A while ago, as I read the Psalms, I realized that my worst enemies were internal, not external. Demons, attackers, agnostics, atheists, fighters and haters — all inside me. So I’ve been rewriting the psalms to reflect that. A few of my favorite Scripture quotes guided and encouraged me.
From Scripture
… set your hearts on things above…Set your minds on things above…Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed…anger ,rage, malice, slander, and filthy language…Do not lie…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive…And over all these virtues put on love…Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach…with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:2, 5, 8-9, 12-16)
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7)
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. … When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord …” (Jeremiah 29:11-14).
I began to do what I have called internalizing the psalms – speaking to God, and myself, about God and about the doubts and darkness in my life. I’ve decided to record my efforts in this simple blog, through WordPress. And now, a couple of years later, I am expanding this blog to include some other things I write.
My psalm poems are based upon and with quotes from the NIV and NSRV. To learn a bit more about my faith and spirituality, click here.
I love the Colossians passage yo put out. This is my first look at your site. I like the word plans in the Jeremiah one. The Colossians bit is so rich in poetics. Putting on love and Christ in the heart and more and more: REALLY meaningful. Life presents obstacles. Have we not all been there? Life on this plane (sp.?) gives us choices, and sometimes limited choices, as my mother has many times said, and often just plain trouble. But all is temporary. Cs Lewis talks about Glories and connects it to God. God connects it to man and woman and esp children. Such a good world scene lately. Thanks, Dr. Keller. – Kevin S (: (: (:
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