The Central Moment

During the Covid pandemic, Psalm 91 became an important one to so many of us. It was often quoted, commented on, and preached on. Ironically, it was also distorted by Satan to tempt Jesus. Still, it remains a source of both realism and hope!

Life is short, fortunes are uncertain, and legacies are forgotten. So how do we pray for ourselves while we live? Moses shows us by praying four timeless petitions that can guide our prayers today.

Usually the psalms of lament resolve themselves with some sort of faith and hope in the Lord. Psalm 88 is the only one that does not. And yet, underlying it all is an assumed confidence in God’s lovingkindness and responsiveness that gives perspective to everything else.

Crying out to God out of neediness and powerlessness has been the way that people of God throughout history have prayed. In turn, the Lord responds with mercy, joy, forgiveness, power, and wonders. In spite of our condition right now, may we have undiluted confidence in him!

We were made for the presence of God -- to know him, to delight our souls in him, to draw strength from him, to walk in his sustaining grace, and to live under his favor and blessing. “ How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!” (Psalm 84:1)

Does the Bible teach that human beings are ‘little gods?’ The passage of Scripture that has been so misinterpreted in order to make that claim is Psalm 82. But, in context, what does this psalm really say about our identity and God’s justice?

“If only!” How many times have we said that in our regret over past mistakes and sins? But God utters those same words over us. “ If only” we would choose his way, then he would become that “honey from the rock” to truly satisfy us.

The cry of our hearts is for the Lord to revive his church -- to bring to life again his purposes in us, his wonders among us, and his mission through us. Indeed, we pray, “ Awaken your might; come and save us.” (Psalm 80:2)

At a time when people are deconstructing their faith and disillusionment with spiritual leaders seems to be rampant, God is still on the move! He has given us a Savior in his Son Jesus and he is raising up Jesus-loving leaders after his own heart!

The Biblical Psalms of Lament give us permission to express our desperation, grieve our losses and protest our condition in light of God’s lovingkindness. And, surprisingly, they lead us to remember that God is still powerful and good.

Creating Sacred Moments.

Living Generously

Practicing Gratitude.

Prioritizing Rest & Renewal.

Relaxing in God's creation.

The cynicism of Ecclesiastes serves as a sledgehammer to drive home the final conclusion of the book. That conclusion is the one thing that can address the seeming meaninglessness of life while freeing us to live life eagerly and fully.

Death does not erase the meaning of life, in spite of its seeming finality. It is, instead, a doorway that Jesus has already walked through. That means we can follow him from very real death to a very living hope.

Growing old is certainly not for the faint of heart as you have perhaps found out. Nowhere in the Bible is the aging process described more poetically or graphically than in Ecclesiastes 12. It’s certainly a fitting component of the last chapter of a cynical look at life.

Is there something that is mightier than a marching army or even weapons of war? Could this be a key for overcoming life’s biggest obstacles? Let me introduce you to a true superhero--wisdom!

What would it be like to live whole-heartedly now but do so in a way that is accountable to God in the end? It is possible -- in fact, it’s God’s design for us. So if pleasing Jesus stays at the center, we might as well go for living life fully!

Although the principle of sowing and reaping has been co-opted and abused by preachers persuading people to give money to them, there is a Biblical precedent for the real thing. In fact, it may be one of the most powerful principles in the Bible! 

Do you suffer from the paralysis of analysis? We will live too passively and accomplish too little if we are always waiting for conditions to be perfect before we do anything. Instead, spread risk out and adopt the 80% rule!

Is it better to work hard or to work smart? Working smart requires skill and often saves time. But laziness is not acceptable either. Instead, God wants to give us wisdom to work smart but stay diligent.

We don’t just go to work, we are sent to work in partnership with a loving God who cares for his creation and the social order that fills it. So we do it with all our hearts, not working for a boss but working for Jesus himself!

What does God have to say about our jobs? Ecclesiastes portrays them in a typically cynical way. No wonder --  they may be fulfilling or they may be frustrating, but either way they don’t define ultimate meaning for us. At the same time, however, they do represent significant partnership with God.