The LORD bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 I never thought about this blessing being for me. The thought of God smiling at Read more
Grief. That word often conjures a picture of a woman in tears over the dead body of a loved one… or the hollow-eyed, soot-stained face of a child bereft and alone in a bombed-out house. God promises to bless with comfort those who mourn. Jesus’ words on the mountain where Read more
(A shared journal entry) O Papa-God, so many things and people to pray for! The girls in my small group – those who come and those who don’t. My failures in following up with those girls. The young men I disciple to lead worship. My failure to contact a potential Read more
Last week, I wrote of needing comfort in all my wrecked places. This week, I can say, He has turned my mourning into dancing…literally! Friday, I had a regular checkup at my primary care provider, and in the name of full disclosure, had to check the boxes on the form Read more
O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before You… my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. Let the morning bring Read more
There is much sadness in our lives: disease and decay in our bodies; deaths of dear ones; divorce and distress in marriages, international war and interpersonal conflict; rebellion against God that brings disaster, both personal and global. It is no wonder that the most abundant type of Psalm is a Read more
Not neat and tidy. Nope. This following-Jesus stuff is messy! Questions come up that don’t have any neat solutions. Or even straight-forward ones. Conflicts arise for which there is no resolution. Depression hits and won’t let up. Disease and death still affect and afflict us, cheating and robbing us of Read more
Depressed children often chatter like George Washington’s wooden dentures at Valley Forge, and bounce off the walls. Depressed adults are often quiet — silent, even. I was the classic depressed adult. I sat at the computer last week, and wrote nothing, because I had nothing to say. I was depressed… Read more
