I have been blessed to be dog tired. My body broken and battered. Barely able to move.  To wake, surprisingly, with a song in my heart. This morning, it was “Testify” by NeedToBreathe. This joy that I can’t shake. This joy that overwhelms and overtakes the weakest of minds and bodies.  Each day, I heal, and I grow stronger… more resolute in my path.   Choosing joy and to love the pain.  For through adversity, we grow endurance and the Spirit to never give up and to run our race well. Don’t we all need to BREATHE? If breathing can bring a birthing woman through delivery in the strongest pain she experiences in life, followed by the greatest of life-giving victories, God-appointed pain, it will bring us through the very worst of troubles. Just breathe. I dedicate this to those among us suffering their pains delivering them into Eternity with Him.  You’re almost home. Hang on. Breathe.
 
I pray blessings over your heads and homes. Your children and your children’s children. Let these words infuse you and flow through you. Let this music fill you and drive you. Testify. Our God Loves us with an Infinite Mercy. We are the apple of His Eyes. His most precious children. God bless you.  The Holy Spirit indwell you. Jesus walk alongside you. May The Triune lift you. I love you, brothers and sisters.
 
So, Too, I Shall Worship The Lord – by Joan Woods, in Whitestown, Indiana, the 29th of June, in the year of Our Lord 2024
 
When time is fleeting
And I do not have enough
Guilt of the to do’s and need to’s
Rise all around
When I am spread so thin
So, too, I shall worship The Lord
 
As storms swirl all around me
And the devil closes in
When I can’t forgive
Because of all the sin
I will raise my eyes
So, too, I shall worship The Lord
 
When the numbers don’t match up
And our shelter and stability is uncertain
I will look to the birds whom The Lord
Gives to freely
Am I not more favored than these?
Made in His Image, I am blessed indeed
So, too, I shall give and worship The Lord
 
For He Is In Charge of the safety
Of the very least of these
So, too, shall He not care for me?
So, too, I shall worship The Lord
 
As I watch with uncertainty
The destinies of my children
Their mistakes and confusion
Their faces aging from their youth I know
Trying to catch their toddler feet tripping
My mind not gripping their journey
I will open my hand and let them “go”
For they belong to The Lord Who created
And they are forming their own testimonies
So, too, I shall worship The Lord
 
Surrounded by calamity
By liars, thieves, and corruptors
I will grip my Cross
Stand in defiance and assert and speak
The Truth
So, too, I shall worship The Lord
 
I lean into Him
When there is no one else around
For He is Trustworthy and Sound
His Judgment and Giving Abounds
So, too, I shall worship The Lord
 
When my body breaks down
Its joints and muscles scream out to me
When my hands curl and tighten
With age and infirmity
For I am fearfully and wonderfully made
So, too, I shall worship The Lord
 
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
And Eternity is just over the horizon
I will wake and stand
Smile and give thanks
Allow me to Testify
Of His Goodness and Mercy
On me, a sinner
So, too, I shall worship The Lord
 

NeedToBreathe “Testify” “I will build My mystery, as soon as you start… to let go.”

 
NeedToBreathe “Multiplied” “Your Love Is like radiant diamonds bursting inside us”

 
NeedToBreathe “Brother”

RUSH everybody….just watch and listen and learn. Neil Peart, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. I hope everyone will give this masterpiece some honest consideration.

It is entitled, La Villa Strangiato…

LOL!

Ain’t that the truth!

On the money!

There’s a million of them out there:

EVENING PRAYERS

Prayer for Serenity 1: When Things Seem Out of Control
You did everything you could to assure a positive outcome, but it didn’t turn out the way you wanted or expected. We’ve all been there. It tests our faith. Maybe you accept the outcome or maybe you’re frustrated. God wants to help you put the situation into perspective and remember that he is always in control of every situation—even those you so desperately want to control.
Dear Lord, It feels like everything is out of control in my life right now. I know good things are happening too but the stress is overshadowing them. I wanted a better answer, things to change, but my hopes are dashed. Many people try to comfort me by saying that you’re in control, but it doesn’t bring me comfort. It seems condescending.
Lord, I want to understand and discern the plans you have for me. Father, restore my faith as I trust that you’re omniscient and I’m not. Envelope me with your peaceful balm to soothe my questioning mind. Remind me that you hold the whole world in your hands and all things work for good to those who believe in you. I do believe! Amen

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer for Serenity 2: When Anxiety Overtakes Rationality
God didn’t create doubt, anxiety, or worry. Satan did to rob us of our joy, peace, and sleep. God knows common sense can flee when we’re under stress, so he gave us a remedy when we experience mind hijackers: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Charles Spurgeon advised that, “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”
Lord, you know how irrational I can become when I’m anxious. I can’t reign in my thoughts. Instead of expecting the best, I worry and wonder. I fret. My stomach churns, my heart races, and I can’t take my mind off the issue. I know you don’t want me living in a constant state of turmoil. It’s not good for my physical or mental health. It makes people around me miserable and keeps me living in a perpetual state of chaos instead of calmness, which I crave.
Father, you tell me in your Word to cast all my anxiety on you and so I’m doing that in this prayer. I lay at your feet the things I’m struggling with and I implore you Lord to free my mind of concerns. Remind me please to take deep breaths and trust that you can make a way even when the path is not visible to me. Father, please lead me to refreshing Scriptures when I feel anxiety approaching. Holy Spirit fill me with the serene peace and joy of the Lord. Amen

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Prayer for Serenity 3: When Fear Overcomes Faith

Faith is the opposite of fear. The antidote to fear is to renew and reaffirm your trust in God when things are going well, when things look bleak, and every time in between. Don’t doubt him. Realize and internalize that God’s got this and he’s way ahead of us. Elisabeth Elliot once said, “Fear arises when we imagine that everything depends on us.”

Scriptures remind us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). In times of trial, we may find ourselves by God’s grace able to overcome our fears quickly, or it could be an extended journey. The triumph will be worth the struggle as it draws us closer to God when we go straight to prayer and reliance on him.

Dear Father, I’ll admit that I’m fearful right now. My world seems unsteady and unpredictable and I’m afraid. I want to trust you in all circumstances. Please help me rely on you and avoid the instigators of fear. When I’m tempted to turn on the news, nudge me to pick up my Bible. When conversation becomes uncomfortable, please give me words to change the subject.

Lord, my hope is in you. Your Word always brings calmness to my soul and your presence in prayer is soothing and restful. I will not be afraid. I love you Lord and know that you first loved me. Greater love could no man have than to lay down his life as you did for me, even when I was so undeserving. Remind me Lord to believe when I forget that you are greater than anyone or any force in this world. I feel my fear subsiding as my love for you grows greater. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, even to me. Amen

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Prayer for Serenity 4: When What-if’s Overshadow What-Is

In Everyday Brave, I admit that I’m an overthinker and a perfectionist. Overthinkers imagine all the things that could go wrong or could happen. We wake up in the middle of the night ‘what-iffing’ and often create our own stress. We anticipate the worst in the future, robbing ourselves of the joys of the present. Overthinkers create problems in our minds that don’t exist and probably won’t ever occur. Perfectionists second-guess ourselves, never thinking we’re good enough or smart enough. Many don’t even try for fear of failure.

Lord, imagining future problems and never being satisfied with my, or others, performance doesn’t make me happy. I awfulize. I try to cope in my own strength and expectations instead of depending on you. Please teach me how to focus on actual circumstances and let go of those I fabricate. I waste so much of my life in a perpetual state of unrest.

You are my strong fortress, my anchor, my source of joy, serenity, and peaceful thoughts. Keep me grounded on the firm foundation of your Word and your ways. Guide me on paths of righteousness. You are the truth, the way, and the life. Amen

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Prayer for Serenity 5: When You Want to Give Up or Give In

Stress is debilitating. Even with our best intentions, the weight of whatever is bothering us can defeat our motivation to rectify the situation. We feel helpless and hopeless. It seems easier living with the source of our stress than praying to God for how we should respond. Often, he will direct us to take no action. It’s not our battle this time. Other times, he wants us to be resilient, resourceful, and rectify the situation remembering: “I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Dear Lord, please refresh me with your living water. Let the Holy Spirit flow over me. Remind me that this world is not my home and to keep my eyes looking heavenly. I can so easily lose sight of you in the midst of my problems and the world’s craziness.

Others are watching how I react to stress and difficulties. They need to see that my dependence is on you. My source of hope is you working in ways I might not see.

I want to be an encourager when asked how I can still have a smile on my face and joy in my voice as I carry on in the midst of stressful times. Please don’t let darkness overtake me Lord as I seek your face in morning’s light and the stillness of night. I will not be discouraged for I know the Lord my God is with me wherever I go. Praise you Father. Amen

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/calming-prayers-for-serenity-during-stressful-times.html

I have the smallest Praying Mantis I’ve ever seen. Less than 1 inch long. See how he’s looking at me!

Sooo cute!

PRAY FOR. TRUMP

lilbirdee12’s prayer:

Our Heavenly Father, Your children come to you tonight to ask for healing and peace throughout our country so that we may return to being One Nation Under God. Guide us to be leaders in Your Kingdom, spreading Your Love and Salvation to all. Forgive us our sins and deliver us from evil.

Lord, we ask for a blanket of protection over all our troops and law enforcement who serve to defend and protect us. Bless our representatives with the strength and wisdom they need to achieve the path You have chosen for us.

Please place Your Guardian Angels of Protection around Donald Trump and his family as they seek to lead America back to You. Also, we pray for Angels to protect and support our Sundance as he works for justice and peace. 

Grant us patience, Lord, as the evil ones try to anger us and cause us to fall. Spread blessings over Israel and Netanyahu.

We humbly ask that You please comfort those who are grieving and in pain.

And prayers up for all political prisoners. Prayers up for Julian Assange and for all the protesters of January 6 who were or are entrapped in DC.

Thank you Father, for Your love and the gift of Life.

A prayer for members of the CTH that they remain strong and clear thinking and that the site remain a bastion of freedom and continue to spread the facts of our current dilemma to millions in this country and across the globe. That the light of freedom inspired by our Creator and enshrined in our founding never be extinguished by acts of man.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen. 

✝️ Lord, thank You for the day. Amen.