Sunday, February 21, 2010

A first Pause in Lent - Psalm 139

Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts
.You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions.
Even before I speak, you already know what I will say.
You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power.
Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding.

Where could I go to escape from you?
Where could I get away from your presence?
If I went up to heaven, you would be there;
if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west, you would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me.
j
I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night,
but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day.Darkness and light are the same to you.
j
You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb.I praise you because you are to be feared; all you do is strange and wonderful.
I know it with all my heart.
When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother's womb,
when I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there, you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me had all been recorded in your book, before any of them ever began.
O God, how difficult I find your thoughts how many of them there are!
If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.
Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.
Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way.
***************
This is most of Psalm 139. I cut out a bit I didn't like but it would be dishonest not to let you know there's an angry bit in the middle. If you ever feel that you'd like God to 'zap' people who are getting at you, you might like it! You can find the whole thing here.
j
The little daisy text, above, belonged to my Grandma. I am so looking forward to reading other Pause in Lent posts. You can find the full list of bloggers taking part on the list to the left, in my sidebar.

21 comments:

Luisa said...

That was beautifully executed Floss.
And a timely reminder of how great God really is.
I'm ever so grateful for the blogosphere which certainly can be used for so much good, that I came across your blog, and can share in snippets of faith and life like this.

Marigold Jam said...

Thought provoking Floss - thanks for sharing this with us and love your pretty text - remember going to Sunday School and getting a tiny text each week to stick in a book!

Lululiz said...

I really enjoyed your post. I am not a deeply religious person ( although I try to be a good Christian )but I was brought up a Catholic and fondly remember being with my beloved grandmother during special periods, like Lent and Easter.

melanie said...

Gorgeous Floss, reading your post has lifted my spirits. :) xxx

Elderberry-Rob said...

that was lovely, we studied this same psalm last week at Church and you have just breathed something new into it for me, pictures really hold words in place, don't they.

Michela said...

Hats off to you Floss!
Thank you for your beautiful post!

Elizabethd said...

A perfect post, Floss.

Catherine said...

I love this Psalm! It just blows me away when I think of how such an awesome God can have such an interest in me! Thank you for the reminder! Cx

Pom Pom said...

Hello, Floss! Thank you for hosting this. I had such a people-y day yesterday and a late night so my post just went up. The Lord is beautifully mysterious, isn't He? I'm so thankful for this opportunity to see how He is lovingly moving in others' lives.

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

This is lovely, Floss! Do you know, when I was in high school I belonged to a church group, and the counselours set to music these very verses!

Sherri B. said...

Floss, thank you for organizing these photos to the scripture, it's very touching. I can't begin to tell of the many times in my life I have quoted parts of this scripture to myself to get me through rough patches or to reflect on the promise that He will always be there.

Admin said...

that was a lovely post. I haven't done very much pausing yet this lent but I am hoping to slow the pace this week and have a couple of days relaxing and get a Lent post up.

Look forward to hearing about your Apres Ski night! We had a great time at ours. Anna x

Unknown said...

You did a great job Floss. Very though provoking. Have a blessed Sunday.

Autumn Mist said...

This is one of my favourite Psalms, and became very special when I was pregnant with my son. I very rarely get to the end without crying! We couldn't get to church today as we're snowed in, and this has made up for it in a small, but special way, thankyou.

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

I love the way you used the most perfect of your photos to go with the Psalm. That was all very beautiful Floss.

Lorraine said...

What an amazing selection of images to bring that Psalm alive - you made it speak to me and I thank you for that :-)
Blessings and ((hugs))

Kelly said...

A very pretty post!

*Ulrike* said...

Sometimes the things that make the most sense, and also makes us think is right there in front of us in the book.

Jen Walshaw said...

I like the bits cut out, nothing wrong with an edit. I am finding it hard to explain lent to the boys, they take everything very literally

magsmcc said...

This was too much much inspiration, Floss. You've got me!

April Cottage Ramblings said...

Hi Floss,
Thank you for your kind comments and guidence.
Jayne-Marie