An Exercise in Praise ...

Friday, Aug 30, 2012. Everything you want to do well needs exercise. You need to do it again and again. You need to start with small things. You need to practice. You need to monitor what you do and do it again, try to improve the way you shape it … and when you continue good exercise with care, you can become a master in your activity.

Exercise in Praise …

Let us exercise praise. What is it, that is good in your life? When we practice praise, it does not mean we would completely ignore the challenges. When you practice praise, you might well see things which can be improved, goals which you want to reach. But the exercise is about noting the good things. Just observe them and verbalize them. I want to go into some examples …

I am very happy about my family, my wife, my kids, parents and further relatives. They are lovely, friendly and industrious. To a good extent they have learned to accept a wide range of habits and people. They started to know the Lord, and their heart is wide … isn't that fantastic?

I am happy about the division which I am leading and about many of my students and colleges. The people in my unit are smart scientists, most of them scientists by heart who are self-motivated working on our systems and scientific projects. It is a privilege to lead a team of self-motivated experts in an exciting area!

Praise the Lord …

I am happy about the Lord, who is helping me every day on many levels of my life. I might not see his work in all details, but what I see makes me glad. The biblical texts help me to stay on track, to stay motivated and thankful, to do what needs to be done. I am enthusiastic, since he gives me perspectives!

I am happy about the Lord, since he does care. I am happy that he is there, since without him the world would be quite empty and lost. I am happy that he is who he is, that his wonderful character features are there and are reflected in the biblical stories as well as in the life of those who follow him. It is good to be with him, day by day, and learn from him.

I am happy about his mercy. There are so many people, who do not know his forgiveness. I am so glad about his forgiveness, the spirit of acceptance in all differences, which he brings into my life. He provides the strength to work towards peace. He provides the strength to go a straight way. He provides the strength to be constructive against all odds, since he is the life. I am so glad about him! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts