Psalm 149; Lamentations 3:22-23; II Timothy 1:7 - "New Today"

Yesterday was such an awesome day! God blessed me in abundance with seeing the sun rise and seeing it set. He blessed me with success in meeting some physical goals. He blessed me with laughter with Cait as we accomplished things at the church. Throughout the night He blessed me with waking me to pray for different people and circumstances including pastors who will be in the pulpit today. One time when I was awake I had a message for prayer for someone who was in a car accident. Another time God brought before me to pray for a friend who is having surgery tomorrow. Each time I was awake the song "New Today" that Micah Tyler sings was on my mind. 

That Your mercies are new today
Your mercies are new today
I can rest on Your shoulders
There is grace to start over
Your mercies are new today

Yes! It does not matter what happened yesterday or what is ahead today. God is here for us ready to give us a 'clean slate' for today. He is ready to cleanse us as we allow Him to do so. We do not have to live in the 'what if I would have done this or not done that' but instead allow Him to live in and through us. I shared with Cait yesterday how this week has brought about some different things in ministry. I am thankful God is with me every step of the way to know how to react to things out of the norm and what to say when presented with opposition. Last Sunday night's sermon focused on praising Him. It has been so cool to have so many things to praise Him for throughout this week. It was like He started off my week with that sermon to show me I have much to praise Him for in life.  One of those things is where He has me. Beautiful Beaufort is paradise on earth. This week I was blessed with seeing sun rises and sunsets. I was blessed with many days of meeting physical goals. I walked beaches and spent time with friends. I heard from God over and over again. A couple times He gave me something to pray for and then had me share it with those I prayed for. When I shared with them, they were blessed which blessed me. He empowered me to get through a 'tough' situation which blessed me in abundance. I have much to praise Him for and for that I am thankful. He took me to Psalm 149 this morning. Matthew Henry wrote of this Psalm:

New mercies continually demand new songs of praise, upon earth and in heaven. And the children of Zion have not only to bless the God who made them, but to rejoice in him, as having created them in Christ Jesus unto good works, and formed them saints as well as men. The Lord takes pleasure in his people; they should rejoice in Him. When the Lord has made sinners feel their wants and unworthiness, he will adorn them with the graces of his Spirit, and cause them to bear his image, and rejoice in his happiness for ever. Let his saints employ their waking hours upon their beds in songs of praise. Let them rejoice, even upon the bed of death, assured that they are going to eternal rest and glory.

I need to get better at praising Him. He will be blessed as I praise Him. When I climbed to the top of the tower at the Sands one morning this week, I praised Him for mobility I have to do so. As I experience the beauty of His creation I praise Him for having clear vision. When He gives me opportunity to bless people at the waterfront by taking their picture, I praise Him for having me here. I praise Him for my church family who love on me so well. I stand upon II Timothy 1:7 to be empowered instead of fearful yet there is still emotion involved as I await my mammogram. I shared with Cait how I don't know how I would get through another bout of cancer without Doc. I leaned so heavy on him when I went through it before. She voiced 'we' as in my church family would get through it. I know I am stronger spiritually today than I was then and praise God for that knowledge. I praise Him for loving me so well and allowing me to experience His love in some mighty big ways. I am reminded this morning of Lamentations 3:22-23. It reads in the English Standard Version: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; Hs mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Praise His Holy Name!

Dear Jesus, Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace! Thank You for all of the blessings of this last week and the ones ahead in the coming week! I pray for pastors who will be sharing what You have given them today. I pray for myself to articulate what You have given me in a way people will accept and embrace it. Cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. May You flow from my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I pray for a friend in a car accident over night to receive Your peace. I pray that same peace be with many going through difficult days. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Beth; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Rhonda; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Amber; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Rick; Cyndi; Serenna and her husband; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Sharon's daughter Ashley; Chrissy's cousins; Shirley Jones; Preacher Bill Watts; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; my friend with mesothelioma; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Alex's niece as they await biopsy results; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; and a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I pray for: the Long Family, Vickie and her son Jim, and Russ. Thank You for continued strength for Baby Henry and for Alex's brother who was in a car accident! Lord, be with my friend Sandy who awaits surgery tomorrow. Thank You for being My Mercy Maker! Amen.

Psalm 48 - "Fill My Cup"

I woke up multiple times during the night and prayed for many different people and circumstances that need God in some pretty desperate ways. Some need healing for physical issues due to disease, illness, accidents, addiction, etc. Some need healing for emotional issues with broken relationships, baggage from the past, loss of job, etc. Some need healing for financial issues due to loss of income, spending too much, bad money management, etc. The ones that hurt my heart the most are those who need a spiritual healing in their spirit. There are so many people who refuse to allow God to be who He desires to be in their life. They don't want to allow Him to have control. Instead they desire to continue to manipulate circumstances to make things happen as they desire, when they want them. The best way to live is in His will walking in obedience to what He puts before you. When we live in this manner, we will be blessed in abundance. When 'tough' days come, His peace will be there for us. His wisdom will be with us at all time as we allow Him to empower us. Praises will fall off our lips as we go through our day because we will desire to bless Him. At one point in time when I woke He gave me Psalm 48. I read it and went back to sleep. This morning I read it in different versions and loved how it began in The Passion Translation. There are so many reasons to describe God as wonderful! So many reasons to praise him with unlimited praise! Yes! He gives us reason after reason to praise Him. This picture was taken one day this week when I got out to see the sun rise. What a blessing! That morning He brought to my attention how I am physically functioning because of Him and I praised Him for it. He also brought to my attention that every sun rise is a new beginning. As I think about the day ahead I have a choice to make. I can either do my own thing or allow Him to be in control. When opportunities present themselves for me to love with His love, I can either walk in obedience to Him or not. This morning the song "Fill My Cup" is on my mind. There is a part that goes...

Fill my house up with hoping
Fill my plans up with purpose
Fill my wounds up with healing
Lord, I need you to fill my cup
Fill my days up with meaning
Fill my future with vision
Goodness, grace and provision
Lord, I need you to fill my cup

Yes! This is what I desire in my life. The only way He can fill me is to cleanse me. I desire for Him to have free reign of every aspect of my life.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the opportunities to love with Your love yesterday! Thank You for my time over coffee with my friend Marilyn and laughter with Carol, Betty, Cait, Nancy, Jo Ann, and Paula! Thank You for the opportunity to share Your love with a new friend! Thank You for another day of life ahead! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray again for those I prayed for throughout the night. May they feel You in a new way today. I pray Your peace over many going through difficult days. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Beth; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Rhonda; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Amber; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Rick; Cyndi; Serenna and her husband; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Sharon's daughter Ashley; Chrissy's cousins; Shirley Jones; Preacher Bill Watts; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; my friend with mesothelioma; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Alex's niece as they await biopsy results; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; and a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I pray for: the Long Family, Vickie and her son Jim, and Russ. Thank You for continued strength for Baby Henry and for Alex's brother who was in a car accident! Thank You for being My Cup Filler! Amen.

Psalm 145:1-3; II Timothy 1:7 - "Always"

God's creation speaks mightily to me. He blesses me in abundance through the sun rise, sunsets, and everything in between. Yesterday was a perfect example of this. Getting out to see the sun rise was a great gift from Him. As I was walking up the stairs of the tower I praised Him for the ability to do what I was doing. There have been many times over the last twenty-eight years MS has stopped me from functioning normally. I am grateful for each and every day He gives me mobility. Some times it is hard to fathom how quickly it can be taken away. I never know when I will wake up with the inability to walk, have use of my arms, etc. But God continues to be faithful in being my Healer. Yesterday as I was driving home in the rain and wind I praised Him for the ability to drive. There have been times when that was taken away with vision issues. I was reminded of a song Chris Tomlin sings called "Always"..

I will tell of Your wonders
Sing of Your grace
The God of creation knows me by name
The Lord is faithful yesterday, now, and always
Always

Yes! He is faithful and I desire to be faithful to Him. I desire to allow Him to speak to me in whatever way He desires. Walking in obedience to Him is the best place to be. I didn't think there would be a sunset last night with all the rain but I caught the tail end of it as I crossed the bridge. There was a glimmer of light showing through the clouds. God gave me twilight last night to remind me of His faithfulness. He knows I receive great blessings from His creation. He also reminded me that just as His creation can change quickly life can change just as quickly. We never know what tomorrow holds but we are assured He knows and that is all that matters. The way He uses the sun, moon, and stars to bring light into our world is the same as the way He uses Himself to do so. There are many days/nights I do not get to see the sun rise or set yet it does. God is faithful to bring each and every day into existence. That is such a blessing to me. He also blesses me through Scripture such as Psalm 145 that reminds me to praise Him. He reminded me of II Timothy 1:7 this morning as I thought about the letter I received in the mail to schedule a mammogram. It doesn't matter how hard I try to not be fearful of the results fear seems to creep in. I was reminded by a friend this morning 'time shouldn't be wasted on fear.' The enemy tries to put fear on me but my God is greater than the enemy and I need to remember that.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for loving me so greatly and giving me another day of life! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You ooze out of my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. I am one blessed lady to have You be Who You are in my life. Thank You for going before me and giving me insight into what I should and should not do! I pray Your peace over many going through difficult days. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Beth; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Rhonda; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Amber; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Rick; Cyndi; Serenna and her husband; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Sharon's daughter Ashley; Chrissy's cousins; Shirley Jones; Preacher Bill Watts; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; my friend with mesothelioma; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Alex's niece as they await biopsy results; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; and a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I pray for: the Long Family, Vickie and her son Jim, and Russ. Thank You for continued strength for Baby Henry and for Alex's brother who was in a car accident! Thank You for being My Always! Amen.

Psalm 113:1-3 - "New Creation"

Last night was disappointing with there not being a sunset. The last couple of days had some trying situations in them and I needed a 'creation fix' as I like to call it. God uses His creation to calm my spirit, encourage me, love on me, etc. Tuesday when I found myself at the Rookery with the gators, birds, and turtles I decompressed in between my day and evening activities. Last night I was looking forward to a time of being with God as I watched the sun set but the weather  didn't cooperate. Instead I saw a gazillion deer and a beautiful moon. As I looked out over the water with the moon shining down upon it I was once again thankful for where God has me in life. I thought about Sunday night's sermon where He encouraged us all to praise Him. Last night I had a choice to make that we all need to make from time to time. When life throws a disappointment into our day, we can find a reason to praise God or we can be crabby in our attitude. I know it is a little disappoint in some people's eyes to not see a sunset yet it has become a big part of my life to experience such things. If I would have just said 'oh well' and went back home, I would have missed seeing all the deer and the beautiful moon. I chose to make the best of the circumstance. The result was God blessed me in abundance with His beauty in a different way. Earlier in the week when I left the house before a 'normal' time for me He blessed me with seeing the sunrise. He uses His creation to speak to me in various ways. He uses it to make me realize He loves me so much and desires to make me feel that love in various ways. He uses it to show me He cares for each and every aspect of His creation. I am one blessed lady in the way He uses His creation in my life. I remember as a little girl laying in the grass and watching the little airplanes from the airport. I used to think about how someday I would fly in one of them. I have never flown in one of the smaller ones but I have flown in jets many times. I also remember how I dreamt and prayed for 'my three boys and my three girls' growing up. I wanted six children and prayed for them long before I was an adult. I did not have three children but I have three boys and their wives are my girls. God answered my prayers. A song Mac Powell sings called "New Creation" is going through my mind this morning.

You brought me blessings out of a tragedy
You turned my old song into a symphony
And with Your Spirit livin' inside of me
I'm a new creation, I'm a new creation

Yes! He loves me so much and I pray I show Him how much I love Him every day. I desire to live as He desires of me to live. I want to make Him proud of me in all ways possible as I allow Him to turn disappointments into blessings. He continues to turn my old song into a symphony as I allow Him.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the way You take disappointments and turn them into blessings as I walk in obedience to You! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray blessings over many going through 'tough' days. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Beth; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Rhonda; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Amber; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Rick; Cyndi; Serenna and her husband; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Sharon's daughter Ashley; Chrissy's cousins; Shirley Jones; Preacher Bill Watts; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; my friend with mesothelioma; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Alex's niece as they await biopsy results; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; and a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I pray for: the Long Family, Vickie and her son Jim, and Russ. Thank You for continued strength for Baby Henry! Father, Alex's brother needs a miracle from being in this accident. I pray for Your wisdom for the doctors with decisions that need made. Thank You for being The One I Praise! Amen.

Isaiah 61:1-3 - "God You Are"

I woke up with a song We Are Messengers sings called "God You Are" going through my mind. It goes...

You're turning ashes into art
Cause that's just the kind of God You are
It's in the empty tomb
It's on the rugged cross
Your death-defying love
Is written in Your scars
You'll never quit on me
You'll always hold my heart
Cause that's the kind of God You are

Yes! When we allow God to live in and through us He willl turn ashes into art. As I look at the pictures I took last night of the sunset I am amazed at God's creativity with nature. He does not make two sunsets alike. The same can be said for us. He makes each of us different. We look different. We think differently. We are unique yet one thing that is the same when we have Him in our life is we have hope. There is hope for living each and every day in knowing He is with us. There is hope of eternal life with Him. There is hope when we feel like we cannot go on. Darren Mulligan from We Are Messengers says this. "Because coming to Christ and walking with Jesus is not perfect, it's not easy, it's not always happy; but, there's always hope." There will be difficult days yet God is there for us as we allow Him. There will be times when we feel like giving up but we can't because He doesn't give up on us. I am so thankful for His Word that encourages me greatly. Yesterday was a 'tough' day in many ways yet I felt the Lord with me. I knew when I got through the first part of my day I needed to decompress so I walked at the Rookery. I walked and talked to God and allowed Him to take away the frustration of the day. The beauty of His creation calms my spirit. Seeing and listening to the egrets is fascinating. Watching the alligators in the water always amazes me along with seeing the turtles basking in the sunshine. I love the opportunities God gives me to converse with others there. There are usually people there who are visiting the area and ask questions. Yesterday was a time of forgetting the stress of the day and relaxing as I waked. Seeing the end of the sunset after board meeting made me happy. Once again His creation soothes my soul. When I think about how He loves me so much that He provides beauty in His creation, I am blessed. He takes my days, even the 'tough' ones, and turns ashes into art. All I have to do is allow Him to do so. There is always something positive to be found. Sometimes it is harder to find than other times but if we look we will find it. I am reminded of the first few verses of Isaiah 61 this morning. The promises found in these verses are ones given to the Israelites many years ago yet are for us today. There will be times when we feel like life is falling apart yet He is with us. We have hope in Him and need to be grateful for it. The promise of turning our beauty for ashes...giving us the oil of joy and a garment of praise will glorify Him as we allow Him to live in and through us. Praise His Holy Name! 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the beauty of Your creation that soothes my spirit! Thank You for the birds, gators, and turtles that helped me decompress yesterday! Thank You for getting to see the last part of the sunset last night! You truly turn beauty into ashes as Isaiah 61 promises. Thank You for being Who You are in my life! Cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You ooze out of my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts in a mighty way. Thank You for the hope I have in Your salvation! I pray for many going through tough days to receive beauty for ashes in their circumstances. May we all remember our joy does not come from circumstances but from You. I pray for: My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Beth; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Rhonda; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Amber; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Rick; Cyndi; Serenna and her husband; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Sharon's daughter Ashley; Chrissy's cousins; Shirley Jones; Preacher Bill Watts; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; my friend with mesothelioma; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Alex's niece as they await biopsy results; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; and a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I pray for: the Long Family, Vickie and her son Jim, and Russ. Thank You for continued strength for Baby Henry! Thank You for being My Hope! Amen.

Genesis 6:33 - "Build A Boat"

I woke up multiple times during the night with a song Colton Dixon sings called "Build A Boat." It was weird because I also had a recurring dream throughout the night of Beaufort being flooded. The song is not about building a boat in the physical sense as Noah did but rather about walking by faith as Noah did. It did not make sense for Noah to build the ark when it had not rain in so long yet when God told him to build it He did. The result of Noah's obedience was him and his family were saved from the flood. We need to be obedient and walk in God's will so we will be saved for eternal life. There are many 'floods' that come our way in life. Some are minor while others are devastating. Loss of a job, issues in a relationship, death of a loved one, etc. are all 'floods' in life. I am grateful God gives me what I need to get through such times. I also am grateful for the way He is glorified through them. I love how Colton Dixon describes this song.

The concept behind this song is stepping out in faith before you see the miracle or whatever it is that God has promised come to fruition. God’s a man of His word. So whatever He says is gonna happen. If He’s telling you something or He’s put something on your heart, step out and do it.“ –Colton Dixon

I desire to walk in faith with Him especially in the unknown. I am grateful for the day I realized I do not have to know the end result in anything. God knows. I do not have to manipulate any circumstances because God already knows how things will work out. I do not have to second guess myself when I am walking in obedience to His will. Praise His Holy Name. The very last verse of Genesis 6 is full of insight. Noah did everything God commanded him to do. We know the end of the story to be Noah's obedience was rewarded. The same can be said for us. When we walk in obedience to His willl, we will be rewarded. The more we desire to walk in obedience to God the more we will be successful. I want to be successful in doing God's will. I want to be known as someone who walked with the Lord. In 2011/2012 God told me to go to NBC for preaching. I argued because I did not see a need when Doc was the preacher in the house but I eventually went. Fast forward to 2020 when Doc took his last breath on this earth God's direction made sense. Sometimes what He tells us is not something we think we want to do yet we are blessed in doing. In 2016 when God told me we would be moving to South Carolina my first reaction was 'No! That is too far from my Momma and grand babies.' Of course, we walked in obedience and I am so thankful we did. I think times that make the least sense have the greatest blessings. I love to go visit family but I also love coming back home. I know I am where God desires me to be at this time. I am so grateful for the feelings of contentment and joy in my life. 

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead today! Thank You for starting my day off yesterday with the beauty of Your creation and for the laughter last night at Jo Ann's shower! Thank You for the promise of Jeremiah 33:3 You gave me this summer! I continue to seek what that verse has in store for me. Thank You for the song "Build A Boat" that reminds me of Noah's faithfulness! May I continue to walk by faith every day. Cleanse me so I can be ready for whatever is ahead today. May I fulfill Genesis 6:22 as Noah did in doing everything You put before me. I pray Your contentment, joy, and peace over many going through valleys in life.  My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Beth; Nancy; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Rhonda; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Amber; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Rick; Cyndi; Serenna and her husband; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Sharon's daughter Ashley; Chrissy's cousins; Shirley Jones; Preacher Bill Watts; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; my friend with mesothelioma; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Alex's niece; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; and a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I pray for: the Long Family, Vickie and her son Jim, and Russ. Thank You for continued strength for Baby Henry and for Beth's Mom having a better day yesterday! Thank You for being My Captain! Amen.

Psalm 113:3 - "Thank You"

Wow, God! What a blessing He is to me! Yesterday was a day where I could have become crabby so fast but He kept me in check. Getting a text from Tim that he couldn’t take me to the airport started off my day on the ‘wrong’ foot. After multiple attempts asking those on my ‘list’ to take me I was beginning to wonder if I would find someone. Thankfully June was available. We had such an awesome conversation on the way to the airport. It was definitely a ‘God moment’ for us to have that time. When I was going through security at the airport, my bag was pulled and rescanned. I knew I didn’t have anything in it that wasn’t allowed so wondered what was going on. I chucked as I waited and thought of the couple pieces of chocolate covered bacon I had from Colleen. Maybe the scanners wanted to try them…lol. Once through there I went on to wait on my flight and wait I did. It was delayed due to another jet being in our spot at the gate. As I was sitting there I kept thinking ‘I have to preach tonight…these people need to get moving.’ Finally got loaded only to sit and wait. We didn’t know why we were waiting but when the pilot said we were waiting on a mechanic I began to wonder if I would get home at all let alone in time to preach. Once again, the waiting seemed to last forever. I knew the time had passed on the window of being home on time. It was so cool how God gave me His peace. I was disappointed but I was not upset. The broadcast would happen when it happened. In God’s time. I was a little over an hour late but it happened. I was blessed to have Pastor Doug and Nancy from Willard there. We had such a nice visit afterward. Once again, God blessed me. He blessed me yesterday morning as I was at peace with knowing Pastor Cait had everything taken care of. When I left my Momma, I was at peace with knowing she was ‘ok’ with me leaving. God’s peace is perfect. The only way to live in His peace is to live in His empowerment. This morning before meeting a friend for breakfast I had some extra time so I took some pictures. The beauty of God's creation is a blessing to me every day. I am not normally out and about early but as I took pictures I told myself I need to do this more often. Wow, God! I am reminded of the song "Thank You" that Ben Rector sings.

Thanks for the sunrise
Thanks for the night sky...
And thanks for the weekend
Thanks for a good friend
Thanks for in the high life again
Makes me feel alive

Yes! I am thankful for all the blessings God gives me everyday. In my sermon last night I spoke about how we need to praise Him. I do praise Him but I also know I need to praise Him more! I need to be more intentional in praising Him no matter what circumstances I find myself in throughout the day.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for a wonderful weekend with family and for the peace You provided in the waiting times coming home! Thank You for Pastor Doug and Nancy's visit and for Pastor Cait taking care of things yesterday while I was away! Thank You for the beauty of Your creation which blesses me in abundance! Thank You for going before me today and giving me exactly what I need to live in the manner You so desire! Cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. I pray for Your peace over many. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Beth; Nancy; Mike; Norma Hall; Sharon Sebolt and her parents; some young ladies with anxiety; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; Rhonda; Mary Lilley; a husband/father separated from his wife; Brooklyn; Kristen Batten; Amber; families in turmoil; Gay and Doug; Rick; Cyndi; Serenna and her husband; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Sharon's daughter Ashley; Chrissy's cousins; Shirley Jones; Preacher Bill Watts; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; my friend with mesothelioma; Little Ivy; Little Judson; Alex's niece; a young girl in our community; a lady whose breast cancer has returned; and a lady diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I pray for: the Long Family, Vickie and her son Jim, and Russ. Thank You for continued strength for Baby Henry! Thank You for being My Perfect Peace! Amen.