(Friday)
“I’ve missed you! I feel like you’ve been gone far too long! Please stay in touch more often; things just aren’t the same when you are away.” My greeting a few days ago was heartfelt. I was thrilled to see my friend, but a little frustrated that he had been missing in action. I had caught glimpses of him around town here and there, but we had not spent any intentional time together in what felt like weeks – perhaps months. On this particular morning, I spotted him right away and immediately recognized how much I had missed his presence in my life and the lives of my family. I couldn’t help but shout out my welcome: “Hello, Mr. Sun! It’s so good to see you!”
I remember many years ago when I was working in an office filled with lovely women. Rarely was a cross word spoken, and everyone truly enjoyed the company of the others. We worked well together, mostly giggled over lunches, and often shared stories about our families. One particular week, however, I realized that something was different – including me. Voices were a little sharper; patience was thin. Feelings were raw, and everyone seemed to be on edge. Where was this coming from? Suddenly, I realized it was late February, and we had just completed our 27th day without sunshine. With no other identifiable variables, I could only draw one conclusion: sunshine, whether missing in action or consistently present, makes a difference in everything.
When David penned his hymns and songs of praise, he often used illustrations from nature to lift up the splendor of God. Psalm 19 captures the beauty of creation personifying the day and night as those anxious to greet one another with news of God’s magnificence. “Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork. One day gushes the news to the next, and one night informs another what needs to be known. Of course, there’s no speech, no words – their voices can’t be heard – but their sound extends throughout the world; their words reach the ends of the earth.”
I find it interesting that Malachi refers to Jesus as the SUN of righteousness. In that description, I can feel the warmth and light radiating from our Savior. A singular purpose emerges from the image of sunshine – a pure purpose that heats my passion for life and floods my being with brightness – the sole purpose of love.
As I work to be healthy, I know how important sunlight is to my physical being. In working to offer a holy life before God, I need sunshine within me. I need the warm, bright, beckoning light that can only come from the Sun of Righteousness who is constantly present and never missing in action.
Working for warmth,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 19
Your glory, O God, is declared in the holy silence of the heavens, and told in the silent succession of day and night. No speech, or word or voice is heard; yet they speak to all the world, and their words reach to the ends of the earth. The sun joyfully leaps across the sky, from one end of the heavens to the farthest reaches, and nothing is hidden from its heat or light. So nothing that we do or say or whisper in our hearts is hidden from you, Lord God. Release us from darkness we hide deep within our lives. Let our lives be radiant with holy fear; delighting in your teaching, receiving insight from your commandments and wisdom from your encouraging. Enliven our desire for your everlasting judgements over wealth or fame: to enjoy the sweet drippings of the honeycomb, that are to be found in right relationship with those around us, and with you. Amen.
(from re:worship)
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 19 – God has made a tent in heaven for the sun. The sun is like a groom coming out of his honeymoon suite; like a warrior, it thrills at running its course. It rises in one end of the sky; its circuit is complete at the other. Nothing escapes its heat.
Exodus 19 – So Moses went down the mountain to the people. He made sure the people were holy and that they washed their clothes.
Acts 7 – Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
“I’ve missed you! I feel like you’ve been gone far too long! Please stay in touch more often; things just aren’t the same when you are away.” My greeting a few days ago was heartfelt. I was thrilled to see my friend, but a little frustrated that he had been missing in action. I had caught glimpses of him around town here and there, but we had not spent any intentional time together in what felt like weeks – perhaps months. On this particular morning, I spotted him right away and immediately recognized how much I had missed his presence in my life and the lives of my family. I couldn’t help but shout out my welcome: “Hello, Mr. Sun! It’s so good to see you!”
I remember many years ago when I was working in an office filled with lovely women. Rarely was a cross word spoken, and everyone truly enjoyed the company of the others. We worked well together, mostly giggled over lunches, and often shared stories about our families. One particular week, however, I realized that something was different – including me. Voices were a little sharper; patience was thin. Feelings were raw, and everyone seemed to be on edge. Where was this coming from? Suddenly, I realized it was late February, and we had just completed our 27th day without sunshine. With no other identifiable variables, I could only draw one conclusion: sunshine, whether missing in action or consistently present, makes a difference in everything.
When David penned his hymns and songs of praise, he often used illustrations from nature to lift up the splendor of God. Psalm 19 captures the beauty of creation personifying the day and night as those anxious to greet one another with news of God’s magnificence. “Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork. One day gushes the news to the next, and one night informs another what needs to be known. Of course, there’s no speech, no words – their voices can’t be heard – but their sound extends throughout the world; their words reach the ends of the earth.”
I find it interesting that Malachi refers to Jesus as the SUN of righteousness. In that description, I can feel the warmth and light radiating from our Savior. A singular purpose emerges from the image of sunshine – a pure purpose that heats my passion for life and floods my being with brightness – the sole purpose of love.
As I work to be healthy, I know how important sunlight is to my physical being. In working to offer a holy life before God, I need sunshine within me. I need the warm, bright, beckoning light that can only come from the Sun of Righteousness who is constantly present and never missing in action.
Working for warmth,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 19
Your glory, O God, is declared in the holy silence of the heavens, and told in the silent succession of day and night. No speech, or word or voice is heard; yet they speak to all the world, and their words reach to the ends of the earth. The sun joyfully leaps across the sky, from one end of the heavens to the farthest reaches, and nothing is hidden from its heat or light. So nothing that we do or say or whisper in our hearts is hidden from you, Lord God. Release us from darkness we hide deep within our lives. Let our lives be radiant with holy fear; delighting in your teaching, receiving insight from your commandments and wisdom from your encouraging. Enliven our desire for your everlasting judgements over wealth or fame: to enjoy the sweet drippings of the honeycomb, that are to be found in right relationship with those around us, and with you. Amen.
(from re:worship)
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 19 – God has made a tent in heaven for the sun. The sun is like a groom coming out of his honeymoon suite; like a warrior, it thrills at running its course. It rises in one end of the sky; its circuit is complete at the other. Nothing escapes its heat.
Exodus 19 – So Moses went down the mountain to the people. He made sure the people were holy and that they washed their clothes.
Acts 7 – Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html