Farewell & Welcome

Tonight is an ending; tonight is a beginning. 

Help me stay in the moment
to bid farewell and welcome
in my own way. 

(Amy E. Dean, Night Light, 31 December)

31 December 2013

Prayer & Petition

Help me, then, Lord, not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to You. And Your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
(Phil. 4:6-7 in Praying God's Word Day By Day,by Beth Moore, 18 November)
30 December 2013

Meditation

Meditation is the quiet and sustained application of the mind to the contemplation of a spiritual truth. Its purpose is to deflect our minds from the problems we are experiencing, to raise our thoughts above the grievances and discontent that color our thinking.
(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 17 October)
29 December 2013

Guidance

When you pray for God's guidance, don't complain when it is different from your preference.
(Our Daily Bread in Night Light by Amy E. Dean, 15 December)
28 December 2013

Everything I Need To Do

Heavenly Father, help me learn how to become content and at peace.
As you strengthen me, help me to do everything I need to do.
(Joni Eareckson Tada in Promises Of Joy, p. 286)
27 December 2013

Hope Of Christmas

What keeps the wild hope of Christmas alive year after year in a world notorious for dashing all hopes is the haunting dream that the Child who was born that day may yet be born again even in us and our own snowbound, snowblind longing for Him.
(Frederick Buechner in Peace Flowing Like A Gentle River, 27 December)
26 December 2013

Emmanuel ... God With Us

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, 

and shall bring forth a son, 

and they shall call his name Emmanuel...

God with us.

(Matthew 1:23 KJV)

25 December 2013

Straw Against The Chill

In a town of David, not so near to spring, 

At the heart of love, there came a lovely thing. 

It was the time of Mary, the time of Caesar's reign. 

Nothing in our lives would ever be the same. 

It was so long ago, but we remember still: 

Star upon the snow, straw against the chill. 

A planet dancing slow, a tree upon a hill. 

Star upon the snow, straw against the chill. 

Stumbling in the darkness, it was her time for birth, 

Bearing in her womb, the King of all the earth. 

Searching for some shelter, by a cruel decree, 

They found a kind of glory the mighty never see. 

It was so long ago, but we remember still: 

Star upon the snow, straw against the chill. 

A planet dancing slow, a tree upon a hill. 

Star upon the snow, straw against the chill. 

There within a stable, the baby drew a breath 

There began a life that put an end to death, 

And all the frozen stillness, mighty voices heard: 

"God is here among you! Human is the Word!" 

It was so long ago, but we remember still: 

Star upon the snow, straw against the chill. 

A planet dancing slow, a tree upon a hill. 

Star upon the snow, straw against the chill

(Written by Bob Franke, sung by Kathy Mattea)

24 December 2013

Wonderful Peace

But all who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing and shall have wonderful peace. (Psalm 37:11 (TLB)
23 December 2013

Days Of Trouble

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them."
(Ecclesiastes 12:1 in The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 27 November)
22 December 2013

Get Real

How can I make my prayers more real tonight?  

I can ask for things I know are possible instead of impossible.

(Amy E. Dean, Night Light, 20 September)

21 December 2013

Decisions

Redeemer guide me in making the best decisions I can for myself and those who count on me.
(The Christophers, Vol. 44, 15 December)
20 December 2013

Saints

Thank You, Jesus, "for all the saints who from their labors rest," and for the saints who are still with us. ...
(Penney Schwab in Daily Guideposts - 2012, 1 November)
19 December 2013

Your Word Is Clear

Lord, Your word is clear that those who are self-seeking, who reject the truth, and who continue following evil will experience your wrath and anger.
(Romans 2:8) in Praying God's Word Day By Day by Beth Moore, 7 July)
18 December 2013

Loving Actions

Father, may I trust that You will transform loving actions into ageless good.
(Scott Walker in Daily Guideposts - 2012, 19 June)
17 December 2013

Did You?

Did you pray?
Did you confess from your heart to God what you are thinking, feeling, wanting right now?
You know that prayer can get into places you can't; prayer changes things.
Even better, prayer changes people, and people change things.
So go ahead and pray.
(Iyanla Vanzant, Faith In The Valley, p. 196)
16 December 2013

Holiness In Everyday Things

When our life is filled with the desire to see the holiness in everyday things, something magical begins to happen: ordinary life becomes extraordinary, and the very process of living begins to nourish our soul! As long as we can find even a kernel of holiness in a situation, our soul will grow and feel cared for.
(Harold Kushner, in Peace Flowing Like A Gentle River, 12 October)
15 December 2013

Give Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say this.
(Psalm 107:1-2, in Promises of Joy, p. 254)
14 December 2013

Tolerance And Wisdom

I pray for the tolerance and the wisdom 

to avoid reacting to what other people say and do.

(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 15 September)

13 December 2013

Are You Listening?

Do we ever consider God's answer when we pray?
Do we really listen?
Often we are so focused on venting or asking for things that we never hear His response.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 28 October)
12 December 2013

Doing Good

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
(Galations 6:9, in Journey by David Jeremiah, 22 July)
11 December 2013

Peace

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
(Romans 12:18 (NIV) in Daily Guideposts - 2012, 15 August)
10 December 2013

Need

Merciful Father, show us how to imitate Your loving kindness as we serve our brothers and sisters in need.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 12 November)
9 December 2013

Evil Days

Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.
(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 9 June)

Fools die for lack of wisdom.
(Proverbs)
8 December 2013

Days Of Our Life

The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong ...
They are soon gone, and we fly away.
(Psalm 90:10)
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 44, 13 November)
7 December 2013

Burdens

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(Harry & Emily Griffith, This Love We Share, 8 July)

6 December 2013

Scripture

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

Holy Spirit, abide with me, inspire me, encourage me as I improve my acquaintance with the Bible.
(The Christophers, Three Minutes A Day, Vol. 41, 21 October)
5 December 2013

Persist In Prayer

To persist in prayer and not give up does not mean endless repetition or painfully long prayer sessions.

Constant prayer means keeping our requests continually before God as we live for Him day to day, believing he will answer.

As we persist in prayer we grow in character, faith, and hope.
(The One Year Book Of Bible Readings, 8 June)
4 December 2013

Safety and Guidance

It's okay to ask for God's safety and guidance in the midst of difficult situations, but its up to us to take the initiative for our own safety and well-being.
(Amy E. Dean, Night Light, 29 October)
3 December 2013

Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is a useful tool in all our personal relationships.

(One Day At A Time In Al-Anon, 5 July)

2 December 2013

Staying Focused

Father, God, keep me peacefully and joyfully focused on worthwhile activities until the day I reach my destination.
(Alma Barkman, Daily Guideposts - 2012, 30 August)
1 December 2013