My first thought after reading the lessons for today was that I remembered memorizing the 104th Psalm as a young Lutheran confirmation student.  It was a big accomplishment for a fourteen-year-old.  But I think what Jesus is saying in his message today is that it isn't about how much we can put into our heads, or the way we discipline what we eat that makes us holy, it is what goes into our hearts.  How much of that Psalm have I internalized in my heart?  How much do I really take to heart the words of God's greatness, goodness, and glory?  God has certainly done mighty things in his creation of the earth and the heavens and in my own personal life, yet, how much do I assist my God in sustaining this majesty and glory?  God has certainly done great things to care for all creatures, but how do I get in the way of that goodness with my own selfishness and greed?  And, yes, God is capable of renewing the the earth even when death comes.  But do I keep that faith and hope in such a generous God by actively participating in renewal?  Or do I fall into the sin of thinking my little ordering of my life and attempt to order the lives of others will save me when I can't even completely rid the evil thoughts of my own unclean heart?  

It is sobering, to be sure, to face up to the awesome glory of God in the midst of our own arrogance and denial of our unclean hearts.  Even if we think we are living by the rules, Jesus reminds us we must be on guard to take care of what is in our hearts.  We can so easily be given to evil thoughts.  And evil thoughts so often lead to evil words and then evil actions.  When it gets to that point, repentance and renewal is much more difficult.  Not impossible, but difficult.  I remember as a young child that my parents would often say, "don't even think about it" when they sensed the potential for greed, deceit, or envy in any of their children.  Later they worried about the potential for unchastity and blasphemy in us when they recognized it in other youth.   I don't think it is folly for any of us, no matter what our age, to think about sins in terms of thoughts as well as words and deeds.  How often do we say to ourselves, "don't even think about it?"  I suppose that thought patrol is the Lutheran upbringing in me, it was a big part of our understanding of honoring the Ten Commandments.  We were taught to be on guard that we do not violate those rules in thought, word, and deed.  But instead of reciting all those rules,  I think the best way for me to remember to honor the word of the Lord is to think about Psalm 104.  Several times a day I make a habit of saying as a prayer, "O bless the Lord, O my Soul!"  I pray today that this simple prayer will be a good mantra to consecrate the truth of the greatness, goodness, and glory of the Lord in my heart.  May it be useful to others as well.