. . . and in the morning my prayer comes before You. (Psa 88:13)

I am an early riser and usually get up before my alarm goes off.  This morning, however, the alarm got me up and I found that I really would have preferred to just go back to sleep.  I couldn’t understand why I felt so tired - But as is my routine, I got up, let the dogs out, made a pot of coffee and began my morning quiet time.  At one point, after my first cup of coffee, I looked up and noticed the time – it said 4:30 . . . but that can’t be right, that’s too early, even for me.  Then I remembered that I had taken my Sunday afternoon nap the day before and had forgotten to re-set the alarm . . . and so here I am.  Its okay though - a little extra quiet time with my Father is always worth it!

Your Spirit in me

FATHER, I want to do what is right, pleasing and acceptable in Your sight. I know I’ve blown it – have chosen my way rather than Yours, have sinned against You in thought, word and deed – overstepping the boundaries that You have established. I also know that You forgive, that You are merciful and gracious – far beyond anything I deserve or could even hope for. But because of Who You are – I have hope and assurance that You will accomplish and bring to completion the work You have begun in me. Knowing what is right and true is not enough but with this knowledge must come action, a change of heart, mind and soul. This can only come through Your indwelling Spirit and – somehow – my cooperation with His working in me. It’s a mystery that I’m not sure I will ever fully understand on this side of eternity. All I know is that I can trust You to finish what You have begun; that I can rest in this knowledge and that is enough – more than enough for me.

Routines and interruptions

The church I now attend is not liturgical, so last night I planned to attend a Good Friday service with a friend at a different church. Growing up in a liturgical church, the Good Friday service was part of the yearly routines that make up the church seasons and was always a special time. As it turns out, we arrived just as the service was ending. The time on the web-site had been wrong. In leaving, several folks mentioned how meaningful the service had been and you could tell that our Father had been speaking. So why did I have to miss out? But the truth is, I didn’t. As I had been driving in I had been very much aware of the clouds, dark and foreboding, the wind was blowing and that sense of a storm brewing – it reminded me of what that day must have been like. Through out the day I had been aware of the significance of that day – and that what was accomplished on that day is done, for all time – it’s finished and I am free. As I sit here this morning I see how our Father is ALWAYS speaking, if we just learn to listen – He speaks in the routines and in the interruptions of life. He speaks in the ordinary and in the extraordinary and is not limited by anything except a heart that refuses to listen. I’m listening Lord!

A reflection

My internet has been down, which I use in my morning quiet times, so recently I've been going back and reading through some of my old journals. I came across the following and thought I'd post it here.

We just recently went to see Prince Caspian and there was a scene that has stayed with me. Early on in the movie Lucy sees Aslan and wants to go to him. She tries to convince the others but they don’t believe her and choose a different path. Much later on she finally meets with Aslan and she says “I knew it was you” and he asks “then why didn’t you come to me?” There’s a pause and she simply says “I’m sorry” and the scene moves on. I just think of all the times when I know it’s Him and for whatever reason I don’t go to Him. When I finally do, He’s always there and we move on. I can never know what might have been but I can know that my future is secure with Him. I just don’t want to miss Him when He calls.

A bump on the head and an answer to prayer

I had started to work on a study in Philippians and wanted to look up some background information in Halley’s but couldn’t seem to locate it in my bookshelf. Thinking it might be on the very bottom shelf, I got down on my hands and knees to take a look. (Not an easy task). Not seeing it there, I lifted my head and in the process hit it on a the glass shelf covering – becoming somewhat annoyed I looked up at the shelf and there was the Halley’s, hidden under some papers. I had to laugh at how God got my attention and answered my prayer.

the Love Dare journal

It’s been a meaningful and insightful journey, one I need to re-visit again. Taking the focus off of me has not been easy, my flesh resists and the enemy continues to nip at my heels BUT greater is He Who is in me and I will move forward in His grace and in His love. Although my life is not suddenly perfect nor what I thought it should be - I do see that I have a choice as to how I face each day. I can surrender to His will and seek Him or I can resist and try and to do things on my own. I much prefer the former - even if at times I may not like where He leads. I know that He has only my best interest in His heart. I believe this and I know that He is faithful and true and can be trusted ALWAYS and in all things. To love so unconditionally can not happen in the human heart, I know it can’t happen in mine – I need His heart. Fortunately that is His desire for me.

An old Bible story

One of my life verses has always been Isa 30:15a “In returning and rest shall you be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Each word throughout the years has come to mean something special, a promise from my Father of a relationship that will never end. He has brought this verse to mind many times and in many ways.

Well - in the teaching this morning, Kent talked about two Bibles – one was hardly used, the other old and worn. It got me thinking of my very first Bible that was given to me by my Grandmother when I was 19 – an ol’ King James, some what tattered but still full of the good stuff! I pulled it out from its shelf and as I was thumbing through it just happened that I opened it up to – you guessed it – Isaiah 30:15. And there it was underlined and highlighted in yellow. It was His reminder to me of that personal, one on one, intimate and real relationship we share. No one knows me like He does and how wonderful and utterly amazing to be known by Him.