This morning I read in CSB translation Psalm 75:6,7 the following: “Exaltation does not come from the east, the west, or the desert, for God is the judge: He brings down one and exalts another.” It made me think of how much we crave for someone or ones to praise and honor us. It says, “we are OK or special persons.” This comes out of the thinking in our hearts that we may just be fooling others and that we really aren’t that cool. I think this is why in the world there are so many vehicles that attempt to recognize our achievements and give honor. Think of Oscars or Grammys or even Dove awards. Matter of fact, who has more award shows than the so called entertainment business. Business has it’s own way of recogonizing performance by giving bonuses or plaques or even promotions.

We all look for some kind of reward or recognition. After all the silent pleas, “will someone say I’m OK. That I’m doing a good job” We simply need to come to the place and realize that the only praise or exaltation that matters and lasts is the one that comes from God. How is that obtained? Verse 10 says it well. "I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up." Horn is a word that signifies power e.g., Antlers on a elk or deer or horns on a goat. In the animal kingdom whoever has the bigger horns supposedly is the stronger animal. He has more power and is given more recognition. God is saying you won’t be recognized by Me except for your righteousness and who enables us to be righteous. None other than the Righteous one.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

This is my first attempt at a regular blog. If it helps not only for me to express but also for you to read then it has been worthwhile. My son and daughter-in-law for some strange reason seem to think that I have something to say of value. I hope they are truly perceptive and not delusional. I will leave that to you when you read my blog. Who knows it may even help you. I know it reminds me of how I should live.

I was reading in my Quiet Time (the time I read the Word and contemplate it) in Job this morning. I started at chapter 31 which starts out with Job’s declaration of how he keeps his mind from wandering into areas he shouldn’t. He says, “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to lust after a woman.” Because I spend time with a lot of guys helping them to escape the trap of lusting after every female skirt or pants that go by their line of sight I assumed that I would be meditating on that theme. No way!

This is one of my guys that I have spent time with. He is a Pastor in a post-modern church who wants to help guys in his church who struggle with every man’s battle aka pornography

What I discovered was Job’s self-justification of his righteous behavior or at least what he considered his righteous behavior. He did what all of us do when we are caught in attitudes or actions that we are embarrassed about by our friends or acquantences. He defends by comparing his life with what he doesn’t do that others do. How do I know that? Because 16 times he starts statements by using the word “if.” Some examples are Verse 5, “If I have walked in falsehood…” Verse 7, “If my step has turned from the way…” Verse 9, “If my heart has been seduced by…” and many others. What he is doing is he saying, “if only I had done the stuff that you guys do!” That is self-righteous. Rather than saying, “OK I blew it, I was wrong, etc.”

What’s my point? If we would watch our own responses to life circumstances by guarding against starting sentences with “if” every time we mess up and face up to what we did we would be a whole lot better able to meet life’s disappointments. This reminds me personally to watch my mouth.

If only I would do it?!

Ps. Happy Birthday my very special son, Christian.

We've moved!!!

This is some of our team that helped us to unload after arriving in Sparks, NV.

This is my first post.