I'm bringing my prizes and presents to your house. I'm doing what I said I'd do, what I solemnly swore I'd do that day when I was in so much trouble. (Psalm 66:13-14, MSG)
Lately I've been looking at the "prizes" I've accumulated throughout my life.It's rather depressing; aside from the number of books, which is steadily growing, I feel like I have failed in making much of an impact in anyone's life.
But 25 books in print is a significant milestone, and I begged God for each one, representing sacrifice of hours of my days and years of my life.
And on the many days when I was in trouble, I did ask God to let me minister to others because of my experience. It has come in fiction and not nonfiction, but I put many of my heroes and heroines through wringers of internal conflict.So in a sense, those books were offered to God before their concepton.
May every book I've written. Every life I've touched. Those pitifully few people I have had a part in leading to Christ. Those writers I have helped and through them, the people their books will touch, my spiritual grandchildren. And my own precious, serious, committed son and his beautiful, sunny children. May those join me at the throne where we all cast our pitiful pile of treasures at the feet of the Lord.
I want more. I want joy and hope.
But until then, satisfaction in a job well done will have to do.
Today's favorite verse: All together now--applause for God! Sing songs to the tune of his glory, set glory to the rhythms of his praise. (Psalm 66:1-2, MSG)
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
SUPPORT SYSTEM (Psalm 62)
God said this once and for all; how many times have I heard it repeated?
"Strength comes straight from God." (Psalms 62:11, MSG)
This verse won out tonight because David repeated it twice in twelve short verses.
In case you don't know it, when the Bible repeats something, God is saying, sit up and take notice!
"Strength comes straight from God" has been repeated so often that it has become a common expression, along the lines of (the nonbiblical) saying, Cleanliness is next to godliness and the (inaccurately quoted) verse Money is the root of all evil. (The verse actually says, the love of money is the root of all evil.) In the case of this verse, however, I believe the quotation represents truth. If we went through the Psalms alone, we would find dozens of reference to God's strength, His stronghold, giving us strength, and so on.
Like so many other things I have encountered in the Psalms, this one brought a favorite New Testament verse to mind: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
As in the earlier post on self-help, this one emphasizes the same central truth: It doesn't all depend on you. In fact, given David's words here, even the strength we have comes straight from God.
But what is strength? The first thing I think of is "the world's strongest man," like Atlas who carried the world on his shoulders. But that isn't the kind of strength David is referring to here. I never have been nor will I ever be strong in that sense; but I can be strong.
The Bing dictionary gives us two additional definitions: emotional toughness and source of support. Oh, my, yes. God is my support system. With Him, I can do anything and everything He gives me to do. Without Him, I am likely to trip and fall. (And then He picks me back up.)
Let us repeat the words. Let us sing the songs. Most of all, let us live in His strength.
P.S. Saturday is my birthday. I would love to hear your favorite verses and receive your good wishes all weekend long. I'll also be looking for a verse for the year. This one would be a good contender!
Today's favorite verse: You've always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, a lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest. You've always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you. (Psalm 61:3-5, MSG)
"Strength comes straight from God." (Psalms 62:11, MSG)
This verse won out tonight because David repeated it twice in twelve short verses.
In case you don't know it, when the Bible repeats something, God is saying, sit up and take notice!
"Strength comes straight from God" has been repeated so often that it has become a common expression, along the lines of (the nonbiblical) saying, Cleanliness is next to godliness and the (inaccurately quoted) verse Money is the root of all evil. (The verse actually says, the love of money is the root of all evil.) In the case of this verse, however, I believe the quotation represents truth. If we went through the Psalms alone, we would find dozens of reference to God's strength, His stronghold, giving us strength, and so on.
Like so many other things I have encountered in the Psalms, this one brought a favorite New Testament verse to mind: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
As in the earlier post on self-help, this one emphasizes the same central truth: It doesn't all depend on you. In fact, given David's words here, even the strength we have comes straight from God.
But what is strength? The first thing I think of is "the world's strongest man," like Atlas who carried the world on his shoulders. But that isn't the kind of strength David is referring to here. I never have been nor will I ever be strong in that sense; but I can be strong.
The Bing dictionary gives us two additional definitions: emotional toughness and source of support. Oh, my, yes. God is my support system. With Him, I can do anything and everything He gives me to do. Without Him, I am likely to trip and fall. (And then He picks me back up.)
Let us repeat the words. Let us sing the songs. Most of all, let us live in His strength.
P.S. Saturday is my birthday. I would love to hear your favorite verses and receive your good wishes all weekend long. I'll also be looking for a verse for the year. This one would be a good contender!
Today's favorite verse: You've always given me breathing room, a place to get away from it all, a lifetime pass to your safe-house, an open invitation as your guest. You've always taken me seriously, God, made me welcome among those who know and love you. (Psalm 61:3-5, MSG)
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
GOD IS SLEEPING (Psalm 59)
Wake up and see for yourself! You're God, God-of-Angel-Armies, Israel's God! (Psalm 59:4-5, MSG)
I thought about addressing the question when it showed up in Psalm 44: Get up, God! Are you going to sleep all day? Wake up! Don't you care what happens to us? Why do you bury your face in the pillow? Why pretend things are just fine with us? (Psalm 44:23-24, MSG)
I bypassed the verse partly because it made me uncomfortable. Also because I'm not sure what to do with it, because in spite of these two verses, there are ten times more that describe a God that never sleeps. So David was using a poetic hyperbole (an exagerated comparison) to describe his feelings.
Do you remember the story of Elijah and the priests of Baal in their dramatic confrontation? When the priests called to Baal and slashed their arms, Elijah taunted them. "Maybe He's asleep."
Implied in the question is a basic assumption: If God was here, he would do something.
Come to think of it, the question from Psalm 44 echoes the question the disciples asked Jesus when he slept while a storm threatened to overturn the boat: The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:39, NIV) That time, Jesus calmed the storm before he rebuked the disciples. "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40, NIV)
Well, yes, they had faith. They knew Jesus could calm the storm. Jesus was challenging them to have more faith. They asked "Don't you care?" Perhaps Jesus wasn't saying, "don't you believe I can calm the storm?" but rather, "don't you know I care?"
What would have happened on that day on that day on the Sea of Galilee if the disciples hadn't awakened Jesus? God would have saved them. . .but what would it look like?
How did God answer David? Unlike Jesus and the disciples, God doesn't rebuke David for his question. Like the disciples, God rescued him. Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you--God, my dependable love. (Psalm 59:17, MSG)
What a dramatic name for God! "my dependable love" I'm going to bookmark that one.
So if the question is, does God sleep? The answer is no.
If the question is, why doesn't God act? That question has plagued us since the dawn of time, and I won't attempt an answer here.
If the question is, should we accuse God of not caring? There is no single right answer; and in any case, pretense is futile. God already knows what we're thinking.
If the question is, have we ever felt like God is asleep, deaf to our cries, blind to our needs? I suspect the answer is a resounding "yes."
God moves in, rescues us--whether taking the problem away or helping us get through it--and we learn more and more that God is dependable.
Today's favorite verse: I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness. (Psalm 57:9-10, MSG)
I thought about addressing the question when it showed up in Psalm 44: Get up, God! Are you going to sleep all day? Wake up! Don't you care what happens to us? Why do you bury your face in the pillow? Why pretend things are just fine with us? (Psalm 44:23-24, MSG)
I bypassed the verse partly because it made me uncomfortable. Also because I'm not sure what to do with it, because in spite of these two verses, there are ten times more that describe a God that never sleeps. So David was using a poetic hyperbole (an exagerated comparison) to describe his feelings.
Do you remember the story of Elijah and the priests of Baal in their dramatic confrontation? When the priests called to Baal and slashed their arms, Elijah taunted them. "Maybe He's asleep."
Implied in the question is a basic assumption: If God was here, he would do something.
Come to think of it, the question from Psalm 44 echoes the question the disciples asked Jesus when he slept while a storm threatened to overturn the boat: The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:39, NIV) That time, Jesus calmed the storm before he rebuked the disciples. "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40, NIV)
Well, yes, they had faith. They knew Jesus could calm the storm. Jesus was challenging them to have more faith. They asked "Don't you care?" Perhaps Jesus wasn't saying, "don't you believe I can calm the storm?" but rather, "don't you know I care?"
What would have happened on that day on that day on the Sea of Galilee if the disciples hadn't awakened Jesus? God would have saved them. . .but what would it look like?
How did God answer David? Unlike Jesus and the disciples, God doesn't rebuke David for his question. Like the disciples, God rescued him. Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you--God, my dependable love. (Psalm 59:17, MSG)
What a dramatic name for God! "my dependable love" I'm going to bookmark that one.
So if the question is, does God sleep? The answer is no.
If the question is, why doesn't God act? That question has plagued us since the dawn of time, and I won't attempt an answer here.
If the question is, should we accuse God of not caring? There is no single right answer; and in any case, pretense is futile. God already knows what we're thinking.
If the question is, have we ever felt like God is asleep, deaf to our cries, blind to our needs? I suspect the answer is a resounding "yes."
God moves in, rescues us--whether taking the problem away or helping us get through it--and we learn more and more that God is dependable.
Today's favorite verse: I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness. (Psalm 57:9-10, MSG)
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
PEACE AND QUIET (Psalm 55)
Get me out of here on dove wings; I want some peace and quiet.
I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods.
I'm desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather. (Psalm 55:6-8, MSG)
Living in a nurse home, I know the desire for peace and quiet.
Both the gentlemen in the room next to me are noisy. One of them raps his hands against the wall, all night long. Some times he knocks so hard the wall trembles. His room mate screams, "Ma'am! Ma'am! Ma'am!" for hours a time--he wants someone to sit with him, just to talk. The staff will take five minutes with him every now and then, but no one gets one-on-one care.
I don't mind them so badly. When I hurt, I moan, cry, scream--so I make plenty of noise myself.
They recently moved most of the dementia residents to my wing. Oh, my. Cacophony rules at mealtimes. One lady sings without words. A gent talks in a low monotone, cussing all the while. Another alternates between singing hymns and using offensive name calling (yup, you can guess what). Another lady talks nonstop in her singsong, hard on the ear, loud, voice. Occasionally someone will have enough and shouts, "SHUT UP!"
It's so bad that I decided to go to the other dining room to eat, with the other physically incapacitated but mentally acute individuals live. It's so quiet in there, I can't decide which is worse. No conversation--or stories I can repeat word for word?
Like David, I want a walk in the country and a cabin. Providing it comes with an electric wheelchair and an aide.
Desperate for a change from rage--directed at me, of course, but also my own rage. Except I carry it with me. I'd need a good dose of mountain solitude to dilute it.
A change from stormy weather? Here in Oklahoma , every spring, people keep an eye on the weather channel. Tornadoes torment this part of the country on a yearly basis. The town where my son lives has been hit hard three times in the past fifteen years.
I've heard that San Jose, California, enjoys spring-like weather year round. That sounds good to me.
But what I need more than anything is the escape on dove wings, one of spirit and soul and not to a place.
Today's favorite verse: You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book. (Psalm 56:8, MSG)
I want a walk in the country, I want a cabin in the woods.
I'm desperate for a change from rage and stormy weather. (Psalm 55:6-8, MSG)
Living in a nurse home, I know the desire for peace and quiet.
Both the gentlemen in the room next to me are noisy. One of them raps his hands against the wall, all night long. Some times he knocks so hard the wall trembles. His room mate screams, "Ma'am! Ma'am! Ma'am!" for hours a time--he wants someone to sit with him, just to talk. The staff will take five minutes with him every now and then, but no one gets one-on-one care.
I don't mind them so badly. When I hurt, I moan, cry, scream--so I make plenty of noise myself.
They recently moved most of the dementia residents to my wing. Oh, my. Cacophony rules at mealtimes. One lady sings without words. A gent talks in a low monotone, cussing all the while. Another alternates between singing hymns and using offensive name calling (yup, you can guess what). Another lady talks nonstop in her singsong, hard on the ear, loud, voice. Occasionally someone will have enough and shouts, "SHUT UP!"
It's so bad that I decided to go to the other dining room to eat, with the other physically incapacitated but mentally acute individuals live. It's so quiet in there, I can't decide which is worse. No conversation--or stories I can repeat word for word?
Like David, I want a walk in the country and a cabin. Providing it comes with an electric wheelchair and an aide.
Desperate for a change from rage--directed at me, of course, but also my own rage. Except I carry it with me. I'd need a good dose of mountain solitude to dilute it.
A change from stormy weather? Here in Oklahoma , every spring, people keep an eye on the weather channel. Tornadoes torment this part of the country on a yearly basis. The town where my son lives has been hit hard three times in the past fifteen years.
I've heard that San Jose, California, enjoys spring-like weather year round. That sounds good to me.
But what I need more than anything is the escape on dove wings, one of spirit and soul and not to a place.
Today's favorite verse: You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book. (Psalm 56:8, MSG)
Monday, July 29, 2013
NIGHTMARES (Psalm 53)
Don't they now they can't get away with this, treating people like a fast-food meal over which they're too busy to pray? Night is coming for them, and nightmare--a nightmare they'll never wake up from. (Psalm 53:4-
Nightmares--I haven't had one for quite awhile, definitely not since I arrived in the nursing home a year ago.
In the years my mother lived with me before her death, I had several. When I cried out, Mom came to the rescue. She woke me up and delivered me from the threat. I've missed that comfort now that she's gone.
The other day I took a snooze in the lobby. I don't sleep well at night, so I take an occasional nap.
I dreamed I was riding a train. I think it was a train. It could have been a bus. Of course, like all my dreams, the details are fuzzy.
I do recall approaching a station. To my surprise, Mom was waiting on the train platform. And Aunt Violet and Aunt Lucile! Oh, how I wanted to visit with them. I headed for the door, ready to go through the doors and walk into their welcoming arms.
Instead of stopping, the train raced faster. I called, in the sleep-logged voice that hampers nightmares, "Stop! Stop!" Frustration overcame me because I knew no one could understand what I was saying. My family faded into the background as we went faster and faster, and my cries turned to wails of "no, no, no."
About that time, an aide touched me on my shoulder. I reentered my world. Sitting in a corner of the lobby, computer in front of me, various residents scattered across the room. Nurses rushing to my side, making sure I was all right.
The dream left me shaken and sad. I want to see my family. My gaze wanders heavenward more and more. The older I get and the more physical ailments I suffer, the more I look forward to my heavenly home. Mom and her sisters are waiting for me, but no matter how loud I yell "stop!", the train won't stop until God's timetable allows it.
Come to think of it, my dream reminds me of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where it was always winter but never Christmas.
David (yeah, we're back to David psalms. There really is a difference.) would have understood the analogy. He described it with different words. He was speaking about people who treat others like a "fast-food meal." Their night is coming, and it will never end--and their nightmares will have the reality of life, with no one to wake them out of the terror.
Thank God He woke me up from the nightmare of my life apart from Him. He is my waking dream, both now and forever, paradise my permanent home. With Mom, Jolene, Grandma, my aunts--and dozens of friends who have gone on before. His "faithful friends."
Today's favorite verse: I thank you always that you went into action. And I'll stay right here, your good name my hope, in company with your faithful friends. (Psalm 52:9, MSG)
Nightmares--I haven't had one for quite awhile, definitely not since I arrived in the nursing home a year ago.
In the years my mother lived with me before her death, I had several. When I cried out, Mom came to the rescue. She woke me up and delivered me from the threat. I've missed that comfort now that she's gone.
The other day I took a snooze in the lobby. I don't sleep well at night, so I take an occasional nap.
I dreamed I was riding a train. I think it was a train. It could have been a bus. Of course, like all my dreams, the details are fuzzy.
I do recall approaching a station. To my surprise, Mom was waiting on the train platform. And Aunt Violet and Aunt Lucile! Oh, how I wanted to visit with them. I headed for the door, ready to go through the doors and walk into their welcoming arms.
Instead of stopping, the train raced faster. I called, in the sleep-logged voice that hampers nightmares, "Stop! Stop!" Frustration overcame me because I knew no one could understand what I was saying. My family faded into the background as we went faster and faster, and my cries turned to wails of "no, no, no."
About that time, an aide touched me on my shoulder. I reentered my world. Sitting in a corner of the lobby, computer in front of me, various residents scattered across the room. Nurses rushing to my side, making sure I was all right.
The dream left me shaken and sad. I want to see my family. My gaze wanders heavenward more and more. The older I get and the more physical ailments I suffer, the more I look forward to my heavenly home. Mom and her sisters are waiting for me, but no matter how loud I yell "stop!", the train won't stop until God's timetable allows it.
Come to think of it, my dream reminds me of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where it was always winter but never Christmas.
David (yeah, we're back to David psalms. There really is a difference.) would have understood the analogy. He described it with different words. He was speaking about people who treat others like a "fast-food meal." Their night is coming, and it will never end--and their nightmares will have the reality of life, with no one to wake them out of the terror.
Thank God He woke me up from the nightmare of my life apart from Him. He is my waking dream, both now and forever, paradise my permanent home. With Mom, Jolene, Grandma, my aunts--and dozens of friends who have gone on before. His "faithful friends."
Today's favorite verse: I thank you always that you went into action. And I'll stay right here, your good name my hope, in company with your faithful friends. (Psalm 52:9, MSG)
Sunday, July 28, 2013
SELF-HELP? (Psalm 49)
Really! There's no such thing as self-rescue, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.
The cost of rescue is beyond our means, and even then it doesn't guarantee
Life forever, or insurance against the Black Hole. (Psalm 49:7-9, MSG)
The psalmist strips of an entire industry of its identity with a simple statement: Self-rescue? Never happens. Pull on your bootstraps and all you get is ruined footwear.
Lest in all our discussions of faith and obedience and full-hearted commitment to God, we're ever tempted to think "I can do it," the Psalmist reminds us that we can't. It's beyond our means.
That's not talking about money, folks. If I travel to Europe, I can exchange my American dollars for euros at the current exchange rate.
An aide in the nursing home buys me toiletry items. I give her an occasional book. Trade in services.
But when it comes to eternal life, we have nothing to offer. As Isaiah said so famously, all our righteousness are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Anything we offer puts us even further in the hole.
We can do nothing to earn life forever. No plan of action that comes with a money back guarantee.
We can receive the guarantee of eternal life: [God] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:22, NIV)
Nor can we buy insurance against the "Black Hole," nothingness. Remember those kings who did well for a long time, but left God at a crucial juncture? Even if we are "blameless," in terms of outward acts, we are not "righteous" on the inside, except for the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
In words I memorized from all those Billy Graham crusades, in the words of Charlotte Elliott:
Today's favorite verse: Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises. (Psalm 50:14-15, MSG)
The cost of rescue is beyond our means, and even then it doesn't guarantee
Life forever, or insurance against the Black Hole. (Psalm 49:7-9, MSG)
The psalmist strips of an entire industry of its identity with a simple statement: Self-rescue? Never happens. Pull on your bootstraps and all you get is ruined footwear.
Lest in all our discussions of faith and obedience and full-hearted commitment to God, we're ever tempted to think "I can do it," the Psalmist reminds us that we can't. It's beyond our means.
That's not talking about money, folks. If I travel to Europe, I can exchange my American dollars for euros at the current exchange rate.
An aide in the nursing home buys me toiletry items. I give her an occasional book. Trade in services.
But when it comes to eternal life, we have nothing to offer. As Isaiah said so famously, all our righteousness are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Anything we offer puts us even further in the hole.
We can do nothing to earn life forever. No plan of action that comes with a money back guarantee.
We can receive the guarantee of eternal life: [God] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:22, NIV)
Nor can we buy insurance against the "Black Hole," nothingness. Remember those kings who did well for a long time, but left God at a crucial juncture? Even if we are "blameless," in terms of outward acts, we are not "righteous" on the inside, except for the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
In words I memorized from all those Billy Graham crusades, in the words of Charlotte Elliott:
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thy bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Today's favorite verse: Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises. (Psalm 50:14-15, MSG)
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