Writing a blog in January feels suspiciously like the result of a New Year’s resolution. A new year, a new leaf, and new resolve. You might think that, but it would not be true. In fact, I have been writing avidly the last 18 months, the result being a New Book! I am beyond delighted to share the news with you that my new Bible study – Pilgrim’s Path: A Study of the Psalms – will be released next week.
This study was born out of the Pandemic. In mid-2020, I felt more than an inspiration to write a theological study on the Psalms – it was more like a powerful urge, an energy that swept me alongside it. I can only attribute that to God’s Spirit at work. I felt called to write the study, create a website to host it online, and post weekly podcasts for an audience that could not convene together as normal. In three months, I had completed a significant amount of study, put the infrastructure in place, and received registrations from all over the country. Meanwhile, our church returned to in-person gatherings under a guided safety protocol. Every week in the fall of 2020, I wrote a lesson, taught it in-person, and then posted questions and recorded podcasts online. The original course was 13 weeks long. At the culmination of it, I knew the next step was to publish it in a book format.
I will spare you the details of the following months that consisted of writing, editing, designing and filming this study – only that it is ready to be released in a week’s time! For that I give thanks to God and to my willing and able publishers, Brooke and Charlie Holt at Bible Study Media. However, what I most want you to know is the power behind this book – namely God’s. I am convinced it was by His prompting, creativity, ingenuity, and constant presence, that He has orchestrated this work from start to finish. (He just happened to find a willing partner in me and the Bible Study Media team.) More than that, he blessed me and fulfilled many promises through it all. Pilgrim’s Path: A Study of the Psalms has his fingerprints all over it. And some of mine too – which is how these endeavors with God work. He brings us alongside him and invites us as partners into his splendid, creative process. He is doing that in you, too, you know. You might want to consider that possibility for 2022.
This study wasn’t meant for me, though. You, faithful reader, have been a part of this process, all along. It was meant for you and everyone else who desires to hear God through his Word – his beautiful, true, life-giving Word. This study follows a path (hence, the title) of our spiritual walk with God. Using the language of prayer and poetry found in the Psalms, it navigates the way for us, through the ups and downs, our confidence and doubts, our sorrows and despairs, all the way through to our joy and hope. It is honest. It is truthful, never diminishing the raw reality of every-day life. But Pilgrim’s Path depicts a tremendously upward movement, which is always God’s way with us. He is constantly saving us, lifting us up, showing us more to life, more of Himself. So, this blog is an invitation to receive a fresh word of encouragement and hope, and to see God afresh in your circumstances. That’s a good way to start the year. No, that is the only way to start the year! But don’t be surprised if the lessons do make you want to turn over a new leaf or find a new resolve for something in your life. May his name be Jesus!
So, I invite you to join me in this part of my journey, perhaps finding help or hope for your journey, too. Please consider doing this study for yourself, with a small group of friends, a church group or bible study. Buy it for yourself and another one for a friend. It is a 6-week study, with 42 daily devotionals, study questions and video teaching sessions (Yes! A big, new, humbling adventure for me!) All the details can be found on my website at elizabethheadblack.com. Maybe this study will show you a new path for the new year. God is always doing a new thing! Join me!
If you participated in the 2020 online study, please note this material is all new. This published version follows a similar format, but all the devotionals and study questions are new. (Besides, I know there are some of you who never finished the first one J!) And… you can never fully plumb the depths of the Psalms! In fact, you may want to take a look at my devotional book on the Psalms as well, Hand in Hand, Walking with the Psalms through Loneliness, also available on my website.
Now that this BIG project is underway, I do sincerely hope to post more blogs. I thank you again for your sincere faithfulness to me and this ministry of writing for the Lord. Your kind words always encourage me and help me see God at work. Thank you for that blessing! I am grateful beyond words.
May the Lord bless you and your loved ones in this new year!
Special note for my fellow Good Shepherd parishioners:
Our church will be using Pilgrim’s Path for our Lenten study. If you plan to participate in the study during Lent, a limited supply of books will be available through the church at no cost, thanks to a generous donation to the church. Additional copies can, of course, be purchased on my website, elizabethheadblack.com.