Verse one sounds like the familiar blessing:
"God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us..."
In fact, it's part of the priestly blessing given in Numbers 6.
But the Psalm continues on, giving a further goal for the blessing - "that Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations."
It's not simply a request to be blessed - it is a request that that blessing also bless others.
Nice.
Lord, make me a blessing!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
New year.... new hope
So I finally relinquished my goal of reading through the entire Bible last year (in mid-December when I was still like 2 months behind) I got about 83% done).
Of course, you can see I gave up on my goal of blogging about it much, much sooner.
And I realize that the address of this blog is outdated now.
But yet I want to keep going. I've started anew this year, using the chronological plan again only now in the NASB. I'm also doing the daily offices (morning, midday and evening) from my Celtic Daily Worship book.
So thought perhaps I'll continue (or strive again to) make some notes here when various passages provide new insight or teach me new things or otherwise stick out to me.
Of course, you can see I gave up on my goal of blogging about it much, much sooner.
And I realize that the address of this blog is outdated now.
But yet I want to keep going. I've started anew this year, using the chronological plan again only now in the NASB. I'm also doing the daily offices (morning, midday and evening) from my Celtic Daily Worship book.
So thought perhaps I'll continue (or strive again to) make some notes here when various passages provide new insight or teach me new things or otherwise stick out to me.
Misc. Notes from 2008...
From February 2nd:
Isaiah 30:10-11
They tell their spiritual leaders,
"Don't bother us with irrelevancies."
They tell their preachers,
"Don't waste our time on impracticalities.
Tell us what makes us feel better.
Don't bore us with obsolete religion.
That stuff means nothing to us.
Quit hounding us with The Holy of Israel.
Hmm... kinda sounds like today...
________________
From February 7th:
from Isaiah 41:5-7, in reference to those who make and worship idols...
They try to help each other out,
making up stories in the dark.
When we turn from God and try to find - or create - our own "answers" we are truly in the dark, simply making up stories...
also... from Isaiah 42:18-25, in reference to God's people who have received His Message not really paying attention...
You've seen a lot, but looked at nothing.
You've heard everything, but listened to nothing.
May we have eyes that truly see and ears that truly listen to God!
_________________
From July 12th's reading:
Psalm 5:3
Every morning
I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar
and watch for fire to descend
_________________
From August 2nd's reading (noted October 4):
Psalm 61:8
And I'll be the poet who sings your glory -
and live what I sing every day.
I read this while on the ECMT. Really want to live that verse out in my own life.
_________________
From August 5th's reading (Noted October 7th):
Various excerpts from Psalms 68-9 that stuck out to me...
"When the righteous see God in action, they'll laugh, they'll sing,
they'll laugh and sing for joy."
"Don't let those out looking for You come to a dead end by following me!"
(my heart's cry)
"I'm hurt and in pain.
Give me space for healing and mountain air."
(often a prayer of mine, in tears)
____________________
from September 15th's reading:
Lamentations 3:28-29
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself.
Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer.
Don't ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Isaiah 30:10-11
They tell their spiritual leaders,
"Don't bother us with irrelevancies."
They tell their preachers,
"Don't waste our time on impracticalities.
Tell us what makes us feel better.
Don't bore us with obsolete religion.
That stuff means nothing to us.
Quit hounding us with The Holy of Israel.
Hmm... kinda sounds like today...
________________
From February 7th:
from Isaiah 41:5-7, in reference to those who make and worship idols...
They try to help each other out,
making up stories in the dark.
When we turn from God and try to find - or create - our own "answers" we are truly in the dark, simply making up stories...
also... from Isaiah 42:18-25, in reference to God's people who have received His Message not really paying attention...
You've seen a lot, but looked at nothing.
You've heard everything, but listened to nothing.
May we have eyes that truly see and ears that truly listen to God!
_________________
From July 12th's reading:
Psalm 5:3
Every morning
I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar
and watch for fire to descend
_________________
From August 2nd's reading (noted October 4):
Psalm 61:8
And I'll be the poet who sings your glory -
and live what I sing every day.
I read this while on the ECMT. Really want to live that verse out in my own life.
_________________
From August 5th's reading (Noted October 7th):
Various excerpts from Psalms 68-9 that stuck out to me...
"When the righteous see God in action, they'll laugh, they'll sing,
they'll laugh and sing for joy."
"Don't let those out looking for You come to a dead end by following me!"
(my heart's cry)
"I'm hurt and in pain.
Give me space for healing and mountain air."
(often a prayer of mine, in tears)
____________________
from September 15th's reading:
Lamentations 3:28-29
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself.
Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer.
Don't ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
1.31.08
Isaiah 26-27; Mark 6:30-56
I'm behind in my reading. But, did I ever need to hear this verse on this day, right now at this moment.
"People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit.
Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing."
God is good!
(added 2.19.08)
I'm behind in my reading. But, did I ever need to hear this verse on this day, right now at this moment.
"People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit.
Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing."
God is good!
(added 2.19.08)
Monday, January 21, 2008
1.21.08
Isaiah 1-2; Mark 1:1-22
We finished 2 books of the Bible already - and it's only mid-January! On to Isaiah and Mark. Isaiah is going to be an interesting read. The guy has harsh words to say to Israel (most of the prophets do) - and reading them in the Message version is already eye-opening. Descriptive images, contemporary metaphors... Peterson must have worked and prayed hard on all this stuff!
Two sections caught my attention.
From chapter 1:
"...who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that - all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?" It's one of those times God is saying that our empty worship is meaningless. But the way this was worded really caught my attention - "all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship" - Am I truly worshipping and serving God, or have I simply filled my life with busyness, with commotion?
From chapter 2:
"... their world is full of hokey religion... a world rolling in wealth, Stuffed with things, no end to its machines and gadgets, And gods - gods of all sorts and sizes. These people make their own gods and worship what they make." Sound like anything familiar? Like America - and our current culture?
We finished 2 books of the Bible already - and it's only mid-January! On to Isaiah and Mark. Isaiah is going to be an interesting read. The guy has harsh words to say to Israel (most of the prophets do) - and reading them in the Message version is already eye-opening. Descriptive images, contemporary metaphors... Peterson must have worked and prayed hard on all this stuff!
Two sections caught my attention.
From chapter 1:
"...who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that - all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?" It's one of those times God is saying that our empty worship is meaningless. But the way this was worded really caught my attention - "all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship" - Am I truly worshipping and serving God, or have I simply filled my life with busyness, with commotion?
From chapter 2:
"... their world is full of hokey religion... a world rolling in wealth, Stuffed with things, no end to its machines and gadgets, And gods - gods of all sorts and sizes. These people make their own gods and worship what they make." Sound like anything familiar? Like America - and our current culture?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
1.18.08
Genesis 43-45; Romans 15:1-13
I've always loved the story of Joseph in the Bible. Not sure what it is that draws my attention - the complexity of characters, the suffering and perseverance of Joseph, the good that God brought out of it all - but I love the story. I've seen the Dreamworks animated musical, older movies, the Broadway musical version (on video and small-scale live at my high school) and the Veggietales version. I even have the (Broadway) soundtrack! I can't seem to get enough.
I would love to be a fly (carob beetle?) on the wall there when Joseph was interacting with his brothers in Egypt. Especially the second time. When he saw Benjamin for the first time in years. When Judah showed how he'd changed by taking responsibility for his actions and for his younger brother. When Joseph finally revealed himself (and they didn't get it at first). Can you imagine?
Reconciliation. Restoration. Those are the words. That's why I love the story of Joseph. And when Jacob and Esau met up again. And when the kids were renamed in Hosea. And when the temple was rebuilt and the glory returned in Ezekiel. And when the good kings rediscovered God's Words and led the country in repentance and revival. And when Jesus came, died and rose again - taking our place - so that we could be restored, reconciled to God.
Reconciliation. Restoration. It's the story of the Bible. And it's why I love the story of Joseph.
I've always loved the story of Joseph in the Bible. Not sure what it is that draws my attention - the complexity of characters, the suffering and perseverance of Joseph, the good that God brought out of it all - but I love the story. I've seen the Dreamworks animated musical, older movies, the Broadway musical version (on video and small-scale live at my high school) and the Veggietales version. I even have the (Broadway) soundtrack! I can't seem to get enough.
I would love to be a fly (carob beetle?) on the wall there when Joseph was interacting with his brothers in Egypt. Especially the second time. When he saw Benjamin for the first time in years. When Judah showed how he'd changed by taking responsibility for his actions and for his younger brother. When Joseph finally revealed himself (and they didn't get it at first). Can you imagine?
Reconciliation. Restoration. Those are the words. That's why I love the story of Joseph. And when Jacob and Esau met up again. And when the kids were renamed in Hosea. And when the temple was rebuilt and the glory returned in Ezekiel. And when the good kings rediscovered God's Words and led the country in repentance and revival. And when Jesus came, died and rose again - taking our place - so that we could be restored, reconciled to God.
Reconciliation. Restoration. It's the story of the Bible. And it's why I love the story of Joseph.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
1.17.08
Genesis 41-42; Romans 14
Pharaoh said to Joseph "...no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom."
Now, the wisdom was from God. But what caught my attention is the "in experience." Joseph was kidnapped, a slave and in prison. You certainly wouldn't expect that to be the experienced credentials of a man running for president. Or a man put in charge of a whole country!
But Joseph just didn't sit around, wallowing in pity and complaining about all the evils that had befallen him. As a slave he continued to work hard in obedience and in his giftings - and in prison he did the same!
I think that often we miss that important aspect today when we compare our unjust sufferings to Joseph (which many do as a way of hope and encouragement that God can use bad and make it good). But Joseph just didn't sit on his bum! Don't get me wrong, here. I'm not saying that we're the ones to work and make things better. That's God's job. But our job is to continue in obedience to God and to continue in the work and giftings we are given as God directs our paths.
... and can I just say that Romans has always been one of those hard books to read. But I love reading it in The Message. Maybe sometime this year I'll go back and do a study of Romans - using The Message and another translation to go through it...
Pharaoh said to Joseph "...no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom."
Now, the wisdom was from God. But what caught my attention is the "in experience." Joseph was kidnapped, a slave and in prison. You certainly wouldn't expect that to be the experienced credentials of a man running for president. Or a man put in charge of a whole country!
But Joseph just didn't sit around, wallowing in pity and complaining about all the evils that had befallen him. As a slave he continued to work hard in obedience and in his giftings - and in prison he did the same!
I think that often we miss that important aspect today when we compare our unjust sufferings to Joseph (which many do as a way of hope and encouragement that God can use bad and make it good). But Joseph just didn't sit on his bum! Don't get me wrong, here. I'm not saying that we're the ones to work and make things better. That's God's job. But our job is to continue in obedience to God and to continue in the work and giftings we are given as God directs our paths.
... and can I just say that Romans has always been one of those hard books to read. But I love reading it in The Message. Maybe sometime this year I'll go back and do a study of Romans - using The Message and another translation to go through it...
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