Psalms can be written today, too

Of course, they don't carry the authority of God -- they're not Scripture.

But you can write out how you feel and write it to God, just like David did. He was bluntly honest. At times almost embarrassingly personal.

Often I've read something he wrote and thought, I don't think I'da said that -- it was almost like he needed to spill his guts to God to relieve some kind of internal pressure. I guess he knew God knew anyway, eh?

Here, I think I'll try it --

"OK, that was on purpose.

Sometimes it's not. But when it is, I can't kid myself.

And when I sin on purpose I reject your holy presence in me.

I rejected your offer of the choice not to sin. I didn't even consider it! I didn't want to consider it! I pretended like there was no other choice.

I rejected you -- but it didn't feel like it. It felt like I was just doing what I felt like I wanted to.

I didn't really believe that good could come from not sinning. I didn't trust you.

I did it on purpose and acted like you weren't around. I was stiff-necked and hard-hearted.

I personally rejected you. That was the real sin -- way worse than the thing I did.

I could try to fool myself and say that it didn't hurt a soul -- unless 'hurt a soul' includes impeding and damming up the flow of your love and power and holiness that's supposed to flow thru me to others.

And apparently it could affect my health, too:

Do not be wise in your own eyes
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones (Proverbs 3:7-8)”

Note to me -- read this the next time you feel like sinning on purpose.