Saturday, April 27, 2013

Five Minute Friday - From an Enemy to a Friend




O Lord, won’t You show me how
To get rid of an enemy
By making her my friend

Burden my heart to pray
For her salvation
To grow in wisdom, knowledge, truth and understanding

May she be like David
A woman after God’s own heart
Love You with all her heart, mind, soul and strength

May she grow in grace and mercy
Even the thoughts and intentions of her heart
Be good and pleasing to You

May kindness be on her lips
Her words filled with encouragement and build others up
More concerned about others than herself

May she keep short accounts with You
Be quick to repent and turn to You
May she be bendable, moldable and teachable

May she hide Your word in her heart
That she may not sin against You
May her soul be yielded unto You

May she walk closely with her God
Others will know she is Your disciple
By her love

May her life be a sweet fragrant offering
A sacrifice
Good and pleasing to her Lord


Susan Wachtel
April 27, 2013

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s FiveMinute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Put a Guard Over My Mouth




Lord, put a guard over my mouth.

Please do not let me speak from a place of
        Hurt
                Anger
                        Frustration
                                Or Fatigue

Help me to be respectful to those to whom respect is due, even when they don’t behave that way.

May I be mindful that I will give an account to You for every word I speak.

May even the thoughts and intentions of my heart be good and pleasing to You. 

Help me not to respond when provoked.
        Or pay back evil for evil.
                Or answer a fool according to their folly.

Help me to lift up my eyes unto Your throne from whence cometh my help.

Help me to keep my focus on You.

As soon as my thoughts wander and once again I start to ponder the wrongdoing of another, help me to rein in my thoughts. 

Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Help me Lord to meditate on that which is
        True
                Nobel
                        Just
                                Pure
                                        Lovely
                                                Good Report
                                                        Virtuous
                                                                Praiseworthy

Help me to look for the lesson You have for me in the midst of the fiery trial.

Confident that You are able to use even the wicked, ill behavior of another for Your good purpose and plan.

Don’t let me become like the one whom I despise.
        Help me to do good to the one who hurts me.
                Help me to pray for the one who despitefully uses me.

Lord, I am overwhelmed.
        I don’t want to return to the lion’s den.

Help me to reach up and take hold of Your nail pierced hand as I enter in.

Protect me from the ravenous wolves and the sharp teeth and claws of lion stalking his prey.

Help me to stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord.
        Know that the battle belongs to You Lord.

You are a Giant Slayer and I’m facing some giants these days.
Let me face them with You at my right side.  

Help me to honor You in all that I say and do.
Let me not bring shame or reproach upon the name of Christ.

This has been a challenging week.  I can’t imagine getting through it without Christ. 



Saturday, April 20, 2013

Five Minute Friday – Incline my Ear




Though the flood waters rise
Threaten to overtake me

Darkness of night descends
Dawn of morning light seems so very far away

I will incline my ear to hear
The Lord is singing over me

My heart will be strengthened and encouraged
I will rejoice in the Lord my God

Though obstacles surround me
I will dare to jump over them

Confident and sure
For nothing is too hard for the Lord

Though all come against me
I will remain steadfast in God’s firm foundation

When I feel all alone
And none go with me

I will incline my ear to hear
The Lord singing over me in His loving-kindness


Susan Wachtel
April 20, 2013

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8

It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon – Scenic Beachside Town and Likeable Characters

  Sandcastle Inn is Irene Hannon’s tenth novel in the Hope Harbor series .   It was lovely to return to this beautiful, scenic, and welcom...