The Plumbline

Tears come easier for some of us than others, but they convey so very much when they are shed. Since I am not one to cry at the drop of a hat, I begin by pondering when the tears of my "heart" have been shed and some of the things I was expressing in those moments of tearful sorrow, happiness, or fear. The emotions we express in our tears range from extreme disappointment to sheer agony associated with great loss. Our tears actually speak much when we are unable to speak all we'd like to express, don't they? Maybe that is why Jesus keeps track of tear we shed - because of the volumes they speak. You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book. (Psalm 56:8) Another translation actually says God collects our tears in a bottle. From the very first tears cried as we came bawling into this world to the very last tear shed from our weary eyes, God collects them all. For some,...

Stop for just a moment in your busy day and consider what your words of praise have been today. Not the praise you give another, but the praise you lift to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. I get really put off by words like "God's blessing be upon you" when it seems to be words that come out like they are memorized or simply spoken out of habit. Sometimes I think we become so familiar with saying something like "Bless God!" or "Thank You Jesus!" that we almost speak them without any really thought behind them! Consider how we might feel when all we hear from someone is, "I love you" or "You are so special to me", but then never really see the love or "special" connection displayed. The words become hollow when spoken so frequently without any really action behind them, don't they? The same could be true of our worship! Blessed are you, God of Israel, our father from of old and forever. To you, O God, belong the g...