Mar 28 Burnout or Peace ?

Lord, I do not desire to be a stiff-necked person.  Yet there are so many times I have been obstinate, stubborn, and wanted my own way!

Situations come up in my life, and the first thing I think of is how it can work out best for me.  I don’t think of myself as selfish, but I certainly do prefer when circumstances benefit me and don’t rock my boat.

There are so many things beyond my control that I seek to tightly control the things that are within my grasp.  I do what I can to plan my work and work my plan.  I try and keep a handle on and stay on top of events, relationships, finances, schedules, health issues, family, home.

The truth is: my being in control is just an illusion.  I am not really in control of anything. What’s going on in the world and in our country have made that remarkably clear for all of us. But by Your grace, I make it from one day to the next, one month to the next, one year to the next.

You created the universe with order.  You ordered the solar system, and the seasons, life cycles and day and night.

If You can handle the universe, You can certainly handle the details of my life and the crisis we are facing now.  The control I desperately seek, I can trust to You.  I need to do my part, but I can release that part of me that seeks to insist on my own way; that seeks to “feel” in control.

A new way of thinking for me is to ask how the circumstances in my life can be used to bring You glory.  How can I respond in a way that shows that my peace and confidence come from You, the Lord God Almighty, instead of being dependent on whether or not things work out my way?

Help me Lord.  Keep my heart sensitive to what You are doing so I can join you.  Keep my mind focused on what You are showing me and teaching me through Your Word, about how to let go.

I have heard that I cannot do Your part, and You will not do my part.  Give me the discernment to know which is which.   And the courage to let my actions reflect that.  Amen

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

July 18 Order from Chaos

Father, for the last several chapters, You have shown me how David and his commanders allotted all the jobs that needed to be done, to the Israelites.

There was a job for every person and a person for every job.  From the priestly duties in the Temple concerning worship, to defending the people and guarding the gates in the wall around Jerusalem.  There were people who took care of all the building and supplies, all the flocks and herds, and all the king’s business.

It reminds me that You are a God of order, not chaos.

I usually start off my day with a plan of order.  But You know all too well how many times those plans have dissolved into chaos.  My house starts out in order.  Then life happens, and chaos takes over.  Sometimes it takes an unexpected emergency like water in the basement or some planned entertaining activity to motivate the family into cleaning up again and putting things back in order weeks after the chaos has taken over.

I marvel at how You know humans so well, and give us what we need.  You know that I need order.

You created this world with painstaking care.  Every planet in the solar system is ordered.  The geology of the planet earth is stable enough that I don’t see mountains from my window one day and valleys the next.

The seasons change, giving us variety in weather patterns, but the seasons always come in the same order.

And the human body is amazingly organized, down to the pattern of neurons in our central nervous system and brain; and the arteries and veins that carry blood.

So I get the benefit and security of knowing that night always follows day; Summer always follows Spring.  Thank You for knowing me so well and what I need to feel safe and secure in the world.

Thank You for going to such great lengths in creating this beautiful planet; with its specific gravity, air pressure, radiation levels, temperature, and path through the solar system, to provide stability to sustain my life.  Thank You for the constancy I see repeated in the cycles: sprouting, growth, maturity, fruitfulness, harvest, hibernation, rebirth.

When chaos increases in my life, it’s a signal I need to spend more time with You.

Help me be more organized.  Remind me I need to be consistent in devoting time to You. Show me how to set right priorities.   And how to stick to them.   Thank You for Your loving help.  Amen

I Chronicles 23:1-27:34

Mar 28 Burnout or Peace?

Lord, I do not desire to be a stiff-necked person.  Yet there are so many times I have been obstinate, stubborn, and wanted my own way!

Situations come up in my life, and the first thing I think of is how it can work out best for me.  I don’t think of myself as selfish, but I certainly do prefer when circumstances benefit me and don’t rock my boat.

There are so many things beyond my control that I seek to tightly control the things that are within my grasp.  I do what I can to plan my work and work my plan.  I try and keep a handle on and stay on top of events, relationships, finances, schedules, health issues, family, home.

The truth is: my being in control is just an illusion.  I am not really in control of anything. What’s going on in the world and in our country have made that remarkably clear for all of us. But by Your grace, I make it from one day to the next, one month to the next, one year to the next.

You created the universe with order.  You ordered the solar system, and the seasons, life cycles and day and night.

If You can handle the universe, You can certainly handle the details of my life and the crisis we are facing now.  The control I desperately seek, I can trust to You.  I need to do my part, but I can release that part of me that seeks to insist on my own way; that seeks to “feel” in control.

A new way of thinking for me is to ask how the circumstances in my life can be used to bring You glory.  How can I respond in a way that shows that my peace and confidence come from You, the Lord God Almighty, instead of being dependent on whether or not things work out my way?

Help me Lord.  Keep my heart sensitive to what You are doing so I can join you.  Keep my mind focused on what You are showing me and teaching me through Your Word, about how to let go.

I have heard that I cannot do Your part, and You will not do my part.  Give me the discernment to know which is which.   And the courage to let my actions reflect that.  Amen

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

July 18 Order from Chaos

Father, for the last several chapters, You have shown me how David and his commanders allotted all the jobs that needed to be done, to the Israelites.

There was a job for every person and a person for every job.  From the priestly duties in the Temple concerning worship, to defending the people and guarding the gates in the wall around Jerusalem.  There were people who took care of all the building and supplies, all the flocks and herds, and all the king’s business.

It reminds me that You are a God of order, not chaos.

I usually start off my day with a plan of order.  But You know all too well how many times those plans have dissolved into chaos.  My house starts out in order.  Then life happens, and chaos takes over.  Sometimes it takes an unexpected emergency like water in the basement or some planned entertaining activity to motivate the family into cleaning up again and putting things back in order weeks after the chaos has taken over.

I marvel at how You know humans so well, and give us what we need.  You know that I need order.

You created this world with painstaking care.  Every planet in the solar system is ordered.  The geology of the planet earth is stable enough that I don’t see mountains from my window one day and valleys the next.

The seasons change, giving us variety in weather patterns, but the seasons always come in the same order.

And the human body is amazingly organized, down to the pattern of neurons in our central nervous system and brain; and the arteries and veins that carry blood.

So I get the benefit and security of knowing that night always follows day; Summer always follows Spring.  Thank You for knowing me so well and what I need to feel safe and secure in the world.

Thank You for going to such great lengths in creating this beautiful planet; with its specific gravity, air pressure, radiation levels, temperature, and path through the solar system, to provide stability to sustain my life.  Thank You for the constancy I see repeated in the cycles: sprouting, growth, maturity, fruitfulness, harvest, hibernation, rebirth.

When chaos increases in my life, it’s a signal I need to spend more time with You.

Help me be more organized.  Remind me I need to be consistent in devoting time to You. Show me how to set right priorities.   And how to stick to them.   Thank You for Your loving help.  Amen

I Chronicles 23:1-27:34

Mar 28 Burnout or Peace?

Lord, I do not desire to be a stiff-necked person.  Yet there are so many times I have been obstinate, stubborn, and wanted my own way!

Situations come up in my life, and the first thing I think of is how it can work out best for me.  I don’t think of myself as selfish, but I certainly do prefer when circumstances benefit me and don’t rock my boat.

There are so many things beyond my control that I seek to tightly control the things that are within my grasp.  I do what I can to plan my work and work my plan.  I try and keep a handle on and stay on top of events, relationships, finances, schedules, health issues, family, home.

The truth is: my being in control is just an illusion.  I am not really in control of anything.  [add in 2020 – This year and the corona crisis had made that remarkably clear for all of us.]

But by Your grace, I make it from one day to the next, one month to the next, one year to the next.

I believe You are a God of order.  You created the universe with order.  You ordered the solar system, and the seasons, life cycles and day and night.

If You can handle the universe, You can certainly handle the details of my life.  The control I desperately seek, I can trust to You.  I need to do my part, but I can release that part of me that seeks to insist on my own way; that seeks to “feel” in control.

A new way of thinking for me is to ask how the circumstances in my life can be used to bring You glory.  How can I respond in a way that shows that my peace and confidence come from You, the Lord God Almighty, instead of being dependent on whether or not things work out my way?

Help me Lord.  Keep my heart sensitive to what You are doing so I can join you.  Keep my mind focused on what You are showing me and teaching me through Your Word, about how to let go.

I have heard that I cannot do Your part, and You will not do my part.  Give me the discernment to know which is which.   And the courage to let my actions reflect that.  Amen

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

July 18 Order from Chaos

Father, for the last several chapters, You have shown me how David and his commanders allotted all the jobs that needed to be done, to the Israelites.

There was a job for every person and a person for every job.  From the priestly duties in the Temple concerning worship, to defending the people and guarding the gates in the wall around Jerusalem.  There were people who took care of all the building and supplies, all the flocks and herds, and all the king’s business.

It reminds me that You are a God of order, not chaos.

I usually start off my day with a plan of order.  But You know all too well how many times those plans have dissolved into chaos.  My house starts out in order.  Then life happens, and chaos takes over.  Sometimes it takes an unexpected emergency like water in the basement or some planned entertaining activity to motivate the family into cleaning up again and putting things back in order weeks after the chaos has taken over.

I marvel at how You know humans so well, and give us what we need.  You know that I need order.

You created this world with painstaking care.  Every planet in the solar system is ordered.  The geology of the planet earth is stable enough that I don’t see mountains from my window one day and valleys the next.

The seasons change, giving us variety in weather patterns, but the seasons always come in the same order.

And the human body is amazingly organized, down to the pattern of neurons in our central nervous system and brain; and the arteries and veins that carry blood.

So I get the benefit and security of knowing that night always follows day; Summer always follows Spring.  Thank You for knowing me so well and what I need to feel safe and secure in the world.

Thank You for going to such great lengths in creating this beautiful planet; with its specific gravity, air pressure, radiation levels, temperature, and path through the solar system, to provide stability to sustain my life.  Thank You for the constancy I see repeated in the cycles: sprouting, growth, maturity, fruitfulness, harvest, hibernation, rebirth.

When chaos increases in my life, it’s a signal I need to spend more time with You.

Help me be more organized.  Remind me I need to be consistent in devoting time to You. Show me how to set right priorities.   And how to stick to them.   Thank You for Your loving help.  Amen

I Chronicles 23:1-27:34

Mar 28 Burnout? or Peace?

Lord, I do not desire to be a stiff-necked person.  Yet there are so many times I have been obstinate, stubborn, and wanted my own way!

Situations come up in my life, and the first thing I think of is how it can work out best for me.  I don’t think of myself as selfish, but I certainly do prefer when circumstances benefit me and don’t rock my boat.

There are so many things beyond my control that I seek to tightly control the things that are within my grasp.  I do what I can to plan my work and work my plan.  I try and keep a handle on and stay on top of events, relationships, finances, schedules, health issues, family, home.

The truth is: my being in control is just an illusion.  I am not really in control of anything.  This year and the corona crisis had made that remarkably clear for all of us.

But by Your grace, make it from one day to the next, one month to the next, one year to the next.

I believe You are a God of order.  You created the universe with order.  You ordered the solar system, and the seasons, life cycles and day and night.

If You can handle the universe, You can certainly handle the details of my life and the crisis we are facing now.  The control I desperately seek, I can trust to You.  I need to do my part, but I can release that part of me that seeks to insist on my own way; that seeks to “feel” in control.

A new way of thinking for me is to ask how the circumstances in my life can be used to bring You glory.  How can I respond in a way that shows that my peace and confidence come from You, the Lord God Almighty, instead of being dependent on whether or not things work out my way?

Help me Lord.  Keep my heart sensitive to what You are doing so I can join you.  Keep my mind focused on what You are showing me and teaching me through Your Word, about how to let go.

I have heard that I cannot do Your part, and You will not do my part.  Give me the discernment to know which is which.   And the courage to let my actions reflect that.  Amen

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

Jul 18 Order from Chaos

Father, for the last several chapters, You have shown me how David and his commanders allotted all the jobs that needed to be done, to the Israelites.

There was a job for every person and a person for every job.  From the priestly duties in the Temple concerning worship, to defending the people and guarding the gates in the wall around Jerusalem.  There were people who took care of all the building and supplies, all the flocks and herds, and all the king’s business.

It reminds me that You are a God of order, not chaos.

I usually start off my day with a plan of order.  But You know all too well how many times those plans have dissolved into chaos.  My house starts out in order.  Then life happens, and chaos takes over.  Sometimes it takes an unexpected emergency like water in the basement or some planned entertaining activity to motivate the family into cleaning up again and putting things back in order weeks after the chaos has taken over.

I marvel at how You know humans so well, and give us what we need.  You know that I need order.  You created this world with painstaking care.  Every planet in the solar system is ordered.  The geology of the planet earth is stable enough that I don’t see mountains from my window one day and valleys the next.

The seasons change, giving us variety in weather patterns, but the seasons always come in the same order.

And the human body is amazingly organized, down to the pattern of neurons in our central nervous system and brain; and the arteries and veins that carry blood.

So I get the benefit and security of knowing that night always follows day; Summer always follows Spring.  Thank You for knowing me so well and what I need to feel safe and secure in the world.

Thank You for going to such great lengths in creating this beautiful planet; with it’s specific gravity, air pressure, radiation levels, temperature, and path through the solar system, to provide stability to sustain my life.  Thank You for the constancy I see repeated in the cycles: sprouting, growth, maturity, fruitfulness, harvest, hibernation, rebirth.

When chaos increases in my life, it’s a signal I need to spend more time with You. Help me be more organized.  Remind me I need to be consistent in devoting time to You. Show me how to set right priorities.   And how to stick to them.   Thank You for Your loving help.  Amen

I Chronicles 23:1-27:34

Mar 28 Burnout or Peace?

Lord, I do not desire to be a stiff-necked person.  Yet there are so many times I have been obstinate, stubborn, and wanted my own way!

Situations come up in my life, and the first thing I think of is how it can work out best for me.  I don’t think of myself as selfish, but I certainly do prefer when circumstances benefit me and don’t rock my boat.

There are so many things beyond my control that I seek to tightly control the things that are within my grasp.  I do what I can to plan my work and work my plan.  I try and keep a handle on and stay on top of events, relationships, finances, schedules, health issues, family, home.

The truth is: my being in control is just an illusion.  I am not really in control of anything.  But by Your grace, make it from one day to the next, one month to the next, one year to the next.

Before, I believed order was better than chaos, and the lack of control is chaos.  So trying to control things meant I was being good.

Now what I believe is that You are a God of order.  You created the universe with order.  You ordered the solar system, and the seasons, life cycles and day and night.

If You can handle the universe, You can certainly handle the details of my life.  The control I desperately seek, I can trust to You.  I need to do my part, but I can release that part of me that seeks to insist on my own way; that seeks to “feel” in control.

A new way of thinking for me is to ask how the circumstances in my life can be used to bring You glory.  How can I respond in a way that shows that my peace and confidence come from You, the Lord God Almighty, instead of being dependent on whether or not things work out my way?

Help me Lord.  Keep my heart sensitive to what You are doing so I can join you.  Keep my mind focused on what You are showing me and teaching me through Your Word, about how to let go.

I have heard that I cannot do Your part, and You will not do my part.  Give me the discernment to know which is which.   And the courage to let my actions reflect that.  Amen

Deuteronomy 10:12-22

July 18 Order from Chaos

Father, for the last several chapters, You have shown me how David and his commanders allotted all the jobs that needed to be done, to the Israelites. There was a job for every person and a person for every job. From the priestly duties in the Temple concerning worship, to defending the people and guarding the gates in the wall around Jerusalem. There were people who took care of all the building and supplies, all the flocks and herds, and all the king’s business.

It reminds me that You are a God of order, not chaos. I usually start off my day with a plan of order. You know all too well how many times those plans have dissolved into chaos. My house starts out the month in order. Then life happens, and chaos takes over. Sometimes it takes an unexpected emergency like water in the basement or some planned entertaining activity to motivate the family into cleaning up again and putting things in order.

I marvel at how You know humans so well, and give us what we need. You know that I need order. You created this world I live on with painstaking care. Every planet in the solar system is ordered. The geology of the planet earth is stable enough that I don’t see mountains from my window one day and valleys the next. The seasons change, giving us variety in weather patterns, but the seasons always come in the same order. And the human body is amazingly organized, down to the pattern of neurons in our central nervous system and brain; and the arteries and veins that carry blood.

So I get the benefit and security of knowing that night always follows day; Summer always follows Spring. Thank You for knowing me so well; what I need to feel safe and secure in the world. Thank You for going to such great lengths in creating this beautiful planet; with it’s specific gravity, air pressure, radiation levels, temperature, and path through the solar system, to provide stability to sustain my life. Thank You for the constancy I see repeated in the cycles: sprouting, growth, maturity, fruitfulness, harvest, hibernation, rebirth.

When chaos increases in my life, it’s a signal I need to spend more time with You. Help me be more organized. Remind me I need to be consistent in devoting time to You. Show me how to set right priorities.   And how to stick to them.   Thank You for Your loving help. Amen

I Chronicles 23:1-27:34

Mar 28 Burnout or Peace

Lord, I do not desire to be a stiff-necked person. Yet there are so many times I have been obstinate, stubborn, and wanted my own way. Situations come up in my life, and the first thing I think of is how it can work out best for me. I don’t think of myself as selfish, but I certainly do prefer when circumstances benefit me and don’t rock my boat.

There are so many things beyond my control; that I seek to tightly control the things that are within my grasp. I do what I can to plan my work and work my plan. I try and keep a handle on and stay on top of events, relationships, finances, schedules, health issues, family, home. The truth is, my being in control is just an illusion. I am not really in control of anything. But by Your grace, make it from one day to the next, one month to the next, one year to the next.

Before, I believed order was better than chaos, and the lack of control is chaos. So trying to control things meant I was being good. Now what I believe is that You are a God of order. You created the universe with order. You ordered the solar system, and the seasons, life cycles and day and night. If You can handle the universe, You can certainly handle the details of my life. The control I so seek, I can trust to You. I need to do my part, but I can release that part of me that seeks to insist on my own way, that seeks to ‘feel’ in control.

A new way of thinking for me, is to ask how the circumstances in my life can be used to bring You glory. How can I respond in a way that shows that my peace and confidence come from You, the Lord God Almighty, instead of being dependent on whether or not things work out my way?

Help me Lord. Keep my heart sensitive to what You are doing so I can join you. Keep my mind focused on what You are showing me and teaching me through Your Word, about how to let go.  I have heard that I cannot do Your part, and You will not do my part. Give me the discernment to know which is which.   And the courage to let my actions reflect that. Amen

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22