Prayer - a quick note

 

"Prayer is not a substitute for action; it is an action for which there is no substitute."

 

        - attributed to Jane Edwards; ..from Soul Feast by M.Thompson

A Psalm....for you..and me

 

This came out of my daily time....

....and to the one who taught me how to tie my shoes, how to ride a horse, that "first impressions are everlasting" and when "you fall....you've gotta get back up on that horse...", the one who showed me how to tie a fisherman's knot, how to drive a straight-shift, how to go chop down a Christmas tree and drag it behind a horse (like in the "old days"), to one who expressed more grace than needed to me, and gave unnecessary mercy over and over again.

this is for him who scooped me up and through me in the air, who always waited at the top of the hill everyday during BHS football practice - just to not "be in the way" even though what I always enjoyed was knowing he was there...somewhere, to the one who taught me how to love my family, who took me with him everywhere he went, who brought me to UT football games my whole life, who prays for me on a regular basis....to the one whom I talk about more than he'll probably ever know, the one I refer to when I talk about family and love and power in a relationship.  I thought of you (and so many things along the way that I didn't mention..)when I was in this Psalm.  thanks, you know who you are - I love you, Dad.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.  He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.  As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

....The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.  Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!  Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.  Bless the LORD, O my soul!"

                                                          - Psalm 103: 1-13; 19-22 ESV

 

This was my Psalm of the day.  I have been back and forth between the Psalms and in Jeremiah..in my time with the Lord.  Here's my take on today:

     Bless the Lord...in all I do - forever, give Him Glory.  He gives me life better than ever imagined, he forgives all my iniquities and heals disease (my main one, sin condition).  he redeems (buys me back - "bought with a price")me from the 'pit' in life.  He offers me His love and his mercy (not giving me what I deserve).  The father satisfies me with good - for nothing can change him...nothing; He is good...He is very good.

     The Lord works righteousness for me...and all who follow Him - all in His love, His timing, His calling, and in His eyes.  God is gracious and abounding in love - His love for me is infinitely greater than I can fathom, and he forgets my past.  His love is as high as the heavens and he removes my sins from me as far as the East is from the West - this means that I will never have to look upon my transgressions again.  If a man were to travel the globe going North...and kept going North, eventually, he would be traveling South. And if he were to travel South and continue traveling South, he would eventually he be going due North.  However, if while traveling the globe, this man were to head West and keep going West, he would always be going...West - and if he were to travel East, he would always be going East; his direction would never change and neither would the "east meet the west". So, this means that when I have faith in Christ, His love for me, and His payment on the Cross, I can trust and believe that through His death, I have become separated as far as the East is from the West, infinitely, from my sin - and that I will never come 'face to face' with my sin...and never look upon it again!

     He is compassionate.  Bless Him, bless the Lord - he is great!  I have the light of God the Father in my heart, through my belief and faith in Jesus.  When God created the world, and said, "Let there be light..", this same light is in my heart and alive in me, today.  This is being clothed with the Light of God - whom is truly the "light of the world" - Jesus Christ, my Lord.

 

May I be obedient to Jesus Christ.

 

                                                     

-ao         

Prayer for today

 

O God,

let something essential happen to me,

something more than interesting or entertaining or thoughtful.

O God,

let  something essential happen to me,

something awesome, something real.

Speak to my condition, Lord,

and change me somewhere inside where it matters.....

Let something happen in me which is my real self, God.

                                           -Ted Loder, Guerrillas of Grace

Jesus.....be the overflow of my life, today.  Today is yours - thank you.

-ao

Real "Man" time

What is a father? 

Well, the sign in our living room says, " ( noun; Fah-th-er; 1. my protector; my hero 2. the man who could push my swing so high, I would almost touch the stars. 

My addition to above:  3. the one who eats chili with me, makes my hot chocolate too hot to handle, and takes me outside to throw snowballs and play in the mud; then, when inside again....sips on hot chocolate in front of the fire! 

 

That's what Wyatt and I did, today - we said it was "Real Man" time.  He loved it.  I loved it.  Now, we can't wait to build a fire OUTSIDE and kick it out there for another round of "Real Man" time. 

We also bought another "little" rocking chair so that Wyatt (and ultimately Boone, too) can sit inside next to Daddy and rock.  We have one outside on the front porch...but it has a paint job that seems to "shed" whenever we bring it inside.  For now, we'll keep up the man time and enjoy some great father / son moments.  I love that I get to take Mondays off to be with my wife and kids.  It is a joy in my life to soak in Mondays as best I know how. 

 

"Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!  For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things."

                                                            -Psalm 107: 9-10 ESV

-ao

Family Quiet Time and Music

Today - Olivia, Wyatt, and I sat down in our living room to have a quiet time as a family. We did not do the same thing, but we were all quiet, still, and sitting with the Lord.  Wyatt was quiet for the most part - he did try to make some racket to get Mommy and "Daggy"'s attention. But, for the most part he did really well.  He has his own little bag with his little bibles and a journal and pen in  it.  He likes to sometimes draw in the journal and open the bible because "this...is about Jesus, Daggy."

Olivia had her scriptures open and I had mine open.  As of right now I am unsure of what she read, but I know that she is blogging about it (see her blog listed on this page).

In my time with the Lord this morning I was in Jeremiah. 

"And though I have taught them persistently, they have not listened to receive instruction.....I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety.  And they shall be my people, and I will be their god.  I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.  I will make them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them.  And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.  I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.  For thus says the LORD:  Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them."

                     -Jeremiah 32:  33; 37-42 ESV

Lord, help me to listen to your instruction. Help our family to sit before you and receive your guidance.  That we would trust in your faithfulness to us - that you will bring upon us all that your promise.  Thank you for such a tender time this morning.  Thank you for the playlist on our iTunes that we could have help in being ushered into your presence.  Today is yours. We belong to you.  May we live to bring you glory.  May a day like today happen again in this home...and again..and again! 

Blessings, Lord.

-ao