Tag: Dinah Wright

Walking In the Spirit

Jeff

Today is Saturday, the twenty-third day of May, 2026, in the seventh week of the season of Easter.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always!

It is day 143 of 2026, with 222 days left in the year.

Day 24,908 of my life and 21,615 days since I was baptized into Christ

Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday, and the day after that is Memorial Day in the U.S., the day we commemorate those who lost their lives in military service.

Today is World Turtle Day. If you’re a fan of turtles, it’s your day. Well, technically, it’s their day, not yours. I’m a fan of The Turtles, but I don’t think that’s who they are referring to.

It’s also National Taffy Day. I’m a huge fan of taffy. There’s a wonderful candy store in Galveston, called LA Kings, that makes fresh salt water taffy at least once a week, and if you’re lucky, you can watch them make it and get free warm samples. Yum!!

Daily writing prompt
What is the meaning of life?
View all responses

42!

IYKYK

Okay. I can’t just let it go at that. I tried. But I feel compelled to give a serious answer. Everything that this blog is about is the “meaning of life.” The question could be answered in a number of ways. The short answer, and most accurate, is “Jesus.” Jesus is not only the meaning of life, He is Life, Himself. But I could also quote verses like Micah 6:8 to give an answer to that question.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
(Micah 6:8 ESV)

Or I could quote Jesus’s answer to the question, “What is the greatest commandment?”, which can be found in Matthew 22.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
(Matthew 22:36-40 ESV)

But ultimately, the answer is Jesus. He is the reason that I write this blog. He is the reason that I am alive. “I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Today is a working Saturday for me, so I will be in the circulation department at the Hurst Public Library from 9:30 to 6:15. I will be working with my library bestie today, and one other coworker. C will hopefully be resting. Monday is a holiday, as previously mentioned, so C won’t have to work. I wasn’t scheduled to work this Monday, anyway, but I will be working next Saturday, as I switched with another employee who needed to be off on June 6. Then I will have two Saturdays in a row off.

My first cup of coffee this morning is CAFE Olé by H‑E‑B Snickernut Cookie. I think I have one or two more cups of this one left, and have already ordered a box of Cinnamon Hazelnut for my next grocery order to be picked up on Monday. My second cup is White Chocolate Marshmallow, by Angelino’s, a limited edition that appears to no longer be available. That’s a shame, because this one is really good. Tonight’s dinner will likely be an H-E-B Meal Simple family sized meal of Chicken Parmesan and pasta, along with a Caesar Salad and garlic Texas Toast. I say “likely” because audibles have been called in the past, so who knows?

JESUS TIME

I thank You, heavenly Father, for setting Your angel to guard my slumber during the night past and for the day of grace and service into which You have awakened me. Keep me steadfast in the awareness of Your protection and in faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Lord, make me mindful of the temptations of sinful care, selfishness, and impure desires, which beset me on every side and from within. Help me in this hour to put on anew the armor of light, that I may be fitted with every weapon of offense and defense against the perils that threaten my spiritual life. Let Your Gospel call me with new sweetness to be reconciled to you; let Your Spirit call me with new power to follow You. Teach me to live this day as though it is my last on earth, knowing that whether I live or whether I die I am present with You. Be my Protector, my Guide, and my Father; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 30, Saturday Morning)

Father, today is another gift from You. Every good thing I enjoy is from You, and I thank You for Your abundant blessings. All I own is Yours, to be used for Your good purposes and especially for the good of others. Where I would take these blessings and use them selfishly, move me instead to generosity, kindness, goodness, and love. Among the greatest gifts You’ve given me are the people in my life—especially my family, friends, and neighbors. I want them to know Your love and to feel cared for and blessed when they are with me. Fill me with Your Spirit that they see Jesus through me today. In His name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Saturday Morning)

Almighty Father, let the love we have celebrated in this Easter season be put into practice in our daily lives. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Easter 7, Opening Prayer)

The fear of the LORD leads to life,  
    and whoever has it rests satisfied;  
    he will not be visited by harm.  
(Proverbs 19:23 ESV) 
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.  
(Galatians 5:25 ESV) 

Today I am grateful:

  1. That the fear of the Lord leads to Life, and I am resting satisfied in that Life 
  2. For the Holy Spirit, dwelling in me, leading me to walk in Him, at His pace, not mine 
  3. That “I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Heidelberg Catechism) 
  4. That no one who trust in Christ is an “outsider,” because we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28) 
  5. For this home that Christ has given us, a house built on His wisdom, established by His understanding, with rooms filled with the precious riches of His knowledge 
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

What is my theme for today? I’ve not read all of my “morning” material today, as it was time to get ready for work. Generally, when that happens, I will push whatever I didn’t read in the morning to my evening Jesus Time, which is right before bedtime.

This morning, the focus was on walking. I was led to read this Scripture.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.  
(Galatians 5:25 ESV) 

I was reading the Jen Weaver Bible plan from You Version, From Promise to Presence: 50 Days of Living the Resurrected Life.

“Live by the Spirit,” says Paul. “Not visit occasionally. Not consult when things unravel. Not reach for when you’re out of options.” Live by . . . walk with. I like what Ms. Weaver says here. “That language is slower than I prefer. I’d rather sprint.” Over and over, Scripture calls us to “walk.” Paul does mention running a time or two, but most of the time, the Christian life is described by walking. And that requires attention. “It means Someone else sets the pace.” And that Someone is the Spirit, who dwells in us, actively leading (if we will pay attention). The Spirit is not always loud (remember Elijah’s “quiet whisper?”), but the Presence is always there. “Through Scripture that won’t loosen its grip on you. Through conviction that presses gently but persistently. Through desires that He renews over time. Through wisdom confirmed in voices that love Jesus too.” 

I’m reminded of Ephesians 4, where Paul says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (verses 1-3)

Walk. With humility and gentleness and patience, decisively not our favorite characteristics, as twenty-first century humans. We like to run (or “sprint,” as Jen said), with arrogance, aggressiveness, and impatience.

But back to the last line of Jen Weaver’s quote. That last one is big, to me. Those other voices that also love Christ have played a big part in my life, especially in the last fifteen months! But one thing we must know. Not every voice that speaks to us is His voice. We know that His voice always glorifies Christ and never contradicts His Word. It will not lead us away from obedience. 

So let us never surge ahead in our own pace or steps. And let us not drag our feet. “Walking in step means neither racing nor resisting. It means aligning. . . . Daily. . . . Moved by the pace of God’s grace.” 

Walking.

Here are a couple of passages from For All the Saints, this morning.

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”  
(Ezekiel 36:22-27 ESV) 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.  
(Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV) 

The Ezekiel passage is well-known more for the last couple of verses that speak of the Lord removing our stone hearts and giving us living hearts of flesh, and filling us with His Spirit. But I keyed in more on the earlier verses, this morning, noting that the reason God does these things is not for our sake. He does all things for the sake of His holy name! We would do well to keep that name holy among ourselves, as well and remember that everything that the Lord does is for His own glory. And if you think that to be arrogant, I would remind you that He created you; He created all things. He owns you. And yes, He owns you whether you acknowledge Him or not.

As for the Ephesians passage, I would encourage all who read this to say a prayer for their pastors, this morning, tomorrow morning, and every day. Pray those words toward the end of the passage, that words would be given to them to open their mouths boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel of Christ.

O God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship, and a heavenly Father’s care; and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and hate. 
 
Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children, nor to straying feet, but rugged enough to turn back the tempter’s power. 
 
Make it a gateway to thine eternal kingdom. Amen. 
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Easter 7, Closing Prayer, Thomas Ken) 

Father, I thank You for these reminders to “walk” in the Spirit. I pray that You help me to keep walking in the Spirit, to keep walking in the easy yoke of Christ. I am so very grateful to You for everything, Lord, more than I can adequately express, for You have given me everything that I need, and even more. I praise You for the life that I have, now. I praise You for those voices that have spoken into my life in the last few years, that have encouraged me to walk in Your grace and mercy and love.

And speaking of love, I praise You for that. The love that You have poured into me has resulted in an overwhelming love for other people in my life. Sometimes I feel so full of love that I fear I might burst, or at least that my heart would burst. That is such an amazing feeling, my Lord. Thank You for turning that switch to “on” in my heart. I believe that is only part of what You began working in me last February.

Thank You for our home, Lord, not just the physical house, but the feeling of “home” that is so prevalent there. Indeed, we feel that Your wisdom has filled our house, not only with the riches of Your knowledge, but Your presence, as well.

I thank You for Your call on my life, Lord. You truly own my life, and everything/everyone associated with it. You are beautiful to me, and You have made my life beautiful, even with the occasional not-so-beautiful parts. You do all things for Your glory, but what is to Your glory is also for my good.

Thank you, my Lord!

I pray all of this in the precious, holy, and so very beautiful name of Jesus!

Amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters. Walk in the Spirit.

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

Into the Arms of Jesus

Jeff

Today is Saturday, the ninth day of May, 2026, in the fifth week of Easter.

May the peace and love of Christ flood your soul, today!

It is day 129 of 2026, and there are 236 days remaining in the year.

Day 24,894 of my life

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day!

Today is National Train Day. Perhaps I will point that out to patrons at our library today, as they observe the train tracks that hang from the ceiling over the youth department.

Daily writing prompt
If you had to describe your ideal life, what would it look like?
View all responses

You know, I’m pretty much living it, right now. The only thing that would make my current life more “ideal,” would be if my wife could be free from pain and completely recovered from her recent hip surgery and other issues that are afflicting her, at the moment. I have the best job I have ever had, I have some of the best friends I have ever had, and I have a family that loves me. Christ is working daily in my life, and I have a great church home with which to worship and fellowship. “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Today is a work Saturday for me, and I will be heading in to work my shift in the circulation department, 9:30-6:15. I feel some better. I don’t feel “great,” but am well enough, I think, to get through the day. If there were going to be anyone else in that department today, other than the one lady I always work with, I would probably call in. But I don’t want to leave her hanging. And, like I said, I do feel better, and got confirmation from CareNow, yesterday, that I don’t have any of the “bad” things. And I will be finishing the blog entry once I get there.

My first cup of coffee, this morning is CAFE Olé by H‑E‑B Taste of DFW. “Offering the delicious flavor of caramel, chocolate and pecans, CAFE Olé by H-E-B Taste of DFW coffee is a medium roast variety.” The second cup is White Chocolate Marshmallow, by Angelino’s, a delicious limited edition. “White chocolate covered marshmallow flavored coffee.”

JESUS TIME

Our Father who art in heaven, deliver us from evil. O dear Lord, God and Father, Your Son defeated sin, death, and the devil so that I may enjoy the fruits of His labor. You are faithful to me as You keep me in Your grace. Grant me faithfulness in this life, especially when I experience the attacks of the devil through misery and misfortune, uncertainty and evil. Should I grow weary of life and long for death, give me strength and confidence in my dear Savior’s victory over sin, death, and the devil. And, when my last hour comes, mercifully grant me a blessed departure from this valley of sorrow. Grant that in the face of death I do not lose heart or fear it, but, with certain trust and hope in You, remain confident that You will take my soul into Your hands; for the sake of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. 
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 58, Saturday Morning) 

Father, today is another gift from You. Every good thing I enjoy is from You, and I thank You for Your abundant blessings. All I own is Yours, to be used for Your good purposes and especially for the good of others. Where I would take these blessings and use them selfishly, move me instead to generosity, kindness, goodness, and love. Among the greatest gifts You’ve given me are the people in my life—especially my family, friends, and neighbors. I want them to know Your love and to feel cared for and blessed when they are with me. Fill me with Your Spirit that they see Jesus through me today. In His name. Amen. 
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Saturday Morning) 

Loving Father, through our rebirth in baptism you give us your life and promise immortality. By your unceasing care, guide our steps toward the life of glory. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Easter 5, Opening Prayer) 

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  
(Romans 8:1-2 ESV) 

Today I am grateful:

  1. That there is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus; we have been set free 
  2. That Christ’s dominion is everlasting and shall not pass away 
  3. That we are never alone; in His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11) and we are always in His presence 
  4. That “all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well” (Julian of Norwich) 
  5. That the love of the Father will never cease until it has chased us into the arms of Jesus (Chad Bird, Untamed Prayers) 
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 62:8-12 

Trust in him at all times, O people;  
pour out your heart before him;  
God is a refuge for us. Selah  
 
Those of low estate are but a breath;  
those of high estate are a delusion;  
in the balances they go up;  
they are together lighter than a breath.  
Put no trust in extortion;  
set no vain hopes on robbery;  
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.  
 
Once God has spoken;  
twice have I heard this:  
that power belongs to God,  
and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.  
For you will render to a man  
according to his work.  
(Psalms 62:8-12 ESV) 

Untamed Prayers – In the Balances They Go Up, by Chad Bird 

Look at the scales. We all weigh the same. I’m reminded of the experiment, done in a vacuum, that proves that a cannonball and a feather will fall at the same rate. The poor, the rich, and all of us in between, weigh the same. “Suck in some air then breathe onto a scale. There is the heft of humanity.” You think you’re something? Read this psalm. You’re no more “something” than I. “This is God’s way of reminding us that we need something better, heavier, and sturdier in which to trust. Something truly good.” And, if we’re paying attention, we know that Christ said, “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). 
 
“To make sure we all hear the message, the Lord doubles down, ‘Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work’ (Ps. 62:11-12). Power and love, that is where divine weight is found. . . . The love of the Father will never cease until it has chased us into the arms of Jesus. There, peacefully abiding in Christ, we discover rest. There, cleansed in the blood of Jesus, we and all our works become good in the eyes of our Father, who rewards us according to the work that he himself has worked in us by the power of the Spirit.” 
 
That one sentence in there . . . it sends me soaring. “The love of the Father will never cease until it has chased us into the arms of Jesus.”  

For All the Saints – Saturday of the Week of Easter 5 

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.  
 
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.  
 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  
(Matthew 7:13-21 ESV) 

“The terrible thing, the almost impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self – all your wishes and precautions – to Christ. But it is far easier than what we are all trying to do instead. For what we are trying to do is to remain what we call ‘ourselves,’ to keep personal happiness as our great aim in life, and yet at the same time be ‘good.’ We are all trying to let our mind and heart go their own way – centred on money or pleasure or ambition – and hoping, in spite of this, to behave honestly and chastely and humbly. And that is exactly what Christ warned us you could not do. As He said, a thistle cannot produce figs. If I am a field that contains nothing but grass-seed, I cannot produce wheat. Cutting the grass may keep it short: but I shall still produce grass and no wheat. If I want to produce wheat, the change must go deeper than the surface. I must be ploughed up and re-sown. 
 
“That is why the real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind. 
 
“We can only do it for moments at first. But from those moments the new sort of life will be spreading through our system because now we are letting Him work at the right part of us. It is the difference between paint, which is merely laid on the surface, and a dye or stain which soaks right through. He never talked vague, idealistic gas. When He said, ‘Be Perfect,’ He meant it. He meant that we must go in for the full treatment. It is hard; but the sort of compromise we are all hankering after is harder – in fact, it is impossible. It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely begin just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” 
(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity) 

O God, who hast commanded us to be perfect, as Thou art perfect; put into my heart, I pray Thee, a continual desire to obey Thy holy will. Teach me day by day what Thou wouldst have me to do, and give me grace and power to fulfill the same. May I never from love of ease, decline the path which Thou pointest out, nor, for fear of shame, turn away from it. Amen. 
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Easter 5, Closing Prayer, Henry Alford) 

Dear Lord, I thank You. Your love has, indeed, chased me into the arms of Jesus, and I never want to leave those arms. I would be a fool to want to. Keep me there, Lord, for now and all eternity. I dearly long for the day when I can look upon my Savior’s face, Lord. I thank You that, on Your scales, we all weigh the same. Let me look upon all other people with love and care, Lord, considering all as more significant than myself. For You, Lord, have made me what I am; have given me all that I have; and have loved me with an everlasting love that never fails. Keep me, Lord, in Your arms for all eternity. I am confident that nothing can ever separate me from Your love in Christ Jesus, my Lord. Hallelujah, my God! Thank You, thank You, thank You. I rest in Your presence.

I pray in the holy and beautiful name of Jesus, amen.

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Drink deep!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

But God!

Jeff5 Comments

Today is Saturday, the eighteenth day of April, 2026, in the second week of Easter.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

It is day 108 of 2026, with 257 days remaining in the year.

36 days until Pentecost Sunday

Day 24,873 of my life

Today is National Record Store Day. There was a time in my life when I would have taken advantage of this, but I don’t really need to do that anymore. I have quite a collection of records, but I’m not sure how many there are. Someday, I may count them, like I did the books in the house, a couple years ago. (There are over 1300 books in my house, which, from what I understand, qualifies as a “library.”)

It’s also National Exercise Day. That’s not likely to happen, either.

Well, well, it is also Husband Appreciation Day. My take on that, though, is that if you, as a husband, want to be appreciated, you’d best be working your ass off to deserve it. That’s right. I said “ass.” Deal with it.

Daily writing prompt
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
View all responses

It’s hard for me to pick out one. Since I’m a part-time library aide, and all of my shifts are in relatively “high-profile” areas, I’m constantly dealing with “strangers.” Some of them, over time, become “not-strangers,” of course. I have my favorite (as well as not-so-favorite) patrons. Yesterday, I had a “random” (is there really such a thing?) encounter with a woman who was trying to renew her driver’s license online. She came to me for help, admitting, right up front, that she was computer-illiterate. My initial reaction, unfortunately, is a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. But then I remember (by the grace of God) that this is what they pay me for, so I follow her back to a computer and buckle down for the ride.

She wasn’t exactly totally computer-illiterate. She knew how to click a mouse. But I had to show her a lot of things. We were able to navigate to the DPS website, and after experiencing links that didn’t work (thanks to bad developing), finally got to the state’s website (that is VERY badly designed, as well), where she was required to create a new account. I walked her through a few other steps, and she then felt comfortable enough to try it on her own. I wound up going back a couple more times. In the end, she was not able to accomplish her goal, because it said her license was not eligible for online renewal. It didn’t say why, of course, because of aforementioned bad developing, but it was likely that she had done this last time. But who knows? Because it didn’t say.

This, of course, means that she will have to go through the excruciatingly painful process of making an appointment to go in-person to get it done. The thing that made the experience memorable and positive is her gratitude for my help. Over and over, she kept saying, “Thank you,” and “I’m learning.” She wasn’t just out to get someone to do it for her. She truly wanted to learn how to do this. So it was a good, positive experience, even though she was unable to complete the process.

It’s an off-work Saturday for me, which means, of course, that I will be working Monday, and next Saturday. C and I have been trying to come up with something to do today. She really wants to get out of the house and do something, but also knows her limitations, as she is still recovering not only from hip-replacement surgery, but also the recent diagnosis of a UTI. We thought about driving up to Oklahoma to the Winstar Casino, but it’s raining, this morning, and looks like it will be raining until mid-afternoon. I looked at current movies that are out, and it’s pretty dismal. Project Hail Mary is the only one I’m even remotely interested in, and it’s Science Fiction, so C probabl wouldn’t like it.

Today’s first cup of coffee is Cafe Ole Snickernut Cookie, from HEB. It is not one of the Favorite Five, but it’s pretty good. “Medium-bodied and smooth, this variety offers sweet vanilla and spicy cinnamon flavor in every sip.” I believe I’ve mentioned already that I prefer Cinnamon Hazelnut and will return to that flavor after this box is finished. The second cup is Moka Java, from Angelino’s. “Full-bodied with nutty and chocolate notes.” This is probably the darkest roast (medium-dark) that I have, currently. The nutty and chocolate notes are more evident in the aroma than in the taste, but it’s a decent flavor, definitely “full-bodied.”

It’s burger night at the Bickleyhouse tonight. That’s our traditional Saturday night dinner on Saturdays when I don’t work.

Oh. I almost forgot. Yesterday, I did wind up writing an original Haiku. Here it is.

Prayer Haiku

Pray without doubting
Pray with a believing heart
We know He hears us

And this morning, I wrote another one, based on the Psalm for both yesterday and today.

Psalm 49

Death, the Bad Shepherd
But God will ransom my soul
Why should I fear death?

JESUS TIME

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me! Protected by Your mighty hand, I have passed the night. Lord, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies You have shown me. As I thank You for all the gracious protection, I think of all those who are in sorrow and tribulation, in sickness, in poverty, in shame, in anguish of soul. I beseech You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, to comfort my brothers and sisters with the assurance of Your unchanging grace and loving-kindness. Strengthen their faith. Preserve them from misbelief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Teach them to humble themselves under Your mighty hand by recognizing Your gracious purpose to work through tribulation patience, through patience experience, through experience hope that will not make them ashamed. Help all sufferers to best their trials until at last Your kingdom comes. Deliver us all from every evil work and preserve us unto Your heavenly kingdom; in the name of Jesus. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 16, Saturday Morning)

Father, today is another gift from You. Every good thing I enjoy is from You, and I thank You for Your abundant blessings. All I own is Yours, to be used for Your good purposes and especially for the good of others. Where I would take these blessings and use them selfishly, move me instead to generosity, kindness, goodness, and love. Among the greatest gifts You’ve given me are the people in my life—especially my family, friends, and neighbors. I want them to know Your love and to feel cared for and blessed when they are with me. Fill me with Your Spirit that they see Jesus through me today. In His name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Saturday Morning)

God our Father, look upon us with love. You redeem us and make us Your children in Christ. Give us true freedom and bring us to the inheritance You promised. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Easter 2, Opening Prayer)

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:6 ESV)
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
(Colossians 2:13-14 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. That Christ, who began this good work in me, will bring it to completion
  2. That I am crucified with Christ, and no longer a slave to sin
  3. That the Lord has made Himself easy to find; seek Him while He may be found
  4. For “But God“
  5. That Christ has overcome the world; if I am in Him (and I am), then I am never alone; the wholeness of the Trinity is always with me
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 49:13-20

This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;
   yet after them people approve of their boasts.                 Selah
Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
   death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.
   Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.
But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
   for he will receive me.                                                               Selah

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,
   when the glory of his house increases.
For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
   his glory will not go down after him.
For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —
   and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—
his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,
   who will never again see light.
Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
(Psalms 49:13-20 ESV)

Untamed Prayers – “But God Will Ransom My Soul,” by Chad Bird

Picking up where we left off yesterday in this psalm, we are reminded, again, that we will, eventually, die. And unlike the Lord, who is our Shepherd of Psalm 23, death is seen as the shepherd in this psalm. “Death, with a rod and staff, is herding souls not beside still waters and green pastures, but into the yawning chasm of the grace, into the bowels of Sheol. Death is the bad shepherd, who does not lay down his live for the sheep but puts down the life of the sheep for himself.”

Focusing on “those who have foolish confidence” (verse 13), this psalm tells us that this person, “when he dies . . . will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him” (verses 16-17). He will get plenty of praise while he is alive, but “his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light” (verses 18-19).

“In the middle of this section, however, there is the ever-hopeful ‘but God.’ ‘But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me’ (49:15). But God is not the God of the dead but of the living, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and me and you, all of those in Christ, who laid down his life for us. But God has given us a fortune beyond all reckoning: the gold of his love, mercy, and grace in the gift of his Son. But God the Father, in Jesus our good shepherd, has ransomed us from the power of Sheol, for his Son walked upright from the grave of death and slew the wolf of death, who was masquerading as a shepherd. Receive us, O Lord, for you are our life.”

Anyone who has known me for very long knows that “But God” are two of my favorite words in Scripture. If it were not for “But God,” we would be lost, eternally, with no hope, whatsoever. And that is why I am grateful for “But God!”

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Oh, my Lord, I praise You for the words, “But God” that we find so often in Your Holy Word! My life was humming along okay, last year, Lord. I mean, things were okay, not bad, and I was in an okay place. But February 17 was truly a “But God” day as You invaded my life like You never had before, turned everything upside down, broke down some serious walls, began rebuilding a new me and delivered me from countless things. I praise You, Lord!

Today, the psalm speaks of death as a “bad shepherd,” and then reminds me that “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol!” And God, You did that with Jesus Christ, my Savior! Therefore, I have nothing to fear, and most certainly not death! I have nothing to fear from that “bad shepherd” because of my Good Shepherd, Jesus, who is constantly leading me to green pastures and still waters, and restoring my soul daily.

Thank You, thank You, thank You, my Lord!!! Thank You, thank You, thank You, Jesus!!!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen!

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! But God!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

“Preach CHRIST, Always and Evermore”

Jeff

Today is Friday, the twenty-seventh day of March, 2026, in the fifth week of Lent.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always!

It is the 86th day of 2026, and there are 279 days left in the year.

Only two more days until Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, and R’s birthday.

Day 24,851 of my life

There are several interesting “holidays” today. It is World Theater Day. It is also Wear A Hat Day, but I do that most days. It is National Acoustic Soul Day, celebrating “the soulful melodies of acoustic music. And it is International Whisk(e)y Day. So take your pick. There are a few others, but those were the ones most interesting to me.

Daily writing prompt
What’s something most people don’t understand?
View all responses

Honestly, I don’t like this question. “Most people.” I’m not sure how to answer it. There are certainly some things I don’t understand. I’m willing to bet most people don’t understand quantum physics. I’m not even sure the quantum physicists understand quantum physics. It might even be safe to say that most people don’t understand God. I don’t “understand” God. I feel like I know Him to a degree. But “understand?” Uh-uh. Not even close.

Today should be a normal Friday for me. I will be in the library computer center from 9:15-6:15 today. Last night was really busy! I don’t normally work on Thursday nights, so it was very strange. One patron printed 1265 pages! It took the better part of an hour, and there were a couple of other people waiting to print, like one page, which was very frustrating to them. Unfortunately, we only have one print station, and there is no way to pause it to print a shorter document. It wouldn’t be worth the cost to put in a second station, because this kind of thing rarely happens.

C will be resting, today, hopefully, and not working. She’s not supposed to be working. Hopefully, here people will leave her alone.

JESUS TIME

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, my Savior, I approach You in this morning hour, beseeching You to let Your grace and mercy go with me through the day. Let Your presence give me the blessed assurance of Your divine protection amid dangers, guidance amid uncertainty, and strength against temptations. Bless the labors of my hands. Bless our home with Your continued presence. Bless our nation, and let righteousness and peace prevail. Bless Your Church, and keep her in Your Word and truth. Bless our schools, and grant that boys and girls may grow in grace and knowledge of You and Your will. Remember not the sins of my youth nor my many trespasses. Bring me safely home tonight, and keep me steadfast in faith; through Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. Amen.
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 28, Friday Morning)

Dear Lord, “Direct, control, suggest this day all I design or do or say that all my pow’rs with all their might in Thy sole glory may unite” (LSB 868:5). You have awakened me for another day of service and witnessing to Your greatness. Grant me opportunities to do so with a cheerful spirit. Give me patience and perseverance where needed. May my service encourage other Christians to witness and serve You. Keep far from me Satan and his temptation to sin. Watch over those whom I love. Guard them with Your holy angels and strengthen their faith and trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Friday Morning)

Lord, grant us Your forgiveness and set us free from our enslavement to sin. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(For All the Saints, Friday of the Week of Lent 5, Opening Prayer)

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
   when brothers dwell in unity!
(Psalms 133:1 ESV)

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 15:5-6 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

  1. For this admonition/call to unity and harmony of the Body of Christ; may we do better 
  2. That though the mountains depart and the hills be removed, the steadfast love of Christ will never depart from me, nor His peace be removed (Isaiah 54:10) 
  3. For the opportunity for confession and absolution every Sunday morning; what joy to hear and know that my sins are forgiven 
  4. That I am blessed to attend a church where my pastors faithfully “preach CHRIST, always and evermore” (C.H. Spurgeon) 
  5. That Christ continues to bring me higher in my spiritual journey, and strengthens me against temptations that come with that upward movement 
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 38:17-22 

For I am ready to fall,  
   and my pain is ever before me.  
I confess my iniquity;  
   I am sorry for my sin.  
But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,  
   and many are those who hate me wrongfully.  
Those who render me evil for good  
   accuse me because I follow after good.  
 
Do not forsake me, O LORD!  
   O my God, be not far from me!  
Make haste to help me,  
   O Lord, my salvation!  
(Psalms 38:17-22 ESV) 

From Untamed Prayers, “I Confess My Iniquity,” by Chad Bird 

Oh, but this is beautiful, today, as it highlights my second-favorite part of every Sunday morning’s worship. 

The psalmist uses ten words to sum up the entire psalm. “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin” (verse 18). Truly, does this not sum up my entire life?? Bird says that the Hebrew word for “confess” (nagad) is related to another Hebrew word, neged,” which means “In front of, before the face.” So by confessing, what we are doing is putting our sin “in front of us.” We are, in effect, “facing up” to our sin. “No blame-shifting, finger-pointing, or lawyering up.” (Remember Adam in the garden? “That woman you gave me, she gave me the fruit, so I ate it!” Who is Adam really blaming there? Hmm?) And, says Bird, the word that is translated “sorry” in our ESV translation really has a meaning that is more like “anxious.” In fact, the NASB reads, “I am full of anxiety because of my sin.”  
 
Here’s the thing. God knows about our sin, right? “Vanity of vanities is trying to slip something past an all-seeing Lord! We too already know our sin. So what’s to stop us from confessing? Simple: the fear of speaking the truth.” 
 
Confession is good for the soul, right? David, in Psalm 32:3, says, “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” Brothers and sisters, I have been there!! 
 
But confession isn’t enough, is it? “It does us no good to fess up to the Judge of all, if he merely glares at us or walks away. What we truly need is for our Father to comfort us when we are finished confessing. To say, ‘My child, I love you, I remove your sin as far as the east is from the west (cf. Ps. 103:12). I have buried it in the crucified body of my Son, who left your iniquity buried in his short-used grave. Be of good cheer. You are forgiven.” for though confession is good for the soul, absolution is best.” 
 
This, my brothers and sisters, is why that part of the service is my second-favorite part (Communion is first, but has to come after that, of course). After we say our confession, to hear my pastors say these words: “Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, forgives us all our sins. As a called an ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (emphasis mine). 

And we all say, “Amen!” 

From For All the Saints – Friday of the Week of Lent 5 

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 
 
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 
(2 Corinthians 4:1-12 ESV) 

“The word ‘sermon’ is said to signify ‘a thrust,’ and, therefore, in sermonizing it must be our aim to use the subject in hand with energy and effect, and the subject must be capable of such employment. To choose mere moral themes will be to use a wooden dagger; but the great truths of revelation are as sharp swords. Keep to doctrines which stir the conscience and the heart. . . . Hence I urge you to keep to the old-fashioned gospel, and to that only, for assuredly it is the power of God unto salvation. Of all I would wish to say this is the sum: my brethren, preach CHRIST, always and evermore. He is the whole gospel. His person, offices, and work must be our one great, all-comprehending theme. The world needs still to be told of its Saviour, and of the way to reach him. Justification by faith should be, far more than it is, the daily testimony of Protestant pulpits; and if with this master-truth there should be more generally associated the other great doctrines of grace, the better for our churches and our age. . . . We are not called to proclaim philosophy and metaphysics, but the simple gospel. Man’s fall, his need of a new birth, forgiveness through an atonement, and salvation as the result of faith – these are our battle-axe and weapons of war. We have enough to do to learn and teach these great truths, and accursed be that learning which shall divert us from our mission, or that willful ignorance which shall cripple us in its pursuit. More and more am I jealous lest any views upon prophecy, church government, politics, or even systematic theology should withdraw one of us from glorying in the cross of Christ. . . . Blessed is that ministry of which CHRIST IS ALL.” 
(Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “Lectures to My Students”) 

I almost cannot imagine what it must have been like to hear this dear saint preach! But one thing I do know: I am blessed to attend a church where my pastors do exactly what he encourages here. They “preach CHRIST, always and evermore!” 

From My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers 

“Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 
(Revelation 4:1 ESV) 

“The golden rule in temptation is – Go higher. When you get higher up, you face other temptations and characteristics.” And when God brings us up higher, He doesn’t leave us clinging to some razor-thin pinnacle, hanging on for dear life. No, He brings us to “a great tableland where it is easy to move. . . . 
 
“Compare this week in your spiritual history with the same week last year and see how God has called you up higher.” At this point, I wrote a huge “!” In the book! This same week last year was just over a month after my transformation began. I was moving upward, rather rapidly, as Christ worked miracles in my life. But this upward movement continued on, and I can say, with great confidence, that I am ever so much higher in Christ today than I was a year ago. The “whooshes” don’t come as fast and furiously as they did at first, and that’s okay. And, as Chambers writes, the temptations have also changed, over this journey. I have been completely delivered from some of my “besetting sins.” That is marvelous. But others that dwelt more deeply within me, buried under those “surface sins,” have arisen to take their place. And Christ continues to work on those, as well.  

“Growth in grace is measured not by the fact that you have not gone back, but that you have an insight into where you are spiritually.”  

We give Thee thanks, Almighty God, for that inward light by which in the midst of outward darkness and outward light, we may behold, as far as may be, Thy purposes and Thy doings, and see under all things Thy judgments, and being upheld by perfect trust in Thee, in times of evil we may rejoice, and in days of darkness be fearless and in times of light be unbewildered and undeceived, and pass on through life in safety, led by Thy sure guidance. Forgive us when we forget or fall away from Thee, when the lights of time hide the lights of eternity. Amen. 
(For All the Saints, Friday of the Week of Lent 5, Closing Prayer, George Dawson) 

Father, You have spoken great things to me, this morning, and I am rejoicing. I thank You for the ongoing transformation and maturity that You are gifting me in my journey with Christ Your Son! I thank You for this ever-upward call that You have placed on my life, and that You have delivered me from my sinfulness, but are also strengthening me against new and different temptations along the way. I rejoice that I can look back on this same week a year ago, as Chambers suggests, and see that I am continuing to go higher with You. However, keep humility in front of me as I go, Lord, that I may never think that I am any better than anyone else, for I am most certainly not. Nor have I “arrived,” dear Lord, for there is ever so much farther to go. Infinitely farther, in fact.

I praise You for my pastors, Lord, who have never allowed philosophy, politics, or any other topic to be more important than preaching “CHRIST, always and evermore!” And I thank You for the confession and absolution that we are blessed with every Sunday morning, before we are then fed by Your Word and by the Sacrament of Holy Communion. What joy! And what pleasures are ours by Your side forever more, Lord! Joy in Your presence, pleasures forevermore at Your right hand (Psalm 16:11).

Glory to You, Lord God of our fathers;
You are worthy of praise;
glory to You.
Glory to You for the radiance of Your holy Name;
we will praise You and highly exalt You for ever.
Glory to You in the splendor of Your temple;
on the throne of Your majesty, glory to You.
Glory to You, seated between the Cherubim;
we will praise You and highly exalt You for ever.
Glory to You, beholding the depths;
in the high vault of heaven, glory to You.
Glory to You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
we will praise You and highly exalt You for ever.
(TeDeum)

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Drink deep of the mercy and grace of Christ, always and evermore!

CHRIST IS EVERYTHING!!!

Separated

Jeff4 Comments

Today is Saturday, the 31st and last day of January 2026, in the third week of Epiphany.

“May the peace of God wrap around you
As you’re held in His love
May He meet you with hope and healing and truth
As You’re held in His arms.”
(Held, Dana Miller and Megan Tibbits)

It is day 31 of 2026, with 334 days left in the year.

18 more days until Ash Wednesday.

Day 24,796 of my life

Daily writing prompt
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
View all responses

Interesting question. There are extreme things, like skydiving. I don’t think there’s enough money in the world to get me to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. On purpose. Bungee jumping. Or however you spell that (must be okay, because there’s no squiggly red line under it). Apparently, I’m afraid of falling. And, as has been said by others, I’m sure, it’s not so much the falling that I’m afraid of, it’s the sudden stop at the end.

But in the less extreme arena, I’m deathly afraid of speaking in public. I have preached one time in my entire life, back in the first church I ever worked at as a music minister (that’s what we called “worship leader” back in the seventies). It did not go well. Give me a guitar or keyboard and I will sing songs about Jesus from a platform or stage all day long! But ask me to just talk in front of a microphone (or even in front of a group without one), and I’m terrified. What would it take for me to do it? A completely written speech, preferably by someone else. And a guarantee that everyone in the “audience” was there because they desperately wanted to hear what I had to say.

Today is a work Saturday for me. And there’s really not much else to say about it. It’s really cold again (for DFW), with a current temperature of 20 degrees. And it’s not supposed to get above freezing today, but there’s no precipitation, and, as far as I can tell, not much in the way of clouds, even. So, even though there may be a few places where our ice from last weekend hasn’t melted, everything should be clear.

JESUS TIME

“I thank You, heavenly Father, for setting Your angel to guard my slumber during the night past and for the day of grace and service into which You have awakened me. Keep me steadfast in the awareness of Your protection and in faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Lord, make me mindful of the temptations of sinful care, selfishness, and impure desires, which beset me on every side and from within. Help me in this hour to put on anew the armor of light, that I may be fitted with every weapon of offense and defense against the perils that threaten my spiritual life. Let Your Gospel call me with new sweetness to be reconciled to you; let Your Spirit call me with new power to follow You. Teach me to live this day as though it is my last on earth, knowing that whether I live or whether I die I am present with You. Be my Protector, my Guide, and my Father; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” 
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 30, Saturday Morning) 

“All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept and hast refreshed me while I slept; grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake, I may of endless light partake” (LSB 868:3). Loving heavenly Father, gracious Lord God, my strength and my solace, I begin my day with prayer, asking You to guide and direct me, cheer my spirit, and deepen my love for You, who loves me as a father loves his child. I love You because You sent Jesus to redeem me. For this I give You my heartfelt thanks, praise, and adoration. I rely on You; I depend on You; I trust You. Having You at my side, I am confident and content. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Saturday Morning) 

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,  
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.  
(Psalms 86:5 ESV) 

Today I am grateful:

  1. That I have seen miracles in my life, and have seen Jesus in them 
  2. That I am alive and awake, and have been given another new day to serve Christ 
  3. For the gift of God’s love in Christ, and that nothing can ever separate me from that love 
  4. That He will never forsake those who seek Him 
  5. That my faith is not in my own perceived goodness or holiness, which are effects of my Redemption; my faith is in Christ alone, my Rock, my only trust 
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 9 

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; 
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. 
I will be glad and exult in you;  
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.  
 
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,  
a stronghold in times of trouble.  
And those who know your name put their trust in you,  
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.  
 
Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail;  
let the nations be judged before you!  
Put them in fear, O LORD!  
Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah. 
(Psalms 9:1-2, 9-10, 19-20 ESV) 

“If I could tell it all, 
I would say thank you 
For the toppled statues, 
For the dusk of gods sun 
Only in dead languages. 
For wild grape vines tangled 
In the timbers of a century 
That frame our little picture 
Of eternity. And I remember 
There was justice, maybe, since 
I hope the dead might be 
Remembered, though their names, 
Outnumbered by the stones 
Once used to mark the exit spot, 
Are worn down, in an alphabet 
That can’t be read aloud. 
 
Not always and not ever, maybe 
Masters will stick in the mud 
Of what they most admired, 
Boasting how their acts 
Engraved in stone erased 
Accounts of people sacrificed 
To feed the maw, the pointless 
Grim machinery of nations: 
If there is something other 
Than our selves, they will not win 
Forever, will some time remember 
They are human, and may even 
Know themselves, and feel afraid.” 
(Laurance Wieder, Words to God’s Music, Psalm 9, PERSONAL) 

The following is from My Utmost For His Highest, by Oswald Chambers

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,  
(Romans 1:1 ESV) 

“Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the Gospel of God. The one thing that is all important is that the Gospel of God should be realized as the abiding Reality. Reality is not human goodness, nor holiness, nor heaven, nor hell; but Redemption; and the need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. . . . Personal holiness is an effect, not a cause, and if we place our faith in human goodness, in the effect of Redemption, we shall go under when the test comes. 
 
Paul did not consider that he separated himself, but said, “when it pleased God who separated me . . .” Paul was not interested in his own character. “As long as our eyes are upon our own personal whiteness we shall never get near the reality of Redemption. Workers break down because their desire is for their own whiteness, and not for God.” If what I want is for God to make me more desirable in my own eyes, I am missing the reality of the Gospel of God; it has not yet touched me! “God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul is unconscious of himself, he is recklessly abandoned, separated by God for one purpose – to proclaim the Gospel of God (cf. Rom. 9:3).” 

“Most glorious Trinity, in Thy mercy we commit to Thee this day our souls, our bodies, all our ways and goings, all our deeds and purposes. We pray Thee so to open our hearts and mouths, that we may praise Thy name, which above all names is holy; and since Thou has created us for the praise of Thy holy name, grant that our lives may be to thine honor, and that we may serve Thee in Thy love and fear. Amen.” 
(For All the Saints, Saturday of the Week of Epiphany 3, Closing Prayer, J.K. Wilhelm Loehe) 

Father, I thank You for the redemption of my soul, that You have accomplished in Jesus Christ. Any goodness or holiness that I might have is because of Him. I have not goodness on my own, Lord, but only through You. I pray that You would continue to do Your marvelous work of redemption in my life, Lord and make me more and more focused on Your Gospel truth and Your beautiful, beautiful Word. Help me, this year, Father, to hide more and more of Your Word in my heart.

You have separated me unto Your cause, Lord, and I pray to remain faithful to that cause and to no other. I put my trust in You, through Christ, alone, Lord. Thank You for everything.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

“I commend unto Thee, O Lord, 
my soul and my body, 
my mind and my thoughts, 
my prayers and all my vows, 
my senses and my members, 
my life and my death; 
my brothers, sisters, and their children, 
friends and benefactors, 
household, neighbors, 
country, and all Christian folk. 
 
Amen. 
(For All the Saints – Sunday of the Week of Lent 3, Closing Prayer, Lancelot Andrewes) 

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Drink deep!

My Life . . . A Romance

Jeff

Today is Friday, the 30th day of January, 2026, in the third week of Epiphany.

May the peace of Christ surround you, today, and guard your hearts and minds!

It is day 30 of 2026, with 335 days left in the year.

Only 19 days until the beginning of the Lenten season.

Day 24,795 of my life

It’s National Fun at Work Day! And I’m going to work for the first time since last Friday! And while my whole day may not be “fun,” I always have at least some fun, working at the library!

It’s also Yodel for Your Neighbors Day. I mean, if you can really yodel, bring it on!

Daily writing prompt
What do you complain about the most?
View all responses

On principle, I am not going to answer this question, and I’ll give you a reason. I’ll give you several, in fact. For one thing, there is already way too much complaining in our world, today. It seems like I can’t open up social media without seeing complaining and whining (yes, I realize that sounds like a complaint, but bear with me). So I really try, really hard, to not add to that noise, because that is all it is, noise. Another reason is this:

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
(Philippians 2:14-16 ESV)

And this:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)

And that’s why, one of the first things I do each do is begin my gratitude list. And I post that gratitude list all over social media, not so I can appear to be “holier than thou,” because I assure you, I am most definitely NOT! But so that maybe, just maybe, I will inspire someone else to stop complaining and be grateful.

Today will be a semi-normal Friday. I plan to be at work in the library computer center from 9:15-6:15. I may be there before this blog is completed. C continues to rest and recover, and is doing pretty well. I haven’t talked to her yet, this morning, because she is still sleeping, which is good. I got a really good night of sleep, last night, much better than the night before.

And, since it looks like I’ve already started, let’s get on with

JESUS TIME

“Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, my Savior, I approach You in this morning hour, beseeching You to let Your grace and mercy go with me through the day. Let Your presence give me the blessed assurance of Your divine protection amid dangers, guidance amid uncertainty, and strength against temptations. Bless the labors of my hands. Bless our home with Your continued presence. Bless our nation, and let righteousness and peace prevail. Bless Your Church, and keep her in Your Word and truth. Bless our schools, and grant that boys and girls may grow in grace and knowledge of You and Your will. Remember not the sins of my youth nor my many trespasses. Bring me safely home tonight, and keep me steadfast in faith; through Jesus Christ, my Redeemer. Amen.” 
(Lutheran Book of Prayer, Prayer 28, Friday Morning) 

Dear Lord, “Direct, control, suggest this day all I design or do or say that all my pow’rs with all their might in Thy sole glory may unite” (LSB 868:5). You have awakened me for another day of service and witnessing to Your greatness. Grant me opportunities to do so with a cheerful spirit. Give me patience and perseverance where needed. May my service encourage other Christians to witness and serve You. Keep far from me Satan and his temptation to sin. Watch over those whom I love. Guard them with Your holy angels and strengthen their faith and trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 
(Portals of Prayer, Prayer for Friday Morning) 

Do not swerve to the right or to the left;  
turn your foot away from evil.  
(Proverbs 4:27 ESV) 

Today I am grateful:

  1. That God never changes, He is still a God of wonder; Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever 
  2. That the Lord of Creation is mindful of us and cares for us 
  3. For the gifts that God has given me, and that He stirs my heart to use them for His glory 
  4. That because of the finished work of Christ, I can draw near to God with a tru heart in full assurance of faith, having been washed clean in the waters of Baptism 
  5. That my life with God, this past year, has literally been a “romance”; “Speak, Lord,” for Your servant is listening! 
Lord, in Your mercy, hear, now, the prayers lifted up to you for all who need strength, healing, comfort, and peace. 

If you are reading this, I encourage you to stop and pray for someone, at this time. Or, if there is something on your heart, please leave a comment. What can I pray for you?

Psalm of the Day – Psalm 8 

O LORD, our Lord,  
how majestic is your name in all the earth!  
You have set your glory above the heavens.  
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,  
you have established strength because of your foes,  
to still the enemy and the avenger.  
 
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,  
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,  
what is man that you are mindful of him,  
and the son of man that you care for him?  
 
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings  
and crowned him with glory and honor.  
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;  
you have put all things under his feet,  
all sheep and oxen,  
and also the beasts of the field,  
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,  
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.  
 
O LORD, our Lord,  
how majestic is your name in all the earth!  
(Psalms 8:1-9 ESV) 

“Although we cannot say your name 
Aloud, both earth and sky 
Hang moving pictures of your present, 
Giving children speech and strength 
To quiet even angry strangers. 
When I look at the sky, the night sky 
Moonlit, starred with patterns 
That go past me, I wonder 
What we are, that you take notice? 
Or our children, who can sing 
Songs we’ve forgotten? We stand 
Just below angels, who see glory, 
Honor as we do those fields, trees, 
Mountains, chasms, rivers, oceans 
You have given us sway over: 
Grazing herds and feral stalkers, 
Creatures of the house and barnyard, 
Songbirds, shore birds, fish, whatever 
Swims or sails through the deep. 
Yet all these goods spread out 
Before us, for generations, 
Do not begin to sound one syllable 
Of what the whole earth knows 
Best left unsaid.” 
(Laurance Wieder, Words to God’s Music, Psalm 8, JUST BELOW) 

Once again, I am faced with a tough decision, as I have had three really good devotional readings, this morning. Perhaps I can work two of them in, without making this too long. Who am I kidding? It’s already too long. But here goes . . .

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers writes of little Samuel’s first encounter with God. In his writing, he focuses on 1 Samuel 3:15, in which Samuel is afraid to tell Eli his vision from God. But I’m focusing on a different part of the story (which Chambers also writes about), found in these verses.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 
 
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”  
(1 Samuel 3:8-10) 

I love what Chambers says, here. “Nothing touches our lives but it is God Himself speaking. Do we discern His hand or only mere occurrence?” Do we believe in coincidences? I do not. And I do believe that everything happens for a reason. That’s just not something I’m going to say to someone while trying to comfort them in tragedy. 

Chambers advises us, “Get into the habit of saying, ‘Speak, Lord,’ and life will become a romance. Every time circumstances press, say, ‘Speak, Lord’; make time to listen.” 

Do you remember a time when God spoke to you? What Scripture has He used? In the past year, He has used several to speak to me. One of them has been Isaiah 58:12.  

And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; 
    you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; 
you shall be called the repairer of the breach, 
    the restorer of streets to dwell in. 

Another is John 1:5 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

And I never honestly thought to call my life a “romance” until today! I know that, in the past year, I have said, multiple times, that I am more in love with Jesus than I have ever been. So, yeah. My life is a romance with Christ, and I am not ashamed or afraid to say that. His love is all I want. His love is all I need. Christ is everything! 

In Everyday Gospel, Paul David Tripp covers Exodus 36-38, today. In this passage, the Bible describes the artistry of Bezalel and Oholiab as they create and build things for the tabernacle. God put the skill into these men, just as He has put skills and gifts into me. God is the Creator, and He owns me. Therefore, He also owns not only any gifts that I have, but any creation that comes out of those gifts.  

He is the source of my ability to create any kind of art. He decided to give the skill to create it to me. Romans 11:36 says, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”  

The gifts do not belong to me, and they are not given for my glory. God put the gifts into my mind, and then He stirs my heart to use them for His glory. 

“Lord, let me hunger enough that I not forget the world’s hunger. 
Lord, let me hunger enough that I may have bread to share. 
Lord let me hunger enough that I may long for the Bread of Heaven. 
Lord, let me hunger enough that I may be filled. 
But, O Lord, let me not hunger so much that I seek after that which is not bread, not to try to live by bread alone. Amen.” 
(For All the Saints, Closing Prayer, Banquet of Praise) 

My Lord, I praise You for the “romance” that has been my life in the last eleven months, as I have said to You, repeatedly, “Speak, Lord!” Thank You for giving me eyes to see, ears to hear, that I might listen to the wonderful words that You have given me. I also praise You and thank You for the gifts of creativity that You have given me. And You have given those gifts for Your own glory, not for mine. Thank You for giving me the heart to use those gifts for Your glory and to not attempt to take any for myself.

I also thank You that I am able to draw near to You in full assurance of faith, thanks to the finished work of Christ, my Savior, on the cross. I have been washed in the waters of Baptism, in which You washed me clean and claimed me as Yours for all eternity.

Thank You for working all things out for my good, Lord, for Your glory and my good.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

(I listened to this song on repeat on my drive to work, this morning. Loud. Christ is my only hope! He is everything!)

Grace and peace, my brothers and sisters! Drink deep!

Because Jesus!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜