Daily Conversations with Him

Blessings

2012-01-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

For several weeks I've been meditating on blessings, those received and those to share with others. As a new years begins, what a fitting time to remember or realize how much the Father loves His children, and the blessings that can not be lost.
* salvation
* eternal home
* crown of life
* Holy Spirit
* purpose
* peace and hope in Him

My goal for the new year is to daily acknowledge and give thanks for the blessings I receive from Him. I also want to bless others in the opportunities He affords. As the old hymn says,
"Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done."

What a great year ahead for us all if we focus on His many blessings and are willing to serve as a blessing to others.

Celebrating the One

2011-11-30T08:25:00.000-08:00

As we prepare for the Christmas season, let us be careful not to forget the One we celebrate. Let us keep our focus on Christ and the gifts He gives everyday. Listed below are some suggestions to help display His love to one another, and readings to set our minds on things above.

1. Pray as a family for each other and another family. Luke 1:26-27
2. Have a family night of ice skating. Luke 1:28-30
3. Decorate your Christmas tree. Luke 1:31-32a
4. Have a family Christmas movie night with treats. Luke 1:32b-33
5. Perform a "Random Act of Kindness" today. Luke 1:38
6. Make Christmas cards or write letters to family and friends. Matthew 1:20-21, 24
7. Take donations to local Food Bank. Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:22-23
8. Pray as a family for your co-workers and classmates. Luke 2:1
9. Make and hang edible gifts for birds and squirrels. Luke 2:3-5
10. Make a Christmas treat and deliver to a friend. Luke 2:6-7
11. Have a family dance night with Christmas music. Luke 2:8-10
12. Have hot cocoa and cookies with your neighbors. Luke 2:11-12
13. Leave notes of encouragement around the house. Luke 2:13-14
14. Make a list of your Christmas wishes for others. Luke 2:15
15. Pray as a family for your church. Luke 2:16
16. Wrap Christmas gifts for family and friends. Luke 2:17-19
17. Have a family bowling night. Luke 2:20
18. Go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood. Matthew 2:1
19. Make cookies for a public servant. Matthew 2:2
20. Have a special lunch with your family. Matthew 2:9b-10
21. Have a family game night. Matthew 2:11a
22. Pray as a family for your state and country. Matthew 2:11b
23. View Christmas lights around town. John 3:16
24. Bake a birthday cake for Jesus. Galatians 4:4-5
25. Read the Christmas story together as a family. Luke 2:1-20

True Love

2011-02-14T08:25:00.000-08:00

God is love. 1 John 4:16
Can we truly understand this love? We are made in His image, but I wonder if our flesh doesn’t keep us from fully grasping the measure of this love. Meditate on these:

“In your unfailing love You will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength You will guide them to your holy dwelling.” Exodus 15:13

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5

“For great is Your love toward me; You have delivered me from the depths of the grave.” Psalm 86:13

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All my days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” Ephesians 1:4-5

The Story of Christmas

2010-12-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas everyone!

Rights of Sons

2010-12-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Galatians 4:4-5

We Are Loved

2010-12-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Gifts

2010-12-22T08:25:00.000-08:00

Then the Magi opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11b

Worship Him

2010-12-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:11a

The Star

2010-12-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

The star the Magi had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:9b-10

King of the Jews

2010-12-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

The Magi asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:2

Magi

2010-12-18T08:25:00.000-08:00

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem... Matthew 2:1

Glorifying and Praising

2010-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:20

Treasured and Pondered

2010-12-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

When the shepherds had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:17-19

The Gift

2010-12-15T08:25:00.000-08:00

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:16

Shepherds

2010-12-14T08:25:00.000-08:00

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Luke 2:15

Peace on Earth

2010-12-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:13-14

Savior

2010-12-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11-12

Good News

2010-12-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:8-10

Manger

2010-12-10T08:25:00.000-08:00

While Mary and Joseph were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

House and Line of David

2010-12-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

Everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:3-5

Census

2010-12-08T08:25:00.000-08:00

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. Luke 2:1

Immanuel

2010-12-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:22-23

Joseph's Dream

2010-12-06T08:25:00.000-08:00

Joseph also had a message from an angel of the Lord. The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 1:20-21, 24

Lord's Servant

2010-12-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

Even though Mary was completely surprised by the news the angel had given her, she responded by saying, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

Kingdom Will Never End

2010-12-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

The angel also told Mary "The Lord God will give Jesus the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 1:32b-33

Jesus

2010-12-03T08:25:00.000-08:00

The angel told Mary, "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. Jesus will grow up to be great and will be called the Son of the Most High." Luke 1:31-32a

Greetings

2010-12-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

"The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greetings this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God." Luke 1: 28-30

Gabriel

2010-12-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary." Luke 1:26-27

Acts of Kindness

2010-11-29T08:25:00.000-08:00

As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birthday, do you wondered what kind of gift you give a Savior King who has everything?

The challenge for the month of December is to perform at least one random act of kindness each day. This is in addition to your usual holiday traditions. Some suggestions are:
* open doors for others
* let someone in front of you in line
* pay for the person behind you in the drive thru
* make baked goods for public servants
Pray God would show you everyday opportunities for acts of kindness, and that He would reap all the honor and praise.

They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. If this is true and you commit to this challenge, you will have started a good habit for the year 2011. Will you accept the challenge?

Getting Focused

2010-11-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Weekends are for getting focused!

Reflect and Focus

2010-11-26T20:25:00.000-08:00

Soon after we gobble the turkey, our thoughts turn to Christmas. What do you think about? Do you worry about finding the perfect gift at the best price, or completing the long gift list? Do you fret about getting the house cleaned and decorated before parties and guests arrive, or what to fix for Christmas dinner? Do you feel tense just thinking about the coming month?

Take this last weekend in November to sit and reflect on what Christmas is really about. Yes, it's Jesus' birthday, but just like we were born with a purpose so was He. He came to earth to live a life of service, to bring forgiveness and life through His death and resurrection. "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

Shouldn't our Christmas celebration acknowledge His birth, serve others in His name, share the good news, and offer forgiveness like we've experienced ourselves? If we'll stop, ask, and truly listen, He will give wisdom and strength to focus on what He finds important. Then our Christmas season will be joyful.

Reasons for Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving. Here are just a few...
A - America
B - body of believers
C - comfort, cross
D - Daddy
E - encouragement
F - forgiveness, family & friends
G - grace
H - hope
I - instruction
J - joy in Jesus
K - knowledge, kindness
L - laughter, love, life
M - mercy
N - near
O - omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient
P - patient provider
Q - quiet time
R - redeemer
S - Savior
T - trustworthy
U - understanding
V - value
W - Word
X - "X"cellent creator
Y - yoke (His is light)
Z - zillion more blessings to name

Thankful

2010-11-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

With the month of November come thoughts of thanksgiving. We stop to count our blessings and say "thank you" for our many freedoms. Why does it take a holiday to remind us to do what we're commanded?
"Let us come before Him with thanksgiving..." Psalm 95:2

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe..." Hebrews 12:28

The challenge for this month and every month after is to give thanks for at least ten different things each day. Will you accept the challenge?

Celebrating Seasons

2010-10-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

Weekends are for celebrating seasons!

Staying Connected

2010-10-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Weekends are for staying connected!

Seeking

2010-10-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

Weekends are for seeking!

Fear is the Beginning

2010-09-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs 1:7

This fear is one of awe and reverence, a feeling of deep respect and love. This reverence comes from a right relationship with God. But it doesn't stop there. That's just the beginning. Beginning of what?

"... what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees..." Deuteronomy 10:12-13

First you fear Him, then you start to walk. While walking, you learn to love. Out of love, you develop a desire to serve. When serving, you display obedience. Our obedience comes out of love and respect for Him.

It's true, fear is the beginning.

Act and Believe

2010-09-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

This verse has been one of my favorites for at least a decade now. But I wonder... do I act and believe accordingly? I still worry about how things will turn out at work. I still wonder what to do next. I still feel stuck and long for something different.

I've learned to focus on what I know to be true instead of what I feel.
I know He loves me. (Psalms 103:10-12, Isaiah 43:1-4, Lamentations 3:22-23, John 15:9-11, Romans 5:8, Titus 3:4-7, 1John 3:1; 4:9-10)

I know He wants the best for me. (Psalms 84:11; 145:8-9, Isaiah 30:18, Philippians 1:6, James 1:17)

I know He is sovereign and in control of everything. (Job 28-41; 42:2, Psalms 135:6, Isaiah 40:10-31)

It's not always easy, but I go with what I know to be true and the feelings follow... eventually. And even if they don't, it doesn't change the truth. "He has a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future."

Reflections

2010-09-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Weekends are for reflection!

It's My Choice

2010-09-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:6-9

It starts and ends with my choice.
I'm told not to worry. I have a choice.
I'm told to worship, petition, and give thanks instead. I have a choice.
I'm promised if I obey, "He will guard my heart and mind with His peace".
I'm told to think about truth, excellence, right, pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy things. I have a choice.
I'm told to put these things into practice. I have a choice.
I'm promised if I occupy my mind with these things, "He will be with me".
The choice is simply mine to make.

Rest

2010-09-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Weekends are for rest!

Intimate Relationship

2010-09-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

"Knowing God involves an intimate, personal relationship that is developed over time through prayer and getting answers to prayer, through Bible study and applying its teaching to our lives, through obedience and experiencing the power of God, through moment-by-moment submission to Him that results in a moment-by-moment filling of the Holy Spirit."
Anne Graham Lotz

There are two parts to building an intimate relationship with Him, my part and His.
I pray, He gives answers.
I study the Word, He shows me application.
I obey, He allows me to experience His power.
I submit, He fills me up with the Holy Spirit.

He is always faithful to do His part. Am I?

Wait and Listen

2010-09-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

Two things in this verse jump out at me.
1. In the morning. The writer states this not once but twice. The Lord should be the first one I talk to in the morning. He should be my first priority. I can't wait till the end of the day to talk to Him about today for the first time.

2. Wait in expectation. Oh how I dread the word wait! For a long time I thought it meant to sit still, like a bump on a log, and I don't always sit well. Webster defines wait as " to be ready". Am I ready to listen? Do I watch for His answer to my requests? He has promised when I seek Him, I will find Him. How often do I miss His answer because I don't wait with expectation?

Thankful

2010-09-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Weekends are for being thankful!

Blessings

2010-08-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Weekends are for counting blessings!

Pray Without Ceasing

2010-08-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, it says to "pray without ceasing". Cease means to end; stop. How do you pray without stopping? I can't talk all day; it's impossible. My career demands I talk a lot, but then I like to be quiet at home. At some point, I have to eat, and I can't stand mouths full while talking. Sooner or later, I have to sleep, and I can't really rest while talking. So, what does it mean to pray without ceasing?

I believe it's a mind thing instead of a mouth thing. I believe it starts by noticing Him in everything. It is being aware of Him at all times. It is acknowledging Him in good times and bad.

Like when He sends me a breeze while I mow the yard, I thank Him for His provision. When I set boundaries for students and keep them, I realize He protects me because He loves me. When I sit at a red light, I see His timing is perfect. When I hear a child throwing a fit in the store, I know He creates each life with a purpose. When I see a full moon, I smile because His beauty is breathtaking.

What does "pray without ceasing" look like for you?

Conversations with Friends

2010-08-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

How often do you talk with your friends? What about your best friend? I love the comfort that comes from recognizing a friend by hearing one spoken word. With some it's "hello", others "hey", a few "it's me". How does that happen?

TIME & PRACTICE

With one word you can tell if a friend is excited, sick, upset, or tired. You can even hear their voice in letters, emails, and texts. A day doesn't go by that I don't talk with one or more friends. We talk either in person, by phone, or email.

Do I talk with the Father as much or more? He is always present: in me, beside me, in front of me, and behind me. Do I listen enough to know His voice with one word? Do you?

Daily Conversations

2010-08-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

What do you think of when you hear the word prayer?
- church
- Lord's prayer
- count how many thee(s) and thou(s)
- heads bowed and eyes closed
- "in Jesus' name" or "Amen"
- Hail Mary or Apostle's Creed
- is this the right way or wrong way

I've come to learn that prayer is a daily conversation with the Creator of the Universe, who is also my Daddy. When I was younger I worried about the details. I would try to walk through my prayer before speaking it aloud. (I still catch myself sometimes.) Although I knew the truth in my head, He heard me, forgave me, blessed me, I felt something was lacking. It didn't always feel real.

As I've grown, I've learned to let go of some perfectionist tendencies (a work in progress) and traditions. This has freed me to be more genuine with Him. This has allowed our relationship to be more personal. I am more aware of His omnipresence as I pray.

Yes, there is a time for "heads bowed and eyes closed". But, I also pray on my way to work with my eyes wide open. At times I pray "in Jesus name" and other times I don't "end" it at all. I heard John MacArthur say, "Reading the Bible is like eating, and praying is like breathing." I breathe constantly. I should be in constant conversation with my Lord.

So what comes to mind when you hear the word prayer?