I am the Eternal your God…. You
are not to serve any other gods before Me.
Well, of course, I serve no other Gods….or do I? What about the god of time, the god of
selfishness, the god of materialism? How
often do I recognize and serve those gods??
How often do I do MY will instead of God’s?
Today is All Saints Day
or El Dia de Los Muertos, the Spanish Day of the Dead. It is a day to remember and honor our
ancestors, family and friends, that have passed on before us. A day to remember with traditions. We celebrated All Saints Day last
Sunday. I brought pippernutters to
coffee hour in remembrance of my dad. I
can honor my father in my service to ONE God while pushing all those non-gods
off the plate.
Eternal
God…may I serve ONLY you. Amen.
GRATITUDE PROMPT: What smell are you
grateful for today?
The smell of
cardamom. In celebration of All Saints
Day at church I made pippernutters in honor of my father. The Danish treat is a stable of holiday
tradition in our family, passed on from my dad’s Scandanavian heritage.
If we admit our sins—make a clean breast of
them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and
purge us of all wrongdoing.
Confession
is a prelude to forgiveness. But if we
don’t acknowledge, it is hard to amend. We can’t confession that which we don’t
admit to, specifically. That is the
hardest part of my daily efforts this year.
I have a space for confession, my ‘spanks’ (part of the
Thanks-Planks-Spanks), but it is often blank.
I have trouble coming up with individual actions in which I was
wrong. Generalities abound, times of
pride or materialism, selfishness or hurtful words. Times we perhaps hurt groups of people. But if we can confess to those moments of
individual wrong, then we can also ask forgiveness of those we have
wronged. Such action can improve
relationships – both with one another AND with God.
The
cleansing part of this verse is God’s ability to wipe clean our sins, time and
again.
Redeeming God…may my confessions open my heart to
the wholeness of relationships built on loving forgiveness. Amen.
Incomprehensible God… Help us to keep the faith
through the difficult times, knowing you are at work in and through us. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What technology are you grateful for? Cell phones, social media, and the ability to
connect with family and friends in ways unheard of in the past.
11.3.16 Luke 11:10 Voice
All who keep asking will receive, all who keep seeking will
find, and doors will open to those who keep knocking.
Ask.
Seek. Open. Find. We can’t find unless we ask, unless we open the door. But part of God’s secret is in giving us what
we NEED, not necessarily that for which we ask.
I am
reusing a scribble from 3 weeks ago based on this Luke scripture. Today was a 500+ mile travel day, so little
time to draw! We were blessed today with
clear skies, a beautiful sunrise AND sunset, and smooth travels!
God of openings…may I have the courage to ask, to
seek, and to open the door to your love and presence. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What color are you grateful for?
The color turquoise. It
reminds me of ocean waters, clear skies, cleansing, and sacred stones. It is a color of nature, a Creation
Color.
11.4.16 Deuteronomy 8:18 MSG
Remember that God, your
God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the
covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.
November is the season of gratitude and thanksgiving. I have added a daily prompt from a Gratitude Calendar for the month. We can express our gratitude to one another,
but ultimately, all thanks belongs to God and God alone. God is the source of all our wealth and
blessings; blessings that include material wealth, but also the wealth of
friends, family, and relationships. We
can say thanks and then ask, what are doing with our riches in accordance to
God’s desires?
Lord… May I use the richness of your blessings to
serve others in love. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What food are you grateful for? Fruits and vegetables! Dark Chocolate! More food than I should!
11.5.16 Acts 15:35 Voice
Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, where they teamed with
many others to teach and preach the message of the Lord.
Today a local confirmed the middle peak in the 'gap' is Heaven's Peak. Sunset is from Thursday night! |
Teamed. That is the key word I pulled out of this
scripture passage. When we team
together, we can accomplish so much more than working alone. When we team up, we can exchange ideas, we
can encourage one another, we can do so much more. Habitat forces us to team together to build a
house. We team up with local volunteers,
homeowners, skilled contractors, and community donors to provide decent,
affordable housing. I like working with
a team. I like what we can do.
God of us all… Help us to work together as a team
to do your will. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What
sound are you grateful for? The sound of
genuine laughter; of people enjoying one another; of the ability to see the
humor in situations and events.
11.6.16 James 1:12 GNT
Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because
when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the
life which God has promised to those who love him.
We
tend to think of trials as something bad, some sin we are being punished for,
but sometimes trials and difficult times come because God is using them to mold
us into a better person, to work through us in ways we just can’t see or
understand. And if we can keep the
faith, trying to see God’s hand at work despite the pain or inconvenience, if
we can remain thankful and rejoice in God, we can not only endure, but serve
through it all.
When Genia wrote of her exchanges with others during her stays in the hospital, I couldn’t help but think that God is working through her. And that knowledge, that smile, that laughter, strengthens ALL of us to face what God has in mind for us. Genia WILL receive her reward, for she has indeed remained faithful.
When Genia wrote of her exchanges with others during her stays in the hospital, I couldn’t help but think that God is working through her. And that knowledge, that smile, that laughter, strengthens ALL of us to face what God has in mind for us. Genia WILL receive her reward, for she has indeed remained faithful.
Had to draw today's prayers from the Gratitude Prompt! |
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What in nature are you grateful for? A tough question to answer, but I expect
there are three things in nature that thrill me most. First, sunrise and sunset – the spectacular
flow of color across the sky, the transparency and transitory nature. Second, snowy mountain peaks set against a
deep blue sky. Third, wildflowers. I love coming upon wildflower meadows
carpeted in a rainbow of colors. I love
the minute nature of alpine wildflowers growing against all odds.
11.7.16 Titus 2:13 Voice
Watch for His return; expect the blessed hope we
all will share when our
great God and Savior, Jesus the Anointed, appears again.
Two hidden references in today's picture: the tie-dye heart necklace I received Saturday from a young Habitat recipient and acorns and oak leaves in 'memory' of my father. (It was a game we played!) |
I’m not one who spends a great deal of time reflecting on the
Second Coming of Christ. I think God is
more concerned with what we are doing right now, here on earth, to further His
kingdom. So the ‘watch for His return’
might not trigger much, but to live with hope rings true for me. So much in our world is cause for
despair. Hope is what we need to live
by, expecting the best, and doing our part to make that best happen.
God of hope… May we live in expectation and joy,
doing our part to bring about your Kingdom.
Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What memory are you grateful for?
As I look at my
computer, I see tomorrow’s scripture which reads the ‘memory of one who lived
with integrity brings joy…’ which makes
me look back at my father. He was a man
of integrity and his memory continues to come back to me at regular intervals.
11.8.16 Proverbs 10:7 Voice
Nothing like a good
proverb to state the obvious! But those
who act with malice are forgotten, while those who live a life of value and
service are remembered far beyond their accomplishments. One of the questions Pastor Katy often asks
older people is ‘For what do you wish to be remembered?’ It is a good question. What would I want said about me at my
memorial service? What memory would I
like people to have? What am I doing to
earn that memory?
God… Help me live a life that brings a smile to the face of those
who remember me. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What book are you grateful for?
I suppose the Bible would be the obvious, expected answer. But I would also list a tiny volume of my
father’s, Altars Under the Sky, as a
book I treasure. This collection of scripture,
poetry, and prose celebrating God in Creation brings back memories of backpacking
trips during my youth, quality time with my father, and experiences in the wild
that I carry with me always.
11.9.16 Job 37:5 GNT
At God's command amazing things happen,
wonderful things that we can't understand.
wonderful things that we can't understand.
I am not getting around to writing my thoughts
until evening and today has been a day of emotional highs and lows. When I read the words AMAZING and WONDERFUL
in this scripture, I have difficulty equating it to our lows early today. An AMAZING and WONDERFUL young life is ended
and our group is grieving. The
dedication celebration scheduled for this afternoon was postponed – probably until
after we are gone. Homeowners families
were stunned. Perhaps the line ‘we can’t
understand’ rings true.
And yet, at the end of the day, a surprise visit that
brought us a joy to equal our grief. Our
adoptive niece and her boyfriend, roadtripping down from Fairbanks to LA, found
us at the job site! They did some heavy
duty sleuthing to find us, and were ecstatic with their AMAZING success! So were
we! As we were done for the day (and
with the dedication postponed) we were able to take them out for an early
dinner meal before sending them on their way toward Yellowstone. They will drive late tonight, but I doubt
they will get that far! A WONDERFUL
thing that only God can command!
God…we cannot understand,
but we know you are in control.
Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What
place are you most grateful for? Home.
Wherever home may be for that time and place. Home is usually where my family is, a place
seeped in memories and relationships. Home
is secure and safe. Home is being loved
and treasured.
11.10.16 Isaiah 44:3 GNT
“I will give water to the thirsty land
and make streams flow on the dry ground.
I will pour out my spirit on your children
and my blessing on your descendants.”
and make streams flow on the dry ground.
I will pour out my spirit on your children
and my blessing on your descendants.”
Our Habitat group needed the life giving waters of God’s
spirit today. Rick and I predominantly
worked with the Americorp kids and we made great progress on the painting, plus
taking down ALL the scaffolding. But the cloud of Katy's death hangs over the whole group. A
pastor from one of the local churches came during lunch, along with Habitat
staff and homeowners, to lead the group in an impromptu service for Katy. Blessings for a parched land. Living water.
Thank you, God, for the living waters that cleanse our parched souls. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What taste are you grateful for? It doesn’t really “taste”, but nothing
satisfies more than a glass of cold, pure water when thirsty. I wrote this BEFORE I realized what today’s
scripture was – but it sure seems to be appropriate! Water to a thirsty land – that is a taste to
treasure!
…Through us He spreads the beautiful fragrance of His
knowledge to every corner of the earth.
The
key words here are the first two – THROUGH US.
God could do this alone, for God is capable of untold miracles. But God doesn’t. He uses us.
Through US he spreads his word and will.
We have a job to do! God is
counting on our action.
I
have been numb to draw this week, but finally this morning decided I needed to
at least fill in a labyrinth prayer.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What holiday are you grateful for? Christmas is
so seeped in family and tradition that I would still have to say it is my
favorite holiday. As a family we have
tried to concentrate more on gifts of time, gifts on behalf of others, a
simplicity of celebration that focuses on the birth of Christ.
11.12.16 Romans 8:37 Voice
But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory
through Him who loved us.
A travel day. We left
Kalispell early in a thick fog. Nothing
inspirational of a vibrant sunrise to send us on our way….just the hope that
the fog would lift as we left the lake
valley. And it did.
Important
phrase? No matter what comes, through
Christ we can be victorious. Good words
to remember in the wake of a contentious election and surrounding the doubts of
our newly elected leader.
Lord, may we lean on your love….no matter what
comes. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What texture are you grateful for? Fuzzy. Soft. Cuddly.
11.13.16 2 Timothy 1:3 MSG
Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all
the time—I thank God for you…
Every time I write Genia’s name in prayer….which is every
day…I thank God for her spirit, her courage, and her inspiration. And I will
continue to write her name…every day. I
will continue to write MANY names, knowing that God is hearing my unique
offerings, that God is in control. We
may not understand, but we believe, we have faith in God.
But
more than simply pray, I need to act on those prayers. What can I do to ease the situation, to
comfort, to support? What can I DO to be
a ray of sunshine in a dark place?
Lord, ... help me not only thank, but act on my thanks. Amen.
Lord, ... help me not only thank, but act on my thanks. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What abilities are you grateful for?
I thank God for a creative mind, for the ability to see
possibilities and ideas in a wild assortment of places. I am grateful to be able to put some of these
ideas into shape and form.
GRATITUDE PROMPT: What season are you grateful for? I enjoy living where I can experience
ALL four seasons of the year, each with their own beauty and gifts. Spring is a time of rebirth and newness;
summer abundance; fall colors and a reminder of the transitory nature of life;
winter a season of silence and reflection, purity of winter snows.
Full of courage, to bring honor to Christ. What a challenge. It is so easy to fall back into what is convenient, simple, not risky. Something clean that relieves our guilt of not doing ‘something’!
11.14.16 2 Thessalonians 1:3 MSG
We thank God for you….Your faith is growing phenomenally;
your love for each other is developing wonderfully.
Thank
God. Love God. Love each other. Nuf said.
Thank you, God, for your love. May we share it
always. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What sight are you grateful for TODAY? Abundance of friends as we walked into
Barleys….the three couples we were meeting, but also other friends we
encountered.
11.15.16 Romans 15:1 MSG
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step
in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient
for us. Strength is for service, not
status.
I
really like the second half of this verse.
We are given abundance, physical health, stamina – not to vacation
endlessly or recreate always – but to serve others. That’s a responsibility that goes along with
the blessing. Not always convenient, not
always easy or clean, but ALWAYS necessary.
God, may I use my gifts to serve with a humble
heart. Amen.
11.16.16 Philippians 1:20 GNT
My deep desire and hope is that I shall never
fail in my duty, but that at all times, and especially right now, I shall be
full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ,
whether I live or die.
Full of courage, to bring honor to Christ. What a challenge. It is so easy to fall back into what is convenient, simple, not risky. Something clean that relieves our guilt of not doing ‘something’!
What
is my ‘especially right now’ to which I need to attend? Who is hurting? What action can I take? How can I put my ‘gotta do right now so it is
really important’ aside and focus on what God is asking me to do?
Lord of love… Help me put aside my fears and have
the courage to act in your name.
Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What about your body are you most grateful? My senses – sight and hearing, smell and
touch – that allow me to delight in the beauty of God’s creation in multiple
ways.
11.17.16 2 Timothy 1:12 MSG
I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve
trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.
Playing catchup. Rick
and I left early this morning to drive to Bandon for a Thanksgiving stay with
my mom on the Oregon coast. All this
driving, all this back and forth here and there – I have to just trust that God
knows the big picture. God will take
care of us in all our efforts everywhere. No prayer picture today. :(
Thank you, God, for your constant presence. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What knowledge are you grateful for? Knowledge?
I can’t answer this in terms of facts and figures – they are so readily
available in a Google search. I guess
the knowledge I would be thankful for is the wisdom of trusting God, the
knowledge of God’s presence and care.
11.18.16 Psalm 97:12 GNT
Remember what the holy God has done and give thanks to him!
This seems like a great scripture for next Thursday on
Thanksgiving! It is good to remember and
be grateful! The other night I couldn’t
sleep, so I tried the old ABC prayers, only this time instead of going through
a list of intercessory prayers, I began to craft a series of ABC blessings –
things to be thankful FOR! I will base
today’s picture on such, but this will be a list to continue and add to each
day between now and Thanksgiving! (Actually,
today’s picture has ONE blessing and ONE intercessory prayer for each letter of
the alphabet!)
God of blessings…. We give you thanks for ALL
your holy gifts. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What piece of art are you grateful for? I’m not sure I can even begin to narrow the
list down to ONE piece of art! So many
masterpieces of multiple mediums – sculpture and painting. I guess to reflect recently I would say I am
grateful for the recycled sculptures of Washed Ashore. Through their mission to take beach garbage
and turn it into art, they are cleaning the beaches AND educating the public
about our oceans and the environment.
11.19.16 Psalm 68:3 MSG
“When we see God in action…” – we have to be LOOKING for
God! And then yes, it is a cause for
celebration! If we look, we will find,
because God is at work in the tiniest of details and moments in our lives. Sarah finding us in Kalispell – that was God
in action. The youth’s impromptu filling
of the pulpit was God at work. A chance
encounter with an former PYG – not a coincidence. Finding God in the little stuff brings joy to
our day and laughter to our hearts.
God…remind us to seek, for
we will rejoice when we find! Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What touch are you grateful for TODAY? The touch of loved ones. The gentle caress that says, ‘I’m here for
you. I care about you.’ Each touch is like a soft reminder of God as
well.
11.20.16 2 Corinthians 5:21 MSG
God put the wrong on him [Christ] who never did
anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.
The Hebrew people called it the sacrificial lamb. Bring an offering to God as a sacrifice in
repentence, seeking God’s forgiveness.
God made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us – his only Son. Once, for all. In our current culture, we sometimes
interpret this as Once, for me. Not
people who disagree with me or believe differently. Not people who look darker or lighter or who
talk ‘funny’. Once, for ALL. That’s the
message.
So….what
does it look like to be ‘put right with God’?
The forgiveness and grace is there, but we must accept it and
acknowledge it. We must seek the
relationship that bestows the overflowing love that comes out of such
acceptance. So often we open the door a
tiny crack and say thanks for a little forgiveness, but we fail to fling wide
the door of grace and REALLY LIVE.
God of Grace….May I open wide the door to a right
relationship with you. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: Who in your life are you grateful for? My parents and Rick. When I taught school, I saw what can easily
happen when parents are disengaged from their children, when values are not
taught, and expectations are low. My
parents were a gift from God. Rick popped into my life when I wondered if I
would ever meet someone, would ever date much.
Rick was a gift from God.
RAINBOW RIVERS, WATERS OF LIFE.
Yesterday
we were blessed with a myriad of rainbows stretching across the sky. Double rainbows. Escape artist rainbows that
appear, then disappear, then appear again. Rainbows ending in the rocks. Rainbows dipping into the ocean. Last night, thunder rolled and lightning
flashed. The rain pelted against the
windows of Mom’s house. This morning,
the Bible Study class discussed Revelation and the River of Life, the river of
abundance and plenty, the leaves for the healing of the nations. When I walked the beach today, I saw sunshine
and white clouds in one direction, black stormy skies and rainfall in
another. I walked with a light rain on
my back and rays of sun on my face. I
watched the water of the seas surge to the sand and end in a frothy foam that
danced in the wind with a tenuous hold on the shore before cutting loose and
skipping across the sand in tiny snowballs of bubbles. I witnessed a family, huddled together and
silent, as they released a loved one to the sea, the high tide carrying the
ashes into the cleansing waters of new life. It was a holy moment. Rainbows
Rivers – We are blessed over and over by the Living Waters of God.
11.21.16 Psalm 90:14 GNT
Fill us each morning with your constant love,
so that we may sing and be glad all our life.
so that we may sing and be glad all our life.
Fill
us up, God, with your blessings and love for another day. Kinda like taking a cup of God-coffee! And our response? Joyful and grateful praise! The sun is rising, the sky is tinged with
pink, and a new day is open wide before me.
What will I do with it? In what
way can I be a part of God’s love?
Fill me, God, with your unending and abundant
love. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What song are you most grateful for? I’ve seen this prompt coming and I’m still
working on it! Some favorite hymns? How
Great Thou Art and Sweet Hour of Prayer.
I love Unchained Melody and Edelweis (Sound of Music). The song Desperado
has special meaning for Rick and me. So
many good songs from so many different venues!
Walking on the beach seems to produce praise without any
prompting. (My goodness, that phrase
sounds like I am back to my ABC Writes and the letter P!) But when the breeze blows in my face, I hear
the waves crashing and the piercing cries of the seagulls, the sunshine (or
rainshine!), reflections of the clouds on the sand….all of it brings a song to
my lips and gratitude to my heart. It is
a stormy morning as I gaze out over the western waters, but there is a faint
glow of pink on the ocean horizon, telling me that in the east the sun is rising. A new day to glorify God, Son, and
Spirit! Amen!
11.22.16 Romans 16:27 MSG
All our praise is focused through Jesus on this
incomparably wise God! Yes!
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What story are you grateful for? Family stories, childhood tales
(Dr. Suess!), nature stories….most of all, perhaps? The story of God’s son. The story of ultimate love.
11.23.16 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be cheerful no matter what. (MSG) Celebrate always. (Voice) Be joyful always. (GNT)
This is one of my favorite verses – so much so that I have
written 3 different translations.
Cheerful! Celebrate! Joy! Find the good in everything! Seek the positive. My mom was bemoaning her lack of energy the
other day, complaining that she sleeps so much.
I said to her, “Just make sure you do something fun, something positive,
every day! Don’t worry if you sleep the
rest of the time!” Our attitude controls
so much of our perceptions. We can handle
the difficulties of life much more if we can meet them face on with a
smile.
God of all, may I come to you with a smile on my face and
joy in my heart. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What tradition are you grateful for? Since it is Thanksgiving time, the tradition
I am most grateful for at the moment is the gathering of families for
Thanksgiving and Christmas. The
opportunity to renew relationships and bonds.
11.24.16 Psalm 69:30 GNT
I will praise God with a song;
I will
proclaim his greatness by giving him thanks.
I will simply add to my abundant thanks with
notes and comments from last nights Thanksgiving service message, based on the
nine lepers who did NOT return to give thanks!
- Where are the other nine? Am I one of them? Were they ungrateful? Probably not, but they did not express their gratitude.
- Do we say thanks only when convenient, easy, or on the ‘day’ set aside for such?
- Gratitude is an incubator of faith.
- If you don’t exercise gratitude, your spiritual muscles atrophy.
- Believing something is rightfully yours is a good way to sabotage your gratitude.
- SNARES to gratitude: Apathy, Complacency, Entitlement (ACE)
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What challenge are you grateful for? Habitat for Humanity work has
provided a great challenge and a chance to learn new skills while helping
others.
11.25.16 1 Samuel 12:24 GNT
Obey the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your
heart. Remember the great things God has done for you.
In this season
of giving thanks… it is important to also reflect on the great things God has
done in our lives; to look back over the year and thank God for innumerable
blessings. We should think back over the years to stop and ponder the
incredible gifts we have been granted – both personal and communal. In hindsight we realize how truly active God
has been in both the big events and the small.
Remember…and serve.
God…May my remembrance encourage my faithful
service. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What skill or talent do you have that you are grateful for? I am
grateful for my musical skills, my artistic skills, and my organizational
skills.
11.26.16 Colossians 4:2 MSG
Stay alert. Keep your eyes
wide open in gratitude.
I just love this passage for the visual image of EYES WIDE
OPEN. But what does it mean to have eyes
open in gratitude? I think it means
LOOKING for what God is giving us, recognizing God’s gifts, and then openly
thanking God. It means seeing God at work and saying, ‘Thank you, God!!’ It means acting on our thanks. My niece Jen posted a quote yesterday on
Facebook that conveys this well: “Not
what we say about our blessings, but how we use them is the true measure of our
thanksgiving.” Are my eyes open?
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What friend/family member are you grateful for? Just one?
I am grateful for Rick who sticks by me despite my flaws. I am grateful to have spent Thanksgiving (or
any major holiday) with my two sons, who drove a combined 20 hours to BE here
in Bandon. I am grateful for my Mom who
daily shows how to live humbly and in faith.
I am grateful to my siblings who are all pitching in to keep Mom
happy. And the list could go on and on….
GRATITUDE PROMPT: What form of expression are you most grateful for? Graphic images….the ability to illustrate, to
make designs, to express myself in artistic visual ways.
Some
people say the Bible is outdated, that there is nothing to be gained from
it. And there is some truth in taking
single verses literally and without regard for the context and culture of the times. But the advice and lessons to be found within
those pages are definitely still applicable for today, over two thousand years
later. The words written will still ring
true in another two thousand years, for they are basic tenets of building
community and relationships, for getting along with one another, for putting
our faith and trust in God.
11.28.16 Psalm 34:18
If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; (MSG) The Lord
is near to those who are discouraged. (GNT)
When
life goes south, it isn’t because God has deserted us. When we pass through difficult times, if we
open our hearts past our own self-pity, we will find God is right beside us, in
comfort and care. But often we blame our
troubles on God, we go the ‘if only God…’ route.
We
are hitting the road AGAIN today, only this time with Mom to take her back to
Baker City for the holidays. Praying for
a smooth trip, and if things get rough, God in the backseat of the car as
well!!
God…May I feel your presence when the going gets
tough. Amen.
11.29.16 Romans 15:4 Voice
You see, everything written in the days of old was recorded
to give us instructions for living.
God…may I continue to learn from lessons found in
your Word. Amen.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What small item used daily are you grateful for? Laptop. Smart phone.
Felt pens. Pencils. Erasers.
11.30.16 Philippians 2:15 MSG & Voice
Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the
living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night…Shine
like stars across the land.
‘This little light of mine, I’m going to let
it shine….’ So many stories and
songs about Christ-Light, the Light of the World, the light in the
darkness. And in all, our mission is to
carry that light, to shine with the light, to bring light to the people in
shadows.
This
translation makes me look up at the night sky and see the stars. Each star illuminates a bit of the vast
darkness of the universe. As we venture
further into space, we find more darkness, but also many more stars. We can say the world today is dark, there is
so much evil present. But if we look,
really look, we will see ‘points of light’ throughout – good people shining
like stars.
At
last Sundays Bible study, reference was made to the Bright Morning Star of
Revelation. I googled it to get more of
a background. Christ is the Bright
Morning Star, the Venus of the early dawn, that signifies the greater LIGHT of
the sun is about to shine. Christ is
announcing, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near!’
God of light…may I shine like the stars in the
dark shadows of my world.
GRATITUDE
PROMPT: What small thing that happened today are you grateful for?
Home. I am grateful for my physical
house, my emotional roots among family and friends in Baker City. I guess this isn’t a small thing, but having
been gone from HOME so much over the past 6 months, to face a SOLID MONTH to be
home brings so much pleasure. And...related to HOME and the above SHINING STARS and SMALL things, I am grateful for Christmas Lights! It was so exciting when Rick went out to flip the switch and all the white lights surrounding the house came on! Stars of light!