Psalm One

 The Psalm begins with the word ‘happy,’ a word which we use often, but it is necessary to track down the meaning that word has for each of us. When I think of the happy times in my life, they are periods when I am with my friends or when I am writing and studying. At these times I am enjoying the relationships with others and times when I am using my talents.

Think back on your life. Describe on paper when you were happy. Examine your history and discover what your unique talents are. What do you value most, and are you living according to those values? Each of us has his/her own idea of what it means to be happy, and we benefit when we specify those events. Our definitions are neither right nor wrong. The results of this search will help you discover what, in fact, makes you happy. Then consider how long your were happy at those moments.

An illusion I have suffered from is that I have at times thought happiness to be a state of being, something I work toward, achieve and will remain with me for a long time. As you well know, being happy is a way of living. The feeling of happiness is momentary. It is not something we postpone until a later time. In the past I have had retired people tell me that they are amazed at how many of their friends have postponed happiness until they retire and then die shortly after that.

When I read the Psalms, I learn that happiness is a way of living which is based on meditation. That is right: prayer. Prayer is much more than kneeling and telling God our woes and seeking his help. Prayer involves focusing on what is important in our lives, and it is a way-of-living.

I attended a seminar with Dr. Roy Menninger, the son of the great psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger. He had us take a sheet of paper and divide it vertically down the middle. On the left side we listed the ways we spend our time: number one being how we spend most of our time, and then go down the list to ten, with ten being the least amount of time we spend on something. On the right-hand side of the page he had us list our priorities, with number one being the most important.

Then he had us compare and reflect on the two sides. “Look at your first priority and see which of the numbers on the left-side of the page you find yourself spending time on that priority. Then go down the remaining nine and see where each them lands on the Time Spent side. We were amazed. All of us said the lists were largely inverted. Some of the things we valued most were on the bottom of the other list. In contrast so many of the things we value least were on top of the Time Spent list. He suggested that we will be happier when we spend more time doing what is important to us. He did not criticize either list. But he did make us aware of how we could improve and enhance our lives.

Part of meditating is thinking about what is happening in our lives and what is happening to us. The priorities may change slightly but really not very much. When we grew up, we learned our values by observing our parents and by testing those ideas. Also, it takes much time to break old habits. Reflection and practice is required to make a more significant change.

The Bible is a magnificent source of knowledge of how best to live. In reading and rereading it, we also learn first-hand of how involved God is in our lives. But it does take time and requires us to make it a higher priority. This long-term exercise is to help you begin that process.

All of us have a limited amount of hours each day to carry out our responsibilities. The key to this process is to take a few minutes each day to read and reflect on God’s Word. In my own life I have chosen two books of the Bible to focus on. The first is the 150 Psalms which is found in the middle of your Bible. The second for me is the Gospel according to Mark which is the first gospel which was written after Jesus died. Mark is writing to Christians in Rome who have no knowledge of the history of the Jews, so he keeps his message short and to the point. In the Gospel you will come to know Jesus of Nazareth, and you will see why we call him the Son of God and what it means that he is the Christ. In Mark we learn that Jesus’ love for us is so extensive that there is nothing we can do and even do to him which will drive him away. Even when representatives of us humans crucified him, he loved and forgave us. Absolutely amazing.

Begin your adventure today. Read and reread Psalm One each day this coming seven days and then meditate on what King David is saying. It will only take a few minutes, and the discipline of doing it will amazingly enhance your life. It is an long process which will enable you to grow a little bit each day. It will be worth the effort!

THE WISDOM OF THE PSALMS

by

Gerald C. “Jeb” Monge

gmonge@midco.net

Introduction

 The 150 Psalms have been the basis of inspiration for 3,000 years. The wisdom these poets wrote regarding the struggles of being a human have surpassed anything written since. The Psalms give us insights in the complexity of the human creature as well as how God deals with us and strengthens and guides us each day.

This exercise will not be easy. It will last three years and will give you something important to focus on each week which will enhance your life. The process is gradual, but it give you growth which is steady and one which will last for a lifetime. You will be better equipped to confront the difficulties in your life and to better use your life for creativity.

The great Buddha said: “Life is suffering.” I haven’t found anybody to meaningfully counter that statement. Do nothing more than read the newspapers, and you will find plenty of evidence to convince you. Then consider your past day, week, month or year. Living is a struggle with which we can attempt to hide from or take advantage of its ambivalence.

Self-help books typically give us advice. I am convinced through my more than 7 decades that what we need most of all is strength. A man I admire, Dr. Rudolf Dreikurs, who taught adolescent psychiatry at the University of Chicago, said what leads teenagers into trouble is that they are discouraged. What they need from a parent is to encourage them.

These are two interesting words: discourage and encourage. The root of courage is Latin word: cor which means “heart.” When kids lose heart, they give up and quit. To discourage someone is to take away his heart, and to encourage a person is to put heart into him/her. The purpose of this program is the encourage you. As our teenagers already know what is healthy for them, so do we. We all simply need encouragement. Have fun!