communicating

 Monday, December 14, 2020 (5:59 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You, Lord! Mm, yes. Thank You.

Thank You for rest. And warmth. And all You provide that helps us grow. In You.

Thank You for what You are teaching us about that fine art of communicating. With others. Ourselves. And most importantly with You. Oh yes Blessed God. Thank You for all You have to say to us.

Father, I am here asking You to teach me more. More about listening to and obeying You. More about who and all You are.

I confess my focus often gets blurred with the concerns of this world. Again I ask You to right my thinking. Sharpen my awareness of You and all You provide.

Blessed Father God, today is the perfect day to continue practicing communicating Your love for and with others. Do all You must to this end.

I love You Lord. I long to follow You. Glorifying and enjoying You as I go. Praise You Father. Bless You. Keep You. Thank You. Amen.

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

parade of emotions

Sunday, December 13, 2020 (6:42 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

You are good. Merciful. Gracious. Eternal. Loving. Kind. Giving. Real. Unchanging. Forever faithful.

Psalm 48:14. "For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and He will be our guide until we die." Don Moen’s ♪God Will Make A Way♪

And here I finally say, “Thank You.” With a huge smile. Yes Father, thank You!

The thoughts in my head seem to be endless. Rabbit trails. Bird walks. Pinballs. You name it, my mind will take me in at least ten different directions all at one time.

Thank You God that You are so much bigger than my thoughts. Isaiah 55:8. I get to turn to You anytime I want. Latch on to Your Truth. Look deeper into Your promise. Allow You to right my thinking. Give credence to my hopes and dreams.

Right here I am going to stop myself and confess my unwillingness to readily hope or dream. How’s that for “let’s be honest”? In these very uncertain times of rising COVID numbers, distrust in government, doubt, fear... I find it so much easier to keep my head down. Don’t wish. Don’t hope. Don’t want. And don’t be disappointed.

Clearly THAT’s no way to live the day! The day that You have made (Psalm 118:24). The one of which I woke up singing hours ago.

Lord God, I love You. I trust You. And on that note I again confess my reluctance, my reticence of getting my hopes up. So once more I turn my thoughts back to that parade of emotions You provided me throughout the night.

The ups and downs. The twists and turns. The thoughts of death defying roller coasters [Cyclone Racer at The Pike, Long Beach, CA]. And a pop song from 1962 that sings of it all ♪Down at Palisades Park♪

Lord God, my mind takes me all over the place. Seemingly all at the same time. I rather have You lead and guide me to the thoughts, words and actions that will represent and glorify Your mercy and Your grace.

This particular year, with every single bit of uncertainty and turmoil, is no more outside of Your realm of protection than are Your blessings. We have Your Word to stand and depend upon. Thank You Lord.

I turn to Proverbs 18:10. Psalm 5:8, 11; 91; 121:1, 2; Colossians 3:3; Romans 10:17. Back again to Psalms. 25:4. And this is where I begin singing once more.

Starting with verses 1 and 2. ♪Unto Thee O Lord, do I lift up my soul… Oh my God, I trust in Thee, Let me not be ashamed Let not mine enemies triumph over me♪

Thinking again of that rickety old roller coaster of the past, I feel myself settle into You. Choosing to trust and believe in You I sense myself give in to Your promises.

Thank You God that You are so much bigger than all of my greatest fears. You created us each with free will. So we could actively choose You.

Your Word (Deuteronomy 30:19) tells us to “Choose life!” And I do. Not one of fear. But of FAITH. “Forsaking All I Trust Him” Steady my shaky legs (Hebrews 12:12) that I would truly “stand firm” on Your Word.

Turning back over to The Life Recovery Bible comment for Psalm 25:1-7 we are reminded, “When we place our faith in God we can trust Him to care for us and help us overcome the things in our life that would destroy us.” Things like COVID. And fear. And doubt. I am asking You ‘to show me how to live according to Your Truth.’

Whether I’m singing about ♪My heart flyin’ like a rocket ship Down like a roller coaster Back like a loop the loop And around like a merry go round♪ or this being the day that You have made, I’m asking You to ♪make a way Where there seems to be no way You work in ways we cannot see You will make a way for me♪

I believe this Lord. Because I choose to. This parade of emotions may very well continue, and I just smiled with a bit of a laugh as I caught the image of You leading it. Do all You must with me Lord. In, for, by and through me. I love You. I thank You. Use me. Amen.

(729 words ~ 9:29 a.m.)

 

always available

 Saturday, December 12, 2020 (3:08 a.m.)

Holy God,

It’s really early. Thank You that You are always available. Mm, yes. Always available.

Thank You too that I get to turn to Your Word. Seeking and finding affirmation of Your presence. And Your promises.

Psalm 16. (A special psalm by David.) The Best Choice (Contemporary English Version). The Golden Secret A precious song, engraved in gold, by King David (The Passion Translation).

(4:48 a.m.)

Lord God, how I thank You for the extra time to explore various translations.

(5:32 a.m.)

Yes Lord. All these hours spent watching nature programs on TV. Marveling at the wonderment of Your creation. Thank You Father.

I go back and forth. Watching and reading. Reading and watching some more. Absorbing. Sitting up straighter. Learning. Truly awed with delight. This one psalm. Checking all the boxes. Each verse beckoning me on to the next.

David knew You to be mighty. His place of safety. He called You his Maker. Mediator. Master. Fully aware that “Any good thing You find in me comes from You” (v. 2b). Oh Amen, Dear Lord!

Reading. Considering. Declaring. “Lord, I have chosen You alone as my inheritance. You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion” (v. 5a). Following this absolute Truth with my own echo of what I view as David’s genuinely challenging desire. “I leave my destiny and its timing in Your hands” (5b).

It’s easy enough to say Dear Lord. The challenge for me is in actually leaving it all with You.

Beginning my quoting of David’s song to You at verse six, I savor the vision his words provide. “Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places. I’m overwhelmed by the privileges that come with following You, for You have given me the best!” Yes, Lord!

“The way You counsel and correct me makes me praise You more, for Your whispers in the night give me wisdom ,showing me what to do next” (7). It is on Your Truth I long to stand.

“Because You are close to me and always available, my confidence will never be shaken, for I experience Your wrap-around presence every moment” (8). Such faith and trust, Dear God.

“My heart and soul explode with joy - full of glory! Even my body will rest confident and secure” (9). Your Word, O Lord. Your Truth. Your promises. Your presence. Always available.

Do all You must in each of this day that we would truly live every moment with the certainty that You are indeed in control of all. We love You Lord. We need You. And we are absolutely in awe of all You are.

Thank You Lord. Embolden, empower, enable and use me. Exactly as You know is best. I love You. Amen.

(466 words ~ 6:34 a.m.)

every smile a blessing

 Friday, December 11, 2020 (7:09 a.m.)

Holy God,

You are good. I am grateful. Thank You Lord.

I woke up singing again. Sleep was spotty. Interrupted. ♪Oh, What A Night♪ seems the perfect description.

Thank You God. I like when You help me smile. And You do. Often.

(8:04 a.m.)

Lord, You provide us with so many smiles. And each one represents a blessing. Flowers. Warmth. Bracing [invigorating, energizing, refreshing] cold. Yes Lord. Every single smile reminds me I am blessed by You in some way.

As we prepare to take care of business today, I ask (Matthew 7:7) that we would represent You well in our efforts. We long to honor and glorify You in our choices. With our thoughts, words and actions.

Yes God. Just as I start to pray, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14) The Message has me beginning with verse 11. And singing a line from this morning’s song.

♪Oh, what a night Why’d it take so long to see the light?♪ Indeed Dear Lord! Why does it take so long for us to see Your light?

Now back to The Message. “There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over Your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.”

I return to where we began. You are good. I am grateful. Thank You Lord. Use me. I love You. Amen.

(336 words ~ 8:56 a.m.)

singing and smiling

 Thursday, December 10, 2020 (3:21 a.m.)

Holy, Blessed God.

Thank You. Thank You. And thank You again.

Not only did I wake up singing, I was smiling as well. How cool is that. Singing and smiling. Yea!

Thank You Lord that as well as having the melody and the words, I had the title too. Thank You that this smile of satisfaction makes it all the sweeter. As though You are right here with me. Thank You.

♪Holy, there is no one like You There is none beside You Open up my eyes in wonder Show me who Your are And fill me with Your heart And lead me in Your love to those around me I will Build My Life upon Your love It is a firm foundation I will put my trust in You alone And I will not be shaken♪

These words represent the trust and hope we have in You Dear Lord. Thank You for providing us with so many ways of being reminded that we are continually held by You.

♪Worthy of every song we could ever sing Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe We live for You♪ Mm, yes Lord. Make this the day I truly live for You!

♪Jesus, the name above every other name Jesus, the only One who could ever save Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe We live for You♪ A very brief pause. Followed again by the chorus.

♪Holy there is no one like You There is none beside You Open up my eyes in wonder Show me who You are And fill me with Your heart And lead me in Your love to those around me♪

As I seek to truly have my eyes opened by You in wonder I turn to Ephesians 4:23-24a in Worldwide English (New Testament). Blessed God, I ask that You do all You must that I will indeed, “Have a new mind and heart. Be a new person.” Mm, yes Lord.

Waking up with a song in my heart and a smile on my face is an absolute testament to You. At the very same time, it’s a genuine gift from You as well. Thank You, God.

Empower me in taking the hope and joy that stem directly from You out into this day. Let it be said of me, “That new person has been made like God. (S)he does what is right and holy because (s)he knows the Truth” (Ephesians 4:24b, c).

Yes! ♪… Build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation… put my trust in You alone And I will not be shaken♪

I love You Father. I need You. I want You. I thank You. I praise You. Do all You must that I will live this day exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(485 words ~ 4:54 a.m.)

transported to hope

 Wednesday, December 9, 2020 (6:43 a.m.)

Holy God,

Refusing. Hiding. Ignoring. Shunning. These are the words that best describe me right now. I know I am to “give thanks in all things and rejoice in You always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) so I turn to You and Your Word.

There is such controversy. Conflicts. Differing opinions. Out and out lies. Lord, we need You. Desperately!

Thank You Father. Yes. Thank You for Your Word. Reading 1 Thessalonians 5 in The Message, I am again transported to hope. How deeply I thank You for words written millennia before that still hold Your Truth today.

I’m not going to claim to understand any of what is going on around us, but I stand strong as I lean heavily on Paul’s words to the believers in Thessalonica. He cautioned them that “the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would” (v. 2).

“About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other - ‘We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!’ suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman” (v.3).

Father, thank You that I can bring my own disheartened spirit before You and find hope in Your Truth. The instructions You gave Paul to pass on to Your believers then remain valid to this day.

Having originally turned to this section of Scripture because of verses 16-18, it’s 13-15 that are speaking loudly to me. Lord God, I ask You to empower, embolden and enable me to put into action all that is speaking so profoundly to my heart.

“Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out” (13-15).

Oh, how I ask You to teach me in this. Accomplish in, with, by, through and for me all that I cannot on my own.

I absolutely need Your Spirit in fulfilling Paul’s call to “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God now matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live” (16-18).

I look to You to do all You must. I love You Lord. Thank You. Amen.

(450 words ~ 9:12 a.m.)

reminders to pray

 Tuesday, December 8, 2020 (7:25 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

How deeply and truly I thank You! Twelve full hours of rest. And prayer. And more rest. Thank You God.

Yes God. Thank You for reminders to pray. And pray. And pray some more.

I confess to frequently forgetting this. Which often leads me straight to fretting. And then You remind me to trust in You. With all my heart. Leaning not on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledging You, and You will direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Thank You Father. Yes. Thank You.

Your Word is rife with Your Truth and promises. The deeper we dig, the more we find. Thank You Lord.

On this day, with no clear cut schedule, I am asking You to continue Your reminders for me to pray. The health and well being of others. Your goodness. Your grace. Your wisdom. Your guidance. How I pray YOU Dear Lord! Your very presence.

How perfect that this Second Week of Advent refers to “preparation.” Often I have thought of it as time to prepare our home for the upcoming holiday. This morning, while reading in 2 Peter, I see it more as wanting to prepare my heart for Your actual return.

This past year has been challenging and trying on so many different levels. How I thank You for never leaving us alone in it. Getting to know You on a deeper, more personal level is a gift only You could provide us. Thank You Lord.

As I practice taking my eyes off the horrors of this world and placing them firmly on the hope You offer, I turn to the beginning of chapter 1. “This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.” Written “to all of you who share the same faith we have, faith given to us by Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, who makes us right with God” (v. 1).

Father as I read Peter’s blessing of Your “special favor and wonderful peace as [we] come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better” (v. 2) I marvel at Your provision. Nothing in this world, or the next, gets by You.

So here I have a full, as yet to be declared, day of preparation. For what? Your arrival. Continue teaching and guiding me. Reminding me to pray. Asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) that You will embolden me to living this day as You would have me.

The Voice provides this section of encouragement just before Peter's listing of the benefits and caution (v. 9) of verses 5-11. “God took the first step to rescue us from this corrupt world. He has granted us His power, revealed to us His true knowledge, and spoken to us great promises. He has done all this for a reason: that we might participate in His own nature and reflect His own life. But we are not passive observers of God’s saving actions. We must receive His grace, grow in knowledge and join in this work of redemption.”

Yes please Father! Let me use this day of preparation to Your good and Your glory. Using Your power, knowledge and promises as only You know is best. I love You. I need You. I long to serve You as You alone have ordained.

Make me ready, willing and able to obey Your leading Lord. Thank you. I love You. Amen.

(563 words ~ 8:22 a.m.)