Truly anticipating the celebration of Resurrection Day tomorrow. This entire psalm gave me a sense of one keeping vigil at the tomb, devout and hopeful.
My dear one, I just reached a goal I had set for my thesis, and felt so happy to close the document on my computer after having pulled another self-imposed all-nighter. My colleagues think I'm crazy for not "enjoying" the spring break holiday. But to have uninterrupted time like this--no teaching, no rehearsals, no concerts--is a gift I can't afford to pass up. I "rewarded" myself with a tasty little supper of a black bean mango rice bowl. (Nope, no meat tonight. I'm not a vegetarian, per se, but I tend to lean towards something of a Mediterranean diet. Tonight's protein came from the black beans ... which, I am quite proud to say, did not come from a can.) Whenever I take the time to actually prepare something more than a salad or sandwich, I always feel a bit sorry that I don't have anyone to share it with. I have Pinterest boards full of recipes I can't wait to try for you. So, as I prepare for an early bedtime to make up for last night's "craziness," I wish you a good night, my dear one, wherever you are.
Lord, teach me to calm and quiet my soul instead of having my thoughts occupied with worry, anxiety, impatience, and struggling against Your divine plan for me.
Spurgeon: "In Christ the heart of Deity is filled with content, and
for His sake He is satisfied with His people, and will be so world
without end... We may be sure if the Lord rests it is because 'it is finished.'"
There are several directions I could take for this psalm, but I'll be short and sweet tonight. I am thankful for my brothers. One is 20 months younger than me, the other is 7 years younger than me. Growing up together, we had our share of sibling squabbles, of course. But today I am so happy to have brothers who are making good decisions in life, honoring our parents, and demonstrating their loyal love to me, their "big sis"!
My dear one, Tonight I performed as a soloist for a symphony concert. My beloved teacher had given me a gift certificate for a hair updo and makeup at a local salon. That, combined with the dress I had purchased for the occasion, made me feel quite like a princess. Quite a rare feeling, actually. One of my few good friends here offered to help me get ready in the green room before the concert, and her assistance was most appreciated and helped to ward off any pre-performance nerves. Yet after the event, this dear friend was too tired for any kind of celebrating, so I just drove directly home. It was then that I thought of you. If you were here with me, would you have bought me flowers and handed them to me during the applause? Would you have taken me to a little restaurant afterwards for a sweet treat to help me celebrate? I suppose I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself right now. The friends I have are never beside me when I need them most. Cannot God's love for me actually feel like it is more than sufficient? Why do I always feel so lonely if He is ever present with me? Waiting, Me
Verse 1... "Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD!" Spurgeonsummarizes that this brief psalm "teaches us to pray for those
who are continually ministering before the Lord, and it invites all
ministers to pronounce benedictions upon their loving and prayerful
people." In light of some disturbing trends in our culture (and my Facebook newsfeed), I find the following comment from Spurgeon very edifying to my heart: "When night settles down on a church the Lord has His watchers and holy ones still guarding His truth, and these must not be discouraged, but must bless the Lord even when the darkest hours draw on. Be it ours to cheer them, and lay upon them this charge—to bless the Lord at all times, and let His praise be continually in their mouths."
This is not a letter, but merely a glimpse into my meditations tonight...
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963):
"The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through
them, and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty,
the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but
if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols,
breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing
itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo
of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet
visited." —The Weight of Glory
Themes for our worship: God's goodness (v. 3), His electing love (v. 4), His greatness (vv. 5-7), His judgments (vv. 8-12), His unchanging character (v. 13), and His love towards His people (v. 14). Verse 5... For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. On Sunday, I was talking to a friend at church about how our postmodern society equates those who hold to absolute truth with intolerant bigots. I have a student who claims to be Wiccan but told me that her coven promotes inclusion of elements from other religions. Basically, whatever you want to incorporate is fine (some Shinto ritual purification, a bit of Zen Buddhist meditation, a sprinkle of Hindu karma, a few moral teachings of Christianity, etc.). But true religion is not a smorgasboard from which anyone and everyone can select items at
will!! True, all human "religions" have some sort of
common ground. The lowest common denominator
is something like "In order to gain ______ [happiness, or acceptance in
God's eyes, or fulfillment, or eternity, etc.], you must do ______ [various actions and standards like good works, loving others, etc.]." But that's why I can't put any trust in man-made religions, because in
reality I know that in my own strength I can never do enough, or be
enough, or have sufficient assurance that "my way" or anyone else's is
correct. I don't think I could live with that kind of ambiguity! Thankfully the Bible is not merely one religious group's set of laws, but it is God's revelation to humankind regarding who He is and who we are
in relation to Him. "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us
has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him [Jesus Christ]
the iniquity of us all." Thus it's not really about choosing a religion, but about a
necessity for a relationship with that perfect Mediator between us and
God. I am so thankful that I have that
assurance, a hope grounded in Christ my Savior, the only perfect Man,
the Son of God, who died to cleanse me from the stain of sin and free me
from the power of sin.
My dear one, I used to have a list of what I was looking for in a man. I don't keep such a list today. I can not stipulate my petty preferences of strengths and hobbies and hair
color. I can only pray that you will be someone I can trust and love and
serve alongside. But there are still some non-negotiables I would never cede. I would never marry a man who does not love the Lord with all his heart, soul, and mind! And I do sometimes worry that we might have some difficult-to-overcome differences in theological persuasion. You see, I have come to embrace the tenets of the historic reformed faith, the doctrines of grace. Not that my family's background was of an opposite conviction -- but it was never anything very clear in my family's "independent Baptist" circles. I can't see myself attending/joining a church that does not hold to either the Westminster Standards or the London Baptist Confession. My heart is greatly edified by the sermons of Charles Spurgeon, the deep thoughts of Jonathan Edwards, the writings of the Puritans. If you wrinkle your nose at this, I'll send you away to read John Owens' The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, and then we'll talk. Am I being too dogmatic? Well, even if I am, at least it's dogmaticism about dogma! But deep down I have a feeling that our hearts will beat as one even in these matters. The Lord continues to teach me and humble me and I'm sure He will use you in my life to carry on my spiritual growth. Waiting, Me
As I sit here this evening, nursing my cup of tea with honey and lemon, hoping for some relief for my sore throat, I am actually more thankful than miserable. I am so thankful for the good health with which God has blessed me, especially since I've returned to the schedule of a busy student. I confess I am a bit of a germaphobe, feeling the need to use hand sanitizer after public doorknobs and such. But my germ-conscientiousness has paid off for the most part. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been really under the weather with any kind of of sore throat or congestion these past three years. The Lord has spared me from those crippling flu symptoms. I've really been quite healthy all my life: no cavities in my teeth, no prescription medications, no physical disabilities except for a bit of nearsightedness. I didn't have any broken bones until an unfortunate mishap on my walk to work five years ago, resulting in a broken bone in my foot and an air cast for six weeks.
I know many godly friends who are struggling with pain and illness, yet their countenances and spirits remain such a strong testimony to God's grace.
Verses 1-4... By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our lyres. For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land?
The people sorrowed over not just their captivity but also what what signified by it. They wept over what they had lost. The Babylonian captivity was the means by which God chastened His people for their unfaithfulness. Zion is "the city of God," the place of His dwelling. His favor and blessing had been removed from Jerusalem, and the people mourned this. The harps used for worship were untouched. The captors requested music of them, but the people could hardly desecrate the memory of Zion by using songs of worship to entertain the Babylonians. Yet on the other hand Paul and Silas sang in prison, during the cold, dark night hours of their captivity. They were not mourning their sinful choices, for they were faithful to their Lord. O Lord, keep my heart fixed upon You. May I remain faithful and true to You above all else! For then my heart will always be able to sing.
Verse 8... "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands."
This verse has been a special promise for me lately. Charles Spurgeon preached an encouraging New Year's sermon on this text. Here are some excerpts:
This is my confidence, the Lord that began will perfect. He has
done it all, must do it all, He will do it all. My confidence must not
be in what I can do, or in what I have resolved to do, but entirely in
what the Lord will do.
O child of God! leave the future to thy God. O leave everything
that is to come in the hand of Him to Whom the future is already
present, and Who knows beforehand everything that shalt befall thee.
He will most assuredly, beyond a doubt, bring to perfection my
faith, my love, my hope, and every grace. He will perfect His purposes;
He will perfect His promises; He will perfect my body, and perfect my
soul.
Once pardon of sin concerned me; that He has perfected. Then imputed righteousness concerned me; that He perfected. Now, sanctification troubles me; that He will perfect.
All the weight of my trouble, all the weight of my backsliding,
all the weight of my evil heart of unbelief—all these the everlasting
arches of divine mercy can and will sustain. Those arches never shall
rock; the stone never shall be crumbled; it never shall be swept away by
even the floods of eternity itself. Because His mercy endureth for
ever, God will most assuredly perfect the work of His hands.
May God grant, when you and I shall come to the end of this year,
we may have a good tale to tell concerning the faithfulness of God in
having answered our prayers, and having fulfilled His promise.
When this year is ended, perhaps I will be able to tell you, my dear one, how God has fulfilled His promise to bring you to me!
The work which His goodness began, the arm of His strength will complete; His promise is Yea and Amen, and never was forfeited yet. Things future, nor things that are now, nor all things below or above, Can make Him His purpose forgo, or sever my soul from His love.
The theme of this psalm is God's intimate knowledge of His people. "You have searched me and known me! ... You discern my thoughts ... Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!"
My Lord knows me better than anyone else knows me or will ever know me. This means I can go to Him with my sorrows and joys and hopes even when I can share them with no one else. May I never hide anything from Him!
In reading Psalm 140 tonight in my countdown, I had a very real burden to pray these words for you, my dear one. Especially verses 1, 2, and 4. So here they are, personalized for you...
"Deliver him, O LORD, from evil men; preserve him from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. Guard him, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve him from violent men, who have planned to trip up his feet." My dear one, I don't know what leadership or ministry areas may be heavy on your shoulders, but I pray that the Lord would strengthen you for the burdens you carry and protect you from those who may seek to tear you down.
My dear one, It's quite late, and I can't (or maybe shouldn't) sleep because I'm in the thick of some revisions on my paper, and I seem to have a little bit of momentum that I don't want to disrupt. Yet it's too quiet to concentrate for any length of time. I do my best studying and writing in a busy coffee shop, where the chatter and commotion actually help me focus better than in a hushed library. I'm lucky to have the perfect coffee shop within a few hundred feet of campus, a two-minute walk from the building where I spend a good part of my day. I end up spending any of my unexpected free time there, because I know it will be profitable time!
I keep drifting over to Facebook to see if anyone else is still awake. A few music friends still seem to be near their computers. The composers especially! I don't think those guys ever sleep. No one that I can really talk to though... It seems like ages since I've had any meaningful conversations. Deep conversations. I think the last real conversation I had was at the monthly Bible study fellowship held by my church for us twenty-somethings.
Someday you will be someone I can go to for those meaningful conversations! I want to engage in conversation on stimulating topics like theology, philosophy, history, politics, economics, science, and music. Surely you are a man whose interests run higher than sports, video games, electronics, and cars! And yet sometimes we will be content to sit quietly in a comfortable silence. I need that too quite frequently--which, I've read, is a common desire for introverts (Susan Cain's book Quiet is great!). Yes, I fall into that "introvert" category. But when admitting that, I also like to direct friends to a list of "10 Myths About Introverts". Particularly items 1 and 6 echo the sentiments of this post. Until I meet you, this blog will have to suffice when I have these late-night cravings for conversation! But then again, you'll probably need your sleep like all the others, right? Waiting, Me
Verse 8... "But my eyes are toward You, O GOD, my Lord; in You I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!"
I so often feel like a small, defenseless, vulnerable vessel on the storm-tossed sea. Yet I know the One who can command that sea with the words "Peace, be still." I need only to keep my gaze fixed upon Him, and not cast a panicked eye on the raging waters around me.
Verse 5... I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." This psalm shows David with very real, raw emotion. At first he is crying out, "No refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul!" But by the end of the psalm, he consoles himself in hope, "You will deal bountifully with me." When I experience those awfully low moments, I need to boldy preach God's promises back to myself. Sometimes it's hard for my mind to instruct my heart though. I know His promises to be true, yet my flesh is so weak. Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
Just kidding. He's not really mine to keep. He was pretty cute, though!
Actually, I have never had any pets. I don't feel that the companionship benefits I might derive from having animals in my home would make up for the time commitments (cleaning, vacation arrangements, etc.) and financial responsibilities (food, vet bills, etc.) of pet ownership. So for now I keep a few plants instead.
My dear one, I can't sew. Or maybe I should say, I haven't taken the time to learn to sew. This worries me. After all, the Proverbs 31 woman is all about handiwork and "DIY projects," right? Occasionally I have worried that my lack of sewing skills will concern you. Maybe I will learn someday. Definitely if you want me to... Up to this point, I've been busy cultivating skills in other areas. My current responsibilities include performing, teaching, coaching, writing, editing, scheduling, etc. Can she tend a home though?, someone might ask.
I am privileged to have grown up in a family where my mother was a wonderful role model and example for me. Our home was clean - disorganized and dusty at times, yes, but sanitary, shoeless, welcoming. I observed my mother's frugality as she clipped coupons and searched the grocery store fliers for specials. Meals were simple yet nutritious. My brothers and I learned to help with chores. Laundry was my specialty from the time I was 7 or 8. And when my mother had severe back trouble I took charge of the kitchen as a teenager. There is much about my childhood home and my mother's keeping of it that I seek to emulate in my own home. But one particular area in which I think I am different from her is my desire for simplicity - at times even minimalism. In a way, it was such a liberating feeling to store everything I own, bringing only to a new area of the country what would fit in my car. I don't need much of what is in that storage unit, and I have a feeling that when I move back and retrieve my belongings this autumn I will end up disposing a great deal of it.I want to cultivate a calm, quiet elegance in my home, with a preference of quality over quantity. Homemaking is more than just cooking and cleaning. It's also about keeping my cool when the sink backs up. It's about getting up 20 minutes earlier to make your lunch because I was too tired the night before. It's about the creativity needed to hide the "hole in the wall that was there when we moved in." It's about contentment, humility, selflessness, wisdom, patience, and multitasking. I may not know everything about running a household, but it is very dear to my heart and I look forward to a home with you someday!
Verse 8: "Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." No matter if I remain single for the rest of my life, I have One whose love is steadfast and sure. I can lift up my soul to Him in trust, knowing that He will illumine each step of this journey.
-- Why am I doing this Psalm series? Read the intro here.
Verses 3-4: "O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow." Our God is so great. He did not have to reach down to His fallen creation and redeem His chosen people. "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his
only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" (1 John 4:9).
We are so small. Life does not revolve around us. "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14).
"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:15)
I have never dated anyone, so God has spared me from the heartbreak of dissolved romantic relationships. Some people view this to be a disadvantage for me. Perhaps when I meet you I may feel a little awkward about your interest in me. I'll have to get used to you gazing into my eyes (or rather, may I never get used to that - may it ever be a thrill!). It will be a new concept for me to admit my feelings for you and demonstrate my admiration of you. But I will not let this inexperience embarrass me, because surely you will feel all the more special when you realize that my heart has never belonged to another. The few guys who have expressed any interest in me were not the type I'm looking for. The guy in college who asked me to accompany him to a theatrical production but whom I thought was absolutely creepy? He was later expelled for immoral behavior. The conductor who wanted me to celebrate with drinks after a performance with him? I politely refused. The Brazilian musician who offered to teach me jazz but hinted at the idea of "friends with benefits"? I ran in the opposite direction. There have been several young men I have held in high esteem and felt
that they were the kind of person I would consider. And I confess that it is quite easy to become bitter
when I see other girls "catching" guys like that. I ask myself, If that plain ol' girl can land herself a husband, what on earth is my problem? I reassure myself with the thought that God is preserving my heart for you alone whom I have yet to meet. I want to believe that when we find each other we will both know it and move forward intentionally towards marriage, and thus my "first love" will become my "till-death-do-us-part love." Will it be your first love too? I don't want to share you with the memory of a former flame. (Although, to be completely honest, I do think there is something tragically beautiful about a man finding a second love after the death of his beloved ... but I wouldn't wish that on anyone!)
Meanwhile, I am able to give my "undivided devotion to the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:35). Hopefully you will continue to do the same!
This is one of my favorite psalms ... perhaps my all-time favorite. For the purposes of this post, I'll focus on only verses 15-16:
"The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing." (KJV) Taking a bit more of a personal approach rather than devotional, I want to share with you how these two verses have been something of an anthem of testimony for my family. The first connection is that while my mother was in college studying music, she encountered a choral arrangement based on this passage. 20+ years after studying this piece in her choral methods class, the strains of the music were still running through her mind. I was able to locate the arrangement at my university's music library, and my mom excitedly ordered a few personal copies of the octavo.
By the way, due to the ubiquitous YouTube, tonight I was even able to locate a decent recording of it (I must send my mom this link!!). Its close harmonies are hauntingly beautiful -- have a listen here:
Verses 1-2... "Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."
The psalmist's resolve is mine too. No matter what tomorrow may bring, I will praise Him, because without Him I would have no tomorrow.
Verse 9... "The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked brings to ruin."
Sojourners, widows, the fatherless, and yes, a daughter of the King -- He cares for them all. He cares for you too, my dear one, so cast all your cares upon Him (I Peter 5:7).
Nighttime is when I am most lonely. The silence in my apartment can be deafening, so I play music. All night long. Sometimes it might be the classics by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Johannes Brahms, J. S. Bach, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Other times it's the blissful sounds of Eric Whitacre, Arvo Pärt, and John Rutter. Ella Fitzgerald, João Gilberto, Chet Baker, and Eliane Elias serenade me often. Secret Garden, Libera, and Ludovico Einaudi receive their fair share of my attention as well.
Indeed, my iTunes library is quite extensive. I offer you this small sampling:
Adele, Alison Krauss, The Andrews Sisters, Anonymous 4
Bela Fleck, Benny Goodman, Bill Evans, Bob Marley, Buckwheat Zydeco
The Cambridge Singers, The Carpenters, Celtic Woman, Chris Thile
Dean Martin, Dinah Washington, Dmitri Shostakovich, Duke Ellington
Edith Piaf, Edvard Grieg, Enrico Caruso, Esperanza Spalding
Felix Mendelssohn, Fernando Ortega, Frederic Chopin, Fritz Kreisler
Gil Shaham, Glenn Miller, Gretchen Parlato
Harry Connick Jr., Hayley Westenra, Hilliard Ensemble
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Itzhak Perlman
Jean-Pierre Rampal, Jeri Southern, John Barry, John Williams, Johnny Cash
Keith and Kristyn Getty, Kiri Te Kanawa, The Kronos Quartet
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Luciano Pavarotti
Michael Buble, Michala Petri, Midori, The Mills Brothers, Mumford & Sons
Nat King Cole, Nico Muhly, Nora Jones
Ola Gjeilo, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Owl City
Pat Boone, Paula Robison, Philip Glass, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Quarteto Vivace Brasil, Quartetto Gelato
Rachel Portman, Ray Stevens, Renee Fleming, Roy Orbison
Sammy Davis Jr. The Seldom Scene, Sons of Korah, The Swingle Singers
Tallis Scholars, Tito Puente, Turtle Island Quartet
University of Utah Singers
Vanessa Carlton, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Wanda Jackson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Wynton Marsalis
Yael Naim, Yiruma, Yo-Yo Ma
Zaz, Zeca Baleiro
Tonight I begin with a Billy Joel favorite, courtesy of The King's Singers...
What lullabies do you want me to sing to you, my dear one? Waiting, Me
How was your day, my dear one? Are you weary? Maybe your neck muscles are tense like mine and you could use a massage. I somehow made it through my day on two hours of sleep. I was on a roll last night, working on a draft of one of the sections of my doctoral thesis. After emailing it to two of my committee members at 4am, I dozed until my 6am alarm. My morning was occupied with teaching obligations. One of my students needed my help with something, and it led to my meeting a coworker who knows many of my friends back in another state ... Just a little reminder that it's a small world and I never know what effect the acquaintances I make today may have on my tomorrow. (On a different, but not totally unrelated note, I wonder if you and I have mutual friends? Are you a "friend of a friend" on Facebook? Who knows!) This afternoon I had a short window of time to return to my apartment, so I made myself a tasty lunch of salad greens with avocado, almonds, and a raspberry vinaigrette. I love being able to pick up beautiful, fresh food at a local produce market.
My evening was spent helping out a friend by playing on a recording project, and then squeezing in a bit of practice of my own. I have some big performances coming up, and I'm starting to feel the pressure... Sometimes I long for a quieter pace, but then I realize that for the moment the busyness is good for me. The steady buzz of activity keeps me from sinking into the melancholy loneliness that constantly threatens my existence.
I wonder what you did today, my dear one. When we find each other, let's agree to reserve space in our schedule to just breathe!
This evening brings me to Psalm 147 in my countdown of faith.
Verse 3 - "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." When the tears trickle down my cheek, I remember how compassionate my Jesus is. He too has shed tears. But more than that, He has shed his blood, and it is through that sacrifice that I will obtain healing, and strength, and one day glorification!
Verse 5 - "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure." In wisdom, our Lord has not yet sent you, my dear one, into my life. His ways are above our ways. Do not wish away today--this day He has given you for your good, for your growth in Christlikeness--as you wait upon Him for the fulfillment of your heart's desire. His way is perfect. Verse 11 - "The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love." This, my love, is my prayer for you today. Fear God, and hope in His steadfast love. Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. I love you, my dear one. Waiting, Me
It is not only God's people that praise Him; it is His entire creation! The angels, the celestial bodies, the seas and all the life therein, the skies and all flying creatures, the earth and all animals that walk and crawl upon it, the mist, the rain, the snow, the hail, the fire, the wind... God created the universe, and by its existence, it echoes praise back to Him.
Psalm 148:5-6 Let them praise the name of the LORD! For He commanded and they were created. And Be established them forever and ever; He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Yet creation also groans, "subjected to futility" but waiting in hope to be "set free from its bondage," even as God's children await a glorious eternity in service of the King (Romans 8:19-23).
I played for a concert recently in which a children's choir brought such sweet melody to one of the selections. It made me think of how lovely it would be to hear the happy voices of little children in our home. I picture us gathered in the living room each evening for a time of family worship. (My family did this sporadically when I was young, but I dearly hope you will make this a priority, for it is such a wonderful opportunity for our family to grow spiritually together.) We could read a portion of Scripture, work on a children's catechism, and have a season of singing and prayer before the little ones go to sleep. Will our schedule permit this? Perhaps not as specifically as I envision it, but surely we will make some kind of intentional plan that works for our family.
I've always imagined having a large family. How many children will God give us? I wonder if He will grow our family
through other means, such as adoption (what a wonderful and touching picture
of the gospel adoption is!). Whatever the case may be, I know
the Lord will enlarge my heart to love every life He has ordained for me to
nurture.
Psalm 149:2 - Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! This verse calls me to take joy God, my Maker and my King, not only for His works and victories, but for who He is!
Thee will I love, my strength, my tower,
Thee will I love, my joy, my crown,
Thee will I love with all my power,
In all Thy works, and Thee alone;
Thee will I love, till the pure fire
Fill my whole soul with chaste desire.
(John Wesley)
When I meet you, my dear one, I want our relationship to draw me (and us) closer to God and not to draw me or you away from Him. The better we each know our Saviour, the better we will be able to love each other.
I love mornings (although the time change this weekend was a bit hard to swallow). I want to share quiet moments with you in the mornings! I picture us
sitting in chairs by a fireplace, with hot coffee steaming
from our mugs, as we read Scripture and pray together.
For several years, I have been using Robert MurrayM'Cheyne's Bible reading schedule.As I read four chapters a day, this plan takes me through the New Testament and Psalms twice a year, and through the rest of the Bible once a year.I find it to be the perfect length and the perfect variety, for there within those four chapters is always something on which to center my time of reflection and prayer.
On Sunday evenings my pastor has been preaching through the Book of Psalms (what a precious collection of the psalmist's thoughts and prayers to the Lord!). I had a very interesting idea while he was preaching tonight, as my mind drifted to thoughts you, my dear one. I know of several couples who have read through the 150 psalms backwards as a countdown as they anticipate their wedding. But what if I used the psalms as a countdown right now, starting with Psalm 150 and believing that the Lord would bring you into my lifebefore I reach Psalm 1?
Psalm 150:6 - "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!"As a musician, this concept of praising the Lord with my breath holds special significance for me. I send out a song of thanksgiving to God with every breath into my instrument.
"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will
rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will
exult over you with loud singing"(Zeph. 3:17). My God loves music! Here's hoping you do too...
My dear one,
