Glory to God in the highest!
When the stars shimmer and the aurora lights dance, and we breathe, "Glory!", it is a small glimpse of Your Glory.
When the waves roar and the wind blows, we yell to You, "Glory!"
When the first delicate pink petal pops open until the whole tree puffs pink, we join it in singing of Your Glory.
When the rainbow arches over the meadow, and Your promises arch over us, we nod "Glory!"
When the clouds glow gold over the dark purple mountains before the sun bursts through the cracks, we whisper "Glory!"
When peace settles over the baby, and his breathing slows to sleep, we feel Your Glory.
When the child's language of a smile erupts in a mountain village, at a fish camp, in the desert, in the city, we see Your Glory.
When a man lays down his life for his brother, we know Your Glory.
When a man and woman live as sacrifice for each other, we learn to live Your Glory.
More beautiful than anything we can see--
More calming than anything we can sense--
More awe-inspiring than any tale we tell--
More awesome than we can comprehend--
More loving than we could ever give--
Glory to You God! Glory to You in the highest!
Lord we thank You for our military marriages. For all those tough warriors who fight the battles of the day, then come home to have their hearts calmed and muscles smoothed by their help-mate. For the partnership in facing the challenges that mirrors the partnership we have with You. For someone to love and be loved by.
And Lord, help us in these marriages. As we follow our warriors off to all kinds of unknown lands, give us strength, and joy. As you bless us with children to raise, with homes to care for, with more money to manage, give us wisdom. Always Lord, we pray for unity. Lord teach us how to help each other more, to grow into the best you would have us be.
We pray for those who cannot be together this Christmas. Lord, guard their hearts and heal their wounds.
We pray for the single soldier, Lord, hold them. Give them peace, patience, wisdom.
We pray for the unrest of our world. Please calm the tensions.
And Lord please stop the terrible fires.
We pray for those traveling and PCSing. Lord please keep them safe.
We pray for those with homes to sell/rent/buy, and those looking for new places to make a home.
We pray for those who are hurting this Christmas, including the Chaplain's wife whose mother is dying of cancer.
And always, Lord, we pray that our veterans' hearts would not succumb to the spirit of suicide. May they be aware of Your pursuit. May they hold to hope.
Thank You Lord for loving us so--
Amen
Monday, December 11, 2017
Monday, December 4, 2017
December 3, 2017
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Emmanuel. God. With. Us. Thank You Lord for the truth of this. No other god comes to us because of love for us.
And You Lord will be with us. We have the promise of seeing You face to face.
Yet, Lord, today is that in-between time. We long for Your full presence, when there will be no suffering.
And ransom captive Israel
We still need saving, Lord! Please save us today from ourselves--our selfish, greedy, basic sin nature.
That mourns in lowly exile here
Cast out. Away from Your presence. We are in this fallen land, and trouble engulfs us. For many, Christmas is anything but a time of joy. And even for You, Jesus, the manger was in the shadow of the cross. Thank You for being one of us, for understanding our sufferings.
Until the Son of God appears
What unspeakable awe--the Son of God with us. You have saved our soul; You have promised us a future with You; and You've given us life--now--today--with You in Your abundance.
Don't let us squash that present in the midst of wrapping silly trinket presents. As moms, influencing the attitudes of our homes and teaching our children with every little act we do, make our joy in You overflow. As we change our homes, may we change our streets, our communities--Ft. Wainwright and Ft. Benning and Ft. Polk, and Fort Bragg seeing Your glory this season!
May we not see Christmas as a to-do, but as a reminder of time with You.
May we not see work as a drudgery, punishment, but as a light-burden, a mission You have given us.
May we not be overwhelmed by all to come, but remember each day has enough trial of its own.
Lord, for our communities, we pray:
--for the illnesses plaguing many families
--for safety in traveling many miles, especially those PCSing in this season
--for grace to prevail in the homes, especially with returning warriors
--for those suffering loneliness, despair, pain--especially our veterans and soldiers. Lord, ransom them from the hell they find themselves in. Use us to rescue and save...
--for the many social events these days, show us how to reach out to people for You
--for our soldiers who are far from home this season. Hold them in Your arms Lord.
--for our leaders, may they hear Godly wisdom
Emmanuel. God. With. Us. Thank You Lord for the truth of this. No other god comes to us because of love for us.
And You Lord will be with us. We have the promise of seeing You face to face.
Yet, Lord, today is that in-between time. We long for Your full presence, when there will be no suffering.
And ransom captive Israel
We still need saving, Lord! Please save us today from ourselves--our selfish, greedy, basic sin nature.
That mourns in lowly exile here
Cast out. Away from Your presence. We are in this fallen land, and trouble engulfs us. For many, Christmas is anything but a time of joy. And even for You, Jesus, the manger was in the shadow of the cross. Thank You for being one of us, for understanding our sufferings.
Until the Son of God appears
What unspeakable awe--the Son of God with us. You have saved our soul; You have promised us a future with You; and You've given us life--now--today--with You in Your abundance.
Don't let us squash that present in the midst of wrapping silly trinket presents. As moms, influencing the attitudes of our homes and teaching our children with every little act we do, make our joy in You overflow. As we change our homes, may we change our streets, our communities--Ft. Wainwright and Ft. Benning and Ft. Polk, and Fort Bragg seeing Your glory this season!
May we not see Christmas as a to-do, but as a reminder of time with You.
May we not see work as a drudgery, punishment, but as a light-burden, a mission You have given us.
May we not be overwhelmed by all to come, but remember each day has enough trial of its own.
Lord, for our communities, we pray:
--for the illnesses plaguing many families
--for safety in traveling many miles, especially those PCSing in this season
--for grace to prevail in the homes, especially with returning warriors
--for those suffering loneliness, despair, pain--especially our veterans and soldiers. Lord, ransom them from the hell they find themselves in. Use us to rescue and save...
--for the many social events these days, show us how to reach out to people for You
--for our soldiers who are far from home this season. Hold them in Your arms Lord.
--for our leaders, may they hear Godly wisdom
--for the Chaplain's wife whose mother is suddenly dying
--for the family who just lost a son
Lord we long for You!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Sunday, November 5, 2017
November 19, 2017
Our Great God,
We get lost in the dark and forget You hold the stars.
We get enamored with glitter and forget Your throne above all.
We get overwhelmed by our grief and forget You are eternal.
We drown in our shame and forget Your grace has no end.
We get frustrated in our helplessness and forget Your power.
We despair in our lack of resources and forget You own it all.
We get confused in our decisions and forget Your wisdom.
We get caught up in our exercise wheel of daily life and forget to look up to You.
Help us, Lord, to look up. Forgive us for our unbelief.
Help us to praise You--with all of our mind, heart, and soul--today.
And thank You, Lord, for taking care of our needs.
Thank You for giving strength and joy for today.
Thank You for protecting us from the enemy's poisoned arrows.
Thank You for showing us the way for each day.
Thank You for surrounding us with beauty we don't have to buy.
Thank You for hope beyond what we can see.
Thank You for Your peace.
We pray for the many things that concern us as we try to hold down the home front.
We pray for Your guidance in houses that need bought/sold/rented/fixed.
We pray for Your hand in vehicles and washing machines and computers and all the things that cost money.
We pray for clear priorities and discipline and margin in the use of our time.
We pray for wisdom in leading our children.
We pray for growth in our marriage.
We pray we would be shining witnesses for You.
We pray our lives would be full of praise.
Lord, please surround our hurting veterans with the wonder of Your love.
May our deployed see Your hand keeping them safe.
May the nations bow to Your will, Lord.
And may we all be in awe of You today Lord. May Your praise rise from all over this earth.
Amen
Click here to join Powell and Ortega in praising Our Great God
We get lost in the dark and forget You hold the stars.
We get enamored with glitter and forget Your throne above all.
We get overwhelmed by our grief and forget You are eternal.
We drown in our shame and forget Your grace has no end.
We get frustrated in our helplessness and forget Your power.
We despair in our lack of resources and forget You own it all.
We get confused in our decisions and forget Your wisdom.
We get caught up in our exercise wheel of daily life and forget to look up to You.
Help us, Lord, to look up. Forgive us for our unbelief.
Help us to praise You--with all of our mind, heart, and soul--today.
And thank You, Lord, for taking care of our needs.
Thank You for giving strength and joy for today.
Thank You for protecting us from the enemy's poisoned arrows.
Thank You for showing us the way for each day.
Thank You for surrounding us with beauty we don't have to buy.
Thank You for hope beyond what we can see.
Thank You for Your peace.
We pray for the many things that concern us as we try to hold down the home front.
We pray for Your guidance in houses that need bought/sold/rented/fixed.
We pray for Your hand in vehicles and washing machines and computers and all the things that cost money.
We pray for clear priorities and discipline and margin in the use of our time.
We pray for wisdom in leading our children.
We pray for growth in our marriage.
We pray we would be shining witnesses for You.
We pray our lives would be full of praise.
Lord, please surround our hurting veterans with the wonder of Your love.
May our deployed see Your hand keeping them safe.
May the nations bow to Your will, Lord.
And may we all be in awe of You today Lord. May Your praise rise from all over this earth.
Amen
Click here to join Powell and Ortega in praising Our Great God
November 5, 2017
God of the winds,
the One Who moves the storms
and sends the tickling breeze
Who lifts the monarch on its way
and rolls the waves in
Who blows in the seasons
God Who can comfort a mother's heart
Who can turn a tyrant's will
Who can still the nations
It is to You we pray
to You we bring our soldiers, our sailors, our warriors in the air, our defenders of the coasts
We pray for their protection
We pray for skills in their tasks
and wisdom for their missions.
We pray for courage
We pray for food and water and supplies
strength and rest
We pray for revival.
Stir the winds of Your Spirit throughout our ranks.
May they turn their hearts to You.
We pray for mental fortitude
steady their hearts, secure their resolve
may they find their confidence in You.
We pray against suicide in our military
and our hurting veterans.
Lord please heal as only You can.
We thank You Lord for these men and women, willing to serve and sacrifice.
We thank You for Your love and protection.
We thank You for pursuing us.
And we give You the glory.
the One Who moves the storms
and sends the tickling breeze
Who lifts the monarch on its way
and rolls the waves in
Who blows in the seasons
God Who can comfort a mother's heart
Who can turn a tyrant's will
Who can still the nations
It is to You we pray
to You we bring our soldiers, our sailors, our warriors in the air, our defenders of the coasts
We pray for their protection
We pray for skills in their tasks
and wisdom for their missions.
We pray for courage
We pray for food and water and supplies
strength and rest
We pray for revival.
Stir the winds of Your Spirit throughout our ranks.
May they turn their hearts to You.
We pray for mental fortitude
steady their hearts, secure their resolve
may they find their confidence in You.
We pray against suicide in our military
and our hurting veterans.
Lord please heal as only You can.
We thank You Lord for these men and women, willing to serve and sacrifice.
We thank You for Your love and protection.
We thank You for pursuing us.
And we give You the glory.
Sunday, October 29, 2017
October 29, 2017
Trying to earn
trying to prove
trying to fix
trying to take care of
trying to control
When every missed appointment screams failure
when the to-do list never gets anything checked off
when the finances and the fashions and the fitness don't measure up
when the calendar pages just keep flying by...
You Are
You are enough.
You are enough for my loneliness.
You are enough for my fear.
You are enough for my failures.
So, Lord, help me to hog tie and haul up and throw my stuff on Your altar again.
I am so incapable of carrying it.
And You are
You are more than capable
You have more than enough strength
You have more than enough resources
You have more than enough love for me.
We lay at Your feet our many concerns today Lord:
our warriors in harm's way
our children in the throes of growing up
our home's issues as we establish again
our parents with health issues
our hurting friends
We pray for our hurting veterans. Lord, may they be able to lay it all down at Your feet too. May the spirit of suicide be defeated.
We pray for our leaders and our world. Lord we ask for peace. Give our leaders wisdom in dealing with North Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, and so many more.
We pray for ourselves and the many things we are trying to do. Lord, may we be in Your will. May our work be accomplished as we honor You. Lord, please help us to filter our emotions through You. Help us with the anxiety our lifestyle can so easily bring. May we be with You in every decision we make throughout the day.
We pray for the transportation of this military on the move. Please keep our warriors safe.
It is to You, the great I Am, we pray
the One who moves the winds and the storms and the waves
the One who turns the seasons
the One who has the power of life and death
lead us now,
Amen.
Click here to hear Lauren Daigle's Once and for All
God I give You what I can today
These scattered ashes that are hid away
I lay it all at Your feet
From the corners of my deepest shame
The empty places where I've worn Your name
Show me the love I say I believe
O Help me to lay it down
Oh, Lord I'll lay it down
O let this be where I die
My Lord with thee crucified
Be lifted high as my kingdoms fall
Once and for all, once and for all
There is victory in my Savior's loss
And in the crimson flowing from the cross
Pour over me, pour over me
O let this be where I die
My Lord with thee crucified
Be lifted high as my kingdoms fall
Once and for all, once and for all
O Lord I lay it down
O Lord I lay it down
Help me to lay it down
O Lord I lay it down
trying to prove
trying to fix
trying to take care of
trying to control
When every missed appointment screams failure
when the to-do list never gets anything checked off
when the finances and the fashions and the fitness don't measure up
when the calendar pages just keep flying by...
You Are
You are enough.
You are enough for my loneliness.
You are enough for my fear.
You are enough for my failures.
So, Lord, help me to hog tie and haul up and throw my stuff on Your altar again.
I am so incapable of carrying it.
And You are
You are more than capable
You have more than enough strength
You have more than enough resources
You have more than enough love for me.
We lay at Your feet our many concerns today Lord:
our warriors in harm's way
our children in the throes of growing up
our home's issues as we establish again
our parents with health issues
our hurting friends
We pray for our hurting veterans. Lord, may they be able to lay it all down at Your feet too. May the spirit of suicide be defeated.
We pray for our leaders and our world. Lord we ask for peace. Give our leaders wisdom in dealing with North Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, and so many more.
We pray for ourselves and the many things we are trying to do. Lord, may we be in Your will. May our work be accomplished as we honor You. Lord, please help us to filter our emotions through You. Help us with the anxiety our lifestyle can so easily bring. May we be with You in every decision we make throughout the day.
We pray for the transportation of this military on the move. Please keep our warriors safe.
It is to You, the great I Am, we pray
the One who moves the winds and the storms and the waves
the One who turns the seasons
the One who has the power of life and death
lead us now,
Amen.
Click here to hear Lauren Daigle's Once and for All
God I give You what I can today
These scattered ashes that are hid away
I lay it all at Your feet
From the corners of my deepest shame
The empty places where I've worn Your name
Show me the love I say I believe
O Help me to lay it down
Oh, Lord I'll lay it down
O let this be where I die
My Lord with thee crucified
Be lifted high as my kingdoms fall
Once and for all, once and for all
There is victory in my Savior's loss
And in the crimson flowing from the cross
Pour over me, pour over me
O let this be where I die
My Lord with thee crucified
Be lifted high as my kingdoms fall
Once and for all, once and for all
O Lord I lay it down
O Lord I lay it down
Help me to lay it down
O Lord I lay it down
Sunday, October 8, 2017
October 22, 2017
I cast my mind to Calvary
Where Jesus bled and died for me.
I see His wounds, His hands, His feet.
My Saviour on that cursed tree
His body bound and drenched in tears
They laid Him down in Joseph's tomb.
The entrance sealed by heavy stone
Messiah still and all alone
Oh Jesus how can we ever forget what You have done for us? And how can we not trust You when You have already died for us? And how can we fear death when You have gone before us?
O praise the name of the Lord our God
O praise His name forever more
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
And how can we not praise You?
Then on the third at break of dawn,
The Son of heaven rose again.
O trampled death where is your sting?
The angels roar for Christ the King
And Lord Jesus, how can we not share this hope? Please help us to shout it from the rooftops!
We pray for Your messengers in our ranks, on our streets, in our FRGs. Give them boldness and a clear message. May their lights--our lights--shine so bright they are undeniable.
We pray for our chapels. The big beautiful ones with comfortable pews. The metal-enclosed ones on our ships. The shelter ones on the FOBs. Lord please keep them safe, but make them Your dwelling place. May people meet You there.
We pray for our chaplains. Lord, please keep them strong against temptation. May their witness not be tainted. Protect their marriages. May they be renewed in You. Make them tireless and fearless in sharing the Gospel.
We pray for all the Christians in our midst. May we stand out in these hard times with hope and peace. May we be Your witness today! Help us to grow in You. Establish the work of our hands Lord. Show us Your viewpoint of eternity.
He shall return in robes of white,
The blazing Son shall pierce the night.
And I will rise among the saints,
My gaze transfixed on Jesus' face
O praise the name of the Lord our God
O praise His name forever more
For endless days we will sing Your praise
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
Oh Lord, oh Lord our God
We pray for the hurting. Lord, please hold the families of the fallen in Your arms. Please help the wounded warriors to rest. Calm the minds of the veterans and bring Your order, Your peace. May they come to praise You.
Help us to mourn with hope. Help us to stand strong with courage. Help us to move forward with joy knowing the glorious end You have for us.
Amen!
Amen!
Thursday, October 5, 2017
October 15, 2017
Through the thud of bullets, the explosion of bombs, the cries--
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the plane crashes, shootings, the beheadings--
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the posturing, the moving of borders, the bullying of the weak
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the yelling, the wounding, the self preservation, and the stinking lukewarm apathy--
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through all the roller coaster emotions, the roller coaster finances, the promotions or the waiting, the good jobs and the not so good ones
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the days passing so quickly we can't keep up
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the adventures of seeing more of Your world, the following of Your lead, the battles won
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the birthdays, the goals achieved, the triumph of simply staying on task--day after daily day
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Lord, this world You created for good has fallen so far from You. So much hatred, suffering, sin. Yet You remain. And so does Your promises for hope. We cling to You.
We pray for the hurting, please heal body and soul. We pray for the good guys fighting against evil, may they prevail. We pray for the responders, please still their minds.
Lord, give our world leaders wisdom. We need You to move forward. We pray for our nation. God we need You. Please pour out Your Spirit. Bring us to repentance. Turn our destructive culture. Heal our land.
We pray for our warriors working around the world, on the edge of confrontation with so much hardship. Lord, please give the deployed the safety, the rest, the comfort, the fortitude they need. May Your presence cheer and guide.
O God, our Father, we especially pray for our warriors who are heart-sick, who have no idea they are wasting away inside, and no idea how to fix it. You are the ultimate physician, and we pray for soul-healing. Help us to help these people. We so need that pardon for sin and peace that only You have.
Lord, thank You for the word 'new'. A new season, new mercies, a new day, and You making us new. Teach us to number these days. We know we can follow You-- because You are good. Unchanging. Forgiving.
We go forth Lord! With strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow--You give blessings overflowing!
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the plane crashes, shootings, the beheadings--
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the posturing, the moving of borders, the bullying of the weak
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the yelling, the wounding, the self preservation, and the stinking lukewarm apathy--
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through all the roller coaster emotions, the roller coaster finances, the promotions or the waiting, the good jobs and the not so good ones
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the days passing so quickly we can't keep up
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the adventures of seeing more of Your world, the following of Your lead, the battles won
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Through the birthdays, the goals achieved, the triumph of simply staying on task--day after daily day
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Lord, this world You created for good has fallen so far from You. So much hatred, suffering, sin. Yet You remain. And so does Your promises for hope. We cling to You.
We pray for the hurting, please heal body and soul. We pray for the good guys fighting against evil, may they prevail. We pray for the responders, please still their minds.
Lord, give our world leaders wisdom. We need You to move forward. We pray for our nation. God we need You. Please pour out Your Spirit. Bring us to repentance. Turn our destructive culture. Heal our land.
We pray for our warriors working around the world, on the edge of confrontation with so much hardship. Lord, please give the deployed the safety, the rest, the comfort, the fortitude they need. May Your presence cheer and guide.
O God, our Father, we especially pray for our warriors who are heart-sick, who have no idea they are wasting away inside, and no idea how to fix it. You are the ultimate physician, and we pray for soul-healing. Help us to help these people. We so need that pardon for sin and peace that only You have.
Lord, thank You for the word 'new'. A new season, new mercies, a new day, and You making us new. Teach us to number these days. We know we can follow You-- because You are good. Unchanging. Forgiving.
We go forth Lord! With strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow--You give blessings overflowing!
| “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 wilt 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. 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! |
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