Some Sundays are easier than others to get into the spirit of worship. The cold of winter contrasted against the warmth of my bed makes mornings like today move slowly. Like honey that has sat too long I have gotten a little crusty. I am hard to pour some mornings. ;)

So to prime the pump, so to speak, I let the word of God apply the right amount of heat to get me going. So when I opened my browser I saw the image in today's graphic. The picture comes from the artist Michael Bolognesi. As I thought about how God set the stars in the skies I was drawn to the Psalms where we see our scripture.

When I look at 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, and the son of man that you care for him?

God has called us back to himself. That is amazing to me. Why? He is self-sustaining, he is all-sufficient, there is no lack in him. And yet... He is mindful of me and you.

As you head to your places of worship this morning know that God is mindful of you. Read Psalm 8 and know your God.

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

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at 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, and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

One thing we do know is that it is ok not to be fine.  We resolved that issue together years ago because we know that ultimately it is not in our hands anyway.  God has been so very faithful to us that even in our pain we can laugh because our God is bigger than all of it.  We also recognized our own privilege and that our issues are not nearly as large as the loom.

So I am praying for you dear reader.  That you would know the faithfulness of God even in your pain.  That you would seek Him first.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,     and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,     my salvation and my God. - Psalm 42:11 God's Man

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:1-6 ESV)-God's Man

We discussed how not only is God everywhere but he is with us in the moment.  Now to look at how this works itself out in our life.  Let's take a look at this exchange between Jesus and his disciples.

1 John 13:31-38When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.  “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! This passage, while starting at the beginning of a chapter, is actually the continuation of a discussion between Jesus and his disciples.  In the previous chapter Jesus had just admonished Proud Peter who boasted how he would lay down his life for Jesus.  Not only would he fail to stay with Jesus, by the time the rooster finished crowing he would deny Christ 3 times.  I am sure that during this discussion there was some disappointment and sadness.  I mean Jesus was telling them that he was leaving and that they would be unable to follow.  They had followed Him for 3 years.  They had lived with Him, walked with Him, had witnessed his miracles.  They had left father, mother, businesses to follow Him.  What did He mean?  But Jesus is not the author of confusion, He brings hope to those who are hurting.1 John 14:1-6“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.Jesus lets them know that He going to prepare a place for them. He assures them that He is also going to be coming back for them. Then Thomas comes up with a question.  Thomas, who we call the Doubter, asks the best questions. The thing that I love about Thomas is that his life illustrates that we CAN ask questions and that He DOES answer.  But what does that answer mean?Jesus, in two sentences, removes all the confusion from salvation.  It is right here where the hope lies.  It is right here where we can cling and be comforted that He will come again.  It is right here where our troubled hearts are calmed.  Aunt Irene knew this and it brought peace.  She wanted all of you to know this as well.  In the end she had one more lesson for all of her students.  In the end she had one more thing to share with her friends.  In the end she had one last thing to get across.  Aunt Irene died at home in her own room knowing, not only had a place had been prepared for her, but that he Savior would be coming to receive her.I stand here today, her nephew, praying that her final lesson lands and that the hope that she had would be your as well.God's Man

Once my mother and I had gathered my daughter my Dad and I left to go to the house to be with the family that was quickly gathering there. As a family we prayed along with her Pastor. I was being stoic. Trying to be there for everyone. Be Strong. Then my cousin came to me and said that my Aunt wanted me to give the eulogy.

After saying that I would I was caught in a wave of emotion and began to cry. As I sat outside of Aunt Irene's bedroom in the sitting room I cried because I couldn't believe that she was gone. As the night went on she asked me to prepare a video to be shown at the viewing and funeral. I thought I would share the video and my notes for her eulogy.

The thing about life is that God is in all of it. There is not one part of life where God is not present. The question is do you GET it? Do you see that He is there?

Irene Butler Hebron
January 5, 1927 - February 23, 2012

Aunt Irene was an amazing woman.  She was an important part of my life growing up.  The part that stands out to me the most was the time that I spent with her in the Drama Club at St. Mark's UMC.  From 6 to 17 I was in every Easter, Christmas and Dinner Theater Play.  Aunt Irene was always there, even when we thought she wasn't.  Even when we thought she was paying attention to something else.  Even when we really did want to be there.  That was who she was.  She had a heart for those under her care.  That goes for all of us gather here today.  At some point in our lives we were all touched by her.  Whether you grew up with her in that old house, or you knew her from school; whether you were one of her many students, or one of her friends, she impacted you in some way.  Even when you weren't around she was probably thinking about you in some way.

This is what we are called to as we navigate life with God.  We are a family, whether by blood or faith, we walk through this life together.  Stating this is the perfect lead in to the scriptures that we will look at as we celebrate the life of Aunt Irene.  The first is the 23rd Psalm.

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Probably one of the most recognizable verses in the Bible.  It is an awesome testimony that points to God as an ever-present part of our lives.  Everything in this passage shows God as someone who is there with you in the day to day.  He is personal.  Look at how David claims relationship with God.

My Shepherd...
Makes me...
Leads me...
Guides me...
You are with me...

God is there at the 50K foot level but He is also there in the minutest of details.  That is what is evident here and in the life of Aunt Irene.  In the next post I will look at the hope that she had as we examine John 14:1-6.

God's Man

It is at these moments that we as parents shape them.  Being a parent is a awesome responsibility.  I don't mean that in Dude, that is AWESOME kind of way.  I mean it inspires awe.  It shakes you to your core.  It should...  I think that this is why so many run from it, but that is another topic.

We don't do a lot of co-sleeping in our house.  That is not exactly true.  We don't let them sleep in our bed.  But we have spent many a night in their rooms.  When they are sick, or scared, or lonely we go to them.

I think God works with us in much the same way.  When we are gripped by fear, concerned about the unknown, or just lonely, he comes in and sits next to our bed.  Maybe He puts His head on the pillow or drapes His arm over you but He makes his presence known.

So there I was on the floor next to her bed with my head on her pillow.  As she drifted off to sleep I prayed this Psalm over her.  This was the word that I shared at our church's pray service tonight and I hope that it encourages you the way it did us.

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? 

 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 

 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

   One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 

 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;  at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

 Hear my voice when I call, O Lord;mbe merciful to me and answer me. 

 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

 Do not hide your face from me,mdo not turn your servant away in anger;  you have been my helper. 

Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. 

 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

 Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 

 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. 

 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 

 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:1-14 NIV84)

Today at Living Hope Church we passed a significant milestone. Our UNITE campaign completed all of the tasks in the Red phase and now we are ready to move to our new location. My mini message today was taken from Psalm 136 which is a Psalm of Thanksgiving. It includes the familiar refrain of "His Love Endures Forever"

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.

5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.

6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.

7 who made the great lights— His love endures forever.

8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.

9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever.

11 and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever.

12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. The thing that I love about this scripture, as with most scripture, is that there is a lesson embedded in the praise. What can we learn from this display of love for the Heavenly Father? For this psalmist God is not some theory. He is not some abstract idea, or notion. For him and for me, God is real and like this psalmist I can point out specific times when He has delivered me. If you look at the rest of this Psalm you see how God delivered his people. You see how God saved them and made their lives possible. How He provides for them. How He created the earth and the fullness thereof.

Do you know that there is a God who has done a tremendous amount for you. If you looked back over your life you could pick out moments where you know God got you through. Why not list them out like this psalmist? I challenge you today to look at the ways that God has shown you that His Love Endure Forever.

Go Go Go

That leads us to tonights lesson: Psalm 140:

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from men of violence who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.

Selah

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet. Proud men have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their net and have set traps for me along my path.

Selah

Here David is talking to the Lord about His enemies. He is specifically asking for God's protection from two types of attacks by the enemy. First he is asking God to protect him from the evils desires of his enemies. David is asking God to preemptively stop His enemies. Don't even let their plans take root. Next he asks for protection from their actions. David knows that sometimes the plans of the enemy will come so he asks that God would protect him from them.

The rest of the Psalm is David worshiping God in the midst of his enemies. He knows that God is able to save Him. He sings so his mind is clear about how God will protect him. God doesn't need a reminder of His Power and Majesty.

O LORD, I say to you, "You are my God." Hear, O LORD, my cry for mercy. O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle- do not grant the wicked their desires, O LORD; do not let their plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah

Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused. Let burning coals fall upon them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise. Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence. I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise your name and the upright will live before you.

As long as we keeps our eyes and hearts on God we can walk through the valley of the shadow of death with no fear.

Good Night All

-God's Man