PRAISE; This is another great word that is also a noun and a verb. It is the expression of approval and admiration for someone.

The man was full of praise for the woman he loved.

The man praised the women he loved.

I am not talking about the lip service kind of praise, but something much deeper.

During the short time that Diane and I were engaged to be married, just two months, we were seperated by distance. She was in Norfolk, Virginia, I was in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. I had no telephone service for quite a while and it would have cost long distance if I did. Letters became our main way of communicating. I looked forward to and was hungry for that pink envelope in my mailbox that showed up every four or five days. I wrote Diane every day.

Diane would tell me how things were progressing towards our wedding of course, but mostly it was personal words between her and me, how much she missed me, things like that. Mine to her were the same. Both of us told the other how much we loved them how thankful we were to have each other and little things, how handsome I am, (yea right) and how beautiful she is. We heaped praise on each other. We didn't see each other for weeks, didn't hear each others voice (she did send me a cassette once) and couldn't put our arms around each other but those letters and the words of praise they contained brought us closer together, they were emotional glue.

The next time I saw Diane, there were not enough words to express my love for her, my heart leaped and my eyes filled with tears.

Praise was good for me to give, and I know it was good for Diane to recieve and of course it worked the other way around. It still does, this real deep praise keeps us together. This praise isn't always in words, it can be the way she looks at me, her smile, the squeeze of my hand, all those little things add up and make our marriage stronger, keeps it working.

There are special times when our praise for each other, both spoken and unspoken, is so intense, so personal, it makes every other thought leave our heads.

Our relationship with God works the same way. Praise to Him is good for the one who gives it and God enjoys getting it. He created man and woman to have a relationship with. He created us to be part of His family. He loves us, sent His son to rescue us from our own sin. He created the universe for us, put all the stars and planets in their proper place to make this world we live on function.

We should give him praise. Great praise for who He is and what He has done and what He is about to do.

When was the last time you praised him? Really praised Him? The kind of praise that is so personal and so intense it makes every thought except those for Him leave your head?

Psalm 9: 1-10

1 I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

3 My enemies turn back;

they stumble and perish before you.

4 For you have upheld my right and my cause,

sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.

5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;

you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

6 Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,

you have uprooted their cities;

even the memory of them has perished.

7 The Lord reigns forever;

he has established his throne for judgment.

8 He rules the world in righteousness

and judges the peoples with equity.

9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,

a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 Those who know your name trust in you,

for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.