Maya Angelou

 

Collossians 2:5
For even though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit...

Dear Lord, you took one of your angels back yesterday. She was a blessing to everyone. She continued to have a very majestic presence throughout her life. When she was in the room, all eyes were on her. Her words commanded our attention. She knew how to reach our hearts and our minds. We will miss her but I pray that she watches over us and will do what she can to keep us safe. Thank you for  sharing some of her time here on earth with me. I was blessed by her visits to our sanctuary. I will remember her fondly with much appreciation for all of her writings and speeches.
Today is another day closer to the end of the school year. It can't come soon enough. I don't want to complain so I will just say nothing. The eighth graders go on their trip today and I'm excited for them. The activities are winding down. Tomorrow is ribbon pinning, then the luncheon and finally graduation. Yeah, I want this group to do well. They deserve an opportunity. I  will be moving to 4th grade next year. That should be an improvement. Hopefully this summer is very productive and life changing. My future demands change. I hope you are doing well. I know you are pulled in so many directions and sometimes you are just drained. Take the time to do something for you. You make a difference in this world and I would not want to think about you not being here to make that change. Have a blessed day today and be a blessing to someone special. I love you and I am in love with you. Take Care of yourself. Do something special for yourself.

Managing My Time Better

Colossians 1:10-12

New International Version (NIV)

10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.


Thank You Lord for today. This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in this day. I am so blessed, yet there is so much more that God has in store for me. I am pushed to do more. God will not let me go. As long as I am still reaching out to my Lord, my God is still reaching out to me. I enjoyed Sunday's sermon so much. The central message of a woman who found herself with amnesia in a different land, forgetting where she came from and adjusting to where she found herself living even though it was not her home. Thank God her family found her and they were able to get help for her. Her Father never gave up. He continued to call her name and remind her of who she was to Him. She remembered and she came home, able and willing to love herself and her family. God is good. You did a marvelous job of having visual examples of things that distract us and cause us to look the other way.  I know I have been so distracted with this new school and the new responsibilities at home and work. I thank God for you everyday and I pray that I can do what God ask of me. I want to do all that God ask and more. I am never giving up my assignment. Focus me and direct me to what I need to do. Keep me close and love me. Lord, I am off to a foreign place today. Its not comfortable and I pray that you are with me through this journey. Thank you for loving me Lord. I need you. Have a blessed day today and know that you are loved very much.

By Invitation Only

Dear Lord, thank you for your gift of clarity. My life is in your hands. I am looking to the future and I will not look back. You keep me focused on moving forward. Lord I prayed for peace on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We have had a very calm weekend considering what it could have been. While it wasn't totally quiet, it was very reduced. God does answer prayers. Thank You Lord for hearing our prayers. Keep my relationship at the top of your list Lord. Keep me near you. I accept your invitation and RSVP always. I love you.

Thankful

Romans 5:5

Lord I am thankful for today. I am blessed to be able to have another day here. I am thankful for everything. Relationships are so important. I am grateful for whatever relationships that I have been able to manage. Have a blessed day. You are very special and I love you.

Happy Birthday to a Very Special Person

Be Alert

Mark 13:32-33

New International Version (NIV)

The Day and Hour Unknown

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert^[a]! You do not know when that time will come.

Father God, I am praying for your assistance today. When I came to my journal I saw that yesterday's entry never posted. I wrote it and didn't check to see if I had published it. I just needed to hit the button. I guess I wasn't attentive enough. I thought I had. I have to double check. Everyday I pray to you but today I ask you to walk with me yet again. It will require patience and fortitude. We can do this together.  I pray for a calm day today.  Tension is high. Expectation is high.  I am working with you Lord. I am trying to put everything that is on my heart out of my realm of worry. I give it all to you Lord. Help me to refocus and prioritize. So let today begin, all of my concerns are placed before you Lord, together, we manage through this day. Stay close to me Lord and I will stay close to you. I don't know what the day will bring, I can only plan from my small perspective. You know the grand scheme of things Lord. Where do I fit in that schedule? I will keep alert and focus on you Lord. Be blessed today and be a blessing to someone. I love you. I really do.

Look Forward with Faith

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.


Thank You God for today. Thank You for your blessings. Today I am blessed to look forward. To Focus on Your Word and Will. I am able to get out of my head and not look to the past for my answers. I will let God show me his hand in my life. I don't rely on my knowledge of things, I rely on what God is directing me to in my life and my relationship with God. My thoughts are too small. I have to remember that God has so much more for me and I have to accept it. God is so awesome. Lord I pray for the faith I need to stay optimistic and determined. My Faith has to take God at his word and believe that if I do what He tells me to do then, He will work it out. I must be obedient. I get mad with myself more than I am with you. You have done nothing to make me mad. I get mad when I don't do what God tells me to do. Then I am disappointed with myself. I have to recommit myself to my faith in the purpose of God. Faith is a weapon. It will renew our spirit and keep us coming back for more. We cannot please God without Faith. Thank You for renewing my Faith. Have a blessed day. I love you and hope that you have a very blessed day today. I pray that your are covered with the blood of Jesus and that your spirit is renewed with Faith.

What Difference Does it Make?

1 Timothy 1:15-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Father God, you have given me the opportunity to have another day here on Earth. I am blessed that have done that for me. I am thankful to have made it through this week and will be ever so grateful when the evening gets here. Today will be a good day, no matter what happens. I find myself just waiting for it to be over. Let's begin with anticipation in my heart for a new day. God I am here for you to mold and shape. I accept my faults and pray that you will continue to work on me. /Show mercy when I make mistakes and encourage when I get it right. Have patience with me today. I pray that you have a blessed day today and that you are successful in all of your endeavors today. I love you.

Long Sufferings

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Thank You for today Lord. I am forever in your debt. You give me new mercies each and every day. Today I will have my formal observation and Lord I am ready as I can be. I will keep my mind on you today and know that what happens, will be what needed to happen. I am encouraged and my strength is renewed in you Lord. We are almost at the end of this school year and I can't wait to put it behind me. The weather, the students, the staff, they have all been a challenge. Isn't that what life's all about. I pray that you have a blessed day today. Whatever you are praying for, I ask God to open his heart and ears to hear and feel the intensity of your prayers. Be Blessed and know that you are loved a whole lot.

Soften Our Hearts

 

Romans 12:10

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Daniel 2:41-44

King James Version (KJV)

⁴¹ And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
⁴² And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
⁴³ And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
⁴⁴ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Dear Lord, thank you for today. Lord I pray that you will soften our hearts to see and hear our brothers and sisters today. Help me to be "kindly affectionate with brotherly love" to everyone that I encounter today. Lord I do not want to be a passive wimp. I want to have assertive dominance. I want to find the balance where I am respected and I am reflecting your love. Allow me to be consistent today. I want to do what I said I will do. Allow me to look beyond my selfishness. My desires are not the only thing that is important. Let me lower my voice and amplify your voice. We have been working on conversation levels in the classroom and I think I have improved in that area, somewhat. I will stop and think before I speak. We are a work in progress. I will never stop trying, no matter how much I mess up. I have to keep trying.  I can't give up. Soften My Heart Lord. I love you. I pray that you are successful today with whatever you are asking God to work on for you. You have the faith of a mustard seed. I know it will come into fruition. I smile just thinking about you. Have a blessed day today.

The Power of Your Presence

John 1:51-2:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵¹ And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter^[a] you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Water Turned to Wine

2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. ³ And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

⁴ Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”



Father God I pray that I continue to hear you today. My heart and mind are receptive to your will today. I am walking in your grace. I believe there is more that you want for me. I cannot hide in the shadows and play a backseat role if you want me in the front seat. I cannot move  to the front without your grace and mercy Lord. Keep me close to you. I need to be close to you. I love you and pray for you.

Let Us Strengthen One Another

1 Corinthian 8-9

Fear No Evil

Genesis  50:20 Psalm 23:4  Amos 9: 4

Genesis 50:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Psalm 23:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Amos 9:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ Though they go into captivity before their enemies,
From there I will command the sword,
And it shall slay them.
I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good

 

Dear Lord, you can bring good out of every situation. I will trust you to take control of my life. I will allow you more access and freedom in my life. Prioritize the things in my life. I thank you for each and every day of my life. I am grateful. I long to do the things that you demand. Just believe in your word and your will. What may have been sent for harm will not harm me.  You meant evil for me but God meant it for Good. Today will be a day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Whatever comes my way today, I am encouraged that the Lord knows about it and has prepared me for the day. I pray for hope in my life. Hope for my people who may feel hopeless. There is more for us to do. We can feel hopeless but there is something to hope for. I know that there is more for us to do and we have little time to do it. Fix the situation. Take the message to the people. We have to take the message to the people. What was meant for harm will restore and help us. We have a choice to accept God's grace. I have to keep the window of opportunity open. I pray that you have a blessed day and I pray that you are guided to  the right choices today. I need to make smart choices and follow the demands of my Lord and Savior. I love you and pray for you daily.

Security

2 Corinthians 4:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Isaiah 26:3

New International Version (NIV)

³ You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you

Dear Lord, You were so true today. Don't search for security in the world. We make mental checklist of all the things we need to do today. I have checked, my school stuff, work stuff, money stuff and all this before coming to God this morning. Usually its the other way around. God is first then I do all that other stuff, in the morning no less, before my day begins so I am all clogged up with the things I think need to be done. When I did come to my daily reading, what does it say, You tend to make mental checklist of the things you need to do in order to gain control over your life. The more you work to accomplish that goal, the more other things pop up on the list. So true.

You think you are getting a handle on something and something else comes up. The harder you try the more frustrated you become. My head and my heart are  so into gear to move forward with my relationship. They seem to work together. The body seems to be the culprit that foils us. The mouth does not say the thing necessary to move us forward.  I need to focus my attention on my relationship with God and his presence in my life. The more I focus on God, He will help me sort out my priorities. He will help me to focus on what is important and what is not so important. I will fix my eyes not on what is seen (my circumstances) but on what is unseen (God's presence) in my life. I spend so much time trying to figure out how to do something the right way and I have to remember that if I focus on God and ask for his help and guidance with the situation, he will show me the way out. We know what's right and yet we still do it wrong. Let God prioritize my list of things to do. You will always have a list, its just how attentive are you to God's influence with that list. It looks busy and overwhelming. Sometimes impossible. How can I possibly do that? But God knows. If God believes you can do it then you can do it. He placed it in my heart to do and I will do it. Have a blessed day today. I love you.

Anticipation

 

1 John 1:5-10

New International Version (NIV)

Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[a] sin.
⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.



Thank You for today Lord. Thank you for everything that you have done and will do for me. I am walking in your ways. I stand in the line, I make small talk, anticipating my turn. I get there. We exchange pleasantries and its over. Where is the conversation about how I am sorry, please forgive me, we have wasted so much time, I am the reason for the delay, God chooses fallen people, so he chose me. We have nothing. I ask how are you, you say fine, wonderful, blessed, then I say ok, have a blessed week and walk away. Then I say to myself, again, you walk away. Again and again. My one chance to make amends, and its gone in less than thirty seconds. Just like that. Over. That just doesn't make any sense. I shouldn't put that situation under so much pressure. Well Lord, there is work to do. I have to do a few hours of driving right now. Left my purse at school on Friday. Have a doctors appointment today, have to pick it up this morning and get back to Plainfield before 9:15. Let us have traveling mercies this morning.

Growing out of my little pot into my BIGGER POT

 

 Dear Lord I thank you for everything that is in my life. I am grateful for your mercy and love. I pray everyday that I am remembered by you and that our love is not lost but that we have growth. When I pray for you I am filled with joy in my heart and I am continuing to stay confident. Father God hear my prayers for him today. Let what he asks for be given, and given in abundance. I pray for someone else besides myself because I love him just as I love myself. Lord I see growth today. I believe that I will make a difference with him today. Today will be a new and special day. Something good is going to happen today. I plan to do something for us. Each and every day I will do something to strengthen our relationship. Building for our future. I will not let the time just slip by. We are stronger together than we are apart. Know that you are love so much today. I send 100 kisses your way. When you think about me, that's a kiss. Be blessed today. I love you. Please, repot that plant. I will be working in our school garden today but I have been thinking of working in your garden too. Maybe getting a group of youth to help.

Change is a good thing

 

Acts 13-14

 

God, I am thankful for today. I am blessed to be able to thank you for your grace and your mercy. You woke me at 4:45 and that snooze button has become my best friend again. I moved it further away and its still not working like I would like for it to work. The snooze button doesn't become snooze when you hit it more than two times. I'm just trying to keep it real. So when I do rise, I pick up my bible and I ask God how are you going to change me. Let today be  the beginning of my miraculous change. Let the works flow from me. Let the day go very well. You and I are on one accord. We are happy. Together we are doing God's will. I come to you first and foremost to let my feeling be known. What do I do, what do I say, Lord put the words in my mouth. Today is a good day. I am ready for whatever comes my way. I am spending my time encouraging each other because when we get out in that world, it's us against the world. We can conqueror the world as long as we have our faith in God. All is well. I have faith in our success. I am committed. There is no turning back for me. I am with you. I hate saying that because you always talk about people saying they are with you and then they desert you.  I am still here. May God receive all the glory and the praise. What needs to be done, will be done. God is not finished with me yet. I love you and see great things in our future. This is only the beginning. Be blessed and be a blessing to someone today.