Saturday January 2 2016  A NEW YEAR PRAYER

Today is a packed day so I am hoping to write my blog (and finish it) much earlier than usual.  It is now only 12:15 p.m. Central Time.  So here goes.

This morning as I was in my library studying the WORD OF GOD, I read a passage of scriptures that spoke to my heart.  I felt this passage is to be my New Year Prayer for 2016 and I would like to pray it over all those who read my blog.

Ephesians 3 New King James Version (NKJV)

“…I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^[c]15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

This will be my prayer for myself each day as I begin my morning with the Lord.  A couple of months ago I read Psalm 5:3 and felt that it was one of two passages that I have chosen as my scripture verses for the year.  The other passage is also from Psalm 5, verses 11-12:

“³ My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;

In the morning I will direct it to You,

And I will look up.”

“¹¹ But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
¹² For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.”

I will write these scriptures in the front of each new journal and read them often. 

I am leaving shortly to attend the funeral of my friend’s mother.  She was a woman of God so I know it will be more of a celebration of her life and rejoicing with the family for her entrance into heaven.  When we know that our loved ones are bound for heaven after they die, it makes it so much easier to say goodbye.  There is always sorrow but intermingled with joy, knowing that the goodbye is just for a while.  For me it is awesome knowing I will again someday see my mom!

Now a quick update as to what is going on in regards to the flooding that seeped in the walls and between the floors.  A part of our dressing room floor (which is actually the master bedroom of the house that we turned into a dressing room) has been removed to allow huge drying dehumidifiers to stand like sentinels in our dressing room with huge tubes pumping hot air between our walls and floors and ceilings below.  There are hoses that drain the collected dehumidified moisture into the bathtub in the next room  A lot of water is being reclaimed.  We were told the machines would be in place until Monday of next week but I don’t see how it will be dry by then with so much water still being extracted.  The downstairs also has the same contraption plus two high pressured wind fans that help dry out the wallboard and rooms.  Not a pretty sight.  We are coping well.  We just walk around all the mess and the huge vanity that sits in the middle of our dressing room floor.  We are just thankful it isn’t worse.  Lots of hoses everywhere so we leave some lights on at night to help us navigate to and from the bathroom.  But all’s well that ends well and we are hoping for a good ending!

I wrote my poem this morning in my journal which I rarely do since I have been writing my blog.  I miss writing my poetry in my journal.  So today I penned a poem when the inspiration arrived while I was sitting in my library enjoying the presence of the Lord.

PEN IN HAND

By Kathleen Martens

January 2, 2016

Oh, how I miss pen in hand,

So easy my thoughts to land.

The feel of paper between my fingers

Defines memories that seem to linger.

Thoughts come softly tiptoeing in

Captured on paper as my friend.

I pause and think and write some more

As my muse opens never-ending doors.

There is nothing quite like paper and pen

That allows those thoughts to pour in.

Purple fingers, a sure reminder,

Of where my words I will find them.

My pen writes what my heart speaks,

As new expressions my soul seeks.

Release comes when my spirit has spoken

And what needs fixing, is no longer broken.

Such a salve when words are released

And freedom seems to be increased.

Just to express what I desire to say

Puts a bright slant on my entire day.

There you have it friends.  A short blog and I’m ready to leave (except for my lipstick).  Have a wonderful day.  God bless all of you.  And remember, you can always read the prayer from the scriptures and know those words are being prayed over you.