Oct 19
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Terror on All Sides - Psalm 56There are times in life when feels as thought troubles surround us, stresses choke us, problems overwhelm us. There are times when we simply cannot see the way ahead, and each day feels like a struggle to survive. The cry of Psalm 56 is the cry of God’s people facing immanent destruction. Will God forsake us in the hour of our deepest need? Will his silence continue even while the wolves devour us? Will He abandon us to the fire? David articulates the desperation of God’s people in the midst o… Read more »
Oct 11
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dougfloyd added a link contribution A Cry in Exile - Psalm 130This psalm of ascent seems to be a cry of repentence and longing for restoration from a people in exile. So as I thought about the Jewish diaspora, I wrote this little story. Read more »
Oct 1
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Rejoicing in the Face of MockersThis is a mini story I wrote using the story of building the wall under Nehemiah as a backdrop for Psalm 129, which is a Psalm of resistance under adversity (resting int the faithfulness of the Lord). Read more »
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Dance of Love (in a Wilderness of Longing)Here is a reflection on the sanctuary of God's love in the midst of our human loneliness and pain. This reflect on His call into relationships and into the lives of other people. Read more »
Sep 24
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Grace Filled GreetingWhile we typically read straight through the greetings of Paul's letters, it is worthwhile to pause and reflect on the riches of God's goodness revealed to the community of Christ. I've posted some study notes on vs 1-2 at the link. Read more »
Sep 13
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Rejoicing in ExileAs a Psalm of Ascent, Psalm 128 may have been sung during festivals. Here is a mini-story thinking about how this song might speak to people during a season of rejoicing even though they personally may still be suffering in exile. Read more »
Aug 26
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Cutting Off My HandSometimes He calls us to cut off the foot, the hand, the eye because they have become obstructions to love. Sometimes He simply amputates the offending limb. He removes those things that hide our hurts, our broken places, our attitudes that resist the limitless love of God. These things seem so deeply connected our lives, our ego, our identity that to lose them feels as if we’ve lost a vital limb. (This is an excerpt from my blog entry on this topic) Read more »
Jul 29
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Gifts of the LordHere's a mini-story reflecting upon Psalm 127. Read more »
Jul 27
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dougfloyd added a link contribution 4th Commandment as PraiseHere is a litany of praise through the lens of the fourth commandment on Sabbath. Read more »
Jul 13
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Psalm 126 - ReturningHere is a little story think about 126 through the eyes of missionaries. This story is based on real experiences of early American missionaries. Read more »
Jun 29
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dougfloyd added a link contribution 2nd Commandment as PraiseHere is a reflection of praise pouring out from the 2nd commandment. Read more »
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dougfloyd added a link contribution 1st Commandment as praiseHere is a short praise to God rooted in the 1st commandment. Read more »
Jun 26
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Our Help is in the LordHere is a mini-story I recently wrote while reflecting upon Psalm 124. The psalmist realizes God's absolute faithfulness to his children even when the enemy rages. As I reflected on the psalm, I thought of the Christians who have suffered and continue to suffer for the faith. Let us thank God for His faithfulness in the midst of good times and bad, and pray for those in the midst of deep suffering. Read more »
Jun 9
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Psalm 123 - The Cry of a LeaderThis prayer makes me think of something a leader like Nehemiah might have cried in the midst of service to YHWH. I've written a mini-story to think about this prayer in that context. Read more »
May 14
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Psalm 121 - A Pause Before AscendingI tried to think of Psalm 121 in context of the returned exiles. Here are some thoughts that emerged. Read more »
Apr 30
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Psalm 120 - Pilgrim FaithI am writing a series of meditations on the Psalms of Ascent. This first psalm of ascending begins in the depths of suffering. As I tried to hear the rhythms of this psalm in my soul, I kept imagining the Holocaust. Is God present in the darkest, depths of suffering? As I read and reflect on this Psalm, I think of all who are immersed in depths of suffering. In the night of war and pain and forsakenness, our only hope is found in the goodness and mercy of God. Read more »
Apr 15
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Rebuilding the Person in the Rhythm of Worship and CommunityThe "called out" people of God take form as they gather together in worship, celebrating the faithfulness of God to lead us through the pilgrimage to stand blameless before the Father. Read more »
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dougfloyd added a link contribution The Resurrection of Israel in a Band of ExilesIn chapter two, we see the inversion of God's glory. In their humiliation, they're outpouring, God's is revealing new heights of glory through His people. Read more »
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Ezra 1 - The Power to Create the WorldIn chapter one, we see the power of inspiration (Spirit breathed) upon the king and the people. Read more »
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dougfloyd added a link contribution The Ezra Nehemiah SagaHere is an introduction to notes on the books of Ezra & Nehemiah. I am looking at these books at the beginning of a new world for Israel. All their symbols are changing after the exile. These books reveal a pattern in Scripture of creating a new world (new heavens and earth) after the destruction of an old world. Read more »
Apr 14
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dougfloyd added a link contribution The Book of LoveBy focusing on loving God and loving man, Jesus is working directly within the framework of the law. Deuteronomy 6 explores how the law is an imaging of love. But we don't see the fullness of the image until Jesus. This little essay touches on that theme. Read more »
Apr 10
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Isaiah 53 - The Fall of GodThis little meditation is exploring the idea of falling and rising in Christ, and the "great exchange" revealed in the Song of the Suffering Servant. Read more »
Mar 2
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Suffering the Ache of InjusticeHere are reflections on the cry of the psalmist for justice. Read more »
Feb 27
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dougfloyd added a link contribution Sabbath StoryingIn this post, I am trying to think about how Sabbath might speak wisdom into our culture about the power of stories. Read more »
Feb 11
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dougfloyd added a link contribution The Tale of the Woman at the WellI wrote this little story as a means of trying to think through some of the tensions and rhythms present in the story of The Woman at the Well. Read more »