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

It's about the ADE, not the lemons

"Wow!  Now that's family drama!"  I wondered if this had been the basis of a movie or surely some soap opera writers have used this story.  I even "googled" it.  I was off on one of my "sidebar" investigations after reading Psalm 3.  

The subtitle for Psalm 3 is "A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom".  I remembered how it ended for Absalom but not the details prior.  I read through 2 Samuel 13-19.  Talk about a soap opera.  This was raw family drama.  Brother dishonoring sister.  Brother getting revenge a few years later.  Son lusting after father's throne, power and women.  Son chasing father from throne.  War among family factions.  Rebellious son dies as a result of his pride.  (Absalom had a great head of hair.  He was very proud of it.  During his final battle, his long beautiful hair became tangled in a tree leaving Absalom hanging in an oak tree vulnerable to his enemies.)

My initial thought reading David/Absalom story was "All my troubles pale in comparison."  Then  I read the psalm again with that perspective.  During the peak of the drama, when Absalom had David on the run, David gave me advice to face my own drama, tragedy, crisis, oppression, fear, anxiety or doubt:

1.  God is my shield. 

2.  God is my answer.

3.  God will give me rest.

4.  God will deliver me.

5.  God will give me victory.

In the midst of this episode in David's colorful life, he adopted the ADE perspective instead of the "Why me?" perspective.   Too much of the world chooses the focus of  the victim rather than focus on the eternal.

You've heard the advice  "When life gives you lemons, make lemonADE?"  Here's what ADE means to me now:

A ssurance in God

D ependence on God

E ternal perspective

A couple of my Facebook friends have lived out ADE.  One experienced a tragic loss.  The other is struggling with a difficult diagnosis.  Both have been honest in the pain, suffering and confusion.  Both have demonstrated assurance in God, dependence on God during their difficult time, and trust in God's future for them.

I don't want be engulfed in my "self-contrived" drama and lose everything because of my pride (or my hair).  Psalm 3 reminds me  God alone is my shield, my glory and my only hope. (Psalm 3:3 Living Bible).

It's about the ADE, not the lemons. 

The Kiss Gauntlet

I looked down the line. I had to face the gauntlet to get out of the door.  I was about 12 years old. My family was on a weekend visit to my parents' hometown.  I wouldn't be able to exit without facing the line of Loves.

My mother's mother was the 11th in a family of 12 brothers and sisters.  So I grew up with a multitude of great aunts.  When we were in town there was at least one family gathering of the Love family (for real, Love was their last name!)    Most of the great aunts had never married or had children.  So as my mother described her youth, "It was like having half a dozen mothers. They all made me eat my vegetables!"  It often felt like I had half a dozen grandmothers.

The Love sisters were an affectionate bunch with farewells.  When we announced our departure, they would line up by door and we would each receive a hug and a kiss.  Avoidance was not an option. 

As I read Psalm 2, I pondered two things, politics and kissing.  Psalm 2 begins with a challenge to the foolish rulers who think they can "outwit" God (as the Living Bible describes.).  The worldly leaders think God's way is confining and plot to break His chains.  Too often, when watching my daily quota of the news, I shake  my head and mention to the "talking heads" that I really don't care about their burning issues.  They seem to be missing the major  points and focusing on minor issues.  But I'm not a political blogger.

I'd rather consider Love and Kissing!  In the concluding verses, these kings are advised to be wise, be warned and Kiss the Son.  I liked this advice.  Smarten up people and get right with Jesus.  I'd like to give those political talking heads this same advice.

So what does it mean to Kiss the Son? I checked an online commentary by Matthew Henry.  He had a list of four kisses:

·         The kiss of agreement and reconciliation.  After a tussle with a sibling, were you told to "kiss and make up"?

·         The kiss of adoration and worship.  Apparently idol worshippers would kiss their cold stone idols.

·         The kiss of affection and sincere love.  In Luke 7:38 a woman, a prostitute, kissed Jesus' feet and bathed them with expensive perfume.

·         The kiss of allegiance and loyalty.  In I Samuel 10: 1, Samuel takes a flask of oil and anoints Saul because the Lord appointed Saul.

Perhaps this list also gives advice on following God.  In the beginning, I had to accept there was God and He was in control.  I had to confess my sin so I could be reconciled with the Creator of my world.  Since my spiritual beginning, I have thanked God for saving me from a life without purpose and meaning, for not being a cold stone God, but one who miraculously intervenes in my daily life (like yesterday, but that's for another blog).  

Today, again, I pledge my alliance to The One who delivered and continues to deliver me from a foolish life chasing temporary treasure.  The One has given me the opportunity for eternal life with Him.  Psalm 2 and kissing reminds me to give up my plots and plans, submit to the best life God has planned for me and let myself be loved.  His "gauntlet" of Love is ever-available and everlasting.