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"No matter where I am, your teachings fill me with songs." - Psalm 119:54 (CEV)

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A Stone of Remembrance


If I were wearing boots, I'd be quaking in them.

I'm standing around,

Waiting for other people to have their turn.

I tell my best friend that I'm so shy,

I don't know what to say.

I've already ripped the plastic wrap off 3 CDs

And she has my camera around her neck.

I'm standing feet from one of my all-time favorite artists

Who's just given a phenomenal concert.

There's so much I'd like to say,

Like, "Thank you for being such an inspiration and encouragement to me."

"Thank you for all those blog posts that are such a help to young artists like me."

"Thank you for writing and singing truth."

"Thank you."

There's just one problem:

I am so shy.

Maybe it's because there's a fan girl in me,

And yet there's also an artist,

And maybe I know better than some just how human she really is?

Yet it feels a bit like meeting one of my heroes.

Maybe that's because it is?

I don't know.

The people in front of me finish,

And it's my turn,

And I open my mouth, not knowing what to say.


Fortunately, I don't have to start the conversation.

She looks at me and tells me I look familiar.

I'm absolutely shocked.

Somehow, the words, "Um, we've communicated online a couple of times" come out.

She thinks for a moment, then she says my name.

"Mary."

She knows my name.

This is turning out to be something even I wouldn't have dreamed up.

(And, believe me, I've dreamed up some pretty interesting encounters.)

She asks what I've been up to.

I stutter something about homework.

(Because, really, what else do college students do?

I can guarantee they don't sleep.)

Maybe she had to clarify,

Or maybe she wanted to know both,

Because next she says something about my music,

What I'm doing with that.

I don't even remember exactly what it was that she said,

But I know I would never have brought up my music on my own.

What have I been doing with my music lately?

It's kind of been one of those seasons . . .

Just no time.

And yet, there's more time than there was last year.

Maybe I just haven't been making time?

I manage to say that I haven't been doing as much as I'd like to,

But my goal for Christmas break is to put a set together.

She signs my 3 CDs

And we pose for a picture,

And I go home,

Scarcely even able to believe that Christa Wells knew who I was . . .

And asked about my music . . .


It takes me awhile to get to bed.

First, I must share the excitement of the evening with my friends on Facebook.

Then come the usual before-bed activities.

I open my composition book to write,

But it's a little hard with the refrain of "Shine" still coming through clear and strong in my head.

Instead, I flip through earlier pages,

Hurriedly scribbled characters

Spelling out the words I twist in my brain.

There are songs about friendship,

Songs about reconciliation,

Songs about mental illness,

Songs about laughter,

And lots of songs about being tired and needing sleep.

(I guess I should make more of an effort to write earlier in the day . . .)

I remember the events that sparked them -

The songs about death from when I watched my grandmother slip away,

The song about going into the river from a particularly inspirational sermon,

The song about steamer trunks from my family's summer cleaning project.

I look back on the pages

And find my years traced out in song,

These tiny stones of remembrance

Of the Faithfulness of God.


I finally manage to write something,

But falling asleep seems to be a different problem.

I can't stop thinking about my music -

All I've done,

All I haven't done.

But it's good.

It's good to remember what this last year has held.

It's good to remember that God has been working,

Even if it seems,

In my crazy, day-to-day life,

That not much has been going on music-wise.

Maybe it's time for me to lay a few stones of remembrance here?


What's Happened With My Music in the Past Year:

January
I got braver and ask some friends to critique a song for me while on a road trip.  They really liked it and asked me to sing it as we're riding in the van.  Very nervously, I did.  When I finished, everyone applauded.  I was humbled.
My friend encourages me to not write "elementary lyrics".  He knows that I can do better.  And I can.
I released Masterpiece, Album #2.
I'd gotten better at recording.
Maybe I'm getting a bit better at marketing, too?
I created a Facebook page the day after it released.
I asked for help through this blog in sharing about it.
Kelli Woodford and Pam Depoyan kindly responded to my pleas.
I'd never met them before, but I'm so glad I know them now!
I made my first $4.20 as an independent artist (and then some in the following weeks . . .).
I asked for $5 per album . . . and I sold almost all that I'd made (which wasn't very many, but every time someone asked for one, it meant the world to me).
"Past the Wishing" became the song that marked this season of my life.

February
According to Facebook, had writer's block for a couple of days.
Fortunately, it's never lasted too long.
Had my siblings take some new pictures of me.
Sold more CDs.
My amazing best friend recorded my first-ever interview, during which I talked way too much.
Lent.  I write "Fall on Grace".  I needed that song.  Still do.  Every day.
I showed the song to the friend who had given me advice on lyrics before, telling him those were the least elementary lyrics I'd ever written.  He agreed.
I nervously email my first draft to Ann Voskamp, whose post inspired the song.  She kindly writes back and thanks me for grace.

March
I'm just going to paste this from Facebook:
So Sunday, two days after once again coming face-to-face with some of my fears about my music (and particularly my voice, which happens to be my greatest insecurity in this area), two of the people at my church who had purchased CDs from me told me how much they enjoyed them! And one specifically told me that I had a lovely voice! It's amazing how God uses people to encourage us in exactly the areas in which we need the most encouragement! So blessed!
Released a demo recording of "Fall on Grace", which is still one of my favorite songs.
At one point, I was so inspired that I wrote songs on scrap paper in the middle of the day.  I love it when that happens!  So much fun!
Received a lot of encouragement from friends - seriously, there are days that this is what keeps me sharing what I write!

April
The cover art from my album was accepted in my school's art show.  Pretty impressive considering I used a cheap program that won't do what I want it to.
I was having trouble deciding what to write about and ended up with my best attempt yet on the issue of human trafficking.
I had a hard time going to sleep because I could imagine exactly how I would want a recording of the
song to sound and I really wanted to record it.
Several friends critiqued for me and one even started working on a guitar part for me.
Still would like to get that song recorded . . .

May
Divided songs on Noisetrade into albums.
Started working on my website.
Talked with Dad about maybe doing voice lessons.
Looked back at God's Faithfulness in my music.
Found that even remodeling can inspire music (as if there was ever any doubt).
Signed up to do special music in July.

June
Continued working on website in spare time.
Worked on updating all social media to match website.
Got my keyboard set back up in my room again.
Was a counselor at summer camp.  Sang one of my newer songs to my campers and they loved it.  One little girl wanted a recording.

July
Officially announced the new website.
Planned two weeks before special music to play the song I'd sung to my campers and an arrangement of "Past the Wishing".  Practiced once and made little progress.
Planned one week before special music to play "Fall on Grace" with a piano accompaniment and "How He Loves" because I knew it.  Lost hours of sleep throughout the week getting ready.
Asked Dad for help critiquing accompaniments and almost started bawling telling him how much I wanted to be doing music over the summer and literally hadn't had any time to practice.  The voice lessons the two of us had talked about earlier in the year never happened.
Played the songs for special music and even told the story behind "Fall on Grace".  Received a lot of compliments.

August
Started working on videos from July performance.
Had a little more time to practice.
Spent a couple nights before school started playing the piano for quite awhile.  Realized how much I miss that when I don't get it.

September
Was inspired to write in the middle of the day again.
Roommates critiqued some lyrics for me.  So good to have feedback!
Got the videos from my July performance posted.
Got to practice the piano for HPE homework.  Three times.  Best assignments ever!

October
Had a tough week struggling with sin.  Fought by playing and singing for awhile, and later singing hymns while doing the dishes.
Got to pose for a friend's art project (a.k.a. got to play the piano for over an hour!!!).
Went to Christa Wells' concert.  This is the closest thing I get to creative community, and it was awesome.
All the stuff this post started with.
Had several people ask about my music since the Christa Wells concert.  People at my new church are now starting to find out that I write.
Realized that my lyrics have been a bit more "elementary" lately and resolved to do better.
Spent the last several days thinking about my music, what God's been doing in my life, and what this all means to me.  Which has been totally awesome.

So, in sum?

God is Good.

And I've been missing that lately.

I've started praying for guidance again

As I'm trying to take steps on this crazy path He's leading me down

And hopefully I'll be paying more attention

To His Faithfulness in leading me as I walk.

Thank You, Jesus.




 

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Black or White?


It's the question he asks,

Trying to figure out what to get me for my birthday.

Black or white?

Mom had asked awhile back about things that I might want for future gifts.

I'd told her that I wanted an iPod touch.

She, of course, had no idea what one was,

So it was up to Dad to go shopping.

And now he was asking about color preference.


I'd figured it was coming soon,

When I'd have to find some way to explain what I was going to do.

So I tell him what I'd heard about FreedomMaker,

Tell him I really don't want any physical gifts,

But this,

I want this so much.

He tries to understand.


See, I've been wanting an i-something for a long time.

In the past, it's been about getting stuff.

Now, it's more about usefulness.

An iPod touch would provide me with Internet access anywhere there's wifi.

It would enable me to download awesome apps (like the Bible?  Solid Joys?),

Not just cool stuff,

But stuff I could use to help me seek God and love Him more.

And, most importantly, it would hold all my music,

Organized in a much more logical fashion than my current mp3 player,

With pretty pictures of the album covers,

Ready for use to help focus my thoughts on what's important.

Of course, it will also become way too convenient to get on Facebook,

Check email,

But it would also give me the ability to text

And provide an easier way to listen to music when working on big projects,

All without the data plan fee of many, many dollars per month.

There's just been one problem with this desire:

I can't justify wasting $200 of my own money in one shot on a toy.

Especially when I'm so involved with Compassion and such a supporter of IJM,

When I'm coming to understand more and more just how much need there is in the world . . .

(Although my understanding is still woefully inadequate)

It just didn't feel right.

So, I picked what is obviously a much better solution:

(Yes, the above line was intended with a good bit of sarcasm.)

I asked my parents to get it for me.


Well, when I asked, I thought they'd give it for Christmas.

I didn't realize they were thinking so soon.

But God put this on my heart.

I have so much.

I honestly don't need anything else,

Including any fancy electronic toys beginning with the letter "i".

My needs are met.

I have food in my stomach,

A roof over my head,

An education,

My freedom.

There are a lot of people in the world who don't have those things.

The more I thought about it,

The less I wanted presents for my birthday.

Really, what's it worth?

I wanted to put my desire into action

And make a difference.

As I felt God tugging me that way,

I (nervously) followed.

I feel like I'm able to do so little to fight such a big problem -

And human trafficking is a HUGE problem -

But I can do this one little thing.

Moreover, I want to do this

With all my heart.


My Mom tells me that they've given to my campaign,

But they're going to give me some presents anyway.

I can't really control what they do,

But I don't like the feeling in my stomach.

I hope it's just the stuff she has laying in her room that I've picked out in the past,

'Cause I can't stand the thought of getting anything else

When this is what I want:

To bring freedom

And make a difference.

This is where my heart is.

I thought it might be tough to give up my birthday presents.

Honestly, I think it's one of the easiest (and best!) things I've ever done.


Reasons 5053-5111 today,

Seeing who He is


And praying that changes who I am:

  1. He has laid a heavy burden on mankind (Ecclesiastes 1:13)
  2. It is from His hand that a person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
  3. Without Him, no one can eat (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)
  4. Without Him, no one can find enjoyment (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25)
  5. To the person who pleases Him, He gives wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
  6. To the person who pleases Him, He gives knowledge (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
  7. To the person who pleases Him, He gives happiness (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
  8. To the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases Him (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
  9. He has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
  10. He has set eternity in the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
  11. No one can fathom what He has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
  12. Eating is His gift to people (Ecclesiastes 3:13)
  13. Drinking is His gift to people (Ecclesiastes 3:13)
  14. Finding satisfaction in toil is His gift to people (Ecclesiastes 3:13)
  15. Everything He does will endure forever (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
  16. Everything He does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
  17. He does everything so that people will fear Him (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
  18. He will call the past to account (Ecclesiastes 3:15)
  19. He will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked (Ecclesiastes 3:17)
  20. He tests humans so that they may see that they are like the animals (Ecclesiastes 3:18)
  21. He has no pleasure in fools (Ecclesiastes 5:4)
  22. He has given people the few days of life (Ecclesiastes 5:18)
  23. He sometimes gives wealth and possessions (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
  24. He sometimes gives wealth and possessions and the ability to enjoy them (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
  25. He sometimes gives wealth and possessions and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil (Ecclesiastes 5:19)
  26. He keeps people occupied with gladness of heart (Ecclesiastes 5:20)
  27. He gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire (Ecclesiastes 6:2)
  28. He gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but He does not grant them the ability to enjoy them (Ecclesiastes 6:2)
  29. He gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but He does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead (Ecclesiastes 6:2)
  30. No one can straighten what He has made crooked (Ecclesiastes 7:13)
  31. He has made the good times (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
  32. He has made the bad times (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
  33. He created mankind upright (Ecclesiastes 7:29)
  34. He created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes (Ecclesiastes 7:29)
  35. Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, it will go better with those who fear Him (Ecclesiastes 8:12)
  36. Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, it will go better with those who are reverent before Him (Ecclesiastes 8:12)
  37. Because the wicked do not fear Him, it will not go well with them (Ecclesiastes 8:13)
  38. Because the wicked do not fear Him, their days will not lengthen like a shadow (Ecclesiastes 8:13)
  39. He gives people life (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
  40. His work under the sun cannot be found out by man (Ecclesiastes 8:17)
  41. The meaning of His work under the sun cannot be found out by man, despite all their efforts to search it out (Ecclesiastes 8:17)
  42. Even if the wise claim to know, the meaning of His work under the sun cannot really be comprehended by man (Ecclesiastes 8:17)
  43. The righteous are in His hands (Ecclesiastes 9:1)
  44. The wise are in His hands (Ecclesiastes 9:1)
  45. What the righteous do is in His hands (Ecclesiastes 9:1)
  46. What the wise do is in His hands (Ecclesiastes 9:1)
  47. He has already approved what people do (Ecclesiastes 9:7)
  48. He has given people all the days of their meaningless lives under the sun (Ecclesiastes 9:9)
  49. He has given people all their meaningless days (Ecclesiastes 9:9)
  50. No one can understand His work (Ecclesiastes 11:5)
  51. He is the Maker of all things (Ecclesiastes 11:5)
  52. He will bring people into judgment for everything (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
  53. He gave the spirit (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
  54. The spirit returns to Him who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
  55. The duty of all mankind is to fear Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
  56. The duty of all mankind is to keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
  57. He will bring every deed into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
  58. He will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
  59. He will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14)


Counting 10,000 Reasons to worship Him: 

(Sylvia's already made it to - past - 10,000!  So amazing to think of who He is like this!)


<a href="http://maryschieferstein.blogspot.com/search/label/10000%20Reasons" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitidrfBKBWTHSBiWyh3WMRKjHFgYKk-RxjYB9-uePQb1-uI3t3bjysPnR65zloJJ0LgTqhT5kW70Rk8VOC2utXFUWhGRPIxNCqzZ_9YQryYPMJdj2XpiX0oawLUiMnmxFOeMkmjk3IIA/s320/10000ReasonsButton.jpg" /></a>

Counting in community: 


Linking up at A Holy Experience today, counting gifts.


Thankful for:
~ Too long staring at screens
~ Laughter with my best friend
~ Sharing concerns with my roommate
~ How God's been causing me to look at what He's done in the past year
~ Jamming to new Christa Wells CDs while doing homework
~ Warm tea to soothe a sore throat
~ Late nights - so many late nights


 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

My 20th for the 27 Million


"Slavery is Wrong. You know it. We know it. As a country, we've officially known it since 1863. But here's something you might not know -- Slavery still exists. We want every man, woman and child to know that there are 27 million men, women and children, just like them, living in the shadows. In brothels. In factories. In Quarries. Working as slaves. In 161 countries. Including our own. We are here to shine a light on slavery. No more bondage. No more sex trafficking. No more child laborers. No more, starting now." - End It Movement
For a few years now, I've known that slavery still exists. I've raised awareness, given money, even tried my hand at writing a few songs about it (and, believe me, it's just as difficult and depressing as it sounds). But I always have a desire to do more. Yet what can I do? I'm not rich, I don't have much influence, I've never been particularly courageous.
Then I learned about the International Justice Mission's FreedomMaker. The International Justice Mission, or IJM, is one of several organizations working to end slavery. They also seek to bring justice to widows in danger of having their property stolen from them and those in prison who have been wrongly accused. FreedomMaker is a tool which anyone can use to start a campaign to raise money for IJM and support their work to bring freedom and justice to the oppressed. People have "given up" special events, telling people to donate money to the organization instead.
So that's what I'm doing. I'm giving up my 20th birthday. Because there are a lot more important things in this world than me getting presents. And this is most definitely one of them. I felt it was important to extend an invitation to you. If you're willing, and if God is leading you, I would appreciate your help - whether that's with donations, spreading the word about my campaign, or just raising awareness about modern-day slavery. It's time to end this, and I would be honored if you would be a part of that with me.

You can view my campaign at www.ijmfreedommaker.org

Reasons 5004-5052 today,

(Finishing Proverbs!),

Looking at who He is


And praying that my heart

Continues growing to look a little more like His
:

  1. He detests differing weights (Proverbs 20:10)
  2. He detests differing measures (Proverbs 20:10)
  3. He made ears that hear (Proverbs 20:12)
  4. He made eyes that see (Proverbs 20:12)
  5. Dishonest scales do not please Him (Proverbs 20:23)
  6. A person's steps are directed by Him (Proverbs 20:24)
  7. In His hand the king's heart is a stream of water (Proverbs 21:1)
  8. In His hand the king's heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him (Proverbs 21:1)
  9. A person may think their own ways are right, but He weighs the heart (Proverbs 21:2)
  10. To do what is just and right is more acceptable to Him than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3)
  11. He is the Righteous One (Proverbs 21:12)
  12. He takes note of the house of the wicked (Proverbs 21:12)
  13. He brings the wicked to ruin (Proverbs 21:12)
  14. There is no wisdom that can succeed against Him (Proverbs 21:29)
  15. There is no insight that can succeed against Him (Proverbs 21:29)
  16. There is no plan that can succeed against Him (Proverbs 21:29)
  17. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with Him (Proverbs 21:31)
  18. He is the Maker of the rich (Proverbs 22:2)
  19. He is the Maker of the poor (Proverbs 22:2)
  20. His eyes keep watch over knowledge (Proverbs 22:12)
  21. He frustrates the words of the unfaithful (Proverbs 22:12)
  22. He will take up the case of the poor who are exploited because they are poor (Proverbs 22:22-23)
  23. He will take up the needy who are crushed in court (Proverbs 22:22-23)
  24. He will take up the case of the poor who are exploited because they are poor and will exact life for life (Proverbs 22:22-23)
  25. He will take up the needy who are crushed in court and will exact life for life (Proverbs 22:22-23)
  26. He will exact life for life (Proverbs 22:23)
  27. He sees those who gloat when their enemies fall (Proverbs 24:17)
  28. He sees those whose hearts rejoice when their enemies stumble (Proverbs 24:17)
  29. He sees those who gloat when their enemies fall and disapproves (Proverbs 24:17)
  30. He sees those whose hearts rejoice when their enemies stumble and disapproves (Proverbs 24:17)
  31. He sees those who gloat when their enemies fall and disapproves and turns His Wrath away from the enemies (Proverbs 24:17)
  32. He sees those whose hearts rejoice when their enemies stumble and disapproves and turns His Wrath away from the enemies (Proverbs 24:17)
  33. It is His Glory to conceal a matter (Proverbs 25:2)
  34. He rewards those who give food to their enemies when they are hungry (Proverbs 25:21-22)
  35. He rewards those who give water to their enemies when they are thirsty (Proverbs 25:21-22)
  36. Those who seek Him understand what is right fully (Proverbs 28:5)
  37. He gives sight to the poor (Proverbs 29:13)
  38. He gives sight to the oppressor (Proverbs 29:13)
  39. Whoever trusts in Him is kept safe (Proverbs 29:25)
  40. Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from Him that one gets justice (Proverbs 29:26)
  41. He has gone up to heaven and come down (Proverbs 30:4)
  42. His hands have gathered up the wind (Proverbs 30:4)
  43. He has wrapped up the waters in a cloak (Proverbs 30:4)
  44. He has established all the ends of the earth (Proverbs 30:4)
  45. Every word of His is flawless (Proverbs 30:5)
  46. He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him (Proverbs 30:5)
  47. He rebukes those who add to His words (Proverbs 30:6)
  48. He proves a liar those who add to His words (Proverbs 30:6)
  49. His Name is dishonored when those who become poor steal (Proverbs 30:9)
Counting 10,000 Reasons to worship Him: 

(Sylvia's already made it to - past - 10,000!  So amazing to think of who He is like this!)

<a href="http://maryschieferstein.blogspot.com/search/label/10000%20Reasons" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitidrfBKBWTHSBiWyh3WMRKjHFgYKk-RxjYB9-uePQb1-uI3t3bjysPnR65zloJJ0LgTqhT5kW70Rk8VOC2utXFUWhGRPIxNCqzZ_9YQryYPMJdj2XpiX0oawLUiMnmxFOeMkmjk3IIA/s320/10000ReasonsButton.jpg" /></a>

Counting in community:

Thankful for
 - A relaxing weekend
 - Time with family
 - Convicting sermons
 - Recounting a bit of what God's done in my life
 - Seeing old friends
 - A break from the computer
 - Much-needed rest
 - Intercessory prayer


 

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Join Me?


I knew they were going to ask.

It was getting close to my birthday.

I knew they were going to ask what I wanted.

The trouble was - I didn't really want anything.

I'm at that stage in my life now where, if I want something, I go get it myself.

I'm at that stage in my life where there's not much I want,

And I have everything I need.

And then I saw on Facebook that someone had given up their birthday.

They had given up their birthday to help those in need - simply by making a page online.

In that moment, I knew what I wanted for my birthday:

Freedom.

Freedom from oppression for 27 million slaves in the world today.

Freedom from fear for widows fighting to keep property that is rightfully theirs.

Freedom from prison for those who have done no wrong.

Freedom.

What better present could I ask for than to know that, in some small way, I have made a difference?

'Cause all of my passion?

All of my desire to end slavery?

What's it really worth if I don't DO something about it?

I am called to seek justice.

Will you join me?

Please click here to view my FreedomMaker page.

Let's seek justice.

Together. 


Sunday, October 6, 2013

Celebration!


After a hard week of fighting with myself

Finally laying on the couch, exasperated,

She comes in and says, "God is so Good!".

Any other week, these words would be coming out of my mouth.

I pause the worship music I'm trying to drill into my head,

Set my laptop on the floor,

And turn toward her as she tells of God's Faithfulness.

After she's finished and I'm off the couch,

I go up to her and hug her.

"I needed that,"  I said.

And then she asks about me

And I tell her

And she encourages.

After I get the laptop back on my lap,

I somehow find the motivation to get through my email,

Then I open the document and open the Word,

And I start counting,

And I'm so close . . .

Thirty more,

Twenty-five . . .

And I just do it.

I go up to the next hundred,

And I look at my roommate.

"Five thousand," I tell her,

Arms in a victorious pose,

Smiling silly.

Five thousand aspects of God's character,

Five thousand reasons to worship God.



Reasons 4893-5003 today,

(Finishing up with  Job - basing my counting off this series),

Celebrating who He is:

 
  1. No one is able to stand against Him (Job 41:10)
  2. No one has a claim against Him that He must pay (Job 41:11)
  3. Everything under heaven belongs to Him (Job 41:11)
  4. He can do all things (Job 42:2)
  5. No purpose of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2)
  6. He is angry with those who have not spoken the truth about Him (Job 42:7)
  7. He restores people's fortunes (Job 42:10)
  8. He gives people twice as much as they had before (Job 42:10)
  9. He blesses the latter part of people's lives more than the former part (Job 42:12)
  10. The fear of Him is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7)
  11. He gives wisdom (Proverbs 2:6)
  12. From His mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6)
  13. He holds success in store for the upright (Proverbs 2:7)
  14. He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless (Proverbs 2:7)
  15. He guards the course of the just (Proverbs 2:8)
  16. He protects the way of His faithful ones (Proverbs 2:8)
  17. He makes straight the paths of those who submit to Him (Proverbs 3:6)
  18. He disciplines (Proverbs 3:11)
  19. He disciplines those He loves (Proverbs 3:11)
  20. He disciplines those He loves as a father the son he delights in (Proverbs 3:11)
  21. By wisdom He laid the earth's foundations (Proverbs 3:19)
  22. By understanding He set the heavens in place (Proverbs 3:19)
  23. By His knowledge the watery depths were divided (Proverbs 3:20)
  24. By His knowledge the clouds let drop the dew (Proverbs 3:20)
  25. He will be at His people's side (Proverbs 3:26)
  26. He will keep His people's feet from being snared (Proverbs 3:26)
  27. He detests the perverse (Proverbs 3:32)
  28. He takes the upright into His confidence (Proverbs 3:32)
  29. His curse is on the house of the wicked (Proverbs 3:33)
  30. He blesses the homes of the righteous (Proverbs 3:33)
  31. He mocks proud mothers (Proverbs 3:34)
  32. He shows favor to the humble and oppressed (Proverbs 3:34)
  33. He hates haughty eyes (Proverbs 6:16-17)
  34. Haughty eyes are detestable to Him (Proverbs 6:16-17)
  35. He hates a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:16-17)
  36. A lying tongue is detestable to Him (Proverbs 6:16-17)
  37. He hates hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16-17)
  38. Hands that shed innocent blood are detestable to Him (Proverbs 6:16-17)
  39. He hates a heart that devises wicked schemes (Proverbs 6:16-18)
  40. A heart that devises wicked schemes is detestable to Him (Proverbs 6:16-18)
  41. He hates feet that are quick to rush into evil (Proverbs 6:16-18)
  42. Feet that are quick to rush into evil are detestable to Him (Proverbs 6:16-18)
  43. He hates a false witness who pours our lies (Proverbs 6:16-19)
  44. A false witness who pours our lies is detestable to Him (Proverbs 6:16-19)
  45. He hates a person who stirs up conflict in the community (Proverbs 6:16-19)
  46. A person who stirs up conflict in the community is detestable to Him (Proverbs 6:16-19)
  47. To fear Him is to hate evil (Proverbs 8:13)
  48. He brought forth wisdom as the first of His works (Proverbs 8:22)
  49. He brought forth wisdom before His deeds of old (Proverbs 8:22)
  50. The fear of Him is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
  51. Knowledge of Him is understanding (Proverbs 9:10)
  52. He does not let the righteous go hungry (Proverbs 10:3)
  53. He thwarts the craving of the wicked (Proverbs 10:3)
  54. His blessing brings wealth (Proverbs 10:22)
  55. His blessing brings wealth, without painful toil for it (Proverbs 10:22)
  56. The fear of Him adds length to life (Proverbs 10:27)
  57. His way is a refuge for the blameless (Proverbs 10:29)
  58. His way is the ruin of those who do evil (Proverbs 10:29)
  59. A false balance is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 11:1)
  60. A just weight is His delight (Proverbs 11:1)
  61. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to Him (Proverbs 11:20)
  62. Those of blameless ways are His delight (Proverbs 11:20)
  63. A good man obtains favor from Him (Proverbs 12:2)
  64. A man of evil devices He condemns (Proverbs 12:2)
  65. Lying lips are an abomination to Him (Proverbs 12:22)
  66. Those who act faithfully are His delight (Proverbs 12:22)
  67. In the fear of Him, His people have strong confidence (Proverbs 14:26)
  68. In the fear of Him, His people's children will have a refuge (Proverbs 14:26)
  69. The fear of Him is a fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27)
  70. The fear of Him is a fountain of life, that His people may turn away from the snares of death (Proverbs 14:27)
  71. His eyes are in every place (Proverbs 15:3)
  72. His eyes are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3)
  73. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 15:8)
  74. The prayer of the upright is acceptable to Him (Proverbs 15:8)
  75. The way of the wicked is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 15:9)
  76. He loves him who pursues righteousness (Proverbs 15:9)
  77. Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Him (Proverbs 15:11)
  78. Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Him; how much more the hearts of the children of man lie open before Him! (Proverbs 15:11)
  79. He tears down the house of the proud (Proverbs 15:25)
  80. He maintains the widow's boundaries (Proverbs 15:25)
  81. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to Him (Proverbs 15:26)
  82. He is far from the wicked (Proverbs 15:29)
  83. He hears the prayer of the righteous (Proverbs 15:29)
  84. The fear of Him is instruction in wisdom (Proverbs 15:33)
  85. The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Him (Proverbs 16:1)
  86. The ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but He weighs the spirit (Proverbs 16:2)
  87. He has made everything for its purpose (Proverbs 16:4)
  88. He has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble (Proverbs 16:4)
  89. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 16:5)
  90. By the fear of Him people turn away from evil (Proverbs 16:6)
  91. Man's ways can sometimes please Him (Proverbs 16:7)
  92. The heart of a man plans his way, but He establishes his steps (Proverbs 16:9)
  93. A just balance and scales are His (Proverbs 16:11)
  94. A just balance and scales are His: all the weights in the bag are His work (Proverbs 16:11)
  95. Those who trust in Him are blessed (Proverbs 16:20)
  96. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Him (Proverbs 16:33)
  97. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and He tests hearts (Proverbs 17:3)
  98. Those who mock the poor insult Him (Proverbs 17:5)
  99. He who justifies the wicked is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 17:15)
  100. He who condemns the righteous is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 17:15)
  101. His Name is a strong tower (Proverbs 17:10)
  102. His Name is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe (Proverbs 17:10)
  103. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from Him (Proverbs 17:22)
  104. A prudent wife is from Him (Proverbs 19:14)
  105. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to Him (Proverbs 19:17)
  106. Whoever is generous to the poor lends to Him, and He will repay him for his deed (Proverbs 19:17)
  107. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is His purpose that will stand (Proverbs 19:21)
  108. His purpose will stand (Proverbs 19:21)
  109. The fear of Him leads to life (Proverbs 19:23)
  110. The fear of Him leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied (Proverbs 19:23)
  111. The fear of Him leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm (Proverbs 19:23)

Counting 10,000 Reasons to worship Him: 

(Sylvia's already made it to - past - 10,000!  So amazing to think of who He is like this!)






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Counting in community:


 
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