Warts and all...

My prayer:

I want to be better God. I want to be better tomorrow that I was today. I want to be a bigger blessing to people than I have been. I want to be a better reflection of you. I know that I will never be perfect except for being perfected in you, but I want to be better than I am. I want to love better. I want to encourage and not discourage. Help me God to be better for you.

What God Said Tonight:

There is no condemnation in Christ. You know that right? Start there. You know what else? I made you knowing that you would be imperfect in this life. 

Trouble and imperfection become the good ground that nurtures the gifts of the Spirit in you. Love, compassion, kindness, those all come from understanding and being able to relate to the thing that someone else is going through. 

I am glad you want to work on your rough spots. We will always be working on them. But remember, these rough spots also make you human. Without them, you would not be able to relate or connect to anyone and I would not be able to use you as I do for the Kingdom. 

I love you daughter, warts and all.

Truth...

My prayer:

Today was just good God. Thank you for the beauty you showed us and the favor. Thank you for the amazing wilderness that you have made. Tonight I am tired but content and ready to listen. What is on your mind Father?

What God Said Tonight:

There is very little to say that hasn't been said. There is some truth to the statement that there is nothing new under the son. I look for new ways to tell you, but the truth remains the truth, now and forever. 

And, the truth is, I love you. The truth is that you will live an everlasting life because of the blood I shed for you. The truth is that you are a royal priesthood and highly favored. 

The truth is that I also have some expectations of you. The truth is that I expect you to be my reflection on the earth. The truth is that I expect you to tell people about me. And, the truth is that there is nothing more beautiful than one of my children living out their purpose in life. There is no sunset that is more resplendent and there is no mountain that is more lush than the beauty of my children living in the purpose that I have given then. 

I love you my daughter. Live in truth and live in purpose and you will be beautiful.

Mirrors...

My prayer:

Awesome and wise God. Wow. We really get in our own way sometimes. We can get so caught up in bitterness and being right that we miss what life and what you are trying to offer us.

Why is it so easy for me to see that in other people's lives and so hard for me to recognize when I am doing it to myself? God, I pray and ask for even greater insight into my own roadblocks than the insight I have into others. Help me to recognize my part in every situation or act that drives me crazy. Then, I pray for the wisdom to change. 

You have said when we lack wisdom, to ask and I am asking. Give me the wisdom and understanding to get out of my own way. Thank you.

What God Said Tonight:

You are all connected, You all have the same Father. I have put you on the earth together to help and to teach each other. When you look in your brother or your sisters eye and you see that speck, it is the mirror to show you the log in your eye. You know the statement that objects in the mirror may be larger than they appear? Same is true with people who are the mirrors in your life. The issues you see in them may be reflections of a bigger issue in you. 

I bring people together for reasons. I bring people together who have the same types of issues to help each other. No one is completely whole or completely holy. The best you can do is work on what you see. But, work on what you see in you. As you help yourself, you will help others. 

I love you daughter, warts and all. You are covered in my blood and are wholly beautiful. Rest.

Quiet with God...

My prayer:

Today was filled with impossibilities God. Thanks for being the God that makes the impossible, possible. I am sure glad today is over and the run we took tonight was awesome. I love getting to that place of worship in a run where it is you and me and the world completely disappears. 

I am such a daddy's girl when it comes to you! Sitting out here, under the stars tonight, I am just truly content. The only thing that would make tonight better is to hear your voice. What do you want to talk about tonight God?

What God Said Tonight:

Mmmm, I am not much in a talking mood tonight but I am in the mood to be with you. I am in the mood to spend time, enjoying our time together. 

I would ask that you stay here awhile, just you and me, some sweet worship music, the cooling night air. Don't run off to bed or to the next thing that you think of that needs to be done. Just hang out awhile. 

I love you and really just want to spend some time being quiet with you tonight.

Routines...

My prayer:

I am worn out tonight God but still just enjoying your presence. Every moment is worthwhile because you are in it. 

I realized over the last few days that I have fallen out of some habits or routines that I use to have to make sure I was keeping you in the forefront of my mind. I know you don't like routine that becomes insincere worship and I don't want that either. But, for me, it seems like having some routines really help me to not grow lazy or complacent. 

There is probably some middle ground that I am missing. All knowing God, please give me wisdom. I don't ever want to drift from you.

What God Said Tonight:

Staying close to me is like any other relationship in your life. You have to work at it. You have to be committed to growing closer together. You have to be in agreement that you will not let the day to day hassles of life get in the way of staying connected. 

That being said, just like with your other relationships, sometimes it happens despite your best intentions. How often have you been going along in life and realize that you haven't talked to your best friend in a month, or two? It is not that you love that friend any less. You just got distracted from your commitment to the friendship. When that happens, don't you immediately get in touch with that friend, apologize and reconnect with them?

Yep, it works the same with you an me. Life happens and sometimes you lose track of the things and relationships that are important to you. When it happens, apologize and reconnect. I am always here. I will never turn you away when you come back to me. I will never condemn you. 

Now, regarding routines, again just like with relationships in your life, some amount of routine (e.g., a committment to a monthly dinner with a friend) helps keep you connected. However, if one month you miss it, you don't beat up on yourself and assume the friendship is over. It is ok to have routines but don't let the routine rule the relationship. I love you daughter, now and always.

Celebrate God's love...

My prayer:

I am celebrating you, my God. I am celebrating your love, your peace, your careful care over us. I am celebrating a life of purpose lived through your guidance. I am celebrating eternal life through your sacrifice. I am celebrating you God. 

There are times like tonight where I can't help myself. I get to thinking how good you are and how good my life is because you are in it and I just want to sing and dance and CELEBRATE! 

Thank you for everything God.

What God Said Tonight:

I love a good celebration. I love to see my children experiencing the joy that I always intended for your lives. 

Your joy does not need to be dependent on circumstances. You can have joy at any point just by focusing on me and our relationship. I will bring you joy in your sadness. I will bring you peace in the torment. I will bring you healing in the sickness. I will bring you whatever you need because I love you so much, more than you may ever know. 

Feel my love tonight. I want to blanket you with it. I want to wrap you in it. I want you to be so surrounded in my love that nothing can ever harm you. Live in the midst of my love and you will always have joy, peace, protection, and every need fulfilled. I love you, my child.

Thought control...

My prayer:

Mighty God, loving Father. I think I am realizing, more than ever, that the majority of challenges in life are truly a battle of the mind. If I can think "right" about a situation, any situation, and see it how you see it, I can be content and not afraid. 

It seems almost too simple when I say it but the reality of living it is hard enough. I pray God that you help me to get my thoughts right, in every situation. I pray for wisdom and right thinking. In Jesus name. Thank you.

What God Said Tonight:

I am sorry my daughter but your thoughts are your own responsibility. I gave you free will and in that is your control over your own thoughts. I can teach you how to control your thoughts. I can show you how confessing my word will renew your mind. I can show you the tools to keep your mind like mine; but the work, actually living out the right thought life is something only you can do. 

I cannot and will not ever control your thoughts. Those are yours and only yours. Keep your thoughts focused and stayed on me and you find the control you seek. It is all up to you.