Praising God is my responsibility...

God has done so many things for me that I couldn’t begin to tell you about it in a blog or in one testimony. If I attempted to do that, it would be an abridged version or similar to a short movie trailer limiting my time and explanation. It wouldn’t do my Jesus any justice. Therefore, because praising God is what I am supposed to do, it is reflected in what the young folks call my “swagger.” Put simply, my praise is reflected in my journey and manifested in my spirit thus exuded in my walk. And if you talk the talk, it must be coupled with the walk or it will have no meaning or truth.

I find praise in all that I do from sunrise to sunset. I praise His name when the warmth of the sun shines through my window in the morning or through the clouds on a gray day. I manage to find sunshine in the midst of each and every storm. I offer thanksgiving as I cook my meals and am encouraged to continually praise His name as He continually blesses me. God has planted my feet in every place I've desired to go as well as in places He has needed me to go. He has allowed me to survive this journey in spite of the road blocks I’ve faced. God has smiled on me and I'll continue to praise His name today, tomorrow and each day that He allows me to be in His service.

I praise Him not because it is a part of who I am but because it is my responsibility. I can never repay God for all He has done for me but I will praise Him until my last breath…

Who is your MVP?

Who is your MVP? So many people have been given that honor. Who would you give the honor to? The other day I heard someone mention an athlete as an MVP of a game and my thoughts immediately turned to who I thought might be deserving of such an award.

In sports and in different aspects of life people receive the honor of being referred to as the most valuable player which equates to the individual who performed the best during the game or event. There are others awarded for acting, singing, writing and directing. The people that win these awards are rewarded for amazing performances, story lines or creations. When I sit back and think about my life, I can only think of one honoree that supersedes all others and is deserving of my MVP award. Receiving the highest praise, my honoree would be Jesus because He is the most valuable player in my life.

Jesus doesn't have to shoot the ball from beyond the three point line nor does He have to run the fastest leg in a relay to get my praise and worship. I don't praise Him just for what He has done but for what He can do. His ability extends far beyond menial accomplishments into things man could never do. Jesus wakes me up everyday, guides my steps, heart and mind. He makes the sun rise and set. He makes the rain fall, the sky blue and the snow stick. Jesus does more than what any rapper, singer, dancer, athlete or human being can do for me. Is Jesus afforded the same praise daily for His performance or is all the praise and worship left to singers or actors as they stroll across the stage? Maybe His praise is given to the athletes that score the winning goal or throws the fastest pitch.

God has given these people the talent that has made them who they are just as he gave me talent to sing His praises. However, "they" should not be honored or praised more often than He. Some people worship these idols and when they let them down, they become angered and upset. What do they expect when they idolize man and not God? The scripture reminds us not to worship any man. After all, they can catch a ball that hangs over a fence or throw a football from one end zone to the next, but they can't--provide you with an endless amount of miracles, take the sickness out of your mind and body or strengthen your spirit and provide all of your needs.

My MVP, the only recipient of my Grammy, Stellar and Oscar will always be Jesus. No one can compare to Him despite anything they do that might appear to be supernatural. It is just an ability that will allow me to cheer for them in the moment. Afterwards I offer up my praise to the one deserving all of my praise-- Jesus, He is my MVP.