Journal for July 18th…Broken spirits

7:14 AM Sunny and hot…again

Father, You and You alone are worthy of praise and adoration. Your perfection and kindness never change. I do not have to wonder or worry from day to day what kind of mood You're in. You are always gracious and kind to me. Of course, You're not always happy with the way I've behaved or with some of my thoughts, but You are always ready to accept me, hear me, and forgive me. Rather than judge me based on my merit -- which there is none, none at all -- You judge me based on Jesus Christ and what He has done for me. His merit, praise the Lord, is my cover and my salvation.

Proverbs 18

"A man's spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?" v14

I think of, and pray for, all the young people and children today who have a broken spirit. They just want the approval and love of caring parents, but they don't get it. So many parents are self-consumed and self-involved. Many are wounded in spirit themselves. Broken marriages, selfishness, worldly pursuits…all have left children to fend for themselves -- physically, financially, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

Lord Jesus, You are the One we need. This week, Lord, bless our VBS and the kids whose lives we may impact for You…with You. And may the adults, the believers at our church, "be sensitive to plight of the children they see. Even if they are dressed and fed and healthy in body, their spirit may be broken. Bad characters and drugs and alcohol may be offered to fill the void when only You can do that…You and loving parents.

"A man who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." v22

…and I found a good one, too, Lord. Or rather, You found her for me. What a match You made when You brought us together. I can see the same working in the way my kids found their spouses. You're awesome.

Now if a man that finds a wife obtains favor from the Lord, then why all this rush to celibacy in the middle ages? I don't get it. Favor comes from having a wife, not in sacrificially denying yourself a life partner. Well, these are just my ramblings, Lord.

I want to abide in You today, and let Your words abide in me. Walk, sit, and ride with me throughout the day as I meditate on You. Help me pray. Talk with me. I need Your insight and wisdom. I need Your forgiveness and love.

I need You to have the preeminence and I need to be second.