Psalm 38 is a desperate plea to God for restoration.  The writer has been in the middle of a rough spot.  Under punishment and rebuke by God for the way he has lived.  And it appears he knows why – “because of my sin”.  God has been disciplining this fellow: “my backside smarts from your caning”.  The chapter is pretty much about the impact that sin is having and how the writer spends time “feeling sorry for myself morning to night”.  So what can we learn?  That how we live matters.  There are consequences to the way we live and what we do.  When we have “lived so badly” that we violate God’s laws there is a price to pay.  Somehow in our world today we seem to have lost the connection between sin and punishment.  If we push God by ignoring His instruction and just living however we want – we should not be surprised when we face problems and some corrective guidance from the Father.  God does require us to live according to His rules.  Scripture is not optional – take what you want and just ignore the rest.  The Bible is the instruction manual for how life will happen.  Our opinion does not factor in here.  God has already written the book and it is not a democracy based on how we want it to be.  So often I hear people in the midst of their life consequences still justifying their actions.  They spend time trying to make their case.  God isn’t interested in whether we agree with His Truth or not.  It is as He has given it and our sole responsibility is to understand it and live by it. 

 The writer does begin to understand that a little further into the chapter.  “I…..wait for my Lord, my God….you will answer…..I wait and pray”.  That is the right response to the struggles in life.  Not accusing God of being unfair or not coming to our aid.  Not justifying our actions and trying to make a case as to why this shouldn’t be happening.  Not telling the world just how mistreated we may think we are.  The right response is to seek God.  We need to come to Him “no longer smug in my sin”.  Repentance means we admit we have sinned and turn and go the other way.  We run to God and seek His forgiveness and restoration.  That doesn’t happen while we are still trying to justify our actions or explain our decisions.  It only happens when we admit that God is God and we have fallen short of His requirement to obey.  Are you tired of continually struggling with life because you just won’t let go of something you know is wrong and sinful?  God won’t give up in bringing us back to His standards.  His punishment won’t end until we get things right.  Get the attitude of the psalmist here: “hurry and help me”.  Listen to God’s instruction, seek help from others that know His Word, and get right with Him.  Until you do there will be some rough spots that just don’t go away.  He loves us and is waiting for our request.  Don’t be stubborn and insist on continuing to wade in your sin.  It won’t get better by ignoring it!

Welcome again, and Praise The Lord.

Read Psalm: 23

As we look at this Psalm once again, be reminded that the Author David was himself a shepherd before he was a king.  When Samuel was sent of God to anoint him king over Israel, he was not at home, he was on the hills tending his father’s flock. [1 Samuel:16:1-13.]

Verse 3 says. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.

David never took his flock where he knew there was danger,he knew the hills and the valleys, he was always prepared to safeguard and care for his flock,and so it is with our SHEPHERD.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD alway’s goes before us and gently leads us through our dark valleys.

In this journey here on earth, even as christians we will experience some dark and lonely valleys, but THE GOOD SHEPHERD HIMSELF assured us that “in this world you shall have tribulation;but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” [John:16:3]

It really does not matter if our valleys are rocky, muddy, slippery,or very smooth, what really matters is how do I react to them, how do I go through them? Even though I walk THROUGH. and yes, we will walk through, but be assured we can only walk THROUGH if The Good Shepherd is leading.

HE WANTS TO WALK WITH YOU…. WILL YOU INVITE HIM?

Your Friend,
Pastor Barbara

psalm 25
1      To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2      I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3      No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4      Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD;
point out the right road for me to follow.
5      Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
6      Remember, O LORD, your unfailing love and compassion,
which you have shown from long ages past.
7      Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth;
look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O LORD.
8      The LORD is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
9      He leads the humble in what is right,
teaching them his way.
10      The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.
11      For the honor of your name, O LORD,
forgive my many, many sins.
12      Who are those who fear the LORD?
He will show them the path they should choose.
13      They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the Promised Land.
14      Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear him.
With them he shares the secrets of his covenant.
15      My eyes are always looking to the LORD for help,
for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies.
16      Turn to me and have mercy on me,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
17      My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
18      Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
19      See how many enemies I have,
and how viciously they hate me!
20      Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you.
21      May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you.
22      O God, ransom Israel
from all its troubles.
~ NLT

“My cry came before Him, even to His ears./ Then the earth shook and trembled;/ The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken,/ Because He was angry.” Psalm 18:6-7

Our God is a rescuer.  He is one who hears the cry, from wherever its origin, and acts.  Sometimes the cry comes from a broken heart, many times the cry comes from a place of oppression, slavery, or injustice, but the Scripture reveals that God HEARS the cry and moves.

The incarnation, the blessed reality of God in Jesus taking up residence with a broken humanity, was God’s response to creation’s cry for deliverance. Sometimes, like in Ps. 18, God’s response to the cry is mighty, heroic warrior-like cloud riding.  The incarnation is all of that in a very differently shaped package.  Perhaps, in light of advent, we should revise Psalm 18:

“In our distress we called upon the LORD,/ And cried out to our God;/ He heard our voices from His temple,/ And our cries came before Him, even to His ears./ The the earth shook and trembled;/ The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken,’ Because He was angry./…He bowed the heavens also, and came down,/ with the earth under His feet./ And he rode upon a donkey, and plodded slowly along,/ He rode within the womb of a young girl,/ He made her scandalous womb His secret place;/ His canopy around Him was open sky,/ And the damp walls of a cave./ From the warmth of Bethlehem’s hearths before Him,/ He passed with no power or wealth with which to bargain.” Psalm 18: 6-12, RBV

Holy Lord, as we wait for your coming again, may we follow you in responding to the cries around us with incarnation: presence, relationship, common cause.  Hear OUR cries, Father.  There is much from which we ourselves must be delivered.  We wait patiently for your powerful, loving rescue.

Psalm 37 is a great contrast between the plight of good and evil.  It is clear that those who are evil will “shrivel like grass clippings and wilt like cut flowers”.  It is sometimes hard to keep perspective on their future.  They seem to get away with it – and may – in the short term.  But the reality is that scripture tells us over and over that “what they do won’t soon be forgotten”.  God doesn’t miss anything.  He knows exactly what is going on.  And the direction He gives us here is very clear: “turn you back on evil, work for the good and don’t quit”.  It can’t be a lot clearer than that.  We need to focus on living life His way.  We need to “keep company with God” and be focused on knowing His ways.  So what does that look like?  Check these things out: “righteous gives and gives…..generous gets it all in the end……stalward walks in step with God…..righteous chews on wisdom”.  We need to live righteously, generously and in lock step with God.  And there is a very good reason – I love how the Message puts it – “not once have I seen an abandoned believer”.  If we put our faith and trust in God through Jesus Christ – we will never be abandoned.  He never leaves nor forsakes us – ever.  We have a firm future.  The end of the Book has already been written.  So it comes down to our choices around how then we shall live.

 The psalmist gives us some great thoughts on that very subject.  “Open up before God, keep nothing back”.  What does your prayer life look life?  Are you open and transparent with God?  He already knows your inner thoughts anyway.  So why do we think we can hide our feelings from him?  “Quiet down before God”.  Hard to really get connected in the midst of chaos.  Do you have a time to just sit quietly at the foot of the throne and seek His face?  We need to do that daily. We need to be in His presence.  The writer describes it this way: “his heart pumps God’s Word like blood through his veins”.  Does that describe you?  Are you so full of God’s Word that it flows in you and through you like your blood – pervasive in every area?  That is such a great word picture.  We are told to not “bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top”.  They aren’t going to be there in the end.  We have to keep our priorities right and on track.  We have to remember we serve “God…alert…is also on watch”.  He is in control and “has a grip on his hand”.  We don’t have to wander aimlessly. God is reaching down to help guide us each step.  And more importantly, “He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval”.  Have you been validated and stamped with God’s approval?  Do you know you have?  That is what happens as we walk with Him. We all need validation on a very regular basis.  Too often we look the wrong places to get it.  God is ready to validate us. And we also are promised that “the spacious, free life is from God….it’s also protected and safe…..when we run to Him, He saves us”.  We serve a God who truly loves us.  The question then comes down to how we respond to that love.  Do we run to it, or run from it?  Where are you running?

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.

With Your help I can advance against a troop ;
with my God I can scale a wall.

As for God, His way is perfect; 
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield 
for all who take refuge in Him.

For who is God besides the LORD ?
And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength 
and makes my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
He enables me to stand on the heights.

He trains my hands for battle; 
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You give me Your shield of victory, 
and Your right hand sustains me;
You stoop down to make me great.

You broaden the path beneath me, 
so that my ankles do not turn.

Psalm 18:28-36

Psalm 55

Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3.

For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. ?”

55:1 Listen to my prayer, God.
Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.

55:2 Attend to me, and answer me.
I am restless in my complaint, and moan,

55:3 Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they bring suffering on me.
In anger they hold a grudge against me.

55:4 My heart is severely pained within me.
The terrors of death have fallen on me.

55:5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me.
Horror has overwhelmed me.

55:6 I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove!
Then I would fly away, and be at rest.

55:7 Behold, then I would wander far off.
I would lodge in the wilderness.”

Selah.

55:8 “I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”

55:9 Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language,
for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

55:10 Day and night they prowl around on its walls.
Malice and abuse are also within her.

55:11 Destructive forces are within her.
Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.

55:12 For it was not an enemy who insulted me,
then I could have endured it.
Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me,
then I would have hidden myself from him.

55:13 But it was you, a man like me,
my companion, and my familiar friend.

55:14 We took sweet fellowship together.
We walked in God’s house with company.

55:15 Let death come suddenly on them.
Let them go down alive into Sheol.
For wickedness is in their dwelling, in their midst.

55:16 As for me, I will call on God.
Yahweh will save me.

55:17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress.
He will hear my voice.

55:18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
although there are many who oppose me.

55:19 God, who is enthroned forever,
will hear, and answer them.

Selah.

They never change,
who don’t fear God.

55:20 He raises his hands against his friends.
He has violated his covenant.

55:21 His mouth was smooth as butter,
but his heart was war.
His words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.

55:22 Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you.
He will never allow the righteous to be moved.

55:23 But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction.
Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days,
but I will trust in you.

Right mouse click to save this Podcast as a MP3.

If you find these resources helpful to you, please do prayerfully consider making a donation. You can support via PayPal, the universal and most secure way to donate money online. You do not need to be a member of Paypal to use their facilities and all major credit cards are accepted. Thank you

Click on the appropriate link to subscribe to this website

Subscribe via Google Subscribe via iTunes Subscribe via Yahoo Groups

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.”  – Psalm 130:5

Hope is defined to desire something with the confident expectation of its fulfillment.  When we stop to think about it, having hope in our lives, a future to look forward to, gives us a feeling of contentment, sometimes excitement, and peace.  There are times that feeling is lost to us for any number of reasons:  illness, loss of a loved one, job loss, divorce, just to name a few.    Each of us at some time in our lives will have a feeling of hopelessness, and the holiday season can be especially hard for many.

As children of our Lord Jesus, how wonderful it is that no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, we can be assured of His love and constant presence with us.   He is with us when we celebrate our victories and He is with us during our times of sorrow.  Whether on the mountain top, or in the valley, He walks right along beside us.

The following quote by Roy Lessin is a favorite of mine and I carry it with me as a reminder that God is on the throne, and always watching over each one of us.
“We never need to be without hope.  For as we look into the future with the eyes of faith, we will see that God is already there.”

~ Shannon

Living in reality like most of us do it is hard not to get weighed down by the constant barrage of bad news.  It seems, to me, that it is everywhere I look.  When I read the newspaper, watch the evening news, talk to friends or just drive down the street I see it.  With the constant pressures to live up to familial expectations or work expectations or societal expectations combined with the depression inducing onslaught of bad news a person can quickly find themselves overloaded and burdened down. 

Where does life find you right now?  Are you divorced?  Approximately 50% of all marriages end that way.  Are you unemployed?  Unemployment rate was up to 9.5% as of October.  Are you grieving the loss of a loved one?  Are you facing a medical crisis?  Are you slave to an addiction?  Are you weighed down by the uncertainty around you?

When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

Art Garfunkel penned Bridge Over Troubled Water in 1969 and it is, according to several sources, an allegory about friendship and being there for someone during a difficult time. 

Over the past few weeks I have been overwhelmed by the news and by the pain that those close to me are going through.  I wonder at times how much worse it can get.  In my view we as a society are teetering on the brink of a large precipice and I wonder how long before we fall head over heels into the abyss.  It seems that all of the things that I hold near and dear are being assaulted over and over and over.  I see on a daily basis news reports of adults raping and murdering children.  I see stories of families that are homeless because of lost jobs.  I see reports of people dying because they can’t afford insurance coverage.  I see reports of countries gearing up for nuclear war.  I see reports of genocide.  I see reports of men and women having affairs and breaking up homes with innocent children caught in the middle.  I see reports of entire families being wiped out by a murderer for no apparent reason.  I see reports of gangrapes taking place in our schools.  Where has the value for life gone?  How long oh Lord must we endure?  How long until your return? 

Where can we turn when the pressures of the world become too much?  When you feel weary to the bone where can you turn?  Who is the friend in your life that Art Garfunkel alluded to?  Do you have someone in your life that you can count on?  Do you have someone closer than a brother? 

Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

This friend that the writer is speaking of is God.  I forget this truth so many times.  I find myself looking to the world for answers.  I find myself burdened down with the cares of this world and wondering why?  Why did this happen?  Why did this happen to me?  There’s no one who understands.  When the truth is that there is someone who understands.  There is someone there who I can give my cares to and trust to guide me through. 

Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

Thanksgiving has come and gone – I can’t believe it.  I was blessed to be able to spend my first Thanksgiving away from home with the Ventura family.  Matthew made a delicious dinner, and I made two decadent chocolate pecan pies.  That afternoon Matthew and I went to see A Christmas Carol in 3D, which was a fun way to end the holiday.  Now it’s time to prepare for the Christmas holiday, and I’m so excited!  Matthew and I went Christmas gift shopping for his nieces and nephews the other day, and it was so fun getting to pick out kid stuff.  And Matthew has a very special surprise for them.  I can’t wait to see their little faces light up!

In other news, I have had several donations for my ministry come in lately.  I feel so blessed to have so many people who support what the Lord is doing through my ministry with YMI.  I’d like to send out a big THANK YOU to each of you who have offered financial and prayer support for me over the last couple of months.

The Lord has been doing so much in my life recently.  Matthew’s dad, Stephen, lent me a book (Handle with Prayer by Charles Stanley) a couple of weeks ago, and it has been transforming my prayer life.  One of the subjects the book talks about is praying with authority.  Specifically, this concept has changed the way I pray about God’s provision.  In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to be anxious because God provides, and  Philippians 4:19-20 says that God will supply our needs.  Therefore, Ishould not pray to God asking him to provide because I know he will; instead, I should thank God for what he has promised me he will provide.  Once I started approaching the “throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16) my spirit is completely at peace and does not doubt for a minute that God will do what he has said he will do.

Another thing God has showed me just this morning was related to my thoughts.  The last couple of days I have had a “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6) unlike I have ever experienced before.  Several times I have thought to myself that all I really desire right now is to be righteous in the eyes of the Lord.  And then it hit me:

“O LORD, you have searched me and known me!  You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you have discerned my thoughts from afar.” – Psalm 139:1-2 (Special thanks to Matthew who pointed me to these verses when I mentioned all of this to him.)

The Lord knows my thoughts; he knows my heart and my desires.  What an odd moment it was when this truth really sunk in.  I am overjoyed that God knows my innermost thoughts and that he’s listening to them even when I do not realize it.  Praise be to our Creator for intimately knowing his creations!

_________________________________________________________________

Click on these links below:

During my devotion a few days ago, I thought about the impending December and how crazy it was going to get – and how tired I was going to be. I applaud and take my hat off CX and RY who have been doing it for a decade.

On this note, I reckon that disillusionment sets in when people are exhausted. I’ve said this before and I believe that fatigue causes us to get emotional and irrational, and this results in us losing interest in people, events and pursuits. Whenever we feel moody we don’t want to talk to people. Whenever we feel down, we feel like we have nothing left to offer so we stop giving. When we are feel tired, all we want to do is to avoid everything and everyone and just recluse into our own space. Can you identify with that?

If you have ever felt that way, which I’m sure you have, that’s completely human and understandable. We have physical capacities and limitations and there’s only so much we can give or do, I guess.

And that is why I was so encouraged when the Holy Spirit directed me to Psalm 121:1-8. This is the absolute faithfulness of God:

1 I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there?

2 My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth!

3 He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep.

4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps.

5 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.

6 The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night.

7 The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.

8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

We should give Him praise for being someone who neither sleeps, tires or slumbers! What a great assurance! We can put so much confidence and trust in God to deliver us! This portion of scripture reminds me that God is like a 24-hour call centre that never stops operating, never takes a break and is available whenever, wherever.

When I get tired of seeking You, You never get tired of seeking me. Oh God I praise You for Your lovingkindness and steadfastness in my life. Thank You for never giving up on me and for always persisting to pursue me. I love You, Lord.

Psalm 36 gives us a little view of the difference between good and evil.  The writer tells us first about the rebel as he is “eager to sin”.  There are a few characteristics that are listed about these folks.  First we are told he has “no regard for God” – doesn’t even consider the fact that God sees his sin and is not amused.  Evil looks God in the eye and just smirks.  There will be a day when that behavior pays a big price, but while it is happening, evil people just seem to enjoy the fact they are defying the Creator.  Next scripture tells us “he stands insolent”.  Had to look that one up – not in my normal vocabulary.  Basically it means disrespectful and rude speech – to treat without regard or respect.  Reminds me of the way teens sometimes talk to their parents.  Evil doesn’t respect God – at least yet!  We also learn this person “has smooth talked himself into believing that his evil will never be noticed”.  This is one that is hard to understand until you have tried it yourself.  God doesn’t miss anything folks.  There are no secrets, there is not hiding.  What we do is known to Him, and more often than not, to others as well.  To be deceived and believe that we can sin and not have God nor others know, that is lunacy.  It does not happen. Bottom line is that the rebel who is bent on doing evil is going to get one big surprise when he stands before God at judgment day.  “He plays with fire and doesn’t care who gets burned” while on this earth, but the reality is that he will be the one who is burned for eternity when that day comes.  Evil has a price to pay and it is eternal.  There is no good thing, even short term, that comes from chosing sin and evil!

 The psalmist contrasts the ways of an evil rebel with the awesome nature of God.  I love the way He describes God.  Check out these words:

1. “His love is meteoric
2. His loyalty astronomic
3. His purpose titanic
4. His verdicts oceanic”

You get the picture here – we have a very big and awesome God.  He is not confined to some little part of this universe.  He does not work in a little patch like we live in.  God is all encompassing and everywhere all the time.  He is unbleivable.  And if we are not careful we can translate that into a feeling that He doesn’t care about little old me, or He is too busy doing big things to notice my little problems.  That is the really cool thing about God.  Check out these truths:”Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost; not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks”.  This is the reality of the God we serve.  He is not too busy to be part of every little thing we do.  He is not overwhelmed with His creation.  He is right there in the middle of the details of life every moment of every day.  God is huge, yet personal.  He is vast beyond our ability to comprehend, yet so engaged with our life that not one little thing slips by unnoticed.  As humans we cannot even comprehend how this can be.  But scripture assures us it is true – God is very much paying attention and involved in every little part of our life.  We need to bask in His love and build our relationship with the Father.  That is His desire and He is waiting to be closer with us each passing day.  Are you living life with the Father?  Or acting like He isn’t there?  He is, and desires to be actively communicated with and leading our every step.  Make sure He is starting today!

I learned a lesson today:

just let life play.

Let God act as your compass;

it’s always better that way.

Invest my love in this female

or not?

My flesh is telling me,

“She’s hot,”

but since the change in me,

I’ll take my time.

God will show me

right on time.

Should I stay?

Should I go?

He knows.

Is this yours?

Or is it mine?

He knows.

I learned a lesson this weekday:

just let life play.

Let God act as your compass;

it’s always better that way.

Invest my time in a dream that’s broken

or not?

I have no regrets with the path I’ve chosen

or not?

Overall, I’ll consult the Lord

because He holds my future

and He knows whether my dream

would cloud my future.

Should I wait?

Should I go?

God knows.

Is this yours?

Or is it mine?

God knows.

I learned a lesson today:

just let life play.

Let God act as your compass;

it’s always safer that way.

If you don’t know your way,

trust that God has already made a way.

I’m chopping down my timber

as a present to your Creator.

Love could not be as simple

as loving you has been this winter.

Oh how you love me

throws me into a dream,

where there’s plenty milk and honey.

Forever, I could sleep.

How you love me

can’t be make-believe.

I can feel the coolness when you breathe;

you are my sweet dream.

I’ll gather plump fruits from my garden

to send to your King.

What a gift He has sent me,

a gift so undeserving.

Your presence in my life

throws me into a dream,

where there’s plenty milk and honey.

Forever, I could be.

Oh how you love me

can’t be make-believe.

I can feel the coolness when you breathe;

you are my sweet dream.

Your God has taught his child well;

how you love me so well.

God has taught you well.

Did you ever spend your money on something only to realize you now owned complete junk? That happened to me. Over Thanksgiving weekend, we purchased some new outdoor Christmas lighting. Nothing too tacky; just a couple red and green spotlights, some walkway candy canes, and some clear lights to line our roof. Roof lights can be the easiest or the most time consuming lights to put up. They are the easiest if you put up a few hooks and hang your lights like Garland to look nice. They can take quite a while if you want them to be evenly spaced, straight, and clipped in a certain direction. You can guess what the Burke family party committee preferred. Not wishing to upset the committee, I bought a case (not a box) of lights, and a few hundred clips.

What a disaster. The old school clear glass bulbs we bought at Lowes were more fragile than Serena Williams’ temper. The bulbs broke, a fuse popped and could not be removed due to a defective cord, and the three hours spent clipping them all up was eclipsed by the 60 seconds it took me to rip them down and bring them back in the house. The problem was not bad efforts or bad planning; we just had only junk to work with. I didn’t want to get back on the ladder again.

Well, we returned the shoddy materials to Lowes, purchased more durable (and energy efficient) LED lights, and put them all back up the next day. It was a great family time to be honest. I stood on the ladder, my wife fed the strands of lights to me, my son verbally encouraged the effort, and each bulb was clipped evenly on the roof… all 525 of them! After regrouping, putting in some time to start over, and working hard, our house looks great!

Psalm 127:1reads, “Unless the Lord build the house, those who build it labor in vain.” That can be a tough verse to swallow. Sometimes we spend our time working hard on things God never intended us to do. Ministries allocate major resources to projects with no real lasting significance. Life can be like that. Sometimes we do a lot of work and try our best and frankly it isn’t good enough, period. As in our case, sometimes the very materials we have to work with are just no good.

I will be honest: the last thing I felt like doing after standing on a ladder all afternoon was start over; I did not want to get back on the ladder. But, I did. Maybe you need to start over, maybe you don’t. Maybe you feel like a lot of stuff in your life is probably a waste of time and maybe you don’t. Whatever your situation, there is still a new day, a fresh breath, and an eternal God. Seek out Jesus Christ and you’ll find what you need. For me, I work so much harder when I keep in mind what God has created me to do. In fact, nothing I am really working for is about me at all. It is about Jesus. Thanks to Him taking the time to give me a redo, I’m no longer shoddy materials. Knowing that I am not working for nothing gets me back on the ladder again.

Psalm 35 is a chapter about the reality of life.  The writer points out just how much the enemy wants to destroy him.  That is reality for us folks.  We have a real enemy – “my life is on the line”.  Sometimes we fail to admit or recognize the reality of just how much the enemy wants us destroyed.  In reality, there is “disaster they planned for me”.  Enemies are out to mess up our life and their desire is to “destroy my reputation”.  This is what the landscape looks like.  We are facing a host of enemies that want us gone and out of the way.  Are you aware of what is happening?  Do you see their attacks?

 But the writer tells us we need to seek God for protection.  “Frustrate all those who are plotting my downfall”.  Note the use of the word “all” here.  There are many about our destruction.  But the writer gives us one truth that tells us the reality of our world.  “God is great – everything works together for good for His servant”.  We hear that in Paul’s writings in the New Testament too.  God makes it all work together for good.  He puts it all together for good.  There is no mistake – no failure – no accident.  God is in control and makes good things happen.  Are you leaning on the Father?  Do you run to Him because He is good all the time.  He never makes a mistake.  He alone can protect us and weave all things together for good!

¹² Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
       He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

¹³ He will spend his days in prosperity,
       and his descendants will inherit the land.

¹⁴ The LORD confides in those who fear him;
       he makes his covenant known to them.

 Each Tuesday, I’m sharing a part of Psalm 25 and making some reflections for those of us who are going through sexual addiction recovery.  Psalm 25 is one of those psalms worthy of memorizing.  Spend some time in this psalm and let God teach you and encourage you. 

 This section revolves around “fear the Lord”.  Recapturing a fear of the Lord is important for our recovery and our healing. 

FEAR THE LORD – 2 THINGS TO REMEMBER

Accountability to God

We are accountable to the Lord.  But we forget that when we are in the middle of our sexual behaviors.  We harden our hearts to the Lord.  We don’t think it matters. 

Have you ever sinned big, and nothing happened?  No lightening… you weren’t struck dead… you didn’t get caught…  These types of experiences make us feel like it doesn’t matter.  Don’t be deceived.  When we disregard the Lord, we fall out of His shadow, His protection, His provision.  We will quickly feel the consequences.

Plunging into recovery brings a heightened sense of accountability.  We are reminded that God knows our hearts and our actions.  We start to fear the Lord again.

Respect

Another aspect of fearing the Lord is respect.  Honoring Him.  Yielding to Him.  Considering Him.  Giving Him the rightful place. 

Sexual addiction erodes our respect for the Lord.  We only think about ourselves.  We become so self-absorbed with our lust and desires. 

You can tell you are on the way to healing and recovery when your respect for the Lord comes back.  God does this deep in our hearts.  When we get humble again and repent, it opens the pathway to being in the Lord’s presence again. 

GOOD THINGS TO COME
The passage reminds us of the things that will come our way when we come back to the “fear of the Lord”.  

1. Instruction in God’s way
2. Prosperous days
3. Legacy / inheritance
4. The Lord’s counsel.  He will confide in them. 

 Work on getting back to “fearing the Lord” in your recovery process.

COVENANT EYES ACCOUNTABILITY SOFTWARE
We are proud to be connected with Covenant Eyes!  The best Internet filtering and accountability software on the market.  CE is a tremendous help to those of us striving for sexual purity.  CLICK HERE for a free 30-day trial of Covenant Eyes, and type in the code PURITY when you check out.  You’re Internet struggle just got easier!

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 
be pleasing in Your sight, 
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Black Friday is gone and Cyber Monday is here. Retailers, myself included, are hoping and praying for better days ahead. While the economy is picking up slowly, the rock of our materialism in America and around the world was shock hard. Some have gone as far as t say God caused the economic hard times to cause people to consider how strong their foundational beliefs are. Stated another way, maybe God allowed this economic hard time to help us to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate.

Getting across the water in troubled times can be hard. But, God provides a way over the turbulant waters!

Psalm 135 starts out with a focus that is contrary to public opinion.

“Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the LORD: Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD! You who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His Special treasure.”

“Praise the Lord? Why? After all, it is hard right now to be in the Christmas mood when I cannot afford gifts for family. I have lost my job and been out of work for months. That stress has affected my family and we have just about gotten to the braking point several times.” While that is not my story, I have heard it lately. It is hard to Praise the LORD when things are that tough. Yet, that is what the Psalmist starts out with.

Sunrises are special paintings of God's brush! I just get to capture them.

Before the recession, people might have praised their portfolio—for their money was their savior. People maybe turned to their possessions but then started to lose their possessions. Possibly, people turned to other people and were let down! Yet, we are to praise the name of the LORD?

In some countries around the world, people today still turn to a physical statue to save them much like ancient civilizations. Often those statues had eyes though they could not see, ears but they could not hear, mouths but could not speak, and or arms that did not reach out to help a person in the time of need. Psalm 135:18 says, “Those who make them are like them: so is everyone who trusts in them.” That is a harsh warning at this time.

In American society we often don not have physical idols. We have idols but they are more the materialism, commercialism, prosperity, popularity, and more. However, those things do not speak, they do not reach out to help in a time of need and so forth. We need to take heed to the warning of Psalm 135:18! “Those who make them are like them: So is everyone who trusts in them!”

Yes, things are tough right now for many. However, I do know this very fact—the Lord is great and greatly to be praised.

“And our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth. In the seas and in all deep places. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes the lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out His treasuries. “

Just maybe, our response to hard times will be like Job’s after he was brought face to face with God after all that he was through. Job 42:2-6

I know that you can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ”Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things to wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak: You said, “I will question you and you shall answer Me!” I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear. But now my eyes see You. Therefore I will abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.

This Christmas season my hope is that my images of God’s great wilderness, events, people, and more speak to this story. It is my hopes that the images help each one of us relax, reflect, and rejuvenate during this advent season. That is my story here at Solid Rock Photography. What is yours?

Sunsets are also very calming especially after a run!

Psalm 34 challenges us to let the world know about God.  Do you do that?  Are you out there proclaiming God in every way every day?  Check out what the writer tells us:

-       “I bless God every chance I get

-       I live and breathe God

-       Join me in spreading the news

-       Let’s get the Word out

-       Worship God if  you want the best”

Our relationship with the Father shouldn’t be secret.  We should wear it proudly and boldly and proclaim it in every way we can.  We are in a relationship.  God is not our Jeannie that we can just call out to for help when we need it.  God is alive and active and ready to be part of everything we do.  The question is – will we let Him?  Will we admit that He is there with us and let the world know it clearly?  We need to shout it from the mountaintop.  We are able to experience God.  The psalmist tells us “open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see how good God is”.  What a privilege to be able to see and taste what God is up to.  We can have that blessing.  We can experience that goodness.  We can be that close to the Creator.

 We are encouraged to “never hide your feelings from Him”.  Why?  Because we are in a relationship.  He cares about what we think and feel.  He understands what we are going through.  He wants to be an intimate part of our life.  God cares.  “God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray”.  Hello – are you hearing this?  God pays attention when we pray and He comes close to us when we put our focus on His throne.  He keeps us safe and protected when we are in His presence.  For some time now I have been praying that my day will be spent in His presence.  I understand that when I am in the presence of the King, the enemy can’t bother me.  So I pray that I will walk in His steps and be where He is every day.  Too many want to run from God and hide from his presence – maybe because of the life they are leading or the choices they are making.  But we are told in this chapter that “God-seekers are full of God”.  Does that describe you?  Are you running over with God?  Do people even notice Him in you?  We shouldn’t be able to hide the fact that we are Christ Followers.  It should leak and ooze out of us at every turn.  And it should show in how we live.  We are instructed here to “guard your tongue from profanity….no more lying…..turn your back on sin….do something good”.  People should know we are His by how we live.  It should not be a mystery or an accident that they see Jesus in us.  It should flow by the way we live.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

De suflet îmi atârnă
povara lui Sisif…
Dă-mi lecţii despre moarte:
psalmodiind încet (ca dintr-o sfântă carte),
vorbeşte-mi despre infinit.
Îmi spui că nu mă laşi să plec –
ai să mă ţii tu strâns de mână…
De ce să plângi şi să te doară?
De ce nu crezi c-am să revin
ca florile
în primăvară?