Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!
Psalm 29
So much on my head, and so much on my plate, but nevertheless, I believe it is important – no, vital – for me to run to the Scriptures, no matter what. I find it more appropriate for me now to run to Christ, who is my Living Word, and who adds life to the Word I read, much as He adds the Word into whatever I’m going through in my life right now.
And to be honest, I’m feeling pretty pent up with anger, frustration, and all sorts of pretty little emotions. Much as I would like to let it all out on other people, especially those people who make me angry in the first place, it’s these times that I find myself thankful for two things:
First is my handy, dandy punching bag. I may not be able to let out all of what I think and feel about certain people to their face right now, but my punching bag is more than willing to take the full brunt of my anger and rage, in the form of eloquently expressed rhetoric. In fact, I’m learning something that I’ve realized while shooting photos also applies when I don the boxing gloves; because see, just as your photos look a little nicer when you’re angry, it seems as if your punches have more power and accuracy, just as your movements are more natural around the bag, and your footwork is less cluttered – all when you’re angry, as well. Seems as if burpees feel better, and every callisthenic movement is also more appreciated when you need to get something out of your chest. So, well, I’m thankful for just exercise in general, more than just the boxing regimens, and much more than the mere punching bag.
Second, and this is actually more important, is the Word. I’m thankful for the Word, that leads me to Life, and the Life, that allows me to make sense of the Word from a perspective fully considering and birthed from Jesus Christ and His finished work, made free for all to believe and receive. I’m thankful for the Word, because much as I could pour out any built up physical energy onto the heavy bag, so I could also let out any built-up emotions in prayer, and in the Word. So, well, I’m just thankful for the communication we have with Christ. Reading the Word is half of the transaction, as we hear God talking to us through our meditation, but it’s in prayer that we are also bringing our words – complaints, frustrations, appreciation, remarks, and all – to God.
It is as the last verse of this Psalm mentions. I am reminded that through Christ, we are given strength from the Lord, and we are blessed with peace from the Lord as well. As we always say, it’s because of Christ that we have power and peace.
And in the face of what’s going on right now which is draining me of peace by coming all at once, I dare to still say, that which overwhelms me in this life has no such hold on me as the everlasting peace I have in Christ. I have frustrations with folks who want none of the hard work and all of the glory. As a response I proclaim that through Christ I have peace in the fact and the Truth that a huge part of the salvation that He bought for me with His life is His sharing of His glory with me and for all in the body of Christ (The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, John 17:22) – and right there, I am reminded that while these folk compromise our own recognition and our own time to chase fleeting, worldly admiration, the glory that we have in Christ is as much theirs as it is ours. The way I see it now is that I should really just settle for this everlasting glory that Christ paid such a great price for us to dwell in, understanding that these people are still on their way to having the Holy Spirit revealing this to them as well.
I HAVE been that arrogant at times, even up until today. But as Christ is longsuffering to me, so I could be longsuffering and considerate to their blindness, hoping that there lies beyond my perceptions, a peace that exists with the glory we have received in Christ.
Father, do grant me peace.
Yes, Father, do grant me peace – for it is from this peace that I draw power, just as you bless me with power. You bless me with power borne from peace to make huge steps in investing money. I’ve been pretty reckless in not only spending but foolishly throwing away money I thought I was willing to lose, in scams I thought were done deals. And as I find myself slowly scaling down the bottom of the mountain where I used to be so long ago, I find the rest of my being impacted by the stark realization of not being sure of what I’ve learned along the way. I find myself with much less power, untimely during this time where I see myself with much more responsibilities… and I suppose I’m learning that there exists power more potent than what comes from money… Father, do grant me peace. Peace, unto power.
Father, do grant me peace.
Peace that is not of this world, for power that is out of this world.
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
And as I see the rest of the Psalm, I proclaim the same. I join the heavenlies in ascribing to the Lord, our God, all glory and strength and power; His name is worthy of all glory, and we openly worship Him with all that we are, all that has been redeemed, all that has been made holy by no other than Christ, His Son, and through His death and resurrection.
You are glorious, my Lord! You are wonderful, magnificent, wise and mighty, perfect in all of your ways! You who have been in the beginning are in the end, within and beyond the boundaries of time and space, both of which you have created. You are powerful beyond power, wise beyond wisdom, and in my praising You with all that you have created me to be, Father, these times I just place my full and complete trust in You!
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Speak to me, Father! God of glory, Lord over many waters, speak power to my condition! I run to you for help, as many run to me for help!
Speak to me, Father – yes, my Father, who is the Powerful and Majestic Lord of Lords – You speak to me, pronouncing clarity in my confusion, and in all the emotions that are fighting ruthlessly for my attention!
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
Speak Life to me, my Father, Life that overwhelms your creation to break and move!
Speak Love to me, my Savior, Love that goes beyond hearts and is as present in the fire, as it is in the earthquakes!
The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
I… am absolutely clueless, Father. I know nothing of value beyond You. In all that has been said, and in all that I lay down before you… Father, Glory.
Father, continue to glorify Your name in all the earth. Lover of my soul, source of true power and absolute peace… I trust in You, and You alone.
He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
Heal me, and make me whole. I’ve been stubborn, but I have been humbled.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
May we be proponents, proper extensions of the righteousness that Christ established in us.
He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
My wealth has been squandered. Prostitutes come in many forms.
Oh, Father – I need wisdom, and you are faithful to grant it to me (James 1:5). I want to make my parents proud.
By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
Yes, even during these times, I sing. Even during these times I rejoice! For Christ, whom I preach, is truly faithful to me, whether I am in the plains, the mountains, or the valleys.
A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
Thank You, Father – You keep me from the foolish behavior of raging, and moving and speaking without quiet, or peace.
Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
You protect me from giving full vent to my spirit. Your wisdom reminds me at this time to hold back.
If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
You assure me that You are working all things and all people for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.
If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
I’m never alone with You, am I not, Father? I know my Mom has stuff to say about me, but I thank You, because by your rod, I am corrected.
When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
What with everything happening in the world, I could stay in lamentation… but I thank God for the righteousness I have in Christ, which reminds me that I am safe in the storm, far above the floods.
Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.
Father, give me wisdom to speak with prophetic vision, and the power and discernment to uphold the law of loving one another, moving as I must.
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Again, thank You, Father. I can hold my peace. I have access to this medium to truly clarify my mind and my emotions.
Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.
Discipling is not pampering. Thank You, Father.
A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Prince of Peace, You are my Peace – I am reminded, I am one given to Peace. Peace that subdues pride.
The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.
An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs 29
You protect me from traps and scams, Father. True justice comes from you. You make my crooked paths straight.
Family, I apologize. Writing this has been a way for me to be vulnerable, and I thank you all for your longsuffering.
Until the next post, God bless you.
JB's Personal Brain Defragmenter 
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