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STUDY NOTES - PSALM 40

2008-03-30T13:08:00.003-04:00

GRATITUDE AND PRAYER FOR HELP
For the leader. A psalm of David

I waited, waited for the Lord;
Who bent down and heard my cry,
Drew me out of the pit of descruction
Out of the muc of the swamp
Set my feet upon rock,
Steadied my steps,
And put a new song in my mouth
A hymn to our God
Many shall look on in awe
And they shall trust in the Lord

Happy those who trust is the Lord,
Who turn not to idolatry
Or to those who stray after falsehood
How numerous, O Lord, my God,
You have made your wondrous deeds
And in your plans for us
There is not equal to you
Shoud I wish to declare or tell them,
Too many are they to recount

….Though I am afflicted and poor,
The Lord keeps me in mind
You are my help and deliverer;
My God, do not delay

Psalm 40

The probability that Psalm 40 was once two independent psalms becomes evident as we prayerfully move through these words. In verses 2-12 the psalmist expresses deep gratitude for being personally rescued by Yahweh. The one praying the psalm rejoices in being given a new song to sing, a song that is not kept secret but prized and sung out so as to make others listen with amazement.

However in verses 13-18 that fresh new song turns to distress. The tone of the psalmist becomes a lament. The rescue team needs to be sent in again. God’s goodness has not been entirely forgotten though. There is a remembering of past kindnesses and a plea that God remember again and not hold back the Divine Presence.

I am aware of how much I identify with these inconsistent moods: gratitude and awe, distress and lament

I waited, waited for the Lord;
who bent down and heard my cry (v. 2)

The obedience of waiting is not something that is high on the list of our priorities, most likely, but it is healthy to learn to wait. Waiting for God is part of prayer. Whether we are asking for special needs, for protection, healing, or even if we are just yearning for holiness and wholeness, we simply must learn to wait—to just sit in our prayer and BE QUIET.

My heart is moved at the image of God stooping toward me in order to better hear my prayer
try to put on the mind of the psalmist. Have you ever been in a pit of destruction? Have you had to be drawn out of the swamp? Although these are rather harsh metaphors depicting places where we might, on occasion, hang out, I have to admit I know these places well. I have been rescued from these non-scenic abodes more than once.

To put a face on these places,
—when I moan about my wounds rather than trying to discern their hidden blessing…
—when discouragement shows up at my door more often than hope…
—when I focus on the negative things surrounding me, totally missing the positive…
then I am in the pit of destruction and the muddy swamp. I need to be rescued.

Hopefully when we find ourselves in these unattractive places we will have enough vision to ask for assistance and to wait for God to lean down and hear our cry.

The psalmist proclaims that after a time of waiting, God hears the cry of the one in need and changes that cry of desperation into a song of praise and gratitude. Others hear the new song of the one who once lived in darkness. The song fills their hearts. They, too, begin to trust God more completely.

...ears open to obedience you gave me (v. 7).

What if we moved through our day with ears open to obedience? What then might happen to our despondent moods? What might change in our lives? To do your will is my delight;

my God, your law is within my heart!” (v. 9).

I would like to make this my daily prayer but I am so good at forgetting. Still, the desire is compelling. Let us practice remembering our good desires.

…my courage fails me (v. 13).

No matter how often we sing the joyful song of God’s presence and give praise for the divine assistance that has graciously fallen upon our woes, the day will probably return when we find ourselves saying, “…my courage fails me.”

Then we begin again.

"Lord, graciously rescue me! Come quickly to help me, Lord!" (v. 14).

That is a very good prayer and it can also serve as a pocket prayer, something small enough to carry around with you on the days of your greatest need.

The psalms are treasures offering you many such prayers. Prayers small enough to carry in your heart or our pocket!

I accidently found this study of Psalm 40 this past week while surfing
the net…It was in a newsletter from the Little Rock Bible Study. It touched my heart because it so defined my feelings. The ups and downs of life tend to do that to us. My theme for this month in my other journal is about God giving us hope. To me that is what this psalm is all about.

‘On Ya’ - ma

EASTER, MARCH 23RD, 2008

2008-03-21T21:34:00.003-04:00

Easter Prayer

Jesus returned to Jerusalem on Thursday, to share the Last Supper with His apostles. He was subsequently arrested and tried. He was crucified at Calvary on Friday, outside the gates of Jerusalem. He was buried the same day, and arose three days later, on Easter Sunday.

All of this is done by our Lord for forgiveness of our sins, and for life everlasting with Him. God so loved us, that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us, so that our sins may be forgiven.

Lord,

Thank You for the gift of HOPE
You gave us on Easter morning.
Because of You we know that
No problem is too difficult
And even death does not have
Power over us.

Thank You for the gift of JOY
You gave us when You were resurrected
Because of You we know
That no matter how challenging life may be,
In the end we will rejoice again.

Thank You for the gift of LOVE
You gave us when you laid down Your life.
Because of You we know
That there is no sin too great to separate us
And we are incredibly valuable to you.

Thank You for the gift of LIFE
You gave us whe you left the tomb.
Because of Easter we know
This world is just the beginning
And we will spend forever in heaven with You

We celebrate You, Jesus,
With hearts full of praise and gratitude
For who You are and all You’ve done for us!

Amen.

DaySpring Blessings

A very Happy and Blessed Easter to you all !

‘On Ya’ - ma

PALM SUNDAY

2008-03-15T23:16:00.003-04:00

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Matthew 27: 46

The Passion narrative in Matthew paints a scene of humiliation. The great Jesus of Nazareth hung from a cross. He was abandoned by his closest followers, arrested alone, judged and executed in a swift manner. Yet, Jesus did not give up hope. He shares that hope with us for our darkest times

His earthly beginning was frightfully humble. And his earthly end would be no different. The wood of the manger prefigured the wood of the cross.

Jesus was not compelled to do it. He willingly lowered himself in his birth, in his ministry, in his death. No one took his life from him. He freely laid down his own life. Others did not have the chance to humble him; he humbled himself

From beginning to end, the details are humiliating. No room in the inn. Born amidst the stench of a stable. Hunted by Herod’s henchmen. Growing up in a far-flung province of the Roman Empire--Galilee, the land where the country accent is so thick, you can cut it with a knife

Jesus prepared to eat the Passover with his disciples on "the first day of Unleavened Bread" (Mt 26:17a). This was an agricultural feast that coincided with Passover, which commemorated the deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The meal probably took place on the evening before the first day of Passover.

During this time, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' own disciples, agreed to betray Jesus for the petty sum of "thirty pieces of silver" (v 15), the compensation for a wounded slave (Ex 21:32). During the ritual action of the Passover Feast, Jesus gave his own body and blood to his disciples as food and drink.

Then singing songs of praise (the Hallel Psalms 113-118), Jesus set out to the "Mount of Olives" (Mt 26:30) where death lay ahead. Though Peter affirmed his undying loyalty, Jesus declared that he too would deny him three times before "before the cock crows" (v 34, the dawn). In the garden of Gethsemane, meaning "olive-press," Jesus prayed alone in agony to accept the suffering and death that awaited him. Jesus was arrested and his followers deserted him. In the morning, the religious leaders conferred against Jesus, and handed him over to be tried by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.

Does the King of glory find a welcome entry in your home and heart? Jesus went to Jerusalem knowing full well what awaited him -- betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion. The people of Jerusalem, however, were ready to hail him as their Messianic King! Little did they know what it would cost this king to usher in his kingdom. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem astride a colt was a direct fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah (9:9): Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, and riding on an ass and upon a colt the foal of an ass. The colt was a sign of peace. Jesus enters Jerusalem in meekness and humility, as the Messianic King who offers victory and peace to his people. That victory and peace would be secured in the cross and resurrection which would soon take place at the time of Passover

When Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, the crowds strew palms at his feet crying, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" (21:9). Now the crowds shouted, "Let him be crucified!" (27:23).

Jesus was mocked, beaten and led away to be executed between two criminals on Golgotha ("Place of a Skull" or "Calvary" in English). On the cross, Jesus felt abandoned by all, even by God. When the Roman Centurion witnessed Jesus’ death, he could not deny that "this man was God's Son!" (27:54).

This Sunday we hold palm branches in our hands, and wave them to greet our Lord's entry into the city of our salvation. Last year's palms were burned to form the ashes that marked our foreheads to begin this Lenten journey. We can place these palm branches - perhaps from each member of the family - in a special place in our home (maybe cutting a small piece and putting it some place where I work).

Each day this week they can represent our celebration of his love for me. That symbol can say so many words - all that I am about to celebrate and accept as love for me, and all the entry into Jerusalem experiences in my life.

Hosanna to you, Son of David,

King of the ages,-hosanna to you,

victor over death and the powers of darkness.

You went up to Jerusalem to suffer

and so enter into your glory,

-lead your Church into the paschal feast of heaven.

You made your cross the tree of life,

- give its fruit to those reborn in baptism.

Savior of mankind, you came to save sinners,

- bring into your kingdom

all who have faith, hope, and love.

'On Ya' ma

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

2008-03-08T16:34:00.002-05:00

Jesus wept.

John 11:35

What was so moving as to cause the King of the universe to weep? John seems to indicate that Jesus was moved by the sight of Mary and the other mourners (John 11:33). Is it possible Jesus wept because he saw a group of people over whom death seemed victorious? Here was a crowd consumed by the hopelessness and finality of death, while the Resurrection and the Life stood right in their midst!
Jesus came to offer the promise of resurrection to everyone who will believe and trust in him. Just as he wept before the tomb of Lazarus, he weeps over all those who are either unaware or unwilling to believe in the eternal life he offers

If you do believe, then know that you can entrust to Jesus every area of your life that is wounded, despairing, or sinful. He has the power to raise up and bring life to something that seems dead and decaying. Even in the most hopeless situations, the light of Christ can penetrate the darkness and bring deliverance

Sometimes we feel distant from God because we believe our prayers are not answered. Yet, we fail to realize God is answering his prayer in his time, and he is using that feeling of distance as a challenge to bring us closer to him.
This is the theme of the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus delayed to bring God glory and to cause others to believe in him.

I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live

John 11:25

John the Evangelist presented one of the most dramatic narratives of the Bible: the resurrection of Lazarus. Even in a time of loss, the passage encourages us to have hope, for we believe Jesus is the “resurrection and the life.”

Martha was the first person to whom Jesus announced the resurrection. Like Peter, Martha confessed her faith in Jesus as the "Messiah, the Son of God" (Mt 16:16). With a powerful command, Jesus raised Lazarus to life, a symbol of Christ's own resurrection and our dying and rising in Baptism. Ironically, it was this gift of life that would lead to Jesus' own death.

We are in our last week before Holy Week. It seems that there is so much left to do, to ask for, to be open to, to surrender, to change. Jesus assures us that he is the "resurrection and the life," that if we place our faith in him, we will never die.

Lent isn't an end in itself; its purpose is to make way in our hearts and our lives for the great events of Holy Week and Easter, and the full 50 days of Easter celebration afterward. This is a great story arc that begins with Ash Wednesday, peaks with the events upon which our faith rests - Jesus's passion, death, and resurrection - and eventually comes to rest at Pentecost

My Loving Lord, it's so hard to love the world sometimes and to love it the way Jesus did seems impossible. Help me to be inspired by his love and guided by his example. Most of all, I want to accept that I can't do it alone, and that trying is an arrogance of self-centeredness. I need you, dear God, to give me support in this journey. Show me how to unlock my heart so that I am less selfish. Let me be less fearful of the pain and darkness that will be transformed by you into Easter joy.
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

‘On Ya’ - ma

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

2008-03-01T20:30:00.003-05:00

One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see

John 9:25

When Jesus met a man that was blind from birth he made a mixture of clay and salvia and put it on the blind man's eyes. Then he told the man to wash in the pool of Siloam, and when he did so, he was cured. The Pharisees were spiritually blind, and they accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath Law by healing the man. But the man knew that his healing had come from God, and he fell at Jesus' feet and acknowledged him as "Lord."

The sense of sight is one we can easily take for granted, yet, is one we would really miss if it were taken from us. Imagine how a blind person must feel if he or she receives sight. That gift would only be second to the gift of faith

Through the cure of a person born blind, John's gospel presents sight in a metaphorical sense. Sometimes a person can look, but not see. Here, the blind man received not only the ability to use his eyes but the gift to see the truth.

When Jesus cured the blind man, he gave him a choice to change, to chance to trust in God. Jesus invited the man to faith. Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused by him. We cannot obtain faith by our own efforts or merit. A faith in God comes from God; he initiates the faith relationship and every step in that relationship.

But faith always remains a choice we make. When we choose to trust in God and believe in what he reveals to us, we exercise our freedom. Our minds and wills freely cooperate with God's grace. Faith is not and can never be an act coerced by God or others

The man born blind gained true sight, simply because he was willing to be changed. Like the man born blind, we, too, must have open eyes and an open heart, a willingness to let God change us.

‘On Ya’ - ma

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

2008-02-24T08:36:00.002-05:00

So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."

John 4: 5-7

Water is a powerful sign; that's why it's used in Baptism, symbolizing our entry into the life and death of Jesus.

Our Lenten readings today relate to Baptism. We hear a story from Exodus, where the people complain because they have run out of water. God, through Moses, responds with a life-giving stream of water.

From John's Gospel we have the drama of Jesus and the woman at the well. The early Church used this story in its Lenten liturgy.

The woman at the well represents a believer who reluctantly comes to faith. She needs Jesus, his insights into her life, and his promise of "living water," to slowly win her over.

The next three Sundays offer us three of the “sign” stories from John’s Gospel. He records the meetings between Jesus and a variety of people

Like the woman, they are meeting the one who will be like a living spring, welling up inside them - God willing, for the rest of their lives.

But isn't that the way it is for most of us? We need time to be convinced; we face contradictions and faulty choices in our lives. Nevertheless we thirst for what God offers us.

St. John presented one of the most memorable narratives in his gospel: the Samaritan woman at the well. At it’s heart, these verses speak of self-revelation. The woman showed herself to be immoral, but that did not stop Jesus from revealing himself to her. In doing so, he offered her the Spirit, the living water that wells up into eternal life.

Our Lenten journey may find us thirsty for living water.
Let's listen closely to the Lord's invitation.

‘On Ya’- ma

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

2008-02-16T15:11:00.003-05:00

After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.

Matthew 17: 1-2

Peter’s reaction to seeing Jesus transfigured was to do something, build something. But God tells him and us, “This is my son. Listen to him.” In a culture where what we do is valued above who we are, listening to God is sadly neglected.

The Gospel for the Second Sunday in Lent is always the Transfiguration. It offers us a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel - the Resurrection - and further ahead the Ascension

Lent is one of the earliest practices of our faith. In the early days of Christianity, Lent was a time of preparation for those who would be baptized at the Easter vigil, which was then a common practice. At that time the holy season lasted three or four days, but by the fourth century, Christians were observing Lent for 40 days. As we "journey" through this Lent, let’s recall our baptismal commitment and let it reflect in our words and deeds and even in our faces at times

Water is one of the most precious resources on our planet.
Without it, life could not have begun.
Without it life could not continue.
We have perhaps lost our sense of reverence -and dependence on water - but for many people in the world, water remains infinitely precious.
It is because water is life-giving and because we are so dependant on it, that it takes such a prominent place in our Vigil celebrations - our celebration of the new life of Easter

The word Lent comes from the Middle English word for “spring.” Spring, of course, brings thoughts of renewal, rebirth and radiance. Like the season’s forsythias, it is the era in which our lives engage in the flowering of our souls

Whether you celebrate Lent by giving up gossip or practicing more prayer, remember to fine-tune your awareness of the omnipresence of God who permeates all that you do

This week, I will pray about the “clutter” of excess doing; about busy-ness, stress, and workaholism.

At certain moments in life, I may feel that there are too many things needing to be done and not enough time to complete them. Yet all that such a thought does is add to my feelings of urgency. So I stop, take a deep breath, and remind myself that the spirit of God is within me and in the midst of each and every assignment, responsibility, and event in my life

‘On Ya’ - ma

First Sunday of Lent

2008-02-09T22:05:00.000-05:00

Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Lent is the imitation of Jesus when He fasted for forty days (Mt 4:2). This fasting was part of Jesus' battle to overcome the temptations of the devil.

One of the main purposes of Lent is to overcome all temptations and doubts about the Father's love for us, His children. It is best to fight this battle now and not to wait for death, fear, tragedy, or pain to challenge our faith in our Father's love. Accept your Father's love this Lent.

Our Christian identity is a choice we affirmed (or which was affirmed for us) at our Baptism. But we must re-affirm that choice again and again in the face of temptation.
It's fitting that the temptation scene in the Gospel is set in the desert. In the Bible, the desert is often a place of testing, of choices. The season of Lent is like a "spiritual desert" where we hope to rediscover our identification with Christ, leading to a renewal of Baptism at Easter. Let our choices this Lent be directed by the example of Jesus in the face of temptation

Lent is a journey whose destination is the renewal of our baptismal promises on Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Our baptismal promises are the greatest decision a person can make. They are a matter of everlasting life or damnation. To make this greatest decision of our lives or to deepen this commitment (if we have already made it) is the destination of Lent.

This Sunday is the worldwide rite of election where the millions who elect to join the Church by being baptized into Christ on Easter are accepted by the Church.

If the only meaning of life was food, clothes or work, how meaningless it would be. Lent is a wonderful time to remind myself that God’s presence is what gives life meaning. I begin Lent by starting a “give away” box and praying about what I have that could be used by someone in need.

This week do something which indicates you believe that you live not by bread alone but by the word of God revealed to us in the Bible. Read each day's Gospel passage

If we take the time to be quiet and rid ourselves of all the clutter that occupies space in our minds, we can reflect on the daily Bible readings and realize God's presence in our lives.

'On Ya' - ma

ASH WEDNESDAY

2008-02-06T05:40:00.001-05:00

Lent is above all a time of prayer, for withdrawing a little from the hustle and bustle of daily life to be alone with God.

Vincent Twomey

A Lenten Reflection

Give up complaining----focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism----become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments----think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry----trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement----be full of hope.

Give up bitterness----turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred----return good for evil.

Give up negativism----be positive.

Give up anger----be more patient.

Give up pettiness----become mature.

Give up gloom----enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy----pray for trust.

Give up gossiping----control your tongue.

Give up sin----turn to virtue.

Give up giving up----hang in there!

Unknown

Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return

The emphasis on Ash Wednesday is that this life is a pilgrimage. We are here today and gone tomorrow

We must plan. We must carry out our responsibilities. We must try to assure a certain security for our families. We must, in this day, take care of health care needs and so on. But Lent reminds us that we should do all of these things while giving primacy to the place of the soul, primacy to the spiritual, primacy to the reality that at literally any moment we can be facing Almighty God for all eternity

Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism, and the faithful deepened their commitment to Christ. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days

The readings for each Sunday in Lent have been chosen by the Church to relate to the journey of faith each of us undertakes, to our basic baptismal call to be part of Christ. Some of the selections, from the Gospel of John, for example, have been used for centuries to recall the meaning of Baptism. For people about to be baptized, these Scripture passages take on a powerful meaning indeed. Those who are already baptized, are still on a journey. Our faith must be renewed, our baptismal promises affirmed

Father in heaven, the light of your truth bestows sight to the darkness of sinful eyes May this season of repentance bring us the blessing of your forgiveness and the gift of your light.

Amen.

"On Ya' - ma

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 6th

2008-02-02T10:47:00.001-05:00

Make sure you don't pray or fast or give to the poor, just so others will see you. If you just show off, you will not receive a reward from your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:1

It's Lent again. The time of self denial. The time to pray more, fast, and give to others. Those statements almost have the sound of drudgery. The little child in all of us cries out, "Do I have to?!"
We might feel some reluctance to "celebrate" Lent, for the season means a change in daily routine. But, instead of changing routine, we might consider changing its focus. Turn away from the self and see the wider picture. That's what Jesus recommended when he addressed prayer, fasting, and almsgiving

The forty days of Lent help us to prepare for Easter, the greatest Sunday of all! Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts five and a half weeks

On Ash Wednesday services a priest, deacon, or other minister will make the Sign of the Cross on a our foreheads with ashes. And we will hear words like “Repent and believe the Good News.” The ashes remind us that we will die one day. The message we hear encourages us to trust God. He cares for us now. And he will care for us after we die.

The Gospel for the First Sunday in Lent is always the Temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.

Jesus had embarked on a kind of retreat - a time apart from the world in which to discern what God wanted Him to do - what God wanted Him to be. He uses one of the classic spiritual disciplines of fasting to help to focus His prayer - taking it to such lengths that, after 40 days, He would have been physically very weak and, it would seem, very susceptible to temptation
With each temptation, Jesus gets stronger until in the end He dismisses Satan from Him - Jesus is the one in command of the situation - Jesus is in command of Himself

On the five Sundays in Lent, we hear about the temptations Jesus endured (First Sunday of Lent), how he showed his friends his glory (Second Sunday in Lent), and the journey he took to Jerusalem. These Sundays lead us step by step to the most important week in the Church year: Holy Week

The sadness of Holy Week ends with the joy of Easter. Jesus is risen from the dead! He is alive! He will never die again! Because he lives forever, we will live forever with him!

Each Lent, we enter a spiritual wilderness. It is meant to be a challenging time - a time to develop a spiritual maturity. We live in an age when the importance of having our needs met is recognised - but as Christians, we sometimes have to remember that, ultimately, our needs can only be fulfilled by God.

Lent is a time to ask ourselves a simple question. Why do we act as Christians? If our answer gravitates more towards ourselves than others, it is time to reassess our motivation. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are only means to an end. We practice them to open ourselves up to God and the needs of others. So, during Lent, we should focus on relationship, not on reputation. When we sincerely seek God's will and the good of others, reputation will follow, for good or ill.

Lent is a time for self reflection and for action. Lent is not a time to merely "give up something." It is a season to do something. For others. And for God.

It is a time to focus the heart

'On Ya' - ma

ENCOURAGE MY FAITH

2008-01-23T19:38:00.000-05:00

Encourage My Faith

I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way each of us will be a blessing to the other.

Romans 1:12

We mostly think of encouragement as being a mood-lifter. A compliment, a gift, a bouquet of flowers. But the encouragement God provides touches us even more than those. He doesn’t offer a quick fix to our feelings but gives us encouragement for our faith.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the great potential we possess…just one little word of encouragement can make all the difference…

Barbara Johnson

When we affirm God’s effectiveness working in our own live and of those around us, we are encouraging others.

Some people make it a full – time job to encourage the faith of believers and we call those people full time Christain workers. Our pastors have a responsibility to encourage us in faith. We need to listen to them and heed their words.

In Hebrews 10:25 we read that to go on sinning after we have learned the truth is the greatest obstacle to encouraging spiritual growth.

…Scripture says two are better than one. We’re instructed to love, pray for, and care about, accept, forgive, serve, encourage and build up one another.

Luci Swindoll

If we share the daily tasks of our lives with our friends, we should also be able to share our faith with them. If we don’t share our faith, how can we encourage others.

We’ve all be called to preach the gospel It was part of the Great Commission. 1Corinthians 9:14 tells us the Lord has commanded that those who tell the good news should get their living from this work.

In Acts 20:30 Paul is encouraging the faith of those around him. He didn’t hold back anythings. He told the Good News in public and in homes. He served the Lord unselfishly.

You can encourage me, and I can encourage you. In Romans 1:12 Paul says Your faith will help me and my faith will help you.

Our faith should touch every minute of every day. God wants to encourage us and we need to pray to Him to strenghthen our faith.

If we consider the words we speak and ask God to help we can bring conversations around to spiritual things. When you talk about your faith with others close to you , you will encourage their faith and yours as well.

I pray that what I learn from the lives of others will be used by God to make me a more compassionate woman, more willing to served, more grateful to God and more used to others.

Sheila Walsh

As we deepen our faith, we should spend more and more time in God's Holy Word. In it we can find a vast store of encouragement.

'On Ya' - ma

ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER, WOMEN OF FAITH, STUDY GUIDE SERIES

2008-01-20T13:53:00.000-05:00

God’s Word will stand forever. It is more than an Old or New Testament compiled into sixty – six books that constitute a divine library. It is a source of guidance, strength, encouragement, and comfort, available every day of our lives.

Luci Swindoll

ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER
WOMEN OF FAITH STUDY GUIDE SERIES

Although I am not yet finished with the study I was on before Christmas, I felt I needed this one right now. I’d picked the book up last fall when we went to visit the ‘NewlyWeds’ and wound up spending the afternoon in a wonderful used book store.

I was familiar with the Women of Faith as I’d found them on the internet one day and knew this would be a great little study to do.

THE WORD ENCOURAGES

God has surrounded us with the means to be encourage…little things throughout our day to lift our hearts. Unless we are tapping in to God’s Word on a daily basis, we are depriving ourselves unnecessarily .It will stick with you no matter how steep the trail may get.

Psalm 119 is an amazing chapter in the Bible. Nearly every verse sings the praises of God. In verse 28 we see that the Word will make us STRONG again.

Encouragement is there if we know how to find it. John says that the Bibles we hold in our hands were written so that we may believe and have life through His name. John 20:30 and 1 John 5-13

Saint Paul echos John in Romans 15:4. He says the Scriptures were written to give us patience and encouragement, so that we may have hope. He told Timothy to read the scriptures to the people so that it may strengthen them 1 Timothy 4:13

Whether we are reading it ourselves or sitting under good solid preaching, God’s Word can teach us all things pertaining to life and godliness. 2 Peter1:3

Job 6:24 tells us to ask the Lord ‘to show” us where we’ve have been wrong.

Find the comfort and guidance you need from God’s Words of direction for that disturbing circumstance in your life. His words are there and they are written just for you.

Lucy Swindoll

The Word keeps me from keeps me from looking at worthless thngs and turn to our Living God. His Word can be a tool for changing our lives, encouraging obedience and growth, and giving lasting joy and peace.

'On Ya' - ma

Ephiphany - The Feast of the Three Kings

2008-01-05T13:27:00.000-05:00

The Three Kings

by Henry Wardsworth Longfellow

Three kings came riding from far away,

Melchior and Gaspar and Balthasar,

Three wise men out of the East were they,

and they traveled by night and they slept by day,

For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star,

The star was so beautiful, large and clear,

That all the other stars of the sky,

became a white mist in the atmosphere,

And by this they knew that the coming was near,

Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

Three caskets they bore on their saddle bows,

Three caskets of gold with golden keys,

Their robes were of crimson, silk with rose,

Of bells Pomegranates and frivolos,

Their turbans like blossoming almond trees,

And so the three kings rode into the West,

Through the dusk of night, over hill and dell,

And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast,

And sometimes they talked as they paused to rest,

With the people they met at some wayside well.

"Of the child that is born," said Balthasar,

"Good people I pray you tell us the news,,

For we in the East have seen this star,"

And have ridden fast and have ridden far,

To find and worship the King Of The Jews."

And the people answered, "You ask in vane,

We know of no king but Herod The Great."

They thought the wise men were men insane,

As they spurred their horses across the plane,

Like riders in haste who can not wait.

And when they came to Jerusalem,

Herod The Great who had heard this thing,

Sent for the wise men and questioned them,

And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem,

and bring me tidings of this new king."

So they rode away and the star stood still,

The only one in the gray of morn,

Yes it stopped, it stood still,

Of its own free will,

Right over Bethlehem on the hill.

The City Of David where Christ was born.

And the three kings rode through the gate and the guard,

Through the silent street till their horses turned,

And nayed as they entered the great in-yard,

But the windows were closed and the doors were barred,

And only a light in a stable burned.

And cradled there in the scented hay,

In the air made sweet by breath of kine,

The little child in the manger lay,

The child that would be King one day,

Of a kingdom not human but divine.

His mother, Mary of Nazareth,

Sat watching beside his place of rest,

Watching the even flow of his breath,

For the joy of life and the terror of death,

Were mingled together in her breast.

They laid their offerings at his feet,

The gold was their tribute to a king,

The frankincense with its odor sweet,

Was for the priest, the Paracleet,

The myrrh for the body's burring.

And the mother wondered and bowed her head,

And sat as still as a statue of stone,

Her heart was troubled yet comforted,

Remembering what the angel had said,

Of an endless rain and of David's throne.

Then the kings rode out of the city gate,

With a clatter of hoofs and a proud array,

And they went not back to Herod The Great

For they knew his malice and feared his hate,

And returned to their homes by another way

The Golden Carol Of The Three Kings

Melchior, Balthazar And Gaspar

We saw the light shine out afar,

On Christmas in the morning,

And straight we knew Christ's Star it was,

Bright beaming in the morning,

Then did we fall on bended knee,

on Christmas in the morning,

And praised the Lord, who'd let us see

His glory at its dawning.

Oh! Every thought be of His name,

On Christmas in the morning,

Who bore for us the grief and shame,

Affliction's sharpest scorning.

And may we die, when death shall come,

On Christmas in the morning,

And see in Heav'n, our glorious home,

The Star of Christmas morning.

Old English Carol

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the East and have come to worship him.” — Matthew 2:1

We are familiar with the song that begins, "On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree." But did you ever wonder why they sang about 12 days of Christmas, when we only celebrate one?

It is because there is a tradition that there are 12 days between Christmas Day and Epiphany, which is considered to be the day on which the three Wise Men came to worship Jesus. It used to be the custom to celebrate the 12 days by giving a gift on each day, rather than placing all the gifts under the Christmas tree.

I imagine that today we are much too impatient for that.
But it would be wonderful to continue to celebrate Christ's unselfish love for others long after Christmas Day is over. We don't have to do that with actual gifts, but we can give even better gifts -- "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22).

Wouldn't it be a magnificent world if all of us did that?

Almighty Father, thank you for your gifts to us. Show us ways to pass these gifts on to others throughout all the days of the year.

Amen.

http://www.ourprayer.org

The mystery of this feast goes far deeper than the imagery of three kings following the star. It celebrates in mystical poetry the bursting of divine life through death-bound human existence. Three wise men from the East are led by the star over Bethlehem to recognize the King of Kings in a little baby.

An astounding mystery is proclaimed today: two natures are made anew. The Divine becomes human: what God was, God remains; what God was not, God takes on, suffering neither confusion nor division. Alleluia!

Go now in the light that surrounds us, the light of the Child of Bethlehem. Place your hope in him; rest in his peace; receive his love; celebrate him with joy!

Blessing from : www.followingthestar.org.

‘On Ya’ - ma

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2007-12-29T20:51:00.000-05:00

In those times I can’t seem to find God,

I rest in the assurance He knows how to find me.

Neva Coyle

Happy New Year, this is God.

This year, as with every year, I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember, I do not need your help. If the devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it Kindly put it all in the SFJTD BOX. (Something for Jesus to Do) It will be addressed in my time, not yours.

Please be patient. Once the matter has been placed in the box, do not hold onto it. Do not become impatient and take it back to see if you can find a solution. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. You must surrender the problem to Me for proper resolution.

If a situation you think you cannot handle arises, please consult Me in prayer. Together we will come up with proper resolution. If you do not receive what you anticipate as proper response from Me, remember--some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayer.

Because I do not sleep, there is no need for you to lose any.

Rest, my child...if you need me, I am but a prayer away.

Author unknown

A very Happy and Blessed 2008 to you all !

'On Ya' - ma

CHRISTMAS MORNING PRAYER

2007-12-24T22:13:00.001-05:00

A Prayer for Christmas Morning

Henry Van Dyke

The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven,

and crowns another year with peace and good will.

Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wisemen.
Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love all over the world…
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings,

and teach us to be merry with clean hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
And the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

It is the gifts of love that are the greatest gifts of all. Jesus’ entire life was a gift of love. As we celebrate His birthday this year then let us all seek to give the gifts of love as well. The gentle hugs, the caring looks, the joyful smiles, and the warm words of love we give will mean more than anything we buy in a store. The time we share, laughter we spread, and kindness we shower on others will live on in their hearts forever. Leo Buscaglia once said that, "Life is God’s gift to you and how you live it is your gift to God." May your gift be a loving one at Christmastime and always.

Joseph J. Mazzella

Have you ever felt down, discouraged, or defeated? I have. I feel this way more times than I like to admit. It happens when life gets crazy and so overwhelming. It happens when I feel like I keep fighting one battle after another. A time ultimately comes when all my strength is gone and all the fight is gone too. What do you do when all of your fight is gone and you start to feel down, discouraged and defeated? I start to remember the battle is not mine but God's (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Sooner or later, I'm reminded that the Lord is king over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9). Sooner or later, I'm reminded that the Lord promises to fight my battles. Sooner or later, I'm reminded I don't need to allow the battles of life to drain me, discourage me, or defeat me. My hope is in a God who is still fighting for me.

Come thou Almighty King! Thank you for always coming to my rescue! Amen

Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

Free from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Following the Star

May the JOY of Christmas stay in your heart throughout every day of every year,

and may PEACE reign in your Heart!

‘On Ya’ - ma

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - DECEMBER 24TH, 2007

2007-12-23T23:42:00.000-05:00

December 23, 2007

Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:1

For children, these last days of waiting are probably the hardest. The goal is in sight now, but it is still far enough away to make the wait seem endless.When we are grown, waiting for Christmas is not a major problem. Nevertheless, as the day approaches even grownups feel the urgency in the air.

Light the same 3 candles as before. Then add the fourth candle - this candle is known as the angel candle. All 4 candles will be lit this week to symbolize the growing brightness of the coming of Jesus

Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people. He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us.He is the Savior of us all.
O Lord,let your blessing come upon us as we light all candles of this wreath.

May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise of salvation.May He come quickly and not delay.We ask this in His holy name.

Amen

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appears

‘On Ya’ - ma