Take hope in the knowledge that you are cherished by the One who made you—you are sheltered in the shadow of His wing, close to His heart. It is my prayer that as we get to know one another you, too, will see beyond the veil and will learn to say, “Even so, I walk in the Presence of the Lord”
With joy,
Nan
It’s the Flame that Melts the Hardened Heart
Closing my eyes, I leaned back and sat still, waiting on the Lord. I knew He wanted to show me something. Life had been hard. The flame of adversity had been fierce. Relentless. I found myself seeking the Lord for solace … and understanding.
I struck the match and pressed its flame against the candlewick. Within moments, a globe of fire consumed the string and burned bright. I watched as the flame grew stronger, melting the aromatic candle. The more melting occurred, the stronger the fragrance — the farther its reach as the aroma permeated the room.
Lord, Lead Me Beside the Still, Quiet Waters of Rest
Father, Your mercy is great, Your love beyond comprehension. I don’t deserve such love, yet You lavish it upon me. You turn my sorrow into joy and my despair into hope. Lead me beside the still and quiet waters of rest where You restore my soul. In Your presence, I find peace and contentment.
When You call to me to come and sit with You awhile, I don’t want to be stubborn and stiff-necked. I don’t want to continue in my own strength — I want my flesh to lie down and my spirit to rise up and say, “Yes, Lord. I’m coming. Your servant is listening.”
Today is the Time Frame of The Great I AM … He Is!
Glorious brushstrokes from the hand of God awaken the dawn as indigo blue gives way to fuschia and tangerine orange. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is yet to be, but today — today is the moment in which we live and is the time frame of the Great I AM. His grace IS sufficient. Great IS His faithfulness. He IS a very present help in times of trouble.
He is.
Right now. Each moment of each new day.
You Refresh my Soul and Replenish My Sorrow with Joy, Lord
Father, Your great love enfolds me, wrapping me in the warmth of Your abiding presence. I’m so grateful for the touch of Your hand. You refresh my soul when I am weary, and You replenish — restore — my sorrow with joy.
Great is your faithfulness, O Lord! My hope is in You, therefore, I find my peace in You … You comfort and refresh me. Blessed be Your Name.
The Awakening of the Dawn from Eternity’s Perspective
And the angels of the Lord cry holy … holy … holy is the Lord. Do you suppose the angels sing and rejoice with the awakening of each dawn? They, who are clothed in light and know no personal darkness, do they rejoice in the greatness of the Lord as they view the rising of the sun from eternity’s perspective?
And acknowledge Him?
As does creation?
Put on the Armor of God Daily … Please Help Me Lord
Father, You have made a way for me to stand strong in battle and be tenacious in my faith. You have provided the full armor of God to bring me victory, but it’s up to me to put it on daily. In this hour, I cannot be willy-nilly about this — putting on the full armor of God must become a daily discipline if I want to withstand the evil one.
You have given me the helmet of salvation to guard my mind and thoughts, to declare to the enemy and the world that I am in Your army bringing the kingdom of God to earth. What an honor … what a privilege. Yet, I have learned that acceptance of this call is like a welcome mat to the enemy, inviting spiritual warfare into most of my days.
Within the Storm Arched a Rainbow. God Was With Me
A thunderhead rolled across the mountain ridge. The sky slowly darkened like black ink spilling and oozing across blue paper. Torrents of rain pummeled the earth as lightning crashed with its electric fingers. This storm, though swift, was fierce, filling the mountainside with apprehension. As quickly as the storm came with its bite, it was gone. The wind subsided and torrents of rain became a refreshing shower. There, against the steel gray of the sky, peeking from behind lingering clouds, arched a rainbow.
I thought about the storm that had pummeled my life over the past few weeks. The darkness. The fear and angst.
Lord, I Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Father, as a believer in Jesus, my heart longs for Jerusalem, the city of the Living God. My heart aches for Your people, Israel. I will not keep silent, and I will not stop praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Surround her as a shield and deliver her from the fowler’s snare.
You, who keep Israel, neither slumber nor sleep. Remind Your precious people of this. Remind them that Your watchful eye is upon them.
The Song of a Bluebird, an Unlikely Friend in Praise
My song rang out loud and clear as I walked along the dirt road rambling across the mountain ridge. Sunlight warmed my shoulders. Praise warmed my heart. As I sang, I noticed the song of a bluebird, an unlikely friend on my walk, perched on a limb of the oak butted up against the road. I stopped to admire him.
When I stopped singing, he stopped singing. When I sang a note, he sang a note.