Sovereign

Sovereign in the mountain air  

Sovereign on the ocean floor  

With me in the calm  

With me in the storm  

Sovereign in my greatest joy  

Sovereign in my deepest cry  

With me in the dark  

With me at the dawn  

  

In your everlasting arms  

All the pieces of my life  

From beginning to the end  

I can trust you  

In your never failing love  

You work everything for good  

God whatever comes my way  

I will trust you

                                   - Chris Tomlin

The Act of Faith

The act of faith

    is being willing to trust

        in the wisdom and 

            the will of God

     without knowing 

            the outcome. 

                                ~ Charles Stanley

Refuge and Strength

God is our refuge and strength,

    an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

    though the earth give way and 

the mountains fall into the 

heart of the sea,

    though its waters roar and

       foam and the mountains 

quake with their surging.

Be still and know that I am God.

                                      - Psalm 46:2-3, 10

Strength and Grace

As God apportions the work, the burdens, 

    the surprises, the interruptions, 

He never forgets also to apportion 

    the strength and grace

        that we will need. 

                                       - Elisabeth Elliot 

All Your Waves and Breakers

Deep calls to deep 

  in the roar of your waterfalls; 

all Your waves and breakers 

  have swept over me.

By day the Lord directs His love, 

  at night His song is with me — 

    a prayer to the God of my life.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? 

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, 

  for I will yet praise him, 

    my Savior and my God.

                                      - Psalm 42:7-8,11

Verses for the Middle of the Night

ISAIAH 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, 

        for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my 

           righteous right hand.

ISAIAH 42:16

I will lead the blind by ways 

           they have not known, 

    along unfamiliar paths 

        I will guide them; 

I will turn the darkness into light

        before them

    and make the rough 

        places smooth. 

These are the things I will do; 

    I will not forsake them.

ISAIAH 43:1-3

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

    I have summoned you by name; 

           you are mine.

When you pass through the waters

    I will be with you;

and when you pass through 

          the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

       the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the LORD, your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

ISAIAH 50:10

Let those who walk in the dark,

    who have no light,

trust in the name of the LORD

    and rely on their God.

Where Are Your Eyes?

Imagine a scene as if in a play, 

where the characters are in an area 

 lit by a spotlight, 

while the area outside of the spotlight

 is shadowy. 

The characters in the spotlight 

are a flock of sheep, 

along with their Shepherd. 

Some of the sheep are content 

in the Shepherd's care, 

and are thankful for the sunny day 

and the rich pasture. 

They are trusting their tomorrows 

to their Shepherd’s care,

knowing that He is the same 

yesterday, today and forever.

Their focus is on today, 

and on their Shepherd.

However, many of the sheep 

are standing at the edge of the spotlight, 

peering anxiously into the 

shadows of the future. 

They are worried about what 

the future might hold 

that they might not like, 

and they are trying to figure out 

how they will handle things

they imagine might 

 happen tomorrow. 

Even though their Shepherd 

is the same yesterday, 

today and forever, 

they are unable to see Him 

in the shadows of the future. 

Their focus is on tomorrow, 

and not on their Shepherd.

Where are your eyes?

Two sheep were in a park; 

one saw light, the other saw dark. 

Look to the Shepherd 

or

Look into the Shadows

Be Strong and Take Heart

Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord. 

                                - Psalm 27:14

    

But I trust in you, O Lord;

    I say, “You are my God.”

My times are in your hands

Be strong and take heart,

    all you who hope in the Lord.

                                  - Psalm 31:14-15,2

I have told you these things, 

  so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

  But take heart! I have overcome 

      the world.

                                   - John 16:33

Antidote to Discouragement

Thanksgiving & Gratefulness 

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

  When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say,

  “It is well, it is well with my soul!”

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul!

Though Satan should buffet, 

      though trials should come,

  Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

  And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul!

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought—

  My sin, not in part, but the whole,

Is nailed to His Cross, and I bear it no more;

  Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul!

                             - Horatio Spafford

Do The Next Thing

From an old English parsonage 

    down by the sea 

There came in the twilight 

    a message to me; 

Its quaint Saxon legend, 

    deeply engraven, 

Hath, it seems to me, 

    teaching from Heaven. 

And on through the hours 

    the quiet words ring

Like a low inspiration, 

    "Do The Next Thing." 

Many a questioning, 

    many a fear, 

Many a doubt, 

    hath its quieting here. 

Moment by moment, 

    let down from Heaven, 

Time, opportunity, 

    guidance, are given. 

Fear not tomorrows, 

    child of the King, 

Trust them with Jesus, 

    Do The Next Thing. 

Do it immediately, 

    do it with prayer; 

Do it reliantly, 

    casting all care; 

Do it with reverence, 

    tracing His hand 

Who placed it before thee 

    with earnest command. 

Stayed on Omnipotence, 

    safe 'neath His wing, 

Leave all resultings, 

    Do The Next Thing. 

Looking to Jesus, 

    ever serener, 

Working or suffering, 

    be thy demeanor; 

In His dear presence, 

    the rest of His calm, 

The light of His countenance 

    be thy psalm, 

Strong in His faithfulness, 

    praise and sing. 

Then, as He beckons thee, 

    Do The Next Thing. 

                                                  - Author Unknown

Steps of Obedience

The  Spiritual Disciplines of:

    Trusting

    Waiting

    Meditating

    Listening

    Walking

The Next Grace for the Next Thing

Are you troubled about something 

  that looms ahead?

God will give you the next grace

  for the next thing you need to do.

It will always be enough.

As God apportions the work, 

  the burdens, the surprises, 

    the interruptions,

He never forgets to apportion also 

  the strength and the grace 

    that we will need. 

                             - Elisabeth Elliott

The Solid Ground

The Lords decrees (His promises, 

  His plans, His every word) 

    stand firm;

The events in our private lives 

  and the great catastrophes 

    in the world 

do not budge the solid ground 

  on which the Christian 

    takes their position. 

                       - Elisabeth Elliott

In What Have You Placed Your Trust?

Some trust in money 

    and some trust in people, 

but I trust in the name 

    of the Lord my God

Feelings Follow Our Thoughts

Feelings follow our thoughts

    like ducks follow their mother.  

                               - unknown

Feelings are not necessarily facts.  

Faith is not a feeling. 

Beware of SHANGER

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and

anger, brawling and slander,

along with every form of malice.

Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other, just as in Christ

God forgave you.

                            ~ Ephesians 4:31-32

For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword,

it penetrates even to dividing

soul and spirit, joints and marrow;

it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Nothing in all creation

is hidden from God's sight.

Everything is uncovered and laid bare

before the eyes of Him

to whom we must give account.

                            ~ Hebrews 4:12-13

Anger may become the go-to response 

  in reaction to the slightest arousal 

    of shame or thoughts and 

      feelings that might trigger it. 

This substitution of rage for shame 

  can became a habit 

    so that anytime one feels 

      humiliated, embarrassed, 

        or ridiculed 

      and their self-esteem takes a drop, 

    they use rage to cut off 

        these bad feelings.

Anger pushes away shame.

                        ~ Beverly Engel

The DO NOTS of the Bible

DO NOT fear

DO NOT be dismayed

DO NOT be terrified

DO NOT be discouraged

DO NOT be anxious about anything

DO NOT fret

DO NOT worry about tomorrow

DO NOT let your hearts be troubled

DO NOT be afraid

           ~Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, 

                 Philippians 4:6, Psalm 37:8,

                    Matthew 6:34, John 14:27

Glimmers of Grace

Glimmer:  a small moment of joy

Glimmers are small moments of joy or peace that arise from appreciating simple things.

A glimmer is a brief, everyday moment that can bring feelings of happiness, gratitude, or calm. Glimmers can be found in simple activities like observing nature. 

Glimmers are those tiny, seemingly insignificant moments when you feel a sense of joy, pleasure, peace, and gratitude. They're often catalyzed by simple, daily things.

Looking for glimmers is a mindfulness practice that encourages you to notice the good all around you. 

Keeping your eyes and mind open to find glimmers also helps you to stay in the present moment rather than worrying about the future or fretting over the past.

                                  - Newport Institute 

Life is made up of a million little glimmers -- small, seemingly ordinary glimpses of goodness that bring light into our everyday lives.

Glimmers are always there. They are gifts of grace.

These moments, small as they may seem, can help us feel safer and more grounded.

Psalm 34:8 -  "taste and see that the Lord is good" -- because when we do, we find refuge in the One who loves us and will never leave us. God is present in it all, beckoning us to experience goodness in everyday glimpses of grace.

Glimmers remind us that though the world may grow dark, we are safe and held in the loving arms of Christ.

The briefest glimmer can act as nudges to the depth of your soul that you are safe. That you are seen. And that you are loved -- right here, right now.

Inhale: Help me see You  

Exhale: In and around me

May glimmers light your path, helping you notice and name even the tiniest reflections of God's goodness in the days ahead.

                             - Kayla Craig

Focus Is The Only Thing We Can Control

Let your eyes look straight ahead,

    fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet

    and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left;

    keep your foot from evil.

                                - Proverbs 4:25-27

I will lead the blind by ways 

           they have not known, 

    along unfamiliar paths 

        I will guide them; 

I will turn the darkness into light

        before them

    and make the rough 

        places smooth. 

These are the things I will do; 

    I will not forsake them.

                                - Isaiah 42:16

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, 

    O God my Father

There is no shadow of 

    turning with Thee

Thou changest not, 

    Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been, 

    Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning 

    new mercies I see

All I have needed 

    Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, 

    Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and 

    springtime and harvest

Sun, moon and stars 

    in their courses above

Join with all nature 

    in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, 

    mercy and love

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning 

    new mercies I see

All I have needed 

    Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, 

    Lord, unto me

Pardon for sin 

    and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence 

    to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and 

    bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine 

    with ten thousand beside

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning 

    new mercies I see

All I have needed 

    Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, 

    Lord, unto me

                           - William M. Runyan, 

                             Thomas O Chisholm

                             Eric Allyn Schrotenboer