Destruction and unhappiness is in their ways and the way of peace have they not known.

-from Psalm 14

Psalm 14 starts off like this: “The fool hath said in his heart: there is no God.” It then continues on, describing these “fools”. This Psalm is really interesting because there are 3 verses that are absent from most modern translations, yet those missing 3 verses are quoted in their entirety in Romans 3:13-18. It turns out that the full version of Psalm 14 is present in the Septuagint, which is the earliest surviving Greek translation of the Old Testament from about 300 years or so before the birth of Christ. You probably won’t find these three in your own Bible but they come right after verse 3:

Their throat is an open sepulcher, with their tongues have they deceived,

The poison of asps is under their lips.

Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness,

Their feet are swift to shed blood.

Destruction and unhappiness is in their ways and the way of peace have they not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes.

This is followed by verse 4, which you will find in your Bible:

Have they no knowledge that they are all such workers of mischief,

Eating up my people as it were bread and call not upon the Lord?

My first reaction to these verses was to think about people who fit these descriptions. I’m sure all of us know one or more people who seem to know nothing but unhappiness and leave destruction in their wake, be it physical or emotional.

But then I realize, if I’m honest, there are times in my life that I have fit all of these descriptions. I have been full of bitterness before, and, as verse 5 says, I have been brought into great fear, even in places where there is no fear. When I really ponder the words of the Psalm, I realize that it is talking about me. And you. We like to think we have it all figured out by “being” Christians, but God calls us to rise above the many forms that darkness takes in our lives and reach out for the light. The good news is that this light shines brightly in our darkness, and that darkness has not and cannot ever overcome it.

Prayer for Today

Brilliant Light of the Universe, keep us from filling our lives with bitterness, destruction, and unhappiness. Help us to share your light with others so that they too may fill their lives instead with peace and understanding. Help us to build instead of destroy and love instead of hate. Amen.

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

-Luke 24:36

This past week during VBS, I opened the doors to the front of the church to let in a youth helper and a little boy in need of a bathroom break. He told me he was this many (three fingers) and his name. I followed them down the hall toward the restrooms as the music emanated from the Great Hall and he began to dance to it, singing the words he’d learned... Shalom, Chavarim. It means, “peace, friends.” What better phrase could there be for a child to learn in as many languages as possible?

For many people around the world, Shalom is the one Hebrew word they know. It’s both a common greeting and farewell. Except for a brief period in the 1960s and 70s, the same cannot be said of English. But it’s how Christ greeted people and what he offered. What would it be like for us to start there too? To greet our friends and strangers with peace? What would it be like to orient ourselves to creating, offering, building peace? Quick to offer grace and forgiveness, to release grudges and ask to be released from hate in turn? Jesus told us peace-makers are blessed.

The youth and I recently watched the film Best of Enemies, based on the true story of a KKK clan leader and a civil rights activist first squaring off over school integration and then becoming lifelong friends. It was not organic. It required they both be people of faith with common ground, both parents, and a peacemaker to forge a bridge between them. Imagine what we could do if we greeted people with peace, chose peace, releases our malice, and worked each day to be at peace with one another. This week, find a way to greet a stranger in peace or make a small peace with a family or friend and make your former of the world on of Shalom - deep peace - Christ’s peace.

Prayer for Today

Lord, make me a blessed peacemaker. Give me your peace. Help me, by your spirit, to extend it to others. Amen.

We often hear about how we at JCPC touch so many lives. Have you ever thought how we are able to do that? One way is through use of our buildings and grounds. From your generous support we accomplish what Peter wrote in his first letter (4:10). 

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. Yes, we must keep our buildings operational and clean. During the pandemic we must also keep them safe and sanitized. At times, improvements must be prioritized, voted on, and acted upon. We do all this as we are trusted with God’s belongings. We must be faithful, generous stewards...you must be guided by your heart.

Remember this: The person who sows sparingly reaps sparingly and the person who sows generously reaps generously. Do so by love not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

-Corinthians 9:6-7

We can always use a helping hand with building and grounds projects. If you enjoy any of these activities. please let a stewardship member know. We certainly appreciate your support with any of our “special projects.” As in Matthew 25:21, His master said to him, well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your Master’s joy!

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, help us to be the best possible stewards of your church. Place love in our hearts helping us to know where our passion is and our ability to help. Gracious and loving God, your abundance continues to help us support many in need. May your church never forget this. Amen.

One way that I grow deeper in my faith is when I take a section of scripture and consider how it may connect with a current season of life or situation I am encountering. I spent the past week with 40 children and over 30 youth and adult leaders at Vacation Bible School. This morning, as I reflected on the week and all that God had been doing, I read this passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. These are words I would share with all who joined us last week during VBS.

It was a week of planting seeds and seeing the fruit from many years of faith experiences. Many of the faces that joined us last week have been faithfully joining us for VBS for years. It was a joy to see faith in action during the week and listen to the ways that God has been at work in many over the last year. I was blessed to spend time with all of the children for the Bible Story station in our Outdoor Chapel each day. We took some time each day to interact and retell stories of Moses, the Israelites and their journey in the wilderness. One day, we walked the meditation trail/nature path crafted by Tom Strader as his Eagle Scout Project. Each group of children were excited to travel the path and explore God’s creation in prayer. Many of them asked to do that again a second time the next day.

I would also invite you to see how these words connect with your current season or situation.

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

Philippians 1:3- The Message

Prayer for Today

Gracious God, May you open our hearts so that your love will flourish and that we will not only love much but well. Help us to learn to love appropriately. Guide us on the path to a life filled with fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
(inspired by Philippians 1:9-11 The Message)

My Mother had a cat that chose her…she did not choose him, but he was drawn to her over and over. Fritz, belonged to a neighborhood family and they soon moved away, taking Fritz with them! A few weeks later, Fritz showed up on Mother’s back deck. She was delighted to see him, but knowing he didn’t belong to her, returned him to his family. This happened numerous times until the family decided Fritz was happier in their former neighborhood.

This reminds me of the times we as believers move away from our daily contact with God. We make attempts at drawing back, but sometimes “life” distracts, and gets in the way. We end up spending less and less time in thoughtful prayer and communion with our Maker. We forget that He chose us and drew us to himself, and does not “move away” from us! He does not forget about us…He is always waiting for our return. In Zechariah 1:3, God says to his people, “return to Me and I will return to you”. As believers, we are His people…He is always available to us when we seek Him with all our heart. In Joel 2:12, God says “turn to Me while there is time…give Me your hearts… how can we not! 

Prayer is a constant in my life….sometimes I walk through the day in a “state of prayer” knowing that God hears my prayers but doesn’t need my suggestions as to how to answer them. He knows the longings of our heart, we don’t have to keep “reminding” Him. What we need is patience to wait and see what He will do. Cry out to God in your longing, He is listening, He cares, all heaven goes to work when we pray. Trust In God…for He is trustworthy, and never moves away from those who seek him. Pray all the time…if necessary….use words. We will all be happier in God’s neighborhood…in His presence daily.

Prayer for Today

Holy Father, creator of all things, forgive us when we neglect your presence with us. Thank you for choosing us as Your own. How blessed we are in that knowledge. Give us gentle nudges that draw us back to You when the things of this world draw us away. Reveal Your loving kindness and faithfulness to us and our loved ones in ways that cannot be denied. In the precious name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

On July 16, 1999, the small plane piloted by John F. Kennedy Jr. crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. Investigators determined the cause of the accident to be a common error known as spatial disorientation. This phenomenon occurs when, due to poor visibility, pilots become disoriented and forget to rely on their instruments to help them successfully reach their destination.

As we navigate life, there are often times when life gets so overwhelming we feel disoriented. A cancer diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a job loss, a betrayal by a friend—life’s unexpected tragedies can easily leave us feeling lost and confused.

When we find ourselves in these kinds of situations, we might try offering the prayer of Psalm 43. In this psalm, the psalmist is overwhelmed and feeling lost because he feels surrounded by evil and injustice. In despair, the psalmist pleads with God to provide His sure guidance to help him safely navigate through the situation to his desired destination, God’s presence (vv. 3–4). In God’s presence the psalmist knows he’ll find renewed hope and joy. 

What are the tools the psalmist requests for guidance? The light of truth and the assurance of God’s presence by His Holy Spirit.

When you’re feeling disoriented and lost, God’s faithful guidance through His Spirit and loving presence can comfort you and light your way.

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You that You’ve not left me alone in the challenging and disorienting circumstances of life. Please help me to rely on You to guide my steps today. Amen.

Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy.

-Psalm 96:12

This past Sunday, we had the privilege of welcoming JCPC’s longtime friend, Dr. Weimer, to the pulpit. He preached a wonderful message about forgiveness, common ground, and reconciliation, and he reminded us to offer comfort and encouragement, as the pandemic ends, by hugs, fist bumps, and elbow nudges. It was a great reminder how much we all need to connect as brothers and sisters in Christ and offer mutual forbearance, compassion, empathy, and... laughter.

I went back to watch the recording of the worship service from the Live Stream on YouTube. YouTube provides something wonderful for the hearing impaired... live closed captions. At the end of the service, as folks left the Great Hall and Heidi played beautiful music, the closed captions were still interpreting the service and as you can see from the screen capture, it said... [laughter] [music]. I’ve never seen such a wonderfully succinct summary of the joy we experience in the final moments of worship as we begin to fellowship. Laughter and Music. This is the joy of weekly worship together, in-person and livestream.

This week, before worship, as you ready your heart for the worship hour, and after worship, as you prepare for your week, I hope you’ll revel in that joy. Remember that we are a body together to be of love, empathy, and encouragement, so we may worship, serve, and delight in this world. Plenty of people are contributing to the darkness of this world. God calls us to be the light. Carry that laughter and music with you, wherever God calls you to be.

Prayer for Today

Lord, make me a joyous servant who carries laughter and music from worship to your world. Amen.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10

“Fear” is defined as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.”

We have all experienced fear in our lifetimes. In overcoming fear, we rely on different comforting thoughts or people. When flying, we rely on the pilot’s skill and the aircraft’s ability to operate well and the mechanics who are in charge are well trained to do their jobs. When facing medical problems, we rely on the skill and training of our physicians. Young children rely on their trust in their parents to keep them safe. We have all whispered prayers to overcome life’s most fearful periods.

When my family and I moved to Atlanta from our hometown of New Orleans over 30 years ago, we were jumping from the comfort of the known to the future of many unknowns. As we crossed Lake Pontchartrain, I remember telling my husband we were taking a leap of faith. This was a reassuring thought that overcame any anxieties we had about our decision to leave the familiar.

Christians lean on their faith in times of uncertainty. This is not a new concept as many things we do in life require faith. We have faith in God to know what is right for us and to trust in his knowing to get us through times of uncertainty and fear. Sometimes, like children, we are afraid even though we know God is in control. It is our human nature.

This is a time of uncertainty in America in dealing with post-pandemic issues. There is a trust problem that has developed among citizens with organizations and concepts that before we would have not thought about twice. In making the right decisions about how to go forward, we must trust that God is in our decision making. Just like post-9/11, we have a new reality in our country. Going forward, it is not the organizations that we must trust, but in God we trust.

Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to lean on you in all things that trouble us. We know you are always present and willing to hear from us. Thank you for loving and caring for us in this way. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.

This Sunday, we will sing “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” as our opening hymn. The text of this hymn was written by Robert Robinson, an English Dissenter or Separatist, one of many Protestant Christians who separated from the Church of England in the 17th and 18th centuries. An influential Baptist and scholar, he made a lifelong study of the antiquity and history of Christian Baptism. He was briefly converted to Evangelical Methodism upon hearing the Calvinist preacher George Whitefield. It was around this time when he wrote Sunday’s opening hymn!

Come, thou Fount of every blessing;
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of God's unchanging love!

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.

Now I’m guessing every time you sing this hymn you’re wondering what an Ebenezer is… you probably write it off as an obscure reference from the Old Testament and hurry along to the Jesus sought me when a stranger part… let’s take a closer look at this obscure reference:

We are familiar with the Old Testament accounts of Israel, God’s chosen people, repeatedly falling away from God. One of the many, many times God came to their rescue (this time they were under attack from the Philistines), the great prophet Samuel set up a stone, a monument to remind Israel for years and generations to come how God had helped them that day. He called the stone Ebenezer. In Hebrew, Ebenezer means “stone of help.”

(eben = stone, ezer = help)

I hope you can think back and recall situations in your own life when God has come to your rescue. It could be a near-miss that was almost a car accident… it could be a healing from an addiction… the restoration of a broken relationship… or it could be the comfort of God’s presence when you needed it most… 

O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.

Prayer for Today

Holy God, open our eyes to your amazing grace, and may we respond by drawing closer to you and sharing your love with those around us. In the saving name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:19

This morning, I took our middlest (our terms of endearment for the boys are oldest, youngest, and middlest) for a special father/son breakfast out. French Toast and beignets seem to taste better on a patio after a long holiday weekend. Powdered sugar and towers of table menus and shakers and giggles were far more the focus than caloric intake. But at one point, admiring his tower of chaos and a balanced stuff giraffe atop salt and pepper grinders, he got real thoughtful, as he often does. “You know,” he mused, “a lot of people think they can’t do something when they could, if they just had the right materials.”

How right he was. So many people hold off making healthy changes in their diet and exercise till they get a trainer or dietician, a meal plan, a weight-lifting set, or the right bike. So many of us won’t tackle a language or a subject of interest till we have the right book or teacher. And when it comes to our faith, we have questions, curiosities, or a desire to grow closer to God, to gain a deeper wisdom, or serve more faithfully, and we wait for the right book, the right small group, teach, preacher, or series.

And yet, as Christians, we have the materials, and access to materials. Scripture tells us the Lord provides what we need. We have scripture itself, the Spirit of God that lends us understanding, the Church and our family of faith, and opportunities to serve people in need every day. Whatever our skills, our gifts, our struggles, or our flaws, we have been given both materials and a promise for all we will ever need to do the work before us. Trusting that you do have the right materials, what has the Lord called you to do today?

Prayer for Today

Lord, remind me of what materials I have, what you will provide, and what you have called me to do. Help me to trust in you, to do the work, and show your love in all I do. Amen.