9-27-04

Father,

Your Story is enthralling, from Genesis, to now, to Revelation. Your grace and trust are loftier than my mind can reach. Your wisdom is perfect.

I'm amazed at Your work, and disappointed in myself. I wish I were more faithful. I wish I lived better. I know what to do, but I'm afraid to do it. Please teach me quickly, because I feel like you're giving me time and I'm wasting it. I'm sorry. I want to move forward.

I'm so thankful for Llaura. Please teach me how to continue in our relationship in safety, and in adventure. I'm so grateful.

Please influence Alexa's beliefs through my relationship with her, and through her life's circumstances.

Thanks for Alissa, and all my friends in Fresno.

I am worried about my money. I've never been in this situation before. I'm scared. I want to do stuff, in response to what You're doing. You've been coddling me, it seems, until this point. Now it's time to fly, I guess. I hope I'm an eagle.

"They that wait upon the Lord..."

What does that mean? Am I supposed to wait on you like a maitre d, or like a child waiting for his parents to say, "Okay, now it's time"? or both?

I'll get up early tomorrow, because I want to know You truly.

Thank you, God. I want to fall in Love with You.

Longing to be Yours, in spirit and in truth,
Isaiah

9-17-04

Father,

I am thankful for Heather, and Catalina, and Foundations. I am falling in Love with You.

9-13-04

To Him Who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb,
Be praise and honour and glory and power,
Forever and ever. Amen.

9-8-04

Father,

Thanks for Don and his good heart for his floor. Thanks for rest, and some guidance, and lots of communication. Thanks for some good classes, and some good teachers. Thanks for good verses to memorize, and resources to help me devote myself.

Thanks for a cool roommate.

Please teach Alissa to be firm in the Truth of Your Word, and in the guidance of Your holy spirit. Give her wisdom as she learns to Live.

Amen.

9-7-04

I'm very grateful for a great day, God. I still feel weird about it, because I was so happy, and I'm not used to that... and I have things looming, as usual, and I'm procrastinating, which makes it worse. Please help me change.

Please work on Alissa. Make her aware of Your Holy Spirit. Guide Llaura as she guides her sister, and deepen their relationships with each other and with You as a result of their conversations. I also ask that You would teach me how to encourage her in all areas of her life.

Thank You for Llaura and her family, and my relationships with them.

Thanks again for the bike, and money to spend on stuff I need.

Thanks for having Daniel IM me, and for the connection that was made. Please tell me how best to guide him back to You. I don't know what else to do besides listen, and tell my story. Please let me know when that needs to change, and when he is ready to believe again.

You seem so alive now, God. But back then, when I had separated myself from You, You seemed so dead. It's hard to believe in You, even now. How do I know my faith isn't just a product of my good emotions, which are a product of my good situation? Please test me again, God, so that I can know that my faith is real. That's kind of a strange prayer, I guess... maybe not uncommon, but still strange.

I want You to put me into a situation where I have no reason to believe in You, because it's then, when I decide to do so anyway, that I will really believe most strongly, I think. That would be so awesome, to live life with a faith like that. It would change alot of things. It would make me more devoted.

Please help me to be devoted tomorrow; more specifically, to devote myself to Your things, and to devote my things to You. Thank you again for being here with me today. I Love you, God.

Amen.

9-5-04

FDC is like coming out of the water to breathe pure, fresh air. It's only a week long, though. Maybe that's part of what makes it so special. VUSC has been like having my glasses cleaned, or my sinuses cleared by some deliciously spicy Thai food. It's great so far, and I'm thankful that You've brought me here.

I'm really smiling over Mariners, too. I felt like you really were the pilot a few days ago, when you made me turn around and check out their booth. I'm a little anxious about the thing this weekend... please help me to get it arranged quickly. I'm trying not to set myself up for disappointment, but it's hard not to be excited when I feel like I'm being guided.

Thank You for my relationship blessings. They rule. Thanks for Alexa, and please shape that into what You want. Help me be real.

Please continue to provide for and protect my family at home: Mom, Dad, Hannah, Eli, Jesse, Reuben, Leah, and Gabriel. I know You're active there. Thank You. Please help Eli to grow spiritually, and Hannah to become solid in her faith, to know You truly, and to discern Your good, pleasing, perfect will in all things.

Please prepare Alexa for the faith, and prepare a place for her where she can grow and mature spiritually. I know that I can't do everything, and also that it isn't just the direct touch of the Holy Spirit that changes people. Please arrange things for her Good, and direct me in whatever way best benefits her soul. Please give her a desire for true life, true love, and true community, with You and with others.

Thank you for this good feeling. Thanks for answering my prayer. Please continue to teach me patience, and kindness.

Amen.

9-2-04

Father,

Thank you for giving me a second chance at this. Please bless my efforts, and guide me.

Amen.

9-2-04

Giver of Laughter,

Thank you for Llaura, and my growing, deepening relationship with her. Thank you for keeping her safe. Thank you for teaching us, and for making 1 Corinthians 13 real in our life.

Please build in me a motivation and discipline and responsibility that will make me a diligent student, whether I'm at college or elsewhere, working or playing or resting.

Thank you for friends here at VUSC.

Thank you for awakening me, not just when I accepted your gift, but also when I submit to you and your guidance. Please give me more wisdom, that my life might please you.

Please teach me to pray with and for others, both believers and those who do not yet believe. I want to be an encouragement to my neighbours.

Thank you for loving music, and for placing a reflection of that inside me. It's yours to use. Make me your tool.

Thank you for confidence in my future.

Thank you again for Life, Love, and Laughter.

Amen.

9-1-04

Dear God,

You've been with me all day (or so I've heard), so You know my thoughts, and comings, and goings. I just want to thank You for an awesome day so far. I know what's coming up is going to be bad, but I don't think my day will end up balanced. Too much Good going on. I've really enjoyed the stuff You've prepared for me today, so far.

Thank You, also, for the guidance. It was alot; more than I'm used to. And all the learning... or the thinking, I should call it. All the theological pontificating. Very enjoyable, very exciting... very revealing. Very striking.

I remember 1 Timothy, now... or is that where it is? The verse about physical training versus training in Godliness? Anyway, I'm getting both, and it's awesome. I've even been getting emotional lately. And intellectual. It's a holistically productive environment here, for sure.

Please make my efforts bear fruit. I want to be a fruitful servant. Please show me how I can serve You at Mariner's Church. I'll do whatever You tell me to do. Please help me to be more aware of what You're doing around me, and with me.

Amen.