In shepherd’s care

Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” (NIV)*

Sheep looking (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

sheep, bound to roam

except—those gathered there

by the crook of grace

and his mercy face

bundled, in shepherd’s care

in his pasture—home.

…..

by patty perkins

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*The One Year Bible, October 28, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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Ever Faithful

II Timothy 2:13 “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (NIV)*

Ever faithful

There, you stand.

Woven in creation’s song

Written in history, long.

Ever faithful, ever true

I fall short,

not so—

you.

…..

photo and poem by Patty Perkins

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My faithlessness is no indication of your commitment to me. If I loose my way, step off the path or head in the wrong direction, you remain faithful. You cannot be unfaithful—it’s not your character. You are God.

*The One Year Bible, October 23, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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Of wings and walls

Bird – Duck – Mallard (Photo credit: blmiers2)

Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge…” (NIV)*

Covered by feathers

nestled in his loving care

clasped under wing

refuge awaiting,

me there.

……….

The wall Papa built (photo by Patty Perkins)

Psalm 91:4 “…his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (NIV)*

He is full of faithful

a shield when arrows fly

a wall strong and stable

when behind it,

walketh I.

……….

by Patty Perkins

……….

Have a blessed weekend…under his wings and behind his walls.

*The One Year Bible, October 22, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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A good place to be

Jeremiah 36:24 “The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.” (NIV)*

Firepit (photo by Patty Perkins)

The same fire that warmed King Jehoiakim’s body burned the words that could have saved his life. As the scroll was read, the king cut off those portions and threw them into the firepot…until the entire scroll was burned. King Jehoiakim showed no fear towards the word of God Jeremiah had sent to him.

The heart too hardened to receive is in a scary place—when the word doesn’t bring a twinge of fear or inspire respect for its author. I’m referring to a disdain for God’s Word…not dry spells here and there.

If I read the word and it brings remorse—that’s a good thing. That’s the word doing its job. Hebrews 4:12 tells us: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (NIV)

Be encouraged if reading the word brings conviction or evokes a desire to change. Those emotions reveal a soft heart towards God and his word…and that’s a good place to be.

*The One Year Bible, October 20, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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Who are you, really?

Psalm 86:15 “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (NIV)*

Were it not for you we would all be flicked into space—eternally separated from the source and sustainer of life. And why aren’t we treated like we deserve? Psalm 86:15 tells me why: “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

I’d like to know you as this verse describes. It’s easy on good days and in the midst of things going right. But do I still find you full of faithful when you say “no”, or “not yet”?

If there are boundaries in place that seem less than gracious, it’s because I see the other side of the fence. Those fences are indications of my love for you, like a father protecting his child. After all, I created you. I know how you function best. 

You are compassionate, gracious and patient. You are overflowing with love and faithfulness. That’s who you really are.

*The One Year Bible, October 16, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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Breaking rocks

Jeremiah 23:29 “‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?'” (NIV)*

stream in the smokies (Photo credit: haglundc)

Chip away jagged pieces

of this stone cold heart.

Sharpened edges formed

by life undone, protruding.

If left alone to grow

would rolling—

then hurt others.

…..

by Patty Perkins

…..

I’ve heard it said that hurt people hurt people. That’s motivation to deal with disappointments and let the Lord bring healing. Otherwise, those jagged edges might very well jab someone else and the whole cycle continue.

So, chip away. Let the rocks be broken and purified. Let the Word do it’s work in me.

*The One Year Bible, October 14, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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Let me be found

Jeremiah 23:18 “But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or to hear his word? Who has listened and heard his word?” (NIV)*

Sunrise through the clouds (Photo credit: Betchaboy)

Let me be found

in the morning, listening—

eager for his word.

Self set aside

eyes opened wide,

waiting—

his voice to be heard.

…..

by Patty Perkins

…..

*The One Year Bible, October 13, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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Speed bumps

Colossians 3:15-17 “…and be thankful…with gratitude…giving thanks to God the father through him.” (NIV)*

Speed Bump [59/365] (Photo credit: Knight725)

I keep hitting speed bumps on this journey through The One Year Bible. They’re showing up all over the place. They slow me down; they cause me to pause.

The speed bumps? Giving thanks. All through scripture there are reminders to give thanks to God—encouragements to take the time to express appreciation for his gifts.

When I slow down—by force or by choice—life becomes less stressful. There’s peace.

Thanksgiving changes me. It changes my outlook on the day, the year and the years all strung together—life. When I give thanks, I’m no longer focused on what I don’t have or what didn’t go my way, I can focus on what I do have and the good that will come. Giving thanks is the door to deep-rooted contentment.

I don’t want to arrive at the end of the road grumpy and bitter, having missed out on joys along the way. The speed bumps in God’s word will help me arrive with gratitude.

And by the way, dear reader, I’m thankful for you!

*The One Year Bible 10/7, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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There’s a monster at my house

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (NIV)*

Just imagine this is a big scary monster…

There’s a monster at my house. Left unchallenged, it grows throughout the day. It’s self-absorbed, self-condemning and full of self-pity. It feeds on jealousy, bitterness, past hurts. It stews on regrets, “if only” and words it wishes it had said. This monster can wreck a room—or destroy a relationship.

The monster is me.

Selfishness wants to take over my life. Fighting it is a daily battle…make that a moment-by-moment choice.

The best way to defeat the monster is to begin each day in God’s word. Reading, praying—letting his word change me. Starve the monster. Feed the spirit.

Overcoming the ugly beast may take memorizing (yes, that dreaded word…memorize) scripture to replace negative thoughts. Philippians 4:8 is a complete menu of what to feed the spirit in order to starve the monster: the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

The selfish monster won’t be able to survive on this healthy diet of truth.

*The One Year Bible, 10/3, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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The train station

Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)*

Grand Central Station-NYC (photo by Patty Perkins)

At the station, trains are running all the time. Random entries and speedy exits. Tracks going on all levels and directions.

One could find an empty corner or bench, and maybe even sleep in a train station. One can eat at a train station. All the family can huddle in a designated area and unload the suitcases…but who wants to do that?

We’re at the train station to find a way to our destination. Always an eye on the posted arrivals and departures. Tickets ready—we eagerly await the desired train.

Not unlike a train station, our lives on earth are spent waiting for a train to take us to the next destination, to our real citizenship. We eagerly await the Savior.

The trick is to live this life to the full, yet not forget…it’s only the train station.

Grand Central Station-NYC (photo by Patty Perkins)

*The One Year Bible, 10/2, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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