Author: Dave Dishman (Page 37 of 390)

As we arrive in Santiago de Compostela, we pray this prayer for our group and for all the fellow pilgrims we will meet along the way. This ancient invocation was written especially for pilgrims:

God, you called your servant Abraham from Ur in Chaldea, watching over him in all his wanderings, and guided the Hebrew people as they crossed the desert. Guard these your children who, for the love of your Name, make a pilgrimage to Compostela.

Be their companion on the way, their guide at the crossroads, their strength in weariness, their defense in dangers, their shelter on the path, their shade in the heat, their light in darkness, their comfort in discouragement, and the firmness of their intentions, that through your guidance they may arrive safely at the end of their journey and, enriched with grace and virtue, may return to their homes filled with salutary and lasting joy.

You and I walk a challenging journey through life. These humble thoughts are too good to keep only for a specific pilgrimage, but make for good praying for all who follow the way of Jesus.

Many blessings as you walk your path today.

Camino de Santiago 2024

Photo: Section of trail along the Camino de Santiago

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