a new thing

 Thursday, November 30, 2023 (5:14 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thanking You. Again. Still. Always.

I noticed myself feeling fearful yesterday. Confused. Emotional. After questioning, standing back, accessing, even experimenting I finally asked for help. Thank You Father for people who are willing to help me learn new things.

Isaiah 43:19

Revelation 21:5

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Psalm 126:5-6

(6:19 a.m.)

Father, thank You for the new things You do in, with, by, through and for us. Every single day. Preparing us for what is happening right now. And all that will follow.

Thank You for Your Word Dearest Lord. And those that You have chosen to teach it. We get to read. And believe. Thank You God.

Thank You for teaching us to say, “Thank You.” In all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18). You allow us every emotion. And the more we bring them to You, the less we have to carry on our own.

Thank You Father. You keep teaching. Providing. Calling. And I get to continue learning. Choosing. Following.

Lord, I want to trust You with my whole heart. Be obedient. To You. Do all You must in making me the woman You have created me to be. Loving. Kind. Forgiving. Caring. Sharing. Yours. New.

Use me as You know is best. Thanking. Trusting. Practicing. Learning. I love You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(231 words ~ 6:57 a.m.)

keep saying, "Thank You"

 Wednesday,  November 29, 2023 (7:40 a.m.)

Port of Los Angeles

San Pedro, CA

Thank You God. Thank You God. Thank You God. Let me keep saying, “Thank You” today.

Emotional!

 Tuesday, November 28, 2023 (6:34 a.m.)

Ensenada, MX harbor

Holy Blessed Father God,

♪I Will Trust in You♪

Thank You for all we don’t yet know. Thank You for Your patience in teaching and showing us Your ways. [♪You Say♪] How perfectly timed is tis song on our current playlist.

Chills. Followed by tears. These are the effects music often has on me. Father, thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - and how well I know it” (Psalm 139:14).

God’s Standard Proverbs 29:25, 31:25-29

♪I Tremble - in Your Presence♪

        ♪I will stand my ground where hope can be found♪

(In time) You’ll take all that is wrong and make it right

        ♪There Is Power In Your Name♪ - we believe for it

(7:32 a.m.)

Your standard Lord. I want You to line me up with Your standard Father. I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) as You have taught us. Asking that it will be given. Seeking so I will find. Knocking that the door will be opened.

NOT the standards of this world Lord. Your standard. Your will. Your way. Your best. ♪You Give Me Everything I Need♪

sights and sounds

 Monday, November 27, 2023 (6:40 a.m.)

At Sea (South toward Ensenada, MX)

Loving Father God,

Thank You for the sights and sounds that cause our hearts, souls, minds and strength to sing and smile.

Proverbs 15:13. “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” What joy there is to be found when we actively look for You in all things. At all times.

Seeking You first (Matthew 6:33). Trusting You to know our every need (v. 32b). Not worrying about tomorrow (34a). Not judging others (7:1). Getting rid of the log in my own eye before dealing with a speck in another’s (v. 5).

Most Blessed God, thank You that we have Your Word. Ever pointing us to You. Your will. Your way. Listening to and obeying Your teachings. Building our houses on the Solid Rock that is You (7:24).

Thank You Lord for providing Your ‘daily doses of grace’ (Lamentations 3:22-23). Reminding us to place our hope in You (24b). Loving and praying for our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

It’s all here Dearest God. Teachings of Your mercy and grace. Continue Your work in training us to love as You would have us love. You. Others. Ourselves (Mark 12:30).

Use us Lord. As You know is best. Loving. Needing. Trusting. Wanting You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(8:54 a.m.)

God's good counsel

 Sunday, November 26, 2023 (6:55 a.m.)

Arriving San Diego, CA harbor

Holy God,

Thank You so very much. Your work in us continues. And we are most grateful.

♪Hey Mambo…♪ [Where does this keep coming from?]

You provide us music [♪…Mambo Italiano♪]. Smiles. Truth. Hope. Memories. Your good counsel. On which to stay our minds. And stand firmly.

(9:55 a.m.)

Father, thank You for the times our thoughts line up with Your Word. Like right now for instance. Proverbs 15:16-33. Your good counsel!

Found in The Life Recovery Bible TOPICAL INDEX. COUNSELORS (see Mentors). And when I do, I read "(see also Accountability, Friendship)”

Blessed God, You have provided ALL these checks and balances for us. Friendships. Wise counselors. Your Word. New ways of seeing things. New patterns and habits.

Again!

Saturday, November 25, 2023 (5:35 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Again!

You have provided us such peace. Joy. Contentment. Enjoyment. Happiness.

Yes, Lord. You’ve been working in, with, by, through and for us in such ways that we continue pointing to You as the source of our every happiness. Thank You, thank You God.

Learning to work together as a team has taken us all of these 50 years. We can’t even begin to thank You enough for all You’ve done in changing both of us.

Rather than us continuing to each demand our own way, You’ve been faithful in showing us to look past the obvious. Each day together we’ve been able to choose. Do we want to fight to be right? Or do we want to be happy?

Thank You Father for teaching us to put on all of YOUR armor (Ephesians 6:11a) each and every single day. Empowering and enabling us to “stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (v.11b).

You continue proving to us that “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (v.12.)

Blessed, Holy, Father God, it’s You! Over and over again. Doing all You must in changing our hearts, souls, minds and strength. Teaching us to care more for the other’s well-being than our own desire to get things the ways we want them.

Again I say, it’s YOU Lord! You’ve been doing this every time we put our focus on You. Thank You Father. Praise You God.

“Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you” (Psalm 37:5). Thank You Father. You continue teaching us the importance of living each day Your way.

You have blessed us with 50 years together Lord. 50 years of mistakes. Restarts. Misunderstandings. Do overs. 50 years of learning to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). And the practice of truly loving and respecting one another.

You’ve done all this Lord. Again and again and again!

We ask (Matthew 7:7) You to continue Your work Dear Lord. Using each of us as You know is best. Caring more about the good of the whole. Giving You the glory You so rightly deserve.

We love, need, trust and want You Blessed Father. And we thank You. Again! Amen.

(412 words ~ 6:43 a.m.)

genuine gratitude

 Friday, November 24, 2023 (5:38 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. You have provided us with so much of Your love. And we are truly grateful. 

Yes Father! When we take expectations and hurt feelings off the table we are so much better able to accept the blessings You have for us. Thank You for teaching us to look beyond circumstances. To You. With the mind of Christ (Romans 11:33-36).

(7:00 a.m.)

These are so much more than lofty ideals.

Thank You Lord that I don’t have to pretend to understand any of all You call us to. What is required is willing obedience.

Yes! Deuteronomy 10:12-13. Call to Love and Obedience.

(7:26 a.m.)

Thank You for Your Word. Your guidance. Your direction. For writing Your laws in our hearts (Romans 2:12-16).

It’s all right here for us Lord. Micah 6:8c. “… and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

You know Your will for us. You don’t want empty displays of religiosity. We are to fear [properly respect] You. Living in ways that please You. Looking past circumstances. Forgiving ourselves and others.

(7:57 a.m.)

Yes Father. Continue Your work in teaching us how to forgive. Loving You, others and ourselves. With all our hearts, souls, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

I want to truly ♪Give Thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One; give thanks, because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son…♪

Bless and keep us Lord. We love, need, trust and want You. Thank You for teaching us to be genuinely grateful. Use us as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(299 words ~ 8:08 a.m.)

a truly great day

 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 23, 2023 (6:46 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed God,

THANK YOU!

The color in the sky started me singing. Without thought, the song just began. ♪It’s A Great Day to Be Alive♪

(7:45 a.m.)

It IS Dear Lord! A truly great day.

I have no idea what it holds. And I have every confidence that You hold it. 

There is peace in my soul. Questionable thoughts about this, that and something else. Yet the song continues singing. ♪… I know the sun’s still shining When I close my eyes♪

Father, I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to use us this day [which You have indeed made (Psalm 118:24a)]. Truly rejoicing and being glad (v.24b).

You have provided us every single blessing. Teach us to share as You would have us share. Freely! Wholeheartedly. Extravagantly.

And here I get to read further in Your Word. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Generosity. Cheerful giving. Joyful thanks. Overflowing grace.

Thank You Father. It truly IS ♪a great day to be alive♪ Teach me to use it well.

Thank You. Praise You. I love, need, trust and want You. Amen.

(194 words ~ 8:15 a.m.)

unexpectedness

 Wednesday, November 22, 2023 (6:01 a.m.)

Thank You, God.

Yes! Thank You, God.

I said it a lot yesterday. Sometimes meaning it more than others.

Thank You for the smile I’m experiencing as I recall the unexpectedness of it all.

(6:29 a.m.)

Look at this! While searching unexpectedness with You, I get to read of “God-designed moments.” Thank You Father for the ways You encourage us to “reframe” our circumstances.

Wanting more than anything to continue cursing my situation at the time, thank You for reminding me to thank and praise You instead. I’m not even sure how long it took before I actually started believing all I was purposely saying out loud.

Thank You for teaching us to continue looking to and for You in all of our unexpectedness. Going so far as to remind us of the importance of expecting the unexpected.

The smile keeps getting bigger. “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9.

Finding unexpectedness also listed as “God-surprises” I notice myself settling in to again letting You be God. And remembering that I just need to be me. Thank You Father.

Unplanned moments. Greatest opportunities?!

And now this. From Life Bible Fellowship Church. “He [You!] replaces my human plans (which are temporary) with His (which are eternal).” Oh most dear and blessed God. How very much better are Your plans than ours.

Thank You for letting us choose, Lord. Surrender to Your will? Or continue with our own. Lean in and embrace all You are doing? Or turn away and miss out. You allow the choice.

You can change our hearts from frustrated to delighted. I saw You do this in me yesterday as one snafu led straight into another. Thank You for continuing to teach us the importance of saying “Yes!” to You.

Blessed God, You want us to trust You. In all things. At all times. Especially when our plans unexpectedly go awry.

Another smile. A bit of a laugh. And an ask. Use me today. As YOU know is best. Lead. Guide. Empower and direct me in all You have planned. Line my will up with Yours.

I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Keep reminding me as You know is necessary. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(391 words ~ 7:16 a.m.)

Healing Peace

Tuesday, November 21, 2023 (4:13 a.m.)

Blessed God,

The word balance keeps coming up.

(4:31 a.m.)

Thank You that as I look to read and learn more about finding balance with You I find several related topics. BALANCE (see Wholeness). WHOLENESS (see also Healing, Peace).

(4:44 a.m.)

How I love the ways You steer my thinking Blessed Father. I come before You thinking I want one thing [balance] and You offer me so very much more.

2 Peter 1:2-9

2 Corinthians 9:8

Deuteronomy 1:11

Isaiah 9:6-7 hope/salvation

Romans 5:1-5 joy/contentment

Philippians 4:7

Peace of God = deep, abiding sense of security, comfort and assurance

(4:54 a.m.)

Reading “The Healing Benefits Of Embracing The Peace Of God” at biblekeeper.com I attest to its truth! Clearly stated, Your peace is rooted in Your character and Your presence. It’s spiritual. An “internal experience of well-being, tranquility, and assurance.” Independent of our circumstances or material possessions, Your peace goes far beyond the obvious.

This post points to Your Truth. “Even amid difficult times, we can trust that God is still good and that He will work out His purposes for us.” Thank You Father for leading us and guiding us. Enabling and empowering us to act on and live by Your Word.

Colossians 3:14-15. “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

(5:34 a.m.)

Dearest God,

I was able to lovingly, readily and easily adjust to a radically unexpected change of plans yesterday. You provided every single adjustment necessary for me to kindly state then firmly stand on what I believed needed to take place.

I had no interest in knowing, understanding or learning of any behind the scenes details. You allowed me to accept the immediate situation at hand. One preteen didn’t care what he did and the other desperately wanted to stay home. In pajamas.

Thank You for all You provided Lord. Patience. Kindness. Love. Joy. Peace. Gentleness. It all came from You.

(6:07 a.m.)

On the long ride home afterwards, I heard myself say out loud how much I now prefer letting situations play themselves out compared to the amount of time I used to waste trying to control all aspects of every circumstance. Lord God, You are doing this work in me. With. By. Through. And for me. I am so grateful to be in Your control. Thank You Father.

Healing peace. Yes! Turn to You. Depend on the Truth and promises of Your Word. Know You. Trust You. Believe in You. This is the way to Your healing peace.

Not knowing how to address an upsetting behavior of the past just the other night, I actually said, “I’m going to stop talking now.” No malice. No motive of “I’ll show you.” Just a matter of fact opportunity to withdraw from futility.

You used it to bless us Father. Both of us taking days to find the words we could use to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). There was no desire to point out the other’s fault. Just a giant desire of reconciliation. Your healing peace.

Blessed God, I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to use me exactly as You know is best. Seeking balance. And finding Your healing peace. Do all You must. Continue teaching us to love You, others and ourselves as You would have us. With all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

We love You. We need, trust and want to honor You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

(643 words ~ 7:12 a.m.)