Abba's Girl

  I committed to reading the New Testament during Lent this year. I took many notes as passages jumped out at me, I also discovered highlighter tape and transparent sticky notes. How have I lived all these years without them?  I also took a break from social media during Lent. I deactivated my Instagram account, I haven't decided if I will deactivate my Facebook account. Social media isn't the friendly, amusing, fun place it used to be. As we remember Jesus' last week: the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper with His disciples including the man who betrayed Him and His arrest and Crucifixion, let us endeavor to let go of offense, anger, self-righteousness, and casting stones at people. Turn off the news, walk away from your devices. Go outdoors, enjoy His creation, visit with neighbors.  Jesus died for You, He died for me, He died for the very people who offend you.  Remember His prayer:    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your...

 How can Lent arrive in 2 days? New Year's doesn't seem that long ago.  This year I plan to celebrate Lent the way I did when I was younger - plain food - nothing fancy or fun and more time in the Word. I will also take a break from social media. I doubt my "absence" will be noticed.  I will find out if I can read the New Testament in 40 days. I am sure I will survive 40 days eating plain food, (I'll probably eat Tex Mex for breakfast Easter Sunday.) I'm looking forward to being completely uninformed by removing social media from my phone.  I pray O Lord that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. O Lord,  my strength and my Redeemer. 

 A few weeks ago as I prayed for a country embroiled in conflict, I felt impressed by the Lord to buy a new world map. A couple days later I found a laminated world map that is large enough for me to read the names of the smallest of countries. Oh, for the days of 20-20 vision! A couple of days later, my aunt Ginny died. She was my aunt, my friend, a trusted sister in Christ. She was still a teenager when my parents married, so I thought she was pretty cool compared to many of my aunts and uncles and especially my parents. I learned many wonderful things about her childhood during her funeral. I also saw a gigantic map front and center in the sanctuary. It was her map. She had had it for decades, prayed over the nations faithfully every night except when she was in the hospital. The map was news to her children and me. Only her husband and her pastor knew about the map.  Tears poured down my face as I looked at her map and thought about the Lord laying it on my heart to buy on...

 I haven't blogged in years. I miss my blogging friends, Karen who left this world at Easter, Annette G, Ang. We shared our hearts, our hopes, our fears, and our love for Jesus. The world was a more civil place. Fewer keyboard warriors.  What hasn't changed over the years? Jesus! He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Place your trust in Him. Turn off the news. Take a social media break if your friends and families are driving you nuts with their opinions. After all, your opinions are probably driving them nuts too.  Open your Bible, listen to praise music, refrain from murmuring and complaining. (Practice what you preach.)

  Good morning Lord Jesus. You are my Shepherd, I want to follow You all my days. Heavenly Father, Your Word says Your sheep know Your voice and no one can snatch us from Your hand. Though I have wandered from the path You ordained from me at times, You've always been there waiting for me when I return. Your word lights my path, help me follow You -the Light and remain on the path. We ask You to provide for those in need - clothes, safe housing, food, medical care. We ask You to provide for those who need jobs. We ask You to deliver the oppressed, heal the sick, bring wholeness into broken families. Show us any broken areas in our hearts and minds. We want to be whole in Christ, living out the Gospel according to Your will. We pray for those grieving, the oppressed, the persecuted, the fearful. We pray for those being traffickked. We pray for there to be a season of peace around the world, for the ghastly violence to end. We pray for peace in Ukraine, Africa, South and Central Am...

  Good morning Lord Jesus. We praise the splendor of Your holiness, there is no one like You. You willingly died to save all people because Your love is limitless. Glory be to You - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Lord God, You are the God who is in heaven, You are sovereign, no one can prevail against You. Help us trust and wait in faith as You answer our prayers in Your perfect timing. We want our faith to increase daily, we want our love for You and others to increase daily, we want to know You more each day. Please help us. We lift up persecuted Christians and ask You to minister to them, please bring an end to the persecution, please set the unjustly incarcerated free. We pray for the Russian men who have been conscripted against their will and thrown into a war, we pray for the eilite Russian units who have rebelled and refuse to fight, we pray for the Russian war protestors. Their future is uncertain as they buck the system. We pray You strengthen the Ukranians who are fighti...