Psalm 116
The Youth and Young Adults of our church held their annual fundraiser this past Sunday. We cooked, cleaned, prepped, and prepared over 200 plates for lunch. Of course we didn't do it alone as we had help from a few parents and adults as well as a lot of help from the Youth of the high school I work at.
Everyone worked very hard. We also worked really well. In the 4 years I've done this fundraiser, this year went the smoothest. It's not so much because we had lots of volunteers or every step was planned and executed as planned. I think it was because the people who were there wanted the fundraiser to be successful.
Our Youth group isn't very big in numbers, but we're all big in heart, and, more to their true reason for being in church, bigger in service. We talk a lot about how much God does for us and how, even when things aren't going well in our lives, God is by our side, trying to show us the way through whatever is troubling us and sharing in the things that are going well.
We understand there's really no way to pay God back for everything God has done, but the one thing we can do is to share our lives with others in the same way God shares with us. That's what we call compassion.
Compassion is defined in several ways, but the one definition I live by is by breaking down the root-meaning of the word. Com is defined as with, while the root word for passion, pasio, is defined as suffer, but taken as meaning "life's journeys". Compassion, therefore, is to share the life-journeys of others, which is what God does with us. So, the best way to "payback" the things God does for us is to do as God does with us and share in the journeys of others.
When those who volunteered for our fundraiser got together as one people, united in a single purpose, we did an amazing thing. The same can happen all around us, all we need is for someone to start living with compassion - will that be you?
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Thursday, April 24, 2014
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
1 Peter 1:3-9
Besides separating the books of the bible into chapters and verses, the editors also place sub-headings which explain the stories or lessons withing those books. I don't always agree with the subheadings, but I guess that's just the rebel in me - I like to formulate my own thoughts and ideas by opening myself up to how God is speaking to me in that moment. However, today's "title" is, as the saying goes, spot on. This passage from 1 Peter speaks to me about "A Living Hope."
As I read it, I found myself taken to a place where my belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the hope in a life filled with the promises of joy and peace that resurrection brings for me, filled my heart with hope. But, not just a hope which brings about wishes of a fantasy-like life. No, this passage brought an honest, deep-seeded belief that God is alive in my life through the life of Jesus Christ.
The message of Jesus could not be stopped, not even by death. As Jesus walked and talked with people, he shared how the love of God was for everyone - poor and rich, sick and well, unclean and clean - regardless of race, religion, gender, and/or abilities. Jesus did everything he could to help everyone he met to understand that God's love is universal and given without expectations.
God's love never ends and is unconditional. Or, as in the words of Peter, God's love "is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading," and is our "inheritance" It is ours to have simply because we exist. Such is the message of Jesus' life, and such is the message of Christ as he lives on in us.
Besides separating the books of the bible into chapters and verses, the editors also place sub-headings which explain the stories or lessons withing those books. I don't always agree with the subheadings, but I guess that's just the rebel in me - I like to formulate my own thoughts and ideas by opening myself up to how God is speaking to me in that moment. However, today's "title" is, as the saying goes, spot on. This passage from 1 Peter speaks to me about "A Living Hope."
As I read it, I found myself taken to a place where my belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the hope in a life filled with the promises of joy and peace that resurrection brings for me, filled my heart with hope. But, not just a hope which brings about wishes of a fantasy-like life. No, this passage brought an honest, deep-seeded belief that God is alive in my life through the life of Jesus Christ.
The message of Jesus could not be stopped, not even by death. As Jesus walked and talked with people, he shared how the love of God was for everyone - poor and rich, sick and well, unclean and clean - regardless of race, religion, gender, and/or abilities. Jesus did everything he could to help everyone he met to understand that God's love is universal and given without expectations.
God's love never ends and is unconditional. Or, as in the words of Peter, God's love "is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading," and is our "inheritance" It is ours to have simply because we exist. Such is the message of Jesus' life, and such is the message of Christ as he lives on in us.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Show Me The Way
Psalm 16
The first thing I did at daybreak on Easter morning (actually after our Sunrise Service after daybreak) is break my fast. During Lent I had given up all sweets - cookies, candies, cake, pie, donuts, ice cream, etc. I did it because I thought it wouldn't be as difficult as giving up something I really like, such as rice, and to support my wife who was recently told by her doctor to watch her sugar intake.
The first 10 days went okay, as I honestly don't have a sweet tooth, but as time went on I really began to miss my occasional dessert. Towards the end I found myself craving something sweet every night. What started out as a relatively easy commitment became very difficult to maintain. But I did it, and on Easter morning I broke that fast with the most amazing Oreo Cookie donut I have ever ate.
Continuing my fast-break over the last two nights I've also eaten desserts after dinner, and I must be honest and say I'm not happy about the results. I am a diabetic, and my blood sugar runs highest in the morning. Over the six weeks of Lent my morning blood sugar counts have been lowering, only to have sky-rocketed the last two days. I'm not happy, but, I know why. Things have been made clearer to me - a path has opened for me.
Sometimes it takes a clear vision, one not clouded by our wants and desires, to see what are better choices for us. Sometimes we have to go down an unfamiliar path to see what lays ahead for us. That path might start out easy, but things will get more difficult and obstacles will come in our way. All we can do, really, is keep finding ways to move forward by overcoming those obstacles, and to trust in our guide to show us the best way to reaching our goals.
We are in Eastertime, the 50-day period before the Pentecost. Eastertime is when we hear the stories of how Jesus continued to show his disciples how to overcome the obstacles in their path. As we travel this time together let's keep an eye out for those obstacles which keep us from moving forward, as well as watch for how God is working in our lives.
As for me, for now anyway, I think I better get back to no sweets, or at least better controlling how much I eat.
The first thing I did at daybreak on Easter morning (actually after our Sunrise Service after daybreak) is break my fast. During Lent I had given up all sweets - cookies, candies, cake, pie, donuts, ice cream, etc. I did it because I thought it wouldn't be as difficult as giving up something I really like, such as rice, and to support my wife who was recently told by her doctor to watch her sugar intake.
The first 10 days went okay, as I honestly don't have a sweet tooth, but as time went on I really began to miss my occasional dessert. Towards the end I found myself craving something sweet every night. What started out as a relatively easy commitment became very difficult to maintain. But I did it, and on Easter morning I broke that fast with the most amazing Oreo Cookie donut I have ever ate.
Continuing my fast-break over the last two nights I've also eaten desserts after dinner, and I must be honest and say I'm not happy about the results. I am a diabetic, and my blood sugar runs highest in the morning. Over the six weeks of Lent my morning blood sugar counts have been lowering, only to have sky-rocketed the last two days. I'm not happy, but, I know why. Things have been made clearer to me - a path has opened for me.
Sometimes it takes a clear vision, one not clouded by our wants and desires, to see what are better choices for us. Sometimes we have to go down an unfamiliar path to see what lays ahead for us. That path might start out easy, but things will get more difficult and obstacles will come in our way. All we can do, really, is keep finding ways to move forward by overcoming those obstacles, and to trust in our guide to show us the best way to reaching our goals.
We are in Eastertime, the 50-day period before the Pentecost. Eastertime is when we hear the stories of how Jesus continued to show his disciples how to overcome the obstacles in their path. As we travel this time together let's keep an eye out for those obstacles which keep us from moving forward, as well as watch for how God is working in our lives.
As for me, for now anyway, I think I better get back to no sweets, or at least better controlling how much I eat.
Friday, April 11, 2014
The Final Path
Matthew 27:11-54
"Are you who they say you are?" Don't you hear the things they accuse you of?" Have you nothing to say for yourself?"
Silence.
"Who would you rather have, this known murderer, or this one whom you call the Messiah?"Why? He has done nothing to you." "Then what am I to do with him?"
A quick warning, a panicked plea, a possible riot.
"A King deserving of a scepter of weeds and a crown of thorns." "Let us spit on him, beat him, show him what we think of his king-dom."
Mockery.
"Look, here comes the one we called Messiah." "He is nothing but a criminal." Don't go near him or the same will happen to us."
"You! come help him"
Some relief. But not for long. The hill comes into view. The end of the road is near.
And through it all....silence.
"Are you who they say you are?" Don't you hear the things they accuse you of?" Have you nothing to say for yourself?"
Silence.
"Who would you rather have, this known murderer, or this one whom you call the Messiah?"Why? He has done nothing to you." "Then what am I to do with him?"
A quick warning, a panicked plea, a possible riot.
"A King deserving of a scepter of weeds and a crown of thorns." "Let us spit on him, beat him, show him what we think of his king-dom."
Mockery.
"Look, here comes the one we called Messiah." "He is nothing but a criminal." Don't go near him or the same will happen to us."
"You! come help him"
Some relief. But not for long. The hill comes into view. The end of the road is near.
And through it all....silence.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Psalm of Passion
Psalm 31:9-16
Jesus has been hailed as the savior, as the one sent by God to free the oppressed and justly deal with the oppressors. He entered Jerusalem amid shouts of joy and praise, the path made soft and safe for the donkey which carried him.
The Hosannas have quieted, people are beginning to see this Jesus for who he is - at least who they perceive him to be. There are those who now have a deeper understanding of the message he lived; what it is he's been trying to say for the past few years. Then, there are those who see him as a threat to their power; as a prophet, hailed as the Messiah, and whose peaceful ideology could only be dealt in one way - death.
Jesus is anguished by the reality of what is to come. On the one hand he knows what will happen if he takes it too far. After all, his cousin John was put to death for simply opposing King Herod's wife. Imagine what will happen to him if he opposes the Roman Empire.
Jesus goes up a mountain to pray. His heart is torn, his soul is shredded. He's come this far and there really is no turning back. He knows people will deny him. He knows he will be reviled and scorned. He knows that it's probably already too late to turn away and in the hours to come he will be nothing more than a mere memory of just another troublemaker.
Yet, his trust in God never fails.
Jesus has been hailed as the savior, as the one sent by God to free the oppressed and justly deal with the oppressors. He entered Jerusalem amid shouts of joy and praise, the path made soft and safe for the donkey which carried him.
The Hosannas have quieted, people are beginning to see this Jesus for who he is - at least who they perceive him to be. There are those who now have a deeper understanding of the message he lived; what it is he's been trying to say for the past few years. Then, there are those who see him as a threat to their power; as a prophet, hailed as the Messiah, and whose peaceful ideology could only be dealt in one way - death.
Jesus is anguished by the reality of what is to come. On the one hand he knows what will happen if he takes it too far. After all, his cousin John was put to death for simply opposing King Herod's wife. Imagine what will happen to him if he opposes the Roman Empire.
Jesus goes up a mountain to pray. His heart is torn, his soul is shredded. He's come this far and there really is no turning back. He knows people will deny him. He knows he will be reviled and scorned. He knows that it's probably already too late to turn away and in the hours to come he will be nothing more than a mere memory of just another troublemaker.
Yet, his trust in God never fails.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
The Turning Point
Matthew 21:1-11
The two disciples must have been wondering what in the world Jesus wanted with a donkey, and a female donkey at that. Imagine their surprise when Jesus mounted the donkey with the intention of entering Jerusalem on her. Imagine their shock as they followed Jesus, watching as the very large crowd of people laid their palms and coats on the ground ahead of the donkey; all the time shouting their hosannas and alleluias.
I sometimes wonder if the disciples had any idea that Jesus had become the hail of so many. I sometimes wonder if those who followed Jesus had ever really known just how much of a "celebrity" he had become. I sometimes wonder if this moment, the final entrance into Jerusalem by Jesus, was the first time the crowds which had followed and been visited by him throughout the Galilean seaside had all gathered in one place at one time.
I sometimes wonder if Jesus had any idea how much his words and actions had truly affected this many people.
Just what will be the Roman Empire's reaction to the arrival of Jesus into their city - yes, their city. Until now the people who lived within the walls of Jerusalem, the hierarchy of the Roman Empire, had no idea who this Jesus was. As the loud cheers reached their ears all they could do was wonder what was going on and in a chaotic confusion ask, "Who is this?"
Amongst the loud praises aimed at the "Son of David" and "the one who comes in the name of the Lord" were whispers of "How could this have happened" and "This must be stopped." The triumphal entry amidst the laying of palms and coats will soon become something else.
The two disciples must have been wondering what in the world Jesus wanted with a donkey, and a female donkey at that. Imagine their surprise when Jesus mounted the donkey with the intention of entering Jerusalem on her. Imagine their shock as they followed Jesus, watching as the very large crowd of people laid their palms and coats on the ground ahead of the donkey; all the time shouting their hosannas and alleluias.
I sometimes wonder if the disciples had any idea that Jesus had become the hail of so many. I sometimes wonder if those who followed Jesus had ever really known just how much of a "celebrity" he had become. I sometimes wonder if this moment, the final entrance into Jerusalem by Jesus, was the first time the crowds which had followed and been visited by him throughout the Galilean seaside had all gathered in one place at one time.
I sometimes wonder if Jesus had any idea how much his words and actions had truly affected this many people.
Just what will be the Roman Empire's reaction to the arrival of Jesus into their city - yes, their city. Until now the people who lived within the walls of Jerusalem, the hierarchy of the Roman Empire, had no idea who this Jesus was. As the loud cheers reached their ears all they could do was wonder what was going on and in a chaotic confusion ask, "Who is this?"
Amongst the loud praises aimed at the "Son of David" and "the one who comes in the name of the Lord" were whispers of "How could this have happened" and "This must be stopped." The triumphal entry amidst the laying of palms and coats will soon become something else.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Psalm Of The Palms
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Open the gates! Here comes the light of the world! Open the gates!
I can just imagine what that day would have been like. Streets filled with hundreds of people. Palms waiving in the air as people lay their coats on the ground so that the donkey which carried the Messiah had a soft path to walk on. Hosannas and Alleluias ringing in the air as those surrounding the entrance recall the words of this Psalm.
Praises of thanks that the answers of the people have finally been answered. Shouts of joy as finally, finally they will receive the promises of God. Eyes and souls filled with awe as the cornerstone of their future is finally being laid.
The people gathered on that triumphant day would certainly have understood that the day the Lord has made is most definitely that day, and before them is the all-enduring, never-ending love they had been waiting lifetimes for.
Open the gates!
Open the gates! Here comes the light of the world! Open the gates!
I can just imagine what that day would have been like. Streets filled with hundreds of people. Palms waiving in the air as people lay their coats on the ground so that the donkey which carried the Messiah had a soft path to walk on. Hosannas and Alleluias ringing in the air as those surrounding the entrance recall the words of this Psalm.
Praises of thanks that the answers of the people have finally been answered. Shouts of joy as finally, finally they will receive the promises of God. Eyes and souls filled with awe as the cornerstone of their future is finally being laid.
The people gathered on that triumphant day would certainly have understood that the day the Lord has made is most definitely that day, and before them is the all-enduring, never-ending love they had been waiting lifetimes for.
Open the gates!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Palms or Passions...Or Both?
This Sunday is either called Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday or Palm/Passion Sunday, depending on the traditions of your church. It's a very special time in the church, a time when the final week of Jesus' life on earth is highlighted, if not celebrated.
So why the differences in what the Sunday is called? Well, it's not so much that they are called different things, it's that they really are celebrations of different things.
Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus' final, and most triumphant, entrance into Jerusalem. He is being hailed as the Messiah, the one whom all of the Jews have been waiting for throughout their long, albeit troubled history. The Jewish people have been waiting centuries for the return of the one who would free them from the oppression they have been living in since, well, since the days of Moses. This Jesus, with all the stories they have heard of his healing touch and his ability to amass crowds of people, must be that Messiah.
Passion Sunday celebrates the final moments of Jesus life, the moments in which he was betrayed, arrested, put on trial, tortured, beaten, and finally put to death. This is a part of Jesus' life when we see just how far his love goes. These are the moments we are to finally and fully understand what it means to live and die for a love greater than no other.
This week I'll do my best to touch on both. I'll be taking the Psalm and the New Testament readings for both the Palms and the Passion and give you what I think they are saying to me. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be a focus on the Palms, Thursday and Friday will be for the Passion. I won't be posting anything next week, instead taking the time to more fully pray and prepare for the Easter weekend.
I hope you'll join me on this final Lenten journey for me in this place until Easter.
So why the differences in what the Sunday is called? Well, it's not so much that they are called different things, it's that they really are celebrations of different things.
Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus' final, and most triumphant, entrance into Jerusalem. He is being hailed as the Messiah, the one whom all of the Jews have been waiting for throughout their long, albeit troubled history. The Jewish people have been waiting centuries for the return of the one who would free them from the oppression they have been living in since, well, since the days of Moses. This Jesus, with all the stories they have heard of his healing touch and his ability to amass crowds of people, must be that Messiah.
Passion Sunday celebrates the final moments of Jesus life, the moments in which he was betrayed, arrested, put on trial, tortured, beaten, and finally put to death. This is a part of Jesus' life when we see just how far his love goes. These are the moments we are to finally and fully understand what it means to live and die for a love greater than no other.
This week I'll do my best to touch on both. I'll be taking the Psalm and the New Testament readings for both the Palms and the Passion and give you what I think they are saying to me. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be a focus on the Palms, Thursday and Friday will be for the Passion. I won't be posting anything next week, instead taking the time to more fully pray and prepare for the Easter weekend.
I hope you'll join me on this final Lenten journey for me in this place until Easter.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Lighting The Way
John 11:1-45
In our study group a couple weeks ago I went off on a tangent (as all good teachers do) and began talking about the use of light in the Gospel of John. The conversation started innocently enough with someone talking about how the light of Christ is something they strive to share. His comment was followed by a question about what the light of Christ meant to him. He struggled with an answer and eventually conceded that he really didn't know, it was just something he always heard in church and thought it sounded good.
I knew I was in trouble when he looked at me and asked what I thought the light of Christ was about (as good students always do). I thought for a while and asked the group one question: What does light do?
The answers revolved around one theme - it shows us things (the things varied, but lets use things as a catch-all). I followed up with a question to help us think deeper.
How does light show us things?
I smiled as the common answer was it helps us see better, answered in various ways. I continued to agree and ask for a deeper thought. Yes, it helps us see better, and yes it shows us things, but how?
The looks of grasping for the answer became pained and I began a story of how I had gone through the same thing in my New Testament class at VST. None of us could get the answer the professor was looking for either and we were all very, very troubled at not being able to get the answer.
The professor used this particular passage to highlight what he was looking for. John's gospel has Jesus saying, "Those who walk during the day do not stumble...But those who walk at night stumble." The light, he told us, helps us to see the things which are in our way; the things which may cause us to stumble and fall.
The light, I explained to the study group, isn't so much there to light our way or help us see the things that are good. It's a light that exposes that which is blocking our way as we try to live out the laws of God which asks us to love God, one another, and our selves.
If, then, we are to be the light of Christ, and share that light, it is our duty to do the same. As Christians we're asked to help people see the things that are blocking them from being in a complete, unconditional relationship of acceptance with everything around them.
This Lenten season I'm hoping to shine the light on those things which are holding me back from making my relationships better so that as I move forward I can shine brighter and truer for, and with, those around me.
In our study group a couple weeks ago I went off on a tangent (as all good teachers do) and began talking about the use of light in the Gospel of John. The conversation started innocently enough with someone talking about how the light of Christ is something they strive to share. His comment was followed by a question about what the light of Christ meant to him. He struggled with an answer and eventually conceded that he really didn't know, it was just something he always heard in church and thought it sounded good.
I knew I was in trouble when he looked at me and asked what I thought the light of Christ was about (as good students always do). I thought for a while and asked the group one question: What does light do?
The answers revolved around one theme - it shows us things (the things varied, but lets use things as a catch-all). I followed up with a question to help us think deeper.
How does light show us things?
I smiled as the common answer was it helps us see better, answered in various ways. I continued to agree and ask for a deeper thought. Yes, it helps us see better, and yes it shows us things, but how?
The looks of grasping for the answer became pained and I began a story of how I had gone through the same thing in my New Testament class at VST. None of us could get the answer the professor was looking for either and we were all very, very troubled at not being able to get the answer.
The professor used this particular passage to highlight what he was looking for. John's gospel has Jesus saying, "Those who walk during the day do not stumble...But those who walk at night stumble." The light, he told us, helps us to see the things which are in our way; the things which may cause us to stumble and fall.
The light, I explained to the study group, isn't so much there to light our way or help us see the things that are good. It's a light that exposes that which is blocking our way as we try to live out the laws of God which asks us to love God, one another, and our selves.
If, then, we are to be the light of Christ, and share that light, it is our duty to do the same. As Christians we're asked to help people see the things that are blocking them from being in a complete, unconditional relationship of acceptance with everything around them.
This Lenten season I'm hoping to shine the light on those things which are holding me back from making my relationships better so that as I move forward I can shine brighter and truer for, and with, those around me.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
It's Not About Belonging
Romans 8:6-11
I amaze myself again today with how different I think about my relationship with God through the bible than even as short as 10 years ago. I have always been taught that this passage talks about how we have to have Christ as our Lord and Savior or we are considered dead sinners. Yet, today as I read this passage I see it in a much different, and maybe clearer, way.
It's right there in the second sentence of the second paragraph. "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." And, if you will allow me to add a piece of Paul's theology as I understand it, that's okay. because it's not about who you belong to, it's who brings alive the Spirit of God within you.
Paul is called the first Christian by most. His messages about living as one people unified under the love of God as taught to him by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the first known writings of such beliefs that we have. Perhaps more importantly is that these are the first writings from a Christian which have a call to action that we have.
Paul isn't saying to everyone that they have to be Christians in order to have new life in righteousness, as he puts it. Rather, Paul is reminding people that they need to have the same Spirit which dwells in Christ, that of an all-loving God, in order to be resurrected in a life filled with peace and joy. Paul's example of a Christ who is resurrected because the Spirit of God, the Spirit of love, lived in him, is what Paul is saying will bring people together as one.
In Romans, Paul is writing to a people who have put material things and personal achievement before the betterment of community. In this passage Paul is trying to remind the churches in Rome that it's because of the binding love of God, as shown through the examples of Jesus, that the true intent of God's law will be achieved - the law of loving God with everything one has and loving each other just as we love ourselves.
I amaze myself again today with how different I think about my relationship with God through the bible than even as short as 10 years ago. I have always been taught that this passage talks about how we have to have Christ as our Lord and Savior or we are considered dead sinners. Yet, today as I read this passage I see it in a much different, and maybe clearer, way.
It's right there in the second sentence of the second paragraph. "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." And, if you will allow me to add a piece of Paul's theology as I understand it, that's okay. because it's not about who you belong to, it's who brings alive the Spirit of God within you.
Paul is called the first Christian by most. His messages about living as one people unified under the love of God as taught to him by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the first known writings of such beliefs that we have. Perhaps more importantly is that these are the first writings from a Christian which have a call to action that we have.
Paul isn't saying to everyone that they have to be Christians in order to have new life in righteousness, as he puts it. Rather, Paul is reminding people that they need to have the same Spirit which dwells in Christ, that of an all-loving God, in order to be resurrected in a life filled with peace and joy. Paul's example of a Christ who is resurrected because the Spirit of God, the Spirit of love, lived in him, is what Paul is saying will bring people together as one.
In Romans, Paul is writing to a people who have put material things and personal achievement before the betterment of community. In this passage Paul is trying to remind the churches in Rome that it's because of the binding love of God, as shown through the examples of Jesus, that the true intent of God's law will be achieved - the law of loving God with everything one has and loving each other just as we love ourselves.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Out Of The Deep
Psalm 130
There was a time in my life when I went through a very difficult personal trial. I am going to keep the details of that time between me and those who I have already shared it with, but I will say that I walked through a very dark place and almost didn't come through the other side.
Fortunately I had people who loved me enough to shine the light of God; the light that exposes the things in our life we need to see for what it is. Through that light I was able to make the necessary changes in my life so that I would never have to walk that path again.
Besides the help of people, I had the voice of God to guide me through to a better place. God's voice came through today's Psalm. The images of crying out for a God who will deliver me from my darkness through forgiveness of my transgressions, regardless of what they are, touched me in such a way that it was at that moment I knew, absolutely knew, God loves me and in that love I can live forever in peace and with joy.
Later in my years I sang with a choir who performed John Rutter's Requiem, which includes a beautifully composed rendition of this Psalm. I invite you to click on this link to listen to how this Psalm can touch any who might be in that same place of darkness I walked through. maybe the light of God will shine bright enough for you to see what it is in your life you might need to make the journey easier.
There was a time in my life when I went through a very difficult personal trial. I am going to keep the details of that time between me and those who I have already shared it with, but I will say that I walked through a very dark place and almost didn't come through the other side.
Fortunately I had people who loved me enough to shine the light of God; the light that exposes the things in our life we need to see for what it is. Through that light I was able to make the necessary changes in my life so that I would never have to walk that path again.
Besides the help of people, I had the voice of God to guide me through to a better place. God's voice came through today's Psalm. The images of crying out for a God who will deliver me from my darkness through forgiveness of my transgressions, regardless of what they are, touched me in such a way that it was at that moment I knew, absolutely knew, God loves me and in that love I can live forever in peace and with joy.
Later in my years I sang with a choir who performed John Rutter's Requiem, which includes a beautifully composed rendition of this Psalm. I invite you to click on this link to listen to how this Psalm can touch any who might be in that same place of darkness I walked through. maybe the light of God will shine bright enough for you to see what it is in your life you might need to make the journey easier.
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