RSVP

Our Daily Bread
I am not sure I should tell this story because it is sort of embarrassing.  I don't remember the patient's name, so that won't be a confidentiality issue.  After college, I worked as an orderly in a nursing home for a year or two while saving up money to attend seminary.  I had to take care of male and female patients, which was not always comfortable. The nursing home had a rule that incontinent patients can't wear underwear to bed.  One of our nightly "tucking in" rituals was to make sure the underwear was off.  One night, as I gently asked a stately lady to remove her underwear, she looked at me and said very sincerely: "That is by invitation only!".  ha!

Seriously, God sent us an invitation to restore communion with him through the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.  Praise God!  Have you accepted him?  Why not pray to him now?  RSVP today!

Lord, thank you for your heavenly invitation!

Psalm Sunday
We are looking at Psalm 59 this week.  A question: who are our enemies?  The question was asked of Jesus: Who are our neighbors?  This psalm is another "deliver me, I know you are powerful enough to overcome the wicked" one.  Be sure to read it out loud!


Psalm 59

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God;
    be my fortress against those who are attacking me.
2 Deliver me from evildoers
    and save me from those who are after my blood.
3 See how they lie in wait for me!
    Fierce men conspire against me
    for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me.
    Arise to help me; look on my plight!
5 You, Lord God Almighty,
    you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
    show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6 They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,
    and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths —
    the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
    and they think, “Who can hear us?”
8 But you laugh at them, Lord;
    you scoff at all those nations.
9 You are my strength, I watch for you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
10     my God on whom I can rely.
God will go before me
    and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,
    or my people will forget.
In your might uproot them
    and bring them down.
12 For the sins of their mouths,
    for the words of their lips,
    let them be caught in their pride.
For the curses and lies they utter,
13     consume them in your wrath,
    consume them till they are no more.
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
    that God rules over Jacob.
14 They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,
    and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food
    and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.
17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.

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Let go, my friends!  God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!