Thursday, July 16, 2009

Are you ready to be calm?

When our autisitc kid gets agitated, one of the redirecting phrases we use is, "Are you ready to be calm?" Usually helps call him back to composure.

The Psalm assigned for this morning in the Book of Common Prayer is one of the better "redirection" passages in the Bible. In fact, "It's a Psalm 37 day" became code among some of the men in a prayer group at my last church.

Check it out if you're upset by the headlines, the other driver, the Twins, who- or whatever:


Psalm 37:1-18


1 Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; *
do not be jealous of those who do wrong.

2 For they shall soon wither like the grass, *
and like the green grass fade away.

3 Put your trust in the LORD and do good; *
dwell in the land and feed on its riches.

4 Take delight in the LORD, *
and he shall give you your heart's desire.

5 Commit your way to the LORD and put your trust in him, *
and he will bring it to pass.

6 He will make your righteousness as clear as the light *
and your just dealing as the noonday.

7 Be still before the LORD *
and wait patiently for him.

8 Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers, *
the one who succeeds in evil schemes.

9 Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; *
do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.

10 For evildoers shall be cut off, *
but those who wait upon the LORD shall possess the land.

11 In a little while the wicked shall be no more; *
you shall search out their place, but they will not be there.

12 But the lowly shall possess the land; *
they will delight in abundance of peace.

13 The wicked plot against the righteous *
and gnash at them with their teeth.

14 The Lord laughs at the wicked, *
because he sees that their day will come.

15 The wicked draw their sword and bend their bow
to strike down the poor and needy, *
to slaughter those who are upright in their ways.

16 Their sword shall go through their own heart, *
and their bow shall be broken.

17 The little that the righteous has *
is better than great riches of the wicked.

18 For the power of the wicked shall be broken, *
but the LORD upholds the righteous.

5 comments:

The Oblate said...

Great advise,Oh Wise One! I needed this yesterday,didn't I?

TLF+ said...

Not my advice or my wisdom - it is from God!

The Archer of the Forest said...

I was taken by this passage as I was doing morning prayer this morning as well. The Daily Lectionary selections have been phenomenal this last week with the backdrop of the bizarre General Convention goings-on.

TLF+ said...

Yes, Archer, lots of grace this week in the Daily Offices! I totally agree.

Still looks good for me to be at your installation!

Anonymous said...

Very nice thanks for the sharing...............

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Smarry
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