Tagged: Audrey Frank

Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand, three branches of the lampstand from one side of it and three branches of the lampstand from the other side of it. Three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on one branch, and three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms are to be on the next branch, and the same for the six branches extending from the lampstand. On the lampstand there are to be four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms, with a bud under the first two branches from it, and a bud under the next two branches from it, and a bud under the third two branches from it,… Read More

This completes our journey through Psalm 139. Click here to read earlier reflections. Examine me, O God, and probe my thoughts. Test me, and know my concerns. See if there is any idolatrous way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 Scripture agrees with scripture throughout the canon. Proverbs 16:9 says, In his heart man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Psalm 107:3 reminds us that the Lord always leads in a right way. His leading comes crooked sometimes, as the Israelites understood, and the wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes reminds. Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? 7:13, NIV The Lord leads, if we will let Him. And His way is the… Read More

We are journeying through Psalm 139. To read the previous reflection, click here. If only you would kill the wicked, O God! Get away from me, you violent men! They rebel against you and act deceitfully; your enemies lie. O LORD, do I not hate those who hate you, and despise those who oppose you? I absolutely hate them; they have become my enemies.   Psalm 139:19-22 I wanted to skip this portion of our pilgrimage through Psalm 139. I thought about simply not mentioning it, quietly passing over these disturbing declarations to the next verse, which, although not necessarily comfortable, is at least about God’s thoughts toward me. (Join me here again next Sunday for that little bit of discomfort-with-potential-to-bring-great-relief.) I am writing from… Read More

We are journeying through Psalm 139. To read the previous reflection, click here. How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God! How vast is their sum total. If I tried to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. Even if I finished counting them, I would still have to contend with you.   Psalm 139:17-18 Even if I finished counting them. Someone thinks about things like how many grains of sand are there on earth, and inquiring minds want to know the number. Scientists estimate there are approximately 7.5 quintillion grains of sand on the earth. That’s 7,500,000,000,000,000,000. The average human life span is 72.6 years. That equals 38,158,560 minutes.  God’s thoughts toward us far outreach the… Read More

We are journeying through Psalm 139. To read the previous reflection, click here. O LORD, you examine me and know me. You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it. You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me. Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it. Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee to escape… Read More

We are journeying through Psalm 139. To read the previous reflection, click here. O LORD, you examine me and know me. You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it. You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me. Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it. Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee to escape… Read More

O LORD, you examine me and know me. You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it. You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me. Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it. Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence? If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there.… Read More

O LORD, you examine me and know me. You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it. You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me. Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it. Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence?   Psalm 139:7 We are journeying verse by verse through Psalm… Read More

O LORD, you examine me and know me. You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it. You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me. Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it. Psalm 139:6 (NET) We are journeying verse by verse through Psalm 139. To read last week’s reflection, click here. I am writing this from above the clouds… Read More

For my big bear. O LORD, you examine me and know me. You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it. You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me.   Psalm 139:5, NET We are journeying verse by verse through Psalm 139. To read last week’s reflection, click here. I never knew how much I loved being squeezed until I had a child who could not bear it. In the… Read More