Posts
Happy Saturday!
First update; our friend, Scott Pound, joined the Church Triumphant on Friday night. I ask your prayers for his parents Kathy and Robb and his wife of 13 years Melisa. He battled cancer for 7 years. Services are pending.
I was very saddened when I read the news of Scott’s death. My heart broke for Kathy, Robb and Melisa as I well know how their hearts are broken and the sadness they feel is greater than any emotion they have ever felt before. I have had numerous conversations with Kathy and she kept asking me how I got through it. The only thing I could tell her was the grace of God, prayer, both individual and corporate and being able to write daily. There is now a big hole in all of their lives that words, work or busyness can never fill. Scott, just like Casey, was never restored to health, but they were both most assuredly healed. Now this family needs to heal. Healing takes time. When one person in your life has a devastating disease, they carry the disease, but all who are close and walk the journey with them experience the disease, just in a different way. This family needs your prayers. There are no words of comfort, no matter how well meaning and kindly they are offered, but the ministry of prayer and presence has powerful meaning.
John 4:13, 14 “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him…shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Water is an amazing gift from God. Water is used for cleansing and restoring. Water mixed with soap cleans the daily dirt from our bodies and when you drink it your body’s chemical balance can be restored. When showered on the grass or flowers it restores them to new life (especially this summer with temperatures consistently in the 100’s!)
God offers the gift of water. The water God offers is the gift of the living water of His love for us through Jesus and our baptism. God thought it important enough to use this precious symbol of His love that He required His own Son to be washed in the waters of the river as a symbol of leaving His private life behind and beginning His public life. This One life was completely committed and sacrificed to show God’s love for us and it all began with water.
Okay, folks, it is August in Texas. It’s hot, dry and then hot some more. Can you imagine someone, when offered a glass or bottle of ice cold water on one of these hot days saying, “No thanks?” How sad it must make God when this precious living water of eternal and everlasting life is offered and there are those who reject it.
One of the richest, choicest gifts God gives to us is the gift of water—His hand outstretched and free to all. There are still those who will not accept this amazing gift. God offers at no cost to us abundant live, joyous life, powerful life, and it all began with a dip in the river. Remember your baptism and live life abundantly and with everlasting joy!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all and see you in worship, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Happy Thursday!
Well, some order came out of chaos today. Teachers often come back to school after the summer to find everything in their room stacked in the hall. That is what I found this morning. When I put my room back together, I sort of create an organized chaos and then it finally comes together. So I am in the midst of the organized chaos and have hopes of having my room in order before I leave tomorrow. Special kudos go to Travis who gave up his day to help me move heavy furniture and put books on shelves.
Daniel 2:23 “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you. You have revealed to us what the king demanded.”
As a teacher I plan for each day’s lesson week by weak, but always with the end of the year in mind as I plan. It is “with great hopes and expectations” (as my sister-in-law Grace says) that all the children achieve and meet or exceed the goals set before them. It is my responsibility to see that every strategy is put in place to help the children. This responsibility is important so prayer time spent on this responsibility is also important.
God answers every prayer. When things seem really wrong to us or someone we know is doing wrong things it is our responsibility to pray for the situation or the person. We need to pray for those wrongs to be righted and for the person for whom we are praying to become different. We don’t need to be so presumptuous as to tell God how to change the person or situation. We just need to make our requests known to God and trust that His will is done. We may never know how God has worked in the life of someone for whom we are anonymously praying or even if the situation is righted. God rejoices when a life is turned around and a situation which was wrong has been righted. When we pray for others and situations we share in the life that God has provided through the presence of the Holy Spirit. WOW! Sharing a life with God, what a journey!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for each other. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Well, some order came out of chaos today. Teachers often come back to school after the summer to find everything in their room stacked in the hall. That is what I found this morning. When I put my room back together, I sort of create an organized chaos and then it finally comes together. So I am in the midst of the organized chaos and have hopes of having my room in order before I leave tomorrow. Special kudos go to Travis who gave up his day to help me move heavy furniture and put books on shelves.
Daniel 2:23 “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you. You have revealed to us what the king demanded.”
As a teacher I plan for each day’s lesson week by weak, but always with the end of the year in mind as I plan. It is “with great hopes and expectations” (as my sister-in-law Grace says) that all the children achieve and meet or exceed the goals set before them. It is my responsibility to see that every strategy is put in place to help the children. This responsibility is important so prayer time spent on this responsibility is also important.
God answers every prayer. When things seem really wrong to us or someone we know is doing wrong things it is our responsibility to pray for the situation or the person. We need to pray for those wrongs to be righted and for the person for whom we are praying to become different. We don’t need to be so presumptuous as to tell God how to change the person or situation. We just need to make our requests known to God and trust that His will is done. We may never know how God has worked in the life of someone for whom we are anonymously praying or even if the situation is righted. God rejoices when a life is turned around and a situation which was wrong has been righted. When we pray for others and situations we share in the life that God has provided through the presence of the Holy Spirit. WOW! Sharing a life with God, what a journey!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for each other. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Happy Wednesday!
“The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked come in his stead.”
Opening prayer: Jesus, You are watching over us to bless and care for us.
Tomorrow I am going back into my classroom. When last I say my classroom most of its contents were out in the hall outside my room. I usually spend an entire week and long hours putting my classroom together prior to the week of inservice, but this year it was not to be. So tomorrow Travis and I will wade through the chaos and try to put my room together. The goal I have for tomorrow is to get all of the furniture placed and the books put away. I will (with help from Travis) do these things to prepare for the children to enter my classroom in just a few short days.
God brings us out of darkness into light, out of unrest to rest and out of disorder to order. Sometimes when I look at the chaos of the things in my classroom it is hard to know where to begin. Do you ever feel like that in your own life? Do you ever feel that there are so many things to do and they all seem to be of equal importance and you don’t know where to begin? I know I have felt that way.
God is made flesh in the person of Jesus. God and Jesus are one. So God, who made the ordered and beautiful world out of chaos and set the stars in the sky can most certainly bring us out of the chaos in our own lives. We just have to ask for help! We have to pray. We have to pray and then remember to trust Him with all we are. We must fear nothing, look up and believe that God will come to our aid. God can bring peace and order out of the current crisis or chaos. We pray. We trust. Then sit back and watch God work.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for each other. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Prayer alert: Scott Pound, a friend from our church, has been battling cancer for seven years. His prognosis is not good. Please pray for Scott, his parents Kathy and Robb and Scott’s wife Melissa. Our family is in prayer for them.
“The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked come in his stead.”
Opening prayer: Jesus, You are watching over us to bless and care for us.
Tomorrow I am going back into my classroom. When last I say my classroom most of its contents were out in the hall outside my room. I usually spend an entire week and long hours putting my classroom together prior to the week of inservice, but this year it was not to be. So tomorrow Travis and I will wade through the chaos and try to put my room together. The goal I have for tomorrow is to get all of the furniture placed and the books put away. I will (with help from Travis) do these things to prepare for the children to enter my classroom in just a few short days.
God brings us out of darkness into light, out of unrest to rest and out of disorder to order. Sometimes when I look at the chaos of the things in my classroom it is hard to know where to begin. Do you ever feel like that in your own life? Do you ever feel that there are so many things to do and they all seem to be of equal importance and you don’t know where to begin? I know I have felt that way.
God is made flesh in the person of Jesus. God and Jesus are one. So God, who made the ordered and beautiful world out of chaos and set the stars in the sky can most certainly bring us out of the chaos in our own lives. We just have to ask for help! We have to pray. We have to pray and then remember to trust Him with all we are. We must fear nothing, look up and believe that God will come to our aid. God can bring peace and order out of the current crisis or chaos. We pray. We trust. Then sit back and watch God work.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to pray for each other. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Prayer alert: Scott Pound, a friend from our church, has been battling cancer for seven years. His prognosis is not good. Please pray for Scott, his parents Kathy and Robb and Scott’s wife Melissa. Our family is in prayer for them.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Happy Tuesday!
Today I had planned to be in my classroom and could not be there so I baked. I needed to do something creative with the unexpected time on my hands. But I also finished drafting the lesson I will present on the power of prayer at the Summer Women’s Bible Study to be held at Advent on the 21st of this month. So I did accomplish something!
Matthew 26: 39 “And He went a little farther, and fell on his face and prayed saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus was the perfect model of the godly life. This passage shows Jesus at His most human moment. Jesus knows what is ahead of him in the following days. The pain is going to be unbearable. The shame and humiliation is going to be indescribable and the loss He will experience as His closest friends scatter in fear may be the one of the deepest wounds of all. And yet, Jesus was so totally committed to seeing His Father’s work completed that He surrenders His own human will and says, “Not my will, but Your will.” Not the pain, the mocking, the agony, but His task to be completed on the cross.
This is a life that never strayed. This is a life that no outside interest or temptation came between Him and His heavenly Father and the mission for which He was created. This is the life we have seen modeled as written in the inspired Word. Jesus suffered greatly to show us of the Father’s love for us. He showed us that tribulation and suffering is going to happen to us. But the promise made is that even though trials come in our lives they are not a punishment for sin or a time when we have failed or even when we have misunderstood God and His plan for each of us. Jesus told us that there would be hard times in this world, but to be of good cheer for He had overcome the world. Our task is to learn of the One who overcame, by learning to overcome!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us remember each other in prayer each day. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Today I had planned to be in my classroom and could not be there so I baked. I needed to do something creative with the unexpected time on my hands. But I also finished drafting the lesson I will present on the power of prayer at the Summer Women’s Bible Study to be held at Advent on the 21st of this month. So I did accomplish something!
Matthew 26: 39 “And He went a little farther, and fell on his face and prayed saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, but as You will.”
Jesus was the perfect model of the godly life. This passage shows Jesus at His most human moment. Jesus knows what is ahead of him in the following days. The pain is going to be unbearable. The shame and humiliation is going to be indescribable and the loss He will experience as His closest friends scatter in fear may be the one of the deepest wounds of all. And yet, Jesus was so totally committed to seeing His Father’s work completed that He surrenders His own human will and says, “Not my will, but Your will.” Not the pain, the mocking, the agony, but His task to be completed on the cross.
This is a life that never strayed. This is a life that no outside interest or temptation came between Him and His heavenly Father and the mission for which He was created. This is the life we have seen modeled as written in the inspired Word. Jesus suffered greatly to show us of the Father’s love for us. He showed us that tribulation and suffering is going to happen to us. But the promise made is that even though trials come in our lives they are not a punishment for sin or a time when we have failed or even when we have misunderstood God and His plan for each of us. Jesus told us that there would be hard times in this world, but to be of good cheer for He had overcome the world. Our task is to learn of the One who overcame, by learning to overcome!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us remember each other in prayer each day. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Greetings from Austin St.
Happy Monday! Ah…the best laid plans of mice and school teachers…I arrived at school this morning prepared to work in my classroom only to find that the contents of my classroom were out in the hall and the custodial staff were just now cleaning my room. I cannot get back into my classroom until Thursday. That only gives me 2 full days to put my room together for the year. Serious bummer!!!
Psalm 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for You Lord only make me dwell in safety.”
As I was reading the meditation for this passage of scripture it speaks of emptying oneself to be filled with Divine Supply. I shared with you on the Sunday post about the Greek Orthodox ritual communion practice of not eating prior to receiving Eucharist on Sunday morning. It is their practice to receive the body and blood as their first meal of the day. In their faith that act translates that they have denied themselves in sacrifice to be filled with the presence of God in the elements.
Faith is a gift from God. We ask God for so much. When we have needs that are of concern to us then we worry, lose sleep and are anything but peaceful in our lives. When we ask God to help or rescue us from our troubles then we must trust Him with all we have and all we are. When we trust at all levels then we are emptying ourselves and are prepared for God’s presence, the Holy Spirit, to fill our lives and meet whatever needs we have placed before Him. If we empty ourselves then God will fill us with His Divine Supply. This is such a hard lesson for all of us to learn. We want to rely on material things and God says those things will pass away, but I will never leave you. God dwells within us and we may live in His peace.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you. Please pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Happy Monday! Ah…the best laid plans of mice and school teachers…I arrived at school this morning prepared to work in my classroom only to find that the contents of my classroom were out in the hall and the custodial staff were just now cleaning my room. I cannot get back into my classroom until Thursday. That only gives me 2 full days to put my room together for the year. Serious bummer!!!
Psalm 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for You Lord only make me dwell in safety.”
As I was reading the meditation for this passage of scripture it speaks of emptying oneself to be filled with Divine Supply. I shared with you on the Sunday post about the Greek Orthodox ritual communion practice of not eating prior to receiving Eucharist on Sunday morning. It is their practice to receive the body and blood as their first meal of the day. In their faith that act translates that they have denied themselves in sacrifice to be filled with the presence of God in the elements.
Faith is a gift from God. We ask God for so much. When we have needs that are of concern to us then we worry, lose sleep and are anything but peaceful in our lives. When we ask God to help or rescue us from our troubles then we must trust Him with all we have and all we are. When we trust at all levels then we are emptying ourselves and are prepared for God’s presence, the Holy Spirit, to fill our lives and meet whatever needs we have placed before Him. If we empty ourselves then God will fill us with His Divine Supply. This is such a hard lesson for all of us to learn. We want to rely on material things and God says those things will pass away, but I will never leave you. God dwells within us and we may live in His peace.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you. Please pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Blessed Sunday!
Well, friends, I promised you a full report on the ordination at the St. Demitrius Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Worth. They are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. This was only the second ordination in all that time, so this was quite an honor to be present for this event.
Friends, “We ain’t in Kansas anymore!” WOW! I was completely fascinated by the service. It is a high liturgical service spoken and sung in Greek and English. There was this amazing “chanter” whom I am convinced has cast iron vocal chords. She sang almost continually for about an hour and a half. Her pitch never wavered and she sang wonderful stories from the Bible as well as liturgical service. In the service music there were words and phrases that were familiar, but not the melodies. There were no congregational hymns that we recognized, but the congregation did participate in the responses similar to Lutheran responses; “Lord have mercy…etc”. Also, there was an organ, but it was used only for musical pitches as ALL music was sung A Capella. The priests and Bishop all sang the liturgy.
There was a choir in the loft to lead some of the responses to the liturgy. One member of the choir was a beautiful lyric soprano with outstanding pitch who sang pieces of the music. There were often two or more things going on at once with the choir singing and priests praying aloud. It was almost an accompaniment.
The Lutheran Church calls their geographical areas Synods. The Greek Orthodox Church calls their geographical area a Metropolitan.” The Bishop is the head of a Metropolitan. This Bishop came from Denver to officiate at this ordination. A great deal of homage was paid to this man. He dressed a great deal like the Catholic pope; red and gold brocade robe, scepter, gold crown and he sat on a throne for part of the service. His name was Metropolis Isaiah. He had a voice that would not quit and a message that was quite wonderful. He was a baritone and when he sang, it sort of wrapped me in a blanket of warmth.
When it came time for communion I asked a parishioner from this congregation if open communion was practiced. Her response was “only if you are orthodox.” So today I observed communion and I asked some questions. When it was time to commune the congregation, a large silver goblet on a pedestal was placed in the center aisle and was rounded over with large cubes of bread. The priest stood at the altar area with a wine goblet and a spoon. The communicants were served wine with a spoon. There was host (bread) in the wine. The congregants went to the priest and received the wine first and then proceeded to the large goblet filled with bread and returned to their seats. I met the woman whom I spoke of earlier and she told me the practice is that congregants are not to receive Eucharist if they have eaten prior to worship. The practice is fasting before receiving so that your first meal of the day is the body and blood of Jesus.
This service is not my way to worship, but this service had extraordinary meaning for a practicing Greek Orthodox parishioner. The presence of the holiness of God was immediately felt in the chanting and the readings and the care each participant took to follow rites and rituals that have been in place for centuries. Our friend, Hayden, who was ordained into the priesthood today, told us that the worship service we had just experienced was contemporary fifth century worship!
I think the most impressive thing I walked away today is how the presence of God transcends language, music and non-familiar practices. When God is invited to worship He makes His presence known and all are able to understand something. Yes, it was totally different worship to any I have ever experienced, but the lordship of our sovereign Lord and the anointing of the Holy Spirit of our loving God was present. Praise God!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes ( I wore heels today.) Count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you. Please pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
PS I am headed back to the classroom tomorrow. Say your prayers. Thanks. gc
Well, friends, I promised you a full report on the ordination at the St. Demitrius Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Worth. They are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. This was only the second ordination in all that time, so this was quite an honor to be present for this event.
Friends, “We ain’t in Kansas anymore!” WOW! I was completely fascinated by the service. It is a high liturgical service spoken and sung in Greek and English. There was this amazing “chanter” whom I am convinced has cast iron vocal chords. She sang almost continually for about an hour and a half. Her pitch never wavered and she sang wonderful stories from the Bible as well as liturgical service. In the service music there were words and phrases that were familiar, but not the melodies. There were no congregational hymns that we recognized, but the congregation did participate in the responses similar to Lutheran responses; “Lord have mercy…etc”. Also, there was an organ, but it was used only for musical pitches as ALL music was sung A Capella. The priests and Bishop all sang the liturgy.
There was a choir in the loft to lead some of the responses to the liturgy. One member of the choir was a beautiful lyric soprano with outstanding pitch who sang pieces of the music. There were often two or more things going on at once with the choir singing and priests praying aloud. It was almost an accompaniment.
The Lutheran Church calls their geographical areas Synods. The Greek Orthodox Church calls their geographical area a Metropolitan.” The Bishop is the head of a Metropolitan. This Bishop came from Denver to officiate at this ordination. A great deal of homage was paid to this man. He dressed a great deal like the Catholic pope; red and gold brocade robe, scepter, gold crown and he sat on a throne for part of the service. His name was Metropolis Isaiah. He had a voice that would not quit and a message that was quite wonderful. He was a baritone and when he sang, it sort of wrapped me in a blanket of warmth.
When it came time for communion I asked a parishioner from this congregation if open communion was practiced. Her response was “only if you are orthodox.” So today I observed communion and I asked some questions. When it was time to commune the congregation, a large silver goblet on a pedestal was placed in the center aisle and was rounded over with large cubes of bread. The priest stood at the altar area with a wine goblet and a spoon. The communicants were served wine with a spoon. There was host (bread) in the wine. The congregants went to the priest and received the wine first and then proceeded to the large goblet filled with bread and returned to their seats. I met the woman whom I spoke of earlier and she told me the practice is that congregants are not to receive Eucharist if they have eaten prior to worship. The practice is fasting before receiving so that your first meal of the day is the body and blood of Jesus.
This service is not my way to worship, but this service had extraordinary meaning for a practicing Greek Orthodox parishioner. The presence of the holiness of God was immediately felt in the chanting and the readings and the care each participant took to follow rites and rituals that have been in place for centuries. Our friend, Hayden, who was ordained into the priesthood today, told us that the worship service we had just experienced was contemporary fifth century worship!
I think the most impressive thing I walked away today is how the presence of God transcends language, music and non-familiar practices. When God is invited to worship He makes His presence known and all are able to understand something. Yes, it was totally different worship to any I have ever experienced, but the lordship of our sovereign Lord and the anointing of the Holy Spirit of our loving God was present. Praise God!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes ( I wore heels today.) Count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you. Please pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
PS I am headed back to the classroom tomorrow. Say your prayers. Thanks. gc
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Happy Saturday!
Psalm 31: 19 “Oh how great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the world.”
What a psalm of praise and thanksgiving for our God! The writer of this psalm claims the goodness of God and uses the wonderful adjective “lavish” to express how completely and extravagantly God comes to our aid when we ask for protection. It reminds me of the 23rd Psalm and the phrase “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” God takes care of His own to show the enemy, Satan himself, that he cannot have what belongs to the living God. God’s keeping power is present at all times not just as shelter from the storm but as security that He is the shelter. When we doubt and fear then we are not living in a loving relationship and resting in the shelter. What we must practice is saying repeatedly, “All is well.” The old song says, “Whatever my lot, You have caused me to say; It is well with my soul.” As a musician I was raised with the phrase, “practice makes perfect.”
Friends, make time to practice. Find time to pray even if it is just a sentence or two. A sentence or two throughout the day can add up to one amazingly enhanced prayer life. Take shelter in the Lord and repeat, “All is well.”
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you; please continue to pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Bruce and I will not be in worship at Advent tomorrow. We will be attending the ordination of a friend into the ministry of the Greek Orthodox Church. All I know about the Greek Orthodox Church is what I learned on “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” The service is 2-3 hours long and I think we stand a lot. It will be a day for flats! I will bring a full report. Peace, gc
Psalm 31: 19 “Oh how great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the world.”
What a psalm of praise and thanksgiving for our God! The writer of this psalm claims the goodness of God and uses the wonderful adjective “lavish” to express how completely and extravagantly God comes to our aid when we ask for protection. It reminds me of the 23rd Psalm and the phrase “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” God takes care of His own to show the enemy, Satan himself, that he cannot have what belongs to the living God. God’s keeping power is present at all times not just as shelter from the storm but as security that He is the shelter. When we doubt and fear then we are not living in a loving relationship and resting in the shelter. What we must practice is saying repeatedly, “All is well.” The old song says, “Whatever my lot, You have caused me to say; It is well with my soul.” As a musician I was raised with the phrase, “practice makes perfect.”
Friends, make time to practice. Find time to pray even if it is just a sentence or two. A sentence or two throughout the day can add up to one amazingly enhanced prayer life. Take shelter in the Lord and repeat, “All is well.”
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. I am praying for you; please continue to pray for our family. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Bruce and I will not be in worship at Advent tomorrow. We will be attending the ordination of a friend into the ministry of the Greek Orthodox Church. All I know about the Greek Orthodox Church is what I learned on “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” The service is 2-3 hours long and I think we stand a lot. It will be a day for flats! I will bring a full report. Peace, gc
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