Here is today’s prayer:
This is the message we have heard from God and proclaim to you, that God is light and in God there is no darkness at all.
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus the Son cleanses us from all sin.
May it be so. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
-1 John 1:5, 7, Alt (BOW 476b-Italics are my added words)
This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
February 27, 2009
Here is today’s prayer:
O holy and merciful God,
we confess that we have not always taken upon ourselves the yoke of obedience,
nor been willing to seek and to do your perfect will.
We have not loved you with all our heart and mind and soul and strength,
neither have we loved our neighbors as ourselves.
You have called to us in the need of our sisters and brothers, and we have passed unheeding on our way.
In the pride of our hearts, and our unwillingness to repent, we have turned away from the cross of Christ, and have grieved your Holy Spirit.
-Wesleyan Methodist Conference, England, 20th Cent., alt. (BOW 476a)
This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.
O holy and merciful God,
we confess that we have not always taken upon ourselves the yoke of obedience,
nor been willing to seek and to do your perfect will.
We have not loved you with all our heart and mind and soul and strength,
neither have we loved our neighbors as ourselves.
You have called to us in the need of our sisters and brothers, and we have passed unheeding on our way.
In the pride of our hearts, and our unwillingness to repent, we have turned away from the cross of Christ, and have grieved your Holy Spirit.
-Wesleyan Methodist Conference, England, 20th Cent., alt. (BOW 476a)
This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
February 26, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us remission of all our sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer, U.S.A. (BOW 475b)
This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us remission of all our sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer, U.S.A. (BOW 475b)
This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
February 25, 2009 – Ash Wednesday
Today is the day that begins Lent, a 40 day period (not counting Sundays) prior to Easter that is used in the Christian tradition as a period of preparation for Easter through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial (often in the form of a fast).
In the Protestant circles that I run and minister in, it is not infrequent that we overlook much of what our more orthodox brothers and sisters in faith observe. Perhaps one of the things we wrestle with most involves confession. While this is not a sacrament in the United Methodist Church, it is none-the-less a very important practice.
After all, James reminds us, “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:16).”
So that is what the daily prayer focus for the season of Lent is going to be…confession. The prayers of the following 40 days will involve both confession and pardon. You will note that each Sunday in Lent will have the exact same prayer; it is the seventh step prayer from the recovery circles that I am still involved in. It is a letting go---a turning over to God---all the things from the week of examination and confession that has just gone past.
I invite you to keep a prayer journal during this Lenten season. Keep note of the things that the Holy Spirit highlights in your life. Keep notes of how God is working in and through you during this process. Hopefully we can share our experiences with one after the proclamation of the Risen Christ.
I did a similar exercise a number of years ago, and I was truly blessed by the depth of self examination and confession that came from praying such prayers on a daily basis. My hope and prayer for each of you is that you will experience depth, growth, peace, forgiveness, hope, and a strengthening of your faith as we sojourn towards the resurrection.
Here is today’s prayer:
Have mercy upon us, O God, according to your lovingkindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.
Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins.
For we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us.
Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-W.E. Orchard, England, 20th Cent., Alt. (BOW 475a)
This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.
In the Protestant circles that I run and minister in, it is not infrequent that we overlook much of what our more orthodox brothers and sisters in faith observe. Perhaps one of the things we wrestle with most involves confession. While this is not a sacrament in the United Methodist Church, it is none-the-less a very important practice.
After all, James reminds us, “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective (James 5:16).”
So that is what the daily prayer focus for the season of Lent is going to be…confession. The prayers of the following 40 days will involve both confession and pardon. You will note that each Sunday in Lent will have the exact same prayer; it is the seventh step prayer from the recovery circles that I am still involved in. It is a letting go---a turning over to God---all the things from the week of examination and confession that has just gone past.
I invite you to keep a prayer journal during this Lenten season. Keep note of the things that the Holy Spirit highlights in your life. Keep notes of how God is working in and through you during this process. Hopefully we can share our experiences with one after the proclamation of the Risen Christ.
I did a similar exercise a number of years ago, and I was truly blessed by the depth of self examination and confession that came from praying such prayers on a daily basis. My hope and prayer for each of you is that you will experience depth, growth, peace, forgiveness, hope, and a strengthening of your faith as we sojourn towards the resurrection.
Here is today’s prayer:
Have mercy upon us, O God, according to your lovingkindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out our transgressions.
Wash us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins.
For we acknowledge our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us.
Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-W.E. Orchard, England, 20th Cent., Alt. (BOW 475a)
This prayer series is part of my ongoing ministry as Pastor of Edom United Methodist Church. As such, these prayers are offered as both a reminder to pray and models of prayers, especially of confession, pardon, and repentance during this season of Lent. Therefore, they are a teaching element here on the internet that serves to reinforce lessons that are being taught in classes and sermons throughout the Lenten season. Therefore, as a one-time reproduction I am including the following notice:
Copyright © 1992 The United Methodist Publishing House
United Methodist congregations may reproduce for worship and educational purposes any item from The United Methodist Book of Worship for one-time use, as in a bulletin, special program, or lesson resource, provided that the copyright notice and acknowledgement is included in the reproduction.
Should you wish to use any of the prayers that are offered with this notice attached to it, please refer to the United Methodist Book of Worship for more information on rights and privileges associated with these copyrights.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Jesus Wants to Save Christians - A Brief Review
I have just finished another book (I am really loving the fact that I now have time to read more than just textbooks!). This last encounter has been with a book that was co-authored by Rob Bell (Yes, the founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church and teacher who appears in the short film format provided by NOOMA)and Don Golden (the senior vp of church engagement at World Relief in Baltimore, Maryland). The title is Jesus Wants To Save Christians- A Manifesto For The Church in Exile.
Let me first say that there is a lot packed into this 181 page book, but it is an easy and quick read in the sense that if flows wonderfully with excellent transitions between the Scriptures and life as we know it.
As you might guess from the title, however, the message isn't an easy one to hear. If you are comfortable being a magnet that attracts others or a pew potato or an isolationist, then this book will surely rocket you out of that comfort zone. If you are attending church and think that there must be more, or surely we are missing the mark somewhere, then this just may be the book you're looking for.
Out of the story of our exiled ancestry, Bell and Golden show how the church exists in exile today. They give excellent Scriptural and theological context for this perspective. But they don't stop there; they go on to reveal the power and the hope that exists for this group of exiles. They show how God uses this for his good purposes.
The book flows in such a manner that it takes the biblical narrative and our present day narrative and restories these two narratives, in light of the scriptures and God's grace, into a powerful manifesto for the church universal. Its truth is missional, relational, and incarnational.
Here are a couple of quotes to pique your curiosity:
"And church is not ultimately about attending large gatherings. Church is people."
"Jesus wants to save our church from the exile of irrelevance."
"It isn't just about trying to save the world. It's about saving ourselves."
"Instead of standing at a distance and saying, 'Someone else,' it's stepping up and stepping in to the invitation to the risk, to the suffering, to the joy."
I invite and encourage you to read this book...but be prepared, you and your church may never be the same again!
The next two books on my reading list are Serve God Save the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth, MS and Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore. Stay tuned in the week(s) to come for reviews on these and other books.
As always, I invite you to read these books with me. I would love it if in the future we could do more than just read and review the books posted here. I would love it if we could enter into a deeper dialog about our thoughts and insights. So if you have read Jesus Wants to Save Christians I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below and we will continue that conversation in future posts.
Let me first say that there is a lot packed into this 181 page book, but it is an easy and quick read in the sense that if flows wonderfully with excellent transitions between the Scriptures and life as we know it.
As you might guess from the title, however, the message isn't an easy one to hear. If you are comfortable being a magnet that attracts others or a pew potato or an isolationist, then this book will surely rocket you out of that comfort zone. If you are attending church and think that there must be more, or surely we are missing the mark somewhere, then this just may be the book you're looking for.
Out of the story of our exiled ancestry, Bell and Golden show how the church exists in exile today. They give excellent Scriptural and theological context for this perspective. But they don't stop there; they go on to reveal the power and the hope that exists for this group of exiles. They show how God uses this for his good purposes.
The book flows in such a manner that it takes the biblical narrative and our present day narrative and restories these two narratives, in light of the scriptures and God's grace, into a powerful manifesto for the church universal. Its truth is missional, relational, and incarnational.
Here are a couple of quotes to pique your curiosity:
"And church is not ultimately about attending large gatherings. Church is people."
"Jesus wants to save our church from the exile of irrelevance."
"It isn't just about trying to save the world. It's about saving ourselves."
"Instead of standing at a distance and saying, 'Someone else,' it's stepping up and stepping in to the invitation to the risk, to the suffering, to the joy."
I invite and encourage you to read this book...but be prepared, you and your church may never be the same again!
The next two books on my reading list are Serve God Save the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth, MS and Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore. Stay tuned in the week(s) to come for reviews on these and other books.
As always, I invite you to read these books with me. I would love it if in the future we could do more than just read and review the books posted here. I would love it if we could enter into a deeper dialog about our thoughts and insights. So if you have read Jesus Wants to Save Christians I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below and we will continue that conversation in future posts.
February 24, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 150:1-6
Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!
Amen.
Psalm 150:1-6
Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!
Amen.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Its the little things in life!
I am convinced that it is the littlest things in life that can bring the most joy. Here is one such 'thing'...while she spends most of the time sucking the water off of the tooth brush, she occasionally brushes as well! It is just too cute and it made my day after lots of 'stuff' that wasn't nearly so precious.
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
February 23, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 146:1-10
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD!
Amen.
Psalm 146:1-10
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD!
Amen.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Kicking Back
This is just a picture of me clowning around in my home office after services this morning:
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
February 22, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 142:1-7
With my voice I cry to the LORD; with my voice I make supplication to the LORD. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit is faint, you know my way. In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look on my right hand and see-- there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for me. I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. Save me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison, so that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
Amen.
Psalm 142:1-7
With my voice I cry to the LORD; with my voice I make supplication to the LORD. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit is faint, you know my way. In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look on my right hand and see-- there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for me. I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. Save me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. Bring me out of prison, so that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
Amen.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
February 21, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 140:1-13
Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent, who plan evil things in their minds and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a snake's, and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Selah
Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent who have planned my downfall. The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net, along the road they have set snares for me. Selah
I say to the LORD, "You are my God; give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications." O LORD, my Lord, my strong deliverer, you have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot. Selah
Those who surround me lift up their heads; let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! Let burning coals fall on them! Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise! Do not let the slanderer be established in the land; let evil speedily hunt down the violent! I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.
Amen.
Psalm 140:1-13
Deliver me, O LORD, from evildoers; protect me from those who are violent, who plan evil things in their minds and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a snake's, and under their lips is the venom of vipers. Selah
Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from the violent who have planned my downfall. The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net, along the road they have set snares for me. Selah
I say to the LORD, "You are my God; give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications." O LORD, my Lord, my strong deliverer, you have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot. Selah
Those who surround me lift up their heads; let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! Let burning coals fall on them! Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise! Do not let the slanderer be established in the land; let evil speedily hunt down the violent! I know that the LORD maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.
Amen.
Friday, February 20, 2009
February 20, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 138:1-8
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Amen.
Psalm 138:1-8
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Amen.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
February 19, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 133:1-3
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.
Amen.
Psalm 133:1-3
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
February 18, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 130:1-8
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Amen.
Psalm 130:1-8
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem. It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
February 17, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 127:1-5
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Amen.
Psalm 127:1-5
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Amen.
Monday, February 16, 2009
February 16, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 124:1-8
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side-- let Israel now say--if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Amen.
Psalm 124:1-8
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side-- let Israel now say--if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Amen.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
That's My Girl
This is what an 18 month old looks like who is refusing to go to sleep more than an hour past her normal bedtime!
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
February 15, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 121:1-8
I lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Amen.
Psalm 121:1-8
I lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Amen.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine Photoblog
I thought that since it was Valentines weekend I would post this. Everything is done with dots, which I thought was really cool. My wife gave it to me as a wedding gift a little more than 7 years ago.
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
February 14, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 113:1-9
Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!
Amen.
Psalm 113:1-9
Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time on and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!
Amen.
Friday, February 13, 2009
February 13, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 111:1-10
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
Amen.
Psalm 111:1-10
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
Amen.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
February 12, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 108:1-13
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make melody. Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. Give victory with your right hand, and answer me, so that those whom you love may be rescued. God has promised in his sanctuary: "With exultation I will divide up Shechem, and portion out the Vale of Succoth. Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin; on Edom I hurl my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph." Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies. O grant us help against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Amen.
Psalm 108:1-13
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make melody. Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn. I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. Give victory with your right hand, and answer me, so that those whom you love may be rescued. God has promised in his sanctuary: "With exultation I will divide up Shechem, and portion out the Vale of Succoth. Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin; on Edom I hurl my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph." Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies. O grant us help against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February 11, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 103:1-22
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits--who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Amen.
Psalm 103:1-22
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits--who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the LORD has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Shack - Yet Another Review
It has only been recently that I have had the opportunity to do what I will lovingly call "unrequired" reading. During the past three and a half years in seminary, I was inundated with books and articles to read (I am quite positive that many of those still need to be finished!). During this time, many of the requests or suggestions of books to read from parishioners and friends began to stack up. Sometimes I would buy the book and put it on my shelf, while other times I would be given the book by someone and add it to the pile. Needless to say, after all this time, the book pile is quite large.
I thought that it would be interesting to share what I am reading in hopes that others who are reading the same or other materials may be able to participate in a dialog about those books.
Anyway, one of the many books on that pile was The Shack.
Let me begin this review by playing the role of captain obvious and restating that this is a work of fiction! It has the word fiction printed on the back cover above the bar code and is recognized in the reviews as a work of fiction. As such, although Christian in orientation, it should still be read as a work of fiction.
That means that it is not a theological treatise, although it deals with some pretty hefty theological elements. The subtitle, "Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity", acknowledges the books wrestling with theodicy (how to reconcile God's power, God's grace/love, and God's jusitice). It deals with both community and communion (the act, not the sacrament). It deals with mercy and grace. It deals with free will and sin.
I will tell you that if you are a supporter of predestination, this book will drive you absolutely batty. For those that have an Armenian, Weslayan, or similar bent, you will be more at home with the writing presented.
Putting theology aside for a moment, I will tell you that Young is a gifted story teller. While there were a couple of spots where the dialog appeared a little corny, those moments were limited in frequency and brief in length (two instances at less than 1/4 page each). The Shack is an easy and pleasurable read. Young's word choice and narrative style create such vivid word pictures that you actually feel like you are in the story.
The story unfolds with a family going on a camping trip. During this time of vacation, Missy (Mack's youngest daughter) is abducted and murdered. After four years of funk (referred to as the Great Sadness), Mack receives a mysterious note on a dismal winter day that invites him back to that place of great pain and sadness...The Shack. Against his better judgment, Mack goes to the shack seeking answers...what he finds is God. Mack's encounter with God leaves him changed.
But the answers that Mack receives during his encounter with God are not the only surprises of the book...in fact, the end was a complete surprise (another gift of Young's talented writing ability).
Since the book is fiction, I don't want to spoil the end of the book for those who haven't read it yet. I will tell you that the book is well worth the read. It is thought provoking and if nothing else, it just might cause you to ask better questions about why you believe what you believe.
If you have read the book, what do you think of it?
I thought that it would be interesting to share what I am reading in hopes that others who are reading the same or other materials may be able to participate in a dialog about those books.
Anyway, one of the many books on that pile was The Shack.
Let me begin this review by playing the role of captain obvious and restating that this is a work of fiction! It has the word fiction printed on the back cover above the bar code and is recognized in the reviews as a work of fiction. As such, although Christian in orientation, it should still be read as a work of fiction.
That means that it is not a theological treatise, although it deals with some pretty hefty theological elements. The subtitle, "Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity", acknowledges the books wrestling with theodicy (how to reconcile God's power, God's grace/love, and God's jusitice). It deals with both community and communion (the act, not the sacrament). It deals with mercy and grace. It deals with free will and sin.
I will tell you that if you are a supporter of predestination, this book will drive you absolutely batty. For those that have an Armenian, Weslayan, or similar bent, you will be more at home with the writing presented.
Putting theology aside for a moment, I will tell you that Young is a gifted story teller. While there were a couple of spots where the dialog appeared a little corny, those moments were limited in frequency and brief in length (two instances at less than 1/4 page each). The Shack is an easy and pleasurable read. Young's word choice and narrative style create such vivid word pictures that you actually feel like you are in the story.
The story unfolds with a family going on a camping trip. During this time of vacation, Missy (Mack's youngest daughter) is abducted and murdered. After four years of funk (referred to as the Great Sadness), Mack receives a mysterious note on a dismal winter day that invites him back to that place of great pain and sadness...The Shack. Against his better judgment, Mack goes to the shack seeking answers...what he finds is God. Mack's encounter with God leaves him changed.
But the answers that Mack receives during his encounter with God are not the only surprises of the book...in fact, the end was a complete surprise (another gift of Young's talented writing ability).
Since the book is fiction, I don't want to spoil the end of the book for those who haven't read it yet. I will tell you that the book is well worth the read. It is thought provoking and if nothing else, it just might cause you to ask better questions about why you believe what you believe.
If you have read the book, what do you think of it?
February 10, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 100:1-5
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the LORD is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Amen.
Psalm 100:1-5
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the LORD is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Amen.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Time with God - A Growing Concern
There are more than 100 blogs in my RSS feed. They run the gamut from theological to family update oriented. Some are political, some are religious, some are for fun, and some revolve around some pretty serious issues for our world. In each of the blogging genres that I follow (except the family and friend general updates), I have selected some to follow that usually flow with my own beliefs, some that are at the opposite end of the spectrum, and others that fall at varying places along the spectrum. This creates a really interesting tapestry in which to explore, question, debate, and discuss my own understandings and beliefs. This also helps me to recognize patterns within my own perspectives and the perspectives of others.
In the realm of Christian faith within the blogosphere, I am beginning to notice a pattern that is disturbing to me. Many of our theological reflectors, our seminarians, church planters, church leaders, and lay people keep bringing up the same issue on their blogs regarding spending time with God. These folks often say that as ministry, school, and life demands increase, personal time with God (in prayer, studying the Bible, worshiping, etc) dramatically decreases. As a solution to this problem, we are encouraged to get back to spending more time with God (specifically in the aforementioned ways).
At the outer level, there is nothing seemingly wrong with spending more time in prayer, Bible study, worship, etc. These things are definitively a part of our journey as Christians...they can feed and nurture our relationships with God and with others...but they are not the only "parts" of our journey. This is where the disturbing part comes in...it seems to me that many are describing spending time in two distinct ways.
Let me back up just a moment and say that my understanding of the Christian faith revolves around relationships. What Christ has done through his life, death, and resurrection was to reconcile the relationship between humanity and God. You want to know about community, look at God. You want to be in relationship with others and the world around you, turn to God. After all, isn't it Scripture that reminds us that we are to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves...it is about relationships.
So (returning to our previous discussion) to delineate spiritual disciplines (under the guise of 'spending more time with God') as partial requirements of the Christian faith seems to do two things(in their most extreme presentations):
First, it seems to create a false compartmentalization between faith and the rest of our lives. For example, time with God can certainly mean time in prayer and time in the study of Scripture, but is time with God's children, in service, or with family any less time with God? With such effort in the world to compartmentalize our lives (our work lives, our home lives, our school lives, our family lives, our spiritual lives, etc) it appears to me that the Gospel speaks of a faith in God/a relationship with God that permeates the entirety of our lives. As such, faith isn't a single part of our lives, but rather is something that permeates the entirety of our lives. By keeping (or attempting to keep) God at bay in any area of our lives is merely to reify the compartments that are familiar to and comfortable for us.
The second extreme often presented is the use of spending time with God (referencing again the aforementioned spiritual disciplines) as rules for being Christian. Sadly, things like studying the Scriptures, worship, and prayer are relegated to requirements of what it truly means to be Christian...if you don't do them, in a particular way and with a particular frequency; then maybe you aren't particularly Christian. Isn't this part of the problem when Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment (almost as if those asking might be saying if we can't keep all of them, which one or ones should we pay particularly close attention to)? Didn't a segment of humanity take 10 simple rules and create more than 600 rules (like not wearing shoes heavier than a certain weight on the Sabbath because that might be considered work)...did not Jesus' response to the aforementioned question simplify things for us? In this perspective, we have to be very careful in discerning how the disciplines fall into Christ's discourse on the greatest commandments.
At these extremes, it seems to me that the gospel is distorted. As disciplines, yes they (the ways of spending time with God) can be means of grace that draw us closer to God and to each other. But if the transformation that is occurring in and through us in our study, worship, prayer times, etc is not reflected in our everyday walking around, breathing, eating, waking lives; then is it really transformation? We can't be truly altered/changed/transformed in our faith without there being fruit in the rest of our lives...our faith cannot be relegated to a compartment that only takes up part of our day or part of our week...and to present it as such, does nothing to speak to the truth of the wholeness and fullness of salvation that the gospel proclaims. At the other end of the spectrum, we have never been good at following rules. If my prayer, worship and study don't look like someone else's, it doesn't mean that it is not authentic or less fruitful. To say that spending time with God must look a particular way (frequency, presentation, etc) seems to squelch what the Spirit may be doing in a group of people or an individual. When we broach this extreme, we essentially set up a new law that becomes impossible to fulfill.
In the end, it seems to me that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, in and through us, that draws us closer to God and to one another. It is the overflow of love from God that drives us to know more about that love and pursue growth in that relationship. It is an ongoing desire to know God more that calls us to prayer, worship, study, etc. And it is in these places in more, that God continues the work he began in us. As we learn to love God more (out of the loving relationship that God has for us) we learn to love others. In our loving others we can still be present with God even in service to those others. In the end, it returns to our relationship with God and with each other. Our very lives, not just the faith parts, are radically altered by the saving and sanctifying grace of God.
I hope that my thoughts on this are clear, but if you want to do more reading on the subject, one of the resources that has had the most significant impact on my life regarding the disciplines and spending time with God is the work of Richard Foster entitled "Celebration of Discipline."
Am I the only one that has noticed this? What do you think about compartmentalizing God or turning the disciplines into rules? What resources have helped you come to an understanding about these things?
In the realm of Christian faith within the blogosphere, I am beginning to notice a pattern that is disturbing to me. Many of our theological reflectors, our seminarians, church planters, church leaders, and lay people keep bringing up the same issue on their blogs regarding spending time with God. These folks often say that as ministry, school, and life demands increase, personal time with God (in prayer, studying the Bible, worshiping, etc) dramatically decreases. As a solution to this problem, we are encouraged to get back to spending more time with God (specifically in the aforementioned ways).
At the outer level, there is nothing seemingly wrong with spending more time in prayer, Bible study, worship, etc. These things are definitively a part of our journey as Christians...they can feed and nurture our relationships with God and with others...but they are not the only "parts" of our journey. This is where the disturbing part comes in...it seems to me that many are describing spending time in two distinct ways.
Let me back up just a moment and say that my understanding of the Christian faith revolves around relationships. What Christ has done through his life, death, and resurrection was to reconcile the relationship between humanity and God. You want to know about community, look at God. You want to be in relationship with others and the world around you, turn to God. After all, isn't it Scripture that reminds us that we are to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves...it is about relationships.
So (returning to our previous discussion) to delineate spiritual disciplines (under the guise of 'spending more time with God') as partial requirements of the Christian faith seems to do two things(in their most extreme presentations):
First, it seems to create a false compartmentalization between faith and the rest of our lives. For example, time with God can certainly mean time in prayer and time in the study of Scripture, but is time with God's children, in service, or with family any less time with God? With such effort in the world to compartmentalize our lives (our work lives, our home lives, our school lives, our family lives, our spiritual lives, etc) it appears to me that the Gospel speaks of a faith in God/a relationship with God that permeates the entirety of our lives. As such, faith isn't a single part of our lives, but rather is something that permeates the entirety of our lives. By keeping (or attempting to keep) God at bay in any area of our lives is merely to reify the compartments that are familiar to and comfortable for us.
The second extreme often presented is the use of spending time with God (referencing again the aforementioned spiritual disciplines) as rules for being Christian. Sadly, things like studying the Scriptures, worship, and prayer are relegated to requirements of what it truly means to be Christian...if you don't do them, in a particular way and with a particular frequency; then maybe you aren't particularly Christian. Isn't this part of the problem when Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment (almost as if those asking might be saying if we can't keep all of them, which one or ones should we pay particularly close attention to)? Didn't a segment of humanity take 10 simple rules and create more than 600 rules (like not wearing shoes heavier than a certain weight on the Sabbath because that might be considered work)...did not Jesus' response to the aforementioned question simplify things for us? In this perspective, we have to be very careful in discerning how the disciplines fall into Christ's discourse on the greatest commandments.
At these extremes, it seems to me that the gospel is distorted. As disciplines, yes they (the ways of spending time with God) can be means of grace that draw us closer to God and to each other. But if the transformation that is occurring in and through us in our study, worship, prayer times, etc is not reflected in our everyday walking around, breathing, eating, waking lives; then is it really transformation? We can't be truly altered/changed/transformed in our faith without there being fruit in the rest of our lives...our faith cannot be relegated to a compartment that only takes up part of our day or part of our week...and to present it as such, does nothing to speak to the truth of the wholeness and fullness of salvation that the gospel proclaims. At the other end of the spectrum, we have never been good at following rules. If my prayer, worship and study don't look like someone else's, it doesn't mean that it is not authentic or less fruitful. To say that spending time with God must look a particular way (frequency, presentation, etc) seems to squelch what the Spirit may be doing in a group of people or an individual. When we broach this extreme, we essentially set up a new law that becomes impossible to fulfill.
In the end, it seems to me that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, in and through us, that draws us closer to God and to one another. It is the overflow of love from God that drives us to know more about that love and pursue growth in that relationship. It is an ongoing desire to know God more that calls us to prayer, worship, study, etc. And it is in these places in more, that God continues the work he began in us. As we learn to love God more (out of the loving relationship that God has for us) we learn to love others. In our loving others we can still be present with God even in service to those others. In the end, it returns to our relationship with God and with each other. Our very lives, not just the faith parts, are radically altered by the saving and sanctifying grace of God.
I hope that my thoughts on this are clear, but if you want to do more reading on the subject, one of the resources that has had the most significant impact on my life regarding the disciplines and spending time with God is the work of Richard Foster entitled "Celebration of Discipline."
Am I the only one that has noticed this? What do you think about compartmentalizing God or turning the disciplines into rules? What resources have helped you come to an understanding about these things?
February 9, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 96:1-13
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity." Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
Amen.
Psalm 96:1-13
O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity." Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
Amen.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
February 8, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 93:1-5
The LORD is king, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved; your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the LORD! Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.
Amen.
Psalm 93:1-5
The LORD is king, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved; your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the LORD! Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.
Amen.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
February 7, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 90:1-17
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn us back to dust, and say, "Turn back, you mortals." For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night. You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance. For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh. The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong; even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Turn, O LORD! How long? Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands-- O prosper the work of our hands!
Amen.
Psalm 90:1-17
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn us back to dust, and say, "Turn back, you mortals." For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night. You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance. For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh. The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong; even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Turn, O LORD! How long? Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands-- O prosper the work of our hands!
Amen.
Friday, February 6, 2009
February 6, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 87:1-7
On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia-- "This one was born there," they say. And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in it"; for the Most High himself will establish it. The LORD records, as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah
Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."
Amen.
Psalm 87:1-7
On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Selah
Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; Philistia too, and Tyre, with Ethiopia-- "This one was born there," they say. And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in it"; for the Most High himself will establish it. The LORD records, as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah
Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."
Amen.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A Kiss From a Rose...
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Thought this was a great way to add to the decorum of a room.
February 5, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 82:1-8
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: "How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I say, "You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince." Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!
Amen.
Psalm 82:1-8
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: "How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I say, "You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince." Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!
Amen.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
February 4, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 75:1-10
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks; your name is near. People tell of your wondrous deeds. At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, with all its inhabitants, it is I who keep its pillars steady. Selah
I say to the boastful, "Do not boast," and to the wicked, "Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with insolent neck." For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up; but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed; he will pour a draught from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs. But I will rejoice forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Amen.
Psalm 75:1-10
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks; your name is near. People tell of your wondrous deeds. At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, with all its inhabitants, it is I who keep its pillars steady. Selah
I say to the boastful, "Do not boast," and to the wicked, "Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with insolent neck." For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up; but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed; he will pour a draught from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs. But I will rejoice forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
February 3, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 70:1-5
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O LORD, make haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me. Let those who say, "Aha, Aha!" turn back because of their shame. Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!" But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!
Amen.
Psalm 70:1-5
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O LORD, make haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me. Let those who say, "Aha, Aha!" turn back because of their shame. Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!" But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!
Amen.
Monday, February 2, 2009
February 2, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 67:1-7
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Amen.
Psalm 67:1-7
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Amen.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
February 1, 2009
Here is today’s Psalm and prayer:
Psalm 61:1-8
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! So I will always sing praises to your name, as I pay my vows day after day.
Amen.
Psalm 61:1-8
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! So I will always sing praises to your name, as I pay my vows day after day.
Amen.
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