Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Seventeen: Psalm 17:4
Safety Measures

“I have followed your commands, which have kept me from going along with cruel and evil people.”

Every vehicle should have a safety manual that should be read. Reading the manual will keep us out of danger. It’s so much easier to do what is right than it is to repair the damage caused by doing what is wrong. How much better it is to avoid danger than recover from it.

Never forget God’s commands are meant to protect us, not limit our happiness. The last thing we need on our journey is cruel and evil passengers sitting beside us.

Enjoy the Journey
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Day Sixteen: Psalm 16:3
Heroes

“The godly people in the land are my heroes!”

Life’s journey is meant to be enjoyed. That enjoyment includes the travelers around us. It’s appropriate to appreciate others. It’s even acceptable to have heroes. It’s probably a good idea to have a few heroes.

Danger comes when we pick the wrong heroes.

“Those who chase after other gods will be filled with sorrow. I will not take part in their sacrifices or even speak the names of their gods.” (vs.4)

We spend too much time focused on the wrong kinds of heroes and waste even more time wishing and wondering what it would be like to enjoy the things they live for. The wrong kinds of heroes spend their lives (sacrifice themselves) for little “g” gods that bring only hurt and destruction. The public image that we see is nothing more than a façade, a pretend image.

It’s the godly that are real and genuine. They are the ones who bring real pleasure.

Enjoy the Journey
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Traveling Companions
Day Fifteen: Psalm 15:1
Happy Father's Day!

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?”

Psalm Fifteen is a checklist for travel companions. Look at the list:

Walk straight,

act right,

tell the truth.

don’t hurt your friend,

don’t blame your neighbor;

despise the despicable.

keep your word (even when it costs you)

make an honest living

don’t sell out

(adapted from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language”)

With those kinds of friends, you’ll never fall!

Enjoy the Journey,
Pastor Paul

P.S. Are you that kind of friend?

Summer Road Trip ’08
Fool’s Paradise
Day Fourteen: Psalm 14:1

“Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’”

Of course it’s foolish to deny the Creator of the journey, and the road, and the world in which it all takes place. Only a fool would say there is no God!

Have you ever acted foolishly?

We might not say “There is no God”, but when was the last time you acted without acknowledging God? When was the last time you worried as if there were no God? When was the last time you ignored God?

Which is worse, denying there is a God or simply ignoring Him?

All along life’s journey there are signs that point to who God is and what He wants for us. Our responsibility is to read the signs and follow their direction. Only the foolish ignore the signs.

Enjoy the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Driving in the Dark
Day Thirteen: Psalm 13:3

“Restore the light to my eyes…”

When I was younger we played a dangerous game. We would drive down a deserted road with no street lights and no headlights. Though it only lasted for a second or two, it was still an unsettling experience; the movement of the car and total darkness at the same time sent chills down my spine. We were driving in the dark.

I don’t play that game any more, but I have experienced similar feelings. There are times when I look, but I don’t see. There are moments when I can’t make out which way to turn, the road ahead is unclear. My prayer at such times is much like the Psalmist’s, “Lord, let me see…restore the light to my eyes.”

At such times I much trust in God’s unfailing love.

“But I will trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.” (vs.5)

What is most important about the above verse is that the Psalmist is rejoicing BEFORE his rescue. His trust is so complete in God’s future rescue that he begins the celebration in advance.

Lord, I can’t see now, but I trust in your unfailing love. Since I’m trusting I can celebrate Your coming answer to my prayer.

Such darkness is not our enemy when it drives us to trust completely in God.

Enjoy the Journey
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Twelve: Psalm 12:6
Trusting the Map

"The LORD’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace…"

Sometimes its hard to trust the MAP. God has given us His Word, the Bible, as our guide for the journey we call life. Over and over again God promises us that if we follow His direction our journey will be safe and the destination secure. Why is it that we mistrust God’s guidance? Why do we doubt God’s promises?

The best answer to those questions is that we see greater value in trusting our own instincts and premonitions than we do in God’s experience and omniscience (He knows EVERYTHING!).

Our thoughts and agendas are always tainted by sin and selfishness; God’s are always pure, with our best at heart.

When in doubt over the directions refer to Psalm 12:6.

Enjoy the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Eleven: Psalm 11:2
Shooting from the Shadows

“They shoot from the shadows at those who do right…” ”

I had intended to take a different off-ramp on today’s journey, but got sidetracked at the end of verse two, “shooting from the shadows”.

I’ve been reminded of the many times when saboteurs set out to either distract or destroy God’s work in my life. We usually think about the frontal attacks of Satan and his wicked allies, but most often it’s the arrows shot from the shadows that inflict the most damage.

These are the travelers who lurk in the shadows of “not quite honest” and “not really that bad”. They live in the shadows of right and wrong, and rest in the shade of unethical. They are unwilling to come out into the sunlight of God’s righteousness. On the other hand they refuse to admit their wickedness. They like the shadows of “not that bad” and “just a little dishonest”.

I do not wish to live in the shadows!

Verse five reminds every shadow dweller that God still sees and examines – both the righteous and the wicked.

I want to trust in God’s protection, not the shadows. (vs.1)

I want to live in such a way that I see and recognize God’s face. (vs.7)

And I’m asking God to protect me from the “shots from the shadows”.

Enjoy the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08 Day Ten: Psalm 10:1 Distant Traveler “O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble?”

Psalm ten is depressing. Let’s just make the point and go on. Sometimes it appears that the Psalmist is having a bad day (a bad life) and everything, everyone is against him.

I’ve wondered in the past why such passages were in the Bible at all. Shouldn’t the Bible be all about encouragement and uplifting ideals? Verses like “they seem to think that God is dead” (vs.4) don’t seem to help much when we’re feeling distant from God.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the Psalm 10’s of the Bible are there to show us that we’re not the only ones who feel distant, discouraged or depressed. It’s not a sin to feel any of those things. Sometimes life is hard and things really are going against us. But, and this is an important but…

But in spite of the appearances, in spite of the discouragements, in spite of the set backs – God is still on our side and He has our best interests at heart.

The LORD is king forever and ever!

The godless nations will vanish from the land.

LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless.

Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.

You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,

so mere people can no longer terrify them. (vs.16-18)

This part of the journey will not last forever and when we look back at the road we have traveled we will have learned valuable lessons and enjoy the blessings of the present in even greater ways.

Enjoy the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Nine: Psalm 9:14
High Rent District

“But you do see…”

Psalm nine is an ugly description of even uglier people. Words such as proud, wicked, vicious, braggers, lurkers, murderers, crouching, none of these words seem harsh enough or descriptive enough for such evil people. We don’t have to go far down the road before we come into contact with people such as those portrayed in the Psalm.

On top of their wickedness is their brazenness, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!” (vs.6) “God isn’t watching! He will never notice!” (vs.11).

The Psalmist's prayer of judgment on such people is appropriate: “Punish the wicked, O God!”

Lest we begin to believe what ugly people believe we must remind ourselves of the truth of verse fourteen: “But you do see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them.”

God sees. God knows. When dealing with the ugly people on your journey never forget that God is always God and those who deny Him will meet their fate soon enough.

As for you and me, “Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.”

Enjoying the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Eight: Psalm 8:3-4
Star Gazing

“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers-
the moon and the stars you have set in place-
what are mortals that you should think of us,
mere humans that you should care for us?”

Today’s journey feels more like tonight. We’re “traveling with the top down” and the sky is the limit. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed with the struggles of this life, but tonight we are overwhelmed with the vastness of God’s creation. It is so BIG and we are so small.

We are so small and yet God cares about us more than all the rest of His creation combined. Think about it, Jesus died for you and me! We are the only part of His creation that turned it’s back on Him, determined to fight His will (sin), and yet God still cares for us!

God’s greatness can only be measured by the vastness of His creation and the depth of His love and care for you and me!

“O LORD, our LORD, the majesty of your name fills the earth!” (vs.9) And our hearts we might add!

Enjoying the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Seven: Psalm 7:10-11

“God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. God is a judge who is perfectly fair.”

While sitting behind the wheel watching the scenery pass by it’s easy for me to begin to make judgment calls on what’s happening outside my own life. I like to feel in charge and part of being in charge is getting to pass judgment on God’s judgments. I don’t always approve of how God is handling either the situations or the people around me. Why is it that the ones I believe are “good” are facing the toughest circumstances? Why do the mean people tend to get away with their meanness?

I must constantly remind myself that “God is a judge who is perfectly fair.” (vs.11) Truth is, I’m not sitting is the best position to be a fair observer. I don’t see enough or know enough to make a good enough judgment.

When life seems unfair I must remember that God is always fair.

When I’m spending too much time telling God that He’s not quick enough to deal with others' sins, I must remind myself that God sees, God know, and God is dealing with them whether I “see it or not”.

“I’m thankful the Lord is just” (vs.17)

Enjoying the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Six: Psalm 6:3-4
Road Sickness

“Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my body is in agony. I am sick at heart…”

Sometimes the journey hurts. It’s not always sunny and smooth. We are weak. We fail. We tire easily and uphill stretches wear us down.

We could spend hours describing what got us to the place where we feel ROAD SICK, but what difference would it make? The answer is to seek help from the One who can heal.

We can trust in God’s compassion. We can be assured of His salvation. Yes, there will be tears and swollen eyes from time to time, but we must never forget…

“The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer.” (Psalm 6:9)

Enjoying the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Five: Psalm 5:8
Listening to Wrong Directions

“Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.”

Surely it’s happened to you; it has to me! I’ve asked for directions only to be misled and end up where I never intended. Sometimes people misdirect my accident, it’s the ones who do it on purpose that distress me.

We’re traveling through distrustful territory in Psalms 5. All around us are proud, wicked, lying, foul mouthed people “who cannot speak one truthful word” (vs.9). Sure they will flatter us, but their goal is to trap us in their ungodly lifestyles. Don’t go there!

God promises to bless those who follow His godly directions. He leads, we follow. Our LORD gives clear direction, we must be willing to listen and obey.

One side point: we tend to seek the wrong kind of direction. We want to know the destination instead of the route. When we trust God in the moment we will find safety in the future.

Enjoying the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Four: Psalm 4:4 “Road Rage”

“Don’t sin my letting anger gain control over you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.”

Today’s detour sounds more like last years Road Trip through the Proverbs. It’s a warning against Road Rage.

While traveling life’s journey it’s easy to get angry behind the wheel. Other people cut us off; still others want to change our destination. It seems everyone has an agenda that conflicts with our own. Anger is usually a sign that things aren’t going the way we wish.

Instead of honking our voices at those around us it’s a good idea to slow down and think about what’s really bugging us. Is it worth it to explode in rage? Will acting out our frustration make things any better.

It might be time to pull over to the side of the road and take advantage of a rest area. It always amazes me how silly my anger seems after a good night’s sleep!

“Don’t sin my letting anger gain control over you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.” Psalm 4:4

Enjoying the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Three: Psalm 3:5

“I lay down and slept. I woke in safety for the LORD was watching over me.”

Road Trip or not, sometimes I have a really hard time getting to sleep at night. Contrary to my wife’s advice (stop the Diet Dr Pepper! – which I have actually), it’s usually not the caffeine that’s the culprit, it’s my TOUGHTS. My memory loves to carry on conversations with my consciousness and most of those talks take place while the rest of my body is trying to get horizontal.

Memories usually lead to worries and worries lead to fear. I’m not proud of such thoughts, just preoccupied by them. I seem to have “so many enemies; so many against me…” (Psalm 3:1). My enemies have names like Un-forgiveness, Self-doubt, Overly-concerned, the list is pretty lengthy. It’s easy to believe what they are saying, “God will never rescue him!” (Psalm 3:2).

It’s at those times that Psalm 3:3 is more effective than Sominex or Ambien at bringing a restful sleep. “But you, O LORD, are a shield around me.”

Sometimes the journey gets stressful. There is a calm that comes when I remind myself that God is my Protector; I can call out to Him. So…

“I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.”

All those worries and stresses that were keeping me awake; reality is most of them never came true and for the ones that did, God was still there protecting and watching over me!

Enjoying the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Two: Psalm 2:12

“But what joy for all who take refuge in him!”

It appears we’ve hit a bumpy section of road almost at the start of our Summer Road Trip. The Second Psalm is scary; can an “angry God” be anything but scary? I don’t like to think of a Loving God having the capacity of angry, yet what is love if there is no potential for anger? (Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to see the anger.)

Psalm 2 is all about the futility of fighting God. Nations (their leaders and their people) assume they can rule themselves without God’s guidance. They assume they don’t need God, and worse, that God doesn’t matter. They “they waste their time with futile plans” (Psalm 2:1) plotting against God and His loving design for them.

God’s anger is just; ignoring God leads to wars and strife. God's anger is not anger that comes from meanness, but anger that grows from compassion. Have you ever gotten angry at someone when they were hurting themselves and would not stop? Ever gotten angry at someone when they were hurting others?

The King referred to in the passage is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the Ruler who sits on the throne over all creation. Some day the evil rulers of this world will be brought down and everyone will bow before the Jesus Christ and declare that He is LORD.

In the mean time, it is the final verse of the passage that we should hold on to:

“But what joy for all who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 2:12)

When the bullies of this world start their ugliness, I want to be standing safely behind my LORD!

Enjoying the Journey!
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day One: Psalm 1:6a

"For the Lord knows the way of the righteous..."

What a way to start the largest and most unique section of the Bible.

The First Psalm is both a warning and a promise to use care when you consider your traveling companions. I count at least six descriptions of the wrong kinds of people; people who will pull us off the road God wants us to travel with Him.

There is also a promise that the trip will go well and be fruitful when we keep our focus on God.

It’s the first part of verse six that jumped out at me this morning: “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous”.

God already knows the road I am traveling. He knows every bump, sharp turn, pot hole that I will face this week. I don’t have to know the future, I only have to trust God’s directions. He knows; I just have to trust.

I’m glad my Navigator is God. I’m thankful that He’s given me the road map of His WORD.

Enjoying the journey!
Pastor Paul

Join me on a Summer Road Trip. It won't cost you a tank of gas, but it just might fill your spiritual tank and gear you up for a great summer. We will be driving through the first thirty chapters in the Book of Psalms, stopping along the way to view a few of their sights. Check in every day for our lasted tourist destination and enjoy the ride! Road Trip '08 beings June 1st.

"Prayer is a form of sacrifice if you are willing to put yourself on the line because of it."

Leaves!

Terrie and I celebrated our 27th on the 27th yesterday. Twenty-seven years ago yesterday I made the second best decision of my life (second only to committing my life to Jesus Christ). We were in Temecula, CA preparing another couple for their wedding ceremony which takes place this afternoon.

It's overwhelming to believe it's been twenty-seven years, but even more so when I look at our four "children" who aren't children any more. Beautiful, passionate, dedicated young people live in our home and we've been privileged to be a part of their upbringing. What a thrill.
This morning they showed us their most recent creation - you see it at the top of the page...LEAVES.

Can't imagine what the last 27 would have been like without Terrie and the four wonderful children she has granted me!