Wednesday, March 20, 2013

March 6th Make Lemonade



Psalms 42: 1-11 “…Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”

Sunday’s reading selection was chosen for me.  Looking back on the last ten years of my life, I didn’t have God by my side because I hadn’t invited Him. 

The topic of this reading is the encouragement to go on through life, remembering that God is in the present as He has been in the past.  I didn’t think that God could be my support during times that were dark for me.  Even those few bright lights during this time, well, those lights didn’t have the joy and uplifting that they should have for me.  I yearned for a time and place when I was happy and forward thinking.

I made amends.  I repaired my relationships with my family.  I met my spiritual needs by renewing my faith, and placing my trust in God.  And I am writing as Renewed Christian.
But it was not only the Scripture that spoke to me last Sunday. 

It was Acoustic Sunday, when our musical leader and his group of wonderful musicians scale back the intensity of the song.  The cello was there, no drums but percussion and xylophone, and the tempo is compelling but low key.  One song in particular spoke to me: “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman and Jake Myrin (©2011 Sparrow Music).  The song points to “singing your song again”, no matter what life has in store.  And it encourages us to keep singing “until the evening comes”. 
“Sing like never before
Oh, my soul
I’ll worship your Holy Name…”

The kids came skipping back into church with collages and miniature foam animals.  The tiny animals emerged from those brightly colored capsules that dissolve in water.  The Children’s Ministry focused on Psalm 66 that morning, and learned how the Living Water can feed our bodies (the capsules dissolving while the tiny creatures were emerging) - along with those magazine cutouts showing healthy food and drink that also feeds our bodies. 

Life isn’t simple.  But I still smile, like the kids, when the capsule reveals a surprise. 

Renewed Christian

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