Sing A New Song

O sing to the Lord a new song. For He has done wonderful things!

Psalm 98:1

In one of his funniest stand up routines, Bill Cosby tells of a time when he is left in charge of preparing breakfast for his children. After explaining to his children that because of its content of eggs, wheat and milk that chocolate cake was a nutritious breakfast item, one of his children broke out in song and sang, “Dad is great, he gives us chocolate cake!”

It’s a familiar scene in sporting events, graduations and other occasions, that when someone receives something that brings them joy and happiness that you often see them break out into a song that they wrote on the spot expressing how they feel. The tune may not make sense, the rhythm might be off and their voice might crack from beginning to end, but they sing anyway because they want to express their thankfulness.

When was the last time you sang a new song to the Lord? Has He blessed you lately? How did you respond? There are times in our walk with God when silence is necessary, even called for Psalm 46:10. However, I believe that there are also times when silence is irreverent and wrong Luke 19:40.

This week, today even, be aware of the goodness of God in your life. As you notice the wonderful things that He has done and is doing, let a song rise from your heart to His ears. The melody doesn’t matter, but the song flowing from your heart will do no less than bless our Lord’s heart.

Go ahead, make a joyful noise unto the Lord Psalm 100:1 for, indeed, He has done great and wonderful things.

Dead Willow Trees

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands
than to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.

Mark 9:43

Gazing out of our kitchen window one morning this week, I realized how clean our pool was; freed up of the leaves that would normally fall from our willow. I really liked this tree. It provided shade, looked good blowing in the wind and was a landmark in our neighborhood. But for almost five years it was a nuisance.

Every time I’d go out and empty a basket of leaves from the pool, I’d get frustrated and say that the tree needed to go, but I neglected to make it happen. There were times when I’d trim it myself or just hope it would get better, but in reality the tree was dead and just a larger accident waiting to happen.

When I finally admitted that there was only one answer, I broke down and brought in the professionals and they literally got to the "root of the problem." I now see what a pool looks like without dead willow tree debris in it.

It got me thinking; how many "dead willow trees" do we have in our lives? Are there sins blowing their leaves, breaking our communication with God and cluttering up our lives keeping us from being effective for the kingdom? How many times have we tried ourselves and failed?

Jesus Christ is waiting to take over. We just need to give Him permission to "enter our backyards" and go to work. So, in the "morning" we can gaze out of the windows of our lives and see the wonderful results.

Mother's Day

Next to trash collectors and janitors, motherhood is probably the most thankless job that a person could have. Think about it, a woman who is a mom serves as a cook, a house cleaner, a nurse, a counselor, a friend, a disciplinarian, a taxi driver, a fashion consultant, a party hostess, a laundry maid, a daycare provider, a teacher, an advisor and that’s just on Monday.

Many times we go days, weeks, months and never really express our thanks to our moms. Today I want to challenge us to not let the day go by without celebrating our mom’s, in thought or in deed, if they are still living. And if not, celebrate them by thanking God for the life that you’ve been given through them.

Motherhood is a huge commitment. From conception through the birth of a baby on throughout life until she closes her eyes for the last time here on earth, a mother’s job is never done. God has placed mothers in an honored position and we should do no less. Mother’s however, at times may want to run from that position of honor as fast as they can because the challenges are great and can sometimes be very painful. For all of the joys of being a mom, the heartaches come in equal measure. From bumps and bruises, teasing, broken relationships, chronic illnesses, divorce, rebellion, etc., fear and frustration could overwhelm a mother who had particular hopes and dreams for their lives and the lives of their children.

In the Book of Esther we find a challenge for all of us, but today in particular for you moms as you face uncertain challenges in your role as mom. So take a moment and think about the honored position in which you have been placed. “…who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Hang in there, mom’s. Your crazy, seemingly hopeless circumstance today may be the road towards hope for an upcoming generation. Happy Mother’s Day – today, we thank God for you and celebrate the position that you hold as mom!

Created For My Glory

"...everyone who is called by my name,

whomI created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Isaiah 43:7 NIV

Why is a question that we tend to ask when we don't understand the reasons for something taking place or the absence of the same. It's a question that most of us if asked would admit that we've asked God. It's a question that I've asked and have with tears in my eyes just yearned for an answer from God. In John 11, when Jesus heard that his close friends Lazarus was dying, He told those around Him. "This sickness will not end in death, No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." John 11:44 NIV Then it says that Jesus stayed where He was for two more days. If it were up to Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, they would have had Jesus drop everything and come right then to heal their brother and keep him from drying. But as we read this portion of scripture we see that it wasn't about them, or their brother, rather the circumstance that they found themselves in was was all about God's glory.

It's a very natural thing for us to become focused on ourselves when in the midst of our circumstances we find ourselves weighed down and burdened by the reality of pain and suffering. Could it be possible that the cancer our loved one is facing is for God's glory? Can my losing my job and not being able to get one for this long be because God wants be be glorified though it? I've been praying for my husband for years to come and know the Lord, but to no avail. Should I continue to pray or give up? Could this journey of pain be for the glory of God? How could my life of struggling with my addictions ever turn our to bring glory to God?

In the midst of our circumstances, as we face uncertainties day in and day out, we must remember that not only were we made for God's glory, but that everything, every circumstance in our lives, the good, the bad and that seemingly indifferent, are all a part of the plan that God has to bring glory to Himself. So, as we take steps day by day, moment by moment and face circumstances beyond our control, let's remember that it's about His glory which when accomplished will always work out for our good. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Roman 8:28 NIV Our circumstances will look much different when viewed through the lenses of God's glory. My friend, that is why we are here. - Pastor Mark