| "The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14) |
Sunday, August 26, 2018
AN UNEXPECTED MAZE ... day 2
Saturday, August 25, 2018
AN UNEXPECTED MAZE ... day 1
Although I am writing this on a Saturday afternoon in September, long after this occurred, I'm going back posting this on the day, my life - our life, took a turn into a new unexpected 'maze' however, we did not realize that was the path we were now taking, or on, until 5 days after August 25th, 2018 ... nor did we discover what happened this day until 24 hours later, on Sunday, August 26th ...
Most often, I try not to share about the personal life of others on my blog especially without their permission. The only problem with this is that almost every facet of our lives are intertwined and impacted greatly by those we live with, love and their lives affect ours in some way every day. The course of our lives are deeply connected to the lives of those around us.
I've read other's blogs about their loved ones or their own journey through a serious or chronic illness, even some down the road of watching their loved one die. I have found some of these blogs to deeply speak to me and felt as if I was an up-close friend of their loved one or them and was walking through this journey with them. Two that come to mind are: Rory Feek (about his beloved Joey, which use to be "This Life I Live", but now it's just his name for the link to his blog) and Kara Tippett, "Mundane Faithfulness". And there was one more person, who shared much of her life struggles with health, Denise ... my dear Shortybear. All have gone home with Jesus! Hallelujah!
... but the one I want to write about and feel compelled to share 'his story' does not even think there's a 'home' or place or life after this one, he doesn't know Jesus as his Savior or Lord, nor that Jesus is/was the Son of God ... and to me, this is the most devastating, pessimistic view for any human to have, one without hope. I think(hope, believe) his story may/might change, but so many times I have wept and prayed because I can't imagine God allowing someone to die when that person - that soul - would perish eternally. My whole life, I have never known one who has done so much yet will not surrender to Jesus, a heart so hard, and a mind so set that life here ends when it ends, there is nothing after (although I know there are so many) ... I can't wrap my head around this and how much God's heart must ache, when I ache at the thought of this. So let me begin ... or go back to
Saturday, August 25th, 2018 - the day my husband of 42 yrs. had a stroke to the cerebellum, but we did not know it. This stroke had none of the signs to spot a stroke (F.A.S.T. is the acronym used for the signs of stroke){in blue are my comments}:
F-face drooping {none, not at all, not even now};
A-arm weakness {no numbness reported by him, however a week later on Labor Day weekend, I did experience the numbness in my right arm and the tingling going up and all the way down to my toes, but I was checked out and no stroke};
S-speech difficulty {not on that day, but that is what occurred on that 5th day, when we thought he was in the clear and had made good progress on day 3 & 4, wham, it showed up with trying to ask me for a 'pick' to clean his teeth - hard to get the full word up and out and I could not distinguish it at all and he had been using full sentences or thoughts the day before. This was definitely not how I wanted to start my day with him, after just coming from putting our 15 yr.old sweetheart male dog, Chimi to sleep, up with him at 5:30 a.m., my heart was heavy but this was an unexpected blow};
T-time to call 911 {I didn't that day, and it took hours to convince him that I had to take him to ER-local hospital for an IV because he was severely dehydrated, where finally after 12 hours since his initial awkward sensation that ascended up from his shoulders to the top of his head, with a sharp head ache, which he rarely ever had and also because he has a high tolerance to pain - that pain had to be very severe. But he believed it had to do with his diabetes and other health issues, and we never even considered a stroke. We took blood pressure (really good, compared to mine) and his glucose had only doubled from normal, not sky rocketed high like many suffer. I would add that another key sign would be sudden weakness, a sense of not being able to move ... yet he was from 11 p.m. to 2-3 a.m. as I heard him going back and forth to the bathroom, then finally went to check on him, finding out he had been throwing up, not just making frequent bathroom trips. Immediately the other person here went into town to buy Gatorades and other stuff to rehydrate, but he couldn't take that so when I told him, let me take him to the hospital, he replied after I get some sleep and get cleaned up ... the 1st he wasn't allowed to do but he did do the 2nd and insisted that I call people on his social calendar before he'd leave - unbelievable. But we finally got him there, 12 hrs. more after, making it 24 hrs. later in total. The ER put him on an IV and took him for a cat-scan, coming back and reporting he had had a stroke so he needed to be transported to the city hospital that handles this in the Trama Critical Care Unit ... off he went by ambulance and me, by car}
So, in no way, was this by the book, or according to the signs, and as we soon found out, that it's a rare stroke.
I ponder "should I do like these other blogs and share this journey, this maze that our lives have now become?" ... a new norm ... one very unfamilar to me and after that Weds. August 29th to August 31st when we moved him home to 'die with dignity' under hospice care, but 24/7 really depends on me and one other person to take care of him, with intermittant visits every other week day, of a very caring hospice team that come to the house - On August 31st, our living room was changed - with a hospital bed, wheelchair, commode and other such portable devices, a walker and later a bench transfer seat for the shower - to the best comfortable bedroom we could give him, to keep watch and wait; I wait to see what God will do.
God is not finished with this man (nor with me) and I search for the lesson and God's hand. I definitely see His hand holding on to me and I've had some glimmers of hope from my husband, but then back to what he believes so strongly. He has no 'will' ready, and nothing except the house is in my name with his, so the battle ahead for me will be a tough one, but I see this determined man with a 'will' to live, a gift from God, every moment, every day, so that he might come to BELIEVE (my One Word for 2018) and we can better prepare. Yet as we got ready to leave the hospital in one intimate conversation I had with him, fully aware, I spoke 'life' into this man and told him that the opposite of this is death, but I know someone and believe in the One who can change all this: Jesus, the Son of God ... and the Spirit just flowed in that conversation. I thought I had made some progress, but I've seen a little resilence and backsteps since he's been home, with far too many visitors, concerned though also for his spiritual as well as physical life; as we head out on this new 'maze' of healing with renewed hope in me, praying that he will hear and receive the truth from anyone.
God is not finished with this man (nor with me) and I search for the lesson and God's hand. I definitely see His hand holding on to me and I've had some glimmers of hope from my husband, but then back to what he believes so strongly. He has no 'will' ready, and nothing except the house is in my name with his, so the battle ahead for me will be a tough one, but I see this determined man with a 'will' to live, a gift from God, every moment, every day, so that he might come to BELIEVE (my One Word for 2018) and we can better prepare. Yet as we got ready to leave the hospital in one intimate conversation I had with him, fully aware, I spoke 'life' into this man and told him that the opposite of this is death, but I know someone and believe in the One who can change all this: Jesus, the Son of God ... and the Spirit just flowed in that conversation. I thought I had made some progress, but I've seen a little resilence and backsteps since he's been home, with far too many visitors, concerned though also for his spiritual as well as physical life; as we head out on this new 'maze' of healing with renewed hope in me, praying that he will hear and receive the truth from anyone.
Then enters my own story ... my own health changes that I'm dealing with ... knowing in Whom I BELIEVE and who holds my life. Perhaps, he will outlive me ... only God knows. Maybe his will may help him to be one of the 10% that survive. And as for me, I'm looking forward to going home, joining those above, when my Father calls me - I want to be ready.
[please let me know in the comments if you think I should continue this story, his story or my story of an Unexpected Maze through Life unto Death (if it would be helpful to others?) and where this goes, or how God reveals Himself mightily, as I trust He will; if not for my husband, I do know that He has, and will for me - daily I see His grace, His mercy, His love in the unexpected maze of my life - it's not a mess right now, but I'm sure hoping for a miracle ... the greatest one being Eternal Life for my husband, not that he might continue life here healed or he might, God willing; but that there is a hope, a life, an eternity available to him and God is giving him an extended warranty, a chance to live eternally, healed forever].
If you read my previous blog post, then you realize that it was perfect timing ... for I am 'finding God in the hard places' and I'm so thankful that I can, and that I do, hoping and praying that this lost child of God, my spouse, may find his way to the Son of God, Jesus Christ and BELIEVE!
Praying for your loved ones also that are 'prodigals' and in need of a Messiah, a Savior, a Redeemer ... my Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be all glory, honor and praise! He is the very breath I take each part of my day and night that all seem to just ebb and flow together right now. Perhaps you can tell by the way I have written this and rambled on ... in a blog post, winging it on this new phase of an unexpected maze that changes daily. This maze is like no other and the gamble or risk, in my eyes, is for eternity of one soul that is being given time to not perish. Often we don't get this extended time to choose, but God is never late, definitely not early in this case and always has the perfect time.
... just count the days from August 25th to September 15th (when I am typing this) with tomorrow being the celebration of Mexican Independence (like our 4th of July) but the greatest freedom we can find according to my personal beliefs, is found in Jesus Christ. We are dependent on God yet given free will to be set free through the blood of Jesus Christ, on that Cross on Calvary (independent choice) and once we enter into a relationship, we are interdependent (but God ... He doesn't need us, we need Him). It's not about religion or beliefs of one denomination or differences between us, it's about our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and then all our relationships that we share with others, with the same kind of love that Jesus showed us. This is what we need to celebrate, this is what we need to have, this is what we need to long for ... a home eternally with Him. There is no greater celebration than the homecoming of one of God's children! No greater freedom!
No greater love than what the Father has given us in Jesus!
Thursday, August 23, 2018
"FINDING GOD IN THE HARD PLACES"
By now, from my posts on this blog, you know I do my daily Bible Reading plans, mostly with You Version (see button on right sidebar), however I also use the First 5 App (excellent for reading through books of the Bible with community and wise devotional writers that spend time studying to share) and I sometimes choose to do plans with Love God Greatly blog (which formerly was Good Morning Girls, but the two separated) LGG is also usually available at You Version. I get emails from Jennifer Camp, because I signed up for LOOP devotionals but there are at least 16 available at You Version, that I've saved!
Most recently, I accepted an invitation of a former blogger friend to join her at You Version with her friends to do a short 7 day reading plan but almost had to decline because I am doing 2 OBS (Online Bible Studies) currently{previous post shares 1 of the 2, the other is Beth Moore's at LifeWay} and barely have enough time for them as I am also suppose to be reading a book to review (only 1/4 done) {sigh} yet the reason of this blog post is to share this group plan I'm doing at You Version:
| ...FINDING GOD IN THE HARD PLACES... |
{it's probably a book, but I haven't checked it out any further than the author's blog} "Old-Fashioned Truth-Telling" so far I love her style ... and thoughts!
Here's is what I typed out at You Version for Day 1
| "As I start out on this new journey today doing this YV plan with a friend and her friends ... I reflect on the title of this: “Finding God in the Hard Places” ... which is definitely so true for most of us that have walked this earthly life knowing not only that God exists, but depending on our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, and the Word, knowing that by His Holy Spirit, we can know Him intimately and be with Him daily. So not only to we have this immense opportunity to know God, but we can find Him, as we seek Him, yet not only that He exists but that He is the very reason, we exist... that we move, and breathe and our mere existence is to glorify Him and His very purpose in us. How we can come to Him because He is right here with us - in the good and especially in the bad or the hard times ... those places that seem so dark or the ones that seem unbearable or those that we find hard, maybe even impassable but with Him those impossible, difficult, dark day places become ones lite up by His Light, His very Life, His heartbeat becomes one with ours until we sense His very presence and we see that we can overcome, we can make it through this - nothing is impossible with Him! I wish we could live lives without the ‘hard’ but it is because of those hard impasses we are to relax and see the good inspite of those hard moments. The 1st day of this plan entitled “where are You” ... is referring to where is God when we feel like we’re drowning; when we think we cannot take one more ‘bad’; when we are in despair and cry out “where are You, God?” or “why?” or “how” and we desperately need to hear an audible Voice from God reminding us of all the GOOD in GOD or with God, that it’s because of Him, we can go on ... we do go on ... we find a way to hold on, hang on and hope - to persevere beyond all the hard. My hard is not your hard yet we can relate and empathize with each other because we know what it’s like when we feel like our backs are up against a wall but here’s another thing I know from a “Reckless Love” (Cory Ashbury) Bethel song: “... There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up, Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down No lie, You won't tear down, Coming after me" (another video from Passion 2018)Melodie Malone |
“Finding God in the Hard Places” YV plan, day 1 - MSG scriptures for today: “”When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” GOD ’s Decree. “I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you”— GOD ’s Decree—“bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.” Jeremiah 29:12-14 MSG
*{needed to add or include the verse most of us know that precedes this, Jeremiah 29:11, just as I did with the verse 28 in Matthew 11 (below) to the given verses Matthew 11:29-30}
““Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.””
I added in “Talk it over” ... from another LOOP devo (in YV and I get in my email from Jennifer Camp) the following I chose of what I might hear God speaking to me: “Know How You Know?”
- "Remember where I’ve been, my child. Remember how I’ve held you, how I’ve walked with you, how I’ve always been near. I know you struggle here. I know you wonder, “Have you? Have you been close to me, God? Have you been near? I am hurting. I don’t know the way to You. You don’t feel close. What does it mean to live with You close?”
Look deep within you first. Sit in a quiet place where you can be still, if only for a few moments. There is my word to read, the way this world began, the lives I’ve loved, the stories of adventures and glory and stumbling and pain. Stories of falling and getting up again and choosing to believe in something more than yourself for strength, for hope, for a future. And these are more than stories.
But, also, there is a listening I want to teach you, a discovery of who you are with Me, unique from everyone else. I have placed within you the map to find Me, your heart yearning for more than what you physically see. I show you beauty around you, hope and possibility in the smallest, most hidden places. But to see with My eyes, there is a listening that comes from within your heart, the place where we connect, the place where I speak to you.
Do you know how you are familiar with the voice of your closest friends? Do you know how you are so familiar you can sense their presence in a room without looking up? You know the sound of their step, their shuffle, the slide of their foot, the way the floor creaks when they pivot and stand. You know their voice, the subtle variations as they speak, revealing their mood, the expression of their heart. You know, without having to look at them, exactly their mood—if there is laughter in their eyes, or sorrow, tears beginning to spill. You know how their voice cracks when they are nervous and how their laughter starts small at first and then grows, to fill a room. You know your friends’ pasts, their stories, their pain, their glories, what has made their hearts ache, what has made them smile.
And how do you know all these things? How do you know these voices, these hearts? How are you so familiar with one another?
You have listened. You have watched. You have been vulnerable. You have spent time together. You have been present with one another when the waves have swept high and times have been difficult and long. You have been present with one another when the sun shines warm on your faces, and laughter comes fast and easy.
Come to Me, daughter. Sit with Me. Become familiar with Me. Spend time with Me. Let Me teach you the sound of my voice in you. Listen close now. Let Me show you what makes Me smile, what makes Me sad. I know you. I know you. So come be with Me. I invite you to know Me, too.” (day 2) of the LOOP reading plan -"Know His Voice:Become Familiar with God"
... although I wanted to write my own like this or personalize the 2 scripture passages as if being spoken directly to me, I chose to share what Jennifer wrote as if God was speaking it to us - each of us.
This is day 1 of 7 “Finding God in the Hard Places” - “Where are You?” God - we were asked to re-read the scripture passages then write that and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to (you) us. Record what you hear from God.
In the “Talk it over” part, I wrote quite lengthy reply (below) but I wanted to write my response like LOOP does (but didn't, it is how ever how it flowed as I read and wrote my response):
“As I seek God with all my heart, put Him first, He is there with me and I can lean in and listen to Him throughout my day I can come to Him, release anything weighing me down - even when ... I mess up, others come against me or try to provoke my flesh to respond, I can pause and listen to His Spirit, alive within me and choose to hold back my flesh and allow the Spirit to guide and lead me. oh how I wish to remember these sweet moments with God in the morning when the enemy comes at me (through others) during my day, I will be spirit controlled rather than let my flesh respond or react, I will take THAT moment to pause, to hear the Holy Spirit and refrain from entering into their battle, their taunt, or the enemy trying to get the best of me, which causes me to go back to the old fleshly habits rather than Godly spirit control-that I might pray knowing Jesus is defending me, His my Advocate, I don’t have to allow myself to be pushed, prodded, provoked or respond. God is with me.”
- Yet, I don’t think I wonder “Where are You, God?” but more often [as the “Quest” study with Beth Moore points out in session one (day 1) {I am also doing 2 OBS right now, one which is this one with Lifeway/Beth Moore and the other with Faith/Study Gateway- “The Rock, The Road and The Rabbi” both have samples of study in YV}
“... We have established five divine questions that, dare we answer, have the potential to recalibrate and reignite a walk with God that has gotten off track, stuck in a cul-de-sac, or has lost steam or our interest. Start today memorizing these questions. Get them so far down in the quick of your brain that you could list them in your dreams. The first two are asked by God the Father, and the last three are asked by Jesus the Son. Some are abbreviated for easy memorization.
“WHERE are you?” (Genesis 3:9)
“WHO told you that?” (Genesis 3:11)
“WHAT are you seeking?” (John 1:38)
“WHY are you afraid?” (Matthew 8:26)
“HOW much more ... ?” (Luke 11:13)*
Though you will encounter numerous other inquiries on the road ahead, answering these five will establish a baseline you can look back on for reflection and evaluation.”~Beth Moore
... I hear God ask me “where are you, Peggy?” as He did Adam and Eve in the garden. So for today, I will let His Holy Spirit keep speaking to me through these Bible verses found in Jeremiah 29:12-14 and Matthew 11:28-30 (I included 28) and what LOOP shares, because I hear His Spirit tell me to
“Come ...” not just now in my quiet time but any time, throughout my day ...
-when I am burdened...
-when I am weary...
-when I am bombarded by the enemy through others ...
-when I am trying to defend myself and respond in my old flesh instead of a well-spirit fed daughter of the Most High and Mighty God, who is with me, who sent His Spirit to abide in me and me in Him ... who defends me at the right hand of the Father, as my Advocate - our Lord Jesus, who calls me His Beloved, His Own, His Child - for I am a new creature, the old is gone, I am washed and covered by the precious blood of Jesus, I don’t need to defend myself nor do I need to cower but rise up, stand strong and take my rightful place as His daughter, not a ‘victim’ to be trampled upon yet a ‘victorious’ child of the King - this is who I am and where I am? ... is under His Wings (Ps 91) and where is God? right beside me! right within me - living and breathing through me, may I not forget ... with every breath, I give Him thanks! ...
HE IS WITH ME!
- when the warfare or the battle is on, may I rely on His Spirit to respond not my flesh and rely on Jesus, who I know and believe is defending me and He's already won my victory, defeated as I may feel, I am not ...
GOD IS WITH ME!
I am a child of God
Hallelujah (anyhow) {right, sis?} Received a great song in my comment!!! {at least I think it was a comment to this from my sister in Christ}
[I don't usually share my private life and generally you have to read between the lines in what I do share about my personal life, I try not to share other's lives without asking their permission, not even when their life strongly impacts or is tied to mine. I try to respect other's privacy.]
I'm not sure about what the next days of this plan hold for me but I know it will just touch the tip of the iceberg for me ... my hard places are exactly where I have seen God's hand ... His fingerprints all around me! His arms extended and embracing me, holding me and my 'tears and fears' because they all seem wrapped up as one with the One that matters most to me!
{trying not to share images or photos anymore or any thing that may 'flag' me and cause problems like the one in my APOLOGY after my blog post when I drafted most of my blog but I won't be surprised if some of my links cause a problem ... also I've received for 2 other blogs messages from Google that I haven't a clue what they're talking about or how to fix... they really are making it difficult to 'blog' thus the reason for not so many anymore on here, sorry for being so lax and awol here}
Sunday, August 5, 2018
ONLINE BIBLE STUDY (OBS) ... Holy Land Tour
You Version (YV) has this sample plan
|
| Lessons include: Session Six: Jerusalem — Crucifixion and Resurrection (chapter 22-23) Golgotha |
a six week tour
Kathie Lee has a Quiz on her website
"Now you can walk with Kathie Lee on a journey through the spiritual foundations of the Christian faith:
- THE ROCK (Jesus Christ): Hear directly from Kathie Lee about her life-changing and
- ever-deepening connection with Jesus, the Lover of her soul.
- THE ROAD (Israel): Explore ancient landmarks and historical sites from Israel,
- the promised land of God's covenant.
- THE RABBI (God's Word): Go deeper into the Bible by digging into the original
- languages and meanings of the Holy Scriptures
I love Laurie McClure's prayer Faith Gateway's OBS Leader (hope she or they don't mind me
posting it here): "Father, thank You for this study we're about to embark on and thank You
for Kathie Lee and Rabbi Jason Sobel. Thank You that Your Word is so rich and deep, far more
than we'll ever be able to understand while on earth. Thank You that greater time we read and
study it. the more brightly You light our pathand reveal Yourself to us. We want to know You
and love You increasingly every day. Guide us as we study and pray by Your glorious Holy Spirit.
We love You, Jesus. Amen {and also each session has a closing prayer in the study guide,
whereas the book gives more details on the background of the place}
* don't miss out on this Kindle special of the book (it may be just through today, August 5th)
posting it here): "Father, thank You for this study we're about to embark on and thank You
for Kathie Lee and Rabbi Jason Sobel. Thank You that Your Word is so rich and deep, far more
study it. the more brightly You light our pathand reveal Yourself to us. We want to know You
and love You increasingly every day. Guide us as we study and pray by Your glorious Holy Spirit.
whereas the book gives more details on the background of the place}
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
AUGUST ...
I decided today, mid-August, to go back and add the 'prayer starters' I've prayed for each day of this month as I'm believing and "praying the promises of God"...
AUGUST
1 Wed.
| "Jesus, as I continue to believe in You and trust You, fill me with Your peace and let me overflow with hope through the power of Your Holy Spirit... " Romans 15:13 |
2 Thurs.
| "Father, I'm leaving You in charge of my situation... " 2 Chron.32:7-8 |
3 Fri.
| "Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me... " Psalm 26:6-8 which isn't the Psalm that says this - that's Psalm 51. |
4 Sat.
| "Father, let Your gifts flow through me to those around me. Let me be reflective of Your generosity and Your selfless love... " 1 Cor.1:4-5 |
5 SONday
| "Father, I respond to Your love ... " Ps. 27:8 |
6 Mon.
| "Lord, alert me to Your provision so that I can walk daily in it... " 1Cor. 2:9-12 |
7 Tues.
| "Light of the World, shine deep into the deep places of my heartand reveal those hidden motives that have kept me enslaved to fruitless behaviors ... " Prov.20:27 |
| "Lord, I want to live in Your power. Really live in it. I don't want to be all talk. Nudge me when I'm talking one way and living another..." 1 Cor. 4:20 |
| "Lord, pull me from the traps my enemy sets for me. You are the only one who can. I entrust myself to You for safekeeping... "Ps.31:3-5 |
| "Father, I'm trusting my life today and all my tomorrows to You. As I put my future in Your hands, I thank You that I don't have to worry because Your plans for me can't be thwarted! ..." Ps.31:14-15 |
| "Father, I surrender ______to You. Please come into my life with Your restoring power, and hear my prayers as You did Nehemiah's. As You prove Yourself mighty, may You receive much glory..."Neh.2:4-5 |
| "Father, You are the Giver of every good gift, especially the gift of forgiveness through the cross of Your Son, Jesus. May we not take for granted Your enormous mercy... " Ps.32:1,5 |
| "Creator, breathe Your Word into me in this moment, made sacred by Your presence. As You breathe Your Word out, I breathe it in. May it flow into the deepest recesses of my heart, bringing life... "Ps 33:6 * (8/22/18) |
| "Lord, I rejoice in the grace You have poured out in my life..." Neh. 8:10-12 |
| "Jesus, forgive me for getting sloppy and out of condition spiritually. I want to keep my eyes on You and run the race with courage. Grant me Your strength and endurance to finish well... " 1 Cor 9:25-26* (8/23) |
| "Thank You, Lord, that though we go through many trials in this life, You will sustain and comfort the brokenhearted. You hear us when we call You for help and are eternally faithful. To Him who was and is and is to come, I praise Your name... " Ps 34:17-18 (8/22-23/18) |
17
| "Lord, I choose praise. I choose to celebrate the victory that is in pro-cess rather than to wallow in sorrow and declare defeat..." Ps 35:9-10 |
18
| "Father, in my famine, You are still Lord. Let my famine serve Your purpose... " Ps.33:18-19 |
19
| "Jesus, I set my heart to seek You. Anything else is a lowered bar of expectation. I want You... " Prov.21:21 |
20
| "Jesus, enable me to express Your self-giving love to those You have to put in my world. Show me ways to love extravagantly, seeking no benefits for myself... "1 Cor 13:4-7 {if I loved or was loved like this or capable of doing this long ago, I would not be in a relationship with a spouse that does not even accept You but uses the Bible and God against me and my poor behavior and choices - my sin but his too} |
| "Father, direct my steps. I am desperately dependent on (You and) Your leading... Ps 37:23" |
22
23
[I dare not add ahead of the date, so as not to know ahead what God does]
24
"Lord, I am helpless in this area of my life: __can you guess?__. I need Your empowering grace, healing, and health. We are inadequate, but You are more than adequate. We are weak, but You are strong. Hallelu-jah! ... Job 6:12-13 "
|
| "Father, hear my sighs and groans as I turn my longings toward You... " Ps 38:9 |
[I dare not add ahead of the date, so as not to know ahead what God does]
24
| " " |
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
" "
|
| " " |
| " " |
| " " |
| " " |
| " " |
| " " |
I'LL BE BACK
I PROMISE
How is your
AUGUST
going?
* shared on this post at precisely the date I needed it again (in parentheses)