Group Hug...cloud nine :)

 This week what have you asked God for?  When you prayed did you go over the list you have prepared in your mind?  Those who are sick, those who are grieving, lost souls, the needy, our country and its leaders?  We all have a "list".  Then we always manage to squeeze a few things in that aren't on the list.  Lord, you know I could use a raise!  Insurance!  Help with paying the bills!  A plumber!  Back to school problems! Traffic!  Lord, don't let that gas light come on yet!  Every thing from the big stuff to the small stuff.  And the great thing about God is that nothing is too small to pray about and nothing is too big for him to answer.  So as my week has progressed I have been "out of sorts"  I can't pinpoint any one thing but its like I am going one way and the universe is going another way.  I have been saying my prayers and asking-asking-asking!  Wednesday night Bible Study was Revelation Chapter 4.  I was reminded that I need to be Praising God and thanking God as well as asking!

Revelations 4:8
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come

Revelations 4:11
You are worthy, our Lord and God
to receive glory and honor and power

The song 10,000 reasons played over and over in my head this evening.  And I am thinking how many things can I think of to thank God for and to praise Him?  Psalm 103 says Bless the Lord O My Soul, O my soul Worship his Holy Name.   My soul sings, but sometimes my flesh takes over and I forget.  I forget that Jesus is ever near me, closer than a brother.  Holding my hand when I am struggling.  Embracing me when I am lonely.  Wiping my tears when I cry.  I was reminded this week that when we are nearing Heavens shore, even with our last breath, we need to praise Him.  Because He said He would never leave or forsake us- Hebrews 13:5
and in Genesis 28:15 He says I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.  Praise him in the good times, praise him in the bad.  And when our time comes its just hard for me to imagine what it will be like to enter the presence of my Savior, where there will be so much love!  I just want to run into his arms and get all loved up!  I can just hear it now!  Over the intercom in Heaven, "Group Hug Cloud Nine" :)

There is a song by Casting Crowns that sums it all up:

Your love is extravagant
your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
Your love is extravagant
Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known
You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

I am going to modify my prayers.  I am still asking for my hearts desires but I am making sure I count down those 10,000 reasons to praise HIM!