In Bloom

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Jason
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Psalm 6: Drenched Couches

Posted on July 6, 2021 by Jason

Sorry for the long delay between Psalm posts. I’ve been a little discouraged but now I’m back in the groove of writing again.

Psalm 6 is a cry for healing amid the weight of grief and anguish. David begins this Psalm with a universal plea: that we might avoid the wrath of God.

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.

Psalm 6:1

Rather, David calls out for God to be gracious and the balance of the biblical story tells us this is a request God wants to honor. It is His desire that all should be saved by grace as they come to knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

But David makes his case before God in the starkest of terms. “My bones are troubled,” (v2) and “my soul is also greatly troubled,” (v3). The thought of bearing God’s anger or wrath is too much for David to bear, distraught as he is over his current condition.

And the low point is found in verses 6-7:

I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief…

With graphic images, David describes his heartbroken state. This is a word for the grieving. From his tear-drenched bed, David groans. But this groan is directed heavenward, which is enough to make it a prayer.

And sometimes, that’s all we can offer when we are crippled by sorrow.

And I’m grateful to know that God says, “That’s enough.”

This is Good News.

Posted in Devotional, Disappointment, Faith, God, Gospel, Prayer, Psalms, Scripture | Leave a comment

Seventeen

Posted on July 6, 2021 by Jason

How have seventeen years gone by so quickly?

Abby Kate is full of great ambition and drive. She sets high goals for herself and achieves them with her determination. She is also thoughtful; she is the embodiment of the phrase, “Still waters run deep.” She is rarely the loudest voice in the room, but she is always thinking, always contemplating, always putting it all together. She also has a tender heart filled with compassion for the outsider, the overlooked, and the ones at the margins. She doesn’t do “drama” — unless her brothers step out of line! But she loves with all of her heart; she values loyalty and honesty more than anything else. She has her sights set on the medical field because she wants to help those who are in need and hurting physically. We are so proud of our daughter, our firstborn, Abby Kate! May these words follow you throughout your life: “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.” Isaiah 61:10

Joshua is always on the go. From the very beginning, he has always been a ball of energy. He is the first to rise and never afraid to try something new. His laugh comes easily and often; he has a genuinely playful spirit about him. You can never keep Joshua down. He is persistent and driven. The formative phrase in Joshua’s life is this one: “Never give up.” From the NICU isolette to the ball field, Joshua has always embodied this wisdom. He is also a good friend who goes out of his way to include others and put them at ease. Joshua is the one to reach out to the “new kid” on the first day of school. He seeks justice but loves mercy. He makes peace when conflict arises. His heart is set on a career in youth ministry and preaching, just like his father. We are so proud of this son of ours. May these words continue to guide your life, Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Happy seventeenth birthday, Joshua and Abby Kate! We love y’all so much!

Posted in Blessings, Family, Kids | 2 Comments

New Music: Jackson Bybee

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Jason

Jackson has been at it again, releasing three new songs today. If you’ve listened to any of his previous songs, you know what to expect here. Lots of electro beats. I really like his stuff.

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Grand

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Jason

The earth is full of His glory.

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Psalm 5: In the Morning You Hear My Prayer

Posted on June 5, 2021 by Jason

As I continue my slow stroll through the Psalms, I’m struck by the way the Psalmists weave God into the “ordinary” rhythms of the day — what some have called “the offices of prayer.” Psalm 4 ends with the Psalmist logging off at the end of the day, trusting that he will lie down and rest safely in the presence of YHWH. Following the Hebrew pattern of the new day beginning with evening (see Genesis 1, “and it was evening and morning, the first day,” etc.), it is fitting that Psalm 5 is a morning Psalm, greeting the Lord with gladness after an evening’s rest.

O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Psalm 5:3

I also appreciate the way David confidently asserts that he “will enter your house (v7).” Though others boast and make evil, David trembles in the temple of the LORD (v7) and follows His lead (v8). David’s opposition to the ungodly may strike some as unloving, and perhaps this is true. But we should remember that David’s remarks are contextualized as praise. His devotion to His God prompts David to ardently oppose those who mock YHWH with their transgressions.

For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:12

We read this in light of the New Testament, understanding that the Lord has richly blessed those whom He has made righteous — by the blood of His Son.

Questions for reflection:

  • How would my life change if my first thought upon rising in the morning was directed to the Lord?
  • What must it be like to enter God’s house (v7)?
  • How does Psalm 5 impact your prayer life?
Posted in Devotional, Faith, God, Psalms, Scripture | Leave a comment

Key West

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Jason

We also made the drive from Miami to Key West, which was a really pretty drive. We spent a day in Key West; here are some of our pictures and a video I shot while I was taking part in one of the street performer’s “acts” at Mallory Square.

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Marlins Park

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Jason

Our family visited Marlins Park in Miami as part of our vacation last week. We had a great time, but I wouldn’t rank it very highly on my list. I’ll have a revised stadium rankings list coming up soon. Until then, here are a few pics from our game.

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Psalm 4: I Lie Down in Peace

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Jason

Psalm 4 is traditionally understood as an evening Psalm, a prayer for bedtime. This is because of the powerful closing line, found in verse 8:

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8, ESV

The Psalmist exudes confidence that Yahweh not only hears his plea, but hustles to answer by bringing relief. He has known the goodness of God, His favor characterized as “the light of your face” shining down (v6). Upon recalling God’s history of faithfulness, the Psalmist is able to rest at night, knowing that the world is in good hands — in God’s hands.

Perhaps this word could be a blessing to you, a breath prayer for the darkest time of the night when your mind is racing and rest seems elusive. Maybe, like the Psalmist, you would find solace in recounting God’s long track record of faithfulness toward His people — and toward you in particular. And perhaps in this recollection, you would know the peace of God that would allow you to both lie down and sleep, to truly rest in His eternal safety.

Questions for reflection:

  • What stands out to you most as you read Psalm 4?
  • When was the last time you drew strength from recounting God’s track record of faithfulness?
  • What keeps you awake at night?
  • How does Psalm 4 impact your personal prayer life?
Posted in Prayer, Psalms, Scripture | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Psalm 3: Arise

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Jason

The heading for Psalm 3 indicates the setting: when David fled from his own son, Absalom. I was immediately struck by how difficult this must have been for David. When your own son is trying to take your life, you know you have a lot of enemies.

Yahweh, how many are my adversaries; many people are rising up against me.

Psalm 3:1 (The First Testament)

But David calls on Yahweh to rise up also, to match those who rise up in opposition to him. (Note: this is how Goldingay translates “Selah” in this Psalm, rendering it as “Rise.”) There is something that really resonates with me here, the image of David pleading with God to rise up in his defense.

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Psalm 3:3 (ESV)

There is a devotional song set to these lyrics; it’s one of my favorites. But I’m reminded that it’s one thing to sing these words on a mission trip or in the confines of the church house. It’s quite another to sing them in the context in which they were originally written: in the midst of one’s enemies.

Rise up, Yahweh, deliver me, my God,

Because you’ve struck all my enemies on the jaw; you’ve smashed the teeth of the faithless.

Psalm 3:7 (The First Testament)

I love David’s confidence in God’s willingness to rise against his foes. In fact, that’s the tenor of David’s line in verse 5:

I myself have lain down and slept; I’ve woken up, because Yahweh sustains me.

Psalm 3:5 (The First Testament)

David rises to meet each new day confident in God’s mighty deliverance. No doubt he rises this way each morning because he has seen how God always rises up to save him from his enemies. This is the unexpected blessing of adversity. Difficult seasons provide us the opportunity to learn of God’s faithfulness and His provision. If things were always sunshine and buttercups, we’d never know God’s promise to never leave us nor forsake us. We’d never have occasion to see Him rise up in our defense.

Questions for reflection:

  • What stands out to you most as you read Psalm 3?
  • When have you implored God to “rise up” in the same way David does in Psalm 3?
  • Does David come across as demanding in Psalm 3? Or simply confident in God’s deliverance?
  • How does Psalm 3 impact your prayer life?
Posted in Psalms, Scripture | 1 Comment