God’s Sheepdogs

The words of Psalm 23 are very familiar to all of us. Yet, unless we read that psalm through the eyes of a sheep, we will miss its magnificent message. Remember how it concludes? “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (KJV).

The Pale Horse

The path of the pale horse named Death, mentioned in Revelation 6:8, is littered with bitterness, sorrow, fear, and grief. This ashen stallion started his lengthy journey ages ago and races through time with steady beat and dreadful regularity. As long as we exist in the land of the dying, we shall hear the somber knell of his hoofbeats.

Making Melody

God’s sharp sword stabbed me deeply recently as I was on a scriptural hunt in the Ephesian letter. I was searching for a verse totally unrelated to the one that sliced its way into me. It was another of those verses I feel sorry for (like John 3:17 and 1 John 1:10—look ’em up). This was Ephesians 5:19: “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.”

Expect the Unexpected

Most folks I know like things to stay as they are. You’ve heard all the sayings that reveal our preference for the familiar: Leave well enough alone. I don’t like surprises. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Stay with a sure thing.

My Stress–God’s Strength

Let me give you three very practical thoughts regarding this matter of God’s strength through stress, as found in Psalm 46.

Low Tides

The smoky tones of Peggy Lee’s voice occasionally blow across my mind: “Is that all . . . is that all there is?” With no bitterness intended, I ask that haunting question in the backwash of certain situations. How much like the tide we are!

New Hope

Floundering with my father is among my most cherished childhood memories. Armed with a beat-up Coleman lantern, two gigs, a stringer . . . we’d head to the water. When the sky got nice ‘n’ dark, we’d wade in about knee-deep and stumble off into the night.

Stresses That Fracture

Stress: that confusion created when one’s mind overrides the body’s desire to choke the living daylights out of some jerk who desperately needs it. No, you won’t find that definition in the dictionary, but right now, I think it should be. It’s been one of those weeks. Know what I mean?

Good Things, Bad World

Paul certainly proved himself a prophet when he wrote: “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1).

A Season for Humble Gratitude

The age-old yuletide season is about to slip in the door once again. Better not shout, better not pout, for the malls will be playing “Jingle Bells” several thousand times between now and December 25. If you’re not careful, the crowds and commercialism will weigh you down like that fourth helping of stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner. And there’s nothing worse than a jaded attitude that resists the true spirit of the season.

Tag Archives: Psalms