What to Give the Dad Who Has Everything

Maybe we've blogged on this before ... and it's probably already a realization in many hearts, but it struck a bright, shining, new chord of profoundness in mine today ....

This is God, your God, speaking to you.
I don't find fault with your acts of worship,
the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
or more and more goats from your herds?
Every creature in the forest is Mine,
the wild animals on all the mountains. (Ps 50:7-11)

Spread for Me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a feast of kept promises,
and call for help when you're in trouble --
I'll help you, and you'll honor Me. (Ps. 50:14,15)

I've read that before and heard it before .... i know that God owns all the cattle on all the hills... but it really sunk in today that what God doesn't own, what He doesn't already have plenty of is my praise!

He's the Dad Who really does have everything! He created everything. He created all those bulls and goats. He created me.

So what do i give this Father? What could He possibly not have that i DO?

I create the praise.

In my act of worship, He wants my praise more than anything! Not the method of worship or doing things for Him. He's already got all that stuff taken care of. Been there, done that.

But my actual praise coming out of my open mouth... In the midst of all the moo-ing and lowing of those thousands of head of cattle, is God hearing the sound of my praise?

How special -- the one thing I can give such a Great King. What an honor. And what a love He has that releases me and lets me be the giver of praises to Him.

And a verse in Romans 1 jumped out at me, along the lines of praising God ...

People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat Him like God, refusing to worship Him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives (v. 21).

Wow. My praises need to rise to God's banquet table, and in doing so, my life won't be trivial or silly or confusing, but it will be large and full and have sense and direction, bringing Him honor.

I have noticed that: When i decide to praise God in the midst of a confusing, crazy situation, clarity comes. Direction and wisdom from God materialize.

"Call for help when you're in trouble --
I'll help you, and you'll honor Me." (Ps. 50:14,15)

God, I'm so glad You don't want any bulls or goats from me. Perhaps if i spend more time serving up a banquet of praise to You, I won't be running around trying to perform an act or do something. Maybe i'll spend more time praising You and less time repenting of a sin i just can't seem to kick -- because in the praise, You showed up and helped me and now it's gone.

God, You are so awesome. You are mighty and full of grace and mercy and love. Thank You for sense and direction and help in time of trouble. You are good! Praise YOU!

Speaking to yourself!

Hi Everyone - long time no post!! Just loved this verse I read this morning though and had to share my thoughts.
Psalm 43:5 "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God!"

I have found myself a little "uninvolved" and just blodding along lately and the Lord has begun to renew something in me so I can now share with you and encourage you if you find yourself in this same place. It is so easy to let life overwhelm you and before you know it you are being led by situations and not by what the Lord is speaking in your life because you are not listening to Him, you are listening to the loud voices around you instead!!!
That's when you need to speak to yourself like David did here. "Why am I....I will praise Him!!!"
I had such an interesting day yesterday. Actually it began with Sunday morning the day before when I heard an awesome message from my great pastor and it began to renew something in me I had let die over the summer busyness!! We then flew to Denver to spend the night so we could have breakfast with an awesome couple who live in the Philippines. Because of that decision (delaying our flight to LA where we are having a wonderful time of vacation with more fammily)we were not able to get on our LA flight and had to rent a car and drive to Co Springs, spent the day shopping and eating together, and eventually caught a flight on a very small plane sitting beside extremely interesting people and arrived at LA much later than planned causing the family who had to pick us up to make another trip to the airport (a 2hr hour round trip car ride)!
There were lots of reasons for me to complain about my day. Nothing went as planned - but it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable, interesting, and relaxed days I have had in a long time.
"Why am I discouraged????" "I WILL PRAISE the Lord!!"
I love loving the Lord and knowing He is in charge of my life. It makes for adventuresome living (don't know if that is a word...adventursesome!) (And having a son who works for an airline so we are at the mercy of empty seats....but that is another blessing in my life!!)
THANK YOU LORD FOR TODAY - WONDER WHAT IT WILL BRING MY WAY - WHATEVER IT IS I KNOW YOU ARE IN IT!!!

God to the Rescue

Psalm 33:18-19 says,

"Watch this: God's eye is on those who respect Him,
the ones who are looking for His love.
He's ready to come to their rescue in bad times;
in lean times He keeps body and soul together."

That is so encouraging... God's eye is on me! In the midst of "lean times," of hard times, challenging times it's easy to think that God isn't seeing what's happening. But He does see, and He's ready to come to my rescue!

Last Sunday my husband and i were hosting an Open House for our home that's on the market. The clock ticked away all 4 hours without a single person gracing our doorstep.

Several times throughout the afternoon, we prayed together... for the buyers, for the house, reminding God of His word to us ... I even went through rigorous self examination to see if there was something i needed to do differently within my own self or for the sale of the house!

Finally, my husband said, "God, even if You send someone at the last minute, we'll take 'em."

And sure enough, God came to the rescue. At the very last minute, someone rang our bell.

And they came back the next night with their spouse to walk through the house.


God is SO good! Psalm 33:20 says, "We're depending on God; He's everything we need." Amen to that! Praise to YOU, God! Thank You for rescuing me and being my all!

How has God rescued you?

God Is Good

Psalms 31 & 32 reminded me today of how good God is!

And how quickly and thoroughly He comes to the rescue of those who call on Him!

The blessings He has "piled up" (apparently, there's been some accumulation) for those who worship Him!


And i was particularly struck by Psalm 32:6,
"These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray; when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts we'll be on high ground, untouched."


Just a reminder to me today of all the downfalls that come from not following God and of all the heaps of blessings for those who do.

And of the reminder to "Celebrate God.... raise the roof!" (32:11)

Praise to YOU, God!!! Thank YOU for Your mighty goodness, Your love and mercy! YOU are the God of salvation, of healing, of provision! YOU are God!

God Created All - He Knows All (Job 38-40)

God, You are great and awesome!
You created everything -
Migrating birds, Colorful fish
Wild animals and Marine mammals
The earth in its rocky summits
Desert highs and lows
The burning stars
And spinning galaxies
Lord, You made it all!

You made me, my children
Our families and generations
Crafted our DNA
Lovingly shaped our faces
Chose an eye color, hair to complement
Added talents and giftings and love.

And through it all,
You know it all
The how's, why's and when's.
Lord, help me to keep my mouth closed
And listen
To You
Because You and only You know it all.