Singing is Good

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Psalm 147:1

Though I play the organ for church, I also get to sing in the choir.  It's been a long time since I've been in a choir.  By the time I get to church on Wednesdays, my mind is fried.  I've just taught piano to two young beginners and two teenage beginners and one lady my age who wants to return after years away from the piano...just like teaching a beginner.  I've thought too hard and I'm tired.  Supper and a Wednesday service precede choir practice...another two hours... so I'm really ready to go home but I stay instead and I'm always glad I do.  

There's something about singing that revives me.  It could be that we have the best choral director I've ever known, a good (usually) full choir, a great accompanist and excellent literature.  However, I believe it's the actual singing that lifts my spirits and awakens my soul.  I'm blessed to still have a little voice to praise God in song so I might as well use it.

Photo Credit: State Library of Victoria Collections

Basics

The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:64

The Bible is filled with this thought.

Laws are set in place and when they are obeyed, we can enjoy His love.  First, we have to want to know His decrees/laws/statues, etc.  Next, we have to read them.  Then, He will teach them to us because a teacher can't reveal hidden truths unless the student is willing to learn the basics.

Photo Credit: Rachel Kramer

Sleepless Nights

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Luke 12:4-5

Sleepless nights bring fears.  With all the world's evil, they creep in with the dark.

I work through them, realizing that I can do nothing about most of them and...finally...turn them over to God, who knows and controls everything.  With relief and comfort, I turn my thoughts to Him and realize that He has my back.  

Evil still exists but not in my bedroom.

Photo Credit: Patrik Jones 

Eyes

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Genesis 3:6

It's the age-old bait and switch game played by the enemy.  "Just this once," "It won't hurt to try," It's not going to hurt you," No one will ever know," etc., etc., etc.

When I take my eyes off the Lord and put them elsewhere, I get into trouble and the evil one laughs...

but God cries.

Photo Credit: Erich Ferdinand

Blessings in Predictability

“Why were you looking for me?” he asked. 

“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Luke 2:49

It's nice to have a husband who is so predictable.  I don't have to guess where he is or worry that he is doing something questionable.  I just go to his computer, look outside or go to the church...our other house.  Though our church building is not as dramatic-looking as the picture above, it's no less beautiful. 

Photo Credit: Tim Green

Everything, Sing

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
 forever and ever.

Psalm 145:21

I love the songs of the birds and each one has his own.  Every day they sing the same song...the one given them by their Creator...and they sing, regardless.

Speaking and singing praise to God is an act of will for humans but many times life punches us and the only thing out of our mouths are complaints and curses instead.  David MADE praise come from his lips and in his songs (psalms), he encouraged others to do the same.  I must praise God, too...forever and ever, regardless.

Photo Credit: Patti McNeal

In His Hands

How quickly we tend to forget this.

Photo Credit: Tito and Eva Marie Balangue

Almost

Blessed are the meek, 

for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5

This was almost us today at lunch.  As we finished, Bill was looking out into the woods as he does many times...in wait to spot a deer just beyond our property...and there she and her fawn were.  They took their time strolling through the woods with heads down.  Only once did she look up, didn't see us, and continued to feed.  I borrowed this photo from Rachel Kramer because it looked so much like what we saw...a special treat from the Lord.

Eyes Right

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8

I'm loving the flowers of summer and the Black-eyed Susan is one of my favorites.  Their eyes are always turned upward toward the heavens, seeming to be thanking God for their existence.

 I should do the same today as well.

Photo Credit: Rachel Kramer

Family, Corn and Piano Lessons

 So whether you eat or drink

 or whatever you do,

 do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

It's turning out to be a very good week.

I visited my sister last week...great visit with lots of food and laughter,

We did corn two days this week...so delicious...thanks to our son-in-law's parents,

 I started teaching piano again this semester...

it's a good way to make a little extra money and hopefully encourage young people to take the baton, and there's more family to come.

Things are good.

Praise God.

Photo Credit: Wayne Truong

Choked

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Matthew 13:2

It doesn't take long for weeds to completely take over.  They will dominate whatever is there and choke the life out of it.  I'm sure this was a useful building at one time but now you can't even get to the door.Good grass, flowers and crops could be here but now there are only weeds.

My life is like that.  When I don't nurture my Christian life, weeds start working their way into it and before I know it, I have no desire for Christ.  I start doing things on my own and worldly things start to suffocate me.  I forget about Him.  His voice grows dim as I start moving away from Him and before I know it,  I don't want to read His Word or pray or visit His House or meet with His People.  I want to do My Thing.

I stop producing fruit that proves I'm His.  Woe is me.

But because He still wants me, He continues to call me and I hear a faint voice telling me to return.

I have the choice...do I or don't I.

If I hadn't turned back, my life would have been worthless.

Photo Credit: Ian Sane

It Is I

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea,

 they were terrified...and

  instantly He spoke to them, saying,

 Take courage! I Am! Stop being afraid!

Matthew 14:26-27 AMP

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible,
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

I love the way the Amplified Bible interprets this scripture.  In most versions Jesus' words are stated "It is I."  That's really enough for me but the words 'I AM' are those that God used to name himself.  Jesus is God. So that is even more meaningful to know that God himself, embodied in Jesus, sees our terror and wants to comfort us and give us courage.

Photo Credit: Rennett Stowe

What To Say?

Don’t be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.

Matthew 10:17-20 (MSG)

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.

 Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Have you ever wondered what to say in a ticklish situation?  Have you tried praying for the right words?

Read the Word, live the life...regardless.

God is on our side and supplies our every need exactly when we need it.

Photo Credit: Brian Turner on Flickr

Stay the Course

 You’re blessed when you stay on course,
    walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions,
    doing your best to find him.
That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;
    you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
    now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
    keeping to the course you set;
Then I’d never have any regrets
    in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
    I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I’m going to do what you tell me to do;
    don’t ever walk off and leave me.

Psalm 119:1-8 (MSG)

Walking the path sometimes lead up a steep cliff, over roots and stumps, through treacherous waters.  Sometimes it rains or snows or the winds blow but the path is still there.  My trouble comes when I start making my own path.

Photo Credit: Michael Brown on Flickr

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Tomorrow Stew

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

There's no reason for me to stew over what will happen in the future.  I have no control over what happens tomorrow.

I need to make the most of today with God's help and do the same tomorrow and tomorrow's tomorrow ad infinitum.

Photo Credit: Robb North on flickr 

Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group