Month: January 2019

What joy, what joy for those whose hope is in the name of the Lord

In my last post I mentioned 1 Peter 1:8. Every time I recite it, it catches me. [You] rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. Joy is such an important word to me because I lived without it so long. I was what celebrated Welsh pastor D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones referred to as a “miserable Christian”. Honestly, I still struggle with joy, and I’m sure I’m not alone. For me, part of the reason for the struggle is found in King David’s words from Psalm 51.

My sin is ever before me. Continue reading “What joy, what joy for those whose hope is in the name of the Lord” →

Ok. Ok. Ok. 1 Peter project. I know, but…

I’m reading a new devotional: Nailed It. 365 Sarcastic Devotions for Angry or Worn-Out People by Anne Kennedy. Don’t you love that? I bought copies for myself and my sisters based solely on the title and a couple Twitter recommendations. I’m only 3 devotions in, but it’s good. Yes, Kennedy uses sarcasm, but she’s also serious about pointing readers to truth about God and themselves.

The third day jumped off from Genesis 2:26-27, when God says he’s going to create man in his image. 

Continue reading “Ok. Ok. Ok. 1 Peter project. I know, but…” →

The Shift

I know I’m supposed to be starting on my 1 Peter project, but we have to take a brief detour. As I mentioned in the last post, I memorized the book of Philippians from March through December 2018. By early summer, I was working on 2:12-13.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Over the course of six months, I probably went over those verses hundreds of times.

Continue reading “The Shift” →

Re-awakening

Poke. Poke poke. You awake yet?

My blog has been asleep the past three years. It’s no Rip van Winkle, but it’s definitely hit snooze a few too many times.

I’ve decided on a project to keep this little space from drifting off to silent slumber again. Right before the turn of the year, I began memorizing 1 Peter. This is my second full book of the Bible, the first being Paul’s letter to the Philippians. I’ve never memorized that big a chunk of Scripture before, and I want to keep the momentum going.

My blog project is to track my progress as I memorize. There will be more than status updates. I want to write about what I learn. New insights gained. Challenges faced. Conviction. Tie-ins to other Scripture. Hopefully, my chronicle will be interesting. With the living Word of God involved, how can it not?

Thanks for joining me on this venture! Keep awake out there!