Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.

What a thought, to realize that it is when I am trapped in a besieged city that Your steadfast love for me is revealed. It is not in the times of peace, it is in the times of turmoil, in times of great challenge, times of assault. These are the times that try my faith and are the times when my soul is stripped of pride and self to be most open to Your unfailing presence.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 83

Mid-day: 119:145-152

Evening: Psalm 9

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

Abundance, that's a perfect word for the outpouring of Your goodness for us. It has the dimensions of joy, peace, love, absence of fear, contentment, thanksgiving, fulfillment, awareness of Your presence and hand in my life. Human language is insufficient to describe the richness of Your abundance. Praise You, my Lord and Master.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 82

Mid-day: 119:137-144

Evening: Psalm 8

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes.

Lord, heal my friend, release him from that migraine, restore him to health, bless him this morning

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 81

Mid-day: 119:129-136

Evening: Psalm 7

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.

It is good, my Lord, that we know that through all this turmoil and drama, that You are guiding Betty and me, that we have Your favor, that Your promises and yes and amen. Praise You, my Lord and Savior, the Christ, the Son of the Living God who gave His life for me. You are indeed the True and Faithful One.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 80

Mid-day: 119:121-128

Evening: Psalm 6

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many-- terror on every side!-- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

Lord, my two young charges are in trouble, one denying You and Your transformation, the other struggling with her faith and obedience to Your word. Help Betty and me as we mentor them and guide them into a knowledge of Your saving grace. It is heartbreaking to watch them destroy themselves because they refuse to trust You with their lives, desiring the fleshpots of Egypt to the milk and honey of the promised land.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 79

Mid-day: 119:113-120

Evening: Psalm 5

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Note:  I am not in the hospital; yesterday's VT was written approimately a year ago.  But thank you for all your prayers, phone calls and e-mails.  God, being outside of time, recognizes your love and concern even when the expression is made much later as we see time.

I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.

Lord, the promises inherent here; that You know the difficulties that I face and walk before me, providing a sure guide and filling my soul with Your peace. Even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, You are with me, Your rod and staff comfort me.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 78

Mid-day: 119:105-112

Evening: Psalm 4

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Lord, living with a heart that is not quite right, misfiring and not moving the blood as efficiently as You designed, is teaching me to depend on You for all my peace and contentment. I am learning a little more of the vastness of Your faithfulness and love for me. Praise You, the LORD God Almighty.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 77

Mid-day: 119:97-104

Evening: Psalm 3

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

Here I am, Lord, in a hospital bed, surrounded by nurses, aides and lab techs. All sent by You to minister to me. I wonder how many realize that they are Your messengers of mercy? That they have the privilege of ministering to an Ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven? A member of the royal priesthood? A child of God? Praise You, thank You, Your goodness knows no bounds.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 76

Mid-day: 119:89-96

Evening: Psalm 2

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one--I am talking like a madman--with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

Lord, all the indignities that Paul suffered for Your sake, and I grumble about some minor problem such as lack of gratitude on the part of someone I have served? Ridiculous! When will I learn to rejoice that I could suffer for Your Name?

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 75

Mid-day: 119:81-88

Evening: Psalm 1

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.

My foe is self and I am not sure that forgetfulness is appropriate here so much as willfulness and stubbornness, down right rebellion. And yet, in my heart, there is a zeal to be obedient, a hunger for Your presence, but it is weak and flags against the onslaught of my pride. Help me, Lord Jesus, help Your child.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 74

Mid-day: 119:73-80

Evening: Psalm 150

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

You have indeed filled my heart with the righteousness, peace and joy that is life in the Kingdom. May every moment of my life reflect that transformation, the new being that I have become in You. May every action of my life reflect that love and mercy that has been given to me. May every word I speak point others to the gift of life that you offer. May my life be a life of obedience to Your word. Praise to You, my Lord and Master.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 73

Mid-day: 119:65-72

Evening: Psalm 149

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: "What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!"

You could have left me in to wallow in the filth and mire that I had chosen as my way of life, that life of self-righteous anger. But You saw, before time began, that I was to be rescued and lifted up, washed and restored, to walk on the King's Highway glorifying and praising You. Thank You, Lord, praise to Your holy name.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 72

Mid-day: 119:57-64

Evening: Psalm 148

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.