May 29

Oh the lessons! Staying true to the blog is staying away from teaching others concepts that I have received without considering what God has spoken to me. No matter how much it stings, this blog is about God’s Word to me and the things He speaks to me. Hopefully that will be instructive and encouraging to all. So in keeping with that, God’s Word revealed something in me that needs correction.

There are parts of this life that I love. I love worshipping God, preaching/ministering a great teaching of great impact, loving people and helping them gain the “more” that God has for them. I love playing with my kids and I love just plain ol’ playing! I love romancing my wife and acting like a twenty-something year old who is drunk with love. Those things however, seem like they are taken over by the things that I don’t like. Instead of reveling in those things, I begin to hate the toil of life. Instead of enjoying working on my house and looking forward to the benefit of…(whatever I am working on), I allow it to become a hated toil with a deadline only to get on to the next project without much or any enjoyment from the current project. Solomon’s words spoke loud today – enjoy what God has given you.

This formidable task may take a lifetime to master for me. That isn’t the point though. The point is to master it! Somehow I must learn to master this blessing – enjoyment. I haven’t figured out how to enjoy what at times seems like a task master, but I can tell you one thing – I am determined to enjoy the toil along with the “easy” work.

May 28

Today was a little depressing - huh? It is interesting to see the last of Solomon's life and how he believed. He had everything a man (worldly) could want. He had satiated every desire of his soul He still had great insight into this life but none into the next life. The lesson for me is that if you focus on this life you will begin to think that this is all there is. Then you will come to the end of your life and realize that it all is meaningless! Without the perspective of heaven, life is swallowed by trouble.

Papa, help me to have an eternal perspective ever present in my heart and mind. I never want to feel meaningless. You bring meaning to my life and all my toil has purpose. Thanks daddy.

May 27

What a heavy price Solomon and all of Israel will pay. God was so good to Solomon, but something happened to this great man of wealth and wisdom. We read it in 3 minutes, but it took years – even decades to happen. After all just the wedding of 700 wives would take 700 weeks at a minimum.

My application is be careful who influences me. Solomon’s downfall was that he let others have more influence on him more than God. When I think about my influencers I first think of TV and media. How much do they influence me? Do they get me off the path? Do they at least distract me? But then I thought of my own thoughts and the “thought bombs” of the devil. I think they are the most powerful influencers in my life. For those of you who are naturally “positive”, you won’t understand when I say that my own thoughts are the things I have to beat down. It is not as if I struggle all the time, because my mind has been renewed! Yet, negativity is familiar to me and must be crushed as an influencer. There are other influencers – the voices of those around me. Will I let the dream crushers and the critics influence me? Will I let those who are well-meaning, but are directing me to something God hasn’t called me to influence me?

Papa – I want you and you alone to influence me! You are life to me! Your voice means more than a thousand others.

May 26

As I read this Song I was searching for my lesson. What did God want to speak to me? What was my lesson? It became evident that I was reading and enjoying the Song but I wasn’t getting what God wanted to say to me. I look for deep lessons, something that touches the heart and not just the mind. So I kept reading and got it.

Although there are a few ways to interpret this book, God spoke to me, mister passion to ramp up the passion! It is so easy to become partners with your lover (spouse) in this busy life, but there was something so awesome about this dialogue. It was filled with passion, desire and expectancy! When I have no desire or passion and expect nothing I must kindle it, pray for it and act it! There has got to be something to look forward to, and it is mine to create that environment. She has her responsibility as well, but that is her story and not mine. Mine is to be the regal king that she desires. Oh, one more thing. There was a whole lot of describing in this book – my task is to complement her and extol her beauty – in and out.

May 25

I have known and read the Proverbs below for many years. Today, greater revelation came.

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 18:14 (NIV)
14 A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

I have always looked at these Proverbs and said a hardy Amen! But there is more than hope for a spirit that is strong. It is as if the Lord is saying – strengthen your Spirit! The crushed spirit is an overwhelmed spirit – hmmm… Also, heartache crushes the spirit. I can’t help but think of one of my favorite Proverbs to quote to my kids, “Above all else guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life.” The Lord is nearly screaming at me (not in a bad way) to give Him all of my heart and life so I can’t be “under-whelmed”. At first I thought that I was to build up my spirit through worship and prayer, especially in the spirit, but now I see the “key” is to constantly give my heart (inner life) to God. (Worship and prayer are keys as well). That will produce the strong spirit I need to NOT submit to sickness or any other trial that comes into my life, but to be sustained. (Which means to be contained as does a vessel or to provide with food).

May 24

Can I not mention the Proverbs about gray hair and how splendiferous my hair is? No

Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Many years have I believed this, but the Lord is working in me right now to find men who can take me to another level of pastoring. If I can find wise men and walk with them I will grow wise. God help me to find men willing to give away what you have given them.

Proverbs 28:2 (NIV)
2 When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.

This spoke strongly to me about how I lead. The Lord spoke to me as I read this and told me that I must lead strong and not let things “float”. It is difficult to make decisions because of the vocal people who will disapprove of your decision, but there must not be fear within me of disapproval and or rejection. God has made me strong and made me a leader – I will lead strong and trust in Him. My fear of not leading strong (since it was the Lord who told me to), must be stronger than any fear of man.

May 22

Proverbs 21:29
A wicked man puts up a bold front,
But an upright man gives thought to his ways.

It is easy for me to put up a bold front when confronted and in other situations. I don’t want to be “done in” by anybody so I get that look on my face of impervious passing. In other words, “can’t touch this”. It is an attitude of pride or insecurity that shows on the face and comes out in words. God has softened me over the years to react with humility, but those words that come out of my mouth are not always so humble. I have a pretty quick wit and sharp tongue that still needs much taming. I have learned and am learning to “think before I speak”. On a Sunday morning when you speak for 30-45 minutes, it is easy to say something that you didn’t think through. So what! Who cares about excuses or easy? An upright man (me) gives thought to his ways – how he talks, what he does, how he reacts. I will tell you one thing that the Proverbs do for me – hit me in the face with a choice! Wicked= bold front, upright=think about it before you… I am upright, and I will choose to be.

May 21

Today’s reading has quite a cutting edge to it. James says that the tongue can set a whole forest on fire and I guess I have lit a few fires in my lifetime! So when I read these Proverbs I struggle to not find my past in them. With all that is in me I want to find my future in them. I want to have life flowing from my tongue, bringing healing, wisdom and joy to many! I want to enjoy good things from my tongue and be filled with good fruit! I am sure that you want the same things, and yearn for them like me – but there is a catch.

That catch is that I am the one who must control my tongue. Nobody else can do it. I have to go against my first reactions, my flesh, and any proclivity to parrot (repeat) what I hear from spirits of darkness. There lies the difficulty for me. Even though I have completely changed from the pre-Christian and early Christian eras of my life, the “old nature” tendency is still strong. That tendency is NOT good! The only thing to do is kill it and kill it hard! The other thing that I am hearing is “just do it”. There is no way around it – I have got to clear the way for my new natural response. It is SO there just waiting for a chance to speak words of life.

Proverbs 12:16 (NIV)
16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
11 A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Isn’t if funny as you read different passages in the Bible, there are some that seem to jump out at you and say – HEY, this is for you today! Maybe it is the felt need within my heart that propelled me to give attention to these two Proverbs, or my desire to follow them, for whatever reason, I stopped, I mused, I considered. Then I asked for wisdom.

It is hard for me to overlook an insult. Call it sensitivity, call it insecurity, call it whatever you want, insults sting me more than they should. I have grown over the years in this, however I still have far to go. What I see here in Proverbs 12:16 is some good advice and motivation to NOT play the part of a fool. The second Proverb tells me what I need to avoid taking insults personally, wisdom which gives patience. Patience (slow to anger) with people’s insults or insulting manner helps you overlook (like when you step over something that is on the ground) an offense. Wisdom brings patience.

God – I seek to gain wisdom – I want to be wise and have understanding and good sense. Teach me and train me and input your wisdom into me. Thank you Papa!

May 19

Proverbs 23:6-8 (NIV)
6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies;
7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

When I read this I didn’t think about food, but about time. As a pastor it is evident to me that some people just don’t want to go beyond being blessed on a Sunday. For some, that is their maturity level and the Lord hasn’t broken through that layer of self-centeredness. For those people I must have patience and understanding. Yet there are another people who have much to give, but rarely do. I thought about those people in relation to what I would ask of them in partnering in ministry. This lesson is really to me and not them. I believe the Lord is saying to me that I shouldn’t crave partnership from people who don’t want to partner. They are people who are always thinking about the cost of time and effort. I will be left wanting at the end of things if I coax them or pin them down to help in the ministry. So let God deal with them and change their heart and look for the people who are ready to put their hands to the plow. Stop wasting mental effort and getting disappointed by people who don’t want to minister. Eat with those who love ministering in their capacity! It will be a fulfilling meal.

May 18

I love the Proverbs! They are so sweet and sometimes… challenging shall I say? Today the life came to me out of the heading “Value of Advisors”. The Lord spoke to me and I read those Proverbs sloooowww.

You have heard of the phrase “self-made man”, well I feel like I have been a little too self made. What I mean by that is that I have had to learn on my own. It isn’t that I didn’t want to be taught and guided, it is that this culture doesn’t do that well. As a pastor I have had to learn the hard way more than a couple of times as well as other areas of my life. So the Lord struck me with wisdom and the breath of His Spirit;

Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

I will, from this day forward, assemble advisors around to me help me make decisions. When working on my house, I will get council. When investing money, I will seek guidance, and perhaps the biggest area of life spoken to me today is in the realm of the ministry of Hope Chapel. I will seek out those who are wise and assemble counselors to help me implement a sure plan of God’s calling. I think I just gained some freedom and some life!

May 15

Solomon was blessed! He had it all. Peace on every side, great wisdom, plenty of wealth and a big screen TV! (minus the big screen) Even though he had it, David was responsible for much of it. Because of the relationship that David had with the Lord, Solomon was blessed more than any man in many areas. Solomon owed David a debt of gratitude.

What I am leaving for my kids? What legacy, what blessing, what will their future hold for them? Of course it can’t all ride on me, they will walk their own path and make their own choices in life, but I have so much power in their lives. Reading today shook me a little and made me think that what I do, how I live, how I relate to my Papa has GREAT effect on my family. We would like to think sometimes that we live in a vacuum and what I do as a dad really doesn’t matter that much, but it does! The responsibility is incredible! It doesn’t cause me to fear though, just walk a bit more circumspect. I guess it could scare me, but I feel so privileged that God would give me so many to influence so much. How I parent is one thing, but I believe that it was how David walked with God, (which will change your parenting) that really counted. I don’t know if I needed another reason besides I am God’s daily delight and he wants me to walk with him, but I am struck by the ramifications of that walk which will reverberate far beyond my 8 children.

May 14

“The glory of the Lord filled the temple”. Wow! What must than have been like? I have read about others who have seen the cloud, the glory cloud. Jack Hayford writes about it in one of his books, but reading about it isn’t good enough – I want to experience it! It is that manifest presence that I love so much. Not just to “experience” something, but to experience Him! If you think that desire is wrong because it is experienced based, then what are you longing for about heaven? Is it no more pain and sickness… or is it Him – the Lamb of God – Jesus of Nazareth – who longs to see you face to face.

As I read this passage, that we sing in a popular song, it struck me that they couldn’t continue to work because of the heavy presence of the Lord. Was it that they couldn’t see or was it that they couldn’t breathe well or maybe it was because their bodies were trembling in fear because of the heaviness of His presence – I don’t know. What I do know is that if the glory of God fills me up, then I can do no work! First of all, when the glory fills me, my flesh has no chance to creep out in my life or in a quick response. I am filled with the glory of God! Secondly, I got a picture of ceasing from my work – to bask in the presence of God. Of course, His glory does dwell with me because I am His temple, but you and I both know that some days you have been so touched by God that everything is different.

I must seek His glory, worship in His presence, extol Him in praise. I woke up today asking the Lord to please speak to me today – I need a fresh word. Getting in His manifest presence is that word for me today. Don’t let the day just happen – get in His presence first.

May 13

I noticed that the phrase missing – “as the Lord had directed His servant…” Solomon seemed to have some creative license with this temple unlike Moses and the “tent” in the desert. Solomon went BIG! He thought that God was worth extravagance and he delivered it! When I get some leeway, do I deliver extravagantly? When I have the freedom, do I go all out, giving it my all, performing with excellence and finishing strong? Hmmm…. That is something to think about.

It took 7 years to complete the temple and more time to completely furnish it. That spoke to me. 7 years is a long time in anyone’s eyes. 7 years is a long to time be involved with a project. 6 years is a long time to be in the middle of a project and still give it your best effort. God is asking me if I will bear up under construction – even if it takes a long time. I, like most of you, like fast results. I want to work out for a month and have a ripped body, or I want to invest for 6 months in the market and triple my money, but that usually doesn’t happen. There is no doubt that I could be under a “special” time of results, but usually, everything takes more time than I would like it to, especially “temple” construction. I wish I would just be different sometimes, but God takes His time as a Master Craftsman molding me into the image of His Son. I am not after perfection, just a little more gold to cover the rough spots.

May 12

This is a famous passage about Solomon asking for wisdom. It deserves today’s blog, yet that is not where God spoke to me. Solomon came in and had 3 key conspirators killed. They didn’t die right away, but soon he got to them. Adonijah made a request to Bathsheba who made a request to Solomon who then had Adonijah killed. This is what spoke to me.

When I begin to rule in authority (administrate my life and expand the kingdom of God around me) the usual enemies are not other people. (For we do not struggle against flesh and blood). Our enemies are unseen except for one – me. I have this body of flesh (my carnal nature – bad habits, temper…), that I have to make subservient to Christ and during today’s reading I was reminded that I have to killed it (daily). Sometimes I don’t even realize it is still there until it makes a request (Adonijah) or it goes beyond its boundary (Shemei). When that happens, I must deal with it and kill it off. There are things in me which hold me back from all that God has for me and I can’t deal with everything at once, but when they rear their heads I have to deal with them viciously. After all, I reign and I have the power and authority to overcome, because that is who I am!

May 11

1 Kings 2:2-3 (NIV)
2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, show yourself a man,
3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go,

Show yourself a man… That certainly has different connotations to different people but what it says to me is “handle it” or “take care of business”. Judging by the last instructions that David gave to Solomon, I would say that is correct. There are days for me that my soul man just doesn’t want to handle it, and there are things that I don’t want to care of because it is too hard and out of my comfort zone. There are certain things that are risky aren’t there? ‘Let someone else take the risk’, that is the cry of the sin soaked and damaged soul of Terry. However, I am not that man anymore, and this passage encourages me to live beyond the easy and do what it takes to rule the kingdom. That is what Solomon must do – rule the kingdom. That is what I must do to rule my kingdom – the kingdom that God has given me! There is no time for anything but taking care of business and handling it. So how about those low adrenaline days where you just need a break? Appoint someone else to handle it – just don’t abdicate! Carrying out the will of the Lord that he has asked of me is MY JOB! Praise the Lord – it is my blessing as well!

May 10

As we finish up the section of the Psalms (a few more will appear later), I was reading what is clearly a Messianic Psalm – Psalm 45.

Psalm 45:2-4 (NIV)
2 You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds.

As I read I couldn’t help but think of applying this to myself. It was as if the Lord was saying to me this is not only talking about David, and talking about my Son, but it is talking about you! Now that may be a hermeneutical (interpretive) stretch, yet the Word is alive and God uses it to speak to ME. I have been anointed and I am blessed! I am mighty and I should gird my sword and clothe myself with the splendor of God’s majesty. I will ride (live) victoriously, with humility and righteousness and will let my right hand work the miracles of God!

I am convinced my God, that this is a picture of me and how you want me to live – may I fulfill your desire and destiny for my life!

By the way – if you are God’s son or daughter, it is yours too! Step into it!

May 9

Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

What will matter to you in these times except Him? This is the safest of all places, the most wonderful of all places where nothing else matters. If I can dwell in His presence, if I can gaze on His beauty, all else will fade and my soul will be a complete rest. Oh God, I don’t want this to be an occasion, I want it to be constant. So I ask, and I seek – answer and let me be found in your presence.

May 8

I love to book my vacations way in advance. I like to have the reservations made, timeline plotted, budget calculated and ministry covered months before I go anywhere. However, this year it seems to be a little different. Lora and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and we don’t have a plan. In fact, we don’t even have a date that we will escape with each other, and we have no idea where we will end up or how much money it will cost. Why? Because at this point we have enough money to camp and that isn’t going to do it for my bride of 25 years. (My choice not hers). We are in a wait and see mode. We probably won’t know when or what until a week or two before it happens! That drives me crazy!

Two things popped out to me which are all about the same message – wait for the Lord and put your hope in Him. I hate to wait! I really like to know what will be going on in my future, it eases my mind. God however, is more concerned about renewing my mind than easing it. In fact, in this renewal process, my mind will be eased without the external circumstances being “just right” because I will be waiting on the Lord. The only way to get “good” at waiting on the Lord is – yep, you guessed it – waiting. I don’t know what my future holds. There is as much uncertainty about certain things in my life as our 25 anniversary celebration, but I know one thing – I have no choice but to wait on God. So gladly I will do just that and watch His hand come through in magnificent ways! After all, He does love me more than I love myself.

May 7

Psalm 42 is one of the most beautiful and real Psalms of all. It is a Psalm of a person who is thirsting for the Lord and wants to meet with Him desperately. He keeps talking to His soul like it is another person and asking why it is depressed. He remembers the praise and worship while going to the house of God and desires that moment be replayed so he can rid himself of this oppression. He recites the greatness of God’s love, but also that he feels forgotten. As soon as he does that he recounts and confesses the truth that his hope is in God and he WILL praise him.

I don’t feel that downcast today, but I don’t feel overly joyful either. I feel kinda’ like I got in an accident yesterday and know I have to deal with it. Not the worst that could happen, but dang… The last verse in that Psalm really spoke to me. “Why are you downcast soul? Why are you disturbed?” Really, things pretty good today Terry. Your wife loves you, your kids are o.k. and love you, you live in a blessed house in a blessed land and pastor a great church with great people… Even if that weren’t the case, (which it is) I have God! He is God my Savior! When I put all the blessings that I DO have together with the unshakable fact of God’s great love for me, why do I get disturbed? FOCUS ON GOD Terry and tell your soul to line up with the facts.

May 6

We turn to some wonderful and honest Psalms. I love David – he says it like it is! Whether it is his own sin and foolishness or it is the oppression of his enemies, or it is depression, he cries out for his Rock, his Hiding place, his Hope – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For me, it is too easy to get depressed or reap the reward of my sin and just sink away. Admittedly it is harder now that I am a pastor. If I stay away from Him who can heal and deliver me, then I can’t operate in my role and gift. Maybe I am on to something here. If you are NOT connected with any ministry where people rely on you then you can enter depression and circle the drain with ease. (I speak to those who tend to circle the drain instead of charge forward). The revelation that I just received as I wrote the above is that we need to be involved with the spiritual life of others to the point of them depending on us for leadership, encouragement, wisdom from God or generally a little help. Lest you think that is reserved for the “professionals”, you are called to “disciple” people – it was the Lord’s command right before He left this earth. Hmmm… it is much harder to stay depressed when you meet with someone regularly who is looking up to you as a leader of sorts. That is something to think about.

Psalm 25:14 (NIV)
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

I want to be a man who God confides in! I delight in the understanding of things – the knowledge of the Kingdom! So I must fear Him. The fear of the Lord is a weighty subject but let me break it down into a clear concept. Fearing God means that you believe that what He says will come true. When He speaks – it will happen. As an example, that means when he says that judgment will come upon those who judge others– he means it. (Matt. 7) There many things in the Word and things that God speaks to our hearts and through others as well. When you fear the Lord, you believe it! You believe it so much you act on it.

May 5

Psalm 148 tells who should praise the Lord – EVERYBODY, and Psalm 150 tells how – with EVERYTHING! Praise here is Halal – to boast, praise, shout. We are NOT suppose to hold anything back when we praise. We are expected to go all out and boast about God with shouting and loud noises. I know that sometimes I just don’t want to shout, I am not in the mood. It doesn’t say in Psalm 150 to shout if you feel like it, it commands us to shout! For me that gets me out of “me mode” and gets me in God mode. Praise isn’t about me and how I feel all the time. When I am in doubt and struggling, perhaps that is when I should shout and dance, declaring what He has for me!

I so needed Psalm 145 today. Honestly, I am in a season of struggle. I am unsure how God wants to provide for my family. I am struggling to walk in faith – but I so want to! Today I read that God is faithful to all His promises (I know that, but I need to hear that today), He lifts up those who fall down, He gives food at His proper time and He will satisfy my desires. I know that He loves me, but sometimes you are wondering what He is doing. Whatever it is, it is o.k. with me, I just want to know what I should do. I should praise! Praise loud, praise with instruments, praise with dancing and boast of the Lord! That is what I KNOW to do, the rest will follow in its due time.

May 4

The first several Psalms encouraged me to praise the Lord all the more! It is my habit several times a week and on Saturday night as well to lift of praise to the Lord in the church for an extended period of time. I turn the music on loud and praise him. I will praise you all the more Lord! I will praise you MORE!

Psalm 122:9 (NIV)
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.

This verse popped out at me. The word prosperity can also be translated; 1) practical, economic, or material good, 2) abstract goodness such as desirability, pleasantness, and beauty, 3) quality or expense, 4) moral goodness, and 5) technical philosophical good. For the sake of His house (which is me by the way – He doesn’t dwell in buildings, He dwells in us), I will seek these things. For the sake of ME I will seek these things! It is NOT self-centered because the reason that I seek them is because God dwells in me! It is Him I want to satisfy and bring glory to, not me. If I get anything as a result, PRAISE THE LORD! My focus is to seek for Him, even when it benefits me. Honestly, doesn’t that bring Him glory, when I prosper? I think it does.

May 3

What a great Psalm! Primary it talks about all of the benefits of the Word of God, His commandments, His law and statutes and His decrees. It really is a great Psalm to encourage oneself to stay in His word. There is great benefit! If His law brings freedom, then how much more freedom will we enjoy from His word and His Spirit!

It was verse 5 and 6 that stood out to me:

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.

Nobody enjoys being put to shame, especially me. However this shame is coming when I compare my life with His commands, or more aptly put for my life, when I consider my day and what I got accomplished coupled with how my life was lived out when compared to His plan for that day. There is a shame that accompanies me when I squander a day or when it is a lot less fruitful than it should have been. It could be that it was tremendously fruitful as far as accomplishments, but now I live in the stress and anxiety of it all that evening. Either way, there is shame when I compare my day to His expectation for my day and there is a huge gulf. (shame- disconcerted, disappointed, dismayed)

“That my ways were steadfast” (established, prepared or firmly prepared and established). God spoke to me about the discipline of my life and my day. If I would only discipline myself and order (establish) my day according to the decree (will and plan) of God, when the day is over, I would be glad and at peace with the results! It takes discipline! There is no way around it – it will take effort – it will take sacrifice at times (to my own will) – but I will reap a reward if it will do it!

May 1

It is days like this that I think, what will I choose? Will it be that God cures my anxiety with joy, or that his judgment is coming and that should bring me joy, or should I write a song from Psalm 98? Not to mention one of my favorite Psalms as a worship leader is Psalm 100 which has spawned and inspired 10’s of songs and possibly more. Honestly, I feel like the Word is beckoning the worshipper in me. He deserves my SINGING and PLAYING my instrument (not to mention SHOUTING) more than I give Him. My heart is stirred to play and sing and write a “new” song for Him.

The priests of the pre Jesus time would ascend into the temple carefully and with song and Psalm. They would recite the Psalms of Accent before they came into the presence of God to worship Him. These Psalms would accurately describe the who and the why of worship. The who is understood by many, but the why – all of the why – slips by me. He is mighty and glorious and holds my life and the nation’s life in His hands. He is our creator and sustainer, my discipliner and lover. How can I NOT sing? How can I NOT play? (Now let’s add it in) How can I NOT shout? I can – I must – I will!