Author: Dave Dishman (Page 121 of 474)

This week my wife and I, along with a group of soon-to-be friends, embark on the Camino de Santiago. As a group we will hike the final portion of the trail, covering 70 miles in 6 days. Dawn and I then plan to continue on and walk another 75 miles to the sea. We look forward to deepening connections along the way, as long days of unhurried walking create unique bonding experiences.

For twelve hundred years, people in search of God walked this same path. As the years passed, Psalm 121 became known as the Pilgrim’s Psalm:

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber or sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil—he will watch over your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Walking step after step towards an unfamiliar destination, the words of the psalmist begin to sink deep into the heart of a pilgrim.

Of course, you don’t have to walk the Camino de Santiago to appreciate these verses. We all journey as pilgrims through life. As we roam it’s good to remember that shade, stability and security comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

Camino de Santiago 2024

Photo: Pilgrims walk through the mist.

As I read through the Bible over and over, regularly some fresh idea jumps out. I’ve either not noticed it in the past, or I’ve noticed but forgotten (very possible).

Today this line from Proverbs emerged: The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Strong word—Rot. What does that mean for you and me? Another version of the Bible (The Message) says in this way: A good and honest life is a blessed memorial; a wicked life leaves a rotten stench.

I’ve had the good fortune of knowing numerous people who lived a good and honest life, and I indeed remember them with gratitude. Unfortunately, I know a few who’ve left a rotten stench.

It’s worth reflecting on how the next generation might remember our names when we’re dead and gone. Will they hold their nose, or speak words of respect and appreciation?

Proverbs 10:7 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP

Cell phone reception continues to improve. I get a signal most anywhere I go, except for Rocky Mountain valleys or sections of the Great Plains. Holes in coverage continue to shrink, and we connect with each other easier than ever before.

Paul wrote to encourage his readers in Rome to stay in coverage: Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Faith initially dawned through messengers carrying the news about Jesus. Then words about Christ, as discovered in the Scriptures, sustained the faith of these fresh believers.

As followers of Jesus we need both that first message to come to faith, as well as ongoing messaging to grow in our faith. Our signal tower—the Bible—emits words of life. Stay within coverage and keep the faith.

Romans 10 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Joshua Slate

Not long ago, while picking out plants for my garden, a fellow shopper started telling me the best way to grow tomatoes. I didn’t ask for her advice, yet she freely shared her copious thoughts. She failed to ask me if I knew anything about tomatoes, just assumed I needed help. Perhaps I gave off that vibe.

I hear a lot of advice from a lot of people. Some asked for, some not, some helpful, some inane. All I can do is choose what to consider and what to ignore (like how to plant tomatoes from a chatterbox).

Solomon laid out the theme of a book filled with wise advice in this way:

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

Solomon’s thoughts are justified and well-founded, with no cause for uncertainty. They come with a life-time warranty. For thousands of years people matched their behavior to his instructions and reaped the benefits.

Free for the taking, Solomon’s advice waits quietly in the pages of my Bible. No one’s chatting it in my ear. It’s up to me to open the book, thumb through the pages, read, consider, and apply. So good, so helpful, and so much better than the unsolicited advice I hear every day from the world around me.

Proverbs 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Courtney Smith