Tag: Psalm

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Eyes to the Hills

An abrupt change in my schedule this morning has left me with no time to post anything.  So I took the second ( first) best option.  I opened up the bible and look at where it fell.

I definitely could stand to read these words today.

Psalm 121

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 121

A song of ascents. 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

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Life is Good Today

My sleepy little head was awoken this morning by The Zac Brown Band’s little diddy “Toes in the Water.” I laid there for a few minutes wishing I was on the beach and far away for the ‘normal’ days of life, until I eventually convinced myself that I could not just be singing the song magically travel to the beach.

However, I could not get the song out of my head, and I started wondering why I could not approach today like a day at the beach and forgot about the struggles of raising a teenager, the boundaries at work and the fact that I don’t have a money tree growing in my back yard.  It’s going to be a stretch, but I thought I might give it a try.

So, while I ironed by shirt I penned this adaptation to Zac’s words:

I got my toes in my loafers,

I am stuck on the tele,

Not a worry in the world,

I bought my sweet tea from Shelly

Yeah! That’s good stuff!.  (Amy commented that it maybe have to go on the greatest hits album, I am not sure I she convinced me, but I like it! 🙂 )

Life is good today!  Those little worries mean nothing compared to the promise we live with!  So how about you, post your adaptation of Zac’s song and make today a day at the beach.

9-10 I’m happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that’s not my destination!

11 Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I’m on the right way.  Psalm 16:9-11 The Message (MSG)

(Oh and actually I by my sweet tea from Michelle, but I didn’t want make the verse rhyme with that – that could have been a little negative!)

 

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Slow Start

I ran down to get a beverage this morning and had a quick conversation with the beverage lady.  After exchanging pleasantries I mentioned that I have been off to a slow start today ( as you can tell my the tardiness of this post), her response was “well at least its a start!”

I guess that’s correct, at least it’s a start – but I am not so sure.  In my line of work there is a concept called recursive programming, and I love it.  It’s essentially having something call itself to continue doing the same thing multiple times.  It’s a pretty cyclical thing, and can be very very confusing and perplexing if not used correctly.  For those of you who don’t understand this concept, think Groundhog Day.

Well, that’s sort of how I feel this morning, like I am in a recursive loop.  Same issues, same problems, same struggles, same same same.  Argh.

Even this morning my good friend Wade and I were talking about generators and my recent reoccuring power outages.  When I said I still needed to get one of those generators, his reply was

　you said that 4 months ago

As a matter of fact, if you notice that link, that last time I spoke about Wade, was the week after Labor Day, last year.  ARGH, I feel like I am deep inside a recursive loop and it is really really getting me down.
Do you ever feel that way, like you can’t get out? It’s been a personally frustrating morning as I see these glimpses of sameness plastered all around me, when my spirit craves for newness, and for re-creation.

So today, here is a verse that I have been spending some time considering today.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 New International Version (NIV)

I think that focusing on the joy that only come from one place should maybe help with some of this cyclical madness – What do you think?

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After Shocks

Yesterday I was shocked for the first time in a long time.  I was busy wearing a callous on my thumb scrolling through the tweets of the day, catching up on what was going on when I saw the Tweet.  “BREAKING: Steve Jobs to Retire from Apple”.

Wow!

My heart sank a little.  It’s not that I know Steve Jobs very well, nor that I have followed him very closely, however, I can not deny the impact that he has had on my life and my professional career.  I learned to program in high school on an Apple IIe and last night my entire family was surfing the web on either in iPad or an iPhone.  His innovative thinking and his desire to take risks has impacted the entire world.

That is impressive to observe and sad to see come to an end at Apple – although I expect he will not stop innovating until he leaves this earth!  His example is one that can inspire us all.  For instance look at this quote.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. – Steve Jobs

Such a good basic simple thought.

So to Mr Jobs, I say thank you for your example ( BTW, I am not saying he is perfect!)

To the rest of you out there, lets to to Mr. Jobs as a source of inspiration for us today.  Probably for most of you the principle he states is fairly familiar:

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NASB)

“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, Amplified)

 

Our God did not call us to be robots – followers of the Christ, but not robots.  Step out today, be bold, and impact those around you for good!

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hm.. This is one of those mornings when I wish this were my thought:

“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” Psalm 119:14 NIV

Instead, I am not sure that I have even thought about any of those things this morning as the house was busy with preparations for another day.  Interestingly enough rejoicing, great riches nor following his statutes has entered the vast emptiness that sits between my two sound catching devices.

So today here is a simple yet somewhat complex reminder of the pleasure and satisfaction that awaits us when we are joyful because we have surrendered to the teachings of the Christ.  It’s quite a paradox, but one I plan on dwelling on today.  Think about this. Sometimes, when I see the 220 million dollar Power Ball sign I imagine what I could do with that money – and the projected happiness it would bring him.  Well, I know I have never sat and imagined what it would be like if I actually followed the Lord’s statutes and the various rewards that come from that.  Ones that actually have long term value.  Try that little exercise today.