Peace With the Psalms Weeks Three and Four

 

Happy Friday, Friends!  First of all, I want to thank-you for all the prayers, cards, emails, calls, and text messages since my mother's passing.  I could feel the Holy Spirit's comfort and peace at my mother's Celebration of Life.  Thank you so much!  God is so good, and I am so thankful for your willingness to show god's love through your kindness.

Everyone I requested to be present at mother's Celebration of Life was there.  It was small and private, but due to the very cold weather it was not a graveside service like she wanted.  She was always cold natured, so I think she would've understood.  The flowers above were the altar flowers from my cousin Lori.  It was a gorgeous arrangement, and I broke it down and made three separate arrangements (the one above is the largest of them).  

This week's lesson is entitled "Savor His Favor," and its focus is Psalm 5.  

I really shouldn't be surprised about God's timing.  Psalm 5 was the perfect Psalm for me to read and meditate on while preparing for my mother's funeral and burial.  A lament is a passionate expression of grief, loss, and mourning.  The psalmist (King David) wrote it as a morning prayer for guidance and protection against his enemies.  He probably wrote this Psalm as he was grieving the betrayal and loss of his son Absalom.  I love that David prioritized morning prayer and worship: It really does set the tone for the rest of the day.  I hope that you enjoyed the guided meditation for this Psalm, especially the reminder that God's favor is truly a gift as it is unearned, unmerited, and undeserved.  

What are your thoughts?

I know I probably need to update the prayer requests.  Please leave a comment or email me so I can get them up to date.

Prayer Requests

• Please pray for Kitty’s son, Mike.  He needs a comprehensive plan to manage pain from previous back surgeries.
• Pray for Rita's daughter Megan as she finishes her masters program this semester.  Pray that she will stay healthy, and that she will manage her time well for work/school/life balance.
• Pray for my best friend Barbara who is battling cancer.  
• Carla's prayer request is for all the young people entering the military, the love they feel for the USA to become warriors to fight to keep us free.  Let's especially lift up our National Guard as they are deployed both here at home and abroad. 
• Praise:  Our Westie Finlay received a fantastic report from his ophthalmologist, and both eyes have healed well from surgery.
• Please pray for Kris's MIL because she has been having some heavy health issues, and Kris is currently her full time nurse.  Pray that God will help and bless Kris as she cares for her MIL.  Pray that other family members will step-up and will be discerning about what's best for her care.
• Kitty's younger brother is having health issues.  Please lift him up in prayer.
• Continue to pray for Kris's husband Terry.  
• Rita's HS Friend Pam because she has had numerous complications from her cancer surgery, and has had to have follow-up procedures.  PRAISE:  for Pam's overall stable standing.  She will soon go to rehab.
• Pray for those in the path of this weekend's winter storms.

I hope y'all stay warm this weekend and enjoy a warm drink and either a good  book or movie!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill