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“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven,… Read More

  My God with his lovingkindness will meet me (ASV). The God who loves me will help me (NET). Psalm 59:10 My work requires extensive travel. Sometimes, I arrive at my destination expected, prepared for, and cared for, while other times, I am on my own. Being expected, prepared for, and cared for makes a big difference. Sometimes it’s critical to know someone is waiting for me. One time I flew from Egypt to Kenya… Read More

He shoulders responsibility and is called the Wonderful Adviser. Isaiah 9:6, NET Three books shaped my early childhood: the Bible my great-grandmother gave me the Christmas I was seven years old, my mother’s girlhood copy of Little Women, and my grandfather’s thick and heavy Webster’s Dictionary. I read them all until the pages grew soft like velvet. The word responsibility inspired me long before I knew I was an Enneagram 1 or that Achiever and… Read More

The LORD’s Spirit will rest on him — a Spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a Spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a Spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the LORD. Isaiah 11:2, NET According to Worldometer, as I write this there are 8,194,837,950 and speedily counting human souls on earth. As the population increases, it decreases simultaneously, and the world spins around on her careful axial tilt of between 22.1 and 24.5 degrees.… Read More

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 There was simply no place for them. Luke the physician-turned-Jesus-follower has shown us all we need to know in a mere handful of words. Writers call this writing tight. The tale of how Jesus came to be born in a stable is… Read More

The people walking in darkness see a bright light; light shines on those who live in a land of deep darkness.   Isaiah 9:2 Darkness has some strange effects on the mind and body. Studies have shown that humans who live in darkness for prolonged periods behave differently. There is even an entire field of biology called chronobiology devoted to studying the effects of light and darkness on humans, or the effects of solar and… Read More

  The gloom will be dispelled for those who were anxious. Isaiah 9:1 Gloom is defined by the Collins Dictionary as “a state of near darkness” or “a feeling of sadness or lack of hope.” It’s hard to see during the gloomy hour just before nightfall. Details are blurry. Lines on the road seem to disappear. People look like shadows, and it takes extra effort to focus.  Anxiety can have the same effect, pitching us… Read More

When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Exodus 3:4 The door to the cheese shop is sparkling The pedestrian crosswalk is shimmering I turn aside to see As you walk away from me. I parked in this spot A long time ago To drop off a friend who thought I needed to know. The fears I… Read More

  For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Psalm 27:4-5 They are reaching, reaching for me Enemies on every side.   The ground is quivering, quaking Once solid now falling.   You are reaching, reaching for me Pulling me to Your side.   The Rock is firm, immovable Underneath my feet.   I am out… Read More

  To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1   Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Psalm 86:4   Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8, all ESV Mysterious soul, how challenging it is to… Read More