Your dwelling place ...

Today’s devotional is a reading from Psalm 84.
Hear the word of the Lord:

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise.

Selah

Happy are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!

Selah

Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.

For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Blessings,

Ron

Psalm 84 - NRSV

Freedom to be vulnerable ...

Over the next few days I will be sharing some of the closing thoughts from our team members. I wanted to close down this devotional experience this way so we can all hear the hearts of our brothers and sisters in the trenches with us. I wanted to share with you some of what I have heard and felt over the past few months of this experience. Thank you all for your help and encouragement along the way.

Jason

Angela’s Thoughts

Good morning! I had something I wanted to share with you before the day of "business" began :)

One memorable experience I had in regarding to your awesome devotional schedule is from a different perspective.

I don't remember what it was that kept me from the meeting this particular morning, but it was the morning that you discussed worship and had a lengthy time of singing as a group. I have thought about that morning many times since knowing I missed it.

I have tried to envision what the group sounded like, tried to imagine what the room felt like, what everyone's faces looked like, and tried to recreate what my heart may have felt in those moments. And I find myself very saddened that I missed such a beautiful moment of spiritual intimacy shared with my closest friends and family. Personally, I need to sing as a channel of encouragement and connection to God, as well as listen to music that praises our God. We have replaced a lot of TV time by listening to the Christian XM station on the satellite, but it's just not the same and it never can be as hearing the combined voices of those who love God and each other deeply. I know that it's taught over and over again about "not forsaking the assembly" out of respect for the elders, the congregation, and your own relationship with God. But never have I felt the repercussions of "forsaking" the assembly so strongly than to know what I missed out on. I can't imagine going through life, let alone a job like we have, without that sense of family, belonging, connection, and even sorrow when opportunities for time spent together are lost out on.

It is difficult for someone with my temperament to admit that I am in need of anything. But there is no denying the fact that I need my friends. I need my brothers and sisters. I need their encouragement through their presence, their prayers, their words, and their songs. To pretend otherwise is both cowardly and selfish. Praise be to God and His Son, that we have the freedom to be vulnerable with each other and that that vulnerability completes God's plan for His Kingdom, both now and in eternity.

Thanks for a wonderful time of challenge and growth <>< Angela

(hint, hint: can we please sing again sometime)

Glimpses of hope ...

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. Philippians 1:3-7

Today I was reminded of something. We were having our Impact class this morning and we did an activity that involved worshipping together, praying together, and taking the Lord’s Supper together. Eight boys in our class and I sat in a circle and read from the scriptures. They partnered up and said prayers for each other that brought a couple to tears, and they sang songs that sounded so beautiful that we had people standing outside the doors worshipping with us.

Since the boys were partnered up, I was the odd man out so I sat out of the experience and allowed the boys to all play a part. One of our boys stood up towards the end of the time and brought me the bread and the juice. He asked another of our boys to continue in song while he prayed for me. I sat there and allowed him to pray over me and I took the communion. I was actually brought to tears, because this boy thought of me. So often there are times when we wonder whether or not the people we are teaching, actually get it. This was a “Yeah God!” moment where I wanted to shout it from the rooftops and stand and say, “Hallelujah, they are getting something!”

We had another moment like this at Winterfest, where a few of us house dads were given the honor of having our feet washed by some of our boys. That was just another time where God used the bits and pieces of the Message that we have all been bringing into the lives of our boys, to truly start a transformation process in their lives.

I chose the passage in Philippians because that is something that I can see myself saying about some of our boys right now. “A good work,” has begun in the lives of our boys. God, who began that good work, will carry it on to completion. I celebrate and thank our God that he is showing these little glimpses of hope that our ministry is definitely not in vain. Not that I ever thought that our work was in vain, but we all need a little “Yeah God!” moment in our lives now and again.

If you have had some of these moments in your life, please share them with us all, because we all need a chance to celebrate in the great things that God is doing in our lives and in the lives of those we love so dearly. There are many different ways of practicing Celebration, but seeing those glimpses of hope and God’s glory in our ministry are definitely something we all need. Celebrate the great things that are happening in your life and ministry by sharing them with your co-laborers, with your family, and with your friends. Praise God for those we love and wrestle in prayer over. Thank God for those you love, and tell them!

Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this ministry with you all!

Jason

Here I am to worship ...

Paul and Silas in Prison

One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved."

This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her.

Her masters' hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. "The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!" they shouted to the city officials. "They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice."

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!"

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, "Let those men go!"

So the jailer told Paul, "The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace."

But Paul replied, "They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!"

When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.
Acts 16:16-40 NLT

Every time I read this passage of scripture, I am blown away at Paul and Silas' attitude of worship. No matter where they were or what had just happened to them today, they were hardcore God-followers, longing to have that close time with their Father. I hope that over the past week, you have had so many of those times with your Father. I know that I can feel God working and moving in my life in ways that I haven't experienced in a long time. I am seeing changes in the lives of those around me, and I even have been noticing changes in some of our boys.

Tonight at the Wellington Athletic Center, we all decided to take our boys and our families to just get some time and get some exercise and have some fun. While we were there, a woman walked up to me and asked me where we were from. I told her that we were from the Westview Boys Home and that we are here just having fun together. She asked me several questions about our ministry, and she commented that she could tell that we were "church" people as she called it. She said that she hadn't seen such polite young men in a long time. She commented that she had a grandson that has had so many problems lately that she wished she had a place like Westview that she could contact and get some help for him. I gave her the office phone number. We will see if she calls.

What does this have to do with anything? Paul and Silas had so many things happen to them. No one would have blamed them if they had done a little complaining that day, but they worshiped. They lived their lives and spent their time in such a way as to let everyone around them know who they love and what they stand for. I believe that our boys were doing that tonight. One of the boys was even running around the gym singing "Here I Am to Worship". How appropriate could you get?! God moves in our lives. He is working every day just trying to break down the barriers in your life. Once he has started breaking through, he wants to overflow into the lives of those around you. Paul and Silas witnessed this firsthand and the Kingdom grew that day. I pray that you can see the change in your own life as we continue on our journey to spiritual growth.

Jason

Then sings my soul ...

I know that you are busy. I know that so much is happening around you. I know that you feel like you have so many people and situations calling your name and needing your help right here and now, but you need to take about 30 minutes at least and go for a walk. Put your walking shoes on and step out your door and just start walking down the road, or down the sidewalk, or just around in your yard. Get out, and while you are out, I want you to think about these words.

How Great Thou Art
Carl Boberg (1886)

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder.
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art, how great thou art.

Can I tell you how amazing it is to step outside after being cooped up all day doing homework? This is something I can speak of personally. I step out the door and see all of the words of this song come to life. I can hear, smell, see, and feel the beauty of our Lord around me.

So often I can't though. I get up and I rush around to get the boys ready, or get myself and my children ready. I try to make sure that things get done, and that I don't make mistakes. It is a life of go, go, go. When I slow down though and take it all in and get a little exercise, I can feel the change in my heart and my spiritual life. We need this. We need to step out in to creation and just take in all that God has given us. We need to share these moments with our families, with our boys, with each other. It was all made for us. Take a break today and enjoy what God has given. Enjoy it with someone you love and use this time to recharge your batteries and then you can start all over again tomorrow, but this time you will be ready for the hustle and bustle, because you spent time worshipping and praising God for what he has given you.

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Psalm 105:1-4

Jason

A friend sharpens a friend ...

As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17

As we prepare for our time of worship with our family on Sunday, there are some thoughts that I would like to share. Many times we will not "feel" like worship. Many times we want to just stay home. Many times we feel like we are tired of the motions and just don't want to mess with it today. That's when we need to realize this: "They are like a heap of fresh and burning coals warming one another as a great strength and freshness and vigor of life flows into all." This is a quote from Isaac Pennington, a brother from our past. So often we forget how much we need our time together in worship. We need that time of praise and thanksgiving to God, and we need that time of warming each other up in our faith.

I sat in a dark basement tonight with our boys and some of our houseparents. I watched as "our" boys took turns leading their favorite worship songs, reading scriptures, and saying prayers. They were sharpening each other and didn't even know that they were doing it. I saw our boys encouraging each other before and after the worship time. I saw some boys trying to sing and actually listening to what the words were in the songs. They were a heap of burning coals warming the fire burning in my heart.

Let's walk into worship tomorrow with an expectancy. A heart longing for what God is going to do with and through us during our time together. I can't wait to worship with our family again.

Love and blessings to you all today.

Jason

We will not keep silent . . .

Nearly 20 years ago, Ann and I drove up from our home in Richardson, Texas, to visit my folks. On Sunday morning, we went to visit the church at which I had grown up. It was good to see those whom we had known for so long, and those with whom we had shared so much.

All was well until we started to sing. From behind me to my left, I could hear the voice of one with whom I had grown up; the kind of friend who always has been, and always will be, a sister to both of us. From behind me to my right, I could hear the voice of a woman who is like my second mother, and who is like another mother to Ann. The words and the music and the singers marched us in step right back Home. Ann and I had not ever been so “at home” and “homesick” at the same time in our entire lives.

Our hearts were overflowing;
We were compelled by joy to sing;
We could not keep silent.

We Will Not Keep Silent

We are people who must sing you,
for the sake of our very lives.
You are a God who must be sung by us,
for the sake of your majesty and honor.
And so we thank you,
for lyrics that push us past our reasons,
for melodies that break open our givens,
for cadences that locate us home,
beyond all our safe places,
for tones and tunes that open our lives beyond control,
and our futures beyond despair.

We thank you for long parade of mothers and fathers
who have sung you deep and true;
We thank you for the good company
of artists, poets, musicians, [and] cantors . . .
that sing for us and with us, toward you.
We are witnesses to your mercy and splendor;
We will not keep silent . . . ever again.
Amen
- Walter Brueggemann

Who are the mothers and fathers, the parade of people who have sung God deep and true? Who are those with whom we sing when we sing God’s praises, when we will not keep silent?

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
"I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my might,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.”

And Miriam sang to them:
"Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea."
- Ex 15

Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:
"When locks are long in Israel,
when the people offer themselves willingly — bless the Lord!
Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing,
I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.
- Jdg 5

David spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:
For this I will extol you, O Lord, among the nations,
and sing praises to your name.
He is a tower of salvation for his king,
and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.
- 2 Sa 22

Then on that day David first appointed the singing of praises to the Lord by Asaph and his kindred . . .
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, "The Lord is king!"
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
- 1 Ch 16

May you find the joy,
May you feel the peace,
May you know the love,
That helps you feel at Home.
That makes your heart overflow with song.

Grace and peace,

Ron