6:14 a.m.

God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.  - Genesis 1:5 (RSV)

Sitting in the cockpit of a sailboat anchored in a quiet cove.  To my left, the sky gradually warmed toward sunrise.  To my right, the moon slid down, setting simultaneously with the sunrise.

Sunrise, 

                                                                             Moon set.

 Lord, thank you for both Day and Night, the sun and the moon which you have ordained.  Amen.

Lifetime Guarantee

God gives us a lifetime guarantee that things will go wrong.  We're promised trouble in this life.  

"In this world you WILL have trouble."                  - John 16:33

I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.
- Psalm 142:2

"Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he saved them in their distress.         - Psalm 107:28

Lord, you promise to hear our cries and to reach down to save us.  Please show Your hand amidst the destruction.

Photo from Christ in the City: Heart Speaks to Heart  used with permission by ImagoArts.  www.facebook.com/imagocorarts

Apropos Acorn

The point is this ... he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  

– 2 Corinthians 9:6 (RSV)

I recently visited the graveside of loved ones who were giants in the Christian faith.  Rising atop their grave is a towering oak, a standing image of this couple who lived as oaks of righteousness.

I noticed a single acorn atop their grave marker and then observed dozens more scattered about on the grass.  These good people, in their lifetime, spread abundant seeds that continue to bear fruit and are towering oaks in the making. 

Lord, thank You for people who lived as "oaks of righteousness, the standing of the Lord that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3) Grow us to be towering trees that spread much good seed.  

Come, My Light

  Come, my Light,

     and illumine my darkness.

  Come, my Life,
     and revive me from death.

  

  Come, my Physician,
     and heal my wounds.

  Come, Flame of divine love,
     and burn up the thorns
     of my sins,

 
  Kindling my heart 

      with the flame
      of Your Love.

  Come, my King,
      sit upon the throne
      of my heart
      and reign there.

  For You alone
       are my King and my Lord.

              (Dmitri of Rostov, d. 1709)                                                                                                            

               

Refiner's Fire

       It must be burnt with fire. 

         -- Leviticus 13:57 

Behold, I make all things new.  -- Revelation 21:5

Lord, burn away that which is diseased, and build a new, strong housing through which we can pump Your living water to others.

Pipe Up!

The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.  -- Ezekiel 28:13 (NKJV)

This shows just one view of the inner workings of a huge pipe organ.  Each pipe, flute and reed has its own unique sound and the organ is not complete without it.  You have a special voice given only to you.  Use it for the glory of God.  

Lord, give me the courage to proclaim Your beauty, truth and goodness to the world.  Amen.

He's a Creep!

And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind...creeping things...And it was so.

Genesis 1:24

"Eeeeewwwww, a spider," you might say.  Yet how many annoying flies, gnats and mosquitos has it lured to its web today?

Lord, thank you even for the creepy crawlers lurking in the shadows.  Help me to remember that You work ALL things for good in my life.