Who Am I ?

(written May 14, 2010)

I woke up with an overwhelming desire to thank God for my wonderful, rich life with Him and for all His many gifts to me. My mind is searching to find the right words of praise to offer Him. I strain to say the inexpressible and to speak words of love in a new language, unknown to mortal men. Even in this, I depend on His goodness. How do I thank Him enough for the Gift of the Holy Spirit, which gives me words of praise, love, and adoration that He alone can comprehend? On the eve of the celebrating my 60 years on this planet, I opened my Bible to my bookmark this morning to find the words of Psalm 103, which say so many things in my heart -

"Bless the Lord, my soul,
bless his holy name, all that is in me!
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and remember all his kindnesses:

in forgiving all your offenses,
in curing all your diseases,
in redeeming your life from the Pit,
in crowning you with love and tenderness,
in filling your years with prosperity,
in renewing your youth like an eagle's.

The Lord, who always does what is right,
is always on the side of the oppressed . . .

The Lord is tender and compassionate,
slow to anger, most loving;
his indignation does not last forever,
his resentment exists a short time only;
he never treats us, never punishes us,
as our guilt and our sins deserve.

No less than the height of heaven over the earth
is the greatness of his love for those who fear him;
he takes our sins farther away
than the east is from the west.

As tenderly as a father treats his children,
so the Lord treats those who fear him;
he knows what we are made of,
he remembers we are dust.

Man lasts no longer than the grass,
no longer than a wild flower he lives,
one gust of wind, and he is gone,
never to be seen again . . . ".

Two songs by Casting Crowns sum up these themes: "Who Am I?" and "East is to West". They are worth a listen - when you have 10 minutes. The words are inspired and the music is compelling.- see attached links to youtube videos

"Who Am I ? ====>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQzhdWJFHbI
"East is to West" ====>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo

Gary