Darvasa gas crater by Tormod Sandtorv derivative work: Hellbus
Good morning, beloved,
The rain is pelting down, pouring out of the sky this morning. I think it is one of my favorite sounds in the world. My new phone has the sound of the beach. I think I just plain like water. One of my favorite songs is so titled, Water by Brad Paisley. So why include a fire picture? Dunno. I was kind of amazed at the man who stands there NEXT to the crater. Ahem. Courage? Stupidity?
I woke up very, very early this morning and thought this was it. I was awake and began to read. I am aware of the battle, the spiritual battle raging inside my head. I longed to clear it. I realized I needed to pray and began to pray for others in my life. No, praise. What? Praise Him from whom all blessings flow. So I began with a Psalm I memorized so long ago.
Psalm 103:
1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!
3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.
And then I was asleep. I gave you a different version than I know, but this morning I think, Eugene Peterson has it right. Bless Him from head to toe. Remember all He has done and all He will do. I remember pain, physical pain, in my youth. Yet I can count it on one hand, the times of sharp pain. I long for heaven where my youth will be renewed. Where pain is gone, and I am set free. I struggle with pain now. I struggle to not be discouraged. I struggle when people ask and I can’t say I’m better. I want to! I want to, but then the Lord reminds me of all the blessings He is accomplishing through this season.
So this morning, keeping it real, pain is my new coat. Maybe not forever, but I will wear it. I’m asking the Lord for joy, joy in the pain. It’s not easy. I get weepy, but as I walked through Target last night, I realized how sincerely blessed I am.
My thankfuls first today (I’m on 60!! woohoo!)
60. I’m thankful that I get time with my eldest. Time is a gift. He is growing so fast and we get to spend the day together.
61. I’m thankful for the joy that comes in the morning.
62. I’m thankful for the pain. (That was very had to write.) I know Him more, love Him more…
I decided to also share Mary’s song in the MSG version. I know I’ve gone verse by verse, but read this in its entirety and smile. Praise Him with her words.
Luke 1:
I’m bursting with God-news;
I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave
on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength,
scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised,
beginning with Abraham and right up to now.
What God has done for me…
His mercy flows in wave after wave…
The starving sit down to a banquet…
He remembered and piled on the mercies…
This is our gift today, friends. Will you receive it? Will you receive His mercy, wave after wave?
Pray on. Pray on.
Related articles
- In times like these you need Jesus (truthorshame.com)
- Counting My Blessings (gospelapprentice.com)
- Psalms 103. Praise For The LORD’s Mercies. The Love Of God (bummyla.wordpress.com)
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