Here’s a clip from the opening chapter of “Still, I Will Praise”. I’m hoping during the week to give you a little something to think about… check back often!

“I’m sure you will agree that in difficult seasons we don’t feel like praising God. We’d rather wallow in our misery. We feel more comfortable griping, complaining, faultfinding and being crabby. Let’s face it: in unpleasant situations, praising God is not our natural instinct. That’s what the writer of Hebrews calls a “sacrifice of praise” (13:15). A sacrifice of praise means that we offer honor and praise to God whether our circumstances are good or bad, whether we feel like it or not. It’s a discipline. So if it’s unnatural, if it’s a discipline, then ugh, why do it? Because our praise brings us to the heart of God. Ps 22:3 says that God inhabits the praises of His people. In other words, when we praise, God shows up! Praise and worship put God where He belongs (on the throne) and us where we belong (in submission). I’ve come to understand that when we take our focus off our own concerns and annoyances and place it on what a great God we serve, the weight of our problems lightens and our faith begins to soar.”

– from Chapter 1 “Let’s Get Started”