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!