Day 58 - Hopefully I can finish strong

I am trying to be done in the next couple of weeks so am trying to hit it hard. Today I went 2 hours exactly and rode 42.7 miles for an average of 21.3 mph. I went over 1800 miles for the trip and am now well into Mississippi. It is amazing how days can seem to go slowly and yet at the end of a trip like this the trip can seem like it went so fast. I guess that is where I am at. It seems like I have been riding for a long time; it I can"t belive the trip is closing on the finish. In Psalm 100, the Psalm for giving thanks, verse 1 says, "Make a joyful noise to the Lord." It says, "Make." That refers to effort. Some effort has to be put into the joyful noise. You and I have gone into enough services to understand what the Psalmist is saying. We all have seen people who stand there with their arms crossed, or look every place but at the music, or don't pay any attention to what is going on while a person is up front trying to lead or direct music on a Sunday morning. It is like they don't even care or trying to say, "Just try and please me!" Sure they have all sorts of reasons for why they are not singing. Their reasons are more commonly called excuses. I am not saying there are not reasons for not singing but do you know what excuse does not work for God? "I can't sing" or "I do not have a very good voice." Psalm 100:1 does not say you have to be able to sing opera or good enough to make a record or even sing in the church choir or on a worship team. NO, it says, "Make a joyful noise." Remember God doesn't look at the outside, He looks at the heart. Through the heart of one who loves God, noise meant to honor and glorify God is received by a God who is pleased with what He hears. "Thanks Lord, I am giving you might best. That is all I can do." Talk to you tomorrow.