SCRIPTURE: Psalm 42 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? [Psalms 42:1-2] Have you experienced times like this, when God seems distant, absent, uncaring; or when you feel disconnected from God? – I…
Author: Norm
a king like that
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 41 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. Lord, have mercy on me. Make me well again, so I can pay them back! [Psalm 41:9-10] There is something Jesus-like in this psalm: David, a merciful and kind king and a friend to…
what the stones say
I found these stones piled up along the shore of Victoria Park, PEI. Did this happen naturally, or is there some intelligent designer behind it? To me, these stones testify – or point to – the hand that shaped and positioned them. They are a silent message, reminding me that they did not just ‘happen’,…
in stormy times
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 40 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. [Psalms 40:12-13] The story behind this psalm is that David, who…
the ocean depths of God
That’s me going for a walk… in the ocean. Experiencing God is like experiencing the ocean. You can only touch a small part of it, and you could never grasp the whole of it. It’s expanse, it’s depth, and the wonder that it contains, is all beyond my reach. But that doesn’t stop me from…
what are you clinging to?
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 39 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it… When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. [Psalms 39:6,11] David is going through…
sin sick
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 38 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins. [Psalms 38:5] As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because…
turning tables
SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: When I arrived back in Jerusalem, I learned about Eliashib’s evil deed in providing Tobiah with a room in the courtyards of the Temple of God. I became very upset and threw all of Tobiah’s belongings out of the room. Then I demanded that the rooms be purified, and I brought back…
island paradise!
Yes, it was a wonderful week on the Island (PEI). Valerie and I enjoyed a whole week of quiet relaxation. Thank You Lord! It was also good to see our friends at Charlottetown CRC. Thank You Lord, again! And above all, it was great to see our kids again when we came home. Thank You…
a special assignment
SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The Levites who returned with them were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his associates was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. [Nehemiah 12:8] In this chapter, we see a specially planned and organized “thanksgiving day”, a celebration of the goodness of God. It was very formal, choreographed, yet very sincere…