Majesty

O Lord, Our Lord,

How majestic is your name in all the Earth.

You have set you glory

Above the Heavens

From the lips of children and infants

You have ordained praise

Because of your enemies,

To silence the foe and the avenger

When I consider your Heavens

The work of your fingers,

The moon and stars

Which you have set in place

What is man that you are mindful of him,

The son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the Heavenly beings,

And crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;

You put everything under his feet:

All flocks and herds,

And beasts of the field,

The birds of the air,

The fish of the sea,

All that swim the paths of the sea

O Lord, Our Lord

How majestic is your name in all the Earth.

Bring on the Rain

We spent some time in the arboretum in Overland Park at the beginning of the summer. Of course, as soon as we started through the gardens, it started to rain -- and it rained pretty hard. It did make for a beautiful scene once it all cleared. The flowers were wet and refreshed. The dragon flies were buzzing around with new life, and the sky was as blue as I have ever seen.

I continue to be reminded of my Father's care for me, that he watches over me, and that he sends me refreshment. If I will allow him access, He will refresh my soul. Like a storm, the process is not always pleasant, desired or welcomed but achieves its purpose in the end. If we will be attentive during the storms of life and be purposefully mindful of God's presence especially in these times, we can find beauty and majesty, grace and mercy, love and healing.

For 6 hours one Friday, the followers of Christ experienced a demoralizing loss that threatened everything they had hoped and lived for. But those that stayed near to the cross and the Savior during that troublesome time were present to see the victory and elation that prevailed on Sunday. Remember that in these times in our lives, if the cross is our anchor, we will share in His victory.

Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry

²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do

not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or

'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

iChristian

Reflecting on the weekend and the messages received at the youth rally from Eric Lyons, I am much more aware of the input that goes in to the minds of myself and those around me. My awareness is renewed to the importance our vigilance against the moral filth and virtue void propaganda that bombards our lives if we will allow it. Technology is a wonderful thing when used properly. I hope that I can be a better filter for myself and my kids. I will do a better job of flooding our minds with the things that are focused heavenward as opposed to inward. I will also do a better job of combating the lies that Satan places in my life that distract

from the beauty and majesty of God and the fulfillment that comes from doing His will. He softens the language of sinful behaviors and ever so slightly nudges us toward acceptance. He often even fools us into thinking that this kind of tolerance is in accordance with the will of God. I will not allow the deceiver to twist tales of material luxury and finite happiness that slowly draw infinite joy and eternal salvation from my clutches.

"Create in me a clean heart, o God, and renew a right spirit in me. Cat me not away from your presence, o Lord. Take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the Joy of Thy salvation in me, and renew a right spirit within me."

Help me to see your beauty in all the things around me.

Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goal Posts of Life

Am I on fire for the Lord? There are times when I am passionate and burning to share the gospel. Visions of grandeur float around in my mind and thoughts... Africa, China, South America or Russia... but the flame is quickly extinguished. I think about all the things I could do closer to home in my neighborhood and town only to plan great things that remain on the planning table. I even think about things that I could do to help me stay more focused on spiritual growth like meditation, fasting, meaningful and purposeful daily prayer and study. These things like a campfire quickly fade away. Maybe there is something to the analogy of fire as compared with our spiritual lives. If a fire is not stoked it dies out and becomes a pile of red hot embers with great potential to share warmth and light but lies complacent to simply smolder. Are we on fire for the Lord or just smoldering? Are we actively living the good news of Salvation through Christ Jesus or are we just making it through? Is my potential even beginning to be recognized by bearing light and love, or am I simply a heap of potential? Stoke the embers, put another log on the fire, throw kerosene on the dying flame (this is unacceptable practice in camping or bbqing circles but is perfectly accepted in this instance)-- do whatever it takes to fan the flame of spiritual fervor. Be active in your Christianity today. Live each day, each moment with a voice that says, "Make me a servant, God. Make me into a tool that is able and willing to be used often to grow Your Kingdom."

Reflection

It has occurred to me only recently how important reflection is to the spiritual growth and maturation process. To look back and take time to learn from yourself what has been done properly and what needs to be modified. It is often hard to find the stillness which is of utmost importance to gain a true reflection. Too many times we do not take pause and make the attempt to reflect on the fly. This only results in choppy, incomplete. and distorted images from which to gain perspective. The impossibility of success in this kind of act is absurdly obvious from this vantage point but somehow absent in the heat of battle. May God grant me peace, moments of serenity, and the wisdom to reflect on my life and honestly assess where growth may be obtained.

The Sights of Summer

Kids in the park, the sun high overhead, popsicles, ice cream cones, swimming pools and sprinklers; signs of summertime in full swing. Summertime brings on a wave of assorted emotions like happiness, joy, freedom, exhaustion, exhilaration and renewal. It is a time when many stop and take time to get away from the grind of every day life and restore themselves; even if only for a short period of time. It is a time of inventory and preparation for what lies ahead.

The summer sun can be draining. It can suck the life out of the greenery in our lawns and flower beds. They need the refreshment and nutrition of water to

maintain life. But it has to be done over and over again on a daily basis to accomplish its purpose. Christ offers us something more; Living Water. "Whoever drinks of the water I am giving will never thirst." Fulfillment and nourishment that lasts. That is something to write home about. He will bear your burden, He will carry your load, and He will sustain and provide. All we have to do is let Him in and accept His gift of grace. May the Peace of God; the peace that can only come from a saving knowledge of the Son of God; grant us respite today and every day to come.