My Journey Journal

While reading through Ruth I was struck by several things about Ruth’s story and a parallel between her and her best-known great grandson, King David.

 

 

 

 

Physical Beauty

Firstly, Ruth was not noted for her beauty.  That’s not to say she was homely but when Ruth asked Boaz why she’d found favor with him he answered that it was “All that you have done for your mother-in-law ….”  Read more... (1335 words, 3 images, estimated 5:20 mins reading time)

Joy, peace and patience.

 

 

In a recent small group session we discussed ways we can see how David fit into God’s greater plan, including some of David’s Psalms.  King David is credited with over 70 psalms, almost half of the psalms in the Bible.  In one of his first, Psalm 59, David tucks a clause in that struck me.

 

O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.
Psalm 59:9 ESV

   Read more... (1442 words, 1 image, estimated 5:46 mins reading time)

But [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

 

Sometimes I’m tired.  Sometimes I want to blog, to write something encouraging; my heart wants to express things but I get tired from the mental work and the things that pull at me and chip at me.  None of it is overwhelming, individually, but collectively it can be wit-dulling and energy-sapping.  Read more... (730 words, 1 image, estimated 2:55 mins reading time)

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 NLT

 

I started off the other morning OK and found opportunities to demonstrate joy and peace.  Sometimes I deal with the opportunities well; sometimes not so much.

As Peter did, I took my eyes off Jesus, looked to the circumstances around me and I found myself floundering.

 

Things that I tried navigating as I got the family up, ready and on our way:  Read more... (455 words, 2 images, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

 

With a family, a career and other group or avocational responsibilities making time for God must become a priority of the desperate.

 

I use a journal to keep track of people and prayer requests although I don’t go to it every week.  This isn’t a “do it or else you’ve not done enough” exercise; it’s more rooted in:  Read more... (704 words, 2 images, estimated 2:49 mins reading time)