"When my spirit is faint, you show me the way." Psalm 142:3 I know I've mentioned it several times over the last few weeks, but there were situations of boulder climbing or wet rock treading while on the New Jersey and New York trail where I wasn't sure I was going to get up or down. Imagine a jumble of boulders ten times the size of the ones pictured above or visualize … [Read more...] about Psalm 142 (Psalms on the Trail)
Psalm 141 (Psalms on the Trail)
"Let my prayer rise before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Psalm 141:2 Not far from my home, the Appalachian Trail skirts a corner of this lake. There's a bench here. When I sit down and see mist rising, I think of this verse: "Let my prayer rise before you as incense." These words are sung in our Lutheran evening prayer and I know … [Read more...] about Psalm 141 (Psalms on the Trail)
Psalm 140 (Psalms on the Trail)
"The proud have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; along the road they have set snares for me. I say to the Lord, "You are my God; give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications." Psalm 140:5-6 Often on the morning trail there is the occasional run-in with a spider strand strung from a tree or branch, drifting invisibly across the path. I … [Read more...] about Psalm 140 (Psalms on the Trail)
Psalm 139 (Psalms on the Trail)
O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar." Psalm 139:1-2 I am not sure which psalm is my favorite. It depends on the day I suppose. But Psalm 139 is certainly in my final top three. Before I say anymore about it, please stop and listen to it told beautifully here. Sometimes when I am … [Read more...] about Psalm 139 (Psalms on the Trail)
Psalm 138 (Psalms on the Trail)
"You will fulfill your purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever." Psalm 138:8 I use to think God had a plan for my life, and it was my job to figure it out. I wasn't too sure about what would happen if I veered too far in the wrong direction. Would I then get the second best plan? Or worse? I abandoned that way of thinking a long time ago. Talking … [Read more...] about Psalm 138 (Psalms on the Trail)