Date: 9/13/2004
Time: 1:11:40 PM
In good times, it would be easy to sing a song of confidence or trust in God like the song in this psalm. How challenging in difficult times it would be to not only profess the depth of faith that the psalmist does, but also to listen to the words of God confirming that faith. We are called to listen and to entrust our whole selves to God.
Date: 9/21/2004
Time: 3:05:14 PM
This is my first contribution to this site, as I have just started as a minister in training to two small rural congregations. Five Sundays under my belt, and I have found this site invalueable.This weeks Psalm couldn't come at a better time for me. Four nights ago my husband told me he no longer loved me, and was thinking he might leave me ( and our 3 children aged 14,9 and 8) We reached the point late last night were he agreed to try councelling before he does anything. I am devistated, but trying to keep it together for my family and now more than ever, I need to make this new stage in my life (ministry) work, as I may be a single parent. Reading Psalm 91, as I'm trying to write my sermon, made me feel like for the first time in days I can make it, whatever it is. The first comment says it is easy to sing a song of confidence in good times. I am in the darkest time of my life so far (I have been very blessed) and I am so grateful we will be singing this Psalm on Sunday. What better thing to know than God holds me in the palm of his hand. Thank God! Sorry for the ramble. I would be so grateful for any prayers for my family. Wendy from the prairies.
Date: 9/21/2004
Time: 4:11:20 PM
Wendy:
I'm praying for you. I hope you go through with counseling. It may just help keep you together and help your husband find the love he thinks he lost. It's got to hurt to hear someone you've committed yourself to say something like that. I feel for you. Keep the faith and pray the Psalms.
Shalom: Tom in Ontario
Date: 9/22/2004
Time: 12:52:08 AM
Wendy:
prayers. prayers. prayers.
Storyteller
Date: 9/22/2004
Time: 1:32:05 AM
Wendy, I've been there--trying to prepare a sermon when there is a storm of unmentionable proportion at home...when preaching a Father's Day sermon, and knowing that the one I chose to father my children has, with my enabling consent, wreaked havoc. "Through it all...," as Andrae Crouch would sing, God has been a refuge. He has hemmed me in. Still married, for better or worse. I've had cause to ask, "How much worse could it be?" Deep breaths, Wendy. Each one a prayer for restoration of wholeness in our lives. God's comfort to you. He is a very present help in time of trouble. Anonymous (still unwilling to admit to difficulties on the home front!)
Date: 9/22/2004
Time: 2:29:07 PM
Wendy, As a licensed marriage and family therapist as well as a minister of a small parish, you are wise to attend to the various possibilities available through counseling. There are no guarantees, but the potential to understand you own psyche (soul) as well as that of your husband's and the way in which God calls you into the future. I ditto those above who encourage you to continue singing and praying the Psalm and trust that all will be well. God's peace, Shalom to you and to your family. BB in IL
Date: 9/22/2004
Time: 7:55:03 PM
Lord God, May I join the Psalmist in cry out my trust in You. There will always people who wants to trap us and harm us around the clock, all days all nights. I wouldn't be to naive to think that there is no devil, there is no spiritual warfare with the King of this Age. And I know that I wouldn't last one round with the Evil One in battle either. So, in reality - You are my shield and my protector. Help me to stay in Your Presence. All you require, is for me to love you, and for me to know you; for me to depend on you. Be with me to the end, my Lord.
Coho, Midway City.
Date: 9/22/2004
Time: 8:04:41 PM
Wendy from the prairies,
My prayer is with you tonight.
It must be heart wrenching to go through what you have been. Your husband is not the enemy. The Wicked One will unleash what He had to crush the work from God. Hang in there, both of you. "Submit yourselves then to God...", (in all areas of your lives, including "submitting to one another"); "resist the devil", (don't let him have a foothold in your life); "and He will flee from you."
Oh God, have mercy on your people. Only you would be able to protect us.
Coho, Midway City
Date: 9/23/2004
Time: 9:41:31 AM
Wendy from the prairies, may the breeze that blows be like the Holy Spirit reminding you of God's constant presence in the days ahead. My prayers are with you.
"The Faith We Sing," a United Methodist publication, has these hymns that particularly speak to me. In fact I am using the first one Sunday before I preach on the Jeremiah passage. Judy
# 2216 When We Are Called to Sing Your Praise 1. When we are called to sing your praise with hearts so filled with pain that we would rather sit and weep or stand up to complain, remind us, God, you understand the burdens that we bear; you, too, have walked the shadowed way and known our deep despair.
2. When we are called to sing your praise and cannot find our voice, because our losses leave us now no reason to rejoice, remind us, God, that you accept our sad laments in prayer; you, too, have walked the shadowed way and known our deep despair.
3. When we are called to sing your praise and life ahead looks grim, still give us faith and hope enough to break forth in a hymn, a thankful hymn, great God of Love, that you are everywhere; you walk the shadowed way with us and keep us in your care.
#2218: You Are Mine 1. I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear. You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, be still and know I am here. Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.
2. I am hope for all who are hopeless, I am eyes for all who long to see. In the shadows of the night, I will be your light, come and rest in me. Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.
3. I am strength for all the despairing. healing for the ones who dwell in shame. All the blind will see, the lame will all run free, and all will know my name. Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.
4. I am the Word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give. I will call your name, embracing all your pain, stand up, now walk, and live! Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.
Date: 9/24/2004
Time: 7:44:45 AM
Thank you all for your advice and especially your prayers. We are booked for counseling in 2 weeks, and I am going back and forth between hope and despair. I am sorry for dominating this site with my personal problems. My comments on the Psalm, it has been in my head all week, a constant reminder that God walks with me. Blessings and thanks. Wendy from the prairies.
Date: 10/12/2004
Time: 8:18:02 PM
In Psalm 14:6, it says "You shame the counsel of the poor...but the Lord is his refuge." The Lord gives knowledge and wisdom not just to the priveleged, the educated, or those who are well esteemed by others. Whether poor or rich...God decides who he will use to warn others, let others know something of importance, and gives them concern, and love for others so they will escape from the attacks of the evil one. There is no respecter of persons with Jesus. He can use anyone he chooses. Some of us do not take seriously the messengers sent their way. They don't comprehend well what they are trying to convey. It is not up to me or others to judge the intentions of the heart. Nor to ignore sound advice, and other things that are meant to help others, and not hinder. While others consider us out of our minds, odd, peculiar, or whatever, they have yet to grasp hold of the only one who can save them from the worst nightmare they will ever have, that becomes reality. Hell!! You should never be ashamed of who you are. Others will try to convince you, you are not important. You are! They will look at the things you are not, in their eyes, and even then, they could be wrong! We are to keep our thoughts, and eyes on Jesus Christ. He is the one who will judge, and he is the one who will deliver you. Man nor the devil has the power to harm you. Their plans and counsel against you will fail. God may let you go through some very hard times, but it is not necessarily his will, and you do not have to accept it. He will deliver you, and never gives you more than you can bare. If you are faithful...he notices. You will always err in some manner. Expect that. Don't let others accusations, charges against you (when they are probably the guilty ones or no better than you are) gossip, etc. discourage you, and delay you from going on with your lives. You must build your character, build your life, mind your own business, and ignore the unkind words said. Jesus said to Love your enemies. How you choose to interpret that, and how you will deal with them is something you talk to God about. Not man. Unless you know that you are to do something about it...don't. A vile person is to be despised. The righteous do not have to tolerate evil. At the same time, we should be cautious in not seeking our type of revenge. God is our avenger. God is our refuge. Hide in him. Learn from your mistakes, and go on! Don't let your hands hang limp! Fear God, and know you are in his hands. You are not in the hands of others. They can only do so much harm. The Lord is not angry with his own people, or those who have chosen to believe in him, and seek him. He is angry with the evildoers. Stop beating yourselves up just because things are not working out well in your lives. READ ZEPHANIAH 3:8-13 Praise God, and glorify him!!! t