PSALM 38

In the Hebrew mind, we are a whole being; mind, body and spirit. In today's Psalm, David illustrates that belief. When he is overwhelmed with his sin, he describes his pain: "My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly...my back is filled with searing pain' there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed..."
Filled with guilt yet fully relying on God's grace to forgive him, he opens his heart to God.

Remember this- our forgiveness does not depend on us, but on God's unconditional grace.

PSALM 37

That's right two posts today on Psalm 37! "If the Lord delights in a man's way he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." God's got your back!

The Otter family took me for a walk in the Colorado Mountains. 

 

PSALM 37

Instead of giving the standard lame advice of "Don't worry. Be happy"... David offers some significant instruction when worry and anxiety raise an ugly head in our lives. "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."  Not only turn away from fear,  but turn to God, do something worthwhile for someone else  and dwell in your home... that means get your butt in gear and take care of your house and yard! Do laundry...wash dishes... make your bed... pay your bills, clean a closet, buy a new plant for the bedroom, walk your dog or care for your garden. And while you are  tending to your life, PRAY.

My summer garden in PA.

PSALM 36

When you look at all the "heroes" of today...those who make big bucks and are spread out over the covers of magazines... you realize how brittle they really are....character flaws, questionable ethics and self absorbed. Compare them to the following description of God:
"Your love O Lord, reaches to the heavens,your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep".... You give "drink from your river of delights." 

If you are looking for a hero to worship and follow after, you can do no better than God in Jesus Christ...loving, faithful, righteous and life giving.

Cluster State Park, SD

PSALM 35

I must admit, this is a very painful Psalm for me. It describes the wounds of a leader...wounds from those who are in opposition to the leader and far deeper wounds from those who were part of the leader's inter-circle... "They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting"... I prayed for them, suffered along with them in their trials and they returned my kindness with slander. "When I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware."

David ends this song with "The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." This week, for the first time in my ministry, a Church leader called me and asked, "How are you? How is your apartment? How is it going with your family? Is it going alright with your colleagues in the Presbytery? Are you really doing OK?"  How refreshing! Have you encourged your pastor in the last month? And by the way, I am feeling very blessed!

PSALM 34

Are you having doubts about God? Doubts about his ability to bring healing and hope to your life? Look up this Psalm and read David's witness to the power of God at work in his life. Then he teases you with this, "Taste and see that the Lord is good..." Give Jesus Christ a try...trust him with one aspect of your life ... step out in faith and see what happens!

Dessert at the Gaylord Palms Hotel Yum!

PSALM 33

Why is it we can make fools of


Peter and Luke at Penn State game

ourselves at football games...yelling,   clapping, doing the wave,
but we restrict ourselves to quiet small expressions of thanks and praise to God?

"Sing joyfully to the Lord ...
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy."