C. Make a joyful noise. (7/5) Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth. Worship God with gladness, and come into God’s presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God, and that God made us, and we are God’s. (Psalm 100:1-3. Read Psalm 100 in its entirety.) On the hundredth day of these daily reflections, it is appropriate to focus on Psalm 100. On this hundredth day of our pandemic reflections, we can affirm that life is more... Read more
I must confess that most years the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. From my childhood, I have loved parades, outdoor grills, and fireworks. I never miss the Fourth of July Concert on the Capitol Mall on PBS and these days fireworks on Craigville Beach. But, more than that, I love the marching bands and music of the day – “The Star Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and anything by John Philip Souza. I’m a small town... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost 6 – July 12, 2020 Genesis 25:19-34; Psalm 119:105-12; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Can God work in and through less than optimal situations and ambiguous personalities? Does God’s light guide the uncertain as well as the certain and can even the smallest of beginnings – humblest of initiatives – give birth to great possibilities? Is God at work in our profoundly troubled and ambiguous time, when leaders refuse to lead and the majority of... Read more
XCVIII God, Our Dwelling Place (7/3) God, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. (Psalm 90:1; read the entire Psalm 90.) Psalm 90 contrasts the eternity of God and the fragility of human life. God is everlasting, constantly moving through the universe, spirited, free, and eternal without beginning and end. Alive, dynamic, and yet faithful through every change. In contrast, even the most powerful of us is still mortal. Like sands in an hourglass, so goes the soap... Read more
XCVII Keep Sublime Alive (7/2) The heavens are telling the glory of God, the sky proclaims God’s handiwork. (Psalm 19:1) Each summer, since I moved to Cape Cod seven years ago today, sometime in June, I spy a bumper sticker, declaring “keep sublime alive.” I’m not looking for it, but when I see it each summer, I sigh, “ahhhhh.” When I notice it for the first time in the Craigville Beach Association parking lot, I have a moment of simple... Read more
XCVI God’s Steadfast Love (7/1) I will sing of your steadfast love, O God, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness in all generations. (Psalm 89:1; read Psalm 89 in its entirety) Do you ever sing praises to God? Do you ever chant words of thanks? Or proclaim words of wonder? There are days when life is so wonderful that we can confess, “How can I keep from singing?” There are also dark days when we struggle and... Read more
Rejoice in the beauties of the earth. ++++ XCV The Loveliness of Creation (6/30) How lovely is your dwelling place, O God of All; my soul longs for the courts of God’s people. (Psalm 84:1-2; read entire Psalm 84.) How lovely is your dwelling place, O God. Most of us are missing our sanctuary. It’s simplicity and quiet beauty, the light shining through the windows, the piano and choir, children running up the aisle, friendly faces, scripture, preaching, and singing,... Read more
XCIV Once Again, Gratitude (6/29) We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, your name is near. (Psalm 75:1) “Your name is near.” Gratitude comes from being aware of the Giver and the gifts. Gratitude comes from recognizing our many blessings, most of which the result of the grace of interdependence, most of which we have not earned or created. Gratitude, the Psalmist believes, comes from keeping God’s name near, that is always at the edge of your... Read more
XCIII MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME (6/28) Be pleased, O God, to deliver me, O God make haste to help me. (Psalm 70:1; read entire Psalm 70.) Make haste to help me! There are days we just need help from a power greater than ourselves. When we call out in prayer, we discover that we are not alone, and that we have resources beyond our own individual abilities. Once again, the Psalmist is in trouble. The Psalmist struggles with foes... Read more
XCII Let God’s Light Shine on Us (6/27) May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us. (Psalm 67:1; read entire Psalm 67.) One of my favorite praise songs is “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” celebrating God’s filling our world and lives with light in a world of darkness. God’s light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot defeat it. In God’s light, we see light and find our way through the valley of... Read more
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