kingdom travelin'

Earlier today I opened my Psalter and the first reading was Psalm 146. On a day like today it is worthy of a careful reading:

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!

I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm‬ ‭146:1-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

As you know by now the Russian attack has begun. First thing this morning (my time) I was on the phone with colleagues directly affected to learn of the situation.

There is fear and some level of chaos. I’m told the ATM machines have been emptied as people grab all the cash they can. Because of the cyber attacks on banks, stores are only accepting cash.

This morning I was able to speak to or SMS all of our friends and, at this point, all are well. Thanks be to God.

Please pray for peace.

Had to.

Before it was too late.

This post may still resonate… it may not.

“Orwell On Fascism”

Orwell on Fascism

Many friends have been and are struggling. These are hopeful words:

“Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”
‭‭(Psalm‬ ‭61:2-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

I was encouraged by this meditation in my Psalter just now:

Run to the strong tower!

These are words that small children say quite often. Bigger children (like this 65 year old) don’t say it, but think it. We want what we want and we want it now!

Sigh.

Psalm 40 has always been a favorite. It is a balm to the impatient soul. This meditation from the Paraclete Psalter (a beloved gift from a more beloved brother) was helpful.

“God is never late, and waiting is what brings us into line with his divine timetable.”