Psalm Book PDF

Summer Psalms Introduction

Let’s be real:

I don’t know a lot about the outdoors, about flora and fauna, or about the nature of growing things.

But I do know this: Not every tree tells me the truth about itself in winter. They all essentially look the same: bare and potential and waiting. I look at our trees in their dormant days and think, “Maybe.” It’s only when we get to summer that we get to know what kind of trees they are. Are they fruitful? Are they watered and vital and ready to burst forth? Are they really alive? Sojourners, just as the trees of this season give evidence to the life God has given them, my every prayer is that these summer days will be the days of your own living testimony. I pray, along with the Psalmist, that you will be one who delights in devotion and who worships in the Word. This is why we are turning to the Psalms this summer—on Sundays together, and devotionally throughout the week—so that we might be the church whose “delight is in the LORD’s instruction” (Psalm 1:2). So let’s read these selections. Let’s pray around our kitchen tables. Let’s be shaped toward the goodness of God as He has made Himself known in these songs. If we’ll do it—if you will do it—then Scripture’s stream will water us and refresh us and grow us. With the Spirit’s help, we’ll come to know the help and the hope He has revealed in the inspired prayers of those who have gone before us. And, ultimately, we’ll glimpse Jesus…who rules and who reigns and who invites us into righteousness.

I am grateful for every Sojourn voice, every artist, and every willing helper who has made this project possible.

This summer, let’s be the church that “bears its fruit in its season” (Psalm 1:3).

Growing together with you,

Tyler

Psalm One How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked

or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand up in the judgment , nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.

Psalm One I understand why the Scripture says that those who seek God are planted like trees by streams that sustain them even through drought. I understand why

Pastor Tyler (or T Bone to his friends) had a surprise for every kid at Sojourn. After the sermon all the children trooped outside to see what Pastor T was up to this time. Underneath the large oak tree next to the sidewalk, dozens of potted tree saplings of various types and sizes waved in the breeze as the kids made their way to the shady spot. Every eye turned to the lead elder to listen to his explanation. "Next week we're beginning our Summer Psalms series, and I want you to read Psalm 1 every day. After you read it, find a place to plant your tree - with the help of your parents of course," said Pastor Tyler. The children dutifully selected a tree and headed to their cars with their waiting parents. During the week some families spent time researching the type of tree they had and found spots beside a creek or river to plant their tree in deep, healthy soil. Other families lost track of time and were too busy to find the perfect place to plant their trees. Realizing they needed to get the tree in the ground before the church service the next day, the families rushed around and haphazardly selected spots without giving it any thought. Too often the soil was shallow and rocky, making it very difficult for a young, tender tree to survive. Over the course of the summer, the children kept tabs on the trees that had been planted and reported their results to Pastor Tyler. Not surprisingly, the trees that had been planted with care and time were thriving. The scorching summer sun and lack of rain had taken a toll on the trees carelessly planted, and they withered away until they died. Long ago, the original settlers of Floyd County understood the power of planting next to the water and carefully selected homesteads next to Little River, Burkes Fork, or West Fork. We, too, need to be firmly planted next to the Living Water, next to Jesus. How do we do that? We find delight, or great pleasure, in the Lord's law or instruction. In other words, we find joy in meditating on God's holy scripture, the Bible, because what delights us directs us. Meditating on God's Word is like water soaking in the soil next to the tree. It goes deep to the roots of our spirit and nourishes us for the days ahead. When we are firmly planted in the Word, we will not want to be taking advice from wicked people or sitting in the company of people who make fun of God or holy things. We will bear good fruit like "love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." (Galatians 5:22-23) We will share the last piece of cake with our brother or husband. We will help our neighbor put their cows back in the field when they get out. We will love people who may not be easy to like let alone love. Let us be like the children who planted their trees well. Spend time with God every day soaking up His Word and thoughtfully considering His ways.

John's gospel tells of a woman who came to a spring in the heat of the day, how she came to Jacob's well looking for water and found life. -Hannah Anderson, Turning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Season, and Spirit

Psalm One For the Week: Set a goal to read Psalm 1 Let's Pray:

Lord of the Word, help me to meditate on your Word to the point of delight. May the Word give me the resilience of a tree with a source of living water that will never dry up. Amen.

at least once a day Memorize Psalm 1:1

Let's Do It:

Additional Reading: Read Mark 1, 2 Read John 4:1-14

What does it mean to be righteous?

What does Psalm 1 say is true about a righteous person? Using leaf cut-outs, write what you discover and place them around your house to be reminded.

What is chaff and how does it compare to a tree?

How can you spend more time with God by reading the Bible, praying, and memorizing Scripture?

As a family, plant a tree somewhere that you can watch grow over the years and be reminded of God's goodness and faithfulness.

Arcadian Wild -" Willow" Shane & Shane - "I Delight in You" The Corner Room - "Psalm 1" Poor Bishop Hooper - "Psalm 1" Sons of Korah - "Psalm 1" Caroline Cobb - "Like a Tree"

Reflections on Trees & Psalm One An Interview With Shane Bossard

It wasn’t until his thirties that Shane Bossard was struck by the wonder of trees. When he purchased land in Floyd, he says, “I believe commuting back and forth from Floyd to Roanoke allowed me to appreciate what God had shown–that tapestry, that artistry in the fall and in the spring. I guess it just hit me one day how beautiful trees were!” Shane admits that trees were something he took for granted the first half of his life. Now, when he isn’t appreciating trees in their season on his daily commute, he is planting them on his property with Ashley, Lincoln, and Reid. His pursuit to slowly reforest his property began as a practical endeavor. He shares, “If you’ve ever been to the Bossard home, you realize that our house was built in some open hay fields. So we began as a family to appreciate the shade that a tree provides.” He reflects on the simple joy of “being able to sit under a beautiful Sugar Maple and be able to take comfort… God provided that–to be able to rest under shade. Imagine how long summer would be if we just had to sit in the sun all day.” Living in Floyd County has further evolved his love for trees as he witnesses local artists take a tree and masterfully turn it into a table or a chair. He appreciates how trees mark the history of the Appalachian Mountains as pioneers depended on the American Chestnut tree for everything from food to logs for homes. As a tree planter, Shane understands the temptation to become impatient, watching a young tree grow. Yet, he insists that “like everything in life, if we grow it too quickly, it’s not going to be sturdy.” Instead, he is moved by the Scriptures’ image for us of the strength of mighty oaks, able to withstand the hardest storms and whose strength comes from slow and steady growth. “Oak trees only grow an inch or two a year,” he says. “I want to model myself after an oak tree and be slow and steady. The strength will come from that.” It’s easy to see how God attuned Shane to trees across the landscape of time, place, and scripture. May passions that dwell in brothers like Shane help us marvel at the Creator and long to be mighty oaks, “like trees planted by streams of water, that yield fruit in their season, and whose leaf does not wither.”

Psalm Two “Aslan, a man!” said Mr Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the

What would you do if you met a lion? Have you ever had a similar experience? Maybe you’ve seen a lion from a safe distance in a zoo or on safari—or maybe your closest comparison is the Floyd County bear in your backyard. If you’ve ever had the privilege of interacting with this kind of wild animal, you will know that they are awe inspiring…and sometimes terrifying. Lions are beautiful, graceful, regal— they’re called the King of Beasts for a reason— but they are also powerful hunters and fighters. Their strength is a comfort to those they lovingly protect and provide for, but a terror to their enemies. It’s not surprising, then, that when four children wandering through the fictional world of Narnia hear that the animals’ king is a Lion, it gives them pause. They ask the question: Is he safe? Of course, when we talk about an animal being “safe” or “tame,” what we’re really asking is whether or not we have control over it. Does it obey when we give it commands? Does it behave predictably? Is there any chance it could harm anyone? We don’t mind strength or power when it serves us, but what about when it is too strong for us? Consider the “kings of earth” that Psalm 2 describes. They have strength and power themselves, but when a higher, more powerful King appears over them, they definitely mind. They reject his kingship and compare the authority of the LORD to “ropes” and “chains” (v. 3) They do not want to be ruled over— they want to do the ruling. So, like so many of us, they choose to rebel. They “take their stand and…conspire together against the LORD and his anointed one” (v. 2). They seek to “tear off their chains and throw their ropes off of [them]” (v. 3). The nations, the peoples, the kings, and the rulers all rebel against God’s Anointed One, the King and Son that he has chosen to reign over the earth. Have you ever felt this way? Is there a command or an instruction in God’s Word that you don’t want to follow? Maybe it feels too restrictive or unnecessary or old-fashioned. You’re not alone. Our world is fallen because Adam and Eve came up against the boundary line of God’s authority and decided it was a chain to tear off. We would much rather have a say in what is called right and wrong, good and bad, wisdom and foolishness. The trouble is that God cannot be tamed to our will. The idea of mankind controlling “the one enthroned in heaven” who gives the earth as a possession, and can shatter the nations like pottery is laughable (v. 4, 8-9). “Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases” (Ps. 115:3). We can no more harness Him than we can the wind. But, what we may find restrictive– what we may call chains– God calls a “refuge” (v. 12). Jesus, his Anointed One, sometimes called the Lion of Judah, may not be predictable or tameable, but He is good. His plan for

Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion — the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he — quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.” “That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

-C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Psalm Two For the Week: Set a goal to read Psalm 2 at least once a day Memorize Psalm 1:1-2

us, his rules for us, and his care of us are both good and good for us. Even in the midst of the world’s rebellion, God provided for us a perfect, righteous King. One who is humble (Zech. 9:9), whose burden is light (Mt. 11:30), who cares for his people like a shepherd cares for his sheep (Ps. 23, Jn. 10:1-13). One who is willing to lay down his life to save his people from the punishment of that same rebellion (Jn, 10:14-18, 1 Pet. 1:18-19). He isn’t just the Lion; He is also the Lamb (Jn. 1:29). Even when we know about Jesus’ love for us, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable and maybe a little scary to read about God’s anger because it reminds us that He is not tame. We do not have control over the sovereign God or his justice. We also don’t get to decide who He is. We don’t get to choose which of His attributes we want to keep or which we would rather ignore. We need the gentleness, mercy and salvation of the Lamb, but we also need the strength, protection, and justice of the Lion. It is the entirety of who He is that makes him worthy of our worship. So the next time you read a story about our God that gives you pause, remember that He may not always seem safe, but He is good. He’s the King, I tell you. Let's Pray: Father , we know that you are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, but sometimes it’s hard for us to submit to your authority. Forgive us for the times we have rebelled and tried to take control. Forgive us for treating your love for us like a rope instead of a refuge. Help us to remember that you are always good so we can serve you, rejoice in you, and find happiness with you. Amen. Let's Do It: Share an experience you have had with a wild animal. How did you feel when you saw it? Why do you think Jesus is called both a Lion and a Lamb? Can you think of some examples of how He was both during his time on Earth?

Additional Reading: Read Mark 3, 4 Read Revelation 5

Poor Bishop Hooper - "Psalm 2"

Think of a time in the Bible that God seems angry or harsh. What goodness can you find in that story or its aftereffects?

Write down an area of your life that you need to submit under Jesus’ authority and put it somewhere you will see it each day. Ask God to help you see that He is worthy of your submission in that area.

Psalm Four Answer me when I call, God, who vindicates me. You freed me from affliction; be gracious to me and hear

my prayer. How long,

exalted ones, will my honor be insulted? How long will you love what is worthless and pursue a lie? Selah

Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. Be angry and do not sin; reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. Selah Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, “Who can show us anything good?” Let the light of your face shine on us, Lord. Yo u have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.

Psalm Four Find out where joy resides, And give it a voice Far beyond singing. For to miss the joy Is to miss all.

Have you ever been walking in a field or the woods in early spring and seen daffodils blossoming seemingly out of nowhere? These bright and persistent flowers come up year after year all over the east coast – and are especially beautiful here in the mountains if you see them surrounded by a late snow. These beautiful flowers frequently mark the gardens of long-forgotten houses, homesteads, and farms. If the house and the people are gone, though, why do the flowers keep coming back? Sometimes they are literally all that is left of lives brought from across the ocean and transplanted here in the mountains. Flowers like these can often help to remind us of our own lives – growing and blooming, then withering in our old age and going back to the ground. They cycle like generations of people, reminding us how very temporary our lives are – though the truth and the memory of our lives are things that do and will last. This truth is the promise of God – planted so very long ago and tended carefully. The truth of God’s creation and its renewal through the actions of Jesus are reflected in the world around us every day. Jesus was sent as a tiny baby, grew, and lived a life reflecting the goodness and glory of God, but in the end He died and was buried in the earth. Yet, His resurrection was so magnificent! And think that we can see this reflected every year in a seemingly dead flower shooting out of the ground through the cold and dreary winter! Like the winter, a time of cold and quiet – remember that hope for joy comes from a belief in the promises of God. He does not promise joy quickly or easily; indeed, the promise is of hardship and trials. But the promise of Christ’s return is one that is well worth the waiting– a wait that will see our faith (the substance of hope) made sight. Literally, our hoped-for joy will become a tangible thing. A joy we can see, touch, feel, smell and taste. And this joy will be a permanent one, not the temporary and fleeting joy that we chase from day to day. Rather, a joy that envelopes our very being in the form of our Savior returned.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Psalm Four For the Week: Try to read Psalm 4 once per day as a family Memorize Psalm 1:1-3

Let's Pray:

Father, give us hope when we despair – help us to look first to you and your Word when we cannot find joy. Abide with us and grant us the joy of knowing that we can do nothing to leave your presence. Give us peace through our nights and an abundance of hope when we wake to face the day.

Additional Reading: Read Mark 5, 6 Read Ephesians 4:22-27 Read Hebrews 12:1 Read Romans 8:38-39

Let's Do It:

What are some things that make you feel joy? How long does that joy last?

What are some things outside that you can think of that go away and come back every year?

Why do you think God made them this way?

Make a list of things (physical or not) that are temporary, and a list of things that are permanent – what are the most important to you individually and as a family? Go outside, alone or as a family and sit in the grass. Look around you and reflect on the way the world around you blooms and grows, then dies back every year.

The Corner Room - “Psalm 4” Poor Bishop Hooper - “Psalm 4”

Reflections on Bread &Psalm Four An Interview With Meghan Brantingham

King David was pleased to boast in Psalm 4 that God “put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” His joy was compared to an abundance of something wonderful and valuable in the ancient world. Let’s imagine we were using such comparisons: If my children said, “Our love for you is greater than our love for olives,” I wouldn’t be very flattered, because they detest olives. But what David is doing here highlights his joy because it’s compared to that which was invaluable to the survival of ancient people–not to mention their delight, grain! Later in Psalm 76:16, a prayer of blessing states: “May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave.” The abundance of grain in these Psalms is both a qualifier for David’s godly joy and a sign of godly flourishing and blessing. And certainly we can assume that when grain comes in abundant quantities, bread is sure to follow. Bread has just as much power to delight us today as it did in the ancient world, and modern-day breadmaker Meghan Brantingham has experienced that joyful flourishing evoked by seeing grain turn to bread and bread turn to nourishment. Meghan’s first experience with homemade bread was watching her grandmother, “Nana” making her sweetened sourdough. “I loved it,” she remembers. “She would make it all the time. She was always pulling it out and giving it to people… She just loved to share it.” Meghan remarks that they never made bread together. “I never cared much about cooking until probably after college.” Yet, as a newlywed, she embarked on her grandmother's recipe for a short time. A few years later, she transitioned to learning the traditional sourdough methods from a Sojourn friend. For the last six years, Meghan has been working at the breadmaking craft, still seeing herself as “no-expert”. It’s this humility that keeps her constantly experimenting with new methods and growing her understanding of the science of breadmaking. Still, her confidence has grown enough to begin sharing her bread with others, and sharing abundantly, just as her Nana did. “With something like bread, there are lots of different ways you can share it: If someone wants to learn, then you can literally share the starter with them, and then share whatever information you have. Or if they just want bread, you can share the bread with them…maybe they want to pay to have it on a consistent basis, or as gifts with food.” Whether people are struggling with sickness or joyfully welcoming a new baby, Meghan loves what bringing bread signifies to others. “Bread just makes you feel warm, safe, home.”

What once started as a simple hope to make a decent loaf to add to meals is now a regular bread routine of ordering flour by the 50-pound sack, feeding her starter daily, having something constantly rising, baking, and marked for some meal or someone. “Bread is a staple now, not an extra.” It’s been a helpful motivation to see Isaac, Emmerson, and Oliver enjoy it. “It brings me a lot of joy to be able to provide homemade bread for my family.” When she and Isaac began attending Sojourn, their appreciation for the Lord’s Supper deepened as communion was taken weekly through intinction– real bread torn and dipped into the common cup. During Covid, when sealed, pre-packaged elements were used, she reflects, “I missed the act of tearing the bread and dipping it.” Thus, when that season was closing, Meghan volunteered to begin making the bread herself. Now, part of her weekly bread routine is praying over the loaf as she hand-kneads and bakes it, in preparation for us to take it together as we remember God’s gracious provision and sacrifice in Christ for our sins. Amidst this weekly routine, Meghan is thankful how making bread illuminates the truths in the Bible. She recalls scriptures that warn about yeast, alluding to how a little sin or false teaching works outward, just as even minute amounts of yeast completely change a whole batch of dough. She reflects that as most people today rely on the store for bread, making bread directly presents us with that truth. “Talking about yeast…” she shares, “That’s exactly what happens in a loaf of bread! And unless you’re making bread, you don’t see that.” And yet, as good and sustaining as bread is, David’s song is boasting that his joy from God is greater still! In essence, “Take your grain hoards, but give me Jesus.” Meghan resonates with David here as she shares that “even as much as thinking about Jesus as ‘the bread of life’ connects beauty and joy to breadmaking, I also always think about the scripture: ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord’.” She reflects on the richness of having a hobby that nourishes and delights others, yet notes the greater richness what God’s abundant joy in her heart brings to the whole process and product.

Whether our hands knead bread or build homes, may our hands always be open to do His work with the same joy in our hearts proclaimed in Psalm 4!

Psalm Six The Psalms are inexhaustible, and deserve to be read, said,

On the last day of their sailing class, two boys rode the stiff breeze down the bay on the back side of the island. The water was calm there, not like the rough ocean on the other side of the island. The conditions were perfect to test what the boys had been learning. Their instructor had sent her students out in pairs and told them she would be watching. She wanted to see them go a bit down the bay and perform their maneuvers: coming about, capsizing and righting their vessel, and tacking back against the wind. The two boys felt confident, and having fun riding with their sails full, went farther than the other students. They had no thoughts of danger or failure. After ten weeks of lessons, the bay felt as familiar as their neighborhoods at home. On one side, a row of houses stood with docks extending out into the water; on the other, a seemingly endless expanse of marsh wetlands with narrow waterways weaving between them. Though the day had been bright when they set off, clouds had begun to roll in so that, when they reached the last few houses, the sky and the water around them had darkened, and the breeze had picked up into a solid wind. The boys took turns capsizing and righting and coming about as they had been instructed, and admired each other for the skill with which they each performed the maneuvers. Then, with nothing but victory in their minds, they turned their efforts to the most challenging maneuver. Tacking required agility, persistence, and skill. It was a seemingly physics-defying process that consisted of carefully directing the sailboat in a zigzag pattern to capture the energy from a headwind and propel the vessel forward against the wind itself. After some efforts, the boys made some progress. They managed to work their way past the first three houses beside them, but just as they were approaching the fourth house, the sky darkened, a few drops of rain began to fall, and the wind picked up, pushing them back. They put more effort in, working more and more furiously against the wind until one of the boys collapsed in tears and sobbed, “We’re never going to make it!” The other boy, still fighting furiously against the elements, had no words for his companion. He pushed the rudder over to the other side of the stern and shouted, “Coming about,” as both boys ducked under the boom and sail that swung to the other side of the boat. The wind continued to push them backward, but the second boy refused to give up, and with a growing annoyance at the emotional collapse of his companion, he shouted, “Coming about,” pushed the rudder across, and ducked under the boom. “Come on,” he shouted, “help me!” But the first boy only wept. The sailing instructor stood far upwind on the dock watching the boys, and seeing the worsening weather conditions, she asked a friend with a small powerboat to go and tow them back. The boy who had been sobbing felt a wave of relief at the arrival of their rescuer. The second boy, who by this time had been considering docking the boat at the house next to them and walking back, only felt disappointment and failure. When the world confronts you with insurmountable challenges, what do you do? We live in a world that celebrates champions, victory, and self made men and women. Scripture teaches us to also celebrate weakness, tears, and God-made men and women. In Psalm 6, David speaks of weeping until his bed is drenched and his eyes are swollen. But the Lord hears the sound of his weeping. The Lord accepts David’s prayer.

sung, chanted, whispered, learned by heart, and even shouted from the rooftops. They express all the emotions we are ever likely to feel (including some we hope we may not), and they lay them, raw and open, in the presence of God.

-N.T. Wright Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense

Psalm Six For the Week: Set a goal to read Psalm 6 at least once a day Memorize Psalm 1:1-4

Let’s pray:

Our Father in Heaven, You see all of our struggles. You know our weaknesses and the limits of our strengths. You are greater than any worldly concern. Give us the wisdom to turn to You in times of desperation. Hear our cries and let us draw closer to You.

Additional reading: Mark 7 John 11:35 Matthew 19:23-26 Luke 8:49-52 James 1:2-4 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Let’s Do It:

Can you recall a time that you felt very scared or very sad?

What did you do when you felt that way?

Sometimes when we are scared or sad, it is because we have done something we shouldn’t have. We have sinned. But when we do sin, we may lean on God’s mercy and grace and confess our sin to a loving Father. Talk to God now about anything you wish to ask for forgiveness.

Poor Bishop Hooper - “Psalm 6”

Psalm Eight

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,

the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Psalm Eight Nature was one of the key forces that brought me back to God, for I wanted to know the Artist responsible for beauty such as I saw on grand scale in photos from space telescopes or on minute scale such as in the intricate designs on a butterfly wing.

Around 9 p.m. we received a call on our home phone. “Your cows are out, and they are headed out the road,” the neighbor explained on the phone. Our family hustled to grab coats, muck boots, and four-wheeler keys before heading to gather the wayward herd. When we arrived on the scene, we found ten cows and ten calves happily ambling down the hardtop. With the help of the neighbor, we turned them around and ushered them safely back to their field. Although the herd begrudgingly went back to our farm, they quickly went back to munching on grass. This bovine escapade happens more frequently than one might expect. However, feeding, watering, and keeping the cows safe in their pasture are just a few ways we, as farmers, take good care of our animals. After double-checking that the gate was locked, our family started walking back home. The peep frogs chirped as we gazed up at the night sky. The full moon and twinkling stars stretched overhead, and suddenly, we felt very small. Pondering our human frailty in comparison with the magnificent sky, I asked aloud, “Why do we matter to God?” It turns out that David, too, had this same question many years ago. When we look at Psalm 8, we see that David recognizes that our Lord is the creator of all things and even established the moon and stars with his fingers! Yet, according to verse 5, we have been crowned with glory and honor. “Why?” you might ask. Because we are made in his image! We were each made with a purpose – to glorify God. In verse 6, David tells us that we have also been given dominion over “the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.” In other words, we are stewards of his creation. This means, when our family takes time to herd our cattle to safety, we bring glory to God. In all the ways we care for our animals, land, and each other, we glorify God. How much more does God value us? The greatness of God assures the worth of mankind. God, the all-powerful Creator, cares for his most valuable creation – people. When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we wonder how God could be concerned for us. We have great worth because we bear the stamp of the Creator, and we should declare his majestic name throughout the earth!

-Philip Yancey

Psalm Eight For the Week: Set a goal to read Psalm 8 at least once a day Memorize Psalm 1:1-5 Let’s Pray:

Majestic creator of this world, help me recognize your glory … let me see you in every nook and cranny of creation. Let me rejoice in the incalculable stars on a summer evening, in the delicate beauty of butterfly wings, and in the songs of birds flitting through the air. Help me to recognize how much you love me and that I am precious in your sight.

Additional Reading: Mark 8, 9 Genesis 1:26-28 Matthew 21:15-16 1 Corinthians 15:22-27 Ephesians 1:19-23

Let’s do it:

What does “majestic” mean? What is an example of something majestic?

How can you glorify God by taking care of his creation this week?

Go outside and count stars…

Look up the song “Psalm 8” by The Corner Room and use it to help memorize this scripture.

Shane & Shane - “ How Majestic is Your Name” The Corner Room - “Psalm 8” Poor Bishop Hooper - “Psalm 8” Seeds Family Worship - “Psalm 8:3-4 (When I Look at Your Heavens)” & “Psalm 8:5-6 (Dominion)”

Reflections on the Heavens & Psalm Eight An Interview With Daniel Sweeney

Under an Oregon desert vista, known for some of the darkest skies accessible in the United States, Daniel Sweeney sat in a natural hot spring at sunset, watching the February sky darken and quickly illuminate with radiant lights. He reflects, “The skies were filled with more stars than I’d seen in my whole life… I could not speak. I was in complete awe.” If you ask Daniel for a big stargazing moment in his life, this one stands out. But he also shares dozens of smaller moments that have contributed toward a growing interest in the heavens above. Yet, only over the last decade has Daniel developed a more intentional study of the stars and skies–amatuer astronomy. Each fall, his interest seems to perk up, as fall marks increased visibility of planets, nice long evenings, optimal temperatures, perhaps even an event such as a meteor shower or an interesting sighting. He recalls one such fall night in which he set up a spotting scope for the family to observe a bright object in the night sky: “It was Saturn! We could see the rings clearly… it was very small and not much detail…but to see the complexity of that planet that’s not very far astronomically-speaking was just another step (in his growing interest for astronomy).” Daniel enjoys inviting friends over to look through a telescope on particularly optimal nights for visibility–which means “all the stars align” sort-of-speak– in terms of the absence of cloud-cover or smoke for clearness, optimal transparency, and “seeing,” which describes the stability of the atmosphere. “You need steady skies, clear skies, and a lack of light pollution”--which he explains can be man-made or even measured by the amount of light from the moon. Daniel shares that because of cultural light-pollution throughout the world (created by man-made light), “a lot of people don’t have access to the night sky. We are fortunate here in Floyd because we have a relatively dark sky.” Daniel shares his enjoyment of Dark Sky Mapping as well as learning through atlases of the night sky, interactive sky maps, constellation maps and more. These are just some of the tools to help amateur astronomers study the sun, moon, galaxies, comets, planets, double stars, star-clusters, location of North & South through stars and more. After thousands of years of humans studying astronomy and with all these maps and tools, the mysteries of the heavens are still so unknown to man. “There is essentially infinite exploration,” he shares. “The deeper we look into space, the more we see.” This is an exciting reality for Daniel, but there is also another feeling it evokes: “It’s extremely humbling. That’s another reason I really enjoy it because it does place us. If you think about just how complex and just how amazingly vast it is, it’s a window into something we can’t comprehend. That’s like trying to understand God in a lot of ways.” “When I look up at the night sky, I feel extremely humbled while being extremely grounded. There is a major sense of peace that comes from realizing our place.” Daniel develops this idea of how his soul has found more rest through his astronomical journey. “We are flying through the universe at incredible speed, but we can’t feel that or see that really. That lends to that idea, ‘What are we built to comprehend? I find that in scripture or prayer, accepting that humility and that there are things we can’t comprehend, is a comfort. I find that also in astronomy.”

In reflection on Psalm 8, Daniel weighs David’s response when he looks at the vast heavens and realizes his own smallness, and yet the greatness of being God’s delight, in being an image-bearer of God himself. Daniel echoes this reality: “The bigger the universe is, the less significant we could be or the more significant we could be. That's the feeling at play there.” Daniel recognizes that looking into that night sky, just as reading this ancient text in the Psalms, does something real to connect him to the past, just as simply looking up at the stars does. “When we look at the night sky, we’re looking back in time. The further we look, the further back in time we’re looking. We know that light is traveling at the speed of light–one of the few universal constants. Light, being both a wave and matter, behaves uniquely. So when we see the sun, we’re looking back in time about eight minutes. When we see a planet, we’re looking back minutes or hours, because it’s taking that long for the light to travel to us from that point.” Daniel marvels that when we look at certain stars, we’re looking back several thousands of years. He remarks, “Those are the kind of concepts I’m talking about that just bend our understanding…As Christians, we talk about eternity, we think about eternity, we think about our lifespans and it’s impossible to look into the heavens without confronting the reality of time” in ways that make us awestruck by the timeless Lord who invites us into a future with no end. While not everyone will share a desire to grow their knowledge of amateur astronomy, both King David and Daniel Sweeney make a great case for why everyone should take the time occasionally to look up. He shares that in the very least, it “increases our amount of awe, when looking at the amazing depth of creation.” Daniel also shares how it has grown him in patience, as much of this hobby requires waiting for the right conditions in visibility and tracking variables. Which of us doesn’t hope for ways to grow our patience? Some hobbies seem so intellectual and unknown to us, we hardly know where to begin, but just as Daniel shares how grounding astronomy is for him, his entire hobby remains grounded. Daniel still prefers his handheld binoculars to any other tools, something most of us already have around. He prefers a quite primitive website to keep him aware of night-sky conditions to any apps available. He still wonders if it’s worth it to be outside, looking up during cold weather. And he’s utterly aware that he will never grasp a portion of the mysteries of space and sky. Yet, it’s this realism and groundedness that keep him impressed by the simple sunrises, something that, by God’s grace, happens each morning. He adds, “I have also always really appreciated the moon. Sunsets, too, are astronomical events. The moon can put on such a show… seeing the moon just coming up when it looks exceptionally large, those are stirring moments.” Even the normal rhythms of the sun and moon are enough to keep him gazing and invite us in to do the same. Perhaps it was David's younger days watching sheep by night that taught him to turn his gaze upward and ponder the wonders of the Lord. For Daniel, it wasn’t until his mid thirties that God lifted his eyes upward. But whether we’re teaching our children or ourselves, Daniel’s simple encouragement has room to grow a love of the heavens in each of us, “Watch the sunrise! Take the time to sit and just watch. It might take thirty minutes. Take it in. We could all use a little more of that…Take the time to observe His creation and enjoy it.”

Psalm Eleven I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me,

“Escape to the mountain like a bird! For look, the wicked string bows; they put their arrows on bowstrings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?” The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord—his throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his gaze examines everyone. The Lord examines the righteous, but he hates the wicked and those who love violence.

Let him rain burning coals and sulfur on the wicked; let a scorching wind be the portion in their cup. For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds. The upright will see his face.

Reflections on Refuge & Psalm Eleven An Interview With Patty Bogese

When life goes differently than we had expected or even wanted, it’s easy to feel abandoned or confused. Many of those who are seasoned in life experiences, like Patty Bogese, know the deep truth that God is our only refuge. Patty takes time to gaze upon and resonates with Lindsey Spencer’s illustration of Psalm 11 and how her own life is captured here in the theme of being held by God through life’s storms and seasons. Patty tells with perfect candor, “When we grow up as young girls, into womanhood, we all have hopes and dreams for what our life is going to look like. I wanted to be a farmwife. I wanted to have a house full of children. God had such different plans for my life. There were times that I grieved that because I wanted what I wanted… At times, I have grieved that loss of my own dreams, not being able to see what God had ahead for me.” It’s in these seasons that she describes the temptation to feel abandoned. But she states, “Even in that time of grieving, I would feel His hands and the comfort that came from Him.” Patty describes the unique way God has mapped her life thus far. “God didn’t give me the life of a farmwife, where I put down roots and stayed. He gave me a very transient life. He’s moved me many times.” Each time she had settled, God clearly brought her elsewhere. And in that, Patty had to learn to find her refuge not in her physical environment, but in God’s constant presence. “No matter where He’s placed me, He gives me refuge there.” “Our homes are often our earthly refuge,” she says “where we can find what feels safe, but there are times we aren’t close to home and we have to run to Him for refuge instead.” God gave her the opportunity to learn this time and time again, such as calling her to serve for two years in Haiti, living out of one small room. Or obeying the call to go to Germany where she and Steven expected to minister to Germans, but instead found themselves working with Syrian refugees, who themselves were in search of refuge. Patty also experienced the loss of her physical home to fire, destroying most family keepsakes. Through moving dozens of times, living through fires, international travel, and the loss of precious relationships, Patty proclaims, “I came to understand, none of that is where my security lies. My security is in Him. He is the refuge we seek.” While these experiences have caused her to be open-handed with her home, she says, “that doesn’t mean I don’t love nesting, I do! That is something I love–to create a space I feel comfortable and safe. I love to share that. I think that is a desire God has put in my heart. Maybe because I didn’t have children of my own, or a family. God placed in my heart that my home is open to whoever He places there. There have been times that has been total strangers.” These days, Patty and Steven love sitting on their porch, watching birds as they have their devotional times, and reflecting on God’s provision for them. It’s easy to see the physical beauty of the home they have built in the last few years and the warmth of their hospitality. But as easy as it is to find their home a place of refuge, they are clear to proclaim the One who goes with their guests as they depart, the refuge really is God with us. Psalm 11 causes Patty to look back on the God who has been her refuge, because we only fully appreciate the refuge of God when we are in trouble. “Every trial, I’m grateful for. It’s kind of hard to say when you’re there. But he has used those circumstances to really refine us. I am thankful to look back and know, He doesn’t waste any of that hardship, ever!” Patty can also look ahead with the same resolve. “We are in that stage of life where it’s just a matter of time before life changes for us, and probably in some not-good ways. Yet, we are trying to look at that and say, ‘Ok, Lord, when that time happens, help us not miss what we need to learn from it, not miss You in the midst of it’.” She ends her reflection in thanksgiving that “the times that I’ve probably felt the closest to God are when I’ve been walking through turbulent times…that is when you can truly appreciate that image that Lindsey did of that bird in His hands. Birds are pretty fragile and we are too. We try to imagine ourselves being strong and resilient… but we need that protection from sin, danger, we need that imagery of God’s hand always around us.”

Psalm Twelve Help, Lord, for no faithful one remains;

the loyal have disappeared from the human race. They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts.

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks boastfully.

They say, “Through our tongues we have power; our lips are our own—who can be our master?” “Because of the devastation of the needy and the groaning of the poor, I will now rise up,” says the Lord. “I will provide safety for the one who longs for it.” The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. You, Lord, will guard us; you will protect us from this generation forever. The wicked prowl all around, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.

Psalm Twelve If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look

Psalm 12 begins with an introduction which differs depending on which Bible translation you have. In the NLT Bible it begins: “For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight stringed instrument.” In Bible times, this eight-stringed instrument would be a lyre, or a small harp. In Floyd County, there is another eight-stringed instrument which can often be heard around the Floyd Country Store: the mandolin. Whatever instruments are used to accompany them, we know that the Psalms of the Bible are actually songs about life. And just as life can be different from day to day or moment to moment, so can songs. Psalm 12 is like two very different, contrasting songs wrapped up in one. The first song (verses 1-4) seems very sad and scary. It talks about sin, lies, and hostility and causes anxiety and sadness. Picture a mandoline player strumming this part of the song violently fast and hard to the point that the player is sweating and losing control of his rhythm. Verse 1 begins with “Help!” This song is sung by a person in need. They see that good, godly people are disappearing. As they say, a good man is hard to find. People are lying and flattering (v. 2). The flattery here can be described as saying nice things with evil intentions. Telling people what they want to hear so that they can be tricked into doing evil things. This lying and flattering are so bad that the psalmist wants God to cut off their lips! Now, this is not a good example of a prayer request for our enemies as Jesus says we should love them (not cut off their lips). But at least the psalmist is bringing his requests and needs to God. As Psalm 121:2 says, “My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth!” So when we are being troubled by evil people or evil situations, God wants us to ask for help, and we can trust that He will respond to our request. Verse 5 marks a transition to another type of song. This one is much more calm and relaxing, like a beautifully picked melody being played while laying back cross-legged in a lawn chair on a sunny, peaceful day. This part of the song is comforting. Both verse 5 and 7 tell us that God’s response to evil and to the groans (and prayers) of the needy is to protect and give safety. Psalm 62 supports this theme: “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” When we trust and keep our eyes on God, the troubles and attacks of the world, and even our own sin, cannot overwhelm us. Verse 6 shares one way that God helps us through trials. While the world spits lies and flattery at us . . . God is different. Verse 6 tells us the Lord’s words are pure. He speaks the truth in love and is able to protect us from those who plan evil for us. One way to respond to the lies of the world is to focus our minds on God’s Word, the Bible. This focus will help us to remember that God is strong enough and caring enough to protect us in all trials.

within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.

-Corrie ten Boom

For the Week: Psalm Twelve

Let’s Pray: Lord, help us to trust and rely on You when our world and our lives seem too much for us to handle on our own. Help us to focus on the truths of your Word.

Set a goal to read Psalm 12 at least once a day Memorize Psalm 1:1-6

Let’s Do It

Additional reading:

What type of songs do you consider to be descriptive of your life? Do you spend more time being riled up and stressed out by the world around or calmed and comforted by the Lord of all? How can you improve your response to the lies and hostility of the world? Do you always remember to go to God for help and protection?

Mark 10, 11 Psalm 121:1-2 Psalm 62:1-2

How can you spend more time dwelling in the peace the Lord provides?

The Corner Room - “Psalm 12” Poor Bishop Hooper - “Psalm 12”