I found myself giving thanks right before I read this. Easy to give thanks when things are good. Then I felt guilty, was I only giving thanks because I felt God had blessed me somehow? Certainly lots of God's children in the world not feeling that way but still should be giving thanks for a few interesting reasons described in this chapter many of which I don't get. Don't get why to give thanks because his name and promises are exalted. But later in the phrase I get! v3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

The word intentional comes to mind. One of the problems marketers are facing is that there is too much "noise" in our culture and it's increasingly difficult for a company to get people's attention. Unfortunately this afflicts us on a spiritual level too.

The first verse caught my attention today. There's a somewhat new book out called the Emigrant Edge. The basic premise is that 1st and 2nd generation immigrants make up the over half of small businesses in America. But over half of Americans believe the American dream is dead. Anyway, he lays out seven traits that make Emigrants to America better at business. Out of the seven traits he says without a doubt this is the most impotant: "A Heartfelt Spirit of Gratitude Concentrating on what you have, instead of what you lack, colors everything you do." He goes through example after example of how gratefuleness changes situations and outcomes. Pretty amazing God gave us this secret knowledge thousands of years ago. Nonetheless, knowledge is only half the battle.