192 - "My Busy Thoughts Are Multiplying" Psalm 92-100

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, 

Your Consolations will delight my soul. Psalm 94:19

My heart was filled with various and perplexing busy thoughts.

I was, I am tormented with the cares and fears about my future state.

Reach for the Consolations when the branchings of the heart hit hard.

I had to go back to subbing at the public schools in Austin---a challenge.

When you get older, it's a different ballgame in life or maybe it's that I just still

have not found my niche of contribution.  Trusting God in the midst of the emptiness.

The comforts that delight our soul are at our fingertips—

*the promises of God in His Word 

*the Word of God set home by the Holy Spirit on our souls, 

*and all those memories of His Care and Kindness to each of us in days gone by. 

The word for thoughts is used to describe branches of trees, 

thick and entwined, showing just how perplexed and distressing our thoughts really are. 

Praying for you and for me that God will open His Promises, His Word, and apply it to our souls.

Thank you, God.  This means so much that you would do this for us.

Can I let go and leave my hurts in His Hands?
 Psalm 96 - God is coming to set everything right on earth.  (God said this 4 times.).  So, I can let go any insults, any harm done to me for my King will set it straight someday.   

 

Am I arrogant in how I talk about other people?

 Psalm 97:8 - Am I proud of my ragamuffin gods?  I hope not.

What's my password?

 Psalm 100:1-4 - On your feet now—applaud God.  Sing yourselves into his presence. Enter with the password: "Thank you!"

PHOTO:  At a monastery in Budapest.  A sacred place of long ago where I step this day and feel the energy of the Spirit of God moving in my life.  Couldn't be more grateful juxtaposed to feeling such aloneness and lack of purpose.

191 - "Doing Math In The Wilderness and The Five-Fold Arms of God" Psalm 88-91

 

Bend an ear, God; answer me. I'm one miserable wretch! ...

Psalm 88 - God, you're my last chance of the day. I spend the night on my knees before you ...
Take notes on the trouble I'm in ... 
You turned my friends against me ...
Blinded by tears of pain and frustration ...
My only friend left is Darkness ...
Pain.
Frustration.
What do I do with that?

You put the arrogant ocean in its place 
You put your arrogant child in moments like today
that I may see into my heart.

I've thought a whole lot this year about the story of the Prodigal Son.  In his book about the prodigal, Henri Nouwen writes:  "Can I let the younger and older son grow in me to the maturity of the compassionate father?"  The father is who I must become, he writes.  As the father deals with his own anger and loneliness, his anger turns to solitude and his loneliness turns to gratitude.  I am that younger and older brother.  Frustration.  Anger.  Pain.   Can you grow both of my sides into a compassion that moves into the lives of others in the midst of my own mess?

Teach us to number our daysthat we may present a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

One commentary says it this way:  

In this wilderness world of ours, 

may our lives be "a sanctified use of the sad dispensation."

Let the arithmetic find us Divine Guidance.

And may the counting result in much goodness every day.

Oh God! Cause us to come to you for wisdom. 

That we may allot our time by by what You know. 

That we may set store by time.

“That God would enable us to form such an estimate of life, 

that we shall be truly wise; 

that we may be able to act 

"as if" we saw the whole of life.” 

Oh the beauty of all the names of Psalm 91:1-2
The Most High
The Almighty
Jehovah
My Refuge
My Fortress.

If there breeds any doubt in the fragile nest of your thoughts,
tbe five-fold more assured of His Love in this verse for you.
Whatever the discussion, the danger, the dilemma, the distress, the difficulty, the dogma.
Whatever.
You have access to the Five-Fold Arms of God today.
Under the Divine Protection.
Under the Same God this day.

PHOTO:  5 Grandkids hiding in the hash tagged sign.  May they live in such a way that they keep an eye on the whole of life.  May they live wise lives.  

The Other PHOTO: The faces of the people in Budapest still haunt me.  So sullen.  So sad.  So striking.  The distrust of Communism still runs through the Danube River.  They are not a free people.  God raise them up to be like the father running for joy to his sons.  

190 - "Open Your Mouth Wide" Psalm 81-87

I have this thought as I read my Bible every day:
"I hear a language I had not known." Psalm 81:4

This Bible I hold in my hand reads my life, reads me.
And I sense things that are not right within. I am visiting Kansas City this week. I love this family so much and want to be a blessing to them, a benefit to them, a beautiful place in their hearts. I long to do them good. 

And I long to change---not me doing the changing.
But Him.

"In distress I called and You delivered me.
You answered me in the secret place of thunder."

I know.

Psalm 81:5

You relieved my shoulder of the burden.

You freed my hands from the basket.

I am the LORD, your God

Who brought you up out of this thing.

Will I listen to His Voice.

Will I submit to this new thing?

Yes, I do come to the Word every single day,

not as a "fix" for my life full of distress,

but as a "flame" white-hot with wonder.

And Crabb's words about Chronicles burn within:

"I invite you to delight in your distress. 
Nothing else provides the same opportunity 

to move strongly and joyfully into life 

on the basis of My Promises Alone,

the Promises of My Presence now and

My Satisfaction forever.  

Seizing that opportunity will free you 

to passionately engage life for My Purposes with no demands."  66LL

I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. Ps-81:7 and I rescued you,you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Hear me, my people,and I will warn you—-- if you would only listen to me, Israel! I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10 The treasure of His Grace is inexhaustible. We could never open our mouths wide enough for His Hand. 

PHOTO: God's Inexhaustible Grace is all over you! My four kids. I pray constantly that you would experience deeply than you can imagine His Grace multiplied on Grace. That you would care more than anything about what matters most. That Inexhaustible Grace.

189 - "The Dark Days are Displays of His Love and Power" Psalm 78-80

                                                                  

In this uncertain world where we live, there is only One Who is Faithful and True. People will let us down. We will face loss in this world. We will never lose. He has defeated the enemy. He showed John a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne. Rev 22:1. The river of life here on earth is muddied, cursed. There will be no more curse. One Day Soon. So, keep this book open. It will affect your eternity. ToThey forgot what God had done.  Psalm 78:11

He parted raging waters and they crossed the sea
with waters piled up high on either side.
God left no footprints.
The sea closed back in a fury.
And, they forgot.

May mercy come quickly on us all.  Psalm 79

We say it a lot:  I love my people.  It strikes a chord with me.  Cause I feel like it's not my experience.  Don't we all want people to adore us?  So, this next verse catches me off-guard.  I am called to be someone's "people."  His People.  And it is the Only One we can trust. 

"We are His People,
the sheep of His Pasture."
Psalm 79:13

So, when we are in prison, we need remember the bigger picture---the Mighty Display of our God for us that is in the "already happened" stage.  Fall back on "already" not on the "currents." 

"The dark days of His People become the Prelude to unusual displays of the Lord's Love and Power." Charles Spurgeon.  Oh, it must be gonna happen!  Cause this people here are in dire straits. 

DEAR GOD,  PLEASE CHANGE ME IN MY 10,000 MOMENTS THAT seem to be prison-like.  Help me see what is going on.  Help me remember Your Mighty Arm.  Help me ride The Prelude to display Your Love & Power.  Praying that we see a glimpse today.  I think I know how I could! 

PHOTO: The Cross. 

188 - "Nearly Missed Seeing His Goodness" Psalm 72-77

 God, I reflect daily on what I'm doing with my life. 

I do sometimes feel like I've been a beast before You. Nevertheless!
I am continually with You. You have taken hold of my right hand. 
With Your Counsel You will guide me. 
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, 
I desire nothing on earth. 
My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the Strength of my heart. 
Psalm 73:22-24.

Psalm 73:27 is the prayer of my heart this day:
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good.
With all my hearth and strength, 
help me, this day, this circumstance, to make You my Refuge.
Not the solution to my problems.
Not the resolution of life's issues.
Not the crowning achievements that come our way.

May I find Refuge and Solace in You Alone.   72
Blessed always His blazing glory!  Yes and Yes and Yes. 

No doubt about it! God is good— good to good people, good to the good-hearted. But I nearly missed it, 
missed seeing his goodness.  I was looking the other way, looking up to the people at the top, envying the wicked who have it made.  No!  You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! 

"Every heartache will create space that I alone can fill.  And I will.  You will learn to wait in Hope."  66 LL 
I'm broken.  Can I meet you in your brokenness and wait with you in Hope?

187 - "Do Not Hasten" Psalm 67-71

The ancient world saw God in the mountains.

The going out of this day shouts joy.
Yet, like David, we all face needs.
David writes:
"Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold.  Psalm 69:2.
Deep waters, where the flood sweeps over.
Weary, so weary with crying.
Parched throats.
Dimmed eyes.
Waiting for my God.
Psalm 69:1-3

"May all who seek You
rejoice and be glad in You." 
May we all say
'God is great!' " Psalm 70:4
BUT
David says it: 
"But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God.
Do Not Delay!"

We all need Him so.

O Lord, Do not delay.  Please hasten to our words, our hearts.  We are all poor and needy this day.  May we see how we can accomplish nothing today except through Your Power.  When will you come to us? Seal our hearts in Your Grace today.  Steady our ways.  Sweep us off our feet.  Show up in ways we don't expect.  And may you find us surrendered.

What do I really think way down deep inside when my strength is spent? 

Physical strength shot. 

Emotional strength waning. 

Do I worship? 

Actually, days like today, I'm just trying to hold on and ask a Very Gracious God to help me see what surrounds me on days like today when my strength is spent. I spent it all last night. I am very aware that I awake with a fresh clean slate. But I don't want to spend the same strength again tonight. 

It's actually a very good position to be in---dependent. Psalm 71:9 

Forsake me not when my strength is spent. Psalm 71:20 

God has made me see many troubles and calamities. 

Why am I giving in to this weight of sin. My anger does not accomplish His righteousness. 

Talking to myself.

He will bring me up again! 

Revive me again---the word in the Greek for "revive" means: To breathe life into me.

That's it!

PHOTO:  The mighty mountains of Seattle.  Standing here a few weeks ago.  Seeing my deep need for dependence on God to make it through this life of mine.

186 - "God Speaks Once; I Hear Him Twice" Psalm 59-66

This is a rough patch that I am in. I came to the Word today so needing a word. When I happened on Ps 59:9, it took my breath away: "My God in His lovingkindness will meet me." Not because of my performance or lack thereof, but because of His Love. Wait only on Him. This morning I read Revelations 19 about the day we live for. When God stops the sun from rising and shuts this groaning world down and rides into our lives forever. He will stand on this earth. And His Name ... Rev 19:13 says, His Name is the Word of God. "My soul waits in silence for God only." O my soul, wait in silence for the Word of God alone. Ps 62:1 . "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him." Ps 62:8 The Living Word longs to meet us. I'm way too wrapped up in what's happening here. God spoke once; Twice I heard this: Power belongs to God. Lovingkindness is His. Ps 62:11. Immaculate. Immutable. Invisible. Incomprehensible. God doesn't need to speak twice. He speaks once and things happen. He commands a world and it stands fast every single day. We speak and sometimes we do not have much to say. God speaks and it is done. In Latin, the meaning for twice means "uncertain." We hear again and again the sound of God's Voice through Creation, Sovereignty, Providence, The Word. May we keep on hearing this One Word: God is powerful and full of love. May His thunderous Voice echo again and again and again both of these truths. PHOTO: All 4 of you children have heard God speak once. May you hear Him twice.

PHOTO:  My prayer for each one of you loves is that His Lovingkindness will meet you.

Circa 2015

185 - “The Word Speaks By Me” Psalm 52-58

 

We all live with ourselves. We really know what we are like, what we think, what we do. And we have a glimpse from this book of the things David did. Some Evil. Some Glorious. David was self-aware of what his sins were. He took ownership of the stormy seas. He threw out an Anchor for his soul. He waddled and waded through the mire, the quicksand. And it was the Word of God breathed into David that he spoke 2 Samuel 23:2. They knew that it was not their minds conjuring up great advice to give away. These are God's Thoughts that David writes in this Psalm 57. “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue. The God of Israel has spoken; David's words dawn on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth." The Word of God has spoken. And His Word still speaks today. To you. To me. God speaks by me. 

PHOTO: The sun slipping into Quarries Lake. It's a silent spot I go to often to listen to God's Word.

184 - "God Speaks and Summons" Psalm 46-51

What an introduction! I am God! Be still. Know this! Such a beautiful way to introduce the offer. Take this comfort: I am with you. I am for you. That is what you use to answer your fear. Psalm 46:10 

The Hebrew word for "be still" means to let it fall; let the concerns hang down. Then, slack off, especially your hands. No exertion needed. Leave the matter with God. Oh! The Providence in all our problems. Oh! The Power in what we contemplate. Oh! That introduction! Take the comfort! 

Psalm 50:1-2 God speaks and summons From the rising of the sun to its setting! Perfect in Beauty is God Who pours out. Our God comes and calls to deliver all!! Yes, this God looks down from heaven, from the most holy high place. And what does He see Any who seek. Corrupt?? Not 1. When God speaks twice, we do very well to listen. Matthew Henry's commentary speaks of the comparison to a hammer. Strokes must be repeated. Show us how bad! Speak to us! Hard to see! Arrogance!! 

PHOTO:  California coast. Still as the stars. Mysterious as royalty. 

183 - "Give Us This Day A Settled Peace of Conscience---let me listen with my eyes" Psalm 40-45

                                          

He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:2

My foot stands on level ground when I am forgiven. 

There are no "big' people and "little" people in this world.

That's not what the world tells you. 

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,

    and put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:1-4

Some seasons, we can't work ourselves out of what we are in.  All we can do is wait patiently---never in vain.  We know God hears us.  Give us this day our daily bread.  Give us this day a "settled peace of conscience" that we may wait rightly.  And how did the Hebrews do it?  Through a metaphor. Psalm 40:7 - God dug out their ears. (God's Word Translation). They listened with both their ears and eyes --- I come to Your Word.  It is written of me.  

God's Kindness and Truth is David's comfort on his sickbed as he faces unkindness and treachery of family and friends. Psalm 41:1 do I fear in times of trouble? The sin of those who cheat me surrounds me. I am afraid that they won't change soon enough. I am afraid that they will get off without any verdict. They'll be passed over while I'm diligently working. My situation shouts to the cheaters whose sins bump up against mine this day. Maybe, they have wealth and can ease their way through. Blessed are those whose strength is in God, not in their wealth or position or ease. Where is my own heart this day? A highway to God? The psalmist's heart was set on God, set on a pilgrimage. "The very map to Jerusalem was written on that heart. His Love for God and for His house helped him make right decisions in life so that he did not go astray. ...The Valley of Baca is a name for any difficult and painful place in life, where everything seems hopeless and you feel helpless, like the pit of despair." W. Wiersbe. The people who love God expect to pass through this valley and not remain there. "They dig a well...They pray down the rain...They go from strength to strength." W.W. Trusting God no matter what coup de grace befalls. Psalm 45: 1 My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness. I pour it out in a poem to the king, shaping the river into words. Psalm 45: 10-12 With dazzling dresses and a procession of unbridled joy and wedding gifts pouring in, piling high; may the upcoming brides not miss a word. Forget your country, put your home behind you. Be here---the King is wild for you. 

 PHOTO: It's the street where they live.  Bob's dad. Bob's sister and family. Knock-dead view of Mount Rainier. Where you don't have to pray the rain down. It falls just about every day. Where you live from strength to strength.