Tag Christianity

God Wants to Hear Everything

Todd R 1 Comment

Not everyone has a good friend they can talk to anything about at any time.  But we always have God.  As David tells us in Psalm 62:8 –

“Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah”

When do we need a refuge?  When we have troubles.  He wants to hear from us at all times and strengthen and guide us.  Martin Luther, commenting on the verse, wrote:

“Strength fades, courage fails; God remains firm.  If you are lacking something, well, here is good advice: ‘Pour out your heart before him’ Voice your complaint freely, and do not conceal anything from him.  Regardless of what it is, just throw it in a pile before him, as you open your heart completely to a good friend. He wants to hear it, and he wants to give you his aid and counsel. Do not be bashful before him. Out with everything.”[1]

The word Selah at the end of the verse is mysterious, but many believe it is a signal to pause and reflect.  What do you want to “throw in a pile before him” now?

[1] Quoted in McKim, Donald K.  Everyday Prayer with the Reformers (2020).  P. 37.

Daily Readings for March 23 – 29

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Fellow travelers:

For those looking for a Bible reading plan, each week I post 2 chapters to read per day as a main reading plan, and for anyone who wants to read the whole Bible in 2026, I’ll post the extra chapters to read that week.  The main readings will include nearly all of the New Testament, plus Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Prophets, and a few other Old Testament books.

Reading 3 chapters a day on weekdays and 4 on weekends almost exactly covers the 1,189 chapters of the Bible, so the “extra” readings will be about 9 chapters per week.  These readings will cover the Pentateuch, the OT histories, a few other OT books, plus Jude and Revelation from the NT.

This week the Bible in a Year plan almost finishes Leviticus.  I’m not even halfway through Exodus, but there’s a lot of time to catch up!

I hope this encourages others to read and study their Bible more, whatever parts they decide to read.  Follow along (or not) any way you choose!

2 chapter a day plan:

Monday, March 23: Psalm 82, Luke 18
Tuesday, March 24: Psalm 83, Luke 19
Wednesday, March 25: Psalm 84, Luke 20
Thursday, March 26: Psalm 85, Luke 21
Friday, March 27: Psalm 86, Luke 22
Saturday, March 28: Psalm 87, Luke 23
Sunday, March 29: Psalm 88, Luke 24

Extra chapters for those reading the whole Bible in 2026:
Leviticus 16-24

Time for a Change 2026 (3 of 9)

Todd R 1 Comment

Fellow travelers,

Are there small things you are doing that are harmful to you? Are there small changes you can make to improve your life? Can each of us build a better “liturgy” for our lives over time, step by step? Can we accumulate victories in small battles that help us fight bigger ones?  Over time can we better love God, ourselves, and others?

Instead of making resolutions or celebrating Lent, every 40 days I try to make a small, permanent change in my life habits.  I keep a list of the changes I’ve made or want to make.  This is all voluntary, so I don’t criticize myself for missing a deadline or going back on something.  If I fail at some of the changes, the successful ones still add up to a massive shift over time.  I don’t always do “spiritual” or major changes, just something I think will make my life better, permanently.  For example, in 2021, I decided to drink at least 32 oz of water a day, and I still do it (with an occasional miss).  My last change was an average daily step goal I started in February.  I’ve met that goal so far.

My change for 3/22/26 is one I’ve tried before (1/1/25), and it worked for a few months, but then it didn’t.  So, I’m going to try it again.  I’m not giving specifics here, but I’ll say it has to do with making better use of my time.

If you want to participate, tomorrow, March 22nd, is 80 days after the start of the New Year and time for the next change.  If you do, keep a record of what you’re changing.  As the months and years pass, hopefully the cumulative change is enormous. The next date on the schedule (40 days later) is 5/1/26, and I have a couple of things under consideration for then.  I’ll be posting a reminder at about that time; if you want to participate, start making a list of things you might want to do more or less of, and let’s see what we can accomplish!  This habit has been helpful to me and might be to you, even if you have your own way of doing it.

Daily Readings for March 16 – 22

Todd R Leave a comment

Fellow travelers:

For those looking for a Bible reading plan, each week in 2026 I will post 2 chapters to read per day as a main reading plan, and for anyone who wants to read the whole Bible in 2026, I’ll post the extra chapters to read that week.  The main readings will include nearly all of the New Testament, plus Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Prophets, and a few other Old Testament books.

Reading 3 chapters a day on weekdays and 4 on weekends almost exactly covers the 1,189 chapters of the Bible, so the “extra” readings will be about 9 chapters per week.  These readings will cover the Pentateuch, the OT histories, a few other OT books, plus Jude and Revelation from the NT.

I hope this encourages others to read and study their Bible more, whatever parts they decide to read.  Follow along (or not) any way you choose!

2 chapter a day plan:
Monday, March 16: Psalm 75, Luke 11
Tuesday, March 17: Psalm 76, Luke 12
Wednesday, March 18: Psalm 77, Luke 13
Thursday, March 19: Psalm 78, Luke 14
Friday, March 20: Psalm 79, Luke 15
Saturday, March 21: Psalm 80, Luke 16
Sunday, March 22: Psalm 81, Luke 17

Extra chapters for those reading the whole Bible in 2026:
Leviticus 7 – 15

Daily Readings for March 9 – 15

Todd R Leave a comment

Fellow travelers:

For those looking for a Bible reading plan, each week in 2026 I will post 2 chapters to read per day as a main reading plan, and for anyone who wants to read the whole Bible in 2026, I’ll post the extra chapters to read that week.  The main readings will include nearly all of the New Testament, plus Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Prophets, and a few other Old Testament books.

Reading 3 chapters a day on weekdays and 4 on weekends almost exactly covers the 1,189 chapters of the Bible, so the “extra” readings will be about 9 chapters per week.  These readings will cover the Pentateuch, the OT histories, a few other OT books, plus Jude and Revelation from the NT.

I hope this encourages others to read and study their Bible more, whatever parts they decide to read.  Follow along (or not) any way you choose!

2 chapter a day plan:

Monday, March 9: Psalm 68, Luke 4
Tuesday, March 10: Psalm 69, Luke 5
Wednesday, March 11: Psalm 70, Luke 6
Thursday, March 12: Psalm 71, Luke 7
Friday, March 13: Psalm 72, Luke 8
Saturday, March 14: Psalm 73, Luke 9
Sunday, March 15: Psalm 74, Luke 10

Extra chapters for those reading the whole Bible in 2026:
Exodus 38 – 40, Leviticus 1-6