Poor old Psalms - nobody preaches 'em! Do you sing a new song? Some churches have the
praise hymn, the dedication hymn, etc. I always announce the middle hymn by saying
"Today's weird hymn is . . " and then we sing one that nobody's ever heard! Have
found some fabulous ones that way. If you have a Methodist hymnal try "People, Look
East" in Advent, and "Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore" any time. I
love "Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy" - very Appalacian sounding.
Well, actually Psalms co-exist really well with silence. Maybe we should just let this
spot alone! Back to the Gospel - kbc in sc
kbc in sc,
I think it's sad that this space is empty. Last week and this week's psalms were
psalms of praise. How many of us spontaneously praise God? How many of us get excited or
emotional about the goodness, majesty and sovereignty of God? I believe one of many keys
to the awareness of His presence is praise. Our charismatic/pentecostal brethren (of which
I have a special place in my heart for) may occasionally cross the line into emotionalism
but oh can they praise God!
Rick in Va
Okay, Rick, we have a challenge here! I'll look for you!
You know, praise is like driving down a muddy driveway - when you do it a lot, your
wheels just find their way into those same tracks. And every tradition, from the very
structured monastic use of Psalms, to that of our Pentecostal colleagues, uses repetitive,
increasingly familiar, musically-based words of praise for God. I love Psalm 136 - over
and over, the refrain: For his love endures forever! kbc in sc
Hey, I'm psyched! I didn't expect to find anyone else in here! . . . I had decided
some time ago that when this week rolled around I would be preaching on the Romans text.
However . . . whilst doing my devotional time this morning, I happened to focus on Ps. 149
(working with a lectionary-based devotional guide). And I came away from that time leaning
strongly toward preaching on the Psalm this week ... That's, in fact, why I decided to
check out this corner of DPS, and was pleasantly surprised to find a couple other souls
dwelling here . . . Praise the Lord! :-) I am even thinking about calling my sermon,
"Praise the Lord," . . . or would that be too "out there"? :-)
Praise the Lord! sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the
faithful.
The little kids came trough the doors for the first time wondering what will they
found in Vacation Bible School. The hispanic mother had received an invitation in spanish
for the first time and was also wondering what the activity was. She saw many other
mothers with their kids, most of them hispanics from the community around. She saw the
pastor and volunteers taking care of kids. She knew they wil be fine.
Let Israel be glad in its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
The kids began to learn, play, sing and make crafts. They were amazed by all the
things they found. They learned new songs that they had never sung before, songs of praise
to the Lord. They learned to play the tambourine.
Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre.
On the last day, they all came to church to sing an be part of the worship service.
Their parents came too to hear them sing. When the time came, the pastor invited them to
stand in the front, they were a little shy, the sanctuary was now full with so many new
faces. The pastor began to speak in spanish so they felt more confident and took their
place without problems. They sang and laugh and had fun with all the congregation. They
did not want to stop singing and laughing.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.
The pastor then invited their parents to make a special prayer of blessing for all of
them and the volunteers at VBS. The parents were a little shy too. They were not dress
like the rest of the congregation, they were afraid of coming to the front in their humble
clothes. But the pastor again in spanish, invited them as friends to rejoice with their
kids in the altar. They knew they were welcomed and came to join their kids. They all
prayed together for peace in their homes and for the blessings of the Lord in every one of
them. They left to their pews with tears in their eyes, but they were not the only ones
touched by the Lords presence that morning.
Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing off joy...
Latina
I think a visable barameter of how close to the Lord
we really are can be seen in where we are at in Praise.
all the way through the scriptures whn the throne
room is seen theres more and more praise the closer
one gets to the throne. The cheribum for example are
closer than anybody and the praise like no other. 24/7
round the clock, past present and future crying holy holy
holy Lord God all mighty who was and is and is to come!
so much of our walk with God is a progression. including praise.
the closer I get to the throne, the more he is revealed
and the more I want to Praise him. The more his kingship
is established within me the more i want to praise him.
thats the neat thing about Praise. the progression of Jsus in me
means a progression of praise from me.
Troy in texas
I am preaching this one Sunday . . . I just don't get the part about the saints "jumping on the beds" with joy. Sounds like an image of little children who've had too much sugar! I'm going to have to go straight to the commentaries on that part of it!
Peace ... go with God!
-- Dave K. in Ohio <><
