This feels like a psalm for old people [like me]. So if you're not even partly old, maybe bookmark this and come back and read it in ten years or so... And seriously go and read the whole psalm - i am not going to go through all of it here, but it really is a good one to read all the way through: 1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be [...]
Psalm number 70 is not the Lords of the Rings of the Psalming community. And because it is so short, i thought it would be helpful to actually just meditate on the whole thing together: 1 Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me. 2 May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 3 May those who say [...]
This is such a short baby of a psalm that it is worth publishing the whole thing here: 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— 2 so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. 3 May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. 4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity [...]
Finishing off my video blogs of the Gospel of Mark as i work through the last four chapters with thoughts and insights from each passage as I go: All men will hate me? Mark 13.1-13 Be ready, be very ready Mark 13.14-37 Jesus, perfume and space for the interruption Mark 14.1-11 Having your enemies round for some pizza Mark 14.12-26 why DID Jesus keep them around? Mark 14.27-42 Jesus heads to the garden and gets arrested [...]
How do you put a positive spin on the words, "All men will hate you because of Me"? Especially when they come from the mouth of Jesus [which makes them a little bit harder to ignore or explain away]. Perhaps that is why Mark 13.1-13 is not a particularly popular passage for those who don't specifically preach continuously through the Bible? The rest of it is End of the World stuff which generally is good [...]
Verse 31 of Isaiah 40 is a well-known muchly quoted one: Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. Which is great and has become a huge source of strength and encouragement... BUT if you skip the lead up into that verse you miss out on so much more: Isaiah 40.27-31 [...]
So we are continuing through Mark and this is a bit of a dejavu passage as Jesus repeats a miracle He has done before [feeding the crowd] but this time with a slightly smaller crowd and the disciples are still struggling to get it. To add to his frustrations his good friends the Pharisees pitch up demanding a sign leading into a deep sigh of frustration and him actually climbing back into the boat and [...]
well, i know i have your attention now, but really, if you read this story you may have that impression because he really gives this woman a bit of a hard time. but then if you know Jesus at all that doesn't seem like Him, so what is the vibe? take a look with me as i take a brief read through Mark chapter 7 verses 24-30 [for the next passage that deals [...]
Another week, another ‘The Weekly Mash [and Peace!] – see what’s been happening this week on The Weekly Mash [and Peace!]: Monday showed the Kareoke gas pump clip you probly already saw before it arrived here but if not it is complete F.U.N. Tuesday was the breaking news of the new season of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT first trailer peek as well as news of JACK BAUER returning for a new season of 24 Wednesday saw an [...]
this is not a completely happy psalm. here we see David once again, who was the same guy who brought us this in Psalm 23: 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with [...]