I am PUNY

"I've come for Jan's help." A tingle of fear went through my mind.  I'm the first wave of computer support at the office.  I have no official training.  But I'm gotten myself in trouble enough and remember a few of the solutions the professionals have used to remedy my calamities. That frisson of fear reminded me, I am merely a puny human.

"A November Iowa Sunset. The road looked puny compared to the sunset."

Psalm 9 reminds me of my place in the world: I am not God.  God is The One who defeats enemies, rescues me, delivers me, rebukes me for my own good, judges the wicked, and me, avenges injustice and vindicates the wrong.

Psalm 9 reminds me of my purpose in the world:  to publicly praise God with all of my heart. It seems so simple.  God is God and is more than able to handle the world.  Yet, I, and we, mere humans, think we can be victors, heroes, judges and avengers. 

We want to be superheroes among the mortals.  The final verse  of this Psalm makes it plain to which group we belong.  I checked several translations.  The final words of the Psalm were "merely human", "only mortal", "only human", "mere mortals", "are men", "only men", and my personal favorite "puny men."

I realize the last verse refers to contentious nations rebelling against God. If I'm honest with myself, I am guilty of being like those prideful nations, thinking I can control my life and destiny.  Too often I dig my own pits and fall in. (see verse 11)  Rarely do I set traps for others but I certainly try to protect, control and defend myself.  I'd like to think "I'd never do that" but  too often I fail at the very thing I'm judging another.

I did fix my coworker's issue with a disclaimer, "I can't do everything." Perhaps we need to embrace our "puniness."  After all, God is able, more able than our mortal minds can comprehend.  Who is better equipped?  Certainly not the mere humans.

Let's redefine puny.  Take away the negative connotation.  Adopt  PUNY as a guide for life.

P rotected and provided by God, not me.

U nder God's Plan, not mine (because I fall into the pits of my own design!)

N ot God, plain and simple (He is The Superhero who can do anything and everything.)

Y et loved, in spite of my refusal to accept my puniness. 

Hallelujah!  I will take the pledge of Puniness knowing that I will occasionally fall into a pit.  Yet God, this One and Only Amazing God is faithful.  He will gather this "puny self" up, dust me off and give me one more chance to discover the incredible life He has planned.

what if?

”give us senior citizens something free and we go crazy!”

I’d posted my Happy New Year message on Facebook with a short video. My friend commented that it sounded like I celebrated with a gaggle of geese. Actually it was a restaurant full of happy adults with free horns! They tooted through the entire 8 minutes of fireworks. (You’re glad I only posted 21 second but I have the whole 7+ minutes if you’re interested,)


My friend’s comment came to mind when I read my first assignment for the 2018 daily bible reading challenge.  Genesis 1-3 tells of  God’s work and provision for you and me. He created the world and everything we need. He also gave us the double edged gift of choice. We can choose good or evil, trouble or peace, God or self.

Adam and Eve listened to the serpent and their selfish desires.  After their choice to disobey they heard God coming. So they hid from the Giver of Life.

What if they’d remembered all the Giver had freely provided? What if they’d listened to their praise?

What if I would use praise in the challenging circumstances to combat temptations and feelings of defeat?

What if I could not be like Adam and Eve and praise God for what He has already done for me, in the past, present and into the future rather than thinking “why me?” Or “why not?”

What if, rather than hiding from God, who gave me all I ever need, I was like the revelers

with free horns and toot for joy for the whole 8 minutes?

What if we make 2018 the year of listening to God, not running and hiding, but praising Him for His Gifts?

Double it

"You know what I really need?" I whispered to the three year old, "A kiss."  She opened her arms and puckered her lips.  Wow!  I got what I needed.  It felt so good, I asked for another and she obliged.  I knew enough about three year olds to quit while I was ahead and savor this moment of joy!

I thought about double joy when I read through Psalm 8 this morning.  I noticed several times when David, the Psalm's author, repeated or reiterated a statement.  He was  impressed by God's heavens, the work of His fingers. He restated his amazement by mentioning God put the moon and stars (integral parts of the heaven we view) in place.  David was doubly amazed!

David acknowledges that God created man a  little lower than the angels.  God made man ruler over the works of His hands.   He restated the works of His hands with an itemized list: flocks, herds, wild animals, birds, fish and anything swimming in the sea.  All created by God and given to Man to be above.  David was doubly impressed.

David was so awed by the majesty of God that he opened and closed the Psalm with the same affirmation.   "O Lord our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!"  David was so overcome with the magnitude that he had to say it twice.  His amazement began and concluded with the wonder of God.

We live in a world of "do it again".  In the old days, the instructions on the shampoo bottle were short and simple: "Lather, Rinse and repeat."  Apparently to get the most benefit of the shampoo, one has to do it twice.  (Or is this a carefully planned marketing strategy so I buy more shampoo?)

A newscaster this past expressed her dismay that so many children would boldly ask for seconds of her Halloween candy.  Our culture is built on if you like it, buy more; if it feels good, do it again; once is never enough. 

The culture instills a "never to be satisfied" appetite for repetition.  The culture of this world makes us think we can buy it; take it; earn it; or demand it.

Psalm 8 instills in me the secret to satisfaction with the added benefits of wonder, amazement, security and praise.  The secret I discovered in Psalm 8 is "You".  When I copied the Psalm in my journal, I capitalized You and Your when I thought the word referred to God.  All were capitalized.  I went back and circled them.  15 times "You" and "Your" were capitalized.  Zero times did those words refer to another. There is no "I" in Psalm 8.

So the extra measure of joy my heart yearns for, begins and ends with The You- God. Double Joy.  I want it.

Psalm 8 is just like my favorite candy bar, Almond Joy, which is really two bars in one package. Psalm 8 reminds me if I want a double portion of satisfaction, give The You, not I, the double portion of praise and amazement.  Joy and satisfaction begins and ends with "The You"!

Before an Angry Judge

I can sleep tonight because The Judge makes it Right!

The anger in his voice increased.  I looked up.  The judge was looking right at me and scolding me!  Something about shopping and credit cards.  I hadn't been paying attention which added to the judge's frustration.  I was very confused.  It was my first time in court.

Many years ago I worked for a mortgage servicing company and was sent to bankruptcy court with the company attorney.  One of our customers had filed bankruptcy and the company sent us to represent the mortgage holder.  Court cases were called alphabetically and our customer must have been in the "Zs" because I'd been in the courtroom a very long time.  I was bored and had lost interest until I realized all eyes, especially the angry judge's, were on me.

I must have had a ”deer in headlights" look on my face.  I was frozen.  I had no idea what to do.  Fortunately, the company attorney came to my defense.  He stood up and respectfully addressed the judge.  He realized that the  judge thought I was one of the debtors who had continued to engage in amassing debt while in bankruptcy.  My advocate offered to the judge that I was not the offending debtor.  The real debtor didn't even bother to appear in court that day.  The judge assumed since I was in the front row I must be the offender.  I hope this was and will be my only time in court facing an angry judge!

Psalm 7 made me think about judges.  David throws himself on the mercy of God, The Judge.  David confesses that perhaps he has guilt on his hands.  Yet he believes God will save him and deliver him from his pursuing enemies.  David believes that God searches hearts and minds and knows true motives.  David acknowledges that God is The Righteous Judge who is absolutely just.

Psalm 7 reminds me that I live in a world that too often is not right.  I can't make the world right.  No one can make it right.  Except God.  Verse 10, in The Message, tells me God is The One who makes me right and keeps me right.

I am right before God only because I have an Advocate, much like that company attorney who stood up for me before the angry judge.  Jesus came to Earth to show me, us, the way, the only way to live in a not right world.  Our only opportunity to be right in this world is to throw ourselves on the mercy of God. 

Psalm 7 reminds me

God is dependable, more than anyone or anything in this world;

God is absolutely just, not assuming facts, but knowing motives;

God protects me because of His great love for me, and you. He sent The Advocate as proof!

Thank you God for being Right, making Right and keeping Right.

150 feet!

Papa.
Just as we entered a tunnel he replied...

"150 feet."  Papa responded to his grandchildren's query of "how much longer til we get there?"  I giggled because I knew it was really about 20 miles to our destination.  I was amazed that the children were satisfied with his decisive answer even though they had no idea of what 150 feet meant.

It's been several days since I read through Psalm 6 but when I opened my journal and looked at my notes I knew "150 feet" will become my subtitle for Psalm 6.

I noticed the words I'd underlined in my handwritten version of Psalm 6 :

§  Unfailing love- Years ago during a bible study on the book of Psalms I discovered how often the psalmists refer to God's unfailing love.  In the translation I'm reading now this is the first Psalm which acknowledges God's unfailing love.  (So I'm circling in blue pencil this time through the Psalms to remind me of God's unfailing love.)

§  Worn out-  The Psalm begins with a plea for mercy and healing.  It talks of anguish, despair, groaning, weeping and sorrow.  I can relate. Life on this earth can be hard, right?

§  Has heard- In the midst of the  psalmist's anguish, he acknowledges God has heard his weeping and prayers in the past.  God is reliable.

§  How long? -  This question sounds far too familiar.  It seems when the going gets tough, our most frequent query of God is "How much longer til...?"

In the midst of trying circumstances, I want to impose a time limit.  If I know the ending time, I will be able to endure the next few minutes and hours.  I can feel the immediate and temporary satisfaction of surviving another minute and being closer to the end.

Psalm 6 addresses the dilemma of "How long?" vs "God's unfailing love."

It is no coincidence this past week my ladies study group discussed James chapter one.  We wrestled with the idea that trials produce steadfastness or endurance.  When suffering comes we concentrate on how much longer or the conclusion or the ending. 

James and the Psalmist are reminding me, instead, I should concentrate on

§  God's knowledge of the future,

§  the comfort that He indeed knows my deepest need and

§  His unfailing love

Life's circumstances are opportunities to learn and understand, as best we can, of God's character. God is so much bigger than time or any step by step plan I can devise.  He operates according to unfailing love and mercy. 

Through life trials we learn God is in control.  God loves us.  He knows our deepest needs and delivers.  How long is not the question.  Rest in His character is the response to life trials.

Just as the grandchildren wanted to impose a time limit to enduring a boring car ride, I want to impose a limit so I can manage to my trials.    The grandchildren received an answer that didn't compute because they had no concept of distance. The answer of "150 feet" satisfied them though.  They knew Papa had a destination and it was a good destination. Papa loved them.  Papa was dependable.  They knew of Papa's character.

I anticipate that during my next life trial when I am worn out and ask God "How long?"  His response will be "150 feet!" 

I will be reminded that

§  God has a destination and it's a good destination. 

§  God loves me. 

§  God has  unfailing love, my prior life trials are proof. 

Live the 3G Way

"...Make Your way before me." Psalm 5:8

"Beam me up!"  This escape clause was often used by the hero in the TV and movie series.  Instantly he  would evaporate from one location to reappear in the safety of the "mother ship." Many times in my Christian life,  I've wanted to escape danger by immediate removal;  I've felt the mission accomplished and ready to return home.  I ponder,  why I am in still on earth.  As much as I'd like this declaration, "Beam me up!",  to be a metaphor for my relationship with God, it's really  the opposite.

Instead of the ability to escape life,  Psalm 5 reminds me how to live while I still roam this Earth.  I am learning to living the 3G Way.

Psalm 5 reveals the intimate relationship between David and God.  David acknowledges that God listens to his requests.  God is faithful. David waits in anticipation.  He knows God cannot be defeated.  He knows God's enemies are liars.  David knows to take refuge in God's protection.

Each morning I wake to live in a world that tells me how to live:  To follow the popular thinkers of the day, to get ahead of everyone I can, to accumulate and to satisfy my desires any way I choose.

David's view of God, faithful, true, undefeatable and safe,  reminds me how to approach this day in my life.  "...Make  straight your way before me."  (Verse 8)  I circle the words "Your...before me".  Perhaps that is my guidance for the day.

I count the word "my" (because it refers to David) in Psalm 5 - 7 times.

Then I count "You and Your" (because they refer to God or O Lord, as David addresses Him) -17 times. 

If I use the basis of sheer numbers, this Psalm gives me guidance for living on Earth: Your ...before me.  Psalm 5 is a glimpse into the heart of David and how he reacts to God:  His before his;  God before David;  The Lord before me.  The absolute opposite principle to the worldly teaching.

What if I followed the principle of "His way before my way" for my daily life?

The book I am currently reading reminds me that I have a singular purpose as a follower of Jesus:  to bring God, and God alone, glory by participating in His mission.  I am not in charge of His mission.  He is. I don't have to develop His mission.  He has The Plan and He has had The Plan since the beginning of time!  I have the opportunity to daily live for His mission. 

Here's an idea for a new bracelet to assist me when I make the myriad of choices in my daily  life: 

W.W.G.G.G.

W hat

W ould

G ive

G od

G lory?

Sounds like a plan!  Today I choose to live the 3G Way.  Whew!  Decisions made for the day!

In my subconscious I have my doubts.  I'm human and prone to failure.  That worldly teaching is so tempting.  It's quick and immediate gratification.  Yet God's way is lasting and is eternal gratification.  

Thank you O Lord,  You knows  me so well and You love me in spite of my failure.  You even rescued me and will continue  to rescue me just because You loves me. 

Now that is something to Give God Glory!  Hopefully today others will see God's Glory, not my glory.  It's why I haven't been beamed up yet! 

Much ado about to do lists

Checking one off my bucket list:  riding an air boat

"Alexa, please add canned dog food to the shopping list."  I love my electronic list!  I speak it to the magic machine and it appears in the app on my phone (and my husband's phone).  So I'm never at the grocery store when my shopping list is elsewhere.  I'm just like most of the population: I may not have anything else but most certainly my phone is on my  person.

As a read Psalm 4 I made several lists.

1. Firm Statements about God

God sees me as perfect.          ( Now that's a wow!  I know my failings very well.  I'm perfect                                                       only because God paid a very expensive price- He sent Jesus for                                                      my imperfection, and yours.)

God has chosen  me.               (Can you imagine?  The Creator of the Universe sees something of                                                  value in me, and you.)

God will listen.

God will keep me safe.

2. What the world offers

Silly Idols with false claims    (What I hear the world say is "You can do it.  But I know I can't. I                                                             can make a list of my failures when I've tried the world's tricks and                                                 false treasures.  The results were hollow and meaningless.)

Mockery of God                     (The world tells us "God will never help us.")

3. Therefore, my to do list

Stand before God in AWE

Don't sin

Trust Him

Offer pleasing sacrifices

Prove the world wrong

4. The Results

Safety

Peace, including a good night's sleep

Gladness

Hmmmmmmmm.... Every day I am presented with the choice between list one and list two.  List 4 tells me the benefits.  Why would I choose anything else?  Because left to my own advice, I forget List 3.  The action list is too easy to ignore.  I want benefit and accomplishment but rarely am I enthusiastic about following the steps.

I probably should put list 3 on m bathroom mirror to remind me what to do every day.   I also need to remember that when it seems hard to live out List 3, God is ready to assist me.  He has chosen me, given me the ability to accomplish and will assist me if I just ask Him.

God has done the same for you. 

Here's my new list:

Reject List 2 today,

            Believe List 1 today, 

                        Work List 3 today and

                                    Live in the world of List 4