TLC

 Friday, October 13, 2023 (6:14 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! You take such tender care of us.

(7:04 a.m.)

How very cool is this? ALL this time spent reading of Your tenderness. Your loving care. Psalm 27. And the Genesis story of Joseph. Starting at chapter 37. He experienced Your faithful provision first hand.

Thank You for his example of forgiveness toward his brothers Dear Lord. Chapter 50. Verse 20a. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”

How perfect You are Father. Providing Your protection and presence in the form of the Holy Spirit. Here to pray for us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). Thank You for knowing our hearts (v. 27). And for causing “everything to work together for the good of those who love” YOU (28).

All of this Truth taking me to one verse below what I’ve been quoting back to You for months. Intentionally remembering the faithfulness of Your goodness. Your grace. Your greatness. And Your glory (Psalm 145:5-8).

Verse 9. “The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” The Message describes everything You do as being “soaked through with grace.” Thank You God!

Use us Lord. Exactly as You know is best. Treating one another tenderly. Lovingly. Carefully. We love You. We need You. We want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(235 words ~ 7:39 a.m.)

One Thing

 Thursday, October 12, 2023 (5:18 a.m.)

Blessed God,

We love You. You are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. Thank You that no matter what is going on in the world or our own private lives, You never change.

Thank You for the song that started singing. ♪Your love never fails, and never gives up It never runs out on me♪ Mm, yes. A very easy find for ♪One Thing Remains♪

Thank You Father. Thank You for the way You change our focus. 

While the news of the world often goes from bad to worse, the One Thing that never changes is Your love (1 John 4:16). The love You placed in each of us through Your Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

Father, I want to continue learning to use that love well. Do all You must to this end.

Quoting the lyrics here as Your Truth, I rejoice Father. Knowing, trusting, believing that Your love DOES remain! Thank You that it does.

Your love IS higher than any mountain we face. It’s stronger than the power of the grave. And constant through every trial and change.

Thank You Father that we have You on Whom to build and trust and place our hope. ♪And I never, ever, have to be afraid 

(12:05 p.m.)

What a perfect place to have been paused by a loving phone call. Father, thank You for the ways You work in, with, by, through and for us.

Use me this day [the one YOU made (Psalm 118:24a)] that I will continue rejoicing and being glad in it (24b). Singing of Your unfailing love as I go.

One Thing Remains! ♪…Your love never fails, never gives up Never runs out on me On and on and on and on it goes It overwhelms and satisfies my soul And I never, ever, have to be afraid One thing remains♪

Thank You Father that You and Your love are our One Thing. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(333 words ~ 12:22 p.m.)

the Spirit of Truth

 Wednesday, October 11, 2023 (6:01 a.m.)

So much to say. And think. And feel. What a difference one day makes. Yesterday less was more. This morning there are not enough words.

Let me turn to Yours instead. John 16:12-13. So much more than I can understand.

Thank You Father!

You created us. You knew our nature before we were ever born (Psalm 139:16). Yes! You know everything about us. Nothing is surprising to You. Thank You Lord.

Back to John. Blessed God, there is so much to learn. To read. Be reminded. And hope.

Jesus’ promise to His disciples. The Life Recovery Bible “RECOVERY THEMES God’s Power Can Be within Us: …The Holy Spirit would be available to teach us, comfort us, and empower us daily. When we turn our life over to God, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us and take us step-by-step to wholeness and healing.”

Mm. Step-by-step. Yes. Please!

The Voice. Jesus speaking. “I have so much more to say, but you cannot absorb it right now. The Spirit of Truth will come and guide you in all truth. He will not speak His own words to you; He will speak what He hears, revealing to you the things to come and bringing glory to Me.”

The Spirit of Truth. Father, do all You must that we become open to and fully aware of His presence. His leading authority in guiding us as You alone know is best.

We love You Lord. We need, trust and want You. Use us to Your good and for Your glory. Singing. Smiling. Standing firmly and staying our minds on Your Truth and promises. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(289 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)

so few words

 Tuesday, October 10, 2023 (6:01 a.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, CA

♪Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen…♪

I thought it was going to be the easiest find ever. So few words.

Mm. The smiles just keep coming! Thank You Father.

I don’t need a lot of words for You to speak to me. Especially right here and now.

Searching about coming to You with an open heart, what a treasure I find. Thank You God!

A photo showing a jagged heart shaped cutout. Beyond the opening is a breath taking view of cloud covered mountains. A person stands near the edge. Walking stick in hand. Pack on back. Seemingly taking in the beauty of the rising sun.

Wait! What I originally thought to be notches on a dark paper. Are these uneven rocks? Is this a cave opening?

Blessed God, thank You for the privilege of sitting. Observing. Contemplating. Exploring. Getting to know You even better.

Bible verses with the emphasis on opening our hearts to Your love. Waves of peace. And joy. Contentment. Along with the desire just to be still.

Yes! “Be still, be calm, see and understand I am the True God. I am honored among all the nations. I am honored over all the earth” (Psalm 46:10 The Voice).

Thank You Father that we have You to turn toward. Worshiping. Adoring. Opening our hearts. To Your love. And all You want to provide. Thank You Dad.

Elizabeth Peale Allen describes, “By deepening your relationship with God, you enhance your relationships with others.” I absolutely find this to be the case! Praise You, Lord

Directed to Ephesians 4:32. I begin at verse 31. “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.”

All this contentment because I couldn’t find the song I was originally searching. How easily my focus changes. Readily shifting gears to further acceptance. Thank You God.

One song [♪Amen…♪] giving way to another [♪Let My Words Be Few♪] and its associated Bible verse. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2.

“As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut! Don’t be a fool who doesn’t realize that mindless offerings to God are evil. And don’t make rash promises to God, for He is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.”

Yes! Lord. Let my words be few.

(11:04 a.m.)

And they have been. But not my joy! Thank You Father.

Use us this day. The one YOU have made (Psalm 118:24a). Exactly as You know is best. Keep us delighting in You. Rejoicing and being glad (v. 24b).

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

(484 words ~ 11:08 a.m.)

blessings provided

 Monday, October 9, 2023 (4:35 p.m.)

Lake Arrowhead, CA

Holy God,

How good and great and glorious You are! Thank You for all You are and the blessings You provide.

Joys untold! Autumn in the mountains. Memories that came flooding to mind while climbing hills after nearly 50 years. Blessings Father. Pure blessings! Blessings You provided.

God at work

 Sunday, October 8, 2023 (6:16 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You.

You work in, with, by, through and for us. You take the smallest things we offer You and make them profound! Thank You Lord.

Considering Your works, I come to Philippians 2:13. Easy-to-Read Version speaks loudly to me. Beginning with its title for verses 12-18. Be the People God Wants You to Be

Yes Dearest God. Thank You for making us into the people You want us to be. Obedient (12). Uncomplaining. Non-arguing (14). Blameless. Pure. Like shining lights in a dark world (16).

Interruption - a group family hug out watching the “fire in the sky” [colorful morning clouds]. Brought back in by the 10 year old call of “Extra. Extra. Read all about it” as he  delivered his Papa’s paper.

These are exactly the joyous smiles You have provided us these many years. Thanks Dad! You teach us. Through Your life giving Word (v. 16).

The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian believers to thank them for supporting his ministry. And to encourage them. How we need this encouragement.

Paul wrote of faith and sacrifice (17). As well as gladness and joy (18). Thank You for this example of Your work in us.

Personalizing it as I quote verse 13 right here. “Yes, it is You God who is working in us. You help us want to do what pleases You, and You give us the power to do it.”

Given the masterpiece of Your morning sky, how much more perfect is the song with which I awoke singing. ♪When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school It’s a wonder I can think at all And though my lack of education hasn’t hurt me none I can read the writing on the wall Kodachrome we’re given these nice bright colors Given the greens of summer Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah♪

You color our thinking Lord!

Thank You for all this work You do on our behalf. Arrange all You must that we would live this day [that You have made (Psalm 118:24a)] as You know is best. Rejoicing and being glad in it (v. 24b).

We love You. We need You. We trust and want You. Work Your will Dearest God. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(397 words ~ 7:09 a.m.)

Part 2

 Friday, October 6, 2023 (9:30 a.m.)

Yowza, God!

Thank You! You at work. In. With. By. Through. And for us!

YOU, Father! You unclogged and fully opened some very blocked lines of communication over here.

Speaking Your Truth in love, we were able to gently navigate our way through what used to have been very treacherous territory. You led, guided and directed us in using our words wisely and well.

Thank You for the love You clothed us is that we would choose to be careful with one another’s feelings. Getting all the way down to the root of the problem. The very beginnings of a resentment.

And heres are verses that cover us completely! The Living Bible. Hebrews 12:14-15. “Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness [resentment] takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.”

Amen Dear Lord! You are doing this for us. Thank You. Praise You. We love You. Keep using us. Amen.

(213 words ~ 9:52 a.m.)