It's a Psalm 5 Kind of Day

This morning I woke up with this song on my mind.  The first three verses are a song I learned years ago.  

Psalm 5: 1-3

King James Version (KJV)

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Here it is again but in the New Living Translation.  There are certain verses that I am clinging to. Read it over and please, consider praying for me as the next days unfold (or fold out as my brother Garth used to say).

Psalm 5

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute.

1. O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
2. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.
3. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4. O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5. Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.
6. You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7. Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
8. Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
9. My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery.
10. O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
11. But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.

Thanks, Virginia

I have a friend in Ontario, actually I have more than one friend in Ontario. This particular friend posted a very applicable Bible verse today:

But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them.  2 Chronicles 15:4

I am pretty sure she did not know that distress was lurking around but her timing was amazing.  Thanks, Gin!

Knife Handle First

Last night I had another weird dream....

I was in the pool, and it was fairly full.  One fellow was in the pool with a set of knives.  He was brandishing them and being strong in the self-preservation department, I got out of the pool and told the life guards to call 911. They couldn't do that because the phones weren't working and they asked me to talk to the knife man, to assess whether or not he was an actual threat.  I was standing on the pool deck and asked him, "I need a new set of kitchen knives.  I'm wondering how if those are good knives.  Could I see one?"  Knife Man said sure and handed me a paring knife, handle first. (Remember this - it is significant) The paring knife was $138 and I asked him where he got it.  He replied, "Walmart."  So I thanked him, handed the paring knife back to him, handle first.  I left the pool deck, grabbed my stuff and left.  I went to front desk but they still couldn't call 911.  So I called my folks and asked to them to call 911 for me.

A weird dream with significant meaning - chatting with my mom this morning, meaning is apparent. My momma is a smart lady.

• The enemy of my soul was present but could do no damage - remember he handed me the knife, handle first? 
• I got out of the pool, faced the danger, and left. 
• I asked for help to get help. I couldn't call 911 from where I was but I knew there were others that could access that help, on my behalf. I have an amazing extended support network.

I am still a chicken heart - instead of going to the pool today, I am sitting in bed, drinking a cup of coffee, blogging about my weird dream, and staying cozy with my dog curled up next to me.

PS - I plan to go for a walk with Brian today - I am craving time with him.

Words for Preparing

I have always believed that David (the David in the Bible) is the most human of all the heroes of the faith.  He experienced the depths of despair, paralyzing fear, and exhilarating joy. David was a brother, a son, a father, and a husband (many times over!) He was a singer, a musician, a composer, a soldier, a king, a man after God's own heart, and his words are relevant and profound, 2000 years after they were written.

In preparation for the week to come, I am listening to the audio version of Psalm 119 - it is on repeat, so it goes over and over and over...the sound clip is 16 minutes and 26 seconds long and there are some pretty applicable verses. I've included some of the here:

Psalm 119:39-41 (NIV)

Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.

How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.

Psalm 119:153-156 (NLT)

Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions.

Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised.

Psalm 119:161 (NLT)

Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.

Psalm 119:165 (NLT)

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. I long for your rescue, Lord, so I have obeyed your commands.

Psalm 119:169 (NLT)

Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.

I am very thankful for these words....I will be meditating on them as this week progresses.

Encouragement from Different Places

Encouragement is so crucial these days and it comes from many different places....I am thankful for that.

Yesterday my dad took the time to phone me and tell me about what he had been watching on TV.  There was a man talking about the promise found in Deuteronomy 28, a chapter about blessings and curses.  My dad was particularly struck by verse 7 - The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

I got an email from Joan White, a friend of my mother's. She wrote: "I was talking to your Mom last night and know you have been sailing through some troubled waters lately....and I want you to know that I will be praying for you that day and each day until then for strength, clarity of thought and a quiet spirit.  I pray you will be encouraged and know that you are loved and prayed for today.  Remember Jesus is in the boat with you."

Today's encouragement came from a couple of different places: 

1. chatting with my wise momma
2. a "Verse of the Day.  Colossians 1:8 says, "And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."
3. a video posted by my awesome niece Sidsel Richmond. She wrote "Life is tough but so are you."  Check it out the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5yCOSHeYn4

I hope you are encouraged this day as well.....

Beautiful Tree

Alfred Joyce Kilmer (6 December 1886 – 30 July 1918) was an American journalist and poet who wrote one of my favourite poems.  It goes like this:

I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree.

I love trees - arbutus, lodgepole pines, Douglas firs, cedars, corkscrew willows, pink dogwoods, Japanese maples, California redwoods.  Each of these has unique significance, representing or reminding me of something precious in my history.  And the picture below shows what has happened in my recent history.

Notice how the extra branches are now visible, sticking out in all directions - the core is of the tree is solid, but it is pretty obvious where some trimming has to happen.  The last 10 months have been about many changes, one of the most significant being the stripping away of many good things that I was involved in. 

• full-time classroom teacher
• math teacher inquiry project
• Terrific Kids program
• SFU – Surrey cohort
• SFU – Abbotsford cohort
• ADTA staff rep
• BCTF Teacher Inquiry facilitator
• BCTF parent presenter
• foster parent training
• Sweet Adelines chorus

As a result, the core of who I am, my sense of self, has been strengthened.  My life now looks like this tree:

Now I see things from this perspective of Psalm 1:1-3 and I am thankful for God's grace...

Blessed is the one

   who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

    or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

  and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

   which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

    whatever they do prospers.

Skepticism Dealt With

Some of you know the crazy journey our lives have taken over the last 10 months - yup it has been 10 months.  Some of you also know that I am a bit of a skeptic when it comes to spiritual things. A couple of years ago, I signed up to have a Bible verse delivered to my mailbox every day.  It is interesting to me that as certain situation is close to being resolved, the verses are very applicable.  The core of me is much stronger that it was 10 months ago and I believe that these daily inspirations have helped with that......

November 6     Ephesians 1:9-10

God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

November 9       Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

November 13    1 Peter 2:15-16 

It is God’s will that your honourable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 

November 15     Psalm 119:142

As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.

Skepticism dealt with.....