Provoked to Invigoration: The Journey from an Insidious Rut

 Good Son-Day!!!

Iron Range Throwback August 2019




Provoked to Invigoration: The Journey from an Insidious Rut


You know Jo and I like to venture somewhere every weekend.  We also have taken up walking two miles or more at least five times a week.  We typically saunter one mile to the Coon Rapids Dam.  The walk takes about 42 minutes.


It is a beautiful walk because it is all residential and park land along the way.  After doing this route for a month, Jo looks at me and says, “We need more routes to keep the interest going and keep me inspired”.    She said it in the same tone when she told me, "Bobby, you need to update your wardrobe". It cut to the core.


The walks have been wonderful for many health reasons, but we also have a captive audience, ourselves.  Lots of unplugged talking time.  Even after nearly 43 years of marital bliss, the current conversations are like ones we had when we were courting in college.  There is that old saying, “take the time to smell the roses”.  I am in the aroma of a rose bouquet when we are stepping.  Good times, good times.


Jo sensed we were heading for a rut and that prompted her to challenge our routine. There was nothing wrong with our routine.  It was chock full of health and well-being benefits.  However, the new route came with the same benefits and a different perspective that keeps the flame of the walks ignited.


We all need to take some to reflect on our walk with God.  Are we in a rut?  Does our routine need fresh change; even if it is just temporary change to keep you inspired and hungry for a deeper (excuse the pun) walk with God.


Back in the day, my brother Will, had a phrase that resonated with me.  He sometimes would say, “We need a fresh anointing”.  The Bible supports this line of thinking.


The scriptures multiple words to that point to a jolt in a system.  Here are a few . . . 

  • Enliven - From the light of the eyes, the heart will rejoice, and Your Word will enliven the bones. Proverbs 15:30

  • Fresh -  LORD, you are a garden spring, a well of fresh water. Song of Solomon 4:15; Be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind, having a fresh (untarnished mental and spiritual mind).

  • Inspiring - Great and awe-inspiring are you work Lord God, the almighty Revelations 15:3

  • Quicken (remain alive/refresh) - Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. Psalm 143:11

  • Refreshed - I myself have gained much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because your kindness has so often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. Philemon 1:7  And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. 1 Samuel 16:23


You can see from the scriptures above a jolt of invigoration can come from the Word of God, declaring (saying out loud) God’s beauty, admiring God’s work, Asking God to jolt you, the presence and love of good people, and music.


This will take some self-reflection to recognize the pilot light needs to be re-lit.  That’s okay, reflection humbles us and that is when we are at our best for God to do something great in our lives. Remember, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up”, James 4:10. Speaking of being lifted, see the first song of the week.


SONGs OF THE WEEK

It's a Selah Fest


I am not sure if I’ve included a Selah song yet.  The original group was together from 1997 - 2004.  Their songs had simple lyrics and simple music, but the quality was the core of their work.  The siblings had done missionary work in Africa. You can see that experience coming out in the power of how they sing. A lot of passion. Not many albums do I play over again right after listening to the first rotation. Sorry no P-funk today, only hard-core worship. Your spirit and soul will gorge on this and you will be refreshed.

“You Raise Me Up” 2004, Selah (Bobby’s pick) Lyrics in song.

“Give Us Clean Hands”, 2010, Nicol Spoonberg, founding Selah member, (Jo’s pic). Lyrics below.

“You are My Hiding Place” 2004, Selah (presumptive pick—Yvette).  Lyrics in song



Lyrics: Give Us Clean Hands


We bow our hearts, we bend our knees

Oh Spirit come make us humble

We turn our eyes from evil things

Oh Lord we cast down our idols


So give us clean hands and give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another

Oh give us clean hands and give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another


Oh God let this be a generation that seeks

Who seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob

Oh God let us be a generation that seeks

Who seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob


We bow our hearts, we bend our knees

Oh Spirit come make us humble

We turn our eyes from evil things

Oh Lord we cast down our idols


So give us clean hands and give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another

Give us clean hands, oh God and give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another


Oh God let us be a generation that seeks

Who seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob

Oh God let us be a generation that seeks

Who seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob

Oh God of Jacob


(Give us clean hands)


So give us clean hands and give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another

Give us clean hands, oh God and give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another


Oh God let us be a generation that seeks

Who seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob

Oh God let us be a generation that seeks

Who seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob


Oh God of Jacob

Oh God of Jacob


Give us clean hands and give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another

Give us clean hands, oh God and give us pure hearts

Let us not lift our souls to another


Oh God let us be a generation that seeks

Who seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob

Oh God let us be a generation that seeks

Who seeks Your face, oh God of Jacob

Oh God of Jacob

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