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
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God. Renew Me
Father, You are holy, merciful, and mighty. I desire to abide in Your presence, to be ever-aware of Your Spirit drawing near in my times of need. However, when my heart is cluttered with bad attitudes and less-than-righteous decisions, there is a break in our fellowship. Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Above all things, I must guard my heart against the world’s influences and the temptations and taunts of the evil one. I even need to guard my heart against myself!
When Life is Hard and Joy is Distant, There is Jesus
Lord, I cannot believe it’s time once again to celebrate Your birth — to rejoice in the moment You came to earth so we could know You. How can it be? Miracle of miracles! Immanuel. God with us. Hallelujah! For When life is hard and joy is distant, there is Jesus. Never failing. Always abiding.
Though weary of life’s struggles, I want to rejoice in You — I choose to rejoice in You — for You are my God and I love You.
Your Unfailing Love, Lord, Will Never Walk Away
Lord, O Lord, You are Jehovah tsidkenu — the Lord my righteousness. Without You, there is no righteousness. Without You there is no redemption, no cleansing of the heart to prepare room for Your indwelling Holy Spirit. You are my Abba Father whose unfailing love will never walk away from me.
Be born in me, Lord. Make my heart Your Bethlehem.
My Hope is Found in You, Lord … My Living Hope
Father, there is no god besides You — none can compare! And the amazing thing is that, even though You are magnificent, awesome in power, and the Most High God, You call us precious in Your sight. Your love gives me hope because I know no matter what I face, I don’t face it alone. You walk with me into my tomorrows … You are my living hope.
Your love gives me courage. And peace. And strength to endure the trials that permeate this fallen world. Thank You, Lord, for the promise of Your abiding presence.
Prepare My Heart to Receive Your Peace, Lord
Father, show me Your truths. I want to know You in Your fullness — all that You are. I want to walk in the light of Your glory all the days of my life — to behold Your beauty, to recognize Your majesty, to know Your touch. Prepare my heart to receive Your peace and let it reign in my life.
I want my heart to be a welcoming dwelling place for You and a safe haven for those who are hurting. I want Your peace to overflow through me into their lives. People need You, Lord.
Deep in the Center of the Soul is a Chamber for Peace
The earth lay still outside my window. Quiet. Peace-full. The interlude between the dark of night and the light of dawn is extraordinary and always awakens me to the things of God. The majesty of a sunrise quickens my awareness of His presence, and opens my heart as a chamber for peace.
This morning was no different. The eastern sky held a blanket of lavender and blush which slowly lowered its beauty over this tumultuous world.
Help Me Look to You and Remember You are God
Father, You are Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord my peace. I know of Your sovereignty — I appreciate Your sovereignty. Understanding that You have complete authority over all things is a great comfort to me. Help me look to You at all times and remember that You are God.
There are days when I insist on taking matters into my own hands … as if I know better. It’s ridiculous, I know.
A Reflection of Grace on the Forest’s Edge
The aged apple tree stretched toward the heavens with its thin, finger-like branches. It grew on the forest’s edge surrounded by pine, oak, and hemlocks — growing despite its conditions, which was quite obviously a happenstance, a surprise to its forest shadows … a reflection of God’s goodness and grace.
And now, as autumn has its last hoorah before winter’s chill, my eye saw something new …