This is a particularly big Friday for our family. Health stuff. We've all been there. So today, I look to Psalm 34 for encouragement ... both mine and yours:
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Read on in Psalm 34 because there's some great stuff in verses nine through 22. To everyone who is faced with a health issue ... and it's either you or someone you probably know pretty well ... God's blessing on you and/or on them.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Let the Scrutiny ... Continue
Funny to hear the afternoon sports shorts, talking about how Florida QB Tim Tebow is under a lot of pressure to perform well for the pro scouts at this week's Senior Bowl. When he reportedly got off to a shaky start, the "I told you sos" began coming.
Tebow, as you might know, is a devout Christian and wears his faith not just on his sleeve but on his face. The small glare-reducing (allegedly ... I'm not sold) "eye black" strips that athletes wear on their cheeks have become message boards as well. Tebow shared a different Bible verse for each game of his senior season on his eye black. If only I could find a list of those verses, you ask? Well, we have this electronic version of Matthew 7:7 called the Internet, and I found the list this morning.
Tebow went with Psalm 23:1 for the Mississippi State game of October 24; a game in which he ran for 88 yards and a TD, and passed for 121 yards on 12-of-22 passing:
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
You know, I feel sorry for Psalm 23. Where do you hear it most? Funerals. And yet the message could be a daily LIFE devotional for each one of us. And verse 1 is as succinct as Tebow's consistent eye black verse for the entire 2008 season ... David writes that God will guide us and care for us, and if we keep that at the fore we won't need anything else.
Tebow's biblical advertising inevitably became the subject of ridicule and criticism from the secular community. "Hey Tim, Psalm 23:1 didn't work so well for you. Might want to go back to another verse." A full week-and-a-half before the biggest pro football game of the year, Tebow's appearance in an anti-abortion Super Bowl ad already is gaining attention. As we know about life in the United States, it is impossible for us to talk about anything if it means someone else might disagree with us. Here's a possible response to Tebow's Super Bowl appearance. "You know, I [agree or disagree] with what you've said, and I appreciate your opinion."
Who knows what will happen with Tim Tebow and professional football. With Psalm 23:1 at his side -- and on his face -- I'm pretty sure he'll turn out OK.
Tebow, as you might know, is a devout Christian and wears his faith not just on his sleeve but on his face. The small glare-reducing (allegedly ... I'm not sold) "eye black" strips that athletes wear on their cheeks have become message boards as well. Tebow shared a different Bible verse for each game of his senior season on his eye black. If only I could find a list of those verses, you ask? Well, we have this electronic version of Matthew 7:7 called the Internet, and I found the list this morning.
Tebow went with Psalm 23:1 for the Mississippi State game of October 24; a game in which he ran for 88 yards and a TD, and passed for 121 yards on 12-of-22 passing:
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
You know, I feel sorry for Psalm 23. Where do you hear it most? Funerals. And yet the message could be a daily LIFE devotional for each one of us. And verse 1 is as succinct as Tebow's consistent eye black verse for the entire 2008 season ... David writes that God will guide us and care for us, and if we keep that at the fore we won't need anything else.
Tebow's biblical advertising inevitably became the subject of ridicule and criticism from the secular community. "Hey Tim, Psalm 23:1 didn't work so well for you. Might want to go back to another verse." A full week-and-a-half before the biggest pro football game of the year, Tebow's appearance in an anti-abortion Super Bowl ad already is gaining attention. As we know about life in the United States, it is impossible for us to talk about anything if it means someone else might disagree with us. Here's a possible response to Tebow's Super Bowl appearance. "You know, I [agree or disagree] with what you've said, and I appreciate your opinion."
Who knows what will happen with Tim Tebow and professional football. With Psalm 23:1 at his side -- and on his face -- I'm pretty sure he'll turn out OK.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
"Here Come Da Judge"
Who's on board with the "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" reference anyway?! You go, Sammy Davis, Jr.!
It's great when the Word comes to you in your daily go-round. While driving around this past weekend, I came upon an elderly driver with the license plate, "Psalm 9." I try to make a mental note of "car creed" whenever I see it, and this one was pretty easy to remember (he of the mushy brain said thankfully). What I found in Psalm 9 was a lot of strong imagery about those who displease or ignore God:
8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
16 The LORD is known by his justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
20 Strike them with terror, O LORD;
let the nations know they are but men.
I prefer to insert the word "me" in these verses. "He will judge ME in righteousness ..." "Strike ME with terror, O LORD ..." For while we know we worship a benevolent God, it's never lost that one day ... no, actually EACH day; as in NOW ... I stand in God's judgment. In the daily struggle of "doing good," I try to ask why I would do [this] when I know it puts me in God's witness chair? Further, and more in line with how I look at my faith, why would I do [that] when I know it is disappointing to God? Why? Because it is my human imperfection. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says:
20 There is not a righteous man on earth
who does what is right and never sins.
Amen to that, and thanks be to God for His redeeming love in human form and without imperfection.
It's great when the Word comes to you in your daily go-round. While driving around this past weekend, I came upon an elderly driver with the license plate, "Psalm 9." I try to make a mental note of "car creed" whenever I see it, and this one was pretty easy to remember (he of the mushy brain said thankfully). What I found in Psalm 9 was a lot of strong imagery about those who displease or ignore God:
8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.
16 The LORD is known by his justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
20 Strike them with terror, O LORD;
let the nations know they are but men.
I prefer to insert the word "me" in these verses. "He will judge ME in righteousness ..." "Strike ME with terror, O LORD ..." For while we know we worship a benevolent God, it's never lost that one day ... no, actually EACH day; as in NOW ... I stand in God's judgment. In the daily struggle of "doing good," I try to ask why I would do [this] when I know it puts me in God's witness chair? Further, and more in line with how I look at my faith, why would I do [that] when I know it is disappointing to God? Why? Because it is my human imperfection. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says:
20 There is not a righteous man on earth
who does what is right and never sins.
Amen to that, and thanks be to God for His redeeming love in human form and without imperfection.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Back to Square One
Sunday morning greeted me with a message from Psalm 24, and so I will begin with and stay with the Psalms all week.
Pastor Jeff Gilmore of Parkview Church in Iowa City reminded me of something I should have started with a week ago when I entered this thing called blogging. Jeff's full message will be available on the Parkview site later, but the gyst was this ... Doing "good" is only the starting point of an internal change of heart. And what, rather who, brings that change of heart? David says,
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
The King of Glory is Jesus himself. Handel used the text as part of his magnificent "Messiah." Paul hammers home the same message several times in his letters, but one of my favorites is Philippians 1:6:
6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
He is the one to open your heart for the transformation ... He will start and finish the job!
Pastor Jeff Gilmore of Parkview Church in Iowa City reminded me of something I should have started with a week ago when I entered this thing called blogging. Jeff's full message will be available on the Parkview site later, but the gyst was this ... Doing "good" is only the starting point of an internal change of heart. And what, rather who, brings that change of heart? David says,
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
The King of Glory is Jesus himself. Handel used the text as part of his magnificent "Messiah." Paul hammers home the same message several times in his letters, but one of my favorites is Philippians 1:6:
6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
He is the one to open your heart for the transformation ... He will start and finish the job!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Inspiration for the Weekend
Just two links today that say more about gifts and tragedy than anything I could write. A young man who has defied the odds and his father who embodies the meaning of Matthew 20:28, and a young seminarian who gave his life in the same way.
Patrick Henry Hughes
Benjamin Larson
Until Monday, have a blessed weekend.
Patrick Henry Hughes
Benjamin Larson
Until Monday, have a blessed weekend.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Who's "Hot?"
Sports media cracks me up.
I admit to being a still-bitter Eagles fan a week-and-a-half after the playoff loss to the Cowboys. On December 13, Dallas was 8-5 after a home loss to the Chargers. A nice record, for sure, but hardly one to go ga-ga over. To their credit, the Cowboys won their last three games, including a game at New Orleans that almost no one thought they would win. Suddenly, they were the darlings of the media. A team that was left for dead now some sort of juggernaut? The Vikings were not impressed. My Eagles? A game above .500 after nine games, including a loss at lowly Oakland. Seven wins in a row and suddenly they're the "sliced bread" of December?! The Cowboys weren't impressed.
Three of the four teams left in the playoffs -- Indianapolis, Minnesota and New Orleans -- have a combined record of 41-9. They're the teams with the most consistency throughout the year and the teams that earned the valuable first-round byes. Hats off to the New York Jets, who are this year's Cinderella, but three road wins in the playoffs are a mighty task. And why are they in this position? Because they weren't consistent during the regular season.
We are called to consistency in our faith. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
"Training" through daily prayer and study of the Word. The result is being "thoroughly equipped for every good work." There's that word "good," again!
Yup, still stinging from a playoff loss by my favorite team. But trying to be more consistent than they were ... in the things that matter most.
I admit to being a still-bitter Eagles fan a week-and-a-half after the playoff loss to the Cowboys. On December 13, Dallas was 8-5 after a home loss to the Chargers. A nice record, for sure, but hardly one to go ga-ga over. To their credit, the Cowboys won their last three games, including a game at New Orleans that almost no one thought they would win. Suddenly, they were the darlings of the media. A team that was left for dead now some sort of juggernaut? The Vikings were not impressed. My Eagles? A game above .500 after nine games, including a loss at lowly Oakland. Seven wins in a row and suddenly they're the "sliced bread" of December?! The Cowboys weren't impressed.
Three of the four teams left in the playoffs -- Indianapolis, Minnesota and New Orleans -- have a combined record of 41-9. They're the teams with the most consistency throughout the year and the teams that earned the valuable first-round byes. Hats off to the New York Jets, who are this year's Cinderella, but three road wins in the playoffs are a mighty task. And why are they in this position? Because they weren't consistent during the regular season.
We are called to consistency in our faith. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
"Training" through daily prayer and study of the Word. The result is being "thoroughly equipped for every good work." There's that word "good," again!
Yup, still stinging from a playoff loss by my favorite team. But trying to be more consistent than they were ... in the things that matter most.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wake-Up Time
Feeling sorry for one's self is never attractive.
Yet there I was last week in that very funk. Upset when I felt I was being overlooked. I shared these feelings with an old friend by e-mail, and I must say I didn't do it in a very gracious manner. Proverbs speaks to this issue on countless occasions, and James offers this stern warning in Chapter 3:
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
Was my rant the equivalent of a curse? Not sure. But I do know that I got a pretty good reality-check from my friend, who wrote back, "End of the day? Think about what's happening in Haiti. [My daughter] sent me a nice note about trying to organize some relief help at [her school]...made me proud."
Proud, indeed, while I felt more like salt water.
Yet there I was last week in that very funk. Upset when I felt I was being overlooked. I shared these feelings with an old friend by e-mail, and I must say I didn't do it in a very gracious manner. Proverbs speaks to this issue on countless occasions, and James offers this stern warning in Chapter 3:
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
Was my rant the equivalent of a curse? Not sure. But I do know that I got a pretty good reality-check from my friend, who wrote back, "End of the day? Think about what's happening in Haiti. [My daughter] sent me a nice note about trying to organize some relief help at [her school]...made me proud."
Proud, indeed, while I felt more like salt water.
Monday, January 18, 2010
DO GOOD!
As someone who has written a lot, it is hard for me to endorse something that is grammatically incorrect ... intentionally, that is(!) ... but in this case I will. Do good? Like bad microphone feedback to English teachers all over the country, I am sure, but hear me out.
Welcome to the Romans 7:19 blog and, thus, to my world. And, I suspect, to the world of many. I have many favorite Bible verses. Romans 5:1-5 talks about using life's challenges to build perseverance and character. Colossians 3:23 reminds us to work at everything (even cutting the grass) as though we are doing it for the Lord. And perhaps my favorite Bible image is captured in the first part of II Chronicles 16:9 when we are reminded that God is looking for us ... as long we are looking for him.
But no verse speaks to me more loudly than Romans 7:19
19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
I suppose the good news is that I have reached the stage in my life where I clearly recognize "the evil." The year 2010 will turn my birthday clock to the half-century mark, and I feel pretty confident that even as recently as 10 years ago that recognition wasn't there. Go back longer than that? Please, no. When I read this section of Paul's letter to the Romans, and his daily struggle with good and evil, I have feelings of motivation and comfort. Paul struggled with good and evil?!
I rise every day with intentions of "good" and the clear knowledge that by day's end the scoreboard will show that evil earned at least a draw. Will I have acknowledged that struggle every day with my God, asking for forgiveness and His guiding hand to pick me up yet again? Right now, the answer to that question is most days. Maybe this blog will help me get to all days.
So what will you read in the days and weeks to come? Probably a lot of sports references. Probably a lot of husband / father experiences. And certainly a lot of (wretched) Child of God / (capital F) Father experiences. I hope you will enjoy it and, more importantly, will try to -- hold your ears again, you champions of the English language -- "DO GOOD!"
Welcome to the Romans 7:19 blog and, thus, to my world. And, I suspect, to the world of many. I have many favorite Bible verses. Romans 5:1-5 talks about using life's challenges to build perseverance and character. Colossians 3:23 reminds us to work at everything (even cutting the grass) as though we are doing it for the Lord. And perhaps my favorite Bible image is captured in the first part of II Chronicles 16:9 when we are reminded that God is looking for us ... as long we are looking for him.
But no verse speaks to me more loudly than Romans 7:19
19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
I suppose the good news is that I have reached the stage in my life where I clearly recognize "the evil." The year 2010 will turn my birthday clock to the half-century mark, and I feel pretty confident that even as recently as 10 years ago that recognition wasn't there. Go back longer than that? Please, no. When I read this section of Paul's letter to the Romans, and his daily struggle with good and evil, I have feelings of motivation and comfort. Paul struggled with good and evil?!
I rise every day with intentions of "good" and the clear knowledge that by day's end the scoreboard will show that evil earned at least a draw. Will I have acknowledged that struggle every day with my God, asking for forgiveness and His guiding hand to pick me up yet again? Right now, the answer to that question is most days. Maybe this blog will help me get to all days.
So what will you read in the days and weeks to come? Probably a lot of sports references. Probably a lot of husband / father experiences. And certainly a lot of (wretched) Child of God / (capital F) Father experiences. I hope you will enjoy it and, more importantly, will try to -- hold your ears again, you champions of the English language -- "DO GOOD!"
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