Aye, B.C.!!

Aye, Canada!! I see what you've done! You lent us your beauty, simplicity and gave us complete safety. Our hearts began to heal in your gorgeous land where the mountains and ocean meet. When we arrived early September we barely functioned. In fact on day three I took a 3.5 hour nap. I don’t do naps. We unpacked all of our deep disappointment, great grief and frozen frustration. You were so incredibly patient with us. You showed us how to relax our bodies, minds and souls again. You whispered reminders to us of things we once knew, but could not recall. We went old school - put the pen to the page, the ax to the wood and even clippers to the garden (that was healing AND fun!). God used you in our lives.

We studied, worked, discussed big questions, listened to lectures, enjoyed piano, harp & cello concerts, even a jam session, toured Victoria and Sydney, heard music that others love, studied movies that mean something (and one that didn’t seem to), asked questions, were asked questions, searched the sky and trees for reminders that this world You gave us is beautiful and You want good for us.

We were richly blessed with 40 days of shelter. Forty days of safety. Forty days of asking God to __________ our minds, hearts and bodies: recalibrate, recenter, regulate, revise, reshape, revamp… and best of all - redeem. 

Day One - Friday, September, 8, 2023

We woke before the sun even thought about waking up… and headed to IAH as the epitomes of depletion… we landed in Calgary and recalled the scene from Cool Runnings with a chuckle. Then we boarded for Victoria and had no idea what to really expect. We’d been running so hard and fast with little time to really check out what we’d gotten ourselves into… It was Chris’ therapist, Kelsey Seifert that prescribed “L’Abri” as a place for healing. We imagined it was a nice quiet retreat where we could hibernate and heal. But, it didn’t take us long to learn that was not at all what we’d gotten ourselves into… and that God had way more for us than hibernating!

As the little yellow cab drove us up to the L’Abri property our hearts were open, our grips loose and we were ready to surrender everything for 40 days. As we entered the front door of the big house we called out, “hello!” Followed by, “hello?” Our eyes longingly examined every wall within sight - full of bookcases that were full of books… from ceiling to floor, left to right and what seemed like infinity! Many books were very familiar and that was reassuring. As we wandered into the “library” we were greeted with such quiet and stillness. Finally as we made our way into a little hallway with a burgandy cement floor we encountered a human being. She had rubber gloves on with a bucket of cleaning supplies and had been on her knees in the bathroom. She was happy to see us and introduced herself to us as a “L’Abri student”. 

I exclaimed confidently, “How nice! We are L’Abri visitors or participants or something like that...! We’re Chris and Jen. Where’s Liz or Clarke & Julia?” (I’d heard of Liz in an email Julia had sent me when we made reservations to stay. She seemed like the one who we would need to connect with. She would be “doing our laundry”.) Before the gloved girl could answer... down from the kitchen called our next new friend who was from Australia. There was no doubt about it - listening to her incredible voice and Aussie accent. Every word that fell from her mouth was drenched in beauty. 

Enter "Pickle" (tough, yet oh, so tender) who showed us the schedule and calendar about basic things about the house. We were highly encouraged to settle in, rest, join them for tea time at 4:00 if we’d like and then not show up again until 6:00 for community dinner. A lecture would follow at 7:00 pm. We unpacked and started to settle in. There were bookcases lining most walls including the hall we were staying in just down a few burgundy cement stairs where we’d first met our “Cinderella” cleaning the bathroom. It contained two comfy chairs to enjoy time tucked away reading.

At dinner we met a whole host of people from the L’Abri community including Liz! Yeah, finally! She laughed when I told her how anxious I was to meet her since she was to do our laundry. But, she had actually left staff awhile ago to continue in her education. As the days unfolded we began to see evidence of Liz showered all over the property. It was so fun to sit with her and talk as we ate from-scratch soup and bread (by Hannah, you'll meet her later - it's her off day). Yum! Liz introduced us to another fellow student, Mak who over the 40 days would come to be one of the dearest treasures we’d found in the journey. Mak was asking deep questions to us during dinner and my mind was complete mush with all the things we’d experienced through the day I could barely contribute answers. 

Our first Friday night lecture was given by Clarke Scheibe (Canada L’Abri Director), “Religious but not Spiritual: The Perplexing and Tragic Story of King Saul”. He challenged us from 1 Samuel 15:12-31 on these four points: distrust God’s leading, principle of sacrifice over obedience, fear of people over fear of God, conflict in a divided heart. After looking at a snapshot of Saul’s life we determined the answer to the question was to be religious AND spiritual. Finding that balance is maybe the question of the century… I noted in my journal that night, "how very fitting to hear this teaching and challenge!"

When the full day came to an end we snuggled up the best we could in our queen size bed in the corner and realized we, too, were students at L’Abri… and I wondered how long I would last being so far from family and familiarity… sometimes when you’re so frozen in frustration you just can’t think clearly… and you’d rather just stay there… in the familiar. But, I knew God wanted more for us than to just survive. He wanted us to thrive. We were breathing, but barely alive. What will tomorrow hold?

So to recap, we met three of our fellow L’Abri students in the first 8 hours. By the end of term there were 15 of us students that came and went, but the five of us were there all 40 days. There were also four full-time staff who lived on the property who were like shepherds, missionaries or ministers to us… and many, many friends of L’Abri who walked with us week in and out (Rev. Brett, Helen, Liz, Michelle, Abigail, Martin & Linda, Gayoung & Minsoo, Naomi, Liz & Devin, Jenaleigh). 

It was quite clear that there was a rhythm and routine and we were NOT about to isolate and hibernate for the next 39 days! The rhythm turned into a beautiful song and dance somewhere along the way. If only we’d read the About page on the website we’d have known more of what to expect, but maybe I wasn’t quite ready to face the truth. The Lord knew just what we needed and did He ever surprise us... in fact, He knocked our bloody socks off (more new vocabulary we learned from our Aussie friend to come in future posts!) :D 

Fill In The Blank

_______ is the Lord Almighty!

I’ve heard this song "Holy" once in church, but was reminded of it at a Winter Worship Experience we were blessed to enjoy. It thrilled our souls and stirred mine to utter awe. Words fail me. Wish you could have all been there to experience it. 

Y’all, I’m struggling to stay caught up on my BibleRecap and I’m realizing it’s not at all that I don’t have time or energy - it’s that something in me doesn’t want the study to come to an end…even though it never will! So, I've taken today to make a list.

As I look back back through 2023, I see so many NEW glimpses of God that never before in my life had I experienced (thank you BibleRecap!). I pray that as you may be looking back through 2023, you realize how much more of God you now know…how very much He has provided for and protected you. I encourage you to consider writing it down - in a journal, a social media post, a blog, or a paper you hang on the fridge to be reminded of daily. Will you accept my challenge to listen to this song and fill in the blank… with whatever you’ve experienced this year and/or what you are asking God to show you in 2024? Let His fire fill your soul. Offer Him what matters most! Lift Him up!

Here’s my list (feel free to borrow any because there literally aren’t adequate words to fill in the blank!):

Precious is the Lord Almighty

Perfect is the Lord Almighty

Mighty is the Lord Almighty

Saving is the Lord Almighty

Gracious is the Lord Almighty

Divine is the Lord Almighty

Hallowed is the Lord Almighty

Humble is the Lord Almighty

Pure is the Lord Almighty

Righteous is the Lord Almighty

Faithful is the Lord Almighty

Good is the Lord Almighty

Great is the Lord Almighty

Faultless is the Lord Almighty

Just is the Lord Almighty

Untainted is the Lord Almighty

Loyal is the Lord Almighty

Spotless is the Lord Almighty

Emmanuel is the Lord Almighty

Immanuel is the Lord Almighty

Holy is the Lord Almighty!!!

Merry Texas '23 Christmas Y'all! (UPDATED)

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

We've never felt as old as we do right now AND we never felt as blessed. As we think back over 2023 and look ahead to 24 we can barely believe where we find ourselves. Our year has been full of leaving and losing yet He has turned it into gaining and growing. Psalm 126 captures it in a verse: "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!" Our church went through a tough transition that scattered many of our staff and left our hearts aching and wondering if we were dreaming or in the middle of a nightmare. We faced lots of loss and began to welcome wonder once again to our lives.   

In September we left the country to spend 40 days with the Lord wrestling with questions we had (read about it here). We went away deeply disappointed, greatly grieved and literally frozen in frustration. We returned deeply hopeful, greatly challenged and with shouts of joy! It was Chris' therapists' idea for us to attend a term as students at L'ABRI and so we ran with it. We even got tattoos to mark our time there! L'Abri was just what the doctor ordered as we saw God accomplish all we imagined and more - one of which was to launch out to our own 501(c)(3) for LIFT Ministries and begin to embrace the avalanche of feelings we had going on deep inside. Praise the Lord for the unmerited favor we received from the IRS and that we are now officially official! If you'd like to know more about what we do - please reach out. If you'd like to pray, subscribe for updates HERE. If you'd like to support us financially, sign up HERE (it's easy to sign up to be a monthly giver).

2 For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love.

O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, & peace to men on earth.

Our firstborn, Rachael's PHOTOGRAPHY BIZ is flourishing as well as her entire family. She beautifully balances her gifts in photography with her love & priority for her family. You should check out what her clients have to say about her on her website. She's got mad skills and combine that with Quinton's mad skills - you find a successful photography business! 

Zion started first grade & stands above the rest in his class with his blond hair, blue eyes, drive for excellence & adorable toothless grin. He could stay outside all day and night. Piper Quinn is a fierce force to be reckoned with. We are grateful for her unconditional love she lavishes on us. Watch out world - she began Kinder this fall. I can only imagine what she's gonna be one day... whether she's sitting on the Supreme Court or raising 3 kids of her own - we know she's gonna change the world! 

Canaan is the last, but never the least. He will literally keep you rofl as one liners roll off his tongue effortlessly. He's the best helper and we are overjoyed that the Lord saw fit to place him in the family. His laugh and walk are ear and eye catching. Quinton leads his family well by modeling excellence & perseverance as well as authentic living. He's keenly intentional with his time, money and family and we couldn't be more thrilled he chose to be a part of our family. 

P.S. At Canaan's PreK Christmas production he was a little nervous and stole the show as he at first lost sight of his momma and when his concerned turned to joy he blew her a big kiss after a frantic wave. When he saw his Poppa Chris he actually waved and then put a "force choke" on him - like Darth Vadar would... he repeated this at least 3 times if not 5 different times over the course of the few minutes he was on stage with his class. That's little C - always making us laugh. If you wanna see the video - just ask - I'll send it gladly.

3 How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv'n!

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

Our middle child, Josiah, has figured out how to embrace all the femininity around him so masterfully (grew up with two sisters, now is surrounded once again with girls - wife, two daughters and even their dog is a girl!). He and his best bud, Daniel's true crime podcast "NEXT OF KIN" launched last year and just released an update of the 15 year unsolved murder in Kentucky. Also, be on the lookout because a popular podcast has picked up the story and is running with it. Details to come. I was not a fan as he prepared for it, but I am now his biggest fan and we couldn't be more proud of him and his work! By day he's a Chiquita banana engineer! Katie's job branched out this year and she's able to work from her closet. Follow her on BeReal to see all the angles. She keeps us laughing, but also keeps her household in such godly order. Margo Rey is now 4.5 and reciting the "Tweetle Beatles" section of Fox In Socks with perfection!

She welcomed her baby sister to the world in July and is the best big sister anyone could ever hope for. I had the privilege of teaching her how to play Uno as we waited on Maylah Wren's arrival and she typically wins 95% of the time...legit-ly. I don't credit my teaching abilities, but believe we have a little card shark on our hands. She's a brilliant game player and maybe someday I should take her to Vegas or Louisiana with me? What's there to say about our sweet Maylah? She has the giggle, smile and sprig of hair that will melt your heart and bring a rush of good chemicals to your brain and we just couldn't be more happy that she completes this perfect little family. 

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

And then there's Brynna Kate, our baby. She had another baby!! Baby Levi Bryant was born ON Poppa Chris' birthday!! Whohoo!! What a gift. Baby Judah is 15 months old and a pure joy. Brynna and Garrett's passion to journey alongside others in their journeys with Jesus inspire me. She shares a calendar with me so I see how much they pours into others. She lives out Titus chapter two. She's always mentoring and being mentored. The great love & adoration they have for their church is refreshing. Garrett is often found teaching in their Connect class at SAGEMONT. He is faithful as he studies diligently to lead his family and class with excellence, but most importantly is his personal time with the Lord. He faces every task ahead of him with great gusto and pours all he has into making much of Him. Judah captures the eyes and hearts of all around him. He lights up the room with his smile and laughter. He can eat more food than Chris and I combined. When it comes to his fine and gross motor skills he is off the charts! His balance is unbelievable. He's got skills I tell you! If you haven't READ the story of what a miracle he is, please make a note to come back to it. You won't be sorry. He was our little lion, yet didn't roar at birth. Blog coming soon about Levi's birth. He DID roar! Praise God. Much redemption was seen in his birth story.

From our family to yours... 

Merry Christmas 

and

Happy New Year!

May 2024 bring us all closer to Him.

2023 has been the year for me to read through the Bible chronologically for the first time in my life. If you've never read the Bible all the way through - I dare you to try the Bible Recap! Just 12 minutes/day is all it takes. I have found that it's the most riveting book I've ever read. It's hard to put down. Tara Leigh-Cobble says it best:

"He is where the joy is!"

so, be with Him!

Jesus Meets Us At... Who We Are (which is way better than where we are)

Reflections from my recap of the Bible Recap Day 302: 

I consistently hear on the radio or see in memes “Jesus will meet you where you are…” It seems to be a theme these days. I was reading from John 11 the story of “The Death of Lazarus” and I was struck again with the sharp differences in the personalities of Martha and Mary. 

AND ACTUALLY more than that I noticed how differently Jesus engaged with the two of them... individually. He didn’t just meet them “where” they were (as our cute Christian culture likes to remind us), but He engaged them with WHO they are. On their “level”. He engaged with their quirks and specific personalities. As a Nana, I engage with each of my grandkids differently (we have six grands!) because I care about communicating with them individually. I care about understanding who they are… what makes them tick. I can only imagine how much MORE the Lord cares about us. When I do try to imagine it - it blows my mind.

As I’ve participated in Biblical counseling the last few years looking at what makes me tick (it always goes back to family of origin, right? :D) - I’ve realized I am often trapped into believing that I must conform to others expectations to be acceptable…therefore leaving my true self ignored. So, to realize in John how Jesus responded to Martha and especially Mary made my eyes fill up with tears. To know that He cares about who I am - loves me in my flaws and all - not just where I am. 

As I was doing a little deep dive into Martha & Mary’s personalities I read from Luke 10:38-42 as well. It’s so interesting to see the drastic differences. Take a look:

“38 …Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

John 11: “Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus… 17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” 28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.”

How did Jesus engage with Martha? How did He engage with Mary? Have you experienced a time in your life where Jesus met you so personally, so intimately? 

“Jesus saw Mary weeping… he was deeply moved… and He wept.” 

It's Hard to Trust Someone You Don't Know!

Last night I attended the Ladies Night Out event at Sagemont church where the Bible Recap lady, Tara-Leigh Cobble gave us a couple challenges. Her premise was, "it's hard to trust someone you don't know" and did she ever drive her point home! She communicated such rich, deep truths in simple, relatable, applicable ways. We looked at Matthews 7:24-27:
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." 

She challenged us with the fact that if we listen to the Bible for 12 minutes every day for a year we can read through the entire Bible! And if we put it on 2X speed - we can listen just six minutes per day!! How awesome is that?! It's also crazy that it has taken me over 50 years to finally take up the challenge for real. I challenge you TODAY to consider it!  

She encouraged us to consider if we have been getting to know God second-hand our entire lives... Have we dug into His Word and learned His character? She challenged us to stop reading the Bible looking for ourselves, but to look for God on every page in every sentence even the begats! (Well, she didn't use those words, I am). It was interesting to stop and think that if we only come to church weekly we are possibly only getting to know Him "second hand". Think about that.

She challenged us to read the Bible in these ways: 

Looking for God - His character - asking, "what does God say or do in this passage? What does this passage reveal about what God loves? and hate? (We hate things that threaten what we love) and What does this passage reveal about His motives and what of His attributes are displayed? 

Considering Context - we don't stop in to a movie and watch 5 minutes and leave and know what's really going on. 

Embrace Uncertainty - the good stuff is always on the other side of the struggle! and 

Ask for Help - from God first and others!

What's your faith/life founded on... the rock or shifting sand?

She subtly mentioned that we should go back and read Matthew 5-7. So, I did. I was intrigued as I saw in verse 24 the phrase "these words" and went on a hunt to find out what "these words" he was talking about...just reading the verse (7:23) above the passage we read - I was blow away with these words, "...I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." How can I trust Him if I don't know Him. I'm so thankful to have found The Bible Recap this year. I've learned so much about God.

In my search this past year and a half to discover more of Him and learn to trust Him more - I feel like last night was some sort of milestone. I was able to realize confidently that I am indeed growing in my knowledge of Him and that's the only reason why I'm learning to trust Him more every day. I'm not just stopping in on short sections of a great story, I'm digesting the entire story six or twelve minutes a day and I just can't get enough because He's where the joy is! 

So, do you know Him? What are you waiting for? He's an open book! 

Special thanks to my youngest daughter for the invite and ticket and my oldest daughter for picking me up and taking me to the event as well as a photo to remember. Just didn’t get a photo with my youngest!

Yes, I Will - "And They Did So"

Happy birthday America!! We celebrate you and freedom which comes truly only through Christ today. I’m in Kentucky for the birth of our #6 grandbaby. She will likely be born in the next 24 hours!! Exciting times!! With her birth will birth a balancing “game” of dependance and independence for her and her family. Everything is about to change in her little world as well as her family’s world. 

Sunday, I was able to enjoy worshipping with them with their faith family at Christ Community Church. I was challenged in deep ways by their pastor Blake’s message on a more than familiar passage in Luke 9 entitled “How High Can You Count”. Check it out:

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.

On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” 

But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.”

Pastor Blake challenged us to consider some things he saw in the text:
Everyone wants to be included in the count.

We often don’t count the cost of being on Jesus’ team... what will it cost us?

It will cost us TIME

It will cost us COMFORT

It will cost us our INDEPENDENCE... what did Jesus provide?

Jesus provided EVERYTHING for the twelve’s trip.

Jesus provided ENOUGH

Jesus provided EXACT number of baskets!

Besides realizing there were twelve baskets left over for the twelve (which I probably have heard "for the first time" a few times in my lifetime...I forget so easily)… what really got me were the four little words in the text, “And they did so,…”. The disciples were questioning Jesus about what to do in this chaos and he simply said, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so… Would you take a look at all that Pastor Blake pointed out? Following Jesus costs the twelve time, comfort and independence. He provided everything, enough and even exactly the number of baskets for them. They were all in! And walking so closely with Him. They were able to hear His actual voice. Can you even imagine? I try all the time. 

Lord, I’ve been trying to listen for Your voice in the chaos in my own life. I deeply yearn to hear Your voice. I may be hearing it, but confusing it with other things. Would You tell me what You would have me do (or not do). I’m so beyond ready to DO SO - whatever You ask!

“I count on one thing - the same God who never fails, will not fail me now. You won't fail me now!

In the waiting - the same God who's never late, is working all things out. You're working all things out

Yes I will lift You high in the lowest valley. Yes I will bless Your name!

Oh, yes, I will sing for joy when my heart is heavy! All my days, Oh, yes, I will”  

Song Video: https://youtu.be/ryFS_3eBq6s

Worship Service: https://www.youtube.com/live/fuVxtqa-5y4?feature=share 34:44 message follows prayer

May His Light Dawn On You!

Yesterday was Day 142 of the Bible Recap. We began with Psalm 95 which is a beautiful invitation for us to acknowledge He is our Maker AND our Shepherd by bowing down and kneeling before Him. Not only did he create us, but He watches over us. He walks with us in our day in and day out. I’ve always loved this Psalm and the old 90s praise songs that have come from it, but yesterday it stirred my heart in deeper ways. If you’re able, read it out loud and see if your heart stirs as well!

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” Psalm 95

My next reading was Psalm 97-99, but I just made it to the end of 97 and knew the Lord was speaking directly to my heart. My heart of wondering and wandering. The author of the Bible Recap said it so beautifully, “if you’re in a dark season, the light and joy might not have bloomed yet, but God has planted them. Sometimes it takes a while for things that are planted to grow and bear fruit, but trust that they’ve been sown you for you by His hand. May His light dawn on you…” And most of you know, I’ve been journeying through a dark or at least grey season since Christmas of 2021 when I asked for the Jesus Storybook Bible. (If you’re new here - I think you get the gist, but you are welcome to read my blog if you’d like to catchup.)  

Here’s what got me. I dare you to read it out loud:

“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.

His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!

Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord.

For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!”

*Taken from weekly LIFT email.