love/judgment

 Wednesday, January 31, 2024 (6:00 a.m.)

Thank You Father.

I recognized snarkiness. And brought it straight to You. Thank You God. Thank You.

Love over judgment. Every single time!

Thank You for leading me to read again of the importance of loving others. Building up. Not tearing down. Finding common ground. Caring. Being kind.

Lord God, You are so very good (Psalm 145:7). Glorious (v. 5). We saw it in the sky just earlier. You are great (v. 6). And gracious (8).

Because You are all these [and so many more] we get to bring You our unseemly attitudes. And trust You to change them in us. Thank You that You do.

Simply by confessing the degree of iIl-temper I was experiencing, I noticed a smile. The feeling of that upturned curve on my face immediately reached my heart. Reminding me of Your love for each and every single one of us.

(7:58 a.m.)

Father, thank You that because You loved the world so much You gave Your one and only Son that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). I come to appreciate this Truth more and more as time goes on.

Jesus describing Himself as “the light of the world” (John 8:12a) has me singing again. ♪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♪

I don’t have to walk in darkness (v.12b). It’s another choice. Stay snarky and judgmental? Or choose to follow the Light that leads to life. And love. Yes! Love over judgment.

Continue Your work in helping me choose You instead of sarcasm. Tearing flesh is not at all becoming of me. 

I love, need, trust and want You. Use me exactly as You know is best. Loving, not judging. Yes! Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

"ONE"

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 (8:01 a.m.)

Anaheim, CA

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! Fun. Rhymes with “ONE” - the title for the World of Color water screen presentation.

(8:31 a.m.)

No expectations. So many surprises. Thank You God.

Yes, Lord. Thank You!

Friends and family willing to include me in celebrating… fun!

Mm. Just look at the way You shift my thoughts. Searching fun with You, I find an e-article [Crossroads Church] about ‘creating powerful ripples that show people Jesus is about justice and peace and caring for people.’

That one word [ripples] reminded me of the song I heard for the first time last night. Start a Wave ♪Sometimes just one drop is all it takes See the ripples Watch them turn to waves Right before your eyes… One becomes one hundred, then A hundred thousand joining in An ocean’s just a drop when it begins But someone has to start it Maybe there’s a world that you can change So start a wave, oh Start a wave♪

The truth of what a smile, a kind word or a hug can do is sung about here. And written in Your Word. ♪But someone has to start Start the motion Throw the stone Stir the ocean Be the hand that reaches out for the unknown Sometimes just one drop is all it take See the ripples Watch them turn the waves Right before your eyes♪

Father God, thank You that YOU are the ONE to whom we can turn. The ONE who provides our every need.

Make us willing to be one to ♪start the motion Stand alone Stir the ocean Be the hand that reaches out for the unknown♪

Lord, the emotional chills I experienced hearing these words for the first time were not because of the cool night air. It was Your Truth speaking straight to my soul.

Jesus “came to give life - life that is full and good” (John 10:10 Easy-to-Read Version). I want to use it as You know is best. One step, one song, one smile, one kind word, one hug at a time.

Thank You again for fun. It rhymes with “ONE” I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Use me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(377 words ~ 9:20 a.m.)

straight to another

 Monday, January 29, 2024 (5:43 a.m.)

♪Breathe on Me, Breath of God,

♪Fill me with life anew, That I may love what Thou dost love, And do what Thou wouldst do♪

Mm, yes! ♪Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me… Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me… fall fresh on me♪

Oh but wait! The very next verse.

♪Soul of heaven, heart of God, wash over me… Cleanse me, teach me, hold me, reach me. Soul of heaven, heart of God, wash over me♪

 And still, there’s more!

♪Holy presence, love divine, cast out my fear… Shield me, free me, call me Holy presence, love divine, cast out my fear♪

Thank You Father. One song of Your Truth leading straight to another. Reminding me of the power that comes from letting the Holy Spirit guide our lives (Galatians 5:16).

Mm. Yes, Father. Thank You that Your Truth leads us when we are willing to follow. Galatians 5:25. “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”

♪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♪

Father God, thank You for the times the songs I am singing line up with Your Word. “And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Galatians 4:6).

And now I’ve gone straight back to the first song of the day. ♪Breath on Me, Breath of God…♪

Lord, I can’t make this stuff up! Choosing to follow as YOU guide my thoughts allows me the freedom to not fear. To truly trust You and not be afraid.

You know every single plan You have for us. They are plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Just like with my singing much earlier, this one verse takes me straight to another. And then the next. 

“In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. ‘I will be found by you,’ says the LORD” (Jeremiah 29:12-14a).

Most Dear and Holy Father God, our hearts, our souls, our minds and strength each get caught in cycles of pain. Thank You for the work You have been doing all these many years in teaching us the importance of waiting on You and breathing in Your Holy Spirit.

Do all You must in releasing us from the paralyzing pain that keeps us from loving You, others and ourselves as You know is best. With all of our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Mark 12:30-31).

You are so good, great, glorious and gracious (Psalm 145:5-8). Use us as only You know is best. Waiting. And breathing. Trusting. Not fearing.

We love You Lord. We need, trust and want You. Continue Your perfecting work in each of us. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(520 words ~ 7:10 a.m.)

sources of joy

 Sunday, January 28, 2024 (5:19 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You that You are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious (Psalm 145:5-8). Loving. Kind… I’m being honest when I tell You this is another day that I am choosing to stand on all Your Word says You are rather than what I’m feeling.

Thank You Father. The apostle Paul wrote to thank and encourage the Philippian believers. Sharing “the sources of joy that sustain him” (Illustrated Bible Handbook).

Thank You for the smile that comes to my heart, my soul, my face just by reading the word joy. By reading YOUR Word concerning joy.

Choosing to focus on You. Ruminating on Your traits instead of my own. Thank You that this practice changes my attitude.

Remembering to think about whatever is true. Honorable. Just/right. Pure. Lovely. Admirable. Excellent. And worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8) doesn’t come easy for me. These are rarely my go-to thoughts.

Thank You that You don’t give up on us. ♪Your love never fails It never gives up It never runs out on me… Because on and on, and on, and on it goes Before it overwhelms and satisfies my soul And I never, ever, have to be afraid ‘Cause One Things Remains♪

Your Truth brings us joy. Singing and smiling remind me that when we “keep putting into practice all we’ve learned and received from Paul… Then the God of peace will be with me” (v.9).

Put this way, The Message brings it home! “Summing it up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things, true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.”

Mm, yes! Work me into Your most excellent harmony. Using me exactly as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You Father. Praise You Lord. Amen.

(356  words ~ 6:24 a.m.)

T.H.I.N.K.

 Saturday, January 27, 2024 (6:34 a.m.)

Most dear and holy God,

There are so many thoughts running wild in my mind.

Proverbs 29:18

Philippians 4:8

Psalm 139:23-24

Ephesians 4:29

THINK!

(7:20 a.m.)

Father, thank You! I get to come before You with every thought. Every desire. And just lay them at Your feet. Trusting You to lead and guide me. And You do!

Waking with snippets of songs, You have provided me the lyrics for two of them. ♪Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)♪ and ♪Rescue♪ Thank and praise You Lord.

In my search for clarity I find I am not the only one whose thoughts run wild. What comfort I encounter when I am honest with You. Praise You Father.

Thank You for reminding me about the importance of choosing which thoughts I want in my mind. Thank You for the new to me idea of using the THINK acronym for my thoughts as well as my speech.

Lord God, I want to use words and thoughts that are:

True

Helpful

Inspiring

Necessary

Kind

Yes! Please. Keep me learning. Singing. Smiling. Standing firmly on Your Word. And staying my mind on You.

I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as only You know is best. Thank You for who and all You are. Praise You Lord. Amen.

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

(8:02 a.m.)

P.S. Thank You! The other song! ♪Because on and on, and on, and on it goes Before it overwhelm and satisfies my soul And I never, ever, have to be afraid One Thing Remains… Your love never fails It never gives up It never runs out on me♪

trustworthiness

 Friday, January 26, 2024 (3:52 a.m.)

Trustworthy God,

There’s a word! Speak with me about Your trustworthiness.

And right here starts the singing. ♪Forever, God is faithful Forever, God is strong Forever, God is with us Forever Sing praise, sing praise♪

(4:42 a.m.)

Thank You, Father. Sitting here. Reading about trusting You. I am truly grateful.

Heart at rest. Trusting in Your goodness. Decided. Determined. “Resolute in one’s will or mental state.”

Right here I confess my tendency to doubt. And the opposite of that? Trust. Believe. Depend on.

Isaiah 26:3-4, 41:10

John 17:17 [The Life Recovery Bible comment 17:1-26]

1 John 4:16

(5:44 a.m.)

Jeremiah 17:5-10  Wisdom from the Lord.

Holy, HOLY God and Father, thank You for all Your Word has to say about putting our hope and faith and trust in You. You have so much to teach us. So much for us to know and learn.

You are so good. Gracious. Great. Glorious (Psalm 145:5-8). And I am genuinely grateful Lord.

Use me Dearest God. In learning to truly depend on Your trustworthiness.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and make the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit’” (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

I want to be like the trusting tree Lord. With green leaves. Producing fruit.

Do all You must in ‘making me holy by Your Truth; teaching me Your Word, which is Truth’ (John 17:17). I love, need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life.

Teach me. Train me. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(363 words ~ 6:27 a.m.)

streams of abundance

 Thursday, January 25, 2024 (5:38 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

(6:03 a.m.)

Thank You! Time spent searching what it means that You truly are blessed and holy led me to singing. And smiling. Thank You Father.

♪Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name♪

Mm. Yes. Streams of abundance.

(6:35 a.m.)

Oh most dear and blessed God, I love when singing and learning about one song leads me straight to another. Reading that “Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21) is also written as “Praise the name of the LORD!” the next thing I know ♪May Jesus Christ be praised♪ immediately comes to mind. And heart.

♪When Morning Gilds the Skies, my heart awakening cries; May Jesus Christ be praised! …The powers of darkness fear, When this sweet song they hear: May Jesus Christ be praised!♪

And right back to ♪Where Your streams of abundance flow... ♪ Most dear and absolutely blessed God, I read [in The Berean Test] “regardless of our circumstances, [Matt] Redman will continue to praise God and call His name blessed.”

(7:25 a.m.)

Deciding to praise You and “be thankful in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18a) is a skill I long to acquire. Continue Your perfect work in training me to readily accept that Your name is still Blessed…

♪When I’m found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness… Every blessing You pour out I’ll turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord… Blessed be Your glorious name♪

And here a medley begins. So many hymns. Each wanting their own turn. All at the same time. Quite the jumble Lord. I give them all to You.

♪I Have Decided to Follow Jesus♪

♪He Has Made Me Glad♪

♪Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus♪

You provide our every single need Dearest God. I tend to jump ahead. Thinking I know where it is You are leading me. Pull me back Blessed Lord. Slow me down to the pace You have set for me.

Yes. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2a).

Mm, yes. Do all You must. In. With. By. Through. And for me. That I will truly live this day [which You alone have made (Psalm 118:24a)] readily rejoicing and being glad in it (118b).

I love You. I need, trust and want You. Thank You for who and all You are. Praise You. Use me. Amen.

(485 words ~ 7:57 a.m.)