“That same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.” Matthew 13:1Image via WikipediaSat beside the seaLord I can just imagine You rising early in the day when the morning mist was still kissing the earth.You walked to one of Your greatest creations – the majestic sea  - and just sat by the water.Soon people would demand Your time, Your energy, You.I think You must have embraced these Sabbath moments.Watching the waves rhythmically meet the sand.Breathing in the fresh air and hearing the birds sing praises to Your father.A brief respite.Time with Your Dad.I too need to remember to pause and spend time with Papa.To intentionally sit by the sea with You.To pause and inhale Your spirit.To let the rhythms of the day sooth my soul.To be with You by the sea.To just be with You. … [Read more...]

Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in … [Read more...]

   Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Matthew 10: 40 Image via WikipediaWelcome.Lord I love the word welcome.You pour out Your gift of hospitality upon us for us to give to others.While I find it is so much easier to grumble and complain, to get frustrated or discouraged, I ask that with Your divine empowerment, I serve with enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and diligence.May I greet others joyfully with open arms.May I smile sincerely and listen empathetically with an approachable heartMay my presence be like refreshing sip of water to a friend’s parched soul.May I set others at ease and foster a sense of belonging.May I be transparent so only You shine through.May my heart and hands give without expectation.May I make room for others in my time, space, and care.May I erect bridges and form deep bonds in Christian love.May I dispel loneliness and build community.May I welcome others as I welcome You. … [Read more...]

Image by stewickie via FlickrThen Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it."  Genesis 28:16 (ESV)Wake me up, Lord!Rouse me like Jacob from my slumber.Once fully alert, I know I will see You and know You are with me.But I squeeze my eyes shut to avoid Your light that will expose my brokenness.My eyelids are heavy with the weight of the world.I try to arouse by myself, but my foggy mind drifts back to the grayness of only partial existence.Shake me from my sluggish complacency and carelessness.Even with eyes wide open I fail to see You present.It is only through Your gift of faith I know Your presence.Thank You for watching over me as I sleepwalk through life and blindly navigate its twists and turns.With Your strong and spiritual stirring, my soul soars to perceive Your presence.Wake me up Lord. … [Read more...]

Quiet me with Your love.  Zephaniah 3:17Quiet me.Quiet me with Your love, Lord.Let me rest in Your strong, yet gentle arms.What a prayer to breathe in and out throughout the day.  Quiet me with Your love, Lord.When the noise of the world blares, calm me with tender compassion.When I am tossed and turned by my own self-doubt and misdirections, I return once again to You – where You dwell in peaceful silence.When the toddler that still lives deep inside me, throws a tantrum when things don’t go my way or I hit disappointment at every turn, take me in Your arms and comfort me, Lord.Quiet me, Lord so I can hear You and know You better. Only You can I find true peace.Only You can I experience love.Only You, Lord.Quiet me with Your love, Lord. … [Read more...]

“I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while,” (Rom. 15:24b NKJV) Enjoy your company for a whileLord, I know you accompany me in all my ups and downs of this earthly journey.Lord I know you help me on my way and never leave my side.But today, Lord I just want to enjoy Your company.I want to sit with You.I want to rest in Your arms.I want to know You better.I want to be with You.Probably no words.  No deep theological insights.  No life-changing, top of the mountain call to service.Just be.Just being with You.Just You. … [Read more...]

If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!  John 14: 15-17 (The Message)You will always have someone with you.Lord what a gift – Your presence – You instill in us. I cling to that promise that You will always be with us, Lord. You won’t leave us orphaned. You stay with us throughout our journey.I thank You for Your companionship - by going before me, beside me, behind me, and within me.I read the other day, "Sit with God as you might with the ocean. You bring nothing to the ocean, yet it changes you." Sean Caulfield.Your presence is like the water, like an ocean to me. Surrounding me, nourishing me, carrying me throughout this life.I … [Read more...]

Lord a long time ago you gave me a breath prayer:In you, O Lord, I will put my trust.So often when nothing else works, When my trying and striving fail, When circumstances overwhelm me,When people let me down Or worse I disappointment myself:I whisper, “In you, O Lord, I will put my trust.”Help me know the only action I need to take is to let go and put all my troubles into Your hands.Soothe me with your loving lullaby:In you, O Lord, I will put my trust.In you, O Lord, I will put my trust.In you, O Lord, I will put my trust. … [Read more...]