Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest."

Proverbs 20:4Too LazyCreator God, forgive my laziness.I delay the most important items, distracted by the noise and glitz of the world.And when the “right season” comes, I won’t have anything to offer or be prepared for opportunities to serve You.Lord, I do value down time, periods of rest and quiet times with You.But honestly, I know I waste time too.Time – a gift from You – thrown away like it had little value when each moment is a blessing.I know in my heart what I must do.But my strength, my will to complete what You have asked me to do, fails me. I need you, Lord.I depend on Your strength to complete the race you have set before me.I offer up to You my lazy spirit and ask You to enter its open space.I empty my heavy bags of inactivity in exchange for Your energetic abilities.You are the Lord; I am the servant.Help me start anew with Your strength and determination. … [Read more...]

“On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. ” Psalm 100:1, MSG                          Sing yourselves into his presenceJump up onto my feet!Clap my hands!     The Lord is present!!Tilt my head back and laugh aloud!Dance with glee and abandonment!     The Lord is here!I don’t have to worry the God is goneI cast my fear away that He can’t love my unworthiness.    The Lord is full of grace and love!When discouragement overwhelms meWhen hope disappears     I will sing myself into Your presence.Music magically melts my masks and draws me into my Father’s arms   -    To be held      To be forgiven          To be loved.Nothing separates us from the love of GodNothingBut when the shiny decoys of the world and my blinding ego block my sight,I once again find You, Lord, though laughter and singing. … [Read more...]

They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out. Isaiah 48:21 (NIV)They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts.Lord, you are my refreshment. The only water that satisfies my parched throat.I search elsewhere, especially in dry times, only to return to Your rock. When I once again realize You are my only source, You spill your love and grace with unrestrained generosity upon me like gushers of water.I arrive scorched by the heat of the world. You pick me up. You replenish my soul. May I taste Your goodness and sip Your streams of revitalizing waters.Lord, I have heard the human body is more than 70% water. May You be in every molecule of that fluid within me. You are the restoring water.You are the source of all renewal.You are Life. … [Read more...]

  When you said, "Seek my face," my heart said to you, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek." Psalm 27:8 (NASB)“Seek my face" Lord is this all you ask of me? To seek Your face?To look intently only upon You.       To live each day not distracted by the shining lights of a flashy world.To see clearly only You.        Let my vision not be clouded over by ego.To hunger only for you.       Not fill the holes in my soul with empty idols.To pay attention to the subtle gentle stirring of Your spirit        And avoid the jostling and jarring uneasiness of living away from You.Turning, repenting once again to face You and seek Your face.What a wonderful way to live! … [Read more...]

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; 
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. Psalm 3:3 (NLT)The one who holds my head highYes, hold my head up, LordI walk around with my head lowered in shame   My head heavy with shame from my sins and failure to obey.Lowering my head in humble realization who I am and who You really are.My chin touching my chest aching with battle fatigue from the world’s demands.Bu You, Lord, rescue me.You come to me –    You wrapped your loving arms around me         You provide strength and protection               You hold my head up high.You tell me don’t be ashamed.You reassure me I am Your childAnd nothing will come between us.Not by my strength   Not by my power,      Not by my will         But You,            Only You.You, Lord, hold my head high as a child of God.   … [Read more...]

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8He will never leave you.Never.Never? You really mean that Lord? Never?No matter how far I stray?No matter what I say or fail to do?No matter if I walk away from You?No matter if I get angry with You?No matter what?You will never leave me?You stayI driftYou stayI wanderYou stayI get lostYou stayI slink back to You with my head hung low.Thank you for being my constant and my rock.Thank you for never abandoning me when the world, others, and even my own self abandon the soul within me.Thank you for never leaving me.Never … [Read more...]

So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. 1 Corinthians 12:31 (New Living Translation) "Let me show you a way of life that is best of all."Yes, Lord – show me the best way.Not just the best, but the best of all.I too soon grab for the good.I rush into the better.I yearn for the best.The good, the better, and the best dazzle and distract me from You. I fill up on Your appetizers and never enjoy Your entrée or leave room for Your fabulous dessert.You offer to show me the best of all.Open my eyes to see the path You chose as the greatest way.Open my ears to hear Your directions.Spirit, fill my heart with the power of Your patience to wait for Your finest gifts.My eagerness to live a full life on this wonderful earth You created and gave to us, blocks my view of You. I focus more on the blessings and not the One presenting the gifts.You say, “Let me show you.”I say, “Yes, show me, Lord.” … [Read more...]

Do not now be stiff-necked, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary. 2 Chronicles 30:8YieldLet me yield myself to you Lord.Take my whole being - every inch of me – my heart, my hands, my breath, my mind, my will – my every cellStrange to give back to you the gifts You’ve given me.   YieldLet me melt into your being.May others see You in me.Less of me, more of You.YieldYou know me better than I know myself, so why do I hesitate? Take me now before my ego snatches my intention and tosses me back into the chaotic world.Every day I approach Your throne and yield.Daily, minute by minute – I am Yours.YieldWhat a lovely word and ideal way to live.Like the soft, pliable clay in the skilled artist hands, shape my life as You design, Lord. Knead my heart, Lord, to stretch and grow with the yeast from heaven.I rest in Your strong grip. Yield … [Read more...]