Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.Psalm 23:4 A friend reminded me this week how many Christians have bought into the idea that the God of the Old Testament is not the same God of the New Testament. NOT TRUE. GodContinueContinue reading “Dwell: In His Presence”
Category Archives: Dwell
Dwell: In the Valleys
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;Psalm 23:4a Valleys – verdant pastures, flowing rivers, and breathtaking views of the mountainous horizon. In the days of the pioneer, valleys were settled first because of the natural protection mountains provided, the necessary life-source of water, and the fertile soil.ContinueContinue reading “Dwell: In the Valleys”
Dwell: On Right Paths
“He refreshes my soul.He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3 The ‘power of three’ exists all around us, conveying to us perfection, completion, and wholeness. We see it in nature: morning, noon, and night. Birth, life, death. And in literature: beginning, middle, end. Musketeers, little pigs, and blind mice. In art:ContinueContinue reading “Dwell: On Right Paths”
Dwell: By Still Waters
“He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2b Sitting on the riverbank, I perched at the water’s edge on a tree root protruding from the ground like a small bench. It had taken half an hour, easily, for me to finally sit still once I’d reached the river. Fluttering butterflies had beckoned my attention. Turtles andContinueContinue reading “Dwell: By Still Waters”
Dwell: In Green Pastures
“He makes me lie down in green pastures”Psalm 23:2a, NIV Can you think back to a moment in your childhood when your parent’s presence calmed you? Like after a bad dream, and you sneak to their bedroom. Just lying on the floor next to my parents’ bed made me feel better because they were closeContinueContinue reading “Dwell: In Green Pastures”
Dwell: Without Lack
A great majority of Christians on the planet today have grown up hearing verse one of Psalm 23 this way: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.(Psalm 23:1, KJV) Pausing to reread those nine words, try to take in what is meant by, “I shall not want.” If you read it as IContinueContinue reading “Dwell: Without Lack”
Dwell: With the Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd.”Psalm 23:1a For twenty years we lived on nearly an acre of red dirt land in Oklahoma. No fences. No outdoor animals. Just three boys who came and went through our back door. No one in our neighborhood had horses, cows, or sheep. So I have no working knowledge of whatContinueContinue reading “Dwell: With the Shepherd”
Dwell: Psalm 23
When God handed me ‘dwell’ as my word for 2022, I anticipated learning what it means to dwell in God. I looked forward to digging into Scriptures, like Psalm 91, for great enlightenment and for inner transformation. And, I’ve not been disappointed. In the early days of January, I spent hours scouring the Bible toContinueContinue reading “Dwell: Psalm 23”
Abide: Wholly in the Holy
Our summer sure sped swiftly! While we’ve met here week after week, I’ve been growing in understanding of what Jesus means by, “remain in me as I also remain in you” (John 15:4). Remaining, that practice of dwelling or abiding, is more than prayer. It’s more than worship. Or Bible reading. Or making good choices.ContinueContinue reading “Abide: Wholly in the Holy”
Abide: Taking Up Faith
Fight, flight, or freeze. Threats, stress, and pain come at us, and we either fight back. Flee the scene. Or freeze in place. Me, I’m the one who consistently left when things got rough. Too much tension and arguing? I’d hop in my car and hurry to my friend’s house. Too much accusation and pressure?ContinueContinue reading “Abide: Taking Up Faith”