Psalm 119 Taw

A Meditation on Psalm 119:169-176

Lord, I look back on the principles you've taught me and my chin quivers as I praise you.  I see where you have led and my heart cries out for your glory. I cry for your grace to be even more evident in me.  Your hand is not too short to save, or too weak to grasp.  I am yours.  Place your hand on me.  Save me from the urges that seek my destruction. Your word is powerful and will save me.  I cry out- I call out, I praise with all my heart for what you've done, what you are doing, and what your word can do!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Fear creates distance, intensifies distance and aggravates solitude.  I miss you more, for fear gives me a reason to long for your comforting arms.  I miss Elaine in exactly the same way.  Once again she is the model by which you teach me of your love.  I am so glad my relationship with her is also my relationship with you, Lord.  I do call out for your help.  I indeed long for your salvation, but even more for the comfort of your arms.

Even so I count any opportunity to suffer a great honor. There I find comfort also in your forever, immutability. I am but a boy in love.  O love of mine, be near me and walk with me.  Take my hand and lets take this journey together, you, me and Elaine. With such company, I will not fear.  And free me from fear. My unfettered heart will fly to obey your every whisper.  I love you so greatly.

Fear and cares

Lord, many fears and cares lay upon me.  I am but a pilgrim venturing into the valley of the shadow. Night is upon me. Your rod and your staff touch me, guide me, comfort me. Ah, but now I am weighed by cares and fettered by fears. I try to sleep, but my eyes keep weary watch for your salvation.  No care, no danger can harm, but the ones in the heart.   For there is our bridal chamber., but fettered and crushed I am far from you.  Your salvation, your victory are at hand. I would lift my hand to your lips, but my shackle is heavy. Away with my cares!  Take them and make right again the chamber of my heart. Where your perfect, infinite, love dwells, there no fear may stand and mock. Failure runs from your presence, scurrying under foot. There, even in the darkest valley, my footing is sure!

Things to do, cares to cast:

• Indiana form - find out about 2000 celebration (general council)
• Global Paper
• Witnessing
• Job interview - call

On Impermanence

Change is a strong wind.  It brings upheaval. Revolution and revolt are blown as a tumbleweed carried by its currents, and death and life are as pages and chapters in flight.  All is moving, swirling, blowing.  My life hangs in great peril as a wisp of smoke among the wind and clouds.  But in the midst of the plain stands a mountain, glistening, unchanged forever. Higher than the winds and storm, indeed untouched.

Hide me in the cleft of the rock.  Your words last forever.  Teach me to walk in that path.  To change - yes. To move - yes.  To die - yes. But you are not untouched.  Your love and grace, which are as unending as you are, you let me share, forever with you.  The rolling ground of the journey is swallowed by the surety of your forever.

Social Justice / Psalm 119 Ayin

A Meditation on Psalm 119:121-128

Open my eyes to injustice, Oh Great Jubilee!  Lift me out of the comfort of shallowness and baptize me in the depth of human suffering. Open my heart, let me search and feel the pain of the oppressed.  Let my hate for The Man and his ways rise up as  a prayer to your ears, a fragrant incense to your nostrils.  Stir my heart to long for the justice that is your nature in whole.  Teach me your ways.  Open my mind in wisdom to see your justice reign in all the world at my fingertips. Open my mouth as I cry to you my desperate prayer, and  all who will hear will cry for oyur justice. Cry tears for your law that is broken and hearts that are broken because of it. Cry to you, take action o Jubilee. Defend your nature, it is right and pure.   In it I see no wrong way and there the hopeless find their hope. A meal fitting a king with out a castle. Open the door of my heart - break the lock and sit on the throne there Oh Jubilee. King with out a home, everywhere king.  Justice supreme in power and deed reign with gentle verocity.  Pour justice down like rain and righteousness like the dew on Herman.

Class taught at kid's camp

We have different areas in our lives.  We have our home part, we have school and friends, sports, hobbies and then God and church stuff. We realize that God needs to be the biggest part of our lives.  That can seem a little crazy since we aren't in  church as long as we are in school.  WE don't pray as long as we watch TV. That seems really tough, and it is. In fact it is not even what God really wants.  He wants more than anything a relationship with you. Relationship means there is interaction - friendship.  God doesn't want to be the biggest part of your life. He wants to be in every part of your life. He wants to interact with every part.  He wants to change the color of every part through relationship.

The number one reason for your relationship with Christ is your relationship with Christ. He saved you to have a relationship with you most of all.

We can get caught up with just going to church or being on a JBQ team or Royal Rangers that some times we forget about our heart.   Oh yes, we gave our hearts to Jesus, but we let only a part have any relationship to him.  Jesus said the greatest command is to love the Lord your God with all your heart.  Having your heart right is all that God wants from you.

Meditation on God's Transcendence

Grace alone that I know of you and know you.
Grace alone that I can form thougths and words in your light.
Grace alone that you love me.
Grace alone that you let me love you.
Grace alone that you care to lead me.
Grace alone that you care to use me.
Grace alone that you have designs for me.
Grace alone that you form in me your depth.

The Integrated Life

Psalm 119 Nun

A Meditation on Psalm 119:105-112

In the dark night of the sou, your word shines bright. Continually, I promise to follow the beam.  I suffer much of my self and your promise is still faithful.  I praise your with my mouth. Let me praise you with my walk along the beam.  Every day I take my life upon myself again. Temptation assails me and threatens to take it.  The letters of your law are my heritage forever. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.  Help me for my flesh is not so set.

N

Night of the soul is ever dark

Light of very light, your words shine

Never, I say,  will I leave

The path of your beam lies before me

Now and always I suffer much of my self

You are faithful anyway 

Near my ear oyu whisper your laws

Let me praise you with body and soul

Now again I take my life upon myself

Temptation assails and threatens to take it

Not knowing where I've come from or where I go

Your word is where my foot prints can be found

Now I have a rich heritage in your word

I never looked for it but your joy is mine

Never leave me

I need your help

Psalm 119 Mem

A meditation on Psalm 119:97-104

I love your word.  I like to think about it all the time.  They show me wise as I obey your wisdom.  The people with out your grace are blind.  Your word is the stuff of my dreams.  I love it.  My teachers' brilliance is dull next to my love for your word.  I love obeying your word.  I am excited about it and I run around my elders rejoicing. My feet dance avoiding the wrong path - all so I can obey your word.  I love it when you teach me.  Your lessons are my double glazed honey ham!  I love the understanding my dinner brings.   It is so good I'll never leave your table!

M

Mind over matter they say

I just love your words

My mind drinks your word

Filled with it I glow

More than the geniuses

Your words shine

Man can't contian me

When I think about your word

More and more I love your words

Savory and powerful

My feet dance around all ills

To rush to my dinner

Mmm good.

I dream about your words

My mouth waters

I love the understanding it brings

Written at Buckaroo and Straight Arrow field day, Pillager, MN

Meditation on 2 Chronicles 29-30

Oh Lord, it is exciting when your people return to you!  I love the story of King Hezekiah and the speed with which your people turned toward you.  It is also amazing the speed with which the left you with he died.  His son no longer had the influence... he was probably influenced by advisers who left off serving. Twenty-nine years Judah was yours though, they turned their hearts to you and saw you.  No doubt every day.  I love you!

You brought unity to north and south again and they celebrated your Holy Passover!  What a time!  Bring it Lord!  Bring your depth and power into our lives.  Bring the unity of mind to seek you.  Bring a Holy Expectancy.  Bring your word! Bring your majesty! Bring it!

Psalm 119 Lamedh

A Meditation on Psalm 119:89-96

The sky is blue into the infinite heavens, Lord you made it and it lasts.  Just like your words, nothing you say falls to the ground and is lost.  Con todo poder, you spoke the worlds into existence and millennia haven't threatened them. Your words are faithful. Just like you ordered the universe, so you are faithful to order my steps! If I wasn't yours, where would my feet take me? Now they take me to your breath and fall in your every syllable.  Your words have salvaged my life and enlivened me.  Your words are eternal, and eternally they will be my food.  Your words are perfect and with gentle violence they make me perfect.

L

Land appeared at the vibration of your vocalization

Created it shook - then stood

Lost words aren't a part of your economy

Every syllable races through eternity

Life bouncing here and there

Echoing through lost ages

Life giving words, never lost

Give life to my weary bones

Lasting words can be true

True to my feet

Lead my feet to that place

True perfection in crazy timing

Let my shape be new

With gentle violence

Looking forever, nothing is perfect

Except my dinner - your words

Who am I?

Through gritted teeth and furrowed brow I examined today the thoughts, attitudes and positions of others.  How can they say things like they do?!  How can they be so legalistic, so blind, so amoral, so lost? So insignificant and yet so arrogant? 

 Why so critical and cynical?  Perhaps my brow is so tightly furrowed that my eyes are forced inward. Oh loathable self.

Who am I truly then? The more I come to the end of myself, the more I see that the answer lies in knowing my Well Beloved. These problems that seem so absorbing are erased when I see myself as a reflection in God's loving eyes.  Eyes that see, eyes that reflect with true love, true judgment. This view is startling and comforting; directing and at the same time distracting to the point that I am lost in His life - Jehovah Tsdkanu, my Well Beloved.

Vision

To bring hope to hopeless children

The need

As a counselor at kids camp in 1999 I was brought to my knees with a buren for the hopeless. I had two in my group, Charlie and Chris who have had a tough life, because of it they acted out. They were picked on, different and volatile. In a world that creates hopeless situations, Christ brings hope. I also brought to the camp T----. Similarly she was socially affected by hard times. Can she function normally? Christ brings healing. With Joan's connections at county corrections, we have seen many kids who have been failed in so many ways. They are hurt, broken, scared and can't see any hope. Christ is all about healing hurt, broken, scared people. These hurts come out in unloveable and unacceptable ways, and we are called to love them, called to accept them.

The challenge

These kids have had so little exposure to God and the things of God that they have difficulties learning with those who have been exposed. The difficulties include lack of understanding of church-speak, not knowing how to act and most importantly they have needs so important and so large in their eyes that they can't see the very real need of God and salvation.

The Solution

Because disinterest causes behavior problems we need to be simple in speech, prepared and patient. Most importantly, we need to find ways to meet those felt needs so they can come to see their need for God and allow him to change them - to bring hope.

This has everything to do with evangelism. There is only one way to reach the unchurched and that is by meeting them where they are. The prayer, care, share model fits this perfectly. Prayer allows God to speak truth and knowlege of their situation as well as change our hearts to love. Care is a matter of meeting those needs that are paramount in their eyes. When met they are alowed to explore greater depths.

Who is equipped to meet these needs? Those who need to know the dpths themselves.

Leading Children into Discipleship

The Need

I have found discipleship to be the great joy of the Christian life. The joy of relationship and the romance of redemption aren't just frills, they are the whole point. Like Jeremiah, there is no greater testimony to God's desire to fellowship than a child who knows the Voice of God. It is the firm belief that children can develop wells of relationship with God that has driven me to minister with children. Over the last year as I have grown, the Disciplines have become more and more important to me. I have become a prospector, and knowing God my gold. Knowing God isn't a key part of ministry, it is all of it. As a heart grows to beat in rhythm with the divine heart, it changes all around it and lets the Spirit move it to the right actions. These hearts only beat as one as the grace of God enables. The Disciplines put is in a position where God works his grace in us.

The Challenge

The Disciplines are expressions of love and as with any love we must decide to love God in this way. Such a decision takes commitment. Children are capable of such commitment, but they don't usually understand the gravity of such a decision. They also need great support to stay focused with so many things calling for their time and attention.

The Solution

All the elements of Christian life must be continually offered to these young Christians that they may grow. Things such as worship, prayer, the word, baptism, communion and ministry are food for growing kids. For them to catch it however it must be done in context.

Ministry Within Context

The Need

To be effective in sharing Christ with children we need to be aware of the influences they face. To hold attention in an environment where everything demands attention, we must be aware of the culture they are immersed in and use it's keys and methods. In order to disciple and keep them we must nurture and and understand the context of the natural support system - the family.

Christ is Lord of culture who can reign as effectively over the Sawi tribesmen of Papua New Guinea as he can over the techno generation of suburban America. He can use the customs, music, art, and worldview to bring his Kingdom. Christ is not afraid of culture, but rather reigns. Kids have their own distinctives and sub-culture. Their cartoons, games, hobbies, interests, school life, books and families create a unique people to minister to. This context must be considered.

The family is the child's source of support and development. It is the place where values are formed and attitudes set. Effective ministry must recognize the place the famiy as the spiritual leadership for the children. Effective ministry nurtures and strengthens this unit, giving it them the resources to succeed.

The Challenge

Parents and children learn in different ways. They understand things at different levels. This poses two challenges. First, parents at times miss the importance of the spiritual needs of their children, placing their needs below their own. Second it is difficult to connect between generations. The culture is changing continually and as the distinctives of kid culture become more pronounced the adults have more difficult communicating. The American child is given many opportunities. Often these things play a tug of war with the child. Time is demanded at sports practices, school, homework, friends, TV, etc..., and family time is small. With so much vying for attention, it can be difficult to get their attention. We must be able to use things they already focus on to share Christ and in such a way that it doesn't further stress the family.

The Solution

The solution begins in study. I purpose to learn both kid culture and the family dynamics of the culture where I am. Armed with this knowledge, we must minister accordingly. Imitating God by taking what is meant for entertainment or even evil, and using it for God's Kingdom is a starting place into kid culture. Kids will like what they like. Our job is to teach Christ and him crucified through it. Ultimately this will mean riding the wave of technology and trend while balancing the delicate and taut line of The Spirit. That line points continually to Christ and never looses its focus.

With the knowledge of the family, every effort should be made to tap into its power as a support structure and value disseminator. Hope must be offered to the whole family. The elements of Christian growth, the Disciplines, are best experienced in this context and the sharing of the life of Christ corporately and individually at the level of kid culture can and should be enjoyed as a family.

Vision

My vision consists of the following elements, and herein lies my passion:

1. Bringing hope to hopeless children
2. Leading Children into deep relationship and discipleship
3. (Minister to the whole family) Minister within the family context and the cultural context

(SKIDS Church logo)

Steps and Leaps

His new home was fantastic. Ernie could spend hours exploring the vast green expanse behind the immense white house. On this particular day, he found himself at water's edge. It was as calm as a mirror. He found a tatter of a leaf and maneuvered it on to the water, breaking the mirror with gentle ripples. He lay on his stomach, head down on the leaf as he clutched the top of the leaf with his tiny hands. Then with all his might he kicked his powerful frog legs to propel his boat to adventure.

Swish. The front of the leaf ran aground and for the first time since cast off, Ernie lifted his eyes from his leafy boat. Slowly at first, then with wonder and delight Ernie surveyed his island. His island, his paradise. Never had he seen anything quite so beautiful, and it was all his. Such a sparkle the white stone of his island had. He quickly found the middle of the oasis and sprawled his gangly members as he lay on his back. There in the warm glow of the sun overhead, he thanked his Maker for his island and fell asleep.

Ernie woke with a start. The island shook just for a moment, but it surely shook. Then, still on his back ,limbs in the air, Ernie slowly looked up. There towering above him was one of the children. Looking down at Ernie, she began to laugh.

"You look so happy here on this stepping stone," she said, "but there are much more beautiful things in the garden on the other side of the pond."

With that she picked him up and carried him across the rest of the stepping stones. Ernie couldn't believe his eyes!

Grace in the Journey

Ernie dodged another falling coconut, hopping this time high into the air. He hoped to catch a hold of a large banana tree leaf that was hanging limp on a fallen tree. The wind was intense and carried coconuts, sand, razor sharp banana stalks and great peril for any small tree frog who found himself out on this stormy day. Moments earlier the skies were blue but suddenly a tropical storm bellowed. Now crimson dusk was as black as night.

Ernie raced as fast as he could to the top of the fallen tree. Jumping as far as his little legs would throw him, he was caught by the wind and carried several hundred feet. With a hollow thud, his body hit a tree trunk. His wet, bruised body clung to the sickly tree. It was thin and shook easily. Only ten small leaves hung limply at the top. Such a pitiful tree offered Ernie little protection, but his small green body hurt to much to try to jump again. He clung to the tree with his last ounces of courage and looking to the starless sky cried out to his creator.

"Why!?"

The one word was all he could say for the tree was violently tossed. Back and back still until he was sure the leaves could touch the mud. Then in another gust the wind would send the tree headlong so far that Ernie almost couldn't hold onto the tree. Then... Snap.

Warmth covered Ernie's sore body. His eyes opened to a stream of light filtering through tattered leaves. When he looked at his surroundings, he saw a mountainous wall and on his other side a tremendous white house. Then coming toward him were some small children with laughing faces. Looking back at the tree he clung to, he saw why.

Psalm 119 Yodh

A Meditation on Psalm 119:73-80

With wonderful power, your words created me. Speak again the power to obey your commands. Fierce and wonderful and awful are you! May people see the power of your word spilling from my eyes. My eyes that see the melody of your voice and melt in peace and comfort. Oh fearful God, let your mercy come to me before the weight of your whisper crushes me. What an awesome weight - those who refuse you can never stand. The song of your words rings in my head continually. May the singers of your song and the hummers of your tune look and me with a smile. Let the power of your word create again a clean relentless heart, and I will growl after you.

Y/J

Your words created me with wonderful power
speak again giving power to obey your commands

Your words are awesome and wonderful
you are fierce and powerful

Your words are filled with power
may people see them spilling from my eyes

Your words melt my heart
in peace and comfort I gaze

Jewels of mercy give me
so that I can stand under the weight of your whisper

Jumbo weight so great
anyone who resists that whisper is crushed

Jingling songs fill my ears and clean my heart
relentless growling heart

Just people sing your songs
may they look to me and hum along

Psalm 119 Teth

A Meditation on Psalm 119:65-72

What you do is Good. You are the author of Good. "Teach me!" I cried. To be taught, I had to die. It hurt but even your pain is good. Let me suffer - teach me your ways. Let me experience your heart. Let me love you through your afflictions. Hopelessness and pain are all around me. By your power let me be your beating heart to them. Let me learn your word through hard experiences. I love your word more than feeling good, and more than life.

T

Tell me of your goodness
all you do is Good

Teach me your ways with your sorrow
make me feel pain like your children feel

Teach me I cry!
your word brings hope

To be taught I must die
all your ways are good

To many walk around with no hope
they neglect your word

Tell me how to reach them
to touch their death

Truth is found in your words
is learned by hard experiences

Tell me of your goodness again
the words are better to me than feeling good
better to me than life

Suffering

Deep calls to deep. I feel trapped in the foam by my fluffy gentle experiences. Cut me quick. So oft' the self same self-not comes to me. Let me suffer, not to feel pain, but to be baptized into the death of Mankind. A death I haven't known, knowing only your life - a death you conquered. It is wrong. Wrong for any living person to experience only life while there are dead men walking around. To touch these men is to touch death - to die. Let me truly know I'm alive - feeling the pangs of death. What hard words this self-not is.

Psalm 119 Heth

A Meditation on Psalm 119:57-64

Daddy, for my inheritance I do not ask for riches or wealth. I don't ask for health or prosperity. My reward is you. Let me see your face. I run after it down the path your voice has laid out. Even though I may be poor and looked down on, your word is all I want! I'll get up from my sleep and in the dark hours just to give you thanks. Your word is everything to me. My heart is enlarged for all who look to it. The whole world hears your voice and all the universe shakes at your glory.

X

Experiencing your word is my only care
you are my reward

Expecting you to speak
I turn and listen

Exposing my ear
I strain for your commands

Examined ways are changed
they turn at your slightest breathing

Expectation rises by the hour
your word is my dream

Exalting you at midnight
my love for your word steals my sleep

Expanse cannot contain my heart's longing
the words praising your loving letters

Psalm 119 Zayin

A Meditation on Psalm 119:49-56

At sunrise and sunset your voice calls me to the table. Every day you draw me to the pasture of your word. There is hope there. There is peace in that place. All around is confused and changing. In your presence I long to stay. I am torn with the thought of those who ignore your voice... your reality. Your words are my song and sonnet. If I go to the meeting house you are there. If I go to the coffeehouse you are there. Every time I sit and meditate, wondering at your word. It's my routine, my comfort.

Z

Zebum, Zebum, the rhythm goes
your voice calls every morning

Zebum, Zebum, it comes again
at night I hear your comforting song

Zeglug, Zeglug, There is hope where you bring me
though all changes your word doesn't

Zeglug, Zeglug, Your heart beats to me your peace
though I am confused, your word isn't

Zing zang zebu, my heart breaks
people ignore your voice

Zing zang zip, your words are my song and sonnet
even though people don't know how real you are

Zip zalu along my path you're always there
in the meeting house and the coffeehouse

Zip zalu everywhere I sit and talk with you
it's my comfort, my routine

Love Language

God is love. He is the author of love as well. He speak several whole languages of love fluently, countless dialects. In finite frailty I find myself only able to speak a couple dialects clearly. When I hear my native tongue spoken I feel loved, secure and able to do amazing things for the one who loves me. My mother tongue happens to be quality time.

Lord, I realize I don't feel secure enough in you to trust you with my obedience. Its my fault. Forgive me. I haven't let you speak your love to me. Now I covenant with you, together lets experiment. I will spend quality time with you every day for four weeks and as you pour into me I think I will feel comfortable expressing my love to you in ways I don't know. Lets watch together and see if I can hear you better and act on your whispers as the time goes on. I love you Lord. Help me to show you how much.

Love you,
Chris.

Psalm 119 Waw

A Meditation On Psalm 119:41-48

Woo me Jesus. May the romance never die. Your love overflows in my heart like a hot spring. Sit across the table and lets talk. Don't pull your words off my tongue or I'll die. They last forever and as long as I can hold them on my tongue, I'll live forever and celebrate obedience. I dance in the freedom of your righteousness. I can testify in front of the Grand Poobahs of the world. I love you. I adore your words. I will relentlessly seek you and dream about your word.

W/V

Woo me Jesus
may our romance never die

Write your name on me
I trust you

Voice your love for me
like a hot spring in my soul

Watch my face with your word on my tongue
when its there I can live and obey forever

Waltzing in you freedom
of your righteousness

World leaders will be amazed
as I show them your words

Words of life sing to me
their song I love to hear

Wonder is mine as I think
I love your commands

Blind

Reflections on the Giver

I drink in the color of your love
The gift of Beauty you have made my soul
Blind - darkness is the soul's killer
You are light in my closed eyes
Aimlessly they wander
They know nothing, see nothing, die.
Startling. Blazing. Painful. Colorful.
You came

And died

For light

Dreams

I can dream vast worlds apart
I can dream power and glory and warmth
I can dream to the highest heaven
I can dream and flail and fall

You can dream vast worlds - they form
You can dream and every image reigns all glory
You can dream the tiniest atom
You can dream and save a soul

Your dreams are the tissue and sinew of creativity
My dreams are creature crying to be like creator
Your dreams are wonder and adventure to me
Dream your dreams in my head

Psalm 119 Hei

A Meditation on Psalm 119:33-40

Lord, let me hear your voice! If I only knew your desires, I would run to do them. I'm lost. I don't understand where you are taking me. Lead me, let me see down the path your eyes have laid out for me. Turn my heart to your word again. Lord, I am tired of doing things that don't mater. Let hear your word so I can serve you. Powerfully coerce me. Teach me to fear you as you decieve me. Let my footsteps fall only in the whisper of your word.

H

Hearing your voice is my coffee
it warms my insides and gives me life!

Hand my your words on burlap
and I will run to consume

His! I scream to the clouds
I'm His and His word I'll obey

Hold my feet on the path of your words
so I wont fly into space

Heart Beat - every pulse loves your word
with purple smoke pushing me to serve

Hep cats will fear you when they see what you've done
the way you lead me.

Hand me the rope tied to the bumper of your will
put it in drive and go!

Hear my devotion
slay me with your love!

Psalm 119 Dalet

Not-Pastor Chris A Meditation on Psalm 119:25-32

Lord, I am a criminal, my shame and sorrow are a fountain of tears. My feelings deceive me, but your words comfort me. They are all that bring me strength. I must repeat your words to the people. I long to follow you, long to turn at your correction. I will run down the path of your commandments for by your grace you have set me free.

D

Dirt, I feel like dirt for my shame
Give me life like your word talks about

Dead, I confess my sins and you forgave
Teach me all your ways

Deed is done. Speak to me
So I can wonder at your words again

Dreary from sorrow, and tears run dry
Your word is my only comfort

Deceitful feelings pull at me
But your word is a gracious teacher

Dear words from your mouth are on my tongue
I must speak them to the people

Deal with my ways according to your word
Don't let me be put to shame

Delighted, I run down the path of your word
for your have set my heart free

In Your Presence

Laid at your feet.
I love you
all that my pregnant lips afford
Glory to vast Glory
Wave upon mounting wave
My tears are all that have voice

Psalm 119 Gimel

A Meditation on Psalm 119:17-24

Lord, Don't hide your thoughts from me. Whisper your desires, dreams and directions gently in my ear. Lord, may they tingle. Your voice is sweeter in my one life than than honey in ten. Friends offer me their opinion of my direction. Your opinion is the one I hear. Though the culture around me sit in judgment, I am righteous by your decree; lead me!

G

Gold is worthless!
every syllable of your word, a treasure

Glitter is without luster
your voice shines brighter than diamonds

Grand are your dreams
they are what I seek

Give me the map
lead me to the path of your desire

Good advice from men is as trickery
your direction is all I listen to

Gently speak your discipline
correct my ways

Geeks don't like my desire
I desire your ways more

Grace you have proclaimed
I am not condemned by my enemy

Psalm 119 Beth

A meditation on Psalm 119:9-16

Lord it is by your words that I keep my way pure. When you speak, my heart aches to obey. Speak to me Lord, teach my your intimate ways. With my whole life and heart I search for you. I love the sound of your voice. I love your hand on me as you lead me while we dance. My lips long to touch yours. They will continually sing the beauty of your words. My lips call to you pleading for your voice. My lips cry to all creation the wonders of your thoughts. They are my daydream all life long.

B

Beat after beat my heart longs for you
your commands keep it pure

Beat upon beat my heart searches for your face
it searches to hear you speak

Better are your words to me than the sunset
more than all my heart's desires

Bread of life feed me
your thoughts are my food

Breath cannot escape my lips without praise
your words are too wonderful

Both of my lips sing your wonders
your voice forms and shakes worlds

Because your words keep me pure forever
I will always praise you!

Expectancy

(Inspired by Elaine)

Lord, I look to you at every turn. My ears strain to hear your voice in the wind. My eyes search the domains of cosmos, Earth and sky to read your words. My body calls to my couch to hear your comfort. My lips savor their food to catch a taste of your Goodness. Surely you speak to me in my doldrums, in the congregation may Spirit kiss spirit.

Lord, I cry out to you. I ache for your presence. My desire pours from my mouth. My soul is filled with longing, and I fill your ears with my requests. You lead and I dance. Your cloud moves and I follow. In brokenness I weep for your glory. I writhe for your kingdom and dance for your exaltation. May they come! I call to you every day in the congregation. May words run dry and the soul flow.

Psalm 119 Aleph

A meditation on Psalm 119:1-8

Lord, your are the giver of blessings, laws and help. Those who hear your voice walk in obedience. With every ounce of me I love your words. Teach me to hear your words, and I will run to do them. I thirst for your Voice. I long to be obedient, but I can not. You old me and help me. Your words give me power to obey!

A

All those who hear your voice are blessed
you reward those who look for you
.
Always your words bring life
and the obedient live by them

Answer the obedient with your presence
speak to them your love.

Are those who study your precepts changed?
you change them to be your own.

Am I a lover of your word?
my feet are drawn to other paths.

Alone my heart aches for your word
the lack of food contains no fury.

Again I wait and am filled
your law is nourishment to me.

As a swallow gazes on the Eagle
I look for your strength to obey your word.