For today: Romans 8:9

"However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, 

if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you."

Romans 8:9

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

When asked what I would be doing during the summer break, I knew that this is my season of retreat. My time to learn, to listen, and to be renewed. Although my retreat begins early when I rise and has moments off and on our porch swing and carries over into my evening prayer time, renewal tends to be slower than if I was away from the every day.

With slower and steady pacing I've learned to trust in God's hand at work within me. Come fall, I have experienced an overflowing merciful graciousness that carries me through until my mini-retreats of Thanksgiving and Christmas. My friends, God is good... His plans and will for my rejuvenation is always complete.

So, for this day I walk out into an exploration with family trusting that His blessing for today will bring a gathering of blessed memories in my farmer's market experience.

Holy Spirit, I invite and accept your miraculous confirming

within my mind. 

I thank you for aligning it into the

mind of Christ 

and revamping my heart to reflect the

heart of God.

Amen unto you, my Lord, my Savior, My God! 

Enjoy today, go out and gather those moments of God's hand at work around you,

AM beginnings: This is the day! Psalm 118:24

"This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it."

PS 118:24

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

What should have begun with anticipation for my time with our Lord, daily devotion and inspirational teachings quickly turned into a selfish tantrum. Seriously, where do moments like that come from? With humility, confessing that "buttons-pushed" can be so derailing (for everyone in the area). With wisdom from the Holy Spirit it was time to walk away (at least I was listening to the prompting). In the wake of this unrest, I had to repent of my willingness to be derailed and ask: "Lord, what is the target in me that was so primed for such a response? Lord, I rebuke that agreement of self-defense that was made so long ago. Lord, come with me into that agreement moment to bind it and cast it away from my mind, my heart, my spirit, and my soul. Through your authority Lord Jesus, that agreement has no power over me any longer, for it is in Your victory at the cross that has set me free." Alleluia... Alleluia... Alleluia..."

Just for this moment, if you are in need of a "reset" in your day... Sing with me:

This is the day, this is the day.

That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.

We will rejoice, we will rejoice,

And be glad in it, and be glad in it.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is the day, this is the day

That the Lord has made.

We are the sons, we are the sons,

Of the living God, of the living God.

We will rejoice, we will rejoice,

And be glad in Him, and be glad in Him.

We are the sons of the living God.

We will rejoice and be glad in Him.

We are the sons, we are the sons

Of the living God.

Matt Johnson (1983)

Of course maybe the Holy Spirit is bringing me back to May 1, 1976...

It's a brand new day,

everything is fine

 Though it may be gray,

I want you to know that the sun's gonna shine

And out of that sky, piercing every cloud, is our God on high!

There will be a new heart for every man

like the flowers that bloom in early spring

For every life there is a plan,

no matter what autumn breezes bring

So put away care, let freedom be yours 

Joy is everywhere, joy is everywhere!

Let freedom ring, alleluia now

Everybody sing let your voices shout to the mighty King.

Well the heaven's declare in a way so grand 

If the skies are fair or windy or gray 

it's the work of His Hands 

And down on that ground, with never a word 

Such a mighty sound 

And the morning will see the rolling sun 

As he happily rises o'er the land 

A messenger on his daily run 

Brings news of the Father's guiding Hand 

His Law of love, it is wholly wise 

Word from above gives joy to my heart and it's light to my eyes 

It's riches are fine out lasting all days 

To the end of time 

Though I walk in the path of evil ways 

And my thoughts are a presence causing pain 

There's always a sun of future days 

That follows a time of wind and rain

Paul Quinlan

Being Faithful in Small Things: 2 Cor 9:8

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you,

 so that in all things, at all times,

 having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

2 Cor 9:8

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

With much joy, today is a day that the Internet is working. That meant my daily posts can be sent to all of you. Some times it is all about finding joy in the small things!

This morning has been filled with doing what is there for me to do. What was a take-away from last fall's study, greeted me this summer morning: "Waking up to enjoy the small things." In my journal, there was a page "mapped" with these words: "Grateful and placing value on the small accomplishments/blessings that we can begin our day with... the possibilities are endless!"

Yes, in fact the possibilities are endless. Just for today, what would our Lord wish for me to do? It's all in the seeking (asking), what is His desire of me for this day? Since the 5:00am alarm, my day has been less organized... flittering from here to there. A few moments in the yard and then back in to the computer (of course a snack, a quick cup of tea, the rinsing of dishes, stopping for a brief discussion with little Gabriel Michael, etc). By Noon, this entry had its beginning!

Melanie's study (listed below) taught me that I could be "living with an enthusiasm while embracing where life is right now." Shout out to her for that thought. Seriously, knowing my "right now" can be of use for His purpose. Now that brings renewed enthusiasm!

My initial goal for today... In yesterday's post there had been a brief statement and a link for verse mapping. Thoughts throughout the day kept returning to the lack of details about this form of ordering your learning known as verse mapping. It is a new path for me during my scripture studies, although my journal technique is always evolving this is a deeper form of notation. Here are a few screen shots that might provide some insights about verse mapping. 

    

Go to Kristy's site for her details!

Every word written in a scriptural journal ensures that those seeds can be revisited and nurtured. Which is another shout of joy, especially when my mind races beyond God's word and/or inspiration shared shared for my harvest. Take time for yourself and check into these resources. 

The possibilities are endless...

ISBN: 978-0310081340

  Melanie Shankle is a graduate of Texas A&M and lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband, Perry, and daughter, Caroline. Melanie began blogging in July 2006 when she started her blog, Big Mama. She’s also a regular contributor to The Pioneer Woman blog.

Summer healing...Summer blessings PS 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God;"

PS 46:10

Good morning Abba, Good morning Jesus, Good morning Holy Spirit,

Being still and knowing "who" our Lord is has been a "faith-filled" journey this year. Please forgive the long wait between posts. I have been on a journey. A journey that has been wondrously difficult, inspiring, and revealing.

Daily inspirations brought early morning strength. Like many of you, I begin the day seeking His strength, His guidance, and putting on His armor. Given my week's calling in the classroom, there isn't enough time to seek the Lord's teachings with quiet contemplation and moments of listening and pondering. Weekend mornings affords a much deeper retreat, yet those days seem to be a "holy" band-aid for the week to come. It has been in my prayer closet that my evenings are a reflection of my day. Without my evening time, my restorative rest isn't complete.

How is your spiritual growth growing? Have you filled up any study journals this season? Are any of you verse mapping your daily scriptures? What I have experienced is a greater depth to "seed planting" the Word of God every moment I make room for a good study opportunity.

This year began with a much needed winter break. The weather kept the house wrapped in winter hibernation and my chair, quilt, tea cup, and journal became my Saturday morning retreat center complete with tools for harvesting spiritual fruit of reflection. With a heart filled with gratitude, a shout of joy for the technology that can bring at-home studies into my life, I began my latest journey with a desire to learn how to discern the voice of God.

Each word carefully scripted within my journal became my "go-to" wisdom finder, especially when the world around me brought forth stumbling blocks, deceptive observations, and/or the inner doubt agreements that tend to steal my focus from the promises of God's Words.

For today, I wanted to share this strength building wisdom...
Take time for your spirit and trust that you are a worthy contender!
Blessings,
MrsK

Priscilla Shirer

ISBN: 9781462774050

Lifeway Book Study