Psalm 14; Matthew 7 - "He Still Does (Miracles)"

God took me to Psalm 14 again today. I read it in different translations and asked God if I had missed something a few days ago when He had me read it. I tried to have different mindsets as I read it so I could grasp new knowledge. I read it from the perspective of a believer and from that of a non-believer. I am sure a non-believer would take offense to being called a fool (NIV) in verse one. They may also take offense to being considered corrupt...their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good (NIV). David continues on speaking about how God looks down on this world and sees much evilness. I can't even begin to imagine how His heart must hurt. Although since He knows all it would not surprise Him. I don't understand everything there is to know about God but I do know He loves me and takes care of me. I also know I would not be who I am today if He were not in my life. David spoke of God looking for people who seek Him. I am thankful to know I am one who not only believes in Him but seeks to walk in obedience to Him. Oh how I wish more people would choose this way of life. I pray for people to get to the end of themselves and allow Him to love in and through them so others will do the same. I was reminded this morning about the sermon on Sunday with the narrow gate and the wide gate (Matthew 7:13-14). Many people live for today and don't think about eternity. Some even think about eternity but feel like 'it's too far off' or 'I don't have to worry about that now'! We do need to think about our eternity every day God gives us on this earth. We need to realize how we live on this earth will determine where we live for eternity. Jesus clearly taught us the way we are to live in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:21-23 it reads:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the realm of heaven’s kingdom. It is only those who persist in doing the will of my heavenly Father.  On the day of judgment many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, don’t you remember us? Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we cast out demons and do many miracles for the sake of your name?’  But I will have to say to them, ‘Go away from me, you lawless rebels! I’ve never been joined to you!’  (TPT).

We cannot pretend to be followers of Christ but instead need to live out His will daily. We must be ready to say 'yes' to whatever He asks of us, go wherever He leads, etc. We cannot be followers just when it fits in our schedule but we must walk the path 24/7. We also cannot allow people or circumstances to pull us away from God. Instead we need to be strong in our faith and allow God to use us to love others into the Kingdom. I don't want anyone to go to hell. Neither do I want to have my eternity in question. Therefore, I need to make sure to stay in full relationship with Him. In The Message the last verse of Psalm 14 tells us that God can and will turn our lives around when we allow Him. It reads:

Is there anyone around to save Israel?
    Yes. God is around; God turns life around.
Turned-around Jacob skips rope,
    turned-around Israel sings laughter.

Praise His Holy Name for turning our lives around when we take the step to allow Him to do so. Praise His Holy Name for accepting us back into relationship when we have turned from Him. Woo hoo for second chances! Every time we were up during the night God had a song Hawk Nelson sings called "He Still Does (Miracles)" going through my mind...

Like the fire in the night
Like the ocean parted wide
Like the grave, empty inside
You will see He still does
Miracles, miracles, miracles, miracles

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your generous love that takes us back when we stray! Thank You for second chances! Thank You for the way You give me the desire to live for You on this earth so I will spend eternity with You! I am so thankful I know where Doc is and I will also be there someday. Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! Thank You for being my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a new, different way! Thank You for putting the burning desire in my heart to love others into the Kingdom! Thank You for Pastor Sam being with us last evening and for all the words of encouragement I received from him and the board! May You continue to give us Your wisdom as we seek to win souls for You here in Beaufort. Thank You for being with Tisha's family as they continue the long road ahead of them and for the second person being arrested in the Eberle death! May You be greater than the hurts of life. May You shine brightly through Your people who are with these families. I pray You will shine brightly through me as I love with Your love. Thank You Jesus for being My Eternity Goal! Amen.

II Corinthians 4 - "I Know"

Yesterday morning was a tough one with tears flowing frequently. I could not figure out why since it was no particular special day. As I thought about it I wondered if it were because it was a Monday. Doc always said pastors should not make any major decisions on Mondays nor should they take Monday as their day off because they are wiped out from all they put into Sundays. I was thankful the day got better as it went along. I was thankful for hugs and words of encouragement from my friend Cait and hugs from my little friend Miss Everly. I felt like Doc was with me throughout the late afternoon/evening as I went to Lowe's for door hardware and then spent the evening with Mordecei at home. I was thankful for the words to a song Big Daddy Weave sings called I Know that my friend Brandy shared with me.

I don't understand the sorrow
But You're calm within the storm
Sometime this weight is overwhelming
But I don't carry it alone
You're still close when I can't feel You
I don't have to be afraid
And though my eyes have never seen You
I've seen enough to say

I know that You are good
I know that You are kind
I know that You are so much more
Than what I leave behind
I know that I am loved
I know that I am safe
Cause even in the fire to live is Christ, to die is gain
I know that You are good
You are good
I know

This song reminds me that the life I had with Doc will no longer be but I am not alone. God is with me. He understands the hurts of my heart. He knows what I need and provides. Last night as I was talking to Him I stopped to listen to His words of encouragement. I said something along the lines of how Doc suffered of this earth and I am thankful he is no longer suffering but now I am suffering. He reminded me that Doc's pain is gone as he has a new body. "Your suffering is only for a moment. You must remember that." I thought about His words. "Only for a moment." What does that mean? Some days it feels like it will last forever. This morning He took me to II Corinthians 4 and had me settle into verses fifteen through eighteen. It reads it the PHILLIPS translation:

We live a transitory life with our eyes on the life eternal

We wish you could see how all this is working out for your benefit, and how the more grace God gives, the more thanksgiving will redound to his glory. This is the reason why we never collapse. The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength. These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain. For we are looking all the time not at the visible things but at the invisible. The visible things are transitory: it is the invisible things that are really permanent.

I must stay focused on Him no matter how deep the hurt is in my heart. If I don't, I could miss eternal life with Him. I must allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through me so He will be greater than the hurts of my heart. Earlier in the chapter Paul talks about the message we proclaim through not just our words but also our actions. He went through many trials in life yet continued to live for the Lord proclaiming the Gospel. I need to make sure I do the same. Matthew Henry writes of these verses:

Faith enables to make this right judgment of things. There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. And there is this vast difference between them; unseen things are eternal, seen things but temporal, or temporary only. Let us then look off from the things which are seen; let us cease to seek for worldly advantages, or to fear present distresses. Let us give diligence to make our future happiness sure.

I like how verses sixteen through eighteen read in The Message:

God's love and grace will see me through these days. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit will give me exactly what I need to not just through them but for Him to be glorified through them. As I allow Him to work in and through me He will be glorified. That is what I desire in life. Today is a new day. He will be my strength even if the tears start flowing. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love and grace! Thank You for giving me exactly what I need sometimes even before I need it! Miss Everly's hugs yesterday morning were received before the tears began. Thank You Jesus! Her little heart seems to be tuned into my needs. Thank You for Cait's hugs and words of encouragement yesterday afternoon when the tears flowed over missing Doc! Thank You for Brandy sharing this song with me last evening! Thank You for the helpful young men at Lowe's when I went in with a list and little knowledge of what I was doing! Thank You for Alex who worked on the 'ugly' doors at the church building! Thank You for all the ways You encourage me through people! Lord, today is a new day and I pray You will cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts in a new, different way today. May You be glorified through me. Lord, I pray You will be with my Momma with eye surgery today. Give her Your peace. I also pray for: the Eberle family with this horrific death of their loved one; Tish and her family with the accident with her nephew and brother-in-law; my cousin Becky with her sister Jenny's car accident; Melanie with her pain; and so many others who are hurting. Lord, I pray especially for those with spiritual needs to have someone share You with them who they will be receptive to. I continue to pray for a family who are in dire need of housing. Thank You for being My Goal in Life! Amen.

Psalm 13; Philippians 4:6-7 - "Steady My Heart"

This morning the Lord woke me with the desire to read Psalm 13. It's just a short chapter written by David but it is full of great insight. It reads in the New King James Version:

1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
         How long will You hide Your face from me?
 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
         Having sorrow in my heart daily? 
         How long will my enemy be exalted over me? 
         
 3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;
         Enlighten my eyes, 
         Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
 4 Lest my enemy say,
         “I have prevailed against him”; 
         Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 
         
 5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
         My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
 6 I will sing to the LORD,
         Because He has dealt bountifully with me. 

David went through a lot of heartache in his lifetime. He also went through times of turning blatantly to sin instead of walking the narrow road with God. He had a lot to lament about. In this particular Psalm he speaks of the Lord not answering his prayers. I was reminded this morning that He always hears and always answers our prayers. His answer may not be what we desire but it is always there. In verse two where David speaks of taking counsel in my soul we can learn what we need to do when our prayers seem to be hitting the ceiling and going no where. We need to look at ourselves. Is there anything between God and us? Is there anything we need to repent of so we can hear His voice? We also need to have David's attitude for God to Enlighten our eyes. Our prayers may not be answered in the time we desire because God is using a particular situation to test us. Will we go deeper in our faith or will we quit believing? Will we allow Him to work in and through us or will we walk away from Him? Verse five shows how David chose to trust God and rejoice in Him through tough times. This way led to David realizing the joy only God can give. David's trust grew through his grief. His faith in God deepened through tough days. This is where I want to continue living. I prayed for fifteen months for God to heal Doc on this earth sooner than later. The last few weeks of his life my prayers changed to asking Him to take Doc out of the suffering he was experiencing. When we found out the cancer had spread into his spine and bones, my heart was broken. I knew his time was short to continue doing life with me. I rejoiced in the fact his suffering was coming to an end and his rejoicing with Jesus was drawing near but my heart hurt. It continues to hurt and the tears flow freely from time to time. Having times of laughter with friends yesterday enables me to get through the lonely times where I miss him so much. I am praying for God to enlighten me as to how function in this new life before me. I am praying for Him to heal the hurts of my heart and to give me wisdom with decisions I am making alone for the first time in many years. I desire in my heart to be able to say what David said as I continue on this road. But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. Yes! I will trust Him! I will be joyful! I know He will give me exactly what I need through the process. I will stand upon Philippians 4:6-7. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace! Thank You for friends who brought laughter to my day yesterday! Mike, Will, Sandy, Joshua and Tiffany. Thank You for a good night's sleep! Father, I desire to be as David in trusting You and realizing the joy and peace only You can give. May You cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You be realized in my life in a mighty way through these days of adjusting to life without Doc. May Your peace be my peace. May You use the tears that flow to comfort me. Father, there are so many people who have lost their spouse with many just over the last year. May You be exactly what we all need so we can realize what You have for us. My heart is broken yet I know You are right there to love on me through the hurt. May You be greater than the hurt. May You be realized today in a new, different way. Thank You Jesus for being My Heart Mender! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; I Samuel 23:16 - "Raise A Hallelujah"

I love Saturday nights where God has me praying for pastors. Last night I prayed before going to bed for all pastors who would be preaching today. I prayed for those preaching to children, teens, and adults to preach what God laid on their hearts with boldness. He had me pray for all of us to not just present what He gave us but to listen to it ourselves. I gain so much insight through the sermons God gives me and am so blessed. I feel so privileged to be an instrument used to proclaim the Gospel in this way. He had me pray for those who for one reason or another do not feel that way to be refreshed in their spirit so they can realize what He has for them. During the night He woke me once to pray for pastors in the area of their personal life. Specifically He had me pray for pastors to have a friend they can 'safely' talk with. Many pastors struggle in this area. They feel like they cannot have a friend in the church because it would cause issues among the people. They feel like they cannot have a friend outside of the church because they need to have someone to talk to about what they are experiencing in the church. It seems like there is no good answer to the situation but God does not expect any of us to walk the road of pastoral ministry alone. He made us as humans to need friends. It is important for us to seek His will when it comes to everything in life. Who we have as friends is especially important to seek His will. God gave Jonathan to David to be his friend. They were so different yet they both had the same goal of being who God called them to be. That is key to what a pastor needs to find in a true friend. Perhaps a pastor's friend could be a pastor in a different denomination. Doc had a pastor friend who was not Nazarene when we lived in Ohio. They had the common bond of Jesus being first in their life which drew them together. In I Samuel 23:16 we read, And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. A true friend helps us in all aspects of life including our relationship with God. They will keep the hurts of our hearts spoken to them to themselves. Someone reminded me not long ago about how Doc told them anything said to him in confidence would be taken with him to his grave. Those are words spoken by a true friend. During the night and again this morning God had me pray for all pastors to have such a friend. He had me pray for ones who are struggling with life because they do not have a friend. He then brought the words to Raise A Hallelujah to my mind and reminded me we all need to stand upon II Timothy 1:7 and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.

I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me

I'm gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!

Heaven is always ready to fight for us. The Holy Spirit is always ready to give us exactly what we need but we must be cleansed so He can work in and through us. There must not be one little thing between us. He desires to give us exactly what we need to get through every day but we first must have our heart fully devoted to Him to be able to accept what He has for us.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege to pray for pastors another Saturday night! Thank You for the insight to pray for all pastors to have a friend they can confide in and trust! Thank You for the example You gave me from Doc on how to live as Your follower especially in the area of being a pastor! Thank You for reminding me of the need for all to be cleansed so we can accept what the Holy Spirit has for us! Oh Father, cleanse me and wash me white as snow so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts throughout the day ahead. May You be seen/heard through me. Lord, my heart breaks for many pastors going through tough days. Some with health issues, some from losing a loved one or going through an illness of a loved one, some with issues in their church, some with marriage issues, some struggling with the call You have put on their life ...the list goes on and on. May we all remember there is nothing greater than You. May Your will be so clearly brought before us and may we all walk in Your will. Lord, I'm so tired this morning in my physical body. I don't understand why I am feeling this way but I trust You will give me exactly what I need to do what You desire of me. May You take over this body and not just sustain it but be glorified in all I do. Thank You Jesus for being The One I Raise A Hallelujah To! Amen.

1 Chronicles 28 - "Yes I Will"

I had no sooner finished writing yesterday morning when I received a phone call that was the resolution to a major issue I am facing. God quickly reminded me of the words of the song He gave me just minutes before.

I count on one thing
The same God that never fails
Will not fail me now
You won't fail me now
In the waiting
The same God who's never late
Is working all things out
Is working all things out

Yes! Sometimes the waiting is longer than other times. Sometimes it feels like a situation will never be resolved. Sometimes one can begin to wonder if God is still listening to your prayers. Thankfully even in the 'sometimes' of life God is still with us. There are times He makes us wait on an answer to teach us a lesson. Other times He makes us wait to stretch our faith. No matter what, waiting is always what is best for us. When we seem to have one thing after another, we begin to question the 'whys' of life. It is ok to question God as long as we don't dwell on needing an answer. We must accept the fact He knows what is best. We also must realize people are watching us to see how we will react to life's situations. They want to see how deep our faith is or if we will manipulate situations to get the answers we desire. I am so grateful God is all I need. I am grateful He knows exactly what I need when I need it and provides. He is so awesome in the way He shows His love to me. He is not going to ever fail me. I was reading I Chronicles 28 this morning. As I read it, I thought about the parallel of this story and our story. David was called by God and felt his purpose was to build a temple for God. He became sick and was unable to accomplish that task. When he realized he was not going to be able to build the temple, he spoke to the people telling them his son Solomon was given the task. He spoke of the need for them to stay in relationship with God. Matthew Henry writes of his words:

David charged them to cleave stedfastly to God and their duty. We cannot do our work as we should, unless we put on resolution, and fetch in strength from Divine grace. Religion or piety has two distinct parts. The first is knowledge of God, the second is worship of God. David says, Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind. God is made known by his works and word. Revelation alone shows the whole character of God, in his providence, his holy law, his condemnation of sinners, his blessed gospel, and the ministration of the Spirit to all true believers. The natural man cannot receive this knowledge of God. But thus we learn the value of the Saviour's atonement, and of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and are influenced to walk in all his commandments. It brings a sinner to his proper place at the foot of the cross, as a poor, guilty, helpless worm, deserving wrath, yet expecting every thing needful from the free mercy and grace of God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Having been forgiven much, the pardoned sinner learns to love much.

Yes! We must be relationship with Him so we can not only hear His voice but walk in obedience to Him. As we live such a life, He will empower us to do great things. David was a great king in his time. When he did things against God, he repented and was taken back into full relationship with God. He realized his time was drawing short in I Chronicles 28 and 'passed the torch on' so to speak to his son Solomon. When Doc left this earth, he 'passed the torch on' to me to continue the work here in Beaufort, SC. The building is getting close to being ready to open but that is not the most important thing that needs continued. The work in people's hearts is what I must concentrate on the most. Seeing people come into relationship with Jesus, being sanctified, and living in full relationship with Him is what is most important. Building relationships with people where they will see Him living in and through me is a must. Finishing the building was a dream Doc had. God had given him a vision of what the building was to look like and plans were drawn. I have the plans and Doc voiced many times the vision God had given him on how the building was going to touch lives through various ways. I continue to pray for God to give me physical, mental, and emotional strength through these days with not only the building project but most of all fulfilling the ministry vision He gave Doc and I. I am grateful for the words given to Solomon from David in verses twenty and twenty-one. 

Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly. The various divisions of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple of God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the officials and the entire nation are at your command.”

They are similar to what Doc told me many times in his last few months. He encouraged me to stay with the ministry. He also told me many times I do not have to do anything on my own because God would provide people to encourage me and help me to do whatever He put before me. I am so thankful for the time we had those last few months to talk. Oh how I miss him being here with me doing life together. I may never understand the 'whys' of his illness and death but I don't have to. Instead I just need to realize God knows what is best. Perhaps it is best for me because my faith is being stretched. Perhaps it is best for someone else because they will see how I react to life and come into relationship with Him. No matter what the reason I know God is with me and will never leave me.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the reminder You will never leave me! Thank You for the way You give me clarity in my thinking as I continue to address the building rehab! Thank You for the memories of Doc sharing the vision You gave him for the church! Thank You for giving me what I need every day to continue on without him doing life with me! Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me. May You shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today. May people desire to know You through me. I pray for two special Kim's in my life to have enjoyable days as they experience another wedding in their family. Kim Craigmyle and Kim Merrill. May their day be filled with lots of blessings from you. I also continue to pray for those who are dealing with illnesses especially those waiting on COVID19 test results and those who have received positive results. I pray for those effected by another hurricane to draw close to You. May You stay so close to all during these tough days. I pray for the work that will be done at the building today to glorify You and bring us a step closer to completion. Thank You Jesus for being My Greatest Encourager! Amen.

James 1:2-4 - "Yes, I Will"

I woke up this morning feeling a little crabby. Mort got me up during the night and of course he went right back to sleep but it took me awhile. Having a sinus headache is no fun. Then I started thinking about the things that had 'gone wrong' over the last couple days. The Lord quickly reminded me of the things that had 'gone well' and I realized I needed an attitude adjustment. Instead of dwelling on the 'negatives' of life I need to realize just how much God loves me and is still in control. I can't change the circumstances but I can change my attitude. I am reminded this morning of some verses that have seen me through some pretty tough times especially with MS flair-ups, my Daddy's cancer and death, my breast cancer, and Doc's cancer and death. James 1:2-4 tells me in the New International Version to be joyful through trials. In The Passion Translation it reads:

My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.

Right now I feel like everything is crashing down around me. But when I take a step back and look at the big picture there have been good things happen this week too. It has not all been 'bad' but right now it feels like it. I am grateful for the way God stops us and opens our eyes to the big picture. I also am grateful for the encouragement He gives me when I feel down. I am grateful for the knowledge that He is in control and will work everything out. Matthew Henry wrote of these verses:

Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such exercises are sent from God's love; and trials in the way of duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. 

I don't particularly like the word 'patience' because it was after I prayed for it that I was flat on my back with the onset of MS. But I will say MS has given me many opportunities to exercise patience. It has made my faith stronger and taken it deeper. Praise His Holy Name! The words to "Yes I Will" are going through my mind this morning...

I count on one thing
The same God that never fails
Will not fail me now
You won't fail me now
In the waiting
The same God who's never late
Is working all things out
Is working all things out

Yes I will, lift You high in the lowest valley
Yes I will, bless Your name
Oh, yes I will, sing for joy when my heart is heavy
For all my days, oh yes I will

Right now, right where God has me I will praise Him. I am determined to not be crabby today as I wait on Him to work all things out in every situation I am praying about. I am determined to allow Him to show me His will for every situation. I am determined to not say one negative word in the day ahead. Plain and simple. I am determined.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for 'smacking me up the side of the head this morning with Scripture and a song' to get me out of being crabby! Thank You for the way You are going to take care of the concerns of my heart in Your time! Thank You for the meeting with the contractor yesterday going so well! I think Doc would be happy. Thank You for continuing to give me clarity for my thinking for such times! Thank You for friends who checked on me yesterday! Thank You for being with the many friends who have COVID19 or are awaiting test results! May they feel Your presence so greatly. Thank You for being with Kaye who has an MRI today and David who continues with testing for cancer. Lord, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me to overflowing with Yourself. May You shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today in a new, different way. I also pray for a touch on my physical body and thank You for being my Great Physician. Thank You for being My Joy Maker! Amen.

Psalm 40 - "Graves Into Gardens"

For the last three mornings God woke me at 4:01. Thankfully I was able to go back to sleep but this morning I started thinking about these numbers. I read Isaiah 40:1 and then turned to Psalm 40:1. Since it was for three days I thought maybe He was directing me to read the first three verses of the chapter. I read it in different versions and settled into The Passion Translation. It reads:

I waited and waited and waited some more,
patiently, knowing God would come through for me.
Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.
2 He stooped down to lift me out of danger
from the desolate pit I was in,
out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.
Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place
and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.
3 A new song for a new day rises up in me
every time I think about how he breaks through for me!
Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until
everyone hears how God has set me free.
Many will see his miracles;
they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!

Woo hoo! We need to remember God's timing is perfect for every situation we are in. His timing is what is best for us. We must not manipulate things so life will happen in our time. Instead we must relax in Him and allow His time to be found. God does not ignore our pleas and cries. He hears them but He also knows what is best for us. Grief can be described as a muddy mess as the Psalmist writes. It can be ugly with loneliness. It can cause fear of the unknown of finances. It can cause unease in relationships. But it does not have to stay a muddy mess. There is such comfort in knowing I can praise God today for the 'tough' days Doc and I went through prior to him leaving this earth and the ones since he left. There is comfort in knowing if I get to a point where I feel like I am falling apart I have my tribe who are ready to encourage me. There is comfort in knowing God knows the outcome of my situation and will guide me through it. Plain and simple. There is comfort. Woo hoo! This morning he brought the song "Graves Into Gardens" to me.

You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You're the only one who can
You turn graves into gardens
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You're the only one who can
You turn graves into gardens
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You're the only one who can
You're the only one who can
You're the only one who can
Jesus, you're the only one
Come on, give 'em one more shot of praise

Yes! Even in the days where the MS fatigue wants to take over God is there to be praised. Woo hoo! The stress yesterday afternoon of going to the attorney just about wiped me out. Of course, going to Mr. Fran's service in the morning was emotional too. Such days are so hard with the fatigue but God continues to be my Strength. He continues to give me exactly what I need exactly when I need it and for that I am grateful. Verse three of Psalm 40 reminds me...

A new song for a new day rises up in me
every time I think about how he breaks through for me!
Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until
everyone hears how God has set me free.
Many will see his miracles;
they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!

Today is a new day and I will praise Him through it. He is greater than this fatigue. He is greater than grief. He is greater than the unknown of the days ahead. Plain and simple. He is greater. Woo hoo! I love what Matthew Henry writes of this Psalm. "Where God has given stedfast hope, he expects there should be a steady, regular walk and conduct. God filled the psalmist with joy, as well as peace in believing." Yes! Joy and peace are mine!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for being greater than anything that comes my way! Thank You for being exactly what I need when I need it and sometimes even before I realize the need! Thank You for the laughter You gave with a memory of Doc yesterday! Thank You for the appointment with the attorney going well! Thank You for the way You continue to guide me through every day that brings a new challenge! Thank You for bringing so many to my prayers who are going through 'tough' days! Father, cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. I don't want to miss anything You have in store for me today. I want to stay focused on You so I can fulfill the desires of Your heart. I pray for those with physical needs: my sisters Mary, Linda, and Sally; Marnie Kate; Debbie; Nichole; Ellen; Chester; Tim; and so many others. I pray for those who are dealing with different emotions as they grieve the death of loved ones. Amanda; Sherry; Mark; Billy; John; and so many others including our family. My heart goes out to Elizabeth with what she is going through. Lord, I pray Your strength and comfort will be realized by all. I pray especially for those with spiritual issues to have someone say or do something that will make a difference in their life. Lord, go before me today and empower me to be a beacon of light for You. I pray a blessing over my appointment this afternoon at the building. May You give me clarity in my thinking. Thank You Jesus for being My New Song Every Day! Amen.