Posts Tagged ‘Psalm’
Meditation [Psalm 119]
October 22, 2010 | 
Author By your tender mercies, O God, by the unceasing ministry of your Spirit, open the meaning of the ancient documents handed on by communities of believers, so that in this time and place I may better understand how I may best work to heal your fractured world; in Jesus’ name. Amen. [From This Day: A Wesleyan Way of Prayer]
SAMEKH
113 I hate double-minded men,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their deceitfulness is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
Posted in Meditations, Prayer, Shaping Me | 
Tags: Meditation, Meditations, Prayer, Psalm, Psalm 119, Spiritual Formation | 
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Daily Meds [21AUG2009]
Morning Prayer:
You, O Lord, who command us to ask, grant that we may receive. You have put us on seeking; let us be happy in finding. You have bidden us to knock; we pray You open to us. Be graciously pleased to direct and govern all our thoughts and actions, that for the future we may serve You and entirely devote ourselves to obeying You. Accept us, we ask You, and draw us to Yourself, that we may henceforth be Yours by obedience and love, who are already all Your own as Your creatures, even Yours, O Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. [Amen] Augustine
“As much as God loves the flower of trees, He isn’t interested in flashy bouquets or fancy floral displays. What He values is the inner beauty of the heart. Yes He understands our need for attention. Yes, He dances His attention on us. But what He really wants us to do is to grow, to be substantial, to give life.” Joshua Choonmin Kang
Psalm 37 (excerpted)
Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the LORD and wait patiently for Him to act. .. The LORD takes care of the godly. Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from His path. The LORD rescues the godly; He is their fortress in times of trouble. He saves them, and they find shelter in Him. [Amen]
Posted in A Deeper Walk, Daily Meds, Meditations, Shaping Me | Tags: Augustine, Deep-Rooted in Christ, disciple, Jesus Christ, Joshua Choonmin Kang, Meditations, Prayer, Psalm | No Comments »
Obey and Be Holy
Chronological Reading : Leviticus 17-25
This entire month of February has been challenging reading. My Bible reading plan has carried me through Exodus and Leviticus over the last four weeks. 
No, this isn’t the first time I’ve read these books/accounts, but I am really wrestling with application. I don’t think that every “jot and tittle” of the Levitical code is applicable for us today, but I am really having a difficult time with how to determine what is applied today and what is not. Probably the most disconcerting aspect of this “wrestling match” is the nagging question of whom or what arbitrates the decrees and regulations set forth by God.
I enjoy the study of Biblical interpretation and have been challenged time and again in the way I process Scripture. Most recently, I have been challenged to rethink my processes and test my hermeneutics again. Late summer I read Scot McKnight’s Blue Parakeet (Click here for that review). In that book, Scot challenged our interpretation skills with the premise that “we pick and choose” what we obey and/or agree is applicable for today. I don’t want to go into detail about all the implications and discussion that might ensue from that premise, but recommend the book very highly. At any rate, my thinking and my interpretation of Scripture has been challenged…and that’s where I’m at for now. What does all this mean? Well, like I said, I’ve been reading for the past month through Exodus and Leviticus… Exodus poses some problems for me, but not to the degree that I am unable to deal with them. Leviticus, on the other hand, is a whole other ballgame.
Let me start with this premise; I don’t think we are subject to every decree and regulation today. On the other hand, I think because some of the commands have been superseded, we have a tendency to toss much out that we might still be accountable to. I know my statement might seem convoluted, but I’m trying to be unbiased and open in my “wrestling” so I might better understand. So, here’s some of what I’ve been processing…Scriptures follow: Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in A Deeper Walk, Bible Speak, Meditations, Shaping Me | Tags: God, Holiness, Leviticus, Obedience, Priesthood, Psalm, Robert Benson, Thomas Merton | 1 Comment »
Daily Meds: Jan. 29, 2009
I continue to meditate on the teaching of Pastor Kang. This week has been instruction concerning the care of the “root system” of the soul or “inner life.” He states that spiritual disciplines keep us attuned to problems and issues that arise and are uncovered in our soul thereby allowing us to partner with God the Holy Spirit to repair and heal them. I agree. This serves as a reminder for the reason to always maintain a healthy regimen in my disciplines… “If the root is sick, the whole plant is sick.”
The wisdom of God: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
“The man who is wise according to the standards of this world is really very foolish, because he will not cast away his corrupt teaching. A little learning is a dangerous thing, because it makes those who have it unwilling to learn more. The unlearned are more open to conviction, because they are not so foolish as to think that they are wise.” Chrysostom -Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians 5.2.
O LORD, you have dealt graciously with your servant, according to your word. Teach me discernment and knowledge, for I have believed in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and you bring forth good; instruct me in your statutes. The proud have smeared me with lies, but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart. Their heart is gross and fat, but my delight is in your law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is dearer to me than thousands in gold and silver. Psalm 119:65-72
