The Glory of David’s 23rd Psalm – Absolute Grace

One thing I should do more often is feature other people’s blogs on my small slice of the internet. Today I want to share a blog by Linda Owens called Absolute Grace. Linda has just completed a series on one of my favorite psalms and done a marvelous job of researching the subject. Thank you, Linda.

On her site you will also find pictures by her husband, John, who is quite a remarkable photographer. Please drop by and browse around a little. Spend some time there and you will leave refreshed and encouraged.

Let me post how the ESV renders this most beautiful psalm:

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. [1]
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness [2]
for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [3]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely [4] goodness and mercy [5] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell [6] in the house of the Lord
forever. [7]

Bible Study Questions – June 24

ESV1 in Chocolate Brown & British Tan

Who’s ready for some bible study questions? Are there any who want to take the challenge and put your answers here for everyone to see? Our church is really enjoying this format for Family Training Hour, and you might enjoy the questions, too.

Again, I want to see the scripture where the answer is found, and give some details as to context. I want to know some background information. In other words, why are we here at this answer? Please feel free to elaborate, but you don’t have to write a book. Thanks for your participation.

1. How old was Solomon when he died?
2. How many books did David write?
3. Where do you find a writing instrument made with a tip of a diamond?

Now, let’s see some activity around here and come up with some great answers.

Father’s Day – 2009

To say there is a fresh excitement in the air at Liberty Lighthouse Church of God, would be akin to describing a Big Mac as a five-course meal. Several of our people came home from the Florida Campmeeting refreshed and with a new perspective on the kingdom of God. The Lord really did move on us as we worshipped with thousands of other people in that great tabernacle.

We have decided to move ahead with a renewed sense of purpose with God’s help and direction. There’s a world of people who don’t know Christ as savior, but need to, and we intend to do our part to reach some of them. It is a certainty we can’t reach everyone, but can affect those around us, those who can be reached by our people.

We had a great service today as we honored the fathers who were with us. There were several visitors today, and our people made them feel right at home – people are looking for someone to care for them. Do you know why many people don’t get involved in church or even show up? Simply because they’re not asked. I know what you’re thinking: I’ve asked until I’m blue in the face. You may have to ask someone else, but keep asking.

There were prizes given away today, and the guys really enjoyed that. More importantly, however, is the fact they were with Christian people and participated in the service with us. They were exposed to God’s word and fellowship. They heard singing and listened to the words of praise. It was a good thing to see them here.

Will they come back? Will they give their hearts to the Lord? I don’t know, but one thing is for sure, and that is the fact one plants, another waters, but God gives the increase. If we Christians will do what we know to do, God will most surely do his part.

We normally have Sunday night services throughout the year with a few exceptions. Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and maybe a couple more. So, it’s normal for us to be at the church before the service begins, but not tonight. You never know what’s going to happen when there’s no evening service, so be prepared to be blessed by God and his people at all times.

My wife and I were at the parsonage, hanging out with our family, when she said “there’s a car at the church. Another one just showed up. Hey, that looks like Pastor Gary’s car.” Well, it wasn’t long until I changed clothes and ran over to where the cars were parked. Sure enough, Pastor Greer from the Lisbon Church of God, and some of his people had shown up at our church. I was embarrassed at first because these precious people travelled a good while to be with us, and here we were not having service this night.

Let me just tell you, all is okay. The visit was ordained of God and we had church anyway. We had great fellowship, prayer and a wonderful time in the Lord. There’s just something special when God’s people get together and share the goodness of the Lord; it is like family getting together around a big table and eating what’s been prepared.

We understand the importance of agreeing in prayer according to the scriptures. Jesus said in Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” After the Lisbon flock agreed with my wife and me concerning the needs of our church, Pastor Gary and I each picked up a musical instrument and let them sound in the midst of the people. He chose the ram’s horn and I had the shofar. What an awesome sound was heard as we lifted up the praise of those instruments to the Lord!

I wish you could have been here today and been a part of what the Lord did for all of us. If you live near us, pleas feel free to drop by. There is a link to our church and location on this blog.

My question is:

What will God do next?

What an Embarrassment! – Call Me Senator

Perhaps it’s my conservative upbringing. Perhaps it’s the twenty years I spent in military uniforms. Perhaps it’s common sense. Whatever the case may be, I am appalled and embarrassed after hearing the news stories regarding Senator Barbara Boxer yesterday. If anyone needs to resign, it’s people just like her; unfortunately, there’s plenty of her ilk filling seats in the halls of congress and senate. How sad! When anyone in the senate or congress, for that matter, think so highly of themselves as to interrupt a general while he’s answering questions is just too much.

Brigadier General Michael Walsh showed great restraint in dealing with Senator Boxer’s ridiculous remark regarding her hard-earned title. How petty! I’m not much on titles anyway, but this is overboard. True to form, though, as I watched Fox news last night, I saw a Democrat pollster defend the senator’s arrogance and trivial request. It seems senators on the left side of the aisle can do no wrong.

Though I can partially understand the need for military oversight, many in the senate and congress have no clue about what needs to be done regarding the defense of our nation. To treat our military personnel the way many of our civil servants do is beyond understanding. It’s as if the military is beneath their dignity; actually, it’s probably the other way around.

There have been countless blog posts about this issue already, but I wanted to add my take on the situation. It’s frustrating to hear about the arrogance of some of those civil servants who are supposed to serve the people, but are more interested in their own agendas. It seems many of them care about nothing more than hanging on to their power: forget the common citizen and forget giving up any perks they vote for themselves.

What do you think?

Some New Bibles

While at the Florida Campmeeting last week, I found some great bargains at the bookstore, and would like to share them with you. One of the joys of each campmeeting is fellowship to be had as people gather around the book tables and other booths which are set up inside the tabernacle. There is plenty to see, and much to browse through.

Along with the Pathway Press bookstore, various ministries are represented, giving attendees valuable information about programs and opportunities for involvement. Some of the booths deal with missions, women’s ministries, feeding programs, media and evangelism. There is an excitement as people gather around these booths to exchange information and ideas.

This year I found a burgundy Thompson Chain bible bound in Morocco leather – 502BG. Looking on the inside, I noticed the bible was produced in 1988, so it has been on the shelf for a long time. The box looked like it was run over by a truck, but the bible is in pristine condition. It’s a little bit larger than my old Thompson Chain which was given to me in 1977 by the people of the church where I came to Christ as Savior. Bethel Full Gospel Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, maintains a special place in my heart to this day.

Another find was a Nelson hand-bound premium calfskin leather NKJV UltraSlim bible. I got a red/black and a solid black edition. These are well-made bibles similar to the Signature Series, but not close to being as polished. There’s nothing like the soft cover of a Nelson Signature Series; these two just don’t make the grade, but should be good for daily use for a long time to come.

There’s nothing at the bookstore that quite compares to either my R. L. Allan and Sons Chocolate Brown or Tan ESV1 editions, but these three bibles were great deals and will definitely be used. Who knows, they might end up as gifts, which would be a great use for them. I want them to be used – bibles aren’t much good if they just lie around gathering dust.

Florida Campmeeting 2009 – 100 Years of Holy Ghost Power

The Florida Campmeeting is in full swing, and God’s power and presence has permeated the place from the outset. As the title declares, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the grandfather of all Church of God campmeetings. The first such meeting was in 1909, and has blossomed into a large gathering of people from all over the world who come to be a part of this great event.

If you’ve never attended a Church of God campmeeting, you really need to. Let me encourage you to find one in your area and make plans to go. When you get there, participate in worship, fellowship and meet new friends. I promise, you won’t regret the effort you put into your experience. There is Spirit anointed singing, teaching, preaching and lives changed by God’s great power.

Campmeeting flyer

Too Funny! Golden Pipes

If you like funny, then this is another one to make you laugh. It’s something we all need to do more of.

Too Funny! – Shankapotomus

Okay, I have to tell you, the E*Trade commercials with the baby are funny. This one aired during the Super Bowl and happens to be one of many featuring a baby stock trader. It looks like he has more sense than some who are currently leading our country!

Bible Study Questions – June 3

Before getting to the questions for tonight, I would like to give you some information about the day’s events. We’ve had our 5-year old grandson with us for about a week and it was time to take him home. My wife would normally have made the trip, but she wasn’t feeling well this morning and I volunteered.

The boy and I left about 8 a.m. this morning, and I got home after 7 p.m. this evening. I only spent about 40 minutes with my daughter before having to get back in the truck for the return trip. What a day! Our grandson did very well; he played with toys and his Nintendo whatchacallit pretty much the whole trip. It was funny, because every now and then the cab would be filled with “Pappy, why does it have to take so long?” It must be difficult for a little fella to ride all those hours in the back seat, strapped in and not able to go anywhere.

I left my wife to handle the teaching duties tonight, something she is well able to do, BTW. A couple of hours before service she called me while I was navigating through some very heavy rain and told me she had called and cancelled service due to the inclimate weather. We have some who just have a hard time in bad weather, and I was fine with her decision.

Following are the questions we would have gone over tonight. I won’t post questions this coming Wednesday night as my wife and I will be at the Florida Campmeeting in Wimauma, Florida. What a great time in the Lord we will have: singing, hearing outstanding, Holy Ghost anointed preaching and teaching, fellowship and generally receiving instead of pouring out all during the year. It’s a time of refreshment and battery charging we look forward to each year.

1. Where is the story of a captain being trampled at a gate of the city of Samaria?
2. During a time of temple repair, who found a book of the law?
3. Which prophet invited people to buy and eat wine and milk without money and price?

As always, please give chapter and verse. If you can’t do that, please give some details about why you believe you have the correct response. Again, I won’t give the right answers; thay way you can leave comments without me interfering. If you want to contact me for the answers I have, you are more than welcome to do so. Happy studying!