I was blessed to see our CEO yesterday, it’s been a few years and I appreciate that he appreciates us. I appreciate that with SO MANY employees that he doesn’t need to remember my name, but I hope he remembers my smile. And it’s ok if he doesn’t because a smile is new each time it is given. He remembered my smile. 

It’s being a fan that’s fun. And recognizing that encouragement is encouraging all around. Smiles are welcoming in the best of times, even in the worst of times. Smiles are more infectious than anything else. 

Faith. Faith is not infectious but faithful witness.  Wisdom helps in knowing the difference between an idol and fandom, and also not to put faith in humanity.  Knowing God is God is a witness and commitment to looking for truth, finding the Rock in a sea of fluff, even trusting in the hard times in a ‘God and us’ relationship that maybe some others don’t understand. We know that our faith sustains. And we know that Sustainer. Faith is a smile given back and forth between our dust and God.

So, endless praise for God. One True God. Idols of the past (and the fake gods like the golden calf, like Baal, etc) and idols of our time (money, fame, people) are not going to sustaining, not going to be working out FOR us. Idolatry requires us to give everything to that relationship and nothing is given back. Idols, in other words are idle.

God is God and gives. He already gave until it hurt. And He is not idle, working every day in every way for our good.

We can praise! “It is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 115 is a pinnacle of praise. How awesome that the Lord Himself gave us words to praise. Wisdom knows God is working always, for LOVE. 

Amen (and please read Psalm 115 with a smile).

Amen

Psalm 115

.

Not to us, Lord, not to us  

but to your name be the glory,

because of your love and faithfulness.

.

Why do the nations say,

 “Where is their God?”

Our God is in heaven;

he does whatever pleases him.

But their idols are silver and gold,

made by human hands.

They have mouths, but cannot speak,

eyes, but cannot see. 

They have ears, but cannot hear, 

noses, but cannot smell. 

They have hands, but cannot feel, 

feet, but cannot walk, 

nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Those who make them will be like them, 

and so will all who trust in them.

.

All you Israelites, trust in the Lord-

he is their help and shield.

House of Aaron, trust in the Lord-

he is their help and shield.

You who fear him, trust in the Lord-

he is their help and shield.

.

The Lord remembers us and will bless us:

He will bless his people Israel,

he will bless the house of Aaron,

he will bless those who fear the Lord

small and great alike.

.

May the Lord cause you to flourish,

both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

.

The highest heavens belong to the Lord, 

but the earth he has given to mankind.

It is not the dead who praise the Lord, 

those who go down to the place of silence;

it is we who extol the Lord,

both now and forevermore.

.

Praise the Lord.

.

.

.