Abandoned

Good morning. It is Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Today is Daiquiri Day. I will confess that I love an occasional strawberry daiquiri. Or peach.

Things have improved, perhaps even drastically, at Christi’s job. She had a good talk with the top people for the customer (at least the top people at her site), and it sounds like they really worked some things out. Wednesday afternoon, she was ready to completely give up. But the really good thing that came from the conversation was that the customer seems to be very happy with her and the work she is doing. So that’s good news.

We have our worship service and prayer time this evening, starting at 4:45. After that, I believe Christi (and maybe Stephanie) will be going out for a ladies’ night out.

Both the Red Sox and Rangers won their first game back from the All Star break. The Sox gained a game in their division, and are now only 8.5 games out, while the Rangers continue to be 21 out, since Oakland won again.

(Source: Christian History Institute)

It was on this date in 1799 that twenty-eight year old Pierre-Francois Bouchard, while rebuilding Fort Julien in Egypt, came across a stone that had Greek inscriptions, as well as two different forms of ancient Egyptian. We know this stone as the Rosetta Stone. Yes, it’s a real thing, not just an over-priced software package.

Today’s birthdays include Jared Padalecki, Brian May, Anthony Edwards, Lizzie Borden, Vikki Carr, Allen Collins, Ilie Nastasie, Samuel Colt, and Bernie Leadon. Brian May is the guitar player for Queen. He turns 67 years old today. Here is a clip of him playing “God Save the Queen” atop Buckingham Palace.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.

(From The Divine Hours)

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:15-17
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!
Psalm 79:9
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!Psalm 72:18-19
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 103:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed.
Psalm 90:2-7

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name.
May your kingdom come, and your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Today’s reading in Reflections for Ragamuffins is “Abandoned To His Will.” Actually that’s yesterday’s reading. Whenever I miss a day, I have two to choose from, and I think yesterday’s is slightly better than today’s. It’s also brief, so I will quote it in its entirety.

“Concretely, abandonment to the will of God consists of finding his purpose for you in all the people, events, and circumstances you encounter. If God tears up your beautiful game plan and leads you into a valley instead of onto a mountaintop, it is because he wants you to discover his plan, which is more beautiful than anything you or I could have dreamed up. The response of trust is ‘Thank you, Jesus,’ even if it is said through clenched teeth.”

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Father, help me to be abandoned to your will. I believe that, in several instances, you have, indeed, torn up my “beautiful game plan” and driven me into the valley, that I might look up to your beautiful face and discover your plan for my life. I’m still a little fuzzy on that plan, sometimes, even at 56 years old, but I’m trying to keep my eyes looking at you to determine which way to go. The last few years have been very interesting. I pray that you keep me on the path, and am open to you sending me whichever way you want to.

I pray for this day. Christi has gone out to get groceries for her mother. I pray that she will get this done safely. I pray that you continue to work in her job situation, and praise you for the progress that has been made. I pray for our church prayer time and worship time this evening, that both will be honoring and glorifying to you. I pray that you make your presence known this evening, in a new and fresh way for us. May your glory fill the room where we worship.

Your grace is sufficient.

I pray that we can all discover God’s beautiful plan for us, even if it takes us into the valley.

Grace and peace, friends.