Change of Pace

Hello everyone.  Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  My Friday was a pretty good day.  I didn't get much production accomplished, but it was still good.  I didn't get much sleep Thursday night, which is getting to be a  pattern I need to break.  So I got up early to do my homework for Friday morning's class.  I got it done, went to class, and then came back to my room and went back to bed.  I slept until one thirty.  Then I got up and went to prof and stein.  For those of you who don't know, prof and stein, which happens every other Friday afternoon, is when all the students and faculty are welcome to the cafeteria for keg beer together.  They had Schlafly's Octoberfest which is a very good beer.  Then they always have one of the professors get up on the "soap box" and talk about something outside of their area of expertise for 15 minutes.  It's really just about getting together with your professors and talking with them outside of class over one or two beers.  That's suppose to be the point anyway; however, there was one guy who ended up drunk and I guess that's a pretty regular thing for him. It's kind of sad he has to turn a great thing into something negative, and I will be very upset if they stop doing it because of him or others like him.  Then we got three cars full of guys and went out for supper at Chick Fil A, which is always good.  When we got back we watched the end of the Preachers (our seminary mascot) soccer game.  Then we went to wine whine.  For those of you who don't know what this is, the language students started a pretty cool thing.  During the summer, those taking Greek would get together on Friday nights, since they were the only students really here, and whine about Greek while enjoying a glass of wine.  The tradition continued so now every Friday night at one of the married guy's houses normally, we get together with different wines and just mainly talk and hang out with a little whining about classes and homework.  It is just one more way we have found to build community life together with alcohol in moderation being included.  It is really good for me, because most of you know I like to drink and don't always have the best self control when I do.  However, these events are teaching me very quickly how to enjoy one or two drinks and calling it a night.

This morning I slept in until noon, and then got up and started some laundry, did the dishes, picked up my room a little bit, and did a little reading.  Now I am typing this before the Husker game starts.  The change of pace title refers to my Saturdays though.  Especially last year when I lived in the house, I got a pretty regular routine of cleaning and chores in the morning, and then college football the rest of the day.  Now I still try to do what cleaning needs to be done, but I feel lucky if I get to watch my Huskers play.  I don't get to watch any other games.  A lot of that having to do with the fact that our lounge still doesn't have cable, and even if it did it is normally full of guys who are not interested in football.  Crazy I know guys who would rather watch Star Wars than college football?!  I don't get it either, but to each their own.  

I wanted to go back over my questions on Thursday's text.  If you don't agree with me or want to discuss anything with me feel free to email me at richterk@csl.edu.  

My answers: ( I will repeat the questions too)

1. Do you see a progression, or shift of movement throughout the Psalm? 

Yes I saw a progression or shift of movement.  I saw a time line played out in this psalm.  In the beginning it speaks of Moses and Israel, the ancient history of God's people, then talks about His love and compassion and His act of removing our sins which is JESUS who came after Israel.  Then it talks about God's children which I see as the collection as a whole, all of us from the beginning of time until the end of time as one group.  Then it shifts to Heaven and Angels which points to eternity.  So I see the story of God's people before Christ, the story of Christ, the story of us who have been redeemed while still here, and then the story of the second coming and all of us going Home playing out in order in this text.  

2. Other than this being a prayer of thanksgiving, do you see an overall theme here?

The theme goes along with the progression.  The theme is the story of Christ being our Redeemer and Savior. From the beginning of God's people who were sinners, to us who are still sinners, we have had our sins removed from us through Christ.  The theme is the story of what Christ did for us, and then us giving Him thanksgiving back for it.  Now I am sure this theme could probably be found in every psalm, but it is definitely easy to see in this one.  

3.  Verses 8 through 12 would not be true with out what?

This I was just using to prove my theme.  Verses 8 through 12 speak specifically of God's compassion and mercy on us His fallen creation.  The removing of our sins, through Christ, because if He didn't do this, we would all be bound for Hell.  By His love, grace, and mercy alone we are saved.  These verses just poetically speak that truth of Christ. 

4.  Who is this verse most comforting to? Are you included in that answer?

This text is most comforting to "those who fear Him".  I just wanted you to catch that phrasing and think about what it truly means.  We must fear and love God,  fear Him because He is a just God, has all authority and power to send us to Hell, and is our only final judge.  However, we must love Him because even though He is just and has the power to send us to eternal Hell; through His Son, we have been saved, and have been washed clean of our repented sin which makes our judgment less scary.  Wither you are included in this or not is a personal question you have to answer.  Do you fear and love Your God?  I hope and pray You do.

5.  What life applications can we take from this psalm?

The biggest life application I see from this text is when we are constantly reminded what Christ has done for us, we should always remember to give Him thanks and praise.  What else do we have to offer Him other than our genuine prayer of thanksgiving, our faithful song of praise, and our devotion to always share His name.  With the help of God, I hope we are are able to do all of these daily. 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

The psalm we have read reminds us that from the day Your creation fell into sin, until even today, You have never given up on any of us or forsaken us.  Yet daily You remind us of all You have done for us, daily You remind us, that even though we fear you as a just, judging Lord, we can still love You.  Because through Your grace and mercy, and the death and resurrection of Your Son, we are washed clean and made new.  We can come to You in prayer, and some day stand before Your judgement knowing Your name has been placed on us, and we have been called home to You.  Let us never forget to come to You with thanksgiving and praise.  Let us be You witnesses that live Your faith and love, showing others how great a God we all have.  In the only name that can ever save us, give us peace, and bring us home to You, Jesus Christ, we pray.  Amen.