Psalm 24:1-6 NIV

The earth is the Lord's and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God his Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 (NIV)
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work;
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will
keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be empowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20 NIV

The word speaks for itself on this windy Sunday. The electrical power has been out for 5 hours and the lights just came on, reminding us to blow out the fragrant candles whose use is usually limited to scenting the house rather than serving as our sole source of light. I have been listening to Lisa Scottilini's Daddy's Girl on my IPOD while Brian beat the girls in the game of Risk by flashlight.

I left my room earlier to enter this verse of the day taken from my devotional journal, written with a verse and message for each day of the year. The light was still strong outside and I wondered who had turned off my computer. My girls informed me that the power was out. Now, hours later, I sit to enter the verses that remind me of a different sort of power. What an incredible contrast during a major power outage! Sometimes I get overwhelmed and tired and experience my own power outage. During those times, it is good to stand back, regroup, refresh and be reminded that God's power is greater than my own and if I am trying to do it on my own, I am doing it all wrong!

Tomorrow I start two classes to equip myself for new opportunities in life. I'll report on them tomorrow. I can only imagine what God might accomplish through either of these new ventures and I can't wait to see what He has planned since He isn't a God known for thinking small.

Tonight, it is time for bed — time to renew my physical & mental power through the blessed opportunity to rest. Goodnight!

Luke 1:46-55 (NIV)

And Mary said:
My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for He has been mindful
of the humble state of His servant.
From now on all generations will call
me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great
things for me – -
holy is His name.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
He has scattered those who are proud
in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as He said to our fathers."

Jonah 2: Jonah's Prayer (NIV)

From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said:
"In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and you listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all your waves and breakers
swept over me.
I said, I have been banished from your sight;
yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you brought my life up from the pit,
O Lord my God.
When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.
Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
But I, with song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
Salvation comes from the Lord."

And the Lord commanded the fish,
and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

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Beautiful Words to Live By:

Psalm 34 (NKJV)

I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord.
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and he heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

May are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.