Quiet My Heart

 Lord, please quiet my heart so I can hear your voice. 
As I look up into a sky that is gray with brewing storms, I realize it mirrors the chaos of my heart.

Forget about the battle. You're with Me. Rest, Beloved. Be still and rest. 

You have shown me many troubles and distresses.

So you will grow...

Yes. Sometimes it makes me tired, though. You have done great things, are even now doing great things. You are my strong refuge. 

You have everything you need, Princess. Everything. Blessing upon blessing. Peace upon peace. Love upon love. 

Your love refreshes me. You have taught my feet to dance in the disappointment. 

I like it when your heart bursts with love for Me and you dance.

Me, too. You are my joy. You love me.

I love you. I love you with an everlasting love.  

When I'm here, like this, I feel Your love in my inmost heart. It seems almost tangible. 

Because you're still. No inefficient thoughts swirling around a center of worries now. 
I calmed them. 

It's Your voice that calms me. Your hands are gentle. 

My hands are full of scars. See this one? A carpenter's workshop accident. Stacked my blocks too high. 

You were a boy, playing with blocks. What's this one?

Fish hook. See this one? It's from the cross. And this one?

That one's mine. You carved my name in Your palm when you adopted me. 

Just rest, Princess. I created gray skies and storms. I can see through the swirling chaos.  

Peace. Be still. 

Yes, Princess. Peace. Be still. 

The God Who Takes Away

Father,

I really wanted it. Life would have been more pleasant. It wouldn't have hindered my ministries. I'm really disappointed that you said no. Why didn't you say yes?

Photo by Dean White (flickr.com)

I am the God who sees and knows your disappointment. I am the God who orchestrates the universe.

You have much to consider besides my desires. You have reasons that never occur to me.

Do you want to know Me? You submit to my decisions when you understand. Will you submit to My decisions when you do not understand? When you do not like My answer?

I will take what You place in my open hands. I will give up what You do not give. I will say yes when You take away that which I wanted to keep and cherish.

The very giving up of that which you so deeply, urgently desire proves your life is submitted to My will, My ways, My plans.

Keep my heart tender toward You, Father. Don't let my disappointment lead me to despair. Keep my heart tuned to Your compassion and grace.

There is a time for everything. Learn to discern the seasons. I hold eternity in My hands.

And me. You hold eternity and me in Your hands.

I hold your trust tenderly. Look around you. Listen to My voice. How vast is My love for you, dear child. Beyond all measure is My tender compassion. Come, let us away to a quiet place.

The God of Light

Father, my heart grows restless when I lose my focus. I get tired, sick, sidetracked.

My Spirit is upon you. Keep hiding My words in your heart. Come to Me when you are weary and I will give You rest. My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

I know, Father, but it doesn't always seem easy and light. Noise and fray so easily sway my focus.

The enemy is like a lion, seeking whom he can devour. 

Exactly. And I want to live my life wide awake to Your presence in every moment. Oh, won't You walk before me and beside me and behind me. Live in me and through me.

Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily. Follow Me. A holy passion. 

I want a pure and holy passion. I won't turn back. Be strong in my weakness, Lord.

I am the God-Who-Sees, the God-Who-Knows. I am the Lion of Judah, the Holy One of Israel. I AM, the God-Who-Is-Able.  It is I who answers and looks after you. 

I welcome a Sabbath heart, Father. Create in me a heart after Your own heart. Bless the work of my hands. Fill my heart, my life, with Your presence, Your glory.

My love for you lasts from everlasting to everlasting. I will satisfy you. I will feed You and nurture you.  I am Author and Finisher of Your faith. Walk in My ways. 

I love you freely, for My anger has turned away from you.  In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. 

A Sabbath heart, a praying heart, all that I am I give to You. I will be still and know there is no God like Jehovah. When my way grows dark, I will listen.

Awake.  Arise and shine.  The Light of the World is Jesus. The light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen. Come, let us away. I will feed you with the finest wheat and with honey from the rock. I will answer you and tell you of things that you do not know.

The God of Stillness

Photo by Michael W May (flickr.com)

Anger wells up inside me then subsides to an empty place where it wallows, waits. It ebbs high again, washes over me strong.

I fill the sink with hot soapy water and put away the toaster.  I try to sing anger away, but my voice trembles weak. Anger rises again with sharp pelting stings.

Morning routine comforts me. Folded quilts on made beds. Water sloshing over dirty laundry. I pick up the broom to sweep clean my kitchen, my heavy spirit.

Curtains open and day spills into my home, into my heart. I smile as The Creator reveals His sunrise. His sun flashes, makes even greater light, ruling the day. A good morning.

But the world outside my window is cold, icy, barren. And I remember. The Christian who is not generously bearing fruit.  The broken woman who hides away bitterness toward her abuser. The child who shivers, hungry in the darkness. Injustices in my world. In your world. In Father's world.

My anger has nowhere to go. I open my heart, my hands, so Father can lift it away.  Tears flow from frustrated eyes because He is the God who is able, but the God who sometimes says no. And my heart pounds grief.

Be still, He whispers. He means it.

I try. Swallow hard. But I speak out of disappointment. Confusion. Rebellion.

Great is My faithfulness, He reminds. I am the God who sees. My ways are not your ways. I am loving toward all that I have made. Trust Me.

My soul stills. I can not force my heart to understand His. I cannot will myself strong and wise. He alone is God. He alone is good. He alone is faithful.

Grace washes over me. Always more grace to soothe the wounds, heal the confusion, soften the harshness. Gratitude replaces discontentment. I watch quietly, awestruck with wonder, as a wellspring of joy splashes up where anger left me dry and thirsty.

And I smile. Oh, how I smile! I am fully awake now to life pulsing around me. To my world where I can make a difference. To my God who is there and is not silent.

He smiles back. He knows I do not understand. Still, I love Him. Still, I trust Him.

Steadfast Light

Father,

Mighty in power. Tender in mercy. 

You are my Strong Tower. You are the Giver of my life and strength.

My yoke is easy and my burden is light. Come away with Me. I will sing over you and quiet you with My love. 

Today is hard, Father. The pain is deep. It's distracting. Today there is good, but it's hard to notice. My joy is slipping away. Help me hold on to it. Show me Your ways. Teach me to stand firm, to be strong when it's hard.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Tune your heart to sing My praise. 

You are my Shield in weakness. My Comforter in disappointment. My Joyride in trouble.Would you make my life song sing today? In my weakness, will You be strong? I want to be filled with praises and to have a thankful heart.

From glory to glory I am changing you. What I am now doing you do not know, but My promises are true every morning. I am the God who sees even in the dark. There is always enough light for the step you're on. Keep walking by faith.


This little light of mine. You're gonna make it shine, right?

I made the sun shine.

Unfinished Faith

Father,

It hurts to have a prodigal child. We dream such big dreams for our children.

How, I wonder, did Monica, the mother of Augustine, feel among her friends during those years when her brilliant young son, a leader in the heretical "Manichees", lived in open defiance of You?

You have to be brave to parent a prodigal child, Father. It's a hard thing to face the eyes of other parents, good parents, who had good children while you have a wandering one. Oh, they don't mean to be smug or to judge. It's just that they don't understand.

I know.

You do know, don't You? Sometimes You are disappointed in Your children, too.

Do not grow weary in doing good for you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.

You are the God who is able to do more than a parent asks or imagines that You can do in the life of a child.

I am the God of Abram, Isaac and Jacob. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.

You are the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

Keep in step with the Spirit. Not ahead. Not behind. Walk in My ways.

The God of Goodness

Time to rest. I made this day.

I know, Father. You are so good to me! Our morning walk was refreshing, encouraging. It's a skipping-in-a-field-of-sunflowers sort of a day, isn't it?

A sanctified day for My sanctified daughter.

A sanctified day....A day set apart for blessing and honor and devotion.
A sanctified daughter....A woman set aside for blessing and honor and devotion.

Early this morning when You called me from my bed, I had no idea that was Your plan. I was sipping my coffee and opening my Bible to I Thessalonians. Suddenly You drew me into Your Words. It exploded into my life as never before! It was awesome!

You couldn't stop reading and writing and soaking it up. It lit you up from the inside out.

I inhaled the whole letter! It's all about being a spiritual mother to me. It's so great!

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

And You give them eternal life, and they never perish.

Neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

John 10:27-29. Oh! You want me to study John next.

Come. Let us away.

Where You lead me I will follow.

The Princess and the Dragon

Father,

The evil one, the ancient dragon, set his sights on me early yesterday morning. Like a roaring lion, he stalked me, seeking to devour me. He was determined that I would not teach on spiritual warfare at the prison last night, wasn't he?

He was strategic in his attack. He weakened me physically, shook me emotionally, confused me mentally and challenged me spiritually far beyond what I could endure.

Oh, but You had prepared Your princess for battle! You had trained my prayer warriors to be alert and to battle with me. Hard blows had me down for the count. He had a plan for my destruction and more than ever before, I was aware of it. I trembled at his power and wanted to run from him.

Over and over, I whispered to you, "Do not be afraid. Trust me."

You have trained me to know Your voice even in the dust and noise and fray of battle. You had a plan for victory and more than ever before, I was aware of it. I delighted in Your power and wanted to run to You.

I brought victory, beauty and protection to a treacherous battlefield. I am the God who is able to do more than you ask or imagine.

Oh, Father, how I love being Your daughter, the child of the King of Kings, Ruler over all. You are sovereign, the Lord Most High. You alone are worthy of praise, the Conquering King!

Rest today, my soldier princess. I am the God who heals and gives rest. You are sweetly broken.

I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that You are able to protect that which I have committed to You.

Come. Let us away.

God of Wonders

Father, Glorious and Majestic,

You are the God of blessings, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, the Lord of Joy. You are the Alpha and the Omega who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. You are alive forevermore, the Master of the universe.

You alone hold the keys to death and to hell. You alone are Jehovah, the One and Only living God. What a wonder You are!

With a voice like Niagra thunder and with lightning in Your fists, You reign over all. With tender love You feed Your flock like a shepherd. With compassion and kindness You woo us to You, longing for relationship with us.

Your grace is sufficient for me, oh, Lord. You are all I want and all I need. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, may Your name be praised. In every nation and in every people group Your grace and love are available to all. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

The God of Peace

A rainbow greeted me on my walk early this morning, Father, and I thank you for it. The soft rains falling on my yard will cause greener grass. Vegetable and flower gardens will be revived and renewed. The hot humid air that was so staggering in the Midwest this summer has given way to a cool breeze that promises a refreshing of minds and bodies. Joy bubbles out of me and peace reigns in my heart.

But in other yards there is no green grass and in other gardens there is no fruit on the vines. Somewhere on this planet live children who have never seen a rainbow streak across their sky, never danced in the rain.

You are the God who sees. You are the God who is able to cause joy, to provide abiding peace in a dry and weary land. Such power and mercy is too marvelous for me. Your ways so far beyond my understanding! Grace like rain falls down on Your people whatever our circumstances and wherever we are on earth. Send a renewal of joy and peace to Your people, Father, a newness of life and an abundance of rich healthy spiritual fruit. You alone are the God who is able.

"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert to give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise." ~Isaiah 43:18-21

The God Who is Faithful

Father,

You are the God who is faithful. Every move I make I make in You. Every good and perfect gift comes from You. You are the God who is faithful even when my faith is shaken and lifeless. There is none like You.

I love all that I have made. I wanted a people of My possession.

Evidence of Your loving faithfulness is all around me. The lilacs and dogwoods in lush bloom, the aromatic herbs on my patio, the bluebirds in my Redbud tree all draw my eyes to You.

Oh, that I would please You with my faithfulness, Father! Refine me until I am what You had in mind when You created me. I am Yours, Lord.

Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you. Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of Your heart.

My desire is to be known as Yours, Father. There is no greater thing than knowing You. Give me one pure and holy passion, one magnificent obsession: to know and follow hard after You. Teach me to love and be faithful, to be kind and patient. Refine me from the inside out.

If you love me, keep my commandments. I am the Author and the Finisher of your faith. Keep in step with My Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

You are the God who is faithful. You will do what You say You will do. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Your Name is to be praised. You love like a hurricane and I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of Your grace and mercy!

I am jealous for you, My child. You are the apple of My eye. Follow Me.

You are the God who is faithful. Anywhere. I will follow You.

Come. Let us away.

The God Who is Kind

Father, Would You teach me of Your kindness?

Blinded by battle fatigue, my steps falter. I wander around in the foothills of life carrying burdens too heavy to bear up the mountain. I am beaten down. My hopes are dashed.

I am the God who is kind. My compassion endures forever. I am patient and loving toward all I have made.

Your kindness keeps my heart tender toward You. You are my portion and my hope. You are my song in the night. You are Lord over all the earth.

Come to Me. My yoke is easy and My burden is light. You are the apple of my eye. Rest in My shady green pasture where the still waters lie. I am the God who sees You. I am the God who rescues.

I love You because You are holy and kind. Early in the morning my songs will rise to You. Your grace is enough for me.

And I love you. I made you a present, beloved child. Open the eyes of your heart. It is springing up before you. Will you not see it? Welcome to Sabbath. Welcome to rest.

Shalom. Yes, Father. I do see it.

Come. Let us away.

The Color of Gentleness

A soft rosy glow has begun to seep into the sky. The blending of pastel color mesmerizes me. As the hues deepen and merge, a sudden splash of sunlight brightens the painting with rays of perfectly placed light.

The splendor of the Creator is reflected in every brush stroke. The heavens are telling of the glory of God. The sunrise is declaring the work of His hands. This is the Lord's doing and it is too marvelous for my eyes.

A masterpiece has been tenderly created while the world is still sleeping. It is humbling to watch a Creator at work. I stand in awe as I see the wonder of another morning floating in quietly on cat paws. Who is man that He is mindful of him? What sort of gentle love patiently creates such a wonder for a people too busy to notice?

You noticed, My child. The people of My possession will look to the sky and hear My voice saying, "Come to Me."

Good morning, Father. It's beautiful. You are the God who loves colors. Thank you.

My promises are new every morning. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights in whom there are no variations, no shifting shadows. I am the Bright and Morning Star and My love endures forever.

You are faithful, so gentle and loving toward all You have made. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Your Name is to be praised.

The God of Mercy

Father,

My heart is not proud this morning. My eyes are not haughty. I do not concern myself today with great matters or things too wonderful for me. I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Teach me Your ways. Teach me Your vision for my heart. My sins are many, Father. I am not worthy, but my hope is in You.

A bruised reed I will not crush. A smoldering wick I will not put out. A broken and contrite heart I will not despise. In mercy I will lead you.

My heart trusts in You and I am helped. You make my heart leap for joy and rest in peace. All that I am is Yours to transform. Fit me to the image of Your own.

Learn from Me. Listen carefully to Me. For a brief moment I turned from you, but with great compassion I will gather you in My arms as a hen gathers her chicks. In an outburst of anger toward your sins I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you.

You are the God who sees me. You are the God who is merciful. Your promises are true. You are mighty to save and loving toward all You have made.

The mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you. My convenant of peace will not be shaken. All your sons and daughters will be taught of Me and the well-being of your sons and daughters will be great. In righteousness you are established. You will be far from oppression for you will not fear.

I will go out with joy and be led forth with peace.

And when I come again I will receive you unto Myself.

Fruit of the Spirit

Father,

Teach me to...

Impress Your world with love.
Encounter Your world with joy.
Mend Your world with peace.
Teach Your world with patience.
Tender Your world with kindness.
Fill Your world with goodness.
Salt Your world with faithfulness.
Color Your world with gentleness.
Change Your world with self-control.

The God Who Upholds

The road into today looks long, Father. I want to be Home. No more sorrow, pain, sickness or death. No more grief or shame. No guilt.

No brokenness. No more battles to fight?

Yes. I'm too tired to keep fighting.

Come. Let us go away to a quiet place.

You know I can't. I have work to do, a race that must be run.

My work to do. Remember Paul.

II Timothy? We read that this morning.

I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.

I promise to keep the faith. I trust You. Help me to finish strong.

I am with you even to the end of the age. You can do all things through Me. I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my right arm.

There's not much for You to work with today.

In your weakness I am made strong. My grace is sufficient for you.

Come with me. Carry me a few steps further, Sovereign God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

You are the apple of My eye, My beloved disciple. Surprises and blessings will unfold before you. Walk by faith not by sight.

I want to be Your hands and feet in a broken world, but I'm not very adept.

I am the God who is able to do more than you ask or imagine. My peace is with you. Come. Follow Me.

The God who Listens

Father.

I am Immanuel, the God who is with you.

I look behind me and You are there, then up ahead and You are there, too. Your reassuring presence is with me whether I am going or coming. If I went to the depths of the sea, You would be there. If I traveled the width of the Milky Way, still You would be there.

This is too much, too wonderful. I can't take it all in.

I am the God who is able.

I'm an open book to you. You know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back. I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start my first sentence. You are the God who is there, the God who listens.

When You slip from my mind I feel as if I have hurt You, deserted You. It feels like I have lost something precious in my journey. Walk with me. Talk with me. Hold my hand all the way, every hour, every day from here to the Great Unknown.

I love you from everlasting to everlasting.

I love You, too.

Come. Let us walk further still.

The God Who Calls

Oh, Father, would You show me all the wonders of Your love? Show me Your ways. Teach me truth. Help me to find the clues to the mysteries of life.

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

You are the Ancient of Days. I love getting older, changing every day, slowly becoming the me You want me to be. Truths to discover and lessons to be learned are beckoning me today. My eyes are opening wider and my feet are itching to travel forward over new pathways. It's a new day. Let's go up to higher ground.

Come. Follow Me.

I'm coming with You. I like walking by faith and not by sight. I am beginning to see and understand much more clearly.

Seek first the Kingdom and godliness. You are my friend and the disciple whom I love.

You are the God who is there and is not silent. You are the God who is with me. When You call me, I will answer.

Father of Light

Good morning, Father.

Good morning, Child.

As I enter this time of fasting will you help me to stay focused on You? Will you remind me, soothe me and mold me? Teach me to see with Your eyes and love with Your heart. Won't You fit me to Your image?

I will.

Please ready me for the fast physically, emotionally and spiritually. Take every thought captive and renew a right spirit in me. Cleanse me from every sin. Free me from the chains that so easily bind me to the world. Empty me of any selfish desires and vain conceit.

I offer You my life because only You can make something beautiful out of nothing. Fill me up with Your perfect gifts of mercy and grace. Show me Your ways that I might walk in them.

I am the God who is able to do more than you ask or can imagine. I am the God who sees you. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Light in whom there is no shifting shadows.

Shine on me, Father of Light. Remove all my darkness. Light me up from the inside out, Father. Open up my heart and shine Your love through me.

Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

I love You, Father. Be Thou my vision, O God of my heart.

Come. Let us away.

Jesus, I Come

This mountain You are asking me to climb seems too high, too steep. I don't think I can do it. I don't even want to do it. I am angry that You would ask me to try.

In this world you will have trouble, but I give you My peace that where I am there you may also be.

You want to fit me for heaven. You want to complete me so I am lacking in nothing. You are the Author and Finisher of my faith. I get that. I just think this trial is too much. I'm not ready.

I have your welfare and not your calamity in mind. Trust me. Walk by faith not by sight.

It seems all wrong for me. It takes so much time and focus. It's eating away my heart, my life. That can't be a good thing, can it?

Time is in My hands. A thousand years is but a day.

I'm trying to trust You, but my emotions are in a jumble. When I am weak You are made strong. But this burden rips my soul. I want to please You. I want to be what You want me to be.

Dig deeper.

I don't know how. There's nothing left in me to give. Whatever climbing this mountain of a trial is going to require, it's not in me.

Rest in Me. I am faithful even when you are faithless. I am the God who is able. Dig deeper.

What are You prompting me to do? What are you trying to teach me? Help me to understand. I'm wandering around in the foothills lost and confused. I'm in a bad place, Father. I am miserable here. Help me to be brave and strong. Teach me to be true.

Come. Let us go from this place. I'm walking alongside. I am the Way. Follow Me.

Out of my shameful failure and loss, Jesus, I come. Jesus, I come.
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus, I come. Jesus, I come.
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light, Jesus, I come to Thee.