Despair: Bleached Bones in the Desert
O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long? 4 Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? 6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my
The Best Mother You Could Ever Have
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. -Isaiah 49:15–16 A favorite memory of my mom was when I was ten years old. We lived opposite the Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica, California. When I wasn’t caddying, I searched for golf balls and clubs
Trust in the Lord: How Do I Do It?
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. -Jeremiah 17:7-8 Today, you may be praying, “Lord, I’m exhausted, drained of all my spiritual energy, but you know that I’m
Staying Positive in a Negative, Despair-ridden World
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28 The astonishing truth of the apostle Paul’s life-changing words powerfully helps us navigate through our most significant problems and trials without fear or complaint. Think about it: Everything in life that happens to us (everything!) is the raw material God uses for our good. God doesn’t smile benignly upon the evil that is happening around
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 14 – The Master Plan
"The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth, he humbles and he exalts." -1 Samuel 2:6-7 Have you ever expressed fear about what is happening in the world, or what is going on in your own life, and someone replied "not to worry because the Lord has a plan?" Did you believe it? Dr. Snyder does and explains why. "God and God alone is the one who has
Why Is God Doing This to Me?
Two weeks ago, we took a look at Job’s suffering and questioning and the counsel of his ignorant “comforters.” Finally, tired of their useless ramblings, God breaks in and assures them that only he knows everything that can be known. In fact, only he holds in his hands the explanation for all that happens. We don’t, and can’t! Last week, we focused on the bedrock truth that we all fall back upon when we have no other understanding of our own
