Over the past year, our Woven Bible studies have journeyed through all 150 psalms together. In light of that focus, our leadership team has been reading through Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life by W. David O. Taylor. Today, he joins us from Austin, where he serves as a priest, author, and seminary professor with his wife Phaedra and their 2 kids. 

In this conversation, David reflects on how Eugene Peterson encouraged him nearly 30 years ago to immerse himself in the Psalms, a practice that deeply shaped his spiritual formation.

He shares the heart behind his book, highlighting the remarkable gift of the Psalms: they free us to approach God vulnerably, inviting us to bring our raw emotions ranging from anger to grief, joy to sadness.

He points us to the movement from lament to praise throughout the book  — a movement that mirrors both the grand story of Scripture and the direction of our lives in Christ.

David and Phaedra have also created several beautiful and practical resources to help you and I engage more deeply with the Psalms. You can find more information about those in the show notes below.

Memorable Quotes:

“There is a theological purpose to the psalms, and a devotional, or doxological purpose to the psalms. The theological purpose of the psalms is to teach us how to talk to God and how to listen to God.”

“The doxological or devotional purpose of the psalter is to counter the effects of original sin.”

“The Psalms are helping us to stay pliable and gentle and humble and open so that the grace of God has a fighting chance as it were to continue to attune our hearts to the things of God.”

“We have to be retrained in the grammar of prayer.”

“God is giving us this language to be able to be fully sad and fully mad, righteously sad, righteously mad, but not move to bad, in a manner of speaking.”

“God comes to us in the psalms more so than any other part of the Bible or book of the Bible, at least in the Old Testament, as a shepherd.”

“A lot of the gift of these poets is that they’re helping us to re-see, and to re-feel, and re-perceive our own lives.”

“But these very visceral, bodily, sensory things, are actually God’s designed provision to bring us to healing…God has made us with bodies that have bodily needs and our bodies are aids to our movement towards a place of peace and equanimity and a settledness…God wants us to yell, God wants us to howl, God wants us to have these ugly cries.”

“It seems impudent, but it’s not. It’s God ordained holy language to let it all out, and to let it all out in faithful ways.”

“God knows that His people will always need language to tell Him how mad they are when they are in experiences suffering from physical abuse, spiritual abuse, economic abuse, political abuse, legal abuse, any kind of abuse.”

“Other scholars helpfully come along and tell us that the reason we have this revenge language is to deliver us from acting upon our revenge fantasies.” 

“Bonhoeffer, the German theologian of the mid-20th Century, who was hung for his Christian convictions by the Nazis, he said that no Christian has any right to pray the imprecatory Psalms until and unless he has stood before the cross of Christ and reckoned with his own sin, his own brokenness, his own tendencies to want to dash the babies of others against the rocks.” 

“The other gift that the psalms give us is the invitation to practice joy, so I might not be feeling it, and the psalms aren’t wanting us to fake it, but they are inviting us to practice joy.”

“I think what I would hope is that folks would allow the psalms to become a lifelong companion.”

Show Notes:

www.wdavidotaylor.com

Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life

Open and Unafraid: Prayer Cards

Prayer for Life Cards

Bono & Eugene Peterson: The Psalms

Substack (@wdavidotaylor) and Instagram (@davidtaylor_theologian)

In this refreshing conversation, I sit down with Natalie Abbott, co-founder of Dwell Differently. She shares her powerful journey of seeking God through various religious texts and how, in time, He opened her heart in a profound way. Soon after, the Bible came alive to her, and she discovered that God’s truth is not only accessible but deeply transformative.

We explore the “why” behind Scripture memorization, along with the science of how our brains work—unpacking how God designed our neural pathways to be shaped, strengthened, and renewed throughout our lives.

Natalie opens up about the joy of working alongside her sister, the weight that can come with doing work the enemy seeks to undermine, and the deep encouragement she’s found in hearing testimonies of God’s Word taking root and bearing fruit in people’s lives.

Memorable Quotes:

On verse memorization: “If I’m meditating on it, if I’m memorizing it, if I’m allowing it to sort of saturate deep into my bones, then it’s going to affect me, it’s going to deeply and profoundly transform me because that’s what God’s Word does, and it’s going to come out in my life.”

“I’m going to pray, ‘God if you’re there, show me who you are,” and that is what I did every single night.”

“I thought, ‘that book has made me feel so guilty and so terrible for so long, I’m going to burn it.’ And at that moment, the Lord just intervened and was like, ‘Natalie, all those things that you couldn’t live up to, I did, in Jesus, I did that for you. Will you believe that?’ And I gave my life to Christ and it changed everything.” 

“If God is speaking in that book, like really actually speaking, and we say that we believe it, how come it’s building up dust on the side of our bedside tables?”

“It’s just a few small words, that you put into your heart and into your mind, and you allow it to be the guiding force in your day, you allow God himself to speak into your heart and into your mind. Man it is so powerful. It is so good.”

“Anything I say that is good or wise or helpful, it’s a regurgitation of what God’s already said.”

“In some ways what we do at Dwell Differently is like the feeding of the 5,000. How can I even possibly know what God does with all of that nourishment that He is giving to His people? I have no idea. I’m the guy with the two fish and the five loaves and I’m saying, ‘God would you multiply this.’”

“Wherever God is calling you, the enemy is always going to have those super highways, negative super highways - he’s going to use those, they are powerful tools, he has used them before, they work, he is going to speak those lies to you, and you have to turn right back around and say, ‘That is not true. That is not true.’”

Show Notes & Scripture References:

Psalm 23:1

1 John 3:1

Psalm 139

John 15:7

John 10:27

Psalm 16:3

Since recording, Dwell Differently has recently moved away from their monthly membership model, but their mission and ministry will continue through their podcast, website, and social media channels. 

Dwell Differently: Overcome Negative Thinking with the Simple Practice of Memorizing God’s Truth

Social media: @dwelldifferently, @nataliejoyabbott

Website: dwelldifferently.com

Y’all, today’s conversation is a whole lotta fun, a little bit of tears, and a good dose of vulnerable dialogue, but it all happened because two friends, ladies I consistently get to work alongside of in this ministry, asked if they could come on the show and interview me for a change.

So in this podcast hijack, Melinda Williams and Sam Hadaway put me in the hot seat and ask questions I had not read before we recorded, which made it even more fun and raw. 

We talk about the very humble beginnings of Woven, hilarious moments along the way, how God used formative friendships in my teenage years, marriage dynamics behind the scenes (including sacrifices and pain points), and what it looks like to juggle the demands of motherhood and life while doing something I kind of stumbled into, which is leading this nonprofit.

I love these women, and truly it was a gift to get to share and process through all we touch on. They see all kinds of ways that I’ve failed along the way and keep cheering me on. My hope is that you feel like you are just joining us in my living room for this episode of Whit’s End. 

Memorable Quotes:

“There was so much that He was forming in me to lead me to this place of craving it for myself and also seeing the need in our community where it just lined up.” 

“I feel like I’m an indecisive person in general, and what I’ve learned is the only thing that gives me peace to confidently make decisions is unhurried time in prayer, really waiting on the Lord, and it feels so counterproductive.”

“The more that I get to do this ministry, it’s really beautiful to get to see the fingerprint of God on people so beautifully and uniquely displayed.”

“I’m always trying to find this balance as a mom, of ‘I am so crazy about you. I love you so much,’ and also, ‘the world does not revolve around you.’”

“Consistently, I feel like that is where God not only just speaks to me but it’s like my whole demeanor changes. Again, it’s the counter-productiveness, because it’s like I still have things I need to do…it’s almost like I feel God re-inflating me.”

“I’m praying for the Lord to just help me to enjoy - to enjoy my husband, to enjoy my kids, to enjoy this season of ministry, to delight in the things He has given me and not see my life from a place of scarcity or lack but truly of gratitude and fullness already.”

“It’s the small things that God uses to build us and grow us into who He wants us to be.”

“A lot of times, when I vent to God like that, I don’t really feel a need anymore to talk to anybody about it.”

Show Notes:

Link to Sam’s podcast

Link to Melinda’s podcast
Social media : @woven.ministry, @wlscarborough, @melindawilliamstxco, @samanthahadaway 

As we wrap up our year-long study on the Psalms, we reflect on how this book has encouraged personal faith and connected believers across generations, revealing God as both relational and sovereign.

The Psalms portray a God of immense power who still invites honest, vulnerable dialogue, offering justice and mercy in equal measure. As the “songbook” of God’s people, they create space for the full range of human emotion and call believers into a lifelong posture of worship—not just as an occasional act, but as a way of living.

Through practices like reading, singing, memorizing, and praying, the Psalms become a continual source of spiritual formation, modeled by pillars in the faith like Tim Keller, who immersed himself in them consistently over decades.

Worship is deeply embedded in human nature—everyone directs their devotion toward something. Vivid “stadium moment” experiences illustrate how collective passion and awe mirror the essence of worship: recognizing and responding to something greater than ourselves.

Psalm 150 serves as a fitting conclusion, calling all creation to praise God with wholehearted expression, everywhere and at all times, for who He is and what He has done. Ultimately, the Psalms provide a lifelong soundtrack for faith, shaping a rhythm of worship that endures and deepens over time.

Thank you so much for joining us on this journey through the Psalms!

Scriptures:

Psalm 150:1-6

Show Notes:

Purchase your copy of the Psalms Journal in Woven's shop

Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms

The Book Tim Keller Has Read Every Month for 20 Years

Psalm 130 shows us a journey from personal repentance to hopeful trust in God, reminding us that confession is the starting point for restored relationship with Him.

The psalmist teaches that when we honestly bring our sin before a merciful God, we make space for His presence and His promises to move in our lives. It also highlights that waiting on God is not passive but active—like a watchman alert for morning, we engage our hearts and minds in hope and expectation.

In this penitential song, we’re reminded that conviction is a gift that leads to freedom. It is not the same as shame that leads to isolation. Ultimately, our hope is not in people or circumstances, but in God alone, who is faithful to redeem and restore.

Scriptures:

• recap of previous chapters
• Psalm 130
• 2 Chronicles 7:14-18
• Psalm 119:47
• Psalm 63:5-6

TED Talk from Brene Brown

"Watchman" by Josh Garrels

"I will wait for you" by Shane & Shane

What we consume shapes our hearts, minds, and overall well-being. As we study Psalm 119, we see a deep love for God’s Word and a reminder that His commands are not restrictive, but life-giving.

While our culture often resists authority and elevates personal independence, Scripture teaches that true freedom is found in loving and following God’s ways. His Word equips us to fight lies, guides us through all circumstances, and helps us know Jesus more deeply.

Through personal stories and fresh data, this episode invites us to ask the Lord to cultivate a hunger for the scriptures, trusting that He uses His Word to restore, shape, and bring us back to life.

Scriptures:

• Psalm 119
• John 1:1
• Matthew 5:17-20
• Psalm 1:1-3
• Ephesians 6:17

This episode cites data from Gallup's 2026 World Happiness Report and quotes information from CountryReport's driving in the Dominican Republic. It also includes quotes from GK Chesterton, JI Packer, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Alistair Begg.

Psalm 110 is the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament. In this purely messianic psalm, David prophesies about the coming Messiah—one who would bear titles that rarely, if ever, belong together.

But why was it necessary for Christ to be so many things?

In this episode, we’ll explore passages from Genesis to Revelation to see how Jesus perfectly fulfilled the words David wrote 1,000 years before His birth—and why He had to embody all of these roles in order to complete His work as our Savior.

As we approach Easter, this psalm centers our hearts on Jesus as our true hope and our all-sufficient sacrifice.

Scriptures:

• Psalm 110

• Matthew 22:41-46

• Genesis 14:18-20

• Hebrews 7

• Genesis 49:10

• Hebrews 4:15

While many of our Founding Fathers believed that God created the world and then left it to run on its own, the Psalms depict a radically different picture: a God who is intimately involved in sustaining creation and directing history. Psalm 104 portrays God not only as Creator but as active Sustainer, bringing order from chaos, watering the earth, feeding creatures, and wisely governing all life. Psalms 105 and 106 function together as a historical reflection on God’s covenant faithfulness—especially His promises to Abraham—and Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness. God remains faithful even when His people are not.

The covenant with Abraham demonstrates that God initiates relationship and bears the risk, a theme Christians believe culminates in Jesus’ declaration of a “new covenant” at the Last Supper. Salvation is presented as a gift of grace, not earned by works, yet genuine friendship with God is evidenced through obedience. Psalm 106 underscores the serious cost of sin, showing how forgetfulness of God disrupts covenant relationship. This episode challenges us to live from a place of gratitude and repentance for God’s grace. We need to ask -- how is my sin hindering the friendship He's initiated with me?

Scriptures:

• Psalm 104
• Psalm 105
• Psalm 106
• Matthew 26:26-28
• John 15:14
• Matthew 7:21

Leonardo da Vinci said, “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt. Poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.”

Today, we'll begin studying the fourth book of Psalms with a read through of Psalm 91. We'll look at how the poetic language of this songbook communicates something that everyday language cannot. Through metaphors that cause us to feel and understand abstract spiritual things, we're given images that strengthen our faith and paint lasting pictures in our minds.

Today we'll see that the Psalms build our biblical imagination.

Scriptures:

• Numbers
• Psalm 90:1
• Psalm 91
• Luke 10:19

Book Three of Psalms mirrors the themes found in Leviticus, the third book of the Bible, which focuses on God’s holiness and desire for His people to be set apart. In a similar way, Book Three of Psalms repeatedly emphasizes the theme of sanctuary, underscoring the importance of God’s presence among His people as central to their identity and spiritual life.

By taking a closer look at Psalm 73, we see how dwelling in the presence of God brings clarity to every other aspect of life. The psalmist shows us that time spent with God starves our bitterness, reshapes our perspective, and strengthens our hearts. Ultimately, our growing relationship with God and our understanding of His character should shape how we interpret our experiences, rather than allowing our experiences to define what we believe about Him.

Scriptures:

• Psalm 73
• Leviticus 20:26
• Psalm 74:7
• Psalm 79:1
• Psalm 119:37