Coffee With The Lord

You’ve seen ‘em… People that fret and fuss over everything!  Adept at hand-wringing and whining!  They can find a conspiracy or spot a developing injustice before it’s even imagined!  There’s a crisis in every cloud, an emergency in every experience.  They whine, accuse, cry out and gasp their way through every day.  “It’s not fair!  There’s favoritism! I’m more deserving! They always get by with it! I’m more righteous than they are and look at them… I suffer and they’re blessed!”- these are some of their favorite phrases.  Fuss! Fuss! Fuss! Fret! Fret! Fret!

Here’s what David, prompted by the Holy Spirit, had to say to those who were tempted to slip into that ugly pattern of life…

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!  For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.  Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!  Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.  For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.  In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.  But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” (Psalm 37:1–11 ESV)

Next time I’m tempted to fret and fuss, I’m going to try to remember what I think is the “Cliff Notes Version” of David’s advice… Fret not over the evildoer – Instead focus on the faithfulness and goodness of God!

My wife, Sharon, came home the other day complaining that she had spent a lot of time trying to find just the right card for a dear friend.  “They didn’t have anything!” she exclaimed!  “I had to look and look, and what I chose I’m not entirely happy with!”  I think we’ve all had that frustrating experience at some time or other.

Can you imagine finding just the right card to send to the Lord?  What a challenge!  But what if you found these wonderful words on a card that you could send to the Lord…  (I found them in Psalm 36 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

^“Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.  How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.  For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.  Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!”  (Psalm 36:5–10 ESV)

Good, eh?!  Better yet why not make those words the words you send to Him directly in praise and thanksgiving this morning?  I did!  (And I think I saw Him smile and mouth the words “I love you!” in return!)

Well this morning I began my annual “Birthday Prayer Run!” This year running 74 miles in a week in celebration of my upcoming 74th birthday! I’ll keep you posted on my progress for those who are interested. Each year I invite prayer requests from anyone who would like me to pray about a need they have or are aware of. You may text message your request to 972-921-9317 (as always confidentiality is assured).

Wonderful “Lord’s Day” (Sunday) run today… Prayed for a lot of needs friends have sent in. Sitting at 43 miles completed… Should be able to complete my 74 mile birthday run sometime on Wednesday (body staying healthy, no accidents and the strength God supplies).

Well it’s day #5 of my annual “Birthday Prayer Run!” Goal is to finish a mile for every year of my upcoming birthday in a week (this year I turn 74). So today I finished 12.36 miles for a total in 5 days of 55.36 miles (praying about prayer requests friends send me all the way)… 18.64 miles to go!!! Feeling strong – feeling good! Hope to finish Wednesday morning… we’ll see.

Day 6 of my “Birthday Prayer Run” – goal 74 miles in a week in celebration of my 74th birthday… Just finished 13.84 miles today… only 4.8 miles needed tomorrow to reach 74 miles! Plan to do that in the morning. Watch for a celebratory post!!! Yahoo and a “Bartel fist pump!” 😉 ✊