HEY…I just realized what I forgot! This week we’ll be finishing up our short (or long, depending on your attention span) study of Psalm 103. This week, we’ll be reading v 15-22. As you read it, what do you learn about yourself…what does it reveal about God to you?
Has anyone ever said, or have you said to yourself “God is in control.”? What does that mean to you? Has that phrase ever made you feel worse instead of better? (it has for me) What does it really mean that God is in control? That He’s got the remote? That He’s got an oil field? What about when things go wrong…where does that fit in to His control?
Stuff to think about.
On another note…have you read The Shack (we carry it in the Corner bookstore)? I have…and wow. Just, wow. I highly recommend this book, especially for those struggling with the question of pain and God’s will. It’s really a good read, and I believe it will give you a refreshing sense of personalization in your relationship with God. But that’s just my opinion. You may hate it….I don’t know.
One more thing. Donald Miller (author of Blue Like Jazz, and someone I dearly appreciate) prayed at the DNC. His prayer has really sparked a lot of conversation…and there are a lot of different opinions about the content of the prayer. I’d like to hear your thoughts on it. Not about the fact that he was praying at the DNC…that’s a no brainer. If someone asks you to pray, in my opinion, you pray. So I don’t want to discuss the partisan, political stuff. What he said in the prayer….that’s what I’m pondering. I’d like to hear your thoughts,, because I’ve heard all my own. Below is the video
By the way….has that dude lost weight or WHAT? I’ll be first in line at the bookstore to buy his “Blue Like Jazzercize” book.
WONDERWHAT 
This study of Psalms 103 has really helped me to communicate with God on a deeper level. Last night, I was actually asking my father to comfort me to help me through a difficult situation. I told him I did not understand but I was trusing in him that he knew what was best for me. Instead of trying to control things, I am beginning to release control to my father. I can’t say this is easy, nothing worthwhile comes easy in this life, but I have never felt so secure in his love as I do now.
This passage, to me, bears a strong statement of separation of people who live to be successful in life and people who live and know God. The first part bears proof that we are all here the same. God puts all on earth, each can make an earthly life that blossoms and grows. Here there is no real difference in man. And this shows how just God is, to put us here without prejudice. Many who may not derserve can have this great earthly life! But then, David points out out that we are frail. This too comes without prejudice, even the most successful person will become that withering flower, moreover, they could face “storms” that also bring them to an end. No matter how they find the end of life, withering or getting blown away, the end is the same….but, if you read on…
The next part opens the door to something we all want whether Believers or not. People want to know there is more and we can have a part in it, and to leave something for those behind us, money, landmarks, businesses, even grave stones leave something here. Tom Cruise, Madonna (scientology, and budda is same! Etc..) believes there is more, believes one can groom offspring for more, and that they will be back in some form impacting life in some way. It is a common desire built into us. The Psalm tells us where to find that. God’s love is eternal and it is passed down to the children, confirmed through the Covenant (Jesus, it is all caps here, so I read it to be Jesus) which provides us our own place in heaven as Jesus will prepare. We are not just people now, because of God’s Love.
The final part of the Psalm shows that David called the angels to show his praise to God (he obviously is excited about this in a big way) — because the angels are so full of praise and commitment to serve their Maker…who would you call if you wanted to show God your appreciation to an exuberant level? His angels are noted as radiant, glorious, with music built inside, this is a big show of praise on David’s part. David wanted God to feel glorified. And even calls all creatures to glorify our really great God. And we should Glorify God!
PS: I dont know see how this relates to control matters. What I do know from this is that God’s Covenant includes promises and includes our commitment back to him. There are miracles but no guarantees, there is a mighty hand on us and I am in huge comfort when I see it or feel it, and I do! But as far as God being in control, we are dwelling on stuff here and he wants us to be there (he wants us to be there!). Here we are frail, subject to storms and whilting at some point, there we are able to have his love forever and so can our children! That’s enough to make you relax about earth-stuff! Is that comfort what we call “God in control”?
Golda- I’m so stoked that Psalm 103 is providing such comfort to you. It really has meant so much to me, it’s awesome to witness other people hearing the same music from it.
Krista- great thoughts! I love the way you describe the commonality we share in the temporal nature of life…rich or poor, famous or unknown, we are all temporary. The only thing that makes a diff is what lies beyond all this. Very thought provoking.
I mentioned God’s being in control, because in v 19 of the Psalm David speaks of God establishing his throne in heaven…proclaiming that He is king….which is a typical Old Testament reference to God’s sovereignty over all the affairs of His creation. Hence, “God in control”. I like your thoughts on that subject…the knowledge that His love is available to us FOREVER assures us that through ALL things, He’s guiding us home. Good stuff! Thanks for commenting you two!
The Shack– read it, loved it, was sadly not surprised by the uproar around it. The fact that a well known emergent pastor would preach a series blasting a story a guy told his kids amazes and saddens me. It is what it is, a work of fiction. If it helps you see God as “papa” great, if not, that’s cool as well. As for me, I really liked it.
Yes– looks like Donald has a trainer. I saw him at Willow a couple of years ago and he was more, well let’s just say he was more. As to his prayer, hmmm…. it troubled me. What might have been a prayer for unity and understanding and the national good seemed to curve into praying about political talking points. Again, I understand the audience, but something about asking God to help us find a way to have universal health care and better pay for teachers (ok, I like that one — my wife is a teacher) seems to feel out of place in a prayer. It just felt too political. It felt partisan. Prayer shouldn’t be partisan.
Rob– heard you are going to the land of haggis, heather and Wallace. Take lots of pictures and a copy of Braveheart –“Freedom!!!!!”
It’s my first time on this website. I was recommending Rob’s story, “WonderWhat” in the bookstore, and hadn’t read it myself, so I bought it. When I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I kept telling my husband, (Wanderer II), “Listen to this! It’s you! It’s how WE felt! It’s….it’s….!”
I didn’t go to bed last night until I finished it. (Gosh was I tired at work today, but it was worth it.)
I’m only in the beginning of “Shack”, but Rob’s story really touched my heart. Thanks for sharing it.
Yeah, I don’t know what to think of Miller’s prayer. Some of it was pretty good, but I’m probably going to join John on this one. It seems a bit like some of the prayer was a bit too steeped in looking to “these leaders” to provide healthcare or a living wage. Maybe my biggest qualm is that he ended the prayer in the name of Jesus “who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.” That sounds so much like liberation theology to me, which, even if he is just seeking to break down barriers that may prevent dialogue, furthers that unbiblical theology that gets people thinking that Jesus died to prevent physical suffering or physical oppression.
I am reading the book, “The Shack”. It has been a facinating journey so far! (Thanks, Rob.) This book is helping me understand what it means to have a “personal relationship” with God (Father,Son&Holy Spirit). I look forward to where God takes me from here!
I received this message online from someone special & I wanted to share it with you all:
I asked God to take away my habit. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from wordly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life, so you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said…Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
Correction:
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
It’s blasphemous hypocrisy.
To petition God as though the DNC really has genuine regard for Him – all the while standing ever so headstrong upon the platform of promoting and securing infant genocide in our country is absolutely disgusting and twisted.
God laughs at your prayers and hears the blood of millions of unborn children crying out to Him. Vengeance is His and He is coming soon in absolute fury! The only platform of prayer acceptable to the Almighty from the DNC is one called REPENTENCE.