I have been encouraged by several people to post some of my Quiet Times on my blog. This morning in my Quiet Time, God was so very present it was almost unreal. The fact that He promises His presence makes me know He is here. I read Psalm 145 and it came alive so real. What a time of private worship! This is copied from my Spiritual Journal as recorded this morning at 6:00AM. Had I not written this down I would not be able to share it with you. That is why I always encourage people to record their Q.T. These thoughts would have been lost.

(1) I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. (2) Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. (3) Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

As I read this, several things flood my mind like the hurricane waters hitting the Texas coast line 2 days ago. First of all the song, "I Exalt Thee" flashes bright as light through my mind. It has got to be one of my all time "favorite few words song" that always causes me to EXALT HIM. I just pause and lift my hands up and sing and then sing these 3 verses back to the Lord. I pray them back to you Lord in honor of YOU in WORSHIP OF YOU. I worship YOU LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

I think about the words in another song, "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise...: and I exalt YOU! My mind flashes to the song, "I Exalt Thee", and I sing "For thou O'Lord art high above all the earth. Thou are exalted far above all the gods. Thou above all gods. I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee, O'Lord, I exalt Thee!! I think about Psalm 57, Psalm 97 and the words there. Then I think about the greatness of God again and my mind just goes on and on and I rejoice in YOU! I worship YOU LORD!
Then I think about the statement in verse 3, "his greatness no one can fathom", and I know that I have had just a taste of His greatness. Last night a long time friend called us from Nashville that we have know in for 42 years. We were talking of how far God has brought us from the 60's,when we were all as wild as could be and far from God and how He saved us from a life bent toward hell, a life of self destruction and where he has us today! I reminded her of a day in 1979 when she called and said, "Jim & I met a close friend of yours & His name is JESUS. Phyllis & Jim had just gotten saved and knew we had been praying for them for years. WOW!!! We just rejoiced together and this morning I know that I have "fathomed only a tiny portion for which I am thankful for. I EXALT HIM WHAT A DAY OF REJOICING THIS IS! (another song)
Because of where God has brought me, I can do as verse 4 -7 says, "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. (5) They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (6) They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. (7) They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Because of what I have experienced,I have, I am, and I will pass on the generations behind me. I made this commitment years ago and want to continue it all the days of my life!

I read through the promises God gives me in this Psalm. I realize there is so much more in this Psalm that I have, can and will experience, I could write all day. I am grateful LORD for the opportunity to read and record these thoughts. If I don't write them down, I lose them. WOW, HOW AWESOME IS MY GOD!!

Apology

I thought about beginning with a title that would get every one's attention, but after a second I don't want to do that (not today anyway). I have been on vacation and haven't written anything since before I went on vacation so here goes! Well honestly, it has been longer than that. Someone asked Eric yesterday if I was ever going to write again so I suppose there is at least one person who reads my blog. So I apologize for the lack of attention to it.

While on vacation, Becky & I spent time alone with the Lord and some time together with Him and in doing so we were not only refreshed physically and mentally, but spiritually renewed. ( We actually know for sure now that God is in California, although some of the things that take place it makes me wonder). On Tuesday after we got there, we slept in ate breakfast and went to lay by the pool to have our Quiet Time read and rest. This Quiet Time that was so awesome that I want to share some notes from it. If you have had one like this I would like to hear from you in the comment section. I was reading Psalm 135 when tears began to roll down my face as I heard the Lord speak to me (almost audibly).

"Hallelujah! Praise the name of the Lord. Give praise, you servants of the Lord 2 who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. 3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to His name, for it is delightful".

I kept reading it over and over again and crying and crying. The thought of being God's servant is so wonderful, and made me feel special. I felt that when the words, "Hallelujah! Praise the name of the Lord. Give praise, you servants of the Lord who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God" was for me because I have the privilege of standing in church each week and not only praising the Lord, but proclaiming His Word.

As the tears flowed, I thought, "why am I crying"? Then it was as if God said, you can praise me with tears of joy as well as with smiles or shouts of joy! I then remember other special times that tears of joy streamed down my face. I was reminded that I can praise God in many different ways and any where anytime, even in Newport Beach by the pool.

It is good to have a vacation, but it is great to be home! Hallelujah! Praise the name of the Lord.