Lyt Og Beder
Friday, March 20, 2020
Though The Sky Should Fall
Friday, May 2, 2014
Presumption
For I am waiting for you, O lord . You must answer for me, O Lord my God. I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall. Psalm 38:15-16
OK, so apparently I have never read Psalm 38. Even though I have. The verses above are the high point. The composer has done something truly horrible and the truth has come to light. He is a public figure who is publicly exposed, frightfully vulnerable, isolated.
And he isn't defending himself.
He knows he's guilty; brought this all on himself; is his own worst enemy.
And he still fully expects Divine intervention--for God to speak for him.
You must answer for me, O Lord my God.
Even when everybody would agree you haven't got a prayer, take heart. Apparently, that's the one thing you do have. Apparently, it's all you need.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Our One Hope
Psalms 33:18-22 NLT
But the lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the lord . He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, lord , for our hope is in you alone.
Do you know people who make a habit, or even a hobby, of being ready for anything? You don't have to be a survivalist to once in a while fret just a little that you don't have much stashed away--a few weeks' worth of canned goods; a flat of bottled water at bare minimum. And don't forget those MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) in each of your vehicles...a blanket...a few flares....
Preparation makes sense. As long as we don't forget that no amount of preparation can prepare us for what may come; and come what may, the Lord alone is our hope.
You, oh Lord, who is capable of feeding in times of famine those who put their trust in you. May we be at peace in you alone. In Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wondering What Happened
Friday, January 24, 2014
One Good Way To Memorize Scripture
Why Your Pastor Wants You To Memorize Scripture
They are my joy and my heart’s delight,
for I bear your name,
O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
and a light for my path.
that I might not sin against you.
So there you go. Incredibly helpful and foundationally shaping for me, I offer it to you in your walk with Christ.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
The Original Dr. Phil
Romans 6:20-23 HCSB
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness. So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification — and the end is eternal life! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I have, quite literally, never watched Dr. Phil. The closest I've come is pausing on a rapid channel surf. I hear, however, that he is known for responding to his guests' revelations of their particular brand of crazy by asking, "how's that workin' out for you?"
Which is an excellent question. It is essentially what Paul is up to here. Just when we catch him admitting that the Christian life is tantamount to slavery, he comes back at us with, "you've lived a life 'liberated' from God's goodness and what do you have to show for it-other than stuff you're too embarrassed to talk about?"
Ouch.
Reality check: a life free of any allegiance is an allegiance in itself. To a life that ends in an unproductive, lonely embarrassing mess. But at least it's your mess, right? As my son would say, "Keep tellin' yourself that."
I gladly surrender myself, God of Holiness. I would rather be a slave to your Goodness than free to make a mess of my life. In Jesus. Amen.