I'm still trying to think through a way to video Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, but sometimes those are just discussions and answering questions, and putting a video camera in the room can be a damper on the situation. So, for now, we're still just doing Sunday morning sermons.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
And with this sermon, Psalm Pseptember 2025 comes to a close. I enjoy having this as kind of a "reset" point on the preaching calendar. It keeps me from getting too lost and buried into a longer series and it stops me from skipping the Old Testament. There's just no good way to preach on a "Psalm of David" without making sure folks are at least slightly aware of who this David fellow was.
Now, this last one was Psalm 70. That means next year we'll probably cross the halfway-point, because I'm not doing every Psalm. I also do not plan that far out, so I have not thought beyond "Yes, Psalm Pseptember 2026 will be a thing."
Several years ago, I reviewed a few books by Patrick W. Carr called The Darkwater Saga. At the time, there were three books in the series that I have in paperback (and on Kindle) and an e-book exclusive prequel novella. I enjoyed the series. The plots were intricate, the characters (with a few "Red Shirt" exceptions) were developed well, and it had a good resolution.
(What's a "Red Shirt" character? Stealing from the classic Star Trek imagery of the disposable guys who beam down to the planet and get eaten, mind probed, zapped, whatever just to prove it's a serious situation.)
After finishing those, Carr published one more novel and then vanished from the writing scene for a time. Which was a bummer, because I liked his fiction and, while he did include some serious themes and moments that are not for kids, he did drop in unnecessary profanity or explicit sexual material. Unfortunately, too many publishers seem to think that adult readers won't know characters had sex unless the author writes up a four-page description of the moment. I kind of want to say: I'm an adult, I know what's happening here, let's move on. I end up avoiding the authors whose works are consistently punctuated with that or the profanity bug. I know you talk like that at work, I just don't need to read it.
Carr's works were good and challenging and I had hoped for many more. But he, as mentioned, disappeared for a while. Reasonable, when you consider he was not making a full-time living writing but continued as a high school math teacher.
However, he's back. One of the reasons he states on his website for taking a break is that hitting the publication deadlines had required him to release some of the Darkwater books before he thought they were ready. He's starting by re-releasing those books with some additions, referring to the new releases as the "Director's Cut."
The first process was to elongate the prequel novella, By Divine Right, into a full-length book. The following three books in the series were then renumbered to make for sane numbering: 1-4 for the current works.
These are available on Kindle here. The writing is just as good as before, there are a few more plot explanations than the originals, but it still packs the same punch. There might be a few places that editing missed the update (one character's name was changed but that change got missed in one place), however you can easily tell what is meant. Those are no problem.
I know some folks will lament not being able to grab these in paperback, and I get that. But you need an e-ink Kindle anyway :) so grab one and load these books on them.
Just like Monday rolled around again today, Sunday rolled through yesterday like the University of South Florida moving through Gainesville. Here in Crossett, it was time for another sermon. We'll leave the Gators to weep softly on their own...
Stranded!
Doug Hibbard
Psalm 61
The Setting
Psalm 61 NET 2nd ed.
For the music director, to be played on a stringed instrument; written by David.
O God, hear my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer.
From the remotest place on earth I call out to you in my despair. Lead me up to a rocky summit where I can be safe.
Indeed, you are my shelter, a strong tower that protects me from the enemy.
I will be a permanent guest in your home; I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. (Selah)
For you, O God, hear my vows; you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers.
Give the king long life. Make his lifetime span several generations.
May he reign forever before God. Decree that your loyal love and faithfulness should protect him.
Then I will sing praises to your name continually, as I fulfill my vows day after day.
The Psalmist
David. And even if it’s not, it’s someone in trouble. Someone who feels distant. Who feels that God has left them alone. They feel lost at the ends of the earth. In fact, this Psalm is where the phrase “The Ends of the Earth” entered English usage—starting with Wycliffe in the Middle Ages. Envision someone feeling that they are so far that they’ll never be found, never even be blundered across.
The Struggle
Psalm 61:1–2 CSB
God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer.
I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me,
Ever been where you think your prayers aren’t being heard or listened to? Where you are in despair? Be honest, because lying to God doesn’t work and lying to yourself...well, it just makes it worse. No one is strong all the time. If you knew someone that never struggled, then they hid it from you.
Realize, too, that the solution is to follow the Lord upward, to the rock that He provides. Which is still going to require you climb, but you do not have to find your own way.
The Point
Psalm 61:3–4 CSB
for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy.
I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
In all those issues, the strong refuge is the Lord. The presence of the Lord. Note the Tabernacle
The Praise
Psalm 61:5–7 CSB
God, you have heard my vows; you have given a heritage to those who fear your name.
Add days to the king’s life; may his years span many generations.
May he sit enthroned before God forever. Appoint faithful love and truth to guard him.
The Practice
Psalm 61:8 CSB
Then I will continually sing of your name, fulfilling my vows day by day.
Fulfill
Your
Vow.
What was your vow?
Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9–13 “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” )
Exported from Logos Bible Study, 3:27 PM September 8, 2025.
