Right about now. At this stage of summer. I feel like I am in the movie Groundhog’s Day.

I have been studying the Psalms this past month or so, and I have actually been fairly consistent in doing that. I am studying a chapter until I sense that the Lord is done with it before I move on. I am on Psalm 8 and will probably be in the Psalms until I outlive my teeth, but, hey, it’s not a bad place to be! Here are some of my fave verses:

• Psalm 4:4- …, when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.// I love to snuggle down in prayer, and I so treasure when I choose to be silent and He speaks.
• Psalm 4:6- …, Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.// What a prayer!
• Psalm 6:3- …, How long, O LORD, how long?// How many of us can ask Him that right this minute? And our queries would cover a multitude of issues. His masterpiece is alive because He can speak to me and you with that one verse and be addressing two totally different waits. Love that!

I really dug in on Psalm 5. Oh, my goodness. “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.” When do we sigh? Frustrated. Tired. At wit’s end. Exasperated. Don’t know what to do next. He is even attentive to our sighs. Love that! And “[i]n the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Certainly this is the verse that challenges me to shake off slumber to start my day with Him, and then I love the picture of waiting in expectation. That could be a definition of faith. To wait in expectation. I want to wait with great expectation! I want to be more reverent (v. 7) and for Him to lead me in His righteousness (v. 8). The imagery of His Word allows us to see Him act on our behalf; I have been praying recently that the Lord would spread His protection over my family and that He would surround us with His favor as with a shield (v. 11-12).

I am loving my new tee (beauty from ashes); you can check it out and preview the new kids’ tees at http://www.wildolivetees.com/. Thank you to my dear friend Erika for introducing me!

Sacrifice = giving up something good for something better. Following Christ has a cost. He tells us that. If we are not sacrificing anything, we aren’t getting God’s best. And not even just sacrificing something to serve Him but rather sacrificing something to know Him. To love Him more. To just be more obedient. More submitted. What is He asking you to sacrifice to know Him more intimately? Do you believe that your sacrifice will make room for His best in your life?

NewSpring Church has moved to the Florence Civic Center. Sunday mornings @ 9:15 and 11:15. Would love to see your smiling face walking through the doors…