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FIRST OF ALL, BE CAREFUL OUTSIDE TODAY-- SNOW AND WIND NOW; ICE LATER= ENJOY WINTER!!

“Unto You O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You…” Psalm 25:1-2

I first learned this verse as an early praise song four decades ago, back in the last millennium!! We would sing it during afterglo in my first chaplaincy at Maplewood Academy. I would play my guitar (because the song only has three major cords!) and we would sing it as a round.

“Unto Thee O Lord Unto Thee O Lord

Do I lift up my soul Do I lift up my soul

Unto Thee O Lord Unto Thee O Lord

Do I lift up my soul Do I lift up my soul

O my God O my God

I trust in Thee I trust in Thee

(together) Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph (one clap) over me”

Second verse- “Ye let none that wait, on Thee be ashamed…”

Third verse-“Remember not, the sins of my youth…”

It was a fun song and I still catch myself singing it on my walks or in the shower! But a while back I gained a new level of assurance that changed the last line just a bit. Rather than a plea TO God I switched it to a statement of confidence IN God that I can have BECAUSE I “lift up my soul” to Him and “I trust” Him.

Now when I recite this verse I don’t say, “Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me,” but, “I will NOT be ashamed, and my enemies will NOT triumph over me!” It doesn’t fit the cadence of the song but it does fit my theology better! Faithfully connecting to God gives a renewed confidence in my Creator. Daily I “lift up my soul” to Him and I learn more about how “I trust in Him,” and the result is that I am not ashamed, neither will my enemies triumph over me!

Have a great day trusting and praising,

Pastor Rich

Quote for the day: “It is never too late to start doing what is right.”

PS Join us tonight for Family Worship and the continuation of our first Power Pac Weekend as Sam Leonor blesses us @ 7:30pm in the church. Join us as we welcome our first Sabbath of the new semester with a new Shabat candle and Sam’s message - “Sun and Rain for the Righteous and the Unrighteous” based on Matthew 5:43-48

PPS Afterglo follows Family Worship with Amber and her Human Development friends. I know we’re at least having hot chocolate in honor of the beautiful weather expected today!!

PPPS Don’t forget Pastor Deneil’s farewell, from College View Church as he transitions to the Northside Church here in Lincoln, will take place this Sabbath afternoon from 4-5:30 in Heartland Hall at the church. All are welcome!!

PP..S Just had a request from some “old people” at a nearby retirement center that they would love to have some students come down and sing with them on any Sabbath afternoon. If you are interested in getting a group together and making these folks happy let me know and I can connect you.