brink

Friday, November 30, 2018 (6:46 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You.

(9:11 a.m.)

Yes Father, thank You.

Thank You for choices. Options. Ideas. Plans. Thank You for the ones that work. And even for those that don’t.

Holy God, I’m in a situation. I know I have to change the way I have been eating. When I think about it, it’s been over two years that I’ve known it. Yet, I keep playing with the persuasion that this one little thing can’t possibly hurt.

I’m here to tell You what You already know. I guess that borders on confessing. No. Much more like a brink!

Mm, yes most Holy God. You are so incredibly good and kind. Forgive me for my foolishness. I continue eating all the things I want to believe will not harm me. Just this one little taste. I’m even going to go so far as to tell You that right at this very moment I don’t even want to change.

Much earlier, as I was waking, I knew I had to. I was committed. Ready. Willing. Here we are, a few hours into relearning good common sense and it’s harder this time. I look to You for help.

As I come to You on the brink of change again I thank You. Brink: a point at which something, typically something unwelcome, is about to happen. Yep! Exactly that.

Getting to turn to Your Word (Psalm 86) and read A prayer of David, I smile. And hope. Focusing on verses 11-17 humbly I ask You, “Train me, GOD, to walk straight; then I’ll follow Your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my heart I thank You, dear Lord; I’ve never kept secret what You’re up to. You’ve always been great toward me - what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster!”

I believe this Father. How I ask for the strength and courage to make good on this commitment to You. And to my body for it’s own good health’s sake.

“God, these bullies [read here as: deceitful thoughts] have reared their heads! A gang of thugs [again; lying justifications] is after me - and they don’t care a thing about You. But You, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and You never, never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness, give Your servant the strength to go on, save Your dear, dear child! Make a show of how much You love me so the bullies [deceivers] who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, As You, GOD, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet.”

Oh yes Blessed God. Yes. Yes. Yes!

Illustrated Bible Handbook describes this chapter as “Psalm 86. God’s abounding love meets David’s deepest needs (1-10) as he chooses to commit himself fully to God’s Truth (11-17).”

That description describes me well as I confess my careless, foolish ways to You. Asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) for the strength of will and heart to eat as You are commanding me. Mindfully. Systematically. Controlled. For four days.

“86:11-17 We only know God’s will as we seek to know Him through prayer and the study of His Word. The more we know about God, the more we know what He expects of us. As we get to know God better, we will discover the He gives us not only direction but also the strength and encouragement we need to walk the pathway He has chosen for us” (The Life Recovery Bible).

Yes Father. I believe this to be true. Your pathway. Your direction. Your strength and encouragement. Please. Thank You. I love You. And desperately need You. Thank You. Amen.

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

barely scratching the surface

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 (6:36 a.m.)

Nearing Ensenada, MX

Holy God,

Thank You again. Sleep. Your Word. And another visit to the book of Galatians.

(7:40 a.m.)

The more I read, the more I realize I am barely scratching the surface of all Your Word has for us.

I started out to learn more about “Freedom to Live Love; 5:13-26”. Following directions to see one area or another I’ve read of our old nature and the new. Old Testament law and New Testament righteousness. And freedom.

Truly Father my head swirls. There is so much hope in Your Truth. I currently find it to be like sifting sand. I want to find more. To understand all it is You want me to know.

Galatians 5. Freedom in Christ (vs. 1-15). Living by the Spirit’s Power (16-26). Oh yes Blessed Father, we get to choose “power and freedom in Christ or slavery through useless and destructive solutions” (The Life Recovery Bible 5:1-12).

As I continue reading, I find myself once again singing ♪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 Father, continue Your work in me. Deep beneath the surface.Teaching me to truly be a Jesus [not rule] Follower.

I love You Father. I need You. I trust You. And I ask You. Make me fully Yours. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

solitude and circumstances

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 (11:02 a.m.)

East facing balcony

“Crawling” toward Ensenada, MX

Holy God ~

Here I am again. Thanking You for Your blessings. What a privilege to sit. Pondering. Considering. Praising You for all You are. And thanking You for what You do.

Yes Father, thank You. Thank You for the opportunity of experiencing the JOY found right here in these particular circumstances.

A full day at sea. The ocean; calm, serene. The weather; sunny, warm. My disposition; much like the description above. Calm. Serene. Sunny. Warm. And filed with JOY!

Yes, Father. I asked You back in July to teach me more about JOY and You have. Thank You for the solitude and the circumstances that have led me to this very moment.

Truly grateful for all we have. All we’ve done. The love and respect between us. JOY! Yes. Joy.

I get to sit right here. Reading Your Word. Thanking and praising You as I go.

Right now I’m in Leviticus of all places. Chapter 9 The Priests Begin Their Work Sacrificial system instituted verse 24, “Fire blazed forth from the LORD’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.”

Father I don’t know what it is to worship You like that. Yet I am so grateful to learn of it.

The Life Recovery Bible for 9:8-24 describes “the actual order in which various sacrifices were offered by an individual. The sin offering was first, showing the priority of confession and cleansing before God.” This was followed by the burnt or grain offering representing “the worshiper’s obedience in giving his or her life over to God.” Then there was “the peace offering [which] was an expression of gratitude for a continued walk with God.”

That’s where I am right now Dearest Lord. So incredibly grateful for this opportunity to be here with You.

As I finish reading this Life Recovery comment I see myself. Now filled with such hope and joy. “Similarly, our first step along the road to recovery from sin and failure must be the admission that we are hopeless on our own.” Yes Sir! Boy howdy, do I ever know this!

“The next step is the commitment of our life to God through Jesus Christ, our sacrifice.” I believe I still have so much more to offer You in this area. And I also am convinced that You are going to continue showing me exactly how.

Finally there is our “ongoing fellowship with God, accountability for sin, and spiritual growth.” Once more I invite You in to remodeling me as You know is best.

Change me into the woman who holds tightly to You, not things. Follows Jesus, not rules. The one who loves with complete abandon. And forgives freely and completely.

You are good Father. Empower and enable me in sharing Your goodness with others. Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against which there is no law” [RULE] (Galatians 5:22-23).

And here is just a whole and complete ‘nother teaching! “Freedom to Live Love; 5:13-26” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

devotion

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 (6:03 a.m.)

Heading south to Ensenada, MX

Holy God,

Good morning. Thank You for the color of the horizon this morning. Quite reminiscent of what we watched last night after the sun had set. Vibrant pinks and oranges one moment and all but gone the next.

Thank You Father for the reminders of all that is fleeting around us. Mm, yes Father. Thank You.

Thank You for this very moment. Ample time to sit here with You, exploring Your Word. Wondering, and now asking, where shall we go in it together.

As I awoke just now my mind was humming a tune I soon recognized. I had used the word ‘lovely’ more than once yesterday. This morning it came to me in full on Eliza Doolittle fashion.

♪All I want is a room somewhere Far away from the cold night air With one enormous chair Oh, wouldn’t it be lov-er-ly?♪

Oh yes Father. As I sit and consider all the things that could possibly be lovely, I must also acknowledge all that is fleeting. Like a thought I had yesterday.

For many years I have considered myself a rule follower. In SUCH a big way. Just as I noticed I was thinking it again I countered for the very first with, “But I want to be a Jesus follower!”

Yes. Yes. Oh yes, Lord! When it comes to the devotion I pay to rules and regulations, I want to give more than that kind of loyalty to You. First. And foremost! You. Your rules. Yes please.

And just like that, another song  

♪One! Singular sensation...♪

I want devotion like that Father. Knowing, believing, trusting in the Truth of Your Son.

We’re going to go home just before the first Sunday of Advent. Teach us to use this very fleeting Season to learn and grow more in the lasting abundance of life in and with Your Son.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians) fearing “that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent” (ch. 11, v. 3). Thank You Father.

The Life Recovery Bible’s comment for this section (11:2-4) tells us “Paul was worried that the Corinthian believers would replace their faith in Jesus with a false faith… Paul also was concerned because rejecting Christ would lead to painful consequences. Believers might reject the abundant life offered by Jesus Christ for lives of ultimate disaster.”

Most Holy God, how I thank You for his obedience to You. His example. His love.

This particular comment ends on this important note, “… true recovery is possible only through the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Rejecting the hope offered in Christ is rejecting the only real power available for recovery. Looking to any other power will lead to disappointment and failure.”

Herein lies my plea of becoming a Jesus follower, rather than one who feebly attempts to keep all the rules. You know what this will entail. I trust You with my life. Do all You must in making me exactly who You would have me be.

I love You Father. Thank You for the ways in which You speak to us. Nature. Beauty. Music. Words. Change me. Use me. I love You. Amen.

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

favorable

Monday, November 26, 2018 (7:11 a.m.)

Anchored off Santa Barbara, CA

Holy God,

Thank You. Another new experience. Uncomplicated packing. Relatively easy traffic and check-in. Ready boarding. Straight to the cabin. Flawless.

Hmm… In an otherwise complicated and flawed world how grateful we are to have a time of things going “right”. Champagne. Dancing on a balcony. Dinner for two. Lovely. Thank You Father.

Yes. Thank You for the blessings You provide us. Large and small. Opportunities to smile. Be friendly. Share. Care.

Thank You for the chance here to read of Your Old Testament people. The people of Judah who promised one thing and did another (Jeremiah 42).

Holy God, every time I am reminded of another’s disobedience I remember my own. Forgive me Father. For not listening. Not hearing. And especially for those times that I just flat out disobey.

Lord, You are so good. Let me join in Jeremiah’s conversation with You as he avowed, “Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God Almighty!” (Jeremiah 15:16)

Make me so much more like Jeremiah in faithfulness, trust and obedience. And much less like those who begged him to pray to You for direction, promising to obey Your word “whether it is favorable or unfavorable” (Jeremiah 42:6) only to go their own way.

“But when the prophet tells them to remain, and not to fear, and especially warns them against a flight to Egypt, Jeremiah is accused of lying! Again God’s word is directly disobeyed and the frightened company heads south” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

Oh, how we ask You to continue perfecting Your work in us that we would truly become Your obedient God-fearing people. Yes! If I am going to fear anything, let it be You. Fully esteeming and revering You as we go about this life You have provided us.

We love You so much Father. We long to seek to do Your will. Thank You for Your blessings and Your keepings. Use us well this day O Lord. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

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

so very many things

Sunday, November 25, 2018 (5:37 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for so very many things. Yes Father. So very many things.

Truly.

(6:25 a.m.)

As I went to read in Your Word regarding “so very many things”, I saw warnings and consequences of not heeding said warnings. History. Correction. Discipline. Grace. Mercy. Forgiveness. Your love. And provision.

Oh thank You Father. Thank You for the honor and privilege of calling You Father.

Thank You for the opportunity of truly searching Your Word. Looking for Your blessings. And warnings.

Going from verses to chapters to notes on past services I am reminded from the teachings on the book of Hebrews that we are to “live in freedom and faith, NOT guilt and fear!” Yes Blessed Father. Your Word and prayer are our weapons in this corrupt world.

Thank You God. The list of things for which I am thankful is truly never ending. I start with the simple things like sleep. And warmth. Food. Friends. Family. Fun. Beauty. Adventure. Hope.

Yes Lord, I look to You and expect good things. Not knowing how they will show up.

Just like now. Turning to Hebrews 12:14-15 I see notations of having studied this chapter last year. Titled “Don’t Miss the Grace of God”, the lesson broke into three sections of what not to do. “Don’t: be discouraged; resist correction; miss the grace”.

Blessed God, I am reminded that we are strengthened through correction and discipline. We have the choice of encouraging or criticizing. Of being bitter [failing to forgive or submit] or better [receiving Your grace].

Holy God, thank You! Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. For so very many things. I love You. Use me this day exactly as You know is best. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(298 words ~ 7:27 a.m.)

putting God first

Saturday, November 24, 2018 (5:34 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! Loving. Kind. Helpful. Those are the words best describing the dreams I had last night. What a pleasant change from the night before. Thank You Father.

I’m not one that puts a lot of stock in our dreams. Or more precisely, in dream symbolism. Yet, I think back to Joseph and am impressed with his ability to interpret what was coming to light through them.

Here’s something I’ve not been aware, there are different kinds of dreams. Internal. Prophetic. Purging. And healing. I tend to wake up and just push them away.

This morning I’m here asking that You would make me aware of the things You would have me know. Like the importance of being loving. Kind. Helpful. Yes Father. Let that be my take away this morning.

Holy God, I love You. Thank You that I get to take the time to sit here with You. Wandering around Your Word. Looking here. Reading there. And knowing that we are to put our stock in You. Paying attention. Having faith. Trusting. Putting You first.

You spoke through the prophet Haggai to challenge the people of Jerusalem in completing the rebuilding of Your temple. They had returned to the Promised Land filled with hope and were soon discouraged.

Thank You Father. Thank You that we have such ready access to Your history. The RECOVERY THEMES for Haggai in The Life Recovery Bible break into three truths. God’s Plan Must Come First. We Will Face Obstacles. Recovery Requires Action.

Thank You for the reminder Father. Thank You for Your call to obedience.

The comment for 1:2-8 tells us that You called Your people to inventory their priorities. They had stopped rebuilding Your Temple when faced with opposition. How often do I do that?

Further into the comment, I see myself again. “Their actions had proven that they considered personal comfort more important than God.” I don’t mean to. When I’m honest, I know this describes me.

“When we put God in the backseat of our life, we become enslaved to other things… We must put God back in the driver’s seat. If we give God top priority in our life and seek to follow His will, no addiction is too great to overcome.”

Thank You Father. You speak to us in so many ways. Continue Your work in me that I will truly put You and Your will first. I love You. I long to worship and adore You as You so rightly deserve.

Lead me that I will follow. Speak that I will hear. And obey! I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(443 words ~ 7:47 a.m.)

light in the darkness

Friday, November 23, 2018 (4:31 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Wow! Thank You. You have clearly outdone Yourself. Again!

Two horrifying dreams. Each within four hours of one another. Beginning two hours after retiring. Scary. Terrifying. Detailed. Awful dreams.

Next came the decision. Get up. Bring it all to You. Then the light. Truly. A square patch of light on the hallway floor.

Because of other occasions such as this I knew to look for the moon. Expecting near fullness. Nope. Not this time. Completely full. As of the first dream.

(8:03 a.m.)

Most Holy God, how I truly thank You for Who and All You are! Thank You for extra rest. Thank You for the peace that comes from focusing on You, rather than circumstances.

Having been awakened with two separate, yet somehow connected starts I knew to not focus on the negative details. I had the absolute choice to replay and attempt to remember scary images. Or turn to You.

Yes! Thank You Father for the opportunity of turning to You. Of getting out of bed and seeing a patch of bright light in an otherwise darkened hall.

Light. Bright light!

Thank You Father that I get to read in Your Word of Your light. First in John. 1:3-5; 3:19-21; 8:12. Then over in 1 John 1:5-7. Comparing light and darkness.

A devotional in The Life Recovery Bible for John 3:18-21 is titled Friends of the Light. Thank You Father that it was from here I went over to read John 8:12. “Jesus said to the people, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”

A comment for this verse led me to 1 John (1:5-7) with its own comment on light and darkness. Ending with this Truth, “Honest, accurate self-examination and personal inventory of our spiritual state are crucial. Choosing to live in the light - continually acknowledging our flaws as the light reveals them - results in a cleansed conscience and fulfilling relationships.”

Here again I thank You Father. Yes! Thank You for the scariest dreams I can ever remember having that led me straight to Your Light! Do all You must in genuinely making me Your friend.

Reveal my faults and failings that I will truly confess them and come into Your Light. I love You God. Thank You. Amen.

(418 words ~ 9:07 a.m.)

so many blessings

Thanksgiving Thursday, November 22, 2018 (5:01 a.m.)

Oh Most Blessed God,

How I thank You for the privilege of being here with You. Knowing that this is the very best way to start the day, yesterday I made the conscious decision not to. Bad decision!

Thanking and praising You is something for us to do every single day. Not just once a year, as this day reminds us. Blessed God, how I do truly thank You.

You provide us so many blessings. Mm, even as I turn to Your Word I am blessed again.

1 Peter 4:10 reminds us, “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.” Oh yes Dearest God. You have blessed us in so many ways. Thank You!

As I read the various translations at my easy access I have tears forming. So many different ways of describing our blessings and what we are to do with them. Special gifts. Spiritual talents. Multi-faceted grace. Unmerited, loving-favor. Good managers. Faithful stewards. Be generous. Minister. Serve others.

Thank You Father. As we prepare to travel possibly wet roads to join together with extended family and friends, how we ask Your presence all along the way.

Blessed God, how we truly do love You. Even [especially] when I seem to jump right into any given day without pausing long enough to come before You. Forgive me my short sightedness.

Lead me in learning to minister as You would have me. Tending to, caring for, looking after, nursing, helping, assisting others. Yes Father. Empower and embolden in me becoming other sensitive.

I love You. I long to serve You. And I ask You all this in Jesus’ name. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(310 words ~ 6:11 a.m.)

authenticity

Sunday, November 18, 2018 (5:02 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You that You are exactly that. Awesome! Thank You.

Thank You that You are teaching me what it is to be my own authentic self. You amaze me.

There are things I am drawn to. Like random numbers on a digital clock. 11:22 p.m. 4:56 a.m. Relatively silly little things to other people. But just plain fun for me. Thank You Father.

Thank You too for the song that sang loudest to me again this morning. Yep. There it was. Along with a wonder. And then a HUGE smile.

♪Oh, play me some mountain music, Like grandma and grandpa used to play♪ I remembered wondering the other morning why it was so insistent. So I came out here and checked. Then came the smile.

Thursday morning, the day I would see our grandchildren. This morning… gonna see our grandchildren again. Oh how I ask You most blessed and awesome God, let these little ones grow up to remember their grandparents with such fondness.

I have tears and chills as I consider the ways in which You speak to me. Seemingly so undirected. Yet when I take the time to really listen, there You are. Every time. Thank You God.

Thank You for Your call to authenticity. You know who You created me to be. I confess to hiding myself in plain sight. Often.

Thank You for reminding me again of who I am. Yours. Authentically Yours.

Hebrews 12 speaks of discipline. Your discipline that proves Your love. Illustrated Bible Handbook says that it is: loving (v. 6), a family matter (7,8), purposive (10) and effective (11). Thank You Father.

A devotion for verses 5-11 in The Life Recovery Bible, entitled Faith tells us “Recovery is a time of correction, a time of facing problems and character flaws and changing incorrect beliefs. There may be seasons when we do have to pay for our past. God will use these times to redirect our life toward something better. His correction isn’t arbitrary or abusive, but it is painful. Knowing that God’s discipline demonstrates His love for us can be comforting in the midst of our pain. It helps to remember that His love will allow only that which is for our ultimate good.”

Oh thank You Father!

The Passion Translation (Hebrews 12:8) says, “We all should welcome God’s discipline as the validation of authentic sonship. For if we have never once endured His correction it only proves we are strangers and not sons [and daughters” Common English Bible].

As one of Your daughters, again I thank You. For knowing me. Loving me. Trusting me. Believing in me. Disciplining me.

How I ask You to lead me in spending this time with our grandkids. Knowing them. Loving them. Trusting them. Believing in them. Disciplining them. That the day would come when they will both wholeheartedly sing ♪Oh play me some mountain music, Like grandma and grandpa used to play♪

Yes Father. Lead them [and us] in obedience to Your Word. And in love. Your authentic love. Thank You Father. We love You. Amen.

(519 words ~ 6:25 a.m.)

Your guest

Saturday, November 17, 2018 (4:45 a.m.)

Holy God,

Good early morning. Very early morning.

Thank You Father for the sleep that eventually came.

Thank You too for the words that followed. Father, how I love tracking thoughts and ideas back to Your Word.

This morning “eventually” led me to Psalm 39 (v. 3) and there I found “hope” (7). History. Your Truth. And love. Mercy. Grace. Repentance. Help.

All these things come together when we read and trust Your Word. Thank You Father.

Illustrated Bible Handbook describes this Psalm as “An expression of feelings of an individual under discipline.” Father, I long to be an individual under discipline. Rebellion never works for me.

Oh look. Verse 8 even speaks to that. “Rescue me from my rebellion, for even fools mock me when I rebel.”

Thank You Father. Thank You for the opportunity of spending time at Your feet. Here I ask You to speak Your Truth deeply within my being.

I long to live this day as You wish. “For I am Your guest - a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me” (v. 12b). Lord I am Your guest. You have afforded us opportunities. Blessings. Empower me in using them as You would have me. Well.

I love You Father. I am Your guest. Your daughter. Let me not fail to properly appreciate all You have provided.

Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(237 words ~ 5:55 a.m.)

God first loved us

Friday, November 16, 2018 (4:59 a.m.)

Holy God,

How I love You! Thank You that You first loved us, that we in turn would come to love You. Thank You that I rarely ever know where we are going to go together until we get started.

Thank You that it just happened again… You first loved us.

(5:52 a.m.)

Oh most Holy God, I get to read of Your love for us. And rest hopefully in Your Truth. I breathe in a contented, peacefulness of Your Spirit. And I thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Father, You are so good. So kind. So loving. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Illustrated Bible Handbook tells us, “Love does not arise from man’s nature. Love is created in us by God’s work. God’s love does awaken love.”

But it doesn’t stop there. It goes further with the Truth of verse 20. “Thus anyone who claims to love God, but fails to love other believers, simply is not telling the truth. The love of Christians for God is expressed as love for one another!”

And this I ask of You Dearest Dad; empower, embolden and enable me in loving as You would have me love. Wholly. Without fear. Openly. Vulnerably. Trustingly. Honestly. Delightfully. Helpfully. Accountably. Responsibly (4:16-5:3 comment, The Life Recovery Bible).

Yes Lord. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(239 words ~ 6:31 a.m.)

♪ How Great Is Your Love ♪

Thursday, November 15, 2018 (5:21 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. The music in my head has changed. Thank You.

Several hours ago it was ♪Mountain Music♪ that I could not get out of my head. Just now ♪Forever♪ started again. Thank You Father.

♪Forever God is faithful Forever God is strong Forever God is with us Forever Forever♪ Mm, I love singing Your Truth!

With that being the case, guide me in Your Word I pray.

“Psalm 103. Praise is offered to God for the gracious way He relates to David, and for God’s great love for all who fear Him” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

Thank You Father. Thank You for teaching us to come to You. Like I did much earlier when I just could not get back to sleep. You reminded me to pray. For whoever came to mind. And I did. Asking Your blessing and keeping of very name that stirred in my heart. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that You truly are good. Strong. Faithful. Loving. Kind. Perfect. And in Your perfection You forgive us our imperfections.

And right there begins another song. This time though, I don’t find the one for which I search. Nope. A completely different tune than I was expecting. Other words as well.

♪How Great Is Your Love♪ by Phil Wickham seems to sum up Psalm 103 very nicely. Turns out I was actually humming ♪How Great Is Our God♪ by Chris Tomlin. While I listen audibly, internally another piece begins.

Just bits. Slivers of instruments. Irish? British? First introduced at an Anaheim church many years ago. Stuart Townend. Keith Getty. ♪In Christ Alone♪

Praise You Father. I know not what to pray and You guide me. “Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name” (Psalm 103:1). You lead my heart to sing of Your provisions. Thank You.

Bless and keep me as I go out traveling on my own this day. Use the time and talents You have provided me to Your good and to Your glory. I love You Lord. Be glorified I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(361 words ~ 6:35 a.m.)

"Thank You"

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 (5:24 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Again and again I start with “Thank You”. Why? Because I’ve been taught Your Word commands it (1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 100:5, 118:29, 136). It is the beginning of praise and worship. Right there I find myself thanking You again.

Yes Father. Thank You for Your Truth speakers and teachers. Thank You for Your Word. The writers of Your Old and New Testaments.

Thank You Lord for the modern and postmodern lyricists and songwriters. Just right now, as I’m taking in the beauty of an incredibly long lasting sunrise ♪Sing praise, sing praise♪ begins its chorus within me again.

♪Forever God is faithful Forever God is strong Forever God is with us Forever, Forever♪ And how does this memorable worship song begin? ♪Give thanks to the Lord our God and King His love endures forever For He is good, He is above all things His love endures forever♪

This is where I turn again to Your Word. Searching. Reading. Believing. Hoping. Yes.

Psalm 106 (107; 118):1, “Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

This is exactly why I practice saying, “Thank You” Blessed God. Truly it never fails to change my demeanor. Hmm… Here’s a very random thought ~ breaking up that particular word into its sounds, I hear “de-mean her”. And it does! Giving You thanks de-[un]means me! Thank You God!

Thank You Blessed God for again reminding me of the importance of giving You thanks. While at times it may appear to be quite habitual, it truly goes much deeper. ♪You set my feet to dancing You make my spirit sing♪ And it all begins with my heart felt, “Thank You.”

As I prepare to get on with this day Dearest Father, I ask You to go with, in and all around me. Be glorified in my thoughts, words and actions.

I love You. I long to serve You. And oh how I thank You. Yes Dad. Thank You. Amen.

(362 words ~ 7:04 a.m.)

seeking wisdom

Tuesday, November 13, 2018 (6:44 a.m.)

Holy God,

I am asking You to show me where I may be behaving stubbornly. Yes Father. I look to You, seeking wisdom.

Mm, yes Blessed Father. Wisdom. Your wisdom. Not earthly wisdom. Your Word speaks of this as well.

I began my search with Reinhold Niebuhr’s famed Serenity Prayer. Asking You to give me “grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next.”

His words sum it up so perfectly. Thank You Father. But I didn’t stop there. I searched Your Word as well. And stopped at James 3:13-18.

“True Wisdom Comes from God If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth” (13a). Yes Father. Make it so!

The comment in The Life Recovery Bible tells us, “3:13-18 Wisdom is essential  to recovery. It must, however, be godly wisdom, not earthly wisdom. Earthly wisdom leads to selfishness and pride, invariably causing confusion and strife. True wisdom is based on the knowledge of God. It brings peace and leads to selfless living and faith that works; it never distinguishes between groups of people but treats everyone with respect and love…”

Oh most Blessed God, how I ask You to speak Your wisdom deep into my heart.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere” (v. 17).

Yes Father! Make me wise. Not stubborn. The Life Recovery Bible's Recovery Principal Devotional titled Wisdom ends with this Truth, “If our thoughts are still dominated by jealousy and selfishness, we need to ask God to replace our earthly wisdom with His Godly wisdom. We can trust Him to change our mind and our life.”

Yes God. Please. Guide and direct me in Your pure and perfect wisdom. I love You. I long to serve You. And I ask You, make me wise. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(441words ~ 8:07 a.m.)

call to prayer

Monday, November 12, 2018 (5:41 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I am confessing to You right now the guilt I feel for counting our blessings while wildfires burn out of control around us. Devastation. Loss. Sadness. How dare I count my blessings? But how do I not?

You are so good. Kind. Loving. Protective. Providing.

How I ask You on behalf of others Dearest God to ♪Remember Your people Remember Your children Remember Your promise oh God Your Grace Is Enough Your grace is enough♪ (Chris Tomlin). Oh how we all need Your mercy and grace Blessed Father.

Mm, yes Dear Father.

Yesterday I sat here very naively oblivious to the goings on in the world around us. Once I became aware, I stopped. Withdrew. Attempted to hide from horror. Forgive me. That is our call to prayer!

So I pick up now where I left off yesterday. Thanking You. Praising You. Counting our blessings.

Yes Father. Having turned to Johnson Oatman’s hymn ♪Count Your Blessings, name them one by one… see what God hath done♪ I was excited to read the referenced Bible verses. Thank You Blessed Father.

Psalm 40:5, “O LORD my God, You have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all Your wonderful deeds. I would never come to the end of them.” So true Dearest God.

Reading Psalm 107, I am reminded of Your goodness. And Your faithful love that endures forever. Yes Father.

Even as I read and reflect, again I ♪Give thanks to the Lord our God and King His love endures forever For He is good, He is above all things His love endures forever Sing praise, sing praise♪ (Chris Tomlin). Thank You Lord for the many reminders You give us to praise and thank You.

“Spiritual Blessings How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Here again I confess my tendency to focus on the things of this world.

And then Paul’s call to the Thessalonians, “Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Teach me Father. Empower, embolden me in living the joyful, thankful life You would have me live. Counting my blessings. Naming them one by one.

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

(427 words ~ 6:46 a.m.)

God's Blessings

Sunday, November 11, 2018 (6:18 a.m.)

Veteran’s Day

Holy God,

Thank You. You bless us so much.

"be satisfied"

Friday, November 9, 2018 (7:07 a.m. EST)

Pigeon Forge, TN

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You! Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. You have shown us beauty beyond description. Kindnesses. Simplicity. And we are truly grateful.

Holy God, You have given us tremendous opportunities to practice being satisfied. It seems to be a relatively new concept for me.

I confess my tendency of dwelling on mistakes and disappointments. Instead of truly accentuating the positives and eliminating the negatives I seem more inclined to do the opposite.

The phrase I have practiced more than any other this week is, “Be satisfied”. Things don’t always go our way. There are disappointments that can overwhelm us. If/when we let them. Hence my latest mantra. “Be satisfied”.

I just missed another one! A chance to take the perfect picture from our hotel window. One moment the lights across the parkway were exactly right on the neon Christmas trees [yes Christmas comes early to Pigeon Forge, TN] atop Smoky Mountain Opry. Before acting on the notion, the windows steamed. Rain started falling. Daylight broke and the brilliance faded.

Here again I practice being satisfied.

Your Word tells us to rejoice in You always (Philippians 4:4). Rejoice. Be joyful. Happy. Pleased. Glad. Delighted. Yes Father. Teach me to TRULY celebrate any disappointment and be satisfied. Yes Father. Yes.

Beauty. Kindness. Simplicity. Joy. Satisfaction. Teach me Father. Empower and embolden me in the very fine art of truly being satisfied. I long to learn.

(9:09 a.m.)

And here’s another thing I’m finding out about myself. In my quest to not be at fault for disappointments, I often attempt to place blame. Trying to get a leg ahead or above others. Father, save me from myself! Keep working Your will and Your way into my being.

I love You. I am excited to see how You are going to challenge us next. Knowing that You will. I no longer want to live fearful and afraid. I want to embrace every single opportunity that You put in front of us knowing, trusting and believing that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

On that very same note I turn back to Psalm 51, verses 6 and 8. Right this moment from The Passion Translation. “I know that You delight to set Your Truth deep in my spirit. So come into the hidden places of my heart” (6). Oh yes Dear Lord!

“Satisfy me in Your sweetness, and my song of joy will return. The places within me You have crushed will rejoice in Your healing touch” (8). And here I add, yes! Yes, oh Lord.

The Message spells it all out in such pure country fashion. “I’ve been out of step with You for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. What You’re after is Truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. Soak me in Your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life” (vs. 5-9).

And it just goes on from there! Asking not to be thrown out with the trash. But to have You breathe holiness into me. To bring me back from gray exile with a fresh wind in my sails. Teaching rebels Your ways, so the lost can find their way home.

Oh most Blessed God, make this all so. Truly teach me to be satisfied with a willingness [I just noticed that with an ’s’ instead of a ‘w’ willingness almost becomes silliness] to celebrate disappointments. Whatever, however, whenever they arise.

I love You Daddy God. “Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I’ll sing anthems to Your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips dear God; I’ll let loose with Your praise” (14-15).

Thank You for Your blessings. Your love. And Your delightful surprises. Keep working in us that we will freely share it all with others. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(708 words ~ 9:44 a.m.)

with a grateful heart

Sunday, November 4, 2018 (6:49 a.m. CST)

Nashville, TN

Blessed Holy God,

Happy Sunday from Nashville, TN. Thank You for getting us safely here, without incident. We were able to pack and be ready to go with no surprises. Thank You God. Yes, thank You.

Father, I truly love thanking You. With a grateful heart. And right there starts a song from over twenty-five years ago. A cassette playing in the car while I drove down the freeway. On the way to visit my dad in the care facility we had fought so hard to keep him out of.

Wow! Talk about an instant memory. Thank You for this as well Blessed God.

Driving in the fast lane. Anticipating a never ending road to recovery. Singing, alone in the car, at the top of my lungs. ♪Give Thanks [title of the cassette] with a grateful heart Give thanks to the Holy One Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His Son♪

Oh Dearest God, how we truly do give You thanks. We’ve made mistakes. Way more than our share. And here we are, still giving You thanks. With grateful hearts. Thank You, Dad.

Thank You for the lessons learned. Thank You for the challenges. Thank You for the growth. And the struggles. Thank You for the healing. And the memories.

Today, as we prepare to drive from one place we’ve never been before to another, I ask You to bless us and keep us. Make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Lift up Your countenance [face] upon us and give us Your peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Father, we love You. And we truly thank You. Continue preparing us for all You have to offer. Thank You. We love You. Amen.

(299 words ~ 5:21 a.m.)

grace and sufficiency

Thursday, November 1, 2018 (6:00 a.m.)

Holy God,

Good morning. It’s set to be a fairly busy day. I’m looking to You for Your grace and sufficiency.

Mind You, I’m not exactly sure what that even means. And at the very same time I know it’s precisely what I need.

Thank You Father. Thank You for not only knowing, but better still, for meeting our every single need long before we are ever aware.

You are good Dear Lord. Perfect and good. Thank You.

There are lots of health issues taking place with us right now. Seasonal allergies? A bruised and puffy foot. Lower than usual energy. Nothing too severe. Just enough for me to finally [why has it taken me so long?] to ask You in to the healing of my body.

I’ve looked long and hard on the internet for when to see the doctor. Yet haven’t thought to come to the foot of The Great Physician (Luke 17:12-19; John 5:1-15). Thank You for reminding me of Your willingness and ability to heal.

Now back to grace and sufficiency. Reading John 1:14-18 in The Life Recovery Bible Your grace and truth are translated as “unfailing love and faithfulness” (v. 14). “Grace upon grace” is written “rich blessings… one gracious blessing after another” (16).

The comment for this section ends by stating, “Jesus Christ came to bring us God’s unfailing love and forgiveness and to reveal God’s faithfulness. God’s forgiving grace says, ‘I forgive you for your wrongs; I love and accept you freely for the person you are.’ His faithfulness says, 'I will follow through on all I have promised.’”

As I continue wondering what next to do about this current state of unhealthiness, I look fully to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking. Believing. Trusting. Counting on Your grace being sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Grace Father, I love You. I need You. I thank You. Amen.

(329 words ~ 7:21 a.m.)