Day 394 | Saturday, 17 April 2021

Day 394 - Audio Verion

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Day 394 | Saturday, 17 April 2021
 
        Here we are at the end of a week that has been filled with the ups and downs on the emotional roller coaster.  We have been living through the pandemic and all its aftermath.  We rejoice in the vaccinations taking place and yet wonder why some say they are not sure whether to be vaccinated.  We are also seeing the increase in COVID cases around the country including in Chautauqua County. 

        We have witnessed more shootings and the killing of innocent people who just were living their lives and yet were caught in harms way.  I believe I heard that there have been 45 mass shootings in the last 30 days.  I struggle sometimes to understand the reasoning behind what to me is senseless.  Yes, I know that evil exists in our world and it takes on many different forms.  I also know that there is a lot of good happening around us every day.

        Some of us are grieving the death of a family member or a friend and playing the memories in our minds.

        It has been a week of weather changes from summer to spring and almost winter.  Yet driving around the area the beauty of nature has been spectacular.  Thank God for the rebirth of the earth at this time of year.

        Where do we turn?  I always like to turn to the book of Psalms.  Read Psalm 116 – CEB, a song of trust in God’s protection.
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116 I love the Lord because he hears my requests for mercy.
2 I’ll call out to him as long as I live, because he listens closely to me.
3 Death’s ropes bound me; the distress of the grave found me—I came face-to-face with trouble and grief.
4 So I called on the Lord’s name: “Lord, please save me!”
5 The Lord is merciful and righteous; our God is compassionate.
6 The Lord protects simple folk; he saves me whenever I am brought down.
7 I tell myself, You can be at peace again, because the Lord has been good to you.
8 You, God, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, and my foot from stumbling,
9     so I’ll walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
10 I have remained faithful, even when I said, “I am suffering so badly!”
11     even when I said, out of fear, “Everyone is a liar!”
12 What can I give back to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me?
13 I’ll lift up the cup of salvation. I’ll call on the Lord’s name.
14 I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people.
15 The death of the Lord’s faithful is a costly loss in his eyes.
16 Oh yes, Lord, I am definitely your servant!  I am your servant and the son of your female servant— you’ve freed me from my chains.
17 So I’ll offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to you, and I’ll call on the Lord’s name.
18 I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord in the presence of all God’s people,
19     in the courtyards of the Lord’s house, which is in the center of Jerusalem