So listen! And be kind! Help me out of this! (MSG)
David was at the point of shattered strength and it had swept away all his self-reliance and he started crying for God.
I participated in a short Bible study of Psalm 30 using photography. We could photograph family, pets, mountains, oceans, scenic areas, anything we wanted for either each verse or as an overall picture of the Psalm and that really got me 'seeing' the Psalm in a different realm. I cried as I read and reread this Psalm and I saw the many words (and pictures) David kept using in his
praise to God.
I chose verse 10 because my daughter gave me a new grandson two weeks ago and I had taken a picture of her in labor at the hospital. She was becoming rather uncomfortable with pain, but she was also so very beautiful and strong.
As I looked at this picture I saw verse 10. I remembered Rebecca's words that night of 'help me and be gentle please'. She had to depend on Angela, her midwife, for everything. I was praying and crying as she delivered, but I could see God with both Angela and Rebecca. He listened to Bec's cries and he was kind to her and he was there when she delivered a healthy Matthew. All was well.
The Psalm ends in the Message with - God, my God, I can't thank you enough.
Nancy
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Psalm 86:7
Every time I'm in trouble I call on you, confident that you'll answer. (MSG)
I was driving to Lectio this morning and, as always, look at the town pond to see our transient Canadian goose pair and their goslings. Each spring, the pair show up from away and we watch watch them swim and do their goose things. However, it's not long before there is only one goose on the water at a time as the other is on the nest. Both mom and dad take turns on the eggs.
After a gestation period of 25-30 days, the goslings hatch and we see them on the pond's beach staying beside the parents where they are safe from dangers. A frantic call from any gosling will bring the parents immediately.
David (the Psalmist) knew his frantic cries would bring God immediately and he was confident that God would answer him. I give David so much credit for his confidence and because every cry for help was followed by a praise to God.
But confidence is one thing I struggle with every day. I have very, very little and because of that, I have fears. One fear is that God won't hear me when I need him, answer me or be here for me. I have to constantly be reminded from close friends that God won't leave me, that he does hear me
and he will answer me.
The goslings have complete trust in their parents and David had complete trust in his father, God. Just to have that confidence.
Nancy
I was driving to Lectio this morning and, as always, look at the town pond to see our transient Canadian goose pair and their goslings. Each spring, the pair show up from away and we watch watch them swim and do their goose things. However, it's not long before there is only one goose on the water at a time as the other is on the nest. Both mom and dad take turns on the eggs.
After a gestation period of 25-30 days, the goslings hatch and we see them on the pond's beach staying beside the parents where they are safe from dangers. A frantic call from any gosling will bring the parents immediately.
David (the Psalmist) knew his frantic cries would bring God immediately and he was confident that God would answer him. I give David so much credit for his confidence and because every cry for help was followed by a praise to God.
But confidence is one thing I struggle with every day. I have very, very little and because of that, I have fears. One fear is that God won't hear me when I need him, answer me or be here for me. I have to constantly be reminded from close friends that God won't leave me, that he does hear me
and he will answer me.
The goslings have complete trust in their parents and David had complete trust in his father, God. Just to have that confidence.
Nancy
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Ecclesiastes 3:11 True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time--but he's left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he is coming or going. (MSG)
My daughter, Rebecca, gave birth to her third son on Sunday, June 8, 2008 (Children's Day at our church). His name is Matthew Paul and he weighs 6 lb 8 oz and is 20 inches long.
My other two grandsons share their birthdays with other family members, but Matthew won't be sharing his birthday with anyone. Nicholas was born on his father's birthday, July 31st, and Jacob was born on his Aunt and Uncle's wedding anniversary, August 10th.
And so I'm wondering about this little man. Is he going to be a very independent person from the get go? Maybe doing things his way and in his time?
Who else does things his way and in his time? Anyone we know?
Nancy
My daughter, Rebecca, gave birth to her third son on Sunday, June 8, 2008 (Children's Day at our church). His name is Matthew Paul and he weighs 6 lb 8 oz and is 20 inches long.
My other two grandsons share their birthdays with other family members, but Matthew won't be sharing his birthday with anyone. Nicholas was born on his father's birthday, July 31st, and Jacob was born on his Aunt and Uncle's wedding anniversary, August 10th.
And so I'm wondering about this little man. Is he going to be a very independent person from the get go? Maybe doing things his way and in his time?
Who else does things his way and in his time? Anyone we know?
Nancy
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Psalm 71:9
But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight. (MSG)
The NIV says that Psalm 71 is a prayer for God's help in old age when enemies threaten because they see that the king's strength is waning. And in verses 9-13, David is praying to God for his continuing help in the waning years of his life.
I've been working for an independent living retirement home for the past 7 months. I've held various positions due to vacations, illness' or just needing extra help and because of working in different areas, I've come to know some of the residents very well. Most of them are in the late 80's to mid 90's. A few are younger and one will be 108 in October.
Some came into family money and others made wise money decisions. Some have been able to travel extensively, have a summer home and in the end, have been able to choose where they want to live. They have incredible stories to tell and their knowledge of life in general is amazing to listen to.
However, there are other residents who had to work hard for every dollar, they made ends meet by being resourceful, they fought in WWII and Korea and there are a few women who were Army nurses during the war. They have incredible stories to share and even though the stories are different than those who came from money, they are no less interesting. But some of these residents have been unable to choose where to live as their children/family or guardians have decided to 'put' them at the home because they don't want to deal with them and some of these people never get to see their families. They just don't come around or call and it's sad to see them alone.
Each and every one of these residents are gifts from God. Whether they come from money and choose to live where they do or whether they depend on family members and are 'put' where they are, each one has a life lesson to be taught. The things we can learn from all of them can help us through anything we may encounter in life.
Think about how we want to be treated when we are older. Think about how we treat the older people now? Do we turn them out to pasture? Do we put them on a shelf? Or do we embrace them as valuable individuals.
I know God won't put us out, he won't leave us ever. He will never forget us and put us on a shelf or out to pasture. Never..
Nancy
The NIV says that Psalm 71 is a prayer for God's help in old age when enemies threaten because they see that the king's strength is waning. And in verses 9-13, David is praying to God for his continuing help in the waning years of his life.
I've been working for an independent living retirement home for the past 7 months. I've held various positions due to vacations, illness' or just needing extra help and because of working in different areas, I've come to know some of the residents very well. Most of them are in the late 80's to mid 90's. A few are younger and one will be 108 in October.
Some came into family money and others made wise money decisions. Some have been able to travel extensively, have a summer home and in the end, have been able to choose where they want to live. They have incredible stories to tell and their knowledge of life in general is amazing to listen to.
However, there are other residents who had to work hard for every dollar, they made ends meet by being resourceful, they fought in WWII and Korea and there are a few women who were Army nurses during the war. They have incredible stories to share and even though the stories are different than those who came from money, they are no less interesting. But some of these residents have been unable to choose where to live as their children/family or guardians have decided to 'put' them at the home because they don't want to deal with them and some of these people never get to see their families. They just don't come around or call and it's sad to see them alone.
Each and every one of these residents are gifts from God. Whether they come from money and choose to live where they do or whether they depend on family members and are 'put' where they are, each one has a life lesson to be taught. The things we can learn from all of them can help us through anything we may encounter in life.
Think about how we want to be treated when we are older. Think about how we treat the older people now? Do we turn them out to pasture? Do we put them on a shelf? Or do we embrace them as valuable individuals.
I know God won't put us out, he won't leave us ever. He will never forget us and put us on a shelf or out to pasture. Never..
Nancy
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