Reading - Psalm 49-51
Reflection Text - Psalm 50
This is one of my favorite passages as God seems to be saying back to our insistence that the world either revolve around us or that we have a small God. God speaks...
"I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know every bird in the mountains,
and the insects in the fields are mine.
If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it."
So, why give to God if God doesn't need it? Maybe our giving to God has more to do with us than with what God needs or doesn't need. If that is the case then what happens WITH the offering becomes secondary.
Also, why do I limit God's provision for my life? Why do I insist that God can only do with what I see in front of me? How big is my God?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
June 27 Reflection
Reading - Psalm 46-48
Reflection Text - Psalm 46:1-2
Some thoughts:
1. "God is..." - after this weekend's sermon, I had to stop here and just acknowledge that no matter what precedes or follows these words, they simply and powerfully speak of a reality that undergirds it all. The creator IS. The redeemer IS. The One who makes the impossible possible IS. Faith believes in this reality even when God seems absent. How does the fundamental nature of God have room in your life?
2. "...our refuge, strength, a present help in trouble." - God is the place we can go when we just need to hide or seek shelter. God is also our strength to stand in our place no matter what kind of arrows are thrown our way. And when trouble comes, God is not distant but instead PRESENT. Present = a gift. When trouble assails me, God gifts me with His self.
3. "Therefore we will not fear." - What a powerful, simple declaration. The psalmists are saying "therefore" or "because of what I just said..." Because God IS, because God is strength, refuge and help, WE WILL NOT FEAR. Fear then becomes a reality, when not acknowledged or surrendered to God honestly, that emerges because of a lack of confidence in God's primal identity. Fear is real and not something to deny or gloss over but it is not a place that God wants us to linger in because doing so becomes a denial of God's power to embolden, to give courage and to move.
4. "Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea." - What if the way we saw the world (church, family, job, income, success, etc.) changed one day? What if all that we knew was thrown into the sea? The poets are saying "EVEN THEN, we will not fear."
God, EVEN WHEN ________________, I will not fear. Ok, maybe I will a bit. But my heart's desire is to get to a place in my relationship with you where fear does not grip me, numb me or keep me from all that you have for me. Be near O God.
Reflection Text - Psalm 46:1-2
Some thoughts:
1. "God is..." - after this weekend's sermon, I had to stop here and just acknowledge that no matter what precedes or follows these words, they simply and powerfully speak of a reality that undergirds it all. The creator IS. The redeemer IS. The One who makes the impossible possible IS. Faith believes in this reality even when God seems absent. How does the fundamental nature of God have room in your life?
2. "...our refuge, strength, a present help in trouble." - God is the place we can go when we just need to hide or seek shelter. God is also our strength to stand in our place no matter what kind of arrows are thrown our way. And when trouble comes, God is not distant but instead PRESENT. Present = a gift. When trouble assails me, God gifts me with His self.
3. "Therefore we will not fear." - What a powerful, simple declaration. The psalmists are saying "therefore" or "because of what I just said..." Because God IS, because God is strength, refuge and help, WE WILL NOT FEAR. Fear then becomes a reality, when not acknowledged or surrendered to God honestly, that emerges because of a lack of confidence in God's primal identity. Fear is real and not something to deny or gloss over but it is not a place that God wants us to linger in because doing so becomes a denial of God's power to embolden, to give courage and to move.
4. "Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea." - What if the way we saw the world (church, family, job, income, success, etc.) changed one day? What if all that we knew was thrown into the sea? The poets are saying "EVEN THEN, we will not fear."
God, EVEN WHEN ________________, I will not fear. Ok, maybe I will a bit. But my heart's desire is to get to a place in my relationship with you where fear does not grip me, numb me or keep me from all that you have for me. Be near O God.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
June 16 Reflection
Reading - Psalm 34 -36
Reflection Text - Psalm 34
"Taste and see that the Lord is good"
Is there anything more enjoyable than an old fashion homemade chocolate chip cookie just out of the oven. My mom has a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies so I enjoying making them from time to time. Unfortunately her recipe was for a family of six including plenty for the neighbors. That means lots and lots of cookies, plenty for the residents at Brookhaven, plenty for the guys at work and all too many for us. I try being good by limiting myself to a couple each day. With that being said they sometime lasts us a couple weeks.
One day I accidentally left my cookies I took to work in the car. It was bright and sunny day that really warmed the car up. When I bit into that 2 week old cookie it was as if I just pulled it out of the oven. The warmth of the sun restored that chocolate chip cookie to what it was designed to be, a delicious pleasure, after a hard days work.
If God through the SUN can restore a chocolate chip cookie to it's original design, how much more can God, through His SON restore us. When we seek God in all of His creation he opens our senses to a new and exciting adventure. His beauty, His love, unfolds all around us. We begin to allow His nature and His beauty to surround us , to engulf us. He becomes our refuge. We turn to Him in our difficult times, in our brokenness, and allow Him to redeem us.
Taste and See, receive the goodness of the Lord!
Reflection Text - Psalm 34
"Taste and see that the Lord is good"
Is there anything more enjoyable than an old fashion homemade chocolate chip cookie just out of the oven. My mom has a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies so I enjoying making them from time to time. Unfortunately her recipe was for a family of six including plenty for the neighbors. That means lots and lots of cookies, plenty for the residents at Brookhaven, plenty for the guys at work and all too many for us. I try being good by limiting myself to a couple each day. With that being said they sometime lasts us a couple weeks.
One day I accidentally left my cookies I took to work in the car. It was bright and sunny day that really warmed the car up. When I bit into that 2 week old cookie it was as if I just pulled it out of the oven. The warmth of the sun restored that chocolate chip cookie to what it was designed to be, a delicious pleasure, after a hard days work.
If God through the SUN can restore a chocolate chip cookie to it's original design, how much more can God, through His SON restore us. When we seek God in all of His creation he opens our senses to a new and exciting adventure. His beauty, His love, unfolds all around us. We begin to allow His nature and His beauty to surround us , to engulf us. He becomes our refuge. We turn to Him in our difficult times, in our brokenness, and allow Him to redeem us.
Taste and See, receive the goodness of the Lord!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
June 15 Reflection
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Reading: Psalm 31 - 33
Reflection Text - Psalm 32
This Psalm is about the forgiveness that comes from our Lord. It talks about the importance of silence and confession as we seek God's forgiveness.
The sentence that I am drawn to is found in verse 7; You are my hiding place. Wow, David really touches me here. He tells of a place that I never thought of being, a place I never thought of going. So often in our sin, in our brokenness, we look for all kinds of places to hide. Our guilt and shame drive us to all kinds of evils and all kinds of false comfort. David though finds comfort and protection in you God. Instead of running from his sin, he grabs it and dives into You. While so many look for places to hide, David finds forgiveness and peace in His Creator. He understands that in presenting our woes to You and trusting in Your unfailing love that we become new. We find a new way, Your way.
May we all rise from your hiding place and share Your instruction and guidance. May we sing songs of freedom for the sins that used to bind us. It is you dear God that makes our hearts right!
Reading: Psalm 31 - 33
Reflection Text - Psalm 32
This Psalm is about the forgiveness that comes from our Lord. It talks about the importance of silence and confession as we seek God's forgiveness.
The sentence that I am drawn to is found in verse 7; You are my hiding place. Wow, David really touches me here. He tells of a place that I never thought of being, a place I never thought of going. So often in our sin, in our brokenness, we look for all kinds of places to hide. Our guilt and shame drive us to all kinds of evils and all kinds of false comfort. David though finds comfort and protection in you God. Instead of running from his sin, he grabs it and dives into You. While so many look for places to hide, David finds forgiveness and peace in His Creator. He understands that in presenting our woes to You and trusting in Your unfailing love that we become new. We find a new way, Your way.
May we all rise from your hiding place and share Your instruction and guidance. May we sing songs of freedom for the sins that used to bind us. It is you dear God that makes our hearts right!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
June 14 Reflection
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Reading - Psalm 28 - 30
Reflection Text - Psalm 29
What images appear as you read this Psalm? Do you see God at that moment of creation as he speaks life into being. Do you see God breathe life into the words of His scriptures as this Psalm comes to life. Imagine His still small voice as it thunders power and majesty in the world around us. Who is this God who can speak and breathe new life into a world that is twisted like the oaks of the forest.
This is our God! When we speak, when we sing, when we lift His name up, the Lord strengthens us. Our worship of our God, our King forever, covers us in His blessings of peace.
Help us to listen, to look, to seek and to trust in this voice of God who speaks His love for us all always! May we hear God's voice in the ordinary and the everyday!
Reading - Psalm 28 - 30
Reflection Text - Psalm 29
What images appear as you read this Psalm? Do you see God at that moment of creation as he speaks life into being. Do you see God breathe life into the words of His scriptures as this Psalm comes to life. Imagine His still small voice as it thunders power and majesty in the world around us. Who is this God who can speak and breathe new life into a world that is twisted like the oaks of the forest.
This is our God! When we speak, when we sing, when we lift His name up, the Lord strengthens us. Our worship of our God, our King forever, covers us in His blessings of peace.
Help us to listen, to look, to seek and to trust in this voice of God who speaks His love for us all always! May we hear God's voice in the ordinary and the everyday!
Monday, June 13, 2011
According to Your Love
Monday, June 13, 2011
JUNE 13 REFLECTION
Reading: Psalm 25 - 27
Reflection Text: Psalm 25
In Psalm 25, David asks God to show him His ways and paths. He asks to be taught and guided by God, our Savior.
David asks that God not remember the sins of his youth and his rebellious ways. Oh how we all at one time or another have prayed that God forget those crazy things we did when we were young. I wonder if it's not in those sins of our youth, those rebellious times that God teaches us and guides us to His ways and paths.
Often it's when we have fallen or stumbled that God opens our eyes to His ways. He provides light in our darkness, He lifts the fog so we might find our way.
David really hit the mark when he asks to be remembered according to God's love and not his own. Our love often falls short and, at best, is a work in progress. God's love is immeasurable, all encompassing, unconditional and covers all of our sin.
Help us to become Your followers, not just Your fans. Open our hearts so that we might truly receive Your love!
JUNE 13 REFLECTION
Reading: Psalm 25 - 27
Reflection Text: Psalm 25
In Psalm 25, David asks God to show him His ways and paths. He asks to be taught and guided by God, our Savior.
David asks that God not remember the sins of his youth and his rebellious ways. Oh how we all at one time or another have prayed that God forget those crazy things we did when we were young. I wonder if it's not in those sins of our youth, those rebellious times that God teaches us and guides us to His ways and paths.
Often it's when we have fallen or stumbled that God opens our eyes to His ways. He provides light in our darkness, He lifts the fog so we might find our way.
David really hit the mark when he asks to be remembered according to God's love and not his own. Our love often falls short and, at best, is a work in progress. God's love is immeasurable, all encompassing, unconditional and covers all of our sin.
Help us to become Your followers, not just Your fans. Open our hearts so that we might truly receive Your love!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June 12 Reflection
Reading - Psalm 22-24
Reflection Text - Psalm 22
When you read Jesus' last words as he hung on the cross, you'll hear the same words from David in Psalm 22. Jesus, in complete brokenness cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
There is much commentary on WHY Jesus said these words and my thought is that he was deliberately referencing Psalm 22. Re-read Psalm 22:11-18 in light of what we now know that Jesus was doing on the cross.
11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13 Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
15 My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce[e] my hands and my feet.
17 All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.
Can you hear both the poet and Jesus' desperation? Does it bring you comfort knowing that in the middle of this agony is when God's ultimate plan bore the most fruit?
Could it be that while we are suffering God is actually about to bring rebirth?
Reflection Text - Psalm 22
When you read Jesus' last words as he hung on the cross, you'll hear the same words from David in Psalm 22. Jesus, in complete brokenness cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
There is much commentary on WHY Jesus said these words and my thought is that he was deliberately referencing Psalm 22. Re-read Psalm 22:11-18 in light of what we now know that Jesus was doing on the cross.
11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
12 Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13 Roaring lions that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.
15 My mouth[d] is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 Dogs surround me,
a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce[e] my hands and my feet.
17 All my bones are on display;
people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.
Can you hear both the poet and Jesus' desperation? Does it bring you comfort knowing that in the middle of this agony is when God's ultimate plan bore the most fruit?
Could it be that while we are suffering God is actually about to bring rebirth?
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