My Favorite Dwelling Place. . .

My favorite place to dwell is in a small community, nestled up close to the White Tank Mountains called Verrado.  Most of the homes have front porches, different styles of architecture and the streets are all lined with trees and grass.  Our "Main Street" has a grocery market, drug store, bank, pizza place and of course, an ice cream shoppe!  We are located twenty five miles west of downtown Phoenix.  There is such a sense of community here and the residents are so warm and friendly.  I love, love, love the quiet, peaceful atmosphere.  The crime rate in Verrado is next to zero and you will rarely hear any sirens.  You might see Mule Deer crossing the street or hear the coyotes crying at night or perhaps a few scorpions, but it's such a safe and lovely place to dwell.  I never want to move away from Verrado.

                                                                        Psalm 91:1-6, 9-11
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."  If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the Lord, who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

My other favorite place to dwell is in the shelter of the Most High God.   I love to rest in Him, knowing that I am covered with His wings of protection.  I just love the quiet peace that He brings to my soul.  I relish knowing that I am a part of His community of believers and I'm surrounded with loving people.  He gives to me eyes to see His beauty all around me in this beautiful world He has created.  He is my favorite dwelling place . . . a safe and lovely place to dwell.   

                                                                         1 John 4:13
Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us because He hath given us of His Spirit.

                                                                         Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
     You are my favorite dwelling place and I never want to move away from You.  Amen

With Great Expectation!

I'm heading out the door this morning to meet my daughter, Katie at her doctor's office.  She is "expecting" a baby boy in December.  Even though she has had many moments of suffering, I have watched her with great expectation of becoming a Mother.  I have been blessed to see the ultra sound pictures of his little face.  The images are not super clear and at times hard to see, but I love him just the same and I know he is beautiful!  Little "Lucas" has not arrived as of yet, but he is still in our midst!  I can't hardly wait to see him.  The Mother of expectation is patience.

                                                                      John 16:16-22
In all truth I tell you, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.  A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a human being has been born into the world.  So it is with you; you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you."

I also am expecting just any day now, the return of Jesus Christ.  My days can often be filled with sorrow and suffering, but there will come a day, when my heart will be turned into joy!  I will see him face to face and I will know Him just as much as He knows me!  Even though Jesus has not arrived yet, He is still in my midst and I enjoy His presence in my life every single day.  Waiting patiently in great expectation is the foundation of a life in Christ.   

                                                              Morning Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,
    Thank You for the promise of Your return for us!  With great expectation I know we will have joy unspeakable on that day!  Until then, I will enjoy Your presence in my life.  Amen

Gift of Love . . .

My daughter's baby shower was coming up and even though I had purchased several lovely gifts for the baby, I knew I needed to give a gift of love. . .  I prayed and asked the Lord to lead me and as always He answered my prayer.  On Sunday at her shower, I gave  Katie a frame that says,  "Grandma" on the front and on the back I glued a recorder with my voice singing the lullabye that I used to sing to her.  Wow!  I will never forget the look on her face and the tears that just flowed when she pushed the button and heard her Mommy's voice singing. . .

    "Go to sleep my baby,
       close your pretty eyes,
         Mr. Moon is peepin 
            way up in the sky.
         Mr. Moon is peepin
             to see if you are sleepin.
      Go to sleep my baby,
        close your pretty eyes."
          
                         Love is truly the greatest gift that a Mother can give to her child. 
                         Love touches a place in a heart that nothing else can come near.

                                                          Colossians 3:14
             And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.

                                                          Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
     You take such delight in revealing to each of us, creative ways to express love to one another.  You gave to us the most beautiful example of love by sending Your son,  Jesus Christ to reflect Your love.  Lord, help me today to seek ways to express love.  Amen    

His Gracious Work

Dear Lord,
    We can say anything with our lips but do we really mean it?  Often times we don't truly know ourselves.  We like to think we have faith and trust in You, but only the tests we face will reveal the truth.  You don't test us to condemn us but to reveal either our flesh or our faith.  If we pass a test in faith, it's only because of Your gracious work in our hearts.  

                                                     James 1:2-7
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything..

I will trust You . . . .

                                                                Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
    In our trials, Lord, you are doing and completing your work.  Your work is in our hearts teaching us your lessons of love, forgiveness, patience, kindness, goodness, meekness and self control.  You are purifying us!  We often ask that you remove the trial from us and question why you don't?  Perhaps your work is not completed as of yet.  I will trust you in the trial and I will trust your timing as well.  How Lord, can our minds possibly conceive of the work you are doing on our behalf?  Today, I will give you thanks.  Amen

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

"Howdy Doody!"

Mother was telling me the story of how she would walk by my sister's crib and look in at Shirley and say, "Howdy Doody!"  One day to her delight, she walked by and Shirley said back to her,  "Howdy Doody!"  Mother's heart was so delighted!

A precious memory I have from my trip to Indiana was spending a moment of silence in the sanctuary at Winchester Friends Church.  In the still quiet, we heard a baby cooing and babbling and it was the sweetest sound ever!  Her words made no sense at all, but the sweet sounds from that baby truly blessed us!  The Lord spoke to my heart and said, "Often your words to me are simply babble, but they still please me!  And when I hear you speak my Word that I have taught you ..... I'm am so delighted!  

                                                                       Psalms 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.   

                                                                   Romans 10:17
                Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.


                                                                       Morning Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
   It's so hard for me to understand how You, the creator of this world would be so attentive to me and my babbling words.  Why would Your heart leap to look upon me and smile when I call out to You?  Each day You are teaching me the language of faith and watching me grow in my understanding of Your love.  Thank you Lord and "Howdy Doody"!  Amen

My Every Need. . .

                                                      Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know unto God.

I have been anxious about using the traveling portable concentrator for my oxygen needs when I travel to Indiana next week.  It works well using electricity, however the battery usage is very limited to just a couple hours.  I have been looking so forward to attending my nieces wedding and reception but also concerned that I would have to be attached to an electrical cord stretching across the reception room floor. Ugh!!  Then I realized my Heavenly Father has blessed me with this wonderful trip and He will also see that my needs are met!  After prayers and phone calls and God's direction and provisions . . . I will have the same equipment that I have here at home and I will be free as a bird!  I received free delivery, 2 free tanks and the free carrier to use through the local hospital.  The Lord also graciously met the financial costs of my freedom through my loving family!  Thank you Lord!

Why do we fret and worry about our legitimate needs?  Why do we question God's gracious provisions for us?  We often have not because we ask not.  He delights in revealing to us His glorious love and riches!  We may be tempted to settle for less than God's very best because we do not make our requests known to Him.  

                                                              Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

                                                              Morning Prayer
Dear Lord,
    Help me to turn my anxious thoughts into anxious anticipation of Your answers to my every need!  You invite me to come to you about everything. . .  oh that I would do just that!  Amen ~