Psalm 118:24

Rejoice and Be Glad

/ The Pastor

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
[Psalm 118:24]

There is much in this life in which to be depressed.
There is much in this life in which to be angry.
There is much in this life in which to be frustrated.

I recently read a blog post (I won’t get into details as they aren’t important here) that made me frustrated. Nearly ever day I watch/read something in the news that makes me roll my eyes. Each morning I wake up in some degree of back pain as I deal with arthritis. There is much in this life in which to complain.

But…

…there is much in this life is which to rejoice.

Namely?

God made this day.
God is in charge.
God has redeemed this creation through Jesus Christ.
God has created you for a purpose.
God is sovereign.

When one reflects on that (and the many other truths that could be written) how can one’s heart not rejoice?

This is indeed the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it 🙂

Praise be to God!

The Pastor -|—

Starting your day

/ The Pastor

How do you start your day?  Maybe the coffee maker is set up the night before so you can wake up to the sweet nectar that is coffee.  Maybe you roll out of bed and turn Sports Center on.  Maybe you turn on the radio or the CD player.  Maybe you are an early morning runner (like I am sometimes) or hit the fitness center.  Maybe you start by feeding the kids.

Whatever the case, we have our routines that we like and (sometimes) very much depend on.  For me…my routine varies throughout the week depending on the day (don’t worry…I won’t bore you with the details):
~ Sunday has its own morning routine for obvious reasons.
~ Monday – Wednesday routines share a common thread.
~ Thursday is slightly different since it is sermon prep and scotcheroo day 🙂
~ Friday is my day off (Sabbath Day).
~ Saturday is just different.

But whatever is going on; whatever is happening; where ever you are, there is one common thread I would suggest you adopt or strengthen:
Prayer and scripture

I used to be an ESPN guy in the morning but I have noticed that starting my day with God has made a huge difference.  Instead of sports flooding my thinking I am focused on God as a tackle a new day.  Instead of reflecting on my fantasy football players I am thinking about my Salem and Belmont members.  Instead of looking ahead to the next game I am looking ahead to who needs a pastoral care visit.  My morning routine definitely effects the way I see my day.

“This is the day the Lord (not Sports Center) has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.“  (Psalm 118:24 ~ with “Sports Center” being my addition…obviously).

Let us praise the Lord for this new day!

edh -|—