doors of positivity

Friday, February 15, 2019 (7:13 a.m.)

Oh Most Dear and Holy God,

Thank You!

Much earlier I was thinking “Holy, Holy, Holy God” which led me to singing ♪Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty♪ (Revelation 4:8). As soon as I realized I was singing I remembered the boredom I experienced while working in the yard the other day. And then I smiled.

Thank You Father. Thank You for the various ways You work in us. Changing our focus. Our thinking. Thank You for Your Word that leads and guides us to Your will and to Your way.

Unable to manufacture my usual excitement concerning yard work, I was able to maintain momentum by singing. Very simply ♪God has a plan for my li-i-ife God has a plan for me li-i-i-ife I just can’t wait to see What’s in store for me ‘Cause God has a plan for my life♪

Thank You Father for the Truth we get to experience when we turn to You and Your Word. Thank You that the deeper we dig the more of Your loving kindness we discover.

Thank You for the various doors of positivity that open before us simply by saying, “Thank You.” You definitely have plans for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11). And You are willing to be found by us when we look for You in earnest (v. 13).

Thank You Father. Yes, thank You!

With so many verses providing Your best for each of us, this morning I settle in with Living as Children of Light (Ephesians 4:12-32). Focusing mainly on the last two verses.

Because of the Truth of Your Word we get to choose how we will grow. Either according to Your Your best for each of us or continuing to believe the lies of the evil one.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

This ability I ask in Jesus’ most holy name. Father God, I love You. And I long to serve You as You know is best. Do all You must in growing me into the woman You created me to be. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

deemed

Thursday, February 14, 2019 (6:13 a.m.)

Happy Valentine’s Day Father,

Thank You for Your love. Yes God. Thank You for Your perfect love.

(8:12 a.m.)

Waking up singing ♪Should I Stay or Should I Go♪ allows me to once again take a look at all the choices we have. Each day. Every day.

Thank You Father, that even when we aren’t paying direct attention to You, there You are. Leading. Guiding. Directing us to turn and look to You.

Mm. Thank You Father.

Thank You that we can offer You the simplest of thoughts and You just “take the ball and run with it”. You know exactly all You are doing in our lives. Thanks Dad.

Yesterday I used the word ‘deemed’ in one regard and it just came up in my thinking again. Thank You that I can even follow this into Your Word and be blessed.

2 Thessalonians. Hmm. Written to “encourage the Thessalonian believers to fulfill their day-to-day responsibilities while anticipating Christ’s return.” Thank You Father.

Thank You that I get to read RECOVERY THEMES (The Life Recovery Bible) and be blessed by the Truth that Your Word provides. God Is the Source of Our Hope, The Importance of Perseverance and God’s Reassuring Power and Presence.

As I exhale fully and inhale deeply Your peacefulness surrounds me. Thank You God.

Reading of “Paul’s Prayer; 1:11, 12 ” (Illustrated Bible Handbook) I am so grateful to learn of ‘The long-range perspective Paul held that shaped his prayers for the Thessalonians.’ My heart smiles as I consider all that Paul’s prayers back then does for me now.

“The apostle does not ask God to relax the pressures. Instead he asks that the believers might be found worthy of their calling. He asks God to empower them, enabling them to fulfill the good purposes He has in mind for them in their tribulations.” Thank You Father for reminding us that there truly IS ‘growth in the struggle!’

“It is by living for the Lord in tribulations that ‘the name of our Lord Jesus’ will be glorified. Through suffering we will find glory waiting for us when Jesus comes.” Amen Father!

As I continue playing around with the query ♪Should I Stay of Should I Go♪ how I thank You for the Truth of Your Word. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). Thank You Father.

Thank You that on this day set aside to celebrate love, let us continue learning all that Your love truly is. Thank You Father. I love You. Use me as You know is best. Amen.

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

gradually changed

Wednesday, February 13, 2019 (7:01 a.m.)

Blessed God,

How I thank You. I’m moving slowly. Not yet thinking clearly. And feeling somewhat subdued. A little down. Not too peppy.

Oh, but then I noticed I’m stretching. Without even realizing it. Moving this way. And that. Yes. Thank You Father.

Thank You that You move in my being without my even noticing. Thank You for every time I pause long enough to pay attention to what is going on in and around me. A smile here. A stretch there. Yes Father, thank You.

I’m reading in and about the book of Acts. And here comes another smile. Bigger. Deeper. Fuller. Yes. The Life Recovery Bible introduction for this book tells us, “Through the examples of these early believers, we see that the Holy Spirit has the power to change lives.”

It is here that we get to read of the transformations of both the apostles Peter and Paul. “These men should be an encouragement to us. Both made serious mistakes as younger men, but as they turned their lives over to God, they were gradually changed.”

That’s me. Gradually changed. You do it every single day. Occasionally by leaps and bounds. Most often little by little. Subtly. Steadily. Maybe even at a turtle’s pace. Slow and steady. Thank You Father.

Thank You for the gift of acceptance that You have been nurturing in me all these years. The ability to trust You at Your Word.

Take this time with You this morning for example. I came out here a little on the mopey side. Thinking I was going to have to do something grand to shake myself out of it. Instead I confessed it all to You. And turned to Acts 17:28.

Since then I’ve been aware of each smile as it starts. I may not be singing yet. But my mind is definitely stayed on You. Along with the hope that continues to build.

Thank You Father. Thank You for the Truth that rings out as I read of Paul’s preaching in Athens. Again introducing us to the importance of a genuine relationship with You over mere religious activity.

We are invited to know You. Trust You. Love You. Personally. Thank You Father. Praise You. I give You my heart this morning. Asking only that You guide and direct me in the best use of the time You have afforded me.

Thank You Father. Use me as You know is best. I love You. I thank You. I praise You. And I ask You to continue Your good and mighty work in me. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

♫ It Is Well ♫

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 (6:13 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! The song I woke up with yesterday just returned. Along with the biggest grin. Thank You Father!

♪Through It All, through it all, my mind is on You♪ That was what I sang most of yesterday’s early morning. Then throughout the day could no longer remember it.

Waking up just now I was wondering about a song. Even going so far as to try to bring one to mind.

Thank You for the absolute surprise of this seeming to automatically start, with no forethought whatsoever. Thank You for the ease with which I found it. Wrong title, wrong lyrics and all.

Thank You Father that it is okay to be wrong! Mistakes happen. And can be forgiven. Again, a choice You allow us. Time after time. Again and again.

Holy, holy God, I love You! Thank You for reminding me again how important it is for me to sing. Smile. Stay my mind. And to stretch. Each day. Everyday. Physical representations of loving You with all of my heart [singing], soul [smiling], mind [staying], and strength [stretching] (Mark 12:30).

You have been working mightily throughout the decades of my life and I am supremely grateful. ♪Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You Through it all, through it all It Is Well♪

Yes, Father. Through it all, it IS well! Thanks Daddy God! Thank You for truly taking out my heart of stone. Yes Father, yes!

Thank You for the promise You gave to Ezekiel to share with the exiled Jews. Chapter 36, verse 26, “And I will give you a new heart - I will give you new and right desires - and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love” (Living Bible).

You did that with me Blessed God. ALL those many years ago as You began melting me and molding me, filling me and using me. You did it before. You are doing it now. And you will continue doing it in the future. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Yes. Please! Thank You God.

Thank You for all You have done. All You are doing. And all You will be doing in making me the woman You would have me be. I love You SO very much. Use me exactly as You know is best. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(427 words ~ 8:11 a.m.)

loyalty and kindness

Sunday, February 10, 2019 (5:10 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Thank You for sleep. Thank You for loyalty. Yes Father. Teach me this morning what it is to be loyal.

I confess. I did not see this coming. And there is a huge degree of awkward that continues to grow.

I was called out yesterday when my conversation appeared inconsistent with my convictions. While I truly believed myself to be presenting a loyal discourse, there were huge discrepancies between my thoughts and my words.

Oh most Blessed God, how I ask You to help me here. Again I struggle with what I think I know and what truly is.

Thank You that Your Word speaks also to this. Thank You that we can depend on You and others to align us back to Your best for us. Even [especially] when it’s awkward.

So here I am Father, asking You to work Your Word and Your will into my heart. Into my soul. My mind. And my strength (Mark 12:30).

Thank You for a friend’s willingness to challenge a conversation that I have come to regard as unseemly. As hard as it is to hear and struggle through, thank You Father for Your Truth.

Mm, yes. Father, thank You for Your Truth!

Guide me this morning into Your Word. Okay ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7 it is. Now please direct me to the version. It’s a tall order, I tell You right now. And exactly what I thought of yesterday.

When I read “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (MOUNCE) I wonder how is this even possible? No one can do all this all the time. Then I remember that it’s You that empowers and enables us to love.

Thank You Father. Thank You that when it’s hard and we think we’re left out on our own we can look to You. We can always choose to look to You.

Yes, Father. Yes. Thank You for Your love. Your love that teaches each of us how to love one another. When we practice and apply it. Even [especially] in the hard times.

You have so much more to teach me. And I’m still struggling with the basics. “Love one another” (John 13:34).

Too often what I think is love really isn’t. Help me Father. Help me love as You would have me love. Loyally. Faithfully. Wholeheartedly. Freely. Genuinely. Forgivingly. Trustingly. Hopefully. Enduringly.

We each have choices. All day. Everyday. Make mine that I would ‘Never let loyalty and kindness get away from me!’ (Proverbs 3:3a). Truly Father, I long to ‘Wear them like a necklace; written deep within my heart’ (3b).

The Passion Translation tells us, “Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up” (1 Corinthians 13:7). You alone know how I have longed to be a safe place of shelter for others. It truly is a deep desire of my heart.

You have Your work cut out in making that happen. And I know You are able!

Ephesians 3:20, “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this [living together as family and loving one another as Christ loved us]. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you” (The Passion Translation).

I believe this Father. I trust You at Your Word.

Do all You must in making and shaping me in to the woman You created me to be. I love You. I long to serve You as You have the right to be served. And to represent You well. With loyalty and kindness toward others.

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(629 words ~ 7:20 a.m.)

inclination

Saturday, February 9, 2019 (6:00 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You!

Thank You for the inclination to be thankful. Joyful.

(6:40 a.m.)

Mm, yes. Inclination: “a person’s natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way; a disposition or propensity”. You have changed this in me. You are the One to thank for the hope that continues to grow in my heart.

Thank You for changing my “inherent qualities of mind and character” [disposition]. You have been growing me all these years. Nurturing; looking after; taking care of and bringing me up into the woman You created me to be. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

There is a genuine, authentic peace about me that I have rarely experienced before. A calmness that continues teaching me the importance of singing, smiling, staying my mind and stretching various times throughout each day. Thank You Father.

Let’s take this morning for example. Just by using the word ‘inclination’ I get to remember who I was before I invited You in to begin Your work in me.

Looking back several decades ago, thank You for helping me the learn difference between all the things that love is and what it is not (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a). “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. It does not dishonor other people. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs. Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It will never give up. Love never fails” (New International Reader’s Version).

(12:19 p.m.)

Thank You Father. Thank You for the opportunity of traveling with friends. Thank You for Truth spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15). Yes Father. Thank You for teaching us to “let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ [the Messiah, the Anointed One]” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).

(2:18 p.m.)

Now back to being inclined to thankfulness. And here (reading Acts 13:44-14:6) I smile again. Because of the Jewish leaders’ jealousy and disinclination to believe the bold declaration of Paul and Barnabas “this Good News” of which they spoke was instead offered to the Gentiles. Thank You Father.

Thank You that while “The Jews debate[d] the message among themselves; the Gentiles respond[ed] enthusiastically” (Illustrated Bible Handbook). Thank You for the choice to believe You at Your Word, or not.

Just as Paul and Barnabas experienced various responses as they preached the Good News to others, we each have choices as to how we handle circumstances right in front of us. Relying on Your power and strength, we can ask for courage to hang in there with unreceptive, problem presenting people. Or we can seek Your wisdom in knowing when it is that we may need to cut our losses and run. It is on You to Whom we rely in any given situation.

Thank You Father. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your guidance. Thank You for Your plan. Thank You for the hope we have in You. Thank You that we get to unashamedly declare our love for You. Yes Father. Thank You for Who and All You are. I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(2:54 p.m.)

moving forward

Friday, February 8, 2019

Entering Long Beach Harbor

Oh Blessed God,

Thank You! Thank You for stars. Thank You for light. Thank You for the optical illusion that develops when looking back while slowly moving forward and appearing to be standing still. Thank You for the truth that is revealed when we look forward while moving forward.

Oh yes, Father! Thank You for moving forward. And the determination to sing. Smile. Stay my mind on You. And stretch. Everyday. Yes Father. Thank You.