Psalm 20:6 (The Message)
A David Psalm
6That clinches it - help's coming
an answer's on the way,
everything's going to work out.
There are days, and some situations, when faith and hope are hard to come by. On those days it is hard to believe that everything that everything is going to work out. We all have those days. and they test our faith. Recently, I have been able to listen to sermon radio. One pastor, in particular (I won't name him) says that faith is about expecting positive things in your life. Expecting that everything will work out. He believes that if you have this expectation it will happen. If you don't, he continues, you bring about a negativity that allows things to go wrong. So, in that way, faith is about maintaining high expectations in the face of bad days and disappointment.
Let's be clear, I don't believe that you can will things to happen just by having a positive attitude. Some things are just not part of God's will - as much as we'd like to believe they are. So, our will or expectation will not have much influence in those areas. However, I do believe the things we think impact the paths some things take. For example, if we think people are generally good, then we will find the good in people. If you give people a chance most people will rise to the occasion. If you have faith that all problems can be solved, and you are patient, as well as persistent, problems will be solved. On the flip side of that, I also believe, like Dale Carnegie, that worrying doesn't help anything, and the perfect way to conquer worry is to pray. If you can pray, well, like Psalm 20, verse 6, says, "An answer's on the way."
Dear Lord, we know there are always days that seem like nothing can go right. Like the world is ending. Like there are no answers. Show us that, in fact, help is coming. Help us to conquer our worrying. Show us that an answer's on the way - even if it's not the easy answer we were hoping for. Remind us that our addiction is not the answer and won't make our problems go away. Every now and then we all need this kind of hope. Teach us that your plan is that everything works for good. Then when tables are turned and we have the opportunity to share your light to someone who needs help or an answer - let us be that light. Let us be that person who provides Your love, who provides Your answer, who helps everything work out. In the name of Jesus, and our savior, Amen.
Thanks for letting me share.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Psalm 19:11-13 (MSG) Keep me from my stupid sins
Psalm 19:1-2
A David Psalm
11-13There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
I have a confession to make. I can hold a grudge. Sometimes, it is very difficult for me to forgive. In those situations where I find it hard to forgive I also forget to reach out to God for help. This all came to light for me this week when I was finally able to forgive somebody at work, let's call him Andy. For the past several months Andy had been lying, saying nasty things about my work, and saying different things in different situations. To me he'd say one thing and to a peer he'd say the opposite. It became very difficult to trust Andy and to be completely honest, when I thought about the things he did, I called him the devil. One of my co-workers, who is a much better person than I, confronted Andy about his actions to understand his motivation. He began to understand a little better what was at play. For me though, I avoided Andy, ignored him, and talked with others behind his back. It wasn't until this week, when I found out that Andy had decided to leave the company, that I was able to forgive him. It was such a relief - but I believe it is something I should have been able to do earlier, had I been able to ask God for help.
Lord, I am very capable of stupid sins. The bible is full of warnings, yet I forget and ignore those warnings. You guide us to the true treasures in life. Instead, in my stupidity I chase the treasures of men, and find myself focused on filling my retirement investment fund. Thankfully, at least once a week, you help me see the err of my ways. You give me many chances, to learn and change the way I act and improve the decisions that I make. For this I am grateful - and I praise you. Continue, God, to keep me from my stupid, selfish, sins. Help me make amends for the sins that I have committed in the past. Help me wipe the slate clean so that I can start this day, and every day, as a fresh start - with my record scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. AMEN.
Thanks for letting me share.
A David Psalm
11-13There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
I have a confession to make. I can hold a grudge. Sometimes, it is very difficult for me to forgive. In those situations where I find it hard to forgive I also forget to reach out to God for help. This all came to light for me this week when I was finally able to forgive somebody at work, let's call him Andy. For the past several months Andy had been lying, saying nasty things about my work, and saying different things in different situations. To me he'd say one thing and to a peer he'd say the opposite. It became very difficult to trust Andy and to be completely honest, when I thought about the things he did, I called him the devil. One of my co-workers, who is a much better person than I, confronted Andy about his actions to understand his motivation. He began to understand a little better what was at play. For me though, I avoided Andy, ignored him, and talked with others behind his back. It wasn't until this week, when I found out that Andy had decided to leave the company, that I was able to forgive him. It was such a relief - but I believe it is something I should have been able to do earlier, had I been able to ask God for help.
Lord, I am very capable of stupid sins. The bible is full of warnings, yet I forget and ignore those warnings. You guide us to the true treasures in life. Instead, in my stupidity I chase the treasures of men, and find myself focused on filling my retirement investment fund. Thankfully, at least once a week, you help me see the err of my ways. You give me many chances, to learn and change the way I act and improve the decisions that I make. For this I am grateful - and I praise you. Continue, God, to keep me from my stupid, selfish, sins. Help me make amends for the sins that I have committed in the past. Help me wipe the slate clean so that I can start this day, and every day, as a fresh start - with my record scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. AMEN.
Thanks for letting me share.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Psalm 18:1-2 (MSG) I love you God - You make me strong
Psalm 18:1-2 (The Message)
A David Song - after he was saved from his enemies and Saul.
1-2I love you, GOD -
you make me strong.
GOD is bedrock under my feet,
the castle in which I live,
my rescuing knight.
My God - the high crag
where I run for dear life,
hiding behind the boulders,
safe in the granite hideout.
This week has been a good week. One where I feel organized and "productive." I feel strong. This by itself is not extraordinary, what makes it unique is the hard drive on my laptop died. In the past, this would have killed me (figuratively of course). I would have fallen apart and blamed everything wrong in my life on the hard drive failing. No doubt, it would have triggered me into my addiction. Now some of the data was backed-up - and I am most happy about the pictures of my family that I retrieved from the back-up. However, there is a good year or so of work that was lost when the drive failed.
However, with God I am stronger. I know in the grand scheme of His plans, the data that was lost was not really significant. I also know that there was nothing lost that can't be found elsewhere if it's truly critical. With these thoughts I am able to let go of my worries and concerns of the lost data. That is just part of the way I am stronger today than 5 years ago, when I started this journey.
God, thank you for making us stronger. Thank you for blessing us as the castle's in which we live. Thank you for being a granite hideout for us to run to. You bring us not only strength but hope. For all this, we love You. Help me reflect that and let me bring the same hope and strength to others, that you have brought to me. Especially to the addicts that still suffer and are in desperate need of hope and strength - help me be a light and a source of strength for them. All these things we pray, and praise, in your name, Hallelujah, and Amen.
A David Song - after he was saved from his enemies and Saul.
1-2I love you, GOD -
you make me strong.
GOD is bedrock under my feet,
the castle in which I live,
my rescuing knight.
My God - the high crag
where I run for dear life,
hiding behind the boulders,
safe in the granite hideout.
This week has been a good week. One where I feel organized and "productive." I feel strong. This by itself is not extraordinary, what makes it unique is the hard drive on my laptop died. In the past, this would have killed me (figuratively of course). I would have fallen apart and blamed everything wrong in my life on the hard drive failing. No doubt, it would have triggered me into my addiction. Now some of the data was backed-up - and I am most happy about the pictures of my family that I retrieved from the back-up. However, there is a good year or so of work that was lost when the drive failed.
However, with God I am stronger. I know in the grand scheme of His plans, the data that was lost was not really significant. I also know that there was nothing lost that can't be found elsewhere if it's truly critical. With these thoughts I am able to let go of my worries and concerns of the lost data. That is just part of the way I am stronger today than 5 years ago, when I started this journey.
God, thank you for making us stronger. Thank you for blessing us as the castle's in which we live. Thank you for being a granite hideout for us to run to. You bring us not only strength but hope. For all this, we love You. Help me reflect that and let me bring the same hope and strength to others, that you have brought to me. Especially to the addicts that still suffer and are in desperate need of hope and strength - help me be a light and a source of strength for them. All these things we pray, and praise, in your name, Hallelujah, and Amen.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Psalm 17:8-9 (MSG) Keep your eye on me
Psalm 17:8-9 (The Message)
A David Prayer
8-9Keep your eye on me;
hide me under your cool wing feathers
From the wicked who are out to get me,
from mortal enemies closing in.
It's funny, as I continue on my way through psalms I am really drawn to verses like these. I wrote this draft weeks, ago, and without really thinking about it, but this post is very similar to my last one in that it's about God's protection. It's very coincidental but I guess that's what I'm looking for the most. I've never really felt about how much fear plays a role in my life - but if I'm constantly drawn to God's protection fear must be pretty important.
When I think about it, fear and insecurity leads to so many bad things. How many things do we do because we're afraid or insecure. When I'm afraid of losing my "stuff" I put walls and locks. Or worse I take proactive steps and I start attacking people who I perceive are a threat. I start to analyze people to determine if they're a threat or not. This leads to a vicious cycle where my distrust leads to another person's distrust of me - and in a worst case, we end up competing to be the first destroy the other. What ends up happening is that our fear and insecurity ends up leading us to very situation we fear in the first place.
God, we often find ourselves in situations where we are unsure. We are afraid. It might be a situation where we are confronted with new ideas. Initially, these ideas may seem to threaten our very beliefs and values. In the face of these new ideas, help us be secure and have faith in You and Your word. In these situations, help us seek to understand, not to be understood, that we might be an instrument of thy peace. For we understand that is only a strong faith can we seek to sow love where there is hate...instead of perpetuating more hate. There are many addicts, who still suffer, who are afraid and insecure. They have put up walls around them and usually suffer in isolation. Help them find security in you that they may bring down those walls. Guide them to a faith that allows them to stop hiding behind their addiction. To a faith that gives them a new life in Your word and Your way of life. A new life, of Your path, where in forgiving, we are forgiven. All this we pray in Your sons name, and our savior, Jesus - Amen.
Thanks so much for letting me share.
A David Prayer
8-9Keep your eye on me;
hide me under your cool wing feathers
From the wicked who are out to get me,
from mortal enemies closing in.
It's funny, as I continue on my way through psalms I am really drawn to verses like these. I wrote this draft weeks, ago, and without really thinking about it, but this post is very similar to my last one in that it's about God's protection. It's very coincidental but I guess that's what I'm looking for the most. I've never really felt about how much fear plays a role in my life - but if I'm constantly drawn to God's protection fear must be pretty important.
When I think about it, fear and insecurity leads to so many bad things. How many things do we do because we're afraid or insecure. When I'm afraid of losing my "stuff" I put walls and locks. Or worse I take proactive steps and I start attacking people who I perceive are a threat. I start to analyze people to determine if they're a threat or not. This leads to a vicious cycle where my distrust leads to another person's distrust of me - and in a worst case, we end up competing to be the first destroy the other. What ends up happening is that our fear and insecurity ends up leading us to very situation we fear in the first place.
God, we often find ourselves in situations where we are unsure. We are afraid. It might be a situation where we are confronted with new ideas. Initially, these ideas may seem to threaten our very beliefs and values. In the face of these new ideas, help us be secure and have faith in You and Your word. In these situations, help us seek to understand, not to be understood, that we might be an instrument of thy peace. For we understand that is only a strong faith can we seek to sow love where there is hate...instead of perpetuating more hate. There are many addicts, who still suffer, who are afraid and insecure. They have put up walls around them and usually suffer in isolation. Help them find security in you that they may bring down those walls. Guide them to a faith that allows them to stop hiding behind their addiction. To a faith that gives them a new life in Your word and Your way of life. A new life, of Your path, where in forgiving, we are forgiven. All this we pray in Your sons name, and our savior, Jesus - Amen.
Thanks so much for letting me share.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Psalm 16:1-2 (MSG) Keep me safe, O God
Psalm 16:4 (The Message)
1-2Keep me safe, O God,
I've run for dear life to you.
I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!"
Without you nothing makes sense.
A David Song
I've run for dear life to you.
I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!"
Without you nothing makes sense.
I have long sat on Psalm 16, trying to decide what I want to write about. There are many important values and ideas here. Whether verse 4, not to shop for Gods, not to treat God like a brand, which I interpret to be wear God on your heart before you wear him on your clothes. Or verse 9-11, where the psalmist writes about his happiness in all perspectives and He has set me on His path for me. It's kind of like having to choose which commandment is the most important.
ultimately, for me, in Psalm 16, it came down to God protects us from verses 1 and 2. There are so many things that threaten us. War, violence, and crime threaten our safety. Disease, pollution, and parasites threaten our health. Of course, there is also addiction, which threatens our health, relationships, finances, and safety. As amazingly as we are designed, with our ability to adapt and heal, we are still incredibly exposed to risk. The natural response to these threats is to hide ourselves from these threats and shield ourselves. The appropriate response I believe though is to show faith in God and trust that He will protect us. For if God is with us, who will be against us, and whom then shall we fear?
ultimately, for me, in Psalm 16, it came down to God protects us from verses 1 and 2. There are so many things that threaten us. War, violence, and crime threaten our safety. Disease, pollution, and parasites threaten our health. Of course, there is also addiction, which threatens our health, relationships, finances, and safety. As amazingly as we are designed, with our ability to adapt and heal, we are still incredibly exposed to risk. The natural response to these threats is to hide ourselves from these threats and shield ourselves. The appropriate response I believe though is to show faith in God and trust that He will protect us. For if God is with us, who will be against us, and whom then shall we fear?
Dear Lord, be with us, continue to be with us, and protect us. Lead us down the path you have laid out for us and steer us straight when we go astray. Deliver us from the threats in our lives, from the parasites, from the disease, and from the addiction. In the face of war and crime let us be a light that brings hope and truth. Give us this day, sustenance that we may be strong in the face of these threats and can be Your light. Guide us to forgive those people who have threatened us in the past. For we understand that it is in forgiving, that we will be forgiven. And that it is in dying we are given Your ultimate gift of eternal life. All these things I pray in Your name, AMEN.
Thanks for letting me share.
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