One of my favorite hymns is 'Great is Thy Faithfulness'.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father!  Morning by morning, new mercies I see.  All I have needed, Thy hands hath provided.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

There's something fresh and new about the beginning of each day.  As sun filters through the trees, as birds begin their morning song, as day dawns, there is a new awareness of God's hand at work in our hearts and lives.  Yesterday is past, tomorrow is still a day away.  But today offers a new beginning - here and now.  God has blessed us so we may be a blessing to others.

Throughout scripture, the Lord invites us to spend time with Him before we face the demands of our lives.  He urges us to seek Him first, to give our best to Him first, and to ask Him first.  Why?  Because we need Him.  And knowing that we need Him is always a good place to start any day.  Just as a good night's sleep refreshes the body, so a quiet moment with God at daybreak revitalizes our spirit before the day's responsibilities descend upon us.  Starting the day with a holy rush before the morning rush can make a difference between a day wasted and a day well lived.

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for the gift of today, and the TA-DA! of the gospel!  It is never boring, never ho-hum.  Help us to see through the eyes of faith the adventure you have waiting for us.  Be born in us today so we may be instruments of your peace, your love, your hope.  O God, be especially close today with the chaplains, and the men and women serving our country in Iraq and Afthanistan.  Also be with veterans of other wars.  Watch over them that they may feel our love and prayers.  "Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father!"  In Jesus' name.  Amen.