Tagged: Audrey Frank

Written by a gospel worker who needed to remind her troubled soul. Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands? Even if he slays me, I will hope in him... Job 13:14-15a I already made this decision, Lord. It is not one to be revisited. I decided as my child lay in the hospital fighting for his life that I would trust You. It is finished. I trust You. I trusted You that night. I will trust you today, as I am assailed on every side, and the one I love is not exempt from the bullseye. What more will You allow in Your sovereignty? I do not dare imagine; I refuse old practices of bartering and bargaining with… Read More

In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. Isaiah 11:10   Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant; and. HumbledHimself, becoming obedient even unto death. Wherefore God also highly exalted Him. Philippians 2:5-7 We once had a home on a quiet street with the lines drawn in order and houses neatly separated by tidy fences and carefully sectioned acres. The day we moved there from a series of years living near the Sahara, I lay down in the front yard and laughed for joy until my ribs were sore. Lush, green grass… Read More

For you, little bug. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 A king tide is a non-scientific term used to describe the largest type of tide, which occurs when the earth, moon, and sun are perfectly aligned.  I’m a mountain girl, and I did not grow up understanding tides and shorelines. I left the mountains to explore the world. My sister left the mountains too and followed her fascination with all things sea, making her family’s home along an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. Her happy place is in her kayak at sunset, immersing herself in the glory of God’s living painting of the day. Sometimes, He pours liquid… Read More

Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:12-14 What will you say When you visit my fortress, When you pass through my gates Once riddled with war?   What will you say When you approach the bulwark, Where princes once raised Their battle cry?   What will you say When you circle my ruins, The place I once sheltered As enemies charged?   What will you say When you examine the rubble, When you climb ancient stones, Foundation of my fortress?   What will you say… Read More

The LORD was so furious with Uzzah, he killed him on the spot for his negligence. 2 Samuel 6:7 To read more of my reflections on 2 Samuel 6, click here. The word ḥârâ used for furious in this passage not only means to grow angry, but also to be grieved. This word has stuck with me in recent days.  What if our helping grieves the Lord? I recently stood with two dear African friends from two different nations as they recounted one way Western help has hurt. Historically, some helpers brought the Gospel to Africa wrapped in prosperity. In the process, suffering was omitted from the message of faith in the One who suffered to save humanity. Allured by illusions of quick solutions and… Read More

To read more in my series of reflections on 2 Samuel 6:;1-18, click here and here. David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How will the Ark of the Lord ever come to me?” 2 Samuel 6:10 When the day started, David was full of hope. After a long road of battle and loss, grief and sorrow, he was finally taking his place as king in Jerusalem. But he wanted his reign to be religious as well as political. So he gathered 30,000 of the best men of Israel and showed up at the house of Abinadab to collect the ark. With much celebration, the king would take it into Jerusalem. In his zeal for the Lord, David overlooked the Lord’s holiness.… Read More

To read the first in my series of reflections on 2 Samuel 6:1-18, click here.   He died right there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:7 When holiness is ignored loss is inevitable. The ark of God represented the very presence of God among His people. He gave careful instructions in Numbers 7:9 about its transport. It was to be carried on poles, supported on the shoulders of the Kohathites. Not even the priests were permitted to touch it (Numbers 4:15). It is difficult for us modern readers to comprehend the gravity of Uzzah’s story. Holiness has become archaic, a concept associated with ceremony and gilded altars beneath domed, elaborately painted ceilings. But holiness is worth revisiting. Without it, there is no hope.… Read More

And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 2 Samuel 6:6 Helping can hurt. The ark of God represented God’s holy presence. Not even the priests were allowed to touch it. But as they trundled over the uneven surface of the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah automatically reached out to steady God's Presence. Do we think by helping we can steady God? We cannot. God Himself is steadfastness and stability. Isaiah 33:6 says, “And He shall be the stability of your times.”  Can we steady the One who is Steadfastness? Can we stabilize Him who is Stability? Perhaps we should let… Read More

  The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. He restores my strength. Psalm 23:1-3     Hope for a Saturday Morning Song   A song hums low  Behind the noise Beneath the chaos Invitation to joy.   A narrated song With video I see the images A picture show.   A happy list Of things to do Not things I must But only want to.   Visit the garden shop Choose some roses Linger among  Violets and posies.   Make an oasis Privacy screen With roses for walls I’ll sip my tea.   Meet a friend For no good reason Except for revelry In blooming season.   Make good bread Knead it… Read More

I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. 1 Timothy 1:12-13 If Paul had stopped his sentence after the word ministry, he would have been no different from the Pharisees in their religious pride of position. Yet he continued. …even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. The small phrase even though is a sharp pivot from pride to humility. Ministry is littered with traps that open to a gaping pit of pride. Without even though, even the most gifted minister is vulnerable to falling headlong. However, even though… Read More