I love the Psalms because they speak for us when we can’t speak for ourselves.  Often it’s in a time of despair that we cry out the Psalms of lament right along with the Psalmist.  Sometimes we are in a difficult place and it’s hard to sing out praise and Thanksgiving to the Lord.  As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, let Psalm 103 help you shout out praise today.  It’s one of my favorite psalms, and David gives us a list of things to be thankful for.  I’m sure you have your own list, but you might want to add David’s list onto your own. 

“Let all that I am Praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.  Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I nver forget the good things he does for me.  He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.  He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.  He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” 

What are you thankful for today?

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I love the music of Christmas.  From classical to crazy.  Rutter’s “Gloria” to “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”.  On Midday Connection we are doing our own special version of Christmas music, minus the ‘crazy’.  On December 10 we have a very special program and you can be a part of the studio audience if you live in  or are going to be in the Chicago area.  We are going to have Steve Green sing your favorite Christmas requests.  We’ll have beautiful Christmas lunch and some hot cider and cookies.  You know, all the good holiday stuff!  If you want a wonderful infusion of Christmas music into your season join us on December 10.  For more information head to www.middayconnection.org and click on the midday spotlight tab.  Hope to see many of you there.

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I recently spent a long weekend with my parents in Sarasota, FL.  October 22 marked their 55th wedding anniversary.  When I realized it was one of those ‘big’ ones, I knew I needed to make the trip.  I knew we’d enjoy our time together, but I didn’t anticipate what the highlight would be.  I assumed it would be going to the pool and jacuzzi. The retirement community they live in has the BEST jacuzzi.  It’s always really hot, unlike hotel hot tubs. 

But, the highlight was none other than SCRABBLE!  It’s one of my moms most favorite games.  It’s never been mine because I haven’t had the time to memorize the dictionary.  Surprise, surprise, I actually won two games.  As I thought about why I wanted to keep playing it, I realized it had nothing to do with winning, I lost more games than I won.  I enjoyed the pace of the game.  In fact the whole pace of my trip to FL was such a refreshing change it was hard to come back to the ‘real’ world.  It’s time for me to pay attention to the discipline of Sabbath, again.  Can’t we ever learn things for good?  No, not how God works…….life is a journey. 

Excuse me, I have to go play a game of scrabble!

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