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

Psalms For Psalms- Day 28

Two things come to mind reading Psalms 28.

One- this idea of God as our Rock. Not one that is silent like the rocks on earth, but a loud and zealous God who is our Protector, and Savior. 

Have you ever been through a mountainous road and wondered how hard it must have been to blast through rock to clear the road? When I think about God, He is even mightier than the strongest rock on earth. He is impenetrable, unmovable, unshakable. That is the God we serve.

Two- God is our Shepherd. Not just any shepherd, but a good one like Psalms 23 talks about. He carries us, guides us, leads us past areas we assumed would lead us to certain death. When we trust in Him, our paths our straight. When we follow our own wants and desires, we end up in ditches and dens of wolves.

God, remind us today that You are both our Rock and Shepherd. Strong and mighty, yet gentle and caring for our souls. Thank you for saving us and loving broken people like myself.

Psalms 28- Mighty Rock & Shepherd

Rocks are often quiet

But not the Rock I trust

You protect me from harm

Turning evil men to dust

Blessed is the Most High

He is my strength and shield

You heard every one of my cries

My scars You have healed

Be our Shepherd forever

Guide our hearts every day

Would You rod and staff comfort us

Leading us the right way

Psalms For Psalms- Day 27

As a lighting guy, I love seeing the contrast that the Bible has between light and darkness. Simply stated, nothing outlasts darkness. Light has won. Jesus is King on the throne who has defeated death itself.

Do we forget this truth? Has The Light shined through us into our lives in our every day life?

My prayer is that we can approach the throne of Grace confidently, knowing that Christ has gone before us and paved the way for us, because of His deep, rich, vast love for us. How sweet it is that our Father loves us more than we could ever imagine 

Psalms 27- Better Than The Morning Dew

When God is my light and salvation

Whom shall I fear?

Will evil men overtake me?

Not when my God is near!

My heart is confident in Christ

Nothing compares to Him

Let me dwell in Your sanctuary

When things seem dim

Gaze Your eyes to me Father

That You might take me in

Guard my heart Lord

Keep me away from sin 

Teach me Your ways God

For I will not lose heart

Trusting in You

From the very start

Wake us up Lord

We need you now

To look upon Your beauty

Gazing at Your brow 

Your love is deeper than I can imagine

Wider than the ocean blue

How sweet is His precious Grace

Better than the morning dew

Psalms For Psalms - Day 26

In my many years of running, it was a 365 day relentless pursuit towards being better. Every ounce of my heart and soul was poured out into being the best runner I could be. 

I think about that now as a husband and father. Am I pouring out myself sacrificially for them in the way I did for running? 

Often times I miss the mark. But pursuing righteousness and integrity is something always worth pursuing. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, we can honor God.

God, help me pursue excellence and righteousness in everything I do. Help myself and friends pursue You with our whole heart like Jeremiah 29:13 talks about. Help us keep running the Straight Race after You.

Psalms 26- Relentless Pursuit

I’ve run many miles

Chasing integrity with my strides

Prove me and try me God

For You have been my Guide

When I run, I feel your pleasure

My eyes are fixed on Your Faithfulness

I hurry away from evil men

Pushing aside those You do not bless

With loud shouts I proclaim You

Stopping everyone to hear

Your deeds are worth sharing

God of Jacob, in You I fear

Every mile is harder than the first

Yet, I’ll never stop pursuing what’s right

Be gracious to me Father

I’ll never leave Your sight

Psalms For Psalms- Day 25

 This morning, I was guiding my daughter, Merritt around the house. She had a little cart she was pushing, and I was pulling out large objects in her way as she moved along so she wouldn’t get stuck. 

And it struck me… Our Father does the same thing for us. We are pushing our little cart in life along… and He protects us, shows us the right way to go, and guides us towards Him. 

Father, You are the Good Father who cares for us better than we care for our own children. Thank you for loving us when we live in ways that don’t deserve unending love. 

Psalms 25- Trust

Like a runner crossing the finish line

I’ve given my everything to You

Every ounce of my heart and soul

I trust You through and through 

I want to know Your ways Father

Show me the trails you’ve trodden

Guide me through each rock and pebble 

Lead me so my faith may broaden

Why do certain things last forever?

Usually, it’s because they are good

Your steadfast love has lasted an eternity

Caring for sinners more than we ever could

God is the Great Teacher

Stopping for each child

When others would be frustrated

You simply laughed and smiled

What is this great love?

Friendship with a King?

You make known to us Your Covenant

That is why we sing

Psalms For Psalms- Day 24

 Friends, 

As I read Psalms 24, I think of the mountain of life. Its crags can be jagged and tiring, but our Lord and Savior leads the way. He gives us the route we need to follow through His Word and through His people, and shines His light in dark paths. When we are tired, He holds us up. Every foothold in life, God has perfectly ordained and fashioned for us. Think about that…! My heart is filled with gratitude for all Christ has done for us.

May we continue to be thankful for the footholds of rest God has provided for us in our lives in our climb to His Holy mountain. 

Psalms 24- Footholds of Rest

You made everything on this earth

The very ground I stand on

You make perfectly and wonderfully 

An artist whose work is beautifully drawn

I stare across the vast ocean

Straining my eyes to see

My mind cannot comprehend

The Creator’s masterful beauty

As I climb up the mountain of God

You are the foothold where my feet rest

In You I am blameless and holy 

I count myself supremely blessed

Purity never comes easy to me

My past is filled with grime

But You make me clean

Fixing my heart every single time

We stand confidently before the King

Knowing we have a relationship with You

May we worship in Your presence 

Declaring what is true

Psalms For Psalms- Day 23

God, in His kindness and graciousness, continues to point out new things in His Word to me every day. 

All He asks is that we come to His stream, His Word and sit with Him. 

Psalm 23 hits hard in both rest and grief. I am drawn by the imagery of still streams and quiet water. Yet, I think about my two children in heaven who have gone through the “Shadow of Death” 

To know that God walks with us in both the quiet and the difficult moments gives me strength. To know there will be heavenly restoration is a beautiful reflection. 

This is my cry and prayer. Lord, may I sit and dwell beside You forever. May Your words cling to my heart as we stride through this race of life, together. 

Psalms 23- Sit In His Stream

God shepherds His people to safety

A compass on the open seas

Light in the overwhelming darkness

Lying with You, all worries cease 

With God we shall never want

He satisfies our longings

Sweetness on our lips

Christ gives us true belonging

In life, we try to race

But with Christ, we rest

Fold your hands, close your eyes

Our Father knows what’s best

Like broken clockwork toys

Our hearts need mending

Christ fixes our parts

His care is unending 

Death comes surely

But our Savior is surer 

Give us peace Lord

Help us pursue what’s purer

When God provides

His table is flowing

Would we sit in Your stream

Living in Your Grace bestowing

Psalms For Psalms Day 22

God, thank You for being my hiding place. When all seems lost, I know I can run to your arms. 

I know You are good even when I don’t see it. 

Your Majesty and beauty goes before me. I see it in the ocean, the grains of sand. Your depth goes beyond all knowledge and wisdom. I trust in You and love You, Great and Wonderful God.

Psalms 22- Resting in Your Cleft

Like a resounding drum

So my cries are to You

The waves beating on the shore

I cry until I am blue

Despite my groans, I still trust

Holy God, You rescue me

From generation to generation You never fail

Your deliverance is what we see

Holy Holy Holy I sing

You are all I’ve got left

I stand and proclaim You

Resting in Your cleft

Psalms for Psalms- Day 21

 Psalm 21- Majestic Ruler on High

On earth a king is mighty 

To You he is a lowly man

You bring princes to nothing

Salvation is Your great plan

God, You give us good things 

And hold nothing back

Your presence brings us great joy

Blessings are bestowed without lack

When kings trust the King

All nations stop and see

The Lion, Mighty one of Judah

You are our great Majesty

You nock an arrow for flight

Aimed at all of our foes

All You say is, “Be Still”

And end of all of our woes 

Though man plans against God

He will not succeed 

We thank Him for His steadfast love

His works, and power, and deeds

Psalms For Psalms- Day 20

Psalm 20- God Our Compass

You protected mighty Israel 

Watching all their ways

Walking with them in the desert

Pillars of Fire guiding them by day

Regard us Lord, look upon us

May Your Face shine in our hearts

When we wake up everyday 

Would You be our start 

I tried to trust in many things 

But all of them failed

God the Mighty Compass

In You our ship sets sail

Psalms For Psalms - Day 19

 I missed a day, but God doesn’t mind. 
He wants my heart, my full desire
 In Him alone, satisfaction I find 

Psalm 19- God is Perfect
When I look to the expanse
Your Glory is on display
Creator God makes perfect art
 Every color has something to say 

God’s laws are perfect in every way
Protecting us from pain
The Commandments of the Lord are pure
Like Abel and not Cain

Do we treasure God’s rules like honey?
Sweetly glistening from our lips
Or do we put His Words aside
An invitation for us to trip

Psalms For Psalms- Day 18

 Psalm 18- Deliverance

I love you Lord

More than words can say

Be my Rock and Fortress

The place where my head lays

You are worthy to be praised

Richer than the finest gold

Walking with You God

Makes my heart bold

Death stared me in the face

My transgressions are so deep

But You hear my crying voice

Rescuing me in my sleep

Psalms For Psalms- Day 17

Psalm 17- In The Shadow of Your Wing

You hear everything God

From babies’ first sounds

To man’s final breath

Your Holy presence abounds

God of hearing, lend an ear

Every day I call on You

Yet You answer with steadfast love and mercy

You show me what is true 

May this broken apple not stray

Far from the Tree

In the shadow of Your wing

God, stay close to me

Psalms For Psalms Day 16

Psalms 16- My Whole Heart Rejoices

Preserve me oh God

Encase me in your arms

Hold me forever Lord

Protect me from any harm 

For You are my Lord

Without You I am bare

Like trees in wintertime

Fruitless, empty, in despair 

I set You before me

Like a chosen wine

My whole heart rejoices 

For sweet love Divine

Psalms For Psalms - Day 15

 Psalm 15- The Lion’s Mane

One thing that I ask God

That I may dwell with you 

Help me walk blamelessly 

Speaking words that are true 

May evil never transpire 

Instead would honor reign

Fearing the Lord day and night 

Trusting The Lion’s Mane

We are called to more

Children of the Most High

Let us act with integrity

Praying to God of the skies

Psalms For Psalms- Day 14

 Psalm 14- Zion Watches

Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

God orchestrates all things 

He gave us His Word

God looks down upon man

To see if there is any good

Lord, consider our hearts 

Like only You could 

Wicked men run rampant

Evildoers have their way

Zion restores our fortunes

Christ has the final say