Life-Changing Water

Water figures prominently in the Bible. God is sovereign. He created water and our need for it, and it becomes a fitting metaphor for spiritual principles as part of Jesus' promise to offer us Living Water. This book is in four sections: Recognizing God's Abundant Water Thirsting for God in Life's Deserts Responding to God's River of Life Delighting in the Lord's Presence Forever Like the other "My Psalm" devotionals, this is a book of original prayer psalms, not at all designed to be scriptural, but based upon personal worship and praise times. Life-Changing Water: Chaos to Glory: A Metaphor Study, includes over one hundred fifty original poems, "My Psalms" of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, and reaction to life events. Devotional entries include an original psalm, Scripture sites, "Think about These Things" reflections, some traditional hymn texts and references to contemporary music, discussion topics and references, and a place to journal. Water photographs and art and music references abound. Just as water sometimes drips slowly, or meanders, or flows in rivulets, so this book is designed for the reader to stay for a while to drink deeply or to use as short devotions individually or in a group setting. It is not merely a daily devotional, but a reference during times of crisis, or a stepping stone to deeper study. Water is a life-giving, life-changing force. May this book be a treasure to your soul, be a companion in days of want or days of abundance and be a blessing to you and others who daily journey on our faith walks together. May you be at once invigorated, challenged, chastened, christened, and inspired as you read what the author has written, understood, and shared. Great group text for study too. These are some principles about water. Let's understand this right away as we begin this study. 1."There is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank. 2. Water is composed of two elements, Hydrogen and Oxygen. 2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen =H2O. 3. Nearly 97% of the world's water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of humanity's agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community, and personal needs. 4. Water regulates the Earth's temperature. It also regulates the temperature of the human body, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, cushions joints, protects organs and tissues, and removes wastes. 5.75% of the human brain is water and 75% of a living tree is water. 6. A person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water. 7. Water is part of a deeply interconnected system. What we pour on the ground ends up in our water, and what we spew into the sky ends up in our water. 8. The average total home water use for each person in the U. S. is about 50 gallons a day. 9. Water expands by 9% when it freezes. Frozen water (ice) is lighter than water, which is why ice floats in water." Wars have been fought over water rights. Political parties, laws, and regulations have dictated policies about water. The discussion of global warming involves the topic of water as ice caps melt and sea levels rise. Pollution is an ongoing concern. Plastic throwaway bottles are a mounting problem. Waterfront property is in high demand. Water power provides electricity to much of the country. In many societies, the world's population spends inordinate amounts of otherwise productive time seeking and carrying water for daily needs. We privileged people waste incredible amounts of water, often without giving thanks for the privileges we have. May we develop an attitude of gratitude and practice thanksliving.