Lord, I'm sitting here going over some devotional stuff....the television is on and the subject
matter annoys me.....as I click it to "mute", I feel calmer. I can think a little better when there is
silence. I love for You to give me things to think about. One subject I heard batted around this
morning is the various candidates that are up for election. As usual, the candidates that spout
any religious verbage are castigated and shown to be "froot-loops". Some, I suppose, are using
whatever they can to get attention....but for those who truly love You and look to You for their
wisdom, it's sad. No one seems to take anyone that loves You seriously. I heard talk about
praying.....and who to pray to and what to pray for and what is the point of praying anyway. Lord, I know that if I were to try and explain why I talk to You as I do , especially to someone
who does not know me or my background, they would look at me as if I were foolish. I know
there are those who do know me and my background, and still think the things I pray about are
ridiculous. I guess, Lord, what I need to do, is concern myself less on what others think about my praying. And....it also bother's me that so many times people who do not pray,
feel that those who do pray, are weak. And, that why in the world does God have
to be bothered about what color you should paint a room when he has to be working on getting
this Cholera epidemic in Haiti under control. The world views those of us that pray, like that.
And, Lord, they view You like that too. No one seems to understand that You, because You are
God.....can do anything.....atleast anything You choose to do. Sometimes I do not understand
why You put up with this. I know, Lord, that You have been lambasted over and over....any one
of us would have thrown in the towel by now. I love You, Lord. As long as You give me wisdom
to deal with the day to day as I ask, I will forever be grateful to You. I know that I do not have
the answers for all who come to me with questions.....I know that sometimes I do not even have
the patience to deal......but I know that YOU do . And, when I am weary (in well doing) and
have to keep on (keeping on)....I know where the answers lie....I know who holds tomorrow....I
know. I know. Oh, Lord.....You know what is ahead for me today. You know I know where my
strength lies......"O, Lord.....help me to remember that!" I love You and pray always in the name of Jesus. Amen.
You know Lord, re-reading what I just wrote makes me sound like a little girl. Sometimes, I
wonder if You worry I will ever grow up.....why do these areas of angst bug me so much....why
can't I carry on without making a mountain out of a molehill. I felt as I was listening to that
show this morning that if I were to be interviewed about "Why I Pray?"...... my interviewers
would make me appear foolish. And, then I wonder.....so what? However, whenever, and if
ever......I will always serve You and applaud the fact that I know You hear me when I pray. "I
need no other argument.....I need no other plea.....it is enough that Jesus died and that He died
for me......". Give me Your grace this day, I pray.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
THE ROARING LION.....scary stalker?
Lord, this is sometimes an exercise in "staying calm" . I just wrote You. Clicked a button. And,
I guess, lost it all. I wasn't sure when I started writing that I would use it as a "post". And, then
when I got half way through, I'm thinking, " I guess I will post this ".... and continued writing.
Well, You know me Lord. You know that when I write a prayer, and push a button, and lose it.... that for some reason, You do not want me to share it. So, I'm thinking..."okay, Lord....I guess You don't want this one out there in cyberspace for anyone to see." Well, I am going to rewrite what I wrote. Exact words and phrasing are going to be lost...but, I want to try say it all again. I think I began like this...."Lord, it has been a busy week for me. I've enjoyed it. It has made me feel needed. I haven't had time to sit and brood.
Regrettably, I spend too much time doing that. Even with the television on, and my hands busy
doing something....I brood. I know it's not a good thing. I think it tends to be a workshop that the devil enjoys working part-time in. My mind. "Greater is He than is in me, than he that is in the
world." What is that, I John 4:4? I think it is. Lord, I need to remember that. Satan's like a
roaring lion , roaming to and fro', trying to dig a place wide enough to get a nose in. After that,
unless we, You and I Lord, stomp him down and out....he's in. Doing his best to knock me out
of the race I'm in . Making sure my eternal home is in Heaven with You Lord is my goal. There
is no doubt about it. That is what I've worked for all of these years."
Lord, this is crazy. I can barely remember what I wrote a half hour ago. And, though I refuse
to remain silent and give the devil any power today, it's okay with me. Perhaps, all I said before
is what only You needed to hear. I know, Lord, I have hesitated to do this at all....this "praying
out loud" business.....and I have truly been surprised that so many see themselves....jeepers, I
thought I was the only weird one!! HeeHee!
I guess if we weren't so afraid to let people see the "real us", we'd have more people to count on than we would ever believe. Suffering alone is awfully sad. And, I believe, another playground for satan. So....in essence, Lord....the prayer I originally wrote is gone from me and my mind, I guess. But, to You, it has been computed. You heard every word. You knew what my heart was saying and You will give to me all that I need today.
Tomorrow, I will ask for more of You. I will ask that You protect me, and guide me into all the truth You have for me. I ask Lord, that the shadow of the Almighty
God would guard me and mine. That I would run to You for the protection I so very desperately
need. And, I ask in the name and power of Jesus. God....You are my God. And, I will forever
praise You. Amen.
I guess, lost it all. I wasn't sure when I started writing that I would use it as a "post". And, then
when I got half way through, I'm thinking, " I guess I will post this ".... and continued writing.
Well, You know me Lord. You know that when I write a prayer, and push a button, and lose it.... that for some reason, You do not want me to share it. So, I'm thinking..."okay, Lord....I guess You don't want this one out there in cyberspace for anyone to see." Well, I am going to rewrite what I wrote. Exact words and phrasing are going to be lost...but, I want to try say it all again. I think I began like this...."Lord, it has been a busy week for me. I've enjoyed it. It has made me feel needed. I haven't had time to sit and brood.
Regrettably, I spend too much time doing that. Even with the television on, and my hands busy
doing something....I brood. I know it's not a good thing. I think it tends to be a workshop that the devil enjoys working part-time in. My mind. "Greater is He than is in me, than he that is in the
world." What is that, I John 4:4? I think it is. Lord, I need to remember that. Satan's like a
roaring lion , roaming to and fro', trying to dig a place wide enough to get a nose in. After that,
unless we, You and I Lord, stomp him down and out....he's in. Doing his best to knock me out
of the race I'm in . Making sure my eternal home is in Heaven with You Lord is my goal. There
is no doubt about it. That is what I've worked for all of these years."
Lord, this is crazy. I can barely remember what I wrote a half hour ago. And, though I refuse
to remain silent and give the devil any power today, it's okay with me. Perhaps, all I said before
is what only You needed to hear. I know, Lord, I have hesitated to do this at all....this "praying
out loud" business.....and I have truly been surprised that so many see themselves....jeepers, I
thought I was the only weird one!! HeeHee!
I guess if we weren't so afraid to let people see the "real us", we'd have more people to count on than we would ever believe. Suffering alone is awfully sad. And, I believe, another playground for satan. So....in essence, Lord....the prayer I originally wrote is gone from me and my mind, I guess. But, to You, it has been computed. You heard every word. You knew what my heart was saying and You will give to me all that I need today.
Tomorrow, I will ask for more of You. I will ask that You protect me, and guide me into all the truth You have for me. I ask Lord, that the shadow of the Almighty
God would guard me and mine. That I would run to You for the protection I so very desperately
need. And, I ask in the name and power of Jesus. God....You are my God. And, I will forever
praise You. Amen.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Conquering the Monsters....(in my closet)!
Lord, this has been a week when I'd have rather been a bear in hibernation mode. I wonder, is it better to wake up to a lot of sadness....or deal with it on an hourly basis.? I know that being
your child does not warrant us a life without sorrows or disappointments. It is living that allows
us these....along with the wonder of a newborn, and the life in Christ that frees us from the worry
of "how it all will end".
Friends of ours lost their beloved grandson this week. To even talk about how it happened, is an exercise in choosing to speak carefully chosen words for fear that if we say the wrong thing...our lives could be changed in such a way. Lord, I have always found solace in telling You exactly how I feel when sadness ensues. Taking the monster out of the closet and facing a terrible thought somehow puts my mind at rest...and with a sense of peace , helps us to face the day knowing that at any time our lives could change, often in a way we don't want it to. Lord, I won't forget how "normal" changed for me when mom had her stroke.
My whole being was thrown into a survival mode mentality, with me at the helm, so to speak.
My position had been changed from private to general. I was in charge....but with the vague
sense in reality, I was in charge of nothing. You were. The choices were minimal and with little
change in results.
Lord, somehow......in Your divineness.....show me the choices that will take my life into the areas I will shine for You. If I am able to teach, I want to teach in the knowlege of Your Holy Spirit. If I am able to play, help me to play as if You and only You were in the room....not to please men....but You, Jesus. If I am to cook, I pray I will cook with every ounce of energy I have to please the taste buds that will savor what I prepare. (What would You like to eat today, Lord?) And, then Lord.....when the day comes, that the good I can do is to sit in a chair
or lay on a bed, would You help me to do that with every ounce of the "Jesus personality" I can
muster. I want so desperately, not to defame the Name of Jesus in my behavior as an old
woman. I don't want to say words to those that love and care for me that will hurt them. I don't
want people to laugh at the things I say, thinking, " Ummm....must be all that frustration coming
out from all the years she served the Lord......" . I do not find that to be entertaining or funny
in any way. I feel it doesn't serve You well. If You can keep us and mold us and answer our
requests to make us a good christian person in our sane days.....can't You do that for me when
I am not "responsible" for what comes out of my mouth. As You can see, Lord....I have thought
a lot about this. I've never really talked to You about it , though....except for saying at times....
"Please help me be a nice old lady." Monsters exist in our closets only because we refuse to
let them out and face us. Lord, You can conquer any that I have conjured up. I know that the
realities of life come into our lives and take us to another level in our spiritual life. Any that
could take me to my knees, I pray right now for You to quickly pull me to Yourself. I will stay
there, close to You, until I can breathe and walk on my own. Where all of this comes from, only
You know Lord. I am often afraid to even write what I feel to You when we're alone. With
someone peeking over my shoulder, Father....I cringe a little to say all of this out loud. Take my
heart thoughts, my anxious fears, and my complete trust in You....translate and talk to Your
Father. Give me grace and peace in the midst of any storm I may encounter. I ask all of this in
the name of Jesus. I pray to You and You alone. Amen.
your child does not warrant us a life without sorrows or disappointments. It is living that allows
us these....along with the wonder of a newborn, and the life in Christ that frees us from the worry
of "how it all will end".
Friends of ours lost their beloved grandson this week. To even talk about how it happened, is an exercise in choosing to speak carefully chosen words for fear that if we say the wrong thing...our lives could be changed in such a way. Lord, I have always found solace in telling You exactly how I feel when sadness ensues. Taking the monster out of the closet and facing a terrible thought somehow puts my mind at rest...and with a sense of peace , helps us to face the day knowing that at any time our lives could change, often in a way we don't want it to. Lord, I won't forget how "normal" changed for me when mom had her stroke.
My whole being was thrown into a survival mode mentality, with me at the helm, so to speak.
My position had been changed from private to general. I was in charge....but with the vague
sense in reality, I was in charge of nothing. You were. The choices were minimal and with little
change in results.
Lord, somehow......in Your divineness.....show me the choices that will take my life into the areas I will shine for You. If I am able to teach, I want to teach in the knowlege of Your Holy Spirit. If I am able to play, help me to play as if You and only You were in the room....not to please men....but You, Jesus. If I am to cook, I pray I will cook with every ounce of energy I have to please the taste buds that will savor what I prepare. (What would You like to eat today, Lord?) And, then Lord.....when the day comes, that the good I can do is to sit in a chair
or lay on a bed, would You help me to do that with every ounce of the "Jesus personality" I can
muster. I want so desperately, not to defame the Name of Jesus in my behavior as an old
woman. I don't want to say words to those that love and care for me that will hurt them. I don't
want people to laugh at the things I say, thinking, " Ummm....must be all that frustration coming
out from all the years she served the Lord......" . I do not find that to be entertaining or funny
in any way. I feel it doesn't serve You well. If You can keep us and mold us and answer our
requests to make us a good christian person in our sane days.....can't You do that for me when
I am not "responsible" for what comes out of my mouth. As You can see, Lord....I have thought
a lot about this. I've never really talked to You about it , though....except for saying at times....
"Please help me be a nice old lady." Monsters exist in our closets only because we refuse to
let them out and face us. Lord, You can conquer any that I have conjured up. I know that the
realities of life come into our lives and take us to another level in our spiritual life. Any that
could take me to my knees, I pray right now for You to quickly pull me to Yourself. I will stay
there, close to You, until I can breathe and walk on my own. Where all of this comes from, only
You know Lord. I am often afraid to even write what I feel to You when we're alone. With
someone peeking over my shoulder, Father....I cringe a little to say all of this out loud. Take my
heart thoughts, my anxious fears, and my complete trust in You....translate and talk to Your
Father. Give me grace and peace in the midst of any storm I may encounter. I ask all of this in
the name of Jesus. I pray to You and You alone. Amen.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
LOFTY THOUGHTS? (Hmmm....not so much!)
Lord, I just wrote a note to my grandson for his 18th birthday. I'm not sure why I try to be
profound and speak from a loftier position. Probably to try and impress him. And, You know what, Lord....I think I just should forget it.....and be normal (whatever that is). I know my attempt to give him
something to tuck away for future use....and be therefore wiser, is not a terribly bad thing....it's
just that I'm not sure I remember anything in particular that made me wiser when I was 18. I
do remember hearing my Dad say ...." What you are speaks so loud that the world can't hear
what you say"......especially from the pulpit. Although, I'm not sure I even recall knowing what
it meant. I wasn't into profound thinking, then. Decisions we make every day can often indicate
a choice we take with us the rest of our lives. The thoughts I think, Lord....the words I say, Lord... the places I go, Lord.....the things I choose to read or watch on television....Lord, these are
all decisions I have the choice to make. Now that I'm an adult, I often wonder if these things will
make a difference in my christian walk with You. Of course they do. You can often times make
a choice that will ring in your ears forever. It will prompt you to try something that you know
has been a "no-no" since you were little and under the rule of your parents....but, now that you
are "an adult", who's going to know? Well , Lord.....I hesitate to think what I've done that has
made you embarrassed for You to call me Your child. I can't even think right now of anything
in particular......I imagine Lord, as I go through this day, I'll think of more than one....
but my dear Father, not without regret and a plea to be forgiven, if need be. I am so grateful
Lord for a quick conscience. In my self awareness books, I can see that I am prone to the "feel-
ing guilty" area....in some ways, it's not a bad thing. The second look at behavior, thoughts and
words are often helpful ...I think, Lord. I want to be nudged. I want the red flags to wave. I
want the areas of my life that annoy You to be highlighted in red....just like this spelcheck thingy
on the computer. The song we sing so often, Lord..."The Potter's Hand"....says...."I'm captured
by Your Holy calling, set me apart, I know You're drawing me to Yourself; Lead me Lord, I
pray...Take me, mold me, use me , fill me, I give my life to the Potter's hand.....Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me; I give my life to the Potter's hand.....". This song is my prayer,
Lord Jesus. Make it so, in my life. And....if You would....temper my note to my precious
grandson, into the words he will "get"....not as a sermon from his grandmother, but words
that You would say to him on his 18th birthday. I love You , Lord. Thank You for taking my
heart thoughts and translating them into what I really need. All of this, and more....I ask in
the name of Jesus...the Savior of the world. Amen.
profound and speak from a loftier position. Probably to try and impress him. And, You know what, Lord....I think I just should forget it.....and be normal (whatever that is). I know my attempt to give him
something to tuck away for future use....and be therefore wiser, is not a terribly bad thing....it's
just that I'm not sure I remember anything in particular that made me wiser when I was 18. I
do remember hearing my Dad say ...." What you are speaks so loud that the world can't hear
what you say"......especially from the pulpit. Although, I'm not sure I even recall knowing what
it meant. I wasn't into profound thinking, then. Decisions we make every day can often indicate
a choice we take with us the rest of our lives. The thoughts I think, Lord....the words I say, Lord... the places I go, Lord.....the things I choose to read or watch on television....Lord, these are
all decisions I have the choice to make. Now that I'm an adult, I often wonder if these things will
make a difference in my christian walk with You. Of course they do. You can often times make
a choice that will ring in your ears forever. It will prompt you to try something that you know
has been a "no-no" since you were little and under the rule of your parents....but, now that you
are "an adult", who's going to know? Well , Lord.....I hesitate to think what I've done that has
made you embarrassed for You to call me Your child. I can't even think right now of anything
in particular......I imagine Lord, as I go through this day, I'll think of more than one....
but my dear Father, not without regret and a plea to be forgiven, if need be. I am so grateful
Lord for a quick conscience. In my self awareness books, I can see that I am prone to the "feel-
ing guilty" area....in some ways, it's not a bad thing. The second look at behavior, thoughts and
words are often helpful ...I think, Lord. I want to be nudged. I want the red flags to wave. I
want the areas of my life that annoy You to be highlighted in red....just like this spelcheck thingy
on the computer. The song we sing so often, Lord..."The Potter's Hand"....says...."I'm captured
by Your Holy calling, set me apart, I know You're drawing me to Yourself; Lead me Lord, I
pray...Take me, mold me, use me , fill me, I give my life to the Potter's hand.....Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me; I give my life to the Potter's hand.....". This song is my prayer,
Lord Jesus. Make it so, in my life. And....if You would....temper my note to my precious
grandson, into the words he will "get"....not as a sermon from his grandmother, but words
that You would say to him on his 18th birthday. I love You , Lord. Thank You for taking my
heart thoughts and translating them into what I really need. All of this, and more....I ask in
the name of Jesus...the Savior of the world. Amen.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
At my wit's end....You are there, Lord!
I remember it pretty well, Lord. I was sitting in the living room at our home in Warrenton, Virginia. (You know what,
Lord....I can't even remember the address of that place!) I know You must recall my constant barrage of prayers to
You. "Please help us, Lord.....Would You do something, Lord......Why can't we seem to resolve this mess, Lord.....
What do You want us to do Lord......I thought You sent us here to do Your work.....". On and on my pleas to You
droned into the quiet heavens. I searched and searched for answers to the questions I had, in the Word. So many of
the devotionals I read and scriptures I looked at implied that if I would just wait, and be patient, and stop moaning and
complaining.....just maybe I would survive this nightmare I felt we were in. But, me being me, could not wait very
patiently at all. When I look back at how You rescued us, I wonder now why I couldn't relax. I know You do all things well. I know You have Your own timing. ( You know, Lord....the timing that is never late, or too early.....it's
always right on time.) Excepting the fact that I don't care for waiting part, I know that it hones my anxious spirit. Any-
way Lord....while I was thinking about past verses that You have pointed out to me in my devotional times....I recall
seeing this verse in my "Streams in The Desert" devotional book. I remember staring at it and thinking, " what version
of the Bible is that?" And, turning to the scripture to find it, I couldn't believe I was reading words that were so down
to earth, Lord. I remember thinking, "Okay, Lord. I know You've heard me....I really believe You understand my pain...please help me keep holding on." I wanted to share this with my friend this week and show her that God does
sustain us and understand us. Psalm 107:27-28.....was a balm to my wounded soul. Just knowing that You saw
my discomfort and gave to me something that would speak to my bleeding heart touched me so....even as I recall
it today. The part where it says, "......They reeled and staggered like drunk men; THEY WERE AT THEIR WIT'S
END".....and cried out to the Lord in their trouble and he brought them out of their distress...." . The "wit's end" part
just grabbed me and made me pay attention to the " joy of my salvation" that You provided to my spirit. I ask Lord,
that You would remind me often that You DO care and that You KNOW how to help us grow in our relationship with
You. I need that presence to be always with me....to speak of it, to adhere to it, to impress it on anyone to whom
You send my way. I am grateful Lord for Your intervening for me this week. For giving me Your wisdom in knowing
how my body is reacting to medications that have been prescribed for me. I find Lord that You are well able to show
us when something is not quite right. Today I feel as if You and I are walking side by side. I know I often lag behind,
looking at perhaps another road we could take, or a place we could stop so I could "sight-see".....and You, being
the wonderful Father You are; stops and looks back at me and without a word being spoken, I know it is time to
keep pressing on and so, I do. I do not want to get sidetracked Lord. There are too many things that steal my
time away from You....I have to be on guard at all times. "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world."
You Lord, are my desire. To be like You. To speak the words that are the ones You would use. To think like You.
I pray, and thank You and ask all in the name and power of Jesus. Amen.
Lord....I can't even remember the address of that place!) I know You must recall my constant barrage of prayers to
You. "Please help us, Lord.....Would You do something, Lord......Why can't we seem to resolve this mess, Lord.....
What do You want us to do Lord......I thought You sent us here to do Your work.....". On and on my pleas to You
droned into the quiet heavens. I searched and searched for answers to the questions I had, in the Word. So many of
the devotionals I read and scriptures I looked at implied that if I would just wait, and be patient, and stop moaning and
complaining.....just maybe I would survive this nightmare I felt we were in. But, me being me, could not wait very
patiently at all. When I look back at how You rescued us, I wonder now why I couldn't relax. I know You do all things well. I know You have Your own timing. ( You know, Lord....the timing that is never late, or too early.....it's
always right on time.) Excepting the fact that I don't care for waiting part, I know that it hones my anxious spirit. Any-
way Lord....while I was thinking about past verses that You have pointed out to me in my devotional times....I recall
seeing this verse in my "Streams in The Desert" devotional book. I remember staring at it and thinking, " what version
of the Bible is that?" And, turning to the scripture to find it, I couldn't believe I was reading words that were so down
to earth, Lord. I remember thinking, "Okay, Lord. I know You've heard me....I really believe You understand my pain...please help me keep holding on." I wanted to share this with my friend this week and show her that God does
sustain us and understand us. Psalm 107:27-28.....was a balm to my wounded soul. Just knowing that You saw
my discomfort and gave to me something that would speak to my bleeding heart touched me so....even as I recall
it today. The part where it says, "......They reeled and staggered like drunk men; THEY WERE AT THEIR WIT'S
END".....and cried out to the Lord in their trouble and he brought them out of their distress...." . The "wit's end" part
just grabbed me and made me pay attention to the " joy of my salvation" that You provided to my spirit. I ask Lord,
that You would remind me often that You DO care and that You KNOW how to help us grow in our relationship with
You. I need that presence to be always with me....to speak of it, to adhere to it, to impress it on anyone to whom
You send my way. I am grateful Lord for Your intervening for me this week. For giving me Your wisdom in knowing
how my body is reacting to medications that have been prescribed for me. I find Lord that You are well able to show
us when something is not quite right. Today I feel as if You and I are walking side by side. I know I often lag behind,
looking at perhaps another road we could take, or a place we could stop so I could "sight-see".....and You, being
the wonderful Father You are; stops and looks back at me and without a word being spoken, I know it is time to
keep pressing on and so, I do. I do not want to get sidetracked Lord. There are too many things that steal my
time away from You....I have to be on guard at all times. "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world."
You Lord, are my desire. To be like You. To speak the words that are the ones You would use. To think like You.
I pray, and thank You and ask all in the name and power of Jesus. Amen.
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