Head and shoulders, knees and toes...

{In my quiet times I am slowly going through Romans. I started in Acts and then got hooked to Paul's life and the drama of the early church, and in the evenings our couple readings are in Corinthians - it is amazing to read it all in context, not just get the "greatest hits" verses.}

Romans 10 and some other verses got me humming "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes"...


Head - location of our mouths!

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Shoulders - location of our burdens

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation." Psalm 68:19

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Knees - location of the prayer position!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

Toes - located on our feet! Romans 10:1-15

1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: “The man who does these things will live by them.”^a 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’^b” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’^c” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”^d that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”^e 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”^f

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”^g

I am praying for beautiful feet, kind words, shared burdens, and time in prayer.

Walk softly. Speak tenderly. Love fervently.