Stillness

 

For me, this is true. 

Back in the Saddle

Well after two weeks of vacation, I am back in the saddle and in my office here in the church, looking at what has to be done before Sunday. Feeling a tad, overwhelmed. Trying to prepare for Sunday, trying to visit, trying to connect with people, trying to prepare for meetings, and answering emails and requests, getting videos ready.  

I liken it to having a treadmill that's already running at speed, and I'm going to try to jump on this thing and get to speed pretty quickly.  

And so I am writing this post instead. I am hoping it helps me move past staring at a blank screen phase of work. 

I need to get the sermon started. I need to prepare for a meeting. I need to…  pray and be still. Which really is kind of the opposite of what I'm trying to accomplish here.

One way is the way of the world and the way it does work. Another way is the way of God and how he does work. 

Which way will I have faith in today?

They thought I was kidding.

This morning I was at the dentist for a couple of fillings. Two of the technicians were working over my open mouth. 

The one asked me if I was still a pastor to which I replied yes. Oh he said where do you Pastor? I told them at a small country church about half an hour to the southeast. 

It was quiet for a minute when, tongue in cheek, he said to her; "You know you should go to church. You need forgiveness." They both giggled and she replied that she thought he had more that needed forgiveness than she did. They laughed and went back and forth, convinced the other needed more forgiveness. 

Finally through their cajoling they asked me, "What about you Pastor, who do you think needs more forgiveness?" 

With their hands in my mouth I mumbled "I think you both need help!" To which the room exploded in laughter. 

They thought I was kidding.

A Prayer For The Day

Psalm 19 

For the director of music. A psalm of David. 

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. 

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. 

 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 

12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Jupiter in the Southern Sky