductive places, praising You reminds me that I don't have to stay there. Our time here in this world is not set up in all or nothing increments. You know the standard You have set for us. Thank You for the excellent reminders to look for You in every single situation.

“Take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5). That's what praise and prayer did for me throughout the very long, seemingly endless night. Thank You Father.

Today is another brand new day. Work in, through, by, for and with me that I would truly use it for Your good and Your glory. I love You and I long to follow Your path. Your plan. Your will. Your way. Do all You must Blessed Daddy. I need You. I want You. I'm here. Take me with You on the adventure You have for us this day.

I love You. Amen.

(261 words ~ 7:29 a.m.)

God's divine healing

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 (9:20 a.m.)

Most Holy Father,

One prayer leads straight into another!

YOU, our most Holy Father know ALL of the challenges that lay ahead for much loved ones. There are so very many needs of healing. Emotional, spiritual, mental and physical. You know them better any. You alone are trustworthy and we turn to You with all our hope and requests for Your divine healing.

You know Your will, Your way, Your best. That is indeed what we pray. Bring us all to a deeper fellowship and dependence on You. All our faith is in You and the healing You alone know is best. Do all You must Blessed God. Exactly as is needed in bringing us ever closer to You.

We love You. We trust You. We thank and praise You. Thank You Father. Amen.

(140 words ~ 9:40 a.m.)

mercy and grace

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 (7:54 a.m)

Most Holy God,

Mercy and grace. These are the two words I came here with over an hour ago. I can get lost in the search. Here I finally come asking You to lead and guide me deeply into Your Word.

Blessed God, I love You. I rely on Your mercy and grace. Psalm 23:6 began my thinking this morning. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Holy God, I confess to taking so very many of Your verses for granted. I recite them at rote. Not paying particular attention to the depth and hope found in the Truth of Your precious Word.

Thank You for encouraging me to put the proverbial brakes on and take the time to truly listen and consider all that is being offered. You as our Shepherd. Leading, renewing, guiding, protecting and comforting us throughout our lives. Wow, God! Thank You.

How awesome to be able to turn to Hebrews 4:16 and be reminded that we get to 'come boldly to the throne of our gracious God, where we will receive Your mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.'

Reading in Illustrated Bible Handbook I am excited to read that the Truth of “the New Testament message has been delivered by the Son of God himself!” It's a surface of understanding I can barely even begin to scratch.

Continuing to read in the section Jesus, Our High Priest, “Also, the NT word is a living and active word, capable of penetrating our deepest thoughts and motives – and guiding us daily into God's rest. How important that we maintain our trust in Jesus, sensitive and obedient to His voice as He speaks to us in our today.”

Yes! Work in me this morning, teaching me the importance of relying solely on Your mercy and grace. You amaze me and I love You. Thank You for extra time to explore and pay closer attention to what Your Word has to say. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(361 words ~ 9:12 a.m.)

FAITH : fear

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 (8:34 a.m.)

“Foxhole prayer” here God!

Let my FAITH be bigger than my fear this day. You know my heart, soul, mind and strength. Do everything You must in gearing them all to You. Your goodness. Your power. Your strength. Your might. I love You. I trust You. I thank You. Amen.

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

Psalm 107

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 (6:12 a.m.)

Holy, Loving God,

Thank You. Thank You for time to be with You. Time to thank You for Who and all You are. Time to read Your Word and invite You into my heart. Soul. Mind. Strength.

Blessed God, I love You. You are good. Holy. Kind. Faithful. All the things, when left on my own, I am not. Father, thank You for creating us in Your very own image (Genesis 1:27). Thank You that we are Your children. Dearly loved and cared for by You.

Thank You for ever leading us to Your will. Your way. Your Word. What an honor and privilege to be surrounded and protected by Your love.

This morning I am pointed to Psalm 107. “A psalm of redemption – from wandering (4-9), prison (10-16), rebelliousness (17-22), and distress (23-32)” [Illustrated Bible Handbook]. Thank You Father.

Thank You for every single time You nudge me with Your presence. Guidance. Leadership. Thank You for turning me to Psalm 107 this morning.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for 107:23-32 sheds light on Your Truth. “Bad memories and a sense of failure make our world seem dark and hopeless. The longer the storm rages, the more we fear and lose hope of rescue. But when we cry out to God in our trouble, He will turn our storm-tossed life into a calm and peaceful sea and restore our joy.”

Blessed Father God, I trust You. Left to myself, with my own critical thinking, I judge harshly. There is no way of measuring up to my own misguided standard of excellence. Thank You that You provided Your Son as our Redeemer.

Thank You for the Truth He came to deliver. Thank You for the smile that just graced my face and led deeply into my soul.

Thinking of Your Son delivering us in Truth, I turned to Colossians 1 and Paul's words to the believers in Colosse. Paul wrote this letter “To show us that Christ is the only real source of power in our life” (The Life Recovery Bible THE BOTTOM LINE).

Holy God thank You that You love us so incredibly much. Work with, through, by, for and in me this day that I will make the choices and take the actions that will reflect Your glory. I love You and long to live for You. Make it so blessed it God. In Your way and Your time. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(410 words ~ 7:52 a.m.)

"Wow, God!"

Monday, January 11, 2016 (7:22 a.m.)

Wow, God!

When is the last time I greeted Your morning with a wholehearted and resounding “Wow!”? The sky was gorgeous. Absolutely breathtaking. Thank You Father.

Thank You for newness. Freshness. Oh, and hope. There's a lightness of spirit when I notice a smile of gratitude on my face. Thank You Father.

Thank You for this Epiphanic season. A time to genuinely reflect on the “realization that Christ is the Son of God” (Wikipedia, In religion).

Truly Father, I thank You for the opportunity to consider and to celebrate the Truth that Your Son came into this world “to help, to put the world right again” (John 3:17, The Message).

I ask You once more to guide and direct my emotions, spirit, thoughts and actions this day. I want to love and serve You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength just as Your Word commands (Mark 12:30).

Thank You for reminding me once more that You are indeed in the details of our days. Beginning with a startling, unexpected “Wow, God!” worthy sky.

I love You Blessed Father. Continue Your work in 'transforming me into a new person by changing the way I think. Then I will know what You want me to do, and I will know how good and pleasing and perfect Your will really is' (Romans 12:2, New Living Translation).

You are so very good and I truly long to glorify and enjoy You forever. Thank You for opportunities of being reminded of just how wonderfully great You are. I love You. Thank You. Work in, with, by, through and for me this day. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(276 words ~ 9:36 a.m.)

another step

Sunday, January 10, 2016 (7:36 a.m.)

Dearest, Blessed God,

Talk with me about You being amazing. Abiding. Abundant. I know Your love to be of these attributes. And as I consider the phrase, “God is love” I wonder. Can we interchange You and love?

(11:18 a.m.)

Hi. It's me again. Willing to take another step. Another step toward healing. Wholeness. Relying on You. Your goodness. Your power. Your wisdom. Your will. Your way.

Blessed Father, I love You. SO very much. Truly I do depend on You. Admittedly I don't always follow Your leading. Even when I see it staring me smack in the face.

Thank You that You have such an incredibly forgiving sense of humor where Your errant children are concerned. I learned just a tiny bit about it in this morning's church service. Psalm 2, verse 2.

The Living Bible, “But God in heaven merely laughs! He is amused by all their puny plans.” And if that isn't clear enough. The Voice stresses it even more plainly. “At first, the Power of heaven laughs at their silliness. The Eternal mocks their ignorant selfishness.”

That's me Dearest Father. The one with the puny plans and ignorant selfishness! Thanks that You alone are bigger. Better. Wiser. Stronger. All the things I truly need in my moment to moment being.

Thank You that You alone are holy. Worthy. Love. Right back to where we were headed earlier. 1 John 4:8b, “for God is love”.

I'm getting ready to take another step into the kitchen. Planning to put together a properly combined meal. Blessed God, I'm inviting You to not only come along but to go on ahead. Guide. Direct. My heart. My soul. My mind. And my strength. All so I would truly love You as I ought (Mark 12:30).

Thank You Father. Wait for me! I'm coming. Amen.

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

the next step

Saturday, January 9, 2016 (12:30 p.m.)

Blessed God,

Guess what? I'm willing to take the next step. Guide and direct me exactly as You wish. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(12:32 p.m.)

thinking, planning and putting into action

Saturday, January 9, 2016 (6:12 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. I feel better! I keep checking to see if it's for real. So far, so good. Thank You Father. Thank You for hope. Serious, tremendous hope.

How awesome it is to have gone from whining to suddenly feel better. Blessed God, how I thank You. There's no telling how long, or if, this sense of feeling better is going to last. So for now I'm choosing to celebrate.

Thank You Father. Thank You for a genuine sense of hopefulness. Guide and direct me in the choices I make today. Where and how to spend my energies. I love You. Let that be obvious in my thinking, planning and putting into action this day.

You are good. You are holy. You call us to follow You. I heard You loudly and clearly at 4:13 this morning. I believe You to be directing me to a path I don't necessarily want to take. So much earlier, while it was still dark outside my answer was a resounding, “Yes! Of course.”

Now, in the light of the morning I admit to hedging. Balking. Wanting to wiggle out. Forgive me Father. I confess to wanting an “easier, softer way”. You know what is best. Align me to Your will and Your way. I have wandered back again into randomly, mindlessly and out of control eating.

Help me Blessed Lord. I need You to enable and empower me to following Your lead. I want to make such better choices. Back to basics. One decision at a time. Deep breaths and baby steps. Only with, by, for and through You is that even remotely possible.

Encircle me with Your presence I pray. Above. Below. Ahead. Behind. Beside. And definitely within me. I love You most blessed God. Do all You must in getting me back on Your path. Following Your perfectly planned program.

I love You Father. Thank You for loving me even more (1 John 4:10). Live in me (v. 12) that I would indeed love others, myself and You as You command (Mark 12:30-31). Deep breath. Next step?                                            Amen.

(349 words ~ 11:14 a.m.)

"God is good"

Friday, January 8, 2016 (7:13 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You for time to be alone with You. Help me want to learn and appreciate all You have for me today. Thank You that You are good. Thank You that such a seemingly easy statement is so incredibly complex.

“God is good.” All the time. All the time, Lord, You are good! Thank You. Thank You that I get to look to Your Word in various verses and learn more about Your goodness to Your people.

Thank You Father for the example of kings and temple builders who set aside their own air of importance to truly give You praise. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, 7:1-3; Ezra 3:10-11 provide glimpses back of people who believed You to be all that You are.

Blessed God, thank You for these reminders of others who not only recognized Your goodness but came together singing, playing music and falling face down on the ground to worship and praise You. Hmm. Thank You Father.

Teach me most holy and good God to truly bow my knee and confess allegiance to Your name (Isaiah 45:23). How I long to wholeheartedly declare, “The LORD is the source of my righteousness and strength” (v. 24a).

I love You. I thank You. And I ask You to continue Your refining work in teaching me to glorify and enjoy You as You desire. Use me well this day I pray, Oh good and faithful God. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(250 words ~ 9:21 a.m.)

celebration, newness and hope

Thursday, January 7, 2016 (6:34 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God,

I'm here. Confessing to You to feeling beat. Tired. Exhausted. And that's coming directly after sleeping, resting, dozing and struggling with the pillows for almost twelve hours.

I've missed being here with You. It's all been by my own choices. I've read. Researched. Looked into. And avoided. Not intentionally. Just not well planned out.

Father God, thank You that I get to be so incredibly honest with You. I don't have to make perfect sense. You know my heart. You know exactly what I think, want, feel and do (Mark 12:30). Thank You that You love me even with all of my flaws.

Now to the heart of the matter. I love You. The longer I stay away from being alone with You, the harder it always is to come back. And then as soon as I do it's like I never left. Thank You for that. Thank You for loving us so greatly and prizing us so dearly (John 3:16a Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).

Truly, I adore You. Absolutely not evident in my absence. Oh, but true nonetheless. You provide us so much hope. Newness. Opportunity.

Each new moment brings its own unique possibility. Thank You Father. Praise You. Worship, and yes, adore You!

Yesterday my thoughts were quite about the newness and hope that accompany the colors and symbols represented in celebrating the day and even the season of Epiphany. Blessed Father, thank You for the deep-seated interest that continues growing in me through the years. Teach me more of what You would have me do with it in my daily life.

White and gold. Crowns and stars. Chalk markings above main door ways of homes. The alternate name, Theophany [meaning a visible manifestation to humankind of God]. Prayers inviting You to “enlighten us with the brilliance of Your Epiphany star, so that, as we go into the world, we might clearly see our way to You and discover You in our work and play.”

Oh yes Dearest God. As You work in each of us this new year, keep us ever mindful of Your glory, Your power and Your kingship. We are Yours. And we long to represent You well. Let our faith be ever bigger than our fear. And our newness and hope ever based upon Your goodness and grace.

Father, we love You. We long to serve You. And we ask Your blessings upon us as learn even more of what it truly means to worship and adore You.

'Bless us and watch, guard and keep us; Make Your face shine upon and enlighten us and be gracious [kind, merciful, and giving favor] to us; Lift up Your [approving] countenance upon us and give us peace [tranquility of heart and life continually]' (Numbers 6:24-26, AMPC).

We love You. We thank You. And we ask all these things in Your Blessed Son's most precious name. Thank You. Amen.

(490 words ~ 7:51 a.m.)

A new...

Sunday, January 3, 2016 (5:41 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. A new year. A new day. A new chance. A new hope.