A Story to Tell

 My Magnolia Jane will soon be blooming in Maryland. How I will miss it's beauty. We planted three Magnolia Jane's here, and they have buds on them. Hoping for a lovely display in a few weeks.

Last Sunday my pastor preached from Psalm 71, and spoke about proclaiming God's Glory. He suggested everybody has a story to tell and challenged us to write our own story and bring it with us  this coming Sunday morning. I thought I'd give it a try.

The book of Psalms shows every emotion and situation known to man, and encourages and inspires our hearts. The Liberty Bible Commentary says the Book of Psalms ". . . provides a mirror into which one can peer and see himself and his emotions reflected." It also says: " . . . the purpose of the Psalms is rightly seen as being the outcries of praises and pleading from the hearts of some of God's choicest servants."

I'm not sure if this is quite what my pastor wanted us to do, but most of the verses I've chosen to tell my story are from the Psalms. Over the course of 40 years, I've seen most seasons that befall a person in their lifetime. Seasons such as depression, heartbreak, sin, cancer, divorce, sadness, happiness, fear, joy, anger, anxiety. You name it, most of us have seen similar seasons.

The verses I selected are the ones that have played significant impact into each season of my life. My mind instantly goes to a time when the verse shared my pain or encouraged my heart and helped me get through whatever was happening. Most of the verses are found in Psalms, with a few here and there from others books of the Bible. They're not in any particular order.

All verses are from the NIV version, and I hope I've transcribed them accurately.

 I always enjoyed these geraniums in the spring. They just made me happy.

This is my story . . .

"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since I was 28." Psalm 71:5   "The Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me." Psalm 116:6  "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name" Psalm 103:1

" ... Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast Army. For the battle is not yours, but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:15 and Deuteronomy 31:6   "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy." Psalm 28:6   "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to me."  Psalm 116:7

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing." Psalm 5:1  "When I said my foot is slipping, your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94:18-19   "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise renews my life." Psalm 119:50


"The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary." Isiah 50:4   ". . . he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Psalm 11:25    "We have different gifts . . . if it is encouraging, let her encourage." Romans 12  "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11

"Answer me quickly ... let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love . . . show me the way . . . rescue me . . . teach me to do your will." Psalm 143  "Phrase be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me." Psalm 66:20

"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed . . ." Romans 18   "Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Genesis 22:12b   "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again . . ."  Psalm 71:20  "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3


" . . . Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you." Psalm 25:20b  "Have mercy on me . . . Oh, God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge." Psalm 57:1  "My heart is in anguish within me . . . Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest." Psalm 54:4  " . . . list my tears on your scroll." Psalm 56:8


" . . . If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." Isaiah 7:9b  "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13  "I am still confidant of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13


" . . . the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 4:6  "A happy heart makes the face cheerful . . ."  Proverbs 15:13  ". . . but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30b

"May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me." Psalm 69:6  "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me." Psalm 51:3  "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped . . . until I entered the sanctuary of God." Psalm 73:2 and 73:26  " , , , wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7b

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:1-2   "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Psalm 42:1


"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5  "My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word." Psalm 119:28"  "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Psalm 71:14

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth." Job 19:25  "I myself will see him with my own eyes-I and not another. How my heart yearns within me." Job 19:27  "I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." Revelation 3:8b  "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17b and 21:4

I will also miss my poppies that came with the house when we bought it some 30 years ago.

Some of these verses may look like or suggest that I'm some kind of super human being. Wrong. I'm just an old sinner saved by grace trying to live my life for God. The words encourage my heart and help me carry on each day.

It's been a good experience to write my story and it reminds me of God's presence in my life and how His Words have helped me through all seasons before, and will help me in all seasons to come.

These are the words that make up my story of God's Glory in my heart. Thank you, Pastor Jim!

This is my story. What's yours?