Psalm 34.8
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
If you have read a message or two from me over past weeks or months, you may recognize that I love diving into the understanding of a word. Here’s the word on my mind today: charcuterie. As in charcuterie board!
My gracious friends have been coaching me in correct pronunciation (hint: ongoing coaching indicates I have not yet mastered it). I’m also practicing correct spelling in hopes that helps with the pronunciation. Charcuterie according to Merriam-Webster:
Here’s my definition: a lovely tray of delicious finger foods artfully arranged to allow participants to taste and see! Feel free to correct me if you think I’ve missed the mark.
And please do come and be a part of a fun women’s event we are planning soon (March 14) to learn the how-to of such a culinary delight. You’ll see an email invitation in your in-box within 24 hours of this message. We will appreciate an RSVP to help us plan but do come, whether or not you let us know you intend to be with us. It will be fun and delicious and with a take-home!
Selecting from a charcuterie board can be ponderous, so many tantalizing options with no shame in skipping over the pickled herring!
But some things are not pick and choose. Bible believing, for one, is not on the cafeteria plan! I do not have the option of picking and choosing the verses I like in the Bible and ignoring other verses.
It is, frankly, dishonorable to think we can hold in our hands the Holy Bible, God’s Word to each person who will read it, and then choose to believe part but not all. I may not fully understand the verses before me today, or get the connections to other verses or to my life today. But to dismiss as unnecessary or even invalid is to snub my nose at the author and perfecter of this Word, the author and perfecter of my life’s faith.
I heard this word of encouragement today … when reading a passage that is kind of confusing, find the phrases that offer encouragement. Don’t let yourself be frustrated. Look for affirmations and big truths to hold on to. And keep praying and reading!
I hope that you might appreciate this encouragement, too, as we read through some passages steeped in hard to understand imagery.
Psalm 68 was a challenging read for me, but throughout there were precious nuggets of hopeful truths reminding that God provides for each who may seem disadvantaged, that He bears our burdens daily, and He alone is the source of our power and strength. Beautiful faith-building reminders.
Psalm 68:5-6
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,
but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation.
Psalm 68.35
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel – he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!
Praying for delight and refreshment for you as you trust God’s Word to be true and vital for your faith.
With anticipation of good things from our good God, Colleen