Gardens along the way…revisited…and new…

 Gardens along the way….revisited…and new…

Last year as all the gyms were closed, I did much more outside walking…this year, I am back at the pool early and it has been really hot, so not much outside walking…

I realized I missed the walks to see all the sights along the way, the gardens, the animals, the people…so have tried to include some early morning walks…before the heat sets in…

Just simple observations….

…Someone had trimmed the mulberries so they don’t hang out over the park area for picking…now so high only the birds can reach them…

…The chokecherry bushes are loaded again, so maybe they will be available later in the season…

….the yards are back to maintenance  modes, not so much extra flowers as people have not been restricted home this spring…not so many home vegetable gardens in some areas, bigger in others…

…just as many cherry pickers at the orchards…

How easily we fall back into the “regular “ mode , the complacent one when things feel “normal” again…we gear up for emergencies, and then retreat as soon as we can to “comfortable “…

We want the day to day normalcy, not the everyday “flexibility “ that this last year seemed to be…as more and more information changed and morphed into new regulations and restrictions…and then out of…

I like to be comfortable as a Christian also…no surprises,  things my way…but, that isn’t what usually happens….

It seems that if comfortable, there is not growth, no stretching of those spiritual “muscles” or lessons…no risks or beckoning of new horizons ….no tilling of new soil…digging deeper into the Word…

So I tried two new gardens yesterday….first, the lavender fields, where you pick as many bundles as you want…the buzzing of bees, the choices of lavenders….the enticing scent of the clumps of the thousands of stems…

Second, a dream come true for a retired serviceman…a farmland patch turned into a winery and layer upon layer of flower gardens…a widow tirelessly tending the thousands of seasonal plants…keeping her late husband’s legacy tended and beautifully maintained for others, as well as herself, to enjoy…

Long term growth, steadiness, perseverance….characteristics we need to grow, not only in our gardens, but life itself…digging into Word, producing fruit…that list of love, joy, peace, etc….spreading each to those around us…and keeping our heart, soul and mind true to the One who fashioned us…in our gardens along the way…thank YOU….

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 

You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! 

How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. 

I awake, and I am still with you. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart! 

Try me and know my thoughts! 

And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139:1-6,17-18,23-24 

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 1:25 

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jude 1:20-21,24-25

Do not….

 Do not…..

Do not, do not, do not….

Staring proverbs….there is many many admonishments that start with “do not….” But after their “ do nots” come the Contrasts and results…

I like the positives…the “do this”, it sounds so much better…encouraging…but the writer of proverbs sees the wisdom in “do not”…and lists them time after time…it would be well to listen ….

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 

my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, 

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. 

My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, 

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. 

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. 

Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. 

Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. 

Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

Proverbs 1:10,15,3:1-2,5,11-12,21,25,27-31 

for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. 

Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 

Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. 

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and 

do not walk in the way of the evil. 

Avoid it; 

do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. 

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. 

Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4:2,5-6,13-15,19,27 

Contrast…results….

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. 

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 

For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 

Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 

Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 

Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4:18-27

And now, O sons, listen to me, and 

do not depart from the words of my mouth. 

Keep your way far from her, and

 do not go near the door of her house,

Proverbs 5:7-8 

Contrast…results…

lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, 

lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, and at the end of your life you groan, 

when your flesh and body are consumed, and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! 

I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. 

I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”

Proverbs 5:9-14

She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths,

Proverbs 7:11,23,25 

Result…

for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 7:26-27 

Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 

(Result…)

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, 

(Contrast…)but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 8:33-36 

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

Proverbs 20:22 

Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, 

(Result )for the Lord will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them. 

Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.

Proverbs 22:22-23,28

Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food. 

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. 

( result)When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. 

Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; 

do not desire his delicacies, 

(Result)for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, 

(Result)for he will despise the good sense of your words. 

Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, (because)for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you. 

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. 

Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. 

(Result)In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink

Proverbs 23:3-7,9-11,13,31-35

Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. 

What your eyes have seen 

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 

Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and 

do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. 

Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. 

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 

Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. 

Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.

Proverbs 25:6-7,27:1,10,30:5-6,10 

Many “do nots”

They have consequences, results….as do the “do this’s”…

Thank YOU….open my eyes to do the right things…

 

Everyone…everything…everywhere…

 Everyone…everything…everywhere….

Finishing the book of Psalms…hate to leave it…but the ending is on a high note…praise…praise…praise…

The book starts with …

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. 

In all that he does, he prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

It goes through many ups and downs of life…groanings, praises, admonishments, songs,  and finally ends with…

 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord  from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! 

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! 

Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! 

For he commanded and they were created. 

And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. 

Praise the Lord  from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! 

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 

Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! 

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! 

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. 

He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. 

Praise the Lord! 

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 

Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 

Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 

Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 

Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! 

Praise the Lord !

Psalm 148:1-14,150:1-6

Ending psalms on a high note…song…it made me think of Paul in the book of Ephesians…after instructions…said this…

…..but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 5:18b-20 

Reminds me of “sandwich” counsel,..start with something good, then if any instructions or teaching or admonishment…add second…lastly, end with praise….

Thank YOU for Your words of praise…

Listening to the right voice….

 Listening to the right voice…..

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. 

Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:2-3

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 30:11-12

Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. 

Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. 

I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your decrees. 

I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. 

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. 

Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. 

Yet you are near,  Lord, and all your commands are true. 

Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever. 

Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. 

Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws. Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.

Psalm 119:143-148,150-154,156-157

I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. 

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt. 

We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud. 

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 

Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 120:1-2,121:1-2,5,7-8,123:3-4,124:8,126:5-6 

There are down days for many of us…times when all we want to do is crawl under a rock ….times of weeping, wailing, discontent, pity-parties, times we feel overwhelmed, drowning….they may come during times of stress, after/during long rough roads, times of pure exhaustion/pain or in memories of poor childhoods/marriages, abuse, emotional distress…times of overwhelming fears, or even times when we compare ourselves with other’s “perfect” lives….the “why me?” sessions….

There are seasons of tears, mourning, Solomon speaks of them in Ecclesiastes 3….but the “stuckness” of the negative, the depression that hits rock bottom goes further…the miry clay that clings and pulls down, suffocating the days is deeper…

David must have experienced these days, he writes of them frequently in the Psalms…he asks/cries for help…and he turns to his Comforter over and over again….

I so appreciate that we too have that same Comforter…thank YOU…..

26 But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

John 14:26-27 AMP

You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.

Jeremiah 8:18 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 

A beginning list....

 

A beginning list....

Reading today in the book by Dr. David Jeremiah, “what are you afraid of”, he addresses the fear of sudden danger....and further the trip across the lake in the storm....

We all have the opportunity to face storms...they come unexpectedly at times and other times we are slowly drawn in...times, we ask, “where are you, God?”....times when the waves are crashing all around and we feel we are going to drown as did the disciples ....times when we want stillness...

Jesus calmed the storm that time, showing his power over creation...other times he goes with us in the storm, promising that the wave won’t overtake us...

Other times comes His admonition to “be still” in psalms tells us to calm down and know Him...rely on Him....reading Psalm 103 this am...reminded me to look to this list of character qualities on which we can rely....not forgetting in times of storms....thank YOU....

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 

who redeems your life from the pit and 

crowns you with love and compassion, 

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 

He made known his ways to Moses, 

his deeds to the people of Israel: 

The Lord is compassionate and 

gracious, 

slow to anger, 

abounding in love. 

He will not always accuse, 

nor will he harbor his anger forever; 

he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

so great is his love for those who fear him; 

as far as the east is from the west, 

so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 

As a father has compassion on his children, 

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 

for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 

The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, 

and his righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. 

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, 

and his kingdom rules over all. 

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. 

Praise the Lord , my soul.

Psalm 103:1-22

Thoughts....

 Thoughts....

Still reading through the Psalms, the word “thoughts” kept jumping off the pages...so looked it up and found a list of other places it was found...

The following are a few of the selections....

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

Genesis 6:5

Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.

1 Chronicles 29:18

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Psalm 10:4

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Psalm 13:2 

How great are your works,  Lord, how profound your thoughts!

Psalm 92:5

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

Psalm 139:2

 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24 

Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.

Proverbs 1:23 

The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but gracious words are pure in his sight.

Proverbs 15:26

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:7-9

He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth — the Lord God Almighty is his name.

Amos 4:13 

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

Matthew 9:4

For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

Hebrews 3:1 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

In the Old Testament, it talks about God knows our thoughts, then in the new, that Jesus knew their thoughts...the word judges our thoughts...

All through the Bible, God reveals his thoughts...where to fix our thoughts and what think on ....

It is so easy to drawn away from these thoughts, to the distractions, the drama, the worldly events instead of focusing our hearts on what God has for us...

Thank YOU for Your thoughts....

Great is thy faithfulness....

 Great if thy faithfulness....

I am home, my own bed, my own even floors, no crowds changing their directions, no bumping in line, no litter to slide on...home...

Oh, don’t get me wrong. This trip was amazing, the beauty, the sites, the leadership, the care, the friendship shared, the people...the time exploring...but there is no place like home...

The song that keeps pouring through my mind....”Great is thy faithfulness...great is thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see”...awoke me...early this am...and then this psalm....thank YOU for your mercies, your provision, your protection....YOU...the I AM...

Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. 

You who answer prayer, to you all people will come. 

When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! 

We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, 

who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, 

who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. 

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; 

where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. 

The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. 

You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. 

The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. 

The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 65:1-13 

Exalted...

 Exalted....

I have to be truthful, I really wanted to write a complaint about my pain, where I am today(Las Vegas), the heat, the crowds, “I want to get home” mantra....I even had a blog written out about all of this, but, alas it won’t get shared....as I was reading, this was so much more ....not my complaints....not only that, the song, “ be exalted, oh 

God” kept running through my head to cover my complaints...

David brought his complaints, his thoughts, his distresses to God, laid them out before Him...and ended up in praise...

I am not saying that saying that we shouldn’t bring everything to Him...lay them down before him, off-load those burdens...He asks us to... but, I personally need to stop dwelling in the negative today...look up and let Him work...thank YOU...

Writing this don’t take the pain away, nor cool the day, change Las Vegas...but it changed my focus...

“The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!

2 Samuel 22:47 

The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!

Psalm 18:46

Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might.

Psalm 21:13

May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

Psalm 35:27

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.

Psalm 47:9

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 57:5,9-11 

My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 108:1-5

The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,

Isaiah 2:17

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Philippians 1:20

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 

Be Exalted, O God

I will give thanks to Thee

O Lord, among the people

I will sing praises to Thee

Among the nations

For Thy steadfast love is great

Is great to the heavens

And Thy faithfulness

Thy faithfulness to the clouds

CHORUS:

Be exalted, O God

Above the heavens

Let Thy glory be over all the earth

Be exalted, O God

Above the heavens

Let Thy glory be over all the earth

(YouTube has many choices of listening to this song)

Zion....

 Zion...

We have travelled through some of the canyons and over the plateaus of one route through Colorado and Utah...seen the magnificent red cliffs, the Arches worn by time, viewed the horizons of great mountains, watched the color changes of the sands, the crags for of hidden valleys, discovered (with thousands of others) the spires of the fairyland in Bryce....finally to drive through the tunnel opening into the vistas of Zion National Park...

The other places we mostly looked down or across, but Zion you have to look up...I am sitting outside this early morning awaiting the sunrise, listening to the myriad of birds waking, making themselves known to all, first one call then another...the sky is slowly lighting, the mountains silhouetted against an inky gray, feathery clouds slowly turning deep red....enjoying the cool before the heat of the day...

Everywhere you look here, is up to another mountain, another wonderful view...man could never make such a sight....

When we went to Israel a couple of years ago...”going up” to Jerusalem, “looking up” were key words there as well...

Reading this psalm seemed fitting for today...thank YOU for the beauty you have granted us here, but more for Yourself...

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. 

Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. 

God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. 

When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. 

Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. 

You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. 

As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. 

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. 

Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. 

Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. 

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Psalm 48:1-14 

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

Psalm 36:5-6