June 12 – 18

Reading Matthew 15-28 and Psalms 12-22 this week.  That is a total of 14 NT chapters (2 daily) and 11 Psalms (1-2 daily).   

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This past week, the kick-off 

{CLICK HERE if you wonder what I am talking about}

Yeah!  Some of you joined me.  Joining anything takes effort, so I applaud you!  Thank-you.  You are keeping me accountable, too!  Come on, Tami, Dave, Stef, Joe & Robin (??), mom, Stormie, Heather, Marilyn and Dawn: hold my feet to the flame!

Biggest Challenge:

Slowing down to let it sink in.  It is really not that much to read at once, or especially if you are separating it into the morning and evening readings, as is a more traditional, high-church approach in daily meditations.  I actually read all of the first 11 Psalms at least 3 times, some, more.  I need to learn to stop, meditate, think them through, sloooooooooooooooooooooow down.  Yes, I do!

What I am taking away ~

The very final words of Matthew 14 just exploded in an almost-summary of this whole Jesus story, didn’t they?

“…And all who touched Him, were healed.” 

Wow!

Also diggin’ on Matthew 13, which is all about being a {backyard} farmer like myself with the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Weeds and the Parable of the Mustard Seed.  When the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, he explained,

“Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you…”

That is where I learn all the secrets of the kingdom – when I am planting and weeding and sowing seed in the garden. 

As for the Psalms, I just have always loved the third chapter –

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

Followed shortly thereafter by Psalm 5.12, that favorite scripture that says, “Surely. LORD, You bless the bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.”

I am surrounded by the cover-shield of the force-field of the love of God.  Don’t mess with me.

What did you read/love/take away/want to keep?

I am off this morning to do a Heaven Fest Sunday in Dacono at New Horizons Christian Church with my buddies Glenn & Linette Bellew, where I will get to invite people to volunteer or hook us up with materials to keep those costs down, because, every. single. dollar. we get. from parking AND tickets – is being. given. away!  Jesus, help us!  There are 7 “Heaven Fest Sundays” going on around the metro-area this morning.  That is crazy favor from God with the fam, gotta love the Household of Faith! www.heavenfest.com