more and more and more

 Saturday March 26, 2022 (9:42 p.m.)

Holy God,

Asleep. Awake. Another attempt?

You have blessed us Lord. Deeply. Profoundly. Often.

Sunday March 27, 2022 (4:05 a.m.)

More sleep happened. Thank You God.

(6:00 a.m.)

More sleep. More blessings. More hope. More love. Mm. Oh yes, Blessed God. Thank You that You have blessed with so much more.

Reading Your Word this morning, I am blessed all the more. GOD’S WORD Translation presents John 1:16 and 17 just a little differently than I’ve read before.

“Each of us has received one gift after another because of all that the Word [Jesus] is. Laws were given through Moses, but kindness and Truth came into existence through Jesus Christ.”

“One gift after another” [more and more and more] also referred to as 'Christ’s fullness of grace upon grace' is what I’m seeking Lord. More kindness. More Truth. All week, Dear God.

I love You. I need You. I want You. You bless us. And I thank You. Use me as You know is best. Amen.

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

unnecessary weight

 Saturday, March 26, 2022 (6:08 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! Praise You. Yes!

You amazed me yesterday. I brought You my fearful heart and You ordered our day. Every concern that had kept me awake in the early morning hours proved to have been unnecessary.

While I knew not to worry, to pray instead, the fretting had continued. Father, thank You for Your tender, loving care of us.

Getting to turn to Your Word right now is such a blessing. Reading in both The Message and Amplified Bible, Classic Edition further confirms the hope and trust we have in You.

Trying as hard as I did to settle my mind, even singing Your praises, sleep had continued eluding me. Thank You Father that You provided everything You knew I needed throughout all of yesterday.

Mmm, Dear Lord. Thank You that You have such a better plan than for us to carry the unnecessary weight of thoughts that may never come to pass.

You are so good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. We are truly blessed to be created in Your image. Thank You.

We actually lived the Truth of Philippians 4:6-7 yesterday. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” (The Message).

Thank You God that in Hebrews 12:1 and 2a we are again told of the importance of trusting and following You. Continue working in us to this end I pray.

“Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].”

Oh Dear Lord, how I thank and praise You. Asking to be changed and empowered to Your liking.

We have plans. Align them as You know is best. We experienced Your presence yesterday. We seek it again.

Thank You. Praise You. I love You. Use us. Amen.

(425 words ~ 7:23 a.m.)

power in silence

 Friday, March 25, 2022 (2:26 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I’m awake and singing (♪Out of My Hand and into Yours♪). I’d rather be asleep and dreaming. I turn to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). I love You Lord.

(5:48 a.m.)

Toss. Turn. Ask some more.

I’m confessing fear to You Dear Lord.

(6:28 a.m.)

Fear of not being enough. Not doing enough.

Oh, and right here You show Yourself. Thank You God! A smile. Deep. Sincere. Genuine. 

The song had changed much earlier. Here it comes again. ♪I don’t wanna abuse Your grace God, I need it every day It’s the only thing that ever really Makes me wanna change… Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips Like the sound of a symphony to my ears It’s like Holy Water on my skin♪

(7:14 a.m.)

Reading of the power that is found in silence sparks hope in my heart. Thank You God. It’s okay for me to be quiet. Contemplative. There’s nothing wrong with me as I approach You just as I am. Thoughtfully.

I am indeed full of thoughts this morning. This doesn’t mean I have to judge myself harshly. Thank You again Dear God.

Ecclesiastes 3:7b 

James 1:19

backwards

Thursday, March 24. 2022 (12:40 p.m.)

Most Dear and Holy God,

Today has seemed a bit backwards. Baking. Phone calls. Chores. And now time with You. Thank You for Your presence with me through it all.

Mm. Your presence. Thank You God.

(2:44 p.m.)

How fun that as backwards as my approach has been to this day, I find myself singing again. And of all songs? ♪Everything Is Awesome♪

Looking to line up those lyrics with Your Word, I’m pouring over translations of Psalm 147:5. “How great is our Lord! His power is absolute [awesome in some versions, abundant in others]! His understanding is beyond comprehension!”

Oh thank You that You are, Dear God! Thank You for the ease with which smiles come while reading the Truth of Your promises.

A comment in The Life Recovery Bible (147:2-11) further describes Your power. “God can restore us to wholeness again. We need to turn to Him instead of withering away in our remorse. There is always hope when we honor God in our life because there is nothing greater than God’s power. He is able to heal us and provide for all our needs and is never overwhelmed by the dependency that we call our enemy.”

This psalm is described in Illustrated Bible Handbook as a “praise to God, who ‘delights in those who fear [fully esteem and revere] Him.’” Amen, Dear Lord!

Again I thank You for Your presence. Keep me singing Your praises, smiling, standing on Your Word and staying my mind on You. Thank You Father. I love You. Use me. Amen.

(268 words ~ 4:10 p.m.)

concord

 Wednesday, March 23, 2022 (5:08 a.m.)

♪Jesus Paid It All All to Him I owe Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow♪

Thank You God that I get to wake up thinking of and singing Your Truth.

(7:12 a.m.)

And with that I went straight back to sleep. Thank You for the tender care You take of us.

Interesting that I woke this time singing ♪The Final Countdown♪ Father, how I ask You to work in, with, by, through and for me this day. Preparing me as we go along.

God, I love You. I am grateful for all You are doing in bringing about changes in attitudes and actions.

Thank You for something as simple as finally finishing an extremely challenging thousand piece jigsaw puzzle. So much was learned through the process. Thank You Lord.

I didn’t quit, as much as I wanted to. I stuck to it. Asking for help as needed. Learning tricks and tips as I went along. Developing patience. Seeing pieces differently. Responding to encouragement. Thank You God. What a genuine gift this gift turned out to be.

We have much to do today [the puzzle no longer being on the list, thank You very much!]. Guide. Direct. Empower. And enable me in making decisions You know are best.

Because of the afore mentioned puzzle, I learned a new to me word. Concord. A state of agreement; harmony. Mm, I like it!.

Taking it to Your Word, I am delighted. Encouraged. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition. 2 Timothy 2:22 and James 3:18 both spur me toward living this day as You would have me.

Paul's words to encourage Timothy include, “Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.” Oh yes that I would Dear Lord!

James’ letter urging Jewish Christians to honor You teaches, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].”

Yes please Dear Lord. Align me with Your Word this day that I live it in concord with Your teachings.

I love you. I want You. I need You. Jesus Paid It All! I was bought at a high price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Use me in honoring You. Thank You. Amen.

(521 words ~ 8:50 a.m.)

honoring God

 Tuesday, March 22, 2022 (6:28 a.m.)

Holy God,

You reminded me again. I was right in the midst of cursing the wind yesterday and chose to sing instead. ♪Holy Spirit You are welcome here Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere♪

(7:31 a.m.)

Thank You God. You allow us choices. In every situation. Thank You for the times I choose to honor You. Mm, yes. Teach me more about honoring You.

Looking up. Seeing the clarity of the sky. Remembering Your power. Thank You for stopping me in my tracks.

A minor irritation could have turned major. Inviting Your Spirit into the day was absolutely the way to go.

Father, I thank You for Your presence. Your reminders. Your love. Your provision.

And your Word. Oh, yes Blessed God. Thank You for the Truth and promises in Your Word. I want to honor You and Your teachings Lord.

Rereading Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Appearances [John] 20:10-31 (Illustrated Bible Handbook) I am again heartened. The peace Jesus offers abounds. Thank You God.

When suddenly standing among His disciples, “Peace be with you” (v. 19) was His greeting. Holding out His hand and showing them His side, His followers were filled with joy (20).

Again speaking peace to them (21) He then breathed on them commanding, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (22). How truly blessed our we?

A comment in The Life Recovery Bible (20:22-23) describes the Spirit as “life-bringing, truth-revealing, sin-convicting, comfort-giving” who exhorts and enables us in forgiveness. That’s what I experienced yesterday.

Stopping mid curse, I offered You praise instead. Thank You Father for teaching us the fine art of honoring You. 

I love You. I need You. I want You. Use me this day exactly as You know is best. Thank and praise You Lord. Amen.

(309 words ~ 8:21 a.m.)

infusion

 Monday, March 21, 2022 (7:13 a.m.)

Family Room

Holy God,

Thank You. I had restful sleep. We have hot coffee. I’ve got two songs. And many smiles. What a way to start the day. Yes, Lord. Thank You.

There’s a sense of infusion taking place right now. Peaceful contentment seems to be the order of the day. That You Father.

Thank You for the blessings You provide us. Thank You for memories of the past. And the opportunity to make new ones every moment.

Thank You for Spring Dear Lord. I don’t remember ever having been so aware of the effect one season has on me over another. I hear the birds chirp. See the green of the trees. And I reflect on the joy each brings to my heart.

All of this is You Dearest God. You reminding me of Your goodness and Your grace. Your provision. And Your plans. I don’t have to know my next step. I need to trust and obey as You lead. Thank You.

Thank You for the apostle Paul’s letters to other believers. Thank You for his faith in You. And his willing obedience in sharing it with others.

Because of the love You infused into Your chosen people (Romans 8:29) I get to sit here meditating on their words. This is huge stuff for my healing heart.

I have made so many mistakes through the years. And Your Word reminds me repeatedly that I am forgiven. Praise You Father.

Use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. Continue Your work in teaching me how to follow You.

Make the love You infuse in me grow and overflow to others (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Causing my heart to be made strong, sinless and holy so I may stand before You “guiltless on that day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all those who belong to Him” (v. 13).

Oh yes Dearest God. You do all this in me. Changing me as You see fit. Thank You. Praise You.

As I go out into this day I ask You to go before, behind, beside, beneath and above me the whole way. Keep me in Your presence [and ♪in the moment♪]. Singing and smiling as we go.

It's comforting to better understand the first song of this morning. ♪I’m Still Standing♪ definitely fits my desire to stand with You on Your Word. Thank You.

Thank You also for the longing I have to freely release all concerns ♪Out of my hands and into Yours♪ You are good Lord. Awesome. Perfect.

I turn to You. Asking. Seeking. Knocking (Matthew 7:7). I want another infusion of Your love. Your grace. Your mercy.

Use me Father. I love You. I need You. I want You. I thank and praise You. Amen.

(471 words ~ 8:13 a.m.)

a miracle

 Sunday, March 20, 2022 (5:51 a.m.)

Most Blessed, Holy God,

You did a miracle yesterday Dear Lord. In us. With us. By, through and for us. A miracle all the way.

There is no other word I can choose to use right now. Our time spent with grandsons was truly Your power [Greek word dunamis translated as ‘miracle’] being made evident by the work You’ve been doing in each of us.

There are not enough “Thank You”s in this world for me to express the joy You provided us yesterday. Waking up singing and smiling after sleeping quite well I am completely excited and eager to tell [agog].

In You. Through You. By You. With You. For You. We are being changed. All of us. Listening is happening. Actual hearing. Watching. Seeing. Being aware. And honest. Right in the moments.

Yesterday began with my set agenda being adjusted. My time frame no longer needed to be rushed. We took an extra hour to get started. And were given three more at the end.

Scuffles were handled readily. Voices calmed. Hurt feelings easily identified. And forgiven. Attitudes of the past were touched upon, momentarily discussed and left in the past. Where they so rightly belong. This was all You Dear Lord.

Compelling Truth describes You as “a God of miracles.” And miracles as acts that only You can do. Beyond the realm of human understanding and ability. Again I point to yesterday!

A feeling was hurt. Voices began raising. Truth was spoken quietly and calmly. Peace returned. And singing. Oh Your goodness, the singing!

Thank You God for the intergenerational working together to accomplish Bluetooth connectivity. Repeatedly! While at times more good natured than others, listening and learning were definitely key.

Lord, how I thank You for the parents of these two boys. They know them [and YOU] so well. Thank You for their forward thinking. Their commitment to breaking negative patterns of the past. And for allowing us to practice along with them.

Blessed, Holy, Father God, this change in me and my attitude is all You! Again I point to that miracle with which I began this time together with You. You changing my heart (Psalm 51:10). You teaching me to “be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry” (James 1:19 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).

Dearest God, thank You for again waking me with music. First the notes. Then the repeating words ♪Out Of My Hands and into Yours…♪ Mm, yes Dear Lord! It’s when I release all I don’t understand and ♪let the weight of my fear fall like sand♪ that I get to truly hold onto Your healing Truth.

♪Knowing I can trust You is a treasure With eyes wide open now I finally see I see that I find my life was never mine at all You’re still the one inside always in control♪

How I thank and praise You Blessed God. Knowing, believing and trusting ♪There’s nothing that You can’t handle God You are strong enough [to] take this out of my hands♪

I love how invested I can be with one song while two others are singing within as well. ♪Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips Like the sound of a symphony to my ears Like Holy Water on my skin I don’t wanna abuse Your grace God, I need it every day It’s the only thing that ever really makes me wanna change♪

At the very same time I have Motel from Fiddler on the Roof listing six of Your miracles as he sings ♪Wonder of wonders, Miracle of Miracles♪ Father, this fictional character knew it was You who gave him the strength of courage to ask for what he wanted. 

The tailor acknowledges being taken by the hand, turned around and led to the promised land. You do that for us. When we don’t have what it takes, You supply the strength of Spirit (Galatians 5:23a) we need to make necessary changes.

And right there is the miracle! The fruit of Your Spirit that is produced “when the Holy Spirit controls our lives” (v.22).

Yes! We lived a miracle yesterday Lord. And we ask for another today. You working in, with, by, through and for us. Doing all You know is needed and best. We love You. We need You. We want You. We thank and praise You. Use us. Amen.

(750 words ~ 9:27 a.m.)

accepting and adjusting

 Saturday, March 19. 2022 (7:11 a.m.)

Holy God,

You surprised me again yesterday. I confessed fear. Your provided peace. I grumbled dissatisfaction and you reminded me to look up. Change my focus. Stay right there where I was. Thank You Lord! Praise You Father.

There were wonders. And reminders to be delighted. Choosing to turn to and ask You to join me in the moment I experienced joy. Rather than continuing to mutter and grouse, I admitted irritations.

Thank You God that we get to be honest with You. You took what I had to offer [complaints] and changed them to praise. Kind of like that “beauty for ashes” promise (Isaiah 61:3) You are so well known for.

What started as just a reference has turned into a giant “YES!” And “Thank You God.”

“To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the LORD has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory.”

Mm, yes. Father I long to be strong and graceful. I can do that because “with God everything is possible” (Matthew 19:26b). According to the apostle Paul, “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need” (Philippians 4:13).

Our plans for this day are already WAY different than we had expected. Thank You for reminding me of the importance of accepting and adjusting. I’m asking You to do all that is necessary to ♪Keep Me In the Moment Help me live with my eyes wide open ‘Cause I don’t wanna miss what You have for me♪

Yes Lord. You are good. Gracious. Glorious. Great. Generous. And I love You. Use me today. Exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. I love You. I need You. I want You. Amen.

(313 words ~ 8:29 a.m.)

refreshed and renewed

 Friday, March 18, 2022 (8:32 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I’m confessing concern. For myself. And my health.

Father, I love You. I thank and praise You. And try as I may, my thoughts keep shifting over to fear.

Thank You that we have Your Word of Truth and promises. Reminding us repeatedly to “Fear not” and “Do not be afraid.”

Thank You that again I get to be refreshed and renewed by Your Word. Yes Lord, You give me strength to hope.

Thank You that at every turn we get to choose. Hope? Or despair. Thank You that I want to choose hope. In You.

I have the opportunity of a video appointment this evening. I went through the steps of setting it up. Technology is not my strong point. What if I did it wrong? What if it doesn’t go through?

And then I get to come back to You. And you speaking to Joshua (1:9). “I command you - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

The song from much earlier this morning begins again. ♪I am chosen Not forsaken I am Who You Say I Am You are for me Not against me… Who the Son sets free Oh is free indeed I’m a child of God Yes I am♪

Thank You Father. When I think of You and Your promises I smile. Stand firm. Stay my mind. And trust.

YOU know Your plans… (Jeremiah 29:11). I’m looking to You. Bringing all my concerns.

You give us the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. You call on heaven to witness the choice I make, that I and my descendants might live! I choose to love You, the LORD my God and to obey You and commit myself to You, for You are my life (Deuteronomy 30:19-20a).

Today I selfishly ask You to keep my mind on You. Teach me to truly ‘Be strong and courageous! Not afraid! [Trusting that] You will go ahead of me. Neither failing nor forsaking me’ (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Thank You Lord for refreshing and renewing my thoughts. My hopes. My smile. I love You. Use me exactly as You know is best. I need You. I want You. Thank You. Amen.

(390 words ~ 9:16 a.m.)