Sometimes the best advice is simply to hold fast and hold tight. As we journey through this thing we call life there are many ups and downs, as well as curves and corners along the way. Life is fragile and fickle and you just never really know what might be around the next corner. I just heard a news story about a woman who’s been forced out of her home, and is now living in her car. The most striking part of the story revolved around the fact that she sounded happy! That’s right, she sounded happy while talking about the fact that her car is a little more cramped than the three bedroom condo she used to live in. But, even in the midst of losing her house, and having to live in her car, she was happy.

Could it be that she’s discovered the secret of the phrase hold fast and hold tight? She readily admitted she’s in her situation because she over-extended herself and also went into a condo payment she couldn’t afford. Now as we find ourselves in the midst of a mortgage crisis, she’s lost her house. But, she also knows life will turn around once again. Perspective is everything. When faced with difficult situations in life we can determine our reaction. We will either freeze up and fall into a victim mindset – or – we will hold fast and hold tight resting in the knowledge that things will turn around.

So, whatever you might be facing today, I hope you will find encouragement in the phrase — Hold fast and hold tight.

A Fellow Sojourner,
Dr. Rus

Over on his blog In Case You Were Wondering, Brody Harper asked an interesting question today — What random thoughts are on your mind? I read those words shortly before our worship service this morning. At the time I kind of shrugged the question off. But then during our worship time, the random thought that hit me had to do with giving praise at all times.

I know, many have heard the tired old Scriptural saying — “Give praise at all times.” But, this morning something a little different hit me. As I found ourselves giving praise and thanks for what He’s done, we ended up totally changing the music line up. We did Make A Joyful Noise, Blessed By Thy Name and the Lincoln Brewster song Let the Praises Ring. That’s the song that really put us in the praise mindset.

The past few weeks have been rather trying in the Jeffrey household. I have to admit, at times, it’s been hard to find much to praise Him about. But, as we were singing this morning I found myself in Psalm 150. I know, I know. Again, this is a Psalm that many turn to when encouraging us to praise Him at all times. But, as I meditated on the words from Psalm 150 this morning with the congregation I found myself going in somewhat a different direction.

Yes, this is a great Psalm, and many times we look at it with little to no regard for the surrounding text. We need to remember the Psalms are a collection of songs that were on David’s heart at one time or another. As I pondered that thought I pointed out the fact that in the Psalms we discover the full range of human emotion. There’s the incredible highs, and the amazing lows. There’s story of victory, and story of betrayal. If we were to look at the Psalms in light of David’s life, we would quickly discover his journey through this life. When pondering this fact, I suddenly realized that it’s in the midst of life, in the midst of the highs, and the lows, that we will always seem to find ourselves praising God for some reason. We may not know why at the time, but somewhere deep inside us, there’s a desire to praise the Creator for all that He has done.

Yes, Psalm 150 is a great Psalm of praise, but I find even more joy in that Psalm today as I realize David still found the strength and energy to praise God, even after outlining his amazing journey through this life, before arriving at the final Psalm, which boldly declares…

“Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

A Fellow Sojourner,
Dr. Rus