Tag: psalms

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 5^th Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:145 to 176; Evening,  Psalm 128, 129, 130;

Exodus 7:8-24; 2^nd Corinthians 2:14 to 3:6; Mark 10:1 to 16:

“I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” (Psalm 130: 4 and 5)

These verses capture our state of being. Yes, we wait. But we wait in constant prayer.  Our hope and faith and trust continues to be in the Lord. We are always dealing with something; be it sickness, or threat of war, or domestic violence in our cities and streets. In the face of any hurt, damage or destruction that may come to us, we wait for the Lord in prayer.  And we pray that God Almighty continues to intervene with healing and health for all. “I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope.”

God’s Word is that God loves us, that we are created in God’s Image. Our very souls wait for the Lord’s action. Our souls already know the Lord our God and our souls speak to us (if we would but listen) informing us to put all our hope in the Lord.

In the old days the watchmen were those who stayed vigilant while everyone slept. They served as alarms if danger came near but also they watched for the first signs of the new day. They watched for the sun. Our souls today still watch for the Son.  But the Psalmist informs us that our souls watch even more intently.  Our souls today watch for the coming again of the Son of God, born of Mary.  

Today we remember the Annunciation, of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 25 of the New Testament),  and this information may be found at: The Annunciation. A secondary announcement may be that we now have nine months till Christmas Day!

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Almighty God, creator and lover of all souls, give us that patience necessary to continually wait for your guidance in our lives. Help us to ever strive for your Word through Christ Jesus to lead us and guide us in all matters in order that our words and actions may be pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 3^rd Week in Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 88; Evening, Psalms 91 and 92;
Genesis 47:1 to 6; 1^st Corinthians 9:16 to 27; Mark 6:47 to 56:

“It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your Name, O Most High” (Psalm 92:1)

Psalm 92 is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving. Reading it is a good way to start one’s day and indeed, one’s weekend. Giving sincere thanks requires some reflection. We must consider how blessed we are. Even in bad times, reflection will reveal how things could have been worse. And, if we are surviving difficult times, perhaps God has in store for us better times ahead.

This Psalm goes on to say that there are many ways to express thanks to God.  We give thanks and praise to God “On the psaltery, and on the lyre, and to the melody of the harp.”( Psalm 92:3). As one learning to play various musical instruments, I particularly like this verse.

Instruments or not, we all can, and should, give praise and thanks to our Creator. We didn’t have to be at all. But here we are. Perhaps life is not good for all. This is when those of us who are doing well should look around and find ways to make life better for those who are not so well off.

Today we remember James Theodore Holly, Bishop of Haiti and Dominican Republic, (March 13, 1911),  and his information may be found at:  James Theodore Holly

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us Pray:

We give You thanks dear God for all You are blessing us with, the little that we are aware of, and the great abundance hidden from us until revealed later. You always treat us better than we deserve and are merciful towards us when we are sinful and neglect Your ways. You love us and bless us in spite of our shortfalls. For all this, and for all the good You give us that we can’t see, we give you thanks. From before the foundations of creation, You are God. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 5^th Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 87 and 90; Evening,  Psalm 136:
Genesis 29:1 to 20; Romans 14:1 to 23; John 8:47 to 59:

“The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.” (Romans 14:22)

Some of us believe in God based on what our faith leaders have taught us. Some of us believe in God based on our own interpretation of our reading the Bible, or other ancient writings. And, some believe in God based on both, that is, our faith leaders have instructed us in how we should understand or interpret what our ancient writings mean.

But there are some of us who believe in God based on our God-given reflective pondering and God’s revelation to us. This latter group, of which I am proud to be a member, also reads our Holy Words but are guided by God in our interpretation of them. In my walk and sitting with God, I stand almost alone in my convictions that there is no such thing as race, and that God uses both male and female humans in God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. These are only two that I feel called to share at this time.

While Paul used dietary habits to explain his theological conviction, his words work for me as I continue to sit with God, day by day. I am always learning and evolving in what I believe and then trying to live it accordingly.  I think we should take into consideration our holy writings and sound teachings from well informed teachers. But we have a personal responsibility to sit with God in prayer and revelation regularly, while forming our own personal (albeit evolving) conviction. Paul says to us, “The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.”  This evening concludes our Sabbath time from God (yet another conviction of mine). Our Lord Jesus never changed that. Sit quietly today and ponder about what God is saying to you.

Today we remember Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs (February 14, 869) and his information may be found at:  Cyril & Methodius

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: Psalm 139 verses 1 through 16, and 22 and 23: (BCP p. 794)

“Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether. You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it. Where can I go then from your Spirit? where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well. My body was not hidden from you, while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them. How deep I find your thoughts, O God! how great is the sum of them!”   “Search me out, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my restless thoughts. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me and lead me in the way that is everlasting.” Amen.

Daily office Readings for Friday, January 9: Epiphany Year 2

Morning, Psalms 121, 122, 123; Evening, Psalms 131, 132:
Isaiah 45:14-19; Colossians 1:24-2:7; John 8:12-19:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (The opening of Psalm 121).

Our parish Bible Study uses this Psalm to open our Weekly Wednesday Bible study. We probably know it by heart now. Yet it reassures us weekly that we can, and should, count on God always, and especially when we are troubled.

We might have many friends who say that we can count on them, and they mean well. But they are not God. We need the love and care of the Creator of the universe who has decided to take special care of us who believe and accept Him who caused us to be and then walked among us.

God never forgets us or forsakes us as some of our friends might. All of us are precious in His sight. Even if some of our human loved ones want to rescue us, they may not have the ability or the means to do so. God does. It makes no difference if our need is finance, health, victimization, storm, or hopelessness; God will save. Our never-failing help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. We however, must be a people of prayer. We must pray to God always, and more especially in our time of real need. God is real and prayer works.

Today we remember Julia Chester Emery, Lay Leader and Missionary, January 9, 1922, and her information may be found at: Julia Chester Emery

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 826)

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This is the Ninth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the Second Week of Christmas: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 34; Evening,  Psalm 33:
1 Kings 19:1-8; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:1-14

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them and delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)

I have a saying that “God’s ears, hears tears.” Perhaps this is not correct grammar but it expresses my belief that whoever cries, they are also praying without knowing it.  God has encoded in every human an alarm that signals God of our distress. And God responds to us as God sees fit.

I know people who cry often. And, often they are not sure of their faith. But it doesn’t matter. If we cry, God hears us and will attend to us. In the Bible, from Hagar with her son Ishmael, to Mary Magdalene at the grave of Jesus, God is with those who cry even as he was with David at the loss of his son Absalom. Emanuel, God is with us.

Therefore, if you are distressed but don’t have words, don’t worry just “let the tears flow, and  God will know.”  God will feel your pain and attend to you. God engineered us this way. Merry Christmas: Day 9

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done,” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: For those who suffer for the sake of Conscience (BCP p. 823)

O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the First Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 18:1 to 20; Evening, Psalm 18:21 to 50:
Amos 4:6 to 13; 2^nd Peter 3:11 to 18; Matthew 21:33 to 46:

“I called upon the Lord in my distress and cried out to my God for help.

He heard my voice from his heavenly dwelling; my cry of anguish came to his ears.” (Psalm 18: 6 and 7)

These words from Psalm 18 are just another affirmation of my long-standing belief that God’s ears hears tears.

God, our loving Creator, has hardwired humans to resort to crying when sorrowful or distressed.  When it happens, a signal is sent straight to God where God decides what, and when, divine action will occur. Crying is universal prayer. It matters not what the crier thinks he or she believes, or does not believe. We, all of us, are God’s own.  God fashions us as God wants. And so it is, when we cry, God is brought near.

We should not want to be sorrowful or in distress, but sometimes it happens. It happens through natural disaster, disease, and human evil and sin. It happens and it causes hurt in our lives. These are times we must hold fast to our faith in God, no matter what.

Our crying, makes where we are standing, holy ground. I have come to believe that while God may not always “fix” my woes in this life, the way I want them to be fixed, there is another life that I hope to reach wherein the same God reigns and all is well. Yes, as the hymn goes, “Our God Reigns.”

Today our Church remembers John of Damascus, Hymn-writer, Defender of Icons (December 4, 750) and his information May be found at: John of Damascus

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 826)

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Proper 26: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 56 and 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65;
Nehemiah 6:1 to 19; Revelation10:1 to 11; Matthew 13:36 to 43

“I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord; I will sing praise to you among the nations.” (Psalm 57)

For me, “confessing God” means giving God proper credit for the good that happens to us as we journey through life.  I know that the good that has happened to me was not of my own doing. There have been opportunities and breaks in my life that were beyond anything I could ask or imagine. There have been military or government rules or regulations that were broken or changed that favored my further progression as a servant of God. And for all this I am so truly thankful.

I talk God up whenever I am with others in order that they understand that my progression in life is not my strategy conceived and built by me, but rather by God.  I want people to put their trust in God again. We are not on our own to love whom we choose. We are owned by Love to love all. Hate has no place in us.

Today we remember Richard Hooker, Priest and Theologian (November 3, 1600) and his information may be found at: Richard Hooker

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O God Almighty, Creator, Sustainer and Lover of all souls, we give You thanks and praise for all that You do for us, the little that we are aware of and the great multitude of blessings that we don’t find out about until later, in this life, or the next. Continue to us Your blessings, protection and nurture in order that we may spread Your blessings to others through Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 24: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 30 and 32; Evening, Psalms 42 and 43;
Ezra 4:7 and 11 to 24; Philemon 1 to 25; Matthew 12:33 to 42:

“My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?” (Psalm 42:2)

While all the readings for today have good messages of sound ministry, sometimes I find that the words in a Psalm more readily resonate with me. Verse 2 of Psalm 42 speaks of how my soul longs for the Lord. My cloaked or veiled soul is struggling to be in the presence of God. But as my soul approaches the Holy Presence of God, it brings the rest of me with it. This makes me nervous.

My day to day life is not perfect. I sometimes do stupid stuff, stuff I regret.  My life during this time is the daytime of my life.  And at my passing, I will enter my nighttime. This understanding makes me ponder about verse 10 of Psalm 42: “The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; in the night season his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42: 8 or 10 Depending on Translation)

Most days I play and sing hymns to my God.  These hymns go to bed with me every night. I keep this discipline as it feeds my soul. My soul that is athirst for God, athirst for the living God. I can often feel the heaviness of my soul. It might even cause a rise in my blood pressure. I too ask myself, “Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? and why are you so disquieted within me?” (Psalm 42: 14) May my soul, as it speaks to God, it also struggles to make me behave and live the most godly life I can.

 So, as we try to listen to God, It might be good to listen to our souls as they try to bring us to God. After all, God has given us our souls as the God-spark which guides us along right pathways for His Namesake, (Psalm 23).  My advice to all is to: “Put your trust in God; for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42: 15)

Today we remember Dorcas (Tabitha) of Joppa, Co- worker with the Apostles, (October 25 NT) and her information may be found at: Tsbitha (Dorcas) of Joppa

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)      

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 17: Year 1

Morning, Psalms, 30 and 32; Evening,  Psalms 42 and 43;
1^st Kings 12:1 to 20; James 5:7 to 12 and19 to 20; Mark 15:33 to 39:

“O Lord my God, I cried out to you, and you restored me to health.” (Psalm 30:2)

One of my reflections that I have preached to my listeners for 20 years now is that God’s ears hears tears. While this sentence may not be correct grammar, the message is timeless and universal.  Everywhere in our Bible narratives when someone is crying, God, or an angel of God, appears whenever tears are rolling down cheeks.  The two I most like to recall are Hagar as she pushes away her son Ishmael, son of Abraham, because she does not want to see him die; (Genesis 21: 15 to 17).  And, Mary Magdalene, as she is broken down and crying outside the tomb of Jesus, who removed seven demons from her, giving her back to herself. Jesus was all she had and he was murdered:  (John 20:10 to 15).

Crying does not depend on language, country of origin, ethnicity or any human label.  God has fixed a way to connect with us when our spirits are at their lowest. It is sadness and/or sorrow that makes us cry.  And when we cry, God wants to know.  Crying is not dependent on faith or no faith. One can be a card-carrying atheist but if he or she cries, they are praying even without knowing it. 

All crying is to God. The Psalmist continues, “I cried to you, O Lord; I pleaded with the Lord, saying, “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?  Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; O Lord, be my helper. You have turned my wailing into dancing; you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.  Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.”  (Psalm 30: 9 to 13)

I love how much God loves us. It truly does make me want to dance with joy.  And who knows, maybe even make tears of joy.  I think God will feel them too and be happy for us.

Today our Church remembers Hannah More, Religious Writer and Philanthropist (September 7, 1833)  and her information may be found at: Hannah More.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O God, Creator and Lover of all souls, You made us in ways that inform You when we are low and in misery.  As Your ears hear our tears, comfort us dear Lord as You have always done, and wipe away the tears of sadness from every eye. In Your Holy Presence we pray. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 16: Year 1

Psalm 1, 2 and 3; Evening, Psalm 4 and 7;
1^st  Kings 1:5 to 31; Acts 26:1 to 23; Mark 13:14to 27

“Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!” (Psalm 1:1)

Our Daily Office Lectionary starts the Psalm readings over again.  We cycle through them several times throughout the year. It pleases me that the first word of the first Psalm is “Happy.”  It is a good way to start anything.

In this particular verse the Psalmist is commending those of us who can recognize unpleasant company and politely avoid them.  The outcome is happiness. It is overall happiness.  We will all have bad days, it’s just a part of life.  But we shouldn’t make it worse by staying in the company of negative minded persons who are always looking for antisocial ways of relating to us and others. Part of being happy is assisting others in being happy as well.

Some of the Psalms are revengeful and harsh, at least for me. I don’t do well with asking God to wreak havoc on those whom I think have done me, or others, wrong. If they are sinful, God knows, and in God’s own way, they will be corrected or adjusted. In our Acts reading for today Paul recounts being corrected and adjusted as he was going to Damascus. 

In our Mark Gospel Reading Jesus informs us that had not God cut short the dreadful day of the coming of the Lord, no one would be spared. But God saved those that God chose.  I personally don’t like the word “elect.”  It kind of seems like some of us are better than others. God loves us all. This kind of “culling” process is present in biblical language in several places in scripture. It is suggested in the Flood language with Noah and his family on the Ark where only he and his family were spared.  It is used to save Lot from Sodom. God seems to favor the people who choose to be happy rather than let them be dragged into the company of wickedness, sin and scornfulness.  

I don’t initially avoid people I find unpleasant.  I try to get them to see and think about an alternative way of seeing the world. I try to get them to consider an “out-of-control” God.  I say this because when I mention bringing God into their lives, too many people already have an idea about what God would say or do. The key to happiness is not “knowing” God, but rather, trusting God.  Once we make an out-of-control, but loving God a part of our relationship with others, we are well on our way to being happy.  In this way we will cease from walking in the counsel of the wicked, and lingering in the way of sinners, and sitting in the seats of the scornful. We will just be happy trusting in God.

Today our Church remembers Bartholomew the Apostle, (August 24 NT)  and his information may be found at: St. Bartholomew the Apostle.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: BCP p. 828

O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.