Psalms For Psalms- Day 46

Psalms 46- Chariots of Fire

When all things seem dim

God’s light shines through 

Though the mountains tremble

Our hearts hold fast in You

God loves ever presently with us

Daily in our midst

Despite the nations raging

God rules with an iron fist

Who is this mighty God?

The One who burns chariots of fire

Be still, and know He is God

He is our hearts desire

Psalms For Psalms- Day 45

A Father’s love for his children runs deeper than the biggest ocean. 

As a father now, I see more clarity. Leading my children through life is a blessing and a weight. I feel a great calling of responsibility and care that I never had before.

Our Father in heaven feels the same way. He cares for us more than we could ever care for ourselves. He lead us in the way of righteousness, and picks us up when we are down or hurting.

God, may I be quick to draw to You when I sin or fall off the way that is right. Help me run to You as a child runs to their Father.

Thank you for loving me God!

Psalms 45- An Oil That Keeps Pouring Out

Like the waters in the sea

Your throne is forever God

One look at all of creation

And our hearts are awed

When we are with You

Our hearts are made glad

An oil that keeps pouring out

Consistent love that even cheers the sad

Marriage shows beautiful love

Two are united as one

Pointing us back to the Father

Who gave us His only Son

Psalms For Psalms- Day 44

Last night at family camp, I stayed up until the early hours of the morning playing pickleball with the other dads at camp. 

The pride dwelling in me sought eternal pickleball glory; at least, that’s how I probably viewed it in the moment. But after it was all said and done, I was exhausted. Nothing else left in the tank. And by the way, no one cares about how good or bad in pickleball you are….

You know who doesn’t care how much energy you have? 

Young kids. 

Despite what you did the night before, they are going to be up and at em ready for your love and full attention first thing in the morning. And that’s exactly what Merritt did at 5:30 am to my chagrin.

So, I dragged myself out of bed and put my running shoes on to take her in the stroller. I was so tired I couldn’t even run, so I pushed her gently down the rolling Tyler hills with Shane and Shane music by my side.

As I was feeling sorry for myself, it came to me. How consistent is our own Father’s Love for us. He doesn’t get tired. He just keeps loving us consistently every day. He is the Keeper of our lives, hearts and souls. 

And God does a much better job of tending to my heart than I do with my daughter Merritt’s. And praise God for that. He is the only one we can trust and lean on, day in and day out. 

Psalms 44 is a crying out, a heave to the Lord when we ourselves have run ourselves to the end of our rope. “Awake God!” we cry. 

But God has been awake the whole time. He’s been waiting patiently for us as we sleep, watching over our whole being and treasuring each child of His. 

God, remind us of your presence and how You are the Good Father. Remind us that we need You and that you give us life today and eternal life forever. You are the Great Keeper of all souls and You love us more than we can ever imagine!

Psalms 44- For Our Souls You Keep

When fathers tell stories

Children gather to listen 

Eager with anticipation

Little eyes glistening 

We remember days of old

All the mighty deeds done

Everything God has accomplished

And all the battles He won

Despite our boasting 

Our hearts can still be sad

Now we are downtrodden

When we used to be glad 

Awake God! 

Rise from Your sleep!

Do not reject us Forever

For our souls You keep

But You were already awake

Sitting patiently by our side

Watching over our hearts and souls

Ready to greet us with Your arms open wide

Psalms For Psalms- Day 43

My heart has an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

That’s been the theme of the year for our family.

God has been so kind in the many blessings He has bestowed on us. Don’t get me wrong, life can be hard, but when we recognize that our cup is overflowing with the Goodness of God, everything changes. 

We see things differently. Our hearts begin to change. We change out frustration with thankfulness, just like a well needed oil change.

Lord, change my heart, draw me near to You. Continue to overflow my cup and let Your Grace and Mercy overflow to my heart like a waterfall. Leave Your mark on my heart and let it be known to all the world. 

You are good Father, amen.

Psalms 43- Overflowing Cup of Joy

Why are people wicked and unjust?

Why do evil men harm my soul?

Why do the waters rise over me?

God, calm the raging seas and make me whole!

In the mornings, I mourn

In the evenings, I cry

But, In You I take refuge

Blessed God of the Most High

Your light and truth lead me

A beacon in the dark

Bring me to Your Holy Hill

Like an arrow finding it’s mark

I will go to the alter

My cup and joy overflowing 

How blessed are we to be with the King

Oh God the All-Ever-Knowing

Psalms For Psalms- Day 42

Psalms 42-More Colorful Than The Brightest Hue

By the rivers edge my soul rests
My soul longs for you 
So I sit quietly at flowing waters 
Drinking Your Word in through and through 

People ask where my God is
How should I praise one like He?
My life feels like one big ride 
But then I remember how God saved Me

Like a man in over his head
The waters have gone on top of me
I am overwhelmed by the roar of life 
Yet God in His steadfast love rescued me

In the morning, His love is true
The waters are calm and deep blue
In the evening, I’ll pray to You
You are more colorful than the brightest hue

Psalms For Psalms- Day 41

Why do we sing hymns to God?

We sing, because these hymns of praise are true. We sing because we cry out our hearts in either thankfulness or longing towards our Father.

Listening to Shane and Shane this morning and the words ring true. 

"You put a new song in my mouth

A song of praise

Set my feet upon a rock

Out of the miry clay

Oh You have raised me up

I stand amazed

And my song will ever be

Your name"

May these words ring true in our hearts. May we recognize how God has placed us on a rock that we might live.

Thank you God for the Grace You have given us. May we never forget!

Psalms 41- With You My Soul Stands

Blessed is the one who sees the poor

Caring for others in need

We'll be secure in the day of trouble

And blessed in the land indeed

Be gracious to me Father

Heal me, for I am quick to sin

Take this empty heart

And change it from within!

Close friends have turned against me

I've got nothing else left

But God has never failed me

He puts me to safety, in a cleft

Blessed be the Everlasting God

I run into Your strong hands

Knowing I am safe and secure

With You my soul stands

Psalms For Psalms- Day 40

Psalms 40- To You I'll Forever Run

Like a prized fish

You pulled me from the water

Out of the miry bog

Saving me from slaughter

My feet waver on the path

But You make me secure

Molding my wandering heart

Into someone holy and pure

You put praises in my mouth

Your wondrous works bless me

Faithfulness extending to the heavens

On display for all to see

My trust is in You

Your ways are good

You satisfy my soul

More than anything else could

A poem cannot do justice

For all You have done

Let me sing of Your goodness every day

To You I'll forever run 

Psalms For Psalms- Day 39

Life is a mist.

A vapor.

How we use every moment is important.

Do we consider every moment as a gift from God? Or do we take the morning for granted? Does the morning dew give us thankfulness in our hearts?

We ought to approach the throne of God with both confidence and gratitude, thanking God for each day and each precious gift He gives us.

Psalms 39- From Life Until Death

I will guard my ways

Hold them in, with lock and key

Protecting the words of my mouth

Giving every moment to Thee

Help me understand my end

Knowing the measure of my days

Remind me of my fleeting heart

Turn my soul to Your praise

Be not a peace with my tears

For I am prone to wander

Give me rest amidst rough waters

My cries I want You to ponder

My life is just a mist

Merely a short breath

My hope is in You

From life until death 

Psalms For Psalms- Day 38

 Sin. 

It festers. It grows on the inside and manifests all sorts of hell to the rest of the body and the world. 

Why do I know this? Well, I am the chief of sinners. But God, in His great kindness, made a way for me despite my sin. 

Psalms 38 reminds me of Romans 7:18, “For I know that there is nothing good in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”

Pride says that we can muscle it out and do life on our own. But as believers we know that this is simply not true. We cannot do it on our own. 

And that is the beauty of our faith. We don’t have to. God so graciously gave us His son to die for us and put the Holy Spirit in our hearts to convict us of sin and lead us to righteousness.

Thank you God for the Holy Spirit. Thank you for being a God who gets angry at sin and pursues us all the while. Help us run after You and not race this life by ourselves. 

Psalms 38- Rescue Me God

My sin lays heavy on my heart

A boulder crushing my soul

Foolishness abounds in my life

I cannot get out of this hole

My cries are not hidden from You

God, You see my unending pain

My strength has indeed gone out

I’ve lost everything I’ve gained

Rescue me God, bring your rope

Pull me out of the mire

Lead me back into Your arms

Would You be all I desire 

Stir my heart to repent God

I know what is right and true

Convict me of my hurtful sin

Until my heart is fixed to You

Psalms For Psalms- Day 37

There is a moment in Chariots of Fire where Harold Abraham’s re-considers his whole life. He has just lost the race he has been training for many months to win. He cries, “if I can’t win, I won’t run!”

Just like Harold, Psalms 37 puts us at a crossroads of our lives. It forces us to reconsider, is God worth it?

The end of Psalms 37 reminds us that this is true. 

“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever."

Unlike Harold, we don’t have to put our identity and hope in our own performances. God will never let us down.

Keep running the Straight Race and be reminded of God in every moment. Run the race to win as scripture calls us to in 1st Corinthians 9:24. 

Do it with a passionate zeal, with the love of Christ in your sails. 

When Christ is our rudder, all is well. He shall surely carry us to the end!

Psalms 37- You Have Always Been Good

When there is evil all around
But surely You are good
You may take my child to heaven
But surely You are good
You may take my things
But surely You are good
If all is lost but You.
Surely, You are Good

I delight myself in You
Because I know You are good
I wait patiently for You
Because I know You are good
You will not forsake Your saints
Because I know You are good
I have been young and now am old
And You have always been Good

Psalms For Psalms- Day 36

Staring at the clouds, it’s easy to be reminded of the beauty of God. But how often do we credit the Creator? Or do we look up and go about our day?

I’m guilty of the latter, but was convicted by Psalms 36 to be thankful to God in all things!

Thank you God for waking me up this morning. 

Thank you God for my wife

Thank you God for my kids

Thank you God that I have a job

Thank you God for the sky outside

Thank you God for the little joys you bring

Thank you God for sprinklers that keep our grass green

Thank you God for books to learn and imagine

Thank you God for baseball cards and stories of old

Thank you God for friends to laugh with and do life together

Thank you God for blueberry muffins. 

The last goes on and on. It doesn’t have to be a deep intricate message, but a simple heart of gratitude in the daily moments of life.

Thank you God! Help us be reminded of Your constant love and mercy in our lives!

Psalms 36- Faithfulness To The Clouds

The wicked sees no sin 

Deep in his heart

There is no fear of God

Trouble and deceit does he impart

Lord help me reject evil 

I’m so prone to turn my ways

It’s Your steadfast love

That helps me stay 

Your love extends to the heavens

Wider than the longest river 

Faithfulness to the clouds

You are truly the great Giver

We take refuge in You God

Eating abundantly at the table 

Your goodness flows out 

With You we are stable 

Continue Your love forever

Like a life long friend

Be with us every step

Faithful until the end 

Psalms For Psalms- Day 35

In the quiet hour before battle, men quake. Swords are being sharpened. Anxiety settling in. It's go time.

Aragorn's speech at the Black Gate comes to mind.

"I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.

A day may come when the courage of men fails

when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship,

but it is not this day.

An hour of wolves and shattered shields,

when the age of men comes crashing down,

but it is not this day!

This day we fight!!

By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,

I bid you stand, Men of the West!!!"

But everything changes when we have God our King on our side. He's already won the battle, so we run in confidence.

My prayer today is that we would trust in God to go before us and walk confidently to the throne of Christ Jesus our Savior.

Psalms 35- God is my Shield

Warriors prepare for battle

But God is my shield

My I trust You in the darkest hour

To God my spirit yields

Drive away evil men

Like chaff in the wind

May their way be dark and slippery

Those who have sinned

We stand firm in the heat of battle

Knowing God's sword is drawn

Hacking down our enemies

Until every one is gone

When I see your victory

In You I will rejoice

All my bones will cry out

With a loud voice

In the great congregation we praise You

All voices together as one

Giving thanks to God in Heaven

The Father, Spirit, & Son

Psalms For Psalms- Day 34

The beginning of Psalms 34 is convicting... "I will bless the Lord at all times"

Do we really bless God at all times? Or do we bless the Lord only when things are going well?

My brother in law gave me some of the best parenting advice I've ever heard. He said, "When a baby cries, consider it a monastic calling of the bells to go to God and pray every time you hear those cries"

Last night, I was rocking Merritt and praying to God, thanking Him for the wonderful gift of my kids and wife.

I don't always get it right, but in that moment, I was overwhelmed by the goodness of God's grace and the sweet blessings Christ has given us.

God takes us wherever we are and holds us fast, until we are asleep in His arms just like Merritt was asleep in the picture above.

I pray today that we would bless the Lord at all times, reminding ourselves of the incredible blessings that God has given us.

Psalms 34 starts with a convicting line... "I will bless the Lord at all times

I will bless the Lord at all times

Psalms 34- Bless God At All Times

I will bless the Lord at all times

Even when my baby cries
When the world is in despair
I trust in God who is wise

There is nothing good apart from God
I will boast in Christ Jesus
Magnify the Lord with me
And praise the One who sees us

God answered my prayers
Took me from the lowest of lows
To the highest of highs
Jesus saved me from my woes

Taste and see that the Lord is good!
More satisfying than the best meal
Those who take refuge in Him
Find their hearts healed

God redeems us from nothing
Molds us like clay
Fashions our hearts into a life worth living
Guiding us every step of the way

Psalms For Psalms- Day 33

Everything is better with community. 

When I think about all the miles I got to run with teammates throughout the years, it brings me much joy. The great camaraderie we had, the laughter, the fellowship was truly a blessing in my life. We joked and made fun of each other, shared our hopes and dreams for life, and knew each other better than our own family.

It wasn’t all joy. I remember runs where we shared really difficult things going on in our lives. We got real, we laughter together, but we also cried together. That was community. 

In my life now, I have an amazing community group of people that get to share in our joys, hurts, and pains as well. It is such a treasure to walk through life with people who know you and care for you.

And even more so, how sweet is it that our Lord and Savior gets to walk with us through life. I have this image of running with God, stride for stride, laughing and talking like old friends. The reality is, God is with us. He is running by our side every day. What a gift and privilege it is to run with our God and King. 

My prayer is that we would remember that today, and continue to run after the Straight Race of life with Christ by our side!

Psalms 33- Running By Our Side

When we walk with our God

Praise overflows from our souls

Like an unending waterfall

His steadfast love has made us whole

God spoke a single word

And the earth was made

How the mighty mountains shutter before Him

The enemies of God are afraid

But we stand amazed

At our God and King

Blessed are His people 

To Christ we will forever cling

The Lord brings nations to nothing

Accounted as dust on the scales

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

God Almighty will never fail

The eyes of the Lord are on His people

On those who trust in His grace

We stand forever grateful

To run with God in this race

Psalms For Psalms- Day 32

Psalms For Psalms- Day 32

So often my hard heart doesn't want to go to God and ask for forgiveness when I have sinned and missed the mark. But God is waiting there patiently for us, like the good Father He is. 

I know He is good because of His mercy and forgiveness. When I look at my own life and sin, knowing that God went before me and gave His only son Jesus, it becomes even more wonderful. How could He love a sinner like me?

Yet Yahweh does, every single day. Reminds me of the old hymn that we need to sing to ourselves daily. 

"Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear

and grace my fears relieved

how precious did that grace appear

the hour I first believed"

God, remind of how good your grace is. Give us a sweetness that cannot be surpassed by anything else in the world. Lead us every day and may we run the Straight Race after You.

Psalms 32- Every Day (God Forgives)

Like a child getting into trouble

How quickly we fall away

But we can go to Jesus

Who forgives us every day

That child runs to his father

Straight into his arms

Knowing that no matter what

He is safe from harm

That's how it is with God

When we are prone to sin

He cleanses our iniquities

When we run to Him

To anyone who seeks Him

Come to God in prayer

He is merciful and forgives

Our sins He does bear

Show me where to run Father

God, I need You today

Draw my heart close to You

Would You guide me along the way

Psalms For Psalms- Day 31

Have you ever seen a battleship be built? It takes 3-4 years to be built. Every single part has to be made perfect and ready for battle; a single mistake could be catastrophic to the ships men. 

After the ship is built, the ship must be steered correctly and focused on its mission. What happens if the rudder is off keel? The ship slowly and surely drifts off course. But not immediately, it’s a process that happens by a single degree being miscalculated. 

And such is the case with our lives. We are fashioned perfectly by God as Psalms 139 talks about. But our own selfish desires can steer off course by a degree and lead us into shipwrecks.

I pray that God would guide our course, turn the rudders of our hearts back to Him, and we could rely on the Lord in all things!

Psalms 31- Turn Our Rudders God

Turn your ear to me Father

Rescue me with haste

That I might draw near to you

To get a glimpse, a small taste

You have redeemed me

Brought me from nothing

Fashioned my dying heart

Turned me into something

Be gracious to me God

For I am like a ship

Whose rudder is pointed the wrong way

And bow is about to tip 

Only You can calm the waters

Easing the stormy sea

You take broken vessels like myself 

Fixing the innermost of me

Your goodness is stored up abundantly

Like a farmhouse full of grain

In the middle of the summer heat

Your love pours out like rain 

Love the Lord your God 

All you who call Him friend

It is Him who preserves the faithful

Steadfast through the end

Psalms For Psalms- Day 30

It’s hard to believe it’s been a month of writing short, simple praises to God. Grateful to get to do so. 

As I read Psalms 30, I continue to be reminded of what God has done and what He will continue to do.

Before Christ, I was a porn addict, addicted to myself, put all my identity in who I was as an athlete, selfish, prideful, among a handful of other things. 

While I still struggle with some of these sins, Christ has transformed my life. I spent 15 years running, training, racing, yet never found full satisfaction in what I did. I loved it, but it wasn’t the end. Walking with Christ, I realize that deep satisfaction can only come from Him. And when we realize that, it changes everything. 

I pray we would be reminded of how God has brought us from the low of lows to the highest of highs. That we get to walk with God and run the race of life with Him. What a joy it is to run with God! 

Psalms 30- Christ Drew Us From Death

I will praise You forever and ever

For God has pulled me out of trouble

Like a fisherman drawing up his net

Keeping me in His bubble 

My soul was set on Sheol

Until You set me free

You restored my life from the pit

You Father have healed me

Sing praises to God this joyful day!

Our songs ever adorning

Weeping may tarry for the night

But joy comes in the morning

I was once sad and in despair

Not knowing what to do

Your love has made me dance

Your Glory always shines through

Psalms For Psalms- Day 29

The very first word in Psalms 29 is ascribe. Throughout the history of the earth, scribes have existed to document various events and happenings. They have told the story of man, and we get a front row seat to learn from these men who carefully documented stories of old.

In a similar fashion, the Bible serves as a storybook of old, following God’s great providence in the lives of His people. It testifies to God’s kindness, mercy, grace, strength, and all the facets of who God is.

Psalms 29 urges us to do the same. Ascribe to God the glory and work He has done in our lives. Remind others of God’s faithfulness. 

When Catherine and I lost our daughter Grace at 20 weeks and had to deliver her as a stillborn, it was considered a great tragedy and we rightly grieved and mourned her loss. We had a funeral for her in our backyard on May 14th, 2023. 

But our good God had great plans for us. By His faithfulness our daughter Merritt was born on May 14th, 2024, one year to the date of our loss of Grace. Only God could write a story like that. Only God could turn our tragedy into joy. 

We named Merritt after a Shane and Shane hymn, “All Sufficient Merit” to remind of us God’s continued faithfulness in our lives, that Christ is our “all sufficient merit” everyday. 

I pray we would ascribe the wonder, the beauty, and the faithfulness of God to the ends of the earth, proclaiming His name that all may hear and see how good God is. 

Psalms 29- Ascribe

Ascribe to God all He has done 

Don’t leave out a single bit

He deserves all the glory

That we will never forget 

Sing from the mountaintops 

Declare it from the waters wide

Worship God in the splendor of His Holiness

Draw near to His side 

Who is God and what has He done?

The One over the sea

His mighty voice Thunders

He is full of majesty 

He can flash full of fire

Or care for the deer

He is King Forever

Oh come all to hear

He cared for us at our lowest 

When life seemed very grim 

From ashes He made beauty

Springing joy in our hymns