Psalm for a New Year

Posted on January 3, 2012 by admin

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High with rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

The rough landscape thorny bushes was repetitive. For hours we jostled and bounced in the four wheel drive jeep through the African bush. Now were returning home.

“Look!” our African friend pointed ahead. He spotted a rare antelope.

“Let’s get out to get a picture,” said our missionary friend.

The three men –the missionary, the African and my husband– got out of the vehicle to adventure. Cautiously and quietly they walked toward the scraggly trees and low thorny bushes to find the elusive animal, anticipating getting a National Geographic quality photo.

I climbed out of the vehicle to watch, praying they would be safe. Stepping into the vastness of the African bush was incredible. Dusty, sandy soil blew across the ruts of the dirt road. The sounds of the evening  creatures floated on the wind. As the sun set, the light blue sky turned a darker shade, with streaks of pink radiating across it. Although I stood in a desert, not far ahead was a mountain.The shadow of the mountain stretched across the scrub bushes.

The men cautiously moved around to catch a glimpse of the elusive animal. Soon they returned, disappointed for not having seen it.  Dusk made it harder to see. Other animals– the larger ones– would be prowling soon.

Climbing back into the jeep, we gladly sought refuge from the wilderness. It felt safe to be together again, buckled in the refuge of the vehicle. There was a calmness in the mountain’s shadow,  as it brought relief to the desert land.  The great shadow of the mountain claimed the landscape as we drove off.

Often in the Bible, the wilderness is a place of transition and testing, of searching for God.      The people had to learn deeper trust in God’s promises. They had to learn to rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

With the start of a new year, I hope you will read Psalm 91 to find a refuge for your soul. Offer thanks for God’s sheltering care and ask Him to increase your trust in the days and months ahead.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

 

 

 

 

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A Change of Heart

Posted on December 24, 2011 by admin

Many of the classic Christmas movies end with the main character gaining new hope. In ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ George Bailey realizes his life is worthwhile. In ‘A Christmas Carol’ Scrooge is given a second chance to change his self centered attitude. Charlie Brown’s scraggly Christmas tree becomes transformed with a little love. Even the Grinch’s heart grows three times bigger in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’

“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” underwent some changes before it became what we know it today. The text was written by Charles Wesley in the early 18th century when Christmas carols as we know them were abolished by the English Puritan parliament for being part of a “worldly festival.” The original melody was slow and somber. A hundred years later master composer Felix Mendelssohn created the current melody, joined it to Wesley’s text, transforming it into the joyful song we know today.

A line in “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” says,
“Light and life to all He brings, ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.”

The song ends with a prayer for the transforming power of Christ in our lives. Hope restored.That’s one of the gifts the manger brings to us.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

May you be blessed with the hope of Christmas!

 

 

 

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Come and Join In!

Posted on December 24, 2011 by admin

Recently a group from our church went caroling at a rehabilitation center. Two residents made an impression on me.

One, a cheerful lady of 90, came out of her room to join in singing every song. We learned she had been a church musician. She even stood in front of us and moved her arm in rhythm to direct us! Wilma was happy to see us and talkative.

As our group moved down the hall, another resident, a middle-aged man, rolled his wheel chair in the midst of us. I thought he would head down the hall to his room, but he stopped and turned around to listen. His face was stern, his eyes sad.

We asked if would join in the singing, but he shook his head.

He didn’t move away, but remained in the hall with us.

Soon his lips formed the words of a familiar carol.

“I thought you weren’t going to sing,” my husband asked.

“It was too hard to not do it.”

As much as he tried, he couldn’t resist it. His eyes grew a little brighter. The power of Christmas drew him in.

Many carols use the word of invitation “come.”

  • ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’ is a prayer asking the Lord to cometo earth.
  • ‘O Come all Ye Faithful’ calls believers to come adore Christ the Lord.
  • ‘Joy to the World’ tells of the Lord’s coming and for hearts to receive Him.

Are you going to join in the spirit of Christmas like Wilma, or are you resisting like the man in the hallway?

The gift of Christmas comes for everyone. All you have to do is come to Him.

“O come, let Us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

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Can You Hear It?

Posted on December 17, 2011 by admin

The church sanctuary felt cold as we gathered to decorate for Advent. Unpacking the boxes of long evergreen garlands, large red bows, and chrismons for the trees, we needed Christmas music to help us get in the spirit and to banish the overwhelmed feelings of the huge project.

Soon everyone hummed along to the familiar carols as the bows and greenery were hung. Warmth of Christmas peace replaced the chill of the air.

A song came on that mentioned peace on earth, good will to men.
“These words are ever true today,” my daughter said.
I listened. Very true.

Written by Henry W. Longfellow during the American Civil War, this carol speaks of the truth and hope we need today.

Longfellow was in a period of despair in his personal life. His beloved wife died in a freak accidental fire. His son served in the army, was severely injured in the war and soon died. The war, coupled with his wife’s and sons deaths led him to feel hopeless and bleak. His pen fell silent.

Then on Christmas day, 1864, he heard the church bells. The sound awakened the call for hope peace on earth within him. His grief gave way to peace. He wrote the poem “Christmas Bells.”

“I heard the bells on Christmas day their old familiar carols play,
And mild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said. “Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead. Nor doth he sleep.The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day–A voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on earth, good will to men!”

In 1872 the poem was set to music and became “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

The message of ‘peace on earth, good will to men’ still needs to be proclaimed today, perhaps more than ever. Like Longfellow, we can be in despair, wondering how there can be peace when there are wars on the global level and stress on the personal level.

But listen closely…can you hear it? The quiet message of Christmas peace can be heard through the noise and chaos of life. It’s what the angels sang on the first Christmas:
“Peace on earth, Good will to men.”

Only the Savior brings that peace to our hearts.
O come, Emmanuel!

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Are You Ready?

Posted on December 9, 2011 by admin

The decorations and warm colors of fall are packed away. The mantle is barren.

Are you ready for Christmas? This question is asked everywhere you go now that it’s December. The answer depends on how you define ‘ready.’

Now I’ve begun to drag the boxes and tubs of Christmas decor out of the attic. It becomes a chore lugging and lifting containers before the decorating can start.

Centuries ago God began the preparations for the first Christmas when people weren’t ready. Prophecies paved the away over 600 hundred years. Slowly the acts of history came together, leading to the birth of the Savior.

The song ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’ was written in the 12th century. The words recall mankind’s silent waiting while God moved behind the scenes of history. Israel was held captive by the Babylonians and later the Romans. They waited for ransom from the Messiah. Finally the long awaited announcement came–”Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!”

While this is true of history, it can be true for us today. Are you held captive by anything? Loneliness? Fears? Depression? Bitterness? Sorrow?

Remember: Emmanuel has come! Christ came not only to be Emmanuel–”God with us”–but in a more personal way, God in us.

Let me rephrase the original question. “Are you ready for Jesus?”

That puts the idea in a completely different Christmas light.

Eventually my tree and decorations will be put in place. Gifts will be wrapped. The mantle will hold the nativity set. All this as a way to get for for Christmas.

But what matter most—are you ready for Jesus in your heart?

Let this yearning grow in your heart:

O Come O Come Emmanuel.

~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~

O come, o come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Som of God appears.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height, in ancient times didn’t give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell Thy people save and give them victory o’er the grace.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, some and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here; O drive away the shade of night and pierce the clouds and bring us light.

O come, Thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home where all Thy saints with Thee shall dwell—O come, o come Emmanuel!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”  Luke 1:32,33

 

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Pathway to Praise: Gratitude

Posted on November 24, 2011 by admin

A plaque on my desk contains three words: God. Grace. Gratitude.

There’s a interesting connection between those words.

The “God of all grace” is one of the names given to God in scripture (1 Peter 5:10). God is the author of grace, freely giving it to us though we are undeserving. The greatest gift given to us is the free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. The blessings in daily life like family, sustenance, or even the next breath we take are also gifts given to us out of grace. In Greek, the word for grace is charis. This is the root word for charity.

The response to receiving grace is gratitude. It is interesting to note that the Greek word for gratitude is also charis.

The difference is that one charis (grace) flows from the giver and the other charis (gratitude) is the response of the receiver. Grace flows from God to us; his blessings flow to us. We receive them with gratitude.

Another expression for ‘giving thanks’ before a meal is ‘saying grace.’ The counterpart to grace is gratitude.

Grace, gratitude, and thankfulness are all related words.

No matter what season in life you are experiencing, whether it’s a time of great blessing when things are going right or a time of distress when life overwhelms you, I encourage you to look to the God of all grace with a heart of gratitude. Receive both the small and large blessings of life with thankfulness.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; Give thanks to him and praise his name, For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”   Psalm 100:4-5

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Doxology

Posted on November 23, 2011 by admin

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

These words were sung by the Pilgrims when they first sighted Cape Cod. After the treacherous journey over the sea, they praised God. They lived in the power of praise.

“Remember ever; and always, that your country was founded…by the stern old Puritans who made the deck of the Mayflower an altar of the living God, and whose first act on touching the soil of the new world was to offer on bended knees thanksgiving to Almighty God.”
~Henry Wilson (1812 – 1875), 18th Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant

What a great lesson for us to remember! Even through trials they maintained faith in God, and offered praise and thanksgiving.

May you be blessed in giving thanks for the large and small blessings in your life!

 

 

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Pathway to Praise: Autumn Rose

Posted on October 27, 2011 by admin

Our fall weather this year has taken us on a roller coaster swinging from warm 80 degree days to several nights of hard frost.

But isn’t that the way life often goes? Things go smoothly, then there’s a change followed by another change, followed by another change.

I noticed a small bud on the rosebush by my driveway. With the anticipation of the cold front, I thought the bud would likely shrivel, not having the chance to bloom before the freeze.

The overnight freeze came. After two nights of it, I laid aside any hope of seeing the rose bloom.

The next warm sunny day I was surprised! The rose blossomed fully in beautiful color.

Have you been in a situation where you have given up hope, thinking the worst possible scenario?

Hang in there. Persist through the ‘freeze’ and bloom!

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”  2 Corinthians 4:16

 

 

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Pathway to Praise: Look at God’s Holiness

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

A bright sunny day can be blinding, causing us to squint. We need protection of sunglasses to cover our eyes.

Looking at the holiness of God is like looking at the sun. His holiness is too pure for us. Moses asked to see the glory of God, but only got to see Him pass by because the Lord covered him in the cleft of a rock. (Exodus 33:19-23)

Looking at God’s holiness is another pathway to praise. How can we do that, especially when we are faced with tough situations and discouragement? We judge we have failed and are unworthy of being in God’s presence. In spite of this, God beckons us to look at His holiness.

The prophet Isaiah lived during the time of King Uzziah, who reigned 52 years as a godly and powerful king. Uzziah accomplished much, providing prosperity, safety and security for his people for decades. His death was terrible news, raising questions of what would happen next. It was at this point of discouragement and despair that Isaiah saw a vision of the Lord.

He wrote in Isaiah 6:1-5:

“In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of His glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

When faced with the astounding holiness of God Isaiah felt totally unworthy. He realized his despair and sin.

But God didn’t leave him in his hopelessness.

“Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said,”See, your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” (v.6)

God initiated an act of grace. He touched Isaiah with forgiveness so he could stand in His presence of holiness.

Isn’t that the way it is with us? Things look bleak or we think we have failed. We are without hope. Nothing worked out as we hoped. Here is when we need to change our focus. We, too, can look at the holiness of God as Isaiah did, be moved by a reality check to see how much we need Him, and then receive His grace.

Later in Isaiah 57:15 we read:

“For this is what the high and lofty One says–he who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

It amazes me that the Holy God does not remain far off, but seeks to live with us and desires to revive our weary hearts.

The holiness of God demands a response from us. We can be fearful and turn away from Him, as if turning away from bright scorching sun, or we can draw closer to Him by His grace. His purity leads us to look inward to see where we miss the mark. By laying our imperfections down we can receive His forgiveness through His grace. Then we see a glimpse of His holiness. The Holy God doesn’t stay on a distant mountain, but comes down to us right where we are. He doesn’t change, but we change when we are in His presence. Praise rises in our hearts. We are empowered by the Lord to face the challenges of our lives with new strength and hope.

Be drawn to praise His holiness.

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Approaching Holiness

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

Imagine this scenario:
It’s dinnertime and the family is called to the table. The kids have been outside playing in the sandbox, and dirty. They are starved. They bolt into the house, sit down at the table and start to fill their plates while mom is still getting things on the table. She notices they have not washed their hands, and sends them to go wash them immediately. Begrudgingly they do, but return with grumpy attitudes because they manage to get in a fight while washing their hands.

Rewind. Take two. It’s dinnertime, and the family is called to the table. The kids have been playing outside in the sandbox. They are dirty and starved. They bolt into the house and remember to wash their hands before going to the table. They wait for everyone. The meal begins without any squabbles.

As you consider approaching the Holy God, which scenario can you identify with? The children ignoring their dirty hands and rushing to the table, of the children willingly washing their hands before the meal? It is better for us to approach our heavenly Father with the attitude of knowing we have dirty hands (sin in our heart) and seek His cleansing. While the Lord lovingly accepts us as we are, our part is to continually seek His forgiveness to gain a pure heart.

“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:2 He has mercy on us when we have a contrite heart. He ‘un-sins’ us so we can stand in His presence.

Psalm 24: 3-4 reads “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol.”

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