March 19, 2026
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You can tell a lot about a person by his effect on others. What is Jesus like to be around? What is the aftertaste he leaves in your mouth? Is this someone you’d want to take a long car ride with? We saw Zacchaeus’ reaction. Here are two more,...

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March 18, 2026
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To be a human being is to be stained glass—beautiful in our brokenness, but a collection of many parts nonetheless. Someone once wrote, “You are every age you have ever been.” They were speaking poetically but also naming something literal. You...

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March 17, 2026
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Written centuries ago by St. Patrick, this is a profound and simple prayer for protection. We find ourselves returning to again and again:

I arise today
 Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity.
 Through...

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March 16, 2026
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Jesus sustains all creation by the mighty power of his command. Obviously, or Satan would have torn all creation to pieces long ago. Jesus—through whom all things were made—is currently, at this moment, holding all things together; he sustains...

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March 15, 2026
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We are seeking refuge as ordinary mystics growing into mature mystics who recognize that the refuge of God is dynamic and requires our participation—as when we consecrate our lives to God daily, when we stay in the truth, or when we crush the...

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March 14, 2026
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In Deuteronomy and in Hebrews we are reminded that our God is a jealous God, a consuming fire:

Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the...

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March 13, 2026
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Love is something we are going to have to firmly protect.

Now here is the problem—as soon as I say the word “love,” many different things come to your heart and mind.

Oh great, now I have to take care of everyone.
I guess I...

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March 12, 2026
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For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love. 
–King David


You are safe and secure in the refuge of God. That is the major theme.

The minor theme is the war raging outside, which we...

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March 11, 2026
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Remember now—we are maturing in our understanding of how we actively participate as ordinary mystics in God as our refuge and stronghold; these passages are critical to God’s provision for us. “Trampling and crushing” are active and...

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March 10, 2026
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Let’s return to that gripping scene in the Judean wasteland. Imagine Jesus walking around his desert camp, fasting, praying, quoting Scripture, and no doubt declaring aloud Psalm 91, “El Shaddai is my refuge and fortress ...”

It’s...

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March 09, 2026
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The spiritual warfare of the hour we are living in is no different than what Patrick and his disciples faced. It might be worse because of the lateness of the hour, and it can be withering when you are under it. In those desolate moments, when my...

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March 08, 2026
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Let me suggest for you one practice that is sustainable and very fruitful: the daily declaration, or proclamation, of essential truths. Returning to Psalm 91, notice the importance of the second verse:

Those who live in the shelter of the...

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March 07, 2026
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More corrosive than all of these are the personal assaults of the enemy’s lies whispered to our hearts. They are far more brilliant than AI and utterly precise in their tailored messages to us. The evil one knows your story, your hurts and fears...

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March 06, 2026
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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). Our bodies are a very practical expression of...

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March 05, 2026
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The mighty refuge psalm, Psalm 91, has a progression to it. First comes the promise:

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High 
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.


Then, a recitation of the many...

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March 04, 2026
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“Turn to God with all your heart,” wrote Thomas à Kempis, “and Christ will come to you.” First thing every morning, I pray something like this before I do anything else:

I run to you this morning, Father. I run to you this morning,...

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March 03, 2026
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One of my favorite Gospel stories takes place on Easter morning; it centers around Mary Magdalene. Heartbroken, devastated, Mary has gone to the tomb of Jesus to grieve, but his body is no longer there. Most of you have experienced grief; it is...

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March 02, 2026
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David was a hunted man. He often had to hide in severe wilderness conditions from his pursuers, who would kill him in an instant if they found him, just like many persecuted people groups today.

Harriet Tubman had to hide from her enemies...

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March 01, 2026
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When the author of Psalm 91 invites us to take refuge in the shelter of the Most High, where does he have in mind? What actual place in the actual universe are we invited to?

The word for “shelter” in the opening verse (“Those who live in...

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February 28, 2026
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We don’t know much about stages of development in our instant culture. We have someone else make our coffee for us. We no longer have to wait to have our photos developed — not even an hour — for now we have digital cameras that deliver back to...

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