a love to learn

Friday, October 21, 2016 (5:53 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You for friends. Thank You for choices. Thank You for learning. Yes, Father. And thank You for a love to learn.

Thank You for Your Word that guides and directs us. Thank You that just when I start to think I know a thing or two, You remind me of all I have forgotten.

I thought I was coming here to tell You how much I love learning. Instead You show me once again how very much I need to learn to love. Well. And appropriately (Philippians 1:9).

Teach me, will You please? Yours truly is a love I long to learn. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(122 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)

this morning

Thursday, October 20, 2016 (5:18 a.m.)

Holy God,

I look to You. Last night I did not. Last night I again looked at circumstances. Miscommunication. Irritants. And bitterness.

This morning? I look to You. Your Word. Your promises. Your prophets. Your power.

Thank You Father. Thank You for choices. Even when we make mistakes, we can always choose to turn back. To You.

Thank You that I get to sit here in the midst of Your Word. Reading. Hoping. Praying. Turning from one section to another. Acts 2:14-21. Joel 2:28-32. Revelation 3:19. And Joel 2:13.

(7:03 a.m.)

And again, my attitude stinks!

Forgive me Father. I don't know how to truly forgive! I can pretend. I can act as if. And I can also work at making someone pay for hurting my feelings. These are not in keeping with Your Word. Do what You must to turn my heart.

That's where we were headed before another irritation struck.

Joel 2:13, “Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you.”

How I thank You Father for putting me exactly here in Your Word this morning! The Life Recovery Bible's comment for 2:12-17 fits me perfectly. Now even more than just earlier.

“God wanted the people of Judah to come to Him with torn and broken hearts, admitting their guilt and helplessness, instead of responding to His judgment in the usual way (tearing their garments). The people needed to commit themselves to God, examine themselves, and let God change them. Since God is gracious and merciful (2:13), it makes sense to commit our life to Him. He wants to change our pain into joy and send us a blessing.”

Thank You Father! Thank You for the ways You work Your good, Your Word into our hearts. Our souls. Our minds. And our actions.

Please forgive my bitterness. I am called by You to: “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10), “... be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people” (Ephesians 6:18).

Holy Father God, You never cease to blow me away! You gave me these verses decades ago. Thank You for continuing to speak to me LOUDLY through them this morning.

My knee-jerk reaction to things not going my way is primarily surliness. I pout. Grump. Often growl. And generally close myself off to others.

Thank You that it is in YOU that I am made whole! YOU work in me for good. You change my heart, my soul, my mind and my actions. Thank You.

As I prepare to take off from here this morning, I ask You to precede me into the day. There are countless things to accomplish. Which absolutely lays open so many potential challenges. Let me greet them with a smile. Singing. Staying my mind on You. And standing firm in Your Word.

I love You Father. I am to: “Be faithful, even to the point of death” (Revelation 2:10) - [note that it does NOT read 'to the point of frustration'!], “... be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

Mm. And just like You in settling my spirit, You provide a new way for me to see this last verse. “... turn from your indifference and become enthusiastic about the things of God” (The Living Bible). “... change the way you think and act” (Names of God).

New Life Version, “Be sorry for your sins and turn from them.”

The Voice, “Therefore, be shamelessly committed to Me, and turn back.”

Worldwide English, “So get busy and stop doing wrong.”

Amplified Bible, “... be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self – your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior – seek God's will].”

International Children's Bible, “... be eager to do right. Change your hearts and lives.”

I look to You to do that in me! Through the strength of Your mighty power!

Yes. Father this morning I look to You. Asking, expecting You to do a mighty work in me. Thank You that You are indeed our Father. Discipline and love us exactly as You know is best for us. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(720 words ~ 8:44 a.m.)

sovereign

Wednesday, October 19, 2016 (6:52 a.m.)

Holy God,

How I thank You. You are so good. You never change. We are blessed. And I am grateful.

Thank You Father. Thank You that You are ultimately in control.

(7:34 a.m.)

I don't usually think in terms of big words. This morning it's sovereign.

Supreme. Absolute. Ultimate. That's You! Sovereign.

(8:00 a.m.)

Chapters. Verses. Books of Your Bible speak of Your sovereignty. I confess to not often taking the time to truly explore what all it means that You are indeed sovereign.

Thank You Father. Thank You that section after verse provide the history of so many Old Testament figures coming to understand Your sovereignty. Teach me to truly consider You as sovereign. Supreme. Absolute. Unlimited. Unrestricted. God of all.

Use me this day as You know is best. We love You. And long to serve You. Make it so. As You wish. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(154 words ~ 8:25 a.m.)

whole

Tuesday, October 18, 2016 (6:29 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! We are in the midst of challenges. We have a clog, which created a leak and then a flood. A dropped, then splintered favored crock. Teeth are crowding. And now a malfunctioning major appliance.

“In all things give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Your Word challenges us to “count it all joy” when we meet trials of various kinds (James 1:2).

The Voice translation explains through verse four, “Don't run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters, As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line – mature, complete, and wanting nothing.”

Here I say, “Yes. Please!” Do all You must in making us whole. Irritants and all. We love You, Father. Thank You for all You are. Use us. Amen.

a great and mighty work

Monday, October 17, 2016 (6:02 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. You are doing a great work in me (Philippians 2:13). I noticed it yesterday. And I was thrilled. Filled with Your peace. And so incredibly grateful.

(7:11 a.m)

There was an effortlessness with our approach to getting things done yesterday. We stayed on track. There was a genuine sense of order. And accomplishment. One task flowed right into another. Even a growing negative attitude on my part was quickly usurped by the church service we attended. Thank You Father!

Thank You for the mighty work (Ephesians 3:20) You are doing in us. There is true teamwork taking place. Such as we have never known. And it's all You! Thank You God.

As we prepare to begin our day I ask You to go before, behind, beside, beneath, above and within us in every single aspect of our undertakings this day. You alone are good. You alone are God. We love You and we long to serve You. Well. Make it so Blessed God. Make it so! Thank You. We love You. Amen.

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

glory in the sky

Sunday, October 16, 2016 (6:37 a.m.)

“OMG!”

Seriously, jaw dropping, gob-stopping beauty going on out there. So much so that I've gone out twice to more fully enjoy it.

And the words I speak aloud? “Oh, my God!” Repeatedly.

Thank You for just the right amount of cloud coverage, mixed with the sunlight of breaking day. Gorgeous. Absolutely phenomenal! Thank You God.

(7:09 a.m.)

More trips outside. Each one different than the last.

Less color. Different shapes and variance in the clouds. Beautiful nonetheless.

Holy God, how I thank You for being the Artist of it all.

(8:17 a.m.)

Mmm. Thinking of You as Artist, I searched Your Word.

Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:20 both allow me to consider the glory I witnessed in Your sky much earlier. Illustrated Bible Handbook refers to You revealing and communicating Yourself in nature.

(10:23 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for time away to worship, praise, sing and learn. Thank You Father for songs that remind us we are ♫No Longer Slaves♫ to fear and ♫You Make Me Brave♫ Thank You that You love us so much and we are here to share that love with others.

Empower and embolden me to sharing Your love honestly, openly and willingly. You are good. You are rightly to be praised. Enable me in doing exactly that. I love You Father. Use me precisely as You wish.

And that's the word I've been seeking! Precisely. I looked out the window at preciously the right moment this morning to witness Your glory in the sky. Thank You, Father. Yes. Thank You. I love You. Use me. Amen.

(270 words ~ 10:36 a.m.)

salt-seasoning

Saturday, October 15, 2016 (6:05 a.m.)

Awesome, Holy God,

Good morning. Thank You for words. Interesting, powerful words. Thank You for the privilege of thought. Hope. Excitement.

Thank You for taking me from the word relatively (as in relatively good sleep) to fairly, reasonably, rather and ultimately to tolerably. Searching Your Word for tolerable I am now reading about what it means to be the salt of the earth.

The Living Bible, “You are the world's seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? And you yourselves will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”

It's in reading other translations that more words clamor for attention. Words like: savor, taste, purpose, strength, quality, flavor, bland, tasteless, even insipid. Looking up insipid I become even more intrigued.

Synonyms start at flavorless and run to wishy-washy, unappetizing, unpalatable, weak. Right there I think of Jesus' message concerning spiritual indifference to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-21). And again I thank You for words. Their meanings. Their impact.

Blessed Father, thank You for always showing me more of who You want me to be. The Message, “Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage” (Matthew 5:13).

Salt-seasoning. God-flavors. Yes. Please. Use me this day. EXACTLY as You wish! I love You Father. Thank You. Amen.

(255 words ~ 9:52 a.m.)

Celebrate God!

Friday, October 14, 2016 (7:38 a.m.)

Holy God,

There are so many concerns in the world. Wars. Weather. Politics. Health. I could go on. You know my heart. Instead I again ask You to guide me into Your Word.

Yes. I confess to feeling fearful right now. My thinking could very easily derail me. I turn to You. I want very much to celebrate You. Lead me to lighting a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

There are some hard questions I want to ask today. I look to You for the courage and wisdom needed for a beneficial outcome. Yes. Beneficial – resulting in good. Yes. Good. Your good!

Holy God, how I thank You for taking charge of my heart. My soul. My mind. My strength. You alone are good.

Reaching for another much needed tissue, I breathe deeply as I latch onto my Life Recovery Bible. Turning to verses that will teach me how to truly celebrate You.

These do not appear to be days to celebrate. There's so much hardship and hatred. So again I turn to You and Your Word asking You to lead, guide, empower and embolden me in Your teachings.

Reading Psalm 32 I find hope in the joy that is promised in the confession of sins and the forgiveness You provide. Romans 15 encourages us to be considerate of others and to rejoice and praise You in the process.

Philippians 4:4-5 in The Message brings it all home for me once again. “Celebrate God all day, every day, I mean, revel in Him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!”

With the ugliness taking place in the world right now, Your arrival could come none too soon! Yes. “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20b).

Do all You must that I would truly celebrate You in my thinking, feeling, being and doing this day. I love You. Let me live this day in celebration, not fear. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

Standby

Thursday, October 13, 2016 (6:42 a.m.)

Blessed God,

(7:06 a.m.)

Deep breaths. And still no words.

Thoughts are scrambling. Much to consider.

(11:16 a.m.)

Actions. Appointments. One step following the other.

(1:05 p.m.)

Trying again.

Gonna start with our old standby...

Thank You.

Hmm... yes. Let's see where “Thank You” takes us.

(1:13 p.m.)

And there it is. The verse I needed. In just the right words.

Holy God, I don't even know how to proceed. I have tears that want to break through. My breathing is slow and deep. My mind? Still wandering!

I want to grasp ALL You have for me here. There's so much more about Your Holy Spirit for me to learn. And experience.

The Amplified Bible uses the words “Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counselor, Strengthener, Standby” for what the Contemporary English Version calls “The Spirit” in John 15:26.

Jesus told His followers, “I will send you the Spirit who comes from the Father and shows what is true. The Spirit will help you and will tell You about me.”

(4:08 p.m.)

And now we move on again. Another place to be. Go before me. And stay with me all at the same time. I love You. Thank You.

(203 words ~ 4:11 p.m.)

early morning

Wednesday, October 12, 2016 (8:32 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for an early start to our day. Gone to an appointment and back before eight in the morning is hardly our norm. Thank You Father.

Thank You for a definite change in our plans. Let us use these extra hours wisely and well.

(9:46 a.m.)

We have the opportunity to work differently today than we had originally planned. In looking to Your Word concerning early mornings, reading Psalm 127:2 led me back to verse one.

(11:19 a.m.)

Another change in plans. A completely unexpected visit from a long time friend and her two year old granddaughter. Thank You Father. Thank You for age appropriate toys to break the ice of a very first meeting.

Which again brings me back to thanking You for the reminder found in Psalm 127:1a. “If the LORD does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless;” (Good News Translation). You, dear Lord, have been the Master Builder of our household and we are eternally grateful!

So many of our years together were wasted by each of us attempting to build our relationship as we thought best. Thank You for guiding us as You know is essential. We must know and follow You! Thank You Father.

As our early morning is quickly inching itself toward noontime, again I ask You to lead us in using this day well. Thank You Father. We love You. Amen.

(242 words ~ 11:36 a.m.)

everlasting life

Tuesday, October 11, 2016 (6:19 a.m.)

Good Morning Blessed God,

Thank You for sleep. Thank You for love. Thank You for shelter. Thank You for songs. Yes. Father, thank You for the songs that so often sing themselves to me.

(7:39 a.m.)

Again this morning, it's ♫For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son. That whosoever would believe in Him, Should not perish, but have everlasting life. Everlasting life♫

(8:08 a.m.)

Thank You for the opportunity to look up the added lyrics of this Kids Praise Company version of John 3:16. ♫God (Our God) loved the (loved us) world, He (So He) gave (gave us, Our God gave us) J-e-s-u-s. God (Our God) loved the (loved us) world, (So He, gave us) Everlasting life♫

Mm... ♫Everlasting life♫

My heart, my soul and my mind softly sing the refrains ♫J-e-s-u-s♫ and ♫Everlasting life♫ Thank You Father that in so doing I feel lulled. Calmed. Soothed.

I am here asking You to continue filling me with Your profound peace. And I am thanking You for the everlasting life I have in You. Use me this day as You wish. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(197 words ~ 8:31 a.m.)

choosing order

Monday, October 10, 2016 (6:48 a.m.)

Holy God,

Talk about a mess! Yes. I confess. Another effort to bring order has once again turned into what appears to be uncontrolled chaos.

(7:59 a.m.)

So here's a thought... do I subconsciously set myself up for such turmoil?

There was absolutely a time in my life that I thrived, actually thought most clearly amid chaos, crisis and confusion. That is no longer the case. I do not do well in the middle of disorder.

Which leads me to ask again, do I inadvertently sabotage myself in the choices that I make?

While awakening this morning You blessed me with the word choices. I get to choose if I want to smile or frown. Grump or grin. Sing or sigh. I also get to choose to spend a vast amount of time reading Your Word.

Thank You! Thank You that in pouring over verses I finally land upon Proverbs 2. The Benefits of Wisdom. Blessed Father, thank You for truly making Your Word come alive for me!

(9:44 a.m.)

I read. I think I understand. I get excited. I read more. And then I wonder if I know anything at all. With that said, let me again thank You for Your Word that never changes. Thank You for writings that help me learn just a tiny bit more.

The very last line of a Theology in Brief entitled Wisdom, OT in Illustrated Bible Handbook says, “OT instruction focuses on the volition or will, for true wisdom can only be discerned in the choices a person actually makes in daily life.”

A comment for 2:1-9 in The Life Recovery Bible tells us, “Wisdom is like a hidden treasure that is found only by those who search for it. God will grant us wisdom and good sense. He will also protect us and instruct us on how to make good decisions. We may not have made great decisions in the past, and now we may be suffering the consequences of those decisions. But when we put our trust in God, He will guide us in the decisions we should make in order to experience a full recovery.”

This is exactly what I ask You this morning Holy God. Guide me in the decisions You would have me make this day. Empower me to choose order. I love You. I want that reflected in the choices I make. Thank You. Amen.

(399 words ~ 10:07 a.m.)

This husband

Sunday, October 9, 2016 (8:38 a.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God ~

Thank You! Thank You for another safe and enjoyable trip. Thank You for this husband who encourages and plans. Provides. Protects. Manages. Cultivates.

Yes, Holy God. Thank You for this husband! This is a man who loves. Dearly. Deep in his soul. He cares. So much.

Continue Your work in each of us that we would truly become all that You would have us be. Examples of Your kindness. Goodness. Reflections of all You have so generously provided us.

I'm getting to read in Your Word of the very first husband. The first wife. Their mistakes. And the long term consequences of their disobedience.

Privileged

Friday, October 7, 2016 (7:38 a.m.)

Ensenada, MX

Ruby Princess

Most Holy God ~

Thank You. Thank You for such privilege. The opportunity of waking to a sherbet colored sky and a chorus of barking sea lions. Yes. Thank You.

(2:42 p.m.)

Privilege. Yes! Privileged to travel. Privileged to experience. Privileged to enjoy. Not privileged in a negative sense. No. Privileged to the max.

Father God, I'm going to confess my mind to You right now. Thoughts that track back generations.

Holy God, I do not know You by way of my birth family. I knew OF You because of my mom's decision to get us to church on Sundays and special occasions.

You weren't spoken of regularly. And sadly, most often Your name was taken in vain. These were good, hard-working people. And this is where the guilt starts and the tears begin...

Father ~ I don't know their stories. I have snippets of what I think to be true and I concern myself with thoughts of squandering my privilege.

I pray to You. Wanting desperately for You to accept the depth of my love for You. All the while wondering. Doubting. Comparing. Hoping.

With that said, how do I ask You to guide, direct, empower and embolden me to being all that You would have me be? How do we effectively use this privilege You have so generously provided us?

Your Word has much to say on the subject of giving. Keep working in me Lord. Transform me into all You would have me be. Generous.

Yes Father – I want to be counted as one who uses resources to do good. Rich in good works. Giving generously to those in need. Always ready to share with others whatever You have given us (1 Timothy 6:18).

You have blessed us with privilege Father. Teach us to be “generous and willing to share.” This I pray in Your Son's most holy name. Thank You I love You. Amen.

(3:58 p.m.)

Anchored

Thursday, October 6, 2016 (4:32 p.m.)

Anchored off Santa Barbara, CA

Ruby Princess - Balcony

Awesome, Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You for fun. Thank You for beauty. Thank You for new experiences. Same town as we've explored before. Different food stop this time.

Father, thank You that there is so incredibly much in this world. Thank You that You keep us anchored in it all.

"The Power of Love"

Thursday, October 6, 2016 (6:58 a.m.)

Anchored off Santa Barbara, CA

Ruby Princess

Mm... Oh My Dear Lord,

How very blessed we are! Thank You so incredibly much. Your bounty once again leaves me speechless. I find myself so often lost in wandering thoughts. One connecting to another in some far off way.

Thank You Father that Your Word is filled with references of Your bounty. Jeremiah 31:12; 14.

Thank You too for the strains of Huey Lewis singing ♫The Power of Love♫ in my head right now

Everlasting Life

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 (7:40 a.m.)

At Sea ~ turning west to go north to Santa Barbara, CA

Ruby Princess

Blessed Father,

♫For God so loved the world He gave His only Son that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but would have everlasting life Everlasting life♫

Covenant of Peace

Tuesday, October 4, 2016 (1:50 p.m.)

Ruby Princess – balcony

Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro Terminal

Blessed God and Father ~

Thank You. Bless You. Praise You. Mm... Yes! ♫Bless the Lord Oh my soul...♫

Thank You that I get to sit here amid NOISE ~ traffic; children; bells; whistles and experience PEACE. True peace. Not a care in the world peace. It's You, God. All You!

(2:26 p.m.)

And here I continue to sit. Breathing in deeply. Letting Your Word seep down into the depths of my soul. Reading in Ezekiel (35:26) of Your promises of blessings to come, I rest. Contentedly.

(4:45 p.m.)

Thank You Father. Thank You. How cool it is for me to come to these verses in Ezekiel looking to learn how best to bless You and here I get blessed in return.

Reading Your promises in verse 26 I glance up to verse 25 and read, “I will make a covenant of peace with them...” A covenant of peace. That's exactly how I feel right now. As thought I am experiencing promised peace.

Thank You Father. Thank You for all You have done and are currently doing within us that we are truly able to enjoy Your covenant of peace.

Thank You. We love You. Empower us to use Your blessings of peace exactly as You would have us. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

(4:57 p.m.)

"Greater is He..."

Monday, October 3, 2016 (7:39 a.m.)

Ruby Princess

Ensenada, MX

Holy Loving Lord,

Thank You for loving us perfectly and protectively. 1 John 4:4; 16-19.

(8:26 a.m.)

May I once again say, “Wow!”?

Holy, Loving Lord ~ You absolutely blow my mind! Completely. Totally!

“Love casts out fear”

“Greater is He...”

At Sea

Sunday, October 2, 2016 (3:55 p.m.)

Ruby Princess
toward Ensenada, MX

Blessed Father God ~

Thank You! Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for a day at sea. A day to sit. Read. Relax. Refresh. Renew. Coast.

Mm ~ yes. There are many things available for us to do. Yet here I am. Wonderfully content to just sit and truly let the world go by.

Talk with me here on the balcony Lord. Gentle seas with just a hint of a breeze. Yes. Please ~ join me here.

Father ~ how I love being Your daughter. I compare myself almost constantly with others. As well as with myself. Who I once was. Who I am now. And who/all I may one day become.

You know Your plan Blessed Lord. That perfect plan for good and not for evil. A plan for calm.

Blessed Father, You never cease to amaze me! I ask. You answer. And I sit. In utter amazement.

“Psalm 107. A psalm of redemption – from wandering (4-9), prison (10-16), rebelliousness (17-22), and distress (23-32).” Illustrated Bible Handbook

I just finished reading a fictional love story [Finding Her Way Home] that took place in an equally fictional town called Redemption. It was founded by a lost soul turned Pastor, with street names of Mercy, Grace, Charity...

And here I am ~ reading a psalm of redemption. Hmm, Father ~ You SO have my attention!

Verse 1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” I do. You are. It does! Thank You!

Verse 2, “Has the LORD redeemed You?” Yes! “Then speak out! Tell others He has saved You from Your enemies.” Mm... You have. You truly have. And I stay pretty darn quiet about it!

Verse 23a, “Some went off in ships...” I confess Blessed Father, I tend to take our safe travels very much for granted.

I realize we are profoundly blessed by Your travel mercies and grace regularly. Continuously. Thank You for reminding me of the importance of acknowledging Your providing hand in all of our joy.

Verses 29-30, “He [YOU!] calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as He [You] brought them [us] safely into harbor!”

Holy God, how very often we have gotten to witness a pilot boat bring the person who boards the ship to bring us safely into port. Thank You that You are infinitely more in charge!

Thank You for verse 31, “Let them praise the LORD for His great love and for all His wonderful deeds to them.”

Yes! Thank You! Praise You! We love You. Use us. Thank You. Amen.

(5:19 p.m.)

Gratitude: continually being renewed (v. 10)

Saturday, October 1, 2016 (6:57 a.m.)

Ruby Princess
San, Diego, CA

Holy God ~

Thank You!

It's our baby's (37th) birthday and we are so incredibly grateful.

Yes! Father, the blessings You have provided us through all these years amaze us.

Living the New Life (Colossians 3:1-17)

Mm. Yes!

Holy Father ~ how desperately we long to live the new life. In You. With You. Through You. By You. For You.