Hey Siri

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:26-27)


My husband got a new smartphone just before we left on vacation. He sure had a lot of fun calling out, "Hey, Siri" to get directions. But one day we were out in the beautiful countryside of Virginia and after following her directions to turn right here and turn left there, we lost signal. And she said, "Proceed to the route." "Recalculating." And "Make a U-turn. Make a U-turn. Make a U-turn." We were totally off track. On unfamiliar roads. The farther we went just felt more lost and more frustrating. Every direction we turned felt right .. and wrong. By some miracle we got back on a main road and was able to find our way. Boy, did that feel good!

God also spends a lot of persistent time with us, directing and redirecting. Do you sometimes feel like you're hitting a brick wall in your pursuits? One door after another closed? Do you find yourself lost with no signal? Is God recalculating your path every time you go off track with your own choices - leading you back? There is a path He wants you on. You veer off course. Time and time again He turns you back. What's the lesson? Listen to God. Is He closing doors? Are you feeling more lost and more frustrated? Does that sound like God's way? Are you trying to force your way through with your own plans? Is it time to not turn to the left or the right but to give careful thought? Follow the Lord's guidance step by step. The path the Lord has provided and has blessed.

Wash Day

Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
    scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
    set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
    give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
    shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. (Psalm 51:7-8 MSG)

Yep. First thing on Monday mornings, I do the laundry. Well, first thing after my bible reading and prayer time. I try not to read just my favorite, most uplifting verses all the time. But sometimes, sometimes ... well,

this is how this morning's prayer time went:

Lord, seems like every time I read Your word I feel shame and guilt. I'm a sinner everyday and every morning I am reminded of that. Hard to regroup from the pile of sin I see in my nature and remembering Your gift of Jesus. Your cleansing power. I sense what a "wretched man" I am and forget the "but thanks be to God" part of that verse (Romans 7:23-25). Maybe its to keep me humble and not think too highly of myself. Although I often think I struggle with just thinking decently of myself. I'm good enough - only because of Jesus. Only because You put Your Spirit within me. And Your Spirit is indeed in me. Sin should grieve me. But the good news is that Jesus has washed it all away. Thank You, Jesus! It's not a permanent mark in God's eyes and because of Your Spirit, Lord, there is also some good being produced through me as well. And the day will come for me when sin will be no more. I'll join all in heaven singing praises before Your throne and love will abound. Your most gracious gift is Jesus and making this all happen. And granting us Your Spirit to accompany us on the way. So let Your love wash over me again this day. Create in me a clean heart, O Lord, a renew a right spirit within me. Grant me a willing spirit to sustain me (Psalm 51:10, 12).

It sure is wonderful stepping out the shower in the morning.
It sure is wonderful to have fresh, clean clothes to wear.
And it sure is wonderful to grasp the truth that Jesus has washed my sins away!

It's wash day! What a wonderful feeling!

Experience Preferred

© 2014 Julie Crane All rights reserved

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

I'm older now. I've got some experiences under my belt. I see things on social media asking the question, "What would you tell your younger self?" Yes. I've been around. I know lots more stuff.

That's why I wouldn't want, say,a 16 year old telling me what choice to make in areas they are not familiar with at all. If I've seen it, lived through it, I'm going to know more ...

Our Lord has seen it all. Lived through it all. He's going to know more ... He knows everything there is to know. He has the most knowledge, the most experience, the most compassion, the most power ...my goodness! Why wouldn't you put all your trust in this Man?

Do you think your worries and concerns are something new to Him? Health, relationships, finances ... in this world there has always been troubles. In this world there still are troubles. No more tears are a promise of heaven. But the Lord is present here and now to carry us through. Just as He has been present in all of time for all generations. So trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). The Lord knows how to handle every situation in His way, and in His perfect timing. He sees. He is present. He knows. The Lord is "older", wiser, experienced.

And His experience is preferred.

Morning 7

© 2017 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I look forward to this time with You, Lord - as I look forward to the coffee's final hiss and spirt signaling - it is time. Time to sip. Time to breathe. Time to connect with You, great God, and invite Your wisdom and presence into my day. Here I can tell You my concerns. Here I receive Your peace and the certainty that You care. Starting my day with You - I can't think of any other way I'd rather begin. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Morning 6

© 2017 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Lord, I just can't face the day without You. I need this time, this quiet morning time where You reassure me of Your love and faithfulness. Always beside me, always guiding, lending a hand. And sometimes, just keeping me company. Energizing me and protecting me from despair too. I've grown accustom to Your "voice" in these moments of silence. Thank You, Lord, for being my forever, all the time, any time, Friend. Amen.

Morning Five

© 2017 Julie Crane All rights reserved

No place I'd rather be ... no way I'd rather start my day. Here with You, Lord, I don't have to be - don't have to wear any of my many hats. Here I get to receive and recharge and be filled with Your abundant love. Thank You, in Jesus' name, for this sacred moment of just me and You. Amen.

Morning Four

© 2017 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I just want to thank You, Lord, for this gift of prayer. For that precious moment when I realize I want You and only You. My thoughts, heart, and soul turn to You. I seek You to thank and praise, to be cleansed and blessed. You are the One Who makes me feel better, loveable, capable. Yes, I am thankful for the times I thirst for You. Amen.

Morning Three

© 2017 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Thank You, Lord, that despite all that's going on in my life right now and all the things You've already carried me through, I am still able to sit here in the peace and quiet of this morning with You and sip my coffee and dwell on Your good promises. Your love surely endures forever. Amen.

Morning Two

© 2017 Julie Crane All rights reserved

It's quiet. Oh, so still and quiet. I sit here in perfect warmth and comfort. I can't really sense You, Lord, but my heart knows You are here - ready to walk with me and talk with me throughout this new day. You are my Guide, my Wisdom, my Strength, my Security, my Joy, my All. I do love You, Lord. Amen.

Morning One

© 2017 Julie Crane All rights reserved

Lord, I ask Your protection over my mind.. For my day will soon begin with its hurry-ups and rushing around and multi-tasking, worries - and doubts. But I know that with You I can do this day; I can be discerning, calm and strong. In You, I think and breathe and have my being. This day is written in Your book. May I rejoice and be glad in it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now more than ever

© 2013 Julie Crane All rights reserved

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10)

These days, with all that is going on around us, in our families, our friends and neighbors, and the world – more than ever – we need to choose, to be more purposeful, to make a real effort:

 at sharing the good things in life. That good that is already present needs to be shared and spread around for all to see. Actively look for that which brings happiness to you and to others. Make it all the more obvious. Shine a spotlight on all that is going right.

 Express love. Be kind. Be hopeful in word in deed. Help. Tell others about your joys and blessings. See the good. Smile. Laugh. Hug. Give. And tell.

 Don’t wait for a more perfect time or a more, rested – available – time. Do it. Do it now. Do it often. In this world we will have troubles, but let’s make every effort to have the good outweigh what is so easy to despair about. Make it rain with random acts of kindness. Bite your tongue. Turn the other cheek. Switch the conversation over to something more uplifting. Don’t let the “weeds” of life choke out what amazing love God has planted in your heart. Let us love. Full tilt.

Where can you shine some love today? Make an effort. And let’s rock this world!