PSALM 124

How many times has the Lord saved you from a raging flood in life? ...the death of a loved one ... a financial crisis ... the pain of broken relationships ... threatening illness ... failures? Indeed if the Lord had not been on our side, we would have been swept away! We have escaped like a bird, out of the fowler's snare. Well guess what?...there are others who need God's help! If our help is in the name of the Lord, why not share that good news with others!

A Great Heron taken in Safety Harbor, FL

PSALM 123

As I stood at the top of the stairs, he would look at me intently. If I said "Let's go!", he would run down the stairs often jumping past the last steps.... and heading straight for the back door.... knowing a car ride was ahead. But if I said to Gabe, my Standard Poodle, "Go on.." he would just follow me to the bottom of the staircase.

"I lift up my eyes to you... the Lord our God"  Oh that we were so attentive to the commands of God!  

PSALM 122

When was the last time someone said, " O church is a great place to be.. I can't wait to go back!" Not exactly the conversation around the water cooler... "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord."  Perhaps if we focused less on the three "Bs" {Budget, Buildings and Butts in the pew} and intentionally sought to connect people with the love of Jesus Christ in a geniune, winsome manner, church would once again be an attractive place to live!

PSALM 121

Again the song writer is making the journey up to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple. "I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help come from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth." I must admit I get annoyed when people say, "Prayer works". There is nothing magical connecting the way we pray with positive outcomes! The more accurate statement would be "God has worked through my prayers." Why do we have such a difficult time giving God the credit? The song writer was not confused as to where help comes from! Neither should we!

PSALM 120

This begins a series of 15 psalms called the "the songs of ascent". Most agree they were sung by Jews traveling to the Temple for high holy days and since the Temple was on a hill, they ascended.... using traveling songs to remind them of their faith in God and the condition of their lives. Today's song cries out against lying and deceitfulness. So, with God's grace, lets stop ourselves from telling half truths! Let our yes be yes and our no be no.

PSALM 119

 Well we are finally at the longest chapter of the Bible! But if you really distill this long treatise, it boils down to - If you are smart, you will follow God's directions for living! Jesus continued this theme, when he listed all the benefits of being his apprentice or following his teaching; joy, friendship with God, a rich and fruitful prayer life and a home with God forever.  What is the first step to being an apprentice? Try this- Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.

Sign from Santa Fe, NM

PSALM 118

God's love endures forever... that is the repeated refrain of this psalm. And how does God's love effect our lives? ...God's love sets us free, protects us, helps us... "The Lord is my strength and my song..." Enter a new day with this song, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

PSALM 117

I was angry at the stray dog barking at me. "Wait till I turn my dog loose on you! He will teach you a lesson." So I went to let Gabe out ... to chase this annoying stray animal away. What happened?... Gabe ran right up to the barking dog, and within  seconds they were "best buds"! Faithfulness means always acting according to your character. My dog's nature always showed itself in kindness and love. God is just like that..."for great is his love toward us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord."

PSALM 116

 Listen to these lyrics "the cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow." Have you ever felt like that? I can think of at least a half a dozen times when I was deeply overwhelmed by life. And like the writer of this psalm, each time the Lord heard my call for mercy and help... each time God used those very same grim circumstances to bring me strength and wisdom.  Indeed, I too love the Lord! How about you?

PSALMS 115

I love me new car, 2013 Ford Focus "Titanium" hatchback. I call him "Kit" after the Knight Rider car! He is very techie! How do we go from liking stuff to actually worshiping things? This is an amazing song that clearly speaks the truth about idols: "They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear... Those who make them will be like them." In other words, when we worship things, including new cars,  we become as lifeless and fragile as the things we worship. So I will enjoy my Titanium techie car, but I will trust Jesus Christ with and for my life.

PSALM 114

 From the tabernacle in the wilderness, to the Temple in Jerusalem... God declared his presence with his people....The New Testament confirms this truth... the Church is God's temple! Now listen to these words- "Tremble earth at th...e presence of the Lord.." Just think about that! Is the world trembling at the sight and sounds of God working through his Church? Is God's power and majesty so evident in all the Church that the world shakes in awe of God? Oh that this were so...

PSALM 113

From Seattle to St Criux ...from Greece to Turkey to Yellowstone National Park...the Lord's Name is to be praised! That means each of us is responsible to honor the Lord with expressions of thanks and praise. How will you honor God today?

 

PSALM 111

"Great are the works of the Lord

they are pondered by all who delight in them."

If God's creation is so wonderful, it is not a huge leap to believe God can use that same creativity to recreate, heal, restore... our broken places!

PSALM 110

Many people have respect and even belief in God. But what about Jesus? Then things get a little fuzzy... Last weekend I challenged 14 people to ask two people, "What comes to mind when the name Jesus is mentioned.?" I can't wait to hear the responses! This psalm speaks directly to the person of Jesus Christ...many of it's phrases are quoted in the New Testament...all pointing to God's Son, Jesus. What comes to your mind concerning Jesus?

PSALM 109

Boy is David steamed! In this simple prayer, David pours out the angst and rage over his enemies, but at the end of the song you will find - "With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord, in the great throng I will praise him, For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him."  Oh if we would only get ourselves to a worship service this weekend and GREATLY extol the Lord! What would that look like? ...a well rested worshipper... ready to sing loudly, pray and listen to God's Word.... even taking notes on the sermon! WOW what a thought! 

PSALM 108

Here is an unexpected prayer... "Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies." 
Amazing! David had a commanding seasoned army at his disposal. He himself was a decorated military general, but he declares, "human help is worthless". If only we understood this principle when it comes to accomplishing great things in life. Church leaders that act as if their human and material resources are enough to propel them to success, are either plain foolish or woefully under performing as God's people. My efforts on a good day can add up to 2 +2= 4, but if I give myself over to be used by God , it can look like my 2 + God =10 or 100. Remember with God nothing is impossible!

PSALM 107

Have you ever wandered in a desert like wasteland, sat in the darkness of the soul, or felt lost in a storm? I have been to a few of those "places"... felt the pain, confusion and at times fear. But just as this psalm reveals, I discovered that God's love and compassion always overcomes every obstacle and storm. ... "he lifted the needy out of their affliction..." No matter the size or intensity of your current storm, Jesus Christ is sufficient to pull you through and make you stronger.

PSALM 106

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Blessed are they who maintain justice,

who constantly do what is right."

 

His love will endure far longer than even this mountain of rock!

Photo from Ghost Ranch, NM

 

PSALM 105

Has God ever done something really big in your life? Psalm 105 records the history of God's people, highlighting the miracles of God in their midst.  A very impressive portrayal of God's loving power... We often are amazed by Christ's work, but then quickly forget to offer continued thanksgiving. I am overwhelmed by Christ's blessings in my life right now. After years of painful lonely ministry, God has blessed me with a home I adore, grandchildren filling that home, and a new ministry that puts wind in my sail. "God brought out his people with rejoicing and shouts of joy..." Remember God is always faithful to his promises!

PSALM 104

If you love nature, this psalm is for you! It describes God's creative genius in creating the universe. A clear mandate to each of us to take our calling, as stewards of all creation, seriously.

God "gives water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst."

PSALM 103

Pat Lersch, a courageous women has won her fight with cancer, and is now at home with Jesus ... this passage is for her and her family.
"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

PSALM 102

Have you ever felt overwhelmed, depressed ...so far in a hole, you can not see the light of day? This song was written by just such a person. His days vanish like smoke, his bones feel like burning embers, no appetite for food, he can't sleep, he is as lonely as a bird perched alone on a roof.  He assumes God is to blame for his affliction, yet he turns to God with a clear expectation that God's love and mercy will once again bless him. Most of the time our afflictions are caused our own actions or the sinful actions of others or because we live in a fallen, sinful world where disease and disasters are common to our human existence. But remember this: there is no pit so deep that God can't reach down and pull us back into his love and comfort.

PSALM 101

This is one of David's songs...but a little different theme that certainly has application for today! He spells out some rules for living:
 
1. Even at home, I will honor God and my family.
2. I will not view any vile thing {including porn}.
3. I pledge to have nothing to do with evil things.
4. I will not count people who do evil things as my friends.
5. I will not stand by and listen to my neighbor be slandered.
6. The proud and arrogant can keep on walking, for I have no   patience for them.
7. There is no room for deceit and lies in my house.
8. I will have eyes for those who are faithful before God. I will welcome them into my life and home.

 

 

By the way, this blog will no longer allow me to post new photos :-( .

PSALM 100

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever..."

 

 

PSALM 99

The psalmist directs us to exalt God at his holy mountain. Of course this is a reference to Mt Zion where the Jewish Temple stood high above Jerusalem. But mountains in general inspire us to look beyond the everyday fray of life.  They can provide shelter and a barrier from harsh weather... strong pillars of refuge. God is like that... bigger than life, yet planted in the midst of life. As we enter this new year, may we lift our eyes and behold the majesty and holiness of God.

Grand Tetons, WY

PSALM 98

With all the constant change in our lives, some people find comfort in the traditions and rituals of worship. And surely those traditions should be honored and respected. But what about this frequent phrase in the Psalms... "Sing a new song to the Lord"? "The Faith" {the content of Christian beliefs} is unchanging but "our faith" {how we live out those beliefs in the stuff of life} is dynamic, tested, and forged by God shaping our lives. We are charged with communicating God's new movements in our faith, with new expressions of thanks and praise. What's your new song? This is my new song - watching God work through the people of Orlando Presbyterian Church!

PSALM 97

We often need reminding that we are not the only Christians on this planet! In fact millions live on every continent ...in every distant shore there is  a believer trying to live out their faith, sometimes in hostile surroundings. "The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice."  Lord, lift up  Christian voices that all the world may hear the Good News of Christ and rejoice in your mercy and love.

It appears the blog has changed the way it will import photos to the blog, and I haven't figured it out :-(

PSALM 96

We talk about football games, politics, traffic, our favorite TV shows- with ease and sometimes with great passion! But talking about our beliefs and feelings about God, sends us over the deep end of fear and anxiety. This psalm reminds us that all of creation sings aloud the praises of God. If the sea and trees can attest to the glory and majesty of God, why can't we?

PSALM 95

Why do I love rocks? Perhaps because of the large rock in our cow pasture... it appeared to be about 12 inches deep and flat enough for four kids to call it a "base camp" for our neighborhood play. That was over 50 years ago. Last May I went looking for "my" rock. The pasture had become an established housing development, so finding that rock seemed a little foolish.  After two attempts I stumbled upon it in some one's backyard.  It had been dug up and because it was so big, the home owner decided to just make it part of their landscaping. That same rock is now the "playground" for an entire new generation of neighborhood kids. It was a complete surprise to see how large this rock was...  for we only played on the small exposed part of the rock. The whole thing was a sight to behold!

This psalm proclaims God is the "rock of our salvation." We only see a portion of the salvation God has in store for us.... Just wait till all of it is exposed for us to behold!

PSALM 94

Evil comes in powerful graphic imagines today...violence, death, and abuse ... but here in Psalm 94 evil is described  with these phrases:
the proud, arrogant, boasting, oppressors of widows, aliens and murderers of the fatherless. I recently read, there have been  an estimated 163 million fetus/infant girls aborted because of the "One Child" per family  government rule in the Far East. That equals all the women in the USA....evil abounds...not just in the high profile TV news stories, but in the everyday of all of us. Some believe God doesn't notice ... What a foolish thought! God not only notices but also acts to bring  evil down into a pit! And for those who place their trust in God alone? ... "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your comfort brought joy to my soul." Who plots evil? Who seeks God's support and comfort? God knows!