Thoughts on a Psalm and Birthday and COH Briefing

Psalm 19 has been one of my favorite Psalms for the last few months. There are Psalms for so many different occasions - ones for when you are sad, happy, under attack, and all Psalms are praises and prayers to God. This Psalm is not really an occasion Psalm, but a praise to God and and then at the end asking God to help us live each day right. I love nature and often feel my closest time with God have been when I am experiencing his creation whether this be a run on West Cliff drive, a sunny day drive up the 101, or snowboarding in the mountains (as my brief time as a blogger you have probably heard this already). I love the language of the Psalm and how creation is God's. The other reason I love this Psalm is because it is so God focused. Even when the Psalm turns to asking God to help us live right it is focused on HIM and needing HIS help and making sure we remember it is HIS work. I have typed the Psalm below for your own reading pleasure =).

Psalm 19 - The Message Translation

"God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night Lectures every evening.

Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded, but their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is everywhere.

God makes a huge dome for the sun - a superdome! The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, the daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.

That's how God's word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.

The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signpost of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes, God's reputation is twenty-four carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down the the nth degree.

God's word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in the spring, better than red ripe strawberries.

There's more: God's word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar."

On an a different note - I turned 23 this week. My dad was out in Colorado to help wrap up the end of the project I have been working on, so he decided to take me to Aspen on my birthday. We started the day at Snowmass and ended it at Aspen. It ended up being a great day. I got to snowboard all day, most of my friends and family remembered to call me, and I got steak for dinner. I even remembered to take some pictures, which I have included at the bottom of the page.

Lastly, I would like to be at Convoy of Hope by May. I write this fully knowing God works in his own timing which may or may not be ours, but this doesn't mean I (and you) can't pray that I will be their sooner rather than later!!! If you could continue to pray that I will be able to raise my funds (even in the midst of this countries financial uncertainty) and pray that they will be raised before the end of May I would appreciate it!

Be Blessed!