3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

That’s pretty awesome.

So, what else can I say. On the first day of summer, it’s not day to be typing at a computer, get out side and enjoy it!

( and remember that no matter what you do, bring glory to Him)

“I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO…

Seriously!

My first reaction was like “What’s up with you man?”, but then I thought about how that’s just like all the rest of us. We are so much like football players with our praise- quick to thank God for the winning touchdowns and to blame him for the loss!

But I don’t think that’s the way we are to go about life – accepting the good, and discounting the bad and ugly and using it as a source of judgment. Take a look over in the book of Job. When really bad things descended on Job, and his wife says “Curse God and die!”, he responds with this:

10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10 (New International Version, ©2010)

So today, if you are have having the “Best day ever”, or your storage bin with all of your belongings has been sold off, or you wreck you vehicle, or you get stuck with a dirty job, or whatever does not go your way – remember to accept the trouble from God with praise – just like you would accept the good things!

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV

Oh and Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law – Lori!!

Anyway, that turned into a musical morning today, (and a reduction in the grouchy voices!)  From Andrew playing some new chords on his guitar to Alex hopping from the piano to his keyboard as he maneuvered through the house there was song all across the home today.

Music is a mood changer, so how about all of using a little praise today to keep your mind focus and attune to the way your should hit the day.

¹Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

²Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5, King James Version)

Be Glad!

To get this week started off correctly maybe we should remember that our Savior and leader, the Son of God, Jesus Christ prayed for us before he left this world.  And he didn’t just say I’ll pray for you, or “Lord, remember them”.  He was very explicit in his words and they show his love for us and the desire of this hearts for us.

^20-23I’m praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—
I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me. (John 17, MSG)

And what is so cool is that earlier in the prayer as he is prayer for his disciples,  he added this:

Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life…

and this

I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing
So my people can experience
My joy completed in them.

and this

I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.
Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;

Wow,   What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 (New International Version)) Live boldly for him today, and let others experience the love that you have experienced.

And its funny that it’s that way, because I find myself so driven to sing praise, and so inspired by lyrics and so interesting in having music around me.  I find that the power of music to keep me moving in the right direction is really amazing.

And so, last night, there I was again at a school concert!  This time, the BBS Chorus, with which my sister-in-law, Lori,  does an outstanding job in teaching and leading each year. (But that’s a lesson for another day – one of giving your all to bring the best out of others).  Anyway, they finished last night with In Christ Alone.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Its such a well written song, and was presented in a very special way last night.  As you can tell the music sticks with me, and it strengthens me.  I hope that if you know this song it will become an ear worm for you today and provide you with a little motivation to tackle a Monday with passion and power!  In Christ we are free, and we have a freedom that is absolutely amazing to comprehend.  We are free, we are safe.

Sing it today, and if you see Andrew, give him a little extra encouragement – maybe one day he will impact people with his music!

¹¹ Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart! Psalm 32:11 (New International Version)

¹ Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Psalm 33:1 (New International Version)

But even better – this is the 100th Post of the Daily Buffet!  That’s worthy of a celebration!  I know that writing and posting all this nonsense has helped me tremendously.  Its my hope that it as also been of some positive benefit to everyone who uses their time to read it.

That sort of makes me want to sing along with Miriam:

Exodus 15

The Song of Moses and Miriam

¹ Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD :
“I will sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted.
The horse and its rider
he has hurled into the sea.

² The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

³ The LORD is a warrior;
the LORD is his name.

Acknowledge where you strength comes from this day and this weekend, and remember that we are just one week away from the Passover and Easter – and anniversary of the coming of our Savior.

Yesterday I was able to take a nice run in 18 degree weather in some newly fallen snow.  I am enamored with snow.  I am not sure if its because I have such fond memories from my youth around snow and now I never see it, or if its just so beautiful.  I think, on my run, I discovered some of the reasons why snow is so amazing.  This may seem a little cheesy or corny, but this blog sometimes records the ramblings of my mind, and I find that my mind rambles the most on those early morning runs – especially running in places like those around my home town where I have the pathways memorized.

Anyway, it was so pleasant to see the new snow on the ground, untouched and pure with the morning sun reflecting from it.  The snow was so white, and so pure, and the sun would catch it in ways that would make it sparkle like it contained glitter. ( sappy I know).  Anyway, I could not help but to think about how the snow was covering so many things that we consider lowly and dirty – dirt, rocks, fallen leaves, weeds, water (ice, did I mention it was 18) puddles.  But with this covering all the earth was pure, and white and perfect.  Hm, it just reminded me of judgement day and how we will be presented white and pure – with all of our dirty spots covered up.  What a glorious thought!!  That’s one of the cool things about God.  Since he sent Jesus, he make us holy and clean.  Why do I need that you say?  Well, we all have dirty spots in our lives and we all need to be covered with a cover to hide those blemishes.  Why?  – Thats the way to eternal life.  Its really pretty amazing.

Isaiah 1:18 (New International Version)

 ¹⁸ “Come now, let us reason together,”
       says the LORD.
       “Though your sins are like scarlet,
       they shall be as white as snow;
       though they are red as crimson,
       they shall be like wool.

So anyway, it was a great refreshing run, with a thought about God’s glory that I hope spurns me on to good works and service to my King.  I hope it helps you as well.  ( by the way – did you know that you can add comments on this blog as well – its fun!)

So lets start with that 80′s countdown – Thanks Josh.  This one is a classic.  Last Christmas by WHAM.  What a fun way to countdown to the such a great day.  Its almost here.  Man, I have to figure out what to get Amy!  Any ideas out there?  I was thinking about this.  I love that sight!

Anyway, Westward Leading.. Could you imagine being the shepherds in the field.  I have thought about this for years and was reminded Saturday and Sunday night about how incredible it was for them to have the angels speak to them.  Could you imagine what was going on with the wise men as they followed the star?  What where there thoughts? “Lets go follow a star  to a baby. Yeah, that sounds good!”.  That’s pretty amazing.

However, today we are asked to do the same thing.  Follow the Star of Bethlehem.  Will you?  Today, look up, find the Star, and follow it, just like these wise men.  ( I love that bumper sticker “Wise Men Still Follow Him”)

Matthew 2:1-2

¹After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem ²and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east^[b] and have come to worship him.”(NIV)

And the Message

^1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.” (MSG)

Have a great day, and follow that star .. “westward leading..still proceeding…..”

WRCB
NEWSROOM: Just learned Starbucks on Hamilton Place opened at 2:30 on this Black Friday morning.

Anyway, I hope no matter what shopping events you get into today, that you remember that you are of Christ, and to continue bath this Thanksgiving weekend in praise for the One who provided it all.

Psalm 63:1-8 (New International Version)

¹ O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

² I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

³ Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

⁶ On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

⁷ Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

⁸ My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.