The Only Choice

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Lincoln, NE taken about 50 years ago)

God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not the choice. You must take it. The only choice is how. (Henry Ward Beecher in Courage to Change, 19 June)

The Right Path

Photo: Aztech New Media

I pray that I may be confident that good things will happen as long as I am on the right path. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 28 June)

Help Me Let Go

Photo: Aztech New Media

God, help me let go of the messages that drive me into the crazies. (Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go, 23 June)

Simply to be Faithful

Photo: Aztech New Media

Lord, help me simply to be faithful to what You have called me to do. (Ric Engram, Pace Yourself, 21 June)

My Greatest Challenge

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Blue hydrangea in our yard, 2009)

[Lord I am grateful that] you were there as a presence of vitality that would not allow me to give up on life, when I faced my greatest challenge. (Colleen Zuck, et al., Daily Word For Healing, p. 149)

Miracle of Change

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Flowers in our front yard, May 2009)

I pray that I may see God with the eyes of faith. I pray that this will produce the miracle of change in me that is so imperative. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 20 June)

Subway Accident

Photo: Aztech New Media (New York subway)

Lord, we ask that you be present in the lives of all those affected by the terrible subway accident yesterday here in Washington, DC. We give thanks that a mechanic was willing to work extra hours on Saturday to complete the work on Cyndi's car making it possible for her to drive to work on Monday after using the Red line for four days.

Early In The Day

Photo: Aztech New Media (Hawaii)

I pray that I may not let God be crowded out of my life. I pray that I may seek him early in the day, every day. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 16 June)

Paying Attention

Photo: Aztech New Media (Yosemite, CA)

Today, I will notice where I am choosing to pay attention. I pray for guidance in being aware of my options. (Touchstones, 18 June)

The Grace of God

Photo: Aztech New Media

By the grace of God, I am always more than I think I can be. I can always do more than I believe I can do. (Colleen Zuck, et al., Daily Word For Healing, p. 146)

Photo: Aztech New Media

I pray that I may choose what is good for my soul. I pray that I may realize God's purpose for my life. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 8 June)

Forty-second Wedding Anniversary

Lord, we give thanks for forty-two years of marriage and the many blessings you have bestowed upon us during those years.

True Miracles

Photo: Aztech New Media

True miracles are created by men where they use the courage and intelligence that God gave them. (Jean Anovilh in One More Day by Sefra Kobrin Pitzele, 27 May)

My Days Are Numbered

Photo: Aztech New Media

Dear God,Please remind me that my days are numbered. Teach me that my time here in this life is precious so that I will not waste it. Help me to recognize how precious every moment is so that I spend it doing those things that will bring me closer to You. In the time I have left, please teach me to serve You, Dear God. Teach me how to give joyously, share willingly, and love totally. Remind me that I cannot serve in greed, doubt, fear, or anger. Fill my sould with Your light, so that Your bountiful blessings will shine through my soul into the world. Each day that I awake, I pray that You will be present in my thoughts, my words, and all of my deeds. I ask that every moment that I have left in this life be a channel though with some measure of Your love and light may reach those with whom I come into contact. (Iyanla Vanzant, Faith in the Valley, p. 185)

Flag Day - 2009

Thou has given a banner to them that fear thee ... (Psalm 60:4)

Father, as we honor Old Glory on this Flag Day, remind us that in our national life as in our personal life, You are always our Lord.(Andrew Attaway, Daily Guideposts - 2006, 14 June)

June 14th is Flag Day

We need to pause often each day to ask for God's guidance, so that the work we do, the activities we enjoy, and the thoughts we think may all serve Him. (Food For Thought, 6 June)

My Life Cannot Flower

Photo: Aztech New Media

My life cannot flower unless it is rooted in faith. I pray that my life may be deeply rooted in faith. I pray that I may feel deeply secure. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 27 May)

If we're out to show people we're the best thing that ever happened to them, it may be time to see if they're the best thing that ever happened to us.

God, help me let go of my need to meet dysfunctional challenges in my relationships.

(Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go, 7 June)

Greatest Changes

Photo: Aztech New Media

The greatest changes in the world are made slowly and gradually, not with eruptions and revolutions. The same things happen in one's spiritual life. (Leo Tolstoy, A Calendar of Wisdom, 22 May)

God's Bank

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Melva's iris plants in our backyard garden, Spring 2009)

I pray that I may keep making deposits in God's bank. I pray that in my hour of need I may call upon these with assurance. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 10 June)

Prayer and Meditation

I pray that I may learn how to pray and to meditate. I pray that I may thus be linked to the will and mind of God. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 31 May)

Character Flaws

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Climbing rose in our backyard, Spring 2009)

I pray that my character may alter as I reach for the things of the spirit. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 7 June)

Letting Go

Photo: (Corel)

God, help me become ready to let go of my defects of character. Help me to know, in my mind and soul, that I am ready to let go of my self-defeating behaviors, the blocks and barriers to my life. (Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go, 6 June)

One Prayer Is All It Takes

How much confidence do you place in your prayers? Until today, you may not have accepted that one prayer is all it takes. Just for today, try praying for something with all of your heart and soul, then don't do anything else.

Today I am devoted to placing my full confidence in my prayers!(Iyanla Vanzant, Until Today!, 9 May)

Open My Eyes

Open my eyes today, God, to a person or idea I have never considered - but one You have placed before me. (Jeff Japinga, Daily Guideposts - 2006, 31 May)

Travel Companion

Forgive me for the misuse of Your gifts. (Food For Thought, 27 May)

Lord, be the travel companion of friends and loved ones who are traveling this week.

Will of God

I ask God to grant me the knowledge of His will and the power and courage to carry it out -- today. (Daily Reflections, 3 Jun)

Prayer Pills and Enlightenment Capsules

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Azalea in our backyard, Spring 2009)

We cannot approach prayer as we do everything else in our push-button, instant society. There are no prayer pills or enlightenment capsules. (Janie Gustafson in Touchstones, 29 May)

Being Clever

... it is dangerous to think that you are more clever than the majority of religious mankind. (Henri Amiel in A Calendar of Wisdom by Leo Tolstoy, 16 May)