March 2, 2011

3-2-11 Wednesday, 6:09 am 36 degrees.

The eastern sky shows the beginning of dawn, the crescent moon, and Venus (Neptune and Mars are below the moon and above the sun, but not visible to the unassisted eye). My body would like a little more rest, but I am up and at ‘um, with a long day of Board of Ordained Ministry work ahead. We will deliberate this morning, voting on all candidates who are eligible for ordination, and then in the afternoon and evening, we will interview all candidates eligible for commissioning.

Isaiah 40

What a great chapter! It marks the beginning of the second half of Isaiah, many call chapters 40-66 Deutero-Isaiah because it is so different from the first 39 chapters. I ascribe to the unity of the book, believing that the one author, the prophet Isaiah wrote the entire book.
“Comfort, o comfort my people, says your God (verse 1).
“A voice is calling, clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness, make smooth in the desert a highway for our God… (verse 3)
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. (verse 8)
“Those who wait upon the Lord will gain new strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (verse 31)

Guide me today Lord as I work as a pastor to comfort Your people, to clear the way for You in the wilderness, preaching and teaching Your eternal word, waiting upon you and receiving your strength!” From the middle of the United States, in these my middle-aged years, may I be in the center of your will today, and each day until eternity.