A good night’s rest

I am enjoying reading through the psalms.  I like them because they talk about all kinds of life situations.  And sometimes life is hard for the psalmist.  In Psalm they are being set upon by their enemies.  I think it is important to remember that these enemies were aquired by telling God’s grace in tough situations.

So, in the psalm after the enemy has said there will be no help from God.  The psalmist says,

“But you, God, shield me on all sides, You ground my feet, you  lift my head high.

With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain.

I stretch myself out, I sleep.  Then I’m up again-rested, tall and steady,

Fearless before the enemy mobs coming at me from all sides.”

I like the image of resting and then taking on the difficult situation.  How often a good nights rest wrapped in prayer helps us to face life.

I pray you have a peaceful rest and find that God has your back.

Endless elections

As I read through the Psalms again, I am reminded how many things about  human society do not change.

The Message paraphases the opening of Psalm 2 this way:

“Why the big noise, nations?  Why the mean plots, peoples?

Earth-leaders push for position, Demagogues and delegates meet for summit talks,”

You can read the rest of the psalm if you wish.  It really just describes human leaders who place themselves as Savior, and push others and God out of the way.

The election commerical are endless.  Apparently, in some states, those in power are trying to restrict voting to favor their side.  I trend to believe that big  money is involved somewhere.

So, yes, please educate yourself on issues that are important to you.  Pray for our world and its leaders.  Vote.  Participate to make a postive contribution for the common good.  

The last line of the psalm is, “But if you make a run for God — you won’t regret  it!”  

Make a run for God, let God make the claim of what is valuable in our lives.

Beginning to Blog again

Greetings,  while on the road the past few days, I have found that people like the blog and want me to write more.  I find this amazing, but am happy to write.  Since, life is very quiet right now, I decided to write on the psalms.  So, I’ll start with Psalm 1, this is from The Message.

How well God must like you— you don’t hang out at Sin Saloon, you don’t slink along Dead-End Road,

you don’t go to Smart-Mouth College.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God’s Word,

you chew on Scripture day and night.

You’re a tree replanted in Eden,

bearing fresh fruit every month,

Never dropping a leaf,

always in blossom.

4-5 You’re not at all like the wicked,

who are mere windblown dust—

Without defense in court,

unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take.

The road they take is Skid Row.

The beginning of the psalms speaks of immersing our lives in the way and word of God.  I think understanding the context of scripture is very important.  This psalm sees those who find their direction in God and those who follow their own way through the momentary pleasures that are completely self-absored.  I have always loved the image of a tree that is always blooming.  I pray you find God in the midst of your day.  I believe chewing on God’s word is not just about reading the Bible, but seeing God in all of God’s creation.  Peace.

A beautiful day

I went to church this morning with friends, singing hymns that I knew by heart and getting to share lots of hugs.  Then a lovely lunch with friends with time to share good food and good stories.  Then watching a movie with Nathan.  Life is good.

I like being in Hagerstown to help my parents, but it is nice to be back again.  

God gives us wonderful gifts everyday.  There is so much to rejoice in each moment  .  I hope you had someone to laugh with and hug today.

I’m baaaccckkk

I am back in town to perform a couple of wedding I made a commitment to do over a year ago.  It is kinda strange.  The only thing that has really changed is that the construction is done on Main Street.  I guess the other thing that has changed is that I don’t have pile of work to attend to.  

For over two decades I have been juggleing at least a half a dozen ‘hats’.  Now, life is simple, pet the cat, talk with friends, breath.  Actually, for a number of years I have been telling folks to take time to relax and breath.  It is nice to be able to do that for more than just a second.  So, enjoy the photo and breath.

Be Content

Some of favorite scripture passages come from the fourth chapter of Philippians. I like these verses paraphrased by Eugene Peterson. “Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”

As I am getting ready for my first visit back to Vestal, I am reflecting on how different my life is here. I really have not had much to report about my journey, but I am content. On some days my parents have really needed my help and other days I they have not needed a lot. Day by day we see what comes.

And I hope you are content. There is a commercial from Embassy Suites. I think it says the word, “more” about 50 times in the 30 second segment. I think this is our culture, to quote a friend, “bigger, better, more. If the yard sales are any indication it seems as though we have too much of more. I know I have enough. It looks like much more than enough when I have to pack it up.

Mostly, I think it goes back to gratitude. To look at what we have, to know that we often have enough, to think about what we can share, I think these ideas can lead to a happier heart. I find a multitude of things to give thanks for everyday, even when I am just sitting quietly not doing a whole lot.

Life is quiet

I feel badly that I haven’t posted in a while, but there is really not much to tell.

I continue to go to the Y about 5 mornings a week.  I have aqua zumba on Tuesdays and Thursdays and go to the weight room machines the other 3 days.  It was interesting that this week was the first time I exchanged anything but a nod in the weight room.  The woman’s name is Mary, and the first thing she said to me was, “Do you have a church?”.  My jaw did not drop open, but I was glad I had an answer.  Hagerstown has a hugh amount of churches and maybe this is why.  Evangelism in the gym.

I have applied for a couple of jobs, which is a really annoying process.  I realized I had not applied for a job in almost 30 years.  I have a much greater sympathy for anyone who has to go through this  process.  The applications have not resulted in a job, or even an interview.  So, I’m just hanging out.

Words with Friends anyone??