As we look at 2023…

 

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6)

 

After the last several years, a lot of us are tired, discouraged, disconnected, or bewildered as to how to navigate the Church in the midst of all of the arguments, deconstruction, and reconstruction. So many great people who love Jesus are struggling to gather and worship God in Spirit and truth in the current atmosphere. Many believers feel homeless and rudderless. Many are in a spiritual desert, looking for ways to prime the pump with fresh water.

 

How do we gather as believers, study and apply the Word, filter information through a biblical worldview, become more like Christ, and love one another when there is so much division? Some see everything in black and white. Some see everything in gray. Some see white, gray, and black. How do we find unity on cardinal issues and diversity on non-cardinal issues? And who decides what is cardinal?

 

How do we let go of the toxicity without throwing out the baby with the bathwater? How do we pursue love and unity when we have such divergent views on so many topics?

 

I keep asking God: What is my voice to be in the midst of the 2023? The same as always: To put your hand in the hand of Jesus and let Him do his thing. What can I bring to the table?  I am a pastor/teacher, and my two primary gifts are Bible teaching and spiritual formation: opening the Word and fostering transformation in Jesus.

 

We all need communities of friends who may be diverse on many issues but of one heart on centrality of Christ. Men and women who participate in Psalm One gatherings attend different churches, have different politics, embrace different cultures, hold different viewpoints, but what we offer are growth opportunities for people who love God and want to know Him and walk according to his Word. Call me a wimp, but at Psalm One events I ask people to leave politics, denominations, and other divisive topics at the door. That’s not my gig.

 

In His Farewell Discourse (John 13-17), Jesus prays that we will have love and unity. "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. (John 17:11) Sometimes we see much love and unity.

 

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1-11)

 

Yowza. Lofty goals. Easier said than done. How do we pursue love and unity in such a splintered time? The only solution I know: Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. He’s the only one who knows how to proceed.

 

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

 

If you’re looking for a place to debate controversial issues, Psalm One is probably not for you. You may be a part of a church or community that finds its calling in taking a bold stand on controversial issues. I am glad there are people whose gifting is to speak up, take a stand, and wrestle with some very complicated issues.

 

If you long to draw near, seek Jesus, walk with Jesus, and lift up one another as we lift up Jesus, that’s what we offer. May Psalm One continue to be a community of brothers and sisters who want to learn, grow, and fix our eyes on Jesus.

 

Grace and peace,

Linda

 

Psalm One Gatherings and Events: Join us for community and encouragement. I look forward to sharing much of what God has given me during the life-giving sabbatical. Please be praying as doors of ministry open. God alone knows where I might show up!

 

• Tuesday Night Bible Study: Come and be fed from the Word with a great group of friends. This is for men and women from anywhere. We meet via Zoom at 7:30pm Eastern Time (Cincinnati/New York). For those of you Down Under, this is Wednesday morning. (Those who live locally may be meeting in face-to-face if we find the right location. But so many people would not be able to attend due to geography or other hurdles if we are restricted to Southwest Ohio.)

 

You are always welcome whether you never miss a week or drop in occasionally. Sign up to stay in the loop with links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study

 

• Refocus and Refuel Retreat: Registration is open for the first of four 2023 Psalm One Refocus and Refuel Retreats! For men and women. Could you use some extended time of peace and quiet at Jesus' feet with the encouragement of others who also seek a closer walk with God? Could your heart, mind, and soul use a good cleansing and jump-start? How we love these life-giving getaways! Space is limited, so don’t wait to register.

• March 10-12, 2023

• May 19-21, 2023

• September 22-24, 2023

• November 17-19, 2023

For more information and registration: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel

 

• Soul Care Retreats for Pastors’ Wives:

There’s no such thing as a “typical pastor’s wife”. You may be a pastor, accountant, stay-at-home mom, worship leader, butcher, baker, or candlestick maker. But you are invited to a fun and encouraging getaway with others who understand life on the front lines of ministry.

• Cincinnati, Ohio: February 3-5, 2023

• Green Lake, Wisconsin: February 24-26, 2023

For more information and to register: Scroll down on https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives 

 

• Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Weekly Oasis: Where pastors’ wives can gather with friends to share our roller coaster lives, laugh quite a bit, and receive a spiritual boost. What a wonderful, encouraging, supportive community this has become! Thursdays, 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time. To stay in the loop for these online gatherings, resources, and encouragement, sign up for Thursday nights with the Sisterhood of the Fishbowl at the top of this page: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives