The Psalms for today ( Tuesday) were 54 and 55
tomorrow( Wednesday) we will read Psalms 56 and 57

As I read I am struck by how many of the phrases are familiar.
If you are like me, you know many Biblical or "church " phrases but don't know for sure where in the Bible they originate from or if they are really from a hymn or a Sunday School song.
I feel like I could make a word search or a crossword there are so many already.

Have you noticed that too?

I am still finding it rewarding to read the Psalms out loud.
I also went out and bought myself a new Bible since mine is in tatters but alas, the new Bible sits on the shelf and my tattered Bible is the one I reach for every day.

Like a blankie or a dish of mac and cheese, there is something comforting about "my " Bible.

We are a third of the way through Psalms!!

Today's Psalm is 49 and the Sunday Psalms ate 50 and 51. that will take us through 1/3 of the Psalms.

Each morning as I read I think how amazing it is that nothing is new in this world. Not joy, not sorrow, not praise and rejoicing, not despair. All those things are represented in this Biblical book of poetry.

John Roberts is doing a Bible study each week following the years plan for reading the Bible together. His group is only on Psalm 22 so much have they had to discuss. They would welcome anyone who wishes to join them. They meet on and you do no have to go every week to appreciate the discussion. Speak to John if you are interested - or just show up. The coffee and tea water is always on.

I had the rare treat today of having time to sit and spend a couple of hours with the Bible.
I got up early, made a delicious breakfast and then went to my newly painted reading writing room with my old tattered soft cover, NIV version of The Good Book.

There are so many resources about the Psalms but I have decided to leave the study aspect to Pastor Ryan and John Roberts and I will focus here on my response to reading the Psalms each day.
I truly hope that as time goes on others of you will contribute you own responses and reflections.
If you are having trouble posting email me at bkipp@frontiernet.net and I will help you sort it out.

Happy reading.

Beverly Kipp
Health Ministry Coordinator

the computer is finally fixed!

so it is January 21st and we are up to Psalm45 and 46 for today. Enjoy - and post!
beverly

playing catch up after computer down

Sunday readings were Psalms 38 39

Today's readings were Psalms40 41

and the readings for Tuesday are Psalms42 43

I found Psalm 37 to be my favorite so far. Did anyone else think it stood out?
I will comment more tomorrow night;)

Today's reading
Psalms 36 and 37

I was surprised to find verse 7
Both high and low among men firnd refuge in the shadow of your wings.

I don't think it had occurred to me that the Shadow of His Wings orphanage that we pray for hd been named from a verse of scripture.


My student Bible has a message about verse 9
For with you is the fountain of life: in your light we see light.
It reads By Itself, light in invisible; and yet everything is invisible until light strikes it . So it is with God; we can't see him but " in his light" we see and understand his love in all that surrounds us.


Today I will pray that the light of God's love shines on the Haitians and also onr all those at the Shodow of His Wings orphanage.

If you find a verse that stirs you or a writing about the Psalms as we go along please post it here so we can all share in the reflection.

beverly kipp

Fridays reading
Psalms 34 and 35

This from Evie Seils

This is not about the Psalms, at least not directly, but I thought it might be a good time to remind people about Church World Service. In this morning's Po'keepsie Journal there was a list of places people could contribute to for relief for the people of Haiti. Of course CWS was not listed there, but you can be sure that they are on the scene. Many of the organizations listed, such as the Red Cross, have a high overhead; CWS does not. Reformed Church World Service is a part of CWS. All we have to do is make a check to St. John's, or enclose cash in an envelope, and designate it to RCWS - Haiti, and it will help where we want it to help.
Evie Seils

Todays reading Psalms 32 and 33
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge.


To the people of Haiti

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Joy comes in the morning

The readings for today are Psalms 30 and 31

Psalm 30 Verses 4 and 5 sing out in my ears. I have a hefty collection of wonderful (and some not so wonderful) hymn CD's. Several of them are from the Gaither clan. One of my favorites has the refrain "Joy comes in the morning" It soothes me when my mind or spirit are troubled.
In the Psalm the verses are

Sing to the Lord, you saints of his (that's us folks)
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

ah, how comforting and how familiar. How certain we want our children to be that our anger lasts only a moment but our favor ( love ) lasts a lifetime.

It is these verses in the Psalms that remind us that God is our Father, our comfortor.

As I begin my prayers today I am filled with concern for the people of Haiti,
There will be many many opportunities to send aide physical and practical but today my prayers will be that they know the Lord is with them, that weeping may remain for a night, and night sometimes seems an eternity, but through the spirit of God, joy will come in the morning.

beverly kipp

Readings for Tuesday January 12th

Psalm 28 and 29

reflections so far

So, we are up to Psalm 27 . Have you read daily? If not, do not despair - though despairing is a recurrent theme in the poetry of David . It is OK to either jump in or to catch up, it is only about 12 pages so far.

I have been jotting my thoughts down as I go along. Some Psalms are so familiar and others feel so foreign. Certainly it is fun to realize how many phrases we use in our daily lives and how many parts of our worship liturgy come from this Old Testament book.

So far, it is easy for me to identify with many of the verses - " answer me when I call to you, " who hasn't called that out in prayer? and the gentler plea - "give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing, listen to my cry for help."

And then there are the exclamations -" I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. "
Psalm 15 is unnerving - " Who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless, and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart, and has no slander on his tongue, " on and on...
Can I ever measure up I wonder, Ever???

And then as I read, along come the assurances - " You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with JOY in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." My heart swells at the hope of it.

Psalm 19 ends with the words we hear each week - " May the words of my mouth and the meditation on my hear be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. "
How my mother wishes I would pray these words each day- BEFORE I speak.

Psalm 23 flows from our memory but I did not remember that the very next one - Psalm 24, was a familiar one too.
The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it: A reminder that all that we have comes from God.

Today's reading - Psalm 26 and 27 feel both prideful and humble in their different tones.

I am enjoying reading the Psalms from many different versions. I like the lilt of the old King James versions and the Revised Standard Version, but when I am reading a more stilted Psalm, or one I do not identify with as well, I find I appreciate the newer New International Version for clarity.

Whatever the emotion, whatever the language, I am greatful to be reading along with others from St. John's.

As you read, jot down a note or two and post your thoughts here so that we may all grow in our understanding of this, His Holy Word.

yours in Christ,
beverly kipp ;

Readings for January 11

The Psalms for January 11th are 26 and 27

Reading the Psalms Together

2010 brings the second year of reading the Old Testament together at St. Johns and we are blessed with beginning the new year with the Psalms.
Each night I will post the next days readings. Once or twice a week I will post a reflection.
I am hoping that many of you will post as well.
My comments so far.
Read at least one of the Psalms when you first get up in the morning. Before the computer. Before the news.
Read the morning Psalm aloud.
Scatter the other Psalms throughout the day.
It is easy to google an online Bible to read one or two from your desk during your work day.
Read a few days in one version of the Bible and then switch to another version.
I will post tonight for tomorrow.
Blessed reading and may God open our hearts to his many messages through His Word.
beverly kipp