Psalm 1

Personal Reflections:
The kids all came home for Thanksgiving and all made it back to Nashville safely. Thank you, God!  Had a lovely time, although I think the kids are finding mom and dad a bit boring compared to their busy schedules. We like to sit and talk, and they want to get up and move - just different stages of life.
Observations:
You are blessed if you don't hang out with those that are unsaved and mock the things of Christ. A Christian's happiness should be in God and he should be studying the Word continually. If he does this, he will be firmly rooted in the faith and will be able to withstand troubles that come his way. The unsaved are not so favored, but are blown away in the wind because they have no roots. God knows the ways of the righteous and the ungodly. They all will be judged one day. Instead of being in the assembly of the righteous the wicked will perish.
Application:
Hanging out with the unsaved is a dangerous proposition. We think too highly of ourselves - that we will be able to "change" them and that they will not change us. All too often they end up changing us! This chapter warns of that. First you have casual contact with them (walk with them). Then it gets a little more intimate - you stand with them and talk. You are beginning to listen to them. Finally, it says you sit with them - you are spending time and eating "hanging out" with scoffers - those that despise the One you say you love. If someone were to make fun of one of my children or husband - the last thing I would do would be to sit down with them and listen to their tirades! Why then, do I put up with those who mock my Lord?!
The other challenge of this passage is to be firmly planted - have roots that go down deep. Trials will come to all of us. Others will know how deeply we are rooted by the way we handle those problems. A healthy tree needs to be yielding fruit. How much fruit am I producing? Do I even care?! Do those around me that don't know the Lord, do they know there is a difference between me and them? Do I make Christ "attractive to them - seeing Christ in me should make them desirous to have Him too. I fear, that I am not hidden in Christ, but rather He is hidden in me, and others can't see Him - they only see me.
"Lord, make me a firmly rooted Christian who bears fruit for you. Don't allow me to be comfortable around those who mock your name. Give me a holy anger towards those who scoff the things of God."