And so much more.

 New Year’s Eve Sunday, December 31, 2023 (6:06 a.m.)

Blessed, Loving Lord God,

Thank You that You are all these things. And so much more.

plainly seen

 Saturday, December 30, 2023 (7:00 a.m.)

Blessed, Awesome Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. Forgive me please.

You know my heart. And soul. My mind. And strength. I want to love You, others and myself with all of each (Mark 12:30-31).

That has not been plainly seen these past several weeks. Culminating yesterday with such a genuine need of a major attitude adjustment. Thank You Father.

Yes. Finally! Thank You Father!

We haven’t felt well. Plans were drastically altered.

(7:42 a.m.)

And off I went. Reading about feeling puny. And punk.

Again, I’m thanking You Lord. Asking (Matthew 7:7) You to “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

(8:24 a.m.)

How grateful I am to You Dearest God. I have been behaving so insolently. Whining about not feeling well. Disappointed at having the bulk of our plans changed. Thank You again for knowing me. Inside and out.

♪Search My Heart O God Make it ever true♪ Oh look! It’s actually ♪CHANGE my heart O God♪ Mm. Yes! Psalm 51:10. Your Truth at its best!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right Spirit within me.” Yes. Yes. Yes!

My spirit had become dashed. Horribly mistakenly thinking it was somehow Your fault, I withdrew. Further and further. No longer wanting to risk disappointment of any kind. All the while blaming You for our circumstances. Forgive me Father.

Yes Lord. “Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!” (Common English Bible).

After all these days of me replaying one giant mistake after another, how grateful I am to You for Your grace. Your mercy.

Father, while I have wasted a lot of time and energy bemoaning my lacking, even this I bring to You. I can’t change myself. Or my attitude. You can! I am letting You!

Thank You. Praise You. Continue Your work in me I pray. “A broken spirit is my sacrifice, God. You won’t despise a heart, God, that is broken and crushed” (Psalm 51:17).

Thank You that I am plainly seen by You. Warts, disappointments and all. I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as only YOU know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(415 words ~ 10:03 a.m.)

missing Christmas spirit

 Christmas Day Monday, December 25, 2023 (5:53 a.m.)

Holy God,

(6:11 a.m.)

Interesting that this is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus and I’m singing of His death. ♪Thank You for the cross, Lord Thank You for the price You paid Bearing all my sin and shame In love You came And gave amazing grace♪

(6:51 a.m.)

And then? Come to find out ♪Worthy Is The Lamb♪ is NOT the song I was singing.

(8:55 a.m.)

Try as I may, I can’t find the song. Nor my missing Christmas spirit. Illness and changes in traditions have me feeling lost again. Adrift.

Arrival

 Sunday, December 24, 2023 (6:06 a.m.)

Thank You God!

Sleep. Rest. Healing. Songs.

(6:17 a.m.)

I like the way You did this just now!

Starting off by playfully singing ♪The 12 Days of Sickness♪ I went straight over to ♪The Heart of Worship♪ Thinking I was reading about its lyrics and history I am pleased to have made a mistake.

Lord God, thank You for reminding me. Prior to even opening my eyes, I realized that my heart was singing. It was playful. Joyful. Smiling.

I confess to having moped through this Advent Season. Refusing to jump on the Christmas train others have so eagerly boarded. There’s been a ton of negative self-judgment going on here.

Thank You Father. On this 4th Sunday of Advent I AM experiencing the peace, hope, joy and love Jesus came to bring into this world.

♪When the music fades All is stripped away And I simply come…comin’ back to the heart of worship And it’s all about You It’s all about You, Jesus I’m sorry Lord, for the thing I’ve made it When it’s all about You It’s all about You, Jesus♪

It IS! It’s all about YOU, Jesus. Not the wrappings. Nor the trappings.

And now my mistake. The one that further cracked open my stony heart. A song I do not know says it all.

♪Who is God that He would take our frame… Oh, come now, hail His Arrival, the God of creation… the One who holds my heart like a mother once held Him… Embraced a baby’s mind, and now I can know my God… The ruler of my heart, and the Saviour for my sins… All hail the Arrival of our Maker♪

Yes! All hail Your arrival!

Use me in truly sharing the love You came to bring into this world. Thank You for turning me back to the heart worship. I love, need, trust and want YOU! Merry Christmas Eve Dear Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(335 words ~ 7:03 a.m.)

dashed plans

 Saturday, December 23, 2023 (7:16 a.m.)

All of our best laid plans. Even the ones in the back of our minds that we didn’t talk about. Dashed.

Holy, Blessed God. How truly I thank You for the privilege of reading in and of Your Word. Reminders that we are to ♪Trust In You♪ Yes!

Very little of this Advent Season has looked like any that have come before. I actually cried out the words of the Preacher/Teacher yesterday.

“Everything is meaningless… completely meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 12:8). Thank You Father that I get to bring disappointment and dashed plans before You.

Smiling here as I read the final conclusion of this book. I find hope in being reminded to “Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty” (v. 13c). Yes! I am to fully esteem and revere You. Loving You, others and myself (Mark 12:30-31). Wholeheartedly. Mindfully. With all my strength and soul.

Thank You for helping me practice forgiveness. The only thing that is certain in this fallen world is Your plan. Not ours.

Blessed God, I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You to use us exactly as You know is best. Loving. Following. Forgiving. Attuned to Your leading. Finding the joy You have for us.

Thy will be done Dearest Father. Thank You Praise You. Amen.

(224 words ~ 8:12 a.m.)

Hallelujah, Jesus!

 Friday, December 22, 2023 (5:56 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy, Loving God,

Thank You. There is coughing. Sore throats. Sneezing. Runny noses. Nausea. Vomiting. A positive Covid test. Travel arrangements and altered holiday plans. Rain. So much is taking our attention.

And yet? I heard myself say out loud, “Hallelujah, Jesus!” Yes! Hallelujah, Jesus.

(6:26 a.m.)

The smile on my face intensifies as it burrows more deeply into my soul.

Father God, I confess my resistance to this particular holiday season. Not only have I been refusing the traditional trappings, I’ve intentionally walled myself off from actively participating in life outside our home.

Once illnesses appeared, my focus changed to staying well. Celebrating Your Son’s birth fell completely off my list of importances. Ouch! How harsh is that?

Forgive me Father. I’ve hit a wall of non participation. The degree of bitter Grinchiness underlying my approach to this Advent season has been nearly overwhelming. You can change that. In, with, by, through and for me.

Those simple, yet heartfelt, two words [Hallelujah, Jesus!] are changing my whole attitude. Yes. Father. It’s YOU I want to glorify. You I long to enJOY.

Still smiling I turn to Psalm 135. Verse one. “Hallelujah! Praise the name of the LORD! Give praise, You servants of the LORD” (International Standard Version). Praising God for His Graciousness

Father, I want to praise You. Sincerely. Faithfully. Wholeheartedly. Illustrated Bible Handbook tells us that Psalm 135 shows Your greatness and superiority to all idols.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for this chapter tells us that knowing You have chosen us as Your own can give us the confidence to call on You when we’re in trouble. Father God, my whole soul is troubled by my thoughts and attitude.

And again, I have those two words changing everything for me. “Hallelujah, Jesus!” Thank You God.

The comment continues telling of the evidence shown throughout the Old Testament of Your work in saving Your people. “Because God is all-powerful and ‘does whatever pleases Him’ throughout the earth, He can help us when we call on Him. In His greatness, no problem is too great for Him to solve.”

Thank You Father.

My refusing, resistant spirit is the problem I am asking (Matthew 7:7) You to solve. I love, need, trust and want to glorify You Lord. Do all You know is necessary in changing what needs to be changed in me.

You are good. Great. Gracious. Glorious (Psalm 145:5-8). And I want to represent You well.

Whatever You know is best. Thy will be done. All the pithy sayings I can think of. Lead me. Guide me. Keep me praising and thanking You. Hallelujah, Jesus! Amen.

(452 words ~ 7:49 a.m.)

eager to do good

 Thursday, December 21, 2023 (6:18 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Good morning. I love You. It’s quite beautiful outside. Thank You for the color in the sky Lord. The crispness in the air. And reminders of Your goodness and Your grace that surround us.

(7:27 a.m.)

Oh most Dear and Blessed God, how deeply and truly I thank You. I’m smiling as I read the apostle Paul’s words to Titus (2:11-14) concerning Your grace.

Because of the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) we get to change. Trusting You, we get to seek Your will and Your way. Not staying stuck in habits of our past, we become eager to do good. Yes please! I want very much to follow You Lord.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for this section tells us that You provide the power to live as You would have us. Not because of our own guilt or fear. No. “We obey God because He loves us and desires to help us succeed.”

When we see You as the accepting, gracious and compassionate God that You are, we are able to trust You to “help us rebuild our life when we admit our failures” to You. Because You always love us we have hope. In You. Your goodness. Your grace. Your glory. And Your greatness (Psalm 145:5-8).

Continue Your wonderful work in, with, by, through and for us. Changing us as only You know is best. Turning us from “godless living and sinful pleasures” (Titus 2:12a).

Enable and empower us to “live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to You, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed” (vs.12b-13).

Yes Lord. Make me eager and able to do the good You have for me. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

holy and whole

 Wednesday, December 20, 2023 (5:02 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You that we are called to come to You.

(5:55 a.m.)

Mm, yes. Reading in Your Word about being called to come to You, I am heartened. Encouraged. Cheered up. Yes. Thank You God. Here’s even a genuine smile.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. The Message. “May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body - and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He’ll do it!”

♪Light of the world You stepped down into darkness Opened my eyes let me see♪

Thank You Lord. Praise You God. You put and keep us together. 

Easy-to-Read Version says

Blessed!

 Tuesday, December 19, 2023 (5:17 a.m.)

Most Blessed God,

Thank You! You bless us with Your presence. In ways we aren’t even aware. Thank You Father.

You sing to my heart. [♪God Will Make a Way♪] Leading me. Guiding me. Helping me remember the hope we have in You [Lauren Daigle’s ♪Rescue♪].

Turning my thoughts to Your Word. Again I am reminded how blessed we are. Mm. Yes. Blessed!

(5:45 a.m.)

Dearest God. I’m asking (Matthew 7:7) You to make me aware of every smile. Every song. Every hint of joy I experience today.

Changing words to sing collectively ♪You are for us Not against us We are who You say we are♪ (Romans 8:31-39) my thoughts continue bouncing. Having begun reading of the “Benefits of Giving” (2 Corinthians 9:6-15) I abruptly turn to Psalm 16.

Lord God, how grateful I am that You keep directing us. Rather than continuing to ramble, I’m going to end here by reciting the Truth of Psalm 16:11. Requesting that it’s meant for us. Continuously.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.” Yes! The joy of Your presence. Yes. That!

Oh! Here’s another smile. Thank You. Use our love, need, trust and want of You. As only You know is best. Praise You. Amen.

(236 words ~ 6:29 a.m.)

greater than my unbelief

 Monday, December 18, 2023 (5:29 a.m.)

Blessed God,

There’s a LOT of coughing and unpredictability around here these days. ♪Yet Will I Praise You♪

(5:51 a.m.)

I’m confessing doubt. Fear. Reluctance. Unbelief.

Thank You Lord that You are SO much greater than my unbelief! Guide and direct my seeking and my finding this morning. The kingdom of God. Righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

I did NOT see this coming! Thank You, Father. Thank You Lord.

There are SO many snippets of songs trying to sing themselves out right now. I’d rather nestle at the foot of Your throne instead.

(6:24 a.m.)

Thank You God. I put the focus back on You and two of the titles become known. ♪Unto Us♪ and ♪Raise A Hallelujah♪ Both in short order. Thank You.

Sing with me of Your mercy and grace as I go outside for a bit.

(6:54 a.m.)

Thank You Father. No songs. But thoughts of hope. And peace. And joy. Yes. Thank You Father.

Speak with me here about Your light.

(7:28 a.m.)

Yes. Your light. Mentioned in yesterday’s sermon.

Calling us to see things with hope. Reminding us that You have given us new identities. With new perspectives.

Following my notes, I am smiling. ♪You are for me Not against me I am Who You Say I Am♪ Father, thank You!

♪Light of the World You stepped down into darkness Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of a life spent with You♪ Thank You that You are the Light of the world.

Asking (Matthew 7:7) that I will continue seeking Your kingdom (6:33) I move my reading up to verse 22. “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.”

Yes please. You stepped down into darkness. Opened my eyes to let me see. Father, I want to see all it is You would have me see today. Your goodness. Your grace. Your glory and Your greatness (Psalm 145:5-8).

Yes! You are so much greater than any unbelief I may harbor. Do all You must in ridding me of all that is not pleasing to Your eye.

I love, need, trust and want You. Use me exactly as You know is best. Shining Your light. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(404 words ~ 8:19 a.m.)

joy and anticipation

 Sunday, December 17, 2023 (6:17 a.m.)

Thank You Father,

Thank You for hope. And peace. And on this third Sunday of Advent, thank You for…

(6:59 a.m.)

“Joy and Anticipation”

Psalm 85:6

Philippians 4:4-5

Pause. Rejoice. Refocus hearts.

Isaiah 12:2-3

Psalm 33:20-21

prostrated reverence

 Saturday, December 16, 2023 (6:40 a.m.)

Holy Father,

You blessed me with Your presence yesterday. By way of an obedient believer. Reluctantly calling for prayer. Not knowing it was I who desperately needed it.

Thank You Lord! After explaining our current concerns the Truth of Your Word was powerfully prayed over me.

Beginning by simply sitting on the floor, I knew I wanted to show You more reverence. Kneeling wasn’t enough. Father, how I thank You for the opportunity to lie prostrate before You.

Yes! Thank You for the way my heart wrenching sobs gave way to hope and laughter as I lie face down on our bedroom floor. My grateful heart continues singing the song that began as I was being prayed for. Prone on the floor.

♪I Raise A Hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me♪

Thank You Father! Yes.

♪I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm Louder and louder, You’re gonna hear my praises roar Up from the ashes, hope will arise Death is defeated, the King is alive!♪

Blessed God, thank You for the Scripture verses that line up with the message of hope this song represents. Especially Psalm 150’s call to “Praise the LORD! Praise God…”

As brought to my attention by another follower of Yours, I am to:

1. hold fast to what we know is true - Our God is a Mighty God!!
2. Fear is an emotion; it is not the Truth. Faith in, and love of God trumps fear every time.
3. I have the foundation - hold fast… taking one step at a time. Going faster is a real breeding ground for fear and doubt. Sucking energy. Distracting and confusing my mind from where I need to focus… OUR GOD IS A MIGHTY GOD. He never presents an issue without a solution. Again, hold fast taking one step at a time.

Remind me as often as possible Dearest Father. We love, need, trust and want You. Use us exactly as You alone know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(367 words ~ 7:56 a.m.)