October 9, 2024

“7 ¶ Praise the LORD from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths; 8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; 9 Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars; 10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl; 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth; 12 Both young men and maidens; Old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven. 14 And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints—Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 148:7-14 NKJV)

Singing of whales and dolphins

Neighing and braying of equine

Trumpets and percussion join in

Strings from diversity of birds

Hissing of snakes and serpents

Music of rain and hail offered

Rumble and crashing of storms

Mountains and hills rumble in

Trees whisper and dance praise

Music of justice and freedom

Singing of young of tomorrow

Singing of parents about today

Song’s of yesterday by elders

Then the most precious of all

Exaltation from God’s children

Songs of praise from His saints

Praise from God’s children rises

On The Throne God rejoices

On The Throne God smiles!!!

Prayerful question: Join in this celebration of the glorious God as you pray without ceasing!!!

October 8, 2024

“1 ¶ Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! 2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! 4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. 6 He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.” (Psalm 148:1-6 NKJV)

Praise God high

Praise God below

Even hell below

All will praise God

Prayerful question: Does my prayer challenge myself and others to praise God?

I believe even if God did nothing for you He is still deserving of all praise and worship for who He is! (Praise is for who God is while thanks is for what God has done.)

More seeds of shadows

Today found a scar above my knee

Memories flooded back to me

But which of two memories can it be

God what is happening to me

First the storm howls about me

Waves pound and pull at me

Salty taste fills my mouth

My ears hurt by storms scream

I fight to not lose feet or planes

Chaining planes and gripping toes

Chains break planes set free

Tumbling over and into me

Toes not made to grip on steel

My body by storm tossed, reels

Rain like knives my skin peels

Wind knocks me back on heel

My friend dies in howling storm

His death is a howling wind in me

But is this where scar begins in me

I do not know and yet to see

Second is fire raging storm at sea

Fighting the fire for life of me

Wall of fire pouring forth from sea

Heat burns and melts about me

Pouring water doing little good

Other hose keeps me alive

Artificial air keeps me alive

Tag teaming men fight fire

Weary men drag hose and feet

If fire wins we lose our life

Not sure why fire goes out

Cause of water or oil runs out

My clothes are gone shoes melt

Blood in places all about

Weariness from bone to soul

But the ship if not well is whole

(I remembered later after the first event I was so distraught I went to the catwalk and jammed a screwdriver into my leg to alleviate the pain. It didn’t work.)

October 7, 2024

“12 ¶ Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you. 14 He makes peace in your borders, And fills you with the finest wheat. 15 He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. 16 He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; 17 He casts out His hail like morsels; Who can stand before His cold? 18 He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19 He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. 20 He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His judgments, they have not known them. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 147:12-20 NKJV)

Praise the Lord in your city

Praise the Lord in your congregation

Praise the Lord in your family

Praise the Lord in your in your heart

Prayerful question: Do I lift up God as much as I lift up my needs and requests?

God’s Great Fabric

God thought of me, and fit me into the fabric of life. I could see where I was attached to the fabric that made up my parents and their parents too. Many others were attached to me here and there at points in the fabric. Some I couldn’t even remember who they were, but the connections remained strong and true. As I looked farther along I saw a great rumpled area that was pulled away from all but some other rumpled areas of fabric. I asked God why He had messed up the fabric and He told me, “That is where you pulled away from Me!” Farther along I saw where the fabric settled back down, leaving only little pulled places here and there.

I saw the deepest connection with Bonnie as our fabric combined to become a new fabric made brighter and more vibrant by the combination. Then came the tiny stitches of my children. I wept as I saw the rumpled areas of their fabric, and then celebrated as I saw it settle out farther along to combine with other fabric to become vibrant. Then there were other tiny stitches, but God wouldn’t let me see beyond that point.

Looking back I saw other connections I had missed before. Friends who had attached their fabric to mine, some for just a few stitches. Others carried a deep stitch that lasted for long pieces of the fabric. Some were deeply tied in and at times the colors blended some. I realized that where someone gives, something is received.

The fabric stretched forward and backward farther than I could see. There were well known stitches, but many more unknown that carried as bright a color and were also attached to many other stitches. Unknown to me, but so well known by God. So often God would smooth down a piece of the fabric, often with tears in His eyes.

What kept the fabric from unraveling, I asked? God showed me a special weave that surrounded the fabric and extended into the very heart of it. It’s name was Jesus! For Jesus holds us all together, as well as the One who makes the stitches of the fabric. I saw that the fabric stretched both ways from me, but that I helped hold the whole fabric together also. I was not just a part of God, but of the whole fabric of life.

May God show you the fabric of your life!

Ronald Ramsey March 23, 2001

October 6, 2024

“1 ¶ Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. 4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. 5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. 6 The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. 9 He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry. 10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.” (Psalm 147:1-11 NKJV)

To sing praise to God

is good

is beautiful

is healing

is hopeful

(hopeful = full of hope)

Prayerful question: Does my prayer sing praise to the Lord God?

October 5, 2024

“5 ¶ Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, 7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. 8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. 10 The LORD shall reign forever—Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 146:5-10 NKJV)

To those who are in prison God gives freedom

To those serving time in prison

God gives freedom

To those who make their life a prison

God gives freedom

To those imprisoned by others

God gives freedom

Prayerful question: Do I pray as one who has been set free by God?

“Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.”

- Rev John Wesley

October 4, 2024

“1 ¶ Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.” (Psalm 146:1-4 NKJV)

Praise the Lord

Do I praise God

I should praise

But do I praise

Prayerful question: Do I cry out in prayer for help when it is hard to praise God?

I see flames rolling through

The cries to fight the flames

Ringing within my ears

Then other screams appear

Fear like a pall overwhelms

Will anyone get out of here

Water bubbles at my feet

Shoes melt to metal deck

Thick metal walls turn white

Will it melt or spread fire

OBA must be changed

To create air I can breathe

Up and down little break

Weary deeper than soul

If fire wins we will lose

Fire, shark or patrol boat

Flames get smaller and

Heat no longer burns

Clothing smokes and dries

Walls turn red than dark

Up the ladder last time

Burned and bleeding lie

Lining hallway writhing

Pain undimmed still

Suddenly I am in tears

Weary and fully worn

I left behind in the fire

My blood, sweat and tears

(OBA stands for Oxygen Breathing Apparatus which produces oxygen from chemicals.)

October 3, 2024

“10 ¶ All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. 11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, 12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 16 You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 20 The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.” (Psalm 145:10-21 NKJV)

The birds sing forth in praise

Tree branches dance for God

Each creature sings their praise

Each star has it’s own song

The tiniest lift up their praise

God’s people join on Sunday

God’s people join everyday

All join with the heavenly host

Creating an orchestra and choir

Joining to bless God’s holy name

Prayerful question: Does my prayer become part of the Great Praise offered for the Great God?

Years ago I read this article about the meaning of hamas in the Bible. I share it with you here.

Hamas

By the generation of the flood the whole earth had become corrupt, or polluted, and was filled with hamas (Genesis 6:11). The wide range of meanings of the word hamas in the Old Testament encompasses almost the entire spectrum of evil. The term can stand for evil of any sort (Psalm 11: 5, Proverbs 13:2); it may simply stand for falsehood, as in “false witness” (Exodus 23: 1, Deuteronomy 19:15, Psalm 35:1) and it occurs with mirma (Isaiah 60:18; Jeremiah 6:7, 20:8), with the two together meaning something like “plunder and pillage.” Hamas has a very close connection to bloodshed as can be seem from Ezekiel 9:9. Like bloodshed, the term hamas can be used in a physical way, for hamas (or the pollution from it) can cover clothes (Malachi 2:16) and hands (Job 16:17, 1 Chronicles 12:17). In Genesis, the earth was filled with hamas and had itself become polluted because all flesh had polluted its way upon the earth (Genesis 6:11–12).

It was the filling of the earth with hamas and its resultant pollution that prompted God to bring a flood to physically erase everything from the earth and start anew. The flood was not primarily an agency of punishment, but a means of getting rid of a thoroughly polluted world and starting again with a clean, well-washed one. Then, when everything had been washed away, God resolved (Genesis 8:21):

I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every living thing, as I have done.

BSP 8:1 (Winter 1979) p. 27

He then went on to give Noah and his sons the basic laws, specifically the strict instructions about the shedding of blood, to prevent the earth from becoming polluted again.

Bible and Spade 1 - – Bible and Spade.

October 2, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Praise of David.» I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. 5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. 6 Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. 7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.” (Psalm 145:1-9 NKJV)

I will praise God

I will extol God

I will bless God

God deserves it

Prayerful question: Do I seek new ways and new words to praise, extol and bless God when I pray?

Take time to look up the meaning for praise, extol and bless in a Bible Encyclopedia or a Bible site online. Buying a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is a great investment.

October 1, 2024

“9 ¶ I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, 10 The One who gives salvation to kings, Who delivers David His servant From the deadly sword. 11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood— 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style; 13 That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands And ten thousands in our fields; 14 That our oxen may be well-laden; That there be no breaking in or going out; That there be no outcry in our streets. 15 Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” (Psalm 144:9-15 NKJV)

I will sing a new song to God

the old songs are not enough

I must share all God is doing

for me yesterday and today

Prayerful question: Do I keep my praise and thanks as up to date as my requests?

Giving thanks and praise can help us see all God has done, is doing and will do for us.

“Count your blessings, name them one by one

Count your many blessing see what God has done.”

The blessings always begin with You

For You have always been so True

I think of family who offer love

And Your Church, family from above

For this day a gift to be loved out

For this moment please keep me stout

For all the good things You do provide

For all the bad things You do hide

But lately I must give thanks I see

For that which seems not good to me

For pain and suffering that does not end

For loss and grief that causes my bend

For memories that seem a nightmare

Which drive me to the point of despair

Flashbacks seem more real to me

Than all around me I can see

For screams unheard within my soul

For tears which I cannot control

For knowledge that brings me fear

As I lose all that I hold dear

But I give thanks for I know by You

Good will somehow shine through

And I give thanks for this pain

As You rebirth me again 11/22/16

September 30, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Psalm of David.» Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle— 2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. 3 LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him? 4 Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow. 5 Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. 6 Flash forth lightning and scatter them; Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them. 7 Stretch out Your hand from above; Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, From the hand of foreigners, 8 Whose mouth speaks vain words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.” (Psalm 144:1-8 NKJV)

Train me for the spiritual war

going on around and within me

Bow down and deign to fight

with us and for us my Lord God

Prayerful question: Do I pray as an active warrior in the spiritual warfare in the world?

September 29, 2024

“7 ¶ Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. 10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. 11 Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.” (Psalm 143:7-12 NKJV)

I need you now God

Show Yourself to me

Teach me Lord God

Revive me for You

Prayerful question: Does my prayer seek God’s will to be done rather than my own?

Shadows are cast by light

but some are cast by darkness

Darkness getting into the Light

is where evil shadows reside

Darkness trying to fool people

mocking, mimicking the Light

Do not be fooled by the shadows

they are not shade but are shades

Do not be fooled for they bring

with them the trinity of death

(trinity of death is physical, emotional and spiritual death)

September 28, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Psalm of David.» Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. 3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. 6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.” (Psalm 143:1-6 AV)

God please be my righteousness

otherwise I can never be justified

The evil one persecutes my soul

God please be my Living Water

Prayerful question: Do I pray for Justification (just-as-if-I-can) from God who alone can make me right with God?

September 27, 2024

“4 ¶ Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul. 5 I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. 6 Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”” (Psalm 142:4-7 NKJV)

No one knows me

No one cares for me

I cry out to the Lord

Please be my refuge

Prayerful question: Does prayer form my God-esteem as a reminder the Father was willing to offer His only begotten Son for me?

“16 ¶ When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble. When he comes up to the people, He will invade them with his troops. 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.” (Habakkuk 3:1-19 NKJV)

September 26, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave.» I cry out to the LORD with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication. 2 I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me.” (Psalm 142:1-3 NKJV)

From my cave of despair I cry to the Lord

With my voice to God I cry to the Lord

For God cannot hear me if I don’t cry out

Prayerful question: Do I blame God for not answering prayers I never prayed?

September 25, 2024

“5 ¶ Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. 6 Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, And they hear my words, for they are sweet. 7 Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, As when one plows and breaks up the earth. 8 But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. 9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely.” (Psalm 141:5-10 NKJV)

It is better to be punished than die

It is better to be rebuked than die

Those who rebuke do me a favor

For God is my refuge and safety

Prayerful question: Do I pray for the humility to receive instruction and even punishment for my eternal good?

September 24, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Psalm of David.» LORD, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. 2 Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies.” (Ps 141:1-4 NKJV)

Please hear me God

Please come and help

Hear me when I cry

Please guard my heart

Prayerful question: Do II believe God hears and answers my prayers?

When God’s People Pray by Wayne Watson

Trouble knockin' on your window pane,
Stormy weather at your door.
And the outlook for the day ahead- just like the day before.
People tell you prayin' changes things,
But the words don't stop your fear.
Prayer is only pious rambling, without a Father's ear...

He will not turn away- when His people pray.

When God's people pray,
And take the pains of earth to the doors of heaven.
When God's people pray,
There is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven.
And miracles you can't explain away,
When God' people pray.

Hopeless situation turns around, dilemma passes by and by.
Look- there's a never-ending field of blue past your clouded sky!
He alone can know the need in me, before a single word begins;
The Holy Spirit intercedes for me.
I will trust in Him!

He will not turn away- when His people pray.

When God's people pray,
And take the pains of earth to the doors of heaven.
When God's people pray,
There is hope reborn! There is sin forgiven!
And miracles you can't explain away!
When God's people pray!
And take the pains of earth to the doors of heaven...
When God's people pray!
There is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven.
And miracles you can't explain away!

When God's people pray!
And take the pains of earth to the doors of heaven...
When God's people pray!
There is hope reborn! There is sin forgiven!
And miracles you can't explain away!

When God's people pray,
When God's people pray,
Oh, When God's people pray..