4 weeks

….and nothing profound to say this week. Time has come to an almost standstill at this point, but that is what I was told to expect. Do you remember that clothing store commercial where the woman is standing with her face pressed against the glass chanting, “Open, open, open, open…..” Well, that is me at this point The great news is that I have less days left (27) than months I will end up serving here (33) and I can count the weeks left on one hand.
See you soon,
Joe

PS – For those of you that like the Psalms, here is a personal meditation/prayer that I put together for myself from the 119th Psalm. I keep one copy on my desk and another in the front cover of my Bible and refer to it quite often…..
Heavenly Father,
Help me to be blameless, to walk in your law. Help me to keep your testimonies and seek you with my whole heart. Oh God, please let me be steadfast in my ways and keep your statutes. I want to praise you with an upright heart and learn all of your righteous rules.
Dear God, help me to keep my way pure and to guard myself according to your word. I want to seek you with my whole heart and not wander from your commandments. Please help me to store your word in my heart so that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you oh Lord!
Please be gracious with me that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Bless me that I might delight in your testimonies.
When my soul clings to dust, give me life according to your word. Allow me to understand your precepts and cause me to meditate on your wondrous works. When my soul melts away for sorrow, strengthen me according to your word.
Give me understanding that I may keep your truth and obey it with joy and with my whole heart. Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways.
Let your steadfast love come to me, Oh Lord, show me your salvation according to your promise. Dear God, let me speak of you before kings and friends alike and not be put to shame. Let my words and actions glorify you my Lord.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, help me to believe in your teachings. If I must go through afflictions to truly learn your statutes and how to keep your word then let it be so. Anything that I might be truly able to say, “Your ways are better to me than wealth and riches, than fame and glory.” Whatever the path or circumstances, let your steadfast and ever present love be my comfort.
My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise. I am yours, save me. Oh how I love your word and desire to meditate on it all day long, please help me to do so. Teach me, Oh Lord, so I do not turn away from you. Let your word be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Give me life according to your word. Let your testimonies be the joy of my heart.
Dear God, I am your servant, deal with me according to your steadfast love, teach me your statutes and give me understanding.