σκοπέω - to look, to consider How often do I think only about what I can see? Even in the midst of lesser trouble, how often do I just look at my circumstances and lose heart? When was the last time I contemplated - actually considered in depth- the eternal glory of God and heaven?… Continue reading σκοπέω: consider for yourself
Tag: heart
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: a new hymn find and an old memory
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies… Continue reading Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: a new hymn find and an old memory
Marvelous Deeds
What praise have I to give today? What stories do I have to recount of the marvelous things God has done? Once I start making such a list, I will never be finished, not if I live one hundred years. Praise and recounting quickly lifts the heart, melts a discontent spirit, and fills a soul… Continue reading Marvelous Deeds
Sunday Song: He will hold me fast
Question:What is your only comfortin life and death? Answer:That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.He has fully paid for all my sinswith his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.He also… Continue reading Sunday Song: He will hold me fast
In every situation
In every situation, God gives the invitation to pray, to ask, to give thanks, to rejoice, to know He is near. Through that, He promises to guard with His peace that cannot be fully understood or exhausted. In every situation, believers can be guarded - protected - in our thought lives and heart lives. “In… Continue reading In every situation
Saturday Song: the silence before Easter
I wonder what Christ’s followers were thinking the morning after his crucifixion. While they were together, did they pray? Did they sing? Did they feel overcome with fear? Did they discuss what might befall them next? Did Christ’s final words to them (John 14-17) echo through their memories? “Whatever befall” is a mystery, but it… Continue reading Saturday Song: the silence before Easter
Tuesday Song: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Tuesday looking forward to Easter: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life… Continue reading Tuesday Song: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Songs of Hope and Peace: the Sure and Steady Anchor
Trouble is guaranteed in this life, but what a comfort that we need not go through this life without the peace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He made a way for the disciples’ peace, speaking purposefully to them, and so He speaks purposefully to us through His Scripture. Even in the midst of trouble and great grief, the time and testimony of fellow believers prove that the peace of Christ emboldens Christians to take heart and even sing. Perhaps that is one reason I love both of these songs so much. ‘It is Well’ is one of the songs I would play for my grandma while she lay in bed with cancer. This song was born out of comfort in grief and has in turn comforted so many like me. The second song, ‘Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor’ speaks of the hope He gives in salvation. We hope as those who already know the answer, yes, He has, and, yes, He will.
Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks: fighting anxiety
I've learned to recognize the signs that mean it's time for me to sleep. When I was a kid, the signal was me running full steam in circles. As a grown up, the signs feel more sinister. Fear about what will happen in the future. Anxiety about what I need to get done. The accompanying… Continue reading Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks: fighting anxiety
But first…?
This mug makes me laugh. “But first, coffee” resonates with my feelings today, even though I’ve already been up for close to an hour. This mug also gets me thinking... If I look closely at the patterns of my living and thinking, what would be my true “But, first”? When waking up... When making decisions...… Continue reading But first…?
thoughts and songs 