Simple Devotion - January 28, 2009

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...Lord, I don't spend enough time with you and I want to change that. I know you're there, I trust in you, but I want to deepen the relationship we have.

I'll bring you my worship and praise...I praise you for the variety you created in men and women. I praise you for the differences that are deeply imbedded within us which makes us each unique and special. Your awesomeness is so apparent in how you created each and every one of us. I praise you for being the molder of the clay.

I'll bring you my prayer...Lord, draw not only me, but my family closer to you. My prayer is ongoing that we will be a witness to everyone we meet. I pray that we will touch a life each and every day. Help everyone see the light in us that only you can flame.

You spoke to me...In the gentle voice of TJ this morning. What a blessing when she wanted to "talk to me privately" about a concern with a friend. When I asked her what she thought we should do, she immediately said we should pray about it. Lord, you are speaking to me through her. May my first sense always be to pray, rather than it be an afterthought.

Please feel free to join your heart with others through the Simple Devotion link on the right...

May God bless your day!

Simple Woman's Daybook - January 26, 2009

FOR TODAY... (Please link to Peggy's daybook at right -->)

Outside my window...a very fine, light snow is falling. Accumulations to be just a dusting, but hopefully it will cover the brown and bring the world back to a glorious shade of white

I am thinking...how full our day is today, as usual, for a Monday

I am thankful for...my dh's attitude and self sacrifice; I am so blessed to be married to a godly man who is working on growing each and every day

From the learning rooms...all subjects today - Science test as well over forces - eeks

From the kitchen...JT is cooking himself some eggs and the pot of coffee just finished brewin'

I am wearing...typical Monday uniform - layers, layers, layers

I am creating...a clean space on my desk to work today

I am going...probably to the grocery store - man, I bought a ton of groceries last week but we plowed through them all

I am reading...misc. magazines around the house and one book which I'll clue you in on later...

I am hoping...I can better reorganize my days and I can not be drawn to the computer so much

I am hearing...the space heater running to heat up our school area. This plus three add't bodies keeps it cozy in here. Too cozy as the distractions seem to bother the oldest

Around the house...wash sheets in our bedroom today and do some general pick-up

One of my favorite things...A pastor who preaches the Gospel with skill, ease, and conviction

A few plans for the rest of the week: generalized clean up around the house, keep the basement in order, couple time with Brad

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
A flashback to fall, my favorite season. Most people have leaves. This year we had cornstalks!

Have a blessed week!

Simple Devotion

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...Again, my selfishness always finds a way to creep into my day. Lord, I continue to turn it over to you to rebuild and mold me more in your image. I am not perfect, but I do want to be more like you.

I'll bring you my worship and praise...Father God, you touch lives in ways many of us don't understand, or even comprehend. Sometimes you touch us in ways we do not even see until long past the day when you intervened. As the songwriter says, "You are God of all, before time began, you are God alone." May my days be full of worship and praise to you, the Father of all creation.

I'll bring you my prayer...Today, I bring you my pastor and his wife. Lord, the challenges are great to lead your flock, and I pray that you will uplift and uphold him as he seeks your will and guidance.

You spoke to me...I feel compelled to use the same verse as last week, to guide me in my works and ways... "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

Please feel free to join your heart with others through the Simple Devotion link on the right...

May God bless your day!

A Simple Devotion - January 14, 2009

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...My fuse is constantly short and I struggle to look outward vs inward. Lord, you know how I am made, and I pray you will continue to guide my eyes toward others and away from myself.

I'll bring you my worship and praise...Lord, I praise you for a good health report for a dear friend, that you have held her and her family in the palm of your hand while awaiting results of tests. I praise you for the way you work in our lives, through a simple touch, or an outright miracle, your hand is in everything. Each of us are amazingly made, and it is awe inspiring to see your handiwork.

I'll bring you my prayer...Father God, I pray for you to always be at work in our family, that you can make us a unit knitted together in you. Help us as parents to guide our children in your ways, and to be examples of you in all we do and say. I also pray that you will guide people to the classes at our church beginning this Sunday so that, as a church body, we can all become more deeply rooted in you in order to share the Gospel with others.

You spoke to me...You are guiding me to be less selfish, and I see this challenge in the days and weeks to come. Blessedly, you provide assurances of help when we struggle with earthly problems. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

May God bless your day!
(To join others using the Simple Devotion, use the button at the right to link)

A Simple Devotion

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...Lord, today I bring you my impatience. I want everything to work out in my time frame, on my schedule. Lord, let my schedule be yours. Please bring a patience to me that is slow to anger, and quick to love.

I'll bring you my worship and praise... It's amazing to reflect on the greatest gift that has ever been given, that of your son, Jesus. It is mind boggling to comprehend what has passed before and after your son was born. It's amazing to think of him as a perfect baby, without flaws, and with such humble beginnings. It's amazing to know that he is my Savior, Lord, and King. I praise you for the plan you have for me and my family.

I'll bring you my prayer...Lord God, please watch and keep us during this Advent season. Help us to find ways to make it more real and personal to our children. Guide us as we shop for gifts, that they may be meaningful and special, yet reflective of you. Finally, please protect and keep each of us strong and healthy as we gather together with family and friends.

You spoke to me... "...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3

May God bless your day!
(To join others using the Simple Devotion, use the button at the right to link)

Simple Devotion

(Join your heart with mine and others through the Simple Devotion link at right)

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...It seems as if I could write the same things week after week, but you, Oh Lord, know the struggles I face. Today, I bring you my quick temper. How easy it is to have a reflex action when something goes wrong. Curb that anger Lord, and turn me toward a kind tongue and compassionate ways.

I'll bring you my worship and praise... A beautiful, light snowfall is such an amazing event that boasts you as the creator and Lord of all the earth. Even the ice crystals that form a snowflake are full of variety and show the amazingness that is you, my Lord and my God. You bring beauty into a dull, drab, winter world, and it can be matched by no human being. You are the God of beauty and creation, and I praise you for all you have made.

I'll bring you my prayer...Lord God, please guide us as parents as we shepherd our children. You know the future, and you know what obstacles each one of them will face. I pray you will help Brad and I to prepare them for the challenges to come, but also to play and celebrate with them on a daily basis, so they too can enjoy life and all the blessings you have bestowed on us.

You spoke to me... "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." I Corinthians 16:13-14

May God bless your day, and mine!

Simple Devotion

(Please use the button on the right to link to Peggy's original Simple Devotion homepage)

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...the inadequacies are many, oh Lord, but I know with you all things are possible. Only you can lead my heart from one of wanting to control to one of submitting to you, in all areas of my life. Lord, guide my heart to one of humility and releasing of all my plans to you.

I'll bring you my worship and praise... As we near Thanksgiving, I know that I should be thankful each and every day for all that you give us. You are the God of power and might, the God of plenty and the God of our desires. Lord, I praise you for the works of your hand, specifically today for my family, my home, a steady job for my husband, and the freedom of our country. All things are guided by your hand. Oh Lord, how great thou art!!!

I'll bring you my prayer... Lord, give me a thankful heart each and every day, not just in this season. Guide me these next few days to be a "Mary" rather than a "Martha". Grant safe travels for all to come together this Thanksgiving and be with my family near and far. Help them all to know your love for them and help them all to love you deeply and completely. Thank you for your gift of salvation, and may we never take it for granted.

You spoke to me... "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Simple devotion

I follow Peggy's blog (http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/) pretty religiously as she has such a great message of simplicity and peace. From her blog I have linked to many others who have the same thought process...All of them challenge me to move beyond the "rat race" into quiet peacefulness and reflection. While I am so far away from leading a simpler life, I continue to strive to keep my focus on the simplest, yet most complex, blessing I have been given - that of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Peggy had a great idea to reflect each week (along the same lines as the daybook) on a simple devotion, so, as time is limited for a complete blogging entry today, I will venture out and start this weekly process to further delve into what is REALLY important in this life...

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I'll bring you my shortcomings...There are so many Lord, but today I bring you my lack of "letting go" - I continue to desire to want to do things my way, or at least play a part in how everything needs to be. Help me to let you be the God of my life, and help me to submit to your plan.

I'll bring you my worship and praise... What an awesome God and Creator you are! I look out my window and see your handprint in everything I see. You have the power to create the seasons, and move us from fall to winter. I praise you for your amazing power over the world and marvel in the works of your hands!

I'll bring you my prayer... please Lord Jesus, use me to touch a life and make a difference today, whether it be in a kind word or action. Grant me wisdom to know what to say and when to say it in order to further your kingdom.

You spoke to me..."Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6