Hero

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 (7:01 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You SO much. I get to wake up thinking about You. Singing to You.

What seems to have come completely out of nowhere I keep singing ♪…I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero…♪ Blessed God, I am so grateful to know Jesus as my Hero.

(8:08 a.m.)

I look to Your Word to tell me more. As I read, the power of believing You at Your Word practically explodes within me. Thank You Father. Thank You for the crescendo [gradual increase in loudness and intensity] that builds within me.

Holiest God, I find myself wanting to scream Your goodness from the mountaintops. You are our source of hope. Power. Truth. Thank You.

The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus to strengthen them in their relationship with You and each other. As I read in his letter one of the words of the song I keep singing changes. ♪I HAVE a Hero!♪

Because of this Truth I get to truly “Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10). Father, I confess the paralyzing fear I experience in many of the responsibilities of being a grown up. Thank You that You are so much bigger than every single one of my fears.

‘You saved us by Your special favor when we believed. We can’t take credit for it; because it’s a gift from You. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it’ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

‘I am Your masterpiece’ (v. 10a) and You are my Hero! ‘You created me anew in Christ Jesus, so that I can do the good things You planned for us long ago’ (10b).

Continue Your work in me Father. With me. By, through and for me.

I love You so much and am incredibly grateful that You really are my Hero! Thank You. Use me. Amen.

332 words ~ 8:55 a.m.)

grateful smile

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 (7:06 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Here I am. Awake. With an attitude. I’ve yet to decide if it’s good or not.

The smile is real. Though it does seem to come and go. That’s how I came back around to focusing on You again. I like when it stays. Reminding me that You are good. All the time.

(7:55 a.m.)

Mm. Another smile. Gentle. Deep. Sincere. Genuine. And grateful.

Yes Father! This smile is filled with gratitude. Imagine that. I confess my attitude to You and You change it right where I sit. Thank You.

Here again I had a choice. Rant about my own perception of this slight or that omission, OR call on Your goodness. Thank You for reminding me that through it all, You are good.

Choosing to look to You rather than any degree of hurt feelings, I am sent over to read Paul’s words about the importance of being transparent (2 Corinthians 3). And confident (chapter 4). In You.

Bless You Father! I can very easily fall victim to my own thinking. This hurt. That disappointment. Then out of nowhere, another grateful smile. Thanks Dad.

Fully exhaling reminds me to settle in and focus on You. Various songs and hymns jumble together to start the singing in my soul. ♪Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You Through it all, through it all It is well♪

And here again, the smile. Another natural inhalation. And peace. Your peace. Praise You Father.

Use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. Take any perception of my having been intentionally left out and turn it into the good that only You can create.

I love You. I need You. I want You. And I ask You… into my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. Thank You Father. Praise You. Bless and glorify You. Yes! Grateful smile. Amen.

(323 words ~ 8:57 a.m.)

♪ Isn’t it time… ♪

Monday, April 8, 2019 (5:39 a.m.)

♪Isn’t it time…♪ has been singing itself to me again. Holiest God, I don’t know if it’s You singing to me, or me singing to You. Guide and direct my search through Your Word I pray.

I didn't think I was quite ready to be awake. Yet going back to sleep didn’t seem the best option. Again I ask Your guidance and direction here.

Surprisingly enough there are verses with “Isn’t it time” in them. Yet while I am considering them, Philippians 4:8 pops up from a conversation with a loved one yesterday. A much loved one who knows of You Dear Jesus, yet does not know You as her Lord and Savior.

I find it encouraging how many times I am aware of thanking You during our conversations. As well as when I unknowingly expand on a prayer where I had quite naturally requested “the peace that passes all understanding” (v. 7) on her behalf.

What’s even better is that it all stems from having originally shared the importance of not worrying about anything (6). Instead praying about everything. Telling You our needs. And thanking You for all You have done. Thank You Father.

Thank You that even though I don’t know myself to be adequately evangelistic, You are such a natural part of my every conversation. Is this where ♪Isn’t it time…♪ comes in to play?

Isn’t it time I learn to unapologetically share with others what I know and believe to be true about life with You? Mm, yes Father. ♪Isn’t it time…♪

You are Who makes me be me. Thank You. Praise You.

(7:30 a.m.)

As I sit here, preparing to go out into the day I ask You Father to go before me. Behind. Beside. Beneath. Above. And within me. Completely engulfing me with Your presence.

Father, I love You. I need You. I want You. And I long to represent You. Well. Do all You must to this end.

Referring again to Philippians 4:8 I ask You to empower and enable me in filling my mind “with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy” (The Voice).

The Passion Translation uses these words, “So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always.”

Yes please! Make it so that I do. I love You. ♪Isn’t it time…♪ I put into practice all that You teach? I love You Father. Amen.

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

Truly!

Sunday, April 7, 2019 (11:22 a.m.)

And here I am again. Truly singing Your praises. Yes Father. Truly!

You woke me up with a song again this morning. The Beach Boys of all genres! Thank You Father. Yes. Thank and praise You.

(5:21 p.m.)

Unexpected and very pleasant phone calls. Yard work. Now back to the song.

♪…Isn’t it time we danced the night away How about doing it just like yesterday Every time I think of You And all of those things we used to do Remember those nights we spent just You and I Little did we know how the time would fly Isn’t it time Isn’t it time The good times never have to end And now’s the time to let them happen again And we can have ourselves a blast The good times they aren’t only in the past…♪

I love that I get to sing to You about music spinning in my head. Memories. Photographs. And a changing world. Descriptive lyrics of an American rock band.

♪And as the sun goes down We raise our glass to kindness To all the good times we shared Isn’t it time we get ready and then Isn’t it time we go steady again♪

Just because another trip has ended is no reason that we can’t still dance ♪just like yesterday♪

Father how I thank You for the ways You sing hope into my being. I love You. Thank You. Use me exactly as You know is best. Smiling. Singing. Staying my mind on You. And stretching. Thank You. Amen.

(265 words ~ 6:20 p.m.)

released

Sunday, April 7, 2019 (7:08 a.m.)

Holy God,

I love You. Thank You.

(7:33 a.m.)

It is working with You through the years that is allowing me to cut myself a little slack.

The melancholia started on Friday. Another end to a perfectly lovely trip. Hard as I tried, I could not work myself out of the funk into which I had sunk.

Sleep didn’t come easily as I played all my perceived slights and insecurities over and over in my head. Reminding myself that “feelings aren’t facts” helped a little. I thank You for that.

And right here is the absolute largest sense of release I have experienced in such a long time. Blessed God, thank You!

Over twenty years ago I made a mistake. Misjudging a little one’s ability and disposition resulted in a fear spanning two decades. YOU worked through that fear Father. Turning it into something beautiful. A determined and certified SCUBA diver, working at Sea World.

Thank You Father! I have carried this self imposed guilt for so many years. And this morning I am experiencing the genuine release that comes only from choosing to truly believe Your Word.

As I exhale fully and breathe in naturally I am deeply aware of the peace that fills and surrounds me when I completely give in to Your presence. Thank You Father.

Reading Romans 8 in The Passion Translation I continue coming back to the blessed release I encounter every single time I take You at Your Word. Thank You Father.

Thank You that I get to choose to believe that ‘the Spirit of Christ empowers [my] life’ (v. 9). That ‘Christ lives His life in [me]!’ (10a). Thank You for releasing me Father. From my own self condemnation.

This is yet another level of the freedom we find in living our lives in, with, by, through and for Your Truth. How I ask You Blessed God to continue teaching me the power of living each and every day in trusting and depending on the Truth of Your loving forgiveness.

Thank You Father. I love You. I trust You. I need You. And I ask You to do all You must in fully releasing me from myself.

Use me for Your glory and the good of others. Just like turning another of the mistakes I make into something wonderful. Thank You God. I love You. Amen.

(405 words ~ 9:31 a.m.)

waiting for His return

Friday, April 5, 2019 (8:00 a.m. ship’s time)

Cruising to Los Angeles, CA

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You. You provide us with so many fine, good things. Mm. Yes, You do. Thank You.

I read in Your Word (Philippians, Proverbs, John) and I find hope. Every single time. I look to You, gazing out at this vast ocean and I think of the blessings You have provided us. Blessings far too many to count.

I’m preparing to leave here shortly. Looking to take advantage of another activity.

(11:05 a.m. Back balcony)

And I’m back. Not yet having found my rhythm with You.

Holy God. We’ve spoken with so many people these past several days. People we will more than likely never see again.

As I sit here, attempting to take it all in and find where in Your Word to go let me ask You instead. Father God, guide and direct my fleeting thoughts. They are vast. Bouncing from one thing to another.

Rein me in. Change that. Reign in me. Yes Father! Reign in me! Consume my thinking. Bring all that is distracting me back to You.

I confess to trying to manufacture something meaningful here. And I’m back to thinking about the people we have met. Experiences shared. And I’m willing to explore Philippians 2:2 as seemingly directed just a bit ago.

(12:09 p.m.)

aaaåååå [This randomly appeared on screen as my Bible laid on the keyboard]

Choosing to read through Philippians, rather than just hunting out certain verses, I sat up and paid attention as I read chapter 3, verse 20, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.”

Yes Father. Truly I am waiting for His return. That explains this air of melancholy. And with that realization, a genuine, soul filled smile. Yes Father. An almost giddiness as I sit here finally feeling connected to You.

All the failed attempts of trying this verse or that one. Thinking one thought or another. Focusing on this marvelous view of blue sky and white clouds hovering over various blue colored water contrasting the lacy white wake. All this beauty couldn’t conjure up the joy. The freedom that comes as we consider “waiting for His return”.

Oh yes, thank You Father. All there is to do today, let it all be done for Your glory and the good of others.

This is where I can wholeheartedly pray with Paul as he asked (second chapter, first verse), “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?

“Then make me truly happy by agreeing whole-heartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose” (v. 2).

Yes! Hallelujah Father! One heart and one purpose as we are waiting for His return.

Do that for us. In us. By, through and with us. Yes please. Do all You must to make it so oh Lord.

How I love and thank You. Bring glory to Your must holy name I pray. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(544 words ~ 12:34 p.m.)

open-ended

Thursday, April 4, 2019 (7:00 a.m. ship’s time)

Cruising north to Los Angeles, CA

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. I love when my thoughts are of You as I waken. And when my first exclamation of the day has to do with You as well.

“Oh my God!” came out of my mouth the moment I saw the sky. No time to think. Or plan. Just exclaim.

How I thank You Father. Yes! Thank You for teaching us.

I was considering which of all that You teach us to list above. And I decided instead to leave it open-ended. Yes. With “no determined limit or boundary”.

I smile as I think about all You are. And do for us. Provide for our every need. Free us. Change us. Teach us. There it is again.

You DO teach us! Teach us to be kind. Loving. Forgiving. Alert. Aware. Hopeful. Joyful. Faithful. Strong. In You!

This morning I’m reading (Psalm 35) of David’s feelings of desperation concerning his circumstances. As he prays Your protection and humiliation of those trying to kill him (v. 4) it’s verses nine and ten I’m looking to most.

“Then I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be glad because He rescues me. I will praise Him from the bottom of my heart. ‘LORD, who can compare with You? Who else rescues the weak and helpless from the strong? Who else protects the poor and needy from those who want to rob them?’”

Truly! “LORD, who can compare with You?”!

Your blessings, Your wisdom, Your love are all limitless. Without boundaries. Open-ended. David knew this. You teach us to know and trust You as well.

Skimming over to Isaiah 48 I read of God’s Stubborn People (vs. 1-11) and Freedom from Babylon (12-22). Verses 17 and 18 especially speak to me this morning.

“‘The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you would listen to my commands! Then you would have peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling like waves.’”

This I ask of You Blessed Dad. That I would truly learn to listen to and follow Your commands. I love You. And I long to represent You as one who knows You well. Live in, with, by, through and for me this day Blessed God. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(416 words ~ 8:35 a.m.)