Psalms of Thanksgiving

This is an excerpt from a paper I'm writing right now on the different genre's of the Psalms.  Two genres are mentioned here, the Lament and the Thanksgiving Psalms. Just found myself way encouraged while reflecting on this, Psalm 18 is the operative Psalm here which I'll post at the end for good measure. Love ya =)

Thanksgiving Psalms

            Psalm 18 is an excellent example of the Thanksgiving genre.  Interestingly enough, it begins by saying “I love you, Oh Lord, my strength.”  The Psalm continues in grateful ascents, expressing demonstrations of God’s faithfulness over and over in concrete ideas.  A notable characteristic of the Thanksgiving genre is their bond to a previous lament of some kind, and the conclusion of that lament for which the Psalmist gives thanks.  Verse 6 of this Psalm says “In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple.” This serves the spiritual purpose of creating assurance in God’s impending salvation and his forthcoming answer to prayer.  It also assures us that God is concerned with our outstanding conflicts and desires to bring resolution to them.  Lament Psalms are written out of impatience within God’s timetable.

Excellent article explaining "The Flaw of the Excluded Middle"

Check this out for more info on the concept I brought up on prayer night about 3 weeks ago regarding the philosophical notion known as the flaw of the excluded middle. Very good article articulating the origins and details of this concept.. worth a brief read. Hope you enjoy!

Click Here to Check Out The Article

Sunday -- Labor Day Weekend 2010

Church lets out and I start my car up and get ready to drive my brother on and go into a soul coma of xbox 360 gaming and movies, sprinkled with a few episodes of Scrubs. Not the divine intention of rest. Before I leave, however, I had to run up to my living room to get something. I notice this kid standing on my porch. The nerve..
This kid.. standing on my porch! Why is he standing on my porch? I go up the porch to be greeted by a host of kids on the other side of the railing. With a mix of DJ Meisch thrown in there. All of them staring at a black raven. There are no brown ravens.
Well, they're all crowding around this raven and wondering, why is this majestic beast sitting here calmly, not moving, while people are VERY excited, talking and bustling around it. Why doesn't it freak out and fly away. It just sat there. Calmly. Had its eye on everyone!! Which was funny, but very calm. Reserved even.
So I go in, come out. with my nerf gun. Toy with the idea of shooting the raven. The temptation is so strong. The result would be amazing. It would be the closest I would ever come to hunting for sure.
I shoot the kid instead.
He says ow! I shoot another kid.
The raven watches.
True story.