COFFEE ON THE DOCK

Daybreak is very quiet. God’s whispers seem more easily heard in the gentle rollout of a new day. Soon the world awakens and the still of dawn is lost in the cacophony of life. An indispensable characteristic of the Christ-centered life is hearing and obeying the voice of God. Dearest Lord of Life, early will I seek Yo u. Thank You for the blessedness of silence. Teach me to hear accurately and obey swiftly.

I am not an angry person, yet it comes to me too easily. I have no malice toward anyone and keep short accounts. Still, anger pops up like burnt toast. Jesus got angry without sin; I have to work on that one. I must learn to cleanse the Temple without cleaning someone’s clock. Lord, help me to bridle all of my emotions to respond in a way that pleases You. Remind me of Your mercy at my moment of indignation.

I should be grateful whenever I see spiritual progress in others or me. Sadly, this is not always the case. I sometimes do not like the source through which betterment comes; the process just doesn’t fit my plan. Not surprisingly, God ignores my opinion in these situations. Divine disregard: I often need it; God’s goodness provides it. Lord, thank You for taking little notice of my commonly contaminated opinions.

How many more steps to breakthrough? I don’t know. I never know until AFTER the final step, so I walk. IN faith, I walk. BY faith I walk. In confident persistence, I walk. Through valleys of doom, I walk. Past shadows of fear, I walk. Over mountains of doubt, I walk. Through jungles of entanglements, I walk. Shepherd of my soul You are with me, Your rod & staff comfort me, my cup overflows…so I walk.

Robust relationships require honesty; honesty requires risk. Honesty with others is dependent upon the level of honesty we have with God. He knows everything anyway, why do I ever avoid the truth? There is NO RISK in trusting the Master. Truth hurts, heals, liberates, directs, delivers. Lord, let Your light shine in every dark crevasse of my heart today. May I have an honest heart before You and others.

Morning light, arriving earlier each day. Earth spinning, tilting, hurtling through space, day, night, seasons, all in the palm of His hand, every last detail considered. Beginning, end, all the same to the Alpha and Omega, Maker of Heaven and Earth. "O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hand has made!" Today should work out just fine, my soul is already singing!