Potholes
Read: Psalm 142 Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. (v. 6 NASB) In the Midwest of the United States, we enjoy the luxury of four distinct seasons, all with their own unique characteristics. The most extreme seasonal transition is often from the cold and dark of winter to the moisture and […]
Refreshed
Read: Psalm 107:1-9 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (v. 1) A late summer look out my dining room window to the nearby corn field reveals an irrigation system at work. Lately the growing season has been especially warm and uncharacteristically dry, and the farmer has […]
Tears in the Dark
Read: Psalm 30 Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (v. 5 NIV) It usually isn’t good for me to wake up in the middle of the night. I don’t know about you, but when I find myself staring at the ceiling wishing I was still deep in slumber, it’s not […]
God’s Voice, All around Us
Read: Psalm 29 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. (v. 4) Director Tom Beard’s 2021 documentary, The Year Earth Changed, provides a stirring glimpse of the way nature responded to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. While humans were in lockdown around the world, surprising […]
The Kingdom is the Lord’s
Read: Psalm 22:23-28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. (v. 28) I am often saddened by the prevalence of division in our world; in and between countries, communities, and families. Fear establishes division, pride grows it, and selfishness reaps the harvest. Divisive actions and words inflict lasting pain. I believe […]
Help Wanted
Read: Psalm 56 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (v. 3) “Help Wanted” signs seem to be everywhere I look these days, and with good reason. According to an August 19, 2022, article published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at that time there were more than 10 million job openings, but […]
Swimming the 500
Read: Psalm 73:21-26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps. 73:26) Our youngest son is a competitive swimmer, and through many practices and meets, I’ve seen some surprising life lessons in the sport. I am in awe of the dedication he and […]
Pray for Relationship
Read: James 5:13-18 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (v. 13) In the final few lines of his letter to Jewish believers, James emphasized the importance of prayer. Going through something difficult? Pray. Happy? Pray. Someone you know and love sick? Pray. It is as if James […]
Quiet the Call of the World
Read: James 4:1-8 Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (v. 4) What is your “get away from it all” place? Is it sitting in the quiet of the early morning, taking a walk on the beach or in the woods, or finding a few moments of […]