National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 7, 2020 (5:23 a.m.)

Father God, Blessed Jesus, Holy Spirit,

The National Day of Prayer. How I ask Dear Three-in-One that You will be glorified. Fully Esteemed and Revered.

I didn’t even think of that all those hours ago. Awakened by the dream of a newspaper hitting the house. Only to discover the “newspaper” was one of many other fireworks.

4:29 (a.m.)

amazing God

Wednesday, May 6, 2020 (7:37 a.m.)

Holy God,

You are amazing! We are blessed because You are so darned good.

Looking back through the years Father we keep seeing the changes You have made in us. And we are grateful. So incredibly grateful!

I wasn’t ready for this! Another song. Titled? ♪Amazing God♪

Lord, You NEVER cease in amazing me! Just look at these lyrics sung by William Murphy.

♪Amazing God, Amazing King… You’re an amazing everything Where would I be without You? I would probably be in a grave With all the mistakes that I made. My life would be controlled by fear Lord if I didn’t have You near♪

Holy God! This song sings Truth. And I only found it because I know You to be amazing. Thank You Lord.

♪By now I would have lost my mind… God I wouldn’t have no peace, no peace, no peace. But I’m so glad that I’ve found You… Amazing God, Amazing King, God You’re an amazing everything You rule throughout the land, You give life and breath to every man You sit high and look down low, earth is Your footstool, heaven’s Your throne Where would I be without You?♪

Where, indeed! Thank You God that I don’t have to know that answer.

Because You are amazing, I get to live free. Joyfully. In You. By, with, through and for You. Use me this day. Exactly as You alone know is best.

I love You. I need You. I want You. I trust You. I choose You. And I thank You Lord. Yes. Thank You for being the wonderfully, perfect, amazing God You are! Amen.

(279 words ~ 9:25 a.m.)

♪In the Garden♪

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 (5:29 a.m.)

Good morning.

It’s me again. Your daughter. Oh yeah. We determined the other day… Your beloved daughter. Thank You again for that.

Thank You also for songs. Yes. Three already this morning.

♪I Have Dreamed♪ Some other one, and just now ♪In the Garden♪ (John 20:20).

That’s where I’m preparing to go right now. Out to the garden.

It’s vast. And overgrown. And I really don’t know where to start. Nor how to continue. Guide me, won’t You? And be sure to let me know when to say, “when.”

I love You Father. I’ll see You there.

(6:52 a.m.)

And I did. A little glimpse here. And one over there. Complete with a reminder for me to stay present. To pay attention to what I was doing. Right in the moment.

Thank You Father. Hey! Here’s a smile. Hmm. Yes. Thank You.

Long exhalation. Deep inhalation. Breath.

Mm, breath. Your Breath. ♪Breathe on Me, Breath of God♪ (John 20:22).

Blessed Father God, how I thank You for Your loving provisions.

A footnote from The Passion Translation tells us, “The beginning of new creation life came from the breath of Jesus. The mighty wind of Acts 2 was for power, the breath Jesus breathed into His disciples in this verse was for life.”

Breath of life. Power. Love. Jesus. Keep me in Your tender care this day.

♪I love You, Lord and I lift my voice to worship You. O my soul, rejoice! Take joy, my King, in what You hear; may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear♪

Yes! Please. Use me. Thank You. Amen.

(281 words ~ 8:00 a.m.)

♪I Have Dreamed♪

Monday, May 4, 2020 (7:55 a.m.)

Oh most dear and holy God,

I love You! And I thank You.

Singing. Swaying. Yard work. Smiles. You provide it all, don’t You?

Waking earlier to the music in my head. Swaying to it first. Then remembering. ♪I love being loved by You♪

Knowing the movie [The American President] and the play [The King and I]… well that just makes it all the better!

Here I am, singing about loving being loved by You and where did the song originate? In a show with two characters singing about having “dreamt of their true love blossoming in freedom.”

True Love blossoming in freedom. Isn’t that exactly what You offer us?

The wikipedia site I am reading tells that the couple is preparing to escape from the King’s palace. And here we are living with plans of going TO Your Kingdom.

I’m leaving for now. Attempting to beat the heat outside. I love You Lord.

Keep singing to and guiding me won’t You? Just like my having searched high and low in the yard for the misplaced hand cultivator. Finally asking for Your help. And in the very next glance, there it was. Well within reaching distance. Thank You God.

Staying the Course

Sunday, May 3, 2020 (7:36 a.m.)

Holy God,

I’m here again. Wanting to connect with You.

Psalm 119:33-40. The Message. “GOD, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what You tell me - my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of Your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for Your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm Your promises to me - promises made to all who fear You. Deflect the harsh words of my critics - but what You say is always so good. See how hungry I am for Your counsel; preserve my life through Your righteous ways!”

It’s true. True. So true! The prayer of my heart is honestly to stay the course You have for me.

On my own, of my own resolve, I am completely powerless. I prove that time and time again.

staying the course

Saturday, May 2, 2020 (6:35 a.m.)

Good morning Blessed God,

Two hours ago I knew just what I wanted to say to You in thanks and praise. Now? Not at all.

Lord, I love You. How’s that for a start? Mm. Yes. I love You.

I’m here asking You to work in me. I have all these ambitions. And very little follow through. I am easily distracted. Unable [or is that unwilling?] to stay on any particular course.

And just like that [snap!] You lead me into Your Word again. Thank You Father. Thank You.

Psalm 119:1-8; 33-40

necessary

Friday, May 1, 2020 (5:19 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

♪Jesus is just alright with me…♪ 

How I thank You Lord. You provide our every need. Every single thing that is necessary. Yes Lord, all that is vital. Crucial. Utmost.

I’m here this morning, asking You to guide me in Your Word. Direct my thinking. My reading. My worship. Singing. Smiling. Staying [my mind]. While standing on the Truth of Your promises.

You promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:6;8. Hebrews 13. When we trust and believe what You have said and done through the years, we have hope that You will continue providing as You know is best.

I look to You in this Dearest Father. Thank You Lord.

There are things to do today. Not all of them are necessary. “…continually offer[ing] our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of His [Jesus] name” (Hebrews 13:15b) is paramount.

How do we even begin? “With Jesus’ help” (Hebrews 13:15a). ♪Jesus is just alright, oh yeah♪ Thank You Lord.

“Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16). Oh, amen, amen Dearest Lord.

You know what You would have us do. Here it is, summed up in The Life Recovery Bible comment. So appropriate for our current COVID-19 experience.

“13:8, 15-16 Even if our human leaders were to fail or be abusive, Jesus Christ is totally consistent and trustworthy. He will always be there for us, no matter what. As that kind of God and friend, Christ deserves to receive the new covenant equivalent of old covenant sacrifices:…” Let me pay particular attention here Lord.

“…(1) praise for who He is and what He has done; [♪Jesus is just alright♪] (2) good works of service; and (3) sharing with others in need (see 13:2-3). These activities all support an essential step in our ongoing recovery - telling others what God has done in our life and reaching out to people in need.”

Mm, yes Father. Make us obedient to Your call. Your will. Your way.

“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Don’t forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your bodies” (Hebrews 13:2-3).

Lord God, You know our every need. Do all You must in making us comply. Obey. Yield. Surrender.

We love You Lord. Teach us. Thank You. Amen.

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