I am having trouble with Psalm 140. I don't consider anyone wicked or out to get me. I have a hard time conceptualizing that someone actually makes time to think about me and how they can ruin me. I guess it happens. I figure that most people do not pay me any attention. I'm not powerful, I have nothing that I feel would be motive for that. But, King David did. He always had someone trying to get at him. I do know that God will hear our prayers, just as he heard David's. So pray when you feel someone is trying to get you, or you feel hurt. Don't strike back. Let God do it.
Psalm 140
1 Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men;
Preserve me from violent men
2 Who devise evil things in their hearts;
They continually stir up wars.
3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
Poison of a viper is under their lips.
Selah.
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked;
Preserve me from violent men
Who have purposed to trip up my feet.
5 The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside;
They have set snares for me.
Selah.
6 I said to the LORD, “You are my God;
Give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications.
7 “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
You have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 “Do not grant, O LORD, the desires of the wicked;
Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted.
Selah.
9 “As for the head of those who surround me,
May the mischief of their lips cover them.
10 “May burning coals fall upon them;
May they be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.
11 “May a slanderer not be established in the earth;
May evil hunt the violent man speedily.”
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted
And justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name;
The upright will dwell in Your presence.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
God Knows Me Intimately
Psalm 139:1-6
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
5 You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
How well do you know someone? After years of living with a spouse and/or children, you know their likes and dislikes, their favorites, but yet do they still surprise you once in a while? For me that is a yes. I am the worst when in comes to being detailed-oriented. I don't think I have the detail gene. You know, the one that matches everything, that makes a party from being okay, to WOW! I rely on my daughter and husband for that. They can take an idea and make it more than just okay. I think I am too simple. But God, being the Omnipotent One, takes it even further not just with me, but with every one of his children. He knows us intimately. I think that means that he knows me better than I know myself. It's scary that he knows how I will react and what my next thought will be. But, that also keeps me in check. I believe that he is there and listening to my every thought, that I try hard to keep my thoughts and emotions in check. I follow the rule that if I wouldn't say it to God, then I should not say it. I'm glad he knows me. I'm glad he is on top of all my little quirks. Praise God, who made us, for we are each unique.
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
5 You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
How well do you know someone? After years of living with a spouse and/or children, you know their likes and dislikes, their favorites, but yet do they still surprise you once in a while? For me that is a yes. I am the worst when in comes to being detailed-oriented. I don't think I have the detail gene. You know, the one that matches everything, that makes a party from being okay, to WOW! I rely on my daughter and husband for that. They can take an idea and make it more than just okay. I think I am too simple. But God, being the Omnipotent One, takes it even further not just with me, but with every one of his children. He knows us intimately. I think that means that he knows me better than I know myself. It's scary that he knows how I will react and what my next thought will be. But, that also keeps me in check. I believe that he is there and listening to my every thought, that I try hard to keep my thoughts and emotions in check. I follow the rule that if I wouldn't say it to God, then I should not say it. I'm glad he knows me. I'm glad he is on top of all my little quirks. Praise God, who made us, for we are each unique.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sharing Contentment.
Yesterday, our speaker at church was Larry Holmes. He gave a great message on being happy with what you have and how to keep yourself content. I really enjoyed the message and this is what I took away from it.
Do you have all you want? Are you always wanting more? Everyone wants to take it easy, make a large sum of money and then make the rest of their life easy? It is not all fun and games for anyone. But it's all in your attitude. Do you worry only about you and your family or do you worry about others? Life isn't so easy for everyone, is it? God wants us to share ourselves, our wealth, and our love.
In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus tells a story about a rich young man who has a large harvest. He gets more and realizes he needs to build bigger barns to store it all. Now I ask myself, why does one young man need that much? If you have a great harvest, what will you do? Will you put it up and save it for later? There is nothing wrong with that. Right now, I am waiting for my harvest of vegetables from the garden to come in. But, I have not had a good harvest in a while, so I will put up a lot of tomatoes and beans. But, I will also share. I have friends who need and I want to share with. I am content that God will bless me with an abundance that I can share with others. I don't want to be greedy. I want to help out my neighbor with what I have. But your harvest doesn't have to be food. It can be your knowledge, clothes, whatever your talent is. I want to please God. I want to know I did all for my fellow man that I can.
Luke 12:21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Do you have all you want? Are you always wanting more? Everyone wants to take it easy, make a large sum of money and then make the rest of their life easy? It is not all fun and games for anyone. But it's all in your attitude. Do you worry only about you and your family or do you worry about others? Life isn't so easy for everyone, is it? God wants us to share ourselves, our wealth, and our love.
In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus tells a story about a rich young man who has a large harvest. He gets more and realizes he needs to build bigger barns to store it all. Now I ask myself, why does one young man need that much? If you have a great harvest, what will you do? Will you put it up and save it for later? There is nothing wrong with that. Right now, I am waiting for my harvest of vegetables from the garden to come in. But, I have not had a good harvest in a while, so I will put up a lot of tomatoes and beans. But, I will also share. I have friends who need and I want to share with. I am content that God will bless me with an abundance that I can share with others. I don't want to be greedy. I want to help out my neighbor with what I have. But your harvest doesn't have to be food. It can be your knowledge, clothes, whatever your talent is. I want to please God. I want to know I did all for my fellow man that I can.
Luke 12:21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Friday, July 22, 2011
God's Greatness
Yesterday, the Psalm was 137, not 136. I apologize for that misquote.
Today, this psalm is full of joy. The Psalmist wants to sing, give thanks, and tell of God's love. Isn't that what you want to do?
Psalm 138
1 I will give You thanks with all my heart;
I will sing praises to You before the gods.
2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
3 On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD,
When they have heard the words of Your mouth.
5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD,
For great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is exalted,
Yet He regards the lowly,
But the haughty He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Today, this psalm is full of joy. The Psalmist wants to sing, give thanks, and tell of God's love. Isn't that what you want to do?
Psalm 138
1 I will give You thanks with all my heart;
I will sing praises to You before the gods.
2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
3 On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD,
When they have heard the words of Your mouth.
5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD,
For great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is exalted,
Yet He regards the lowly,
But the haughty He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sing God's love
Psalm 136:4
How can we sing the LORD’S song
In a foreign land?
The chapter this verse comes from verses talking about being in captivity. When I look at this verse alone, I say "How can we not sing the LORD'S song in a foreign land?" How else are we to share God's love and saving grace? Even if you never go to a foreign land, any place that is not aware of God's love can be considered foreign places to Christians. So go to your workplace, the store, the doctor's office, and sing of God's love, or at least act it out in kindness and understanding.
How can we sing the LORD’S song
In a foreign land?
The chapter this verse comes from verses talking about being in captivity. When I look at this verse alone, I say "How can we not sing the LORD'S song in a foreign land?" How else are we to share God's love and saving grace? Even if you never go to a foreign land, any place that is not aware of God's love can be considered foreign places to Christians. So go to your workplace, the store, the doctor's office, and sing of God's love, or at least act it out in kindness and understanding.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Lovingkindness
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
5 To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
This is only a small portion of this chapter in Psalm. The running theme here is that God's lovingkindness is forever. Lovingkindness. I looked this word up on www.dictionary.com and it said it was a noun meaning tender kindness motivated by or expressing affection. God's heart is tender toward those he loves. And who does he love? You! Me! The whole world! We too can shout "For His lovingkindenss is everlasting."
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
5 To Him who made the heavens with skill,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting;
This is only a small portion of this chapter in Psalm. The running theme here is that God's lovingkindness is forever. Lovingkindness. I looked this word up on www.dictionary.com and it said it was a noun meaning tender kindness motivated by or expressing affection. God's heart is tender toward those he loves. And who does he love? You! Me! The whole world! We too can shout "For His lovingkindenss is everlasting."
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Inanimate
Psalm 135
5 For I know that the LORD is great
And that our Lord is above all gods.
15 The idols of the nations are but silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear,
Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
Yes, everyone who trusts in them.
These verses clearly tell me that God is God. I am not in a position to understand how others can believe in a piece of wood or metal. My God walked this earth, showing me how to live by example. Can you follow the example of a block of wood, an inanimate object? How can you pray to something that can not hear? My mind does not wrap around that concept. I thank God that he was a living breathing human and he loved me enough to talk to us through his Word. Praise God for his humanity.
5 For I know that the LORD is great
And that our Lord is above all gods.
15 The idols of the nations are but silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear,
Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
Yes, everyone who trusts in them.
These verses clearly tell me that God is God. I am not in a position to understand how others can believe in a piece of wood or metal. My God walked this earth, showing me how to live by example. Can you follow the example of a block of wood, an inanimate object? How can you pray to something that can not hear? My mind does not wrap around that concept. I thank God that he was a living breathing human and he loved me enough to talk to us through his Word. Praise God for his humanity.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Night Watch
Psalm 134
1Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD,
Who serve by night in the house of the LORD!
2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary
And bless the LORD.
3 May the LORD bless you from Zion,
He who made heaven and earth.
I am going to be honest, I did not remember these verses. But today, they hit me square in the face. I grew up with my dad working shift work. I remember that when it was time for him to get up, we would have to turn all the lights out and not talk to him. He was such a grizzly before his first cup of coffee. He would get up, get his coffee, wake up, then leave. I was never scared when he left. My mom always made sure we felt safe. She never, ever showed a sign of being scared of being alone that I can remember.
When I married Mike, he was working nights. He worked that the first few years of our marriage. I confess that sometimes it was nice to have the house to myself. I could watch what I wanted, go to bed when I wanted, hog all the covers. I never got scared. Once though, our first dog, Frosty left me a present on our back porch...a dead rat or gopher or something. I called Mike and told him that he needed to come in the back door and get that thing off the porch! It didn't scare me, just grossed me out. I always liked the quiet of the night. The rustling of branches and leaves. But those things are the same in the quiet of the afternoon if you listen.
But with the police, fire fighters, and all the others that work while we sleep and keep us safe, how can you not sleep soundly. How can you be scared. God has angels all around watching us every night. We pray for protection while we sleep. I now pray for those who are awake while I slumber. I also thank them too! So if you have a family member who works at night, pray for them and let them know you appreciate what they do. It's hard work.
1Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD,
Who serve by night in the house of the LORD!
2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary
And bless the LORD.
3 May the LORD bless you from Zion,
He who made heaven and earth.
I am going to be honest, I did not remember these verses. But today, they hit me square in the face. I grew up with my dad working shift work. I remember that when it was time for him to get up, we would have to turn all the lights out and not talk to him. He was such a grizzly before his first cup of coffee. He would get up, get his coffee, wake up, then leave. I was never scared when he left. My mom always made sure we felt safe. She never, ever showed a sign of being scared of being alone that I can remember.
When I married Mike, he was working nights. He worked that the first few years of our marriage. I confess that sometimes it was nice to have the house to myself. I could watch what I wanted, go to bed when I wanted, hog all the covers. I never got scared. Once though, our first dog, Frosty left me a present on our back porch...a dead rat or gopher or something. I called Mike and told him that he needed to come in the back door and get that thing off the porch! It didn't scare me, just grossed me out. I always liked the quiet of the night. The rustling of branches and leaves. But those things are the same in the quiet of the afternoon if you listen.
But with the police, fire fighters, and all the others that work while we sleep and keep us safe, how can you not sleep soundly. How can you be scared. God has angels all around watching us every night. We pray for protection while we sleep. I now pray for those who are awake while I slumber. I also thank them too! So if you have a family member who works at night, pray for them and let them know you appreciate what they do. It's hard work.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Get Together
Psalm 133:1
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
July 31st, some of the congregations in our brotherhood will be getting together to have dinner on the grounds and singing and a speaker. It will be an evening of fellowship and entertainment. I am excited to lead the choir for this event.
This verse in Psalms tells should put us all in the mood to attend. I am at fault at neglecting this. Sometimes when I hear that the area churches are having a get-together, I think, I don't need to go, this doesn't apply to me. God tells us that it is good to be with those of the same minds and faith. To fellowship with one another. That doesn't mean just of our own congregation, but of whole family of God. When we get to heaven, we will be mingling and worshiping with like-minded Christians that we will not have had any contact with, maybe. So come out, eat, worship, and enjoy each other's company for the evening. Maybe it will be a little bit of heaven on earth!
5th Sunday Rally, July 31, 2011 @ 6:00 PM
at Lifeway Church, 780 Lebanon St., Monroe, OH 45050
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
July 31st, some of the congregations in our brotherhood will be getting together to have dinner on the grounds and singing and a speaker. It will be an evening of fellowship and entertainment. I am excited to lead the choir for this event.
This verse in Psalms tells should put us all in the mood to attend. I am at fault at neglecting this. Sometimes when I hear that the area churches are having a get-together, I think, I don't need to go, this doesn't apply to me. God tells us that it is good to be with those of the same minds and faith. To fellowship with one another. That doesn't mean just of our own congregation, but of whole family of God. When we get to heaven, we will be mingling and worshiping with like-minded Christians that we will not have had any contact with, maybe. So come out, eat, worship, and enjoy each other's company for the evening. Maybe it will be a little bit of heaven on earth!
5th Sunday Rally, July 31, 2011 @ 6:00 PM
at Lifeway Church, 780 Lebanon St., Monroe, OH 45050
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Comfortable Places
Psalm 132:14
14 “This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
Everyone needs rest. Everyone needs a place where they can find peace, quiet, and comfort. Even God wanted a place to rest when David wanted to build him a place for God to be and the Israelites to worship. Do you have a resting place? Do you have a place where you can find comfort? I love my bedroom. It's quiet, I can sit on my bed and read, rest, and recharge. Growing up, it was this little space in our kitchen. In our family kitchen was a place between the counter and the stove. The two-step stool was there, and I will sit there and talk with my parents about the most important subjects. It was my place when I needed comfort. It was my place when I needed to vent. It was my most favorite place in the whole house.
14 “This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
Everyone needs rest. Everyone needs a place where they can find peace, quiet, and comfort. Even God wanted a place to rest when David wanted to build him a place for God to be and the Israelites to worship. Do you have a resting place? Do you have a place where you can find comfort? I love my bedroom. It's quiet, I can sit on my bed and read, rest, and recharge. Growing up, it was this little space in our kitchen. In our family kitchen was a place between the counter and the stove. The two-step stool was there, and I will sit there and talk with my parents about the most important subjects. It was my place when I needed comfort. It was my place when I needed to vent. It was my most favorite place in the whole house.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Child-Like
As an adult, people look down on us when we act childish. But when we come to God, we need to be child-like. I hope God sees that my trust in him is not childish, but child-like. I want to always feel safe and secure in the Lord. I want God to take me where he wants me to go. I want to do things that are just right for my ability, according to Christ, not according to me.
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 131
1 O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Listen!
Psalm 130
2 Lord, hear my voice!Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
Our minister tells us that God gave us two ears and one mouth. With them, we should listen twice as much as we talk. And if we are fashioned after God, then he is the perfect example.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Church Camp
Yesterday, my family made our annual trek over to Hillsboro to drop our son off at church camp. He has been looking forward to this since the schedule came out and he and his friends started their planning. I grew up going to camp, and took my kids from the time they were old enough to walk. They love the weeks we spent there, getting to know the kids that camp, and without realizing it, they grew strong roots in God's foundation. My daughter was actually baptized at camp.
The last two years Timm has gone to what we call 79ers week. It's for kids going into 7th grade up to and including those going in to 9th grade. Timm has made a strong bond with kids he seems about once, maybe twice, a year. He made great friends with the boys in his cabin and with today's technology, has been able to stay in touch with them by texting, facebook, and his Playstation 3. He is able to see what they are doing, and vice versa. He even spent last New Years Eve with them at a huge teen function that the other kids' church put on.
He reminds me of me. I met one of my closest friends at church camp. Her family ran the camp and her and I became fast friends. We coordinated when we would go to camp, went to parties, were in each other weddings, and were around for the birth of children. We did lose touch for a few years, but have, in the past couple of years, reunited. She and I have a bond that only God could put together. I know I can call or text her and tell her anything, and she can do the same to me. The best part of our relationship is that God is there in the middle of us. I pray that Timm's friendships are the same. I think they are, but we will have to wait and see.
If you haven't thought about sending your kids to camp, I will tell you, it's not for everyone. My daughter didn't like going anywhere, and unless I was there, wouldn't go. My husband has gone with us as a counselor, but it isn't his favorite thing to do either. But, for a lot of us, it's a great time. They sing, dance, play, have devotion, serve, give, and commune. This week, there are probably 150+ boys and girls that are there. I pray for each of them and can't wait to hear all about Timm's adventures.
The best part of yesterday was for the hour and a half we were on the drive, Timm kept us in stitches the whole time. He is a natural comedian and it seems that most everyone likes him. He told us that though he can not mimic people's voices, he can make up his own voices and they seem popular. He has a knack to make friends and keep them. God has given him a heart for other kids and a talent for making us all laugh. When we got to camp, the counselor's knew who he was, and when he went to sign in and get his room assignment, the person there told him that his friends, demanded that he be in their cabin. He kind of shrugged and took it all in. We then went and found his friends, met one of their parents, which is always nice for parents, and then he told us it was okay to leave. Even though we been through it a million times before, it's a little heartbreaking when your child hugs you and goes off with his friends, not looking back. But, I am reassured that he is in good hands and will have the best week of his summer...at church camp.
The last two years Timm has gone to what we call 79ers week. It's for kids going into 7th grade up to and including those going in to 9th grade. Timm has made a strong bond with kids he seems about once, maybe twice, a year. He made great friends with the boys in his cabin and with today's technology, has been able to stay in touch with them by texting, facebook, and his Playstation 3. He is able to see what they are doing, and vice versa. He even spent last New Years Eve with them at a huge teen function that the other kids' church put on.
He reminds me of me. I met one of my closest friends at church camp. Her family ran the camp and her and I became fast friends. We coordinated when we would go to camp, went to parties, were in each other weddings, and were around for the birth of children. We did lose touch for a few years, but have, in the past couple of years, reunited. She and I have a bond that only God could put together. I know I can call or text her and tell her anything, and she can do the same to me. The best part of our relationship is that God is there in the middle of us. I pray that Timm's friendships are the same. I think they are, but we will have to wait and see.
If you haven't thought about sending your kids to camp, I will tell you, it's not for everyone. My daughter didn't like going anywhere, and unless I was there, wouldn't go. My husband has gone with us as a counselor, but it isn't his favorite thing to do either. But, for a lot of us, it's a great time. They sing, dance, play, have devotion, serve, give, and commune. This week, there are probably 150+ boys and girls that are there. I pray for each of them and can't wait to hear all about Timm's adventures.
The best part of yesterday was for the hour and a half we were on the drive, Timm kept us in stitches the whole time. He is a natural comedian and it seems that most everyone likes him. He told us that though he can not mimic people's voices, he can make up his own voices and they seem popular. He has a knack to make friends and keep them. God has given him a heart for other kids and a talent for making us all laugh. When we got to camp, the counselor's knew who he was, and when he went to sign in and get his room assignment, the person there told him that his friends, demanded that he be in their cabin. He kind of shrugged and took it all in. We then went and found his friends, met one of their parents, which is always nice for parents, and then he told us it was okay to leave. Even though we been through it a million times before, it's a little heartbreaking when your child hugs you and goes off with his friends, not looking back. But, I am reassured that he is in good hands and will have the best week of his summer...at church camp.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Psalm 129
Psalm 129
1 “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up,”
Let Israel now say,
2 “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up;
Yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 “The plowers plowed upon my back;
They lengthened their furrows.”
4 The LORD is righteous;
He has cut in two the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion
Be put to shame and turned backward;
6 Let them be like grass upon the housetops,
Which withers before it grows up;
7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand,
Or the binder of sheaves his bosom;
8 Nor do those who pass by say,
“The blessing of the LORD be upon you;
We bless you in the name of the LORD.”
Have a great weekend!
1 “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up,”
Let Israel now say,
2 “Many times they have persecuted me from my youth up;
Yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 “The plowers plowed upon my back;
They lengthened their furrows.”
4 The LORD is righteous;
He has cut in two the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion
Be put to shame and turned backward;
6 Let them be like grass upon the housetops,
Which withers before it grows up;
7 With which the reaper does not fill his hand,
Or the binder of sheaves his bosom;
8 Nor do those who pass by say,
“The blessing of the LORD be upon you;
We bless you in the name of the LORD.”
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Fruitful Happiness
Psalm 128
1 How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
We have a garden in our backyard. Some of you have heard us talk about it. Mike and I love to garden. We hate to weed, but we do it. We really enjoy the fruits of our labor, the harvest. Last year we decided that this year's garden would be small because we are so busy with work, band, etc. We never plant our garden until the beginning of June. April seems too wet and cold, May is too busy, so June it is. This year even June seemed crazy and kind of wet. So we were thought we would be satisfied with a small garden. Well, my father seemed to have other ideas. He decided to have a garden, and give us the plants he couldn't put in. We now have 17 tomato plants, not including the volunteer tomatos coming up next to the back porch. We also have eight pepper plants, a little bit of peas and beans, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini and watermelon. We couldn't let anything go to waste. It just isn't in us. I hate to be wasteful. So I like the second verse of this psalm. It speaks to me, let's just say. I am happy that we have the garden we have.
I also like that this psalm talks about your family being a part of your garden as a you are the vine, the spouse is a fruitful vine, and your children will all be around your table as olives on a tree. There will always be plenty. What an uplifting set of verses.
1 How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the LORD.
5 The LORD bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6 Indeed, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
We have a garden in our backyard. Some of you have heard us talk about it. Mike and I love to garden. We hate to weed, but we do it. We really enjoy the fruits of our labor, the harvest. Last year we decided that this year's garden would be small because we are so busy with work, band, etc. We never plant our garden until the beginning of June. April seems too wet and cold, May is too busy, so June it is. This year even June seemed crazy and kind of wet. So we were thought we would be satisfied with a small garden. Well, my father seemed to have other ideas. He decided to have a garden, and give us the plants he couldn't put in. We now have 17 tomato plants, not including the volunteer tomatos coming up next to the back porch. We also have eight pepper plants, a little bit of peas and beans, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini and watermelon. We couldn't let anything go to waste. It just isn't in us. I hate to be wasteful. So I like the second verse of this psalm. It speaks to me, let's just say. I am happy that we have the garden we have.
I also like that this psalm talks about your family being a part of your garden as a you are the vine, the spouse is a fruitful vine, and your children will all be around your table as olives on a tree. There will always be plenty. What an uplifting set of verses.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Quivers Full of Arrows
Psalm 127:3 - 5
3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
These verses are not only insightful, but show's the psalmists true heart. I love that the children are compared to arrows and having a full quiver of them shows how blessed a man is. Having a good family around you is important. I have three children who are always insightful and so full of love, compassion and humor. Mike and I love them and want to do everything to help them. We are blessed because of them, worried for them, and pray every day for them. Sometimes they drive us crazy, but then do the most honest things, and we just shake our heads. They love their God, their family, and others. We can't ask for more than that.
3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
These verses are not only insightful, but show's the psalmists true heart. I love that the children are compared to arrows and having a full quiver of them shows how blessed a man is. Having a good family around you is important. I have three children who are always insightful and so full of love, compassion and humor. Mike and I love them and want to do everything to help them. We are blessed because of them, worried for them, and pray every day for them. Sometimes they drive us crazy, but then do the most honest things, and we just shake our heads. They love their God, their family, and others. We can't ask for more than that.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Bringing in the Sheaves
Psalm 126:4-6
4 Restore our captivity, O LORD,
As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
The last part of the chapter just brings me joy reading it. All the suffering we have, are, and will go through will turn to celebration when Christ comes back and brings his children home. I'm so glad that I am a child of God. I hope you are one too!
4 Restore our captivity, O LORD,
As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
The last part of the chapter just brings me joy reading it. All the suffering we have, are, and will go through will turn to celebration when Christ comes back and brings his children home. I'm so glad that I am a child of God. I hope you are one too!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Happy Independence Day!
Psalm 125:1 - 2
1 Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
This weekend, we celebrate the birthday of our country. It is a joyous time to get together with family and friends. We eat, we march in parades, we end the day with fireworks. But, do you take the time thank God for this great country, founded on Christian principles. We need to remember that God loves America and gave us the prosperity because those before us trusted him. He surrounds us and protects us. We just need to keep looking to him for our guidance. We need to pray for our leaders and our people to turn to him. Happy Independence Day!
1 Those who trust in the LORD
Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.
This weekend, we celebrate the birthday of our country. It is a joyous time to get together with family and friends. We eat, we march in parades, we end the day with fireworks. But, do you take the time thank God for this great country, founded on Christian principles. We need to remember that God loves America and gave us the prosperity because those before us trusted him. He surrounds us and protects us. We just need to keep looking to him for our guidance. We need to pray for our leaders and our people to turn to him. Happy Independence Day!
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