Darkness Must Pass

I've been on a bit of a Lord of the Rings kick lately, what with The Hobbit coming out.
This is one of my favorite quotes.
It reminds me that God is sovereign, and no matter how wretched and evil the world becomes, we will spend eternity in glory. And for now, we must keep fighting for what we believe in. Because it's worth fighting for.

"But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something."
"What are we holding onto, Sam?"
"That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for."

Strength!

I was reading Leslie Ludy's most recent devotional on her website (setapartgirl.com) and was both convicted and encouraged by this quote:

Despite the popular notion today that it is more spiritual to remain weak, struggling, and vulnerable, God desires to build us into valiant, valorous, fortified warriors who fear none but Him alone and are vulnerable to none but Him alone. Amazingly, the chief word that characterizes the Proverbs 31 woman is strength.  And all throughout the New Testament, we are constantly exhorted to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  

 

YES! I can't say that I am a "strong" person. Without getting too personal, I'm very sensitive, emotionally vulnerable, and unstable. But God desires for me to be strong in Him. It does not please Him when I cower from criticism and hate from non-believers. I must stay strong.

Repentance

Repentance can be so hard. But in the end, it feels so good. And I don't mean "good" in a fleshly, carnal way, but in a fulfilling, satisfying way.

Today I was reading in Colossians and found this verse:
"God made (us) alive together with Him, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross."

It reminded me of this verse in "It Is Well":
"My sin (oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!)
My sin, not in part, but the whole...
Is NAILED to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, oh my soul!"

Fairly simple words, but they've blessed me so much today.

Singleness

Discontentment with singleness is a hard thing to deal with. I know, because I struggle with it. What annoys me about myself is that even though I'm still really young (18), this dissatisfaction is a prominent thought in my mind. I look at (beautiful, wonderful) girls who are 21, 23, even 30, who strongly desire husbands but don't have one, and despise myself for being so impatient and frivolous. How bad will it be, I ask myself, when you're still feeling the same way 5 years from now? What if God never gives you a husband? Will you just be depressed for the rest of your life? I desire to get to a point where I can think about having a significant other without a feeling of desperation, but can still say, "that sounds good right about now!" I know it's incredibly unrealistic for me to lose a desire for marriage completely - and I do believe this is a good desire, until it becomes idolization - although the power of God over the human mind is, of course, NOT limited. This is problematic for me because I'm an all-or-nothing kind of girl. Typically, I'm either uninterested or obsessed. Lately, God has been so gracious to me, and turned my boy obsession and longing into a softer, less lingering desire. But the discontentment is still there.

Then comes the tugging at my heart, and I remember that of course I'm still struggling, because I haven't turned to Scripture and prayer to solve this problem. So to combat these emotions, I did a little Word search and came up with these verses (and quotes from other Christians). I hope this helps anyone who feels the way I do.


Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

"Sometimes God lets you hit rock bottom so that you discover *He* is the Rock at the bottom." - Tony Evans

"The only one who can satisfy the human heart is the one who made it." (I don't know who said this)

Convicting!!

Amen!

If you're a woman who desires to get married, but doesn't have a significant other, and you're older than 18 and you think it's ridiculous that I'm struggling with discontentment at my age, I'm truly sorry. You're probably right. But, it's how I feel, and when I feel, I think, and when I think, I write, and when I write, I blog.

Summertime Update

Hey all!
So, summer has come and hit full stride. I know this because I'm sitting in bed in my PJs with no make-up, drinking coffee with the covers over me at 11:30 a.m. Hah! Laziness is my best and worst friend...I've covered this already on this blog, right? Great! I don't need to again. ;)
Graduation has come and gone. That's right...13 (THIRTEEN!) years of home-schooling has come to a close. This is bittersweet. I LOVE being home-schooled. I love the flexibility of it, the independence and self-motivation I've learned (though I'll admit that's not my strongest point.....), the freedom from bad influences of peers (don't get me wrong, please...I AM socialized!) and the biblical worldview you get from Christian curriculum. But at the same time, I'm ready to move on to a new stage of life. College! It would be more dramatic if I were leaving home, but I'm not. It's community college for this girl. And that's just fine with me.

Before I graduated, I got my Senior Pictures done. I love them! My photographer did an awesome job. If you're in the Chicagoland area and need a good, creative, and well-priced photographer, check him out at http://danielsather.com/. You won't be disappointed!

In other news, well this isn't really "news," but I welcomed a new addition back in April. This is Briar, my rabbit. He made an appearance in my Senior photos because he's that precious to me. :-)

Isn't he a cutie? He's pretty feisty, though. But it gives him personality. I like it better than a dull, lifeless thing that sits in his cage all day chewing hay. Well, that is Briar a chunk of the time, but he sure has a punch to him!! He likes to cuddle, for only for a while, ADORES sweet potatoes, and likes to wake Mom up at 6 a.m. loudly scratching on the bottom of his cage. I really love him. My Mom says I'm ridiculous the way I talk to him and she's probably right. Just wait until I have a more "advanced" pet, like a DOG...much less an actual human BABY! ;)

That's all that's new with me. A shower, a real breakfast, and the need for a clean bunny cage calls.

Have an amazing weekend!!

Romans 8:32

"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?"

Today in my quiet time, I read a really great commentary on this verse by John Piper that I wanted to share. He talked about how this is the foundation that nothing can shake. He said it is "so strong and so solid and so secure that there is absolutely no possibility that the promise could ever be broken. This is what makes it an ever-present strength in times of great turmoil. Whatever else gives way, whatever else disappoints, whatever else fails, this all-encompassing promise of future grace can never fail."

This got to me. I struggle with triviality a lot. I look for shallow entertainment. Why? Because it's mindless, and I can just forget about the world and all of my problems. It's a very bad habit. But then, there are those times when only God's truth matters to me, and nothing else, period. Just last weekend, my parents and I went out to Evan's college in Iowa to watch his graduation ceremony. (On a side note: great job, bro!! So proud of you!) The weather was beautiful, but suddenly, the sky turned VERY dark and it started to rain hard. We were in a mall when the tornado sirens went blaring. We were corralled into a back room and had to sit and wait for the sirens to go off. I wasn't too scared, considering I've heard many tornado sirens in my life that turned out to be false alarms. But then, I heard the wind, even from the cement-covered room. And I could swear I heard something crashing and crumbling. Everyone in the room got very quiet. My stomach churned at first, but then I thought, "It's okay. If I die, I know where I'm going. And my parents are here, too - how perfect! They're the ones I worry about leaving behind the most. They say there is nothing worse than losing a child. But they'd just come along with me! And so would Evan! Oh, but what about Laura, Anna and Jeremy? And my friends? And..." Well, anyway, the point is, I didn't care about trivial things like clothes or make-up at that moment. All that mattered was life and death. The small things, piled on top of the foundation that Piper talks about, were swept away. All that mattered was the cross and what had been accomplished for me.

Of course, this tornado never reached us. It DID touch down, only a few miles from where we are, actually. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I spent the rest of that day feeling fulfilled. No, I didn't have everything my heart desired - far from it. But I had Jesus. I realized, very acutely, that when it really comes down to it, I have all I need. I have my strong foundation. And everything else just...doesn't matter.

Just something I felt like sharing. God is good. :)

Happy Belated New Year!

ALMOST FIVE MONTHS!! Wow, Emma! Way to fail at blogging. ;) I wish I could come up with some great excuse, like I've been diagnosed with some ultra-rare blood disease and I've been in and out of the hospital since October. (Okay, maybe I don't wish that.) But truth is, I've been bit by the L-bug. No, not lust, the other one. ;) Since October, I have been struggling a lot with the senioritis bug. I just want to be done. My teacher told me the other day that Seniors who decide who just have fun during their last year in High School do much worse in their college freshman year. And she's right. Still, it's hard.

In happy news, I'm now (well, have been for some time...) an official member of Grace Covenant Church! Yay!! I really love my church family. They are so sweet and encouraging, but love each other enough to point out sins, too. My pastor and his wife adopted an adorable baby in Nov. He is so precious!! Sometimes, it's hard for me to wait for motherhood (if that is God's plan of course), but I know that I need to be satisfied with God in each and every stage of life. It can be tempting, especially when people ask me, "you're almost 18. Don't you want a boyfriend?!" Yes and no. Really, it should be just no. But God is with me still. :)

I got a new iPod for Christmas, and we got wireless internet in our house. Okay people, this is dangerous. I don't mean that in an "I'm-tempted-to-look-at-bad-stuff" way, but in an "I-never-get-work-done-when-I-should-because-Angry-Birds-is-so-addicting" way. Ah!

I'm feeling a little under the weather today, and my Mom suggested I take a nap before I get really sick. So I'd better sign off for now. I'll end this extremely random post with a piccie of me and my sweet "niece," Lulu. I love her!!

My Prayer

“Bad company corrupts good character.” - 1st Corinthians 15:33

Sometimes, the weight of the world presses on me
so hard that I can hardly breathe -
Only short breaths pulse through my lungs,
I cannot breathe deeply.
Just as it is with bad company
they tighten us, strain us
Only shallow thoughts flick through our mind,
we make ourselves content with the trivial.

Our character begins to decay with time
the influence of those we know
chipping away at our passion, our desire
for our one and only true God.
This is my prayer -
that we would turn away from anything
that threatens to minimize our desire for Christ
and maximize our tolerance - no, even our love -
for things that He abhors.
That we would shake our heads and defend
the truths we hold in our hearts
from His word.

This is my prayer.

Bloggy Makeover!

 

Welcome to my new and improved blog! :) Joy, for me, is not usually something I struggle to have. But in my sophomore and junior year, I experienced some pretty hard "down-yos." Thus, Joy in the Morning was perfect for my life at that moment in time. God has mercifully taken away much of the sadness and discontentment that I experienced during that time...but as you may have guessed from my last post, discontentment still lingers and I know in my heart of hearts that it's because of my irrational doubt about God's true fullness and the satisfaction He brings merely by being in our lives. May I constantly be reminding myself that His love is truly unfailing...as precious and edifying as our relationships here on earth may be, they will inevitably fail us from time to time just as we fail others, being the fallen beings we are. 

My favorite singer, Chris Tomlin, wrote this song...just as Sovereign Grace's song "Joy in the Morning" was sort of my "bloggy theme song" before I changed it, this song, "Unfailing Love," will be fulfilling the same purpose. Enjoy. :)

A Follow-Up from my Last Post

I wanted to add this quote from one of my favorite authors, Leslie Ludy. I think it fits in perfectly with what I was trying to convey the other night, and it's been a huge challenge & encouragement for me lately.

"Even a beautiful God-scripted love story can never satisfy the way Jesus does. Even the most heroic and Christlike man on earth can never fulfill the longings of our heart like the true Prince and lover of our soul (Jesus Christ). And until we are able to truly make Him our first love, until we are willing to give up our dream of an earthly love story for His sake, we will never know the fullness of Him who fills us all in all. We will always be looking to a mere man to meet the desires of our heart, rather than to the One who created us, who knows us better than we know ourselves, and who gave His very life's blood to rescue us."

Beautiful, true words.

Right Now.

Right now, I am walking and holding Jesus' left hand.
On His right, I notice that there is a young man walking steadily
holding His right hand, I can't see who that person is, nor do I know
when he will be mine.
Jesus is standing in my way.
At first, I am anxious and I feel unrest in my heart; I want to let go
of Jesus' hand and grab the young man's hand instead.
But Jesus whispers to me, "Keep holding on."
Then I realize that the more I look at Jesus
the less I worry about the person on the other side.
Jesus is enough to satisfy me...His strong hand in
mine is all I need right now.
Years pass, and the three of us tread onward.
While I cannot deny my longing to see and touch
the grown man holding Jesus' right hand,
the strong, perfect hand in my own right grips me tightly
and does not let go, and my longing for that man is calmed.
My curiosity grows - but it never overcomes my deep love for Jesus.
Then one day, I feel Jesus squeeze my hand lightly, and I turn to gaze
into His precious eyes...they gaze back at me and He smiles.
Then he whispers..."It is time."
He brings the man's hand and places it gently in mine.
Then He releases our hands, only to walk behind us,
with two hands placed firmly
on our shoulders.
I revel deeply in the joy that the hand holding mine brings me,
but even more so,
I rejoice in the hands that are on our shoulders,
guiding us,
protecting us,
holding us up.

Lately, God has been convicting me of some serious idolatry. I am putting all of my confidence and finding all my hope and joy into the created rather than the Creator. I won't deny that, even though I'm only 17 (as my family members are quick to point out...I am grateful for their accountability!) I'm experiencing some fierce longings for an earthly romance, a pure and innocent wedding, and a sweet family to call my own. All good things in and of themselves...but to let go of Jesus' hand, running after these things that will only happen in this life? 

I hope this analogy can encourage anyone going through the same thing...the discontentment, the impatience (at my age, I know, I KNOW!), the pressure from all of the guys and girls who bounce from one boyfriend/girlfriend to the other, seemingly content and joyful with all of the attention and comfort that that brings. (As if.)

For those who long to sing this:

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - Psalm 16:11

Fullness of joy...FULL. Complete. In HIS presence. At HIS right hand.

Forevermore.

Le Chemin, Le Verite, et La Vie.

A Little Creation for You All :)

I'm so sorry that I've neglected posting. I visit this blog every day (to check for comments and visit other blogs, you know, the norm) and I always feel a twinge of guilt for not posting. But then I never do. Ahh!

Well, about 5 weeks ago, my family and I went to our cabin on an island in Lake of the Woods, Canada. It's an incredible place and I always feel God's presence SO acutely when I'm there. It's very much in the middle of nowhere and there's no people around, except for the occasional boat. I love it, because it's the perfect getaway and the peacefulness makes me feel more content and ready to dive into God's word and worship. I had a TON of fun with my camera (I got it AFTER Canada last year so I hadn't used it there yet. SO exciting!) and with subsequent editing on Picnik. ;) Enjoy...and let's never, ever stop marveling at our Creator.

Just look at this sunset!! I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. Oh, those COLORS!!!

Every time I'm riding the boat out to our island, this is the song that runs through my head:

Indescribable by Chris Tomlin

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same...
You are amazing God!

Always a Purpose

Has anyone ever had a billion self-defeating thoughts rush into your head at once, so fast that all you feel like doing is crying and saying, "I'M JUST NOT WORTH IT!" Because I sure have. Today was one of those days. I'm constantly feeling like I'm just, not, good, enough! I'll never have what I want because what I want is too 'good' for me. Thoughts like: That brilliantly intelligent/very attractive/very spiritually mature (whatever they happen to be!) guy will NEVER like ME! rush into my head. That's a good example, unfortunately, there's so much more. These thoughts are not only a worthless cycle, but I think it goes deeper. You know? There's some trust issues I've got to work on.

 My precious Father loves me and has the most wonderful plan for my life, but here's the catch: I'll be miserable with what He's got unless...unless I am in Him and He has helped me shape my desires to His. Until then, my whole life will be drudgery: Waiting for high school to end will seem like I'm a marshmallow that God is getting ready to toast for smore's, completing college essays will seem like God slowly putting that stick through my abdomen, and waiting for my husband to make his stellar appearance will seem like God sloowwlllyyy roasting me over the fire. Fun, no?

And yet, there is another option. As long as I am in Christ, there is no drudgery...there is beautiful purpose. There is time to grow in the Word, to get lost in prayer, to completely lose myself in my Savior! The Christian life always has a God-given purpose, whether single or married, full of babies or barren, rich or poor... How amazing is that??

 I feel like I'm not good enough for what I desire, which is a family, but I'm realizing that it's not about being "good" enough, it's about waiting for God to shape and mold you, and to wait for His timing while all the time getting to know Him better. This was/is a huge lesson for me! I'm going to pray that God would continue to help us all be content...whether it be with our singleness, or with our barrenness, or just with anything we may want but not feel ready or worthy of attaining. God is enough to satisfy!

"As for God, his way is perfect" - Psalm 18:30

"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" - Jeremiah 29:11

"The pain now is part of the pleasure later." - C.S. Lewis
 

"Our mentality is: 'God, tell me who, tell me when, and tell me how...and then I'll trust You!' What God wants us to see is that if He did this, our trust wouldn't be real. We want a definitive answer so that we don't feel weak, vulnerable and dependent on Him. But guess what? We are weak, vulnerable and dependent on Him. And it's only when we realize our true condition that God can demonstrate His love on our behalf." - Joshua Harris

Summer Camp Overview

 

Wow - what a week! I'm only just now getting to posting stuff on here. What can I say? It was a great time to grow in my walk. Our speaker was awesome - his name was Mike Salvati and he spoke about the gospel and how we can prevent becoming over-familiar with it and letting it become same-old, same-old.

He talked about how cultivating humility helps us in this fight. Realizing how insignificant we are compared to God's greatness gives us a humble heart, and we're more ready to open up our hearts and admit that we NEVER outgrow the gospel, we NEVER outgrow simple doctrine, and we NEVER stop needing God's grace, His grace that came to us because of the cross.

I'm not the only one impacted by his messages! I think the subject was perfect for our youth group...the majority of us have grown up in Christian homes and we are most definitely subject to become apathetic towards "simpler" theology and bible stories. I've come away from the week with, by God's grace, a humbler spirit. I've fallen into the pit of self-righteousness so many times. Growing up with godly parents (which has been a huge blessing, of course!) has sometimes tempted me to think "I know it all". But I don't know it all. I never want to let the gospel grow old.

Another convicting message was one of the workshops, given by Jordan F., our (hilarious!) game planner & leader. He really laid it out...his topic was on worldliness and materialism. I'm very much tempted by materialism. I rely on cute clothes and food to bring me joy more often than prayer and bible reading. It's hard to admit that, it's just so wrong! Why would I find silly, shallow things more joy-giving than God Himself?? Jordan did a great job of digging deep into our minds and unearthing our motives that cause our materialism. I feel more motivated to fight this sin.

In any case, it was an awesome, awesome week. The place we were - Conference Point Center in Lake Geneva - was BEAUTIFUL. We were on a peninsula surrounded by the lake and there were these swings dotted around the camp. I loved sitting to do my TAG (Time alone with God) time on this bench, right outside the gorgeous Victorian house all the girls stayed in:

I LOVED it! If I wanted Liz or Rachel or another friend, I could just call for them instead of trekking to their cabin. Hah!! It was an amazing week!

I'll leave you with this picture of a chipmunk that was running around - I'm really grateful for my camera's zoom! Hehe!

He's a cutie!

"...Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified..." 1st Corinthians 1:22-23

Tomorrow...

...I leave for Summer Camp!! I know it'll be an amazing, amazing week (it always is). I'm on Green Team just like last year, so I had fun this week scrounging around for all things green in my house! (And the mall...) Please pray that we would have great fellowship, growth, conviction and encouragement this week.
.
On a completely unrelated note, the other day I was outside with my camera and I saw this little guy:

 

I came a little bit closer to I could get some good shots of him and his nut:

 

Heehee!! I LOVE his face!!

When he saw me coming closer, he ran up the tree to eat his nut in peace.

 

I LOVE this - I think it looks like he's praying!! Hah!!

See you all next week - I'm sure I'll have LOTS of stories, encouragements and pictures to share!! :)

Carnal and Unbelieving

It's been so beautiful here lately. The weather has been warm, but not too hot, and sunny. I'm beginning to realize how much it affects my mood. I'm so much happier when it's nice outside. It's like my brain and sun are somehow connected...when the sun is behind the clouds, my own mind clouds over. 

And when my mind clouds over, it's like I'm a different person. I'm impatient, sometimes rude to my family and I'm just not very happy. Worst of all, I'm less motivated to meditate on the Word. I'm less motivated to honor God in all I think, say and do. I just want to curl up with a blanket and play spider solitaire, shunning all of my schoolwork and chores and devotionals. And then when the clouds clear, and it's sunny and bright, and warm...I take my dog out on a walk, turn on the worship music on my iPod and I feel alive again. It just depends on outward circumstances. Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone feel like they can't motivate themselves to be on fire for Jesus when the weather's bad? Or they're sick? Or they're in a bad mood? 

I'm realizing that He is who He is, no matter where I am. God is still the same even when I'm not. Still, it's a struggle to get into this mentality. I need Him so much!

It is not the distance of the earth from the sun, nor the sun's withdrawing itself, that makes a dark and gloomy day; but the interposition of clouds and vaporous exhalations. Neither is thy soul beyond the reach of the promise, nor does God withdraw Himself; but the vapours of thy carnal, unbelieving heart do cloud thee.-John Owen

This quote is very encouraging to me. It reminds me that no matter how I'm feeling, God is still the same. He never forsakes me. In my sinful, fickle nature, I just refuse to seek Him.

Just some thoughts. It's a little bit gloomy today, and of course, I'm feeling a little down. But writing this is helpful. It's good to admit when we're struggling. If we act as though sin doesn't exist, we're denying ourselves and lying to others. I've been feeling convicted of this, too. It's so hypocritical to pretend like everything's dandy when we obviously need accountability, fellowship and encouragement each other. I don't know what I would do without these things! :)

...

On a different note, I need some prayer. In two weeks and 4 days (I'm so excited!!) my youth group is leaving for summer camp. I LOVE summer camp, but the past two years my team has gotten 4th place. Now, I'm paranoid that it'll happen 3 years in a row. This is so ridiculous!! It's so prideful to let a silly little thing like THAT get in the way of my feelings during camp. With all of the teaching we hear, the songs we worship with, and the fellowship we have, that's all I'm concerned about?? I need an attitude change!!

...

I'll leave you with this song: (Again, rather unrelated...I'm in an eclectic mood, haven't you noticed? Hehe!)

Isn't this boy amazing?? I love his version. Be Thou My Vision is my absolute favorite song in the world, no question about it. This gave me so much joy. :)

For You and You alone

In our hearts, Lord, in this nation
Awakening
Holy Spirit, we desire
Awakening

For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me

In Your presence, in Your power
Awakening
For this moment, for this hour
Awakening


I need this often. I wake up in the morning, I wash my face, I drink coffee. I go about my day, I pray, I read God's word, I listen to my praise music. I feel His presence all the time...I know He's always there. Yet I still need an awakening. My natural inclination is to sin, to not please God. I need an awakening sometimes, and I think we all do.


Like the rising sun that shines...
From the darkness comes a light...
I hear Your voice, and this is my
Awakening.

Hallejuah!

It is finished.

John Piper on Worship

In my quiet time this morning (I'm doing Life as a Vapor), I read John Piper's letter to a man who was against worship because it made God seem 'arrogant', especially since we didn't 'ask' to be created.

Piper mentioned a few things that struck a chord with me. 

He mentioned that, of course, God is more than worthy of our praise. He is greatly to be praised because He is great! "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised." (Psalm 96:4) Also, Piper says the Bible talks about praise as being pleasurable in Psalm 16:11. This is all undeniable.

But some of my favorite things Piper said was that God demands praise from us because He demands happiness from us. "Deep in our hearts we know that we were not made to be made much of. We were made to make much of something great. The best joys are when we forget ourselves, enthralled with greatness. The greatest greatness is God's." How beautiful is that? He couldn't have said it better - the most joyful moments lie in the moments when we aren't focused on ourselves. Standing before Niagara Falls. Canoeing through the shining lake in Canada. Standing in the Sears Centre with a thousand other people, singing God with Us by MercyMe...just like the picture above. 

Another beautiful thing Piper talks about is that God gifts us with praise out of love. "The reason God seeks our praise is not because He won't be complete until He gets it. He is seeking our praise because we won't be complete until we give it. This is not arrogance. It is love." See, it all makes sense now. Of course God doesn't NEED our praise. He doesn't need anything! It's us that are in need. And so God gives. He gives us the gift of music so that we can feel His presence and revel in His beauty. For me at least, worshiping makes me despise sin. Because in those moments of praise it's so clear: God is so infinitely better than anything our sin promises. Worship is such a gift. An amazing, beautiful gift!

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!

For He has done marvelous things; 

His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.
The LORD has made known His salvation;

His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel;

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;

Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.
Sing to the LORD with the harp,

With the harp and the sound of a psalm,
With trumpets and the sound of a horn;

Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King.
      
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness,

The world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands;

Let the hills be joyful together
before the LORD, 

For He is coming to judge the earth. 

With righteousness He shall judge the world, 

And the peoples with equity.

-Psalm 98