5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations.Psalm100:5 Most Holy God, Some days I come before You with great joy. Some days I worship You with gladness. Some days I sing with a heart bursting with gratitude for who You are and the way that Your are working … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 2/12/2020
Last weekend I asked what motivates us, which brings to mind this verse from the Psalms: Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.Psalm 37:4 NIV Father, You tell us that when we delight in You, You will give us the desires of our hearts. Transform us, Lord, … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 1/29/2020
Last year I spent about a month immersed in the poetry of Psalm 8, but no matter how many times I read them, verses 3 and 4 always strike me to the core: When I consider your heavens,the work of your fingers,the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,what is [humankind] that … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 1/22/2020
While Psalm 1:1-2 describes the things that the "happy" or "blessed" person does and doesn't do, verse 3 offers a beautiful metaphor for this person: That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.Psalm 1:3 NIV Father, Your word teaches … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 1/15/2020
Psalm 1 paints the portrait of two paths that we can choose from: to delight in God's instruction or to walk in the way of the wicked. The "law of the Lord" can also be translated as the "instruction of YHWH," which I prefer for two reasons. First, culturally we bring certain expectations to the … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 1/8/2020
When the New Year knocks at the door, many people adopt New Year’s resolutions. Others choose theme words, theme verses, or even 30-day challenges to start the year, hoping to kick start a new habit. Two years ago I started journaling in January. (No, I’m not about to insist that you start!) It wasn’t so … Continue reading When Did You Last Take a Good, Hard Look?
Sometimes we live in between the places of plea and praise in the lament psalms. We have taken our circumstances to God, expressing them with brutal honesty. That doesn’t mean God has changed our situation or even our perspective yet. Sometimes we’re stuck waiting for Him to act. Sometimes it can even feel like we’re … Continue reading Life In Between: Engaging in Spiritual Disciplines
As I've been diving back into the spiritual discipline of silence this fall, the first line of Psalm 46:10 keeps coming to mind. But it's always good to go back and put those fragments into context. The whole verse reads He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 11/20/2019
It is only in our weakness that we can “go from strength to strength,” because it is about God’s strength, not our own.
This week I am ever so conscious that I need God to illumine His word and to transform my heart. Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 NIV Will you join me in praying this verse for each of us … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 10/9/2019
Life Beyond #Blessed 