It is a beautiful Thanksgiving morning. I am sitting on the porch of a condo in St. Augustine watching the waves roll in and reading a book that reminds me that I can't change the past. Believe me when I say there are some parts of the past I would change if I could. Some of the closets that I mindlessly frequent have skeletons that pop up and scare me to shame.
As I ponder the possibility of an altered past, it occurs to me that there are other scenes from days gone by that I play over and over again that I would not alter. There are good days, God-centered days that remind me of the possibilities of life with God. Those are the regret free days for which I am offering thanks today.
In the midst of these musings a thought occurs to me: you can change the past if you live for God in the present because TODAY IS TOMORROW'S YESTERDAY.
Happy thanks living!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Our Faith Story in Song
Last Monday I started studying the Song of Ascent Psalms. These are Psalms 120-134. They were sung as pilgrims journeyed to Jerusalem for festivals. I didn't get very far because I got stuck on Psalm 126. It was like reading a very cryptic biography of my life. I'm still stuck. Like the weather, I have been thinking about it off and on since. Here's what it says.
Psalm 126
1When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
When we experience God we are living the dream. Giddy with excitement about stepping into His story, we are morphed into a fountain of praise to God. The sheer force of our exuberance moves mountains of doubt in those around us and causes even the most skeptical to note the work and blessing of God in our lives.
But after the victory parade we move into our next assignment. It's another faith challenge that is likely greater than the one before. Why? Because when we persevere in the little assignments, God gives us greater more demanding assignments--heavier lifting required.
Our fortunes seem to turn and the streams of abundance dry up and are replaced by a steady stream of tears. The presence of tears can trigger the loss of heart which always ends in a wandering from purpose and could lead to a failure to complete the assignment.
But this is not true for those who obediently push through in faith. They go out weeping but they still go, and they are carrying their seed. The impetus to carry on comes from the lessons learned while living the dream. Sowing in tears ends with reaping in joy and a bountiful harvest for those who persevere in faith.
I think this has been the story of my past, and I pray it will be the story of my future. What about you?
Psalm 126
1When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
When we experience God we are living the dream. Giddy with excitement about stepping into His story, we are morphed into a fountain of praise to God. The sheer force of our exuberance moves mountains of doubt in those around us and causes even the most skeptical to note the work and blessing of God in our lives.
But after the victory parade we move into our next assignment. It's another faith challenge that is likely greater than the one before. Why? Because when we persevere in the little assignments, God gives us greater more demanding assignments--heavier lifting required.
Our fortunes seem to turn and the streams of abundance dry up and are replaced by a steady stream of tears. The presence of tears can trigger the loss of heart which always ends in a wandering from purpose and could lead to a failure to complete the assignment.
But this is not true for those who obediently push through in faith. They go out weeping but they still go, and they are carrying their seed. The impetus to carry on comes from the lessons learned while living the dream. Sowing in tears ends with reaping in joy and a bountiful harvest for those who persevere in faith.
I think this has been the story of my past, and I pray it will be the story of my future. What about you?
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