1 O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high;I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:1-2 ESV) I have written many times about the value of solitude. … Read more
13 Follow the pattern of the sound[a] words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13 ESV) Did you happen to grow up with or have someone who patterned a scriptural way of living? If you did then like Timothy there was someone foundational in helping you find a faith … Read more
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, (1 Peter 1:13-14 ESV) I like when scripture calls us out in very exact words. Speaking about our sinful state as our “former ignorance” is pretty exact. It points out … Read more
16 Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16 ESV) This is scripture is in the running for the shortest in the Bible. “Jesus wept”, is the shortest, but both are heavyweights when it comes to content. Fitting for this Thanksgiving morning, the day we are given to give thanks for all things. But this need not be a … Read more
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24 ESV) I do not think we take this idea of death to self and life in Christ seriously enough. We are looking at it metaphorically and … Read more