looking for the good

 Tuesday, February 15, 2022 (7:14 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for mistakes. Yes, Lord. Thank You that we make them. Can learn from them. And move on.

(7:53 a.m.)

Thank You that we have Your Word of Truth and promises. I confess my tendency to fault finding and revenge seeking. Thank You that You would not have us stay in that futile, fruitless state of mind.

You call us to forgiveness. Love. Compassion. Mercy. Grace. Thank You Lord. Looking to You allows us to also look for the good.

Yes Father. Reading The Life Recovery Bible overview for Amos I am encouraged. “Despite his predictions of doom, however, Amos also spoke of the future with hope. If the people would admit their sins and ask for forgiveness, God would cleanse them and restore them completely.” Yes please Lord.

“It is never too late to begin the recovery process. God is waiting for us to recognize how helpless we are and to call out to Him for His loving

(9:02 a.m.)

"... help.” How perfectly timed are You Dearest God!

Praying with You about forgiveness and recovery when a phone call requesting information to professional help came in. Thinking to ask for Your guidance first, another call and planned visit to an ER resulted.

Thank and praise You, Father. Turning to the verse (5:14) that brought me to Amos in the first place, Lord I am asking Your guiding protection for all involved in needing You.

New International Reader’s Version. “Look to what is good, not to what is evil. Then you will live. And the LORD God who rules over all will be with you, just as you say He is. Hate evil and love good” (Amos 5:14-15a).

And here in The Message, starting at verse 13. “Justice is a lost cause. Evil is epidemic. Decent people throw up their hands. Protest and rebuke are useless, a waste of breath. Seek good and not evil - and live! You talk about GOD, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, being your best friend. Well, live like it, and maybe it will happen. Hate evil and love good, then work it out in the public square. Maybe GOD, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, will notice your remnant and be gracious.”

Lord God, mistakes abound. Make it so we learn the lessons You would have us put into practice each and everyday. Love You. Love people. Love. And forgive. Continue doing all that only You are able. Changing us more and more into Your image.

Use me today. Exactly as You know is best. I love You. I need You. I want You. I thank and praise You. Amen.

(453 words ~ 9:32 a.m.)

remind and align

 Monday, February 14, 2022 (6:45 a.m.)

Holy, Holy God,

Thank You! With a very short time with You this morning I am asking You to provide the Accepting Attitude described in Romans 15:5-13. Particularly verse 7.

Choosing to quote from J.B. Phillips New Testament I ask You to do all You must in reminding and aligning my heart with Yours. Readily sharing Your love with others this Valentine’s Day.

“May the God who inspires men to endure, and gives them a Father’s care, give you a mind towards one another because of your common loyalty to Jesus Christ. And then, as one man, you will sing from the heart the praises of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. So open your hearts to one another as Christ has opened His heart to you, and God will be glorified” (vs. 5-7).

Yes please Lord. I want to love as You would have me love. You. Others. Myself. With all my heart. Soul. Mind. And strength (Mark 12:30-31). Do all You must in making it so.

I love You. I need You. I want You. I thank and praise You. Amen.

(201 words ~ 7:06 a.m.)

"both/and"

 Sunday, February 13, 2022 (6:23 a.m.)

There’s another song God. I have several notes. And every once in awhile ♪Love God and Love People♪ seems to erupt. I’m asking You to do what only You can here Lord. Either let me know what it is, or 

Oh Dear Lord,

That seems very much like the beginning of an ultimatum. Absolutely NOT the way I ever want to approach You! “Both/and” is a new to me construct. Thank You for the various ways You bring Your Truth into our days.

(8:40 a.m.)

All this time later, I feel exhausted. An in-depth phone call covering many wonders and opinions took a lot out of me. Right here I can bring even this to You.

While I’ve lost the original notes from earlier, I’m now singing ♪But that was yesterday and Yesterday’s Gone♪ Rather than choosing one or the other, I’m asking You to be glorified in both my thinking and my singing.

Lord, we are surrounded by Your Truth. Continue Your work in making me both aware and obedient to Your teachings.

Holy God, I’m asking You to guide both my reading and my understanding. Directed to explore Jonah’s experience with ‘the extent of Your grace’ I get to learn again that You are “the God of both law and grace - of both judgment and mercy (The God of Both, And…).

Thank You Lord for changing my approach with You this morning. Do in, with, by, through and for me all that You know is best. I love You. I need You. I want You. I thank You. Use me. Both to Your good and to Your glory. Praise You. Amen.

(285 words ~ 9:44 a.m.)

"Smile"

 Saturday, February 12, 2022 (6:58 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. There wasn’t any music this morning. Until there was. Hours later. Only one line. It was more than enough. Thank You God.

♪Gonna keep it real simple♪ Turns out it was “gotta.” Danny Gokey’s ♪Love God Love People♪ I didn’t see that coming!

Father, You reminded me to “Smile” yesterday. Feeling out of sorts, I remembered that I could trick my brain to thinking I was happy just by smiling. Thank You again Dear Lord.

(7:50 a.m.)

All this time I’ve been searching and reading about smiling with You. Looking for and finding delight in the simplest of things. Which takes me straight back to ♪gotta keep it real simple… love God love people♪

Father, I want to live this day smiling with You. Reading in Your Word, I turn to Aaron’s blessing (Numbers 6:24-26) and a verse in the longest Psalm (119:135). Both reference Your smile [shining face]. There’s mention of Your kindness and grace. As well as a request to be taught Your principals.

This I ask of You Dear Lord. Embolden and enable me in smiling as I ♪keep it real simple... love God and love people♪ Do all You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(214 words ~ 8:10 a.m.)

standout songs

 Friday, February 11, 2022 (4:19 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You! Another song. Seemingly out of nowhere. Deep within my sleep. One long held note, followed by ten shorter ones. Somewhat readily suspected. Then verified. Thank You Lord.

Having just heard it while working in the yard the other day it didn’t take too long to piece it together. ♪Morning, I see You in the sunrise ev’ry morning. It’s like a picture that You’ve painted for me, a love letter in the sky♪

Mm, what a delightful way to be awakened. You pulling my attention straight over to You. Before my eyes were even open.

♪Nobody Loves Me Like You Love Me Jesus I stand in awe of Your amazing ways I worship You as long as I am breathing God You are faithful and true Nobody Loves Me Like You♪

Singing Your Truth. Beauty. Restoration. Eternity. Provision. Protection. ♪Oh what a song my heart keeps singing♪ Mm. Yes. Truth!

Blessed Father God, how I thank You for the music that continues within. Yes. Now another standout song from a few days ago.

Aligning our tendency toward committed busyness with Your call ♪to keep it real simple, Bring everything right back to ground zero♪ Father thank You for reaching down from heaven and rescuing us (Psalm 18:16).

You want us to ♪Love God and Love People… keep on loving…♪ Singing out Your Truth that “love is patient and kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). Thank You that You rescue hearts and change lives!

♪We’re living in a world that keeps breakin’ But if we want to find a way to change it It all comes down to this Love God and love people♪ Yes Lord. Continue Your work in lining us up to Your will and to You way.

♪Gotta keep it real simple… Love God and love people♪ Yes please Lord! Do all You must to Your good and glorious end.

I love You. And I want to love people. As You would have me love. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(343 words ~ 6:41 a.m.)

place of rest

 Thursday, February 10, 2022 (5:15 a.m.)

♪Well, here we are again I guess it must be fate♪

Thank You Father. Thank You for music. Thank You for reminders. Thank You for guiding my mind in the thoughts I’m willing to think.

You provide us choices at every turn. Thank You for all You do on our behalf. Guide me this day, Dear Lord, in every decision I encounter.

I want to rest in You. Speak of You. Share Your goodness and Your grace. Work in me this day. By. With. Through. And for me. Empowering and emboldening me as we go.

Proverbs 13:3

Isaiah 30:15-18

Philippians 4:4-9

Hebrews 4:9-11

Thank You for Your Word of Truth and promises Dear Lord. The place where we can turn and come into Your presence. Be overcome by Your peace. Sit. Rest. Trust. Mm, yes.

♪Jesus Paid It All all to Him I owe sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow♪ Thank You God! Thank You for the many ways You provide for us.

With Your Word comforting and guiding me through this day, I ask You to continue bringing me into Your place of rest. With You. Singing. Smiling. Standing firm on Your Word. Staying my mind on Your Truth.

I want to love well (Philippians 1:9). You. Others. And myself as You command. With all of my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30-31). Do all You must to Your good and glorious end.

I love You. Thank You. Amen.

(261 words ~ 7:59 a.m.)

Truth

 Wednesday, February 9, 2022 (6:15 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You! Another night of getting to fall asleep. Wake up. And go back to sleep. Many times. Thank You for this luxury and privilege.

Thoughts of You. Reminders of Your presence. Opportunities to again thank and praise You. Indeed. Thank You for the various ways You get Your Truth across to us.

Music that sings out ♪Love Changes Everything♪ Mm, yes Lord. Reminders of Your Truth surround us. Praise You for Your continued presence in our days.

Opportunity to work fairly unblown in the yard yesterday allowed me to consider the disciples’ experience with Jesus when He calmed the storm. Turning now to read how Mark (4:35-41) described His power over nature.

(1:07 p.m.)

Oh so many hours later and here I am thanking You for the ways You continue changing me. Guiding me out into the wind, I found a brand new appreciation for it. Confessing windy days as not my favorite, You helped me enjoy my time in it.

Researching health benefits of wind, I found many warnings. And only one advantage. Kite flying! Thank You God.

(2:29 p.m.)

Yes, thank You! Having thought to find a way to change my focus in advance found me smiling as I sang out ♪Let’s Go Fly A Kite up to the highest height Let’s go fly a kite and sending it soaring Up through the atmosphere Up where the air is clear Oh, let’s go fly a kite♪

Father God, near constant awareness that we always have choices allowed me to go out in the windy elements and truly enjoy myself. You did that Lord. And I thank You.

Another testament to the Truth of Your teachings is Your ever present reminder that I can choose what thoughts I let take up my own brain space. Fear? Conflict. Resentments. Or love? Peace. Forgiveness. Truth. Your good and glorious Truth!

(4:59 p.m.)

You keep teaching me Lord. And I continue being grateful. Use what is left of this day to Your good and to Your glory. I love You. I need You. I want You. Thank You Father. Amen.

(367 words ~ 5:02 p.m.)