Psalm 22:6-8 (The Message)
A David Psalm
6-8And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm,
something to step on, to squash.
Everyone pokes fun at me;
they make faces at me, they shake their heads:
“Let’s see how God handles this one;
since God likes him so much, let him help him!”
Let's face it we all have bad days. Days where things go wrong. I had one of those yesterday. It feels like the worst day in at least a year. Possibly more than 5. Sometimes it happens because of things we can control - like when we forget something important. Other times we have no control over it at all, like when somebody we love dies. The times when we have control it seem worse, we feel so stupid, so little, like an earthworm. It makes you want to shrink up into a hole and hide-away. Or worse, it makes you want to bury it in addiction to cover it up.
As David writes here, "Let's see how God handles this one." Do we let God handle this one? Do we really have the faith that these bad days are part of his plan. That these bad days are making us stronger? That these bad days are preparing us for something bigger? These days obviously test our faith. We need to take a deep breath and turn it over to God and let him handle them. Especially on those days where we have made a mess of things. I find it's easy to turn things over that were out of my control...however, messes I created or could have prevented are much harder. I tend to dwell on them and beat myself up, well beyond anything that makes sense. I dwell on the situation beyond the the point of making things right, again. So, today I will trust in his plan and will not bury the situation in my addiction.
Dear God, give me perspective I need to understand we are living under your plan. Thank you for your people, who surround me and give me this perspective. Continue to have them surround me that I may have this perspective to be free of my addictions. Give me strength and faith on days where I struggle. Strength and perseverance to get through the trial, without falling back on my addiction, and faith that I will know that you are preparing me for something bigger. For I know that you do not call those who are prepared, rather that you prepare those who are called. And these trials are preparing me for to be in service to you and your people. For that I am ready to be prepared. Lastly, I want to pray for the addicts that still suffer. Give them this same perspective, strength and faith, which I pray for, that they may come to you and live free from their addiction before they are overcome by their addiction. All this I pray in your name. Amen.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Psalm 21:13 (MSG) Show your strength, God, so no one can miss it
Psalm 21:13 (The Message)
A David Psalm
13Show your strength, GOD, so no one can miss it.
We are out singing the good news!
God is great. God was the only thing powerful enough to stop me from my addictions. To me, Psalm 21 is about His greatness. The great life he planned, and gave, to David. Now I'm not the kind of person who compares his himself to great people - in fact, I kind of hate it when people consider themselves to be great like that. However, as I read psalm 21, I feel like God has piled blessings on me, in the same way he piled blessings on David.
At one point in my life, I was so close to losing everything. Now I have more than I could have dreamed. I wanted a good life and God gave it to me. He's filled my arms with gifts, and delivered me from my addiction. So, it should be no surprise that I would want to share this kind of power with the world. That it would be my hope that this power, which can liberate all people from evil, reign over the world. This shall be my song today.
Dear Lord, be with us today, as we sing your good news. As we bear witness to your power over evil. As we bear witness to your glory and your way of life. There are so many people who suffer from the prison of addiction, Lord. Relieve of us of our bondage of self that we may help those addicts who still suffer. In helping the addicts that suffer, help us play our role in liberating them from evil. Let us help in a way that those addicts who still suffer can experience arms filled with gifts and a good life. All this we pray in your name, Amen.
Thanks for letting me share.
A David Psalm
13Show your strength, GOD, so no one can miss it.
We are out singing the good news!
God is great. God was the only thing powerful enough to stop me from my addictions. To me, Psalm 21 is about His greatness. The great life he planned, and gave, to David. Now I'm not the kind of person who compares his himself to great people - in fact, I kind of hate it when people consider themselves to be great like that. However, as I read psalm 21, I feel like God has piled blessings on me, in the same way he piled blessings on David.
At one point in my life, I was so close to losing everything. Now I have more than I could have dreamed. I wanted a good life and God gave it to me. He's filled my arms with gifts, and delivered me from my addiction. So, it should be no surprise that I would want to share this kind of power with the world. That it would be my hope that this power, which can liberate all people from evil, reign over the world. This shall be my song today.
Dear Lord, be with us today, as we sing your good news. As we bear witness to your power over evil. As we bear witness to your glory and your way of life. There are so many people who suffer from the prison of addiction, Lord. Relieve of us of our bondage of self that we may help those addicts who still suffer. In helping the addicts that suffer, help us play our role in liberating them from evil. Let us help in a way that those addicts who still suffer can experience arms filled with gifts and a good life. All this we pray in your name, Amen.
Thanks for letting me share.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Psalm 20:6 (MSG) An answer's on the way
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.
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.
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.
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