Ahh the focus is finally away from me!! Well, at least, it sort of is. Rick writes about the things that brings God pleasure, and it’s pretty broad: every action except sin. I guess I would have expected as much, seeing how sin is the act of evil. He spent quite a bit of time writing about Noah and showing how he did everything to please God. And God loved Noah for his obedience and love. Like it was intended to be, God’s love was reciprocated.

Accoding to Rick, these are the things that make God smile:
1. When we love him supremely.
2. When we trust him completely.
3. When we obey him wholeheartedly.
4. When we praise and thank him continually.
5. When we use our abilities.

Question to Consider: Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?

I think that I knew the answer to this question for quite a long time… it has to do with my direction in life; I have been disappointed with Software Engineering for quite some time, but I did not know where else I should go. People around me have encouraged me to transfer, but I was reluctant. Possibly lazy, as well. I told Sarah that I feel like I’m just floating through life — aimless and without direction.. well, direction in this life (hopefully, I am orienting myself towards God!!). I have no career aspirations, no educational goals.. nothing. I don’t know how to apply myself. I should trust God to provide me with direction, a renewed purpose, and the conviction that I need to get there.

Ahh a new section in the book; the first seven chapters dealt with the reason I am on earth.. this next section is concerned with the first purpose: God’s pleasure.

For the most part, I could have replaced “God’s glory” in Day 7 with “God’s pleasure” and I would have gotten the jist of the first part of this chapter. But then he moved onto worship, which was discussed at one of the chapels at St. Paul’s.

His view is that worship is living life as though it was in the presence of God. So everything would be done for His pleasure, His glory. I think I like this definition of it, since it far exceeds the typical notion of worship as song and prayer. I know that I need to learn more about how to devote my life to God.

Question to Consider: What common task could I start doing as if I were doing it directly for Jesus?

From the number of things that came to mind, I think that going to Church would be one of the first things that I’d like to improve… I need to make sure that worship isn’t only for my own gratification and spiritual health; it is for God, as well. If I can remember that, I should be ok 🙂