Monday, February 24, 2014

7 Posts,7 Days, #1

It's been a long time since I've joined a blog link-up, but this one at Conversion Diary caught my eye.  Basically, it's a challenge to blog every day for a week. Since laziness (in all areas of life) is my besetting sin, I figured this might be good for me.

If you have a blog, but never did a link-up, this might be a good one to try.

One of my top favorite psalms, 84, came up in morning prayer today. It has two images that really speak to me. First, I love how the psalmist, in his longing to be in God's house, speaks enviously of the swallows that build their nests high along the walls of the temple, near the altar. 

Next, I love this:
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are on the road to Zion
As they go through the bitter valley, they make it a place of springs
the autumn rain covers it with blessings.
They walk with every growing strength;
they shall see the God of gods in Zion.
Whenever I"m going through a "bitter valley", or am praying for someone else who is, I love when this verse pops up.  It reminds me so vividly of how we participate in Jesus' salvific mission whenever we accept, bear, and join our pain to His. That very offering at once makes my bitter valley into a place of springs.

Don't forget to sign up for this book giveaway by leaving a comment on that post.

And welcome, new blog follower, Shelly.