Thursday, April 2, 2009

Where does my help come from?


Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

This psalm is from a section in the book of psalms believed to be a "hymn book" (120-134) used by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem. The travelers were faced with a giant obstacle, a mountain to ascend. In the face of this challege they turned their hope to the Lord to provide and in fact be the strength they need.

Spring is upon us all (some more than others) and every time I turn around it seems like another marriage retreat, conference, or seminar is being offered to our military personnel. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited by all of these options and opportunities! Our young couples have the deck stacked against them and need all the help, insight, and communication they can get. I guess it is that time of year when single people fall in love, and married people reevaluate why they fell in love in the first place.

The above photo is from a trip Wes and I took to Seward a couple of weeks ago, for some of these same reasons. Our life has its ups and downs, and it seemed like we were stuck in a rut of downs more than we were enjoying any ups. So we decided to take a little weekend getaway without our phones or computer to just "hang out". Our ministry to the military will only be effective if it flows naturally out of our love for God and our relationship with him. As well as being supported by a healthy relationship with each other. So we took some much needed time away to talk, pray, beat each other at Gin and Scrabble and just have some fun.

As the pilgrims to Jerusalem lifted their eyes to their God in times of trouble. I pray that Wes and I will do the same. I hope that you too will pray for us, and with us as we spend time helping those in our community to do the same.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

In Christ,

Elaine (& Wes)