Happy Thanksgiving!

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.

May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.

Psalms 134:1-3

Morning bouquet

Outside my window, beyond the orange lilies of summer, a gold-tassled cornfield shimmers in the breeze. The praise of birds and the clean scent of dewey morning drifts through the window.

This morning God gave me a precious bouquet as I gazed outside my window. Believe me, this came not because of my efforts in any way but because of his marvelous love.

I am like the psalmist who asked, "O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?" (Psalms 144:3)

We know we are a fleeting breath and a quick breath, as the psalmist described.

Yet here it is: we are blessed. Not because we are worthy but because He is.

He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,

Psalms 144:2

Colorado cool

When the temperatures dipped to sub-zero in late December, I grabbed the chance to freeze my fingers but capture some of the beauty of the frost and ice here in Colorado. Here are a few photos for you:

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

Psalms 8:3-4

Friday Five: God Forever

Lives forever

For this is what the high and lofty One says--
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,

Isaiah 57:15

King forever

But the LORD is the true God;
he is the living God, the eternal King.

Jer 10:10

Existing forever.

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.

Psalms 41:13

Priest forever

The LORD has sworn
and will not change his mind:
"You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek."

Psalms 110:4

Righteous forever

“He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever.”

2 Cor 9:9

Voicing the celebration

Silence. Some 400 years had crept by without a prophetic peep. God’s people had suffered through the reign of the Greeks, raised a Jewish revolt (led by the Maccabee family) and enjoyed some self-rule before the Romans blanketed Palestine.

All without a new word from God.

But the time of silence was ending. An angel appeared to a priest with a message from God. New words from the Creator King were spoken in the temple to Zechariah, who doubted and was stricken with more silence while others were given new words.

New words came from a pregnant Elizabeth, who rejoiced in God’s blessing.

"The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

Luke 1:25

Mary celebrated after Gabriel revealed the miracle on incarnation. Words could barely capture her joy.

My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
holy is his name.

Luke 1:46-49

Even Zechariah, relieved of his temporary muteness, burst into exultant song:

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come and has redeemed his people.

Luke 1:68

But that was nothing compared to the angels, who tumbled out of heaven in a magnificent ecstasy, proclaiming the most-amazing birth announcement ever made:

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:14

God brought out the full choir and orchestra for this delivery.

But the words hadn’t stopped. Simeon, that faithful and devout Jerusalem Jew, was alerted by God to meet Mary and Joseph at the temple. On seeing the baby, he celebrated:

For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

Luke 2:30-32

Words seemed the most appropriate way to celebrate this new birth, this revelation and glory that had come to earth. The plan was unfolding in the midst of song and prophecy.

We are on the cusp of Christmas, abuzz with gift-wrapping and fudge-making. We, as followers of Jesus, have chosen this season to celebrate the birth of our Savior, although there’s no indication that he was actually born on December 25. It’s a day we chose to celebrate.

So let’s celebrate! Do your words – and do mine – dance as Mary’s did? Do we throw our arms to heaven as Elizabeth sang? Do we tumble forward to praise God for his grace?

Can we be, like Anna, give thanks to God and speak about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38

May these be days of song, of words of delight and joy. Glory to God in the highest!

Friday Five: Glory!

“Glory” is great importance and shining majesty. “To give glory” is to recognize the importance of another. In giving glory to God, we recognize and announce his nature. The Greek calls it “doxa” (we know it in the word doxology). In doxa, we praise the divine power and majesty of God.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

"Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. "

Neh 9:5

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works

Psalms 145:5

May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.

Psalms 138:5

O LORD , our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

Psalms 8:1

(Note: photo by my teenage daughter. Thanks, Becky.)

Giving thanks!

Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises!

Psalms 50:14

Friday Five: Selah!

Selah: to lift up, exalt.

Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty--
he is the King of glory. Selah

Psalms 24:10

And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for God himself is judge. Selah

Psalms 50:6

I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah

Psalms 61:4

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens. Selah

Psalms 68:19

I spread out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

Psalms 143:6

Friday Five: Halel Yah!

Halal=to praise, boast about. Yah = the Lord

Hallelujah!

Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Psalms 106:1

Praise the LORD.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Psalms 147:1

Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.

Psalms 112:1

Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong

to our God,

Rev 19:1

And again they shouted:
"Hallelujah!"
Rev 19:3

(Photo courtesy of Eagle's Eye Photography. Check out the site for other great photos. Thanks, Ann!)

Inkblots of definition

It’s the Rorschach inkblot test of Bible studies and I usually squirm when the question pops up from a Cheshire-grinning teacher.

“Who are you?”

I figured out early not to answer with my name. That just revealed my shallowness and self-centeredness. If I could think quick enough to stammer out, “Daughter of the King,” that usually was accepted as proper unless the teacher had spiritual gifts in mind. Then I should have answered with “servant” or “leader.” Or maybe I should have answered that I was a daughter, wife, mother, sister because relationships should define who I am. Or maybe they shouldn’t define who I am. I forget.

The whole thing gave me headaches and I avoided the question for years.

But it is a good question, when separated from expectations, and I come back to it. Who am I?

If it weren’t for the yearnings, I’d say that we can look at God’s nature and see who we are in what he is not. We are not pure or righteous or loving or truth or compassionate or eternal or powerful. I could answer “Who am I?” by saying I am nothing like God.

But we long for what we are not. And that ache, not for what we are, but what we are not, often brings us to God’s throne.

Who am I? I am in a storm, with the wind screaming and the clouds boiling black, when God pulls me out. I am flat on my back with the wall collapsing above me when God whisks me away. I am soaked in bitterness and selfishness when God blasts me clean.

Casting Crowns tackles the same question in their song of the same name, twisting their way to a reasonable conclusion.

Who am I? Their answer: I am His.

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Jer 31:3

Friday Five: the Bridegroom

My mind has been on the Bridegroom this week.

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Matt 25:1

How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much more pleasing is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!

Song 4:10

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

Song 2:3

I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.

Ezek 16:8

How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Matt 9:15

In the beginning...

My 16 year old daughter breathes video cameras and praise songs. Here's a short clip she put together.

God's part

Great is the Lord....

(Photos from the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in southern Colorado.)

And greatly to be praised!

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord, Selah
to him who rides the ancient skies above,
who thunders with mighty voice.

Psalms 68:32-33

I lift up my voice

Come, oh, Lord, and fill up my life

with the light of Your presence.

This is my heart's desire.

Oh, Father, come and let Your spirit abide;

I long for Your presence.

This is my desire.....

("Presence" by Newsboys)

"I am a friend of God"

I had a chance to hear Michael Gungor in concert last weekend. He co-wrote "I am a Friend of God," a energetic praise song that I enjoy. Check out his website. You can hear several cuts off his newest album and download some songs as well. He's just moved to Denver and is holding monthly praise sessions. I hope to find out more details about that opportunity as well. Hope you enjoy!