Adirondack with magine!
02.01.2010
  
Adirondack Header with magine
Michael Fox CPCC,
founder of magine!,
is a professional
coach and trainer,
author and creative artist, whose work has been featured throughout
the world.

Michael is a
Certified Practitioner
of the
Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator.

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"Taste and see..."      
In the movie, Beaches, Bette Midler plays a delightfully self-absorbed, loquacious woman, an entertainer--the role must have been quite a stretch for the acclaimed actress--who shares a lifelong, turbulent friendship with a daughter of privilege. At one point in the story the two women are talking. Well, actually, Bette Midler is talking...and talking...and talking. Finally, she pauses, smiles, draws a deep breath, and says: "Enough about me. What about you? What do you think about me?"

 

How do you feel when someone similarly invites your compliments? I thought so. Well, that being so, what do you think of the numerous times in scripture when God invites--indeed, demands--the praise of men? Ouch. The psalms of ancient Israel, for example, are replete with supplications like these:   

 

Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the LORD's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD!  

(Psalm 117:1-2, NLT).   

 

What, then, is the difference--if any--between a person who elicits compliments and God who solicits praise? Consider... 

 

what is God really asking for when he supplicates our praise?  

 

But, put that question to the side for a moment, and let me tell you about a personal "happy place," my favorite restaurant.

 

Don't tell my parents, family, or friends--it's easy these days to stay in touch with those whom we love, but what I really miss in California is Lemon Grass, a Sacramento restaurant of culinary renown featuring a creative fusion of traditional Vietnamese and Thai cuisines. Step inside the modest--the building was once home to an A&W hamburger stand--but urban chic structure and you'll be seduced by the delicate fragrance wafting from the kitchen.  

 

I often speak of Lemon Grass to my family and friends, and even to the occasional stranger who will listen. They sense my passion when I speak of the restaurant. I urge them to visit Lemon Grass and to discover its treasures for themselves. I encourage them to order my favorite entree, available only on the weekend: succulent roasted lamb chops blanketed by a mushroom bordelaise, cooked no more than medium rare, and served with garlic noodles and Asian vegetables. I suggest they follow the meal with a sumptuous dessert known as Saigon by Night: rich vanilla ice cream served over shots of espresso and hazelnut syrup, topped with a sprig of mint. Yum.

 

Now, what was I writing about? Oh yes...

 

what is God really asking for when he supplicates our praise?

  

But...I'm so sorry...back to Lemon Grass for just a moment. Boy, am I hungry. Why do I eagerly praise Lemon Grass before all who will listen? My effusive words of praise are actually the natural effusion of  heartfelt joy around the culinary experience. My praise, in fact, reflects my "fullness of joy."  

 

And that's the story behind God's solicitation of our praise, as well. Even as God elicits our praise, it's not the cry of a self-absorbed, insecure god requiring affirmation; rather, it reflects his ardent invitation to his creation, "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).

 

 

Now what do you think of the numerous times in scripture when God invites--indeed, demands--the praise of men?

 

What--if anything--hinders you from either accepting God's invitation to, "Taste and see," or from afterwards pushing your chair back--grateful, your appetite satisfied, so filled with joy that you cannot contain your words of praise?

 

By the way, Lemon Grass accepts reservations. Their phone number is 916/486.4891. Surely there has to be a way to FedEx that lamb...

Michael Fox
m�agine!

530/613.2774
407 Myrtle Drive
Farmerville, LA, USA 71241
 
In addition to personal and professional coaching,
m�agine! specializes in spiritual transformation coaching,
employing its proprietary models
--Values, Vision, Voice
and Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength--

as well as
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator� curriculum
published by CPP, the People Development People.

Michael's books include
 
Complete in Christ,
Complete in Christ Spiritual Transformation Workbook,
and Biblio�files.

Coaching fees are based upon a sliding scale. Contact us for details.
For additional information, visit our website at maginethepossibilities.net.

Limited scholarships are available for spiritual transformation coaching.
On the flip side, if you are able, please inquire about opportunities
to fund scholarships for those who cannot afford coaching fees.

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