You love us anyway

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 (6:17 a.m.)

Jesus,

Our Perfect One Who never changes. Yes. That's who You are. Perfect. Unchanging. Thank You that You are.

I am experiencing technological confusion again this morning. Thank You for reminding me that I don't want to waste precious time fussing over something I don't currently understand.

Thank You Jesus for Your Word. Thank You for Your Truth. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You that I get to come before You exactly as I am and You work in and with me.

How I thank You for the way You worked to change my heart and attitude yesterday. I seemed bent on behaving badly. Surly. Ill-mannered. Thank You for taking the one tiny fragment of willingness I offered You and changing my entire attitude.

Thank You for being all that You are and doing all that You do. For us. Thank You Jesus. Thank You Father. Thank You Holy Spirit.

Thank You for taking an ill-tempered, often spoiled brat and reminding her who she is in You. “Better than” my actions. You came to deliver us from ourselves. How grateful I am.

Thank You for the reminder just now of Joseph's response (Genesis 50:20) to the brothers who had sold him into slavery (37:18-36). “... You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best...” You do that for us.

You know our hearts. Our souls. Our minds and our strength. You know every single thing we may try desperately to hide from others. And You love us anyway. Mm, yes. You love us anyway.

Thank You Holy Three-in-One. Thank You for all You are and all You do. Thank You that You are able to use all things for Your best for us. Thank You. Use me this day. Make me willing. I love You. Amen.

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

being clear

Memorial Day Monday, May 30, 2016 (6:35 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus,

I'm here. Confused. Stuck. Struggling. Wondering. Asking. Once again, technology boggles my mind. In wanting to correct one thing, ten others seem to have been affected. Anything to take my focus off of praising and worshiping You.

Jesus, forgive me. I've been trapped inside myself because of outside pressures. I'm confessing right now to not being able to communicate clearly. Yeah, that's it. I am asking You to empower me in learning to simply be clear.

With all the years I've spent side stepping and juggling to manage my words just so, help me in the fine art of being clear. Communicating well. Yeah. That's it.

My feelings got hurt yesterday. I felt blindsided. What was said didn't match what was meant. I haven't bounced back from it. I feel stalled. Trying to regroup. Resolution needs to happen. And I feel afraid. Another shoe might drop. A bigger issue may develop.

With all this said, I turn to You desperately seeking Your grace, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). Yes please. As I read Paul's Final Greetings to the church at Corinth in The Life Recovery Bible I read up to verse 11 and am again encouraged.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words. Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” Mm, yes.

Again I sing to You asking, ♫Holy Spirit You are welcome here Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere Your glory God is what our hearts long for, To be overcome by Your presence, Lord♫ Yes. Your presence Lord.

Help me learn to be clear in Your presence Lord. I love You. I want You. I need You. And I thank You. Use me as You wish this day. There's much to do and time is getting short. Thank You for Your love. Your Word. Your Truth. And Your promises. Align me with them. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(350 words ~ 7:12 a.m.)

"Happy Sunday"

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (6:45 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus,

Today is the anniversary of my parents' marriage. And yesterday we celebrated the retirement of a much loved one. You have blessed us. Repeatedly. Profoundly. Often. I know this. Believe it.

Mm. I just heard it said, “Happy Sunday”. And I remembered having said the very same thing almost two months ago.

“Happy Sunday” followed immediately by a news report of heartbreaking destruction of armed forces memorials. Jesus, I turn to You. Trust in You. Depend on You. Asking that Your goodness would be made manifest through such profoundly hate-filled acts.

To have my emotional state go so quickly from joy in the one moment to heartache in the next reminds me that my heart is completely unguarded right now. Rather than redouble any of my own fruitless efforts to deal with thoughts of such vandalism, I look to You.

The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi encouraging them to “not worry about anything: instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (Philippians 4:6). Yes. Yes!

“If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (v. 7).

It was the dear husband that reminded me of the need to pray for the vandals. Something I never would have thought to do on my own.

Use this sad occurrence to Your good and to Your glory. Let Your goodness shine through. Bless those who are so hurt that they would go about intentionally hurting others.

Jesus, I love You. I need You. I trust You. And I ask You to truly bless the hurters and the haters. Allow them to experience what it is to know and love You. Make this a “Happy Sunday” like no other.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

intimately involved

Friday, May 27, 2016 (5:58 a.m.)

Good morning,

Hi. Hello. Thank You. Yes. Thank You.

There was fun yesterday. Lots and lots of fun. Easy traffic. Good attitudes. Short wait lines. And did I mention fun?

Jesus, thank You for being so intimately involved in our lives. Mm. Yes. It's when we seek to know You that we are blessed in the most unexpected ways. Thank You Jesus.

Thank You for the opportunity of coming before You, searching Your Word. You provide us the desire to want what You want for us. Thank You. This morning as I consider Proverbs 20:27 I ask You to guide and direct my thinking and understanding.

There is a lot for us to accomplish around here in the next few days and I absolutely want You to be intimately involved with every single step we take. Leading us. Guiding us. Helping us make the decisions that will ultimately bring You our praise and thanksgiving.

Jesus, You are good. You know everything there is to know about each of us. As I look to You, read Your Word, breathe in deeply again I ask. Be here with us. Direct us in making the choices You would have us make.

There are so very many exciting ways of translating Your Truth. This morning I ask You to lead me in a greater understanding of this magnificent poetry.

Teach us to recognize You in our hearts, our souls, our minds and our strength. Whenever something seems next to impossible and somehow it is fully achieved, remind us that it is You Dearest Jesus that “works all things together for our good” (Romans 8:28).

Thank You for the honor and privilege of searching Your Word. Continue reminding me that “The lamp of the Eternal illuminates the human spirit, searching our most intimate thoughts” (The Voice Proverbs 20:27).

You know our motives. “A person's soul is the LORD'S lamp. It searches his entire innermost being” (God's Word).

Other versions mention lanterns, candles, lights searching and examining all our innermost parts. Our hearts. Thoughts. Bellies. Even bowels. Now that's intimate! And You are put off by none of it.

Thank You Jesus for knowing us intimately and loving us exactly as we are. Continue Your work in each of us. Making us into the people You would have us be.

We love You. We long to serve You. Exactly as You would have us. We ask this all in Your precious name. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

(417 words ~ 7:10 a.m.)

 

"the body armor of faith and love"

Thursday, May 26, 2016 (5:15 a.m.)

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Jesus,

Sleep finally happened. It was long in coming and gone pretty quickly. But it was here nonetheless. Thank You.

Thank You that I get time to sit here with You. Reading in Your Word. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. Live to Please God. Now there's some wonderful advice.

I admit, I came to this section because of the mention of sleep in verse 5:7. The portion that follows calls us “who live in the light” to “think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation” (v.8).

“For God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out His anger on us (9). He died for us so that we can live with Him forever, whether we are dead our alive at the time of His return (10). So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing (11).”

Yes Jesus, keep teaching me what it is to truly live to please God, “protected by the body armor of faith and love.” I long to have people see You in me.

The Life Recovery Bible comment (5:1-11), “...Those of us who belong to God will give evidence of our faith by acting in ways that testify to God's work in our life.” Yes, please!

Continuing, “If we entrust our life to God and seek to follow His will, we have nothing to fear...” Mm, yes. How I ask that I would wholly entrust my life to our Father, seeking to follow His will, living to please Him.

Be with me this day, fully protected by the body armor that comes only from trusting and loving You. Use me as You wish. I love You. I thank You. Even for sleep. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(321 words ~ 6:27 a.m.)

in Christ

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 (7:01 a.m.)

Mm, Jesus,

Mm, yes. Mm. It's that kind of morning so far. Sluggish. Later getting started than I had planned. Yet here I sit. Content. Yes, Jesus, teach me this morning of what it is to be content in You.

Thank You that I get to read Your Word.

(8:02 a.m.)

And about Your Word.

Mm. As I seek to learn more this morning I am eager. Excited. Agog! Yes. Thank You for all You have to teach.

Oftentimes I come before You with my own plan. How awesome it is when I just come.

Thank You for filling my soul with calming musical strains as I was awakening this morning. A song from church that I didn't immediately recognize. As I continued waking, the louder and more intense it seemed to become.

Thank You that once I became aware of the song itself, the words were easy to find. ♫You call me out upon the waters The great unknown where feet may fail And I find You in the mystery In oceans deep My faith will stand And I will call upon Your name♫

Mm, yes. Thank You that I get to call upon Your name. And turn to Your Word. Colossians 2:9 (Contemporary English Version), “God lives fully in Christ.” New International Version for verse 10, “and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”

The Life Recovery Bible comment speaks of us trying to effect change through our own efforts. It's when we realize how powerless we really are that we more fully experience “the truth found in Paul's statement – that everything we need is found not in ourself, or even in other people, but in Jesus Christ.”

Donald S. Whitney wrote in Simplify Your Spiritual Life (2003) Learn to Be Content with Christ. “The essence of contentment is being satisfied with the incomparable and limitless treasures found in Jesus Christ. Contentment is your soul saying, 'I have Jesus, and Jesus is enough.'”

In hearing the strains of ♫Oceans♫ before even being fully awake this morning, my soul was claiming exactly that. Thank You Jesus. Thank You for Your work in making me complete in You.

I love You and I ask You to use me to Your good and Your glory this day. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(398 words ~ 8:50 a.m.)

Lord of all

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 (6:27 a.m.)

Challenge Meeting Jesus,

This morning I am reading [and singing] songs of You being Lord of all. I didn't expect it. Nor plan it. But here we are. You, the Lord of all and me, one who desperately wants to live as though I truly believe that.

Blessed Jesus, there are challenges. Little, itty, bitty ones all the way to huge, life changing burdens. And You are Lord of them all. Nothing gets by You unnoticed.

I look at irritants of this earth and begin to become unnerved. Small things start to set me off. And then You remind me that You make all things work together for my good (Romans 8:28). I accept Your challenge! The challenge of believing, trusting and depending on You to prevail.

Mm. I get to sit here and sing of desiring Your presence. ♫There's nothing worth more that will ever come close No thing can compare, You're our living hope Your presence, Lord♫ I believe this. Truly! I do.

♫I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone Your presence, Lord♫ Again, I have experienced Your presence. I have!

Yet... irritants, hiccups, challenges, struggles, burdens often get the upper hand on my demeanor. Teach me Blessed Lord of all to readily sing out ♫Holy Spirit, You are welcome here Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for To be overcome by Your presence, Lord♫

Amazing God, Blessed Jesus, Holy Spirit, You truly are Lord of all. Remind me to release the negative things and breathe in deeply Your forgiving power.

Colossians 2:9-10, “For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.” The Life Recovery Bible comment, “... the truth found in Paul's statement – that everything we need is found not in ourself, or even in other people, but in Jesus Christ...”

Mm, yes! Thank You that You are Lord of all!

♫You are Lord, You are Lord You are risen from the dead And You are Lord Every knee shall bow Every tongue confess That Jesus Christ is Lord♫

Full exhale. Breathing out fear and doubt. Deep breath. Inhaling trust and hope. Live in me this day. Fully. Deeply. Rooted. Planted. Lord of all.

I love You. I thank You. I ask You. Amen.

(422 words ~ 8:21 a.m.)

singing to the Lord

Monday, May 23, 2016 (7:40 a.m.)

♫Jesus, Jesus, I love Jesus♫

It appears this is not an existing song. Yet here I am singing it anyway. Thank You for the freedom to just sing out to You. Even with music of our own making.

Thank You for the opportunity of reading in Your Word about others who have sung to You throughout the ages. This morning I am especially focused on 1 Chronicles 16:23 and Isaiah 12:5. I love every time I get excited reading Your Truth.

Thank You Jesus. Thank You that in singing and reading of who You are and all You do I am again reminded of the power offered to us when we call upon Your name.

Thank You for being the One we can turn to when all is not as we would have it. You encourage us to come to You when we are weary and carrying heavy burdens (Matthew 11:28). You promise to teach us. Being yoked with You, our souls will find rest (v. 29).

The Message says it this way, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Ah, yes! Exactly what I ask of You. Continue reminding me that it is when I get away with You and learn Your “unforced rhythms of grace”, You won't put anything ill-fitting on me and I will “learn to live freely and lightly.”

Who can ask for more than that? Nothing ill-fitting. Living freely and lightly. Thank You for the honor and privilege of making up my own song to sing to You. I love You. I thank You. And I ask You to use me well this day. To Your good and to Your glory.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

Risen Jesus

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (7:18 a.m.)

Risen Jesus,

Mm. Yes. You ARE our risen Jesus!

"becoming 'Truth-full' "

Saturday, May 21, 2016 (6:31 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus,

Thank You! You reminded me of speaking Truth yesterday. Truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Mm, yes. Thank You.

This morning I get to read more and more of Your Truth in Your Holy Word. And the more I read, the more excited I grow. Oh, thank You Jesus.

You guide us. Teach us. Provide Your Holy Spirit to indwell us. Reading of Your Truth (Ephesians 4) in The Life Recovery Bible I am profoundly blessed. How I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to continue Your very good work in me this day.

“Since Jesus described Himself as 'the Truth' (John 14:6) and we are to be filled with Him, the recovery process involves 'becoming Truth-full' ” (TLRB Honesty). Mm, yes Jesus, fill me with You and Your Truth that I may truly walk this day in full honesty.

I love You Jesus. I need You . And I thank You. Amen.

(157 words ~ 7:06 a.m.)

this other song

Friday, May 20, 2016 (6:03 a.m.)

(7:02 a.m.)

♫Do, do, do, do, do, Do, do, do, do...♫

Oh, Yes! Thank You!

Holy Three-in-One, I spent quite some time trying to find the lyrics to a different song. It sings of this being ♫a new day♫ and then I fell back to sleep.

Lying here on the couch I noticed how heavy my body felt. Right as I started thinking the worse about myself those thoughts were immediately countered by the strains this other song.

Looking up the lyrics just now I see the phrase above is actually written ♫Wo-o-o-o-o-oh, wo-o-o-o-o-oh♫ Followed later by the line ♫This is gonna be the best day of my life♫ I choose to believe this!

You keep reminding me to stay present. I get to accept however my body is feeling as a fact and not judge myself harshly for it. I don't have to try and figure out why it's happening. I just need to be aware. Right here. In this moment.

In doing that I remember that You keep leading me to making better choices. I am learning new things. Putting good practices into action. And yes I feel tired. My body is telling me many things. And I need to listen to it, without judging myself negatively.

You are doing this in me. You are effecting changes that are leading to this new awareness. When the internal judgments start You are right here reminding me to stop.

Thank You! There's another song that calls us to ♫Sing to the Lord. Oh, sing God a new song♫ That's what You've been doing for me. Teaching me to sing to You. To sing You a new song.

As I prepare to get started with this day, I am asking (Matthew 7:7) You to keep on leading me, guiding me, teaching me. Continue developing in me the positive habits You would have me practice.

I love You. I long to serve You. And I ask You to keep me singing. ♫Wo-o-o-o-o-oh...♫ Thank You. Amen.

(340 words ~ 8:55 a.m.)

thank You

Thursday, May 19, 2016 (5:30 a.m.)

Good early morning,

Hello. Hi. How's it goin'? Can you tell? I don't know how to even begin this morning. So again, hi. And thank You. We can never go wrong with thank You, can we?

Well, I guess as long as the tone matches the attitude. There can be some pretty sarcastic thank yous out there. Thank You that this is not one of them.

Hmm. Thank You Lord.

(6:13 a.m.)

Yes! ♫Thank You Lord♫ Singing these simple words led me to the lyrics by John Redmon and a lesson about the Shunammite woman of 2 Kings 4:8-37.

(7:08 a.m.)

Mm, yes. ♫Thank You, Lord♫

Thank You for the opportunity of learning more. Of practicing putting Your Word into action. How I ask that this day You would guide me to the areas You would have me. Put me in tune with Your angel chorus.

Keep me on track in readily and eagerly singing and proclaiming ♫He is good... It is well... Thank You Lord♫ You are amazing. Holy. Perfect. Wonderful. And Jesus is Your name.

Thank You Jesus. Thank You for the changes You are making in my life. Provide exactly what You know I need to live this day to Your good and to Your glory. I love being excited about learning to love You more. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Amen.

(231 words ~ 7:43 a.m.)

Your Truth

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 (6:56 a.m.)

Sweet Jesus,

You bless us so much. Thank You. Thank You for insights. And instincts. Work with me this day in recognizing, trusting and obeying Your leading.

You reminded me to speak Your Truth to two little boys yesterday and the day before. They are precious. Blessings. Created in Your image. Fearfully and wonderfully made. So loved. What a change in behavior and attitudes.

Your Truth. Mm, yes Jesus, lead me in Your Truth this day. Remind me often of just exactly who I am in You, that I would freely share Your Truth with others.

I love You. I look to You. And I ask You to continue Your work in me. Lead me in Your Word and in all You have for me to put into practice.

As I read of Your Truth in Jude this morning, I am spurred to learn more. Teach me Jesus. Fill me with the ability to recognize and fully trust the presence of Your Holy Spirit. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(176 words ~ 9:08 a.m.)

Listening First

Monday, May 16, 2016 (6:21 a.m.)

Sweet, Sweet Jesus,

Thank You. You are working mightily in us at this house. Communication. A lessening of wills. Working together. Wow! Who knew? You did. All along!

Thank You Jesus. Thank You for Truth. Thank You for valuable information. Available at our fingertips. Thank You that You love us each. So very much.

Mm. Guide me in our time here this morning. Tune me in to where You would have me go in Your Word. Teach me what it is You'd have me learn.

(7:25 a.m.)

The Life Recovery Bible. Listening First. Acts 8:26-40. Philip. Angel. Eunuch. Spirit of the Lord. 

Mm, yes. Jesus, teach me to listen first. Let me hear what You would have me hear and share only what You would have me share.

I love You. I long to represent You well. Let me begin. Now. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(153 words ~ 8:00 a.m.)

Blessing? Or challenge?

Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2016 (7:01 a.m.)

Blessed Lord Jesus,

I am here again this morning for You to guide and to teach. I love You. I want to know You more. And to learn how to love as You would have me love.

So far this morning, we've sung, remembered dreams, thought, wondered, pondered, looked in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 30:19) and now I again turn to You asking that You would help me sort it all out.

You saved me from another hiccup last night. A few careless words. Some short tones. As I was setting myself to steel against them, I remembered, “Blessing? Or challenge?”

In very short order, I smiled. Sang in my soul. Stayed my mind on You. And stretched a little. These are my physical cues, reminding me that I am to “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.” And we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:29-30).

Thank You for every single time You change my thinking. Thank You for helping me remember that I must look to You. You are the One, the only One, who can truly change my thinking.

How I praise and thank You Jesus! Today is the day we celebrate the filling of the Holy Spirit into the lives of Your believers (Acts 2:1-4). Precious Jesus, continue Your work in teaching me exactly what this means to my everyday life.

As I turn from here to there in Your Word, Jesus I am asking You to guide me in my feelings, my being, my thoughts and my actions. Let me learn to love and represent You well.

Awesome God, Blessed Jesus, Comforting Spirit, do all You must that I would trust You with all my heart, not depending on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). I long to seek Your will in all I do, believing that You will direct my paths (v. 6).

Always before I have stopped at these two verses. Today I continue reading and asking You to guide me in not thinking that I am wise enough on my own, in respecting You and in turning my back on evil (v. 7). Thank You for my awareness of the promise found in this next verse, “If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains” (8.)

The word just jumped off the page at me! “Healing”. It's one of the words that came into our conversation very much earlier this morning. Thank You Jesus. Praise You.

As I prepare to go on into this day, let me pay close attention to all our blessings and turn all the challenges over to You. The Life Recovery Bible describes the PURPOSE of the book of Deuteronomy: “To assist God's people as they live in the present by reviewing what God has done in the past and considering what God has promised to do in the future.”

Live. Review. Consider. Yes! Bless me with the challenge of learning to live as You would have me live. I love You. Let my choices this day reveal that. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

songs

Saturday, May 14, 2016 (6:37 a.m.)

Precious Jesus,

Thank You! Thank You for the songs that continue to fill my soul. ♫O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel♫

Mm, You came to ransom us. And we get to ♫Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel♫ Thank You Jesus.

Thank You

♫Emmanuel♫

Friday, May 13, 2016 (7:26 a.m.)

“God with us”,

Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23). Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14, 8:8). ♫Emmanuel, Emanuel, His name is called Emmanuel; God with us, revealed in us; His name is called Emmanuel♫

Pentecost

Thursday, May 12, 2016 (7:10 a.m.)

Mm,

Big smile. Head nodding. Songs singing within. Sitting up straight. Shoulders back and set. Mind stayed on You.

Jesus, thank You. The song I have been singing and trying to find is ♫Jesus is Lord of All♫ I've already found some that say this but they are not the one.

Ah, again. Psalty the Singing Songbook. Volume 10. Salvation Celebration. Thank You Jesus that we are called to celebrate the salvation that Your death and resurrection have brought to us.

Thank You that singing often leads me to searching, then finding. Thank You that this morning it seems as though I have found the motherlode!

I entered “Lord of all” and one of the Bible sections listed is Acts 10:36-37. Turning in The Life Recovery Bible I find it under the title The Gentiles Hear the Good News.

Taking the time to read of Peter's experience with Cornelius I am even more excited than before. Glancing ahead to the title The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit (44-48) I mistakenly associated it to being the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).

the more

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 (7:58 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus,

Thank You! I don't know all the names there are for You. The more I look, the more I find. And the more confused I get.

At least 365 different references, phrases and actual names. My mind boggles and my heart seems to beat a little faster. There is an eagerness to learn more. A true desire.

“Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36), “Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 1:8; 22:13), even “the divine Yes” (2 Corinthians 1:19), I want to explore these names. I absolutely want to know YOU all the more!

Work with me today. In. By. Through. For me all the way. Open doors that have previously been locked. Do all You must in teaching me how to praise, worship, adore and serve You. I love You. Let me live this day exactly as You wish.

♫Jesus, Jesus, Jesus There's just something about that name♫ Teach me how to live each moment believing and standing firmly on Your name. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(176 words ~ 9:55 a.m.)

fixing my mind

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 (8:32 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus,

Yes, Jesus. I remembered to say Your name a lot yesterday. We had challenges and I wanted to see blessings. So I looked for them. Honestly fixed my mind on You. Your promises. Your Truth.

Awesome God, Blessed Jesus, Holy Spirit, I look to You to fix my mind. On You! Guide me in Your Word. I want to love You with all of my smiling [heart], singing [soul], staying [mind] and stretching [strength] (Mark 12:30).

Oh most dear and holy Three-in-One, thank You for the Truth You lead me to finding. Truly, I seek (Matthew 7:7) and You lead me to finding what You have for me. Praise You.

These are present tense verbs. You remind me to stay present. Keep my mind on You. Fixed.

(10:31 a.m.)

And here I get to return to a favorite verse.

“Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).

So many ways of saying the same verse. Each speaking profoundly to my heart and to my soul.

“You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from Him. Just as you were taught the Truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God” (Easy-to-Read Version).

“Keep your roots deep in Him and have your lives built on Him. Be strong [established] in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful [abounding/overflowing with gratitude] (Expanded Bible).

“Sink your roots in Him and build on Him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught and overflow with thanksgiving” (GOD'S WORD Translation).

“Grow out of Him as a plant grows out of the soil it is planted in, becoming more and more sure of the faith as you were taught it, and your lives will overflow with joy and thankfulness” (J.B. Phillips New Testament).

“Let your heart be planted in Him. Grow up in Him. Believe with all your heart what you were taught. And be very thankful to God” (Worldwide English – New Testament).

(1:57 p.m.)

As I come back again, I am excited by Isaiah 26:3.

In this Song of Praise to the LORD I get to consider the blessing of having my mind stayed [fixed] on you. Holy Three-in-One, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Modern English Version).

I intentionally practiced smiling, singing, staying and stretching last night every single time I began fearing negative outcomes of circumstances. How I ask You to keep me practicing Your Truth.

It is by being reminded to smile that I begin to sing. Standing up straighter helps me stretch. And then I remember to stay present in the current moment. Not ruminating on the past. Nor anticipating the future. Just taking a deep breath and looking for the closest blessing.

Thank You Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Keep making me aware of the enormous blessings which surround me. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(550 words ~ 2:46 a.m.)

blessed Redeemer

Monday, May 9, 2016 (8:58 a.m.)

Blessed Jesus,

Praise You! Thank You for reminding me that it is at Your name that every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:10). “And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father” (v. 11 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).

Remembering this Truth prompted me to start singing ♫Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O earth, His wonderful love proclaim!♫ Mm, blessed Redeemer. Yes. All that I am not. All that I long to be. You are!

Thank You Jesus. Thank You that we get to come to You (Matthew 11:28). There's even an ♫Untitled Hymn (come to Jesus)♫ by Chris Rice that speaks of all the ways we get to come to You. Singing. Falling. Crying. Dancing. And ultimately flying. Why?

Because You are our blessed Redeemer! I need to not only remember this. I want and need to trust, believe and ACT on it! Ack! I confess to not being much into action these days.

James 2:17, “So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is not faith at all – it is dead and useless.” Here again I turn to You my blessed Redeemer. I look to You. Asking. Expecting You to work with, in, by, through and for me.

Jesus, I love You. I haven't said that in a really long time. I need You. I want You. And how I ask You to do all You must in changing me into the woman who will truly embrace “Faith and Endurance”.

James 1:2-4, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”

Dearest Jesus, blessed Redeemer, redeem me please. To Your good and to Your glory. That I would truly represent You well in thought, word and deed. I love You. I thank You. I praise You. Amen.

(363 words ~ 10:19 a.m.)

right now

Mother's Day Sunday, May 8, 2016 (7:34 a.m.)

Holy, Holy Father God,

Thank You! Thank You that You made me a mom. Thank You that You surround us with Your love. Thank You for Your blessings and our challenges. Thank You Father for reminding me of the tremendous importance of keeping my mind in the right now.

I tend to run ahead, speculating on our circumstances. Or ruminate often on the past. Occasionally, perfectly, I recognize You encouraging me to stay current. Paying attention to what is going on. Right here, right now.

Psalm 40. (v. 17) !

(11:02 a.m.)

Jesus! A church service reminding us of the importance of using Your name.

Yes. Jesus, be Lord of my life. Lord of this day. Lord of right now. Yes, right now. I love You. Bless me. Keep me. Use me. As You wish. I love You. Praise You. Thank You. Amen.

(148 words ~ 11:05 a.m.)

through the years

Friday, May 6, 2016 (6:28 a.m.)

Holy God,

It's the date and actual day of the week our baby was born so many years ago. Thank You Father. Thank You for the opportunity to parent. To love. To learn.

Hmm. So many reflective thoughts. Joys. Challenges. Laughter. Tears. Father, thank You for leading and guiding us through the years.

(7:59 a.m.)

Very deep breath and “Hmm” [used to express reflection] again. “Through the years”. This simple phrase lands me reading again in Habakkuk.

Father, thank You for the examples of this prophet. One who questioned why You allowed so much evil in the world and didn't do more to make sure people don't sin (Psalty's Kids Bible).

Thank You for his precedent of dealing with doubt by affirming that in spite of the evil in the world, You have not changed in Your person or Your purpose (The Life Recovery Bible). Hmm. Truth. Thank You.

Thank You for very deep breaths. Reflective thoughts. Your Truth and audible “Hmm” responses. Holy God, thank You that in You we have every single thing we need to be the people You created us to be.

Here I quote from Habakkuk's prayer to You. “LORD, I have heard the news about You; I am amazed at what You have done. LORD, do great things once again in our time; make those things happen again in our own days. Even when You are angry, remember to be kind” (Habakkuk 3:2 New Century Version).

Mm [used to express contentment or pleasure; agreement or approval]. As I sit here with the most pensive and satisfied grin on my face, my heart is shouting out thanks to You!

Your Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). And takes me from Old Testament prophets to New Testament writings and back to God-given wisdom (Proverbs). Thank You Holy Father!

Let me fully embrace and use this portion of Habakkuk's prayer, “Even when you are angry, remember to be kind.” Yes, please!

Using this time of remembering our past many years of parenting, my soul cries out to You. Here I am asking You to imbed Your Truth in me even more deeply.

“My child, don't ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when He corrects you. For the LORD corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12).

The comment at the bottom of the page begins, “When God disciplines us, He is not doing so because He hates us or likes to se us suffer. He is correcting us because He loves us and doesn't want us to go any farther into our sin.”

What a perfect Parent You are. I wanted to be. Tried, in my own power, to be. Thank You Father that You absolutely are!

Let this day unfold exactly as You would have it. Reminding me to be kind, even when I feel angry. I love You Father. Thank You. Amen!

(495 words ~ 8:55 a.m.)

joyful hope

Thursday, May 5, 2016 (4:50 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

You know me. The hurts. The hopes. The willingness. Or lack thereof to fully participate. I look to You to guide and teach me again this day.

Thank You Father.

(6:52 a.m.)

Thank You for extra rest. Thank You for added hopefulness.

It's our National Day of Prayer and I was just beginning to feel distressed and disappointed with the state of our nation. Thank You Blessed Father for once again reminding me of the joyful hope we have in You.

I was again dreading and doubting. Feeling cynical and skeptical. Considering all the reasons I might use to support my rationale of “What's the use? There's just no hope.”

Then You had me reading of how You used Joseph's imprisonment (Genesis 39:19-23) to Your good and to Your glory. Thank You Father that in searching the phrase “high hopes” I came across a study by Stephen J. Cole entitled, “Lesson 68: High Hopes, No Hope – But God (Genesis 40:1-23).

It was here I read of hopes being dashed. “If it happens more than once, to protect yourself from further hurt you may stop praying and hoping at all.” Uh, yeah!

Thank You Father that it was while reading this article that I remembered that I am to hope in YOU, not circumstances! Joseph's experiences were used as examples of having high hopes and the disappointments that may follow when they are not met as we expect.

I confess to You right now that I still tend to lean toward the cause and effect approach to trusting You. If I feel, am, think or do thus and such then You will answer my prayers in my time according to my desire. Uh, no!

Not even. You know exactly all that is best. In this article I am reminded that while we “can't control many of the things that happen” to us, we can control our attitude to those things. I forget this. Often! I think I want what I want when I want it when in reality what I really want is You!

Attempting to deny reality or overlook problems is never the answer. Hm. Look at this. I've been thinking of having “joyful hope” and what I'm reading refers to the apostle Paul's experience (Philippians 4:12) as “hopeful joy”.

Even this I bring to You Blessed God. Last night I thought on the Holy Spirit controlling our lives and producing “this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23a).

I coupled that Truth with 1 Corinthians 13:13. “There are three things that will endure – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” Love is listed first in the fruit of the Spirit and as the greatest of what will continue forever. Followed by joy in one verse and hope in the other.

I am in desperate need of huge doses of both. Whether it be joyful hope or hopeful joy, You be in charge. Leading. Guiding. Directing me to becoming exactly who it is You have always desired for me to be. Yours and Yours alone, eternally!

Father, how genuinely I thank You. Do all You must. In, by, through, with and for me. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(556 words ~ 9:23 a.m.)

thoughts vs. Truth

Tuesday, May 3, 2016 (5:41 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for Your willingness to teach us. I have so very much to learn. Thank You for your reminder yesterday that I am made in Your image (Genesis 1:27). And when You looked over everything You made; “it was so good, so very good!” (v. 31).

As I practiced taking this Truth to heart, I remembered also that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Thank You Father. Thank You for retraining my thinking. Thank You for teaching me to counter my thoughts with Your Truth.

Thank You Father for taking my often harsh self-judgments and filtering them through Your Word. Believing Your way to be so much better than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9) I get excited with each affirmation I read.

Your Word, Your Truth, supplies rest for the weary (Matthew 11:28-29). It calls us to “Be still and know” that You are God (Psalm 46:10). Blessed Father, I ask You to keep Your Truth readily available to battling my own negative thoughts.

What a privilege and honor to have Your “mighty weapons, not merely worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). Father, thank You. I am not alone in my ways of thinking and faith in Your Truth is here to counter every fiery arrow aimed at us by satan (Ephesians 6:16).

Looking to Illustrated Biblical Handbook under Meekness and Gentleness (2 Corinthians 10:1-6) I read of the divine power required “to demolish the inner strongholds and bring hearts and minds into an obedient relationship with the Lord.”

Comments in The Life Recovery Bible for Psalm 46 describe You as “more than able to protect us”. When we try “in our own strength, we have good reason to fear. But if God is with us, we have no reason to be afraid.”

Blessed Father, these are the truths on which I must depend. Continue corralling my thoughts that I will truly stand. Firm. In Your Truth. I love You so very much. Thank You Father. Praise You. Bless You. Use me exactly as You wish. I love You. Amen.

(357 words ~ 7:19 a.m.)

crowned with glory and honor

Monday, May 2, 2016 (6:25 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. You love me. Exactly as I am? Talk with me about my thinking will you? I am made in Your image (Genesis 1:27). How do I accept this Truth as being enough?

Wow! I ask. You answer. Thank You Father!

So many references to look at. SELF-ESTEEM. See: Self-Perception. Human Nature: Man in the Image of God. Again I ask You Father, right my thinking.

I want to let Your Truth guide me. I desire to have You lead that I would truly follow. Thank You that it is when I come to the end of myself that I find hope in all You have to offer us.

Reading Your Word (Psalm 8) and The Life Recovery Bible comments explaining it help me hope. I'm confessing to You right here, it is far easier for me to dread than it is to be optimistic. Oh, but look right here!

The word dread can also mean “regard with great awe or reverence”. Like we are supposed to be toward You. Father, thank You.

Thank You that I can come before You not knowing. Clearly not understanding. Practically not believing and You fine tune my thoughts. Much like our TV repairmen of decades ago. They took the fuzziness away by simply knowing what they were doing.

You absolutely know what You are doing. Thank You that You are more than able to “grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Praise You Father! Quoting The Life Recovery Bible concerning my 'warped ability to see myself as I truly am in Your eyes' again I look to You. “Understanding how God sees us and the value He has placed on us can help us overcome the negative self-perception that many of us have developed.”

You know me. You created me. In Your image. Teach me the importance of living each moment as though I truly believe “that God has made us to be fantastic beings with great honor and authority.” I am to not sell myself short.

Truly, I ask You to teach me to allow my thoughts of my own self worth be based on what You think of me. Created in Your image (Genesis 1:27). Made a little lower than Yourself, to be crowned with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5).

Illustrated Bible Handbook declares what I already know, “We carry God's likeness imperfectly.” Thank You that it follows immediately with, “But the basic fact is that we human beings have the potential for restoration.”

Regarding Your promise to give Your faithful followers “the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10) The Life Recovery Bible reflects, “As we entrust our life to God and obey Him, He will slowly transform us.” Yes, please.

Although my natural bent seems to be more toward thinking negatively, I depend on You to do for me that which I cannot do for myself. Teach me to truly live as though I honestly believe I am “crowned with glory and honor.”

Wow! What would that be like? Show me please. Father, I love You. I thank You. And I ask You. Please. Thank You. Amen.

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

right my thinking

Sunday, May 1, 2016 (6:51 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Once again we've been singing, sleeping and singing some more. And this time? ♫With the measure you use, it will be measured to you♫

I tried looking it up as a song and it came back to me as a Bible verse. Luke 6:38. So here I sit with a question mark over my head. On one hand I'm pretty sure I've always thought of this as speaking of an act of generosity. “Give, and it will be given to you.”

Now I read it as a caution of judging others. Thank You Father. Thank You for always being here to right my thinking. I come before You asking that You would do exactly that. Right my thinking.

(9:12 a.m.)

Philippians 4:8. True. Honorable. Just. Pure. Lovely. Admirable. Excellent. Praiseworthy.

These are the fine, good things on which I am to think. Father, keep me learning. Practicing. Trusting. Depending on You and all You would have me hope, be, think and do. Loving You, others and myself with all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

Thank You Father for helping me right my thinking. Continue speaking that I can hear. Leading that I will follow. I love You and I long to serve You as You wish to be served. Empower and Embolden me to that end. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(236 words ~ 9:23 a.m.)