Psalm 24
A David Psalm
1-2God claims Earth and everything in it,
God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
The first two verses of Psalm 24 remind me that this is the day that the Lord has made. This day, this world, this earth - god has made and given to us. We have a choice, every day, whether we take it for granted or to actually fulfill something greater. Today, I am going to make a conscious decision to let God use me, where I am, to spread his message of hope and peace. As I learned in the 3rd step prayer (see below), I desire to fulfill his claim on my life and world.
Before I go into prayer today I would like to discuss the martial arts concept of Kata, which I was reminded of last week. One aspect of Kata practice is that it is done in a repetitive manner so that the movements and techniques are internalized with the goal that they be executed and adapted under different circumstances, without hesitation or thought. This the way a martial arts master's moves appear simple and smooth. As addicts, I believe we can apply the repetitive practice concepts of Kata to prayers, repeating them daily, until we can use them to master any situation we face. Many of you may recognize the third step prayer verses in my prayer today - and part of my Kata.
God I offer myself to Thee -
To build with me
and do with me what as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
that I may better do thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always...
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy Love,
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee,
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee,
Take my intellect and use every power as Thou choose,
Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall no longer be mine...
All these things I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Thanks for letting me share.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Psalm 23 (KJV): The LORD is my shepherd...He restoreth my soul
Psalm 23
A David Psalm
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Today I am taking a break from The Message. With the kind of gaps that I have in my blog it's not like I need any kind of break from psalms. Nevertheless, Psalm 23, probably the most popular psalm there is only sounds right in its most original form. Other translations don't seem to do it justice. And so I meditate on this version of Psalm 23 in the midst of temptation surrounding me.
It is with huge gratitude that I have God's word at this time. I am unable to sleep. I am travelling by myself. Usually for me this is a prime situation when I fall into the traps of my sexual addiction and scan all aspects of the internet for porn and sex. To think this is my proverbial valley of darkness now, compared to what it once was, or what it could have been, is pretty amazing. His shepherd's crook is a comfort to me, especially of the possibilities my life now has. Surely I have gifts of God's giving and my cup runneth over. I pray that I can continue to dwell in His house forever.
It is often at this time that I pray for the addicts that still suffer. Today, however, I'd like to recognize that addicts aren't the only victims of addiction and pray for all of the victims of addiction. Especially the parents, friends, children, and loved ones who are abused by the addict, sometimes physically as well as mentally. I'd like to pray for their wisdom, love, strength and courage in the face of an addict in their life. God, I was recently told me that addiction is infinitely patient, waiting for the right instances to strike. You've taught us that love, however, is the more patient. And so I pray for this kind love for the victims - that can help them separate the disease of addiction from the person they love. That they have the courage to stand-up to the addiction while loving the person. I pray that God, you can give them the wisdom to know the difference. For this is even a hard distinction for, we, addicts to make. So I pray these things for all addicts to have as well, the love of oneself, and the courage and endurance to fight the addiction within us. This is important, because regardless of the success we've had in the past it is a struggle that will always be one we face. And I pray that we addicts remember that we are not our addiction - and that we remember that You, God, have a bigger and better plan than what our addiction would have of us. All of these things I pray in Jesus' name - AMEN.
Thanks for letting me share.
A David Psalm
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Today I am taking a break from The Message. With the kind of gaps that I have in my blog it's not like I need any kind of break from psalms. Nevertheless, Psalm 23, probably the most popular psalm there is only sounds right in its most original form. Other translations don't seem to do it justice. And so I meditate on this version of Psalm 23 in the midst of temptation surrounding me.
It is with huge gratitude that I have God's word at this time. I am unable to sleep. I am travelling by myself. Usually for me this is a prime situation when I fall into the traps of my sexual addiction and scan all aspects of the internet for porn and sex. To think this is my proverbial valley of darkness now, compared to what it once was, or what it could have been, is pretty amazing. His shepherd's crook is a comfort to me, especially of the possibilities my life now has. Surely I have gifts of God's giving and my cup runneth over. I pray that I can continue to dwell in His house forever.
It is often at this time that I pray for the addicts that still suffer. Today, however, I'd like to recognize that addicts aren't the only victims of addiction and pray for all of the victims of addiction. Especially the parents, friends, children, and loved ones who are abused by the addict, sometimes physically as well as mentally. I'd like to pray for their wisdom, love, strength and courage in the face of an addict in their life. God, I was recently told me that addiction is infinitely patient, waiting for the right instances to strike. You've taught us that love, however, is the more patient. And so I pray for this kind love for the victims - that can help them separate the disease of addiction from the person they love. That they have the courage to stand-up to the addiction while loving the person. I pray that God, you can give them the wisdom to know the difference. For this is even a hard distinction for, we, addicts to make. So I pray these things for all addicts to have as well, the love of oneself, and the courage and endurance to fight the addiction within us. This is important, because regardless of the success we've had in the past it is a struggle that will always be one we face. And I pray that we addicts remember that we are not our addiction - and that we remember that You, God, have a bigger and better plan than what our addiction would have of us. All of these things I pray in Jesus' name - AMEN.
Thanks for letting me share.
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