failing fabulously

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 (6:27 a.m.)

Holy God,

You are good. And I am grateful.

Thank You for all You are teaching me. I’m asking You now to keep up Your fining and refining work in me.

I smiled broadly yesterday when I used a phrase describing my actions. I confessed to “failing fabulously.” How I thank You for that freedom Father.

There have been times in my life Lord that I’ve believed mistakes to be the end-all example of my own inadequacies. Then yesterday? Such a glorious smile! If I’m failing, I’m risking. If I’m risking, I have the opportunity of growing. Thank You God. Thank You!

I came to Your Word this morning to Psalm 119, verse 68. The Message has me beginning with verse 65, nodding my head and smiling all the more.

“Be good to Your servant, GOD; be as good as Your Word. Train me in good common sense; I’m thoroughly committed to living Your way. Before I learned to answer You, I wandered all over the place, but now I’m in step with Your Word. You are good, and the source of good; train me in Your goodness.”

Oh yes Father! Train me in Your good common sense. The more things I attempt to learn, the greater the risk I will bungle them badly. Let me do it all in the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

Illustrated Bible Handbook tells me this about “the longest of the psalms… an acrostic poem… The word of God, and its impact in the life of the believer, is the subject of this great work of poetry.”

Your Word has greatly impacted my life Lord. How I ask You to continue giving me the opportunities of making the mistakes necessary to fail fabulously and ultimately grow into the woman You would have me be.

I love You Father. Use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. Mistakes and all. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

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

God cares about us

Tuesday, October 6, 2020 (5:23 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Yes. Thank You that we get to cry out to You. Thank You God that You care for and about us.

Oh yes Blessed God, thank You that with all the horrifying things going on in the world we are still called to glorify You. What a privileged opportunity. Yes Lord, access to You is our true privilege! Thank You.

Thank You for calling me out here with another song just now. A song that was readily found.

♪You have called I have come To the House of the Holy One You are God I will run into You♪ What an honor! Such a privilege!

Starting at the beginning. ♪Only You deserve The praises of the earth Words are not enough To sing of all You’re worth Oh I glorify Your name I worship You Lord in this place♪ Thank You Father that we do indeed get to worship You in this place.

Wherever we are, whatever place we are in we get to worship You because You care about us. Thank You Father. You are the Truth worth running to!

♪Thank You Holy God For Your healing blood Thank You for Your grace And Your mighty love Jesus You forgave my sins Now I freely enter in♪ Thank and praise You Father!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Psalm 34:17-18

Psalm 40:17

1 Peter 5:6-7

Isaiah 40:11

Psalm 23:1-3

♪Thank You for Your grace and Your mighty love♪ Mm, yes Blessed God. I experienced that grace and mighty love just yesterday. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that because ‘You instruct and teach us the way we should go’ (Psalm 32:8) I was able to push “pause” when a conversation got too far off track.

In the past Lord I have used profanity to get my frustration across. Quite often I shout out, “That’s it! I quit!” This time was different.

♪Jesus You forgave my sin Now I freely enter in♪ And I did Lord! I truly entered in to Your place of rest. I was able to completely “Be still and know” that You are God (Psalm 46:10). Without hurt or malice. You did that in me. Because You care about us. Thank You.

Isaiah 43:2. And here the music changes. ♪There was Another In the Fire Standing next to me There was another in the waters Holding back the sea♪ Oh thank You most dear and Holy God!

Thank You that there is no doubt that You care about us. You teach us to not be afraid (Isaiah 41:10, 13). To call on You. Run into You. Thank You Father.

I am asking You to guard and guide my thoughts today. Empower me in thinking, feeling, saying and doing all that will glorify You.

Truly, I long to be the woman You created me to be. A Wife of Noble Character. The one ‘clothed with strength and dignity, who laughs with no fear of the future, who’s words are wise and kindness is the rule when she gives instruction’ (Proverbs 31:25-26).

Do all that You know is necessary for ‘my children to stand and bless me and my husband to praise me’ (v. 28). Yes Father.

♪In my life Lord, Be Glorified, be glorified, In my life Lord, be glorified today♪ (Philippians 1:20). I love You Lord. And I desperately want to be all You know is best. Do all You must. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(593 words ~ 7:25 a.m.) 

all things new

Monday, October 5, 2020 (6:30 a.m.)

Blessed God,

You keep giving me hope. Bible verses. Worship songs. Smiles. Peace. Thank You Father. Yes. Thank You for speaking to me in so many different ways. Like the beauty in the sky just now warranting a walk outside.

The crisp, fresh air reminding us that You make all things new. Mm, yes Lord. Thank You for making all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:5).

At 10:10 last night I was reminded of Jesus’ role as Shepherd. John 10:10 tells us, “A thief has only one thing in mind - he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect - life in its fullness until you overflow!” (The Passion Translation).

I look to Your Word Lord. Seeking Your Truth. Your promises. How I thank You Lord for Your willingness to change us.

Thank You for adding words to the song playing in my mind. Beginning with ♪You bring hope♪ I got nowhere in my search. As the melody built ♪light in the darkness♪ came to me. Thank You Father that ♪Great Are You Lord♪ became an easy find.

♪You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken Great are You, Lord♪ Oh yes Father. Yes!

♪It’s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise We pour out our praise… to You only♪ Mm, yes Father. To You only!

♪All the earth will shout Your praise Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing Great are You, Lord♪ Thank You God. Thank You that with the Truth of Your Word singing to me I readily receive the hope You give.

Reading The Life Recovery Bible PURPOSE for the book of John I sit up straighter as I place all of my hope in Your Truth. Written by John the apostle “To reveal Jesus as the Son of God and show that by faith in Him we can experience true love, forgiveness, and recovery.” Oh yes Father!

As You continue renewing my heart, my soul, my mind, even my strength I ask You to continue speaking and singing Your Truth to me. I long to serve and represent You well this day. Do all You know is necessary in making me new.

I love You Father. I need You. I trust You. I want You. And I thank You Blessed God. How truly and deeply I thank You. Use me exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(432 words ~ 8:01 a.m.)

"Eshet Chayil"

Sunday, October 4, 2020 (6:24 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed Holy God,

I took a risk yesterday. I asked for an improved relationship I would like to have. Referencing the Proverbs 31 woman I come to You now.

Proverbs 31. An acrostic poem of blessing. Written about a mother [Bathsheba?] sitting down with her son [King Solomon?] teaching him the qualities of a good, virtuous wife. A woman who is wise, gracious and trustworthy.

A hymn to a good woman. Sung by men to the women in their lives. To honor them for who they are to their husbands and families.

Oh most Blessed God, let that describe me! Having been made by You to rise to challenges with Your perfect Wisdom. That my husband would celebrate and speak life over me by singing my praises (v. 28b). Oh yes Lord. That!

“Eshet Chayil” = “Woman of Valor!” Roughly equates to “Carry on, Warrior!” And modernizes to “You Go, Girl!”

Your women are to be brave, strong, diligent, heartened, tenacious and faithful. Checking our motives through honoring You. And encouraging one another in being the women You created us to be.

Loving Father God I ask You to continue Your work in fining [clarifying] and refining me that I would truly become Your “Eshet Chayil” [“Woman of Might”].

I love You Lord. I need You. I want You. And I ask You to do all You must to make me so. Thank You Father. Praise You. Amen.

(248 words ~ 8:53 a.m.)

in every circumstance

Saturday, October 3, 2020 (5:20 a.m.)

Blessed God,

This morning I am feeling beaten. By sadness. And circumstance. As the tears form and fall I come to realize it is Your peace I am seeking. Yes please Jesus. Provide us with Your peace.

Let’s see what happens here. I confess sadness. Search Your Word. Read 2 Thessalonians 3:16. And start singing ♪Our God is greater Our God is stronger God You are higher than any other♪

And just when I think this is going nowhere the very next line brings a smile. And with it, a sense of hope. Strength. Power. Your love. And more tears.

♪Our God is Healer Awesome in Power Our God, Our God♪ Mm. Yes. Indeed.

“Now, may the Lord Himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you His peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord’s tangible presence be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 The Passion Translation).

More tears. Your tangible presence. Oh yes God please. We, as Your people, are in such need of Your tangible presence and peace!

Amplified Bible phrases the apostle Paul’s encouraging words to the Thessalonians by saying, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all.”

Oh Lord God! Oh, that we would walk with You through all the sad unknowns that we each are facing. You do not leave us alone in our sadness and circumstances.

Oh look! More tears accompanying another song. ♪There Is Another In The Fire Standing next to me There’s another in the water Holding back the seas And if I ever need reminding What power set me free There is a grave that holds no body And now that power lives in me♪

And now? Another translation. Mounce Reverse-Interlinear New Testament. “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you - peace always in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all.”

Your peace. At all times. In every way. And here, The Message. “May the Master of Peace Himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!”

Oh yes Dearest God! How I ask You for Your gift of getting along with each other at all times. In every circumstance.

Father, You are so good. And we are so grateful. So very grateful.

Thank You for empowering us every time we turn to You. Do all You know is best this day that we would truly live it for glorifying and enjoying You.

I love You Lord. I need You. I want You. And I ask You to do all in, with, by, through and for me that I cannot possibly do for myself. Praise You Father. I love You. Amen.

(495 words ~ 6:58 a.m.)

"in the depths of Christ's love"

Friday, October 2, 2020 (6:28 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for again reminding me. This time in the form of an American Sentence. “There is no room for bitterness or resentment in loving others.” Yes. Thank You!

Oh Yes thank You Dearest Lord. Thank You that as easily as bitter resentments come along we have Your Word to guide us through them.

Ephesians 4:31

Hebrews 12:15

Contemporary English Version begins Your Truth with verse 30 and takes it through 32. “Don’t make God’s Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins. Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.”

Truth, Father! Your Word speaks Truth. Your Truth. Thank You.

Yes thank You that we can bring every single emotion we ever experience to You and find Your better way of dealing with them. Thank You God that You love us so much more than we could ever imagine.

The Passion Translation tells us that we are to “Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another.” It asks the question, “Has God graciously forgiven you?” And answers, “Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.

Hmm… “In the depths of Christ’s love.” I am oddly comforted by these words. Have I considered them before? Thank You Father for bringing me to Your Book this morning. I desperately need the reminding.

I confess to You this very instant that I don’t know how to proceed in the relationships that have seemingly been derailed through the years by unresolved hurts and slights. My idea is to jump right in and work hard to resolve them.

I am instead turning to You. Your Word. Your Truth. Your guidance. And awaiting Your direction.

(1:09 p.m.)

And just like that [snap!]… back to back phone calls dealing with years long disappointments and hurts filtered through Your Truth. Thank You Father for Your enduring Truth.

God knows

Thursday, October1, 2020 (5:40 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I am thanking You for Your work. You know Your plans. You know all You are doing. You know… Yes! Holy God, You know. Thank You.

Thank You for leading us. Guiding us. Loving us. Thank You that we can turn to Your Word and find comfort. Solace. Hope. Truth. Thank You God that You know!

You know all. All Your plans. All that is best. All that is to come. Thank You that You are here willing to prepare us to receive Your best for each of us.

Cue the music from the other day ♪I’m holding on to hope♪ and now color me confused. I really thought I was singing ♪You Make Me Brave♪ only to find it is really ♪Anchor♪ Thank You Lord for again leading and guiding and directing and correcting.

Mm, yes Lord. You truly direct and correct!

Psalm 68:19-23

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (Clay Jars); 12:1-5 (Strength from Weakness)

2 Peter 2:9

As I settle in to reading and trusting Your Word, another song begins. ♪There’s Another In The Fire♪ Thank You Father. Thank You that we are never truly alone. And just when I think I’m done, here comes ♪Confidence♪ by Sanctus Real.

Father God, I ask You to go with me out into this day. Go before me. Behind me. Beside me. Beneath and above me. Completely surround and engulf me with Your presence.

Father I am asking that I will truly stand on Your Word. Accepting. Believing. Courageously following You into all You know is best for me. I look to You Blessed God, asking that You would guide me every single step of this day.

I love You. I need You. I want You. And I seek You Lord. Use me in doing all You know is best. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(323 words ~ 6:50 a.m.)