I see a lot of churches along my bike rides. I thought I'd take some pictures and attach a Psalm to each church. I will enjoy reading through the Psalms this way. At each stop I'll say a prayer and include the congregation that worships there. So, when I'm done there will be 150 posts, Psalms, and rides. Photos taken with various Galaxy Android Smart Phones

Keith Stillwell

Friday, July 17, 2015


(First Baptist Church, Memphis, TN on a 17 mile ride from Brittany's home to Brittany's church where she serves as minster of music and youth, and to Beale Street and the FedEx Forum home of the Grizzlies, where Kyle works, Friday, July 17, 2015.)

O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
Psalm 59:17

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Psalm 59 (NRSV)

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me.

Deliver me from those who work evil; from the bloodthirsty save me.

Even now they lie in wait for my life; the mighty stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,

for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Rouse yourself, come to my help and see!

You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Awake to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.

There they are, bellowing with their mouths, with sharp words on their lips— for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?”

But you laugh at them, O Lord; you hold all the nations in derision.

O my strength, I will watch for you; for you, O God, are my fortress.

My God in his steadfast love will meet me; my God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

Do not kill them, or my people may forget; make them totter by your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.

For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter,

consume them in wrath; consume them until they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah

Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city.

They roam about for food, and growl if they do not get their fill.

But I will sing of your might; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been a fortress for me and a refuge in the day of my distress.

O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.

Saturday, July 11, 2015


(Saint Catherine Catholic Church, New Haven, KY on a 10 mile ride while on a retreat at The Abbey of Gethsemani Monastery, Saturday, July 11, 2015.)

People will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”
Psalm 58:11

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Psalm 58 (NRSV)

Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge people fairly?

No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.

The wicked go astray from the womb; they err from their birth, speaking lies.

They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear,

so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter.

O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!

Let them vanish like water that runs away; like grass let them be trodden down and wither.

Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime; like the untimely birth that never sees the sun.

Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!

The righteous will rejoice when they see vengeance done; they will bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.

People will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

Sunday, July 5, 2015


(Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, Historic and Current, where Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor, on a 15 mile ride from Kelsey's apartment, Sunday, July 5, 2015.)

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by.
Psalm 57:1

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Psalm 57 (NRSV)

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by.

I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

He will send from heaven and save me, he will put to shame those who trample on me. Selah God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.

I lie down among lions that greedily devour human prey; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.

They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my path, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody.

Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.

For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth.