Contradiction...

My prayer:

Awesome God. It seems like the theme of my life right now is contradiction. Everywhere I look, everything I am experiencing, even my own thoughts all seem to be contradicting each other. Not in a confused way but in a way where two things that seem contradictory are both true at the same time.

I am sure there is a greater message and understanding for me in this. I can feel that it is just out of my reach. I almost get it but not quite.

I ask for your help in understanding this. I think it is important. Thank you mighty God.

What God Said Tonight:

Contradiction is not always a bad thing. It is not always something that you want to avoid. Sometimes contradiction is what brings out the deeper truth of a situation. Sometimes contradiction is what opens your eyes to a new level of wisdom.

I have said that I would prefer you to be hot or cold rather than lukewarm. Part of the reason for that is you can tell the difference between hot and cold. The one helps define the other. Lukewarm is not either and not defined within itself. It is nothing.

Revel in the contradiction and use each side to help define the other. You will find greater truth in the struggle.

God's building project...

My prayer:

Awesome God. You know that I don't normally like to come to you with a big list of requests but tonight, I kind of have a big list of requests.

We have had really cold weather for several days now and there are too many people here without homes. God, I pray for your provision for them. Lead them somewhere safe and warm.

Today, more people near me were shot in violence. Several died and more were injured. I pray and send your word of healing to those who were hurt. I pray for the family and friends of all of the victims that you comfort them and give them strength. I pray for the man who did the shooting that you heal him at the core of whatever hurt, dysfunction, and/or curse that led him to this act today. I pray for core healing for all who were traumatized.

God, I pray also for courage for myself. I ask that you give me the courage to live a life that has greater impact than the one that I am living now. Help me to see and take every opportunity to be a blessing. Give me the wisdom to make the right and best choices.

I could keep going but I think that is enough for now. Thank you God for listening. Thank you for always being there and always helping. You are amazing and I am beyond blessed to have you in my life.

What God Said Tonight:

You know how sometimes at the beginning of a hike, you look at the mountain ridge and think there is no way that you can make it all the way up there. But then, you start taking one step after another and before you know it, you are on the top of the ridge, looking to the next ridge.

Life, your life, is a lot like that. Each challenge, each struggle, each tragedy seems greater than what you can bear or get through but each time, taking one step after another with me, I will bring you through. And, when we are on top of that thing, your focus will not be looking down at where you came from. Your focus will be the next ridge, the next challenge, the next accomplishment.

Your life with me is a constant building project that never is done but is always higher and more beautiful today than it was yesterday. I will conquer every mountain with you my child. I love you.

Gather round...

My prayer:

Today was not the Thanksgiving holiday I planned but it turned out pretty wonderful anyway. I have so much to be grateful for because of you God. We talked about a lot of them today. Above all, I am grateful that you are who you are and you are the center of my world.

What God Said Tonight:

It is a time and a season to gather round with those you love. Find your roots and cherish them.

As you do, remember that I loved you first and I love you best.

Gather round me and spend time in my presence. I promise you will never regret it. I can always welcome one more home.

Needing God...

My prayer:

Amazing God. Thank you for all of your help again today.

Continuing from our conversation this morning, is it important to you that we, that I, need you? I know it is important to you that we love you but it also seems like it is important to you that we need you. The whole concept of "without faith it is impossible to please God" seems to imply that our faith in you to do what we can't is important. But, even as I type that I realize that I am adding the part of "to do what we can't". That is not part of what you said.

But logically, when we love someone we often need them as well, Not always, but those closest to us, we need them at least in some aspect. Is that why it is important to you? Is it just evidence of the depth of our love for you?

I only ask because it seems like often, things in life are a lot harder than they could be. There are things, hassles, tragedies that are hard and require that we lean on you which brings us closer to you, which is good. But, sometimes, I wonder why it has to be that way. Can't we get and be close without all the trauma and drama?

I am rambling at this point God but I really am interested. I think if I could understand this a little better, it would be easier for me to wait out your timing on things...maybe.

I love you!

What God Said Tonight:

Needing someone,needing me, is not weakness. It is inherent in how I made you that you will need others to help you to be all that you can be. Your need of me is normal and makes you stronger, not weaker, when you allow me to be your strength, your guardian and your Lord.

I love when you recognize your need of me. It makes it easier for me to help you. When you don't recognize that you need me, I have to work harder to convince you to let me in. I love you and your need of me.

The small stuff...

My prayer:

THANK YOU GOD! You make me succeed in the most difficult situations and I am VERY GRATEFUL!

Having you on my side is so amazing. I wish I could find a way to help people who don't know you truly understand the favor involved in being your child and choosing you. Not that everything is easy, but you always, always make sure I win in the end.

YOU ARE AWESOME!

What God Said Tonight:

You're waiting for an opening, an open door. You're waiting for that next big opportunity. I tell you, it is coming and when it does it will be bigger than you can imagine but in the meantime, right now, I am providing you with so many opportunities to work in my Kingdom and be a help to those around you.

The opportunities are not flashy. They aren't things that a lot of people see and know about. But, I see. I know. And to me, they are enormously important. They are opportunities to bless and help my kids. There is nothing more important than that.

So, while you wait for the big stuff, understand that I get the greatest joy from seeing you be obedient in the small stuff. I get the greatest joy when you bless people for no reason. I get the greatest joy seeing you succeed.

I love you.

God knows you...

My prayer:

I really don't know how to put my thoughts into words tonight God and if I tried, it would probably just sound like whining. So, instead, I think I will focus on you for a bit.

Thank you God for always knowing what is best. Thank you for always giving me hope for the future. Thank you for protecting me (physically, emotionally and spiritually) and for giving me the peace to know that you always will protect me. Thank you for counter acting the critical voice in my head with your words of love. Thank you, most of all for loving me even when I don't know why.

What God Said Tonight:

I hear the anger you don't express. I hear the fear you don't admit. I know the dark thoughts that camp out in your mind. I know the very worst of you.

I know you and you are mine. All mine. I take you, just as you are, lock stock and barrel into my Kingdom, into my arms. And, once you are in, I don't let go.

God's guidance...

My prayer:

I have a lot running through my mind tonight God. I am not sure where to start.

So many wonderful people going through so many struggles. My prayer God is, HELP. I pray for your help. We can't do this without you. We are out of strength, knowledge, understanding. We need you. I can't even say what we need you to do because I have no idea how any of these situations "should" work out so all I can do is say, please HELP.

Thank you Jesus.

What God Said Tonight:

If you are going down a road that someone else has traveled and they have landed where you want to be, then, by all means talk to them. Find out what they learned. Learn from them. But if the person giving you advice has not arrived at a place you want to be, you may want to consider if that is the direction you want to go.

I will lead and guide you always. In that leading, understand that sometimes that means me leading you on a path that is not well traveled. Sometimes that means taking you on a path that you and the people you love do not understand.

I have not abandoned you. I am right here. I will see you to the end of this journey and beyond.