The celestial realms announce God’s glory; the skies testify of His hands’ great work. Each day pours out more of their sayings; each night, more to hear and more to learn. (Psalm 19:1-2 VOICE) As a child, I'd lay under the shade of a big tree's shadow just staring at the clouds passing overhead. If I was with friends, we'd try to imagine the shapes were dogs, cats, horses, or some such thing. If I was alone, the geek in me would come out and I would ponder how they came to be made, what caused them to move so rapidly, why they changed appearances as they did. Way out in the desert at night, the skies would be pitch black, stars aglow in massive quantities. The heavens did declare something of God's glory, even back then, and they continue to do so now. His 'great work' is on display for us in the skies overhead, although we may miss it if we don't stop long enough to ponder it. That simple activity as a child was possible because I had nothing but time! As...
When life is dark, a light will shine for those who live rightly— those who are merciful, compassionate, and strive for justice. Good comes to all who are gracious and share freely; they conduct their affairs with sound judgment. (Psalm 112:4-5 VOICE) Life gets dark sometimes, doesn't it? In those dark places we want even the tiniest bit of light to help us get through, don't we? We are never without light, even in the dark places of life! We might not understand why darkness is surrounding us, but we can trust that there will be light that shines through. Those who are merciful, compassionate, and strive for justice shall always be assured of light shining on their path. Merciful people don't just receive mercy - they give it freely because they know how freely they have received it. Compassionate people don't just feel concern for the suffering they can see - they feel it deeply just because they know it exists. Justice may seem like it is far away at times. There ...