The Bottom Has Fallen Out Of My Life!
1-2 Help, GOD—the bottom has fallen out of my life! Master, hear my cry for help! Listen hard! Open your ears! Listen to my cries for mercy. 3-4 If you, GOD, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped. 5-6 I pray to GOD—my life a prayer—and wait for what he’ll say and do. My life’s on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning. 7-8 O Israel, wait and watch for GOD—with GOD’s arrival comes love, with GOD’s arrival comes generous redemption. No doubt about it—he’ll redeem Israel, buy back Israel from captivity to sin. – Psalm 130, The Message
Dear Friends,
“N95”
That’s a new phrase I learned this week. It is a face mask rating determined by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The “N” means it is not resistant to oil. The “95” means that the mask will filter out 95% of particles of a .3 μm or larger. It is the mask I have been seeing many people wear in this area.
It was reported this morning the San Francisco Bay area has the worst air in the world. That is due to a terrible fire in Paradise, California and surrounding communities. The last report was 63 people deceased and 621 missing.
The Psalm above, from a translation called “The Message”, states things quite well: “The Bottom Has Fallen Out Of My Life”.
There are many people who have lost their homes. Worse, many have lost loved ones.
Psalm 130 is from a series of Psalms called “The Psalms of Ascent”. These are Psalms 120-134.
Some believe these Psalms were read by Pilgrims as they ascended up to the Temple in Jerusalem for various observances.
Some believe these Psalms were used by God’s people when they were captive in Jerusalem.
Several of these Psalms cry for God’s Presence.
“The Bottom Has Fallen Out Of My Life” is the cry of many people who have experienced the Camp Fire around Paradise. I know of at least two families who have lost their homes. I know their lives will not return to normal for a year or more.
Of course, I pray for them in their situation.
In addition, I help financially through the giving of money.
If you are able to help financially you can do so through our Denomination’s local district. Please go to:
www.cnh-lcms.org
On the right, click “Disaster Relief Update”
Click on the “Donate Now” button.
Your help is greatly appreciated.
Peace,
Ricky Adams
Pastor
Peace Lutheran Church
Mill Valley, California