| I did not hear the official word, but I believe that on Tuesday Detroit set a new record for a high temperature on that date. In other words, it was just one more day in a season-long string of the most beautiful autumn weather I can recall. The days have been sunny. The wind has been minimal. And one could not ask for temperatures more comfortable. “Praise the Lord.”(Psalm 150.1a) Then yesterday was a rainy day. Now I could lament the fact that it was also the day I had arranged to have a donation for the Vietnam Veterans to be sitting on our porch waiting for pick-up because I did not want the rocker to get wet. However, many would say we needed the rain – and it was easy enough to put the items in the garage and leave the door open. Rainy days are important, therefore yesterday I was still saying, “Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!.” (Psalm 150.1b) Speaking of weather conditions, our prayers were answered in a mighty (favorable) way last weekend as Joel and I cleaned up the leaves at our cottage. Most of the leaves were down even though many years this is not true for another couple weeks. And not only were they on the ground, but they were in prime shape for burning. The morning started with me putting tarps under the eaves and Joel climbing to the roof to blow off the leaves. Then after we dragged the tarps to our designated burning sight, Joel started the fire with incredible ease. There was zero breeze to compete with our leaf raking activities, with an occasional gentle “puff” to keep the fires strong. By 3:00 p.m. every leaf was in one of our two piles and both piles were burning like crazy. By the following morning all that remained were ashes. “Praise God for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!” (Psalms 150.2) Something else happened yesterday – our mailbox suddenly became uncluttered! The commercials on our television seemed to change also. I am sure you must have noticed! All of those political attack adds might be gone for a season – which means, I expect, an extra dose of lawyers, gambling, and Medicare plans. My response? “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!” (Psalms 150.3) As a pastor emeritus and a Circuit Visitor I am in the midst of assisting a variety of congregations as they face many challenges. Two are in the process of calling a new pastor. One has a pastor who seems to be getting a call each month. Two are trying to hammer out a plan for joint ministry. Many are facing financial issues. I am booked to preach somewhere every Sunday (except one) for the rest of the year and have two emails from other churches seeking assistance to which I have not responded. This might feel overwhelming where it not for the encouraging gospel-promises of our God, such as “(Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and one earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church.” (Colossians 1.15-18) And, as I assist in planning exercises I am reminded, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19.21) Thus in all these circumstances we will “Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalm 150.5) And no matter how you feel about Tuesday’s election results (or those from two years ago), nothing will ever negate the promise God gave us through King David centuries ago: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all families of the nations shall worship before (him). For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.” (Psalm 22.27-28) Or, as Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5.43-45) Or, simply put, through every election cycle and all the times between, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150.6) And all this does for me is make me want to sing. And how about you join with me in the singing? “Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, all heavenly host: Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” |
