Friday, July 8, 2011

Life-long Praise









“Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

I will praise the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”

Psalm 146:1-2 (NIV)



The psalmist pledges to sing praises to his God as long as he lives. What would it look like if 21st Century people chose to praise the Lord for the rest of their lives?

God would become more real in their lives; those around them could see Him reflected in the actions done in His name.

People wouldn’t have nearly as much depression or frustration; they would be cordial to one another. They would understand and respect others who are going through difficulties. We would have a lot fewer dysfunctional families. There would be a whole lot less bickering.

Nations would have better relations between themselves. They could sit down in peace and solve the issues they may have with one another.

Wouldn’t we have a better world if we all committed to praising God in the life we have left here on earth?

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Declaring Praises





“I will declare your name to my brothers;

In the congregation I will praise you.”

Psalm 22:22 (NIV)



Our times of private deliverance may help a Christian brother or sister if they knew you had a problem that God handled.

In our church we have a time set aside for praises. Some times we have several people stand and give thanks and praise to God. A couple of times in my life, I had to write down the people’s names and a few words of their praises. During these times I didn’t feel God cared about me or He wasn’t helping me with what I wanted Him to.

He had a lesson for me to learn. I got the message and pulled myself away from that ‘pity party’ and realized that I had to find something to praise God for each day. I started keeping a list of praises at the back of my prayer list. Some days I might have one. Other days, I might have multiple praises.

Praising God exalts Him, empowers us, and encourages others.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Praise For Our Nation






Today is our nation’s 235th birthday. This is a long time for any form of government. We should be thankful that God has allowed us to enjoy the freedoms we have.


We are blessed to live in a nation where we can speak our hearts to our elected officials. Early this spring the former mayor of our city walked across the street and talked to me while he was campaigning. He has chosen to seek the mayor’s office again.

At the time he visited my doorstep, we hadn’t had our primary election, so he was running for his party’s spot on the ticket for the general election. I found myself conversing about what was wrong with our city. This was about two months after our son had moved out of state because he found work. I realize now that I felt I could say what I said because of our freedom of speech.


Our nation believes in freedom of religion. We live in a land where there is no state religion. The framers of the Constitution remembered of the trials and persecution they or their forebears endured because they chose to worship God in the ways they believed were right, even when these ways were not sanctioned by the governing heads of state in Europe.



We live in a land of freedom of opportunity. Young people, no matter their gender, can plan to further their education and enter the business word. I have several friends who have, over the years, owned their own business. These are small businesses but they are viable. Older people can retrain for types of work other than what they have done in the past.



We need to take a look around and notice the good things about the United States of America. Then we should get on our knees, literally if we can, and give praise to God for our nation-‘the land of the free and the home of the brave.’

I thought you'd like to see this article. I am partial. It is my church. The flags on the ourside of the church take my breath away whenever they do this.  I tried getting pictures this spring but couldn't get it right.

http://heraldbulletin.com/local/x1435409412/Church-s-cross-shines-through-U-S-flag

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...