Cycle of Praise

Today's devotion comes from my book 52 Days of Grace, available now on Amazon!

“Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.”  (Romans 1:19-23)

Every human ever created knows of God.  Signs of His qualities and attributes are found throughout creation, yet many of us live a lifetime without ever acknowledging God’s hand in our lives.  You’ve heard it before: The relieved mother whose kidnapped child was found safe and sound yet responds, “We are so lucky to be together again,” the rescued hiker who thanks the men who found and saved her, but fails to recognize God’s sovereign role in her recovery, or the burn victim who miraculously escapes from a burning building yet is blind to the miracle God performed in opening a clear path out.   “I am so lucky to be alive.”

Paul says that God’s “eternal power and divine nature” is clearly seen from creation, so we are without excuse. 

It may be easy for us to acknowledge God in the above circumstances, but what about in the little areas?  Thanking God when we find a parking spot, when there’s food in our ‘frig or a warm bed in which to sleep takes effort.  These are things we take for granted, yet God wants us to thank Him and glorify Him as Lord of all, even of the little things.  This God-focus leads to wisdom, which allows us to see more of His hand in our lives. 

Thanking and glorifying God is the
beginning of a cycle of praise.

How often do you recognize the hand of God in your everyday life?

Do you ever take the little things for granted?  Why not take the opportunity right now to thank God for all the little blessings in your life?

Heavenly Father,

I confess that I do not always acknowledge the work of Your hand in my life.  I want to thank You for all that You have created, and all the details to which You pay attention, allowing my life to continue.  I want to see more of Your hand in my life so I can spend my time praising You!

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen

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Our Advantage

Today's devotional comes from my book, 52 Days of Grace, available now on Amazon.

“What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?  Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.    What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?  Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.’”

                                                                                                                                                   Romans 3:1-4

There are many religions man uses to try to get to God.   Each has its own list of requirements to fulfill in order for a follower to climb closer to the ultimate goal.  Each uses a standard set by man to measure a disciple’s progress and many followers claim to have found peace and meaning in this process.

So what advantage do we, as disciples of Christ, hold?  We have the very words of God to use as our blueprint for building a meaningful life and to employ as a standard with which to measure our hearts.  Many times we fail to use God’s Word in this way, but simply read it as part of a ritual or as a daily habit.  The amazing thing about God is that this lack of faith on our part does not at all change His character.   If I claim that the maple tree in my front yard does not exist, that does not make it true, as evidenced by the shade I enjoy in the summer or the leaves I rake up each fall.  The tree is there no matter what I believe in my heart about it or how many times I ignore it as I walk past it on the way to the car.  In the same way, God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promises and to love us as only He can is not invalidated by my “lukewarmness.”    If I simply go through the motions of doing “religious things”, but make no real investment in my relationship with my Father, it does not diminish one iota His character.  He is still the same today as He was when He created all things. (Psalm 102:25-27)

Knowing that God is there waiting for me to place Him in the center of my life, and that He won’t be a different God once I finally appreciate and acknowledge Him, is comforting and inspiring.  I want to know a God who doesn’t change!  Everything else around me is constantly changing: My relationships, my family, my garden, my home, my job.  Nothing stays the same.  Nothing, that is, except God.  That is our advantage as the people of the One True God.       

When all else is shifting, I can stand firmly on the Solid Rock.

How have you fallen into the beliefs of this world regarding “religion” and character of God?

How much time do you spend in learning more about the One True God by reading His Word, meeting with His people and talking to Him?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being a God who does not change like shifting shadows.  I can always count on you.  I want to make You and Your law my foundation through faith in Jesus, giving me a solid rock to stand on during life’s storms.  I ask for strength and faith to make this commitment.  Thank you for your faithfulness to stay the same even when everything else around me is changing.  Help me to trust in your never-changing character.

I pray these things in Jesus Name,

Amen

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Promises Kept

Today's devotional is an excerpt from my book, "52 Days of Grace," available on Amazon.

Day Two

Promises Kept

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—  the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. . .” Romans 1:1-2

“But Mom, you promised!”  I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that desperate cry from the mouths of disappointed children.  As parents, it’s common to break a promise.  We may have every intention of keeping our pledge, but life happens, circumstances change, and our ability to fulfill that guarantee falls through.

God, however, does not have that problem!

The promise of our salvation through Jesus Christ was given all the way back in Abraham’s time when God proclaimed that, “All nations will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3 and Galatians 3:8) What a God of planning and forethought we worship!

Since we know the One True God is a God who keeps promises, we can trust Him with our very lives.  If He can fulfill prophecies made thousands of years before the birth of the Messiah, can He not free you from the bondage of worry, or the desire to control, or the pit of despair?  Yes, He can.  He has more than shown His trustworthiness.  Now it’s time to show our trust in Him by surrendering all to Him.

“Faith is two empty hands held open to receive all of the Lord Jesus."                                                                                                                                               Alan Redpath

How do I place God in the same category as man, assuming He will let me down?

With what area of my life do I struggle in surrendering to the One who loves me unconditionally?

I have sometimes said, “It’s not God I don’t trust, it’s me!  I’m the one who will mess it all up.”  How is this attitude showing a lack of respect for the sovereignty and power of God?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being the One whom I can trust completely.  You will never let me down.  Help me to forget all the bad experiences I’ve had with people and judge you completely on your own merits as a loving, Promise-Keeper.  When I am tempted to use my own frailties as an excuse for not trusting you, remind me of Moses who also let his pride get in the way of following you with abandon.  You are a God who is in control and I place my life in your hands.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.

If you liked this devotional and liked to read more, order your own copy here.  

52 Days of Grace is useful for personal study, group discussion or as a supplement to your established quiet time.  May you use it to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Light and Glory

"Simeon was there.

He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

'Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,

as you have promised.

I have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared for all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

and he is the glory of your people Israel!'"

Luke 2:28-32 NLT

Jesus.  He came to save.  Some expected a glorious king who would rescue them from the oppression of the Romans, but God had something else in mind.  

Jesus came to make a way for all peoples to come to God.  Jesus came to earth as a man so that God's own people could know their Lord's true nature through faith and be delivered into a radical kind of covenant based on grace.

Jesus.  So much more than just a babe in a manger.

Do you know Him?

Holy Night

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,

keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them,

'Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news that will cause 

great joy for your people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

he is the Messiah, 

the Lord."

Luke 2:8-11

When I was a child, I remember looking out the window on Christmas eve as I lay on the top bunk.  I would search the skies, sensing a difference in the feel of the night, a holiness and wonder.  Finally, I would see it, finding what I was looking for.  A star that stood out from all the others, and I imagined it to be the beacon that heralded the birth of the Christ Child.  My heart swelled with anticipation, not even knowing exactly why I felt such a way.

This Christmas eve, let us take on this kind of child-like wonder as we look for signs of the Messiah born that night so long ago.  On the eve of the day we have set aside to remember such a miraculous event, may we seek out the One who, ". . .made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:7-8)

He came to save. (John 3:17)  He came for you.  He came for me.  Do you know Him, this Jesus?

Enthroned

"The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;

the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

The LORD gives strength to his people;

the LORD blesses his people with peace."

Psalm 29:10-11

The tune is catchy.  Kids love the fun characters.  The theology behind the words is solid.  You can't get any better than this.  And, whenever I'm scared, I can sing this song to myself and feel better.  

"God is Bigger than the Boogy Man" may be a silly song created for kids, but it delivers a truth we all need to know and embrace:  Nothing knocks God off His throne!

 Disaster.  I see it on the news almost every night.  Sometimes it enters into my own life.  Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, fires, crashes, accidents.  The aftermath leaves victims reeling, their world being turned upside down as they search for solid ground on which to stand.  

While I am knocked off-balance by such a turn of events, God is not surprised, shocked or startled.  He knows what to expect and He is already there in the midst of the panic, ready to help me when I call out to Him (Isaiah 43:2).  Just because the world seems out-of-control doesn't mean God is.

Even when tragedy strikes, God is still on the throne.  The seemingly random nature of this world does not trip up His plan in the least.  He still reigns as supreme no matter what is happening all around me.

God is reigning over the disaster and is ready to deliver His people from calamity.

Idols and gods.  I let it consume me.  It becomes more important than anything else.  I can hardly spend a waking moment without it on my mind.  This seemingly innocuous activity/pursuit/relationship has become a god to me.

It happens all the time and I am always in danger of falling into such a trap.  My God, however, is jealous for my time and attention (Exodus 20:5).  He made me for Himself and desires to be intimately involved in my life.  Placing God at the center is what makes my life meaningful and purposeful.  Nothing makes sense without Him as Lord but there is room for only one lord in my life (Matthew 6:24).

Even when I let my priorities get all out of whack, God is still on the throne.  My lack of insight or ability to see His power and authority does not minimize His dominion one iota.  He is still on the throne no matter what I've replaced Him with in my heart.

God is still sovereign and is waiting to be acknowledged as Lord of my life.

Weakness.  I try to be strong.  I press on, working hard to keeping up appearances, but I am exhausted, tired to the core of my being.  How can I carry on?  Where will I go from here?

There is something about the economy of God's kingdom that is backwards from the rest of the world.  In the normal scheme of things, I must be strong in order to survive.  But in God's way of thinking, I am only strong when I am weak because then it is He who is at work (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Sometimes, I just need to get out of the way.  Make that all the time I need to get out of the way.  When I think I got this, or that I don't need any help, I'm hindering what God is trying to accomplish.  He isn't a bully-god who forces His way in.  Instead, He waits to be invited.  He is a gentleman, never interrupting my efforts but gives me a chance to surrender, to give up, to let go of my desire to run my own life.  Then, when I finally see the light and realize my own inability to help myself, I turn to Him.  And He is ready.

Even when I'm running myself ragged trying to orchestrate all the details of my life, God is still on the throne.  My insistence on depending upon my own weak character instead of on God's strong nature does not diminish His strength one bit.  He is still on the throne no matter how capable I think I am.

God is still mighty, ready to give me strength as I hope in Him (Isaiah 40:28-31).

God is bigger than everything He has created and His rule is absolute.  Nothing can knock Him off His throne: Not disaster, my own messed up priorities, or my weakness.  No matter what, God is still over all things and His reign cannot be disrupted.  What a relief to know that the God who loves me perfectly is ever-enthroned on high, above all that I face in this world!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can keep God at the center of my life.

When do I feign strength, thinking I don't need help?

How am I running around trying to handle all the details when God is standing by, waiting to be my strength?

       

Laugh in the Face of Fear!

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life--

of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

Alzheimer's and dementia threatens to develop.  Cancer looms.  Heart disease strikes all around.  Strokes render loved ones helpless.  Governments topple.  Wars break out.  Terrorists attack.  Unrest continues.  Anger provokes violence.  Injustice rises.  

There is much to fear in this world.  Because of who God is, however, I can laugh in it's face!

Light.  The darkness pressed in around me, palpable in it's completeness.  My eyes strained to pick up some kind of image, but none was to be seen.  The blackness in the cave was absolute, and I had rarely felt such fear.  What if we can't find our way back out?  Will we be doomed to die down here under the earth?  Then the tour guide ended my panic with the flick of a switch and light again flooded the cavern.

Light in the darkness brings comfort and security, especially when you're almost a mile under the earth in a deep cave.  While I rejoiced when the light turned back on during that tour, the beam of a few 100-watt bulbs cannot compare to the Light that comes from the Lord.  

When my life seems filled with evil and gloom, Jesus delivers hope for something better.  When everything is swirling in a whirlwind of confusion and I don't know what to do, Jesus stands firm in the storm, giving strong guidance and grounding me in truth.  When the unknown lurks like a terrifying monster in my future, Jesus is already there, completely aware and in control of all that is to come.

While it is easy to fear all that I face, I need not be afraid for Jesus is the Light of the world (John 1:4-5).

Salvation.  She couldn't help herself.  The bottom of the pool was suddenly out of her reach and she realized she was in over her head.  She began to panic as her feet no longer felt the hard, welcoming surface.  Suddenly, a strong arm reached in, pulling her back to the shallows.  The girl was saved by an alert swimmer.

In the same way that this youngster could not save herself, I am incapable of getting myself out of the deadly bind to which my sin has fated me.  I am doomed to die as punishment for all the ways I've failed (Romans 6:23).  Suddenly, a Lifesaver reaches in and plucks me from my destiny of death, giving me a chance at life eternal.  Jesus died so that I could live (John 3:16).

Even more, Jesus rescues me from a shallow existence devoid of meaning and purpose (John 10:10).  I'm told I am nothing more than an accident, a mistake who happened to land here in this place and time.  Then Jesus enlightens me to the truth: I was made on purpose for a purpose by a God of purpose (Ephesians 2:10).  Significance is born.

As if that weren't enough, He did more.  My flesh desires nothing more than to live for me, meet my own needs and desires, and run after what will please myself.  Then Jesus gives me a power I never knew before and a transformation takes place.  As I'm molded into a new creature, the old things fade away as new desires form.  Sin is no longer the ruler of my life as a new King takes His throne (Romans 6:14).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus rescues me from such a dismal certainty.

Stronghold.  I could see no way out.  There was danger all around yet no path on which to escape.  I was trapped, surrounded by the enemy.  As I realized by fate in this cyber war, I accepted death as the soldiers descended upon me.  My turn was up as I let someone else play the game. 

While life is not like a video game, there are situations when I may feel just as hopeless.  The Enemy of my soul is out to get me, giving me grief every time I turn around.  Yet Jesus has given me the upper hand at the mention of His name.  I am not without defense, being outfitted with a mighty Sword as I wield the weapon of God's Word boldly, dealing deadly blows as I submit to the Truth (Ephesians 6:17).

Other times the evil all around me seems to close in like a deadly wave of attacks.  It looks like the darkness is winning, ready to overtake all the good and overwhelm what is left of the noble and virtuous.  But Jesus has overcome, claiming victory in the battle of good versus evil (John 16:33).

Then comes temptation, rising up when I least expect it, crushing any pretense I have of self-control.  But Jesus offers a way out, and I gratefully escape from the heavy pull of sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus has conquered every danger in my life, standing as a stronghold that cannot be penetrated.

Yes, danger is lurking around every corner, giving me many reasons to fear as I live this life.  But Jesus offers relief from such distress, shedding Light, offering salvation, and serving as a stronghold of victory.  Because of Jesus, I can laugh in the face of fear! 

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to accept all that He is offering me through Jesus Christ.

When do I attempt to give myself a meaningful life when Jesus has already died to deliver such bounty?

How am I walking in darkness because the Light seems out of my reach?  

  

Who is this King of Glory?

"Lift up your heads, you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

the LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, you gates;

lift them up, you ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

The LORD Almighty--

he is the King of glory."

Jesus.  His birth is what I celebrate at this time of year.  I scurry around making preparations which often distract me from the purpose for Christmas: A time to joyfully celebrate a God who would send His Son to earth as a lowly human in order to reconcile mankind to Himself, placing His precious Son in the womb of a teenage girl so He could grow into a man who would die on the cross for me and for you.  Jesus.  He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

I invited Jesus in as King of my life, but do I really know Him?  Who is this King of glory?

Strength.  If I had to live the life Jesus lived while He was here on earth, I would have grown weary.  I would have reached a breaking point as I ministered to people who many times couldn't care less about the message I was delivering.  I would have been disgusted by the attitudes of the Pharisees who thought they were so good but couldn't even grasp a simple truth.  I would have grown tired of people always wanting something from me, the constant press of humanity against my flesh would have pushed me over the edge.  "Heal me.  Help me.  Give to me."  Yes, I would have quickly grown weary.

But Jesus has this strength that keeps Him coming.  He doesn't give up, never getting tired.  While His flesh may have felt the effects of keeping up such a fast pace and demanding schedule, His Spirit never grew weary (Isaiah 40:28).  He was always ready to deliver one more person from suffering, to lead one more captive to freedom, to offer one more thirsty soul living water.  And He still is.

Who is Jesus?  He is the One who is strong enough to bear my burdens, propel me forward and empower me to live for Him.

Mighty Warrior.  There is something about a battle between good and evil that draws me in.  Whether this story comes in movie or book form, it doesn't matter.  My heart beats faster when I witness a character standing up to the bad guy, going against the odds in the name of what is right or defeating evil.  

I think I'm drawn into such a narrative because Jesus is this kind of warrior in my life.  I have an enemy who is bent on my destruction, who wants nothing more than to steal my peace, kill my faith and destroy my life (John 10:10).  He lurks around like a prowling lion, looking for ways to trip me up and discourage me (1 Peter 5:8).  I sometimes feel so helpless against his attacks.  

Then I remember my Mighty Warrior who fights on my behalf and has already conquered such evil (John 16:33).  With Jesus at my side, there is no weapon meant to harm me that can succeed, no power working against me that can bring me down, no enemy tactic designed to wreak havoc that will triumph (Isaiah 54:17).

Who is Jesus?  He is my Mighty Warrior who fights my battles, giving me confidence to walk boldly forward despite the battle that swirls around me.

Lord of Hosts.  He is the Lord Almighty.  He is sovereign over all things.  He is the avenger of His people.  When it seems all hope is lost, that this world is going down in flames and there is nothing I can do about it, Jesus is still on the throne and it is in He that I place my hope.

I need not worry that evil is running rampant, unchecked and without consequence.  The Lord of Hosts is at His post and will bring about justice in due time.  When my heart hurts to see the innocent suffering at the hands of the wicked, I can rest easy knowing that the sovereign Lord is biding His time until His fury is unleashed.  My stomach is turned to witness how darkness is being portrayed as light, that which is wrong as if it was right, but the Lord Almighty sees all and will let no injustice go unpunished. 

Who is Jesus?  He is the Lord of Hosts, giving me courage to minister to the suffering, knowing that He will avenge.

Jesus is not just the babe in the manger I see portrayed at this time of year.  He set aside His divinity for a time in order to enter the world He created as an infant, but His true character has so many facets.  I have invited Him into my heart to rule over my life as my strength, my Mighty Warrior, and the Lord of hosts.   Who is this King of glory?  He is Jesus, and His many names say it all!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can never stop seeking to learn more about the King of my life.

When do I make Jesus one-dimensional, minimizing His true character?

Do I know the real Jesus, or am I just familiar with the Jesus portrayed in pop culture?

It's All His

"The earth is the LORD's,

and everything in it,

the world,

and all who live in it. . ."
Psalm 24:1

My dog thinks everything is his.  At least that's the impression I get when I walk him each morning along our familiar route.  If he had his way, he'd mark each signpost, light pole and clump of grass.  Each time he lifts his leg, I imagine him saying, "Mine.  This is mine, too.  I claim this!"  

As ridiculous as it seems for a dog to think he owns anything, I actually do the same thing.  I look at belongings, family, job, time, and call it, "Mine."   In reality, it's all God's!  How can I claim something He created and gave to me?  Realizing everything belongs to God can give me a different outlook.

Property.  I never thought I was very materialistic, until God began to challenge me in the area of possessions.  Like most people, my family and I had a house full of stuff.  There was furniture that had weathered many family gatherings, pieces that reminded me of the days when our daughters were younger, and things that were given as gifts.  Then came the day when I heard God's calling to a distant land, a place across the country where my dad needed us. 

As I researched moving options, my husband and I soon realized it wasn't cost effective to move all our belongings over 2,000 miles away.  So, we decided obedience was more valuable than the stuff filling our home and we put it all up for sale, only keeping that which was necessary and a few sentimental items.  It wasn't until I thought about our dining room table where many family meals had been shared that I realized the hold these material items had on my heart.  Still, I let it all go and learned that the memories are still there despite the absence of the furniture.  And, we have had the privilege of watching God at work as he fills our new dwelling place with furnishings.

Acknowledging that all my property really belongs to God wards off possessiveness and stinginess.  For instance, if I'd held my furniture in higher regard than my dad's welfare, we would never have had the honor of spending precious time with the man God placed in my life as my father.  Also, the young woman just starting out, or the grandfather who was looking for a table big enough to accommodate his grandchildren, would not have had the blessing of acquiring what they needed.  God had something better in mind for what I had considered to be my furniture, but was really His all along.

Realizing all my property really belongs to God nurtures a more generous, selfless spirit.

People.  When I was around ten, my parents were going through a painful divorce.  As the middle child, I was effected deeply and began to fear losing my mother.  Every time she left the house to go to a meeting or to run errands, I would become anxious, thinking about all that could happen to her.  As I grew up and had a family of my own, I experienced similar feelings when my soldier-husband was gone long hours jumping out of airplanes or serving in war zones.  I learned that God loves my loved ones even more than I do and that they are under His domain.

Knowing that those I love really belong to God, not to me, I can rest easy no matter where they go or what they do.  I can choose to believe that it is His area of responsibility to watch out for them, to direct their lives, and to grow their faith.  Consequently, I need not worry when my loved one strays away, or is out of my influence, or is in harm's way.  God's got them in the palm of His capable hands!

Realizing all those I love really belong to God nurtures a more peaceful, patient spirit.

Perspective.  I think it was my hard work, my wise decisions, my thrifty practices that have positioned me where I now find myself.  I give myself credit for acquiring what I own, for thinking ahead and anticipating my current needs, for sacrificing hours of toil in order to prepare for the future.  In reality, without God, none of what I have would even exist, let along be in my possession.  Without God, I could not even take my next breath, let alone invest for the future.

God founded this earth and established it according to His purposes.  He made it all for Himself but chose to entrust it into the care of mankind (Genesis 1:26-30).  Knowing I am in God's creation instead of thinking He is a part of mine, changes the way I see the world around me.

My future, instead of being in my hands to direct as I see fit, is a well-thought-out blueprint just waiting to be revealed by a God who loves me and has my best interest at heart (Jeremiah 29:11).  Interruptions to my daily schedule, instead of being an aggravation that stops me from being productive, is an appointment set by a God who has a kingdom mission for me to accomplish in place of the puny plans I had for my time (Ephesians 2:10) .  The crisis of life-threatening illness, instead of my greatest fear coming to fruition, is a beautiful time of faith-building when I have the privilege of being comforted by the One who knows how to perfectly carry my burdens (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 5:7).

Realizing I am here for God, not the other way around, nurtures a more faithful, trusting spirit.

While my dog may thinking everything he sees is part of his domain, I am learning better.  All the property in my possession is really God's, the people I love are ultimately in God's hands, and it all is under His sovereign rule as part of His creation.  As such, I am discovering the pressure is off me to preserve my stuff, protect my loved ones, or order my own footsteps.  Instead, I can say, "It's all His!"

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to let Him rule my life.

When do I hang onto the stuff in my life as if that's what is truly valuable?

How am I fooling myself into thinking it's my job to protect those I love?