Tag Archives: praise

Almost ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendnego!'” Daniel 3:28

Almost

I live in a state with a very recognizable motto; one that I think if I start it most people can finish it. Are you ready? “Almost heaven, _________ ________________. Can’t you just hear the iconic sound of John Denver’s voice telling you so?

Yes, I live in West Virginia and I know why “almost heaven” is a fitting description. While we don’t have streets of gold, we do have Golden Trout in our rivers and streams. There aren’t angels singing, however some famous country stars have come from here. The mountains are majestic. The valleys serene. People are gracious and there’s lots of space to escape the pressures of the world. It’s just pretty divine to me and I’m thankful to call it home!

Recently, I was out of state but there was a point when it too felt like home. My husband and I were gifted with tickets to see a musical play based on the book of Daniel in the Bible. It was amazing! The actors, mobile scenery, moving music, and even live animals made for a spectacular production. Surprisingly though, it was a moment with the audience that brought a rapture I never expected.

In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendnego were three men who would only worship God and refused to bow down before an image of gold King Nebuchadnezzar set up. Because of this, the king became enraged and ordered the men be thrown into a blazing furnace.

“Then King Nebuchandnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’
He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’ “
Daniel 3:24-25 (NIV)

After this, the king calls the three men to come out from the furnace and they do, completely unharmed. At this point in the play, the doors of the furnace opened and standing in the midst of the flames with the three men in glowing splendor was… Jesus.  The entire theater erupted! Applause, whistles, and loud cheers filled the large room! And as I joined in, tears filled my eyes while goosebumps covered my body. I can’t put into words how it felt to sit there with 1,999 other people shouting in unison, at the top of our lungs…not for a sports team…not for a pop star, but for the presence of our Savior. It was something I’ll never forget and to be honest I didn’t want to leave the new found family I’d become a part of.

Now that I’m back in West Virginia, I’ve thought a lot about my experience at the Sight and Sound Theater. It’s rare to be in such a large group engaged in the one purpose of praising Jesus. It still gives me chills and my eyes leak too. But, it’s occurred to me since then, that there will come a time when we’ll truly be Home, where together our days will be filled with more than applause.  We will be gathered in worship. Knowing this has helped me realize that during those few minutes joining with others in praise put me in a heavenly state…..well….almost!

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’”
Revelation 5:11-13 (NIV)

I “almost” didn’t but then changed my mind and am joining with others writing to the prompt “Almost” over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com Click over to read more!

 

Voice ~ Write 28 Days

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“Come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1

Voice

Music moves me. In church, at home, in my car, wherever I am, the beat causes my head to bob, hands to raise, and my toes to tap, sometimes without me even knowing I’m doing it. But it’s not just a reaction with motion that I have to music, it is one of e-motion, too. A song can  bring me to tears, take me back in time, brighten a gloomy day, and some, well they send me straight to my knees. Music to me, is a language of love.

Some of my most treasured times as a MiMi are when I’m singing to my young grandsons as I tuck them into bed at night . We have our standards: “You Are My Sunshine,” “Jesus Loves Me,” Away in the Manger,” and the last one I leave them with is the old Barney song, “I Love You, You Love Me.” The notes are not always on key and sometimes I forget some of the words but, each one sung over them is a little expression from my voice to their hearts of a very big love. And when they sing along? Well, that’s when my heart overflows!

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)

Maybe you’re like me and have nights when you lie awake reliving the things that went wrong in your day or are full of fear about what tomorrow might bring. This verse is for us! God is with us, He takes delight in us despite our mistakes; He calms our fears. And then…God will rejoice over us with joyful songs. God, our Savior, singing, over each of us! A Holy expression of love. Tears? Hands raised? Fall to my knees? All. Of. The. Above.

Isn’t it amazing how the Bible shows God’s VERY BIG love for us in simple, relatable ways like  singing songs, just as I do with my grandsons? We may not hear God’s actual singing voice (if we do I’m sure it won’t be off key) but, if we listen carefully we can hear him in the lilt of a birdsong, the melody of children’s laughter, the harmony of loved ones gathered round, the rhythm of the waves, or in the beat of our own hearts. God’s music is the ultimate language of love and it makes me want to sing along. Will you join in?

“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.”
Psalm 40:3a (NLT)

Lack ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1 (NIV) / Pixabay

What Do I Lack?

I don’t lack in clothing.
My cupboards are filled with food.
I don’t need more gadgets.
But, what about more gratitude?

I don’t lack the space
For nice, comfortable living.
Friends and family abound.
But, do I abound in thanksgiving?

I don’t lack in opportunity
For making the most of my days.
Time is mine to offer.
But, do I offer praise?

No, I don’t lack in life’s blessings
Neither contentment nor in love.
What I DO lack is always remembering
To thank God above!

Easter is a reminder that,
My many blessings cannot compare,
To the gift of Jesus upon the cross
With all my sins to bear.

The price he paid for each of us
Is one we can never pay back.
For no other reason than this alone,
In praise and gratitude to Him, we should NEVER lack!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

 

It took a while, but finally finished this poem for the link up at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com The many creative writers over there have also written to the prompt “Lack” this week.  I know you’ll enjoy reading their posts! Inspiration is just a click away!

 

 

 

 

 

God’s Precious Song

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OK, I know it’s May First but the idea for this poem came to me late last night (April 30th) so if you’ll allow me some leeway, here is my final National Poetry Writing Month Challenge poem for 2018. Only wrote 14 out of 30 again.  Well, there’s always next year, I guess!

I was recently blessed to hear the musical talents of Gospel Singer, Cindy Sites.  Her lyrics and testimony touched me so deeply.  As I thought back over her performance the thought came to me that she is “God’s Song”. And so, this poem was born.  This is for Cindy from Cindy!

“He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:3 (NLT) / Pixabay

God’s Precious Song

Her heart is revealed
Through the words that she sings.
Melodies so sweet.
God’s message she brings.

Sharing her grief.
Proclaiming her praise.
Touching our souls
With a grace that’ll amaze!

Sing, sweet friend!
Sing loud and clear.
There’s applause in Heaven
As your voice is lifted down here.

Some have tried to quiet you,
But they were in the wrong.
Yours is a gift given from above
And YOU are God’s precious song.

 

Commercials In My Worship Time?

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image

I’ve been on a quest recently to improve my personal worship time; to make it more meaningful and fervent. My goal was to take time (linger for the right reason) and create an atmosphere of thanksgiving, adoration, and prayer.  Because I love music I knew that’s where this special time with God would begin.  I don’t know about you, but praise music makes me feel about as close to Heaven as anything can.  I grabbed my iPad, hit the Pandora app choosing the Praise station and soft notes filled my room.  The uplifting words filled my soul.  My breathing slowed and my heart soared. “WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPROVE YOUR BRAIN?” What was happening?  “TOUCH THE AD NOW TO LEARN MORE!”  Startled, I became drawn away from God by a commercial in my worship time! 

Now, thinking back, this wasn’t the first time I’ve experienced a “station break” while in worship.   I can’t tell you how many times I’ve created grocery lists, to-do lists, even written blog posts in my mind in the midst of a prayer. Have you been there? Or as I’m in a time of praise and thanksgiving, an unanswered prayer or unmet want vies for my attention changing my attitude in a moment. My wandering mind tends to be more focused on the propaganda of my life than it is on being in worship with the One who died to save my life!

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT)

When I’m creating a new “personal worship time” instead of worshiping the Creator, thinking about things I have to do instead of thanking Him for all the things He’s done, or holding onto feelings that I shouldn’t instead of praising the One who holds me in His nail-scarred hand; my focus is on “the things of earth”…ME!

In the end, God doesn’t care if I have a new and improved worship time.  There isn’t a worship script He asks us to follow.  The truth is that worship isn’t about us at all.  Worship is ALL about God and who He is…..”setting our sights on the realities of Heaven”. 

“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth:  Worship the Lord with gladness.  Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are his.  We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.   Give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good.  His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”  Psalm 100

So let’s not just think about it; let’s play the music, sing the songs, lift the prayers, give the thanks, and Worship “for the Lord. Is. Good!” Oh, and those commercials?  There’s always the mute button!

Magnify

Uplift

Thank

Exalt

 It’s #livefreeThursday an today at http://www.tsuzanneeller.com the prompt is worship.