Whatever Things

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Crepe Myrtle in our front yard)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. Phil. 4:8

The Problem With Christianity

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Emmitsburg, MD)

... G.K. Chesterton once said that the problem with Christianity is not that it has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult and left untried. (The Upper Room Disciplines - 2006, 7 April)

Bless My Heart

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

By praying life-affirming prayers, eating smart, and exercising, I bless my heart. (Colleen Zuck, et al, Daily Word For Healing, p. 84)

Other People

Photo: Mr. Dickie (Omaha, NE)

Thank You for the people You have placed in my life, dear Father; people who love me enough to correct me. Open my ears to their reproof, to listen in grateful humility and then take it to the plumb line of Your Word. If the two match, then may I be wise and do what is right, making the necessary changes.
(Kay Arthur, Search My Heart, O God, 25 April)

Barriers

Photo: Mr. Dickie

Barriers to my spiritual growth are self-centeredness and a materialistic focus on worldly things. (Daily Reflections, 13 March)

God is as dependent on you as you are on Him. (Mahalia Jackson in Acts of Faith by Iyanla Vanzant, 14 March)

May I see the continutity of life in the simple moments of this day. (Touchstones, 22 April)

Speak to My Heart

Photo: (Mr. Dickie)

In my conversations today, Lord, speak to my heart and remind me that the world does not revolve around my needs and interests. Prompt me to ask only kind and thoughful questions and to spend more time listening than talking. (Kay Arthur, Search My Heart, O God, 3 March)

A Period of Meditation

Photo: Mr. Dickie (shrine at Emmitsburg, MD)

A period of meditation can lift us out of mental and emotional depression. (Food For Thought, 4 April)

Wants and Needs

Help me distinguish my needs from my wants and [to] trust You to supply both as You see fit. (Kay Arthur, Search My Heart, O God, 9 April)

Patience

Grant me patience, Lord - and hurry! (Courage to Change, 12 April)

Busybody

But let none of you suffer ... as a busybody in other peoples' matters. (1 Peter 4:15 (NKJV), Daily Guideposts, 14 March 2006)

Call Our Nation to Repentance

Here I am, Lord, ready and willing to do whatever You ask. I want to be used by You to call our nation to repentance. Speak to my heart, and let me know exactly what You want me to do. (Kay Arthur, Search My Heart, O God, 28 March)

The Only Real Life

The only real life is one lived close to God. This does not happen by itself; you must make an effort to make this happen, and this effort will birng you joy. (Leo Tolstoy, A Calendar of Wisdom, 2 April)

Make Your Heart Right

The cleansing of the heart before God cannot take place unless the heart is right with one's neighbor. ... Begin the process of making your heart right with your neighbor today. (The Upper Room Disciplines - 2006, 3 March)

Our World

Father, our world is a broken and often chaotic place. Only You and Your perfect and unchanging love keep it whole. (Edward Grinnan, Daily Guideposts - 2006, 4 April)

Control Issues

I pray that I may learn it is not my function to direct or control another person, however close to me. I will also cease to be a crutch. I can live nobody's life but my own. (One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, 12 March)

Useful and Happy Life

I pray that I may cooperate with God in all good things. I pray that I may serve Him and others and so lead a useful and happy life. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 3 April)

Happy Easter

I pray that I may grow in my ability to use each day with poise, wisdom and a touch of humor. (One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, 2 April)

Worries and Cares

Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. (1 Peter 5:7 (TLB) in Daily Guideposts - 2006, 3 March)

I Hope This Pleases You

Lord, I hope this pleases you. (Daily Guideposts - 2006, 5 February)

Prayers of Gratitude

I will start each day with prayers of gratitude that so much has been accomplished. I know that My Higher Power will continue to provide His light of wisdom in my striving for serenity. (One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, 4 March)

Facing the Issues

Lord, give me the courage to face the issues and make the changes I need to make in my life. (Ric Engram, Pace Yourself, 31 March)

Prayer for Serenity

I pray for quietness to help me cure my own emotional instability. Let me use serenity to cushion the impact of whatever happens outside of me. (One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, 9 March)

Meekness

Lord, teach me to act rather than react. Help me respond in meekness. (Kay Arthur, Search My Heart, O God, p. 84)

Story Telling God

Story telling God, help me to see the story that you are unfolding in my life. My eyes are open; I'm willing to change. (The Upper Room Disciplines, 26 February)

Giving Thanks

Thanks be to the man above!

What Seems Right

I pray that I may persevere in doing what seems right. (Alan L. Roeck, Look To This Day, 14 March)

My Words

Help me, dear Father, to see the impact of my words... (Kay Arthur, Search My Heart, O God, 13 March)