When skyscrapers are built they are built on huge foundations dug deeply into the ground where it is solid, ideally solid rock.

Jesus tells those listening to him in Matthew 7:24, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Isaiah 26:4 says, “Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.”

We build the foundation for our life on our beliefs, preconceptions, and world views. If this foundation is built on how we feel about things and popular social and cultural ideas, we are not building our life on solid ground. Jesus’ and his teaching that we learn through the Bible are the solid rock foundation on which we can build lives that enable us to successfully withstand the trials and temptations of the world.

Dear Lord, Thank you for taking the guesswork out of building our lives properly. You have given us the template which starts with following and trusting you. Help us keep you first in our lives build our lives around you, our rock. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“Praise the Lord, Let all that I am praise the Lord.” Psalm 146

Many places in the Bible we are told to “Praise the Lord,” but what does that really mean? It means acknowledging that God is, well, God. He is all powerful, all knowing, the creator of everything.

Being written two or three thousand years ago, the examples used in the Bible describing the amazing things for which to praise God seem a bit simple to us now.

A psalm written about praising God today might be more like this:

Praise God for making the laws of physics that allow us to travel around the world in hours.
Praise Him for the elegant design of the atom that allows us to transmit information around the world in seconds.
Praise God for the amazing balance in molecules, and elements, that maintain stability of the chemistry in our environment.
Praise Him for the balance of earth’s cycle of life that maintains stability in the earth’s ecology.
Praise God for the astonishing sophistication of the human body that can do wonderful and beautiful things, a body that can be strengthened, and can heal itself.
Praise Him for the amazing creation of the human brain that allows us to learn about these amazing creations and use them to improve the quality of life for all people.

For these and marvels of Your power yet to be learned, we Praise you Lord. Amen.

I chuckle at the expression, “If the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, every problem is a nail.”

I think this expression describes the way we sometimes look at problems, but also how we can mistakenly approach people. We often fall into the thinking that the same approach to an issue is right for all people, and that the way we do things is the way everyone should do those things.

One, of many, examples is in the way church is conducted. Some say, “get with the times, we need contemporary music and a casual atmosphere.” others think traditional is the only appropriate way. However, often, there are many ways that are appropriate and effective, and different styles connect with different people.

Paul confirms some of these differences in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 saying, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”

It is always a healthy exercise for each of us to question how we are approaching others. Are we starting with love and care for them, and recognition of the possible differences, before we offer our opinion? Let’s remember that we are all unique and one solution is not always the only solution.

Dear Lord, the variety of people, approaches and gifts are part of the beauty of your creation. Help us see this beauty, and relate to others with love and care first, open to the gifts you may have given them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Today is Veterans Day in the United States, a day we set aside to appreciate those who have served, all of us, in the U.S military. Thank you to all those veterans!

Jesus teaches us about service in Mark 10:44-45 saying, “and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.”

Though Jesus’ service was to save our souls, US soldiers commit to serve an if necessary give their lives to save other’s lives. Jesus also tells us in John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

The United States and the world would be a much different and more dangerous place for peaceful people if it were not for the service of our veterans.

Dear Lord, we thank you for all those who have served, putting others before themselves and following your example. Bless them, their friends, and families. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Many of us have memorized the 23rd Psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…..” and we probably know it in the language of the King James (KJV), or Revised Standard (RSV) versions of the Bible.

In the RSV, verse 3 says, “He leads me in paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.” Which is not completely clear in our modern language, however, reading this verse in the New Living Translation (NLT) says, “He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” This helps me understand a little more clearly.

If we follow Jesus, our shepherd, he will show us the right paths. We do not need to stress and worry about what to do. We trust Him and move forward, and He will lead us.

Dear Lord, many of us have concerns about decisions and questions in life. Help us remember that if we look to you for guidance, you will put us on the right path, and bring honor to You. In Jesus’ name we pray.