GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD

• I'm years late, (what's new?) but I've recently discovered the beautiful music of the Taize Community in France--simple chanting of Scripture passages--a mode of music that has been around since the Church began.
• Its simplicity and repetition brings a focus, a "slowing down," an energy and priority and sense of God's perspective as opposed to our skewed view of things that all too often, sets things awry.
• In the following song, "Confitemini Domino" from the CD, "Songs of Taize--O Lord, Hear My Prayer and My Soul is at Rest--Vol. 1"), the repetition & simplicity of the music did exactly that for me after having a very difficult but but very necessary conversation with another Christian.
• Isn't it amazing that God's Holy Spirit can find us on a parking lot, dry our tears, calm our hearts and even if things don't work out the way we hope, still lead us to speak & sing the truth: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever!" (Psalm 36:1).
• Was it Meister
  Eckhart who said, "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank
  you,’ it will be enough."
• The Latin words to the song go like this: "Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus ("Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good) Confitemini Domino, Alleluia" (Give thanks to the Lord, Alleluia--Praise Him!" See if you don't find yourself singing along!
• How has He shown You His goodness today?

WHY DID YOU DO THIS FOR ME?

• I found this beautiful ceramic painting below of Christ in Deruta, Tuscany, Italy and couldn't resist its beauty.
• "If God is for us, (and He is!) who can be against us? (No one! Neither me, my own worst critic, nor eventhe devil himself!) He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? (Indeed, He will! Look at all He has blessed us with!) (Romans 8:31-32).
• Lord, You endured all this for me? The crucifixion, the suffering, the dying, the being rejected by Your Father . . . just in order to save me! What wondrous love IS this that would sacrifice all to bring me, a sinner, back into a relationship with Your holy Father!
• What response can I make, but repent of my sins and desire to live a life that honors You and bring You glory?
• Enjoy this song by Michael Card, "Why?" (from his CD, "Known By the Scars.")