Psalms in the world

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 54 Today I was led to travel to "Church Slough" which is just a little north of Hwy 208 on N Somers Road. A slough is defined as a side channel or inlet that is only sporadically filled with water. It is also the same spelling for the word that means something that can be shed or removed. The Psalmist that wrote this Psalm didn't have either of those things in mind when he wrote these words. The words describe a level of dependence upon God's grace that we don't see so much any more. I don't know about wanting God to "destroy" my enemies but I do know that I would do well to depend upon God's wisdom and activity in my life as much as this Psalmist depends upon those things and more. May you be inspired by the beauty of this slough to embrace all that God has in store for you and I will strive to do the same.

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Monday, September 13, 2021

Psalms in the world

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 116 Today I was drawn to the last line of this Psalm which says "I will walk in the presence of the Lord." I've always found God to be real when I'm out walking along a pathway or a hiking trail. More than that however, the Psalm this week offers us the promise that God will be there when our tears fall and challenges close in. I've certainly known that to be real and I bet you have too. May God be close to you this day.

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 146 Good afternoon friends and members. This week we are giving thanks, in our appointed Psalm, for the ways in which God moves on behalf of those who are broken or in need. We also give thanks for the God who made "heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them." If there was an image for us of this amazing creative God - Flathead Lake can certainly be it. Our thanks to Marcia R. for the location for this Psalm. May God bless and keep you this day.

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Psalms in the world

Psalms in the world This week's video features our community pumpkin patch. I'm not so sure that the Psalm fits a pumpkin patch but the bright orange pumpkins drew me there. And yet, may we find ways to fear the Lord with the steadfastness implied in the orange of the pumpkin which always comes around at this time of year. Blessings to you! □

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Thursday, August 26, 2021

Psalm 34 for all who are fighting fire

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 34 The language in this psalm about the angel of the Lord encamping around those who fear the Lord, really stood out this week. Across the lake from this vantage point is where brave men and women are camping to try and save lives, homes, farms, trees, and the beauty we hold so dear. They are fighting the fire around Finley Point and people like them are fighting so many fires throughout the northwest. God bless our firefighters and all those impacted by the fires throughout the northwest. May we find constructive solutions so that these things need not happen as severely as they do.

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Monday, August 2, 2021

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 34 So this psalm is actually the psalm for a few weeks from now, oops, we got them a little out of order. However, maybe that is for the best. If there has ever been a time where we need to focus on keeping our tongues from evil and our lips from lying words, isn't it now? COVID cases are ramping back up, people are denying that a riot broke out in our nation's capital on January 6th and we are still struggling to find ways to come together. Acknowledging painful and challenging realities doesn't make us less of a person or people, it equips us to be able to confront them together. The image of the courthouse is meant to invite us to think about where it is that truth comes from. What are the symbols of truth we listen to today? As we think about that, may we find ways to come together and "seek the Lord" as the Psalmist declares, and move into a common future together. Our health, our well-being, and our experience of God's love in our lives depend upon it.

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Psalm 145

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 145 This week, for our Psalm for next Sunday, I found the compelling line to be about God giving us food in its due season. I am certainly seeing that unfold in my garden these days. Right now we're finishing up the picking of our peas, very deep into raspberry picking, and just starting to eat our beans and will soon start our beets. I love this time of year. Everything is ripening in such a tasty way. I wonder if this is what faithfulness is meant to look like - God's gifts coming up for us when it is time to use them. How often do we press for gifts that aren't quite ripe yet? How often do we quest after things that are not in season? May we learn from the gardens of our backyards and of our lives this day ... ⛪□□□□

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Monday, July 19, 2021

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 123 Sometimes the scenes of our natural world are just so beautiful that they, by themselves, invite us to center on the divine. I think these scenes of the Mission Mountain range and Flathead Lake are such a place. "To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!" Amen□

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Psalms in the world

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 30 It was hard to figure out just where to read this Psalm from. There are a lot of images and themes in this Psalm - mountains, sackcloth, healing, joy, despair. In the end, I chose a location that might invite our hearing of the Psalm and its depth/diversity. It is not one image but of a field, of mountains, of our lake, of cars driving by, of a road, of life. May your life be enriched this day by hearing this Psalm anew. ⛪□

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Psalms in the world ... Psalm 107 I went to a familiar place for this Psalm. We have held quite a few outdoor worship services from this location over the years. I do indeed give thanks to the Lord for this space. More than that though, the lines about God stilling the sea and bringing us into a safe harbor were powerful in this location. I hope they will be for you too. And further, I hope God will bring you into a safe harbor in your life today. Blessings!

Posted by Eidsvold Lutheran Church on Tuesday, June 15, 2021