Daybreak Speaks

I don't know what it is about sunrises,
but one look through my photos
and you can see how amazed I am by them. 

Maybe it's the fact
that like snowflakes
...each one is different. 

Perhaps it's the representation
of a brand new day
...a new beginning.

Or the amazing transformation in the sky
to which we all can bear witness.

Whatever it is...
...sunrise speaks to me.

During my walk today
the sky lightened without any great incident
It seemed another day was beginning
without great fanfare.

But then as I stood at the kitchen window
I saw what appeared to be
The quintessential sunrise

An orange ball slowly rising over the treetops

Imagine my surprise when I saw
what my camera captured.

Once again, I am amazed.

My God is an awesome God.

"To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins,
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, 
To guide our feet into the way of peace."  Luke 1:77-79

That's Just Love Sneaking Up On You

Like any other day
I set out for my morning walk with the pups

The sky was still mostly grey
With an ever-so-slight
Hint of a new day breaking

Across the street
To the path
Up the street and around the corner

I thought I was alone
And lo and behold
There You were

Your calming light
Peaking over the mountain
Dancing on the treetops

Again You've blessed me



Today I Pray

Lord, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day.

May I never be too busy
Or too consumed to remember
That You are walking beside me

Inspiration Found

If you only knew
How many times
I've stared at this blank screen

Hoping the words would come
Wishing I could hear that voice
That  once guided me
And told me what to say

But for months now
I've heard nothing

Where are You, God?

The words on this page
may be mine
But to me, there has never been a doubt
That they flowed freely
From You

For months now
I've been lacking
Your heavenly inspiration

Where are You, God?

The sun rose
The dog barked
The bird chirped
The owl hooted
My child smiled

...and just like that
I remembered

You are everywhere.

Today I Pray...

...that I keep my eyes and ears
open to You.

...that I recognize Your presence
in all things -- however big or small

...that I let myself
be bathed in the warmth
of Your love

That I might never again
need to search for
the omnipresent One
who is my God


"No longer shall the sun be your light by day, Nor the brightness of the moon shine upon you at night;
The Lord shall be your light forever, your God shall be your glory." ~ Isaiah 60:19

New Day

Friday morning
Some might say the end 
of yet another week
Blazing by
at lightening speed

But outside my window
it's different

A spring sunrise
fresh dew on the grass
Trees speckled
with white, red, pink, yellow

This isn't the end of anything
It's just the beginning

Today I Pray

With gratitude for another day


With a hopeful heart
that's ready to put aside
frustrations
and focus instead
on the infinite possibilities
that come from hope

Help me today,
and always,
to keep my attitude
positive and uplifting


For I do believe that
with You
and with faith
and perseverance
each new day
has the potential
to be better than the one before

Having Faith

Today I Pray...

...that I remember, and remind others
to turn to You in times of hardship

...that I remember to trust in your plan

...that I respect the boundaries
of my role in helping others with decisions
that are theirs

...that I have faith
in the fact that if You bring us to it
You'll bring us through it


Thank You for the blessings of this day.
...for the love of my family
...for the warmth of my home
...for giving my life purpose

Thank You for this day.

In Living Color

You pray and pray...
...searching, hoping, believing
that in time,
you find the answer to your prayers
in His plan for you

Through trying times
It can be hard to understand
the "why"

We stand in the midst of the storm
Exposed
Afraid
...maybe even doubting

Like the sky in the midst of a storm
Life is playing out
in shades of gray



We look to the heavens for answers

We fall to our knees
and pray some more

Eyes closed
Heads bowed
Quietly waiting
trusting
believing

Then you feel it
His hand upon your shoulder
The warmth of His love
Like a ray of sun on your back

Hopes raised
You lift your head
And realize
you are living
the vibrant colors of life

Whispers

Each day begins the same
A stretch
...to open myself
to receive the day You've given me

A moment of thanks
A prayer for Your guidance
throughout my day

Then a quiet moment while I listen
For a cue from You

"How can I serve you today, God?"

Sometimes I hear Your response
In the rush of the wind,
In a hug from my child,
Or in the purr of the kitten
Curled up in my lap

Sometimes I hear You calling
From a distance
And I spend my day
Searching
Listening
Following your call
Each moment
Moving closer to You

Then other times
Like today
Your presence is certain
I am calm, peaceful, centered
Yet Your voice is but a whisper

…and it is only through
Quiet reflection
That I can hear



Today I Pray…

Stay with me today…
…help me quiet my mind

So that I can hear
Your gentle whispers

I am ready to walk
...please guide my footsteps

Help me, today
....As always
To be the person
You have designed me to be

Food For the Soul

Another post that I wish I could take credit for writing – but it was sent to me.  It's just a little something to ponder over your coffee break.

Psalm 23

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for eternity.”

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship

 I shall not want = That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!

For His name sake = That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through

the valley of the shadow of death = That's Testing!

I will fear no evil = That's Protection!

For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That's Blessing !

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!

Forever = That's Eternity!

What matters isn’t WHAT we have in our lives…
But WHO we have in our lives!

'Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footstep

...if you are not willing to move your Feet'

It Pours

They say that 'when it rains, it pours'
And we know it to be true

Good news or bad
It always seems
to come like a storm

Through a storm of good news
we splash in the puddles
sing in the rain
and find ourselves chasing rainbows

A storm of good news
is delight
It's bliss
It's easy

Through storms of hard times
How our attitude changes

We retreat when we can
And when we have to face the storm
We put our heads down
And run like crazy
To dodge the rain

Oh to learn
to weather any storm
with our heads turned
towards the heavens

To let the waters wash over us
Bathe us with His grace

And ask not
for the skies to stop
But to learn
how to smile through the rain



Today I Pray...

...that I might see the beauty
in the storm clouds

...that I learn to turn my gaze to the heavens
instead of trying to dodge the rain

...for faith in Your plan
and perseverance to see it through

Please stay...
....and dance with me in the rain

Sharing the Love

Since I don't typically post on a Sunday, I hope you'll forgive me from abandoning my usual format to share this. Today I Pray received some "award" love! Kristen at Ladybug Blessings surprised me this morning with this award.

The directions for this award are as follows:

1. Thank the person who gave it to you [thank you again Kristen!]
2. Copy the logo & place on your blog
3. Link the person who nominated you [which I hope would be done in thanking :)]
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know
5. Nominate 7 kreativ bloggers [clearly the hardest part because there are so many wonderful bloggers out there!!]
6. Post their links
7. Tell them!

So here goes with my 7 random things :)

1. I love organizing things.
2. Despite this, I can be pretty disorganized at times.
3. At Christmas time I bake about twelve different kinds of cookies (and they are delicious, if I do say so myself!).
4. I love to knit (but can only make one thing well...a Prayer Shawl...go figure :-)
5. Susan Branch is my creative inspiration -- she is living my dream.
6. When I was little I had a cat named Leo (the Lion). The dogs in the neighborhood were afraid of him -- seriously.
7. My dream home is little more than an old farmhouse with a huge kitchen, and a big wraparound porch overlooking a lake.

Now...to share the love.

• Sema @ http://affirmart.blogspot.com/ -- she's so talented
• Superjaxter @ http://bloggingjax.blogspot.com/ (her kitty Oscar looks just like my Leo...but not nearly as ferocious!!)
• Judy @ http://justalittlesomethingforyou.blogspot.com/ (I wish she was my neighbor)
• Jill @ http://jmsmusings.blogspot.com/ (make sure you read her post called 100 Things About Me -- you'll see why she's so fun)
• Laura @ http://decortoadore.blogspot.com/ (just look, you'll see)
• Lorie @ http://encouragementfrommyheart.blogspot.com/ (you'll understand immediately why I like Lori's blog).
• Joye @ http://thejoyefuljourney.blogspot.com/ (-:

Kristen, thank you again for giving me this award. It means so much to me. I loved being able to share a little about me -- and I especially loved sharing the love!!

Now it's confession time. I actually received another award quite awhile ago, but I never did anything about it -- and for that I'm really very embarrassed. You see, at the time, I didn't think I could accept it. I was trying so hard to keep this blog in just the format that I had started, that I thought it didn't "fit."

When I received the award from Kristen this morning, all of the same thoughts went through my head -- but then something dawned on me...a thought really smacked me right over the head. This blog isn't about me controlling things -- it's about opening up my heart and trusting God's bigger plan. In this case, I needed to accept and receive the gift that was being given -- so that I could give something back in return.

Not that hard a concept -- but an ah ha moment that I felt I needed to share. Once again...mysterious ways.

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday. Thanks so much for being here.

"They will greet you and give you two wave offerings of bread, which you will take from them." 1 Samuel 10:4

It Doesn't Matter

Some say that prayer
doesn't matter

It's a useless waste of time

That no one
hears your cries
and most certainly
no one answers

Some say it doesn't matter

I say
Perhaps they're right...

It doesn't matter...
...what color your skin
...or the color of your hair

It doesn't matter if...
...you're young or old
...weak or strong
...woman or man
...rich or poor
...Gentile or Jew

Prayer is about faith.

It's about believing
in something bigger than you

It's about asking
for God's guiding hand
Upon your shoulder

It's about opening your eyes
and ears
and trusting in His plan

It's about realizing
...even in the darkest hours
That you are exactly where
you are meant to be

And in those hours
It's about
finding light
...and purpose
...and His unfailing love




Today I Pray...

...for the believers

that you continue
to find comfort
in His love

...for the doubters

that you take a moment
to consider the possibilities
that are born of faith

...for the non-believers

that you consider that perhaps
there is an alternate truth to your words
...It doesn't matter

"Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive." Matthew 21:21-22

Breath of Heaven

A hundred to do's
Suffocate me

And though the day is just coming to life
I feel the rush
of the week already racing by

Help me remember to breathe

And just like that,
in the rush of the day
A cool morning breeze
swept through the open window
in my office
And gently wrapped itself
around me

Comfort. Truth. Life.
Amen



Today I Pray...

...please help me to stay focused

...to use my time wisely

...to make the most of each conversation

...to have a successful day

And thank you for answering my prayer so quickly...

......and erasing the tension that was already mounting

Your subtle breath of heaven reminded me
that there is nothing
more important
than this moment with You

Be My Guide

In everything I do
I put my trust
in You

Guide my thoughts
and actions

Help me clear away
the excess
and stay focused
on the path before me

Help me find center
Fill my soul
with your joyful spirit

Help me
to be more than I was
yesterday

With a peaceful
and trusting heart

...Where You lead
I will follow



Today I Pray...

...for your guidance
as I try to find my way

...stay with me
such that I can
feel the strength
that comes from knowing
You are right here
by my side

A New Day

Rise and stretch
Breathe deep

Let the glory of the day
Wash over me

Help me, Lord, to be
the person
that You want me to be

Let Your pure and guiding light
Radiate from within

Pure goodness
Pure truth
Pure love

Help me to know
When and what to question
When and what to trust

Keep your steadying hand
Upon my shoulder

Hold the mirror up for me
Help me to see and appreciate my strengths
And humbly acknowledge my weaknesses

Give me the strength and grace
To stay true to myself
and most importantly

...To You



Today I Pray...

...for a positive attitude to carry me

...for grace and humility

...and for a deepened awareness of
Your unfailing presence in my life

Be My Guide

Following carefully
As you light each step

We've come so far
But I suddenly feel
Very afraid

Like I'm standing in darkness
And the path has disappeared
Leaving scattered stepping stones
In a swirling stream

I know You are with me
But I can't hear you
Over the rushing waters

I don't know
Where we're going
Nor do I know my way back
From where we came

Please don't let go
of my hand

Forever be
my Guide



Today I Pray...

...for open ears to hear You

...for Your light on the Path

...for inner peace that comes
from putting my trust in You

"Behold the rainbow! Then bless its Maker, for majestic indeed is its splendor." Sirach, 43: 11

Send Me an Angel

Feeling so fragile
So frightened and so small

Please send an angel
To catch me if I fall

Today I Pray...

...that you hear me
even though I can't find the words


...I know not what I want
please bring me what I need

Jubilation!

Through my open window
I hear birds singing
a triumphant song

...The storm has passed! Alleluia!

Undaunted by the grey clouds
Forming in the distance
The birds twirl and dance
Against the blue skies

A joyful celebration of the here and now!



Today I Pray...

...for faith to move mountains
and free my mind of worry

...help me learn to trust

...so that like the birds
I sing a song to celebrate the moment

No One Knows

Even though they called for rain
She left her umbrella behind
Though the needle pointed to "E"
She drove that extra mile

Why it came as a surprise to her
When she found herself walking in the rain

No one knows

No one knows what's in her heart
Or what it's like to be
A believer in a greater plan
That's beyond you and me

She doesn't test the odds by choice
She tries to do her best
But when she comes up short and fails
She doesn't fail the test

She kept walking down the road
Towards the glowing neon sign
With ten dollars in her pocket
She knew she'd be just fine

When the car pulled up beside her
And offered her a lift
Why she didn't hesitate

No one knows

The driver looked so weary
And the baby longed for food
Ten dollars in her pocket
She knew what she could do

She bought herself one gallon of gas
Enough to get her home
Then gave the driver all the rest...

...angels never work alone



Today I Pray...

...for a generous heart that gives more than it takes

...for open ears that don't just hear, but listen

...for never ending faith, to keep believing
even when the chips are down

No Worries

Today I Pray...

...for no worries.

What good comes from burdening our hearts and minds with worry?
...Worry that only serves to distract me from all the positive things in my life.
...Worry that doesn't make me stronger, but instead cripples me.

Help me today to turn my concerns over to you...

...to remember to celebrate the joys in my life
....to stay focused on doing what I'm meant to do
...and enjoy the quiet peace that comes from knowing that Your plan for me is perfect
....and there is simply no need or place for worry.

Let it shine.

Thank You

Today I pray...
...with gratitude.

I asked for encouragement...
...and later that I day I received this message from my friend Alana.

Did you know that God has already recorded every part of your life from the beginning to the end? He knows every disappointment, every loss, every challenge; and the good news is that your story ends in victory! God has written out a plan to bless and prosper you. Your final chapter concludes with you fulfilling your God-given destiny. Here’s the key: when you go through a disappointment, when you go through a loss, don’t stop on that page in your life. You’ve got to decide to keep moving forward. There’s another chapter in front of you, but you’ve got to be willing to take the next step.

Sometimes, we get so focused on what didn’t work out that we stay stuck, reliving the disappointment. If that’s you, recognize that you’ve been on that page long enough. It’s time to let it go and turn the page to the new chapter God has in store. You may not understand, it may not have been fair, but remember, the next chapter is full of blessing, full of favor, and full of victory! Make the decision to let go of the old so you can move forward into the abundant life God has in store for you!

I asked for the 'right words'...
...and a difficult conversation was uplifting and positive.

I asked that my family and friends be kept safe...
...and you gave us another glorious day.

I hoped for a good day...
...and a good friend reminded me that every day is abundant with blessings.

Today I pray with gratitude...
...thank you for answering my prayers.

Thank you for this day.
And thank you for the reminders that you are walking with me every step of the way.