Eeyore & Tigger

Psalm 148 - 150

　
　
We live in a world of positives and negatives. In chemistry you have protons and electrons. In golf you have over par and under par. In "Winnie the Pooh" you have Eeyore and Tigger. Eeyore with his sad and monotone voice always seems depressed. Tigger on the other hand, is always positive, bouncing around on his tail, smiling and very self-confident.
In math, my wife tells me, there is a teaching tool called a "number line". With zero at the center, there are increasing negative numbers to the left and increasing positive numbers to the right. Eeyore would fall at the far end of the negative side and Tigger on the positive. You probably know real people that are very positive and others that are very negative. Truth be known, we all fit somewhere on this line. In these Psalms we are not being called to be happy, but to praise the Lord for who He is and what He has done.

Psalm 148 emphasizes His creation. The beauty of God’s creation brings praise to our heart. For me, a sunset on Lake Michigan, the northern lights in the Upper Peninsula, the white sand beaches of Punta Cana, the power of Niagara Falls and the beauty of the Grand Tetons top my list. What’s on your list?

I’m not the most creative guy in the world. What I have created are mostly inanimate objects, except for my daughter. She turned 33 this year, and although she has a family of her own, I would still do anything for her. In Psalm 149 we see God who is our creator. He would do anything for us, and really He has. Therefore, let us "sing to the Lord a new song, rejoice in our Maker and be glad in our King and He will delight in His people".

And finally, think of the Buckeyes in the Shoe as you read Psalm 150. The only difference is the sanctuary is the Shoe, acts of power are the Buckeyes slamming into their opponents and the musical instruments are TBDBITL marching and proudly playing praises to the Buckeyes. Buckeye fans are passionate! How much more should we be when we serve and worship the Living God?

No matter where you think you fall on the number line, no matter whether you are more like Eeyore or Tigger - praise the Lord today in all you say and do.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20148-150&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Ps.148-Ps.150

You Got to Have Faith- Matthew 21:1-22

Reading today’s passage there is one common theme, Jesus being glorified through the faith of others. The passage concludes with Jesus stating, “, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.” But let’s look at how Jesus is faithfully followed before this statement is made.

First, Jesus tells his disciple to simply tell anyone who inquires as to why they are taking a donkey that the Lord needs them and they will consent. Next we see those in Jerusalem, praising Jesus as he rides into town, and then the children continue the praises to the frustration of the Pharisees.

Each of these actions takes faith.Whether it’s faith despite the unknown response or criticism of others, trusting and praising God is an action of faith. How will you show your faith today?

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Matthew 21:1-22