"Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders!

He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.

God made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.

He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.

The whole earth comes to attention.
Look—God's work of salvation!

Shout your praises to God, everybody!
Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!

Round up an orchestra to play for God,
Add on a hundred-voice choir.

Feature trumpets and big trombones,
Fill the air with praises to King God.

Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,
With everything living on earth joining in.

Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!"
And mountains harmonize the finale—

A tribute to God when he comes,
When he comes to set the earth right.

He'll straighten out the whole world,
He'll put the world right, and everyone in it." Psalm 98

Thank You for that, God. A little pick-me-up after a sad morning. I know that You are sovereign and all life is Yours, but I can't help but feel a little responsible for the fate of Adam the fish. We did all that we knew to do, but he just looked too sick. I had NO idea I'd be this obsessed with fish!!! I didn't even hover over my children with this much concern. Maybe because I haven't had other babies die in my care, but have had other fish die. The possibilities are more real to me. While we cycle the tank, I know the balance of chemicals is so fragile. Thinking about the conditions for fish survival reminds me of the astoundingly limited parameters for the existence of life in the universe.

Lord, You are AMAZING! You nestle us within the spiral wings of the Milky Way, protected by big brother Jupiter, sauntering along our specific orbital path, encircled in a lovely dress of lacy clouds, enjoying a controlled pirouette with our dance partner the moon, tilted just so, with the warm sun on our face... Every inch of our nakedness covered with astonishingly diverse topography and life, skin dotted everywhere with goosebumps of souls attentive to Your touch... What a beautiful Bride You have created! I can't wait to be a part of the Body that dances with You on our Wedding Day!

I am so sorry for the adultery I've committed with Evil. I continue to flirt with him even though I know I was made for YOU! Even though You have given me the dowry of Your Life, and have told me that I am privy to Your glorious riches! What does Satan have to offer that I don't already have with You? I am SO SELFISH! I want it ALL - all the good and all the garbage that looks so nice on the outside but is rotted to the core. I want my way until I get myself in trouble and THEN I want Your way. I want righteousness without discipline. Relationships without work. Possessions without upkeep. Money without obligations. Duties without responsibility. I want more and more with no fee. Maturity without pain. Good feelings all the time. Only do things that I want to do, when I want to do them. Beauty without imperfections. Things to stay like they are and not get broken, not die, not get dirty. I want to know it all without study. I want the whole earth to revolve around me and my agenda. I want people to serve my every whim. And who wouldn't?!?

But I am not YOU! Only You could be trusted with handling that power rightly. You could do anything You wanted with Your creation, yet You chose to love us, tenderly craft us for a specific purpose, care for us, die for us, live inside us, build us up, guide us, mold us into better people, give us awesome stuff to do, allow us to love and serve You and each other... What a great and GOOD God You are! Thank You for not giving me everything I want. Thank You for loving me enough to be patient and kind with me. Thank You for forgiving me every horrible thing I've ever done and ever will do. How can I express my gratitude besides obeying You? How better than to praise Your Name and live Your Words? How can I get enough of You? Why do I ever want to spend time with anyone over You? I want to ask You this - how can I experience Your presence more fully and more consistently? Is it something I need to grow in, or something I need to do, or something I need to let You do? However it happens, I pray it does! I long for You, Lord. Please fill me up to the tippy top :).