Good Monday morning to you! I found myself humming a song last night, and realized a little while later that, nope, it wasn't a hymn, it was that old song written by Irving Berlin in which the opening line is, ... "We're having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave, it isn't surprising the temperature's rising, a tropical heat wave". Now, don't be writing me to tell me what a horrible song that is... I was only singing the first line for heaven's sake! ... and you have to admit, it fit the heat and humidity of yesterday! Never have I more desired someone to just come along and say 'Oh, Cathie, go jump in a lake' as much as I did yesterday! Amazing what becomes music to your ears when only days before could have been taken as an insult ...Anyway, without further ado, our Psalm for this week girls is Psalm 118! - I truly hope that you will enjoy and receive the blessing of it!
I will not be able to post on it until late Sunday evening, but you go right ahead, on Thursday, and post your comments in the Comment Cafe ... yours sisters are in need of your fellowship and wisdom!
By the by, I just wanted to say that I was blown away by the depth, wisdom, exuberance and openness that I saw in all of your comments on our last few postings - I am believing with all my heart that God is using this place as a platform for ministry beyond the scope of 'all that we could ever ask or think', and that He is using you to accomplish His purposes.
Now, to Him Who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now, away you go into your day, drinking lots of water and being strong in the Lord, you mighty women of God!
With love from your 'sister-mama',
Now, away you go into your day, drinking lots of water and being strong in the Lord, you mighty women of God!
With love from your 'sister-mama',
20 comments:
Hi everyone,
seems like I have made another error. I just posted two notes and thought I did it here but did it on last Thursdays so if you want to see them you will have to go back. So sorry
I don't know about the rest of you but I have more fun finding Debbie and chasing her around all the different areas she posts. You made my evening for me! I had one of those days where I was just going to call it a day and thought I would just see if anyone had posted and I am so glad I did. My husband and I had some heavy duty work to do today [yes I know it was the HOTTEST day of the year]. We were so looking forward to just getting home and wouldn't you know, after making one final stop we locked ourselves out of the car! There we saw both of our sets of keys INSIDE and we were on the OUTSIDE looking at them and it was sizzling! My husband was doing some pretty fancy things with a coat hanger and I was doing some heavy duty praying! A young man was watching us and said "don't you just hate when that happens". Just about then the door popped open and I looked at him and said "I was praying and he was working". He smiled and said "now you must both be very happy". At that particular moment RELIEF was my thought. I had read Psalm 118 through rather quickly and the first verse jumped out at me, which is also a song we often sing in church, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Thank you Debbie for reminding me to give thanks and be joyful in All circumstances. Your joy is so wonderful to be a part of and now off I go to bed ending my day the best way possible. I am thinking that maybe this will be my memory verse...though I do NOT want to repeat today this verse has stayed with me. I am also looking forward to Thursday because there is so much more to say about this Psalm.
I also do not know where to post comments...I've posted mine under the running comments begining on July 23Rd under pixs of you 3 lovely ladies (Angie, Anut Jean & Kakako)!!!! There seemed to be lots of them there so I just continued with more!!!
I'm singing Edna, I'm singiing! No I have not lost it!...I just found my friend Edna and boy are you ever back! Girls, it is worth finding her...now I have "two" friends that I can chase around the comment cafe.
Like you Edna, I learn so much from my daughter. Like you and your daughter Alana, Marnie is also my best friend and the time we have together is precious and always passes too quickly.
With a fan pointed directly into my face, I went into Psalm 118 yesterday with an eagerness to see where it would lead me. For me, so much of it led into the New Testament and I realized it was prophesying about our Lord Jesus. When He entered into our world He was "the gate" Vs:20 through which, when we enter, our salvation is bought and paid for. Jesus has fulfilled all I read in these next verses. When He entered into our world He was the "stone" that was rejected and was crucified but He was the stone that God himself sent and He became our "cornerstone" the very foundation of all that we BELIEVE and YES! it is MARVELOUS! I love Vs:24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. It was all fulfilled just as God intended. I could go on and on with this Psalm but I will finish with what I was drawn to in Vs:27. It led me to 1Peter2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into HIS WONDERFUL LIGHT! All I can think to add is Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! You Save! You Save!
Angie, I hope you understand what I am doing more than me because now I am really confused. I didn't know whether to post my comments here or on Cathie's latest post re this months draw so I decided just to follow you!
Once again I fell in love with a psalm!. The first thing I noticed was how often the word LORD was used and this reminded me how powerful and good He is and what He does for His people. I was reminded that: - He is good
- His loves endures forever - He will protect me - He is always with me - He is my helper
- I can seek refuge in Him and trust Him
- My enemies can surround me but He will look after me - He is my strength
- He is my song
- His right hand has done mighty things and will lift me up high
- He can save me and grant me success
-He shines his light upon me
- He is my salvation
- He has given me eternal lie and a love that lasts forever
- HE IS EVERYTHING TO ME!!! PRAISE THE LORD1
Can anyone help me with a question I have?
VS26 "From the house of the LORD we bless you" Who is the "we"
Hi Debbie,
I am pretty sure we are in the right place and I do know that Cathie will find us! We could sure use her right now. I will stick my neck out and say that I think the "we" are the priests. I did a little research and it took me to Numbers 6:22 and it is called "The Priestly Blessing". I think you will recognize it as one we have heard our Pastors give so often at the end of the church service.
Would you believe that it is after midnight but I could not rest until I figured it out as well! I sure do hope I am right! I am always worried that I am off base but it is all about growing and learning. This has been such a wonderful journey with all of you! It is All ABOUT HIM and ALL FOR HIM! I am thinking that we have only just begun!!!
Thanks Angie! So who do you think wrote this? David? Do you think the person who wrote it just remembered the priest's blessing or what? I find it interesting how all the psalms fit so well into the New Testament learnings.
The two commentaries I read last night say that it is probably David who wrote this. The more I study I realize what a beautiful tapestry the whole Bible is and how many prophesies are fulfilled in the New Testament from the old. I like what I read once, the old testament CONCEALED, the new testament REVEALED! It has been fun chatting with you! Are we the only two out there?...
Hi to all of you lovely ladies out there,
I am out here in blog land. Sometimes I have a difficult time moving around and end up all over the place. This is a very new experience for me and reminds me of traveling to a place I have't been before without a good map! I too loved this praise Psalm. I love to praise and worship the Lord. It still overwhelms me how good He is to me and how He takes care of me. There are so many verses here that I know from other places; vs 1, vs 6, vs.8, vs 22,24,26. I really feel for the way that vs 1 and vs 29 sort of "encapsulate" the Psalm. To me they are the message of the Psalm. Like the cake and the middle verses are the frosting. Yummy thought!! I find vs 1 and vs 6 particularly meaningful to me, vs 6 because I personally struggle with fear. I need to alway say to myself "the Lord is with me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?" Like the words to another song that I love " No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of God in me" there is also no fear in life if God is with you.
I am so looking forward to reading your comments and hopefully seeing you soon.
Angie, thanks for the wonderful conversation on Monday.
Since that day when the LORD gave me a wonderful fellowship with Angie, Cathie and Marnie, I almost everyday open 'PURE GRACE' on my computer and have been enjoying blessings from it.
As I was reading Psalm 118, and came to Vs 10,11,12, I felt my spirit was leaping with rejoice. The words "in the name of the LORD I will...." remind me of one of my favorit words; young David saying in I Samuel 17:45 "You came to me with a sword,with a spear. But I cameto you IN THE NAME OF THE LORD,the God of the armies of Israel,...I WILL strike you and take your head from you."
What great assurance David had!
How deep and sincere trust David had!
To me the word 'IN THE NAME OF THE LORD' means 'WITH THE GOD', and I was led to Luke 1:37 "For WITH GOD nothing will be impossible"
I was deeply encouraged by David's faith and courage.
We have the same loving and almighty God as David had.
How wonderful and grateful!!
Thank you DebbieS for your kind words. I also am hoping to meet you and sisters of Bible Study some day near fure.
Hi Takako,
It was so nice to read your comments and see that you are able to get on the blog - good for you. It took me a few attempts too.I especially liked your comment about "in the name of the LORD" and it helped me to understand this passage better. Also when you mentioned Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing will be impossible", it reminded me of a little verse I keep on my fridge to remind me of just that- Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". I too look forward to going to the blog almost everyday. I am learning so much. The next three weeks will be hard on me because we are going on holidays to the Queen Charolettes and I am not sure if I will be able to get onto the blog very often but at least I will still have my bible to comfort me.
Hi Jan,
I enjoyed reading your comments. I can really feel your love for Jesus coming through loud and clear. I too should take note of vs6 about fear because on many occasions I am afraid and forget that I don't need to be because He is always right there by my side. Lets just keep on going in our journey and hope to see you soon.
Hi Girls!
And Takako...a huge WELCOME TO YOU!!! I am so thrilled to see your comments here...and I know that you were able to do this from you own place...way to go!!! God has been so good in enabling you to navigate the tricky waters of "computerland"!!! And your comments are so beautiful...I am overwhelmed by what you have written...as well as the other girls on this blog...I can see that the Lord has truly blessed each of you in your study this week...I am going to do some more searching through this psalm today before I put my two cents worth in...have a wonderful, Son/sun-filled day today!!!
While reading ps 118
While reading Ps 118, I kept going back to v 5 thru 9. I just love being reminded of that. It is a comfort to me to know that God is for me and with me(always). With Him on our (my) side there is never a reason to fear anyone or anything. The MAKER of heaven and earth has me in His hand. He has me covered no matter what. It reminds me of Him protecting a falled bird, cupped in His hands keeping it safe. It doesn't get any better than that (well, here on earth, the best is yet to come). V14, The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation, immediately takes me back to one of the very first verses I memorized (there haven't been that many) as
a new believer Phil 4:13, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Thanks Angie, for pointing out that I don't need to "get it" all or understand each a every verse. And thanks for sharing Aunt Jean with me, she is a treasure.
Our teacher/mentor will soon be back. Welcome home Cathie, you have been missed very much. Now we can all be ready for some "WOW", I didn't get that!"
Have a wonderful day everyone.
Here I am again....We just had a lovely morning of worship and praise with friends at the church they attend. I was reading a prayer in the bulletin ..O Lord, help us to be thankful that you have, "not dealt us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities."Psalm 103;10.
I came home and looked it up so I could read it. As I did I realized there are several worship songs I have sang in praise that contain some of the verses in this psalm. I haven't read many of the Psalms, but I think this will be my favorite. I love it...for me it says everything there needs to be said....clear and simple.
Words fail to express my emotions when I read and re-read all the comments that each one of you have left. Cathie is going to be over-joyed! I am so glad you perservered Edna and shared your joy in the psalms! I have experienced it and see it in all my sisters...when we faithfully stay in HIS WORD...HE BLESSES US. Today I so enjoyed being in church with Pat and Edna and we experienced a good old fashioned service. The message was "Family Reunions". What has stayed in my heart are his words that God created the earthly family...and he also created the heavenly family and provided the way to get there. I LOVE that we are His Family. So now I am thinking that I really do have a "Large" family. I had a great "ice capped" filled visit with Jan. I stayed up late with Debbie. I had Edna to myself for the better part of a day, visiting a dear friend. I get to read the wonderful comments of Margaret and get to spend time with Takako and I do not take for granted my joy in living with Marnie. I have been so "blessed" to have been under Cathie's teaching and friendship. There are others that I do not know personally but I have read your wonderful comments as well...Yes, I really do have a "Large" family. The pastor ended by saying this about our family in heaven [a question really].. Will you be there?
As the Psalms are in the Old Testament it felt good to be singing an old song this morning and the words are timeless.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
It's shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
That is why my family loves being in HIS WORD and sharing HIM with whoever will listen. We are all about REALLY BIG families. Welcome Home Cathie!
Good morning to all,
What a wonderful feeling of joy to "blog" onto the computer this morning and read all your wonderful comments. Yesterday I went with our team from MRBC to do our monthly worship service at Albion Flats at Bailie House. I was my turn to give the short message and I read and talked about Psalm 100 and the joy of praising our Lord. We sang what I always called the Doxology "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." We sing the old hymns at this service and it always amazes me how the words to many of them are still engraved in my mind from childhood. Angie, I am blessed by your comments on family. I come from a small family and, except for my two girls, I am not closely connected to them and sometimes I have felt a bit lonly but I now understand why I love and so enjoy being and connecting with my sisters in Christ. You are God's gift to me; you are my family! You are a blessing from God and I just got it. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Everyone, like you Debbie and Edna my comments seem to be in the wrong place! I posted after Cathie first gave us the psalm 118 for the week. Anyway I just wanted you to know this is the Psalm we sang in our communion service yesterday. It is called The Egyption Hallel Psalm , and in Jesus' day this Psalm along with 113 were sung on several of the yearly feasts, especially on the occasion of Passover.
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