blessing counting

 Friday, December 31, 2021 (6:36 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, CA

Blessed God,

Another year is coming to an end. Thank You Father for the numerous blessings You have provided us. Do all You must in teaching me to not only count them, but to use them appropriately.

(8:26 a.m.)

I’m here again. Still wanting to honor and glorify You. Not only for the blessings You’ve provided, but for Who and all You are.

Thank You God that when I begin my blessing counting, I start with You. Your goodness. Grace. Gloriousness. And greatness. Your faithfulness which endures forever.

Yes! Right here I borrow from a two verse psalm [117] of praise. “O praise the Lord, all you nations! Praise Him, all you people! For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).

And here from The Message. “Praise GOD, everybody! Applaud GOD, all people! His love has taken over our lives; GOD’s faithful ways are eternal. Hallelujah!”

At this year’s end I want very much to take our praise and applauding of You into the new year Lord. Teach us even more how best to bring You our worship, praise and applause.

Just as I was thinking I had no song to sing to You this morning, one began. Looking into its origin, again I learn more. Thank You Father.

♪Praise God from Whom all blessings flow Praise Him, all creatures here below Praise Him above, ye heavenly host Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost Amen♪ Yes! Known to many as ♪Doxology♪ I appreciate reading details about it.

Words were written in1674 and not readily allowed to be sung in church services. The melody was from a 1551 hymn. And the name “doxology” comes from two Greek words: doxa - meaning glory, and logos - meaning “speaking”.

Holy Father God, I long to speak [and sing!] glory to You! You bless us far beyond our own ability to fully comprehend all You have provided us.

Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me that I will come to truly “count it all joy” (James 1:2). You know all You are doing. I want to learn to trust and thank You more readily than I have in the past.

I love You Lord. I ask You to use me to Your good and to Your glory. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

What a gift!

Thursday, December 30, 2021 (11:37 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, CA

Holy, Most Awesome God,

THANK YOU!!!! Praise You. Bless You. Serve You. Fully esteem and revere You. Yes. Thank You, God.

Over fifteen hours without electricity. Learning to band together. Hunker down. Wait for instructions. Shift gears. Do what we’re told. Follow directions. What a blessed opportunity Lord.

Father God, I thank You for this gift of empathy of which I am becoming more and more aware. Yes Dearest Lord. For the very first time in my life I am fully able to embrace all that You have provided in making me the me You would have me be. A highly empathic person!

Dearest Lord, I am asking You to teach me to use and wear well all the blessed intricacies You have provided me. The tears in my eyes are quite representative of the freeing joy that accompanies me FINALLY appreciating all that it is to be me.

Holy, blessed God. I cannot possible ever thank You enough. But that doesn’t mean that I will stop trying.

Psalty song ♪If I Were A Butterfly…’Cause You gave me a heart, And you gave me a smile You gave me Jesus, And you made me Your child. And I just thank You, Father for making me me!♪

Forgive me Lord for the number of years, decades, moments that I have whole-heartedly wished that I were ever so much different than I am. 67.11 years seems to be the tipping point!

That was the day I was finally able to come to actual terms with the fact that You made me this way [highly empathic] for a reason. While I don’t have to know what those reasons are, I DO get to throw wide open all the windows and doors that have quite honestly kept me in bondage all this time.

You provided us time together this holiday season. Time to play. And pray. Reflect. And rejoice. What gifts. What absolute gifts Lord!!!

Psalm139:14

Romans 12:15-16

John 11:35 Jesus wept

1 Peter 3:8

2 Cor 2:4

Colossians 3:12-13

1 John 4:1-2

John 14:26-27

emotions

 Wednesday, December 29, 2021 (8:03 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, CA

Emotions, Lord.

You blessed us with them. Strong. Intense. And often out of our control. I’m asking You to teach me more in Your fine art of using all these feelings to Your good and for Your glory.

My heart, soul, mind and strength are each fueled by Your goodness and Your grace. I depend on Your instruction in learning to love You, others and myself (Mark 12:30-31) with all You so generously provide.

This Advent and Christmas season has been like none before. Cherished family traditions have been fondly remembered, lovingly discussed and purposely not put into practice this year.

Our collective goal? Make way for something new.

And with that carefully crafted intention came many of the pitfalls related to experiencing the unknown. Thank You Father. Every single time I feel myself falling off the rails, I get to bring all my emotions straight to You.

Even this practice is often easier at certain times than others. Through Your loving provisions to each of us we get to continue coming to You. Again. And again. Ad-infinitum.

Earlier this year, You presented me the opportunity to explore Proverbs 29:25. “Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the LORD means safety.” Thank You God for Your teaching Truth!

This morning it’s verse 11. Jubilee Bible 2000 “The fool gives full rein to his spirit, but the wise man in the end will bring it to rest.” I long to be wise, Lord.

Do all You must in bringing me to truly love and accept myself exactly as You created me, Father. You know Your plan (Jeremiah 29:11). You know Your best.

Psalm 139:14

Yes again

 Tuesday, December 28, 2021 (5:42 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, CA

Holy God,

I’m not ready to say thank You. Thank You that I can even say that to You. How blessed are we to have a heavenly Father with which to be that honest. Thank You Lord.

Yes. Confessing resistance and reluctance led immediately to obedience. To entering Your gates with thanksgiving in my heart (Psalm 100:4). And entering Your court with praise. To singing, ♪This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad♪ (Psalm 118:24).

Yes again. In one fell swoop I went from acknowledging You as God. To confessing my attitude. To thanking You. And immediately singing and smiling began. Only You could accomplish such a change of heart.

From downcast to uplifted in a matter of words. Thank You God. Yes. Thank You. Deeply. Truly. Sincerely.

Surrounded by the peace of Your presence, I want to know more. About You. Others. And myself.

Father God, I read the Truth of Your goodness. And am reminded again that Your love and faithfulness endure forever (Psalm 100:5). Keep teaching me more I ask Dearest God.

Thank You for Your gifts and blessings. Each wrapped in Your own special design.

Yes! Again. On this 4th Day of Christmas, as we continue celebrating the gift of Your Son. Wrapped in swaddling clothes and lain in a manger (Luke 2:12).

Let us not lose sight of what is most important of all. You! Your love for each and every single one of us.

That we would come to love You, others and ourselves with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30-31). Yes Lord. Empower and enable us to Your good and glorious end of truly giving thanks and rejoicing.

Your love endures forever! Embolden us in standing firm and sharing Your Truth and promises with others. Use each of us as You so perfectly designed. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(340 words ~ 7:30 a.m.)

2nd Day

 Sunday, December 26, 2021 (6:12 a.m.)

Holy God,

Today is known by many as the second day of Christmas. I confess to You Lord, I didn’t do well with the first at all.

Hurt feelings. Angry voices. Differing opinions. Miscommunications all the way around!

Forgive us Father (Luke 23:34). We truly didn’t know the full extent of what our pride and bitterness was doing to one another. And ourselves!

Here we have a brand new day. Filled with Your faithfulness. And Your mercies which begin afresh each day (Lamentations 3:23). Teach us to truly treasure this time we have to spend with one another. Not wasting a moment of it on anything less than Your generous gift of Jesus.

Again I ask You to forgive me. And just like that [snap!] I have tears in my eyes as I sing ♪Sweet Little Jesus Boy… we didn’t know who You was♪ The tears roll freely as I read the origin of the song, seeking repeatedly for Your forgiveness.

I missed Your message to me again and again. Even with the Truth of Your birth right there in front of me.

♪You done told us how, we is a tryin’! Master, You done done show’d us how, even when You was dyin’. Just seem like we can’t do right, Look how we treated You. But please, Sir, forgive us, Lord - We didn’t know ’twas You.♪

I didn’t honor You yesterday Lord. Practically thumbing my nose at Your sacrifice. 

It is Your mercy and Your grace I am seeking this day. Explained in a comment for Lamentations “3:21-26 … God, in His mercy and grace, will help us overcome our setbacks and gain a new perspective on life when we ask Him” (The Life Recovery Bible).

This is me asking Lord. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). Just like You’ve taught us to.

Another comment. Same Bible. Different book. Luke “23:32-34 Jesus forgave those who nailed Him to the cross… As we accept His forgiveness, we are freed to forgive those who have sinned against us. Christ helps us release our bitterness and resentment, which only imprisons us. His forgiveness empowers us to be forgiving people - forgiving ourself and those who have hurt us.”

Amen, Dearest Lord! Amen. Amen. Amen! Do all You must to make Your loving forgiveness so in us. Amen. Amen!

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

"whosoever would believe in Him lyrics"

Christmas Eve Friday, December 24, 2021 (5:01 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. You are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. We are blessed to know You. Trust You. Love You. Be loved by You.

Thank You for sending Your Son into this world to save it (John 3:17). Teach me on this I ask. There is so very much we don’t know. Don’t understand.

You loved us so much

(6:26 a.m.)

I went off searching for the song that sings this so succinctly. All this time later and I come back as empty as I left.

Father God, I’m confessing to You the apathy I am feeling at this very moment. It’s rainy and cold out. Dangerously so in many ways. Lord God, there are so very many things over which I have no control. Thank You that You do.

Thank You that You remind us of Your goodness and Your grace. I look to You wanting to share the wealth of Your Word with others.

♪For God so loved the world He gave His only Son that whosoever would believe in Him Should not perish from this♪

(6:44 a.m.)

It just kept singing. Wouldn’t leave me alone. And here it is. Found by searching “whosoever would believe in Him lyrics”.

Thank You Lord. Thank You that I can be honest with You. Share my feelings. Or seeming lack of them. And still You sing to me. Until I “get” it.

♪John 3:16♪ Psalty the Singing Songbook. Deeply embedded in my being ♪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.♪

Blessed God, this Christmas season has been unlike any other. With all of the blessings I confess to feeling guilty about experiencing feelings of loss and sadness.

Thank You that I get to even say that to You. Thank and praise You for reminding me of the differences between true guilt and false guilt. Use even this to Your good and to Your glory Dear Lord.

This year we have heavy rain, illnesses and so many things that are different than years before. Be glorified even especially in the change Dear Lord. Make our celebration of Your Son’s birth all You would have it be.

conforming and transforming

 Wednesday, December 22, 2021 (5:34 a.m.)

Loving Lord,

Thank You.

Thank You for rest. And sleep. And warmth. And Your love. Mm, yes. Your love.

(6:38 a.m.)

Reading. Waiting. Sitting. Thinking. And here it is. “The transformed hearts of Christians respond to the call of God to love one another” (christianity.com).

Thank You Father. That’s what we have. Transformed hearts. Because of Your love for each of us. Thank You God.

(7:11 a.m.)

Thank You that Your Word is Truth. It teaches us. Conforms and transforms us. We are truly blessed to be loved by You Dear Lord.

I am asking You to take the peace, hope, joy and love this Advent season has brought to us and use it for Your good. And to Your glory.

You know what You have planned for us this day. This season. I ask You to guide and direct us through every aspect. Transforming and conforming all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength to love You, others and ourselves as only You know is best (Mark 12:30-31).

Hmm... Peace. Hope. Joy. Love. All leading us straight to Jesus. Embolden, empower and enable us to share Your TRUE Spirit of Christmas these next several days.

We love You, Lord. We need You. We want You. And we thank You. Oh how we thank You! Amen.

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

without incident

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 (5:13 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. We’re home. Safe and sound. Without incident.

(5:39 a.m.)

Your Word guides me. Even here.

“Without incident.” The Message. Matthew 7:24-25. Jesus speaking. And teaching.

“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit - but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.”

You fixed us to You, our Rock, nearly thirty years ago. Thank You God. Praise You Jesus. Your teachings. Guiding us to lean into and depend on You. We are eternally grateful Lord.

The Passion Translation footnote for flood directs us to Song of Songs 8:7. Here I get to read of committed love. And am again reminded of the tremendous work You have done in and for our relationship. Thank You Father.

Yes, Dad. Thanks for the guidance and direction You have given us through the years. 

This morning I ask You to continue Your work in each of us. Empowering and enabling us to hear, trust, and obey Your teachings.

I love You Lord. Thank You for all You provide. Use us as You alone know is best. Amen.

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

true colors

 Sunday, December 19, 2021 (7:06 a.m. MST)

Sailing north toward San Pedro, CA

Thank You God,

Thank You for speaking to us. Through beauty that touches our hearts. And music that sings Truth to our souls.

 

This morning it’s ♪True Colors♪ A song written about looking below the surface to see what a person is really like. Hm, Father. I want my inside to match my outside. I want people to see me and know You.

still grateful

 Saturday, December 18 (6:54 a.m. MST)

Anchored @ Cabo San Lucas, MX

Holy God,

Thank You for time with family. For beauty. And colors. Interesting shapes. And clouds. The list of things for which to be grateful and appreciative is endless.

(9:28 a.m.)

And here I am. Back again. And still grateful.

And...

 Friday, December 17, 2021 (8:11 a.m. MST)

Nearing Cabo San Lucas , MX

Holy God,

Again I thank You Lord. So many blessings. And opportunities. And fun. And changes. And unexpectedness. And…

And I ask You to accompany us in it all Lord. I want to be agreeable. Appreciative. Amenable. To You.

Yes Lord. I want to be yielded, submissive and responsive to Your leading.

Reading an e-article entitled “What Does It Mean to Be Amenable?” I find myself smiling. Nodding my head in agreement. Especially at the description of one particular woman.

Represented as “a steel magnolia.” One with “a soft spirit.” Courageous, with an amenable, sweet-spirited disposition. I know I want to be described as courageous, Lord! With a gentle, quiet and respectful spirit.

The more I read, the more I agree that I want to be leadable. Responsive. Compliant. Amenable. With a “yes-spirited” disposition. Willing to trust You, God. To do what’s right and good. To stand up for what’s true. With a gentle, soft and quiet spirit.

Titus 2:3-5

1 Peter 3:4

And look right here Lord. The more I read, I come across Mary’s verse from yesterday. Her reply to the angel about something she could not begin to understand or control. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).

What a find Dear Lord! Women who reflect my heart’s desire. To be guided by You in being winsome. Truthful. Deepening “the partnership and the communication and the oneness in marriage and doesn’t insult it, in a way where husband and wife are drawn together to reflect the unity and the oneness and the love and the beauty of what we see between the Father and Son.”

Yes please Father. I want to represent You well this day. Make it so. As only You are able. I love You. Use me. Amen.

(326 words ~ 9:53 a.m.)

Mary's gratefulness

Thursday, December 16, 2021 (6:42 a.m.)

(8:11 a.m. MST)

Sailing south toward Cabo San Lucas, MX

Holy God,

Thank You. You provide our needs. And a lot of our wants. Thank You. Yes, Lord. Let’s explore my gratefulness shall we?

And just like that [snap!] I’m reading of Mary’s gratefulness instead. Luke 1:46-47, 49 (New International Version). “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,’”.

What would it be like to have that kind of faith and trust in You, dear Lord? Unlike Zechariah who questioned and doubted the angel Gabriel’s announcement of John’s upcoming birth (Luke 1:11-20) she questioned, (v. 34) was willing and accepted whatever You wanted (38).

That’s the kind of faith I want and need Dearest Father. To be able to sing praise, thanksgiving and rejoicing regardless of the circumstance. To trust that You and Your plans for us are good. No matter what.

She knew You Lord. Well enough to trust You. Wholeheartedly.

And with all this? A song. Thank You God. Teach me more. ♪Mary, Did You Know?♪  

glee

 Wednesday, December 15, 2021 (5:36 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Psalm 118:24. ♪…This is the day that the Lord has made… We will rejoice and be glad in it♪ What a Truth to wake up singing. Thank You God.

Taking this verse to the translations. And what a find. Start to finish, what a psalm.

Contemporary English Version. Verses 1 and 29. “Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because He is kind and always merciful.” Mm, yes. Thank You God that You are.

Reading this “praise psalm” of “Glorious Thanksgiving” in The Passion Translation I come away with such excitement. Beginning with the same two verses.

“Keep on giving thanks to God, for He is so good! His constant, tender love lasts forever!” Repeated much the same in verses 2-4, verse 5 rings especially true for me.

“Out of my deep anguish and pain I prayed, and God, You helped me as a father. You came to my rescue and broke open the way into a beautiful and broad place.”

Thank You God. Here we have the opportunity to give You the praise You so rightly deserve. Presenting verse 24 differently than I know it.

“This is the very day of the Lord that brings gladness and joy, filling our hearts with glee.” While being familiar with gladness and joy, glee is relatively new to me.

Father, I long to take You and Your goodness into this day with me. Experiencing the great delight You have set for each of us.

Teach me to apply verses 27 and 28 to my life I ask. “For the Lord our God has brought us His glory-light. I offer Him my life in joyous sacrifice. Tied tightly to Your altar, I will bring You praise. For You are the God of my life and I lift You high, exalting You to the highest place.”

Hmm. Glee. Delight. Merriment. Celebrating YOU Dear Lord. Make it so. In, with, by, through and for me. This IS the day that You have made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it.

I love You Lord. Thank You for Your presence. And Your gifts. Use us as You know is best. Praise You. Celebrate You. With glee! Amen.

(376 words ~ 6:40 a.m.)