Walking Through the Psalms“You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.” – Psalm 66:10 (NLT)“It’s the Testing That Makes You Tough!” What is one thing you wish you could do or become? Would it be to be an amazing athlete? Do you wish you were an incredible musician? How about a mountain climber who has scaled the tallest mountains in the world? Let’s be more spiritual. Would you li...

Walking Through the Psalms“Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.” – Psalm 66:9 (NLT)“Our Lives Are in His Hands” I went to see a good friend in the hospital this past weekend. He’s had a rough time of it physically the last couple of years, and we’re not sure if he’s going to pull through this round or not. One of the amazing things about him is his unwavering faith and...

Walking Through the Psalms“He made a dry path through the Red Sea, and his people went across on foot. There we rejoiced in him.” – Psalm 66:6 (NLT)“God Can Make a Way” Several years ago, Mid-America Christian University was in deep trouble. When they moved from Houston to Oklahoma City in 1985, the move only “worked” if the campus in Houston was sold. When a buyer came forward, the college made t...

Walking Through the Psalms“Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!” – Psalm 66:5 (NLT)“A God of Miracles” Dr. Sean George was driving home from working in a remote clinic in Australia when he began to experience discomfort in his chest. He called his wife, who was also a doctor, and began to describe his symptoms. She advised him to stop at the closest hos...

Walking Through the Psalms“Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.” – Psalm 66:1-2 (NLT)“God’s Glorious Name” I told a story a few weeks ago in a sermon about a guy in upstate New York who led the police on a wild chase. The 21-year-old was only being pulled over for something simple, but he thought he could dodge the police....

Walking Through the Psalms“Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.” – Psalm 65:8 (NLT)“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” This is going to come as a new thought to some of us, but America has not cornered the market on God. I know that many of us think that we are His favorite, but we’re not. He...

Walking Through the Psalms“You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations.” – Psalm 65:7 (NLT)“Sometimes You Just Have to Wait” A few weeks ago, I did a graveside funeral service at a cemetery not far from the church. I arrived about ten minutes before the service was to begin. As I got out of my car, it began to rain. By the time I got under the s...

Walking Through the Psalms“You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength.” – Psalm 65:6 (NLT)“One Amazing Father” Do you remember being astonished by how strong and amazing your dad was? I do. Dad was able to lift things that I thought couldn’t be lifted. He could open things I didn’t think could be opened. He wasn’t afraid of older kids, stray dogs, or even strang...

Walking Through the Psalms“You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so.” – Psalm 65:5 (NLT)“The Subtle Blessings of God” My family made a trip back to Ohio last month to visit Wanda’s family. It was a nice trip with a few sightseeing stops along the way. One of the ob...

Walking Through the Psalms“You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth…” – Psalm 65:5 (NLT)“Your Story Is Not Over” A man shared a story on Facebook a few years ago that blew my mind. He ran into a man whom he hadn’t seen in years, and they began to talk. The man told him how he had lost his job during the housing crash in 2006. He ...

Walking Through the Psalms“Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.” – Psalm 65:3 (NLT)“Overwhelmed by Grace” “Overwhelmed by our sins.” Have you ever felt like that? I’ve talked with many people who have. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by our sins when we’ve done something that’s caused great pain or loss. Perhaps we were driving intoxicated and had an accident that cost someone...

Walking Through the Psalms“O God, listen to my complaint.” – Psalm 64:1 (NLT)“Complaining to God” A few years ago, a group of ladies from my church was meeting in a room just down the hall from my office. As I walked to the kitchen to get some coffee, I heard their voices and decided to poke my head into the room and say hi. As I walked through the door, one of them immediately looked at me and sa...

Walking Through the Psalms“I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.” – Psalm 63:8 (NLT)“God Will Never Let Go of You!” In the Spring of 2013, in South Florida, there was a six-year-old boy named Joey Walsh who was really excited. He and his father were going on a canoe trip together at the Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge in Boyton Beach. Being curious, as boys are, Joey walked down by...

Walking Through the Psalms“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1 (NLT)“Shopping or Just Browsing?” Do you browse or do you shop? Many people, when they go into a store, aren’t actually looking for anything in particular. They wander through stores until something ...

Walking Through the Psalms“Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.” – Psalm 62:11-12 (NLT)“A Powerful Love” There was a story in the news a few years ago about a General Manager of a travel company in China. Each day, he would make posts on a social media website. They were mostly motivational quotes or updates on company activities. As he updated the posts throughout the d...

Walking Through the Psalms“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” – Psalm 62:8 (NLT)“When You Need to Pour Out Your Heart” When I lived in Phoenix, I met a man named Al. Al was the head of an organization that worked with churches and Christian leaders. I set up a lunch to meet him after I got his company’s advertisement in the mail. He did many...

Walking Through the Psalms“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” – Psalm 62:5 (NIV)“Resting in Chaos” A few years ago, a bird built a nest inside the light fixture right outside our front door. The only way I noticed it was that one of the tiny eggs had fallen out onto our front step. At first, I thought it was a silly place for a bird to set up a home. It’s right outside the do...

Walking Through the Psalms“With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.” – Psalm 62:4 (NIV)“Living Inside-Out” “Sin starts in the heart.” I want you to say that out loud. Then I want you to say it again. The reason this is so important is because we tend to think of sin as something we “do.” If we kill somebody, that’s sin. If we cheat on our spouse, that’s sin. If we rob someone,...

Walking Through the Psalms“Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day.” – Psalm 61:8 (NLT)“From Rules to Relationship!” As I look back on my journey of faith, I often shake my head at how legalistic our churches were when I was growing up. I was told that going to movies, playing cards, dancing, and listening to rock music were all things Satan used to grease the s...

Walking Through the Psalms“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” – Psalm 61:2 (NIV)“Higher Ground” Isn’t it crazy how much rain we’ve been getting here in Oklahoma? For the past few weeks, the forecast has been like the movie “Groundhog Day.” Storms. Tornadoes. Rain. The same thing day after day after day. Lakes and ri...