Father, Give Me a Good Kick!

Father, in the abundance of your blessings, you give me opportunity. Opportunity to serve, to love, to share, to give, opportunities to bless others. But, so much of the time, my fervor to serve, to love, to share, to give, and to bless wanes. I am so preoccupied with my own concerns, needs, activities, and ambitions. With the opportunities you give me, grant to me also a willing heart, motivation, give me a good kick and move me out of my comfort (or my rut) so that I may be about your business, your concerns, to share the blessing of your love with others.

Teach Me Lord To Wait

"Teach Me Lord To Wait," by Stuart Hamblen, (c) 1953, ren. 1981 Hamblen Music Co.  Inspired by the words of Isaiah 40.30-31.

Teach me Lord, to wait
Down on my knees
Till in Your own good time
You answer my pleas
Teach me not to rely
On what others do
But to wait in prayer
For an answer from You

They who wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings like eagles
They shall run and not grow weary
They shall walk and not faint
Teach me Lord
Teach me Lord, to wait

Teach me Lord, to wait
While hearts are aflame
Let me humble my pride
And call on Your name
Keep my faith renewed
My eyes on Thee
Let me be on this earth
What You want me to be

They who wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings like eagles
They shall run and not grow weary
They shall walk and not faint
Teach me Lord
Teach me Lord, to wait

For You Will Answer Me

Psalm 86

Hear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.

You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Hear my prayer, O Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.

Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

Teach me your way, O Lord,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

The arrogant are attacking me, O God;
a band of ruthless men seeks my life--
men without regard for you.
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
Turn to me and have mercy on me;
grant your strength to your servant
and save the son of your maidservant.
Give me a sign of your goodness,
tht my enemies may see it and be put to shame,
for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Pray for Rain!!!

A photo certainly worth a 1,000 words . . . and some tears!

(Photo of wildfire burning near Bastrop, Texas)

Please pray for rain to come to Texas and drench these awful fires.
Our God is much greater than any wildfire.

Thank You For Our Labor

Father, thank you for the work you give my hands to do.
You have made me to be productive:
To create just as you do;
To sustain;
To aide and to help;
To bless others who are in need;
To lead and direct;
To teach;
To heal and to soothe;
To plan and to build;
To grow;
To mentor and inspire;
To entertain;
To learn and discover;
To recover and rebuild;
To counsel;
To protect and defend.
You did not create us to sit and be still,
for you gave us two arms and two legs,
hands that grip and feet that move,
and a mind that initiates and executes.
Thank you for our labor.
May we ever use our work as praise to You.

Forgive Me For My Absence

O Lord my God
To you I lift my praise
You remind me daily of your love
And I don't have to look far to see your presence

But, forgive me for my absence
In my busyness I shove you out of the way
In my selfishness I give you no time
But my neglect only brings worry
Anxieties and stress
I can't do it on my own
That becomes clearer each day

So thank you for staying with me
For your long-suffering patience
For your love that knows no end

May I learn to pray to you daily
Not merely in those moments of despair
But also in gladness and smooth sailing seas