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