“For if what was fading away was glorious, what endures will be even more glorious.”

2 Corinthians 3:11 HCSB

Good morning, God’s child,

From the sleep, our body relaxes and then rattles back into morning. Every dream of the night, deep, daring, deliberate, serves to point us into desire for our union with the Holy One. We dream of reunion. We return from a rest of being born and reborn, night after night, with mud caked to the soles of our feet, our hair smelling like the damp earth, our sleep shirt singed on the edge from the campfire.

From the night-land, we step into day clothes and into day lives. We sit behind a wheel, behind a screen, behind a stove, in front of a boss, a teacher, a customer. We breathe the life of the Savior into every encounter if we so choose … our creations, our corporate world, our decisions, our art, our plans, our education, our industry, our rights, our freedoms, our duties.

We breathe Him there.

His presence is renewal.

His mere presence = renewal.

We set our hearts into Him by deliberate choice – and that choice brings His renewal in us.

The Creator-driven life is not only sustainable in our world, He sustains all worlds.

Ah. Thank You, Father. For this gift of renewal in this new day.

Wake up.

Breathe in renewal.

Go.

21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”  2 Corinthians 1:17, 21-22 NIV

Good morning, BlessedOne,

Sometimes life challenges the beliefs of even the most loving people, doesn’t it? I read a quote from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and it stuck, (paraphrased) “When you see the depth of energy that people can put into evil, then there is a flicker of doubt in humanity. It would be inhumane not to react with sadness and doubt.”

Even when we know there are spiritual reasons people make tragic and hurtful and downright ugly decisions that have long-term impact, we still try to make sense of them. So, how are we to pray “positive” prayers while we are hurt and just want the pain to stop? The power of blessing is the key to our healing.

There is a space that is given to you and me by our Maker. This space … between this breath, and the next is a place of creation: cycles that start or stop, grow or fade, live or die. All possibilities exist from this place. Think about it. What kind of Creator sets that kind of power in place for us?! He thought of everything. You and I have the choice and the power to change our lives, to bring peace into our hearts – through the magical moments that we choose to bless it.

Bless the person.

Bless the event.

Bless the growth.

Bless the pain’s purpose.

Bless the journey.

Between breaths, decide, and bless it.

Your will, Lord.  Nothing more. Nothing less.  Nothing else.

Wake up.

Bless it.

Go.

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 HCSB

Good morning, God’s Child.

With all that goes on from day to day, I could easily cower in a panic attack over the fears I have for my sons and my girls and our precious granddaughter, Liv. All the what-if’s planted by the enemy are his attempt to keep us tangled up in “stuff” and, make us ineffective for God’s best. Here is where that battle is won … and I know this works as I see it working every single day … when we pray God’s Word, we are praying God’s heart. When we place our children’s and grandchildren’s names into scripture, we are praying God’s will for those we love most. These times we live in are like nothing that has come before … no matter what your child may be going through, you can be sure that God’s Word and His heart will address it and bring wisdom to it. Have you asked Him? Have you truly trusted Him by laying the troubles and joys and praises and concerns of your loves on the alter to be delivered up to The Most High? When we do, we start something beyond what our minds can fathom. Rest assured that your prayers are POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE and MAKE A DIFFERENCE. And, prayer is a legacy you give to your children.

Your prayers are powerful. Especially the prayers you speak with full faith. Don’t hold back. Your loves need to know you are carrying them into the heart of The Almighty God who loves them.

Wake up.

Pray for your loves.

List them.

Go.

Good morning, DearHeart.

Gameday. The stage has been set and the brackets drawn. Our basketball playoffs begin today. We have a future dream of winning the rest of our games this season, and we have a present fact that the only game that matters this one. Today.

Game days bring with them an extra push of excitement. And, when playoffs begin the molecules in the air at our house bounce about a bit hotter. To get out there and compete suddenly has a higher result at stake. When I think of Jesus’ days on earth, it seems like every day was game day.

Game on.

Bring it.

When you read of him

calling the twelve

and teaching,

and miracling,

and healing,

and hoping,

and gathering momentum,

can’t you feel the ‘expectancy’ power the disciples must’ve felt while with him?

He gave us the same power to show up with possibility and intention. And, momentum. He gave us that power to alter the essence of our hours at will.

We are wired to train and finesse and create solutions. Jesus and his followers knew the only way to alter the outcome was to step out of the ordinary. They knew the reality … they lived it and they modeled it, and deep down you and I know the reality, too … that the power to show up with intention is more than what we do … it is who we are.

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

Wake up.

Be intentional.

Go.

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6:27-28 ESV

Good morning, BlessedOne.

The blessing is the release. Natural response is to hurt those that hurt you. When you choose instead to dive deep into your Savior, you’ll find an ancient secret that is all yours to own and to share: giving away a blessing suspends the cycle of pain in you long enough to replace it with another feeling. Whether the relief comes for only a second or for day doesn’t really matter … because during the blessing you’re opening a doorway to healing and moving forward with life. There lies the gold and the irony – by blessing the one who is the source of your pain, you’re released from the hurt long enough to let the beauty of Christ into your own heart and mind.

Mysterious and mind-blowing-powerful. God is so good.

Wake up.

Send out the blessing.

Go.

Whether you know it or not, the Bible says God is at work in everyone’s life. That includes yours.

“So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27)

Interesting conversation recently.

“I wish I’d make the time to read my Bible, but, I’m just not a morning person.”

“So, you’re a night owl?”

“Not really. I just like my sleep.”

“Do you eat? Do you park your car?”

“Is there EVER a time you are

alone?”

“I guess, yea, I guess.”

“There’s your answer – squeeze in a moment right there – you don’t have to have a plan or even a bible. Download the Bible app and give God a single minute. Read a verse and really think about how that verse applies to your day – your moment. This moment.

God just wants in, Beloved.

It’s not about reading an entire chapter or the whole book. it’s about relationship. Give Him one minute of relationship with you in His word and from that minute watch Him weave

His perspective,

His Holiness,

His Divinity into your busy and “no time for that” day. He is amazing like that.

Wake up.

One minute.

Relationship begins with one.

Go.