A Perfect Guide
Sheep were never designed to navigate on their own. Their sight is limited, and left to themselves, they wander, stall, or freeze. They startle easily and drift without realizing how far they have gone. Sheep survive only when they remain close to the shepherd and listen for his voice....
What’s in Your Cup?
I enjoy my morning coffee (and sometimes an extra in the afternoon, and a bedtime hot chocolate or herbal tea). I’ve collected a variety of mugs over the years, each with some sentimental meaning. Every one of them reminds me of a person, a place, or a moment that...
Mountains, Waterfalls, and the Wonder of God’s Word
Our family recently spent a week revisiting Colorado Springs. Fourteen years have passed since we lived in the area. While driving around the city, we recognized a few landmarks, but many had faded from memory. Much has changed, for our family and for many of the places we once...
A Time to be Still
Psalm 46:10 in the Amplified Bible says, “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.” Other versions say “cease striving,” “stop fighting,” or “desist.” In context, the Psalmist is proclaiming that God is our refuge and that He is with us. There is no better place to...
Teaching the Children: Leadership
Looking at the present circumstances often leaves us feeling concerned about the future. We have great responsibility to make tomorrow better than today, starting in our home....
Out of Context
All of my devices share a few common apps, the most important being You Version’s Bible app. I enjoy being able to search the Scriptures quickly and study a verse in several versions to gain more understanding of God’s Word. My phone notifies me every morning with the “verse...
No Shame in the Light
I discovered this verse earlier this year. Since then, it has become my call to arms. I often write about prayer, how the God who created the world wants to hear from us and answers when we call. Sometimes those answers are immediate, even as we are praying, like...
Lessons in Psalm 34
This Psalm contains many repetitive themes, to the point I made a table to outline them. My prayer is that others may learn from and enjoy this Psalm of David as much as I do. 1 I will praise the Lord at all times.I will constantly speak his praises.2 I will boast only...
Wait like a Watchman
Psalm 130 A song ofascents. 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence,...
The Longest Psalm
In my NIV Study Bible, Psalm 119 takes up eight pages. In the original Hebrew, this Psalm is an alphabetic acrostic, with the verses of each stanza beginning with the same letter. It is believed to be written post-exile. The psalmist’s themes throughout include God’s goodness in spite of...