How often do you just PRAISE?

At the very first of 2010, I was challenged by friends and God's word to focus more on praise. It's clearly easy during good times, but when times are hard, how faithful are we? It's a tremendous challenge. As you know, we are in a crazy time of transition and change. Tomorrow is very unsure, but just as God has been faithful, we want to be faithful in our praise. Every night, before we go to bed, we challenge each other to see something good in the day. We pray together as a family and lift God up for His blessings! Praise is a great place to get "lost". If you are struggling, fighting with friends or family, sadden with a loss, wrestling with sin or perhaps depressed...take some time to praise! Here's a great Psalm of praise from the pen of David. This is a good start:


1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name! O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! 3-5 He forgives your sins—every one. He heals your diseases—every one. He redeems you from hell—saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence. 6-18 God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how he went about his work, opened up his plans to all Israel. God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud. Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said. 19-22 God has set his throne in heaven; he rules over us all. He's the King! So bless God, you angels, ready and able to fly at his bidding, quick to hear and do what he says. Bless God, all you armies of angels, alert to respond to whatever he wills. Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are— everything and everyone made by God. And you, O my soul, bless God! msg