Delights

A New Song, April 30, 2015 

“Praise the LORD!…Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever” (Psalm 111:1-3).

What Are My Delights?

I “delight” in Cheryl, who is my greatest gift from God on earth. And, I especially delight in the ways we share Creator-Savor Christ and His works.

This morning Cheryl called while driving to school to describe the exceptional sunrise. Her praise—her boasting in God and what He has done—was clear in her exuberant voice and words. As we gazed upon the horizon together, the colors and clouds and light were astounding, and included purples and yellows and reds. Beauty, power, and variety plunged deep into the eastern sky.

The Psalmist captures Cheryl’s heart. She studies and delights and boasts in God’s work of creation, which is “full of splendor and majesty.”

Today, may our delight and boasting be of God and His works, and His intrinsic righteousness be reflected in our thoughts, words, and ways.

Like Cheryl!

Surprised and Armed

A New Song, April 28, 2015

Surprised and Armed

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24)

“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Jesus Christ, Matthew 6:34)

I wonder: What new song of rescues or challenges or gifts or praises will God write today?

Each day has its own beginning. A kaleidoscope of pastels hand-painted the horizon early yesterday; today the sun is—BOOM—just there, yellow and full of light so bright I cannot look at it directly. Rain is forecast tonight and tomorrow morning the sky will probably be gray. Perhaps more than any season, spring displays the creativity and variety of Creator Jesus.

And the variety is wonderful, unless I let it pass me by. This quote by the actress Candice Bergen interests me, “Life is wondrously and appallingly surprising. Anyone who doesn’t know that is unarmed.” Replace “life” with “God” and we have good theology!

With joy we give thanks for this particular day of spring—newly made and choreographed by God, with and for His glory and our good.

Now, with God in mind and on our hearts, we can be amazed–and we are armed for today.

Stunning

In the midst of flooding rains this week, with unrelenting gray skies everywhere, God sent a stunning sunset this evening. Deep pinks and oranges burst through the clouds.

Thank You Father. You have refreshed millions with a moment of Your glory.

Morning and Night

A New Song, April 14, 2015

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.”

Father in Heaven,

Psalm 96:1-2 is on my mind almost daily, and the daily-ness of my life with you continues to ring like a melody that won’t go away. What is the “new song” You are composing today?

Your glory in yesterday’s morning moon, peaking in and out of clouds, and the orange-yellow screaming alarm clock dancing on the horizon has changed today. This morning, the sky is a brooding, murky blanket of gray. Yet everything cries glory—everything. Still.

I am mixing metaphors Lord; I think Jesus did, too. (Who wrote that grammar rule?) The new song is also, scripturally, like a perfume. Today, who are the people You wish for me to be the fragrance of Christ before?  Today, what are the events on my calendar—or yet unrevealed—You have designed to mold me into the image of Christ?

When I rest my eyes tonight, cause me recall—with wonder and gratefulness—the song You were singing to me all day. I can’t wait!

Orange!

It was an orange sunrise today! Sunlight highlighted the dogwoods and the flowering purple tree is turning green with new life.

A glorious prelude to a morning of worship, instruction, service, and fellowship.

 

More on Gray

A New Song, April 8, 2015

A special friend wrote this in response to my request for comments about gray days. It is so-well written and is my song, too:

“Those grey, heavy days seem to bring out that which is already buried deep in my soul. If my heart is heavy, the grey can seem burdensome and dispiriting and joyless – something I want to shake off and get out from under. The flip side is when the grey and gloom is satisfying and comforting and restorative – when it brings a pause and slows things down. It becomes the perfect opportunity to breathe in deeply and think and read and drink coffee [smiley face]”

And she doesn’t think of herself as a word smith…

A Leaky Roof

A New Song, April 7, 2015

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,  coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

James 1:17

The weather folks have a tough time in the spring—the season with the most unpredictable weather. Which will it be today: Warm and sunny, cool and rainy, or stormy and nervous?

Like a plumbing drip in an upstairs apartment, the ceiling is leaking today. The expanse above is solid gray with no breaks; it takes the power of a star-sun to pierce through to light the earth.

The blanket of gray tempts me to think God is disengaged and distant. Of course, Scripture and experience tell me otherwise. His work continues according to His timing and plan, and God is always overflowing with His steadfast love. He is always holy. And, He always acts consistent with His nature.

No matter the challenge or temptation today, the Father of lights illumines our path by His consistent presence and care. He’ll fix the leaky roof when it’s time.

God Moments

A New Song, April 2, 2014

“Be still and know I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (Cf. Psalm 37:7)

Our activist, wired world does not value silence or contemplation. God does.

Last night, Cheryl and I sat on our front porch and just observed God’s gifts around us. The sunset was subtle and sweet. There were tiny purple flowers busting out from the main truck of a tree next to us. The moon, nearly full and high in the east, was frequently viewed and commented on. After fifteen years in our house, we noticed the tall pine tree across the street—and the thousands of pine cones on it. Soon, the dogwoods will wow us.

Creation’s glimpses of glory can create spirit-relaxing and soul-satisfying moments for stillness and trust. For sure, they are God moments.