Psalm 23 Reflection for Feb. 4, 2015

Psalm 23 (NLT)
(1) The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

• Having you Lord is enough. Thank you for the food that I am preparing for breakfast this morning. Thank you that I have a job to work at and that I can work.

(2) He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

• Today, Lord, may I take rest from the tyranny of the busyness. As I catch up on my to-do list today, keep today's appointments, and provide counsel to others, may I look to the Counselor of my soul and cast my anxiety upon Him.

(3) He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

• Be glorified in my life today, Lord. When I get tired today I don't want to be short tempered. May my choices reflect the fruit of Your Spirit of self-control.

(4) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff  protect and comfort me.

• I don't know what the day holds for me, so I trust in You to help me face the challenges I will have to endure. I desire to follow Your Spirit's nudging because I know you only want what is best for those around me, from me.

(5) You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

• Lord, I am thankful that I have no one I'm aware of that desires to harm me or my family. For those that may be annoyed by me or that I may hurt unintentionally, may I seek to do what is right and take the opportunity to be a friend. Thank you for healing me that I may be a blessing as you have blessed me.

(6) Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

• Thank you for not giving up on me, Lord! May I live in your kingdom this day.

My Psalm 23 Reflection for Feb. 3, 2015

Psalm 23 (NLT)
(1) The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

• Today I have food for the day. My wife and children are well. We have a roof over our heads today and heat! We have clothes on our backs. Lord, I am thankful for all You have provided. 

(2) He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

• Lord, today will be a long day with work, counseling, and class. May I allow you to lead me throughout the day to be nourished and remain at peace. And even more so when I feel the time crunch and frustration of the day.

(3) He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

• Today, Lord, my body aches from the snow shoveling yesterday. Thank you that I was able to shovel the snow. Give me knowledge to reduce the soreness, especially in my shoulders and neck. Give me strength to work through the discomfort. 
• Today, Lord, my I desire to fulfill the purpose of life; to bring You glory. As I face choices throughout my day, may I follow Your Spirit's leading to make the best decisions that will allow me to bring you glory.

(4) Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

• The valley of darkness that will likely come my way is by my emotions. Lord, how often my fears and worries have ruled my life! Not today. As I face the unknowns today, may I rest in your presence. Help me to be aware of your protection and comfort.

(5) You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.

• Lord, help me to not view others as my enemies: the person on the road driving crazy, the one in the line ahead of me that's taking too long,... whomever it may be and whatever the circumstances. May I turn to you for healing when I am hurt today. And in the midst of feeling nothing is going right, may I stop and count my many blessings. May I be a blessing to those I will come in contact with today... starting with my family. 

(6) Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

• Lord, may I live in Your kingdom now! Thank You for pursuing me with your goodness and love.

An Expression of Love, Not Duty...

My wife, Angela, and I have been married for 23 years coming up this December.  Our anniversary is a time that I like to try to surprise her with a special gift whenever possible. Some years have been better than others.  I try to listen for clues that reveals something special on her heart.  She had always wanted to take a limo ride, so one year I surprise her with a limo that escorted us to a special getaway. A couple of years ago she had expressed the desire to take a horse & carriage ride. So I contacted a company and had them meet us in our downtown area. I played it cool and acted surprised as we drove downtown that evening (at a prearranged time). Angela noticed the horse and carriage as we drove by. I said, "Let's stop and see if we can get a ride!" I had passed it up and turned around as if I had no idea it was going to be there.  We walked up to the driver and there we see a "Happy Anniversary" banner. We then proceeded to go on our very own 2 hour buggy ride. The horse and carriage were decked out with lights.

Perhaps the biggest surprise I ever gave my lovely bride on our anniversary (and one that I have not been able to top) was on our seventh anniversary.  Our wedding was very simple. What made it very special were all our friends and family. We had no big reception. The reception involved punch, nuts, mints, and cake. The whole wedding cost us $500.00.  But my wife had borrowed a wedding dress from a friend of a friend.  Several years later I contacted the friend of the friend who had the dress to see if I could purchase the dress. Angela had been the last one to wear it and as it turned out the lady had actually divorced her husband and no longer wanted the dress.  I purchased the dress and had it cleaned and boxed.  The evening of our anniversary I presented Angela with the gift (we were staying at the Galt House in Louisville, KY). She carefully unwrapped the paper and opened the box.  She immediately recognized the dress and burst out with a gasp, followed by tears.   

I love my wife and this is why I attempt to give her special expressions of my love to her.  If I were to do these special things because I have to, or out of a sense of duty, then I take the special right out of it.

The same is in my worship to God.  This morning I listened to a devotional that dealt with how we approach God with our worship... is it an expression of love or out of a sense of duty that we worship the Lord?