Psalm 40:1-11

1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

7Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

10I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy loving kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

Patience has never been my strong suit. More often my prayer would be something along the line of “Lord, grant me patience and hurry up about it okay?”

Yet, the Psalmist starts his song with “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

” Waiting on the Lord, and knowing that he has heard my cry emulates the Psalmist. I deal with physical challenges. As the physical pain increases, my cry is often more desperate. Waiting patiently as the Psalmist writes is not an act of desperation.

So we must learn by example. The writer points the way. Patience will allow God to demonstrate His love and grace. Patience in the midst of trial gives God a chance to shine. The eleventh hour rolls around and all hope disappears in the looming threat. Then God, with a still small voice speaks and teaches us faith.

As children of God, we are more akin to the racer who jumps the gun. We place the outcome in jeopardy because we are too impatient to wait on the Lord. The runner who plunges ahead before the starting gun, must return to the starting line and the challenge becomes greater.

A race where one leapt before the gun, often ends with the loss of the race for the very one who was certain s/he could start.

One of the great leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement was Martin Luther King, Jr. His letters from a Birmingham Jail demonstrated his infinite capacity for waiting on the Lord. He gave his life serving the Lord as a Baptist preacher and a citizen devoted to changing a world divided into one of equality for all.

We celebrate his life and gift to us this weekend and hold him up as another example of one who waited upon the Lord’s transforming power. The results of his patience and allowing the Lord to work changed the world and we are the better for it.

So, the question becomes: What must I do, to make this a better place, O Lord? How can I wait upon Thee best? (I use the ‘Thee’ form the way Martin Buber used when he wrote in I and Thou)

What say you? What can you do to wait upon the Lord, patiently? On the mark, get set. Go!

Jan 14 Fri:  Genesis 27:30-38, Acts 1:1-5, Psalm 40:1-11

Psalm 40 King James Version

⁴Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

⁵Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

“Blessed or Happy is the person who trusts the Lord” even as a baby is happy, trusting in the care of her parent.

In everyone’s life, there are days that don’t go the way one wants. What makes the difference is how we deal with the difficulties. What to do? Trust the Lord and not count on the proud or false idols of this world.

A time where the job is tenuous, or the future prospects are not clear, we must learn to trust God. As Abraham Lincoln said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.”

The Psalmist encourages us with the reminder that God has already done many wonderful works or miracles and there are plans for us. We don’t have to rely on our own wisdom, but God’s.

Just as Joseph became Pharoah’s right hand by going to prison and explaining dreams, so might our paths not make sense as we might envision it. Yet God has a plan. For each of us.

Our job is to discern God’s plan. To rest upon God’s wisdom and follow the path where we are led.

Trust God and celebrate the goodness that comes to us, giving God the credit. Trust God, expect miracles. Be Happy.

Isaiah 51:1-16, Matthew 12:15-21, Psalm 89:5-32

King James Version (public domain) Isaiah 51:4-5

⁴Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

⁵My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

I will make my words a light for all people.

The Lord has spoken and my soul is comforted.

I remember when I was a child, our house had a dank basement with a central light turned on by a dangling cord. Walking timidly down the rickety wooden stairs into the darkness I headed towards the center, waving my arms in the air, hoping beyond hope, to find the cord quickly and pull, in order to turn on the light and remove my fear.

Dark basements resemble our lives. We step blindly forward, uncertain of our future. In a moment, things can change. An accident takes away the bread winner. Downsizing removes income and foreclosures loom. The economy, the world, the environment, the neighborhood, the country–the list is endless–offers bleak prospects.

Yet, the Lord can bring peace and prosperity, by shining the Light on our path. Peace in the midst of war. Prosperity in the midst of failure, economy downturns or job loss.

One of my favorite short stories, written by Somerset Maugham, is the Verger. The janitor, Mr. Foreman, loses his job after many years of faithful service when a new vicar demands he sign papers and the poor man confesses he cannot read or write. Devastated by the news with the recognition that no one will hire an old man looming over him, he searches for a tobacco shop and cannot find one. He and his wife open a small store front and sell tobacco. Many years pass and after more shop openings, the bank manager stops by to discuss finances and opportunities. When Foreman reveals he does not read or write, the financier replies:

“Good God man, what would you be now if you had been able to[read or write]?”

7^th day of Epiphany Jan 12 Wed: Isaiah 51:1-16, Matthew 12:15-21, Psalm 89:5-32

Thanks to MrBill, Wyscan and .Bala from flickr for their fine photos.

Jeremiah 1:4-10, Acts 8:4-13, Psalm 89:5-32

Jeremiah 1:4-10 King James Version (public domain) link to contemporary versions

⁵Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

⁶Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

⁷But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

⁸Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

⁹Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

For the writer in me, I read those words and find solace. Every writer is a kind of prophet, telling something that has not been said before to clarify and inform. Whether writing fiction or non-fiction, a writer wishes to inform.

Hours of writing can be gibberish. A moment of writing, brilliant.

Longing for the brilliant to happen more often, I asked God, “May every word I write today bring honor to you. May nothing I say or do push someone away from loving you. May you pour your Spirit through me that my mouth will proclaim the words that people need to hear.”

To make it more generic and apply it to all my life, I formed these words. If they work for you, pass them along. The writer in me asks for credit on earth, though in truth, I must give the glory to God in heaven.

“Let me hear your Spirit this day,

That I might your law obey,

So everything I do or say,

Brings glory and honor to You, I pray.  Amen.”  ChapLynne’s prayer

Whether a writer or everyday child of the universe, the words ring true.

May this day bring you closer to God.

Say a prayer.  Ask God to help you change one thing about yourself for the better. And when it works, don’t forget to give God the glory.

Lectionary Year A

6^th day of Epiphany Jan 11 Tues:

The Associated Press reports about sailors, who were heroes on that day. I’ve spoken with survivors who told of leaving their normal duties behind to take up the task of defending the ship. See Audrey McAoys’ article on the ceremonies and survivors as they gather at Pearl Harbor’s Visitor’s Center overlooking the floating remembrance of the Arizona Memorial.

As a Navy chaplain, I conducted a number of ceremonies on the Arizona Memorial. Standing before the wall of etched names of those who perished, my throat would tighten and my eyes would grow moist. For every name inscribed, a long list of family and friends, who lost someone special, exists. An aura of pain and trouble pervades the Memorial. Such loss leaves its mark.

Arizona Memorial

Today, we commemorate those who died and celebrate those who survived.

Many tell stories of those who were in transit to and from their posts, on the way to church, reporting for duty or relaxing on a Sunday morning. Each was called to heroism when the sirens blasted their ominous call.

I remember during my tours of duty, a few of my church services were interrupted by similar sirens when we practiced General Quarters, because the Commanding Officer reminded me Pearl Harbor Day was on a Sunday. The base was bombed as many were heading to church or already there.

Readiness. A lesson learned.

Tragedy makes us great or brings out the worst in us. Very few lie in between the extremes when the adrenalin pumps into our bodies, and we experience the fight or flight syndrome.

We honor the heroes who stepped up to the task to defend their country. For the many families who lost loved ones that day, the impact is long reaching. All the what-ifs surface.

But we can’t live with what ifs. We can only deal with what we have right now. A day, like today, should remind us to appreciate what we hold dear and never let anger or indifference prevent us from reconciling.

Imagine a world where we treat each other with respect and speak with integrity and truth. Let us honor those who believe differently than we, while cherishing our own beliefs. Someday, God will enlighten us that our self-righteous attitudes and arrogance led us to harm, but Love will bring us home.

Be your very best self, for your own sake, if not for others. Be your own hero.

I remember reading When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner, who wrote the book after dealing with the death of his teenage son, Aaron from the aging disease, progeria. In 1981, it stimulated conversations about why the righteous suffer.

Reading Psalm 73 (alternate translations can be found here) the same issues are raised. The King James Version says,   “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

We are born with an instinctual sense of fairness. Children demonstrate it at a young age when the cake division errs on the brother or sister’s side by three crumbs. “It’s not fair! He got more than me.” The cry is universal. Translate it into any language or culture and the thing is the same. We know fairness, but mostly when it applies to ourselves. It’s harder to see if things are not so fair to others. Not because we can’t see it, but we forget to look for it, or choose not to see it.

When things are going wrong and the stomach is churning, even favorite things, like chocolate, aren’t appealing as nervous energy overwhelms desire and jitters replace calm. The easiest response is “Why me?” and the next may be “What did I do to deserve this?”

Jesus addresses the question of who is to blame. In John 9 Jesus passes by a man born blind, “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” He answers emphatically, “Neither.” With every difficult situation, we are presented with the opportunity to rise above, as Maya Angelou says in Still I Rise. Or we can whine about it not being fair like children do and take no action. Complaining is an easy response. No creative work is required for that.

The man who could see after Jesus healed him was grilled by the Pharisees, who denied Jesus’ divinity and called him a sinner. Frustration surfaces in the man’s response and he becomes sarcastic. “I’ve told you once. Why ask me again? Do you want to become a disciple of his?” They exclude him from the meeting places. Sometimes heavy prices are born by the faithful. His constant response is “I don’t know who Jesus is. All I know is that I was blind and now I see.”

Jesus says he comes to help the blind see.

How could we recognize the good without the bad? Seeing good come out of the bad, introduces us to the power of Jesus. How can we feel at peace in the middle of the bad around us? With the peace that goes beyond our understanding. Jesus equips us.

Does that mean Jesus causes the bad? No. He has plenty of sources to do bad things. No need for him to do it. He does promise to be able to work all the bad together in our lives for good. Romans 8:28

But that is for later.

So, what do you do when bad things happen to you?

However, in the Bible, Genesis 6 speaks of fallen angels having sex with beautiful women to produce heroes of old. We see angels wandering around looking human and functioning as humans–some have even hosted angels without knowing they did when they invited strangers into their homes.

Jesus died and rose again for our sins. His resurrected body materializes and disappears at will, yet he proves his physical body by breaking bread with his disciples in Luke 24. This shows us spiritual bodies can be physical as well, after all we are promised new bodies in the new heaven and new earth.

Therefore, since spiritual and physical bodies can co-exist and there is evidence of angels having sex, it follows the answer is ‘yes, they have sex.’

Find out more at All Things Angel Forum and blog and share your ideas.  Read the blog on this an discover the reasons why Jesus talked with the Sadducees this way.

Great is Thy Faithfulness looking at Scriptures and Ocean

“Great is Thy Faithfulness” was my mother’s favorite hymn, for it spoke of her Lord and Savior’s great love and continued care for her all her days.

 When I was young, standing beside my father’s grave, I slipped my hand into hers and looked up into her loving eyes and asked, “Now what are we going to do?” Her immediate response was “The Lord will provide.”

Trust in God as a Child Trusts a Parent's Guidance

 It was her faithful mantra all her days.

Today’s devotions had us reading 2 Timothy 2. Verses 11-13 touched me because it reminds me that my responsibility is to be like Jesus. Even if I fail at it, I am to try. I must die to all that is selfish and turn my heart to God to live. I can endure because God endures, always (see Psalm 121) and when I endure, I will celebrate in heaven by being given responsibility to oversee in heaven–to reign with God.

On the flip side, if I disown God either by words or actions, the latter showing through when I fail to exemplify the fruits of the Spirit, then God will disown me. Ugh! What a horrible thought. I definitely need to work harder. If I fail God, and am not faithful to my vows, my promises, my responsibilities…then God remains faithful. In a world of ‘tit for tat’ that God would remain faithful in the face of my faithlessness brings a lump to my throat and a spring in my step.

I can do all things through Christ, because great is his faithfulness. 

Christ is Our Savior and Lord

2 Timothy 2:11-13 

¹¹Here is a trustworthy saying:
   If we died with him,
      we will also live with him;
 ¹²if we endure,
      we will also reign with him.
   If we disown him,
      he will also disown us;
 ¹³if we are faithless,
      he will remain faithful,
      for he cannot disown himself.

Regardless of language or culture, the Lord Speaks through us

He keeps reitterating the point–all speaking in tongues must edify the church or it has no real value.There is speaking to God, speaking a word of knowledge or speaking in a foreign language; all fall under the category of speaking in tongues. Only the latter two are important for the community to know because they are the only ones that edify the church. Everything we do should be to edify the church community.

What does it mean to edify? Build up. Bring hope and peace to the community. Feed the hungry (whether hungry in spirit, body or mind)  and tend the sick. Leave a smile on the face of everyone encountered.

My mother used to tell me that when I was unsettled about something, I needed to seek God’s will. Open my heart to hearing what God was saying. Pray. Listen and listen some more. In I Cor. 14:33, Paul speaks, “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” (NIV) Whether we speak in tongues or whatever we do to edify the community, we should bring peace, not disorder…or as the King James says, “author of peace, not confusion.”  We don’t need to be confused or disorganized. God brings peace to our lives. We bring peace to others. And all of God’s people said, “Amen.” :)

I tried to make a link with Randy Rothwell on my http://www.blip.fm/LRDavis account. It’s on page 2 as of June 9, 2009. His plaintive simplicity with choral harmonies, violin, guitar, and flute are hard to match.

I also found this fiddler (both on my http://www.blip.fm/LRDavis account and Youtube, below) He played Be Thou My Vision  following an Irish jig. I like both.