Asleep in the light

This part of Psalm 119 is interesting.  It reminded me of when I started out as a Christian.  Actually, even as an old Christian, I fall asleep sometimes. 

Psalms 119:17-24

The first few verses almost sound like making a bargain with God.  Not so sure that's a good idea.  He always wins and we try...  But, if I think about it from a spiritual view and consider Psalms 119 is about God's Word, His generosity and my understanding of the Word, do make my life full.  A life full of adventures, joy and some heartache.  If I ask God to open my eyes, then I understand some of the things that have happened to me were miracles in disguise. 
17 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life;
not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
18 Open my eyes so I can see
what you show me of your miracle-wonders.

I remember what it's like to be a stranger in the Christian world.  It was very uncomfortable at first.  I had to learn a new language and how to stop using the bad language I grew up around.   I needed very clear directions.  Recently, I stood next to a guy who frantically tried to find the book and chapter our Pastor was preaching about.  I knew how he felt, so I helped him find the chapter.  He was so grateful.  Following Christ is like taking all the world's philosophies and turning them upside down.  I went from "Get even,"  and "Don't let anyone walk all over you," to "Love your neighbor," and "Give to those in need."  
19 I'm a stranger in these parts;
give me clear directions.

God's Word nourishes my soul.  I memorized, Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  When things are just too overwelming and I feel like there's no chance it will work out.  I repeat it, and remember with His help I can do anything.
20 My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! —
insatiable for your nourishing commands.

Did you ever notice how some people refuse to accept Christ but are quick to tell Christians what's wrong with them? 
21 And those who think they know so much,
ignoring everything you tell them — let them have it!
22 Don't let them mock and humiliate me;
I've been careful to do just what you said.
23 While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me,
I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.

Jesus had a lot of this to deal with, on earth.  Here's what He said to the Scribes and Pharisees,
Matt 23:23-24
23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!"
NKJV

So are we supposed to be super-saints who memorize the whole Bible and never do (admit we did) anything wrong?  Showing how intelligent we are and how our teeth sparkle?  Is it our goal to make people so envious they can't wait to become a Christian?  Nope.  It's not about appearance at all.  I think He looks closer at our hearts than our outward appearance and He knows all about our actions.  When I try and go it alone... gnats and camels everytime...  through Him, nothing is impossible.  Like the verse above says, the most important part of the law to God is justice, mercy, and faith.  And of course love.  Jesus asks us to come to Him as we are and be real with others, "neighbors." 
24 Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;
I listen to them as to good neighbors!
THE MESSAGE

For young people

As a middle-aged woman, I look at this time and shake my head thinking, "This must be the most difficult time in history to be a young person."  For us, being good was good grades, being polite to teachers, and teamwork with classmates.

When I was young, you went to school, hoped to find a husband, and have a family.   I should clarify.  I was born in 1960.  My first words were, "Oh for Christ's sake."  Now I hope that's true about me.  But then, my Dad said it a lot. People were promiscuous, deciding marriage wasn't necessary.  Recreational drug use was on a rampage.  We had the world's worst hairstyles imaginable.  There were hippies, surfers, straight laced, and people like me that shouted, "I'm an individual!"  Divorce was becoming common.  My Dad left when I was 12.   We were taught in school that the world was over-populated so we shouldn't have many kids.   A lot didn't.  When I got to college my professor said, "This is the most boring generation I've ever seen.  You don't dress alike.  You don't have a cause.  You just don't care."  

We checked our watches to see when class would be over.  The apathetic ones.  We saw what drugs did, experienced the affects of divorce, saw the Vietnam war on TV. We just wanted to survive.  When I got married, we had eight parents.  Christmas was, well, interesting.  Personally, I chose to be different by becoming a Christian.  It was a great choice- He saved my life, literally. Christmas became about Jesus.  A wonderful celebration.  By God's grace, I'm still with my first husband.  I tease him and say, "You're the best husband I ever married."

So, what advice would I give myself looking back?  

1. Stick with the Bible, it's been good for centuries.  It's accurate and written by God.  He created us, He knows how we were designed to live.  Read it every day.  Life's not easy you'll need His Word to help you through.
2. Don't worry about being or looking cool.  It's more important to be yourself, what God wants you to be.  One day being cool won't matter at all. At my age, keeping your hair colored is a challenge. : )
3. Trust your instincts.  God gave them to you for a reason.  If something doesn't "feel" right it probably isn't.  Walk away.
4. Talk to your parents or someone older at Church you can trust.  If you're unsure about something ask what they think.  They have a lot more experience than you realize.

Psalms 119:9-16

9 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
10 I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
11 I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.

The same verse from the New King James Version.  It's much easier to memorize.
Ps 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
NKJV

12 Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
13 I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
14 I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
15 I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
16 I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it.
THE MESSAGE

Following the directions

I confess, it's not just men who don't read the directions... me too!  I've come to Psalm 119.  It's the longest chapter in the Bible...  It's 11 pages in my version of The Message.  It has 176 verses.  Yikes!  I've always been a little overwhelmed by this Psalm when I come to it in my quiet times.  So this time, I will do what I've learned from business.  Break it down into bite size chunks.  Perhaps the Lord is teaching me to finally slow down and listen to each word.  The Bible is one Instruction Manual I do read.  

Psalms 119:1-8

Life gets crazy at times, sometimes I just don't understand.
1 You're blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by God.

I like how it says, "doing your best."  I slip and stumble.   I can tell when I'm going off track by my feelings.  When I get anxious or short tempered, I know I need to get by myself and talk it out with God.  His Holy Spirit counsels* me and helps me find peace.
2 You're blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
3 That's right — you don't go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set.
4 You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
now you expect us to live it.

To obey God keeps me from regrets.   The times I do the right thing, always bring joy and greater faith.  The times I don't bring such sadness.  Satan likes to make me feel guilty and ugly when I sin.  Like Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, I look for the nearest bush to hide my shame.  Jesus just wants me to acknowledge my sin, and confess, so He can cleanse me.   I memorized 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  I repeat it to myself when I just can't get past something.
5 Oh, that my steps might be steady,
keeping to the course you set;
6 Then I'd never have any regrets
in comparing my life with your counsel.
7 I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.

8 I'm going to do what you tell me to do;
don't ever walk off and leave me.
THE MESSAGE

And He promised He wouldn't in the New Testament:
Hebrews 13:5

... For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
NKJV

*John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 
NKJV

Wordless Wednesday

Matt 6:28-30
28 So why do you worry about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:
they neither toil nor spin; 
29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these. 
30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field,
which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,
will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
NKJV

You are beautiful!  Just the way you are.

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

Challenge sponsored by Katie Lloyd Photography

His mercy endures forever

This is a long Psalm.  So I pulled out verses that stood out to me.  I found some of these verses quoted in the New Testament.  It reminded me of our celebration of Palm Sunday: Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Next week I'll take a break from the Psalms and read the Easter story.  I'm looking forward to it.  Ok getting excited!

Psalms 118

1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

It is challenging for sure, to have so much faith I'm not afraid.  Sometimes God gives me peace or joy to replace my fear.  To be honest, when I look back, the people I was so afraid of  are no longer in my life.  My career didn't end.  My life went on.  The Lord moved me on.

5 I called on the Lord in distress;

The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.

6 The Lord is on my side;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?

7 The Lord is for me among those who help me;

The Old Testament taught, an eye for an eye.  In the New Testament, Jesus taught to love your neighbor as yourself.  You can see the contrast here:

Psalm 118:7 Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

Matthew 5:44-46
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 
NKJV

Doing good to those who hate me is hard.  I still find those verses humbling and challenging.  It's just not an easy response.  I don't see this as passive behavior.  There is definitely a time to stand up.   I see this as the boss who enjoys competing with me in the office.  He constantly looks for anything I've done wrong, and ignores everything I've done right.  The person who just has to make comments that irritate others.

The only One who is 100% right all the time is God.  Humans are human.  When my husband drives us on a long trip.  I know he's a good driver.  I also know road conditions and other drivers can cause accidents.  So I pray.  And, try really hard not to watch the road. : )  It's safer for us both when I pray or draw, instead of "helping" him drive.  My husband will get a big smile when he reads this.

8 It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in man.

9 It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in princes.

This is a commonly quoted verse.  He is my strength and the song I sing.  My salvation.

14 The Lord is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness;

I will go through them,

And I will praise the Lord.

Jesus showed the way,

Matt 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

NKJV

21 I will praise You,

For You have answered me,

And have become my salvation.

Jesus quotes this verse in the New Testament while speaking to the Pharisees.  He fulfilled this prophecy.

22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone. 

23 This was the Lord's doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
NKJV

Matthew 21:42-46
42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:
'The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord's doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes'?
43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.  44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."
NKJV

A favorite verse for sure.

24 This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save now, I pray, O Lord;

O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.

After a few thousand years, the prophecy was fulfilled.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.

It was sung and shouted when Jesus entered Jerusalem on the donkey, fulfilling the prophecy.

Mark 11:9-10
9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

"Hosanna!
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!"
NKJV

Jesus is the final sacrifice for our sin.

27 God is the Lord,

And He has given us light;

Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will praise You;

You are my God, I will exalt You.

Another well known and favorite verse, it's even a song. 

29 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

NKJV

All people, everybody!

This is the shortest chapter in the Bible!  I looked at it a few times to be sure I had the whole Psalm and then verified.  The longest chapter is Psalms 119.  No worries, I promise not to post all ten pages in one post. : )   The message here is pretty huge for a few lines.

God's message is for everybody, all people.  His message is for those who are depressed, addicted, lonely, full of anger, poor, have no food, or clothes, wishing their lives would end- no matter how bad they think they are.  It's for all people:  those who think they have it all, have lots of money, have the perfect family, a great job, two cars, lots of food, and a big house- from all nations, tribes, and peoples no matter how great they think they are.  He brings peace, joy and love.

His love can take over our lives.  It has taken over mine for sure.  I was empty and angry with no hope.  I tried all sorts of things to make me feel better.  After I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I laughed for the first time in years.  I had compassion for others, although I still pray that I won't be selfish and see the needs of others.  Believers in Christ aren't yet made perfect.  That'll happen in Heaven. His love took over!  He gives me peace and His Holy Spirit counsels me when I am confused.  The best part is His faithful ways are eternal.  When I get to see Jesus' eyes in Heaven, I'll already know Him from here on earth.  To become a Christian you just need to confess your sin (He won't be shocked, He already knows and has seen it all in humans).  Repent (turn from your current ways and let God change your life). Allow Him to be Lord of your life, your Savior.  It's important to get involved in a Church so you can be baptized, learn about the Bible, and have Christians to talk to.   I enjoy learning from my Pastor's sermons, and singing to God in worship as well.

Psalms 117
1 Praise God, everybody!
Applaud God, all people!
2 His love has taken over our lives;
God's faithful ways are eternal.
Hallelujah!
THE MESSAGE

1 Corinthians 1:9
9 ... He will never give up on you. Never forget that.
THE MESSAGE

Rainbow moments

I love this Psalm.  We've all experienced many storms:  financial, danger, arguments, illness and more.   But after every storm comes a rainbow moment.  A time when we sit back in awe at what God did.  That moment when God's power is so real and our weakness so undeniable.

This Psalm reminds me of when I went to college.  I drove to Phoenix, Arizona from Utah by myself.  I wanted to go to a Christian school.  I was driving a 1967 Ford Mustang  in 1979.   It had a few problems.  I had the tires changed and the mechanic forgot to tighten the lug nuts.  I turned a corner and the tires fell off.  I had no idea you had to put water in the radiator.  One time it overheated and I went to a mechanic asking how to get rid of the steam.  He rolled his eyes and said that it needs anti-freeze and water all the time.  So driving by myself in this car was a bit nerve racking.  

I got closer to Phoenix and as the temperature rose outside so did my little temperature gauge.  I learned to pray without ceasing.  I got to the school and the car literally died.  For Christmas, I wanted to visit my brother who was stationed in El Paso, Texas.  The car still had a few problems.  But I wanted to go.  I'd drive a ways and it would slow down, the lights would dim.  So I'd pull into a gas station and get the battery recharged.  The 70's wasn't the safest time period for girls to be out at night alone.  It was a very long drive...  And again, I prayed without ceasing.  The car died at my brother's apartment.  He helped me get it fixed.  I remember getting out of the car with shaky legs.  So very grateful for God's deliverance. 

Psalms 116

I love God because he listened to me, 

listened as I begged for mercy. 

2 He listened so intently

as I laid out my case before him. 

3 Death stared me in the face,

hell was hard on my heels.

Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn; 

4 then I called out to God for help:

"Please, God!" I cried out."Save my life!" 

5 God is gracious — it is he who makes things right,

our most compassionate God. 

6 God takes the side of the helpless;

when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

Here's the rainbow moment.  Your knees quit knocking and your adrenaline slows down.   You pray, "Thank You God!!!!"  Then collapse.  Actually it was like that when I gave my testimony to a Church for the first time too.

7 I said to myself, "Relax and rest.

God has showered you with blessings. 

8 Soul, you've been rescued from death;

Eye, you've been rescued from tears;

And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."

9 I'm striding in the presence of God,

alive in the land of the living! 

10 I stayed faithful, though bedeviled,

and despite a ton of bad luck, 

11 Despite giving up on the human race,

saying, "They're all liars and cheats."

What do you give the God who has everything?  He created the elements that are used for our money- it has no meaning to Him.  Unless it affects us.  Angels are in His presence so He doesn't need friends.  He created the universe so one of my photos wouldn't be all that impressive.  All He wants is our thanks, worship, praise and trust.  I lay my gifts and talents at His feet; I am His servant.

12 What can I give back to God

for the blessings he's poured out on me? 

13 I'll lift high the cup of salvation — a toast to God!

I'll pray in the name of God; 

14 I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,

and I'll do it together with his people. 

15 When they arrive at the gates of death,

God welcomes those who love him. 

16 Oh, God, here I am, your servant,

your faithful servant: 

set me free for your service! 

17 I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice

and pray in the name of God. 

18 I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,

and I'll do it in company with his people, 

19 In the place of worship, in God's house,

in Jerusalem, God's city.

Hallelujah!

THE MESSAGE

I think of these times as rainbow moments, because God gave the rainbow to Noah and all mankind, after the flood.  A symbol that this would never happen again.
Genesis 9:16
16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."
NKJV

In the end, there will be a rainbow around God's throne.  All suffering will end.
Revelation 4:3
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
NKJV