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Please join me in a day of praise

jandz
Friends,
I posted this on Facebook today. Normally, I wouldn’t blog a status update, but I would love you to join me today in a day of praise.
You can see the Facebook post here Post by Renee Robinson.
My 9-year-old son Zachary is struggling with fear. Many of you know he was diagnosed with late stage Lyme disease, which for him manifests through knee swelling. Very painful and very scary for a child. We are through antibiotics for now and are doing lots of detoxing his system.
Yesterday we noticed his knee gathering fluid again. Funny how fear works. It takes a mere thought, a memory, to trigger a flood of fears.
Fear is no joke. It’s what the enemy thrives on because it keeps our focus on our circumstances rather than our God.
I’m crying out to you today, to pour out your hearts in praise to our Father in Heaven. Zachary and I will be committing to a day of praise today. It’s the best way to remember Who God is. To remember who God is begins to shatter the hold fear tries to take.
My prayer for my child is that praise become as natural as breathing. The best way to teach our kids is to model. Today we will praise Him all day long. Right in the midst of the fears we are facing.
What are you facing today? What afflictions plague you? What fears taunt you? Will you join me and Zachary today in pouring out praise to our Father? All day long. Don’t cease.
Psalm 34:1-4
“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
God is worthy of all our praise. Even more when we find ourselves in seasons of pain, fear, struggle, and uncertainty. He is unchangeable. He is a shelter. He is our Rock and our Redeemer. He is worthy of all our praise.
As we approach the day of Christ’s birth, let’s lift our voices high proclaiming His name in praise. Ask others to join you. Let’s see how many people we can gather to spend today dedicated to praising Him.
Much love to you all!

Why Sometimes We Need To Stop Seeking A Greater Purpose

leaves2a

 

The faint sounds of clapping swirled in and out with the wind. When the wind stilled, the air seemed to carry the slightest noise for miles. Still and calm for but a moment. In rhythmic fashion the wind came and went. Gliding in and out. Each time the sound of clapping returned, then stilled.

I looked up at the trees with leaves that seemed to punctuate the arrival of fall set against the blue gray sky. I watched as the leaves clapped the entrance and exit of the breeze.

Those trees stand tall and vibrant declaring the glory of the Lord. Showing off their changing colors. You can’t miss them. In that fleeting moment, the trees clapped as if to whisper praise to their Maker.

Sometimes our only purpose in a moment is to offer praise to our Maker.

In days those leaves will be a distant memory as they transition into late fall abandoning the trees that will stand tall and bare. Vibrance a memory. One moment they draw all eyes to them, and their purpose is so evident. Another moment, their purpose forgotten. But always a purpose remains. A purpose of praise.

Some seasons I itch for a greater purpose. Some seasons, days, or moments I fail to see how anything I do all day long makes a difference. Some days my purpose is magnified when my golden leaves clap His praise against the bright blue sky. Other days, my leaves have fallen, and I stand and wonder what purpose I serve. Sometimes I feel the weight of the dying limbs of failure and shame. Some seasons bring new growth and accentuate my life’s purposes.

Sometimes I simply spend too much time thinking about myself and looking for my purpose. Sometimes I simply need God to breeze through my leaves and stir up the praise. Sometimes my only purpose is to direct my mind off my purposes and usher in the praise.

Regardless of my season or state, the wind breathes praise. Leaves or no leaves, I clap His praise. Applause and praise to Him who created me and works in and through me to bring glory to Him.

The wind that whips through my soul grows quieter. It softly blows, and I hear the clapping. Praises for my King.

Psalm 145:10-11

All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom.

leaves

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