July 28, 2012

PRAISE LOOKS GOOD ON YOU!

PHOTO SOURCE





ejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones;
   praise from the upright is beautiful
.
                                         PS 33:1



I was off to A Sheltering Tree of Ms. Pamela Kuhn and found myself happily reading about healthy kind of praise.  

As children they were brought up by appreciative parents and in turn, lavished them upon hers and to her grands.

This verse hits me right again at another angle:


 "I bless God every chance I get.  My lungs expand with His praise" (Psalm 34:1).

I think it was more because of this truth: (excerpted from Pamela's post here).

" As we praise each other, those thoughts of honor and blessing will naturally spill over into praises to God."

Thank you so much for this profound words, Pamela.  It points to the good feeling I get when I find myself praising someone when praise is due.  Somehow I know that God is pleased with the gifts he gave us and that they are being used in service for others and for edifying the body of believers.  

Ever since I wrote my last post, When The Heart Is Grateful, there was this line of a song which popped up in my thoughts.  

Then I become so busy with end-of-the month woes of accounting work, I disregarded it.  Every now and then I sang the single line, in my mind or aloud.....over and over that it got my attention.

Today is Saturday, my supposed blog posting day.  Earlier in the week, when I was still pushing myself to work around my piled-up-high to do list, it appeared that I will never have a chance to write anything at all.


After lunch break, it was announced that our monthly financial meeting will be moved for Monday since one of the senior officers left for an emergency trip.


How did I ever find myself with free time to peep into my favorite blogs?  It was a God moment, I am positive of that.


After visiting some of my missed blogs and ending up with Pamela Kuhn's Sheltering With Praise,  the line wriggled itself back again to mind, once more I was singing,

"........ I could go on all day."

Is it a signal to write a post?

I searched my limited archive for the song which has that line, the rusty vaults returned with a blank.  Where would I search next?  Of course, where else but at the ever present, ever useful Google.  

At first I was led to a different song so I retyped my search keywords, mind you ...it has an S in it, almost a sentence.


I am lucky today because Wiki was present and being my all-time friend, I hit it first.  The funny realization struck me hard because my search ended up with the illusive.......

 ALPHABET SONG
A, you're adorable
B, you're so beautiful
C, you're a cutie full of charms
D, you're a darling
And E, you're exciting
And F, you're a feather in my arms
G, you look good to me
H, you're so heavenly
I, you're the one I idolize
J, we're like Jack and Jill
K, you're so kissable
L, is the love light in your eyes
M, N, O, P
I could go on all day
Q, R, S, T
Alphabetically speaking: "You're OK"
U, made my life complete
V, means you're very sweet
W, X, Y, Z
 (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

I could name some friends and family that I could sing to with it...... and I could pick lots of adjectives to go around too.  I was really in a happy place .... the kind of feeling that brings joy to everything you find, "Praising with a heart."

Rightly so, I thought this should render a story, for being so persistent.  And when Praise looked me in the eye at A Sheltering Tree.... how could I refuse?


God is reminding me, as He crawls with me under sheets of Financial Statement that needed reviewing over.  I have to give explanation to the Boss why this expense is sky-rocketing compared to last month.


....I could go on all day (Praising and thanksgiving).

Then He sneaked in between the keys of my keyboard as I hastily typed my first month of School Year 2012-2013 report of Compassion International Funds, matching the costs with the agreed upon Budget.  It got balanced just this morning.  

Yes, Lord... I could go on all day!

How Lolita, by being grumpy?  I could see that you are not breathing in a relaxed way.  You did not sleep well last night. (I told myself)

Yes, Lord.  I could praise you all day long.  I got new strength today and my cup is overflowing.  Thank you, Lord. 


I remembered sitting the daybreak again with Zechariah 4 this morning.  Wondered what were the Lamp stand and Olive Trees doing in Zech's vision?  I was a little dense then.  I prayed for God to show me the way to Zion.  And of course, what with this Techie World, I found a detailed exposition of that Vision.  I went to the future with Jesus revising our economy.  I thought Jesus could use me as an accountant in that future time, a laugh, of course....   How would my university diploma work with Jesus' calculations? 

  
"So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty."  
-Zechariah 4:6.

My answer is right there, plain and simple .... by His Spirit!


How does one respond to His truth and Might?  When there are questions better left unanswered,  when all that we need is to trust even when in a doubtful place. How?

I was smiling.  Suddenly I remembered Don Moen's Praise Looks Good  On You song.  Why, yes Lord.  The psalmist is right.  When I praise, I am happy, I am smiling and it comes from deep inside.  I look good Praising you, my Lord. It should radiate into my face too, and in all my views of life.

..... so it is in praising others heartily.  It looks good on us too.  Amen.


PRAISE LOOKS GOOD ON YOU
By:  Don Moen
Verse 1:
When you lift Your hands up high
And you sing a song of praise to Me
It brings Me great delight
Such a lovely sight
And yes it is true
Praise looks good on You
Morning night and noon
Your praise ascends to heaven
Like the smell sweet perfume
Filling every room
And yes it is true
Praise looks good on You

Chorus:
You bring your sacrifices
And you offer up your praise
You lift your voice with singing
But your heart seems far away
More than a sacrifice
I am looking for your life
Holy and acceptable
And pleasing in my sight

Verse 2:
So offer up your lives
Holy and acceptable
A willing sacrifice
Precious in my sight
But in all that you do
Remember all I want is You

(Repeat Chorus)

Verse 3:
So lift your hands up high
And worship Him before the altar
Consecrate your life
A willing sacrifice
But in all that you do
Remember all He wants is You
And yes it is true
Praise looks good on you
 [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/don_moen/praise_looks_good_on_you.html ]


Praise you my Lord, for you have supplied me with strength and minutes that stretched by itself to finish my jobs.  And I am intact.


Thank you for today, Saturday, that I could put to keys, my Praises for you and for my blogging friends who are a source of light and encouragement.  They never fail to bring rays of truth and what a lovely thing Praise is to me and to my friends.  I love my friends, Lord and You Love us.  What more can we ask for? In Jesus' Name. Amen


I am happy to link with Ms. Pamela Kuhn at A Sheltering Tree with her post, Sheltering With Praise


CLICK HERE TO GO TO MS. PAMELA KUHN'S BLOG
Here's wishing everyone A Happy Weekend and A Blessed Sunday.
Peace and grace to you!

21 comments:

  1. What an honor to find myself here! I liked "God climbed under the financial sheets" and "between the piano keys." God is with us in the difficult and that's a good reason to praise!

    Bless you, Lolita. God used your kindness to shelter me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also found shelter in your words, Pamela. I love how you put every situation in the shelter of God's word.

      Clearly He is using you, your words, your books and your ministry to edify and shelter every fellow believer who finds you.

      How safe you make me feel, in knowing that He alone can perfectly keep us safe and provided.

      Bless you too, dear sister.

      Delete
  2. Beautiful thoughts, Lolita. I love that old song...and the way you wove it in here. I often find myself breathing in a non relaxed way too... too much stress even when I'm writing for fun...and He reminds me to slow it down, breathe and relax in praise. Thanks for the reminder here... and from Pamela...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pam.

      And that being able to write a happy note in the midst of some conditions that are opposing, but God makes space and let joy and let praise come out.

      I pray that you will be receiving His favors soon, like rain it will fall upon you. In torrents and to overflowing.

      Blessings.

      Delete
  3. THanks for this LOlita. Have been a much stress lately in my life and husrt feelings that my mind has been occupied with other things than praising GOd and others. And your post made me relaxed and just see God's goodness and the bright sides of life. I am on vacation now and it is good relax and gain new strength. Bless you sister! AND BY THE WAY, I read Pamela's post too. Really inspiring:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am happy that you able to take some vacation. Hoping that you are feeling better now.

      Please share to us the views where you are now so we can see the loveliness of God in the flowers, the sky, the mountains and the sea.

      Great that you can be with friends on invitations.

      God bless you, Joy.

      Delete
  4. What a happy post this is, Lolita. Of course, the Alphabet Song lyrics that you shared here got me singing the song too, all the way from A to Z. I could go on all day... amazing.

    Praise Looks Good on You... that song was one of my favorites when it first came out.

    So glad you got to balance the books, yes, it surely was God who did that for you.

    I have also read that post on Praise by Pamela Kuhn, it really spoke to me as well.

    Praising God with you,
    Lidia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I was thinking, before I was able to search that line, that it also comes from one of the songs in The Sound of Music line-up. I even thought it was part of My Favorite Things.

      Anyway, I am happy that God has given me the ability to be a bookkeeper and He gives me strength to do what I need to do. It never fails to amaze me that I am able to meet the deadlines and that there were no conflicts in the schedules.

      For a time, while still at it and the finish point is fast at sight, tension gets in the way, few sleep time and body aches too. But He still gives me time to make a few readings on my favorite blogs.... and that makes me joyful. The meeting was postpones and I was able to post something..... Rejoicing.

      Yes, Lidj. I enjoy reading Ms. Kuhn's way of writing... always in the Shelter of God's grace and truth.

      My list of blogs has increased..... and it includes yours.

      Thanks for coming over, my hugs and blessing to you!

      Delete
    2. @Lidj,

      Pardon the mistyped words. I should have typed: postponed.

      Delete
  5. Lolita...the dress of praise looks beautiful on you. I am sure all who work with you notice. Great post. Blessings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Betty.

      Blessings to you too. And we shall await for the day in great anticipation and rejoicing.

      Delete
  6. Thank you, Lolita, for your prayers. I just stood on a promise in Deut. today that says he is bringing us into a new land, washed and fed by rain... :) And now you say that word too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did not know what to pray.... but whispers prayers into my heart.

      Those were God's own wishes, Pam.

      Delete
  7. Hallelujah! Praise The LORD! What a way to start my morning! Thank you, precious, Lolita!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Alleluiah, Praise the Lord, indeed!

    Thanks, D.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful reminder... It is by His spirit. "Crying lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning." That hit me as I read your post that I can so relate to. Wonderful passion, you're right; it is uplifting to praise others when God used them to lift us up! Great job sister!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Brother Floyd. Thank you for reminding me of that song. I love that song so much. I long for that morning so much. But while hanging on in this sod, I have to celebrate bits of heaven here..... and hang on for the night of crying to become daylight... that will never darken again.

      Thanks for coming over.

      Delete
    2. Lolita-
      Sorry I have missed your blog site for a while, but wanted to tell you how Beautiful everything looks! Not only does the Lord bless you with a Loving Heart, He also blesses you with talents that seem to be "pouring out of you" as you write, and share with others.

      God bless you. martha

      Delete
    3. Thank you, dear Martha. You bless me so. And thank you that you sent me a concrete part of yourself, your craft. I love the Angel, she watches over me.

      Hugs and love to you.

      Delete
  10. What a lovely way to start my day! In spite of the rains and the bad news, I will praise the Lord ALL day long! Thank you for a sweet gift! Patsy from
    HeARTworks and
    papemelroti

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Patsy, for your visit.

      Yes, I see what's happening in Manila and many parts of Luzon, being flooded and schools are suspended due to the rains.

      Our central region, is quite okay, we only get little rain but the winds are strong.

      Yes, it is good to lift the name of our Lord, amidst all these. We will pray for our nation.

      I love how you dedicate your time and handiwork to God, and your whole heart to Him. You are such a gift too.

      Delete

Thanks for your company. I am glad you are here. Your encouraging word is appreciated. It brings joy like a cool breeze on a hot day. GBU!