"Jesus - My Daily Planner"

(Please click on pictures for a full-sized view)

I sat down to pray, asking the Lord to help me to be more disciplined, to get better organized and to be more productive.  I had become more than a little frustrated with myself for my procrastination.  

I entered my craft room and stood over a project I began five months ago.  I had given myself a deadline of six months to complete it, yet it still lay on my craft table, unfinished.  When I began, I thought surely, even though it was a fairly large project, I would have this gift ready to give by the Fall - not to be!
 

Distractions got in the way, health concerns plagued me, and I just, "didn't feel like it!"  And things were everywhere!  When I began this particular creative endeavor, I really didn't know what I was getting myself into, so I'd start and then find my mind drifting off to some other idea, and then another, as I pulled out more and more stuff until I couldn't see the table or the floor underneath me.

I decided I may never finish this project, was sorry I ever started, and left it and everything else where they sat and closed the door, feeling like a failure once again.

I needed help and knew that by myself I couldn't make the necessary changes I so desperately needed in my life.  And so for two days I sought the Lord in repentance and prayer, asking Him to clear the clutter in my home and in my heart, to show me how to properly prioritize, live a well-balanced life, and in all things to honor Him.

Praise be to God, the Lord is working in me, and did give me the strength, determination and encouragement to begin to tackle this clean-up job. I have since begun to keep a daily planner for the first time in my life.  And though I'm still a work in progress, I continue to seek Him for His help that I may live my life "on purpose", presenting all to Him, and trusting His plans each day as He leads and guides me. 

My life in living color

the things to me God says

The thoughts I have and daily plans

Scriptures I have read.

Dribs and drabs and scribbles

and notes that would remind

To make the most of moments

to treasure the gift of time.

Setting goals to clear the clutter

jotting down my hopes and dreams

Expressing my faith creatively

prayers to God I breathe.

Poems and inspirations

and stickers marking a spot

Encouraging me to move forward

the next day's course to plot.

These tell a simple story

of my life and the schedule I keep

Recorded upon the pages

of each new day I greet.

Realizing God is faithful

rejoicing in the day

As I lift it up to Father

so grateful for all He's made.

Thankful God is with me

my times are in His hands 

And so I come before Him

to lift up my daily plan.

He always goes before me

to organize and make

A path that I can follow

on every calendar date.

I lay out my little system

confident of success

For I know the thoughts He thinks toward me

giving me His best.

My thoughts in Him are established

He directs my steps

All my days are in His Book

I'm on the mark and set.

To go where He is calling

to do and just to be

All that I have plotted out

with the Lord to leave.

In Him I am accepted,

I am beautiful, enough, I receive

This gift of another sunrise

where the Lord supplies my need.

And so, I'm living my life on purpose

not flying by the seat of my pants

Equipped and directed by Father

not by feelings, my ability, or chance.

Asking the Lord for His wisdom

and to navigate my course

My Pilot giving guidance

Jesus Christ, my source.

A recipe for living

He has the perfect plan

Every day well-structured

a pattern arranged by His hand.

One I choose to follow 

to live each day by faith

Organized and focused

priorities set straight.

Even in the little things

and the mundane I repeat

Discovering the sacred

in the schedule together we keep.

Yet, not rigid in my thinking

but thinking outside of the box

Open to His ideas and His prompting

excited, exclaiming, "Why not!".

Embracing the person He's made me

to know that it's okay

That I am like no other

but fearfully and wonderfully made.

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

they meet me where I am

To make the most of every hour

unto me to lend

All of the resources

I'd need throughout my day

In working, running errands,

appointments, rest and play.

And so, I give to Him my calendar

asking Him to fill in the blanks

Journaling my journey

doing all with a heart full of thanks.

Positively speaking

upon the pages of my life

I'm strengthened and made steadfast
by the Lord who gives me light. 

I offer Him the first fruits

of this, my busy day

With outstretched hands unto my God

I offer Him my praise!

For You are worthy and I long to know You

so early I rise to seek

The living God who loves me

to hear the things You'd speak.

Then to follow in the footsteps

of Jesus, my Shepherd, who guides

Breathing Him in and breathing Him out

as we walk side by side.

Scripture Meditation: 
Psalm 5:3 - My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.

Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to number each of our days so that we may grow in wisdom.
Psalm 139:16 -  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. 
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:9 -  A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 3:5-6 -  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

1 Corinthians 14:33 -  …God is not the author of confusion but of peace…

2 Corinthians 8:10-11 -  And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it…

Galatians 6:9 -   And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  

 

 

"A Friend Loves At All Times"

 

(Please click on picture for a full-sized view)

 

As I was waking up the other morning, the Scripture, “A friend loves at all times”, from Proverbs 17:17, came to my mind.  Once fully awake I began to pray as I thought about the sometimes more challenging and difficult times in relationships, allowing the Lord to bring other related Scripture to me as He inspired me to create this piece.  I pray to be a good friend to all those the Lord would bring across my path; one who is patient and kind toward the weak, who is giving and faithful, who speaks encouraging words to lift a heart that is burdened down, anxious or afraid, depositing the truth of God to help raise them up in faith.  I ask the Lord to make me ever prayerful for a brother or sister in need, trusting the Lord to help bring them out of dark places to clearly see again as they are strengthened in Him.  The Lord who dwells within us is a friend who is closer than a brother, and so I pray to always be a true friend, walking in the very nature of Christ, sharing His love as His Holy Spirit fills and directs me to extend His gracious hand with the same mercy He has shown me, because surely, FRIENDS ARE GIFTS THAT HEAVEN SENDS and A FRIEND LOVES AT ALL TIMES!

"This Moment is Perfect"

As I sat in my garden and looked all around

and took it all in, such beauty I found.

I sat there contented with the birds and the bees

the sun on my face and a warm, gentle breeze.

I noticed the small things that bring me such peace

the scent of the flowers and the songs that repeat.

The wonder of creation and all God has made

the life that surrounds me and all that He gave.

The expanse of the sky that takes me away

as if I'm in flight, given wings as I lay

All of my burdens, beginning to fade

and then disappear, heavy heart turns to praise.

Everything that has breath breathes out a refrain

a chorus, thanksgiving, for the joy of the day.

For the truth that has come and fills all the earth

not hidden from us but before our eyes has been birthed.

Day after day, in all, He would speak

the night reveals knowledge, God's wisdom, runs deep.

His glory is declared, I see the works of His hands

His Word is far reaching, I love His commands.

Even as I sit in this place and I seek

He instructs me in His ways and helps me to keep

On the path He has placed me, turning aside

from all that is empty, my life is revived.

He gives His own double honor, the Lord calls them blessed

God's covenant, our promise, in truth to direct.

So that the radiant light of God's Son will reflect

in the hearts of His servants, mighty oaks to erect.

Offering hope to the broken and comfort to those who mourn

rebuilding old ruins, with His jewels to adorn.

God's Kingdom is established as each garden would grow

His righteousness and praise to all nations to flow.

Scripture Meditation:
Psalm 118:24 - This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 150:6 - Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.  Praise the LORD!
Psalm 19:1-6 - The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psalm 119:33-37 - Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.
Isaiah 61:1-11 - “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, they shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs. “ For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, and will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.” I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

"Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner"

(Please click on picture for a full-sized view)

Oh, Lord, how I delight in your Word, and to hear what Your Holy Spirit would speak to me each day!  What a privilege to know You, partner with You, and grow in Your grace as I meditate on Your truth.  

I come to You needy, hungry for the things of God, and for Your Word that brings me victory.  Here I am, Lord, Your servant, listening.  Pour out Your anointing.  Give to me a heart of understanding.  Loose my lips to speak with a holy boldness, in faith, as Your Holy Spirit gives me utterance.

I am Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, that the very heart of God may be seen.  Help me to walk in all that You have called me to.  Silence the voices that attempt to silence me, and bring down every barrier standing in the way.  Cause Your Word to go forth in power, with signs and wonders following, as the name of Jesus is lifted high.  Bring the success You have promised that we may dwell in the land as we continually feed on Your faithfulness.

Scripture Meditation: 
Joshua 1:8
Acts 4:13-30
Jeremiah 20:9
1 Samuel 3:10
James 1:17
Ephesians 2:10