MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE

Psalm 100:1-2 "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."

Today I went to church, I found my place and got there just before praise and worship started. I didn't pay much attention to who was seated behind me. I was just thankful that I had made it on time! (For those of you who truly know me you can appreciate this accomplishment.) The worship leader stepped forward and began to play. The congregation joined in song; from behind me a very loud and confident noise rang out. Based on the range, I assumed it was a man. (If I had based exclusively on pitch, I would have assumed an injured animal). It caught me off guard at first. I was amazed that someone this vocally challenged would sing out so boldly and with such volume. I actually was a little annoyed that I was subjected to the noise which bellowed from the man behind me; worship interrupted!

As I sat there Psalm 100:1-2 came to my mind (God prompted of course!). As I mediated on this verse, my perspectives were changed. The man behind me was shouting for joy to the Lord; a joyful noise! His heart was filled with gladness as he sang out to God in worship. His voice in those moments of my reflection was transformed. No longer the annoying clanging of a man singing off pitch, it was now from the heart of a man who was worshiping the Lord. I enjoyed his song!

Worship ended and we all sat down. Sitting there, I was reminded that God doesn't look for perfection. He does not need beautiful, perfect on pitch voices. God looks at the heart. This is where praise and worship comes from. God wants our hearts.

I love living in Southern California.

Yesterday, Madison and I spent our evening

chasing waves and the sunset.

It was a spectacular sunset, such beauty. Loved the beauty and the time with my amazing girl.

Thought I would post a few pictures and share with you!

S - stength from God

T - to

O - overcome with

R - righteous behavior

M - my trials and tribulations

Week of 12/07 - 12/13

This week I started a bible study - "Strength for the Storm". One of my goals while working through the study is to identify truths for my life. You know what I mean, you are reading a scripture and it is as if God taps you on the shoulder and says "Pay attention to this one". Here are my truths for the past week.

• God is enough for every need in my life.
• God uses trials in our lives as tools of refinement to build in us a Godly endurance.

They spoke to my heart and are an encouragement. I thought it would be good to post them here and share them with you.

Make it a great day.

Romans 5:3-5 (The Message)

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Praise God even in the storms! Although the storms can be hard and unbearable at times, there can be benefits in riding out the storm. The core benefit being a changed life. If we keep our heart and attitude in the right place we will build character and have strong virtue in our lives; "tempered steel virtue". God wants us to live a life which is full and blessed. He will not shortchange us. God will give us an abundant life as he pours his love into our lives!

Michelle's Psalm

Life is uncertain

The path I am on is unclear.

I look to the future

It is unknown.

It scares me, befuddles me.

I want to know;

I need answers.

I desire to hope, do I dare?

You, Oh Lord, I cling to

for you are the map.

What is unclear or uncertain to me;

you know definitively.

Blindly I cling to you.

I hold on, for you love me.

You know the path;

You have a plan.

You give the hope my heart thirsts for.

You are all I need!

You, Oh Lord, keep me going when I may desire to give up.

You reveal truth when the perceptions of my head deceive me!

With you, I can face anything.

All things are possible in you.

Life is uncertain.

But my God, you have made yourself known.

Your promices give me

the hope I need;

the air I breathe;

the calm in the storm;

the light for my path!

YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING!

Life is uncertain, but today

I put my hope in you

for you are certain!

My God is not punitive!

I had an interesting discussion this week with a respected individual who I had as a teacher many years ago. The point of contention was whether or not God “prescribes” trials. My opponent opined that God sends trials as medicine which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes because we need them. I do not agree. The thought of God contriving trials to send my way is not the God of grace, love and mercy that I have come to know through the Bible.

It is my opinion that trials are challenges that we face and endure. There are some trials we impugn upon ourselves based upon our actions. These trials are consequences of our own choices. There are also trials we must endure that are thrust upon us based on someone else’s choices. James 1 states that as Christians we will have situations which come our way which test and challenge us. These tests are a catalyst to growth and maturity. These trials will also force our faith into the open and show our true colors. Further in James 1, it says that every desirable and beneficial gift comes from heaven. There is nothing deceitful about God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. I do not believe that God prescribes trials. He does however allow us to experience them so that we may grow. Trials and suffering produces perseverance, character and hope; hope does not disappoint us. (Rom. 5:3-4). God does not designate trials to be delivered upon us. Most trials are a direct consequence of man’s choices. However, God does allow us to experience them. I can say with confidence that He is by my side every step of the way as I navigate through them. My God is always there for me, guiding, protecting, instructing and comforting. In Him, I have strength, hope and joy to persevere through any trial. God is my help and my refuge. (Psalm 121)

I do agree that trials and testing are a necessary part of life which God uses to grow us. The difference in thinking between my friend and I is he sees them as prescribed (appointed, ordained or enjoined) by God. I see them as allowed (to permit) by God. My God is not punitive. My God is a loving God filled with grace and mercy. He is my refuge and hope.

I am Ninja!

Psalm 18:28 -29

You, Oh Lord, keep my lamp burning

my God turns my darkness into light

With your help I can advance against a troop

with God I can scale a wall

I love these two verses. There are times where it seems like I just can't continue on my own. But, God can "keep my lamp burning". I am not in this life alone He is with me every step of the way. In Him, I can persevere and make it though anything. My lamp will keep burning!

I also sometimes just don't know what to do. I feel like I am in the dark and do not know what is real and what are perceptions created in my mind. God "turns my darkness into light". God can give me the wisdom I need. He always can reveal what is true and can help me to see things as He does. In Him, I have a more true perspective on what is real. He turns my darkness into light.

I also love that "with God I can scale a wall". In Him, I can do anything; get through any situation, be strong, have hope, and all things are possible. I can scale a wall. In God, I am Ninja :-)

The Serenity Prayer

(Reinhold Niebuhr)

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardener"

It has always been a hobby of mine to spend time gardening. I enjoy working in the garden. Planting seeds and watching them grow. Weeding out the harmful plants which might choke out the ones I desire to be there. Watering and feeding the garden. Pruning away the wild branches on the plant so that it might grow more full and lush. Pruning it to shape it to add beauty to the garden.

I love the picture of God as my Gardener and my life as the garden. He tenderly works on my life. Nurturing me and loving me, watching me grow. It is His utmost desire for me to thrive. Weeding to make sure that I am healthy and vital. Pruning away the baggage and issues in an effort to help me grow into the person He has created me to be. With tenderness, love and devotion, He watches over my life to make all things beautiful.

My Heavenly Father is the Gardner of my life!