31 March 2009
24 March 2009
A whispering word.
Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”
3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,
and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah
5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,
7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all who are around him?
8 O LORD God of hosts,
who is mighty as you are, O LORD,
with your faithfulness all around you?
9 You rule the raging of the sea;
when its waves rise, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
12 The north and the south, you have created them;
Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
13 You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face,
16 who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.
17 For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the LORD,
our king to the Holy One of Israel. (ESV)
As I read the Psalms today, I’m reminded of an precious old hymn.
"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty..."
He is Lord. Master. Ruler. Redeemer.
He is God. Creator. Incomparable.
He is Almighty. Powerful. Awesome.
The words of the Psalm, a maskil – or “new song,” tell of His power, His strength, His steadfast love. I am reminded that, in the storms, He is there. In the desert, He is there. He established all I see. His light is the light that truly guides my way. He has made covenant with generation after generation.
But what catches my eye the most is a word that sits quietly next to the song. A purposeful movement - that on this day whispers to me so loudly.
Selah.
It’s a pause in the music. A momentary silence.
It's a sigh. A breath. A moment of rest and reflection. A reminder to slow down, to think, to remember. To stop and let truth resonate.
Selah is a “yes.” An “amen.” An “it is well.”
There is beauty in Selah for me today.
Because in the frenzy of my heart - in the desire to go and be and do and run and try - I need to stop. And breathe. And rest. And listen. I need a “yes” and “amen.” I need to remember that, yes, “it is well.”
Selah.
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”
3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,
and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah
5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD?
Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD,
7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
and awesome above all who are around him?
8 O LORD God of hosts,
who is mighty as you are, O LORD,
with your faithfulness all around you?
9 You rule the raging of the sea;
when its waves rise, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
12 The north and the south, you have created them;
Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
13 You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face,
16 who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.
17 For you are the glory of their strength;
by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the LORD,
our king to the Holy One of Israel. (ESV)
As I read the Psalms today, I’m reminded of an precious old hymn.
"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty..."
He is Lord. Master. Ruler. Redeemer.
He is God. Creator. Incomparable.
He is Almighty. Powerful. Awesome.
The words of the Psalm, a maskil – or “new song,” tell of His power, His strength, His steadfast love. I am reminded that, in the storms, He is there. In the desert, He is there. He established all I see. His light is the light that truly guides my way. He has made covenant with generation after generation.
But what catches my eye the most is a word that sits quietly next to the song. A purposeful movement - that on this day whispers to me so loudly.
Selah.
It’s a pause in the music. A momentary silence.
It's a sigh. A breath. A moment of rest and reflection. A reminder to slow down, to think, to remember. To stop and let truth resonate.
Selah is a “yes.” An “amen.” An “it is well.”
There is beauty in Selah for me today.
Because in the frenzy of my heart - in the desire to go and be and do and run and try - I need to stop. And breathe. And rest. And listen. I need a “yes” and “amen.” I need to remember that, yes, “it is well.”
Selah.
20 March 2009
The Ideas Swirling.
It’s no secret I love to write. And I do a lot of it –marketing stuff mostly for clients. The writing that gives me the most joy, though, is that which allows me to let my imagination take flight. Short stories, poems, blogs all make me smile. In fact, I’ve long dreamed of writing a book – though I can’t imagine anything in particular I would have to say that would be of great interest to anyone (outside of the family and friends who always cheer me on, no matter what).
Oh, there’s plenty on my mind. I think about growing up as the “golden child” in a very messed-up family, or the “terrible two’s” of pride and fear I see that keep so many people in our world trapped. I think about the absolute beauty of amazing grace, especially in those moments when I stumble the hardest. And for those who really know me, yes, I think seriously about a cookbook – but not just any cookbook. This one really would read like a good novel. There are ideas just swirling around. Perhaps I’ll one day grab one of them and run.
Lately, a lot of my writing hasn’t been the stuff of blogs or brochures. It’s been focused on other things – pieces of a journey I have been honored and humbled to walk this past year. The writing has included countless text messages and emails, content for a fundraising website, letters, recipes, lists of people and lists of things both “to do” and “not to forget.” And an obituary. For a beautiful friend.
“David M Lipscomb, 45, of Nashville, Tennessee, met his Savior in Heaven on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. David was a loving son and husband, a nurturing father, a caring friend, a successful businessman, a fightin’ Texas Aggie, and most importantly, a passionate follower of Jesus Christ…”
The journey with David and his family has caused new ideas to swirl around in my head. I think about what constitutes “old friends” – given the depth of love felt for a family I’ve only known for a short while. I think about what defines joy – given the incredible fulfillment that comes from making sure there are plenty of Cokes and animal crackers at a funeral. I think about what true worship is – given the beauty of honoring a man who truly honored God without reservation. I think about the difference between life and being fully alive.
Now, maybe that would make a good book.
Oh, there’s plenty on my mind. I think about growing up as the “golden child” in a very messed-up family, or the “terrible two’s” of pride and fear I see that keep so many people in our world trapped. I think about the absolute beauty of amazing grace, especially in those moments when I stumble the hardest. And for those who really know me, yes, I think seriously about a cookbook – but not just any cookbook. This one really would read like a good novel. There are ideas just swirling around. Perhaps I’ll one day grab one of them and run.
Lately, a lot of my writing hasn’t been the stuff of blogs or brochures. It’s been focused on other things – pieces of a journey I have been honored and humbled to walk this past year. The writing has included countless text messages and emails, content for a fundraising website, letters, recipes, lists of people and lists of things both “to do” and “not to forget.” And an obituary. For a beautiful friend.
“David M Lipscomb, 45, of Nashville, Tennessee, met his Savior in Heaven on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. David was a loving son and husband, a nurturing father, a caring friend, a successful businessman, a fightin’ Texas Aggie, and most importantly, a passionate follower of Jesus Christ…”
The journey with David and his family has caused new ideas to swirl around in my head. I think about what constitutes “old friends” – given the depth of love felt for a family I’ve only known for a short while. I think about what defines joy – given the incredible fulfillment that comes from making sure there are plenty of Cokes and animal crackers at a funeral. I think about what true worship is – given the beauty of honoring a man who truly honored God without reservation. I think about the difference between life and being fully alive.
Now, maybe that would make a good book.
03 March 2009
You've done well, my good and faithful son.
It's 2:30am, and my friend Courtney and I are working on last-minute preparations for a memorial service here in Franklin, Tennessee. Honestly, the term "memorial service" seems so empty when thinking about David Lipscomb. He was, and remains, a man of true character and integrity - a man who passionately loved Jesus and allowed that love to command his life. So we are really working on a celebration - a homecoming - in the most real of all ways. And I must admit, I'm a bit jealous. David now stands in Glory, unfettered by the chains of this fallen world. He has truly been made fully alive. Wow.
This song became David's theme during his journey with cancer. It was sung tonight by The Afters at a special private benefit concert, and will be sung again in just a few short hours. The words pierce to the core.
Wait
Wait, I can hardly wait
To look into Your face
When the world disappears into Your eyes
Wait, I can hardly wait
To hear Your sweet voice say
You've done well, my good and faithful son
Breathe, I can hardly breathe
In anticipation
Waiting for the day to come
When You will shine on me
Wait, I can hardly wait
To bow down at Your feet
Kiss the scars that bore my sins away
I can hardly breathe
In anticipation
Waiting for the day to come
When You will shine on me
Wait, I can hardly wait
This song became David's theme during his journey with cancer. It was sung tonight by The Afters at a special private benefit concert, and will be sung again in just a few short hours. The words pierce to the core.
Wait
Wait, I can hardly wait
To look into Your face
When the world disappears into Your eyes
Wait, I can hardly wait
To hear Your sweet voice say
You've done well, my good and faithful son
Breathe, I can hardly breathe
In anticipation
Waiting for the day to come
When You will shine on me
Wait, I can hardly wait
To bow down at Your feet
Kiss the scars that bore my sins away
I can hardly breathe
In anticipation
Waiting for the day to come
When You will shine on me
Wait, I can hardly wait
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