Category Archives: Praise

Award Season

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What a surprise.  I was recently awarded the ABC Award.  This particular award recognizes the many blogs who create a positive atmosphere in their content.  It is named this because one of the requirements is to alphabetically name those positive things/people/thoughts etc. that define one as a person.  As I thought about it I decided to use some of my favorite hymns to honor the One Defining Person in my life.  (Posted in a previous blog.) It has been my desire and mission to follow Matthew 28:19-20.  To go and teach.  If in that mission I reach just one through my blog or my teaching or my life then I have honored my Jesus and that is what really matters.

The other requirement is to pass the award forward.  These are blogs that inspire me and keep me aware of the many around the world who are “not ashamed of the gospel”.  I grow from them and am blessed by them.

http://awomanforhim.wordpress.com

http://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com

http://365devotions.blogspot.com

http://myhmmmcollection.wordpress.com

http://beautyandspice.wordpress.com

http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com

http://mydailywalkinhisgrace.blogspot.com

What a difference you have made for me.  Pass it on.

As I lift this prayer in the Name of Jesus I give you praise for the many people You have placed in my path to remind me of who You are and of Whose I am.  I ask You to bless them and enlarge all our territories for You.   Amen and Make It So!

Alphabet Soup

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I was reading through a few of my favorite blogs (listed at the left) and discovered that some have received an award called the ABC Award.  I found this a quite revealing way to write about what my Lord and Savior means to me using some of my favorite hymns. 

Almighty, Most Holy God

Because He Lives

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Day By Day

Emmanuel

Fairest Lord Jesus

Great Is ThyFaithfulness

Holy, Holy, Holy

I’d Rather Have Jesus

Jesus Lover of My Soul

King of My Life

Love Lifted Me

More About Jesus

Now I Belong To Jesus

Only Trust Him

People Need the Lord

Q

Redeemed How I Love To Proclaim It

Shine, Jesus, Shine

There Is Sunshine In My Soul

Up From The Grave He Arose

Victory In Jesus

Whiter Than Snow

X

Years I Spent In Vanity and Pride

Z

There are a few blanks because I simply could not think of a hymn that begins with that letter. 

I highly recommend trying this yourselves.  Just create an alphabetical list of what the Lord means to you.  It will surely cause your heart to stir with joy at what He is. 

Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.  James 5:13b

Ah, Lord God, You are the song of my heart.  You have so blessed my world with Your beautiful music.  All praise to You my God and King!

WAVES OF THANKS

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Giving thanks for what God is, has, and will do for us should be as natural as breathing.  Yet, we often have to be reminded to do just that.  In every book I’ve read on prayer the author makes a point of suggesting thanksgiving be part of every prayer.  That includes the Bible.  Such verses as Colossians 2:6-7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 remind us to give thanks for everything.

In our worship service this week we did a ‘Wave of Thanks’.  Wave offerings are mentioned in Ex. 29:23.  Although not the same concept as an arena ‘wave’, we were still giving thanks for what He had done and given us and ‘waved’ them with our words before the altar.  The usual thanks were given like family, new babies, new homes, Jesus and salvation (in no way usual), friends, the church, and more.  We have faced cancer in some of its ugliest forms and God has intervened with His healing touch. One offering of thanks stands out – – The Miracle of Life.  We have had life threatening Traumatic Brain Injuries, one resulting in a coma, and both men not only survived but are living life to the fullest. 

On this special day, set aside to give thanks, let’s not forget to give thanks for life. 

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving  To God the Creator triumphantly raise, Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us, Who guideth us on to the end of our days.  *

Ah, Lord God, Creator of Life, you have not only caused us to live and breathe but have also given us the choice of eternal life.  Thank YOU!  Give us all the desire  and courage to live our lives to the fullest, totally for You.  Don’t let us forget the greatest LIFE of all.  Thank YOU for Jesus in whose name I lift this prayer.  Make it so!

*(Katherine K. Davis set these words to the melody Ash Grove in the early 1900’s.)

WORSHIPFUL WAYS

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The words of a well know praise song by Tim Hughes have been ringing in my heart for days.

Here I am to Worship – Worship is not about me.  It is about God.

Here I am to bow down – Time on my knees is necessary to reminding me of my position as a Believer.  Although I am much loved by the Holy One I am not Him.

Here I am to say that You’re my God – There can be no other god in my life.  This includes stuff, people, pets, food, clothes…That is not to say I’m not to have it but whatever in my life is taking His place, has to go.

You’re altogether lovely – You have allowed me to discover You in the beauty of ALL Your creation.

Altogether holy – Completely set aside for Your plan and not able to be less than who You are.

Altogether wonderful to me – You have forgiven, provided, and sheltered me throughout my life.

James 4:8 says “Come near to God and He will come near to You.”  When I am worshipping and get distracted guess who moved?  During our times of worship we are to be totally focused on God.  Our fervent prayer needs to be that all the distractions, noises, and voices around us are silenced, for us personally, so God will be the center of attention.  His greatest desire is that our relationship with Him will be our greatest desire.

Ah, Lord, God You are my Light, my Life, my Salvation, my Joy, my Hiding Place, my One and Only.  You have given me the beauty of Your creation to know You.  I praise You.  I honor You.  I worship You.  You are all that really matters.  Amen