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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

Stop Scrolling

My mind is full of other people’s activities. I’m seeing and hearing lot of divisions between people over issues of racism, politics and pandemic plights. I have to remind myself not to get distracted or wrapped up in these activities. I can spend lots of time scrolling through my phone, scrolling through YouTube channels and TV channels as well all with people in the room or on Zoom with me. If I’m not careful to pay attention I might miss opportunities to be present, just listen, show love and respect, give honor to a deserving person, be challenged or be inspired. Being present while living this life on pitch is important because once we are gone that’s it. I know that God is in control of everything and does not need to be updated like we do. God hears, sees and knows. He is with us so that relieves me from having to figure out everybody and every issue. Live and forgive I say, and stay connected by being present with people who are right in front of you. I’m learning when I’m being fully present, there really can be joy in the midst of it all, light in darkness and peace in the storms of life. Prayer: Lord thank you for being present. You are always paying attention to what’s going on in my life. Please help me to be present and remove any distractions that will hold me back today.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

God Cares

People often quote the saying of Maya Angelou “when people show you who they are believe them.” That’s true but one thing I know for certain is when God shows you He cares about you and (believe me He does) we should believe Him. There are so many ways I have experienced God’s caring for me both in my own sickness and in my health. God shows me how to read His word and rest in it. Can I testify a second here? God wakes up the birds so I can hear them sing. God drops food off at my door so I can share a meal with a neighbor. God sends encouragement through greeting cards in the mailbox, sent text and phone call messages through friends and family both near and far so I can be reminded of His love, and God allowed many prayer warriors to stand in gaps I thought were too big for me so I wouldn’t fall through the cracks of life. God cares for us and He has a unique way of showing us how to trust Him with everything. There is no room to doubt how much God cares for us because it doesn’t stop there. It’s daily. Our imperfect walk, repenting of our sins and our souls being revived to cry out again, go for it again, live on pitch again is what God cares about.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for caring so much and watching over us each day. Amen

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

On Being Teachable

I haven’t been to school in a while but I’m still learning. It’s been about a year since the global shut down began and we became aware of the Covid-19 outbreak in our country. We are now remembering the lives lost and the lessons learned during this pandemic while figuring out different ways to move forward. I’m praying that we will remain teachable in every season. My prayer is this, Lord teach us your ways whether we are sick or well. Whether the doors are open or closed, the gas prices go up or down, the masks are on or off and whether we gather in person or online we can still learn. Lord help us lean in, listen and learn. Amen

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prayer

I’m Coming Back -Be Encouraged

I have had some hard and difficult days here recently but I am getting back to living on pitch and writing. I’m coming back. 2020 is over and I won’t stay down. I’m encouraging myself more in 2021. I can and I will with God’s help. Here is my prayer to share.

Lord give me the courage to encourage myself and others, the strength to strengthen those who feel weak and the wisdom to know when to speak and when not to speak. You know my weaknesses and my flaws. Thank You for holding me up and loving me anyway. Amen

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS Pandemic Times

Thoughts on Reopening

I have seen more and more businesses reopening during these pandemic times. Churches have also started bringing back portions of in person gatherings with outdoor services. While the doors of the church have always been open, one thing I noticed was some people’s Bibles were still closed. Mine was too at one point. All of a sudden I got that lazy worship going on. At the onset of the pandemic I was focused on staying connected to God, my church, friends and family. As things around me started to close and then reopen, I noticed I was just sitting back and waiting. Opening my Bible for personal prayer, devotion and study time takes some work. It’s much easier to keep the Bible closed rather than open it , seek first and search for God’s wisdom. Waiting on the right time to reopen a building or a venue is wise and should be done with precautions. I am not against that. Waiting to read, hear and study Gods word strikes me a little differently. I thought about it and realized closing my Bible and keeping it closed for too long can cause viral attacks on my spiritual health and wellness. I won’t be able to disinfect or inspect if I don’t open up God’s word. So are you waiting for approval to reopen your Bible? Friends, you don’t need it. Trust me. Are you waiting for this phase of global pandemic to end to renew your mind, grow spiritually and become more deeply rooted? There’s no need to wait any longer. Reopen your Bible and let’s stay spiritually healthy as well during this time.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Open my heart as I open your Word. Amen.

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS

My Morning Prayer

It’s tough sometimes to seek God. I mean, really look for Him in my daily activities. If you’re like me, you may just be going through the motions at times and doing the same old, same old things. As I reflect on scripture this morning I am asking God on purpose to help me see what He sees in me. I was created by God to do something. In me is a purpose that God has assigned just for me, a unique quality that makes me beautiful. Do I tend to pray by looking and listening? I mean look to God and listen to what He says in scripture? Well, no not really. Most times it’s a listing prayer. I go right to talking about my list of prayer requests. I am learning that my seeking starts with seeing. God has a better angle. His view is always better than mine. He can see farther. God doesn’t need glasses like I do to have better vision. It’s clear to me, when we look at things from God’s perspective things start to look differently in our lives. Now that’s what I call living on pitch.

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holidays

No Ordinary Love

Today is Valentines Day! I just want you to know you are so loved by God and it’s not an ordinary kind of love.

Prayer : Thank you God for loving me in an extraordinary way.

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prayer

A Plant Based Prayer

May the Lord give us wisdom to remain planted in the Word of God., May we be like trees that are planted by the rivers of water., May we bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. May your plant based diet of spiritual food help you grow and remain healthy in God’s grace.

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prayer

How To Go Up in 2020

I love how the word goal starts with go! May the Lord give us wisdom today to pursue our dreams and desires!

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DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS prayer

Written Prayers

img_1193Happy New Year from Living on Pitch!  If you are reading this I wish you a healthy and prosperous 2020 New Year.

I haven’t written much last year on the blog and I’d like to write more this year.  I  like to write things down and as I get older, I need to write things down so I don’t forget.  I noticed I don’t write down a lot of prayers even with a prayer journal by my bedside.  I can make a list which is often easier to do as far as putting names on a list, writing out things to do, places to go, etc.  Writing out a shopping list, thinking over my bucket list,  and creating new things for my vision board seems much simpler that writing down a  prayer.  I am determined and encouraged though to do the things that aren’t the most convenient for me this year.  I am encouraged to write down more prayers.   I believe written prayers can be just as good as my silent or spoken prayers.  How does writing out prayers sound to you? Written prayers might help you stay focused on spending more time with God and written prayers can be read over again throughout your day to day activities.  Will you give it a try?  See if the power of prayer and the power of the pen  help you win today!

I want to offer a prayer for you today.  I  pray God blessings on your life.  I pray for your goals, dreams and heart’s desires.  I pray for focus, vision, wisdom and grace to cover you all year long.  May God’s  peace reign over you  in whatever comes your way this year.  I pray for the challenges that will change you, the things that are not seen but on their way to make you better, bolder, and build your faith in God.  May the ups and the downs cause you to be strong in the Lord.  I pray for lessons learned in both the wins and the losses.  I pray for good evenings and good mornings with God.  I pray for a new year filled with memories, laughs, and most of all love.  Amen.