Thought for the day – Friday 8 May

Thought for the day - Friday 8 May
Dear All
I’ve just been listening to Amanda Holden on Breakfast TV speaking about her personal experiences and how much she and her family came to rely on the wonderful people who cared for them in the NHS. She spoke of them ‘holding their hands’ in their time of need. I thought what she said was really quite moving.
After singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ she spoke about the loss of her first baby and of her sister who was seriously injured in a car accident. She shared this in explaining what the song meant to her and of how it came about that she was releasing her first-ever album at this time.
I’ve never heard Amanda speak before with the exception of TV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. She was full of praise. Praise is important both for those who receive it and for those who give it. Those who receive praise feel good and their spirits are lifted. It also motivates and encourages to do even more and better.
For those who give praise and thanks, there is that sense of fulfilment in responding to something good and helpful done to us or for us. Praise is part of the language of relationship and without it, relationships suffer and can die.
Not all of the Psalms are ones of praise, however, and the writer complained and questioned God too. Some of the Psalms were about confession and regret, others lament and prayers for the nation and of celebration.
If today you feel moved to praise someone, go ahead and do it. Our praising God and our praising one another is not about eloquence or duty but rather of heartfelt sincerity.
Thanks be to God!
Today I ask you to think/meditate on these things.
God bless you!

Jim

JBoag@churchofscotland.org.uk

PSALM 145

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfils the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

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