Tag: Psalm

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No Blue Lines on My Calendar

Every day is a special day.  Another chance, another opportunity.

I have mentioned several times that I spend most of my days on the telephone and in conference calls. I have been very stressed about some other tasks that I have been asked to complete that I have been kept away from because of these calls.  The stress from that has just been ridiculous, and so I have often been praying for ways to handle it.

Well, I think today is a gift and an answer.  We like to point out the big things God does for us- the healings, new jobs etc- but today I want to emphasis a small little thing.  Its a day on the calendar without any meetings! 

I think this is an answer to prayer – a gift, a simple gift, a special day.

Today, I will do my best to use the day given to me to reduce the stress that was creeping into other areas, other more important areas, of my life.  You probably have been given some simple gifts today as well.  Take the opportunity to use those – take advantage of them, treat them well! and give Glory where it is due.

Psalm 103:1-5 (New International Version)

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

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,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

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Work, Couches and a Guest

Wow, its one of those weeks were my mind is so occupied by big design sessions at work that my creativity is zapped.  This morning while still in the comfort of my covers, I found myself- due the the glorious wonders of technology- corresponding with my co worker who was already hard at work in an country where the sun rises much earlier.  Even last night I feel asleep on our Bush Couch ( the couch we purchased by GW’s first money hand out years ago) while thinking about how to solve a “serious software design problem”.  Anyway enough of that. ( but something has to fill this space right?)

Sometimes its better to have a guest blogger and today its David.  That’s right King David and his blog/song we refer to as Psalm 32 about the joys of forgiveness.

Psalm 32 (New International Version)

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.

1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD “—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.

7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Rejoice, your forgiven, that always good stuff.

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Pushing Through the Falls

Last night, once I finally got home from late night basketball, I sat down and watched a little bit of the Fall-a-lympics.  Did you notice?  In the women’s snowboard, fall after fall.  Men’s skating – fall, fall, fall.  So many falls, that I eventually “fell” asleep, kicked back in my favorite chair and missed the great victory last night in men’s skating (disappointing ).

Anyway, while I was still awake, I was asking my lovely and multi-talented wife why she thought there were so many falls.    We both through out several theories, including that they tired ( like us), they didn’t get enough practice, or that is was Bush’s fault. (ok just kidding on the last one).   But ultimately we settled, and I think this is true, on that fact that they are having to push so hard because there is such a small separation between Gold and last.  They push so hard, and when you push yourself, sometimes  you make mistakes.   All of these athletes are capable of pretty incredible athletic accomplishments, but on the world’s stage we see them falter. They could pull back just a little and finish their event without a fall, but would fall would be any chance at a medal.  So, they go for it, they push themselves a little past what they can comfortable do, and when it works – its awesome!

So it is with our lives – physical and spiritual.  We can live in our comfort zone and never make a mistake, and never reap the reward.  Live it out on the edge.  Push yourself in your life.  Accept that you will not be perfect, but at times, things will work out in a way that you just can’t even imagine how awesome the reward will be.

This is why I love the Olympics.  It so inspiring, its so motivating, its such a microcosm of life.

So, lets take some risks, lets live a little bit crazy, step out of the place of comfort and lets impact others by pushing on the edges.

And then find your safety in God.

New International Version (NIV)Psalm 4:7-8

7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

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Daily Post random thoughts

Random Thought Friday

Phew, its been one of the messy starts – raining, teenagers, early meetings. So today its a set of unrelated random thoughts to keep you “buffeting” and staying strong.

  • Isn’t is awesome that you can turn on a water spigot and clean pure water comes out – and usually as much as you want.  Thats my friends is an incredible blessing.  Don’t take it for granted.  Especially on another rainy day.

If you are weary of some sleepy form of devotion, probably God is weary of it as much as you are. – Frank Laubach

  • Here is an pretty funny site that won  Collide Magazine‘s top Pop Culture & Faith Blog of 2009.  And the author has a book coming out in April you may enjoy. Its called Stuff Christians Like.  You may find it helpful in your daily walk as well!
  • Check this out.  Harding University is doing something good and cool.  https://tentsandtarps.org/
  • Any finally just a happy verse to keep you going on Friday.
Psalm 118:23-25 (New International Version)

23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.

Sing it, and Live it!

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My Way or the Broken Way

Its been one of those sort of weeks that wear you down mentally and spiritually.  One of those weeks that sets you up for doing something dumb – do you know what I mean?  Frustration at work, the ‘joys’ of parenthood, the fast pace of life in general.  So much that last night my oldest son and I are still working away on getting the documentation complete for his science fair project ( YES! SCIENCE FAIR!), and emails are streaming around from work that well frankly put are making me want to put my fist through the wall.

It was in the midst of this that I sat down and took a look at some pictures from Haiti, courtesy of the Sacramento Bee and Boston.com.  While reviewing those, I thought about one email I had received earlier in the day.  I email containing a link from the Chattanooga.com about a co worker of mine who was tragically killed by a drunk driver two days before Christmas.  (All of these links are tales of heart breaking events)

Its funny how God works. Right when I think things aren’t going my way and I should start to take control of these situations – boom, reminders hit you in the fore head.  I am really being a servant?  Am I really considering others?  Am I being humble enough? Am I really being humble AT ALL?

17 The sacrifices of God are  a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51 NIV)

So even though Alex and I were up late finishing up the science project, and even with meetings being schedule at unreasonable times,  and even with expectations and life events that don’t seem fair, can I still realize the blessings that I have.  Can I still see how good life is? Can I still come to God with humility and contriteness and lay myself before him and say “I will do whatever you ask”?  We are all blessed – beyond compare.  Let us stay humble and broken,  and let us keep the heart of a servant.
I have a strange feeling I will be surprised how different the day will be if I approach today with a servant’s heart rather than the attitude I had last night – one of anger and frustration and pride.  Its interesting how God’s Way puts is in a place of joy, and our way
puts us in a danger zone.!

So break your heart, humble yourself and live today.  Take advantage of what you have been given.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51 (NIV)