From the journal . . . .  May 2013

Lord – I miss you.  Something inside feels missing.  Not sure what.  Maybe it’s because I haven’t been in The Word as much? 

When I made the decision to follow Jesus, I was an at home mom with two young children.  My husband and I were separated for about two months which afforded me time to read the Word of God. I read and read and read! I couldn’t believe the wonderful things I learned about God during that time, and I became addicted to Jesus and reading the Bible.  Later, I didn’t have as much time to do that, and I would yearn for more quiet time with Jesus.  I confess sometimes I resented the distractions and interruptions that come with having a family and I think my husband may have felt threatened by my quiet times.

Lord, I want You.  Maybe reading my daily devotional will help. 

The focus is Holy Spirit power.  Lord send your Holy Spirit.  .  . hmmm, well, You already have sent Your Spirit to live in me.  You are here.

Help me to clear out the distractions.  You have given Mark to me.  I sometimes worry that as I draw closer to You, it will separate me more from him, but Lord, I suspect that is a lie.

And I Believe God Said:

Diane, I love Mark.  I love him with you.  To me you two are one.  I’ve come to unite, not separate.

Matthew 19:6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” NIV

The violent movies that he enjoys make you uncomfortable.  You watch with him, but you worry that you are getting sucked into something bad.   Fear not about that.  I am God.  I understand more about Mark and the sinful nature than you do.  I am not a god who is easily offended.  Bad language can be sin but not necessarily. I’m not saying, “Fine, go ahead and swear,” but I am saying don’t judge a person or movie by the coarse language.  Look at the fruit.   Are you reminded that I am the Holy God who loves My people?  Are you inspired to love Me and people more?  Are you able to see Me?

Gal 5:22-23 ²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Jesus! How awesome that You go with me in this world!  I remember that it is about people and You.

Mark:12:30-31  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Lord, You made people to worship You on this earth. It’s sad to think of the many people that don’t choose to worship you.  I also can’t help but feel sorry about all those little babies that can’t do that on this planet.  I guess it is much easier to worship You in Heaven and I would think they are able to do that.  However, I am here, in the now. I will worship You here on earth because You are always more than worthy ALL the time!!