In the meantime

Within a few weeks, my world went from ecstatic joy at the news that we were expecting twins to devastating grief when the ultrasound technician said there were no heartbeats nor had there been any growth since our last ultrasound a few weeks earlier.  Is this really happening to us?  That evening, the awful event of miscarriage confirmed the technician‘s diagnosis. Our miscarriage was emotionally and spiritually crushing. Days turned into weeks, and then into months, and I was emotionally and spiritually lower than I had ever been in my life.  At times, t he grief practically choked me of the very air I breathed.  I was desperate for some form of comfort to revive my grief-stricken, joy-suffocated soul. “How in the world am I to deal with this?”    “Where do I turn for comfort ?” "How do I even move forward in life?" “Lord, help me!”  was my constant cry.  God heard my desperate pleas, and in His goodness ...

The Psalms continue to produce timeless encouragement.  Over and over, they remind the reader to lift up his eyes to the Savior, back to the One who made us and loves us, and Whose everlasting character is the very reason we cry out to Him. Reading Psalm 25 this morning was a good reminder of this.  This particular Psalm is pretty easily broken down into " God, this is Who You are.  Because of Your character, hear this pitiful cry of mine.  It is about You, not me."   Verse 2-3 -- Let me not be put to shame...                     ...because I trust in You and wait for You. Verse 5 -- Lead me in Your truth...                 Teach me...                     ...because You are the God of my salvation. Verse 6 --    ... Remember Your mercy                    ...

 Evil has always been present in this world, but sometimes it is easy to forget about it when it isn't directly affecting us personally.  In light of current events, I find myself selfishly fearing for what might be in store for us....   It's a scary world we live in (although I guess people have been saying that for years, I'm sure...there's really nothing new.) Anyway, I guess God knows my heart and the fears that have filled my mind over the past few days:  He caused me to read a verse today that helped give peace and re-adjust my heart and mind: " Behold, Thou hast made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing in Thy sight, Surely every man at his best is a mere breath . [Selah.]"   and again " Surely every man is a mere breath ." (Psalm 39:5, 11)  We will all die.  Once to every man, there is an appointed time to die.   Death has a way of conquering even the most powerful, rich, healthy, and invincible--even those who...

If you haven’t already read this book, you need to!  It is super straightforward and simple, but it has dramatically affected my approach to prayer! And I am thankful. Basically, the author hones in on the advantages of using the Bible as the guide for prayers.  Prayer really doesn’t have to be super complicated, you know.  But we like to make it complicated, don’t we?  We have acrostics to remind us of different aspects of prayer; we have slips of paper with lists and charts to organize categories of prayer requests for each day of the week and/or month; and if nothing seems to really “work” for us, we scrap the suggested methods and just pray as we feel like praying.  None of these things are wrong, but when all is said and done, we usually end with a rather sporadic prayer life. Which is really a shame [after all, we're talking about ...

Have I mentioned how encouraging the book of Psalms has been to me lately? “Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplication.  The LORD is my strength and my shield , my heart trusts in Him and I am helped;  Therefore my heart exults , and with my song I shall thank Him. / The LORD is their strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed. / Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.  (Psalm 28:6-9) “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. / Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.  (Psalm 27:13-14 ) “His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth forever. / He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.  ( Psalm 111:3-4) “Make me to know Thy ways...

The Psalms have become a precious source of specific encouragement.  I thought I’d take a minute to personally “respond” to particular passages that jumped out at me.  It is incredible how the Psalms keep driving me back to focusing on God, His Character, and His Word, no matter what may be going on around me.    ( BOLD is Scripture/ italics is my “response.”) Thou hast put gladness in my heart , [ joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit and the product of abiding in Him. Yes, He is the only source of true joy and gladness and He wants ME to have it!] more than when their grain and new wine abound [and a good crop gives reason for a lot of rejoicing!]   (Ps. 4:7) But I have trusted in Thy lovingkindness [ trusting in the Lord isn’t just a placement of trust in something ambiguous.  God has revealed His character, and among other things, I have the lovingkindness of God to trust in!] M y heart shall rejoice in thy salvation [S alvati...

>>A Psalm of Degrees<< 1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. 8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. God hears the cry that comes from the depths of our soul.  He hears the plea that rises out of heart-wrenching sorrow and anguish.  His mercy sustains us and His character is the substance of our hope.  His written WORD is the primary source for the comfort that He promises, for it is the Word that reveals the charac...

At times I don't know how to adequately express myself.  Sincere longing, yearning, and seeking hard after the Lord often get stifled by my circumstances. This song, based on Psalm 84, has been a recent reminder of what I desire to be a reality in my life right now.  How sweet the place where You dwell, O Lord,  My soul longs and faints for You My heart sings out a loud song of joy  For I have known the living God. I want to be where You are, O Lord I want to be where You are, O Lord I'd rather have just one day with You Than be anywhere else There's no good thing that You will withhold From those who live to follow You  I'd rather be Your servant, O God Than have the riches of this world Those who follow You go from strength to strength Those who trust in You are filled with joy. (c) Stephen Altrogge, 2008, Sovereign Grace Praise