♪Sailing♪

 Thursday, September 7, 2023 (5:28 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I’m looking to You. Listening. Waiting. Wondering. Wanting. Mm, yes. I’m wanting You to lead that I will follow.

♪Sailing♪ keeps coming to mind. Mentions of paradise. Wind. Tranquility. Miracles. Waiting. Seeing. Belief. Sanity. Serenity. Being free.

♪… No reason to pretend And if the wind is right you can find the joy Of innocence again♪

I’m on my way to adventure this morning. I’m asking You to go before, behind, beside, beneath, above and within me Lord. Much like the wind. My breath. The essence with which I awoke.

Sailing into this day. That You have made. Rejoicing and being glad (Psalm 118:24).

♪Sailing takes me away to where I’ve always heard it could be Just a dream and the wind to carry me And soon I will be free♪

Your presence does this for us Lord. In. With. By. And through us. The essence of Your Holy Spirit. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(171 words ~ 5:56 a.m.)

a lot

 Wednesday, September 6, 2023 (6:16 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed Good,

Thank You. I come to You this morning with a lot. A lot of requests. Rejoicings. Concerns. And calm.

Yes Father. You provide for us. The abilities to “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6). To: “not worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need. And thank Him for all He has done” (New Living Translation).

“Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of Your presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight” (Psalm 94:19 The Passion Translation).

(7:11 a.m.)

Oh most Dear and Holy God,

How I thank You for the privilege and opportunity of sitting her on behalf of others. Others who have shared the prayers of their hearts with me. Asking (Matthew 7:7) that I would join my prayers with theirs.

Father there is so much need in this world. None of it is unnoticed by You. You know the plans You have for us Lord. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

My challenge in the midst of overwhelm is remembering the Truth of Your promises. Thank You for Your words to Isaiah for confronting the people of Judah.

“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine’” (Isaiah 55:8). Yes! Father. You know all that we do not.

Thank You that in every concern we have to bring before You, You already have the provision. Thank You that no matter the degree of things that could cause us worry or anxiety, You are our answer.

We come before You with open hands and hearts. Asking You to fill them exactly as You know is best. Rid of us our own ideas, replacing them with Your will and Your way.

Quoting The Life Recovery Bible comment for Jeremiah 29:11 I thank You for the “comfort this verse brings! In our despair, we must remember that God has a special plan for each of us…” Thank You that You do Dear Lord!

You want “to bless us. Our challenge is to act on that knowledge. In recovery we are to pray for knowledge of God’s will and the power to carry it out. Our recovery is an important of part God’s will for us. We can begin the process by recognizing how helpless we are against our dependency and entrusting our life into God’s powerful yet loving hands. Realizing how much God loves us gives us hope for the future.”

You absolutely know Your best. Your plan. Do all You must Blessed God in aligning us to Your will and Your way.

We love, need, trust and want You Dearest God. Use us as only You are able. Lead, guide, direct and empower us as You know is necessary. We thank You. We praise You. Amen.

(493  words ~ 7:50 a.m.)

alternatives

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 (5:40 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

It’s already been quite the morning. Hours of sleeplessness. This time, not my own.

Father, thank You for the internal singing of ♪Raise A Hallelujah♪ as I struggled with some mild irritation. Mm, yes. Thank You Father.

Thanking You IS the alternative! Allowing us the grace to see circumstances differently.

♪I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar Up from the ashes, hope will arise Death is defeated, the King is alive!♪

While moments of tossing and turning don’t immediately present as much of a storm, it’s the underlying negative attitude that can ultimately build. Leading to annoyance. Anger. Upset.

How perfect You are in offering us alternatives. Because You know Your best for each of us, we get to trust You. Rest in You. Oh yes Lord. Thank You for the Scripture verses that remind us of the rest we can have in You!

“Come to me… I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

In the midst of considering Your perfect ways ♪Good, Good Father♪ comes singing to my heart and mind. Following its lead to Psalm 18:30 again I smile.

“God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.” Just earlier You protected me from my own petty displeasure. Thank You God.

You know Your plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11a). Continue teaching us to thank and praise You rather than grumble and complain.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). Yes please Lord! I want to trust You. In all things.

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live” (The Message 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Yes Lord. Work in, with, by, through and for us to Your good and perfect end. Thank You. Praise You. We love, need, trust and want You. Use us. Amen.

(356 words ~ 7:00 a.m.)

 

encouraging words

Labor Day Monday, September 4, 2023 (6:06 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

I woke up singing. And now smiling. Your peace washes over me. And I am grateful. Thank You Father.

Finding the song of my heart, soul and mind on the very first attempt. Lord, how I truly appreciate Your work in me.

♪I Raise A Hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me♪

How perfect are You God?! [Completely!] I woke up wanting to use words that encourage today. Words that are:

T rue

H elpful

I nspiring

N ecessary

K ind

“Hallelujah!” just might cover it all. An exclamation used in songs of praise or thanksgiving to God. A general expression of gratitude or adoration.

As we look around us at the world today, Lord how I thank You for songs that remind me of Your strength. Your power. Your presence.

♪I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm Louder and louder, You’re gonna hear my praises roar Up from the ashes, hope will arise Death is defeated, the King is alive!♪

Blessed God, I look to You to teach me the fine art of raising ♪a hallelujah, with everything inside of me… watch the darkness flee… in the middle of the mystery♪

Yes! Father, we don’t have to wait until circumstances are as we want them. We get to ♪sing, in the middle of the storm Louder and louder You’re gonna hear my praises roar♪

Yes. Yes, Lord. I want so much to ♪Sing a little louder… in the presence of my enemies… Louder than the unbelief… My weapon is a melody Sing a little louder Heaven comes to fight for me… Sing a little louder♪

Mm, as I continue exploring these encouraging words I confess to being pleasantly amazed. Thank You. Thank You, Father.

♪Just begin to raise your own hallelujah I can’t do it for you There’s a song written on your heart only you can sing And when you sing enemies flee When you sing prison walls come falling down When you sing Heaven invades the earth So just begin to lift up your hallelujah Raise it like a banner Raise it like a flag Raise it in the middle of the storm Let it rise…Like a symphony to the King Everything to You, Jesus We raise all Sing a little louder!!♪

Yes. Yes! Teach us to raise and sing Your Hallelujah in the struggle as well as the end result. You are so good. Faithful. Worthy.

Use us in being “very glad… [for] the wonderful joy of seeing [Your] glory when it is revealed to all the world” (1 Peter 4:12-13). Yes. Do all You know is best.

We love, need, trust and want You Dearest Lord. Thank You. Praise You. Hallelujah! Amen.

(492 words ~ 7:22 a.m.)

love and strength

 Sunday, September 3, 2023 (7:22 a.m.)

Blessed Lord God,

Thank You! You provide.

Peace. Of mind and heart.

Courage. Power. Your presence.

Mm, yes. Father. You provide! Our every need.

Oh! And joy. Yes. Let’s take note of the joy You provide to our lives.

Simple joys. Easy delights. Everyday experiences with gladness.

Father God, thank You for Your actions. And Your promises.

Thank You for the way Your Truths lead to my heart singing. Just now, ♪He works in ways we cannot see♪

Immediately, I recognized it from the past. ♪God Will Make A Way♪ Mm, yes Father. You do the work. In. With. By. Through. And for us.

Thank You, thank You, God. You have been teaching us to take ourselves so much less seriously. Depending on You to do all we never can on our own.

Again singing. ♪He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With love and strength for each new day He will make a way♪

What is it that we need in order to take You at Your Word? Faith. Trust. Hope. In our own abilities to right wrongs? No! In You! Your love. Your strength. For each new day.

Father, I am here asking (Matthew 7:7) for Your provisions to continue. Standing firmly here on Your Word of Truth and promises. Staying my mind on Your mercy and grace. Truly agog with Who and all You are.

Reading The LORD’s Promise of Victory (Isaiah 43:14-44:5) we are reminded of Your past provisions. Beginning at verse 18 the focus shifts forward.

“But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

You do! You make. You create. You provide. And we receive. Gratefully.

Use us this day [that You have made (Psalm 118:24a)]. Exactly as You know is best. Rejoicing and being glad (v. 24b). Depending on Your love and strength.

We are Yours dear Lord. We love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You.

(367 words ~ 8:46 a.m.)

playfulness

 Saturday, September 2, 2023 (5:23 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

THANK YOU!

I was able to play again yesterday. Teaching a skill, disguised as playfulness. And it worked!

Yes Father. Playfulness. With You at my core.

Reminded in a prayer of my heart at the beginning of this year I had asked (Matthew 7:7) You for the ability to play more and adult less. Thank You Lord. You have been providing.

Right here my soul starts singing. ♪All I have needed Thy hand has provided Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, unto me♪ And now, another smile.

You have continued showing me the joy and effortlessness that accompanies a spirit of playfulness. Thank You, thank You Father.

(6:16 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed God, I have made mistake after mistake through the years. Focusing on perfection, rather than any progress being made. Thank You for reminding me Lord. There is so much more that is easily learned just by being playful.

You have done this in me Father. With. By. Through. And for me. Teaching me with every smile. Every song. Many times in a joke. A laugh. The joy that comes by just being playful.

Continue your work I ask. I want very much to be Your child. Representing You well. Do all You must to Your good and perfect end.

I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You for being such a ♪Good, Good Father♪ Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(252 words ~ 6:31 a.m.)

HUGE smile!

 Friday, September 1, 2023 (5:45 a.m.)

Holy God,

HUGE smile! Thank You. One questionable song led to a laugh. Followed by that huge smile.

Wondering at the tune. Fairly easily identified. ♪Please Come To Boston♪ had me doubting and shaking my head. Trying to clear it.

When I changed one word, the search was on! “Tennessee” turned into “Galilee.” And I became Your “number one fan!”

Father. Thank You for the countless ways You bring our focus back to You. You gave us Your Son, who makes promises He always keeps. Who wouldn’t be His number one fan?

May I just say, “WOW!” right now? Wonder Of Wonders!

With no intention of singing another song to You, here it is anyway. ♪Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of miracles - God took a Daniel once again Stood by his side and miracle of miracles Walked him through the lions den!♪

Blessed God, there is no end to the ways You amaze us! Songs. Smiles. Truth. Promises. Sunrises. Super blue moons…

Following “the man from Galilee” leads me straight to another song. As well as more of Your Truth and promises.

♪Put Your Hand in the Hand of the man who stilled the water Put your hand in the hand of the man who calmed the sea Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently By puttin’ your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee♪

Yes. That Man whose sheep listen to His voice (John 10:27a). Those sheep whom You know (27b) and will never perish (27c). Thank You Jesus that You are that Man!

That Man who gives eternal life (v. 28). And promises “No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand” (29c). We get to trust You. Even becoming Your number one fans.

Use me as You alone knows is best. I want to rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118:24b). Knowing, trusting, believing You to be the ♪Good, Good Father♪ that You are.

Thank You for all You have done. Are still doing. And will continue to do. Immediately come the words ♪Because You are perfect in all of Your ways… to us♪ Thank You that You are dear God.

Be all You are meant to be in, with, by, through and for me. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(395 words ~ 7:01 a.m.)