Hey, I'm not sure who might be at the root of this, or who might be able to help with it inside of the beehiiv ecosystem, but there have been a lot of increased MCP connection failures inside of ChatGPT of late. Like, a LOT more.

Enough that the feature probably is only working about 65% of the time. I'm having to switch over to cloud browser access to do what I want to do. And that's fine, since it gets done, but it's kind of negating what WAS one of your most awesome features for us to date.

I'll be looking into the option of write API access, now that it's approved for MAX users (big thanks for that, by the way) but I'm just wondering if this is an isolated event to me, to just ChatGPT or if it's becoming endemic across all connectors and all platforms.

To be fair to you, Canva and the Cloudflare connectors constantly give me issues as well.

Just wanted to see if this is on anyone else's radar right now?

Lord, You have carried me from the beginning. Do not forsake me when my strength is spent. Protect me, restore me, and keep me useful until I have told the next generation how faithful You are. Amen.

Psalm 71

English Standard Version

Forsake Me Not When My Strength Is Spent

71 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
^(2) In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!
^(3) Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

^(4) Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
^(5) For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
^(6) Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;
you are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.

^(7) I have been as a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
^(8) My mouth is filled with your praise,
and with your glory all the day.
^(9) Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake me not when my strength is spent.
^(10) For my enemies speak concerning me;
those who watch for my life consult together
^(11) and say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue and seize him,
for there is none to deliver him.”

^(12) O God, be not far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
^(13) May my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who seek my hurt.
^(14) But I will hope continually
and will praise you yet more and more.
^(15) My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of your deeds of salvation all the day,
for their number is past my knowledge.
^(16) With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

^(17) O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
^(18) So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
^(19) Your righteousness, O God,
reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?
^(20) You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.
^(21) You will increase my greatness
and comfort me again.

^(22) I will also praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
^(23) My lips will shout for joy,
when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed.
^(24) And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long,
for they have been put to shame and disappointed
who sought to do me hurt.

Discussion Questions:

1. In verses 5–6, the psalmist says he has depended on God since before he could consciously choose to do so. How does remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen our trust in a present crisis?
2. What might the psalmist mean when he says, “I have been as a portent to many” in verse 7? How can a believer’s life become evidence of God’s work to the people watching?
3. According to verses 9 and 18, Christians do not retire from following Christ or simply wait for life to end. How can believers remain spiritually active and useful as their strength, health, responsibilities, and opportunities change?
4. In verse 13, the psalmist asks for his accusers to be shamed and consumed. How should Christians understand and pray passages like this in light of Jesus’ command to love our enemies?
5. The psalmist wants enough time to tell another generation about God’s power. What truths, experiences, or testimonies are we responsible for passing down, and what happens when one generation fails to do it?

Sorry this is showing up so early. I'm going out of town today and won't be back until Sunday, and didn't want this falling through the cracks.

O Lord, Do Not Delay

To the choirmaster. Of David, for the memorial offering.

70 Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
^(2) Let them be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
^(3) Let them turn back because of their shame
who say, “Aha, Aha!”

^(4) May all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
say evermore, “God is great!”
^(5) But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay!

Prayer:

Lord, meet us in our need today. Quiet our fears, strengthen our faith, and teach us to wait without losing heart. Keep praise on our lips and our eyes fixed on You, because You are always faithful.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is it okay to ask God to hurry? Have you ever prayed some version of “Lord, I need You to do something now”?
2. David doesn’t soften how he feels about the people enjoying his pain. What do you make of that kind of honesty in prayer?
3. Even while David is desperate for help, he stops to pray for everyone else who seeks God. Why do you think that matters?
4. David calls himself “poor and needy,” even though he’s a king. What changes when we stop trying to appear strong before God?
5. What helps you keep saying “God is great” when He hasn’t answered yet?

Make Your Face Shine upon Us

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

67 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
^(2) that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
^(3) Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

^(4) Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
^(5) Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!

^(6) The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
^(7) God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You yet again for another amazing day, and a Sabbath rest day at that. Let all of the nations arise and remember your name, and your law and your son and the wonderful provision you have made for us in all things and in all circumstances. Give us each the voice and breath to praise you faithfully today. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions:

1. Does your congregation still use the blessing that starts with this line in your formal worship services?
2. Would you say that the current global trend is towards or away from worshipping and praising God? Explain your answer and your basis of comparison.
3. What are some of the things that you are praising God for today?
4. Is there a particular nation or current global situation that you have on your heart and are praying for?

Hide Me from the Wicked

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

64 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
^(2) Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
from the throng of evildoers,
^(3) who whet their tongues like swords,
who aim bitter words like arrows,
^(4) shooting from ambush at the blameless,
shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
^(5) They hold fast to their evil purpose;
they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see them?”
^(6)     They search out injustice,
saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”
For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.

^(7) But God shoots his arrow at them;
they are wounded suddenly.
^(8) They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them;
all who see them will wag their heads.
^(9) Then all mankind fears;
they tell what God has brought about
and ponder what he has done.

^(10) Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord
and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult!

Dear Heavenly Father,

While Your Word reminds us that we do not have enemies who are flesh and blood, it doesn't say we don't have enemies. As Your consecrated people, there is a world of principalities and powers beyond the limits of our understanding. And whether we see them or not, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Keep us confidently reminded of that fact. Encourage us to armor up each morning when we rise. Never allow us to grow complacent. And always set our hearts on fire for the finding and sharing of Your Word with the lost. In the precious name of Jesus Christ,

Amen

1. I don't know if I was reading too much into today's Psalm, but as I read over it, I felt a lot of what it feels like being a Bible-believing and Christ-obeying Christian in modern America. And probably the wider Western world. How does the current cultural and political atmosphere try to threaten your confidence in Christ? Or tempt you to waver in your resolve?
2. Verse 6 felt oddly modern, with polls and pundits and surveys and statistics and demographics used to divide us and jeopardize any efforts at unity. I'm also thinking of people who turn to counselors and psychiatrists and other more secular "solutions" but who will never once crack open the Word of God to see what our instruction manual has to say. Any thoughts on that?
3. No matter what happens in verses 1-9, we as Christians need to never lose sight of the promise in verse 10. No matter the circumstances, no matter how stack the deck seems to be set against you, our hope is in the Lord. He is our refuge and our strength. What does it look like when your heart exults?

I'm a regular contributor and lurker on here, and I notice that a common thing I keep seeing complained about here and in my own circles is the lack of diversity in the ads shared with you in the ad network.

A lot of folks point the finger at beehiiv, but did you know that you might be the real reason you're only getting crappy ad ops?

If you go to your Ad Network, click it and see the side menu bar that opens.

Then, go to Preferences.

Most people get there and see a notice that reads, "You haven't set any Ad Network preferences yet."

And that, my friend, is probably your problem.

If you click the Set My Preferences button, you'll see a widget open on the right that asks a series of questions and checkboxes and criteria that will help make sure that the ads showing up in your options are the best fit for you and your publication.

Hope this helps!

My Soul Thirsts for You

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
^(2) So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
^(3) Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
^(4) So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.

^(5) My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
^(6) when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
^(7) for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
^(8) My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

^(9) But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
^(10) they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
they shall be a portion for jackals.
^(11) But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

Dear Heavenly Father,
So often in this crazy, messed up world, we thirst for all of the wrong things. Lord, protect our thirst. Make us thirsty and hungry for You and for Your Word. Remind us of where all of the goodness and mercy in our lives originate from. Protect our hearts, our mouths and our paths, and teach us to live for You and be satisfied always with Your provision. We ask this in the precious name and blood of Jesus, AMEN.

Discussion Questions:

1. Sometimes, even the richest of places can feel dry and barren and empty of sustenance. What practical steps do you take to make sure that you are hungering and thirsting after the right things?
2. Can you remember a time when you felt completely protected in the shadow of God's wings? How do you anchor that feeling and remember it when you find yourself back in the wasteland of want and no water?
3. David often ends or accents his psalms with the counter-play of the evil that will befall his enemies. Without downplaying the reality of David's enemies, what do you think about this response in light of Christ's mercy, love and forgiveness even for the wicked who repent of their ways?
4. I've heard admonition that you shouldn't pray laying down. This Psalm seems to counter that. Do you think that there are any positions that are "wrong" for prayer?
5. It just dawned on me that David uses the word "bless" here, as in he will bless God. But a blessing in unmerited favor, and all that God has done has more than merited our favor. Is it possible for us to bless God, or is that just a one-way street?

My Soul Waits for God Alone

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
^(2) He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

^(3) How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
^(4) They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah

^(5) For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
^(6) He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
^(7) On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

^(8) Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

^(9) Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
^(10) Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

^(11) Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
^(12)     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.

Prayer:

Lord, teach my soul to wait for You alone. Quiet the noise in me that reaches for approval, security, money, control, or quick rescue. Be my rock, my salvation, and my refuge today. Help me pour out my heart honestly before You, while trusting Your power, Your steadfast love, and Your perfect justice. In Christ's precious name, Amen.

Discussion Questions:

1. David says, “For God alone my soul waits in silence.” What is your soul most tempted to wait on besides God?
2. Psalm 62 contrasts outward blessing with inward cursing. Where do we see that kind of double-heartedness today, and how can we guard against it in ourselves?
3. Verse 8 says, “Pour out your heart before him.” What is the difference between silently trusting God and pretending we are fine?
4. David warns against trusting status, power, or riches. Which one feels most tempting when life feels unstable?
5. The psalm ends with God’s power, steadfast love, and judgment. Why do we need all three truths, not just one of them?

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

61 Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
^(2) from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
^(3) for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

^(4) Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
^(5) For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

^(6) Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
^(7) May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

^(8) So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for these words from David that remind us that you are always near, always watching us, and forever hearing our prayers. Thank you for being our rock and our refuge. For reminding us that you have invited us into your Kingdom through the precious blood of your son and our Savior. Put words of praise on our lips and a new song to you in our hearts, oh Lord, and remind us to both hope in and have reverence for your holy name. In Christ's name, Amen.

Discussion Questions:

1. David says, “When my heart is faint.” What does a faint heart feel like spiritually, emotionally, or even physically?
2. Why do you think David asks God to lead him to “the rock that is higher than I,” instead of asking God to make him stronger on his own?
3. What is the difference between running to God as a refuge and merely asking God to fix the problem?
4. David speaks of God as a rock, a refuge, a strong tower, a tent, and sheltering wings. Which image speaks to you most today, and why?
5. Psalm 61 ends with praise and daily obedience: “as I perform my vows day after day.” How should answered prayer change the way we live tomorrow?

This may already be on someone’s roadmap, but I think beehiiv should create its own annual awards program for newsletters built on the platform.

Not a fluffy “everybody gets a badge” thing.

I mean a real annual event with categories, finalists, judges, data-backed wins, community voting, case studies, and a little bit of actual prestige.

Basically: the newsletter world’s version of a major awards night.

Possible names:

• The beehiiv Newsletter Awards
• The Golden Hiive Awards
• The Hiivies
• The beehiiv Creator Awards

The reason I think this matters:

beehiiv is not just competing on software features anymore. It is building an ecosystem. And ecosystems need status markers.

People want to be seen. They want proof. They want something they can put on their homepage, LinkedIn, media kit, sponsor deck, and sales page.

“Winner of Best Local Newsletter, beehiiv Awards 2026” has real value.

And for beehiiv, this becomes a content engine.

Every finalist becomes:

• a case study
• a blog post
• a social clip
• a sales asset
• a proof point
• a reason for other publishers to say, “Wait, how did they do that?”

The categories could be really strong, too:

• Newsletter of the Year
• Best New Newsletter Launch
• Best Local Newsletter
• Best B2B Newsletter
• Best Paid Newsletter
• Best Solo Operator
• Best Newsletter Under 1,000 Subscribers
• Best Newsletter Under 10,000 Subscribers
• Best Monetization Strategy
• Best Referral Program
• Best Welcome Sequence
• Best Editorial Voice
• Best Design
• Best Use of beehiiv Boosts
• Best Newsletter-Led Business
• Best Comeback or Relaunch

The underdog categories are important. If this only celebrates giant publishers, smaller creators tune out. But if there are categories for early-stage operators, local newsletters, solo publishers, and niche creators, suddenly everyone has a lane.

Judging could be a mix of:

• beehiiv analytics
• editorial review
• community voting
• judge-selected finalists
• verified growth or monetization milestones

The prize does not even need to be huge, though it could be.

Winners could get:

• a digital badge
• a featured beehiiv case study
• a profile interview
• Boost credits
• a free year of a paid plan
• homepage or marketplace placement
• sponsor introductions
• a physical plaque/trophy
• invite-only roundtable with other winners

The bigger point:

beehiiv should not just host great newsletters.

It should crown them.

Substack has cultural cachet. Mailchimp has legacy. ConvertKit has creator familiarity. beehiiv has a shot at owning modern newsletter ambition.

An annual awards program would make beehiiv feel less like a tool and more like the center of the newsletter operator universe.

I’d genuinely love to see something like this happen.

Would anyone else submit their newsletter if beehiiv created this?