Praise Habit by David Crowder (June 2006)

[MarkLee]

By an overwhelming margin, it looks like we've chosen "Praise Habit" as the June book.

Someone suggested that we discuss in segments so people can share what insights they gain as they read it. This might help with the community factor as well.

This is a fairly short book (with pictures!), so maybe we can try to discuss the first 50 pages or so the week of the 12th...

If you still want to discuss "Cure for the Common Life" or "Searching for God Knows What", feel free to do so in their threads. ;)

[Psycho Mom]

I had read this book and yesterday re-read the first 50 pages. I decided to try to follow David Crowder's lead and look for God in the "everyday." Today our Bible School started. "The Arctic Edge", all you Southern Baptists. Our A/C was off at church today. (Some Arctic Edge)You would think that it would be very easy to find God in Bible School, but sometimes it can be rather difficult as a worker. (I teach 3 year olds and have for 14 years.) But I remember Tony Campolo commenting at a conference I went to last Fall that when people say that you can't "see" Jesus, he said, Yes you can; look into people's eyes that you are helping and you will see him. Today as I wiped noses, took children to the bathroom, and held them in my lap as they wiggled, much to my surprise, there he was! In their eyes,- it made me smile.
FYI-The hit today was singing and dancing to Sky Falls Down, as it is every year. (choreographed complete with angel wings and trumpets.)

This comment is not technically about the book, but it was a wonderful moment and I thought it would be fun to share.

[SirMax]

Great comment Bari! I totally understand the VBS thing! Ours starts in 2 weeks and I'm the director. I often lose track of the purpose when I'm dealing with everything that week. Last year I was exhausted and frustrated and missing a 3D concert on the last day of VBS. God showed up though in the eyes and smiles of those precious children as they sang praises to Him in front of all their parents.

I don't have the book with me right now so I will post what I wrote on my blog back in April while I was reading the book.
************************* ************************* ******

I'm still reading David Crowder's book and I highly recommend it to everyone. He is so down to earth but requires you to think beyond this realm and put yourself at the feet of God.

He writes about how his parents would buy generic food (canned goods, cereal, etc). He talks about how bad Fruit Hoops are and that his dad could not understand that they were NOT the same as Fruit Loops. I feel his pain! My mom would buy the cereal in a bag mess...gag! I wouldn't eat it. She finally realized that paying extra for the cereal I would eat (Fruit Loops, Applejacks, Frosted Flakes) was worth it because the other got thrown away.

All this said....David refers us to Psalm 100.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is He who made us and we are His;
we are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good
and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.

David's point is that there in only one God and no generic gods. Many try to replace Him or imitate Him but it's not possible. He is everywhere and you cannot go anywhere He is not.

I like what David writes so I will quote him ....
"There is no substitute for The Ever-Present God of gods. He is complete beauty. Stare into the most faithful of loves until He is burned into your retinas, until everywhere you look He is superimposed upon the landscape."

I read this yesterday while laying out in the sun. I put the book down and just looked around my yard. About that time a cardinal flew towards me and landed on my chair. When was the last time a wild bird landed where you were sitting? I just sat and watched the bird and thank God for noticing me at that moment in time.

May you see Him EVERYWHERE you go and may He bless you with glimpses of Himself that seem only for you.

Shalom.

[googledoll]

I went back and read the first 50 pages again last night. Funny how words can hit you differently the second time around, bringing to mind things you hadn't thought about in years.

At some point, (sorry don't have the book with me) Crowder encourages us to 'live decisively'. We all have things in our lives that break our hearts: loss, disease, death, failure. These things are so deeply painful that we could choose to cry every day. We could have a debilitating broken heart, if we allowed it.

We must choose to praise. We must choose joy.

"In this moment, right now, I will find joy. Even if the only joy I can find is God's promise of better days."

[JanetRN]

Ok so I went to the book store last night to get the book. I read the first 39 pages because it was all I had time for after doing my charting. I laughed out loud (making Chance crazy... "what does it say!what does it say!??" So I had to go back and read it out loud to him. Some parts made me cry/remember things in my past. As a former ER nurse I saw myself (we wore TEAL not green ;) ) judging ppl by the way they looked and made the

We need to continually redefine what our spiritual disciplines look like...redefining of the habits that define us..

make me think of all of the ways I have defined myself in a lot of situations in life. (a single mom/nurse) Makes me wonder what filter I've used when viewing the world. I know that I tend to be judgemental... looking forward to uncovering some more tonite, even if its not exactly what he's talking about, his use of word strings often has made other thoughts spring up from it... so I have to re-read to get back on the thought he is following. But thats not a bad thing. Its only 39 pages but its a start of a journey I can tell.


Jant

[wannabaRSgirl]

I feel horrible because I am loving the book but for the life of me I can't think of anything deep to post yet.

I am trying to figure out why Richard Simmons was hugging him in the airport??? Was he a fan??? Was Simmons appreciating how stinking SKINNY Crowder is?

I am focusing on shedding all the layers that don't really matter to get to the root of what does matter- Praising God all the time. This morning on the way to VBS, no one was happy. I remembered that no time was spent praising (except my CD's which go non-stop). Emiley(8) was in a REALLY bad mood. I said to my other daughter, "Grace, Praise the LORD". She said "what? why?". I got to tell her that that was what we were made for so she started saying it over and over again in her 6 year old speech therapy needing voice, "praise the Lord, praise the Lord". Soon after Emiley joined in. It is contagious. We then did our usual "I want to sing a song for you LORD" blast with an extremly loud "Holy Holy Holy.....are you Lord Almighty". The rest of the ride was better.

[JanetRN]

OMG... I read a couple more pages tonight and got to the whole Psalm 19 The Glory of God on tour and again had two thoughts... wow I've seen a lot of those tours! and # The Glory of God on Tour (Show me Your Glory) coming to Wherever you are!

(the whole passage about) People lose grip on reason over this stuff...They'll drive for days to see the right band ...


again remembering not only driving but flying to Gomer Gatherings!! Surely not I Lord?!:p I know its different with us because we're Coming Together (high five ;) to praise Him!

[mac_mcdoodle]

My parents bought Praise Habit for me for Easter. I read it and I must say that David Crowder is brilliant. Thanks to him, I've gotten into a praise habit myself. I didn't think that I would learn anything from this book (I thought it was just a normal, everday, pick-up-and-read book.) Luckily, I found out that we were met to praise our God all the time, not just when we feel like it or when the mood's right, or even just when we're having worship at church or a [Third Day] concert.
Very good read. I give it three thumbs up...if I had three thumbs...

[woman4life]

If we ordered from the same place it should be there soon. Mine came today. I just read the first part of the intro. (I mean I just got it literally. I like even that part. The writing style is good. He really gets you hooked and then says he found God in a Chic-fil-A? LOL

Good thought-provoking statements even in the first part and well written to boot. I think I'm going to like it.

[jabob]

Three thoughts:
1. When Crowder finds God in a chicken sandwich, he says he has to tear away the bad part first. If we take this as a metaphor for making praise out of our entire life, then we have to get rid of the “bad” first. The hard part is recognizing what is “bad” versus what is “good”. Crowder knew what part of the fillet was bad because he had experienced it many times. Do we have to experience something to know it is “bad”?
2. “Habit” is an interesting word to use with praise. A habit is something you do without thinking about it. Does God want us to praise Him unconsciously? What does that say about free will? Would He not be more pleased if we chose to worship rather than doing it out of habit?
3. I love Psalm 8. I think we have traded God’s nighttime show of wonders for our much smaller ones. Our level of scientific understanding of stars and moons and galaxies has removed some of the wonder. I think this is a good place for Walt Whitman:
When I heard the learn'd astronomer;
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me;
When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and
measure them;
When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much
applause in the lecture-room,
How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick;
Till rising and gliding out, I wander'd off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.

[JanetRN]

Just finnished the book... I have to say its one of the best that I've read lately. Any book that makes you stop, question, think, and then act is incredible. This book did that for me. I know I will see changes in my life from here on out!

















{ps...yes it will yesly change your life if you let it!};) :p

[JanetRN]

It’s the first day after finishing the habit of praise and things are already changing. They started changing when I started the book and changed the way I viewed things. My job went better this past week. Today I’m painting and I feel it. I feel the air on my skin. The dew or moisture of His awesome presence, and I’m indoors with the air on so no its not Florida humidity! But I feel it. Can you feel it? LOL! Thank you guys so much for introducing me to this book... I can’t wait to pass it along to someone else!

[woman4life]

Three thoughts:
1. When Crowder finds God in a chicken sandwich, he says he has to tear away the bad part first. If we take this as a metaphor for making praise out of our entire life, then we have to get rid of the “bad” first. The hard part is recognizing what is “bad” versus what is “good”. Crowder knew what part of the fillet was bad because he had experienced it many times. Do we have to experience something to know it is “bad”?


I think the point he was making there had more to do was recognizing the good and finding it and not simply that he peeled away the parts that were not good in the sandwich. IT was a process. The point is that finding the good was the focus rather than tearing away the bad. By finding what was good he was able to praise the giver of good. I imagine experience is part of it, although I think it is by experiencing what is good that we can better see what clearly is not. It's not experiencing the bad, it's recognizing it for what it is and more importantly recognizing the good and giving praise for the author of that which is good.

2. “Habit” is an interesting word to use with praise. A habit is something you do without thinking about it. Does God want us to praise Him unconsciously? What does that say about free will? Would He not be more pleased if we chose to worship rather than doing it out of habit?


I am wondering here if you read David's explanation of habit (unless you are strictly asking a rhetorical question.) And a habit can be something you do without thinking about it, but not necessarily. There should be a natural response of praise towards God, if all things were perfect. You can have a habit of brushing your teeth nightly, but that doesn't mean that when you get to the sink to do so that you don't think about what you are doing. It doesn't mean you can't plan at all (where would we be if we forgot the toothpaste at the store.) ;)
Anyway, I just looked up habit and you might look at some of the other definitions, too. :)

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/habit

3. I love Psalm 8. I think we have traded God’s nighttime show of wonders for our much smaller ones. Our level of scientific understanding of stars and moons and galaxies has removed some of the wonder. I think this is a good place for Walt Whitman:
When I heard the learn'd astronomer;
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me;
When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and
measure them;
When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much
applause in the lecture-room,
How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick;
Till rising and gliding out, I wander'd off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.


I love the poetry. :) For me, however, hearing about astronomy and the various discoveries only increases my wonder. Man has no rational explanation for the structures of the universe without God. Something to praise, huh? :) I suspect I am missing the point here, though as I am only on page 40 right now. LOL

God's blessings,
Melanie

[jabob]

I think I am still ok with my question of praise as a habit. The definitions I read contained the term "unconscious". It was not exactly a rhetorical question; just one to facilitate thought and discussion.

[JanetRN]

I think I am still ok with my question of praise as a habit. The definitions I read contained the term "unconscious". It was not exactly a rhetorical question; just one to facilitate thought and discussion.

I like how the ddfinition of habit can also be to clothe... like there is more than one meaning to words and phrases. This has got to be one of the best books I've read in a while.

[SirMax]

I know this isn't really about the book but I want to say that I want to meet David Crowder's wife. She is just sooooo like me -the story about her throwing her niece's sucker out the window sounds EXACTLY like something I would do. I laughed til I cried.

[Yippy]

I like how the ddfinition of habit can also be to clothe... like there is more than one meaning to words and phrases. This has got to be one of the best books I've read in a while.
He likens the praise habit to a nun wearing a habit. We wear Christ. I liked that analogy.

I'm loving this book! The chapter on fame and his run in with Richard Simmons is hysterical. Particularly the part about looking cool when a celebrity is around. It's absolutely verboeten to be uncool around a celebrity if you are an Angeleno! In fact, I'm really good at looking like I'm bored around a celebrity.:p Seriously, I've encountered many celebrities in my life and only recently acted uncool around one. One was when I almost hit Morgan Freeman with my car. Nevermind that he gave me the "stare" (eventhough it was his fault...but, hey, you don't argue with Morgan Freeman), I waved at him and yelled to my daughter, Hey! It's Morgan Freeman! How cool! He looked at me like HE was bored...haha Then, just last Saturday, I was having my hair done in Beverly Hills (I followed my hairstylist there from the other side of the tracks where she used to work) and while reading a magazine, I looked up in the mirror and saw a lady walk by. Just as I was thinking, "That looks like Julie Andrews," she said hello to the stylist next to me, and he said, "Hi Julie." She said hello to everyone as she walked by. I sat there speechless. I mean, Julie Andrews is royalty.:cool:

I'm really enjoying Crowder's humour. I appreciate honest writing, and that coupled with a sense of humour is almost intoxicating to me. I love it.

[wannabaRSgirl]

It is a very easy read. I am loving it also.

I also liked the anology of the habit. I wonder if I would live any different if I had a giant sign on me that told the world my life is devoted to Jesus.

Interesting that while I was reading about the habit at the pool some Muslem women walked through with their head coverings on. It makes me want to research that.

[woman4life]

Well, I forgot to take my book with me to work today, so I've read 3 pages. I'm going to try to actually make it to page 50 before I drift off to sleep.. it's only about 7 pages -- I can do it! :)

I asked about habit because David goes into a lot more of the meanings than the "unconscious" one. A habit can also simply be a routine. It can be unconscious as in a bad habit, but it doesn't have to be. Anyway, I'm enjoying the book and the stories. I haven't read the story you referred to yet, Wendy. LOL I'm looking forward to that one.

I did enjoy the one about holding his breath in a tunnel. Like I said, remind me not to drive through a tunnel the same time as Mr. Crowder. :)

As for celebrities, I always just chat everyone's ear off because usually I meet them after a concert and the adrenaline is going. LOL I have managed to say a number of stupid things... of course I do that with people that arent' celebrities sometimes as well. LOL

--Melanie

[cknell]

I also like how a habit is like the clothes we wear. Now if only I could get dressed without staring at my closet for several minutes.

I also like David's sense of humor. It really makes reading this book even more enjoyable. I can't read a few pages without laughing.

[Yippy]

I think I am still ok with my question of praise as a habit. The definitions I read contained the term "unconscious". It was not exactly a rhetorical question; just one to facilitate thought and discussion.
I was giving this some thought at work today and came to the conclusion that it's not praise that is the unconscious habit, but finding God in the little things that make up a day that is the unconscious habit, which results in praise. Did that make sense?

[woman4life]

I was giving this some thought at work today and came to the conclusion that it's not praise that is the unconscious habit, but finding God in the little things that make up a day that is the unconscious habit, which results in praise. Did that make sense?

Actually that makes perfect sense to me. :)

I don't think all habits are "unconscious" or "subconcious" entirely, though. I thought that was one of the points he made by going beyond that particular definition.

I happen to agree with you, though. Finding things to praise God about should be so much a part of us that it should just be a habit. I do have to say that some days driving to work here the mountains are just so stunning that praise is very natural. That is how it should be and so frequently in my life it isn't how it is.

[woman4life]

I'm not quite through the 2nd 50 yet, but I did get through a few pages on my break tonight.

The only thing I can fault the book for so far? Were three pages of concert tour names really necessary to get the point across? LOL It was kinda funny, though. Did anyone read every single one? (I admit to scanning, skimming and turning the pages.)

I'll try to see how far I can get tomorrow.

--Melanie

[antgomer]

I think the chapter on fame and Richard Simmons is so far the part of the book that made me think the most. How many times do we brag about meeting a celebrity compared to how often we talk about our relationship with God? I know I often talk about God being famous, but when it comes to admitting that I have a relationship with Him I don't do it with the same enthusiasm as I do if I get to meet a celebrity.

[JanetRN]

I actually read through all of the concert tours names just because I was thinking...yup saw that one....and that one.... hum saw Metallica on the Monsters of Rock tour not those ones listed... Scorpions on the Hurricane tour tour.... Queensryche on the Jet City tour (is that what they called it? late 80's) lol Saw ALOT of the Cheap Trick Standing on the Edge tour:rolleyes: so that whole part made me smile... and think wow if I had $1 for all those tours I went to I could take Chance to Arlington this year for this tour hahahahaha:p Love the tree analogy in the next chapter, seen it before but still love it! and I like how he brings out that He is praised in our awareness. So basically everytime I stop and think about Him in any way I'm praising! Thats just so cool to think about. "Hi God!"=praise!! That I can do continually! Even when going about my daily life, job, shopping, living!

[silverose]

Like many of you I was drawn to the analogy of the habit. I like the example of our faith as being something that can be easily identifed. And as we are easily seen we must be very aware of the model that we show to the world. In my job I drive a city transit bus and I listen to a local Christian radio station. This has become my "habit" and this is how I praise God often in my day. Many behave differently then they may on another bus. "Don't talk that way she is a Christian" or one women who before moving to Florida expressed to me that my "Habit" of playing Chrisitian radio had spoke to her heart more then all the preaching that had been done. This "habit" has also added to my community of Christian friends as others gladly share their belief with me and others on the bus.

[Me, Who Else?]

I think what surprises me most is Crowder's appealing self deprecation...a lot of us can identify with the guy and his insecurities. It makes the presentation less academic and in your face. It makes me re-evaluate the "wisdom" I've heard to always project confident to a crowd. I've been told that people, especially men, do not like to hear weakness. "sorry, I'm nervous/new at this, etc."

Any thoughts on how to use who we are authentically, versus, projecting strong leadership to project to a crowd as we share? Just a thread that's struck me since I've started reading.

[MarkLee]

These are some great comments I'm seeing on here. Here's my 2¢ on the first section:

I guess I'd be the one out of five in Crowder's informal Barnes and Noble poll who didn't instantly think of putting "bad" in front of "habit". After doing life for a few decades, I've found that there are certain things which are very important but which don't come easy. These things require sacrifice. For years I looked for some kind of trick or trend or bandwagon to jump on to find a way to work out a shortcut, but I realized that it's just not there. I think this is why self help titles are so popular, but also why most don't stay in print for very long. People buy them up and then realize it's just one more thing they've got to try and keep up with, or they're on to the next trend. That said, one thing I love about books is the fact that you're able to see life through the lens of someone who's coming at it from a different angle and pick up on some new ways of seeing things. In a perfect world, you're standing on the shoulders of giants. And it's a pretty cool view.

Oh yeah, back to Crowder. I dug the transition from the traditional definition of habit into the idea of habit as clothing, and how that ultimately leads back to Christ. Reminds me a lot of Richard Foster's thoughts on the grace of Christ and how that can give you confidence in dealing with other people (unfortunately I can't find the quote right now - maybe I can edit it in later). There's also a little Thomas Merton and Brother Lawrence vibe going on there as well. I guess it's a good book since I'm comparing it to other books I like ;)

[MarkLee]

I think what surprises me most is Crowder's appealing self deprecation...a lot of us can identify with the guy and his insecurities. It makes the presentation less academic and in your face. It makes me re-evaluate the "wisdom" I've heard to always project confident to a crowd. I've been told that people, especially men, do not like to hear weakness. "sorry, I'm nervous/new at this, etc."

Any thoughts on how to use who we are authentically, versus, projecting strong leadership to project to a crowd as we share? Just a thread that's struck me since I've started reading.

Did anybody happen to see the "Office" episode where Dwight delivers his acceptance speech? I was getting an image of that as I read this post :D

I hear where you're coming from on the confidence factor. I too have often heard that said. But I have also been bored to tears listening to a very confident and well prepared speaker deliver his or her three points and a conclusion, preferably with all of the points starting with the same letter (you know what I'm talking about).

I think the real key is being real. That's what people relate to the most. That usually involves being yourself, but presenting yourself in a way that others can relate to. In the entertainment business, I've heard that referred to as "finding your voice".

I will say, one pet peeve I have is when people preface something with a million disclaimers. Granted, I'm the king of doing that, but that doesn't mean I like it;)

[woman4life]

These are some great comments I'm seeing on here. Here's my 2¢ on the first section:

.......

Oh yeah, back to Crowder. I dug the transition from the traditional definition of habit into the idea of habit as clothing, and how that ultimately leads back to Christ. Reminds me a lot of Richard Foster's thoughts on the grace of Christ and how that can give you confidence in dealing with other people (unfortunately I can't find the quote right now - maybe I can edit it in later). There's also a little Thomas Merton and Brother Lawrence vibe going on there as well. I guess it's a good book since I'm comparing it to other books I like ;)

I have to agree about the transition from the traditional definition of habit to the idea of habit as clothing. I also really hadn't thought about the etiology of the word "habit" before. I am very much into the meanings behind words. When I hear a sermon I love hearing what key words are in the original, and what they mean. It helps create a better understanding of what is being said.

I'd be interested in seeing the quote on confidence. I really had very little confidence in dealing with people before I accepted Christ. I don't put much stock in self-confidence, but the confidence that Christ can give you really makes a huge difference in how I relate to others.

I think one other thing I love about Crowder's book so far is that it is giving me a bit more confidence in relating to God. I have been looking at the mountains on the way to work as the start of a habit and thinking about God, about who created the mountains. IT led me to chuckle at the comparison between the mountains God created and what man has created (which was rather amusing if you could see the road work around here right now.) Anyway... I"m rambling.. but it was kinda cool and it did lead to praise.

--Melanie

[woman4life]

I'm on about pg. 66 or so, but I thought I had the book in my things to take to work today and apparently I didn't. So now I have to figure out where it is. :) I plan to read a little before going to sleep.

The one thing I want to be able to do is to read the psalms in the book next to the one in my NASB so I can see both together, which I wasn't able to do from work. So now I will have Bible study in with it I suppose. ;) That can't be a bad thing.

--Melanie

[jabob]

Did anybody happen to see the "Office" episode where Dwight delivers his acceptance speech? I was getting an image of that as I read this post :D

I hear where you're coming from on the confidence factor. I too have often heard that said. But I have also been bored to tears listening to a very confident and well prepared speaker deliver his or her three points and a conclusion, preferably with all of the points starting with the same letter (you know what I'm talking about).

I think the real key is being real. That's what people relate to the most. That usually involves being yourself, but presenting yourself in a way that others can relate to. In the entertainment business, I've heard that referred to as "finding your voice".

I will say, one pet peeve I have is when people preface something with a million disclaimers. Granted, I'm the king of doing that, but that doesn't mean I like it;)

When someone stands behind a podium or on a stage and begins with "I'm not a really good speaker" or something like that, I automatically think, "Then don't do it". I can play three chords on a guitar (quite poorly) and you don't see me stepping out on a stage saying, "I'm can't really play, but here goes". Would you stick around for that? Of course not.
Writing a book is different. You have the chance to edit and take your time. Some people find it easier to be real in that forum. If that is true and they have a message to get out, then that is their forum.

[cknell]

Ok, so what is the deal with Nunzilla?

I thought it was rather humorous, but is there a more significance to it?

I'm still trying to figure that one out.

[cknell]

I have enjoyed using the Psalms and mini daily devotionals.

Is listing all of the tours similar to listing the family lineage we find throughout the OT? Is there a corrolation to that or am I reading too deep into it?

[woman4life]

Hmmm.... I'm not really sure how one could make that correlation, but I could be wrong as I frequently am. LOL

I am flying now... all the way to page 76. LOL I'll read some more shortly. I finally found the book on the passenger seat in my car so I can finish reading.

I am reading about Gilligan's Island and quick sand. Funny thing... I can really relate to that chapter. I never had the "nightmares" about quicksand (although I had a rather funny, but terrifying dream of the Monkees and I running from dinosaurs.) But I can relate to the part about quicksand and being rescued. I need a rescuer far too often. I should remember more often who it is that has the capacity to save me from myself. Reading the chapter on Psalm 40 was a great reminder.

PSALM 40:

40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
40:2
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
40:3
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.
40:4
How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
40:5
Many , O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done , And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.
40:6
Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired ; My ears You have opened ; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.
40:7
Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
40:8
I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart."
40:9
I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know.
40:10
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.
40:11
You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
40:12
For evils beyond * number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me.
40:13
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste , O LORD, to help me.
40:14
Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt .
40:15
Let those be appalled because * of their shame Who say to me, "Aha, aha !"
40:16
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified !"
40:17
Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

[googledoll]

I have enjoyed using the Psalms and mini daily devotionals.

Is listing all of the tours similar to listing the family lineage we find throughout the OT? Is there a corrolation to that or am I reading too deep into it?

Cool concept. I like where your head is. It made for some interesting conversations. :)

[woman4life]

"What would it be like if joy in the desert were as natural as our love for barbecue on a Texas Sunday afternoon in the middle of August?"

I have do admit.. this chapter made me think of Mac and the thread on here a while back about barbecues. LOL

I do get the point, though. It does bring to mind some songs of praise..

As the deer panteth for the water so my soul longeth after thee....

I was really thirsty all day yesterday (for liquid stuff) and I am finding this book is helping me to whet my soul's thirst a little for the things of God. It's been kinda dry at this end lately. So I am still enjoying the book. I'm not getting through it as quickly as I like or should, but I should be finished before July 1 at this rate at least. :) Now... back to reading...

Any other comments? Dialogue isn't much fun when it is only with oneself. LOL

[wannabaRSgirl]

I too took note of the Texas barbeque part. He said it just wasn't as great as Memphis bbq indicating it was better and because of the cattle. Well, I just have to clarify that Memphis bbq comes from PIGS not cows. That would mean they are 2 totally different things. So, just had to defend my hometown!!!

I have had a hard time getting mentally past where he talks about the product of praise. Journaling, painting, writing poetry are just a few of the examples he gave. I don't feel like a am great at any of that and have felt like, "I'm doing it wrong" because I have nothing to produce.

In reading the Psalm chapters, I got to where I had to stop reading the re-write of the psalm and start with reading it from my own Bible, then read his comments on it, then read the re-write. I wanted to try to understand it for myself first. I am definately enjoying doing so.

[woman4life]

It's amazing what really sticks with different people as they read. I vaguely remembered what you were talking about, but I wanted to be sure I was remembering "correctly." When David says to create, I did not get an impression that he expected things such as journaling, painting sculpting and singing to be a "product" that you had to produce as a result of praise. What if your creation was just a prayer to God thanking him (more praise)? To me journaling is a discipline, and it can be a very fruitful one. Some of the other things are more talent-related and God didn't give everyone the same talents, nor did he gift them the same, although no where in the book did it say that you had to be good at singing to create. LOL God is creative, however, and he did make us in His image. It is somewhat natural to create and meditating on the Psalms can certainly lead to praise and give us reason to praise God which we can allow to "spill" over. If it becomes a formula or something you "have" to do it pretty much would run counter to the rest of the message in the book, imo.

I'm not sure he literally meant to express yourself exactly as he does. I can see how the way that was stated could be problematic for some. I think the point was to meditate on God and let that spill over into praise. To be creative means it is something new and fresh, not something simply repeated rotely. He expreses that creatively by journaling, sculpting, painting, singing and writing. You may do that another way. There certainly is nothing wrong with you if you don't produce a "thing" such as a song or work of art. In the examples, the "product" is the result, not the goal if I read right. At least that is what I think the point is. Praise is not stale and dry, it is creative. O.K. I feel I'm rambling... and I'm kinda overtired.

Time to catch some zzzzzzz's.

P.S. Would love to hear feedback, but it's July, so I guess it's time for The Hobbit? LOL

[wannabaRSgirl]

Yes, I hear what you are saying. Maybe I did misunderstand. But I took it as whatever it is that you do, do it. If he does ALL those things he has listed he is even more amazing than I thought. So, that is encouraging to think that I don't have to do anything. I do get frustrated when I think about the creative side of me was never really developed. But that is probably me just letting Satan get the better of me. When you say journaling is a discipline, I have ZERO disciplines. <another thing I am hard on myself about.

I have started to look at things and seeing little analogies of God in them. I should at least put them to paper. I definately find myself praising God more.
Thanks so much for your comments!!

[woman4life]

I haven't started The Hobbit yet, either. Life has thrown a few curves lately, and I am just now getting going again and on pg. 137. Hopefully I will remember to take it with me to work tomorrow and it will be finished.

I have enjoyed the book a great deal and missed it when I wasn't able to keep reading for one reason or another.

I'm reading Psalm 145 in the book.. I needed to hear this:

"God is all mercy and grace - not quick to anger is rich in love"

Everything God does is right -- the trademark over all his works is love."

O.K. My thought is that I'm really glad that God does everything right - such a foreign concept to me lately. But I guess it will make my sense that I need saving much more real, huh?

Now on to what David has to say about it.

Don't give up if you aren't finished. I'm not. I'm determined to plug away. :)
I haven't regretted a moment.

Thanks Mark, et al., for the recommendation. :)

[wannabaRSgirl]

I just feel the need to say that generic cereal is not bad. I dont' know how old Mr. Crowder is but he is older than me. It could be that it used to taste bad. I think generics have come a long way since then. It is too bad that they scarred him and he will never know the joy of getting cereal from a bag. My kids will probably grow up and write a book about me for buying "cereal from a bag". "Mom never buys cereal in a box", they say. "Can we please get the Tiger cereal?". I am convinced that all they want is the toy and they have bought into the marketing scheme that these companies have paid millions for. You can tell they paid alot for them because the prices are so high. I heard (cannot verify) that the government was going to take action against the cereal companies for charging sooooo much. I don't know if it is true and it was several years ago. I will admit, I have been tempted to buy the Captain Jack Sparrow chocolate lucky charms. But I just keep buying the lucky charms in a bag and am very satisfied. :p

I like to think the money I saved in cereal last month went to cover my David Crowder CD's I added to my collection. ;)

It is sad that a book so meaning full and that is what I pull out of it to post. I just don't want the young people setting out on their own to be afraid to try some generic products. It is true you can't trust them all. I will agree with him on the cheese. You do have to stick to the real stuff. And also, I don't freeze milk, but bless his parents hearts for trying. No wonder he is so skinny. :D

[woman4life]

Last time I tried generic cereal, which wasn't that long ago, it still wasn't as good as the original. I find I can get the regular brand for a good price quite often. There is a brand name that comes in a bag now... I think it's Quaker, and they aren't bad. LOL Some things that are generic are quite good, but some things (like pineapple) you really do get what you pay for.

It's funny the things that stick with you. I am enjoying the book on the topic of praise, but I'm really just enjoying the stories, too. LOL And my mom DID freeze milk. As long as you let it thaw all the way and shake it, it works fine. Unfortunately, we didn't always do that. LOL Kids are impatient.

I don't think it has anything to do with being skinny, though. I am proof of that. ;)

--Melanie

[cknell]

I just wanted to say that this is the most fun devotional books I have ever read, and I loved it. It all makes sense. I can relate to all of the stories. I don't think I've laughed so hard with the readings of this book.

I loved all of the analytical stories from the clothes (nunzilla) to public restrooms, Disney World to Gilligan's Island and Christmas and Easter. As funny as the stories were, I still liked how it all tied back to finding God in every situation.

I don't think I would have picked it up off the shelf on my own. I'm glad y'all suggested it and got me to read it.

Thanks.