January 8th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Psalm 29
The Voice of God in a Great Storm
A Psalm of David.

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
   worship the Lord in holy splendour.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the Lord, over mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
   the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
   the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
   and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
   the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,
   and strips the forest bare;
   and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
   the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
   May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Reflection
Psalm by Bill Lynch

Before me sits the jet engine.
   Quiet yet full of power.
God's voice is in this engine,
   in the engineering and construction.
God's hand is in this engine,
   in the skill and love of creativity.

Women and men gather before the engine.
   They lay their lives in God's hands.
God's voice is in this gathering,
   in the plans and places of humans.
God's hand is in this gathering,
   in the conversation and relationships.

The engine begins with a small gathering,
   of air that God created.
God's voice is in the gathering of air,
   the same air that gives life to all.
God's hand is in this air,
   as the air begins to move.

The air begins to compress in the engine,
   God's air is gathering power.
God's voice is in the compression,
   as the engine begins to scream.
God's hand is in the compression of air,
   air pulled in tight and together.

The compressed air is ignited,
   the engine comes to a roar.
God's voice is in the ignition,
   his voice is heard and his power is felt.
God's hand is in the ignition,
   when air springs to life in it's power.

Hot gases exhaust from the engine,
   the thrust produced brings power for flight
God's voice is in the exhaust,
   loud and wonderful is the sound.
God's hand is in the exhaust,
   his creation is brought to life.

The engine powers the jet for flight,
   the birds begin to scatter.
God's voice is in the flight,
   all people praise the God of creation.
God's hand is in the flight,
   the birds proclaim God's glory.

The peace of the flight is felt,
   the clouds gather below.
God's voice is in the peace,
   the sun shines brightly here.
God's voice is in the peace,
   praise God for all things created.

Prayer
God, as I look around in nature and all of creation, I see your touch. I hear your voice. I see the movement of your hands and can do nothing but praise you for your glory and power and might. You are God and you give life to all things in all places. You are amazing!... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen