And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
(Psalm 27:6 ESV)
Tag: praise
Love-a-ly
“What a love-a-ly day! We are going to have a beautiful day today, Nana!” my little granddaughter said as she ran down the trail down to the lake. “Look! Look! Look!”
Soon other children joined her to watch a flock of birds swooping over the turquoise water.
“That’s so amazing! Wahoo!!”
I love the way children greet the morning with enthusiasm. They teach me the joy of wonder.
Yes! It’s here! A new day! And it’s beautiful. Wahoo!
Thank you, Lord.
Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed,
healed,
restored,
forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Praise Him, praise Him, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.
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A Way of Seeing
This way of seeing our Father in everything makes life one long thanksgiving and gives a rest of heart, and, more than that, a gayety of spirit, that is unspeakable.
– Hannah Whitall Smith
Photography as art is a way of seeing. A photographer’s outlook is revealed in the way she or he chooses to frame a photo, and which aspect of the scene before them they choose to focus upon. The position they take when capturing an image influences what others will see later.
Sometimes, when I am aware of being in deep shadow in my life I realize I need to get up and change my perspective before I will perceive the light. Intentional focus on aspects for which to be thankful and intentional praise for blessings past, present and future is a way of changing the angle and re-framing circumstances. Yes, there is shadow, but ah, the light!
“On another occasion, Jesus spoke to the crowds again.
Jesus: I am the light that shines through the cosmos; if you walk with Me, you will thrive in the nourishing light that gives life and will not know darkness.”
(John 8:12 The Voice)
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Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid?
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
(Psalm 27:1)
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Nothing is Too Hard for You
Ah, Lord God!
It is you who have made the heavens
and the earth by your great power
and by your outstretched arm!
Nothing is too hard for you.
(Jeremiah 32:17 ESV)
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I, I, I count my blessings
This song is playing in my head this morning. “I Count My Blessings.”
As the sun dawned on me (lying in bed but awake far too early) the thought dawned on me: You know, life is pretty good when your fret quotient is filled with worries about stuff and lack of storage space.
I have stuff.
I have a beautiful family.
Our children are excellent parents.
Our grandchildren love and are loved.
I have friends around the world with whom I can connect in the Spirit.
I have a Saviour who brings me into the throne room of the King of Kings and Creator of the Universe.
I have the Holy Spirit who lives in me and reminds me of songs about counting blessings.
And I have an old CD of the Nylons that I found again after one of my kids hid it twenty years ago because I played it on every road trip.
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Because You Are Good
The older kids had already run out the door to catch the school bus. She was in her jammies, her hair matted in a wad of fine blonde fuzz at the back of her head and a greying blankie hanging like a loose toga over her shoulder. Her voice, crackling with the residue of sleep was hard to hear.
“What would you like, honey?” her Mommy asked, as she added raisins to my little granddaughter’s oatmeal.
“Can you put on worship?” she asked again, a little louder this time.
“Sure. I can do that. Which one?”
“Kids worship, please.”
Mommy started a video on the computer on the kitchen desk.
“She asks for music every morning,” she told me. “This is the way she likes to start her day.”
The song played and my little three-year old granddaughter grinned at me.
Your goodness never stops
Your mercy follows me
Your kindness fills my life
Your love amazes me
I sing because You are good
And I dance because You are good
And I shout because You are good
You are good to me!*
Yes, my beautiful young one. You continue to teach me. This is how to start the day.
*From Bethel Music Kids/ Come Alive
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You Wear Sunshine
Everything I am will praise and bless the Lord!
Oh Lord, my God, your greatness takes my breath away,
Overwhelming me by your majesty, beauty, and splendor!
You wrap yourself with a shimmering glistening light.
You wear sunshine like a garment of glory.
(Psalm 104:1,2 The Passion Translation)
Charis: Subject to Change 