Favorite Psalms

note: the blog posts here now correspond with our church's website Visit6th.com and the polls or events which are highlighted there. in this way, we hope to gain a better interaction between the user and the site, .

So, What's Your Favorite Psalm?

With a 150 to choose from, that's a difficult multiple choice question--i'm guessing the answer "other" will gain the most votes! Psalms were songs, though we're not certain of all their melodies or different instrumental parts, they were likely originally written to be sung and heard. in the current context, we may ask, "what's on your ipod?" or, "what song is stuck in your head?"

the Psalms are among the favorite books of the Bible, and a collection of some the Hebrew people's favorite songs for worship, celebration, inspiration, and instruction. the book of Psalms may be likened to a church's hymn book. their lyrical value has been admired from beyond the religious context and are often quoted and remembered in the best and worst of times.

as we began a series of messages on this topic, it's given me time to reflect on quite a few in preparation for messages & related discussions. in such preparations, i've had a lot of inspiration and challenge from 2 in particular--Psalm 22 and Psalm 23.

Psalm 22 is the one Jesus began to quote from the cross--the perfect place to start our series after Easter. given the excruciating nature of the crucifixion, it's possible that the entire Psalm may have been "playing" through the mind of our Savior--encouraging him to finish the redemption task for which He had been sent. the prophetic references are amazing in their own right, but contemplating how the emotion and inspiration may have aided our Savior on our behalf is truly awe-some.

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most quoted, beloved, and recognizable Psalm. it's often used in the context of comfort in times of challenge or grief (like in funerals). however, in my recent contemplation in preparation for a message on Psalm 23, i considered the source of it's inspiration--David's days as a Shepherd. that is, the days in David's job, his 9-5, his mundane routine. could it be that history's most comforting song grew out of one's work experience? as we contemplate the value the Scriptures place on work, and God's continuing presence with us (even at work), perhaps God has something truly comforting and encouraging for us within our own work context. perhaps, God has an enduring song that can transcend our 9-5 routine--and even bring hope to others

so, what's your favorite Psalm? we've explored several Psalms from Books I & II (that is, through Psalm 72) in our Sunday morning worship at 6th Avenue. this series (which began with Psalm 22 on April 19 and will continue through the end of July), obviously, won't be able to cover them all during this time, but we'll cover quite a few more.

we encourage you to join us each Sunday morning at 9:30 am as we discuss these psalms--you can also listen online at our website's "listen" page as the messages are uploaded. and consider taking time this summer to reload the "Psalms playlist" by reading one per day, and meditating on each one. leave your comments, thoughts, and questions from your readings here for others to read, be inspired, or to share answers from their experiences and studies.

as always, in all things, let us continue to serve, love, and pray to bring God glory...

nearly home...

Keli, the kids, Cheryl, and Zach are all home safe and sound...and me, well...i stayed behind from our final leg home. we flew from Manchester to JFK just fine. getting through customs in New York was a little difficult--not for us--but for a guy who tried to bully his way through security, resulting in shutting down an area that our flight and 4 other international flights needed to access. so, we were re-routed back up through ticketing and through security, and to our gate, with just a few moments to spare before loading up for Cincinnati.

into Cincy was no problem (i think we taxied at JFK for as long as the flight was). once we found our gate, we heard "we need a volunteer for the Huntsville flight to take a flight tomorrow" -- having just heard a wonderful testimony of how such a moment prepared the way for a divine moment for Jim Lyon, we investigated. though it would have been nice to be home, i stayed behind with perks from Delta to allow me the opportunity for a future flight and a few extra skymiles.

knowing now that the family has made it safely. i too can call it a night and get some rest before the adventure re-begins tomorrow morning. sometime this week, i'll be posting some further updates, as well as some pictures, and a review of Chad Davenport's sharing with our church on Wednesday, June 3 about the Westside Christian Fellowship in Auckland, New Zealand.

worship, unity, and mission

updating my previous Sunday update...We had a wonderful time of worship with our brothers and sisters at Egan Road. Pastor John began with reflections on this Pentecost Sunday, and led us in a few hymns and chouses highlighting the wonderful gift and person of the holy Spirit. Pastor John Larmar, who previously pastured the congregation, as did his father before him, led us in a Scripture meditation followed by prayer. Pastor Larmar has an amazingly sweet and tender spirit about him that just exudes peace.

I shared a message of encouragement for the congregation from Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. We made it our prayer for Egan Road: 1) to Know Christ by faith and Grown in Him by the Spirit; 2) to experience and express His love fully; and 3) the blessing to dream.

The real encouragement is within that 3^rd element in the wonderful blessing of imagination—and that the Lord must be a bigger dreamer than we are—He doesn’t want any to perish, but all to come to life through His Son. It’s okay to dream, to hope for bigger and greater things, and to set our hearts and efforts to prepare the soil, plant the seeds, and providing the necessary water and Son necessary for growth—and in time, as we are faithful in His faithfulness, we will see a harvest (Galatians 6:9).

Sister Linda prepared a wonderful roast lamb and plum tart pudding (dessert) that filled us after a wonderful morning—a brief afternoon rest for most of us, but Cheryl and Linda took the boys to a local fair where they could see some local farm animals.

Sunday evening, 4 other congregations came to worship together at Egan Road--4 other congregations from across the Wirral area. 2 were different Baptist churches, 1 was a Chinese church (including Missionaries Daniel & Hannah Ng), and a 4th congregation. now, you'd expect quite a crowd for 5 churches meeting in one place--and they thought it was a lot of people and good to get that many together, even better than expected. i estimate about 65 were in attendance. it was just another indicator of how church attendance is declining in the UK.

Daniel Ng attended Emmanuel Bible College in the area with Pastor John years ago--though he previously pastored a Chinese church in Liverpool, he now spends his time in UK raising funds and awareness for continued trips into mainland China to encourage and share with the underground church. he is able to do this as a Hong Kong native, and as a marriage counselor--he shared with me that divorce and separation rates are extremely high and of great concern to Communist China, so he has access through his workshops. the information and inspiration he shared with us all in about 30 minutes was great--i'm going to be looking into more of what he shared, and be sure to share with others what the Lord is doing in China.

i spoke a message on Ascension to Revelation--reading from Acts 1 and Revelation 7, i shared the realization that the promise of the Holy Spirit was given to 1 small group of 1 small, insignificant nation--a group that most likely only spoke 1 language and had never likely been out of their own country. yet, from these who received and obeyed, the Gospel has extended into nearly every nation, tribe, and tongue. i also shared the application that it's our turn to come together for mission and to continue that work. i concluded with my own motivation, to be a disciple who comes back full of joy, and in turn fills Jesus with Joy (as the 72 did in Luke 10).

the message was well received, as was the singing and the fellowship afterwards. we all talked with more of our new English friends who said they loved our accents!

through this day, talks between Zach and John continued--continuing from conversations we've had over the years and through the convention, and through the week together. talks that i cannot rightly share here--that's Zach's story to Tell.

but let's just say this: the Lord is working in our continuing partnership--and we've much great work to do together for the Lord!

off to the airport -- pray for our safe return -- more updates and concluding thoughts to follow!