Posts Tagged ‘Psalm’

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Justice

July 27th, 2010

Last week, I was also given the opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington.  I know, not the most uplifting place to visit on a getaway without children.  However both Amy and I had not been there and decided this was the one museum we would take in while in DC.  It’s a place that I would recommend that everyone visits as it does put into perspective what can happen when we judge and let hatred rule in our lives.

Anyway, as we were leaving the exhibit there was a quote painted on the wall.  For some reason the quotation really resonated with me.  So, as we were leaving the museum and heading back to the last Tour Mobile of the day, we were stopped at the exit and were asked to be interviewed for a survey the museum was doing.  (I think we have sucker on our foreheads.)  So after a discussion about the exhibits with this nice college student, she presented us with a magnet with the same quote on it.  In fact she said it was her favorite.  It seemed worthy of sharing with ya’ll as well.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out –
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me. (Martin Niemoller)

Remember that no matter how big or small the injustice, it’s our responsibility to help others , and to stand up for what is right.

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Psalm 82:3 (New International Version)

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Almost Perfect

July 9th, 2010

As you know last week I was blessed to be able to spend a week on the Gulf coast at one of my most favorite places – the beach.  Oh the sun, the warm sand, the soft waves.  No. not at all.  Because of the recent Hurricane Alex, we spent most of the week being drenched by the feeder bands and then the remaining parts of the hurricane after it come upon shore.  It was really disappointed, and quite thought provoking.

One day after spending a little too much time at the house ( even though I really can’t complain, the porches and the porch furniture at this house provided a very relaxing setting for a rainy day) I decided to take a rainy walk on the beach.   As I walked on this lonely rainy beach, and I listened to the roar of the waves and watched the dance between the sand and the water, the beauty of this tainted day become very apparent.  Also, during the trip I found two shells.  Two shells that were almost perfect.  One a Nautilus and the other a nice conch-type shell.  Both just a little bit broken or covered with ‘junk from the sea”, however both are still very beautiful.  It was in these shells that I finally realized something I have always thought – that the beach is so much like our lives.  Everyday its different, and even what seems to be the most disappointing of times there is beauty.

Today, you may be dealing with disappointment in your life or in your work, or in your relationships, or maybe even in the mirror. Look past the imperfections and look for the beauty.  These two shells are the only two I brought back this year and I hope that each time I glance over at them, I will remember that even when life is full of apparent disappointments that many blessing still exist.

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (New International Version)

Be Salty!

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Off Day

July 8th, 2010

Today is an off day.  Its 106 degrees outside ( heat index),  its my off day from running this week, and it’s one of those days where I have a half dozen half baked thoughts, but nothing that is quite ready for a complete idea.  This is just one of those summer day’s when you just want to lay around and do nothing but ‘catch the cool’ as they say in the Bahamas.  It’s a day to just keep going, and just keep focused. No real new ideas except for getting another glass of sweet tea.

So stay cool and stay focused and refresh yourself in the Lord.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.  Psalms 19

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A Reminder About Your Crown

June 23rd, 2010

Growing up in West Virginia, I never thought much about them, but my recent Memorial Day tour de West Virginia, with my children, I was reminded again about this roadside attraction that is very common to West Virginia, although not exclusively there.  All over the state on the side of the road you can find two things – barns painted with Chew Mail Pouch and a blue cross flanked by two yellow ones.  No, the barn and the crosses are usually not found together, and yes it’s the crosses that I am talking about.  I had seen them all my life essentially, and although I regconized the event they are meant to acknowledge,  they really had become so common place, that I drove by these for years and really just ignored them.

But on my recent trip I told the story of why they are there to my boys. The fascination with the crosses was new again and for the entire weekend, they pointed out every time they saw one the side of the road.  Our favorite being out on a small island at the very end of the New River where it meets the Gauley and becomes the Kanawha.

So, two things. First, its pretty amazing someone will stand up and get the message of the Christ out with there in some a bold way like this. Its interesting to Google about these crosses and see how many people have heard about Christ because of these crosses. (try it Google “three crosses West Virginia”)

Secondly, sometimes, we need reminders to keep us focused. We need a guide to keep us going, and to keep the promise fresh and new.  Isn’t it great when with youthful exuberance you can yell “there’s a cross”, or “there’s the Lord”  in your own life!

Recently I have been listening to this song by Everyday Sunday

I will stand up now
I will not step down
I will do my best to wear this crown
But I need You as You guide me through today – Stand Up Now – Everyday Sunday

Get out there today and stand up, wear your crown, and maybe the thought of these crosses on a moutain in West Virginia will help guide you today.  What crown you ask.. Check it here:

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Ps 103:1-6

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

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A Fence Around us

June 21st, 2010

This weekend I was out for a nice morning run on very familiar road.  As I approached my turn around point I heard the barking of two approaches dogs.  The sound of the bark let me know these were no purse dogs.  There were Marmadukes.  Dogs that would push me over and stomp me just saying hello.  Dogs that love to “play” with things that run by.   But even though I heard their growls and barks and their approaching paws, I didn’t flinch, nor even turn to look at them.  I didn’t because I knew there was a fence between us.  A fence of protection.  A fence that made me bold and secure.

Immediately, I thought about how we can live life in fear of anything that moves or barks, or we can realize that we have a fence of protection around us.

4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.  Ps 23:4

We have a shelter when we abide with him.

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]

2 I will say [b] of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday. Ps 91: 1-6

What a great way to start out a week, realizing that when you walk with the Lord you can walk without fear, and you can be bold!  You can just keep running when you hear the dogs on your heels.   Be Bold and Fearless today, and put you trust in the promise that will not fall.

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-19

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