“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34Today’s trouble is enough for today.Trouble filled my world this week, LordWorries about the future.Canceling much-anticipated plans.Heaviness with unexpected change and new responsibilities.Yet I feel Your presence as I walk through each day.You whispered to me this morning, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. I will be with you.”Thank you Lord.The weight of the future lifts from my heart because Your heart holds each coming day.The tension from my shoulders and neck relaxes with Your tender touch.As I peek out the window to the coming week, I know all time is in Your hands.No matter what troubles bubble up tomorrow or the next day or the next – I will keep my eyes on You, not the difficulties.You hold the future, Lord.  And that does not worry me at all. … [Read more...]

“Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8bYour face, Lord, I will seek.Lord You know the truth.I did not seek You much this week.I let the world distract me.My focus blurred with worries, fears, and to be honest, busyness. My busyness, not Your work.I know when I seek You first, I see You more.That is my deepest desire.To look at my loved ones through Your eyes.To see the beauty in my least favorite season of winter.To find Your light in this dark world.To really see another who I may with my own eyes ignore or don’t notice.Open my eyes Lord, lead me.May I always hunt for You in every circumstance.Help me see the world through Your eyes.Your face, Lord, I will seek. … [Read more...]

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord.  Lamentations 3:40Let us test.Lord, today’s verse made me smile.  When I first read it I thought it said, “Let us text.”Yep, I thought you were finally giving me the go-ahead to add text messaging to my phone.I am so sorry. I am too much of this world and not of Your world.I wonder what else I assume about your living Word, Lord.Clear the mud from my eyes, Lord, to see You better.Help me test my thoughts and my behaviors, and examine my ways more closely.Turn my heart and mind back to You and not the traps of the world or the snares of my ego.And Lord, if you did text me, I think your message would be LOVE. … [Read more...]

He knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:21He knows the secrets of the heart.Lord, You know my heart.  You see what is deep inside of me.    You wired me, You molded me and understand me better than I understand myself.And just think: You still love me.You see every dark nook and cranny.   The tiny bits of dust hidden in the corner.       The holes I can’t mend and the stains I can’t remove.And You still love me.You are aware of my strengths, that I do try at times to follow only You.You also get my weaknesses, when I wander from your pasture into a dangerous world.Your light penetrates every corner of my being.And You still love me.I slink into my closet, hiding from Your love.I turn my back, close my eyes, and hang up the ‘private” sign on my heart.I tuck away secrets – my dreams, my desires and my lustful ways – into dark pockets.And You still love me.Thank You, Lord. Thank You for taking all of me into Your boundless, loving arms.Thank You for shining Your gentle light and … [Read more...]

Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." Luke 5:5Yet if you say so.Lord, over the past year, You and I have been talking about this journey you invited me to take within the church.I felt alone.    Lost.     Unclear.      Not sure where I was headed.        With little direction except for Your persistent call to proceed.I worked hard like Simon did when he said, “Master, we have worked all night long.”Simon sounded weary too.I felt like I was accomplishing nothing.“but have caught nothing.”For a long time I couldn’t hear Your whisper or felt Your guidance, I just kept plowing forward, one step in front of another.“Yet if you say so, I will.” Simon said.“Yet if you say so, I will” became my prayer.I don’t know where this will lead. All I know You said, “finish what you began.”  Very much like “put down your nets.”Lord, I don’t know if I will catch so many fish my nets will begin to break, but I do know … [Read more...]

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:15-18 (NIV)ChristianPhotos.Net - Free High Resolution Photos for Christian PublicationsFor I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it outLord I failed you this week.The growing gnawing in my stomach told me something was not right.Then without warning, someone noticed my little indiscretion, asked about it and wow, a glaring spotlight on my hidden sin.I am sorry.I am wrong.I will make it right.Why is it that I thought as long as I didn’t get caught, my misconduct could slip by unnoticed?I am so ashamed to admit I probably would have continued down that dark path if someone hadn’t … [Read more...]

I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.Psalm 119:11I treasure your word in my heartLord I have heard You in my heart.Lord, I have felt Your nudge.Lord I feel Your spirit to try   To try once again memorizing Your Word.Learning Your verses by heart honors the treasure You have given us.But You know I struggle to even remember to work on this, let alone recall the words.But You gently remind me to try once again to hold my heart out to You and cherish Your guidance.I write out Your verse; I say in aloud; I post it by my desk.Each word, every phrase takes on new life and jumps from the post-it note into my soul.I savor each word slowly, scanning for nuggets of wisdom from wisdom’s Source.I see You in every letter.   My heart moves with every word.       The verse is an irresistible magnet, the verse drawing me closer to You.Yes Lord I willYes Lord I treasure Your word in my heart. … [Read more...]

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
 2 Chronicles 20:12b (NIV)Our eyes are upon you.Lord I want to live with my eyes only on You.When I focus on You, I know where I am going with a profound sense of peace.Like Peter walking on the water – doing the impossible with you and only when keeping you as the center.Like Peter, I take my eyes off when the threatening waves of the world and my ego’s fears and anxieties distract me.Holy Spirit, help me concentrate more on You and less on those shiny commotions disturbing my periphery.Stay my center, LordMy centerMy focal pointMy Lord. … [Read more...]