remembering to ask

 Tuesday, May 31, 2022 (6:36 a.m.)

Blessed God, 

Thank You.

(7:52 a.m.)

Yes. Thank You.

You bless us.

(8:14 a.m.)

All this time later and I’m remembering to ask.

I heard a phrase on television last night that made me think of You. A woman referenced loving extravagantly. Abundantly. I recognized it immediately as a Bible verse. Of sorts.

Attempting repeatedly to find it on my own I am unsuccessful. Thinking to ask others, I remembered to bring it to You first.

Father, YOU know the verse I am seeking. You are completely aware of where You would have me look. Whether I find it or not is completely up to You. I look to You Dear Lord, asking You to lead and guide me to where You’d have me.

I woke up singing ♪You are for me Not against me I am Who You Say I Am… I’m a child of God Yes I am♪ Believing this to be absolutely true I rejoice in the freedom You provide.

In writing to the believers in Ephesus the apostle Paul wanted to strengthen their relationship with You and one another. I enter myself into this mix Dear Lord.

The comment for Ephesians 3:14-21 in The Life Recovery Bible tells us that in order ‘to function effectively [we] must be driven by [Your] dynamic and unlimited love.’ Seems extravagant and abundant to me!

“Paul prayed that his friend might be deeply anchored and rooted in the soil of God’s love.” Yes Lord. I want this as well.

He prayed ‘that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You would empower Your people with inner strength through Your Spirit’ (v. 16). “Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down deep into God’s love and keep you strong” (17).

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (18-19).

I heard it said yesterday that things don’t happen TO us, they happen FOR us. That’s where the song above started singing ♪You are for me Not against me♪ I want to live this day as You would have me.

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen” (20-21).

Yes please Lord. Your mighty power at work in me. I love You. I need and want You. There’s still that yet to be identified verse off in Your Word somewhere. Thank You for reminding me to ask. You!

We have not because we ask not (James 4:2c). I’m asking You to show me what I am unable to find on my own. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(523 words ~ 8:56 a.m.)

Memorial Day 2022

Memorial Day Monday, May 30, 2022 (8:34 a.m.)

Most Holy God,

How I thank You for the opportunity to honor service people who gave their lives to protect mine. This particular Memorial Day it seems to take on even greater significance.

Father, I want to observe this day with the reverence for which it calls out. Reading Your Word. Praying blessings on the families of the fallen.

Lord, I love You. I want to serve You. This morning I will begin by scattering poppy seeds.

Use me as You know is best. Esteeming and revering You as the great and glorious God You are.

Let my respect for You be true. Pleasing You with my thoughts, words and deeds. Reflecting Your goodness and Your grace.

Thank You Lord for those who died that I might live. Bless their memories and their families. I love You, need and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(156 words ~ 9:34 a.m.)

wind

 Sunday, May 29, 2022 (7:12 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Let’s talk about wind this morning. Mm, yes! Wind.

Seventy-four years ago a young couple was advised to watch it as they drove through White Water. On their way to being married.

Father, thank You. Thank You for their examples. Both positive and negative. The good. The bad. And all the in between.

Lord God, You were rarely mentioned in our home growing up. We experienced examples of Your goodness. And Your grace. Often attributed to our elders. Thank You for not leaving us in our ignorance.

Thank You for calling us to You. For never leaving nor forsaking us. Especially before we ever knew You.

Mm, Lord. Thinking I was coming here to learn more about Your wind, often presented as Your Holy Spirit (Acts 2:2) I find myself reading instead the concluding words of Hebrews (Chapter 13).

How grateful I am to have Your Word to lead and guide us. “Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters… Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another…. So we can say with confidence, ‘The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear…’” (Hebrews 13:1, 4a, 6a).

Following Your promises back to Deuteronomy 31, again I thank You. “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them [the people who lived in the land across the Jordan River]. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (v. 6).

Thank You Father that because we have Your teachings “we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth” (Ephesians 4:14).

No! “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (vs. 15-16).

Blessed God, You are Who is teaching us to ‘not use foul or abusive language. Let everything we say be good and helpful, so that our words will be an encouragement to those who hear them’ (29).

One parent’s parting words to his soon to be son-in-law continue echoing through these many decades. Thank You that even in their brief exchange, I can choose to recognize YOUR presence.

Reading of Your Holy Spirit, I am grateful for our time together. The Wind of Heaven. Unpredictable. Invisible, yet powerful. Refreshing. Stirring the atmosphere. Life bringing Breath of God.

It truly is Your grace through these many years that has allowed us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be[ing] kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven [us]” (31-32).

All these verses later, I come to John 20:22 in The Voice. The Holy Spirit depicted here as breath, not wind. “Now He [Jesus] drew close enough to each of them [his disciples] that they could feel His breath. He breathed on them: Jesus: Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God.”

It is absolutely Your Holy Spirit, Your breath, on which I want to depend this day. Remembering the love between two very young people who went the distance with one another. Teaching me both what true love is, as well as what it is not. Much like Your Word explains it to be in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

“Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting” (Contemporary English Version).

I want to learn to live and love like that Dearest Lord. Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me to Your good and glorious end. I love You. I need You. I want You. I thank and praise You. Amen.

(702 words ~ 11:06 a.m.)

Dear friends

 Saturday, May 28, 2022 (7:17 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. I’m here because I love You. Thank You for that.

♪Beloved, let us love one another… ♪ (1 John 4:7)

(7:47 a.m.)

One minute I’m thinking of Your love. The next I’m singing of it. And now? Reading. Embracing. Wanting to know so much more.

“Dear friends…” It’s another way of saying “Beloved.” Thank You for the opportunity of looking further into Your Word.

Thank You Lord, for the privilege of learning more about the apostle John. One of The “Sons of Thunder” who also became known as “the disciple Jesus loved” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

As long as I have been following Your teachings, I still find it exciting when more of the dots in Your story connect for me. Prior to being transformed “into the tender and sensitive person we know through his writings” this very Apostle of Love was once volatile and self-centered.

Thank You, thank You God. There is hope for all of us as we turn to learn more in Your Word. About Your love for us. Ours for You. And for one another.

♪… For love is of God, And everyone that loveth is born of God And knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God, For God is love. Beloved, let us love one another♪

Yes! Dear friends, let us truly love one another!

Other renderings of the word beloved paint glorious pictures. “My dear brothers…”, “Most dear brethren…”, “My loved ones…”, “To you whom I love…”

Thank You for the gift of sitting here with You. I want so very much to put into action all that You have for us. Having turned earlier to Jesus’ new commandment (John 13:34) to His “Dear little children” (v.33) I’m asking to take Your Truth with me into this day.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for these two verses spells out our inability to love others, including ourselves, without first receiving Your love. Reminding us that we can’t give what we don’t have. It’s the overflow of Your love that we are to share.

privileged

 Friday, May 27, 2022 (6:07 a.m.)

Long Beach, CA Harbor

Blessed God,

Thank You for the blessings You have provided us this trip. Fun. Safety. Choices. Freedom.

Lord God, I confess to taking so many of these privileges for granted. Mm, yes Dear Lord. We are truly blessed. Privileged. By You. In You. With, through and for You.

Prepare me in using these blessings and privileges to Your good and Your glory this day. I want to be the woman You have created me to be. Loving. Kind. Grateful. Aware. Astute. Yours.

Thank You for the opportunity of looking at three sections of Scripture this morning. Each in The Message. Describing different privileges.

Isaiah 45:1-7 “The God Who Forms Light and Darkness” tells of the privileged work You gave to Cyrus, your anointed, whom You took by the hand.

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 details the gift of being privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with You.

Hebrews 13:13-15 presents the call to “go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is - not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This ‘insider world’ is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come.”

Oh yes Dear Lord, empower me in ‘pouring out sacrificial praises from my lips to You in Jesus’ name.’ That is the privilege I long to share. Being united with You through Jesus. Trusting in and depending on You.

‘So that everyone, from east to west, will know that You have no god-rivals. You are GOD, the only God there is. You form light and create darkness, You make harmonies and create discords. You, GOD, do all these things’ (Isaiah 45:7).

You have privileged us to share Your love with others. Enable and embolden me to this end. I love You Lord. I want to serve and represent You well. Thank You. Praise You. Use me. Amen.

(338 words ~ 7:02 a.m.)

Give me oil in my lamp

 Thursday, May 26, 2022 (11:45 a.m.)

Barely moving toward Long Beach, CA

Holy God,

Thank You for this opportunity of sitting quietly with You. Thank You also for the various verses there are to the song I woke up singing earlier this morning. 

♪Give me oil in my lamp…♪ One simple search yields so many possibilities. Thank You Lord.

Thank You too for the color and condition of this very spot in the Pacific Ocean. Cobalt blue. Without a ripple in sight. Cruising along with only the hum of the ship’s engine. Talk about peaceful. Awe inspiring. Opportunity.

Thank You for the natural shade the cloud coverage is providing me this rather balmy (85°) day. Allowing me to sit  here. Quietly. In the stillness of it all. Reflecting. Aware. Noticing.

"home no matter where I am"

 Wednesday, May 25, 2022 (8:05 a.m.)

Ensenada Harbor

Holy God,

Thank You! I read the crossword clue “reside” and immediately knew the answer. Dwell.

Many times I’ve had it used on me in a negative way. As in, “Stop dwelling on that.” This morning I quickly thought instead of me dwelling in You. What a comforting, hopeful Truth that is. Thank You Lord. 

Reading about dwelling with You, I am referred to verses in Your Word. Psalm 27:4 and John 15:1-17 especially. The more I read, the more I want to dwell with You.

Immediately I’m singing again. ♪And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known♪ Thank You that You walk with me. And talk with me. No matter where in the world we are.

Being reminded that You are everywhere. Always present. I came across this rendering, “God’s presence can feel concentrated in a place where we ‘humble ourselves, and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways’ as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 7. Water is all throughout the air, but when it is condensed, it can form a pool. When we dwell with God, it is an invitation to come into that pool. A deep, warm, reinvigorating, grace-filled pool.” YES! That’s a word picture I can fully embrace.

Thank You Father for the many ways we can experience dwelling with You. A different e-article calls it “a life-giving connection” to You. Reminding that with “no connection, there is no life, no abundance, no fruit.” Amen!

I’m grateful to be reminded that “Because He’s always with me, I’m home no matter where I am.” Thank You God for being such a good, good Father.

Use me this day. Exactly as You alone knows is best. Loving You. Others. And myself. In. With. By. Through. And for You.

I love You. I want to serve You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(331 words ~ 9:00 a.m.)

appreciating the small stuff

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 (7:44 a.m.)

Approaching Santa Catalina Island, CA

Holy God,

Thank You. We are blessed to be on another trip. Thank You for the work You have done in each of us that we appreciate the small stuff. Dancing together because of a meaningful song. The memories that are evoked and discussed.

Thank You for the people we have encountered along the way. Friendships and familial bonds that have grown through the years. It’s all because of You Dear Lord.

Your Word speaks to us to this day. Guiding. Directing. Informing. Cautioning. Teaching us as we go. Thank You Father.

We have tremendous opportunity today. I ask that we use it well. Make us aware of Your will in it all.

We love You. We need You. We want You to lead, guard and guide us in all You have for us to experience and to be aware.

We thank and praise You Lord. Deeply. Sincerely. Honestly. Openly. Willingly. Use us as You know is best. Amen.

(175 words ~ 8:06 a.m.)

the simplest conversation

 Monday, May 23, 2022 (6:51 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I come to You asking that You would organize my thoughts. There has been a lot of singing: ♪Long Time Gone♪ And words: Blessed. Toowayhon.

But You know what? I’d rather talk with You about the wisdom of an eight year old. A kid that often expresses himself much better than I. One who sees things differently and much more clearly than many.

Father, thank You for the lessons I get to learn from his questions. And observations. Thank You for his curiosity. And tenacity. Exhausting as it all can be.

The simplest conversation yesterday led to a question. Then much pondering. Thank You Lord, that You are teaching me to listen much, speak little and not to become angry (James 1:19).

How best can we really do this? By staying present.

Asked why I married his beloved Papa, I listened intently to both his questions and his understanding of my answers. Thank You God for the readiness of being honest, open and willing to share truth with this extremely astute young man.

“Was it because he was so funny? Because he made you laugh?” Another line of thinking yielded, “Was it because he was so good looking?”

Giving much thought to my answer I realized it was simply because, “he kept telling me he loved me.” Not leaving it at face value, he dug deeper. Really peeling into that onion.

Asking if the relationship went back to high school, he didn’t hesitate at calling me out on unseemly behaviors. Thank You God! I have so very much to learn from the simplest conversations.

Use me today in sharing Your Truth with others. I want to love as You would have me (Mark 12:30-31). Thank You for who and all You are.

I love You. I want to serve You well. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(318 words ~ 7:39 a.m.)

differently

 Sunday, May 22, 2022 (6:43 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for the challenges. And the differences. The hopes. And the dreams. Talk with me this day about the things You would have me do differently.

I confess to often being set in my ways. Expecting certain behaviors. And results. I’m learning to appreciate the surprises You have for us. Keep me looking for and finding You in them all.

I love You Lord. How I thank You for “the confident expectation” (Illustrated Bible Handbook 2 Corinthians Chapter 5. Motivation) we have of “transformation toward Christlikeness” because of “the new covenant promises.”

Thank You Lord that just by searching the word “differently” my heart opens wide to Your guidance. “So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know Him now!” (2 Corinthians 5:16). How true is Your Word, Dear Lord. Thank You. Praise You.

Reading the emboldened titles of surrounding chapters, my hope is huge in the Truth of Your Word. CHAPTER 4  Treasure in Fragile Clay Jars. Self-Perception (2 Corinthians 5:12-21).

Promises of the new life we experience in Jesus and the power of Your Holy Spirit breed even more hope into my soul. Your gift of reconciliation to us is one we are to share freely with one another. Stay paramount in my very being this day.

I love You. I want to serve You. Differently than I have in the past. Live in, with, by, through and for me that I will truly love You, others and myself (Mark 12:30-31) as You would have me.

Thank You. Praise You. Use me. Amen.

(293 words ~ 7:38 a.m.)

unwavering faith

 Saturday, May 21, 2022 (7:23 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You Lord. You have reintroduced me to a verse (Luke 1:45) I long to take to heart.

Christian Standard Bible. “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what He has spoken to her!” Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth’s words to her relative Mary.

Reading the various versions of this one [and its surrounding] verse I know I want the unwavering faith of these two women.

Beginning at verse 39 in J.B. Phillips New Testament we see that “With little delay Mary got ready and hurried off to the hillside town…” How rare is it that I do anything “with little delay”?

“When Elisabeth heard her greeting, the unborn child stirred inside her and she herself was filled with the Holy Spirit, and cried out, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your child!’” (v. 41).

Father God, again I confess to wanting the steadfast faith exhibited by these women. “Why, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child within me jumped for joy! Oh, how happy is the woman who believes in God, for He does make His promises to Her come true” (vs. 44-45).

Work in, with, by, through and for me this day dear Lord. I want to serve and represent You well. Trusting and believing Your promises as I go.

singing again

 Friday, May 20, 2022 (7:05 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. I woke up singing again. That hasn’t happened in awhile. Thank You, Lord.

It [♪Ring of Fire♪] wasn’t the song [♪The End of the Innocence♪] I had planned to explore with You. I’m asking You to guide me to Your Truth in them both.

Thank You that I get to come before You with questions. And wonders. Associations. Always seeking Your Truth on the matter!

Johnny Cash sang of love as ♪a burning thing [that] makes a fiery ring…♪ I much prefer the apostle Paul’s description to the believers in Corinth.

The smile on my face reflects the peace in my heart and soul at this very moment. Choosing to turn in Your Word; asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) Your guidance, I come to this description regarding First Corinthians.

“Despite the difficulties we face, God understands our struggle. That is why He has given us His Word, His power, and His people; they are all available to help us take one step at a time” (The Life Recovery Bible).

Lord God, thank You for bringing me to You. While recognizing myself so quickly yesterday in the lyrics of ♪The End of the Innocence♪ I could have easily collapsed in it’s sadness. Oh! But You, Dear Lord, provided me the hope of Psalm 23.

While actively listening to the lyrics ♪Oh, but I know a place where we can go Still untouched by men Sit and watch the clouds roll by And the tall grass waves in the wind You can lay your head back on the ground And let your hair fall all around me Offer up your best defense But this is the end This is the end of the innocence♪ my mind went immediately to the green pastures [grassy meadows] of Psalm 23:2. Thank You Father.

Thank You for Your Word of Truth and promises. Thank You for the opportunity to confess my own belief in the ♪”happily ever after” [that] fails And [having] been poisoned by these fairy tales♪ It’s when we return to actively seeking Your guidance that we are again reminded of Jesus’ words to His followers.

“I have told you all this [what was to come] so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Oh, amen. Amen to Your Truth Dear Lord.

Here I ask You to lead and guide me in living Your Word this day. Lord I want to love as Paul’s words describe. Patient. Kind. Not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Not demanding my own way. Not irritable. Keeping no record of being wronged. Not rejoicing about injustice. Rejoicing instead whenever Truth wins out. Never giving up. Never losing faith. Always hopeful. Enduring through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

That is an absolutely tall order. One I cannot possibly accomplish on my own. What to do? Oh! Sing a different song.

♪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♪ Mm, yes!

Keep me singing again Dear Lord. Your Truth. Your promises. I love You. I need You. I want You. Do all You must that I will glorify and enjoy You this day and forever. Thank You. Praise You. Amen!

(577 words ~ 8:53 a.m.)