Lord of heaven and earth,      

Creator of the firmament,

Father of all mankind,

Thank you for this day,

     a day in which I can shine

     and glorify You in all I do,

Help me to stay focused on You

     and be mindful of Your will.

Let my thoughts and deeds

    be in accordance with Your plans.

Help my heart be so pleasing to You

     that Your heart can live within it.

Let me be a joy to those I meet;

     don't let me be a pain,

     the kind of person others avoid.

Don't let me wear out my welcome,

     or my presence be chalk squeaking on a blackboard.

Let me turn the other cheek to difficult people.

Let me be a good forgiver when I am hurt.

     a cup of kindness to those who are hurting,

     a loving touch to my neighbors, even the difficult ones.

Let my life be a worship service for You,

     full of prayer, singing Your praises, preaching the truth

          of Your mercy, grace, peace, and love.

Let me be a beacon that draws others to You.

Forgive me when I am so full of myself

     that others cannot see anything of You in me.

Thank You for Your unconditional love

     for being my eternal, sustaining God

     Who always fulfill promises and Who cannot lie.

Let me always remember Your promise of eternal life.

Keep me from being the reason another falters

     in his walk with you.

Instead, plant in me seeds of courage and desire

     to share the message of salvation in Jesus

     in such a way that they will want to know You too.

I thank You for all the saints who encourage me.

As I go on session, let my attitude be positive.

Work within me and make me uplifting and selfless.

                        In Jesus' name I pray. 

I believe that angels visit us disguised in human flesh. I think God sent one to me Christmas eve at a time when I was worn out with the busyness of the season, a husband's birthday dinner on the eve of Christmas eve, and other commitments. I don't know my angel's name and probably won't recognize him if I ever see him again, but I wish I did. I would love to have him in my life every day. 

I met him at Wal-Mart, my last stop before hurrying home. I needed a Christmas card for my husband, who always picks out the most special cards for me. Unfortunately (or fortunately for me), there were lots of other people trying to find cards too. I waited a few minutes; then, when no one showed any signs of moving so I could get close to the cards, I very loudly asked if anyone would please pass me a "husband" card. A sweet, young lady reached over and handed me a card she had seen. At the same time, the young man standing beside her said he'd seen a really good card for a husband, took it off of the shelf, and told me this was the "husband" card I needed to get. ( At this point, all I wanted was a card with the word "husband" on it!!! I usually look for humorous and this one looked sappy.)

Anyway I thanked him for the card and turned to leave, but he wasn't satisfied. He boldly insisted I read the card he had given me--right then!!. I thought, "He has some nerve and doesn't understand how exhausted and busy I am." I just wanted to get out of Wal-Mart and go home. 

Nevertheless, deciding to humor him, I opened the card, read it, and discovered one of the most beautifully worded cards I've ever seen, a wonderful tribute to a husband who has remained true and supportive for almost 50 years. As I mentioned this to my young friend, his face lit up as he then shared with me that he and his wife were celebrating their 20th anniversary that day. He added three important factors in their lasting marriage; all three involve putting God first and letting Him direct their marriage.

Finally, as I was leaving, this wonderful young man put his arms around me and hugged me. What a joyful experience!! What a special Christmas gift of caring and sharing he gave me when I needed it, a gift more precious than a bunch of shiny baubles, a gift of love. I'm sure he had a Merry Christmas; I did.

Heavenly Father, Loving God,

When I do not stop  to enjoy the quietness

     of time spent with You,

     my spirit becomes troubled, restless,

     filled with the world and its sinfulness. 

The busy "busyness" of my days 

     prevent me from replenishing  my spirit.

Lord, show me how to prepare my soul

      so that You can feed it with healthy fruits

      that will sustain holiness  within me.

Pluck out the insidious, noxious weeds

     of pride, jealousy, anger, self-pity, self-righteousness,

     those sins of my worldly flesh

     which grow so rapidly, chocking and killing

     the  good fruit of the spirit.

As Jesus has prepared a place for His saints in heaven,

Help me prepare my heart, my soul,

     the core of my being , 

     as a place for the Holy Spirit to live.

Lord, calm me when I am being difficult,

     when relationships with others are prickly.

Let me feel Your presence around me

     when I am feeling lost, unloved, abandoned.

Let me put my arms around others,

     encourage them, affirm their importance,

     celebrate them, love them instead of maligning them,

     feeding off of their inadequacies,

     enjoying their discomforts.

Forgive me                                                                          

     when I do not sacrifice myself for others,

     when I do not love unconditionally,

     when I whine instead of praising,

     when I do not rejoice  because I am  Your child.

Forgive me when I waste money on fluff

     ignoring the needs of those  hurting in ways

     I have never experienced.

Forgive me for becoming too involved

     with petty remarks,  insignificant acts, criticisms of others.

Help me discern the really important words and deeds .

Forgive me when I fail to glorify Your name,

     when I do things that are not in accordance with your will.

Forgive me when I I spend too much time pondering

     ways in which others disappoint me.

Let me remember the Royal Commandment

     and love my neighbors as I love myself.

I know what You expect me to do,

     how You expect me to behave,

     but I do not always do what I am called to do.

Forgive me when I do those things I should not do,

     choosing not to do those things I should.

Lord, let there be health in me let my heart be Your heart.

Work within me, use me to do Your will.

Bless me, guide me, let me love.   In Christ's name. 

Lord,

You know my thoughts

     before I do.     

You knit together the threads of my being

     my mortal, mental mechanisms,

     my brain waves, my tongue.

You know my life experiences,

     the joys and hurts that have molded me.

You know what makes me work,

     what operates my actions and reactions,

     my failings, my moods.

You know my strengths,

     my weaknesses, my flaws.

Be with me as I interact with others.

Keep me focused on what I myself am doing,

     not on what others do.

Let my thoughts be positive and constructive,

     not negative and destructive.

Stop me from diving into the shallow pond of self-pity.

Let me dignify the concerns of others.

Remind me that I swim in a huge sea of humanity

     in which I must discern the needs of others

     if I am going to live harmoniously with them.

Remind me that I must love others

     who share this ocean with me

     if we are all going to find peace and joy

    instead of doubt and fear.

Show me how to find the safe havens, the buoys.

Show me how to know when I am in danger

     and lead me back to You.

Let me be Your arms and legs as I swim

     to the shore of Your eternal kingdom.

Let me always pray that I do all things

     in accordance with Your Will,

          not mine, Lord.

Let me bring honor and glory to Your name.

               Amen and amen. In Jesus' name.  

from Life Sentences by Warren Wiersbe:

" The Bible opens with the  garden of Eden and closes with the garden city of Heaven.  It goes from sin and death to holiness and life.  What caused the change?"

"Between these two gardens is the Garden of Gethsemane where the Son of God prayed, 'Not my will but yours be done.' (Luke 22:42)  and went forth courageously to die on a cross.  Because Jesus died and rose again, the curse caused in the first garden has been overcome.  The last book in the English Old Testament ends with the word curse (Mal. 4:6), but in the last book of the New Testament we read, 'No longer will there be any curse.' (Rev 22:3)  The gift of eternal life is available to all who put their trust in Jesus.  The Bible records this remarkable story so you and I may read it, believe it, and experience  all that God has for us."  

I think of several things as I reread these words written by Warren Wiersbe.  First of all, the gardens--Eden, Gethsemane, and Heaven.  Is there  anywhere more peaceful, inviting and pleasant than a beautiful garden--a place to refresh a weary soul, a place to meditate, a place to rejoice in the beauty of Creation?   I had never thought of the  Bible story beginning and ending with a garden setting. 

Something else Mr. Wiersbe pointed out: the climax of the Biblical story for mankind occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane. I understand the importance of Jesus staying true to the wishes of His Father at that point; but, in the literary analysis, I had never put my finger on that particular situation as being the climax of mankind's struggle for reconciliation with God.  The moments Jesus spent in Gethsemane represented the point of no return for Him and for us. After Jesus submitted to God's will in that garden, there was no turning back for Him, no using His supernatural powers to stop the madness, cruelty, and pain being unleashed around Him and upon Him. 

In Gethsemane, Jesus chose to suffer the pain and shame associated with the cross in order t o accomplish the task for which He been born the Son of Man.  He chose to fulfill the purpose for which His Father had sent him into a sinful world. 

The climax of a story is the highest point of suspense, the point at which the conclusion of the story must necessarily come.  Before He could leave the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had been betrayed by Judas and arrested by the authorities and others who despised him.  It is through Christ's  resurrection that we mortals, humankind, share in the victory over death and are able to look forward to eternal life with God in His heavenly home.  Jesus had to die, descend into hell, and conquer death and demons in order to obtain our salvation.  But, for a moment, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, seems to vacillate.  In Matthew 26, verses 39, 42, and 44, we see that three times Jesus asked that, if possible, He be spared the awful crucifixion.  Each time, however, He also asked that His Father's will, not His, be done. Here is Jesus at a fork in the road: He can avoid the cross, thereby condemning mankind to eternal damnation, or He can endure the agony of the cross and insure mankind   eternal life in Heaven if he will only believe in the Resurrection.  Jesus chose to sacrifice Himself in order to fulfill God's wishes and save mankind from the eternal darkness of death.

The Bible is a story of God's love for his people, His faithfulness to us, and His willingness to sacrifice for us.  The verse, "Greater love has no man than he who  lays down His life for another."  This verse illustrates God's love for us.  God became incarnate and died for us.  This sacrifice is especially awesome because God sacrificed His only begotten Son.  While I myself might be willing to die for someone or a cause I feel strongly about, I would not willingly sacrifice one of my daughters or grandchildren for anyone.

Men throughout the world and time have wanted a son to carry on the family name.  The idea of sacrificing the only son, would not be acceptable to most of us.

I hate the idea of one of my grandsons ever having to go to war or to meet cruel, hateful people who will despise and scorn them because of their skin color, their birthplace, their Christian beliefs.  If I were able, I would wrap them in cotton and keep them safe. I do, however, know that God has a plan for each of my grandsons; I know God loves them and will them if they will just listen and follow God's voice.

Yes, sacrificing one' s son for the redemption of others is showing inconceivable love.  How awesome and great is God's love for us all!  It is by His grace that we are saved from death and look forward to  eternal life with all the saints.  We look forward to walking with Jesus one day in a heavenly garden from which all curses have been removed.

I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.  Isa. 49:16

Lord, forgive me for putting 

   so much time and energy

       into worldly things. 

Help me to clear my mind

     of unnecessary, 

             frivolous concerns.

 Help me to stay focused 

      on You and Your kingdom.

 Let me honor You in all I do or say. 

Give me patience 

      with myself and others. 

Just as I am not perfect, 

      let me forgive others

     who are not perfect either. 

Let me show love and humility to those

      with whom I become annoyed.

 Let me be a willing, eager servant 

       to those in need. 

Forgive me for not doing 

     those things I should.

Be with those who are hurt,

     sick, …..grieving,….. lonely. 

Remind me that they 

      are my responsibility. 

Let me show kindness… mercy … 

      love to all.

Let me turn my back 

      on self pity and jealousy.

 Let me return good for evil.

Let me build up 

      instead of tearing down.

Help me to remember

     that my name is engraved

     on the palms of Your hands.

Assure me that You 

      will not forget or desert me. 

I praise You 

      for the goodness and joy 

      I experience daily. 

Thank You, Almighty God 

     for all things.

In Christ's name.

                                                              

Lord, I have been so remiss 

   about having quality time for You, 

   with You, my Creator and Sustainer. 

Forgive me.

When I am not putting You first,

      I get into trouble with myself and my relationships.

      I become dissatisfied with my life,

          … wallow in self pity,

          …become ugly and nasty,                                                  

          … feel inferior and worthless.

Lord, help me remember

      I cannot bring honor and glory

          to Your name

          when I am so negative. 

I hurt others and myself unnecessarily

           --actions that make me  feel

           more disgusted with myself.         

Forgive me.

Remind me that I am Your child, 
       Your beloved. 

What joy it is to know this;

       but, even knowing this,

       I continue to let petty slights 

       hurt and sour my day.  

Let me look up, not down.

Let me look inward and find rest and peace for my soul.  

Remind me  I have been created

     to glorify you  

     to do all things

    in accordance with Your will.  

    I am here to serve, not to be served.

    I am to be Your hands and feet, Lord;  

    I need Your strength and guidance.   

Thank you for my family, 

     for a husband who has loved me over fifty years, 

     for grandchildren who love us, 

     for daughters who bless us, 

    for sons-in-law who value their wives and children, 

    for friends, 

    for my church and church family, 

    for blessings innumerable.  (July 21, 2016)