Remembering my present with the Word of God and prayer (01.11.2016.)

RYP Stories: Prayer journaling and memoir
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Section title: The new plan of this blog and my writing and journaling
This is the plan with this blog as of Monday, January 11, 2016
I have decided to keep all of my writings under one umbrella, once again, and in this blog. Therefore, I will include several different writings in each blog post and will post at one o'clock Mountain Standard Time (Denver and Cheyenne time) each day. Therefore, you can expect to see these daily segments:
Treasure Journaling: This segment or section is my prayer journaling and what I call "treasure journaling" (where God speaks, I listen, and I respond in prayer). This is my main writing and will be what I do first every day.
Bible reading series
My personal stories (where I share my stories which I will eventually turn into a memoir)
A deeper daily devotional (where I share more Bible thoughts and notes)
Additional prayers
Life wisdom
Spiritual, Journaling, Writing, and Life Tips: Prayer journaling, journaling, memoir writing into, personal stories, daily devotional writing, spiritual disciplines, Bible Reading, etc.
What I'm reading
Health, diet, and exercise thoughts
Misc.
(Treasure Journaling, Personal Stories, Daily Devotional, Prayers, Tips, Health Thoughts, and Misc.)
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Every time you see this: /// ... it represents a change in thought and topic. /// is a segment or section divider.
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What is a summary of my new blog approach?
Thoughts about the Bible, prayer, life stories, life in general, journaling, and writing. (No.)
Summary of topical divisions of each blog post: RYP Stories: Prayer journaling, life stories, health, and other writings and tales. (No.)
RYP Stories: Prayer journaling and memoir. (Blog plans, health, what I'm reading, life, love, and other thoughts and memories) (No. This is too much.)
RYP Stories: Prayer journaling and memoir. (Yes.)
From there, I can add subjects and hash tags.
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Section title: Prayer journaling on Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:14-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love,
Come to me.
Come to my throne and meet me as you are. You do not have to pretend to be perfect and perfect prayers are certainly not required. You do not have to be elegant or flowery in your prayers. Just come to me and talk to me. Then, listen ten times longer than you speak.
And, when you come to me, be bold. My son knows first hand what life is on earth and he and the Holy Spirit come to me and pray on your behalf. They will translate to me what is on your mind. For, they know your intent and what is on your heart.

Hebrews 4:16 Expanded Bible (EXB)

16 Let us, then, ·feel very sure that we can come before [L confidently approach] God’s throne ·where there is grace [L of grace; C as opposed to a throne of judgment and condemnation]. There we can receive mercy and ·grace [L find grace] to help us ·when we need it [L at the right time].

-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My love, do you need mercy and grace? Approach my throne boldly and tell me everything on your mind and heart. I will listen and will give you grace and mercy. I will also speak to you and offer you guidance.

Hebrews 4:16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

My love,my throne is a place for answers and for healing. It's also the place to just be in my presence.
Come to me. I am here. I am waiting for you to come near.
My Lord,
I am a sinner. I fail far too often. I do not pray or meditate on your Word as I could or should.
Give me the want to do so, please. And, teach me how to do both.
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Section title: Prosperity, success, and the Bible

How can I proper and have success in 2016?: What does the Bible mean in 2016?
(Meditating, pondering, thinking on, praying, contemplating the Word of God)

I want to prosper in all I do. I also want to be successful in all I do.
What does the Bible mean in the year 2016?
What does it mean for and in my life?
Joshua 1:8 provides some of the answers.

Joshua 1:8 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Joshua 1:8 Expanded Bible (EXB)
8 ·Always remember [L Do not let depart from your mouth] what is written in the Book of the ·Teachings [Law]. ·Study [Meditate on] it day and night to be ·sure [careful; diligent] to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be ·wise [prudent; successful] and ·successful [prosperous] ·in everything [or along life’s path; along the way].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Joshua 1:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Joshua 1:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Joshua 1:8 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
8 Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed.
-- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW). Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

I will keep reading these versions and will keep meditating on what they have to say.
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Praying Journaling on Joshua 1:7-9

My love,
Do you want to know what to do and when? For your life overall? Today? Tomorrow? This week? This month? This quarter? This year? This decade?
Are you ever concerned if you are on the path I want you to follow?
Do you ever want to know what my will is in your life?
The answer to each is found here:

Joshua 1:7-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love,
If you want to do my will, it requires you to be strong and courageous.
Since you live in the period of time after Jesus walked the earth, you are held to a different requirement. You are to live and obey the entirety of my Word, the Old and Testaments. This requires you to act with strength and courage. If you obey all of my Word, and do not turn away from one verse or deviate from one verse, then you be successful in all you do, without fail.
How can you gain strength and courage? Study my Word continually.
How do you study my Word continually? Meditate on it night and day.
If you study my Word continually, and meditate on it night and day, you will then be sure to do all my Word says. If you do all those things (study, meditate, do), then you will prosper.
You will not just prosper, you will succeed in everything you do.
Be strong and courageous then again. If at that point you are not afraid or discouraged, then I will be with you everywhere you go.
But, all of this requires you studying my Word continually and meditating on it day and night.

Joshua 1:7-9 Expanded Bible (EXB)

7 Be strong and ·brave [courageous; resolute]. Be ·sure [careful] to obey all the ·teachings [law] my servant Moses ·gave [commanded] you. If you ·follow them exactly [L do not turn from it to the right or to the left], you will be successful in everything you do. 8 ·Always remember [L Do not let depart from your mouth] what is written in the Book of the ·Teachings [Law]. ·Study [Meditate on] it day and night to be ·sure [careful; diligent] to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be ·wise [prudent; successful] and ·successful [prosperous] ·in everything [or along life's path; along the way]. 9 ·Remember that I [L Have I not…?] commanded you to be strong and ·brave [courageous; resolute]. Don't be afraid or ·discouraged [dismayed], because the Lord your God will be with you ·everywhere you go [or in all you do]."

-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My Lord,
What a beautiful passage. What hope it brings!
Help me to live this passage, night and day.

My love,
There are no shortcuts in faith.
Faith doesn't require just your leftovers. Faith requires your firsts, seconds, thirds, leftovers, etc.
Faith requires all of you and all of the time. You cannot shortchange your faith or my Word.
Do you want to know my will? Study my Word all the time, without fail, never taking a break. Meditate on my Word day and night. Also, do what my Word says. After all, if you do, you will be successful in all you do and you will be prosperous.
But, it requires strength and courage.
To truly study my Word, meditate on it, and apply it, you will need strength and courage.
If you are in my Word all the time, you will be in the middle of my will, you will prosper and will be successful, and I will be with you everywhere you go.
Be in my Word, my love.

My Lord,
I will think I am going to study and meditate on this passage for a while.

Prayer Journaling of Romans 15:13: Hope, Joy, Peace, Trust, and Power

My love,
Do you want hope?
What about peace and joy?
Trust in me.
Trust is a simple five letter word with a simple definition: have faith in and believe. Trust also means to put confidence and reliance in something or someone. The complicated part of trust is not in the definition, but is in the application. People tend to make it far more difficult than they really need.
How do you trust me? You trust me by believing in my son, Jesus Christ.
You trust me by praying, being in my Word, by meditating on my Word and pondering it, and by giving thanks in and for all things. You trust me every time you think of me and my Word.
Trust in me and draw close to me and my Word. The more you pray and think on my Word, the more you trust me and the more you draw near to me. They naturally go together.
The more you trust me and my Word, the more you will find the true source of hope..Nothing and no one else can bring you eternal hope, other than me and my Word. If you trust in anything or anyone on earth, in this world, you will put your hope and trust in that which is temporary. For everything and everyone on earth will die. I am timeless, and exist outside of time, since I created time and my Word is eternal. So, where and in whom will you place your trust?

Romans 15:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

If you trust in me and my Word, you will find that which is worthy of your trust, and I will fill you with peace and joy because of your trust. Again, I offer you real peace and joy that is lasting and depends on nothing but your trust, which is you turning to me and my Word. Note, that I will fill you entirely and completely with joy and peace, and will not fill you partially with them.
When you do trust in me and my Word alone, and then I fill you completely with peace and joy, you will then overflow with confident hope through the Holy Spirit's power.
How can you trust me or my Word?

Psalm 33:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

4 For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love, if my Word states something, I will never act to contradict it. I am consistent and do not change.
Trust in me and my Word, your source of true and absolute hope, because I never change. And my Word never changes.

James 1:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

--New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love, trust me and my Word always and without fail. You will then have hope, peace, and joy, because I will give them to you. You show your trust in me and by Word through spending time with me and my Word.
My Lord, I want to know the source of true hope, and have confident hope, true peace, and true joy. I realize the only way I can have overflowing and confident hope is through You, the power of the Holy Spirit, and trusting in You and Your Word. I show my trust by spending time with you and being in your Word and meditating on your Word.

Psalm 33:4 Expanded Bible (EXB)

4 God's word is ·true [upright; virtuous],
and everything he does is ·right [faithful].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Psalm 119:1-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
Please don't give up on me!

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Prayer Journal: Always be in the Word

Written on January 07, 2016, Thursday

My Lord,
Help me to prepare for this special time together. I pray this verse:

Psalm 19:14 New Living Translation (NLT)

14 May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My Lord, help me to remember to meditate on all the verses and teachings you bring to me. Help me meditate on and ponder, review, apply, and enjoy them. Help me to meditate on them so much I find delight in them.

Psalm 1:2 Expanded Bible (EXB)

2 They ·love [delight in] the Lord's ·teachings [laws; instructions],
    and they ·think about [meditate on] those ·teachings [laws; instructions] day and night.

-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My Lord, Help me to really want to meditate on and live out these verses today, along with yesterday's, and the day before's.

My love,
Remember that to meditate on my Word is to think on it, ponder it, contemplate it, and do so repeatedly. It means to think of all angles and facets. It means to chew on it so much that you cannot help but feel full.
Keep approaching me and my throne. You do so every time you think of me, read my Word, ponder my Word, pray, and give thanks. Keep doing these things and you find your delight.
I will help you want to always meditate, pray, and give thanks. After all, each is a spiritual need you have, whether you realize it at all times or not. You need them in order to survive spiritually. You need them in order to thrive as well.
What do pondering my Word, prayer, and giving thanks have in common, other than they are what you should do morning, noon, evening, and night? Think about it for a moment.
The answer is that all three boil down to this: spend time and your thought life with me.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love, being in my Word (reading it, studying it, meditating on it and pondering it) is my will for you. If it is my will, and it is, know that you are not alone. I am the other part in this equation. I have my duties, and you have yours, in our relationship. For you, it's to be present and be in my Word. For me, I am to help you want to be in my Word, understand it, live it, and find delight in it.
If you are in my Word, then you will naturally pray and give thanks. You cannot help but do each. They are all facets of the rich, beautiful gem that is our relationship.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Expanded Bible (EXB)

17 Pray ·continually [without ceasing], 18 and give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God's will] for you in Christ Jesus.

--Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My love, I want you to spend time in my Word. Do so all of the time. All, meaning without exception.
How can you know me or my Word unless you spend time with us?
How can you know me if you do not spend continual time in my Word?
How can you know and hear my voice if you do not spend continual time in my Word?
How can we have a close relationship if you are not in my Word?
How can we have and share intimacy if you are not in my Word constantly?

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

My love, how can you do my will if you are not consistently in my Word?

My Lord,
Help me to want more of you and your Word. I want to draw as close to you as possible, to hear you, and to delight in your Word.

Prayer Journal: Meditate on the Word

Written on January 06, 2016, Wednesday at a local bookstore

My love,
Do you want more delight in your life?
Delight means: Desire, good pleasure, and care.
Delight is when you bubble up with glee... and when you curl up with a good companion (loved one, book, pet). Delight is deeper than happiness. It is pure enjoyment.
If I were to tell you that you can find delight in my Word, would you believe me?
I know that at first perusal, my Word can appear confusing, boring, or both. If you read my Word once, and then close it off from you because you find it one of those things, you will never find delight in it. Reading a verse or once does my Word injustice. You will never understand it or find delight in it with one reading or even two. Your human, sinful, finite mind requires more.
My Word is not faulty. You can find delight in my Word. You can find it delightful and can understand it deeply. However, it requires more than one reading in one sitting.
There is a way to find delight in my Word. You need to meditate on my Word morning, noon, and night. The more you contemplate it, think on it, ponder it, pray it, the more delight you will find in it.

Psalm 1:2 New Living Translation (NLT)
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love,
My Word is best treasured and best understood through meditating on it and praying on it without ceasing for an extended period of time.
Again, write down our moments in the Word and as I reveal more to you from the verse and passage. As you continue to meditate on it over a long period of time, I will reveal more and more. After all, each time you think on it, you grow. It requires growth for you to learn from it and to hear from me about it. The more you grow, the more I will reveal, and the more delight you will find in it. It requires each of these things. They go together.
Multiple readings are needed.
Multiple prayers with each reading.
The think on the verse or passage over and over, morning, noon, and night.
With each reading, with each prayer, with each pondering, you will grow.
The more you grow, the more delight you will find in my Word.

Psalm 1:2 Expanded Bible (EXB)
2 They ·love [delight in] the Lord’s ·teachings [laws; instructions],
and they ·think about [meditate on] those ·teachings [laws; instructions] day and night.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My love, you will delight in my Word and will love it, but only with multiple exposures. It also takes multiple exposures over the long-term, over the long-haul, where you meditate on it daily.
Each time you read a verse, you grow a little more and your life experiences have grown you as well. Therefore, with every reading, with every meditation, you will get something more out of the verse or passage. You will go deeper, will learn more, and will communicate with me more.
Every time you talk to me about a verse or passage, I will reveal more to you. I will grow you more and the verse or passage will grow you.
The more you grow, the more delight you will find in my Word.

Psalm 1:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

My love,
How can I instruct you and grow you unless you are in my Word? Unless you meditate on my Word and pray about it, day and night over a long period of time, you will not grow enough to find the delight.
My Word is how I communicate with you best. Find delight in it through multiple and intentional exposures.

My Lord,
Thank you for the insight you have given me. It has been a light bulb moment, a life-transforming moment for me. I realize how important it is for me to keep meditating and praying on your Word and about your Word. Help me to remember all of these things and try to meditate on your Word as much as possible and pray about it.

Psalm 119:33-40 New Living Translation (NLT)
33 Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
    I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
    I will put them into practice with all my heart.
35 Make me walk along the path of your commands,
    for that is where my happiness is found.
36 Give me an eagerness for your laws
    rather than a love for money!
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things,
    and give me life through your word.
38 Reassure me of your promise,
    made to those who fear you.
39 Help me abandon my shameful ways;
    for your regulations are good.
40 I long to obey your commandments!
    Renew my life with your goodness.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Psalm 119:105 New Living Translation (NLT)
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Prayer Journal: Treasure

Written on January 06, 2016, Wednesday at a local bookstore

My love,
Who and what do you treasure and why?
Who and what brings you meaning?
The truth is if you treasure, value, find meaning, or find happiness in anything or anyone other than me and my Word, then you will never be fulfilled. You will always feel like you are missing something, will feel hollow and empty, and will not be full of joy. Anything or anyone other than me and my Word is just an imitation. It will not last and will leave you void.
Do you want to treasure someone or something temporary or eternal?
How do you know who or what you treasure? Besides looking at your calendar, your thoughts will provide you the answer. Who and what do you think of? Who and what do you think of most often?

Matthew 6:19-21 New Living Translation (NLT)
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Treasure my Word, prayer, and giving thanks. Do these nonstop. If you do these, you will treasure them more and more. If you treasure these things, you will build up your treasure in heaven. What you treasure from these three, you bring with you to eternal life.
Nothing and no one else you treasure will be brought with you to heaven. Just the moments with me and my Word will you bring with you.
The moments we have, treasure. Remember them. Think on them over and over. The only way you can do so is to write them down. Journal them. This will help you treasure them and build up your treasure in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-21 Expanded Bible (EXB)
19 “Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. 20 But store ·your [for yourselves] treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. 21 Your heart will be where your treasure is.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My love, where your treasure is, so is your heart. Remember that heart and mind go hand-in-hand and are not mutually exclusive. So, if you think on our moments of prayer, my Word speaking to you through your meditation day and night, and offer thanks for the blessings of each moment, then you will treasure these things all the more and will build up your eternal treasure in heaven, in your eternal life. Keep drawing close to me and my Word in prayer and meditation, and you will treasure our moments all the more.

Matthew 6:19-21 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
19 “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
My love, things on this earth get lost, are damaged, and are stolen. They never last. They do not bring you joy. They may bring you short-term happiness, but they will fail you in time.
The people of this earth are sinners. They will fail you. This is why no one should ever be put on your pedestal, but me and my Word.
Things and people are imperfect. Why treasure anyone or anything that is imperfect and will fail you?
I am perfect and so is my Word. We are eternal. We offer you so much more.
Everything you seek or want pales in comparison to me and my Word.
Treasure me and my Word and our moments when you pray and meditate on my Word. You add to what you take with you to heaven.

My Lord,
Help me to fully treasure you and your Word. My mind is shallow and faulty. Help me to treasure you and your Word in spite. Help me to remember all of our moments and treasure them. I want perfect and eternal treasure that will never fail me or seduce me. Make me want You and Your Word alone, not the things of this world.

Prayer Journal: His inner strength, deep love, mighty power

Written on January 06, 2016, Wednesday at a local bookstore

Ephesians 3:16-20 New Living Translation (NLT)
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love,
I have so many things to give you and so many priceless things for you to truly treasure. In fact, I have an unlimited supply.
My blessings, my gifts, only require belief from you. If you believe, I will supply you with everything you need. If you will believe, I will shower you with blessings to treasure. You may be tempted, or may even sin, but I will have treasure for you anyway. After all, I created you knowing all you would do, and all you wouldn't do, and I created you still.
You could never be worthy of one treasure I have to offer you, if not for your belief in my son, Jesus Christ, and what he did for you. I made you wonderfully (Psalm 139:???) and he has made you holy already. Trust him. The more you trust him, the deeper your roots of my love will grow and the roots of my love will strengthen you.
Do not for a moment I think you can find strength in anyone or anything apart from my love. You do not find your strength from within yourself. You find strength from me alone and from my love alone. If you find strength anywhere else, or in anyone else, it is false strength and it does not last.
Do you want to know how much strength you can receive from my love? Look at verse 18. My love is bottomless and endless, deep, wide, thorough, and unconditional. This is how much strength you can get from my love.
Do you ever feel uneasy, empty, or stressed? Do you ever feel off or like you are missing something? Meditate on verses 18 and 19 and on the love I have for you.
Now, look at verse 20, my love. Meditate on it as well.
When you meditate on my Word, and when you believe in my son and what he did for you, then you will be able to more thoroughly grasp my love and what I can accomplish in you and through you.
Keep reading this passage, and meditate on it. Think on it. Pray on it. Listen to what I have to say about it.
Let this passage help you see how much I can do through you as you deepen your trust in my son through meditating on this passage again and again. Treasure this, my love.

My Lord,
What hope this passage brings. Help me to trust in your son and in your Word more and more each day.

My love,
The best way to do so is be in my Word and meditate on it day and night. Start with this passage today.

Prayer Journal: Come close and draw near

(Written January 05, 2016, Tuesday)

James 4:8 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love,
Do you want to hear me?
Do you not want to miss what I have to say?
Stop talking and stop being busy. Let me in.
The only way you can truly hear me is to saturate your life with my Word. Read, meditate, and pray on it. Study it and apply it.
You will never hear from me if you are so busy, so loud, so self and or situation focused, I will not get through. You won't let me.
How can you hear my voice? If you are standing so far away, or are moving from me, you will not be able to hear me. If you are far from my Word, you are far from me, and will not hear me either. Therefore, take steps to draw close and near to me. Then, you will hear me. If you draw close to me, and hear me, then you will be purified from the inside out.
If you have drawn close enough to me you can hear me, you will be purified and will no longer be world-focused, but will be focused on me and my Word.

James 4:8 Expanded Bible (EXB)
8 Come near to God, and God will come near to you. You sinners, ·clean sin out of your lives [L cleanse/purify your hands; C a metaphor for cleaning up your behavior]. ·You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time [L You double-minded ones], ·make your thinking pure [L purify your hearts; C a metaphor for cleaning up your interior life].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My love, if you focus on listening for me and to me, and meditate on my Word and pray on it, then your inner life will be purified and you will hear me better and will draw even closer to me.
Stop talking.
Stop the busyness.
Listen.
Conversation is at least fifty-fifty. Have you given me at least that?
Do you want to draw even closer to me? Listen far longer than you ever speak.

My Lord,
Help me to be silent and to listen. Help me be still and draw close to you.

James 4:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people!
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Prayer Journal: Life by faith and not by sight

January 05, 2016, Tuesday, 1153 a.m.

2 Corinthians 5:7 New Living Translation (NLT)
7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love,
Do you live by sight or by believing?
Do you live by sight or by trust?
Do you demand answers, or expect answers, rather than trust and remain in faith?

2 Corinthians 5:7 New Living Translation (NLT)
7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love,
Do you want to live, fully and freely live? Live this verse. Embrace it fully.
Let me rephrase it another way:

2 Corinthians 5:7 Expanded Bible (EXB)
7 We ·live [walk] by ·what we believe [faith], not by ·what we can see [sight].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB).The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My love,
Do you live this way or do you give it a nod or lip service? Do you nod your head in agreement or do you take action and live in this manner?
Live and walk by faith. Do not demand answers. Just trust me. Tell me that you do and show me that you do. If you do, you will then fully live and I will bless you and your life.
Believe. There is nothing more important in your life.

2 Corinthians 5:7 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight,
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

My love,
Know that nothing in your life is a surprise to me. Nor is it something you have hidden from me.
If you love me, you will trust me.

2 Corinthians 5:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight—
New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

My love,
If only you would ask for me to show you how to live by faith, and not by sight, then I would. All you need to do is ask.

2 Corinthians 5:7 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
7 Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.
-- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW). Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

My love,
Nowhere does this verse say to trust and follow me blindly. Rather, I give you my Word, the Bible, to help give you insight and understanding of my character and my overall plan. I give you the Word to help you walk in and by faith, not by sight, as I work my purpose. If you would remain in my Word, meditate on it and pray on it, you would find it easier to walk by faith alone.
Trust me.
If only you would trust me, believe, and have faith, regardless of what you see or don't see, I would bless you and we would have a deeper, more content, more joyful relationship.
Through not walking by faith, you limit what I can do in you, through you, and around you. Whereas, if you trust me, and believe in me, you free what I can do then. You allow me to work fully and without limit.
What I accomplish through you must be your choice. I will force nothing on you. Walk in and by faith.

My Lord,
Prayer: Lord, help me to not need answers and to just trust You, no matter what. No matter how things fail to make sense. No matter how things feel. Help me to walk by faith through it all, in spite of it all, and to cling to the Bible alone as truth to help me live a life of belief, not of doubt or demanding answers. For, you owe me no answer. You are God and I am not. I will trust you. Always. And I will try not to fight you or what you are doing. I will walk by faith and not by sight. Or, at least I want to do so. Show me how, Lord.

Prayer Journal: What do you treasure?

January 05, 2016, Tuesday, 1010 a.m.

My Lord,
I just took a shower, checked my email, and now I sit here, Lord. I am drawing near to you. I am moving my heart and mind to focus on you entirely. I will listen. I listen.

Luke 2:19 New Living Translation (NLT)
19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love (The Lord speaks),
Mary watched carefully what happened all around her and through her. She did her best to take it all in and not miss anything. She was fully present. She looked for my work and my glory. She looked in her life, around her life, through her life, and in the life of those around her, to find me, my work, and my glory.
Then, Mary committed what she saw, experienced, and learned to her heart and mind so she would remember these things and so she could ponder these things. She thought about these things so thoroughly she came to treasure them and she wanted to remember me and what I had done.
Mary had to be fully present in order to be able to treasure what she saw and experienced. If she had not been, she would have missed these blessings. Since she treasured these things, she would remember them and her life was transformed through what she treasured.
It is too easy to get so busy that you don't see the blessings all around you. Busyness clouds your eyes and makes your vision laser focused in what you are doing. It makes you self and activity focused, rather than on me or on my Word. Busyness takes you away from me and makes it so you do not see the blessings all around.
How can you fully see if you are busy?
How can you hear me if you are busy?
How can you pray without ceasing or meditate on my Word day and night if you are busy?
Busyness is an addiction. You have the choice. Choose activities and busyness, which make you feel important and valued, or choose me.
Is the way of busyness your salvation or am I?
How can you treasure anything if you are busy, never mind me or my Word?
Make me and my Word your treasure, not anything or anyone of the world. I offer you eternal life. The world offers you temporary, sinful things which prevent you from seeing how I have lavished my blessing on you.
I have a great deal more to offer you to treasure than this world ever could. Be still. Look around. Every moment has showers of blessing from me for you to treasure.

Luke 2:19 Expanded Bible (EXB)
19 But Mary ·treasured [kept; preserved] these things and ·continued to think about them [pondered/considered them in her heart].
--Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My love,
Mary treasured all these things in her heart and always thought about them, pondered them, meditated on them, and kept them in her heart.

My Lord,
My prayer: Lord, help me to focus on You and the treasure of blessing you and your Word bring, not on the things of this sin-laced world.

How to pray effectively about terrorism #2 and a prayer retreat

How to pray effectively about terrorism #2 and a prayer retreat

(Topics: Journaling, writing, news/current events, history, prayer, terror, thanks and blessing, and the Bible: Dabbling with a little of this and that)

November 19-20, 2015

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TOPICS OF THIS BLOG POST:

AN INSPIRATIONAL BLOG POST TO HELP PREPARE US FOR ADVENT

MY PERSONAL JOURNALING 

ARTICLES, NEWS, CURRENT EVENTS, AND OPINION

PRAYER RETREAT

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NOV/19/2015/Thurs.

AN INSPIRATIONAL BLOG POST TO HELP PREPARE US FOR ADVENT

I am grateful for this inspirational blog post by Ann Voskamp:

Title: "when the world feels dark & angry & scary: How To Carry Light through this season anyways" 

Link: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/11/when-the-world-feels-dark-angry-scary-how-to-carry-light-through-this-season-anyways/

I am convinced everything Ann Voskamp writes is dynamite, and I have thought this for over three years now. What a blessing. She allows the Lord to speak through her, that is for sure. 

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My personal journaling: Ugh. About the time I start feeling less yucky... less wound up... less dread... less blah... Then, I see this:

Article, News, Current Events, Opinion

Title: "Report: ISIS Trying to Develop Chemical Weapons"

Link: http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2015/11/19/report-isis-trying-to-develop-chemical-weapons-n2082880

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My personal journaling: I must admit I would love to have a prayer retreat. Stop. I will tomorrow. Yes. That sounds like the best thing to do. I feel like I need a break or a vacation. I feel like running away from all of the turmoil in this world. So, I plan on running to the Lord and the Bible instead in prayer. 

Care to join me? You can follow this blog post at any time and have your own prayer retreat, whether it's tomorrow or twenty years from now.

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Nov/20/2015/Fri.: The Prayer Retreat

Today is my prayer retreat. I am going to spend the day in prayer. It's really quite necessary because terror has struck again and it's in Mali.

Let me begin by sharing some specifics I'm going to pray about today:

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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion

Title: "At least 3 dead, dozens of hostages held as gunmen storm Mali hotel"

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/20/mali-hotel-attack/

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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion

Title: "UPDATE: Hotel Stormed By Police; Terrorists Storm Hotel in French Mali, Take Nearly 200 Hostages"

Link: http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2015/11/20/terrorists-storm-hotel-in-mali-take-hostages-releasing-some-n2083147

///

Article, News, Current Events, Opinion

Title: "Islamic extremists attack hotel in Mali's capital"

Link: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_29143207/shooting-reported-at-mali-hotel

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(726 a.m.) Sure. I should spend more time learning the history of terrorism. But, I think prayer is mandatory right now. A day of focused prayer will help me his world and will help me soul.

I will post another post later today about this prayer retreat. Here are some verses to get us started. Let's start with this:

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We are to always give thanks. 

Psalm 95:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1 Come, let us shout joyfully to the Lord,

shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!(A)

2 Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving;

let us shout triumphantly to Him in song.(B)

Cross references:

95:1 : Jb 38:7; Ps 81:1; 98:4, 6

95:2 : Ps 100:4; Jnh 2:9

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

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1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 Pray constantly.

18 Give thanks in everything,

for this is God’s will(A) for you in Christ Jesus.

Cross references:

5:18 : Eph 6:6; 1Th 4:3; 1Pt 2:15; 4:2; 1Jn 2:17

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

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Philippians 4:6-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

///

Colossians 2:5-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

How to pray effectively about terrorism #1

How to pray effectively about terrorism #1
(Topics: Journaling, writing, news/current events, history, prayer, terror, thanks and blessing, and the Bible: Dabbling with a little of this and that)
November 19, 2015, Thursday
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TOPICS OF THIS BLOG POST:
AN EXPLANATION OF 'HOW TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY ABOUT TERRORISM'
MY PERSONAL JOURNALING ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015 (Blessings counted)
ARTICLES, NEWS, CURRENT EVENTS, AND OPINION
INSPIRATIONAL BLOG POSTS TO READ
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AN EXPLANATION OF 'HOW TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY ABOUT TERRORISM'
It's my main goal since the Paris Terror Attacks to learn how to pray effectively about terrorism. The victims in Paris, never mind all of the terror attacks worldwide in the last four decades or so. May no one die in vain and may they always be remembered. And may we remember the wounds of the wounded. They are far more than physical.
What is the best thing I can do in their memory, apart from remember them? It's to stop terrorism so not another is wounded or killed because of a difference in belief. How can I, a civilian and a nobody do this?
The answer is simple. It's to pray for all victims of terrorism, wounded and killed, and their families. It's the most powerful weapon we have in the war on terror. However, the best prayer is effective prayer. We can hope through popcorn, indiscriminate, general, shot in the dark prayer that we hit the target. Or, we can pray pinpointed, targeted, powerful prayers that are effective and win the entire war on terror, not just a battle here and there and when we fill like. This takes constant vigilance and purposeful effective prayer.
What is effective prayer? It's prayer backed up with knowledge of the history and current events of terrorism. It's knowing the beliefs of the terrorists as well. This is the only way to pray effectively about terrorism.
Stop. That last paragraph is loaded with the answer and with information. In order to pray absolutely effectively, it will take years of learning and being aware. It's over one thousand four hundred and almost six years of history to learn.
Therefore, the more we learn each day, the more we stay updated on current events, the more we can pray effectively about terrorism and win the full and complete war on terror.
To do anything less is immoral and wrong. As Christians, it is our responsibility to not bury our hear in the sand, but be advocates in effective prayer for all victims of terrorism and their families and nations.
This is my main focus.
This is why I am sharing so many articles. It's so we can know how to pray as effectively as possible. Also, the these articles, and my blog posts, will help us establish a history of terrorism as we fight this war.
I pray we are all ready to fight the good fight and get in the trenches so we can win every battle that will lead to the end of the war on terror. It will take years of daily intentional learning and praying. But, there is far more to lose if we don't.
For Paris.
For 9/11.
For all the other terror attacks the last forty plus years.
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The day began with news that I had to read and share -- before I was able to do any journaling:
Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Suspected mastermind of Paris massacre killed in terror raid"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/19/suspected-mastermind-paris-massacre-killed-in-terror-raid/
Me: What a blessing. Good news. Well done, France and the French authorities. For Paris. May you find peace and comfort in this.  (556 a.m.)
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "As Obama Touts Refugee Resettlement, Many Veterans Sleep on the Streets"
Link: http://www.mrctv.org/blog/obama-touts-refugee-resettlement-many-veterans-sleep-streets
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Psalm 9:1 Expanded Bible (EXB)
Thanksgiving for Victory
A psalm of David.
9 I will ·praise [or give thanks to] you, Lord, with all my heart.
    I will ·tell [recount] all ·the miracles you have done [your wonderful deeds].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
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INSPIRATIONAL BLOG POSTS TO READ:
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A Blog Post to Read about Thanksgiving
Title: "Thanking God: A Reflex Action"
Link: http://www.faithgateway.com/thanking-god-reflex-action#.Vk3jgbLn_MI
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A Blog Post to Read about Praise
Title: "The Prayer of Praise"
Link: http://www.faithgateway.com/the-prayer-of-praise/#.Vk3kjrLn_MI
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I am a fan of books, TV shows, movies and will also share different types things here. Here is one I find really interesting. A new "Star Trek" series.
Link 1: http://www.tor.com/2015/11/02/star-trek-new-series-from-alex-kurtzman/
Link 2: http://www.tor.com/2015/11/18/now-is-the-perfect-time-for-a-new-star-trek-series/#more-196629
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "At least 5 dead in West Bank and Tel Aviv terrorist attacks"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/19/at-least-5-dead-in-west-bank-and-tel-aviv-terrorist-attacks/?intcmp=hpbt3
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Testing the gates? Syrians nabbed south of the border stoke terror fears"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/19/testing-gates-syrians-nabbed-south-border-stoke-terror-fears/?intcmp=hpbt1
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Life, prayer, current events, terror, and history: My personal journaling on Nov/18/2015

Life, prayer, current events, terror, and history: My personal journaling on Nov/18/2015
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THIS IS MY ONE AND ONLY BLOG
I am moving all of my blogs to this blog: RYP Stories http://rypstories.blogspot.com/
(It always comes down to this, or so it seems. It's just very convenient to have all of my writings in one place.)
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A LIST OF TOPICS INCLUDED IN THIS BLOG POST: AN INTRODUCTION
There is a great deal I want to journal and write. Therefore, I will try to capture it all on the page. I realize some of the material will be of interest to you and some will not. Needless to say, I will add to the top of every blog post a list of topics included in the blog post. I hope this helps you find what you might find interesting.
Please note, I will do my best to make this a sequential list, but I may add more about a topic later in the blog post and do not want to repeat it in this list. This, you might have to do some scanning of the blog post to find what you desire. (For example, the Articles, News, Current Events, and Opinion will be scattered throughout each blog post because I want it sequential in order to help us understand the flow and order of current events.)
Also, I have tried to add the overtly Christian material toward the end of this blog post. I do not want to be PC, but do not want to be overly offensive either.
TOPICS LIST:
Moving to just my RYP Stories blog
My personal journaling
Articles, News, Current Events, and Opinion
Recipe
My journaling and writing: What I want to write
My personal journaling about prayer and terror
Studying Galatians
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(803 a.m.) My Personal Journaling: I have think if both furry critters could open me up and crawl right in, they would. Both are as clingy as they can possibly and I don't blame them one bit. We are dealing with high winds here and the wind is making quite the ruckus. It is a little unnerving. The birds outside are having to hold on with all of their might at the bird feeder. Our house is making tons of noise and I cannot help but pray for the Lord to hold us together. (Aye.)
Personally, I think it is befitting, this wind storm during a dark week.
Last night, and yesterday afternoon for that matter, my stomach was churning. It still is. In fact, my husband teased me last night and said he thought he heard a thunderstorm as we watched tv. The storm was all the sounds my stomach made. Current events had me quite riled up and upset.
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "2 terror suspects killed, 7 arrested in raid targeting Paris attack mastermind"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/18/gun-battle-reported-as-french-police-launch-anti-terror-raid-on-paris-suburb/?intcmp=hpbt1
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "US intel assessment last May foreshadowed complex ISIS attacks aimed at West"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/18/joint-intel-assessment-highlighted-growing-sophistication-isis-attacks/?intcmp=hpbt1
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "ISIS militants dig in, anticipating assault on Syria's Raqqa"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/18/isis-militants-dig-in-anticipating-assault-on-syria-raqqa/
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Bill O'Reilly Just Comes Right Out and Asks the Question About Obama That We're All Thinking"
Link: http://www.ijreview.com/2015/11/473634-oreilly-just-comes-right-out-and-asks-is-president-obama-delusional-about-isis/
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Is Obama Doing Enough to Defeat ISIS? Experts Weigh In"
Link: http://dailysignal.com/2015/11/16/is-obama-doing-enough-to-defeat-isis-experts-weigh-in/
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Donald Trump's Tweet About 'Insane' Barack Obama Has Gone Viral"
Link: http://www.ijreview.com/2015/11/474354-2-donald-trumps-tweet-about-insane-barack-obama-has-gone-viral-and-for-good-reason/?_ga=1.17524729.1369581802.1442931717
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Recipe
I just found this and it looks delightful.
Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake with Pecans
Link: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/gooey-pumpkin-butter-cake-with-pecans/9c90e1b7-46c0-4b8f-97c1-663e4e10b45d?src=SH
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MY JOURNALING AND WRITING: WHAT I WANT TO WRITE
(1025 a.m.) I have several interests with my journaling and writing and I have tried to keep them separated, as any good writer is supposed to do, as I read in several writing, marketing, and publishing blogs, guides, and heard at writing conferences. A writer is to make their brand.
It just hit me, just now at 1029 a.m., that maybe that's my precise brand: a dabbler in: journaling and coaching others on how to journal, writing my personal life story and coaching others to do the same, blessings journaling (aka gratitude journaling or counting my blessings), critter journaling (about my pets), learning and writing about history, pondering about current events and politics, writing about books I'm reading, writing about the USA, writing about prayer and prayer journaling and how to do each, daily devotional writing, writing Bible studies,
books I have written and published, etc.
But, my biggest passions right now are journaling and coaching about: current events, learning the history and beliefs of terrorism and praying effectively against terrorism, blessings journaling, and daily devotional of a variety of subjects and verses of the Holy Bible.
Stay tuned. You'll see all of this and more.
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Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "ISIS claims soda can bomb downed Russian plane"
Link: http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/260570-isis-claims-soda-can-bomb-downed-russian-plane
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MY PERSONAL JOURNALING ABOUT PRAYER AND TERROR
Yesterday, current events coupled with what I read about the Koran had me... What's the word or phrase? Wound up. Upset. Furious. Concerned. The more I read on the news, and heard on the news, the worse I felt. I even got a little too opinionated in my personal journaling, which I published on my blog. My goal is to learn the facts of the beliefs of terrorists and their history. Just the facts, ma'am, so I can then talk about it objectively and not subjectively. Facts, not opinions. Therefore, my feelings don't really matter one bit.
Once I learn the facts of the beliefs of terrorists and their history, and add my knowledge of current events, then and only then I can pray effectively against terrorism. However, I also realize I have to pray as I go for full knowledge and understanding of the facts.
My study of terror--then, now, and the beliefs--will be a long study. It is not something that will take me overnight. Therefore, in the meanwhile, prayer is essential. Prayer is the only way I will learn about the beliefs of terrorists and their history, along with current events.
Prayer is the only way I will not go around with a constant headache and upset stomach as I learn and try to become a subject matter expert. Also, I will continue the other journaling and writing I enjoy in order to create balance in my life. The truth of the matter is I do not think anything is more important than my prayer against terrorism. After all, the terrorists have declared war on everyone who does not agree with their beliefs, particularly those who are free and are of the Western world. I will try to learn and journal about prayer and terror, but will include my other writing, journaling, and coaching in order to achieve balance.
/////
THE BOOK AND EPISTLE OF GALATIANS: A BIBLE STUDY AND DEVOTIONAL
I am part of a ladies Bible study group that meets every Thursday and we are studying the book of Galatians. Therefore, I will include in this blog my personal journaling the notes I take, my thoughts and ponderings, application, and will make it a daily devotional of sorts.
This is my priority today, along with keeping up with current events.
The summary of the Book of Galatians is: Finding true freedom, one that fully satisfies, in Jesus Christ and in no one and nothing else.
Question to ponder and answer as I read this book: How can I fully know and experience the freedom of Christ?
///
Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Jesse Watters Leaves Juan Williams Speechless After Takedown of President Obama"
Link: http://nation.foxnews.com/2015/11/17/jesse-watters-leaves-juan-williams-speechless-after-takedown-president-obama?cmpid=NL_foxnation
///
Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Obama: Can't Think of 'More Potent Recruitment Tool' for ISIS Than GOP Rhetoric"
Link: http://nation.foxnews.com/2015/11/18/obama-cant-think-more-potent-recruitment-tool-isis-gop-rhetoric
Me: Pardon, Commander-in-Chief and leader of the free world?
///
Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Starnes: Why is Obama Importing Muslims and Deporting Christians?"
Link: http://nation.foxnews.com/2015/11/18/starnes-why-obama-importing-muslims-and-deporting-christians
///
Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "Fate of Paris attack mastermind unclear after raid, but intel sources reportedly say he's dead"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/18/gun-battle-reported-as-french-police-launch-anti-terror-raid-on-paris-suburb/?intcmp=hpbt1
///
Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Title: "French police dog killed by attackers in raid, hailed as hero"
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/11/18/french-police-dog-killed-in-raid-targeting-alleged-paris-attacks-mastermind/?intcmp=hpbt3
/////
THE BOOK AND EPISTLE OF GALATIANS: A BIBLE STUDY AND DEVOTIONAL
(1243 p.m.) I just read Galatians 1.
Paul calls the Galatians out for believing in false teachings. He calls them out for thinking actions were what saved them, not faith. Grace alone is what saves us.
Acts 15:11 Living Bible (TLB)
11 Don't you believe that all are saved the same way, by the free gift of the Lord Jesus?"
Living Bible (TLB)
-- The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Paul prayed for the blessings of grace and peace on all believers. See the following verses:
//
Galatians 1:3 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
//
Ephesians 1:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
//
Philippians 1:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
//
Colossians 1:2 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
//
Do I trust what man says or what the Word of God says?
/////
Article, News, Current Events, Opinion
Articles from the past that shape current events:
Title: "Islam 'Helped to Shape' CIA Nominee John Brennan's World View"
Link: http://m.cnsnews.com/news/article/islam-helped-shape-cia-nominee-john-brennan-s-world-view
Me: So, how has he, is he, and will he fight terrorism if it has shaped how he sees the world?
/////
(126 p.m.) My Personal Journaling:
Out of the blue--bam!--snow. Wow! Cannot see past a city block.
/////
To be continued...
/////

Psalm 119. #0002.

06-07-2015b PERSONAL JOURNALING, 902 a.m.
Psalm 119 Bible study link:
http://biblehub.com/psalms/119-1.htm
~*~
THE TREASURY OF DAVID BY CHARLES SPURGEON
Psalm 119:1
(Original source: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/tod/psalms/119.htm
Hints to Preachers
Psalm 119:1. - "Blessed." True blessedness lies in -
I. Defilement avoided by the word.
II. Delight experienced in the word.
Psalm 119:1. - Spiritual pedestrians are often mentioned in this Psalm. Model travellers are described in this passage. Observe, -
I. Their Character: "Undefiled." They are so
(1) in Christ: found in him; complete; accepted. They are so
(2) by Christ: His spirit, truth, and grace are in them. "Chosen generation," "peculiar people."
II. Their path: "the law of the Lord." This path is
(1) Conspicuous - high, visible, distinguished from every other.
(2) Ancient. The old path. Holiness is older than sin, wisdom than folly, life than death, joy than sorrow.
(3) Safe. Christ has repaired it. Apart from his work none can pass safely over. He has brought down mountains, raised up valleys, made crooked places straight, and rough places smooth. He has driven away the lion.
(4) Narrow. It has a fence of commands on one side, and of prohibitions on the other. It is entered by a strait gate, which renders it necessary for the great to become as little children.
III. Their progress: "walk." Not only talk, but step in the footprints of Jesus. Follow the law-fulfiller. They proceed in the exercise of his graces, in the exhibition of his virtues, in the fulfilment of his injunctions, and in the enjoyment of his favours.
IV. Their happiness: "Blessed." They have unfailing help, suitable company, animating prospects on the way. - W. Jackson, 1882.
Psalm 119:1, Psalm 119:2, Psalm 119:3. -
I. Positive and Negative Beatitudes of Being.
II. Six Con - Lions of Peace with God.
1. Purity.
2. Obedience.
3. Fidelity.
4. Seeking.
5. Integrity.
6. Following. - William Durban, 1882.
~*~
Psalm 119:1 Living Bible (TLB)
119 Happy are all who perfectly follow the laws of God.
Living Bible (TLB). The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
~*~
Psalm 119:1 Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Word of God
119 ·Happy [Blessed] are those ·who live pure lives [L whose way is blameless],
    who follow the Lord’s ·teachings [instructions; law].
Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
~*~
Happiness and being blessed go hand in hand. They fit together and it takes both to accomplish the other.
To be happy, count your blessings. Be thankful.
When, and after, you count your blessings, you will be happy.
It takes two: happiness and blessing only come to the maximum when we are not just in the Word, or hearing the Word... and not only in putting it into practice, but the through perfectly  living the Bible.
We will never find true happiness...
We will never be able to see and count all of our blessings...
Unless we apply the Word of God, the Bible, perfectly in our lives.
Applying the Bible means living a pure and blameless life.
How is this even possible? Is it possible at all?
The fact of the matter is this: We cannot know the Word, or apply it to our lives, unless we are in the Bible and think on it and pray about it.
Let's think on this verse, ponder it, contemplate it, meditate on it, pray on it, and journal about it and listen to what God tells us. Let's not rush it and just chew on this verse every moment for the next twenty-four hours at least.
~*~

Life and Writing Chronicles 05-07-2015

My Personal Journaling 05-06-2015

1059 a.m., Wednesday

I thought I found "it." My story. But, then I read the news article about the terrorists here in the U.S. and I noticed only one news source is talking about this. 

I got, and am, disturbed, needless to say. 

Suddenly what I was writing seems so... inadequate.

The truth is, I do not know what to write. 

Terrorism has me ramped up. 

Maybe that should be my focus. 

Maybe I should re-think how to write book and incorporate what I have written, but in a new way. 

That's it! 

I just figured it out. Same book I was working on, different way to tell it. 

*~**~*

Words of the Day and Bible Verses of the Day

1

Revelation 1:8 Expanded Bible (EXB)

8 The Lord God says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega [C the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; 21:6; 22:13]. I am the One who is and [the One who] was and [the One who] is coming [see 1:4]. I am the ·Almighty [All-powerful]."

Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Prayer journal your thoughts, what God said to you, what you said to God, how you'll actively and intentionally apply this verse to your life. Then, meditate on this, ponder it, and prayer journal about it day and night.

2

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Expanded Bible (EXB)

16 Always ·be joyful [rejoice]. 17 Pray ·continually [without ceasing], 18 and give thanks ·whatever happens[in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God's will] for you in Christ Jesus.

Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Prayer journal your thoughts, what God said to you, what you said to God, how you'll actively and intentionally apply this verse to your life. Then, meditate on this, ponder it, and prayer journal about it day and night.

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease
Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blog:
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

Romans 12:12 Expanded Bible (EXB)

Romans 12:12 Expanded Bible (EXB)

12 ·Be joyful because you have hope [L Rejoice in hope]. ·Be patient [Endure] ·when trouble comes [L in suffering/tribulation], and pray ·at all times [faithfully; with persistence/perseverance].

Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Prayer journal, ponder, meditate on, think about, and contemplate day and night.

Word of the Day. Hope 002. Hebrews 6:19-20, Part 2.

Written 04.27.2015, Monday, 1107 a.m.

I HAVE FOUND THE REAL HOPE

I have come to the place where I know and have an absolute hope that never fails me. It does not matter how dicey life gets, how challenging, how frustrating, stressful, or busy, I still know where my hope comes from... where my true, real, absolute, never-ending, eternal hope comes from.

It does not come from anything or anyone on this earth. Everything and everyone on this earth dies and will fail me at one time, whether accidentally or intentionally. But, I know a hope that never dies and never lets me down in any way. It's a hope that is an absolute firm, solid, steady foundation that never shifts or falters.

I have come to know this Real Hope that no matter how many challenges there are in my life, and in the world, I can rest assured and confident that in the end, everything will be alright. And, it will be better than alright. It will be for the absolute best. For, this Real Hope has never failed me and will never fail me.

My search for hope has been so blessed and so agonizing. The agonizing part has been all self-induced, let me add. However, I have gotten to the place where I stand confidently that my hope will never fail and all I need to do is stand on the promise of the anchor of my hope. I cannot tell you how much peace this brings. This is the true peace, not the manufactured, wishful or idealistic thinking peace. It's a peace that has its roots in my deepest parts of my heart, mind, and soul. It brings me contentment and joy. It helps me see how there are blessings in every single moment of my life, if only I stop and search for it. But, I only find these things because of my Real Hope.

I HAVE SEARCHED FOR HOPE IN ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS

I will not lie or feed you lines to help you feel better. I am not that type and you do not deserve anything less than truth.

It took me years to find this Real Hope.

I have tried everything (and everyone) under the sun to find hope in. And, none of it/them have worked. Maybe temporarily, but certainly not full-time. I failed miserably on this quest. It's been years, decades really, where I have searched for real hope in these sources of false hope.

Let me save you the time and get to source of Real Hope. It is one thing to know the answer and the source, it is another to really know it down deep in your heart and logically think it through entirely with your mind. That is the reason for this Bible reading and daily devotional series: "A Search for Hope: Journal the Word Series."

Let me share with you my journey of finding this hope. I will be brutally honest and share a picture of myself that makes me look ugly, like a fool, and flat-dab stupid at times. I have errored and made some huge, ugly mistakes. I am not perfect. I have made a mess out of my own life in my pursuit for Real Hope. However, I can try to spare you from making the same foolhearted thinking and mistakes. I can show you the error of my ways.

My biggest tip for learning about Real Hope is to do this blog post series and think things through morning, noon, evening, and night. Be thorough in your thinking. think through every single angle you can. Make sense of it. Use logic. Get out of the emotion and be sure to think things through, not obsess, if that makes sense.

THERE IS A REAL HOPE

Let give you the assurance that there is a Real, True, Eternal Hope. And, it is the same hope for everyone of us.

The difficulty comes in fully knowing, believing, accepting, and applying the belief and knowledge of this Real Hope. This blog post series will help you to to so.

HOW I WILL APPROACH THIS BLOG POST TO BOOK SERIES

I will share with you how to search for hope and go through verses (quotes) which provide the way and the answers. As I do, I will search for hope with you. I will do this in a daily devotional style as well as in my personal prayer journaling.

I have no idea how long or short this series will be. But, we will be thorough and will take out time to think things through to their completion, and that process takes time. Too often we rush through things and that is where we are most likely to error. So, let's take our time and think as we search for our Real Hope.

USE A JOURNAL

There is only one way to think something completely through. It requires seeing it and writing it, plus listening to it and speaking it. It requires us to use as many of our senses and ways or methods of learning possible. We will try to do this.

However, there is one sure-fire way to guarantee we think something through thoroughly and to its completion. It requires one thing: time and practice. It requires remembering and applying what we learn. It requires review and analyzing. The best and only way to accomplish these things is through journaling. Period. End of story.

You are sure free to try to do this "A Search for Hope" series without journaling, but I guarantee, without hesitation and unequivocally, that you will only get 5 to 10% out of it. Hence, you may be lucky enough to find 5 to 10% of Real Hope.

I am not kidding.

Please take this very seriously. And journal.

HOW DO YOU JOURNAL?

If you need more of an answer than I provide here, make sure to add a comment at the end of this or any blog post or send me an email. I can help. I have journaled for over 32 years.

There is no right way or wrong way to journal. Forget about grammar or if it makes total sense. It's okay to repeat things as they come to mind as well. Never cross anything out or erase or delete or clean it up or rip it up. Never. Journaling is a process and it is transformational. Therefore, you want to keep your complete record, regardless of how messy or ugly. Our journal is our safe place. It is better to be messy and ugly there rather than anywhere else in the world.

You will refer back to your journaling in the days to weeks, to months, to years and decades to come to review and analyze so you can learn and grow. If you don't, you will not be able to use this as the best tool you have in your toolbox to grow.

What is journaling and how do you do it?

Short answer: Journaling is putting your thoughts and memories on the page through writing.

Long answer: Journaling is writing your thoughts, memories, experiences, emotions, dreams, hopes, goals, fears, etc. down on the page.

I recommend doing online journaling at:

http://classic.penzu.com/r/34f16257

Penzu.com journaling is permanent and cannot ever be damaged, stolen, destroyed, or lost. You can lose your computer, cell, and tablet, and your journal will be safe. You can keep your journal for life and it will always be saved on the internet Cloud.

Also, you can use any of those devices to journal on Penzu.com.

The link if of the Penzu PRO edition, which costs, at the present, $19 per year. With that link, you get 20% off of that amount. And, I have used the PRO version since 2012 and the price has not increased once, if that helps.

But, for now, they offer a FREE version at Penzu.com. Use that one until you get familiar with it. Then, upgrade if you want fancier options or not. Just keep using Penzo.com. trust me. The free version is incredible and I cannot recommend it enough. The PRO version is prettier and offers more options.

I could tell you a million other ways to journal, probably literally, but I won't waste your time. Penzu.com is the only way to go because of the reasons why I shared with you ready.

If you don't like the idea of keeping a digital journal you have to write out and keep on your computer and over the internet then, think of this: Use it every single day without fail for 90 days and it will become a habit.

And, yes. That is the other key with this series on a search for hope. Think on it every single day, morning, noon, evening, and night without fail. Do so in your journal.

Now, let's start this series of "A Search for Hope."

~*~

OPENING THOUGHT AND PRAYER

I want an open, unbiased, clear mind and heart as I ponder Hebrews 6:19-20. I do not want to be distracted. I want to be focused on this alone as I search for a source of real, true, absolute, never-ending hope.

I want to think this through thoroughly and not just a little or off and on. I want to dissect it, look at it from every angle, and absorb fully what it means and the implications thereof.

I want to find and fully know this anchor of hope.

Lord help me to do so. Help me to grasp every single nuance of these verses, these quotes, word by word, part by part, and in their entirety.

The only way for me to be distracted is to make sure to write in my journal anything that distracts me, so I can let it go and return to it later if needed. Let me explain. If I am journaling about Hebrews 6:19 and in the middle of it I remember I need to go to the grocery store to get cat litter, I skip to the next line I. My journal, write exactly that, and then return to my original thought. Then, when I am finished with that journaling entry, I read through it to see if I need to remember and or do any of those "side-thoughts."

~*~

WORD OF THE DAY: HEBREWS 6:19-20

Let us more thoroughly look at these verses. And, as we do, we will write these in our journals and interact with the text. We will write our thoughts, feelings, questions, concerns, epiphanies, and the things that just do not make sense to us. We will do this with every verse first. We will look at three versions or translations of every verse and interact, and think things through, with each of them.

Now, if at any time something jumps out at you and grabs you, stop. Focus on that for a while. Keep thinking it and praying it through. Meditate on it, ponder it, contemplate and see what more you learn about hope as an anchor, Real Hope. Make sure to journal as much as possible as you do this.

If you keep feeling moved and inspired by that segment or word, then keep focusing on it. Read the rest of this post before tomorrow, but stop where you are and keep thinking and praying. Let it simmer. You will not believe how much you can learn as you open yourself to hearing everything the Lord has to say about these verses, each word, each segment.

Do this with every blog post of this hope series. Make sure you read the entire post, but make sure to focus on the things that really grab you.

Here is a thorough version of our Word of the Day today:

Hebrews 6:19-20 Expanded Bible (EXB)

19 We have this hope as an anchor for ·the soul [our lives], ·sure [stable; secure] and ·strong [reliable; unshifting]. It enters behind the curtain in the ·Most Holy Place in heaven [L inner place/sanctuary], 20 where Jesus has gone ·ahead of us [L as a forerunner] ·and for us [on our behalf]. He has become the high priest forever, a priest like Melchizedek [Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:6, 10; 7:1–17].

Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Now, let me share another version or translation of these verses:

Hebrews 6:19-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Here is our third version:

Hebrews 6:19-20 Living Bible (TLB)

19 This certain hope of being saved is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls, connecting us with God himself behind the sacred curtains of heaven, 20 where Christ has gone ahead to plead for us from his position as our High Priest, with the honor and rank of Melchizedek.

Living Bible (TLB). The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Also, go back and look at the versions shared in HOPE 001 and interact with those verses as well.

Then, if your favorite version of the Bible wasn't used, make sure to add it and interact with it in your journal.

Now, forget your favorite version or translation of the Bible for a minute. Be unbiased and look at these translations and pick your one or two favorites which speak to you the most. List them in your journal and share why they speak with you the most.

~*~

NEWS PRAYER POINTS

1

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/04/306758-u-s-officials-warn-possible-isis-attacks-u-s-soil-tsa-ramps-security-response/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=morningnewsletter

2

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/new-testament/is-the-gospel-of-jesus-wife-a-fake/?mqsc=E3795428&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHD+Daily%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=E5B427

3

http://kdvr.com/2015/04/27/aurora-theater-shooting-trial-to-begin-1011-days-after-tragedy/

4

http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/04/27/video-avalanche-hits-mount-everest-base-camp-killing-3-americans

5

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/27/trial-century-killer-sanity-at-question-as-holmes-case-begins-in-colorado/

6

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/04/27/two-bodies-identifed-in-mt-everest-deaths-another-american-tour-group-believed/

7

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/27/gangs-vow-to-target-police-as-baltiomore-protests-spread/

8

http://nation.foxnews.com/2015/04/27/todds-american-dispatch-franklin-graham-defends-christian-bakery-persecuted-lgbt

9

http://kdvr.com/2015/04/27/theater-shooting-da-psychiatrists-agree-that-guy-was-sane/

10

http://kdvr.com/2015/04/27/fears-of-total-destruction-in-remote-areas-of-nepal-death-toll-surges-past-4000/

11

http://kdvr.com/2015/04/27/life-in-prison-means-no-martyrdom-for-tsarnaev-defense-argues/

12

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/04/28/un-says-14-million-people-victimized-by-nepal-earthquake-need-food-assistance/?intcmp=latestnews