Monday evening I went outside to look at the stars. I chose the front yard because there are fewer lights there than in the back. Opening the door, I snapped off the porch light and was immediately surrounded by deep darkness. So dark, in fact, that I couldn’t see the sidewalk. I did not let …
Out of the Chaos
Inspiration for living outside of the chaos.
What did you learn by noticing the stars? Were you able to calculate how many there are, even counting them? Naming them? Yeah — me neither. But the immensity of the galaxies is certainly amazing, isn’t it? In Isaiah 40, God invites the reader to consider the stars. Then he asks two questions: 27O Jacob, …
As I sit here with my computer opened before me, I wonder what to write. I wonder if others are experiencing the same feelings that plague me. I wonder if I should expose my inner thoughts. I wonder how to make a difference in the lives of my readers. And then my mind starts to …
The center book of the Bible is Psalm 118. Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter of the Bible and Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible. There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after. If you add those together, you get 1188. Psalm 118:8 could be said to be the …
When I read scripture, I remind myself that most of scripture (a few chapters in the Old Testament address nations that oppressed Israel) was written to people who professed to follow God and live in obedience to his commands. The Old Testament is the theological history of the nation of Israel and the promise of …
One of the most difficult practices to develop is stillness; stillness not only in our bodies but in our minds. Calming and quieting ourselves so we can listen. Moses told the Israelites to stay calm and watch. What would they see? The Lord at work! Psalm 46 is also an invitation to be still. The …
13But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. . . . 14The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:13-14 Perhaps you are like me. Attempting to craft a battle plan to wage war against the “enemy” in your life. This scripture is an invitation to …
Friday I sent a message to my five most trusted friends that said: “I am not okay. Depression is knocking at the door, standing on the porch waiting for me to invite it in. I spend time with Jesus, I rehearse truth. But this is lonely and I need someone to know. I need to …
I am finishing this week with an invitation. An invitation to come clean. It’s okay to not be fine. No longer do I need to say “I’m fine!” It’s okay to say, “I need help.” This song spoke so deeply to me this week and I think it will speak to you as well. Here’s …
The Greek word translated sin means to “miss the mark.” As in archery, there is a target and the best shot is right in the center of that target. To sin simply means I missed the target. The Greek word translated confess means to “say the same thing as.” It is agreeing with what God …
Out of the Chaos 