Time to Heal From a Broken Heart

This is not a bible study post,  but recent events will probably influence one in the days to come.

Why do I say this?

This past week, I have suffered a tragic loss in my family.  The loss is quite deep and unexpected, and I am uncertain how long it will take to process.  I do know I need to take a break from my writing and let the Lord tend to my broken heart.  I am not sure for how long, but will follow His lead.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as I process my grief and make arrangements with family and friends.

In the meantime, I am meditating on Psalm 77—emphasis mine.

In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord

77 To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.

    I cry aloud to God,

aloud to God, and he will hear me.

    In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;

in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;

my soul refuses to be comforted.

    When I remember God, I moan;

when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

    You hold my eyelids open;

I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

    I consider the days of old,

the years long ago.

    I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;

let me meditate in my heart.”

Then my spirit made a diligent search:

    “Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?

    Has his steadfast love forever ceased?

Are his promises at an end for all time?

    Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

10    Then I said, “I will appeal to this,

to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

11    I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

12    I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.

13    Your way, O God, is holy.

What god is great like our God?

14    You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.

15    You with your arm redeemed your people,

the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16    When the waters saw you, O God,

when the waters saw you, they were afraid;

indeed, the deep trembled.

17    The clouds poured out water;

the skies gave forth thunder;

your arrows flashed on every side.

18    The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;

your lightnings lighted up the world;

the earth trembled and shook.

19    Your way was through the sea,

your path through the great waters;

yet your footprints were unseen.

20    You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Blessings,

Barbara Lynn


[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 77:title–20.

Why Did God Choose Gideon?

wheat

I have fond memories of the wheat fields in Kansas.

Watching the swaying of the stalks in the wind is quite mesmerizing.

Although I spent time on my grandparent’s farm, I have never harvested wheat.

I recall a picture taken of me with my grandfather on his combine, but I never actually did any farming work.

Why am I talking about harvesting wheat?

It is what Gideon was doing when God called him to lead the Israelites.

What was it about Gideon that made him the right choice?

Continue reading “Why Did God Choose Gideon?”

Resolving Miscommunication in Worship

communication

Have you ever misunderstood another person’s actions?

I know I have.

Conversely, has anyone ever misunderstood your actions?

Yep, I have experienced this too.

These situations can cause brokenness in our interpersonal relationships.

On a much larger scale, it can cause rifts between larger people groups and even nations.

Worse yet, miscommunication has the potential to destroy unity in worship.

Joshua 22 helps us understand the importance of communicating clearly with each other.

Continue reading “Resolving Miscommunication in Worship”

A Common Communion Liturgy

communion

Growing up, the windows of my childhood home’s family room were in direct line of sight of our neighbor’s bedroom windows.

If we both had the curtains open, we could easily see into each other’s homes.

My mother told me that our neighbor once shared that my sister and I had caught her eye one day when she was opening her curtains. We were taking turns standing and reading from a small red book in front of our fireplace. She observed we would also sometimes sing and then bow our heads with our hands folded in front of us.

Intrigued, she wanted to know what my sister and I were doing.

My mother replied that my sister and I were playing church. The book we were reading was called The Common Book of Prayer. The songs we were singing were hymns. And the bowing of our heads and folding of our hands were prayers to the Lord.

What does this have to do with my title, A Common Communion Liturgy and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26?

Continue reading “A Common Communion Liturgy”

Worship in Response to Your Calling

kneeling prayer and worship

When you were a young child, did people ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up?

My answer to this question changed frequently as I grew.

I remember being interested in driving a semi for a brief period.

Another strong interest at one point was interior decorating.

But by the time I was in eighth grade, music had captured my attention above all other potential vocational pursuits.

Then, after fifteen-plus years of a music career, I transitioned into administrative work.

Although I believe I am talented and gifted in the vocations I have pursued, I believe my calling from God is to write Bible studies. (See my About page for a few more details.)

This is why I write this blog. And it is a part of my worship of God.

I am thinking about all of this today because of Joshua 5:13-15.

Continue reading “Worship in Response to Your Calling”

Are You Letting the Spirit Lead?

Fruit of the Spirit

Look closely at the picture above.

Do you know the name of each apple variety pictured?

I recognize Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Green Delicious.

The pale green with the flecks I am uncertain about.

The lighter red one could be a Gala, or possibly an Ambrosia, my favorite.

The opening sentence in Food & Wine’s The Ultimate Apple Guide to 85 Varieties, From Heirlooms to Hybrids published on October 9, 2023 states, “There are over 7,500 apple varieties around the world (and counting)…”

Wow!

The multiple apple varieties look and taste different from each other.

They also have different uses, such as snacking, saucing, baking, or cider.

Yet they are all apples.

What does this discussion of the vast world of apple varieties have to do with this post’s title, “Are You Letting the Spirit Lead?”

Continue reading “Are You Letting the Spirit Lead?”

Leading Hearts to Worship | Dt 30:15-20

leading hearts to worship

Who would you say is the most effective leader of our day?

What makes that person stand out from other leaders?

Centuries ago, God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and traverse the desert for forty years to prepare for entering the land promised to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Moses was not a perfect leader.

Yet, with the help of the LORD, Moses transformed into a leader whom both Jews and Christians revere.

What does this have to do with leading hearts to worship?

Continue reading “Leading Hearts to Worship | Dt 30:15-20”