practice living love

 Monday, February 28, 2022 (6:32 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. Again and again. Thank You.

You have so much for us to learn about living and loving YOUR way. I want to practice living Your love in real life.

(7:43 a.m.)

Mm. I get to read about Your transformative love. About You dwelling in us. Sharing harmony, peace, love and grace upon grace. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for repeatedly teaching us Your ways. Thank You that You would have us “Be cheerful no matter what; pray[ing] all the time; thank[ing You] no matter what happens” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a).

Father, I am asking You to continue reminding me to say, “Thank You” until it becomes natural. Always being thankful. Joyful. Loving. Kind.

Only You are truly good (Mark 10:18). I want to reflect Your goodness. And Your grace. Keep teaching me Lord. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Thank You Father! I love You. I need You. I want You. Do everything You must in making me all You would have me be. Yours. Praise You. Amen.

(192 words ~ 8:22 a.m.)

"Gift day"

 Sunday, February 27, 2022 (5:31 a.m.)

Holy God,

How I bless and praise You! Coming out here to talk with You about one thing [opening gifts] and the very next thing I’m singing! Thank You.

Yes. Thank You for the easy find of the title ♪Nobody Loves Me Like You♪ and the artist [Chris Tomlin]. Being able to read and learn more about the relevance of this song is yet another gift. Thank You Father.

Thank You for the means with which You work my thinking back to You. In the most unexpected ways. Your methods and resources are limitless. How blessed we are. Thank You God.

(6:03 a.m.)

Gasp! Shock. Run to the window. We just can never out give You Lord!

One minute it’s dark outside. And seemingly the next, the sky is spectacular! Right back to the very first word, then verse of the “anthem of praise” I was singing earlier.

♪Morning, I see You in the sunrise every morning It’s like a picture You’ve painted for me A love letter in the sky♪ Again I thank You Father.

♪Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus I stand in awe of Your amazing ways I worship You as long as I am breathing God, You are faithful and true Nobody loves me like You♪

(8:06 a.m.)

Oh look at this!

I almost missed this gift completely! While reading a list consisting of: life, Jesus, love, grace, faith, forgiveness, salvation, righteousness, personal relationship, eternal life, inheritance, Holy Ghost and Spiritual gifts I hadn’t even considered the one You gave me over thirty years ago. Prayer!

(9:44 a.m.)

Back again. Health symptom change of plans. And I will utilize Your great gift of prayer. Asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 6:7) for Your wisdom, guidance and presence as I go out [actually stay in] for the day.

We love You Lord. We need You. We want You. And we thank and praise You for the gifts You so freely provide. Use us. Exactly as You know is best. Amen.

(348 words ~ 10:08 a.m.)

Celebrate!

 Saturday, February 26, 2022 (6:55 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You so very much! You have blessed us incredibly through the years. And this morning I got to wake up singing yet again.

♪I Just Want to Celebrate [Philippians 4:4] another year of marriage I just want to celebrate [Philippians 4:4] another year as “wife”♪

(7:37 a.m.)

Dear, dear God. You’ve been so good to us. Changing us from who we once were more into who You would have us be. Loving. Kind. More concerned about the other. Yes Lord. YOU did that in us!

Thinking of the numerous songs that have represented us as a couple over the years is how I awoke so much earlier. Now I am tearfully grateful for the brand new to me song and its accompanying video I was gifted with this morning.

Father, You have been here with us through the ups, downs and sideway-ness of our relationship all this time. How we thank and praise You for everything You have done and are doing in keeping us committed to You and to one another.

With only a partial list of the standout music that has helped us repeatedly along the way, I thank You for singing Your Truth to us repeatedly:

You Ought to Be Having Fun

Sabor A Mi

God Only Knows (What I’d Be Without You)

It’s Over

Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodby)

It’s Impossible

After All

You're Still the One

And this morning? The much loved husband adds ♪Just the Way You Are♪ to the mix. Thank You Father. Praise You Lord.

On this “National Set A Good Example Day” I ask that we would do exactly that Dear Lord. Not in our own strength, power or determination. No! Embolden and enable us both in living this day in, with, by, through and for You. Sharing Your loving Truth as we go.

We love You Lord. We need You. We want You. And we ask You to do all You must in empowering us to Your good and to Your glory.

Thank You God. Praise You. Amen.

(350 words ~ 8:20 a.m.)

♪You’re The God Who Stays♪

 Friday, February 25, 2022 (5:54 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. I’m singing. And I know the song. Yea!

♪You’re The God Who Stays♪ Wow! Talk about a crescendo building in my head.

Thank You Father that I get to sit here. Reading of Your love. Your presence. Your provision. The hope we have in You.

Oh, most dear and loving Lord God, I ask You to use me in the sharing of Your eternal Truth. 

A Time for Everything

 Thursday, February 24, 2022 (5:29 a.m.)

Holy God,

I look to You this morning. Your Word. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. A Time for Everything. John 16:33. Peace and distress.

Holy, Holy God, it is You we need. Your economy (1 Timothy 1:3-4) on which we must depend. Teach us how I pray.

Conflicts abound. Russia. Ukraine. Family disputes. Health issues. Divisions instead of unity. We need You Lord. Guide me in my reading and praying this morning.

John 4:24

Romans 8:26

1 Corinthians 15:45

(6:58 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

I search. I read. I think. I ask. And I pray. Oh yes Dearest God. How I come to You with all my concerns. Your peace over conflict. Your love far outweighing all unwillingness to forgive.

Here I tearfully sing my heart ♪and these four words “Thy Will be done…” I know You’re good But this don’t feel good right now And I know You think Of things I could never think about It’s hard to count it all joy Distracted by the noise Just trying to make sense of all Your promises Sometimes I gotta stop Remember that You’re God And I am not… Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is “Thy Will be done…”♪

Yes Father. I know You see us. I know You hear us. Your goodness never wavers (James 1:17).

Work in me today. EXACTLY as You know is best. I love You. I need You. I want You. Do all You must. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(269 words ~ 7:41 a.m.)

♪Awesome God♪

 Wednesday, February 23, 2022 (5:38 a.m.)

Awesome God,

Thank You that we get to know You 

(7:25 a.m.)

Just as I was preparing to say “... know You as awesome” I got sidetracked. Searching “our God as awesome” there were so many directions from which to choose.

♪Awesome God♪ being the first. Reading about the song and its writer I truly got lost in the details.

Father, I am asking You to again corral my thoughts. Remembering in great detail the first time ever hearing this worship song sung I’m practically transported back in time.

The tears stinging my eyes come from quite deep inside. Well over thirty years ago, I see and hear it all in my mind’s eye as if it were happening right now.

Pacific Palisades, Ca. Clear blue sky. A myriad of pine trees. The pack of young campers heard boisterously singing long before cresting the small hill over which they playfully marched into view. Energized after their week of learning about Jesus’ love for each of them. Loudly proclaiming Your Truth in song.

♪Our God is an awesome God He reigns from heaven above With wisdom, power and love Our God is an awesome God♪

Dearest, Awesome God, thank You for Your Truth. Learned. Remembered. Proclaimed. More tears. Heart cracked wide open. I want more Lord. More of Your wisdom. More of Your power. More of Your love.

I depend on You to supply our every need. I love when I smile while reading and trusting Your Word to be true.

Sent to 2 Chronicles 20:15 because of ♪The Battle Belongs to the Lord♪ I am truly blessed by another reminder “to trust in God’s power” (The Life Recovery Bible’s comment). We are not to be afraid. Nor discouraged. The battle isn’t ours. It’s Yours. You are our Victor.

Thank You, Father. Praise You, Lord. I love You. I need You. I want You. I ask You to do all You must to increase my trust in Your wisdom, power and love.

Continue conforming me to Your leadership and guidance. Make it so I truly “Believe in the LORD [my] God” that I “will be able to stand firm” (v. 20). Yes please! I appreciate Your awesomeness. Amen.

(365 words ~ 8:49 a.m.)

♪Your presence Lord♪

 Tue(2)sday, February(2) 22, 2022 (5:19 a.m.)

Holy God,

How I thank You, Lord! You bless us. With love. Joy. The Truth and promises of Your Word. Your presence in and with each of us.

Yes Lord. It is Your presence I want to experience this day. Your presence. Reading more about it and another deep smile coincides.

Singing readily begins. ♪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♪

There IS nothing worth more! No thing that compares. ♪You’re our Living Hope Your presence Lord♪ Thank You Father.

Thank You that we get to come to You with hurts. And hearts. Exactly as we are. Broken. Afraid. Desperate. You undo our shame. Releasing and setting us free. Thank You. Praise You.

Turning to Your Word in song [♪Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome♪ from 1977] I embrace the Truth of 1 Corinthians 2:12. “And God has actually given us His Spirit (not the world’s spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.”

Playfully seeking a 2:22 verse because of today’s unusual date, I am settling in with the apostle Paul’s confrontation of Peter (Galatians 2:11-21). Father God I love the ways You grab our attention by guiding us into Your Word.

Reading The Life Recovery Bible’s PURPOSE for the books of Galatians and Colossians, I am filled with hope. Written to several churches in southern Galatia and to the believers at Colosse, Christ was Paul’s focus.

Both letters were sent “to encourage readers to depend on Christ alone for salvation and daily strength.” As well as “to show us that Christ is the only real source of power in our life.”

Yes Lord! I ask You to continue Your work in bringing me eagerly into Your presence. Entering ♪Your gates with thanksgiving in my heart… [and] Your courts with praise… say[ing] “This is the day that the Lord has made!” I will rejoice for He has made me glad♪ (Psalm 100:4, 118:24).

And just when I think I’m done, Your Word speaks Its Truth to me again! Psalm 100, verse 5. “For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.”

It is Your goodness on which I depend this day. Asking You to guide and direct every single step I take. I love You. I want to honor You. Glorifying and enjoying You. Forever!

Do all You must Blessed God. I love You. I need You. I want You. Thank You. Amen.

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

basking

 Monday, February 21, 2022 (5:52 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. Thank You for this privilege. To love and be loved by You.

(6:21 a.m.)

Father, thank You that I get to sit here basking in Your Truth. Reading of and trusting in Your love. John, the apostle of love’s first letter. Written as an invitation to “come and journey into joy” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

I confess to feeling a little ‘off’ this morning Lord. It could be the change in weather. Or the news of the world. But when I put my focus back on You, a smile comes. And just like that [snap!] the song from earlier!

Aaron Lines’ ♪Love Changes Everything… Na na na na… Oh, it’s amazing how love changes everything♪ It’s so true Blessed God! How deeply and profoundly I thank and praise You for Your call to love and be loved by You.

(6:55 a.m.)

Oh, would You just look at this? Reading more about “the disciple Jesus loved” I am reminded “how beautifully John’s own transformation testifies to the truth of his teaching.”

It was Jesus Himself who took “the volatile, self-centered John and transform[ed] him into the tender and sensitive person we know through his writings.” Thank You Father. The smile on my face, heart and soul is genuine. Unforced. Real. A true representation of Your work in and on each of us.

I ask You to keep it up. Continue molding us to Your likeness. Guard me from anything that might take Your place in my heart (1 John 5:21).

Thank You for reminding me that I love You because You first loved us (1 John 4:19). Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me this day that I will freely and effectively share Your love with others.

Thank You God. Praise You Father. Use me as only You know is best. I love You. Amen.

(328 words ~ 7:45 a.m.)

truly delightful

 Sunday, February 20, 2022 (5:20 a.m.)

Endearingly delightful. Or is it delightfully endearing?

(5:55 a.m.)

Holy God, You provided me witness to generations of the Truth of Your Word in action yesterday. Drawn together to celebrate the 100th birthday of a much loved one, delightful was the word with which I came away. Truly delightful.

Adult children who had absolutely been raised to “honor thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12) fully exhibited the fruit of their parents’ labor. How blessed I am to have experienced such an example throughout my life.

Father God, the tears are streaming as I once again thank You for Your existence in our lives. Praise You for the opportunity to have been there in person to see first hand a description from Illustrated Bible Handbook played out in real time.

From Exodus “Chapter 20. The Ten Commandments 5. Honor father and mother: 12. Respect for parents and the integrity of the family is seen as basic to a holy and healthy community.”

They've exhibited it often throughout the years Lord. A loving, healthy community of siblings playing nicely with one another. Truly representing what their parents had done for them.

Moving now into the fifth generation of offspring, Your Truth continues being well modeled. Proverbs 29:17. “Discipline your children; you’ll be glad you did - they’ll turn out delightful to live with” (The Message).

The parents did. The children are. And I’ve been blessed to see it happen. Thank You God.

Teach me in using such examples as yesterday going forward. I love You Lord. I thank You. I need You. I want You. Do all You must in refining me to Your image. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(289 words ~ 6:41 a.m.)

singing Truth

 Saturday, February 19, 2022 (6:57 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You for Your goodness. Your grace. Kindness. Faithfulness. Thank You that we get to depend on You not to change. No matter the circumstances.

You gave me songs to sing this morning. So many songs that I no longer remember them all. Guide and direct my thinking and thanking I ask.

♪I am Who You Say I Am You are for me, not against me I am who You say I am Who the Son sets free [John 8:36] Oh is free indeed I’m a child of God Yes I am♪

Thank You God!

I confess to not knowing how best to represent and share You with others. I depend on You to bless and keep me (Numbers 6:24-26). You don’t change ♪You stay the same through the ages (Lamentations 3:22)… Your Love Never Fails♪

Father, I want to be faithful to You. Trustworthy. Dependable.

Do all You must to keep me singing Your Truth. Smiling every time I notice You at work. Standing firm on Your Word. Staying my mind on Your loving presence.

I love You Lord. I ask You to provide every single thing You know is necessary for each of us to love You with all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30). And to love others as ourselves (v. 31).

You are great. Glorious. Good. And gracious. I want to live this day trusting You to be all Your Word says You are. Singing Your Truth as I go.

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

(268 words ~ 8:22 a.m.)

♪Provision, Provision♪

 Friday, February 18, 2022 (6:16 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. You continue keeping my thoughts on You. Words. Songs. Truth. Faith. Hope. Smiling as I consider all You provide for us, I am truly grateful.

Lord God, You know our needs. And You supply for them all. Thank You. Praise You.

Along with the other songs of the late night and early morning, this one word substitutes Fiddler On the Roof’s “Tradition.” ♪Provision, Provision♪ Thank You that You provide so generously for us Lord.

My thoughts were all over the place yesterday. Seemingly unwilling to be corralled. [♪But that was Yesterday and yesterday’s gone♪] See how quickly You remind me to focus on now? Today. You.

"Dying to self" is a relatively new to me realization. Remembering occasions where Your Holy Spirit has intervened on my behalf buoys me wildly! Thank you Father.

Having the presence of mind to continue turning to You is an absolute gift. Being able to sing Your Truth [♪I am Who You Say I Am♪] throughout the night helped me sleep. Thank and praise You Lord.

There’s a genuine eager[agog]ness I’m experiencing right now. A belief. Trust. Desire to reach out into the day.

Father I want to glorify and enjoy You this day. This day which You have made (Psalm 118:24). The one in which we are to ♪rejoice and be glad♪

I love You Lord. I want that to be obvious. I depend on You to continue teaching me to fully trust in and rely on You.

I ask You to empower and enable me in being kind! To “Keep Inputting Noble Dialogue.” Again, something I did while trying to sleep. Thinking the words: redemption. Hope. Mercy. Charity. Forgiveness.

And singing ♪I am forgiven [it’s actually chosen!] Not forsaken I am who You say I am You are for me Not against me I am who You say I am♪

Keep me singing, and trusting, Your Truth Dear Lord. Believing You ‘will supply all our needs from Your riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us’ (Philippians 4:19).

I want to sing. Smile. Stand firm on Your Word. And stay my mind [Keep Inputting Noble Dialogue] on You. Your Truth. And Your ♪Provision, Provision!♪

Use me today Dear Lord. Exactly as You know is best. Thanking. Praising. Appreciating. Glorifying. And enjoying You as I go. I love You. Bless You. Amen.

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

k i n d

 Thursday, February 17, 2022 (5:02 a.m.)

Holy God,

Kindness. That’s what I woke up considering this morning. Thank You for that Dear Lord. We always have the choice. Be mean? Or kind.

Thank You that You would have us:

Keep [know]

Instilling [inspiring, internal, inputting]

Nice [noble, necessary, needed]

Dialogue [desires, disciplines]

Your Word cautions us repeatedly to guard our thoughts. Thank You that You provide us everything we need to do exactly that.

Proverbs 4:23

Dying to self

Matthew 16:24

♪If Any Man come after me Let him deny himself, Pick up his cross and follow me Into life eternally. Deny yourself, pick up Your cross, and follow Jesus, He is the Way, Truth and life♪

♪For Such A Time As This♪ Crystal Lewis

transformed hearts

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 (5:47 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for Your love. Your love that transforms hearts.

I just read that phrase. Transformed hearts. You do that for us. In. With. By. And through us. Thank You Lord for loving us more than we can ever comprehend.

(7:19 a.m.)

Searching Your Word to learn more about Your incredible, unwavering love for us I experience peace. Hopefulness.

1 John 3:11

Philippians 4:4-9

Ephesians 1:15-23, 3:8-21

Father, I look around at the hurts of the world. Family and friends in so much physical and emotional pain. Lord God, we are in such desperate need of Your transforming presence in our lives.

Thank You that we are never far away from Your reach. Your loving, perfect existence. Thank You for Your work in every circumstance we encounter. Because of Your perfect love (1 John 4:18) we do not have to be afraid.

We get to hope. Trust. Have faith. Be of good courage. Simple little catch phrases. Until we take them to heart. Putting them to the test. And into action.

You ARE the God who lives! And saves. And stays!

(8:06 a.m.)

And now I have tears!

Thinking I was singing ♪You’re the God who saves♪ I searched for the lyrics. No, no. ♪You’re the God who STAYS… the One who runs in my direction When the whole world walks away♪

Thank and praise You Father for loving us that much!!! Knowing our every single need. And meeting them all.

I am asking You Lord to continue transforming our hearts. To look and love like You. You are good. Great. Glorious. And gracious. Do all You must in making us reflect You well.

I love You. I need You. I want You. Use me exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(316 words ~ 8:20 a.m.)