asking

Saturday, June 30, 2018 (6:45 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

I love You. I spent the day on the couch yesterday. Resting. Watching program after program. Waiting to feel better.

Somewhere during the night a slight fever broke. My eyeballs stopped feeling hot. I had the most detailed dreams. And I woke up wondering what today holds.

Baby steps. Awareness. Yes, yes. Father, steep me in awareness this day.

I love You Father. I get to sit here reading Your Word (Hebrews 10:1-10; Psalm 40:6-8). Hoping. Asking. Yes Father I am here asking You for strength. And energy. Protection from the sun. Guidance. Direction. Clarity. Your will.

There are times I think I know which way You would have me go. This morning I am absolutely willing to put one foot in front of the other. Asking that You would lead me so I would follow.

I confess to still feeling strange. My head seems heavy on my neck. Yet inside it feels light. I am asking You Father for the energy needed to follow through with today’s schedule.

You know what is best. Make me able to follow Your lead. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(202 words ~ 7:49 a.m.)

overall

Friday, June 29, 2018 (7:58 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m not gonna lie, I’m looking forward to feeling better. It’s been over a week. First it was cold symptoms. And now? The overall sense of just not feeling “right”.

Thank You Father. Thank You that we get to come before You exactly as we are (John 6:37).

And with that said, I get to turn to Ephesians 1:11-12. “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.”

the big smile

Thursday. June 28, 2018 (6:24 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Good morning. The thanks and praise appear stalled.

And here comes the big smile! Thank You Father. Praise You Jesus. Again, You do not disappoint.

It’s when I turn to You in honest, open, willingness that I have chances of being delightfully surprised. Searching translations of Your Word using “stalled” I came across Proverbs 15:17 in the American Standard Version.

“Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” What? I know this verse. With different words.

Oh… I get it! Stalled. As in “a fattened ox”. One that’s been kept in a stall. NOT one that isn’t moving. Another big smile as I consider how often during the day You give me reasons to be amused. Thank You Father.

I get to sit here reading and agreeing with the various ways of saying this same Truth:

“Better a meal of greens with love than a plump calf with hate” (Common English Bible).

“A simple meal with love is better than a feast where there is hatred” (Contemporary English Version).

“It is better to eat a little where there is love than to eat a lot where there is hate” (Easy-to-Read Version).

“A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate” (New Living Translation).

Mm, and this one from The Passion Translation. “It’s much better to have a kind, loving family, even with little, than to have great wealth with nothing but hatred and strife all around you.”

Thank You Father for the reminders You give us of what is truly important. Yes. I am blessed to be able to consider Your Word as Truth. The more I read, the bigger my smile.

“A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit” (v. 13).

And look how much the same sentiment is reworded in verse 30. “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”

Your Scriptures even tell us how to change our ways of thinking. Our minds are to feed on Your Truth. Psalm 119:72 tells us, “Your law is more valuable than millions in gold and silver.” We are to love and study Your Word.

Thank You for providing us with the opportunities to come together to learn more. Philippians 4:8 commands us to “think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Therein lies the reason for my aforementioned stall. My thoughts throughout the night interrupted my sleep. Waking not feeling rested I had nothing to offer You but the truth. Thank You for accepting that and sending me more deeply into Your Word.

I love You Father. I look to You to provide the Truth I need. And therein the big smile that leads to a glad heart.

Thank You. Praise You. Use this tired, too-much-time-in-the-sun body to Your good and to Your glory. Guide and direct me exactly as You know is best. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

"willing to communicate"

Wednesday, June 27, 2018 (6:39 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. We had a couple of very good days. Communication happened. Trust. Respect. Love. Thank You.

We had time to watch little ones growing bigger. All of us learning to communicate. Yes. Such a very key word. Communicate.

Father, I confess I failed miserably the other night at listening compassionately. What I heard as mere complaining was actually a genuine cry for help. I made it so much worse with my own angry words of frustration.

Thank You for the grace You are teaching us to share with one another. Forgiveness and grace led to opening much needed lines of communication. Thank You God.

Now I am in tears. Why? Your Word. It never ceases to show me where I have fallen short. Thank You that I am never left alone in my own poor opinion of myself. Your Word speaks Truth! Thank You Father.

Many translations use the words “willing to communicate” (1 Timothy 6:18) in sharing Paul’s letter to Timothy. Oh how I ask You Father to continue Your work in teaching us the importance of being willing to communicate.

Reading verses 17-19 in the J.B. Phillips New Testament, Paul has “a word for the rich”. He urges Timothy to, “Tell those who are rich in this present world not to be contemptuous [which I was!] of others, and not to rest the weight of their confidence on the transitory power of wealth, but on the living God [YES! Please Father!] who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in kindly actions [which I was not], to be ready to give to others and to sympathize with those in distress [of which You made me fully aware]. Their security should be invested in the life to come so that they may be sure of holding a share in the life which is permanent.”

Father, You truly got me out of my own way that night. You enabled me to see the mistakes I was making. And to rectify them. 

We turned to Your Word. We read of family. And forgiveness. Mistakes. And Your love. Oh how we thank You for Your love.

It is that love on which I depend. Your love, more than anything, I long to share this day. Use me exactly as You wish.

It’s supposed to be a day filled with many different families. Empower me in my willingness to communicate as You would have me. I love You so very much dearest Father. Use me. I love You. Amen.

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

a smile

Sunday, June 24, 2018 (7:15 a.m.)

Argh. Grumble. Deep Breath. Thank You.

Yes. Thank You. 

And “ARGH” again!

Always Revere God’s Holiness. Always Revere God’s Holiness. Always Revere God’s Holiness…

Deeper breath. An even deeper breath. And now a smile. Thank You God. Oh yes Father.

The ants are back. They are indeed an annoyance. An inconvenience. Nothing more than that. We are truly blessed. Thank You for reminding us to turn to You. Come to You with all our “stuff”.

Oh yes. Thank You Father! Matthew 11:28-30 Submission and Rest. Illustrated Bible Handbook, “Jesus turns in praise to the Father. The nation will reject its king, but weary and burdened individuals will turn to the Lord. They will find rest in His gentle care (25-30).”

thanking and praising

Saturday, June 23, 2018 (6:32 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Oh how I thank and praise You. Yes Father. Thanking and praising. Hmm. Such a smile.

Yes Blessed Father. How I thank and praise You for the many ways You speak to us each and everyday.

Somewhere in the very early hours there was a Psalty song I couldn’t quite put my mind on. And just now as I was considering “thanking and praising” I knew again Psalty was somehow related here too.

This time it was an easy find. Fannie Crosby’s ♪Blessed Assurance♪. In adding her own flavor to this favored hymn, gospel singer Shirley Caesar thanks You for her song of praising her Savior all the day long. Mm, yes Father.

So here I sit reading of Daniel’s experience in the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6). Thinking that if anyone had cause to sing of being blessedly assured, it was him.

Blessed Holy God, thank You for Daniel’s example of obedience. Even unto death. And that brings to mind Revelation 2:10. “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison and put you to the test. You will be persecuted for ‘ten days.’ Remain faithful even when facing death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

You amaze me Lord. As I sit thinking on one thing [thanking and praising] I shift to singing of Your ♪Blessed Assurance♪. Back to Daniel’s example of thanking and praising (6:10). And now over to Hebrews 10:22, reading of hearts full of assurances of faith.

Indeed! How I thank and praise You Dearest God. Work in, with, by, through and for me this day exactly as You know is best. I long to represent You well. Loving You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12 :30) and others as myself (v. 31).

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

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

getting better

Friday, June 22, 2018 (7:00 p.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. I’m fighting a cold. After days of unrecognized symptoms, I realized it at noon yesterday. Thank You Father.

Thank You for time to rest. Recuperate. Convalesce. Yes. Grow strong. Be well. Get better. I look forward to that.

Thank You for a completely unscheduled day. A day to take care. Recover. Be still. Do little. Sit. Rest. Heal.

I leave it to You Blessed God. I can be such a baby. Thank You for the opportunity to truly take time to feel better.

Thank You for the loving husband’s homemade chicken soup. Thank You even for the fuzziness in my head.

I’m just about ready to go lie down again. Before I do, I’m reviewing Paul’s words of Holy Living to the believers of Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12). Thank You Father that Your Word still speaks volumes.

“Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God-taught in these matters. Just love one another! You’re already good at it; your friends all over the province of Macedonia are the evidence. Keep it up; get better and better at it” (vs. 9-10, The Message).

As I consider my desire of getting better physically, Father how much more I ask Your help in getting better and better at loving others. Mm, yes. Oh how I do love You. Teach me to love others as You know is best.

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(255 words ~ 9:01 a.m.)

another delightful surprise

Thursday, June 21, 2018 (8:22 a.m.)

Oh most blessed God,

Thank You! My heart is rejoicing and my body is attempting to shake its tenseness. With a civic duty to complete, I had worked myself up into both sleeplessness and fearfulness.

I didn’t want to go. My head is still throbbing from the out-of-my-usual-comfort-zone routine.

Thank You Father for the reminder. In the midst of not sleeping and thinking uncontrollable thoughts, I started singing ♪Trust in the Lord With all your heart And lean not on your own understanding In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct Your path♪ (Proverbs 3:5-6). Thank You Father.

Parts of another verse kept creeping into my thoughts. “Don’t worry about what to say… Just say what God tells you to” (Mark 13:11). And then I remembered to prepare to be delightfully surprised.

(9:53 a.m.)

So here I am, with far less sleep than I would have preferred, thanking You for delightfully surprising me. Again!

Rather than planning ahead what I would or would not say in a courtroom setting, I honestly, openly and willingly answered questions set before me. Finished in one area before being sent to another, I was beyond relieved to being pronounced, “Excused.”

Thank You God. I tend to make monumental mountains out of the tiniest of molehills. Thank You that You are ever here reminding us not to do that.

Your Word calms. It soothes. Reminds us to trust You and not our own understanding. Being directed, “When you are put into their hands, do not be afraid of what you are to say or how you are to say it. Whatever is given to you to say at that time, say it. It will not be you who speaks, but the Holy Spirit” (The Message). Praise You Father for Your tender care of each of us.

The Life Recovery Bible comment in Mark 13:1-20 tells us of this section, “The Olivet discourse (1-37) speaks to the all-too-human preoccupation with the uncertainty of the future… We may worry about… As we face an uncertain future, we are encouraged to live one day at a time. God makes it clear that despite our trials, we should not worry. If we entrust our life to God, His Spirit will be with us during our difficult times. Recovery [read here as LIFE] is never easy, but it is always possible with God’s help.”

Amen! You helped me today Dearest Dad. You relieved my fears and afforded me extra time to spend as I decide. Thank You.

Thank You for time to catch up. With people. Tasks. Projects. Guide and direct me in the choices I have for how best to use this as yet to be decided valuable, delightfully surprising, gift of undetermined time.

Thank You Father. I confess to still feeling dazed and stunned by the outcome. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(11:47 a.m.)

committed, consecrated love

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 (6:37 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

We were able to celebrate a fourteen year marriage yesterday. With the offspring of the couple.

What a blessing to give their parents time to celebrate their commitment to one another. And upon their arrival home to have their eldest announce, “Best anniversary ever!”

I’m going out on a limb here when I wonder if he even knows what an anniversary is. Thank You for the examples that You set in place that will teach him and others of the value of committed, consecrated love.

There’s a mouthful. Committed, consecrated love. Talk with me more about that will You?

Searching, I found a book entitled Sacred Marriage that piques my interest. Looking further I read more about the consecration of marriage. Father, how well we remember the songs of consecration that were sung that day, fourteen years ago.

As I look in Your Word for a verse on which to stand this day, I come back again to Psalm 145:4. “Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts.” These parents are doing that for their kids.

To the point that their four year old couldn’t understand why a raggedy looking vagrant was forcefully told to leave a fast food place. His question, “Why wouldn’t they just be nice?” brings tears to my eyes as I think of his innocent, compassionate wisdom.

Blessed Holy God, how I thank You for the example this couple’s committed, consecrated love shows to others. Family. Friends. Acquaintances. Strangers.

More important than their love for one another, it’s their love for You that has been paramount from the beginning. Thank You for the opportunity of witnessing their joy and excitement through these many years.

Yes! “Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts.” Thank You Father. Use us this day exactly as You know is best. We love You, Dad. Thank You. Amen.

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

perfection

Tuesday, June 19, 2018 (6:56 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m reading of Your perfection. Looking to You. Trusting You. Believing You for all I am worth. Thank You Father.

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your perfection. Thank You that we get to come before You exactly as we are. And You welcome us. Comfort us. Work in, with, by, through and for us.

How we thank and praise You Father. Mm yes. Thank and praise.

Considering Your perfection [completeness and flawlessness] I read in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Psalms. One verse speaks to Your greatness and my heart immediately starts singing ♪How Great is our God♪

Father, how I thank You for the ways You work in us; changing our hearts, our souls, our minds and even our strength. Oh thank and praise You Dearest Lord.

Back over to Deuteronomy 32 again. The Song of Moses. Verses 3 and 4. “I will proclaim the name of the LORD; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; His work is perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!”

And again the strains of ♪How Great is our God, sing with me… Name above all names Worthy of all praise My heart will sing How great is our God♪ Thank You Father!

The Life Recovery Bible comment tells us “An important part of spiritual growth is learning to worship God. An important part of worship is praise.” Moses took “the time to praise God for who He is - glorious, strong, perfect, just and fair, faithful, upright.”

We are not perfect. But Your work in our lives is. Continue all You are doing on our behalves that we will truly come to love as You would have us love. In, with, by, for and through You.

Thank You Father. I love You. Do all You must with us this day. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

all for the asking

Monday, June 18, 2018 (6:47 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You. We had time with family and friends this weekend. It was all so enjoyable. Still talked about.

A fear at bedtime was expelled with talk of You and study of Your Word. Thank You Father. Thank You for Your presence. Thank You for Your calming nature.

What a blessing to have a fearful six year ask if I had brought my Bible with me and then spring out of bed seeking his own. Thank You for the conversation that ensued. And the eagerness shared by each of us.

Thank You Father. Yes. Thank You.

You watch over us. You provide for us. You are right here with us. All for the asking. Yes Blessed God. We long to love as You would have us love.

You gave us examples all weekend long of people coming together for the good of others. Preschool teachers who have shown yearlong loving support and encouragement to the little ones in their care. Medical personnel working for the best for their patients.

Friends celebrating the birth and achievements of one another. Loved ones working and praying together the best for each other. Families celebrating dads. All under the umbrella of Your love.

You are teaching us to communicate. Forgive. Love. Respect. And we are grateful. Use us this day exactly as You know is best. In Your loving image.

We love You. We long to represent You well. Thank You Father. Use us. We love You. Amen.

(251 words ~ 7:34 a.m.)

buoyed

Saturday, June 16, 2018 (6:35 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Work in me this day. With, by, through and for me. You have blessed us so incredibly much. I know this. Yet still I mope. Grouse. Whine. Complain.

I never understand it. I get to come to You. Read Your Word. Become buoyed by Your Truth and Your promises. Then a fearful thought comes along and I build on it instead of Your Truth.

Thank You Father that we have You. Your Son. His Holy Spirit. Your Truth. And promises.

Hebrews Chapter 10:19-39. A Call to Persevere and that’s what I do. Most mornings I come to You. Turn to You. Look to You. Ask Your wisdom. Seek Your guidance. Knock at Your door of blessings. Persevere.

And You provide. Courage. Comfort. Company.

Father thank You. I am asking this morning for a sense of being necessary and effective. Reading these verses in Hebrews, the one that stands out most for me is 23.

(12:32 p.m.)

Father, thank You for a morning filled with conversation. Fellowship. The sincerest example of moral support between a decades old friendship. Thank You for being such a huge part of our time together.

Wow! Wonder of wonders. Having read in Hebrews 10 before leaving, I realize we actually just lived verses 22-25. We truly were buoyed by Your Truth and promises.

“So let’s do it - full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps His Word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching” (The Message).

Holy God, thank You! We truly do love You. Be with us this day as we set out to go on to our next adventure. Oh how we thank and praise You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(337 words ~ 1:06 p.m.)

examples

Friday, June 15, 2018 (7:07 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for rest. Thank You for friends. Thank You for energy. Thank You for communication. Thank You for Truth. Thank You for obedience. Thank You for examples.

Yes Father. Thank You for the examples Your Word has on all these things.

Mm. Yes Father. Examples.

Here I read 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 and 2 Timothy 2:14-18. Paul’s words of examples to the believers living in Corinth and to his faithful but discouraged friend and follower, Timothy.

Most Blessed Father God, how I ask You to use us this day. To Your good and to Your glory. We’ll be out and about. Celebrating scholastic accomplishments. Be the center of it all, Blessed Father.

We love You. We long to serve You by heeding the examples You provide us. Thank You. Praise You. We love You. Amen.

(152 words ~ 7:46 a.m.)

A.R.G.H.

Thursday, June 14, 2018 (7:01 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You that I can be THIS upset and still want to come say, “Thank You”.

Thank You for minor irritations [this time… ants!] and the ability to address the problem more calmly than in the past. Some might even say, “in a cultured manner”.

Thank You Father. Thank You for learning better than to rant and rave, stomp my feet and stir myself up into a tizzy. Thank You for a step back. Several deep breaths.

Thank You that as I thought of all the people with whom I could vent this current annoyance, You led the list. Thank You Father. Thank You Friend!

“A.R.G.H.” serves me well. Always Revere God’s Holiness. You taught me the importance of that years ago. I am still calmed by it. Thank You Father.

This morning I can even smile as I play around with other possibilities. “Ants Really Got Hold” Or Hammered. Or Hungry. Hot! That’s it. Ants Really Got Hot!!! Thank You Father.

Through it all, You are still holy. And I am to always revere that Truth! Thank You Father.

Two very different sections of Scripture pique my interest this morning. Deuteronomy 7:25-26 and Psalm 97:12. There is mention of Your holiness in both.

Holy God, I long to live the life You would have me live. Obedient. Joyful. Holy. I look to You to continue the work You have begun in me (Philippians 1:6).

Yes Father. Going deeper into this book and chapter I remember the prayer I asked of You “on the fly” yesterday. Holy, holy God, teach me to love well (v. 9). I absolutely love much. Teach me most Holy God to love well. As only You would have me love.

As I go off into this day earnestly seeking to Always Revere God’s Holiness, thank You for the chuckle You gave me once I realized Ants Really Got Hot. You are such a good and holy heavenly Father.

Use me as You wish this day. For Your good and for Your glory. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(364 words ~ 7:48 a.m.)

adding

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 (6:41 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Would You please teach us more about loving as You would have us love?

(7:19 a.m.)

I love it when I ask and You answer. In such big ways!

I also love when I come before You thinking we’ll go off in one direction and before I know it You and I are deep in Your Word learning more of all You would have me know.

Blessed Holy Father God, thank You for being so good to us. Thank You for being near. And available. Loving. And kind.

Thank You Father for the teachers and preachers You have provided through the years. Right now I am reading of Your divine power (2 Peter 1:3) because someone [Pastor Jack Peters] who loves You and others has a “Sermon Seeds” website.

Week #9 of his Christian Character Clinic teaches on “Loving As God Loves”. 2 Peter 1:5-7 leads his list of Scripture references. Followed by 1 John 4: 7-8; 10-11. And the most recognizable of all, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Thank You Father. Thank You that just as I began reading verse five in 2 Peter 1, I went up to the top and started reading from the beginning. “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ…”

In this short letter Peter speaks of precious faith (v. 1), grace, peace, knowledge (2), Your divine power, life, godliness, glory and goodness (3), Your very great and precious promises (4). Thank You Father.

Thank You that as I read on I struggle to better understand, “For this very reason…” What very reason?

Illustrated Bible Handbook describes, “Peter’s thought is that we are no longer mere mortals. Through new birth, God has planted His own life in us, and thus we share His nature.” This is a huge reason on which we are able to act.

Because of Jesus living in us we are given the power to “do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness; to your godliness add Christian affection; and to your Christian affection add love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).

So how do I love as You would have me love? By getting to know Jesus better. Yes! Just look at verse three in The Living Bible. “For as you know Him better, He will give you, through His great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: He even shares His own glory and His own goodness with us!”

Yes. Your glory. Your goodness. Your power. Do all You must that I would come to know and love You as You command. With all my heart. All my soul. All my mind. And all my strength (Mark 12:30).

Make it so Dear Lord. Make it so. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

finding rest

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 (6:54 a.m.)

Good morning Blessed God,

Mm. Morning. And I’m still tired. Father, thank You for lots of rest. Sleep. Dreams. And more rest. Yet here I am, still feeling tired.

Thank You God for whatever it is that You have in store for us this day. I confess to feeling reluctant to participate. More rest seems like a much better alternative.

Hmm… Where will I find more rest? In You! Mm, yes. Thank You Father.

Thank You that we get to choose. Choose where to put our focus. Where to put our trust.

My focus and trust? On You! In You.

Psalm 62:5. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” Oh yes! Thank You Father. Bless You. Praise You.

My body absolutely still feels tired. Oh but my soul… Deep breath. Settling thoughts. Joy. Evidences of You breaking through. Thank You Father.

Use me this day Blessed Dad. As only You know is best.

I trust You. I love You. Do all You must in helping me find rest in You alone. My hope indeed comes from You. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(198 words ~ (7:54 a.m.)

purposefully

Monday, June 11, 2018 (8:07 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Forgive me. I have been intentionally absent these past fews days.

I’ve called on You. Asked Your protection. Accepted Your blessings. And still avoided purposefully coming into Your presence. Yes, please, forgive me Father.

Mm, yes. Thank You Father. You wait for us to come to our senses. You never leave nor forsake us. You wait. We come. You bless. We thank You.

Yes Father. Thank You. We get to come before You. Reading Your Word. Asking. Seeking. Knocking. Longing. Hoping. Thanking. Praising. Yes Father. How I praise You!

Looking up the word purposefully I come to a section of Scripture (1 Peter 4: 1-11) entitled Living for God. Mm, yes. Oh that I would truly come to live for You! Yes Father, please.

The Passion Translation (v. 7) tells us, “Since we are approaching the end of all things, be intentional, purposeful, and self-controlled so that you can be given to prayer.”

Our Psalty's Kids Bible introduces this letter from Peter by saying, “1 Peter encourages Christians to keep on believing in Jesus, no matter what happens, and to live the way God wants us to live.” Yes please.

The Message uses these words to encourage us in living purposefully, “Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it [Oh, because it does!]. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless - cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and He’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything - encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!” (1Peter 4:7-11).

Oh, yes. Yes indeed!

Holy, Blessed Father God, empower me in living purposefully for You this day. I love You. I need You. I thank You. And I ask You Blessed God, be glorified in, with, by, through and for me this day. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

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

always here

Friday, June 8, 2018 (7:22 a.m.)

Tahoe Vista, CA

Blessed God,

Thank You! Thank You for forgiveness. Thank You for struggle. Thank You for privilege. Thank You friends and family who are willing to pray for one in need.

There’s that word again. You made me willing yesterday. Willing to pray. Willing to ask. Willing to search. Willing to forgive. Thank You Father. Thank You that You alone are good (Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19; Psalm 16:2).

(9:19 a.m.)

And then there was breakfast. Followed by near silence, but for the sound of the lake lapping on the shore. Father, I thought that somehow I was going to bypass the usual end of trip sadness.

While there is just a tinge of it as the rest of the family heads off to the airport, I am keenly aware that a dam of emotion could break at any minute. Thank You Father for awareness. Thank You that I know You have my back in all of this.

Thank You that 

(11:23 a.m.)

… I go away and come back and You’re still here. Always here. Mm, yes. Thank You Father. Praise You. You are always here.

We are getting ready to pack up. Make decisions. What goes. What stays. How about good attitudes and memories go? Anything unnecessary stay behind.

Thank You Father. Again the lake is lapping the shore. Peace resonates deep within.

(11:44 a.m.)

Now sitting at the lake’s edge. Breathing deeply. Wanting so much to stay focused only on You. And Your Word. What appears to be an introduction to Psalm 16.

David speaking of Your presence. Acknowledging that our strength and security come from You alone. Knowing that You are always with him (v. 8). How I thank You Father for the blessings we have in You.

We’re going to pack up. Get ready to leave. Thank You that You are ‘the one who goes before us’ (Deuteronomy 31:8). I look to You Blessed Father ‘to be with us; [and] never fail us nor forsake us.’

Always here. Thank You. We love You. We need You. Amen.

(364 words ~ 12:14 p.m.)

H.O.W.

Thursday, June 7, 2018 (8:17 a.m.)

Tahoe Vista, CA

Most Blessed Holy God,

Thank You! You gifted me again. When sleep didn’t happen for hours on end, the urge to go out and look at the night [very early morning] sky would not be abated.

Considering the options of which warmer clothing to put on kept growing until there I was. Barefoot. Sleepwear. Long sleeved shirt. Sleeveless hoody. Very cold. And literally starstruck.

Oh, Blessed Father. 

(9:13 a.m.)

Yes. Blessed Father.

A brief interruption. Time to cuddle and learn with a four year old.

(9:24 a.m.)

More learning. And now visiting. Mm, Father. Thanks. Thanks for love. And honesty. And openness. And willingness.

Yes. Willingness. The word that came to me before 3 o’clock this morning. “the quality of being prepared to do something; readiness”.

Father, I confess to You the need for willingness. I have an unforgiveness I have been harboring for eight years. A comment was made and I took offense. I have held tightly to my “right” to feel hurt and resentful.

Now look at this… Right next to the synonyms. “CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD See sin”. BAM! Ouch. I’ve known it. Attempted to ignore and justify my behavior through the years.

So here I am. Better late than never? Asking You to cover me with Your mercy and grace that I would in turn offer it to another.

I honestly am not there. Not on my own. But with You? All things are possible. “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need” (Philippians 4:13).

Holy God. I confess to You the turmoil that is going on within me right now. I absolutely feel tossed from side to side. I unequivocally know that I am called to forgive.

(10:30 a.m.)

Thank You Father for the time it has taken me to struggle with this issue. Thank You for the difficulty I had in finding the verses that speak of Paul’s desire to do what is right (Romans 7:15-24).

Struggle. Yes. Absolute painful, irrefutable struggle. Tearful. Knowing I am wrong in my thinking. Desperately wanting to think, say, be and do as You wish. And at the very same time not yet willing to let go of the hurt that has since become a part of my thinking, feeling, being self.

Forgive me. Again and again I come back to asking You to forgive what I am yet unable to forgive in myself.

Pettiness. Yes. Absolute pettiness: “undue concern with trivial matters, especially of a small-minded or spiteful nature”. Yep. Me in a nutshell.

You gave me two shooting stars in a matter of minutes much earlier this morning. Such brief moments of absolute awesomeness. A deeper and darker night sky from which I am most familiar, making constellations and galaxies incredibly vivid. Again showing me how very little I know and understand about Your creation.

Of what I am absolute aware? I am called to love. You. Myself and others. With all of my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31). We are told this repeatedly. Often.

Paul gave us a very clear description (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) of what love is and what it is not. Holy Spirit I need You to make it right within me (Romans 8:5-13). On my own, in my own strength and power I don’t stand a chance.

Blessed, Holy God, I come to You begging. Pleading. Asking. Replace my stubbornness with the willingness of which we spoke so much earlier.

The Message (Galatians 5:22-23) tells me, “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”

Yes Blessed Father. Make it so. Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me that I would be willing to truly love another as You command. I love You. I trust You. I struggle. I ask You. And I thank You. Oh most Blessed God how I thank You. Amen.

(749 words ~ 11:00 a.m.)

blessing after blessing

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 (7:42 a.m.)

Tahoe Vista, CA

Holy God,

Thank You. You continue providing us blessing after blessing. Yes. Blessing after blessing. Thank You Father.

Thank You that as I turn to Your Word, I find three psalms (21:6; 40:4; 85:12) in The Passion Translation that bring smiles to my face. Peace to my soul. Joy to my heart. Thanks Dad.

We are getting to enjoy family. Relax. Allow. Learn. Observe. And rejoice. Yes. Just look at these phrases from Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus:

“TAKE DELIGHT IN, find/take pleasure in, feel satisfaction in, find joy in, enjoy, revel in, glory in, delight in, relish, savor”

We’ve been doing that! Knowing that You are the Maker of all things. Our Master. Creator. Oh how I thank and ask You Blessed Father.

We have another couple of days being together as a nuclear family. Work in each of us as You know is best. Bringing about Your best in, with, by, through and for us to share ourselves honestly, openly and willingly. Authentically. Genuinely. Truly.

Oh how we love You Father. And thank You for these blessings upon blessings You have bestowed upon us. Thank You Father. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

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

the Spirit of God

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 (7:41 a.m.)

Tahoe Vista, CA 

Most Blessed, Holy God,

Good morning. Sleep happened. Dreams happened. Fun had happened prior to both. And my body feels weary.

Thank You Father that I even get to tell You things like this. Yes. Thank You that I can put words to my feelings and seek Your Word to learn more.

Looking up WEARY, I find also WEAKLING. And the encouraging text of Joel 3:10. “Let the weakling say, ‘I am strong!’” Immediately ♪Let the weak say, “I am strong”. Let the poor say, “I am rich”♪ starts singing itself to me.

Quickly finding the lyrics to ♪Give Thanks with a grateful heart Give Thanks to the Holy One Give Thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son♪ reminds me of how important it is to truly give You thanks.

Oh yes Blessed Father. We do give You thanks. Weary or weak, the strength of our inner being comes directly from You. Thank You!

Thank You that reading in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28-32) I am pointed over to the New (Acts 2:16-21) and Peter’s words at Pentecost. The promise of the Spirit of God fulfilled all those centuries later. Such power. Such hope.

I very well may wake up feeling weary rather than rested. Thank You that time spent in Your Word strengthens and empowers me like nothing else.

Use me this day Blessed God. Exactly as You know is best. In Your strength. In Your power. In Your Holy Spirit.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(270 words ~ 8:42 a.m.)

God's power

Monday, June 4, 2018 (7:50 a.m.)

Tahoe Vista, CA

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You. Good sleep followed a very good day. Guide me in Your Word this morning that I may again have the strength and courage to glorify and enjoy You.

Yes.

And oh Your goodness. Not five minutes after asking I am reading Psalm 34. David’s words, speaking of Your power. Mm, yes. Your power.

“I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness; let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:1-3).

Thank You Father. The more I read in Your Word, the more I want to read. Illustrated Bible Handbook tells us that David was granted protection at a time when he had acted unwisely. Can’t we all relate to the need of Your power? Especially when we act unwisely!

That’s me. Such a large majority of the time.

What a blessing to be able take off our old manner of life (Ephesians 4:22). “And then take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His character in you” (vs. 23-24, The Message).

Mm, yes Father! You at work in us. Getting rid of the old and renewing our spirits. Thank You Father. Praise You. Bless You. Keep You.

Yes. Here again I get to read of Honesty (Ephesians 4:12-27, The Life Recovery Bible) and Living as Children of Light all because David was honest in his need of Your power. Thank You Father.

Let me use Your holy power in praising You and sharing Your Good News with others this day. Yes please. Make it so that glorifying and enjoying You would be my main goal of the day. Let all I think, say, am and do be filtered through this “chief end”. Yes Father, please.

I love You. I thank You. Let me worship and adore You as only You know is best. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(371 words ~ 8:51 a.m.)

getting back on track

Sunday, June 3, 2018 (7:32 a.m.)

Tahoe Vista, CA

Holy God,

I’ve been making a lot of mistakes. The biggest? Not taking time to be here with You. And in Your Word.

Forgive me Father. It never works out to put spending time with You at the end of the day. Or the list. Or not on the list at all.

I really kept thinking I’d find time. Silly me.

Thank You for showing me various examples of silliness in Your Word. Banter. Pretensions. Girls. Efforts. Knowledge. Empty-headed worship; god-schemes. Fools. Dreams. Five of the ten virgins. Superstitions. Charges. Talk. Stories. Criticisms.

And smack. Right there. On my head. Tears. Stunned. Sorry.

A four year old pointed it out quite simply the other night. “Are you still mad? You need to say, ‘Sorry’”.

Romans 14 The Danger of Criticism. Nonjudgmental Attitude; 14:1-13. Oh, that I would have come to You BEFORE taking my feelings of concern to a much loved one.

And You just keep piercing my soul!

Illustrated Bible Handbook. “…Paul insists we abandon judgmental attitudes and neither condemn or look down on our brothers or sisters whose convictions or practices differ from our own. Paul is terribly blunt here. Christ died and rose again so the He might be Lord (14:9). No one proclaimed you or me God. How then dare we to judge others (14:10-12)?” Ouch!

Holy God, the other day when I said, “I don’t know what to do with these feelings” I didn’t even consider bringing them to You. Forgive me.

Thank You that when I read earlier “THE BOTTOM LINE PURPOSE [for Malachi] To confront the people about getting back on track after they had relapsed into old patterns of sin” I did NOT know You were going to so directly be causing me to face mine.

Romans “14:10-12 Paul reminds us that we are not to take inventory for others. Many of us find it easier to point out the failures of others than to look critically and honestly at our own life. But it isn’t our primary responsibility to straighten out other people’s lives. We must remember that all of us will be personally accountable before God for our actions. If we spend time pointing a finger at others, we will never clean up our own act and progress in our own recovery.”

Oh, ouch again!

Malachi wrote of relapse and backsliding. External behaviors without internal changes. RECOVERY THEMES from this book remind us: “God Always Loves Us”, “Forgiveness Is Foundational for Recovery”, “God Is Always with Us”.

Most Holy God as I consider The Life Recovery Bible’s comment for “1:7-14 God did not want empty words of repentance; He wanted the people to back up their words with appropriate action.” Another stab pierces my demeanor.

Malachi, verse ten, “Why doesn’t one of you just shut the Temple doors and lock them? Then none of you can get in and play at religion with this silly, empty-headed worship. I am not pleased. The GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is not pleased. And I don’t want any more of this so-called worship!”

Thank You for speaking with me Father. Reading in Malachi reminds me of the worship You truly want from us. Psalm 51:16-17, “Going through the motions doesn’t please You, a flawless performance is nothing to You. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice” (The Message).

Mm. Yes! All those stabs. Working to shatter my pride. That my heart-shattered life would indeed be ready for Your love.

Get me back on track Blessed God that I would truly live this day for You. Work Your forgiveness through me that I would seek not only to be forgiven, but to be willing to forgive as well.

Thank You for reminding me that loving You is the most important aspect of my being. Work in, with, by, through and for me that I would whole-heartedly, genuinely, mindfully come to loving You and others (Mark 12:30-31) as You have commanded us.

I forget. You forgive. I make mistakes. You lovingly correct and set me straight. Use me this day. Exactly asYou wish. Strong, in Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

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

"excellent adventure" ~ 5/30/18

Wednesday, May 30, 2018 (1:46 p.m.)

Convict Lake, CA

Most Holy God ~

Over seven hours into our newest adventure and I declare it excellent. Thank You Father.

We forgot a few things. Brought too many of others. Maybe should have stopped a little sooner at the beginning. But over all? Excellent!

Thank You Father. Thank You for the safety and security of Your love. Thank You for the opportunities to explore and enjoy things You have created.

Birds tweet. Twitter. Warble. Sing. Communicate? Chipmunks skitter. Pause. Attend. Run. Fellow fishermen boat. Nod. Greet. Wish well.

Hmm. What would it be like Father? For us to communicate. Attend. Greet. Nod. Wish well. Indeed. Truly fellowship with one another. Excellent.

As I sit. Aware. Taking in Your beauty. I see various shades of green. Grays. Snow. Leaves rustling. People working. So much to admire. Of which to be aware. And again, I thank You.

Teach us Father. To appreciate. To conserve. And converse. Mm yes, Father. Keep molding and making us into the people You would have us be.