Reading with the Pastor Mark 11 and Psalm 46 “Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in Your word” (Psalm 119:18). The Temple was to be a house of prayer but in Jesus time it had been turned into a “robber’s den” (Mark 11:17). Here was a specially set aside and sacred place … More When Doing Right Gets You in Trouble
Meditations on Matthew 18 and Psalm 22 Read the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Let it sink into your soul. If the body of Christ would master just this one parable, the whole life of the church, our families, our relationships with others would be radically changed. Pray for that. Start with … More What Jesus Was Thinking on the Cross?
The Poetry Project In December of 2009 or thereabouts, my son, Marty Schoenleber III, (aka, Marty S. Dalton) put a video up on Youtube.com. It inspired me to keep working on a project I thought of a couple of years ago. The idea is to write a poem of personal reflection for each Psalm in the psalter. … More When Waiting On God is the Purpose
What does it Take to Thrive Under Pressure? Part of the Poetry Project Suggested by a Reading of Psalm 12 Read Psalm 12 “There is no strength left in the world of men.” —Elrond, in The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkein Resilience is the ability to thrive under pressure. I have seen some … More Resilience: The Ability to Thrive under Pressure
Wednesday is for Prayer Sleep is over-rated. One hour, and then toss, switch sides, too hot, toilet, a thousand thoughts, turn them into prayers, what was that sound?, more thoughts, more prayers, give up, rise up, light on, rearrange bed, locate Bible, listen to the voice of God. Last night, reading, praying, meditating on Psalm … More The King and a Blade of Dry Grass (a meditation)
The Poetry Project Continues Poems for Psalms (Part of the “Poetry Project”) Suggested by Psalm 127 In December of 2009 or thereabouts, my son, Marty Schoenleber III (aka Marty S. Dalton), put a video up on Youtube.com. It inspired me to keep working on a project I thought of a couple of years ago. The idea is to … More Delighting in Undeserved Gifts
Original Musical Composition by Aubre Schoenleber to Accompany Poetry Project Read Psalm 16 Suggested by a Reading of Psalm 16 Part of the Poetry Project A Miktam. Nobody knows what Miktam means. It only occurs in six places (Psalm 16, 56-60). One interesting note is that each of the psalms it appears in breathe an atmosphere of lamentation … More To Mourn Well: Why We Lament When We Are Not Lame
Thursday Afternoon Musings Read Psalm 46 Another offering for the poetry project. The psalmist knows his God. God is our refuge (vs. 1) He is our present help (vss. 1, 5) He is in our midst. (v. 5) He is the LORD of hosts (vss. 7, 11) He is the God of Jacob (vss. 7, 11) … More There are Things that are Certain
Tuesday is for Prayer Read Psalm 39 We only slow down when we hurt. The rest of the time, we run around like we know what we are doing and stay just ahead of the puppy barking at our heals calling us to stop and pet him. He won’t bite. He wants to play. God is … More “Surely Every Man is a Mere Breath”
Just spent 20 minutes talking on the phone with a man I have never met who called up the pastor (me) of his father’s former church. He was emotional, drunk, broken, guilt ridden and longing, in the emptiness of all the choices that hollowed his life out, for a return to a more innocent time. … More “Friday Night” Party Night
