The Dance of Life

If we try to dance the dance of life alone we can tend to spin out of control. When we center on God, even in the whirling of life, He creates a beautiful dance...if we let Him lead...

WHIRL

Amidst the rush of daily life, God is our steady center.Photo by John HartleroadInterested in submitting an image to Sight Psalms? Click here for more information.Sight Psalms is a ministry of The …

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Pruning Season

When we prune a tree in the spring...removing all the dead limbs...it doesn't die but grows and flourish. So it is with our life. As we allow God to prune what is not in His will we emerge strong and closer to whom He would have us be... it may hurt but like the tree it will not kill us but help us to grow in love and grace...

PRUNING

Snipping away the dead branches of our lives makes way for new life to emerge. Photo by Sharon Brown Christopher Interested in submitting an image to Sight Psalms? Click here for more information. …

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A Thankful Prayer

Eternal, Awesome, Holy, Compassionate, Righteous, Redeemer, Recreating, Lord of my life, Lover of my soul, Giver of all that is good, Jehovah Jirah my Provider, Great God, thank You for this beautiful new day that I may praise You for Your unending grace and love for me. Thank You for the way You nurture me and help me grow. Thank You for Your presence with me today and always for I will never walk alone. Thank You for Your unending grace that You pour down from heaven upon my life.

Thank You for the wisdom You give me as I walk in the calling You have placed upon my life. Forgive me for the times that I doubt my call and let man try and take away what You have gifted me with. Forgive me for the times that I fail to see Your unending grace and purposes in my life. Forgive me when I listen to the lies of the enemy as he whispers fear and condemnation in my ear. May I listen more to Your voice and less to the voice of the enemy as You whisper love, hope, purpose and joy deep within my soul.

Lord, as I step out in faith and trust, hold my hand so that I will not trip over the edge of the boat as I step out onto the waters of my life. Speak words of hope into my life as I focus on You and not the world or circumstances around me. Draw me so close to You that not only do I hear but will feel Your heartbeat. Hide me so that I may find rest beneath Your wings of Love.

On this Thanksgiving day...I am truly Thankful for the Giving You have done in and through my life. I am Thankful for the Giving of the gifts and graces that You have given me that make me uniquely qualified for Your purposes in my life. I am Thankful for the Giving of the family You have given me as we sit around Your table where every we may be. Most of all, I am Thankful for the Giving of Salvation found only in and through my Risen Lord, Jesus Christ in Who's Name I pray.

Amen, amen and AMEN!

Waiting

Ecclesiastes 11:6New Living Translation (NLT)
⁶ Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
2 Timothy 3:14New Living Translation (NLT)
¹⁴ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.
How do you react when waiting on God? Some of the things that may go through our minds is:

• Thinking He has forgotten
• Whine I want it now
• Question if He heard us
• Get frustrated

Sometimes, God wants to see how we will wait on Him. He already knows what His answer is. How are we going to act or hat are we going to do while we wait? Are we going to trust in His goodness and sovereignty or are we going to think that we have to do this ourselves instead of with God?

We need to keep preying while we wait. He will strengthen us as we wait. Our trust grows as we pray aas we are waiting. If we don't pray we leave the door oopen for the enemy...

• Doubt
• Discouragement
• Disappointment
• Despair

or even worse

• Loss of Faith

God wants to and does answer prayer. He has proved it in the past, present and future. How will you wait for God to answer today?

God's Standards...

No Condemnation (John 3:17)

We often go through the day feeling as if someone is looking over our shoulder ready to judge our actions. My husband probably wonders why I bought that dress . . . My boss is thinking I’m taking too long with that project . . . The elders don’t understand why I can’t take on that committee . . . This isn’t how Mom would have done it . . . And perhaps the voice we hear the most is our own: Why aren’t you good enough?

Even if others praise us, the pressure we put on ourselves can drown out the latest acclaim. We put pressure on ourselves to do more—and do it better and quicker. How could God be pleased with us, we wonder, when we feel so weak?

Listen to the words in this chapter of John’s Gospel. God wants a relationship with us—not to condemn us, but to free us. He offers redemption through Jesus—not because we have done something to deserve it, but because he loves us.

Though we may read those words again and again, they can be hard to believe. But try to wrap your brain around this truth: God does not condemn you. None of the pressure you feel throughout the day is from God. In truth, you may be trying to please others or achieve your own goals more than you are trying to please God. You may feel guilty because you keep changing the standard.

Richard Foster writes, “The less we are manipulated by the expectations of others, the more we are open to the expectations of God.” Yes, we are weak. Yes, we often fail to meet our own expectations. But what does God expect of us today? To believe in his Son who set us free from sin. To believe that he is stronger than our doubts, fears, pride and ambition. To believe that he does not condemn us for who we were before we met his Son. To discover who we are in the light of his love, freedom and grace.

We may not feel "qualified" but...our God qualifies the called..."

God of Strength

Loving God, full of compassion and love. Thank you for the strength you give us to stand...even when we are crumbling inside. Thank you that in You we find all that we need to face any challenge life throws our way. Thank you for being the Ever-Present God...

In Our Anger May We Not Sin...

1 Peter 4:10/Proverbs 12:16

(1 Peter 4:10New International Version (NIV)

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.)

(Proverbs 12:16New International Version (NIV)

16 Fools show their annoyance at once,

    but the prudent overlook an insult.)

It can be so easy sometimes to hold on to those "offenses" that we feel others have done to us. As we hold onto them we are the ones that are hurt, not those who we may be angry at. When Jesus walked this world, He was offended in many ways. But, even as He hung on the Cross, He was full of compassion and forgiveness.

Now...if the Author and Perfector of our faith can forgive even as He was crucified, how can we not do the same? As we stretch out our hand in forgiveness, we are changed and become more like Him. As we are transformed, we can affect a transformation of those around us. Just think about that…

Transforming Grace

AS WE ENTER A NEW YEAR, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW POSSIBILITIES THAT MAY PRESENT THEMSELVES. AS WE OPEN OUR HEARTS TO GOD, HE IS ABLE TO TRANSFORM ANYTHING INTO SOMETHING OF BEAUTY. IT MAY BE DIFFICULT AND DOWN RIGHT PAINFUL AS WE ARE IN THE "PRESSURE COOKER" OF LIFE BUT GOD WILL PRESERVE US AND AS WE GET TO THE OTHER SIDE WILL WILL TASTE THE SWEETNESS OF THE LORD .

God of Strength

Loving God, full of strength and wisdom, ready to answer our prayers of hope. Thank you for always being there waiting to bless Your children. You are the source of all that is good. Thank for the opportunities You give us to show Your unfailing love to others. May we be aware of Your presence and the "Divine appointments" You have for us each day. May we say yes to Your Spirits prompting and step out in faith, being Your light bearers in a world that is in so much need of light. Show us whom You would have us serve each day and may we have the eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that is open and pliable for You. May we be Your hands, feet, voice and love in the world.

God of Hope

God of Hope and Peace, full of compassion and healing, I pray for the gates of Heaven to be open and Your hope, peace healing and grace would pour down from Heaven upon Your people and Your land. We are thirst for Your showers of mercy to rain upon us...renewing us...redeeming us...flowing upon the dry parched land of our souls. We pray for Your grace to forgive those who trespass against us so that we too will be forgiven. Forgive us, we pray, for those times when we have ignored Your nudging to forgive others and hold onto anger and bitterness. Forgive us, we pray, for those times when we should have shown mercy but have taken on "self-righteousness". Help us to set aside our differences and our agendas and see each other as beloved children of the Most High God in order to understand and believe that everyone is of Sacred Worth to You. May we bring wholeness and healing, hope and peace, joy and healing, mercy and grace. Help us to be Your hands, feet, face, voice and grace to a world full of despair and chaos...

God of Christmas

God of Christmas, full of love and forgiveness, where true joy and hope are found, thank you for the ultimate Christmas gift that keeps on giving, the gift of that first Christmas when You became flesh and walked among us. May we accept that gift and not only accept it but open it each new day instead of leaving it on the shelf for the tomorrow that never comes. May we not be selfish and keep the gift to ourselves but share it with abandonment with those around us. May we help them to open and share Your gift of love that poured down from heaven in the form of a baby that was laid in a manger...a feeding trough...who became the Bread of life...eternal life with You. May the Bethlehem Star shine bright within us as we strive to live as Advent people each and every day of our faith walk with You. Amen

God of Peace

God of Peace, on this Sunday of Advent we are reminded of the Peace that You give all who believe. Thank you that even though the world around us is in chaos, You still offer that peace that goes beyond understanding. Thank you that that our Risen Lord Jesus taught us how to live in peace with one another. Oh, if we would just learn that lesson there would truly be a "Peaceable Kingdom" here on earth. May this Advent be one that we, as humanity, would embrace that peace and treat each other a little kinder, with more compassion and hope. May we, as humanity, learn that vital lesson that Jesus taught...everything and everyone is of sacred worth. You are our hope, our peace, our joy and our love. In You there is no fear of rejection...no fear of worthlessness, no fear at all for Your love and compassion casts out all fear... May we be at peace within our Spirit so that we may reach out to those in need of Your saving grace. May we be Your light bearers of change...of hope...and of peace...

Faithful God

Gracious God, You are the Living God who stands firm forever and ever. Your Kingship and Kingdom know no end. You are the Rescuer and Savior of Your faithful ones...performing signs and miracles for all to see. You are faithful, Faithful God...
(Daniel 6:25-27)

Bringer of Peace

All Powerful, Compassionate God, the One who saves me and is with me through anything I may go through. You are with me when I am in the calm and when the storm arises on my sea of faith. You are the ever present help even when I do not perceive You in the midst of the chaos. Forgive me for those times when, like the disciples, I am asking You if You care as I go through "the valley of the shadow of death." Thank you that You are my resting place and there is nothing that can take me away from Your ever present love. I love you and I need You. Thank you for calming my Spirit when the storm clouds rise and the seas become rough. You are my Rock of strength and hope.

A Sheep of Your Flock

Compassionate and protecting Jesus...the One who Shepherds me daily. Thank you that when I wander You will leave the others and search for me until I am found. I love to hear Your voice of compassion and hope. Lead me this day out of the pasture of rest into the world where I may lead others to Your loving arms of peace. Use me in this world so that others may come to know Your protective love. I am Yours and You are mine forever more. Use me to do Your good and perfect will...

Amazed

Awesome God, You are my God and I will praise You forever and ever. You are truly awesome in power and deed. You are with me no matter where my path takes me...leading me as I try to traverse the waters of faith. Thank you that You are the beacon that lights my way when the course is foggy. Thank you that I can lower my anchor and be held by You. It is by Your strength that I am able to do all things. Thank you that I have a firm foundation on which I can stand. You truly are the God of all seeing...all knowing...all empowering. I am humbled and amazed by You...

My Hiding Place

Yahweh, you are my hiding place. When there is a storm of life You are always there keeping me safe from harm. When I begin to fear what is happening in my life, You hide me beneath Your wings of peace, hope and love. You hedge me in from all sides so that no harm will befall me. You are my hope. my song and my Deliverer. In You there is no fear, only peace. Thank you for Your loving grace. Than you that Your perfect love casts out all fear. Thank you for the life I have in Christ Jesus, my Rock and my Redeemer.

I WILL rejoice in the Lord

God of mercy and hope, thank you that your mercies are new each day. Thank you that each day you give me is a day that I can do your will in the world. Help me to be focused on you and your will in my life and not on the world around me and what it says I should be doing. Help me to hear your still small voice and not the siren sound of the world. Help me to hear your description of who I am and not what the world has labeled me. May I drawer near to you as you draw near to me. Today is a day that YOU have made...I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!