Reaching the Skies

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Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?…
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:8,10-11 NIV

When trials come and all seems lost,
“I will remember the darkness of the cross.
Where You hung enduring my shame.
Cut off from God, and taking my blame.

The third morning

You were raised in power 
transcending my death.
unfailing grace that will not sour,
In You life becomes fragrant—
a blossoming flower.

A Cry for Help

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O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Psalm 61:1-4 NLT

Reflection—

O LORD, I am overwhelmed by the trials that lay ahead.
I am not sure I’ll make it
I tire of the struggle;
my faith is weak.
I feel the arrows of my foes.
Please hear my cry for help,
and lift me to the rock that is higher than all my woes.

Water from on High

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From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 NIV

I pray for Your leading,
For where I’ve wondered I do not know.
Lead me high to the Rock of Ages,
and leave my worries far below.

I Was Afraid

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I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. Matthew 25:25 NASB

We all are given gifts to apply and use.
But I have so little, I have none to lose!
Then I look and see what others have done.
Using their talent, the battles they’ve won.
I worry ‘cause I don’t have what it takes.
My nature is weak and full of mistakes.
I know I’ll fail, falter and fall.
Retreat, retreat! I shout and withdraw.
And so I am guilty of another defeat.
Disconsolate I trudge down a dark lonely street. 
There Christ with compassion bids—“come let us meet.
Move in My strength, walk by My side.
Take up My yoke, let Me be your sure guide.
Let go the worry about where we’ll end up.
I promise a banquet and with Me you will sup.
Your fears, and your tears I alone will remove.
If you’ll eat of My bread and drink of My cup.
Oh—and remember stop looking sideways, just keep looking up.”

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 BSB

Giving Life to life

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You have promised,
to save me. (John 3:16)
You have promised.
I am Your child. (John 1:12)
You have promised,
never to leave me. (Hebrews 13:7)
You have promised,
to guide me. (Psalm 23:3)
You have promised,
to be my strength and protector. (Psalm 28:7)
Your promises are life and breath.

How can I not praise You with thanksgiving for Your promises give life to life.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 NIV

Dancing Clouds

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Clouds in constant movement.
Dancing to the wind.
Gossamer of golden sunshine,
Touches us with goodness.
God the choreographer of joy.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

A Long Way to Go

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Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Psalm 24:3 NLT

Lord, I want to walk close to You.
But I fear I’ll trip and stumble,
exhausting the riches of Your grace.
Your forgiveness will I grasp and fumble?
Then someone more deserving takes my place.
and I am alone overcome with gloom.
Thank God, You have made it so none can boast.
Not my effort, but Your Spirit is the guarantee
Surrounding me with Your love,
I must trust You, not rely on me.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

“You hem me in—behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:5-6 NIV

O for the Love of God

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Yellowstone National Park

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. Psalm 17:6-7 NLT

Love eternal,
Love unfailing,
Love comes down in wondrous ways.

Love poured out,
Love surrounds us,
Love a refuge for all our days.

Christmas Joy

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But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!” Luke 2:10-11 NIV

Joy is the Lord’s Christmas gift.
created by His amazing grace.
Clothed in righteousness
we enter heaven’s holiest place—
the joy of our redeemer.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— Jude 1:24 NIV

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 BSB

The sun pushing back the fog

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You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; Psalm 16:11 ESV

Sometimes I awaken in the morning,
still groggy from troubling dream,
I remember my joy is in Jesus.
God’s love sent to redeem.
I quiet my soul with Your mercy,
Innocence renewed by Your grace.
I silence the accuser with Your promise,
You’re with me in all the trials I face.
You will never leave nor forsake.
Hell’s claim on my soul You destroy.
Your goodness and kindness surround me,
In Your presence is fullness of joy.

I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10 NLT