Why Do I Worship

I think we all know the verse above. We were made to worship and praise the Lord. I'm not sure why, but lately I've started to think about why I worship. I think present changes and direction have really made me start questioning why I do what I do and why worship has always been a passion of mine. 

At night after my devotions, I began pondering this question: Why do I Worship? You see the question isn't why anyone else does. I need to explore the answer for me. I've never understood why getting people to worship is like pulling teeth. I have always questioned this, because I know God has done so much for all of us. Honestly the cross itself is enough to praise him for all the days of our lives.

While examining my heart, I came up with a ton of reasons that I worship Jesus, the Lover of my soul. 

Let's start with the lyrics of this song, "He's taken me from the miry clay." I can't count how many times I've been rescued by my Savior. He pulled me out of the mess of my bad decisions. He loved me when I was unlovable. He died for me knowing all the mistakes I would make and would continue to make.

He's healed me countless times. Instead of having a 3rd brain surgery, I was healed and the doctor cancelled the surgery. I was healed/delivered from bulimia, a deep dark path I never thought I would break free of. He's healed my broken heart more times than I can count.

He gives me peace in the midst of every storm of life. "There is peace in the time of trouble. There is peace in the midst of the storm. There is peace though the world be raging, in the shelter of His arms." There is nothing that compares to the His peace. It has enveloped me so many times when I felt I could not go on.

I could go on and on. I praise Him for keeping me and my family safe, that we're all healthy, we have what we need but also many things that we want. God has blessed  me far beyond what I deserve. I praise Him mostly because He loves me. He loves me in spite of me. He doesn't care about the many flaws I drive myself insane about. He loves me from my freckled face to my weird toes. 

Let's face it, I don't worship Him for what He can give, but I worship Him because He deserves my highest praise. I am often, well actually always moved to tears when I worship. His love is truly overwhelming. The beautiful thing about Jesus is He loves to bless His children. I often realize my headache or aches and pains disappear while I'm in His presence.

If we all truly grasped the message of the cross, and the fact that He Loves US SO very much, worship at church would truly be a joyous time, a life changing time. It wouldn't just be at church either, it would bleed into our everyday lives, and boy how we could change this lost and dying world. I worship Jesus because I love Him so much, and I want my life to exude that love, so others will see Him in me.

So Long 2013

Another year has come and gone. It seems time just goes by faster and faster. Instead of dwelling on some of the not so happy moments, I'd rather take a look back at the happiest ones. The year started off with an opportunity to spend the day in a recording studio with two of the most talented people I know...Barry and Michelle Patterson. My cousin Sommer was there of course. This day made the fact that Aaron was still unemployed not sting so much.

I could literally go on and on about the highlights of 2013. One of my absolute favorite weeks was the one I spent with Sean, Kate, Cannon and Charlie! I love my sweet friends and hope that 2014 brings me back to Wisconsin for another visit.

I played guitar, sang, learned new songs, tried new recipes, spent time with friends, listened to live music, and started running.

I'm very much looking forward to 2014. I'm looking forward to questions being answered, new opportunities, and all the new adventures awaiting me, my family and friends in 2014. I never make resolutions, but there are a few things I always strive for. I want to continue to improve on the guitar/keyboard, I want to learn new songs, and delve in deeper to the Bible. Can't wait to start the new bible study with my sweet friends!! :-) Well friends, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I'll try to do this blog thing a little more regularly this new year.