Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 150

You and I were created for joy. Psalm 150 reminds us that the goal of the God-life is not about getting rules right. We were made to “glorify God and enjoy him forever” (see Question 1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism). Psalm 150 invites us into full-orbed joy with all of creation giving praise to God. If you missed yesterday’s message, you can listen to it here or watch the entire service on our YouTube channel. 

Yours for Jesus,

Pastor Steve

steve@clpc.org

Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 131 - The Quiet Soul

Psalm 131 introduces us to a world that is largely unfamiliar to our hyped-up, 24/7, grab-and-go, culture. It is the world of calm and quiet trust in the Lord. Over the last couple of months, I’ve been experimenting with intentionally pausing a couple of times in the middle of my day to be quiet and still in God’s presence. It’s what Peter Scazzero, in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, calls the Daily Office. I’m surprised how this simple practice of pausing for 5-10 minutes, a couple of times, mid-morning and mid-afternoon, reconnects me with God’s constant presence. While there’s no strict formula for a Daily Office, the one Scazzero suggests is: Two minutes of silence, then reading a verse or two of Scripture, a brief prayer, then two more minutes of silence. 

If you missed yesterday’s message, you can listen to it here or watch the entire service on our YouTube channel. 

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

steve@clpc.org

Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 103 - Bless the Lord

Psalm 103 is a wonderful summary of the way Lord God’s salvation works. Six verbs in three verses say it all. Lord God forgives all our iniquity (sin.) Lord God heals all our diseases. Lord God redeems our life. Lord God crowns us with steadfast love and mercy. Lord God satisfies us with good. Lord God works righteousness and justice (Psalm 103:3-6.) Wow! What a list! 

What do you need today? Why not ask God for it?

If you missed yesterday’s message, you can listen to it here or watch the entire service on our YouTube channel. 

Our Summer Psalm of the Week is Psalm 109. Read it once a day, every day as we prepare for worship next Sunday.

Yours with Jesus,

Pastor Steve

steve@clpc.org

Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 91 - Safe Place

Psalm 91:14-16 ends with a flurry of promises from Lord God. When I feel trapped, God promises freedom (“I will deliver”). When I feel threatened, God promises protection (“I will protect”). When I feel lonely, God promises companionship (“I will be with you”). When I feel attacked, God promises deliverance (“I will rescue”). When I feel shame, God promises honor (“I will honor”). When I feel desperate, God promises satisfaction (“I will satisfy you”). The wonderful thing about these amazing promises is that they are available for the asking! “Because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer.” 
 
What do you need from the Lord today? Will you dare to call on his name and ask? If you missed yesterday’s message, you can listen to it here or watch the entire service on our YouTube channel. 
 
Our Summer in the Psalms continues this week. Read Psalm 103 every day, at least once a day. I look forward to worshipping and learning with you this weekend.
 
Yours for Christ,

Pastor Steve

steve@clpc.org

Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 73 - Until

Does the world around you seem unfair? Are there people in your life (family members, co-workers, classmates) who aren’t getting what they deserve for the wrongs they’ve committed? Furthermore, does God seem distant and unconcerned about it? If so, Psalm 73 is for you! Here the psalmist lays his jealously, resentment, and disappointment squarely in God’s lap. This is what the psalms of disorientation do for us. They give space for us to whine. Listen to Sunday’s message to learn how the psalmist copes with his unfair world. You can listen to the message here or watch the entire service on our YouTube channel.

Psalm 90 is a our “Psalm of the Week.” Read it every day, at least once a day. Then join us on Sunday for a deep dive into this powerful psalm of communal lament. I look forward to learning and worshipping with you.

Yours for Christ,

Pastor Steve

steve@clpc.org

Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 1 - Planted

Our Summer in the Psalms kicks off in earnest this week with Psalm 8. Read Psalm 8 at least once each day. Perhaps you’ll want to read it twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. Or even three times(!) morning, noon, and evening. Remember, the righteous person “delights in the law of the Lord.” (See Psalm 1:2). Let’s plant roots deep in God’s Word this summer!

If you missed yesterday’s message, listen to it here or watch the entire worship service on our YouTube channel. 

Yours for Christ,

Pastor Steve

steve@clpc.org

Table Memories

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month and CLPC’s year-long emphasis on Worship, during the month of May we’re focusing on Worship as Remembering. Tending to our memories is an important aspect of emotional well-being. And worship is an act of remembering. This Sunday we reflected on the remembering we do at the Lord’s Table. At the Table, we remember we’re forgiven. At the Table, we remember we are family. At the Table, we remember the best is yet to come. 

If you missed yesterday’s message, listen to it here or watch the entire worship service on our YouTube channel.

 
Yours for Jesus,

Pastor Steve

steve@clpc.org