Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
It is important for me to express what God has done for me. My tendency is to keep silent, but that denies Him His due and is not OK.
Daily Report
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Thursday, November 6, 2014
Psalm 66
This psalm is all about praising God for the great things He has done. He has brought us through the dark times and into a place of rejoicing. Verse 16 rang my bell:
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
It is important for me to express what God has done for me. My tendency is to keep silent, but that denies Him His due and is not OK.
Daily Report
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul.
It is important for me to express what God has done for me. My tendency is to keep silent, but that denies Him His due and is not OK.
Daily Report
Psalm 60
Main ideas:
You have been angry and brought destruction.
Verse 1 - Restore us
Verse 5 - Give salvation and answer us
Verse 12 - With God we shall do valiantly, it is He who will tread down our foes.
We deserve and, in some sense, receive anger and destruction from God for our wrongdoing. But still, we can plead for help, and, in the end, He triumphs for us. Some of the in between times may be troublesome.
You have been angry and brought destruction.
Verse 1 - Restore us
Verse 5 - Give salvation and answer us
Verse 12 - With God we shall do valiantly, it is He who will tread down our foes.
We deserve and, in some sense, receive anger and destruction from God for our wrongdoing. But still, we can plead for help, and, in the end, He triumphs for us. Some of the in between times may be troublesome.
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Psalm 56
The first 12 verses describe all the trouble that is coming against the psalmist, but then things turn in verse 13:
For You have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Walking in the light of life is a terrific image and makes me feel that there is illumination and clarity in the path ahead. When I can see clearly, the right choices are easier to follow.
For You have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Walking in the light of life is a terrific image and makes me feel that there is illumination and clarity in the path ahead. When I can see clearly, the right choices are easier to follow.
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Psalm 55
I identify with verse 6 in my preference for isolation.
Oh that I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and be at rest.
This is only part of the picture and has more to do with retreat and recovery from struggle - not avoidance, which is the source of my desire for isolation.
Verse 18 describes the battle and His involvement:
He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.
Verse 22 assures me of security:
Cast your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
I don't like to move, but my sense is driven by passivity - not stability. They are very different. I need to avoid fooling myself by thinking that they are similar.
Oh that I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and be at rest.
This is only part of the picture and has more to do with retreat and recovery from struggle - not avoidance, which is the source of my desire for isolation.
Verse 18 describes the battle and His involvement:
He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.
Verse 22 assures me of security:
Cast your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
I don't like to move, but my sense is driven by passivity - not stability. They are very different. I need to avoid fooling myself by thinking that they are similar.
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Psalm 54
Verses 4 and 7 resonate:
Surely, God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me.
For He has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
We are in a battle, but with God on our side, victory is assured. He gives strength and endurance.
Surely, God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me.
For He has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
We are in a battle, but with God on our side, victory is assured. He gives strength and endurance.
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Romans 12:1-2
I see three main ideas in these verses:
1. Submit your bodies
2. Renew your minds
3. Know the will of God
It is interesting to consider the role of bodily discipline leading to confidence in knowing God's will. There is also a strong correlation in my thinking between diet and exercise leading to renewing the mind. On one hand, having a list of "to do" items may seem burdensome, but the effect is actually freedom. Definitely counter intuitive.
1. Submit your bodies
2. Renew your minds
3. Know the will of God
It is interesting to consider the role of bodily discipline leading to confidence in knowing God's will. There is also a strong correlation in my thinking between diet and exercise leading to renewing the mind. On one hand, having a list of "to do" items may seem burdensome, but the effect is actually freedom. Definitely counter intuitive.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Psalm 51
This is a very familiar psalm, in fact verses 6 - 12 are part of my current memory program. They focus on our sin and the cleaning that we need from our God. What strikes me today is verse 13 - the result of allowing ourselves to be cleaned:
"Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to You."
This is a wonderful result and ties in nicely with the things I have been reading about - the idea that one of the elements of the healing process involves turning and helping others along the path that I have found.
Daily Report
"Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to You."
This is a wonderful result and ties in nicely with the things I have been reading about - the idea that one of the elements of the healing process involves turning and helping others along the path that I have found.
Daily Report
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Friday, September 12, 2014
Psalm 42
The familiar phrase in this psalm is "Why are you cast down, O my soul." The whole verse is repeated - vs 5 and vs 11. The last part is a great comfort and encouragement -"Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God."
Distress and turmoil of soul are temporary conditions. He is my salvation (past, present and future - a powerful deliverer from sin) and my God (the absolute and ultimate ruler of the kingdom that I live in). I can be confident that the future is good and secure, in spite of present distress.
Daily report
Distress and turmoil of soul are temporary conditions. He is my salvation (past, present and future - a powerful deliverer from sin) and my God (the absolute and ultimate ruler of the kingdom that I live in). I can be confident that the future is good and secure, in spite of present distress.
Daily report
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Psalm 41
This psalm seems to be mostly about vengeance but there is one nugget that stood out to me. Verse 4 - "Be gracious to me. Heal me, for I have sinned against You!"
It is an interesting concept that sinning against God produces injury and that we can come back to God and request healing to the injury that we created by sinning against Him. What wondrous love it this, O my soul.
Daily report
By the way, one of the purposes of this blog exercise is to hold myself to a daily regime of meditation. Even though the last blog and the next are all being published at the same time, I am copying from my notebook, not cheating to try to make my pattern look better. By that, I mean that missing multiple days in the chapter sequences indicate that I have not been successful in my daily objective.
It is an interesting concept that sinning against God produces injury and that we can come back to God and request healing to the injury that we created by sinning against Him. What wondrous love it this, O my soul.
Daily report
By the way, one of the purposes of this blog exercise is to hold myself to a daily regime of meditation. Even though the last blog and the next are all being published at the same time, I am copying from my notebook, not cheating to try to make my pattern look better. By that, I mean that missing multiple days in the chapter sequences indicate that I have not been successful in my daily objective.
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Psalm 40
This chapter is tailor made to my issues. Verse 2 is all about what God does for me and through me. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure - is what he is doing for me. Then, the effect of His work on those around me - He put a new song in my heart. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. This is wonderful.
Then in verse 10 it talks about secrets. My normal understanding of secrets is to hide what I don't want others to know. Here, it is quite different - I have not hidden Your deliverance. I have not concealed your stead fast love. However, it is likely that the best revelation of God's goodness would be in the context of my failure, so that does get into the elements of hiding. This ties in the the idea of vulnerability which is prominent in the Brene Brown material that I have been reading.
Daily report
Then in verse 10 it talks about secrets. My normal understanding of secrets is to hide what I don't want others to know. Here, it is quite different - I have not hidden Your deliverance. I have not concealed your stead fast love. However, it is likely that the best revelation of God's goodness would be in the context of my failure, so that does get into the elements of hiding. This ties in the the idea of vulnerability which is prominent in the Brene Brown material that I have been reading.
Daily report
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Monday, September 8, 2014
Psalm 38
This psalm of David is a huge cry of distress. He is in a deep, deep pit of his own making and all he can do is wait for God (vs 15). Then, he ends the psalm with this:
[22] Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!
Even when things look hopeless, we can trust that God will help. He is our salvation. Even when we have messed up and it looks like there is no way out, He is our salvation. This is a great comfort and brings me to tears as I write.
Daily report
[22] Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!
Even when things look hopeless, we can trust that God will help. He is our salvation. Even when we have messed up and it looks like there is no way out, He is our salvation. This is a great comfort and brings me to tears as I write.
Daily report
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Sunday, September 7, 2014
Psalm 37
Two passages stood out in this chapter.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
I have been reading and thinking about humility. Pride is exhibited in secret keeping and combated with vulnerability. This Psalm reinforces one of the principles I understand from my early reading of Brene Brown - wholehearted living is supported by willing vulnerability. The delight of abundant peace is a great prospect and a byproduct of this humility process.
23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.
Verse 23 is confusing. It seems that the more likely interpretation is that the man delights in the way of the Lord. But it might also be the Lord delighting in the way of the man. In any case, it is a clear direction to allow God to have control of my steps if I want to be established. Then, failures are not devastating because the Lord upholds my hand. I don't know what that means either, but it has to be a supernatural support system of some kind.
Daily report
Reflections on the day:
Started reading Brene Brown. Really good stuff about vulnerability and wholehearted living. Went into Eastsound and walked the streets, took pictures and had lunch at Lower Tavern since Outlook Inn was closed (they only do breakfast and dinner). Very relaxing day. No memories of any dreams.
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Psalm 150
This psalm is all about praising God. The phrase is repeated 13 times in the 6 verses. Praise Him where He is, for what He has done and for who He is. Praise Him with all kinds of instruments - brass, strings, wind, percussion and dance. Cymbals are emphasized. "Everything that has breath!" The thought that comes to mind is that quality of performance is not important, making noise is.
Praise needs to be a dominant part of my life. How can I do that? Continually recognize His presence and acknowledge His works in my daily life. Maybe dance would be a good idea.
Praise needs to be a dominant part of my life. How can I do that? Continually recognize His presence and acknowledge His works in my daily life. Maybe dance would be a good idea.
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Psalm 149
One verse stood out to me in this Psalm - verse 4. "For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation." Humility is sabotaged by secrets. I don't want to reveal myself because I don't want to be thought less of. The other "shocking" thing about this is - He likes me! My performance based core values have a hard time believing that I am accepted in spite of what perceive as failures.
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Saturday, August 16, 2014
Psalm 136
"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
for His steadfast love endures forever!"
Then follows 25 more declarations about God with the same refrain after each one.
The concept of God's steadfast love is incredible. It holds on through everything. That is the kind of love that I need.
for His steadfast love endures forever!"
Then follows 25 more declarations about God with the same refrain after each one.
The concept of God's steadfast love is incredible. It holds on through everything. That is the kind of love that I need.
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Psalm 131
Another short Psalm - the key thought for me was "I have calmed and quieted my soul." What I get from this is that I have control over anxious thought. I can choose calm and quiet. Amazing!
We were camping this week at Cape Lookout. I could have done better but I did lose some of the momentum that was going. Let's get back on the track, guy.
Dreams:
There two that stuck in my memory long enough to tell Holly and therefore, I still have enough to report to you:
1. I was in a car with Brett and we were practically right on top of an accident where a car spun out of control and almost went over the edge of a bridge of some sort. We went running over to it and Brett was jumping into paramedic/firefight mode. I wanted to help and it looked to me like I could grab onto a piece of the car and pull it in closer and hold it steady. Brett said, "No!" but I reached out and grabbed it anyway. Fortunately it held long enough for him to pull the driver to safety but I clearly thought that I knew better and went ahead with my own idea, even though it was contrary to the wisdom that I was hearing. Typical? I also heard him call out right after he reached the guy - "Blood pressure is 260 over 65 - not immediately life threatening." My thought was, "how did he do that? Do paramedics get issued magical blood pressure readers, or maybe there is an app for that?" No particular insight comes from that element, except that I continue to have an interest in science and medicine.
2. We (the family, with me as dad) we visiting with friends and a snow storm came up. It was important for us to get home so we headed out into the storm. At one point the was a narrow path where other vehicles had gone through ahead of us but the snow was drifted higher than the car. We were still, inexplicably, making progress and everyone in the car was chanting, "Push, angels, push! Push, angels, push!" We got through that patch but then came to a place where the car would just not make it to the crest of the hill just ahead of us. I got out to scout out the situation and climbed up to see what was over the crest. There were 3 options if we could make it to the top but each was worse that the last. There was a wide spot in the rode back down the hill that we could coast back to so we did that. We had food and enough gas to warm the car periodically so we would be OK.
We were camping this week at Cape Lookout. I could have done better but I did lose some of the momentum that was going. Let's get back on the track, guy.
Dreams:
There two that stuck in my memory long enough to tell Holly and therefore, I still have enough to report to you:
1. I was in a car with Brett and we were practically right on top of an accident where a car spun out of control and almost went over the edge of a bridge of some sort. We went running over to it and Brett was jumping into paramedic/firefight mode. I wanted to help and it looked to me like I could grab onto a piece of the car and pull it in closer and hold it steady. Brett said, "No!" but I reached out and grabbed it anyway. Fortunately it held long enough for him to pull the driver to safety but I clearly thought that I knew better and went ahead with my own idea, even though it was contrary to the wisdom that I was hearing. Typical? I also heard him call out right after he reached the guy - "Blood pressure is 260 over 65 - not immediately life threatening." My thought was, "how did he do that? Do paramedics get issued magical blood pressure readers, or maybe there is an app for that?" No particular insight comes from that element, except that I continue to have an interest in science and medicine.
2. We (the family, with me as dad) we visiting with friends and a snow storm came up. It was important for us to get home so we headed out into the storm. At one point the was a narrow path where other vehicles had gone through ahead of us but the snow was drifted higher than the car. We were still, inexplicably, making progress and everyone in the car was chanting, "Push, angels, push! Push, angels, push!" We got through that patch but then came to a place where the car would just not make it to the crest of the hill just ahead of us. I got out to scout out the situation and climbed up to see what was over the crest. There were 3 options if we could make it to the top but each was worse that the last. There was a wide spot in the rode back down the hill that we could coast back to so we did that. We had food and enough gas to warm the car periodically so we would be OK.
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Saturday, August 9, 2014
Psalm 129
This psalm is much darker than the others that I have been reading in recent days. The main idea seems to be "Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me." I have been somewhat open in this blog about my desire to have a more healthy spiritual and emotional life. One of my other readings this week has expressed the idea that the pattern of isolation and escapist reading that I have lived since my youth is almost certainly a coping mechanism that allows me to hide from the pain of a deep inner wound. The challenge is to identify and recognize what that wound is so that it can be dealt with. It sounds like the psalmist identified his wound and was dealing with it - "they have not prevailed against me". So far my wound is still a puzzle to me. Stay tuned. All will be revealed (well - maybe in a restrained form).
Daily Report
Morning report:
This section may take the form of a daily activity journal (a diary, if you will). A big chuck of yesterday was spent preparing for (flowers and cookies) and attending Al's memorial service. After that, we tried to rejuvenate at Shari's before embarking more energetically on our camping preparations. (Any one reading this thinking that means our house will be unattended for a few days should know that our firefighter son and his family will be here because we have air conditioning and it will be hot. He is even more fearsome than I am.) With our rejuvenated spirits in hand, we came home and took a nap. Then I did yard work.
On the dream front, I have very interesting memories and as I started to recount them in my head, they became even more significant. I found myself in a situation when I was significantly restricted by being forced into some sort of hiding with my two teenage sons. At some point my rage reached a point that I shot with deadly intent at someone who was the recipient of my anger. I was very surprised to find that my weapon had nothing but blanks in it. I was somehow able to use this fact as leverage against my oppressor to win freedom from my restrictions and receive enough financial blackmail to supply funds for my sons to attend college.
I have run out of time to go into some of the possible relevance to my situation but a couple of observations:
1. Somewhere in me, there might be rage
2. Revelation of secrets produces freedom
Daily Report
Morning report:
This section may take the form of a daily activity journal (a diary, if you will). A big chuck of yesterday was spent preparing for (flowers and cookies) and attending Al's memorial service. After that, we tried to rejuvenate at Shari's before embarking more energetically on our camping preparations. (Any one reading this thinking that means our house will be unattended for a few days should know that our firefighter son and his family will be here because we have air conditioning and it will be hot. He is even more fearsome than I am.) With our rejuvenated spirits in hand, we came home and took a nap. Then I did yard work.
On the dream front, I have very interesting memories and as I started to recount them in my head, they became even more significant. I found myself in a situation when I was significantly restricted by being forced into some sort of hiding with my two teenage sons. At some point my rage reached a point that I shot with deadly intent at someone who was the recipient of my anger. I was very surprised to find that my weapon had nothing but blanks in it. I was somehow able to use this fact as leverage against my oppressor to win freedom from my restrictions and receive enough financial blackmail to supply funds for my sons to attend college.
I have run out of time to go into some of the possible relevance to my situation but a couple of observations:
1. Somewhere in me, there might be rage
2. Revelation of secrets produces freedom
Read More ->>
Psalm 128
This particular section of the book of Psalms has a lot of short chapters, but I have been finding rich insights each day. Today brings me back to the confusing concept of the fear of the Lord. The idea of parallelism is a frequent element in wisdom literature. The two phrases in a couplet are equivalent to one another. Verse one is:
"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways."
The psalm goes on and enumerates the wonderful blessings (wife like a fruitful vine, children like olive shoots around your table) but I was caught by the insight that the fear of the Lord is expressed by walking in His ways. I conclude that obedience is an evidence of "fear". Now that, I can understand.
The classic story of the two dogs that represent the good and the bad side of ourselves, battling within us for control of our behavior, was brought to mind in another reading I came across recently. The victor in the battle is the one that gets fed. The question is, how do I feed the good dog or starve the bad dog. I have been working on a scripture memorization project and also cutting back on "escapist" reading. I do not believe there is anything inherently wrong in escapist reading, but, for me, it contributes to my tendency to isolation. I have made a commitment to eliminate (for a season) escapist reading and to give more attention to my scripture memory project. Please ask me how that is going for me. In my daily report that will be reflected in the use of time score. As long as you see a 5 in that category, that means escapist reading has not been a part of that days activity. I believe that this is one way that I can be improving in the fear of the Lord and hope to see a wife that is like a fruitful vine (just kidding, Holly).
Daily Report
"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways."
The psalm goes on and enumerates the wonderful blessings (wife like a fruitful vine, children like olive shoots around your table) but I was caught by the insight that the fear of the Lord is expressed by walking in His ways. I conclude that obedience is an evidence of "fear". Now that, I can understand.
The classic story of the two dogs that represent the good and the bad side of ourselves, battling within us for control of our behavior, was brought to mind in another reading I came across recently. The victor in the battle is the one that gets fed. The question is, how do I feed the good dog or starve the bad dog. I have been working on a scripture memorization project and also cutting back on "escapist" reading. I do not believe there is anything inherently wrong in escapist reading, but, for me, it contributes to my tendency to isolation. I have made a commitment to eliminate (for a season) escapist reading and to give more attention to my scripture memory project. Please ask me how that is going for me. In my daily report that will be reflected in the use of time score. As long as you see a 5 in that category, that means escapist reading has not been a part of that days activity. I believe that this is one way that I can be improving in the fear of the Lord and hope to see a wife that is like a fruitful vine (just kidding, Holly).
Daily Report
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Friday, August 8, 2014
Psalm 127
This Psalm hit me right between the eyes right out of the gate. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." It goes on and develops the idea through the next 3 verses, but that was enough for me. The concept absolutely repudiates the whole performance based approval idea. I can "try" to the limits of my strength but God is the only one that can establish or create a worthwhile result. It's not that I don't have responsibility to work and to watch and to rise up early, but the results do not depend on me. What a relief.
Daily Report
Reflections on yesterday
My intention is to start going back the next morning to reflect on the previous day and to report on any dreams I can remember. The pattern I would like to establish is to write and publish my scripture based meditation in the evening and then exercise and update this section of the post with more general thoughts of the day. This reflection is in regard to Friday. It was the culmination of a very successful week at work, it particular in regard to my helpfulness to customers that were in trouble. Much more than normal for me, I stepped up and made the phone calls in response to emails that were sent out to my group. My supervisor was complimentary and appreciative.
That experience probably contributed to a dream that is a faint shadow in my memory. In my dream, I was a heroic figure, solving difficult problems in creative ways. There seem to have been a large number of complicated situations in my dream and a large number of characters. I do recall a feeling of satisfaction in my accomplishments.
Daily Report
Reflections on yesterday
My intention is to start going back the next morning to reflect on the previous day and to report on any dreams I can remember. The pattern I would like to establish is to write and publish my scripture based meditation in the evening and then exercise and update this section of the post with more general thoughts of the day. This reflection is in regard to Friday. It was the culmination of a very successful week at work, it particular in regard to my helpfulness to customers that were in trouble. Much more than normal for me, I stepped up and made the phone calls in response to emails that were sent out to my group. My supervisor was complimentary and appreciative.
That experience probably contributed to a dream that is a faint shadow in my memory. In my dream, I was a heroic figure, solving difficult problems in creative ways. There seem to have been a large number of complicated situations in my dream and a large number of characters. I do recall a feeling of satisfaction in my accomplishments.
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Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Psalm 126
There are a couple of things that resonate with me in this Psalm.
One is that I seem to be having a lot of dreams recently and they are generally good. I think I should start journaling about them and give particular attention to how I feel about what I dreamed. The psalmist, in verse one notes:
126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
I don't know what that means, but there is definitely a connection between dreaming and the restoration of fortunes. That has to be good.
Then the last two verses give a direct correlation with tears and weeping being related to shouts of joy and fruitful harvest.
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Our tendency is to despair in times of sorrow. Gods perspective is that sorrow is preparation for joy.
Daily Report
One is that I seem to be having a lot of dreams recently and they are generally good. I think I should start journaling about them and give particular attention to how I feel about what I dreamed. The psalmist, in verse one notes:
126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
I don't know what that means, but there is definitely a connection between dreaming and the restoration of fortunes. That has to be good.
Then the last two verses give a direct correlation with tears and weeping being related to shouts of joy and fruitful harvest.
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Our tendency is to despair in times of sorrow. Gods perspective is that sorrow is preparation for joy.
Daily Report
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Monday, July 14, 2014
Psalm 104
Psalm 104 is just like psalm 103 in that it starts and ends with "Bless the Lord oh my soul." But this psalm is much more focused on the greatness of God in creation. Then, the response that should be ours is found in verse 33.
[33] I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
In think that the litery device here is something like parraller synonyms. "As long as I live" is the same as "while I have my being. This assures me that singing praise is to be a life-long endeavor - what a pleasure that is and will be.
Daily report
[33] I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
In think that the litery device here is something like parraller synonyms. "As long as I live" is the same as "while I have my being. This assures me that singing praise is to be a life-long endeavor - what a pleasure that is and will be.
Daily report
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Sunday, July 13, 2014
Psalm 103
You can't miss with a Psalm, it seems to me. The repeated phrase in Psalm 103 is "Bless the Lord, O my soul!". The idea is repeated several times and then it lists really great reasons why we should bless Him - all things that he does for us. Just now, that is seeming a little self focused to me.
Another repeated theme is the fear of the Lord. In several places through the psalm, it described a blessing from God but then qualifies it - "to those who fear Him". Verses 10-12 below is an example.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
This a REALLY good benefit. Transgressions removed, steadfast love of God, release from answering to God for our sin - how great is that? So what does it mean to fear Him? I will postulate that it is not (at least not primarily) a matter of being afraid of God in the sense that we expect something bad from Him. It more a matter of being amazed and awed with a sense of the incredible power and glory of His person and an appreciation that His involvement with us is incomprehensible and amazing (there should be more words than "amazing" but nothing comes to mind and I am not going to a thesaurus for this.
Daily Report
Another repeated theme is the fear of the Lord. In several places through the psalm, it described a blessing from God but then qualifies it - "to those who fear Him". Verses 10-12 below is an example.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
This a REALLY good benefit. Transgressions removed, steadfast love of God, release from answering to God for our sin - how great is that? So what does it mean to fear Him? I will postulate that it is not (at least not primarily) a matter of being afraid of God in the sense that we expect something bad from Him. It more a matter of being amazed and awed with a sense of the incredible power and glory of His person and an appreciation that His involvement with us is incomprehensible and amazing (there should be more words than "amazing" but nothing comes to mind and I am not going to a thesaurus for this.
Daily Report
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Saturday, July 12, 2014
Psalm 102
There is much in Psalm 102 that I do not understand, but there is a section in the middle (18-22) that really resonates with me. By the way - this is one of the psalms where the header is part of the scripture and I think it emphasize what I observed in that middle section
A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.
I was doomed to die but now I am set free. Right now, I am tearing up as I consider the impact of that idea. Free from Satan and free from myself. Free to trust and free to love. WOW!
Daily Report
A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord.
18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,
21 that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, and in Jerusalem his praise,
22 when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.
I was doomed to die but now I am set free. Right now, I am tearing up as I consider the impact of that idea. Free from Satan and free from myself. Free to trust and free to love. WOW!
Daily Report
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Friday, July 11, 2014
Psalm 101
I have just been considering how to improve my life in the area of personal integrity and opened to this Psalm, which has a heading in my bible of "I Will Walk With Integrity"
2b I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
One aspect of integrity that I have been working on is secrets. As the level of secrecy drops the level of energy goes up. That is a principle I learned and then an experience I had. Details are not necessary but I can tell you, it is quite remarkable.
Daily Report
2b I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;
3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.
One aspect of integrity that I have been working on is secrets. As the level of secrecy drops the level of energy goes up. That is a principle I learned and then an experience I had. Details are not necessary but I can tell you, it is quite remarkable.
Daily Report
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Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Psalm 97
For me, highlights of Psalm 97 are listed below.
1a The Lord reigns
2b Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
My feelings from considering these words:
God is totally in control of everything, but His power has an amazing base - righteousness and justice. An earthly throne would more likely be based on fear and oppression. His kingdom is a kingdom of life. How fortunate we are!
What is the relationship between loving the Lord and hating evil? My opening thought on this line is that He himself hates evil and when we love Him we become like Him.
Verse 11 speaks of sowing light and joy. I normally think of seeds as the natural object of the verb, sow. Sowing involves scattering and expecting a large return on investment. That is a great principle to apply to light and joy. OK, this is getting good. I think that the parallelism of this line allows for a synonym match between "righteous" and "upright in heart". Verse 10 seems to identify the recipient of the writing as righteous ("You who love the Lord"). Therefore, I am eligible for the sowing of light and joy on my life. Yippee!
1a The Lord reigns
2b Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
My feelings from considering these words:
God is totally in control of everything, but His power has an amazing base - righteousness and justice. An earthly throne would more likely be based on fear and oppression. His kingdom is a kingdom of life. How fortunate we are!
What is the relationship between loving the Lord and hating evil? My opening thought on this line is that He himself hates evil and when we love Him we become like Him.
Verse 11 speaks of sowing light and joy. I normally think of seeds as the natural object of the verb, sow. Sowing involves scattering and expecting a large return on investment. That is a great principle to apply to light and joy. OK, this is getting good. I think that the parallelism of this line allows for a synonym match between "righteous" and "upright in heart". Verse 10 seems to identify the recipient of the writing as righteous ("You who love the Lord"). Therefore, I am eligible for the sowing of light and joy on my life. Yippee!
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Monday, July 7, 2014
Psalm 96
In Psalm 96, there are 2 verses that resonated with me.
3 - Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
6 - Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Verse 3 is a purpose that I can and should adopt and give my life to - publish His praise to everyone I can. I can start with my natural relationships, family, work and whoever I come in contact with. Then I can stretch my comfort zone and find ways to reach out to the world. The internet comes to mind. Blogging and commenting on others blogs can be a means to that end.
Verse 6 lists the qualities to be found in His presence - splendor, majesty, strength and beauty are certainly wonderful rewards for doing what is best for me anyway. Seeking to dwell with Him is a great thing and worthy of a high priority.
Daily Report
3 - Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
6 - Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Verse 3 is a purpose that I can and should adopt and give my life to - publish His praise to everyone I can. I can start with my natural relationships, family, work and whoever I come in contact with. Then I can stretch my comfort zone and find ways to reach out to the world. The internet comes to mind. Blogging and commenting on others blogs can be a means to that end.
Verse 6 lists the qualities to be found in His presence - splendor, majesty, strength and beauty are certainly wonderful rewards for doing what is best for me anyway. Seeking to dwell with Him is a great thing and worthy of a high priority.
Daily Report
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Saturday, July 5, 2014
Psalm 95
Here is another psalm that contains verses that are a familiar praise song, "Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down" (vs 6-7). The earlier part of the psalm also is a call to praise - sing, make a joyful noise (I have heard that is for those who can't sing - they are called to rejoice anyway, even if it is just a noise). For He is great.
Then comes this interesting idea - "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah.". I have been doing some reading and thinking about the issue of addiction. One of the concepts is that it is insanity - doing things that you know are bad for you for no reason. This verse brings that to mind. Even though His voice is clear, a behavior that is contrary to His voice is a hardening of the heart. The result for that generation (from Meribah) is given in vs 10-11.
"For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,
and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.”"
I pray that I will be spared that. I know the dispensation is different for me but my heart is called to respond to the voice in softness and worship - not hardness exhibited by the insanity of addictive behavior.
Daily Report
Then comes this interesting idea - "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah.". I have been doing some reading and thinking about the issue of addiction. One of the concepts is that it is insanity - doing things that you know are bad for you for no reason. This verse brings that to mind. Even though His voice is clear, a behavior that is contrary to His voice is a hardening of the heart. The result for that generation (from Meribah) is given in vs 10-11.
"For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart,
and they have not known my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.”"
I pray that I will be spared that. I know the dispensation is different for me but my heart is called to respond to the voice in softness and worship - not hardness exhibited by the insanity of addictive behavior.
Daily Report
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Friday, July 4, 2014
Psalm 94
There are 3 really great declarations in this psalm.
12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law,
13a to give him rest from days of trouble,
18 When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
22 But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.
The main idea for this psalm according to the heading in my Bible is "The Lord will not forsake His people." The first section, however presents God in His role as avenger and judge. It is very wonderful that He does not turn that face toward us, but rather gives us these gifts - teach, rest, held me up, cheer my soul, stronghold and rock. What a comfort and encouragement. Especially in light of what we deserve. This is another reminder of our place in Him as His people and the treasures of His gifts to us.
Daily Report
12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law,
13a to give him rest from days of trouble,
18 When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
22 But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.
The main idea for this psalm according to the heading in my Bible is "The Lord will not forsake His people." The first section, however presents God in His role as avenger and judge. It is very wonderful that He does not turn that face toward us, but rather gives us these gifts - teach, rest, held me up, cheer my soul, stronghold and rock. What a comfort and encouragement. Especially in light of what we deserve. This is another reminder of our place in Him as His people and the treasures of His gifts to us.
Daily Report
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Friday, June 27, 2014
Psalm 57
Psalm 57 starts with a cry for mercy and refuge and then expresses confidence in Him ("He will send..."). This psalm contains the verses that have been set to a familiar tune - "Be exalted, O God!" That phrase is used twice in the psalm, and between those two instances is a section that talks about the dangerous circumstances the psalmist finds himself in -"They set a net for my steps. My soul was bowed down."
However, most of the psalm is a celebration of Gods protection and a declaration of confidence and commitment. My take-away is that, even though circumstances can appear desperate, we should have confidence in God. He will protect and provide. "Let Your glory be over all the earth!" can be our song, even in dark hours.
However, most of the psalm is a celebration of Gods protection and a declaration of confidence and commitment. My take-away is that, even though circumstances can appear desperate, we should have confidence in God. He will protect and provide. "Let Your glory be over all the earth!" can be our song, even in dark hours.
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Saturday, June 14, 2014
Psalm 74
My abbreviated paraphrase of this psalm is: "Things are really bad! Rise up, O God and show your power!" Verse 12 is the turning point of those 2 ideas and it says "Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth"
My feelings from that psalm concern the reality of the battle that we are in. There are great powers that oppose us as long as we are working for God. But His power is greater and He is on our side. Salvation in our realm is the object of His work and He (and us) will succeed.
My feelings from that psalm concern the reality of the battle that we are in. There are great powers that oppose us as long as we are working for God. But His power is greater and He is on our side. Salvation in our realm is the object of His work and He (and us) will succeed.
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Monday, June 9, 2014
Psalm 69
This a fairly long Psalm that goes in a lot of directions. It is a cry to God from a place of distress. A few verses are clearly messianic ("they gave me sour wine to drink") but the biggest impact to me was vs 5-6:
O God, you know my folly;
the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
O Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel.
My desire to live in openness is reinforced here and the consequences of my failure in impact on my church and family is powerful.
O God, you know my folly;
the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,
O Lord God of hosts;
let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,
O God of Israel.
My desire to live in openness is reinforced here and the consequences of my failure in impact on my church and family is powerful.
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Sunday, May 18, 2014
Daily success report
Here I will give myself a daily performance score in the following areas. Devotional (1 means I had no dedicated time with God - 5 means I posted a thoughtful blog), Exercise (1 means I did nothing, 5 means I did my daily 9 or the 30 day shred and had some activity of at least 15 minutes). TU is a measure of how well I used my time. TR is traction - a daily exercise I have committed to for getting my neck alignment corrected.
Date Dev Ex Diet TU TR Total
11/6 5 3 3 5 5 21
11/5 4 3 4 5 5 21
11/4 3 3 5 5 5 21
11/3 3 5 5 5 4 22
11/2 3 5 4 5 3 20
11/1 5 5 5 5 2 22
10/21 5 5 4 5 5 24
9/12 5 5 5 5 5 25
9/11 5 4 3 5 5 22
9/10 5 5 4 5 5 24
9/9 3 4 4 5 5 21
9/8 5 4 4 5 5 23
9/7 5 5 3 5 5 22
8/9 5 4 3 5 5 22 (too many cookies at Al's memorial service)
8/8 5 3 4 5 5 22
8/7 5 4 5 5 5 24
8/6 5 4 4 5 5 23
7/14 5 5 5 5 5 25!!
7/13 5 3 3 5 5 21
7/12 5 4 5 5 5 24
7/11 5 5 4 5 5 24
7/5 5
7/4 5 2 3 3 2 15
7/3 2 2 4 4 5 17
6/27 5 4 4 4 5 22
Date Dev Ex Diet TU TR Total
11/6 5 3 3 5 5 21
11/5 4 3 4 5 5 21
11/4 3 3 5 5 5 21
11/3 3 5 5 5 4 22
11/2 3 5 4 5 3 20
11/1 5 5 5 5 2 22
10/21 5 5 4 5 5 24
9/12 5 5 5 5 5 25
9/11 5 4 3 5 5 22
9/10 5 5 4 5 5 24
9/9 3 4 4 5 5 21
9/8 5 4 4 5 5 23
9/7 5 5 3 5 5 22
8/9 5 4 3 5 5 22 (too many cookies at Al's memorial service)
8/8 5 3 4 5 5 22
8/7 5 4 5 5 5 24
8/6 5 4 4 5 5 23
7/14 5 5 5 5 5 25!!
7/13 5 3 3 5 5 21
7/12 5 4 5 5 5 24
7/11 5 5 4 5 5 24
7/5 5
7/4 5 2 3 3 2 15
7/3 2 2 4 4 5 17
6/27 5 4 4 4 5 22
6/26 2 5 4 4 2 17
6/14 5
6/13 2 3 2 4 5 16
6/12 2 4 3 3 5 17
6/9 4
6/8 2 2 3 3 10
6/7 2 4 3 4 13
5/17 2 3 3 4 12
5/16 5 4 3 2 14
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Isaiah 45:21-25
There is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me.
“Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
By myself I have sworn;
from my mouth has gone out in righteousness
a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
“Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me,
are righteousness and strength;
to him shall come and be ashamed
all who were incensed against him.
In the Lord all the offspring of Israel
shall be justified and shall glory.”
This is the designated passage for this morning's communion service. I find the description of our God thrilling. He is righteous and a Savior. The value of the recipient of the salvation is in their relationship (the offspring of Israel). I am confident that I fit in that family so I am blessed to be included. I shall be justified and glory. In Him are righteousness and strength. What a terrific set of rewards.
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Thursday, May 15, 2014
Psalm 45
This is very interesting psalm. In the heading (which I believe is part of the inspired scripture) it is identified as a love song. It is reminiscent of the Song of Solomon with the bridegroom described in majestic and godlike terms and the bride is a glorious princess. As in many passages there are puzzles the confound - vs 16 says "In place of your fathers shall be your sons".
This psalm also has a phrase that evokes an old song, Out of the Ivory Palaces" That section of the psalm is messianic and the song picks up on that - "into a world of woe. Only His great eternal love made my Savior go."
Verse 4 resonates with me - "In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness."
Those three are great causes for us to embrace and it is a great comfort and relief to know that we have majestic victory in our scope.
This psalm also has a phrase that evokes an old song, Out of the Ivory Palaces" That section of the psalm is messianic and the song picks up on that - "into a world of woe. Only His great eternal love made my Savior go."
Verse 4 resonates with me - "In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness."
Those three are great causes for us to embrace and it is a great comfort and relief to know that we have majestic victory in our scope.
Read More ->>
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Psalm 23
As one of the most familiar passages in all of English literature, this psalm has as it primary focus the trust that we as sheep can have in God our shepherd. Much has been written about the stupidity of sheep and what an appropriate image that is of us. We (I) frequently fail to follow the simplest directions and consequently end up in great trouble of our own making. Still, God continues to provide all the resources that we need (protection, food, shelter and direction).
One of my current continuing concerns it the desire for spiritual victory. The psalm touches on that as well when it say, "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies." God provides everything we need for successful living. Praise His Holy Name.
One of my current continuing concerns it the desire for spiritual victory. The psalm touches on that as well when it say, "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies." God provides everything we need for successful living. Praise His Holy Name.
Read More ->>
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Psalm 22
This messianic psalm starts off with "My God, my God; why have you forsaken me?". Much of the chapter deals with the distress and suffering and is clearly a prophetic reference to Jesus. I was, however, struck with the section in verses 22-26 - in summary, the idea is "You rescued me. Therefore I will praise you in the congregation." The observation that David refers to the place of praise as being in the congregation felt to me like an emphasis on the idea of community as a primary context for praising him. I personally have a tendency toward isolation. That is my comfort zone. In most cases I prefer to be alone. Even in a crowd, I have to stretch myself to engage in conversation. This psalm reminds me that isolation is not a healthy place and the I need to seek community as much as I can.
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Psalm 36
The middle of this psalm provides the text of a 3rd Day song, "Your Love, O Lord". That was ringing in my mind as I read about the amazing greatness of His love for us. Even though I usually feel like I don't deserve it, He still pours it all over me. Another wonderful image of His provision is the everlasting river that we are invited to drink from and never thirst again.
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