Grumpy

Lord, I need to come to you and confess that I am grumpy! I know, Lord, that today some of my students were at the wrong end of my fatigue. The weather has them feeling cooped up, and they are noisy! My patience is low, and I have too much curriculum to teach them! We are busy people, and we must take time for you. Our worship glorifies you, and our disposition should reflect your glory as well. I have not taken the time to fill myself with your Holy Spirit this weekend. So, I come to you today. I know that as I confess my sins, your generous nature forgives me...and even understands. It is such a joy and privilege to sit in your presence, and listen for your quieting, forgiving voice. How I thank you! And, Lord, I thank you for the amazing family time you blessed us with this weekend, and for the protection of Kira, Brett, Garon, and Michael in their travels. You bless our family in so many ways, and we are grateful. Galatians 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."

I Just Prayed For You

"No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised." Romans 4:20-21 Lord, I am so thankful that you gave me the desire to intercede in prayer for others. It glorifies you, and brings me such joy when I can do so. But I am shaken after my earnest and faithfilled prayers seem to fail....when your answer is "no", or where there is physical death rather than healing. So I am afraid to say, "I have prayed for you." The words hold such hope....but what if..? It is then I must return to your word, which is truth. You are able. Knowing your word lifts the burden from me, and places it where it should be - with you. My responsibility is to stand firmly on this scripture, convinced that you are able to do what you have promised, and you are sovereign. When my small mind cannot understand your ways, these familiar words comfort me. "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed...what God has planned." You are God, Lord, and I glorify you, even in my grief, my sadness, my pain. I continue praying. I look to the blessings in life, and I am grateful. I trust you, Lord.

Wait Upon the Lord

Lord, I praise you for music. I praise you for hymns, I praise you for current worship songs, and for beautiful melodies of the ages. I praise you for lyrics that embed themselves in my mind, and play theselves over and over throughout each day. I thank you for faithfilled songwriters, and I thank you for King David, who wrote psalms to you from deep in his heart. Lord, these beautiful songs and psalms bring me strength and fill me with your joy. They transform my thoughts, sing out my joys, and help me soar over my challenges. "Strength will rise as we wait apon the Lord." Lord, this is so true. We rest in you, surrender to your ways, and slowly our will becomes your will. When we are singing to you of our love, our joys, our sorrows.....you are there, and we find comfort. Thank you, Father. "One day in your courts is worth a thousand elsewhere."
Judges 5:3" I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel."

Variety

Lord, I thank you for the variety of your creation......different lands, different people, different cultures,and.....different weather! There is always something to keep our interest, cause us change, and look to you. It is the same in our individual lives. We go through seasons, Lord, and during some of them we feel so close to you. During other seasons, we feel further from you. Lord, I praise you for the variety. I am grateful that YOU are always available to us, providing for us and using us for your purposes. Even when we are in our busiest of seasons, your direct our days. You cause us to open our eyes to you. We feel you calling. We come to you, and we are renewed by your love, refreshed by your living waters. Ilong for you. Thank you, Father.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven>"

Glorifying God in Grief

Lord, I come to you in confusion over the death of my friend's daughter. I can't even imagine her grief at such a loss, and the family's grief....and the grief of the two little children left behind. My mind tries to sort it out, but of course, I cannot. You are sovereign, Lord, and we must trust in your goodness and your plan. The lyrics come to mind, "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed and God has planned." I prayed for a miracle of physical healing, but you called her to you instead. Lord, I yearn to know your plan in this. But, then, that is making it about me.....and surely it is not about me. The answer to my prayer was "no," and you are all knowing. Today I realized, you are more concerned about her spirit and the drawing of her soul to you. In this death, somehow, you are to be glorified. Show me how, Father God, to glorify you in this loss of Kristine.
Psalm 86:12
"I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever."

Goof morning, Lord.

Lord, I come to you this morning, falling on your grace. I am physically depleted, mentally overwhelmed, and emotionally burdened. I am up talking to you, asking for your help in facing my day. Move my feet forward toward what you would have me do. Give me your words to speak. Free my mind of the endless details circling there. Feed my physical body with healing foods, so I have your strength. Help me discern my priorities, and lift the feeling of burden I have been carrying for so many dear ones close to me. Comfort me, slow me down, and use me to bless others through your Holy Spirit. I thank you for your promises. I praise you for your Word, and the truth on which my faith stands. You are a big god, with an endless love for us. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord!

San Bruno

Lord, my heart is heavy with the news of the devastation in San Bruno. There are no words of comfort to offer the community members who are dealing with this loss. As they return to their neighborhood, and face the grief, I pray that you are walking in before them, with your Holy protection and comfort. Surround them with your grace. Meet thier needs before they even know them, Lord.
Matthew 5: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.