"Hygiene" is quite the thing right now, as we continue our pursuit of greater public health and safety in light of Covid-19. If you look too closely at your social media feeds (perhaps in your mirror) you'll notice there's a bit of disconnect going on, however. There is no shortage of hand-washing vids and tips. … Continue reading Hygiene & Doctrine

I could hear the whimpers down the hall and the door creak open. Moments later my son walks in with a Teddy-shrouded face, begging for help. I've seen it before. He was having, what we call, a fast dream.  From what I can tell about every other kid (our first, third, and fifth) have had … Continue reading Night Terrors and the Grace of God

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah Psalm 46:1-3 God is...refuge, strength, present, help. The … Continue reading The End is Gladness

For some of you, this is going to seem a strange post. For others, you've been drawn here because of a search, and you're not sure what you've stumbled upon.  Here's the deal...I love music, sound, and my wife & family (not in that order, although, for those who share the obsession, that's debatable...especially when … Continue reading Of Headphones and Husbandry

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:4-5 I love the hope and determination of this passage.  For … Continue reading When Mourning Continues into the Morning

What does it mean to have the Lord's favor?  What kind of "favors" do we ask of the Lord, and on what basis?  Do we even ask? Psalm 27 is a beautiful psalm of petition and praise of God's salvation.  Like so many psalms, this one deals with real life fears and pressing dangers.  In … Continue reading Lord, do me a favor!

One good thing about so much cultural upheaval and increasingly darker shades of this present darkness, is that desires tend to be redefined and sanctified for the true believer. Sometimes trouble runs so deep, it taps into a new "normal" of what we really want. If you've had to suffer through watching your parents age, … Continue reading Trouble Runs Deep…Grace Runs Deeper

Psalm 14 is an incredible song. In some ways it reminds me of the best of fantasy/dystopian literature.  It's dark, frightening, and borderline hopeless.  In fact, if it weren't for verse 7, you'd wonder what good Psalm 14 can accomplish besides, at best, just stating the facts.  Well, every verse matters, because when God's mercy … Continue reading Future Hope Trumps Present Evil

I used to know what "hope" looked like.  I had pictures in my head of what life looked like when God came through with keeping promises.  That future portrait isn't as clear as it once was.  I need to look through a different lens. We all have a little "extra" we put on the basic promises … Continue reading When You Can’t See Ahead…Look Back

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of … Continue reading Being Rooted Guarantees Prosperity…sorta