The Simple Life

Psalm 150:1-6 (NLT) 1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! 2 Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! 3 Praise him with a blast of the ram's horn; praise him with the lyre and harp! 4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! 5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals. 6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord! There comes a time when after we have thought of who God is and placed Him in His proper context that we sit back and are amazed. The only words that come to our mind during these times are words of praise for who He is and what He has done. Should this attitude be my norm? Should I be here every day? Or, is this something that comes "at times"? What is it that causes this spontaneous outburst of praise? I think that if I would just open my eyes and see the sunrise or sunset today. If I would take th...

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. I am not to give money, time or talent just because of a need or a feeling of guilt that may overtake me lest I become susceptible to the Evil one's games in trying to play me. I am not to give reluctantly or wishing that I could keep the resource for myself. Most non-profit organizations base their appeal on need or guilt? Should I not address need? Should I only give when I am cheerful about the gift? Why give? Does cheerful giving come from the attitude in which I give? If I am a steward instead of owner, if I see my resources as building the kingdom instead of my self-centered life, if I have responded to the Spirit of God instead of the appeal of man perhaps I would be a bit "giddy" in my giving. Does anyone in America give because God moves them to give or do we give based on appeal? Does it matter? Would it ma...