Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Spurgeon and the Psalms

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SpurgeonThe Psalms draw me in during my time with the Lord.  I tend to avoid negative feelings by watching TV, eating or shopping.  Pretty much anything that distracts me from the pit in my stomach.  Hanging out in the Psalms helps me feel.  And feel like it’s ok to feel.

 

King David experienced every range of human emotion we experience or imagine.  Extreme grief, shame over sin, anger and frustration – at God no less.  He felt separation and distance from God and He experienced great joy in the Lord’s presence.  The Bible records it all.

 

Praying the Psalms helps bring up my emotions and process them.  This book reminds me of God’s goodness, faithfulness and mighty acts.  And none of that changes when I express my negative feelings to Him.

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What Does Spurgeon Have to Do With it?

 

With these sentiments toward Psalms, I appreciated the opportunity to read and review Spurgeon and the Psalms.  Charles Spurgeon, an English preacher (called “The Prince of Preachers”) in the 1800’s, wrote sermons, books and commentaries that  influenced so many that he continues to be held in high regard in Christian circles today.  Spurgeon

 

Spurgeon wrote that “No one needs better company than the Psalms.”  He called them “the school of patience, the soul’s soliloquies, the little Bible, the anatomy of devotion, the Holy Land of poesy, the heart of Scripture, the map of experience, and the tongue of saints.”  During his pastoral ministry Spurgeon preached through the Book of Psalms and these sermons later became published under the title The Treasury of David.  The introduction of Spurgeon and the Psalms explains that a short passage from these sermons accompanies each of the 150 Psalms.

 

This beautiful book, in leathersoft black with gold gilded edges, feels good to hold.  Each Psalm, presented with its own commentary, makes the small volume perfect for daily times of devotion with the Lord.

 

SpurgeonThe New King James Version is beautifully written and Spurgeon’s commentary poetic, but I personally find it a little difficult to follow.  To be transparent, though, I think God is calling me to slow down with Him.  So I plan to keep at it.

 

*** Full disclosure – I received a copy of this book for free as a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid.

 

The Link Up

 

I already shared Karen Girl Friday’s post Not Separating God’s Goodness from His Holiness on Facebook and Twitter, and now I share it here.  Dig into the important read.

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

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Praying God’s Word Wednesday #29

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I count myself fortunate to have praying friends and family.  In fact, my mom is the one who modeled praying scripture for me.  She didn’t talk about it, but I found her prayer journal as a teen while using her bathroom.  What?  It’s as good a place as any to pray!  I poured over the passages she prayed for my sisters and me.  Now, she texts me verses and prayers, just as I do to others.

 

Last week my friend Stacey texted me this passage and prayer – and graciously agreed to let me share it with you.

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Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:  Psalm 37:1-5 NIV

 

She had no way of knowing that the last verse is one of my “trust” (one word) focus verses for this year.  I love it when God does that.

 

She prayed this prayer:

 

Praying this over you today as well.

 

Replace the pronouns with the appropriate ones for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

 

Praying for you in this.  And don’t forget to share this on social media or with a friend who could benefit.  It would mean so much to me.  And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word Wednesday, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

Lauren

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