praise

Writers and speakers have a difficult time pleasing all readers and listeners.  I hear that all the time.  It just can’t be done.  Sooooo some of you might enjoy this “It’s Saturday” and some might not.  BUT try to be open minded.  Remember, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN. 

OUTSIDE OF erv's HEAD

ItchieBitchie, who is intellectual, curious and open minded, says--There is a big difference between sincere humble praise and non-sincere fakie praise (i.e. praise to gain an advantage).  Oh ya!  Most folks can tell the difference.  Oh ya! SusieQ, who always doesn’t jump at it, says—Even DuaneTheWorm, as good as he is in deception, can’t fool all the folks. Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the folks some of the time some of the folks all the time, but you can’t fool all the folks all the time. GeorgeTheCrook says--BUT there are suckers alright!

I had a friend recently tell me that they don’t care to be around certain folks (i.e. they dodge them like playing dodge ball in physical ed class when they were in jr high) as they get the feeling that those folks think they are better than them (i.e. holier-than-thou) and it makes my friend fell uncomfortable (i.e. maybe that might be the reason why folks maybe don’t really care for that church she attends).  Oh ya! I told my friend—At our age, we don’t have to be around them! Oh ya!  Have you ever been in a one-sided relationship either romantically or casually?  How did it go?  Generally, not good is my experience. What should we do with one-sided-relationships when the others don’t respond to us at all or very little or limited?  What do you think? That is what I thought.

Woody Allen once said—80% of being successful is just showing up! Well, if we just show up, it is a form of praise to folks (i.e. like being a part of their life).  Some of best fun, enjoyable, rewarding times aren’t when they are planned but when we just show up (e.g. I connected with an old friend as we met going in and out of the bank the other morning; had the most delightful conversation about really good stuff of his life; an encouragement to him I think, an uplift).  Am I right? Sooo when we praise anyone unexpectedly (i.e. but sincerely) it is a win-win situation).  But if we don’t show up and use an opportunity, nuttin good is going to happen for sure, my opinion. I basically show up and hang out when I see our grandkids for short periods of time (i.e. I really don't have to say much).  I figure I can't go wrong!

RickyRick’s example of just showing up—"But the most painful storm of all is rejection. When your friend, your children, or your spouse feels rejected, you—and others close to them—need to rally around them and be there as a raincoat in the storm. Many years ago, my oldest child, Amy, was in high school. She tried out to be a cheerleader. She went to practice after practice for the tryouts. Eventually, her friends got accepted, but she was rejected—and it broke her heart. When she came home, she ran into her room, went into her closet, sat down on the floor, and burst into tears. Everyone in our family could hear Amy crying. And one by one, all on our own, we ended up walking into her room, sitting down on the floor in her closet with her, and crying with her. We didn’t give her any advice; she didn’t need advice. We didn’t say, “Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal.” It was a big deal! We didn’t say, “Don’t cry!” That’s an insensitive thing to say to somebody who’s grieving. Instead, we all sat there for about 30 minutes and just cried with her." I played pickleball the other morning.  The pickleball was ok but I had two very good conversations with folks between games (i.e. incredible).  A friend later told me that she talked to a guy who has had some health issues and was back but didn’t play for quite some time. He said, he missed pickleball but not soooo much for the game but for the social side of it.  BUT the physical side is very good (i.e. a great opportunity for exercise).  It was a beautiful morning and there was a huge massive crowd.  Of course there are some folks who are much more competitive than others in which the conversations aren’t very important.  Such is life.  We are all different now aren’t we! 

When we impower folks with our complete trust, I believe, it’s a very high level of praise (e.g. we left our small children with a young couple years ago when we went on vacation; we had complete trust in them and now they are not soooo young anymore and still do--great folks with good hearts, my kind of folks). Many years ago, our local doctor came into my office and put down a bunch of keys and a checkbook on my desk. He told me that his family was going on a year mission trip and I was to take care of his house.  I said I didn’t want to. You got tooooo, we are leaving tonight and he left. What was he thinking! I really didn’t want to be impowered!

INSIDE OF erv's HEAD

erv, do you like praise? erv, do you think God likes praise? How dumb are you erv?

Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: “Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.” 1 Chronicles 29:10 

PreacherMan sends me a devotion each day and recently he sent me one of Jonnie Tati Erickson’s. It really affected me (i.e. maybe the timing was just right for ervie).  Here is part of it:  “By all rights it was a battle God’s people should never have won. The odds against King Jehoshaphat and his outnumbered troops were astronomical. The frightened king had no strategy, no chariots, no allies, no time, and no army worth writing home about. But he had a secret weapon. He gathered the people and poured his heart out before God. He didn’t rattle his saber or make a patriotic speech. He just prayed as though his life depended on it—and it did. God answered, ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s’ (2 Chronicles 20:15). Within days the enemy was completely routed. The secret weapon? Praise! When it comes to a frontline defense against the Devil’s attacks, we often bypass praise and scramble to do something—anything—to remedy, rectify, or resolve the problem. Make lists, set goals, get counseling, go shopping, raid the fridge, read a book on the subject, or talk about it with others. But praise? Yet we learn from Jehoshaphat that praise must always be our first line of defense.”

James (i.e. anybody can be a James or a Jimmer) says--Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it  by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

I grew up in Roseland Reformed Church and went there for about 17 years until I went to college. We usually went Sunday mornings and nights soooo that is about 1,700 times.  We sang, as I remember, this doxology every time:  Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It’s all about praise praise and praise.

Here is a suggestion to you erv, why not make some of your prayers just praise prayers to God.  Just praise him about everything and anything and not ask Him for stuff.  Just praise, praise, and praise Him! erv, you live in a very self-centered world where it’s all about me BUT folks don’t just praise God very much it seems. Sooooo do it!

In a conversation erv, consider praising a friend, a family member, a business acquaintance, a neighbor (i.e. anyone) and then shut your mouth.  Don’t talk how great you are or think you are; they really don’t want to hear that, really (e.g. maybe I think my grandkids are great but they really don’t want to hear that either). It deflates the value of your praise to them erv, my opinion. 

What is the opposite of praise, erv?  I think it might be to slam someone or put them down.  I can do that quite easily if not vocally than in my mind (i.e. totally negative for my mind). What am I thinking and doing anyway.  What a jerk I can be.  I recently decided to pray for good things to happen to a person who I disagree with in how he thinks.  He isn’t necessarily a bad person I don't think but how he acts and thinks is bio-polar to what I think.  I am forced to be around him, but we don’t maybe enjoy being around each other. BUT I prayed for the best for him and felt way better (i.e. I praised him in sorta kinda a way I think). I still don’t have to be agree with him.  I really don’t dislike the guy but would rather not be around him most of the time as he irritates me.  Sooooo I think it’s better I’m not around him. I don’t have to be his friend.

God, I praise you, you are the almighty God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, the Prince of Peace, the ruler of everything, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, you are everything.  I stand in awe of your greatness even though I do not understand you or fathom your understanding.  You are amazing. Absolutely beyond my understanding.  You are God and I’m a human.

This is what Tony Dungy said in a daily devotion I read in his book that a friend gave me—a praise to me maybe—"There are others around us who need our help and encouragement a.k.a. praise; our role is to try to impact them in a positive way.”  I really think that is what I am to do God even though I’m not always soooo great at it.  But I can try!

The conclusion of this next story is up to you as to what’s in my head.  haha Soooo I was golfing with a buddy in Old Goats the other day.  I asked him about a mutual acquaintance who is a good friend of his.  Joe’s wife died about 3 years ago, Joe is about 80 I think.  Oh, my buddy said, he got married; he met this babe online, flew to the Caribbean and got married and moved to Montana.  Just like that? Yes, just like that.  What did their adult son do that has lived with them for years?  Well, I guess Joe decided that he was finally old enough to learn to take care of himself. Joe sold the house soooo he had to get an apartment.  Joe is heading for a new life.  What do you think is in my head about that story?  I’m not telling ya folks. You will never know. My golf buddy said she has a lot of money!!!!!! The criteria use to be—She doesn’t look like much, but she can really cook! haha

I'm in CO via Waukee. Praise God for Charlie, Rookie, Buggy and Jimmer! They are special to me. I asked all the grandkids to tell me something that makes them unique.

I especially enjoy being around my Waukee, IA kids in the morning.  They are morning kids and are fun to be around at breakfast.  They enjoy reading at breakfast. Sooooo Charlie, age 12, said--I am unique as I forgive people real quick; like in five minutes.  Rookie, age 9, said--I am unique because I like school; I like to learn.  

Jimmer, age 10, sorta kinda gave me a quality that makes him unique by not giving me one.  He is very soft spoken and a kid of few words and very tender.  He and I went for a walk on a trail in Highland Ranch while Heather was getting a facial (i.e. I asked her how much a facial cost--Dad, you don't want to know--ya, I do or I wouldn't of asked--you will just give me a hard time). Jimmer didn't say more than a few words on our walk.  When I asked him questions, he would usually speak with body language. I found out later that he had to have a filing at the dentist in the afternoon and was very nervous. Buggy, age 14, also wouldn't give me a quality that makes her unique.  She is definitely at an age that her hormones are all over the place, but that isn't probably a unique quality of a 14-year old girl. It seems her uniqueness is all over the place! Do any of you gals remember how you acted when you were 14? That is what I thought. Well, at the last minute they did produce.  Buggy said--I focus on my school work and get good grades. Jimmer said--I'm kind and a good sport.

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean said—Find the little things to make part of your day, like a day off.