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
Help Me Remember You are the One True, Living God
Father, You are Elohim Chayim, the Living God, the everlasting One. Before the earth was formed, You were. You are Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End — all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present.
You have been our dwelling place through all generations and now we are Yours. Through the Blood of Jesus, You have made us Your temple. You walk with us, and You talk with us — we are Your people, and You are our God.
Consider the Heavy-Laden Branches of Winter
The long, spindly branches of the forsythia bush outside my window bend heavy-laden with a glaze of ice. The coating is thin, and though its appearance is lovely, the branch struggles to sustain its weight.
I feel this way sometimes.
Fires, Earthquakes, Floods … Be Merciful, O God
Father, I know You are trustworthy and worthy of all praise. I know You are sovereign … You are merciful and kind, faithful and true. You are who You say You are — I know because I know You and I have walked with You for over fifty years. That’s a long time to know Someone.
However, I must say, that even though I am secure in Your love, world events are unsettling, especially the natural disasters. Floods, fires, earthquakes … they have been anything but natural. They are epic. And I believe they have spiritual roots.
Can the Ache of Wilderness Become a Sacred Space?
As the frigid arctic air blasted its way across our mountains, I shivered and turned even further into myself. The past few weeks had been hard, demanding … emotional. I wasn’t comfortable in this wilderness place. The bitter cold only served to reinforce my wayward thoughts.
““The wilderness is an unpleasant place, fleshly speaking. We naturally want prosperity, health, and easy-going. But the same God who created the garden also created the wilderness … “
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.