Praying the Psalms:Places of Darkness and Light

Psalm 23 (part two)

[23.4] Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.

Father God--Sometimes the valley stretches out before me and I know it is coming.  I can even see it miles away.  When I am on the mountain seeing death valley laid out before me I wonder if I can make it through to the other side.

It is as I put one foot in front of the other then the evidences of your presence becomes clear to me.  It is in the dark of the valley with ghost-like fears surrounding me that I depend on your hand, and find it. The valley's are when the sound  of your footfalls are so much more clearer right next to me.  I wish I had lofty visions, but most often I find you right next to me ...sweating with me...reaching with me...passing me the hammer and nails.

I am writing this as the ten year remembrance of 9-11 is just concluding. The image of an aged Paul Simon singing The Sounds of Silence was haunting and somehow iconic of our age. America knows of loss that is senseless, and continues to have courage to look for something beyond the silence.  Speak with clarity to this age, Father. 

[23.5] You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.

Father God--When I am open to your leading...when I can let go of my fear, anxiety and dread, you are able to create in the most unlikely places and times a table of peace.  How do you do that?  It is not occasionally that this happens but consistently as I am open to your leading and not closed in on myself.

 [23.6] Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life.


Father--Thank you for the beauty and love that finds it's way into everyday...simple things a song, a smile, a conversation, a good meal, the love of friends and family. A church on a hill reminds me that you are never far from me. There will come a time when loss, darkness and silence will end.  We will see each other face to face, prepare me for that day. 


Peterson, Eugene H. (2006-06-15). The Message Remix 2.0: The Bible In contemporary Language (p. 735). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

Praying the Psalms:Meadows and Quiet Pools

Psalm 23

[23.1-3] GOD, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.

Father God--The quiet pool that I found myself next to when I took this picture was in a park on vacation watching Abby and sliding down the slide with her. 

Times that feed the soul come in many forms, sometimes something as simple as lunch at the park with family deeply loved is more than enough to remind me that your blessings stretch on from generation to generation.

You guided my parent through war years and you will guide me.  You looked after my education and you will look after the eduction of my children's children.  You are a God who does not forget and your mercies are durative over time, space and everything in-between.

True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.  

Father God--Simple things you can use to help me catch my breath and to continue to follow after you.  A camp fire with friends in the back yard making smores is more than enough.  You are a God that delights in surprising me with grace unlooked for but none the less experienced in unlikely places and times.

Father in the day that will begin in few hours lead me in your way everlasting and keep me mindful of your grace each moment.

Peterson, Eugene H. (2006-06-15). The Message Remix 2.0: The Bible In contemporary Language (p. 735). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

Pictures and Prayer Along the Road

Sometimes I don't get it right away. The road leads from right where I am to where you want me to be.  Sounds so simple and yet so complicated. All at the same time...


You taught me that you can use me right where I am and that openness is really the only precondition in the lessons learned along the road with you.


So it was on this street that I met Mr. White.  I have no idea if that was his real name or not. He told me that it had been a hard day for him.  I am not sure why he thought he could talk with me. Was it that I made I eye contact with him?


Jesus was it that I had prayed a prayer as he past and he sensed it?  That is something that I have been practicing lately. Just a short prayer of blessing and sometimes of intercession.  But this time Mr. White stopped and talked with me.


He told me of a separation that he was going through and a child that he had visitation with...he told me that he hadn't eaten.  I had no cash and there wasn't the opportunity to take  him to get a sandwich everything was closed.  A prayer beside the road was all that I could give.


You reminded me on that sidewalk  that any moment can be a God moment...a moment that can be connection with you and with those that I allow myself to be open to along the road.


This morning the road goes on just outside my door, Lord.  Let today be an adventure in learning how to be open and aware of your movement in my life.

Praying the Psalms:Songs to the Savior

Psalm 9 (part 3)


[9.13-14] Be kind to me, GOD; I’ve been kicked around long enough. Once you’ve pulled me back from the gates of death, I’ll write the book on Hallelujahs;the corner of Main and First I’ll hold a street meeting; I’ll be the song leader; we’ll fill the air with salvation songs.

Father God--David writes with his hand on death's door knob and yet he anticipates praise. I can almost hear The Salvation Army Band playing...on the corner of Main and First in anticipation of what you are going to be doing. David would tell me to sing no matter what. Salvation songs could be the title of David's next CD release. In so many ways praise is a release...

[9.15-16] They’re trapped, those godless countries, in the very snares they set, Their feet all tangled in the net they spread. They have no excuse; the way God works is well-known. The cunning machinery made by the wicked has maimed their own hands.

Father God--There is justice here...the coping skill becomes the trap, the strength reaches around to become a weakness. I can't see it from where I am but like David I am going to start to hum the songs of salvation even while it is still dark.

[9.17-20] The wicked bought a one-way ticket to hell. No longer will the poor be nameless— no more humiliation for the humble. Up, GOD! Aren’t you fed up with their empty strutting? Expose these grand pretensions! Shake them up, GOD! Show them how silly they look.


Peterson, Eugene H. (2006-06-15). The Message Remix 2.0: The Bible In contemporary Language (pp. 719-720). NavPress. Kindle Edition. 

Random thoughts on a Tuesday P.M.

Father God-- It is just a normal day and yet sometimes it feels like a tightrope walk over alligators with me just inches from their gaping jaws.  As I watched this little one walk the bricks, I started to wonder about where life leads us and where small steps can take us.

She was so proud when she reached the end of stones.  My accomplishments seem so important to me.   But Father I wonder if they are just like these stones walked in an afternoon with loved one's surrounding.  An accomplishment?  Yes, but one that is limited and only useful as a part of your plans and goals.

Father God--Just another house on a street in anywhere America...and yet it was once a house that kept safe a dream and ignited a passion.

Why do we settle for such small dreams like houses on anywhere street?  Instead we could have changed the world and captured a generation for Your Kingdom.

A stairway...not to heaven but to a walk up in Greenwich.  Stairs are like stepping stones with more risk.  They lead to a new level and the possibility of falling.

Father God--Climbing the stairs will lead me to a clearer view of my surroundings and  a vision of what the next direction should be.  Don't let me settle for the safe,  Father.

Praying the Psalms: Personal and in the Night

Psalm 9 (part 2)
9-10 God's a safe-house for the battered,a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
you're never sorry you knocked.

Father God--Your house is a safe place. In hard times, I know that there is a place of safety and peace. When you arrive there is also worship and witness that is apart of the story as well. Worship that brings me back to your house again and again in grateful expression of your mighty acts of love.

 11-12 Sing your songs to Zion-dwelling God,

tell his stories to everyone you meet:

How he tracks down killers

yet keeps his eye on us,

registers every whimper and moan.

Father God--I love the thought that you keep you eye on me...I remember growing up and my mother would always use that line. It was both a comfort and a call to accountability at the same time. I suspect that I need both.

You are the one who tracks down killers...but you also hear the whimpers of your people. You are at work in creating an environment of safety but also a place where grace and love are experienced in my heart and life.

As I write this Father, I realize that it sounds so...I don’t know...religious and somehow distant. Yet, a whimper and moan are such personal expressions of hurt and mourning. Tonight as the rain falls outside, I realize the personal, intimate and up close and personal nature of your love for me. You remind me of hope that can be present in my life just because you listen and act. 

Act in those places, Father, where I hurt tonight...where your people hurt tonight. Work Father. 

In the day that begins in just a bit, Father lead as you see fit. Help me to include you in my inner conversation as the moments tick away, call me back to conversation with you. A conversation that never needs to end....

Praying the Psalms -You are in Control

Psalm 9

1-2 I'm thanking you, God, from a full heart, I'm writing the book on your wonders.

I'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;

I'm singing your song, High God.

3-4 The day my enemies turned tail and ran,

they stumbled on you and fell on their faces.

You took over and set everything right;

when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.

Father--You are acting on behalf of your people. The timing is in your hands. The reality is that you are working in power right now on my behalf...on the behalf of your people. David identified your actions on his behalf and could not hold back his praise for your mighty acts.

5-6 You blow the whistle on godless nations;

you throw dirty players out of the game,

wipe their names right off the roster.

Enemies disappear from the sidelines,

their reputation trashed,

their names erased from the halls of fame. 

Father--The image is of you overlooking and engaged in limit setting and overseeing the activities that occur in the world. Sometimes the “game” seems out of control from my perspective. Here, David is clear that you are the umpire. There is no one who is beyond your ability to kick out of the game.

7-8 God holds the high center,

he sees and sets the world's mess right.

He decides what is right for us earthlings,

gives people their just deserts.

Father--There is justice that is coming. As I think about your justice, I am reminded of my need for grace. Grace that is beyond my ability to understand is always a prayer away.

As I look forward to this day Lord remind me of your control and grace that sustains me.