Psalms and Songs

Dearest - the weekend was relaxing and a time to reflect.

I was thinking about King David in quiet times last night. He wrote fantastic psalms and songs. As I sing my own praise songs to You, I think how stupid people may think it is. Yet, I think back to a shepherd boy with his sheep - camping out singing praises to his creator. You led him from pastures to Goliath.

His songs of praise soothed a king's trouble soul. As he ran from the same king - my mind takes me to him, once again, camping outside. Fearing for his life, hiding in caves, he offered praise. He had a lot of friends and help with him, but ultimately, what mattered most was his relationship with You. Battered down, hiding and protected under the shelter of Your wing - he sang songs of praise, fear and despondency. He was honest and open with his words.

Thank you for examples from long ago - that encourage me to offer up my prayers and praise. For tonight's study - open my hears and heart to understand words from across the table. Set a guard over my lips. Draw us out to be courageous and open. Prepare our way to make the study sweet and inviting. Love, Me

Quiet Prayers 2/27/2009

To my Beloved - the weekend is coming up. So many people with needs - two retreats and a friend melting down.

With ears tuned to Your Spirit, I ask You to let me know how to pray, how to speak and what actions are required.

Thank you for longer days - for bright sunshine one day after snow. As we walk through this day, let me dance for you with You. It's nice to be with and enjoy your company.

For this weekend coming up, give me courage to speak truth kindly and honorably. Don't let me forget how kind and loving You've been to/with me as I struggled through dark days. Let me be your hands, feet and mouth as I walk through hard dark days with family and friends.

I love you and look forward to our weekend - Me.

Pursuing God

It's been awhile since I've posted. Mostly because the stuff I write down is a bit mundane. But, I felt the Spirit of God calling me to spend time with my Sophomore in high school niece. She's having a tough time with her faith.

We got to spend some time together - and I realized that teens have many things to deal with. There's lots of drama and confusion in their thinking. If (with the help of God) I'm able to stay connected with her through her thought processes God and I may have something to help her through this time in her life.

So we talked about recording kissing from the King (you know those kisses that God gives you just to bless you?) And then we talked about recording those things that people tell you. Those things people just dump on you because you listen - and then they really don't want to hear your issues. The question she's struggling with is how to just turn them over to God and not work on fixing them.

And then we talked about a High School Retreat. The question - was -why did it not fulfill your expectations. The response was - that when she went looking for God - pursuing Him - she didn't find Him. He didn't speak to her.

Ironically - several years ago, Pastor Alan recommended a book: "Furious Pursuit - Why God will Never Let You Go" - along with the work book. She and I talked about it last night - and together we're going to go through the study - taking our time. The book is really a 12 week study. When Iwent through it the first time, it took over a year. We will take as much time as we want.

God is amazing to have spoken to me through this book - and then passing it on to a teenager who is struggling. Isn't He awesome!