Psalm 119
(New Living Translation)
1 Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the LORD.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
Please don't give up on me!
9 How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
10 I have tried hard to find you—
don't let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 I praise you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.
14 I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.
15 I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.
17 Be good to your servant,
that I may live and obey your word.
18 Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.
19 I am only a foreigner in the land.
Don't hide your commands from me!
20 I am always overwhelmed
with a desire for your regulations.
21 You rebuke the arrogant;
those who wander from your commands are cursed.
22 Don't let them scorn and insult me,
for I have obeyed your laws.
23 Even princes sit and speak against me,
but I will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your laws please me;
they give me wise advice.
25 I lie in the dust;
revive me by your word.
26 I told you my plans, and you answered.
Now teach me your decrees.
27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 I weep with sorrow;
encourage me by your word.
29 Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
30 I have chosen to be faithful;
I have determined to live by your laws.
31 I cling to your laws.
LORD, don't let me be put to shame!
32 I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.
(The Message)
1-8 You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You're blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
That's right—you don't go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
now you expect us to live it.
Oh, that my steps might be steady,
keeping to the course you set;
Then I'd never have any regrets
in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
I'm going to do what you tell me to do;
don't ever walk off and leave me.
9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it.
17-24 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life;
not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
Open my eyes so I can see
what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
I'm a stranger in this world;
give me clear directions.
My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—
insatiable for your nourishing commands.
And those who think they know so much,
ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it!
Don't let them mock and humiliate me;
I've been careful to do just what you said.
While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me,
I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.
Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;
I listen to them as to good neighbors!
25-32 I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don't let me down!
I'll run the course you lay out for me
if you'll just show me how.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
a few words from psalms
Psalm 118 - His love endures forever!
dan note: For some reason, the guy who wrote this kept saying this over & over. Hmmmmmmmm
vs 6 - The Lord is for me, so I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
dan note: when we face something new, something different, or a new direction, we should remember this fact: if God's for me - phzztt - who's thinks they are so powerful that they can thwart God?
vs 8 - It is better to trust in the Lord than put confidence in people.
dan note: in the final analysis, the only One we can really depend on is God.
vs 9 - It is better to trust in the Lord than put confidence in princes.
dan note: I wonder if the author was really saying that we can't depend on people with power to always come through for us?
vs 25 - Please, Lord, save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
dan note: I don;t think there's a thing wrong with asking God for success. I'm sure asking for it with all the downtown stuff!
dan note: For some reason, the guy who wrote this kept saying this over & over. Hmmmmmmmm
vs 6 - The Lord is for me, so I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
dan note: when we face something new, something different, or a new direction, we should remember this fact: if God's for me - phzztt - who's thinks they are so powerful that they can thwart God?
vs 8 - It is better to trust in the Lord than put confidence in people.
dan note: in the final analysis, the only One we can really depend on is God.
vs 9 - It is better to trust in the Lord than put confidence in princes.
dan note: I wonder if the author was really saying that we can't depend on people with power to always come through for us?
vs 25 - Please, Lord, save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
dan note: I don;t think there's a thing wrong with asking God for success. I'm sure asking for it with all the downtown stuff!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
oh boy!
(I’ve tried to keep this short while sharing what I’m seeing & feeling – hope I succeed!)
In 2003, Andy King, the founder of HOGMacon, found a warehouse in downtown Macon where he thought HOG could develop a presence in that part of town. Even though we didn’t move, God introduced me to downtown.
Early fall, 2007 - Pastor John took us to a downtown warehouse, owned by Bryan Nichols’, our tech pastor. John thought we might move some of our ministries & offices there if SportsTowne ever sold. God reawakened my awareness of downtown.
Early in 2008, the Macon Telegraph had a front page article about a group spending $29 million in the same block as Bryan’s warehouse, to retrofit a building into a boutique hotel, restore a recording studio, & filling in the rest of the block with shops on the 1st floors, & apartments/lofts on the 2nd & 3rd floors.
Then it came out that the Chamber of Commerce & New Town Macon have decided to take the same advice given by 3 or 4 different consulting groups – if Macon wants to bring life to their downtown, make it a place where 20/30somethings will want to live, work, & play. (Our son, Timothy, was a part of the consulting group from Mercer.)
It was then that God started talking to me about downtown Macon - thru scripture, thru dropping ideas in my head (ones I couldn’t come up with on my own), & thru visual images (oh well, let’s call them what they are – visions J).
He hasn’t stopped.
Sidebar:
God gave me 4 scriptures for this year. I’ve boiled them down into bullets to readily remember them…
Matthew 10:39 - …don’t cling to your life…
Matthew 6:34 - …don’t worry about your life…
Psalm 139:6 – God both precedes & follows me.
Colossians 2:7 – Let your roots grow down into Him…
As I have listened to God this year, He’s whispered
· to not cling to whatever part of my life I was holding onto.
· to not worry about how making the move to downtown may alter my life.
· & He’s faithfully continued to prepare the way & mop up behind.
· the more He’s revealed more about downtown, the more I see that the stakes are too high - we’ve got to spend time
o 1) in the Bible,
o 2) talking to Him,
o 3) more importantly, listening to Him.
So, what do I see for downtown? Here’s some generalizations, in no order…
· I always see people: servers, lawyers, students, store owners/managers, government workers, neighbors, construction workers, bus riders – all kinds of people who come to The Warehouse because they know they’ll be loved & accepted
· We need intercessors whose job is to bathe this endeavor in prayer
· Have no expectations – don’t just think outside the box – throw away the box
· Walk slowly, let what we are & do develop as He presents opportunity
· Get to know the people in the area: business owners/managers, workers, churches,
· Community space available for study, wifi, hang, come by & eat lunch, meet, gather, whatever
· Have free “Warehouse blend” coffee from the JCup, & filtered water
· HOG locate there on Tuesday nights
· Celebrate holidays
· 30something ministry, who have different needs of 20somethings
· First Friday concert/activity/giveaway
· Pass-The-Hat Saturday night concerts once a month, twice a month, or how often?
· Bible-study-in-a-rush @ 7a.m. on the way to work? @ noon? When?
· Game nights & movie nights
· & in the not-to-distant-future, a young adult (or whoever) true satellite church, where worship would be live, the sermon live-streamed
What I’m interested in hearing now as we start to walk this journey together is what the Holy Spirit may be speaking to you as we explore our presence in downtown Macon
This is a multilayered & multi-faceted opportunity that God is calling us to, only limited by
· our willingness to listen to the creative voice of our Abba Father
· our willingness to risk.
I believe God is calling us on a BIG adventure to downtown Macon. Let’s follow Him into it, together.
In 2003, Andy King, the founder of HOGMacon, found a warehouse in downtown Macon where he thought HOG could develop a presence in that part of town. Even though we didn’t move, God introduced me to downtown.
Early fall, 2007 - Pastor John took us to a downtown warehouse, owned by Bryan Nichols’, our tech pastor. John thought we might move some of our ministries & offices there if SportsTowne ever sold. God reawakened my awareness of downtown.
Early in 2008, the Macon Telegraph had a front page article about a group spending $29 million in the same block as Bryan’s warehouse, to retrofit a building into a boutique hotel, restore a recording studio, & filling in the rest of the block with shops on the 1st floors, & apartments/lofts on the 2nd & 3rd floors.
Then it came out that the Chamber of Commerce & New Town Macon have decided to take the same advice given by 3 or 4 different consulting groups – if Macon wants to bring life to their downtown, make it a place where 20/30somethings will want to live, work, & play. (Our son, Timothy, was a part of the consulting group from Mercer.)
It was then that God started talking to me about downtown Macon - thru scripture, thru dropping ideas in my head (ones I couldn’t come up with on my own), & thru visual images (oh well, let’s call them what they are – visions J).
He hasn’t stopped.
Sidebar:
God gave me 4 scriptures for this year. I’ve boiled them down into bullets to readily remember them…
Matthew 10:39 - …don’t cling to your life…
Matthew 6:34 - …don’t worry about your life…
Psalm 139:6 – God both precedes & follows me.
Colossians 2:7 – Let your roots grow down into Him…
As I have listened to God this year, He’s whispered
· to not cling to whatever part of my life I was holding onto.
· to not worry about how making the move to downtown may alter my life.
· & He’s faithfully continued to prepare the way & mop up behind.
· the more He’s revealed more about downtown, the more I see that the stakes are too high - we’ve got to spend time
o 1) in the Bible,
o 2) talking to Him,
o 3) more importantly, listening to Him.
So, what do I see for downtown? Here’s some generalizations, in no order…
· I always see people: servers, lawyers, students, store owners/managers, government workers, neighbors, construction workers, bus riders – all kinds of people who come to The Warehouse because they know they’ll be loved & accepted
· We need intercessors whose job is to bathe this endeavor in prayer
· Have no expectations – don’t just think outside the box – throw away the box
· Walk slowly, let what we are & do develop as He presents opportunity
· Get to know the people in the area: business owners/managers, workers, churches,
· Community space available for study, wifi, hang, come by & eat lunch, meet, gather, whatever
· Have free “Warehouse blend” coffee from the JCup, & filtered water
· HOG locate there on Tuesday nights
· Celebrate holidays
· 30something ministry, who have different needs of 20somethings
· First Friday concert/activity/giveaway
· Pass-The-Hat Saturday night concerts once a month, twice a month, or how often?
· Bible-study-in-a-rush @ 7a.m. on the way to work? @ noon? When?
· Game nights & movie nights
· & in the not-to-distant-future, a young adult (or whoever) true satellite church, where worship would be live, the sermon live-streamed
What I’m interested in hearing now as we start to walk this journey together is what the Holy Spirit may be speaking to you as we explore our presence in downtown Macon
This is a multilayered & multi-faceted opportunity that God is calling us to, only limited by
· our willingness to listen to the creative voice of our Abba Father
· our willingness to risk.
I believe God is calling us on a BIG adventure to downtown Macon. Let’s follow Him into it, together.
riches
James 5: 1 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.3 Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
not too cocky...
James 4: 13 Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit."14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone.15 What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.
Good to remember as I walk toward the stuff I feel He's leading me toward about downtown Macon.
Good to remember as I walk toward the stuff I feel He's leading me toward about downtown Macon.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Who remembers who?
Psalm 115:12 (New Living Translation) The LORD remembers us and will bless us
4 words...
"the Lord remembers us"
Galaxies exit at least 550 million light years from us. We've seen them in the Hubble Space Telescope - & we can see thousands of points of light behind it, points of light that are other galaxies farther away.
Seasons come & go, through the rythmns of the changing position of our planet to the sun.
How many billions of people have there been? How many billions more will be?
And God remembers you & me, in it all. Iow, He takes time to think about you & me, what with all He's got to do.
Does that blow you mind as much as it does mine?
4 words...
"the Lord remembers us"
Galaxies exit at least 550 million light years from us. We've seen them in the Hubble Space Telescope - & we can see thousands of points of light behind it, points of light that are other galaxies farther away.
Seasons come & go, through the rythmns of the changing position of our planet to the sun.
How many billions of people have there been? How many billions more will be?
And God remembers you & me, in it all. Iow, He takes time to think about you & me, what with all He's got to do.
Does that blow you mind as much as it does mine?
Monday, December 1, 2008
can't pick & choose
James 2
(New Living Translation)1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.
12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
(The Message) 1-4My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, "Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!" and either ignore the street person or say, "Better sit here in the back row," haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted?
5-7Listen, dear friends. Isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world's down-and-out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God. And here you are abusing these same citizens! Isn't it the high and mighty who exploit you, who use the courts to rob you blind? Aren't they the ones who scorn the new name—"Christian"—used in your baptisms?
8-11You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period.
12-13Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.
(New Living Translation)1 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.
12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
(The Message) 1-4My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, "Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!" and either ignore the street person or say, "Better sit here in the back row," haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted?
5-7Listen, dear friends. Isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world's down-and-out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God. And here you are abusing these same citizens! Isn't it the high and mighty who exploit you, who use the courts to rob you blind? Aren't they the ones who scorn the new name—"Christian"—used in your baptisms?
8-11You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period.
12-13Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.
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