Psalms Now

I always enjoy a 'fresh' interpretation of Scripture that makes it come alive in a very personal way. Today I shared Psalm 23, as interpreted below by Leslie F Brandt in his book, Psalms/Now(Concordia, 1973).

The Lord is my constant companion.

There is no need that He cannot fulfill.

Whether His course for me points

To the mountaintops of glorious ecstacy

Or to the valleys of human suffering,

He is by my side,

He is ever present with me.

He is close beside me when I tread the dark streets of danger,

And even when I flirt with death itself,

He will not leave me.

When the pain is severe, He is near to comfort.

When the burden is heavy, He is there to lean upon.

When depression darkens my soul, He touches me with eternal joy.

When I feel empty and alone, He fills the aching vacuum with His power.

My security is in His promise to be near to me always,

And in the knowledge that He will never let me go.

It is my prayer that it may bring you much personal inspiration as you contemplate the truth of this experience for yourself.

Birthday Card Humour

Here's the card that got my #1 vote!

Cindy was not a good singer.

She didn't like singing.

She didn't like choir practice.

She just liked the forgiving nature of the robes.

(inside)

It's your birthday!

Let's put on robes and have some cake!

Celebration Day

Today has been a Celebration Day in more ways than one. Corporately, we celebrated our Christian faith in a variety of worship settings and each time sensed the grace of God at work in our lives. On a personal note, I enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate a birthday meal with family and friends and give thanks to God for a blessed life thus far.

This evening I was privileged to attend the Waverley Temple Corps' installation of my sister-in-law, Allison Lynn, as their Youth Ministry Assistant. It was another faith-affirming occasion in which to celebrate God at work - this time in the lives of our youth.

Celebration is an essential part of our spiritual DNA. Look around for reasons to celebrate. You'll be glad you did!

Deuteronomy 16:12 (MSG) ~ "You are to celebrate in the Presence of God, your God, all the things you've been able to accomplish."

Inspired By History

Yesterday morning I had the privilege to officiate at the interment service for Major Jean Parker. Members of the family and close friends gathered at the grave of Mrs Adjutant Mary Jane Cottle (Jean's mother), where Major Parker was interred, to give glory to God for Jean's faithful Christian service and witness and dedicate themselves to be God afresh for future days.

Mrs Adjutant Cottle was promoted to Glory in January 1938 (aged 54 years) and had given many years of dedicated service to God through the Army's social services in both the UK and Australia. An officer who served alongside then Ensign Twaddle at Hope House in 1919 spoke of her "cheerful disposition, practical sympathy, and faith in the ability of God to help the worst", in a War Cry tribute to her life and service appropriately titled, Fragrant with Holy Service [included here for your reading interest!]

The featured article concludes with Jean's father, Adjutant Robert Cottle, recalling how he received comfort from a man he had not previously met who, at the open grave (where we were standing!), remarked to him: "Remember, your sheet-anchor is to trust in God."

Now that's a word for us all from the annals of Army history!

Lord, create in me a firm faith in the ability of God to help the worst; make me a servant 'fragrant with holy service'; and guide me to anchor myself daily in your trustworthiness.

Humility in Leadership

When most people think of leadership, they picture a military officer giving out orders, a king lording it over his subjects or an employer closely supervising his employees, making sure all the work gets done. These aspects can be part of leadership, but they are not the essence of spiritual leadership. Spiritual leadership is the opposite of what most people think.

Spiritual leadership is primarily servant leadership. Jesus Christ Himself taught us, "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). Jesus was most definitely a leader. He was the leader of the twelve disciples, as well as a greater group of followers (Luke 10:1-17). Jesus did not lead by giving out orders or by supervising. Jesus led by being a servant and serving alongside of His followers.

Spiritual leadership involves humility - humbling oneself in order to do the tasks that no one else wants to do. In Jesus' time, the act of washing feet was to be assigned to the lowest of servants. However, at the last supper, Jesus humbled Himself and washed the disciples' feet. Afterwards he declared, "Do you understand what I have done for you? ... You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:12-17).

Genuine spiritual leadership, characterized by a spirit of humility and service, will cause people to follow you because they want to, not because they have to. Genuine humility in spiritual leadership is attractive. People want to follow a person who serves alongside them and sets an example for them. Perhaps the Apostle Paul sums it up best, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Spiritual leadership insists on humility - the attitude of putting others ahead of yourself, and considering others more important than yourself. Thinking too highly of yourself prevents you from genuinely caring for others. Humility enables leaders to serve others wholeheartedly and, in doing so, set an example that others will follow.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of spiritual leadership. Let's not be swayed by popular opinion or a desire to popular. Let's follow Christ's example only!

Living In The Presence Of God

Of all the resolutions we might make at the beginning of each new year, none is more important than dedicating ourselves afresh to God, and committing wholeheartedly to ‘live in His guiding presence’ day by day.

As I read and contemplate the words of Isaiah 43, I sense that the deep desire of God is that His people ‘live in His presence’ so that the ‘witness of our lives’ will bring glory and honour to His name. Through the prophet Isaiah, God offers us the assurance of His presence ~ “Do not be afraid, I have called you by name, you are mine… I will be with you… I am the Lord your God who saves you.”

God then continues to affirm His loving faithfulness to us in the most intimate of language: “You are precious to me…I love you…and give you honour.Do not be afraid – I AM WITH YOU.”

Such words inspire me to live my life each day in God's Presence with certainty and expectation. How about you?

Song 727 (verse 4)

"I am trusting thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead.
Every day and hour supplying all my need.

Prize Catch

Today is an historic day! My wife went on her first ever Fishing Trip and pulled in this 6.6kg (13lbs) Altlantic Salmon. Later in the day, she remarked to me: "I had the privilege to catch it, and you had the privilege of paying for it!"

Here's my own paraphrase of Habakkuk 1:14 (MSG) ~ "She pulls in a good catch...— a good day of fishing! She's happy... and she's going to eat well tonight!"

I can't let this opportunity go by without a reminder that, when we respond obediently to the love of God, we are His "prize catch"! He paid the ultimate price for us ~ such is His love!