I couldn’t sleep last night and decided to Continue reading
Devotional
It’s a God Thing!
Read 1 Corinthians, Chapter 3, this morning before I headed off to work. Verses 16 and 17 hopped off the page.
“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy and you are that temple.”
God lives in me! Why in the world do I worry about such trivial things? Perhaps that phrase, “in the world,” is a clue. I must quit thinking so small and acting as if it is all up to me or the people around me. It is a God thing. I am a God thing. I have nothing to fear. Thank You, Jesus. Amen and Ehmen.
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Don’t let the desert become satan’s sandbox…
Writer’s Note: As I have mentioned on this blog before, I often “record” my personal God and prayer time by opening a blank page and typing the two-way conversation that ensues. It amazes me how much I get from it as it happens as well as later when I re-read it. How do I know His part of the conversation is definitely His part?Well, simply put, I am just not that smart. If anyone finds it helpful, I will continue to post some of these “blank page” conversations on Amen and Ehmen! Feel free to comment and let me know if any of my posts ever help you. And, remember, prayer is just talking and listening to our sweet, sweet Father in Heaven. Talk to Him. He’s always ready and waiting. Amen and Ehmen.
January 23, 2015 7:32 AM
Hey, God.
It’s me. I really am going to try and do better about spending uninterrupted time with you in the mornings; time when I can 
record on paper my observations and thoughts as well as your answers and teaching. It still amazes me, when I only give you a few minutes of my day, just as I did earlier this week, you still spoke and shared with me such wisdom and love. As you know, I shared what you told me on Facebook, and it obviously helped others. I love this about our “blank screen” conversations and I love you, wanting nothing more than to do your will. Why, then, oh my Lord, do I not sit in front of this page more often? Why am I not going bed earlier so that I wake up earlier and have this time with you? It’s always fruitful. Always. Lord, I pray that you help me overcome any satanic attacks or even just plain fleshly laziness, so that I spend more time learning from you, taking instruction and then sharing that wisdom and love with others. I know that this is your will for me and I want nothing more than to please you and bring your lost children to you so that we can all one day live in the heavenly realms with you as one big, happy family. Amen and Ehmen.
Dear Child of Mine,
You are learning. Just keep your eyes trained on me. Keep your heart and your ears tuned to me. Together, we will overcome the temptations that threaten to steal the mission that I have assigned you. You can do this, if you just stick we me. That is the key, however; sticking with me. Apart from me you are nothing. And, in sticking with me, you must fully and completely trust me. This is where most of my children, including you, go wrong throughout life on earth. You say you trust me, but then you don’t listen to my instruction; you don’t obey my word. Do you not see how hypocritical this is? Now, don’t be deceived. You are not the only one who lives like this. It began with Adam and Eve and has continued throughout history. Even those after my own heart fell and still fall prey to this. I say this not to offer you an excuse, but to make you understand that this is not unique to you. And why is this important to understand? It is important to understand, because Satan will unceasingly and unfailingly try to convince you otherwise. Satan will tell you that you are a failure; that your disobedience is a sure sign that you must not love Me or believe in Me like you should. Or, even worse, that I, your Creator, could not possibly love someone like you. This is a lie from the deceiver; from the enemy. I love you unconditionally. No matter what.
This, however, does not mean you won’t be tested.
Everyone, my child, is tempted and tested, because everyone who has and will ever live has a purpose and a part to play in fulfilling my plans. Absolutely everyone. Satan, on the other hand, seeks to kill and destroy; not because he hates you, but because he hates Me and will do anything to try and thwart my plan. You are just a toy to him, a tool to be used and discarded. He even tried it with my own Son. Why, on earth, do you think you’d be immune?
Note what I just said, he “TRIED” it with my son. To try is to attempt and his attempt failed miserably. My son is pure and my son died for you, giving you the promise of eternal life and the ability to also fight back and come back. You can’t lose with Me on your side. Together, we turn temptations into failed attempts. And, I do one better than even that; for, if Satan is successful at tripping you, I will be there, not only to help you back up and to dust you off, but to use the dirt, the muck and the mire into which you fell to build something more; to teach you and those who witness or hear your story how to move even closer to me. I will never turn my back on you. Ever.
But, know this, too, My child, Satan is the quintessential deceiver and once he gets you down, he will use every trick in the book to keep you there. He is a master of smoke and mirrors and will turn every human weakness into a tool to keep you in bondage; to keep you wandering in the desert and as far away from your mission and path as possible.
Do you remember when my people wandered in the desert for 40 years on their way to the Promise Land? It took 40 years, a whole generation, to traverse a section of land that should have only taken a few days, had they followed my lead and direction. And, because of that, the majority of the generation that left Egypt for the Promise Land, died before they were able to enjoy the promise. This is to be a warning to you. Your life is a journey to your final destination, the promised land of heaven where you will live in peace and joy with me for all of eternity. But, you must follow my lead and fulfill your purpose of leading others into this glorious kingdom. If you don’t, you, too, may very well spend a lot of unnecessary years wandering in the desert where you are easily swayed by Satan, perhaps convinced that you are lost forever when, in reality, you are on the fringe of where your heart longs to be, with me!
You are close enough to touch me; to grab my hand. Don’t let the deceiver use your
weakness, your hunger, your own personal pride to convince you otherwise. The desert, you see, can be simply a place you pass through on your way to Me, a place of training and learning. Or, counter-productively, you can allow it to simply become Satan’s sandbox.
May we all reach for His Hand today and stay far away from satan’s sandbox. Amen and Ehmen!
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He Loves Us, Faults and All
2/5/17
10:00 AM
Good morning, God. Am I ever glad it is Sunday! I worked last night and into the early 
morning hours and I am just plain tired. However, just as I reached for my phone this morning and resisted wasting time before coming into Your presence, I shall resist my natural urge to complain as I know in my heart that You know exactly how I feel without me uttering the first groan.
Instead, Lord, I want to thank You for You. I want to thank You for always fulfilling your promises and for the too-many-to-count miracles that You have manifested in my life. This week, in fact, I was reminded by Facebook, that this time last year I was undergoing a trans-jugular liver biopsy. I remember how scared I was; fearful that the doctors would uncover something that would cut my life on earth short; that fear fueled even more so by the untimely death of my brother, Gary. The doctors were convinced there was something seriously wrong and all the tests and the way I was feeling seemed to indicate the same.
Still, You gave me peace as awaited the results. You gave me an army of people who blessed me with prayers. You came close when I called and treated me to a personal and powerful reminder that You are always with me and always in control, over that situation and other situations for which I have staggered in fear. (You can read about this beautiful miracle here, Stopped In Their Tracks.)
You gave me the miracle of healing when the much dreaded procedure revealed that my liver, despite what medical testing has said for the past 20 years, was not going to be issuing me a death sentence any time soon. The doctor followed this good news with a warning that I needed to continue searching for the reason for my ailments and botched blood tests, but, truthfully, I only heard the good news.
I remember how relieved I was and, now as I recount it, I’m still relieved. However, I’m more than a little disappointed in how quickly I “forgot” this gigantic miracle. Please forgive me for continuing to allow myself to get so caught up in the problems of the day that I forget what You have already done for me. How I can let the menial cast shadows on the miraculous makes absolutely no sense!
Father, help me to stay focused on the miracles and on You. Thank You for always showing up and for being patient with me, even when I take You for granted. I don’t want to take You for granted, Lord. Help me to live a life pleasing to You and know that I love You with every ounce of my being. Amen and Ehmen.
Dear, dear Child,
You are not the first—nor will you be the last—of my children that let the problems of the day overshadow the blessings and miracles. It—like sin—is a side effect of your human condition. What pleases Me is that you recognize this in yourself and your heart wants to do what is right. THIS is a side effect of having accepted My Son as your personal savior. And, it is because of this, child, that you can rest assured that you will one day stand before Me without fault, as perfect and blameless as My Son Himself.
I am very proud that you turned your natural tendency to complain this morning into a reason to praise Me. Read and meditate today on the closing prayer of Jude. Read it out loud. Make this your prayer and know that I hear every word, every cry of your heart, even those that your lips are unable to express. You can count on Me in all circumstances. Yesterday, today and tomorrow, My love for you remains the same. Infinite. All powerful. Never failing. Thank you for being My child. You bring Me great joy. Enjoy your day off, My dear one.
Jude 1:24-25
Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
.
Final Thought: Oh, what a beautiful, profound and priceless prayer! There is very little I can add, except this. Too often, all of us let satan use our shortcomings to drive a wedge between us and our Father in Heaven. Satan is a master at condemnation. But, we must remember that our God is a God of redemption not condemnation and what satan tries to use to pull us away, God will use to pull us closer.
If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God has accepted us, faults and all, and He will—as Jude so beautifully writes—keep us from falling away and will bring us with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.”
Yee-Haw! Thank you, God. I love You and Your Word. You always know just what to say! 🙂 Amen and Ehmen.
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It’s not just a promise. It’s an oath.
Preface: What beautiful words and the most fitting and perfectly-timed message. I still can’t believe that God, without fail, shows up when I sincerely seek His face in the early morning hours, keyboard at hand. Though I had no idea where he might lead me, this morning He sent me to Hebrews, Chapter 6. The name of the Book and the Chapter just floated to the forefront of my conscience as I finished typing my prayer to the Father. I read the scriptures, wide-eyed and intently, soaking it in, and typed those verses that I felt particularly led to. How many times will He have to remind me that what He has promised is already mine? I hope I don’t need reminding so much in the future, but I am oh so thankful that He has been so patient with me. I just have to wait like Abraham. Hanging on to this precious message and Word from God. Thank you, Jesus. Praising you, with all that I am! Amen and Ehmen!
September 15, 2015 6:00 AM
Good Morning, Lord.
As you know, I have been awake for a couple of hours already, since around 4 a.m. I have much rattling around in my head regarding work and I find myself fighting internally over
worrying about that and wanting and needing to spend time with you.
I feel that you have something to do with me waking up so early and not being able to go back to sleep. And so, after praying profusely in the dark and then being distracted by various media, I am finally here. Here, in front of the blank page as you so often beckon me.
There is a certain comfort in staring at the blank page as I know that this is where You often meet me. The rhythmic blinking of the cursor mesmerizes me and the cadence is strangely familiar, like the beating of a heart. I like to think of it as Your Heart, dear Lord.
Show me Your Heart, Lord. Give me direction and instruction and accept my praises. I love you. I need you. Come close for I am finally here.
Turn to Hebrew 6, my Child.
Hebrews 6: 1-3
“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”
Hebrews 6:11-19
For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:
“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”
(15) THEN Abraham WAITED PATIENTLY, and he RECEIVED what God had Promised.
Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise (Brenda!) could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
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Plugging into His Power
Pondering Out Loud
1 Corinthians 4:20
“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, it is living by God’s power.”
This was the daily verse provided by You Version today and something a
bout it just struck a chord with me; so much so that I stopped everything that I was doing, opened my bible and studied not only that verse, but all of 1 Corinthians, Chapter 3 and 4. I wanted to make sure that I understood the context for which this statement was made. Boy, are there some powerful things in those two chapters and I made many notes. I was surprised, however, that this particular scripture verse, which continued to resonate with me, goes completely un-noticed in the notes sections of the Life Application and Study Bibles. So, I prayed. I prayed for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and wisdom in fully understanding the significance of this short, single sentence scriptural verse.
As per usual when I ask for teaching on a biblical principal, I grabbed my computer to open a blank document so that I’d be prepared to start writing. But, just as I did, my computer’s power cord came unplugged from its AC adapter—that little black brick that acts as an electrical bridge between the wall source and the actual computer. Because it had dropped to the floor, I had to get up and retrieve it and, as I lifted the plug, I immediately sensed that this was a teaching moment. And, so, here I sit pondering and whatever follows is my “pondering and praying” out loud.
So, just how does this computer power supply relate to this scripture: “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk, it is living by God’s power?”
As I finished re-typing the scripture, the word “power” leapt off the page at me. In fact, the Microsoft “grammar police” actually underlined it for me and I honed in my focus on that one word. The first thought that popped into my head was that for one to truly understand and share the things of God, they must be plugged into God’s power. Ok, that’s a no-brainer, I thought, and I asked for more. That’s when the Holy Spirit whispered into my own spirit, breaking it down a little further for me and using the computer power supply to help me better understand.
From a technology and scientific standpoint, AC adapters are used with electrical devices that require power, but that do not contain the internal components to derive the required voltage from the main power source. This adapter “adapts” the power so that the device—in this case a laptop computer—can make proper use of it.
I then imagined myself as the laptop computer in this analogy. Without power and the proper power adapter, I am destined for failure. Sure, I may run for a little while on stored up power or even from a corrupt power source, but I will eventually shut down and die. My AC adapter—His Word and Spirit—serves as the bridge between me and the main power source, which is, of course, God. And, like the computer, I alone do not have the internal components to derive and make proper use of God’s power. To live in His Power, I must have His Word and His Holy Spirit within me. And that is the only way to truly possess and promote the Kingdom of God; to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
Indeed, without Him—like the computer whose value and purpose plummets to nothing without power—we are dead and useless. Aha, point taken. Lord, help me to plug into Your power today and everyday. Amen and Ehmen!
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For Me, It Is Brightest Before The Dawn…
It is in the early morning hours, the period described as the darkest time of night, the time before even the birds or sun have risen and the dawn is still resting below the horizon, that I have often found the brightest part of my day; the sweet spot, if you will. For it is during this time, when the world is quiet, that we can draw close to our Creator and hear the whispers of our very Lord and Savior.
The really beautiful part of this is that we have the opportunity every day of our lives to experience God’s presence in the darkness in the literal sense as well as the figurative. He invites us to reside and abide in this sweet spot and I personally think that it just doesn’t get any sweeter than that! What an awesome God we have! Make it a great day!
And The Word of God says:
Psalm 139:12: Even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.John 8:12: Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Psalm 5:3: O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
Mark 1:35: And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
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2015: Some days are breathtaking. Some Just Take Your Breath.
December 29, 2015 11 a.m.
Dear God,
It’s a new day and it’s about to be a new year. 2015 has certainly been a roller coaster of a year. The ups have been slow coming, but worth the climb with breathtaking views from the top, while the downs have just been breath-taking. Literally. Off the top-rung of the ladder, flat of your back, all the wind in your lungs violently forced into the atmosphere breath-taking.
However, today, as I sit quietly and reflect on all that has happened in the last 363 days, I don’t want to complain; I don’t want to lament or languish. Instead, I want to offer up praises of thanksgiving to You, our Father in Heaven. Thank you for the breathtaking highlights, most especially the union of my baby girl—one of the godliest women I know—to a man who also loves You unequivocally and unapologetically. What a beautiful, God-inspired life lies ahead for them and the new family their marriage has created.
As for 2016, I don’t know what it holds. I do know there is some baggage that I have no choice, but to lug into the new year, but I also know with everything that I am that You will be with me through every single moment, celebrating the highlights with me and molding me throughout the low points, using what may appear to the naked eye as bad to make something for my own good and Your own glory. You promise that to all of us who love You and I do love You!
Today, Lord, I just want to praise You for all that You are. I want to thank you for being an unyielding Father who I know that I can trust. Please help me to always remain aware of Your Presence…in the good and the bad. I pray continued blessings over my baby girl and new son-in-law and I ask that you give healing to those of my friends and loved ones that need it, myself included. You know the needs. Help us to not fear the tests nor any diagnoses that might be forthcoming, but instead to keep our eyes and ears tuned to You as You have—and have always had –every single detail under Your control.
Thank you, Lord. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Help me to continue to walk into my purpose and Your will and please continue to shine down upon me with favor as I now lay down the burdens and hurts of 2015. With You by my side, 2016 will have no choice but to be epic.
I love you, Lord. Amen and Ehmen.
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Happiness is Fleeting…
As I looked to God for some peace during these crazy days, he sent me back in time to a journal entry I made quite awhile ago and, while my part of the conversation is too personal to share at this juncture and the situation far different, this excerpt from His part is applicable and timely for me today. Perhaps it will be for you as well. Amen and Ehmen.
“Breath in, inhale my Word, My child. You are far from alone and your story does not depend upon another human. I am so proud of you for being so intent on fulfilling my will and purpose for you. Please stay the course as I promise you that it will be well worth it. You, my child, are on the fast-track to joy and joy trumps happiness any day of eternity. Many people that you know, including yourself, still get caught up in seeking happiness, but happiness is fleeting. One rain fall can wash it away. One gust of wind can grab it from your grasp. Joy, on the other hand, like me, will never leave you. You may not recognize it, but it is there for the taking. Believe in me and I will give you peace and joy. Talk to me and ask me and I will give you the ability to see. I love you and, in the end, that really is all that matters. Stick with me. The best days are still ahead!
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Breadcrumbs to Heaven…
Writer’s Note: This was penned into my Dear God journals during my personal “Me and Thee” time Easter Sunday 2014. I post it today as God has been nudging me to revisit this verse and teaching. Don’t you just love how He works? May He never stop speaking to our hearts. Amen and Ehmen!
Good Morning, God.
You are risen! You are risen indeed! Thank you, Lord, for doing what you did for me. For dying on that cross. For enduring such great emotional, spiritual and physical pain so that I might share in your inheritance with the Father; that I might live forever in the presence of the Almighty God. Today, Lord, in our time together, I’d like to know more about the verse above. Words are very important to the writing craft and being creative is an important part of the writing process. Lord, you lead me to this verse this morning, and I ask you, with humble heart and a desire for obedience, to show me what you mean and help me to not get caught up in trying to write for the sake of writing and impressing others, but writing with a pen dipped in Your power and then walking in that power. I love you, Lord. With all my heart and soul. Lead me. Guide me. Teach me. I am yours today and forever. And you are mine. Thank you for that! Thank you, Jesus!
Dear, dear child of mine,
I love you, too. I gave you this chapter and verse this morning, because I want to make sure that you fully understand your calling. Yes, it is to write, but it is to write in my power and then to go into the world and live those words. When you do this, your pen strokes will flow off the page and into the heavenly realms leaving a clear-cut path to me. Like a trail of bread crumbs that both nourishes and leads the hungry. But, child, do not get caught up so much in the words. Don’t worry and fret. Who can add a single moment to their life by worrying? Don’t worry about what you will say. Just stay in my presence at all times and I will give you the words to say, when words are what is needed. God back and read 1 Corinthians 4:20. Read it three times, out loud. Each time pausing on a different word and then come back to me and this page. Listen, child. For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by My Power. My Word is the fuel of My Power and it is important that you top off your tank every day. Listen to My voice every day, every moment child and I will never lead you astray. My will for you, my purpose for you, the things that you most desire are within your reach as long as I am within your reach; as long as you remain within the sound of My voice. Hear Me, child, and join me in Walking the Talk. I love you, child. And, yes indeed, I AM RISEN! I AM ALIVE and I AM LIVING IN YOU!
amen and ehmen! 