Tuesday, November 22, 2016

A desperate need

I desperately needed Psalms 34 today before I even realized I needed it. Jesus is kind of wonderful that way. People talk about filling up on God before hitting the work day and any troubles that might accrue along the way. Yet for me, sometimes I need to read His words after the trouble hits. It's phenomenally affirming to know Jesus has my back way before I begin the mental process of dealing. So here are the recognizable highlights of 34:

  • 1 I will extol the LORD at all times; Hi praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul will boast of the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together; 
  • 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look at him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor [woman] called, and the LORD heard [her]; he saved [her] out of all [her] troubles.
  • 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 
  • 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 
  • 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 
  • 11 Come my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desire to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. 
  • 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
  • 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 
  • 19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 

This psalms is packed with so much goodness, so much hope, so much strength. I have been refreshed. Amen. 

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Not going to worry

There is a part of Psalms 33 that I really take to heart -

16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 

20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his hold name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. 

There is a general scare going on with the main public here in the States due to the outcome of the election. I would even say in Canada people are going hysterical. I don't blame any of them for doing so, I am also unhappy with the current situation. Everybody has different places on where they put their faith and belief be it an entity, an organization or a system. What the psalmist speaks about, this is what I believe, and it is not blind. I have seen enough evidence in my life and the lives of others to know He does move, and sometimes in mysterious ways. At the end of the day, He will speak and He will answer. 

Also, aware of humanity's history and where it is going, I know this stuff will happen, but I choose to focus on hope and not hopelessness. As the Apostle Paul once wrote - Faith is hope in the things unseen. I don't know about this statement that is floating around that God is in control (I've seen it a lot on social media), and I really feel that it is a catch all phrase to define everything by people who are panicking. To me it doesn't make sense, God has given us free will and the consequences that come with those choices, so I find the statement a bit contradictory. As to the end, in context to Christian belief, yes, He would definitely be in control of that. 

This post is really a personal response to myself and all the articles and posts I've been seeing on social media from close friends, acquaintances, colleagues and people I follow. I've been so annoyed with everyone that I've just been unfollowing posts or people. I'm even getting to the place where I limit my exposure to social media. This fear mongering does nothing for me, so why expose myself? Hope is what we need, and that's what I am going to focus on. Amen.  

Friday, November 11, 2016

Processing forgivness

I opened up to Psalms 32 this morning and was just amazed at David's specific approach, discovery, review of the process of being forgiven. A lot of times when looking at the process of forgiveness, it is often approached from the view point of the person forgiving. So it was rather surprising to see David's words I will confess my transgressions to the LORD - and you forgave the guilt of my sin (:5). A lot of times, when the offender is asking for forgiveness, the residue of guilt is left behind. I feel like David is addressing the aspect of guilt; that God also has claim on this feeling in the package of forgiveness. To not give the guilt over to God is kind of akin to holding onto the sin. The holding on hampers with the healing and growth process that a person would go through afterwards.

Anyways, ever so often I come across a Psalms that really grabs my attention. I will be reflecting on this chapter for a few days. Amen.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

A fire under my tooshie

A close friend just landed a job interview after submitting countless resumes. In preparation for the presentation, she has asked me for help prepping. To get a better understanding of her assignment, she gave me material to read over, including the application she used to submit. After reading about her experience/expertise, I am just blown away.

I know I shouldn't compare, but what in the world have I been doing with my life?! We've had the same years of work in similar workplaces, and yet, she's gotten involved in much much more. Kudos to her for what she's accomplished.

Time to get to work.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Minimalism on the mind

I have a thing for minimalist articles. Reading them always inspires me and nips the desire to buy right in the bud. Reading about other people's experiences is a constant reminder of where my priorities are and refocuses me to keep on track. Anyways, this was a good read, Minimalism