Coping

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 23: 6b
“And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

How are you trusting in the God's shepherd's faithfulness today? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 23 the Psalmist describes the Lord as a Shepherd and includes beautiful imagery, of a life-long journey, with the Lord leading the way. The Psalmist concludes the Psalm with the Phrase “And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This phrase eludes to the Psalmists belief that a journey with the Lord does not end in death, but continues in the Afterlife. The Psalmist professes a deep sense of faith in the Lord’s protection and provision which was built throughout his earthly journey. The Psalmist concludes, then, that he will continue to trust and follow Him into the beyond.

What are you placing your faith in?

How are you trusting in the Good Shepherd’s faithfulness today?

Let’s pray: Lord, you are the Good Shepherd.  You guide us through this journey of life. We thank you for the faithfulness you display throughout our lives. Help us to increase our faith, that we might deepen our trust in you, in this life and the next. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Sept 11 will forever be etched in our nation's soul as a day of remembrance. Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning. 

Like many Americans, you probably remember exactly where you were and what you were doing the moment you learned of the attacks on September 11th, 2001. This 9/11, years (or) decades later, our country gathers for moments of silence, collective grieving and remembrance. As first responders, we especially remember those who answered the call to serve this country on that fateful day. 

Let us take a few moments of silence together to commemorate this day…

    For the 2,976 people from 93 nations who lost their lives that day… We Pause…

    In honor of the first responders who served that day and every day since… We Pause...

    With the hope of a better, more just, more tolerant and more diverse America… We Pause…

May we forge ahead and never forget… Amen.

Labor Day a holiday where we applaud the social and economic achievements  of our country's labor force.  Listen now.

Good morning and Happy Labor Day. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning. 

Today, we celebrate Labor Day. The first Monday in September, where we applaud the social and economic achievements of our countries’ Labor force. This national holiday, is a time to recognize and honor the contributions made by all American workers. 

It is no secret that our staff here at Be Well Resources are some of the most dedicated and hardworking employees around. Each of you, no matter your role, title or salary have personally contributed to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our community. 

This morning, as a way to express my gratitude for all that you do, I’d like read an adapted portion of Philippians 1 where the Apostle Paul praises his fellow workers. 

Let’s pray:

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 

4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in [this ministry] from the first day until now, 

6 [I am] confident of this; that he who began a good work in you, will carry it on [into] completion… 

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through [Him]— to the glory and praise of God.”

Amen…and Happy Labor Day…

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 23:6a
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."

Where is the Lord's goodness in your life? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 23 verse 6a the Psalmist describes the Lord as a Shepherd and concludes that: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

The Psalmist’s conclusion is based upon his knowledge of The Shepherds attributes of goodness and mercy. These attributes become resources to the Psalmist as he walks down the path of life filled with peaks and valleys; storms and seasons; adversity and adventure. Like the Palmist, we can also rely on the Lord’s attributes as we walk down our personal paths. We rely on his Goodness as we trust that the path he has set before us is a good path, intended to bring goodness to us and those around us. And although The Lord’s path for us is good, we need His mercy when the road of our lives gets rough.

Where is the Lord’s goodness in your life?

How will you lean into the Good Shepherd’s mercy today?

Let’s pray: Lord, you are the Good Shepherd.  You guide us through this journey of life. We thank you for your goodness- as you set a path before us. Give us opportunities to extend your Goodness to others today. And as the road gets rough, help us to see your goodness and mercy when we need it most. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 23: 5c
“He makes my cup overflow"

How is your cup overflowing? Listen now. 

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 23 the Lord is compared to a “Good Shepherd” who makes “my cup overflow.”

The image of the overflowing up symbolizes the overflowing blessings that God offers to His people. However, there are times that our cups overflow, not with blessing but with hardship and stress. In these times, we often rely on the phrase: “God does not give us more than we can handle.” 

The reality is, God often does give more than we can handle to force us to turn to our community for support and to cause us to rely on Him more deeply. In other words: If God gave us only what we could handle, we would not need each other and we would have no need of him. 

As we continue to face insurmountable challenges and crises, both professionally and personally, locally and globally, let us take time to celebrate when our cups overflow with blessing. But let us also turn to one another for support when our cups fill up with hardship.  

What is your cup overflowing with?

How will you turn to your community for support today?

Let’s pray: Lord, you are the Good Shepherd.  You allow our cups to overflow with blessings and hardship. Give us opportunities to celebrate the blessings you flow into our lives. And give us the courage to turn to our community for support when we need it most. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 23: 5b
“He anoints my head with oil."

For what purpose is God setting you apart? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 23 the Lord is compared to a “Good Shepherd” who “anoint(s) my head with oil.”

Oil is a common element, used for scared rituals. In the Old Testament, oil was used to anoint prophets, priests and kings; common people, set apart for a Holy purpose. There is hardly a more radical image of something common being set apart for a holy purpose, than the Good Shepard anointing his sheep with oil. In the same way, God desires to anoint His people with His spirit; which seals us and sets us apart to serve Him and His people.

For what purpose is God setting you apart?

How will you allow His Spirit to anoint you today?

Let’s pray: Lord, you are the Good Shepherd.  You set us apart for your Holy purpose. Anoint us with your spirit today. That our work might be transformed from common to scared. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

*Shepherds often used oil to wash their sheep’s head, which proved to be an excellent insect repellent. The psalmist deepens this imagery though, by comparing this cleansing with anointing.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 23:5a
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

What table has the Lord prepared for you? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 23 the Lord is compared to a “Good Shepherd” who “prepare(s) a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

The table that the Lord prepares is full of food for spiritual sustenance. This feast is intentionally offered “in the presence of enemies” to display the Lord’s power to protect and provide for His people, especially in the midst of danger. When we take a seat at His table, we find nourishment for our hearts, minds and souls. 

What table has the Lord prepared for you?

How will you allow Him to nourish you today?

Let’s pray: Lord, you are the Good Shepherd. You prepare a table to meet our needs. Continue to protect us today; keeping us safe from all harm. And nourish us: mind, body and soul. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 23: 4b
“Your rod and staff ...they comfort me."

What will you allow the Lord to defend? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 23 the Lord is compared to a “Good Shepherd.” The psalmist praises the Good Shepherd for the tools He uses saying: “your rod and your staff-- they comfort me.”

Shepherds are known to carry a rod to defend their sheep against predators and they use their staff to guide any wayward sheep back to the fold.

In the same way, the Lord works to defend his people when they face adversity and He guides His wayward people back to the fold. These tools of defense and discipline bring comfort to the Psalmist because of the Lord’s active role in guarding and guiding His people. 

What will you allow the Lord to defend?

How is the Lord guiding you back to the fold today?

Let’s pray: Lord, we take comfort in your role as the Good Shepherd. Offer us your defense and discipline today. Defend us from all harm this week. And show us the way forward, while guiding us back to you. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 23: 4a
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me."

What have you asked for the Lord to guard today? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

In Psalm 23 verse 4, the psalmist declares: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me.”

This declaration symbolizes the Lord’s role in guiding and guarding his people. The Lord guides his people through life’s treacherous terrain filled with peaks and valleys; storms and seasons; adversity and adventure. The Lord guards his people throughout this journey leading them to places of nourishment and rest. 

Where is the Lord guiding you?

What have you asked for the Lord to guard today?

Let’s pray: Lord, you are the Good Shepherd.  You guide us through this journey of life. Continue to guard us today. Help us to follow your lead. And bring us to places of nourishment and rest. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.

Pause & Reflect with me on the words of Psalm 23:b 
“The Good Shepherd leads me in right paths, for His name's sake." Where is He leading you today? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

There was a time, not that long ago, that a road trip required a physical map. Nowadays, we have become so dependent on our mobile devices for directions, we take for granted the challenge and complexity of heading in the right direction. 

Psalm 23 verse 3 says: “[The Good Shepard] leads me in right paths, for his name’s sake.”

When we stop and ask the Good Shepard for directions He doesn’t simply tell us which way to go, but rather, he leads us to and though the right paths. These “right” paths are created by Him just for us, for the purpose of challenging us to grow and to increase the complexity of our faith in Him.

What path does the good Shepard have you on?

Where is He leading you today?

Let’s pray: Lord, we stop to ask you for direction now. Lead us to the right path today. Guide us through the challenges and complexities we face. Grow our character and faith in you. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.