Engaging with God

Saturday Psalm 96:1-3 1  O sing to the Lord a new song;     sing to the Lord , all the earth. 2  Sing to the Lord , bless his name;     tell of his salvation from day to day. 3  Declare his glory among the nations,     his marvelous works among all the peoples. (NRSV) These verses in the psalm just about say it all:  God created us; God rescued us.  God is marvelous and we rejoice and sing to him.   What is a piece of God's marvelous works that moves you to joy?  As you ponder that, know that you give joy to God when you notice and take delight in him. Daily Practice Put on a YouTube of a favorite hymn or worship song.  If you need a suggestion, go to the PBPC YouTube channel and listen to one that Mary has recorded for us.  Sing a song to God! Park Blvd YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgHDy5_06rqiPfpPXp4jSDQ/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=4 Add to your gratitude list.  Today, list three little things for which you are grateful – a warm cup of coffee;...

Friday Matthew 2:9-11 9  [The magi] went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  10  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  11  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (NIV) Weeks, maybe months, earlier, these Persian astrologers had seen an astronomical sign that revealed to them the birth of a new King of the Jews.  They caravanned a long and tiring journey, seeking to honor him.  What joy they experienced when they finally met him!  They paid tribute to him with the expensive gifts that are now familiar to us. In the well-loved carol, The Little Drummer Boy plays his drum and plays his best for the baby Jesus.  In John 12:1-11, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus' feet with precious perfume.  What gift – of goods or service or attitude ...

Thursday Psalm 30:4-5 4  Sing praises to the Lord , O you his faithful ones,     and give thanks to his holy name. 5  For his anger is but for a moment;     his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night,     but joy comes with the morning. (NRSV) We have experienced loss this year.  People we know have died or moved far beyond frequent visits.  Other relationships may have been damaged.  We may have lost employment or income.  We have all lost freedom of movement and association.  We grieve; we weep.  This psalm acknowledges that grief and weeping are real.  But it reminds us they are not the end of the story.   List some losses you have known this year.  Tell God how you are sad, angry, scared.  Feel his listening presence.  Know that he loves you even more. Daily Practice Go wash your face.  Feel the warmth of the water.  Pause before you dry yourself and feel the air waft on your face, cooling it.  Receive God's comfort for your losses.  As he shares them with yo...

Wednesday Luke 1:46-55 46  And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47      and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48  for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.     Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49  for the Mighty One has done great things for me,     and holy is his name. 50  His mercy is for those who fear him     from generation to generation. 51  He has shown strength with his arm;     he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52  He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,     and lifted up the lowly; 53  he has filled the hungry with good things,     and sent the rich away empty. 54  He has helped his servant Israel,     in remembrance of his mercy, 55  according to the promise he made to our ancestors,     to Abraham and to his descendants forever." (NRSV) Mary understood that her baby was more than just any human baby.  As she watched the miracle grow within her, grasped that this was God ...

Tuesday Luke 2:9-14 9  Then an angel of the Lord stood before [the shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  10  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  11  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12  This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."  (NRSV) Enter this scene in your imagination.  Feel the cool of the night; see the expansive light of the full Milky Way; hear the hushed quiet of the slight breeze wafting up the hillside.  The angels' appearance is rather jarring.  What is the good news they are announcing?  Why does it bring joy?  Who experiences the joy?  What do you feel? Daily Practice This winter day, is it early morning before sunrise or evening after sunset?  Go outside and look up at the darkened sky.  Do you see stars, planets, moon?  Pau...

Week Three – Joy Joy is that overwhelming sense of delight and wholeness we feel when a promise is finally kept, when an expectation is met and exceeded, when we experience something more marvelous than we even knew was possible, when we find ourselves totally and completely loved. Monday Isaiah 9:5-7 6  For a child has been born for us,     a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;     and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7  His authority shall grow continually,     and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.     He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness     from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (NRSV) Every new baby is a source of joy.  It has been eagerly anticipated for 9 months.  Sometimes couples have difficulty conceiving and it has been anticipated for years.  And then it arrives, a new life, a most perfect creat...

Week Three – Joy Joy is that overwhelming sense of delight and wholeness we feel when a promise is finally kept, when an expectation is met and exceeded, when we experience something more marvelous than we even knew was possible, when we find ourselves totally and completely loved. Weekly Advent Song - O Come, All Ye Faithful Monday Isaiah 9:5-7 6  For a child has been born for us,     a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;     and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7  His authority shall grow continually,     and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom.     He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness     from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (NRSV) Every new baby is a source of joy.  It has been eagerly anticipated for 9 months.  Sometimes couples have difficulty conceiving and it has been anticipated for years.  And then...