Memory

The memory is such a strange thing. It seems that every time you don't want to remember something you can't get it out of your head but if you really want to memorize something or remember it you can't! I want to memorize the Bible more but it's tough. You really have to work at it. I am involved in a Bible study with a friend and we decided to start memorizing a verse per week but it doesn't seem like enough to me. Even that one verse is hard to get in there unless you make memorization a priority. We decided to start by memorizing Psalm 34:15 and 17 (ok I know its two verses but you get the idea!). Then last night I was reading those verses and decided to read the rest of the Psalm just for contexts sake when I realized what an amazing Psalm it is! So I committed to memorizing all of this amazing Psalm. Check it out:

Psalm 34

A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9 Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20 He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

The statements in bold are just a few of the ones that struck me as I read this Psalm. I came away from this reading very thankful that I am a child of God. He makes pretty amazing promises to his people and it makes me realize that I do not give God the place that He deserves in my life.

There are many promises in the Bible that relate to knowing the word of God and they include such things as long life, wisdom, understanding, and many other blessings. Many passages emphasize how important it is to know God in a deep personal way and what better way is there to know God then to study His word. I need to make His word a greater priority in my life and if I do that the rest of my life will fall in line with God's plan.

I challenge you to evaluate the place that God's word has in your life and try to commit more of it to memory every day.

My first blog post...

I have decided that since I am not in school any longer I need to keep up my writing and thinking skills. Thus I have decided to start a blog. Not a blog of any significant proportions but simply thoughts that are somewhat coherent. At one time I wrote a lot but it has been some time since I have sat down with my thoughts and a blank page. I am looking forward to this opportunity to free the wandering words from my overcrowded head!

It is January 2008 and I have been thinking this past week about how we try so hard to make changes in our lives at the beginning of the year. But it is almost always a futile quest because we find ourselves getting busy again and lapsing into old comfortable habits. Its frustrating but it makes me realize two things...1. we need more than the dawn of a new year to make changes in our lives...and 2. because of Jesus every day is a new start. I heard a song the other day while I was working that reinforced the thoughts I had been having in this area. It goes like this...

New Year's Day
by Carolyn Arends

I buy a lot of diaries
Fill them full of good intentions
Each and every New Year's Eve
I make myself a list
All the things I'm gonna change
Until January 2nd
So this time I'm making one promise

Chorus:
This will be my resolution
Every day is New Year's Day
This will be my resolution
Every day is New Year's Day

I believe it's possible
I believe in new beginnings
'Cause I believe in Christmas Day
And Easter morning too
And I'm convinced it's doable
'Cause I believe in second chances
Just the way that I believe in you

This will be my resolution
Every day is New Year's Day
This could start a revolution
Every day is...

One more chance to start all over
One more chance to change and grow
One more chance to grab a hold of grace
And never let it go

So this song gives me hope...hope that I don't have to give up after every failure because God is a God of second, third, fourth, 65 billionth, chances... I can start out fresh every morning or at any moment. Every day is a chance for me to learn from my past and move on into something new. A new beginning. Thank God for new beginnings!!

Thank you Lord for never giving up on me! I don't deserve your grace and forgiveness and yet they are freely extended to me. Help me to start each morning with a fresh perspective on life and a renewed exuberance for each situation I find myself in.