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A Thanksgiving Prayer

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, Meditation, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, tagged God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, Praise God for Blessings, Praise God for His Attributes, Praising God's Character on November 27, 2025| 27 Comments »

On this cloud-shrouded, Thanksgiving morning,

I pause in the candlelight to thank and praise You, O Lord–

for family and friends, food and clothing,

a cozy home and delightful blessings

we never even thought to ask for.

These are benevolences we see, touch, and hear.

One blessing we never thought to ask for: a trip to Israel in 1994, travel and lodging expenses paid for.

But I also want to thank you for those gifts

that only the senses of the heart can perceive—

blessings that include your eternal faithfulness,

as expansive and enduring as the skies,

and your loving devotion, as measureless as

the far reaches of the cosmos.

I thank you for your alert attentiveness,

keeping watch over me as I come and go,

for your abundant goodness which you store up

for those who fear you and take refuge in you,

for your wisdom that knows what to accomplish and when,

what to give and what to withhold.

I thank you for your compassionate mercy

that offers a fresh start each day,

your transforming grace that takes the sand of troubles

and creates pearls of lustrous steadfastness and stability.

I praise you for your strength that “turns my mush into might.”

When I’m weary in spirit, you prop me up and propel me forward.

I thank you for your Word that instructs in the ways of abundant living,

guiding me along the right path as I internalize your truths.

I thank you for its encouragement when my spirit falters,

providing hope through the promises that cannot fail

and in the knowledge of who you are, our holy and perfect Father.

Your Word is “an anchor of truth in a sea of lies.”

“Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to you O God, for ever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 7:12)!

* * * * *

Now it’s your turn! What would you add to this gratitude list that specifically celebrates God? Add your praise in the comment section below!

Scriptures and other sources:

Verse 2: Psalm 36:5; 108:4

Verse 3: Psalm 121:8 NLT; 31:19; Proverbs 2:6

Verse 4: Lamentations 3:22-23; Romans 5:3-5; Anita Donihue, When I’m in His Presence, 52; Isaiah 40:29-31

Verse 5: Psalm 119:93, 105, 92; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 145; 119:160, https://www.reviveourhearts.com/blog/20-benefits-of-being-in-gods-word-according-to-psa/

Image credits: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net (Sheila Brown); http://www.commonswikipedia.org (Edmund Nigel Gail); http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net (2); commonswikipedia.org (Marcus Bengtsson).

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Booster Shots

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, God, God's Goodness, God's Provision, Meditation, Praise, Renewing the Mind, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, tagged Daily Blessings, Gratitude to God, Philippians 4:8, positivity, Praising God for His Attributes, Renew the mind, Thanksgiving on November 20, 2025| 33 Comments »

I trust you’ve received your flu and Covid shots for 2025/2026. Viruses are already making their rounds in our area; maybe where you live too.

There’s another booster you may wish to add to the list, a very powerful one that impacts body, mind, emotions, and spirit: a gratitude booster.

Most of us know the research, that great benefit results from simply expressing gratitude: improved sleep, mood, and immunity as well as a decrease in depression, anxiety, chronic pain and risk of disease [1].

But some of us need a little boost now and then, to jump start gratitude. And what better time to make that our focus than during the season of Thanksgiving?

Such boosters would include:

Actively choosing to see what God has provided [2]

‘We just have to turn up our joy detectors, notice, and give credit to the God who provided [every blessing, big and small]” [3].

Try listing the eight adjectives in Philippians 4:8 and then name something God has provided for you that fits each adjective. For example:

True: The daily delights God bestows, like morning sunbeams, apparent when I’m attentive

Noble: The young neighbor who shoveled our walk

Right: A car mechanic who treated us more than fairly

Pure: A perfect fall day of cool temps and sunshine, enjoyed with a compelling book

Lovely: a grandchild sitting on my lap

Admirable: The warm hospitality offered frequently by our nearby son and daughter-in-law

Excellent: The music and preaching at our church

Praiseworthy: a golden peach sunset followed by a glowing harvest moon

Turn the contemplations into praise for even more benefit.

Thinking on God’s Character Traits

“Our ability to be thankful and content in all things is directly related to our understanding of God’s character” [4].

One website out of many that list God’s attributes:

https://www.blueletterbible.or/faq/attributes.cfm

Here you’ll find not only a list but relevant scriptures, and a brief explanation highlighting the wonder of each trait.

Replacing Negativity with Positivity

As soon as we’re aware our thoughts have turned gloomy, we can flip the switch to positivity. There are many things to be grateful for no matter what, including:

I’m a Jesus follower, on my way to heaven (John 3:16)
I’m a child of the King—the King of the universe (1 John 3:1)!
He always supplies what I need (Philippians 4:19)
God can redeem any situation and make me triumphant in any circumstance [5] (Romans 8:31-39)
His presence with me always provides guidance, comfort, and more (Psalm 23:3-4)
His love for me never wavers (Jeremiah 31:3)
His goodness to me will never end (Psalm 23:6)

And as we express gratitude for these realities and many others, “confidence in God replaces complaint, which leads to rejoicing” [6].

Another way to augment positivity is to linger on pleasant memories, God’s promises, and how he’s already fulfilled them. God has equipped our brains with neuroplasticity, giving us the capability of changing how our minds function.

“When we linger on happy experiences or positive truths, these thoughts become encoded. Neural connections strengthen. The brain undergoes actual physical change” [7].

No wonder God inspired the Apostle Paul to write: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2).

Now Imagine adding gratitude in the mix—gratitude for each memory, each promise, each fulfillment. The transformation is sure to be augmented.

* * *

St. Augustine wrote:

Doesn’t that sound like a happy way to live? These gratitude boosters will surely help each of us become that Alleluia—just in time for Thanksgiving.

[1] https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health

[2] Melissa Krueger, The Envy of Eve, 134.

[3] Deanna Chadwell, contributor to Soul Bare, 82.

[4] Krueger, 49.

[5] Margaret Feinberg, Wonderstruck 148.

[6] Feinberg, 153.

[7] Jennifer Dukes Lee, The Happiness Dare, 199.

Image credits: http://www.commons.wikipedia.org; http://www.pexels.com (Joni Lorraine); http://www.wallpaperflare.com; http://www.pickpik.com (3); http://www.publicdomainpictures.net.

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Quietness Is . . .

Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, God's Goodness, God's Presence, God's Promises, Intimacy with God, Meditation, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged Benefits of quietness before God, Psalm 46:10, quiet time with God, Silence before God, Solitude with God, Stillness before God on October 30, 2025| 31 Comments »

Enter a deep woods this time of year and experience an intensity of quiet that most of us rarely encounter. No traffic din or sirens, no lawn mowers or leaf blowers, even birdsong is only intermittent, since most of our feathered friends have headed south.

Stand still or sit on a rock for a spell and absorb the soft quiet that hovers in the trees [1].

Research has proven that quiet solitude provides benefits, including improved mental clarity, reduced stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and enhanced creativity [2].

For Jesus followers, there are even more benefits with profound effect.

Andrew Murray (1828-1917), a South African pastor, teacher, and author stated:

Of course, he wasn’t talking about a walk in the woods—valuable as that is. Murray wanted his readers to know that blessing, strength, and great gain result from quiet solitude with God, as we spend time with him in worship, meditation on his Word, prayer, and listening.

But Murray only summarized the results of stillness before God. Others have added more specificity, including the benefits listed below.

QUIETNESS IS . . .

. . . REVITALIZATION

As dew refreshes grass and flowers during the stillness of the night, so God’s presence revitalizes us as we sit quietly with him [3].

. . . TRUST IN GOD

As we rest in God’s Presence, focusing on him, he quietly builds bonds of trust between us and him [4].

. . . TRANSFORMATION

Stillness transforms heart and mind [5].

. . . PEACE

Resting in God’s presence is the best way to receive his gift of peace [6].

. . . SPIRITUAL GROWTH

“In order to grow in grace, we must spend a great deal of time in quiet solitude” [7].

. . . STRENGTH

“In quietness and trust we collect God’s strength” [8].

. . . TRUTH

“It is in quiet solitude that we catch the deep and mysterious truths that flow from the soul of the things God allows to enter our lives” [9].

. . . INTIMACY WITH GOD

“We cannot realize true intimacy with God until we learn to come before him in quietness of spirit, mind, and body” [10].

. . . PLEASURE

The practice of creating quiet is not meant to be a constrictive discipline; it’s meant to be a restful pleasure as we enjoy the glorious presence of our Heavenly Father [11].

No wonder God inspired a psalmist to write: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). The benefits are many and far-reaching—down into our own spirits and outward into the lives of others, as these delights impact our responses and reactions.

In fact:

Let’s choose to sit for a spell by the Rock of our salvation, and absorb in our spirit the soft quiet that hovers in the heavenlies around us (Ephesians 1:3).

* * * * * * * * * *

Now it’s your turn! How do you make time for quiet? How has stillness before God impacted your life? Have you found ways to quiet the inner noise that interferes with focusing on God?

Please share in the comment section below!

[1] The last eight words based on a line from Sara Teasdale’s poem, “Silence.”

[2] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-the-wild-things-are/202501/the-benefits-of-quiet-solitude

[3] Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, 258.

[4] Young, 119.

[5] Young, 161.

[6] Young, 267.

[7] L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, Jim Reimann, ed., 372.

[8] F. Elaine Olsen, Beyond the Scars, 105.

[9] L. B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, 406.

[10] Linda Dillow, Satisfy the Thirsty Soul, 49.

[11] An impression I recorded one morning not long ago.

Image credits: http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com (4).

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STILL AVAILABLE–for one more week only: “Thirty Days of Praise”–scriptures and question-prompts to draw our hearts and minds toward the joy of celebrating God.

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Restore, Refresh, Renew

Posted in Appreciation, Blessings, Dreams, Encouragement, Faith, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Power, God's Presence, God's Strength, Godly Character, Intimacy with God, Meditation, Prayer, Renewing the Mind, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged 2 Corinthians 3:18, Hosea 6:3, Isaiah 40:29, Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 51:10b, Romans 12:1-2, Spiritual Renewal, when life loses its luster on September 11, 2025| 30 Comments »

One fall years ago, we visited friends in North Carolina during peak leaf season. At the time, Steve and I lived in Florida. It had been years since we’d enjoyed autumn leaves.

The day after our arrival, plans included a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to take in all the festive foliage of: birch (yellow), dogwood (deep red), oak (russet to maroon), red maple (from yellow to maroon), sassafras (orange), and more.

But our much-anticipated excursion had to be postponed due to fog and rain.

On Day Three we finally ventured forth, and surveyed mountains transformed. Dust had been washed away, sunlight reflected from gleaming leaves, and the vibrant colors took our breath away.

Sometimes the dust of concern, discontentment, frustration and more can accumulate in my spirit, clouding the colors of joy and awareness of God’s presence. Life loses its luster.

My eyes miss his blessings, my ears miss his words, my heart misses moments of intimacy with him.

What then? Is there refreshing rain for the soul? Oh yes!

God himself renews. All we have to do is ask [1], perhaps with such a prayer as this:

Restore my EYES, Father. May the tears of repentance clear my vision to see more clearly the beauty of your perfections.

And with an enhanced view of you, I’ll be able to view all other things more clearly [2]–like what you want to show me instead of what I want to see.

Refresh my MOUTH, O God. May I be quick to share gracious words with others as well as appreciation and songs of praise to you for your marvelous deeds.

King Solomon wrote, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Keep me mindful of this power, to use my words as refreshing balm for others, for my own spirit, and to celebrate you also [3].

Renew my EARS, O Lord—to be attentive to your gentle whisper within. May I heed your instruction as you train me in the delight of right-doing, and lead me ever deeper into the abundant life you provide.

Tune my ears to hear your words of inspiration, cheering me on [4].

Restore my MIND, Father—my understanding, thoughts, and intentions. The things I think are the things that impact my soul.

May I meditate on all the wonders of your attributes and think Christ-honoring thoughts, becoming more Christ-like as a result [5].

Refresh my HEART, O Lord—my motivations, dreams, and desires. I want my heart to align with yours because I know that’s the first step toward fulfilling purpose and satisfaction in life.

Turn my heart, I pray, from what I’d like to have happen, to who you’d have me become—a reflection of your image. That’s where contentment lies [6].

Renew my SPIRIT, O God—my faith, passions, and confidence. May I navigate the challenges of this day with your strength pulsing through my spirit.

Remind me: when negativity or frustration begin to rise, you are my God of help to quell such emotions.

When setbacks occur, you are my God of guidance to show me the way forward, and when disappointments come, you are my God of hope who brings good out of every situation [7].

I praise you, Father, that I can rely upon you to wash away the grime of discouragement, listlessness, and aggravation.

Because of your compassionate love and with your omnipotent power you will restore, refresh, and renew my inner self—just as you have promised.

Begin this moment, I pray.

Restore my eyes, to see more clearly.

Refresh my mouth, to speak gratitude, grace, and praise.

Renew my ears to listen well (and then obey).

Restore my mind to think Christ-honoring thoughts.

Refresh my heart to align my desires with yours.

Renew my spirit to navigate this day with your strength.

P.S. Try renewing your spirit with “Thirty Days of Praise,” offered below (as part of the newsletter).

[1] Psalm 51:10b

[2] Psalm 119:15; 50:2. Last statement based on Selwyn Hughes, Every Day Light, Day 1.

[3] Psalm 98:1; Proverbs 16:24

[4] Proverbs 2:1-5; 1 Kings 19:11-13; John 10:10

[5] Hannah Whitall Smith, quoted in Values for Life, 256; Psalm 143:5; Romans 12:1-2

[6] 2 Corinthians 3:18

[7] Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 32:8; Romans 15:13

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STILL AVAILABLE: “Thirty Days of Praise”–scriptures and question-prompts to draw our hearts and minds toward the joy of celebrating God.

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In the Stillness

Posted in God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Power, Intimacy with God, Meditation, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged God's attributes revealed in nature, God's work within us, Philippians 1:6, Psalm 46:10, Romans 1:20, Seeing God in nature, Seeking God on August 13, 2025| 35 Comments »

Wingstem waltzes at woodland edge,

Gilt buckeye leaves tumble and twirl.

Creation sighs a cool breeze of relief

As summer wanes and fall approaches.

Squirrels scamper over tree-branch highways,

A hummingbird breakfasts on day lilies,

Mums turn round faces to bask in the sun–

A bustle of activity, but not a sound.

Much is accomplished in the stillness.

Trees stretch skyward, adding rings of growth,

Dew crystals bring moisture to petal and leaf,

Butterflies pollinate flower after flower.

God orchestrates harmony, even in stillness,

But not for self-flattering fanfare.

His efforts provide undeniable evidence

Of who he is—proof of his glory.

Note his artistry on sunset dahlias,

His genius in the strength of spider silk,

His wisdom in the female finch’s cloak,

His faithfulness in the circle of seasons.

God also desires to work within us,

Applying his artistry, genius, and wisdom—

Fostering change, fulfilling purpose—

Quietly, faithfully, day by day.

In the stillness of God’s holy presence,

We find strength and serenity of soul.

All we need do is accept his welcome

Into the quiet discovery of HIM.

(Romans 1:20; Psalm 104:24; Job 12:7-10; Philippians 1:6; Psalm 28:7, 29: 11, & 46:10.)

P.S. Ways to involve ourselves in the quiet discovery of God include Bible study, reflection, and praise. Currently my newsletter includes a resource for just such purpose. You can sign up below!

Photo credits: commons.wiki.media.org; http://www.maxpixel.net; http://www.pxhere.com; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.pixnio.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.pickpik.com.

(Reblogged from 9-27-18 while we enjoy house guests.)

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AVAILABLE THIS MONTH: “Thirty Days of Praise”–scriptures and question-prompts I’ve gathered, to turn our hearts and minds toward celebrating God. As we draw near to him with a few moments of reflection and worship, we can KNOW: he will draw near to us (James 4:8). (Contemplate for a moment what a monumental privilege that is!)

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Everything Serves God’s Purpose

Posted in Appreciation, Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Faith, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Power, God's Will, God's Wisdom, Hope, Maturity, Meditation, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged God's Mysterious Ways, God's Perfect Will, God's Purpose, God's Ways Beyond Understanding, God's Wise Decisions, Roman 8:28, Romans 11:33-36 on August 7, 2025| 34 Comments »

(A personal, prayer-response:)

How I love this passage, Lord, with its comfort and reassurance!

Paul reminds me here that You, O God, are all-wise and all-knowing; You know what’s best for each of us.

You cause all things to work together for our benefit, for those who love You (Romans 8:28).

Sometimes though, I have to admit, certain events confound and frustrate me. My finite mind cannot understand what good you could possibly bring out of:

Severe financial setbacks for a godly family
A rejection letter from a mission board for an eager candidate
An announcement of divorce between a respected couple in the church
A cancer diagnosis for a young mother
The death of a child

But those of us who trust in You know that we can count on Your wisdom and knowledge in all things, and the absolute dependability of Your character—Your benevolent goodness, Your perfect righteousness, Your deep compassion, Your unfailing faithfulness and infinite love (to name a few)—even in the face of struggle and tragedy.

Remind me, Father, that “making room for mystery in my worldview”(1) is an important element of spiritual maturity.

And to demonstrate that mature trust, I can follow Job’s example. His first response to catastrophe was worship (Job 1:20).

And as I worship, I can praise and thank You, not only for those blessings I see but also for those I can’t.

Help me Father to rest in the knowledge that:

Out of Your infinite wisdom, You select the best possible conclusion of events, and You adopt the best possible means for accomplishing that conclusion (2).

You are the Most High God, Lord of heaven and earth. You are subject to no one and influenced by no one; neither can anyone thwart or hinder Your plans (3).

Even my mistakes could never obstruct Your will.

You, on the other hand make no mistakes. Your choices for me are always right, because they come from Your perfect mind and heart. You always know exactly what you’re doing.

“Everything from You and for You” (v. 36) often includes mundane tasks, tedious routine, and lack of recognition. But I can count on the fact that, “in the midst of what seems terribly ordinary, You—in your wisdom and power–are doing something extraordinary” (4).

Everything serves Your purpose (5). You direct everything toward the conclusion you ordained for it.

May I be joyfully submissive to Your plans for me, in light of these marvelous truths!

Notes:

Sarah Young, Jesus Always, 65.
Based on a J. L. Dagg quote, www.gracequotes.com.
Based on an A. W. Pink quote, www.gracequotes.com.
Alice Mathews, A Woman God Can Use, 77.
A quote my dad copied into one of his Bibles, source unknown.

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Making the Most of Our Minutes

Posted in Blessings, Decision-Making, Encouragement, Excellence, Faith, God's Presence, Heroes of the Faith, Holiness, Intimacy with God, Jesus, Meditation, Prayer, Renewing the Mind, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged Fellowship with God, Frank Laubach, Letters of a Modern Mystic by Frank Laubach, Listening to God, Practicing God's Presence, Prayer: The Mightiest Force in All the World by Frank Laubach, Psalm 25:4-5, Psalm 63:1, The Game with Minutes by Frank Laubach on July 10, 2025| 12 Comments »

Frank Laubach (1884-1970): missionary to the Philippines, college dean, author, and developer of a highly-successful literacy program.

These are a few of the accomplishments of the devout Christian hero we met in last week’s post, “Toward Undiscovered Continents.”

His fifty-six books included those about the Philippines and teaching literacy, but also about growing into an intimate relationship with God, something he’d greatly desired, like King David centuries before:

In a letter dated March 23, 1930, Frank wrote, “Can I bring God back in my mind-flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind [1]?”

He decided to make the rest of his life an experiment, and for the next forty years Frank disciplined himself to become more aware and more submissive to his heavenly Father—moment by moment.

As the habit grew, Frank wrote it was “the most amazing thing I ever ran across.” In another letter he tried to describe the sheer joy he experienced one afternoon:

“God was so close and so amazingly lovely that I felt like melting all over with a strange and blissful contentment [2].”

Surely all of us desire such loveliness and contentment in God’s presence.

But how did Frank manage to accomplish such a goal? And how might we hope to achieve that kind of intimacy with God?

First, we have to be patient with ourselves. Seeking to experience God throughout the day takes time and practice. About seven weeks into his experiment, Frank admitted:

“When for a half hour or so He slips out of mind—as He does many times a day, I feel as though I had deserted Him, as though I had lost something very precious in my life [3].”

So how did Frank become more consistent in his focus?

Here are a few of his practical suggestions (The comments in brackets are my own):

In the chinks of time between things, pray: “Lord, think your thoughts in my mind. What is on Your mind for me to do now?”

Instead of talking to your “inner self,” talk to Jesus. Imagine Him with you.

Pursue a two-way conversation in prayer. Ask, “God, what are You saying to me?” Let your imagination consider what you suppose He might answer. [It’s worthwhile to record these responses in a journal. Do keep in mind, God will never contradict what he’s already said in scripture.]

Can you imagine him saying, “I have been waiting for this moment all your life, waiting until you opened the channel so that I could speak. I have wonderful plans for you which cannot be realized until you listen as you are listening now [4].”

Make a daily habit to prayerfully read about the life of Jesus, from the Bible-books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Try different translations to keep the experience fresh.

[Or, listen to scripture being read to you. Here’s an APP to try: https://www.bible.com/audio-bible/111/MAT.1.NIV .]

Frank urges, “Walk with Jesus through Galilee by walking with Him through the pages of His earthly history [5].”

Hum a favorite prayer-hymn or chorus to yourself. [One possibility: “Take My Life and Let It Be,” with its upbeat tune.]

We invite Christ to share—all day long–in everything we do, say, or think. We don’t need to stop our work, but “we try to call Him to mind at least one second of each minute [6].” [How’s that for a lofty but highly worthy goal?]

The websites listed below offer more of Frank’s suggestions.

With him we can attest: “Now that I have discovered Him I find that it is a continuous discovery. Every day is rich with new aspects of Him and His working [7].”

Doesn’t that sound delightful? Let’s make the most of our minutes, availing ourselves of that “melt-all-over, blissful contentment” in the presence of God that Frank Laubach wrote about.

https://www.azquotes.com/quote/803882

[1] https://renovare.org/articles/living-each-moment-with-a-sense-of-gods-presence-frank-laubach.

[2] Quoted by Nayswami Nakin at https://www.ananda.org/blog/laubach-christian-literacy-god/ .

[3] Letters of a Modern Mystic, quoted by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith, www.renovare.org.

[4] These first three suggestions come from Laubach’s book, Prayer: The Mightiest Force in All the World, highlighted by Bill Gaultiere, at https://www.soulshepherding.org/christ-answer-inspiration-frank-laubach/.

[5] From The Game with Minutes, by Frank Laubach, quoted by Dr. Tom Sweeney at https://the-magpie.org/2017/02/28/laubach-on-experiencing-god-every-minute/.

[6] Dr. Tom Sweeney, https://sobrief.com/books/letters-by-a-modern-mystic.

[7] Dr. Tom Sweeney.

Image credits: http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.pexels.com (Mk7Bober); http://www.heartlight.org; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.azquotes.com.

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Honor Him with an Acronym!

Posted in Appreciation, Bible Study, God, God's Faithfulness, God's Goodness, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Power, God's Presence, God's Provision, God's Strength, Meditation, Praise, Renewing the Mind, Uncategorized, tagged Acronym Writing, Creative Way to Honor God, God is beyond comprehension, God's Attributes, Hebrews 13:5, Praising God, Psalm 145:3 on June 19, 2025| 35 Comments »

One delightful (and relatively easy) way to remember biblical concepts, celebrate God, and include our God-given creative side is to compose an acronym. (Perhaps you remember the process from elementary school?)

Start with a word, phrase, or even a short sentence. Write or type it vertically. Use each letter to begin another word, clause, or phrase (composed horizonatally).

For example, the letters P.R.A.Y. can remind us to:

And as we experiment with various words that fit our desired outcome, we’re planting concepts deeper into our consciousness where we’re more likely to remember them.

Of course, we want to make sure those concepts reflect biblical truth. I like to include a correlating scripture reference with each line. The research benefits my spirit also.

Recently in my reading I came across a familiar phrase to describe God, “beyond comprehension,” and decided to tackle an acronym that explores the question: In what ways does he surpass understanding?

Below you’ll find a celebration of the transcendence of God, reminding us just how glorious he is.

He is:

BEYOND COMPREHENSION!

B eautiful in his perfections (Psalm 27:4)

E arnest in attending to our needs (Psalm 23:1-6)

Y earning for relationship with us (Isaiah 30:18)

O mnipotent over the universe (Psalm 103:19)

N ourishing our souls with trustworthy truth (Psalm 19:7; Matthew 4:4)

D eclaring his glory through all that he has made (Psalm 19:1)

C ompletely loving of all, with no exceptions (John 3:16)

O mniscient of all things (Job 37:16)

M indful of each of us, every moment (Psalm 139:7-12, 17-18)

P atiently waiting for us to respond to him (2 Peter 3:9)

R ighteous in all his ways (Psalm 145:17)

E xceedingly merciful (1 Peter 1:3)

H oly in splendor and glory (Psalm 96:7-9)

E ternally faithful to his people (Psalm 100:5)

N urturing of his children (Isaiah 40:11)

S upremely inventive as Creator of all things (John 1:3)

I nfallibly wise (Romans 11:33)

O mnipresent in every place (Psalm 139:7-10)

N ear to all who call on him (Psalm 145:18)

We’d do well to remember:

“There is no perfect life, no perfect job, no perfect childhood, no perfect marriage, and no set of people who always do what you expect them do.

“What we do have is a perfect God who is able to lead us through this imperfect life with unfailing strength, impeccable wisdom, and infinite love [1].”

“May we see him as he is, the God of eternal excellence. May we stand in awe of Him [2].”

And . . .

[1] Unknown

[2] Linda Dillow, Satisfy the Thirsty Soul, 31.

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Forward Momentum

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Meditation, Renewing the Mind, Suffering, Uncategorized, tagged Faith in the Midst of Trouble, Feed Your Hope, God's Help in Trouble, Strategies for Moving On Past Adversity, Suffering, Trials on April 10, 2025| 27 Comments »

Perhaps you’ve experienced one of these life-altering moments when:

A medical diagnosis immediately shifted priorities for the whole family
Corporate headquarters announced lay-offs; you were one of them
You realized Mom could no longer live alone
A spouse announced your marriage was no longer working for them, and they’d found someone else

The first instinct is to shut out the world, pull inward, and allow grief and self-pity full reign.

Yes, grieving is essential, but there comes a time to let go of what was and look to God for what’s next, because:

When we believe God, we move forward.

When we choose to despair, we stay in a pit.

Karol Ladd [1], Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive, 89.

But how do we activate our belief in God in order to combat despair?

Listed below are ten practices for such times. They also provide help when smaller upsets occur and in seasons of spiritual malaise.

Ten Strategies for Forward Momentum:

Resist looking too far down the road and becoming discouraged by the what-ifs. Focus on just today–even just the next hour [1].

Spend time reflecting on God’s Word and note the transformation of mind and spirit. From Psalm 119 alone we learn that scripture provides strength (v. 28), preservation of life (v. 50), comfort (v. 52), delight (v. 77), wisdom (v. 98), understanding (v. 104), guidance (v. 105), truth (v. 142), and peace (v. 165). Such entities are always beneficial, but especially in the midst of difficulty.

Practice gratitude to God frequently throughout the day. Gratitude expands your awareness of his goodness in spite of challenge.

Practice praise, for each of his attributes you see at work in your life: his attentiveness, faithfulness, wisdom, and more [2].

Counter the urge to look backward and dwell on the negative. Look upward with worship in order to move forward [3].

Affirm your confidence in God [4]. You are not alone! You have a trustworthy, all-powerful God working for you and in you. He WILL see you through and bring positive effect out of the situation.

Pray about the next steps God would have you take. Rest assured that “where God guides, he also provides”—Unknown [5].

Follow the Apostle Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8, and fill your mind with profitable input. Read spirit-lifting material, listen to Christian music and sing along, listen to encouraging podcasts.

Allow others to minister hope and encouragement to you, and be an encourager yourself. That Bible-truth, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”[6] applies to encouragement too.

Kindness works in similar fashion. Show kindness to others and find the joy of your heart increased [7].

Feed your hope for tomorrow with scripture verses, song lyrics, and uplifting quotes. Copy them in a journal or notebook. You’ll have instant encouragement at your fingertips.

These quotes may offer a starting point:

The first step toward getting somewhere

is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.

–John Pierpont Morgan

* * *

It may support your heart to consider that

in these troubles God is performing that work

in which your soul would rejoice

–if you did see the design of it.

–John Flavel, Keeping the Heart

* * *

* * *

[The road may be rocky] “but with God’s help

the rocks can become stepping stones.”

–Barbara Johnson

Pack Up Your Gloomies in a Great Big Box, 83

* * *

Difficulties are sent to make us grow.

Move from complaining to proclaiming

what God is doing through the problem.

Remind yourself, for every Calvary,

there is an Easter.

–Barbara Johnson (source unknown)

* * *

Lord God, when adversity overwhelms us, we ask that you grant:

Confidence in you, our wise and trustworthy Shepherd

Strength and courage to take the next step

Forward momentum, away from our fears and into the future you’ve lovingly prepared

We look forward to watching you bring miraculous good out of our trials.

In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN!

(Proverbs 14:16; Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 41:10, 13;

Psalm 139:16; Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Which practices have provided forward momentum for you? Please share in the comment section below!

[1] Matthew 6:34

[2] Psalm 9:1-2

[3] Psalm 121:1-2

[4] 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

[5] Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 58:11

[6] Acts 20:35

[7] Proverbs 11:17a

Image credits: http://www.freerangestock.com; http://www.flickr.com (Kenneth Garcia); http://www.canva.com (3).

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A Deep River

Posted in Appreciation, Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, God, God's Goodness, God's Presence, Intimacy with God, Jesus, Joy, Meditation, Obedience, Praise, Salvation, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged 1 Peter 1:8, Enjoying God, God's Beauty, Knowledge of God, Nehemiah 8:10, Philippians 4:4, Psalm 100, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 43:4 on March 6, 2025| 32 Comments »

Some of you may remember singing this song in Sunday School:

As a child, I knew God loved me. He proved it by sending his Son to take the punishment for my sins, provide the way for me to live in heaven one day, and know him in the present.

But I also knew my little eyes, hands, and mouth were not as careful they should have been. Surely God was disappointed in me much of the time.

The truth that I could enjoy God never entered my mind. My false impression of his disapproval stood in the way for many years.

Somehow I’d missed the message of such scriptures as:

The joy you have in the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10 GWT).
Take delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4a NIV).
I will go to the altar of God, . . . my joy and my delight (Psalm 43:4 NIV).

I read such passages as directives for prayer and worship rather than invitations to take pleasure in relationship with God.

Psalm 100 provides Exhibit A for enjoying him by praising him. “Shout for joy,” the psalmist begins. “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (vs. 1-2, emphasis added).

Then he gives one example why: God has made us his own—in spite of our frailty—and cares for us like a compassionate, attentive shepherd (v. 3).

Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7)

That’s certainly cause for thanksgiving and praise (v. 4), which in turn fosters our delight in God. Then the psalmist concludes with three more reasons to enjoy him: he is good, loving, and faithful (v. 5).

This psalm hints at another important truth. Dare I use a sport analogy?

My first attempts at playing tennis sent balls whizzing every which way. However, various drills and hitting the ball thousands of times against a wall built up my skills until I could actually play the game.

That’s when I began to enjoy the sport. The better I knew how to play tennis, the more pleasure I took in the game.

‘See the parallel in the spiritual realm? The more we know God, the more we’ll enjoy him.

But that’s not all.

The more we delight in God, the easier it becomes to obey him and live by his ways.

And as we see those ways contributing satisfaction, contentment, and purpose to our lives, we enjoy him all the more.

So how do we foster our pleasure in God? Here are three ways to get us started:

LEARN ALL YOU CAN ABOUT GOD—his character and his ways.

In January we explored the exercise of slowly reading through the psalms and writing down every mention of God’s character and deeds. As the list grows so does our delight in his multi-faceted splendor [1].

LEARN ALL YOU CAN ABOUT JESUS—his life, sacrificial death, provision of eternal life for us and all its implications.

For example, while reading the gospels, note his responses to people, his choices, and his behavior. What character traits can you identify?

While reading the letters written by the Apostles Paul, Peter, and others, consider all that Christ’s sacrifice has purchased for us.

The more we learn about Jesus, the more our love for him grows. The more our love grows, the more we find our hearts filled with joy in him.

REVEL IN GOD’S BEAUTY—his magnificence, the glory of his creation, and the beautiful blessings he bestows.

“His love notes are stashed everywhere,” says Sara Hagerty [2].

And as we discover them, we’ll find ourselves smiling and even laughing in pleasure with God, in the awesome works he performs [3].

Oh—and one more thing to celebrate. There will always be more to enjoy, and we can always acquire more ability to enjoy our God because . . .

quote from Morning by Morning, 268.

How do you enjoy God? Please share in the comment section below!

[1] https://nancyaruegg.com/2025/01/16/celebrating-god-through-the-psalms/

[2] Unseen, 206.

[3] https://nancyaruegg.com/2019/06/06/love-notes/

Image credits: http://www.youtube.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.freebibleimages.org; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pixahive.com (Vijay Richhiya).

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From the Inside Out

Impressions Becoming Expressions

Archive for the ‘Meditation’ Category

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Booster Shots

Quietness Is . . .

Restore, Refresh, Renew

In the Stillness

Everything Serves God’s Purpose

Making the Most of Our Minutes

Honor Him with an Acronym!

Forward Momentum

A Deep River

Nancy Ruegg

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